Still one of my wackiest favourites…and just as mad as before…

…welcome to the future. Welcome to a really crazy guy called Max and a whole lot of even crazier characters. When I’d watched this visual piece of art back in 2015/2016, it utterly blew my mind! I’d never watched such a wacky visual feast before. And with such totally bizarre, but brilliant, concepts…like human blood bags (Tom Hardy), guitarists accompanying the battle convoy, dudes attacking on long vault-like poles and…and…and…

…and, last weekend I was no less blown away. Still one of my favourite movies. Beautiful. I’ve never seen and don’t intend to see any of the previous Mad Max movies…I’d like to keep Fury Road special…no prequels, no sequels, just Fury Road).

The story is set in the future where the world is a dried up wasteland, or rather a complete barren landscape of sand and more sand (another future world that is seeming to become more and more plausible with the state of the world and weather in general). Not so unimaginable at all. A world where petrol and water are scarce and therefore the most precious commodities available (not too unrealistic sounding is it?). Max Rockatansky aka Mad Max (Tom Hardy) finds himself unintentionally going into battle as Nux‘s (Nicholas Hoult) blood bag. This to chase down Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) who has fled with the five precious wives (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough, Zoë Kravitz, Abbey Lee, and Courtney Eaton) of Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne), a powerful warlord who controls a well of water on which his citadel rests.

What unfolds is pretty much a chase movie but oh so brilliantly executed. If you, like me before, are skeptical about Mad Max movies, don’t be. Just go into this one with no no preconceived expectations or opinions. Simply let yourself be totally absorbed within the first few minutes and you don’t even notice how everything else around you ceases to exist until those closing credits at which point you’ll wish it didn’t have to end.

The costumes are phenomenal as are the massive landscapes. The sand storm is just beautiful. The toxic swamp at night with crows and eerie beings is the only reprieve you’ll get of the otherwise ever-present browns, oranges and reds into which you become absorbed. Almost like you’re in a Cirque du Soleil spectacle.

I briefly introduced this movie in another post way back then…how unexpectedly brilliant it was: (here).

And, if you are up for some more futuristic movies, the Futurethon Blogathon, hosted by Gill of Realweegiemidget Reviews (here) and Barry of Cinematic Catharsis (here) has it all.

Minority Report…scarily real

Back in 2002 when Minority Report came out, for some, it seemed really far-fetched and total fantasy, while for others, like me, the future was quite concerning. And, on watching it again some 20 years later I’m just utterly amazed (or completely shocked) at how scarily close to reality Steven Spielberg’s interpretation of the novella “The Minority Report” (Philip K Dick, 1956) came.

Let’s face it, yes, the billboards out there aren’t talking to us directly but the personally targeted advertising we are exposed to these days is pretty much exactly that. Even without having our retinas scanned, our internet surfing, searching, purchasing and general presence gives away so much about us that we might as well be scanning our retinas.

Ah, wait…the story! Yes…sorry, let me tell you a bit more before I get carried away on all the personal data we leave lying around these days.

Sometime in 2054 (not too far away really, as I also noticed the other day when I was extending a date dimension in a data warehouse to 2060..oops, sorry, data nerd moment) the Pre-crime division (a trial program) prevents murder from happening based on images/visions obtained from 3 precogs (pre-cognitives). These precogs (effectively 3 humans who suffer from nightmares due to having been born to drug-addicts) permanently lie, drugged of course, in some milky water, hooked up to technology so that their future murder visions can be captured and actioned upon before they actually take place.

Coming to the closing stages of the trial period, and deemed successful enough to be rolled out to the entire United States, it is all uprooted when Pre-crime Chief John Anderton (Tom Cruise) is implicated, via a vision, in a future murder. Of course he needs to go on the run because anyone appearing as a future murderer is arrested and haloed (i.e. suspended in a catatonic and drugged state) and as he says “everybody runs”. Of course, not all is at is seems…I guess it would be too good to be true..or, we wouldn’t have a story.

The disturbing and questionable aspect of the movie isn’t as much the accuracy of the future Minority Report world compared to the one of 2023 but around arresting someone for a murder that they haven’t committed yet. So, despite the precogs “always being right”, how can you rely on that and make an arrest? Because, it hasn’t happened yet. And yes, you are preventing it (are you?), but can you really, really, reeeeaaaaally be sure that it will in fact take place? Who says the precogs always predict the right thing? Isn’t another concept out there that what is meant to be will be? Something to ponder upon…

…and, if you haven’t watched the movie, ponder upon watching it to see how it all unfolds. I must say, I did enjoy it back around 2002/2003 when I first watched it but now I appreciate it even more. Especially working extensively with data and artificial intelligence. It somehow hits home even more these days.

Minority Report also stars Samantha Morton as one of the precogs, Colin Farrell as a Department of Justice agent who gets a bit too close to the truth and Max von Sydow as the director of it all, Lamar Burgess.

And, if you are up for some more futuristic movies, the Futurethon Blogathon, hosted by Gill of Realweegiemidget Reviews (here) and Barry of Cinematic Catharsis (here) will give you some more.

 

And starring Alan Arkin with the Muppets…oops, with Pippa Lee…

…no, I didn’t get totally confused…it’s just that I’m writing for “The Great Muppet Guest Star Caper” Blogathon and I decided to use Alan Arkin, who was a guest star in the Muppets to get me to the movie “The Private Lives of Pippa Lee”.

Alan Arkin plays Herb Lee, retired husband of much younger Pippa Lee (Robin Wright…then still Robin Wright Penn). Having sold up their huge mansion to lead a simpler, quieter life in a retirement village, things don’t turn up so tranquil (and possibly boring as expected by Pippa) after all.

You see, very early on we realise that while Herb is enjoying his new life (although, even here you soon realise he just can’t leave his success behind), Pippa Lee just doesn’t really fit in. But it isn’t only the retirement village that is the problem…no, you realise that poor Pippa doesn’t even fit into her own family properly. She seems to be the outsider. Even though everyone claims she is the most supportive person, the best cook and, and, and..

But of course things have to happen, have to change. We wouldn’t have a story/movie otherwise would we? And while Pippa Lee is rediscovering herself (she doesn’t want to be the perfect wife and mother) we also experience her previous life…literally from the womb.

I won’t give too much away, just in case you want to watch this 2009 Rebecca Miller movie for yourself. It is based on the book of the same name, also written by Ms Miller (and sitting on my bedside table waiting to be read). I always enjoy Rebecca Miller’s movies and this is no exception.

The rest of the cast is brilliant too – we have Blake Lively (I was introduced to her in this role) as one of the younger Pippa Lees. Mario Bello is Pippa’s drug-addicted mother. Monica Belluci, Winona Ryder, Zoe Kazan and Julianne Moore amongst others make for interesting characters. And to top it all off, Keanu Reeves sports a grotesque full chest tattoo as Chris, a 35 year old also going through his own personal crisis.

Sound complicated? Sound heavy? Yes, it is. But absolutely worth watching. If you like some drama.

And if you want to meet some other Muppet Guest Stars, head on over to Gill and Rebecca, the wonderful hosts of this Blogathon.

Gill is here (click here) and Rebecca is here (click here).

 

Flaming Hot…Five Reasons Why…You’ve Been Tagged

Well…what can I say…Gill (Realweegiemidget Reviews) and I just couldn’t resist to collaborate again. We chit and chat quite often about our favourite (hot, yes) characters…and because fellow bloggers Ruth from Silver Screenings and Maedez at A Small Press Life are taking a break from that wonderful Reel Infatuation Blogathon, we decided to bring a new angle onto our Flaming Hotties Tag we started a few years back. Just so those of you who are totally infatuated can still get it out into the Blogosphere. And, well, sometime we just need some time to be “shallow” and enjoy some good looking characters.

 

Thanks Maedez and Ruth for letting us “fill in” for you this year (although our tag doesn’t come anywhere near your wonderful blogathon). We can’t wait for next year’s Reel Infatuation Blogathon again.

 

So, here goes…please post the rules (copy paste does the trick) and then get swooning:

1. You must add the name of the blog that tagged you AND those of the Thoughts All Sorts and Realweegiemidget Reviews with links to ALL these sites.. and use the natty cat themed picture promoting this post. This picture is found later in this post… 
2. List 5 of your all-time swoon-worthy characters from TV or Film i.e crushes/objects of your affection. And also do mention the actor or actress who plays them, as you might like James Bond as played by Timothy Dalton and no one else.. etc etc
3. Link (Tag) to 5 other bloggers.
4. Add lovely pictures, gifs or videos of those you selected.
5. If you don’t have a blog (or don’t have time to write a post) join in with your choices on Twitter with this #5TheFlamingHot5ReasonsWhy Tag and tag @realweegiemidge and @Thoughtsallsort  and the person who tagged you in your tweet.
6. Oh…and post these rules.

So, in no particular order, here are my hottest characters (some good boys, some bad boys), many of which are probably no surprise to you:

 

Tommy Shelby (Peaky Blinders)

1. He’s all business.

2. Those eyes…no further comment.

3. Family comes first (even though they’re not the perfect one)

4. Who can resist that style? I mean…just look at him…

5. Is played by Cillian Murphy

 

Prince Charming (Cinderella)

1. He’s simply a gentleman. We need more of those.

2. Those eyes aren’t too bad either.

3. He doesn’t appear to be just superficial but has a genuine character.

4. There’s a gentleness about him.

5. Is played by Richard Madden.

Stretch (Yellow Sky) (Spoilers ahead)

1. He cleans up pretty well when told his smells. I mean, in a dusty, water-scarce area…that’s quite a feat.

2. He might be a criminal but he does come clean.

3. Any bank robber who brings back what he’s stolen (every last cent)…what can I say…?

4. He makes sure nothing happens to Mike no matter how hard his gang is to control.

5. Is played by Gregory Peck.

Fritz (Catch and Release)

1. He has his priorities right…about business and life.

2. He is not pushy at all and knows just when to back off.

3. Accepts Grey for who she is – I absolutely love watching his face as she reveals her feelings about natural disasters.

4. Oh that kiss in the fishing store…enough to make anyone swoon.

5. Is played by Timothy Olyphant.

 

Bond…James Bond (Casino Royale and Casino Royale only)

1. Ah man…you want 5 points? Really? Let’s start with the beach scene…

2. Then we’ll move on to the shower scene…

3. Ok, fine, let me calm down. Love the wit and sarcasm in this case (it’s characters we’re on about, not real people where this would be a total put-off)

4. There’s a soft side to him in this movie,

5. Oh…and I don’t need to say which actor plays him…

 

So…now it’s over to you 5 Bloggers…you’ve been tagged! I’ve been out of Blogging touch for ages so this is also a way to say Hi again:

Maedez – A Small Press Life (Gill tagged Ruth so I’ll tag you)

Rebecca – Taking up Room

Emma – emmakwall (explains it all)

Caz – Let’s Go to the Movies

Debbie – Moon in Gemini (I’m missing your Blogathons Debbie)

 

Odd or Even…that is the question…

…that formed the basis of the Odd or Even Blogathon, hosted by RealWeegieMidget Reviews and Taking Up Room. But, njahahahaha, while I was all game to let them decide (fairly, I might add, by coin toss) if I was to write about my odd-yeared or even-yeared movie, I had come up with my own little twist. You see, I simply gave them “O and 2003” for the movie made in an odd year and “B ” for my choice of movie made in an even year. The coin was tossed…Open Range (2003) it was. Yaaaay! Had been wanting to re-watch that movie for a while.

Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall), together with his three loyal hands Charley Waite (Kevin Costner), Mose (Abraham Benrubi) and Button (Diego Luna), is driving his cattle across the great open plains. Out of necessity, some supplies are required and Mose is sent to the closest town. When Mose doesn’t come back after 2 days, Boss and Charley head on into town to see what’s happened (they know something is wrong because Mose is a gentle soul, just like the group’s loyal dog Tig). Finding Mose in jail brings them their first encounter with disgraceful Sheriff Poole (James Russo, who is always so brilliant as the bad guy in westerns (ok, fine, I’ve only ever seen him in westerns)) and Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon). They had been waiting for Boss to come on through because Baxter, a rich land baron who rules the town with his group of thugs and of course Sheriff Poole, dislikes “free grazers” or, open range cattlemen, a threat to his own stock. This sets the stage for many further encounters which, of course, come to a blasting climax.

Kevin Costner directs this movie and I must admit, I really enjoy his works. Be it in front of or behind the camera. He brings with him a sense of calmness but this is not to be confused with boring as Open Range is nothing like that. It is about men who want to move forwards with their life because the past wasn’t something to be proud of. Of men who just can’t walk away when their friends and lives (and livelihoods) are threatened. And about not simply moving aside for those who feel they are better, more powerful just because of their supposed status and wealth. About dreams and missed opportunities. And living. So, while this western doesn’t start with gun-fight after gun-fight after gun-fight but rather a character study and introduction to these men and why they have such utter respect for each other, the end becomes more powerful because they are pushed back into what they once were (and were trying to forget). Throughout the movie we are left wondering how each situation will develop.

The scenery is stunning and, well, need I mention the acting? Robert Duvall is always a pleasure to watch. I especially like him in these “mentor”* roles where, without trying he earns utter respect from those around him, including me, the viewer. I admire how he handles situations, thinks things through and says it how it is when warranted. Kevin Costner is perfect as Charley with that calm demeanor (most of the time) yet one can see the internal battles going on. In fact, the casting here is absolutely perfect – those actors already mentioned are complemented by Annette Bening, Michael Jeter, Dean McDermott and many more.

*By the way, my “even” year choice for this was Broken Trail (2006) and coincidentally also starts Robert Duvall in a similar role. Another recommended movie to watch if you haven’t done so already.

So glad I picked this as one of my choices and that Gill’s hubby tossed the coin. Watching this was long overdue. Head on over to RealWeegieMidget Reviews or Taking Up Room for more entries to this wonderful Blogathon. Gill, Rebecca, thanks for hosting. It has been great fun!

 

 

I definitely knew your name…

…before Bond.

For me the choice is simple. Who else but Daniel Craig. For two reasons…the first being that I really enjoy his movies and have done so before he became Bond. Back in the day when not too many people had heard of him (or so I think was the case).

And more fittingly, because he is the only Bond I actually enjoy. Pre-Craig, I couldn’t be bothered with 007 movies, the odd snippets I had seen were just, dare I say, kitsch and cheesy and just not my cup of martini, oops, tea…especially where a dude has silver bits (or was it diamonds in his face?) or some people prance around glass palaces. Anyway…back to the topic at hand…

I had initially noticed Daniel Craig in I Dreamed of Africa but only when he appeared in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (cringe, did I just admit to watching that?) did I consciously register this actor but hey, he still wasn’t in many movies at the time (or it was just pre-IMDB and I was none the wiser). But then came L4yer Cake (2004) and that’s where he was absolutely fantastic. And note-worthy. Re-watching it this last month, I recognised the Bond he was to become.

L4yer Cake (yes, L4yer) is one of those brilliant British movies (think Lock, Stock… or Snatch) where a successful (businessman) drug dealer, ? as we never know his name (Daniel Craig) decides he wants “out” but of course it isn’t that easy. Just as he decides to call it a day he is tasked with one last job: to find the daughter of a seriously influential friend of his boss. This task in itself isn’t easy and to complicate matter more (I mean, why not? We wouldn’t have a story otherwise), the stakes go up with a huge number of Ecstasy pills needing to be moved coming into the mix (no pun intended). layer after layer of back-stabbing, gangs, lies and a pretty lady (Sienna Miller) are stacked upon each other, make for an interesting watch. No longer knowing who to trust our unknown leading character must navigate his way through this dangerous mess.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching L4yer Cake again for the first time in many, many years because it is just such a great movie but because it was so interesting to see Daniel Craig in a role that I felt almost gave hints of what was to come. Obviously, this wasn’t the case but I definitely felt some Bond recognition. Then again, I guess it is the style of the actor that makes the character. In fact this scene just sums it all up:

Oh, and to see Tom Hardy, wow, I couldn’t even remember he was in this one – not the biggest role but still fun to watch. Sir Michael Gambon and Colm Meaney star as the double-crossers yielding the power. All in all, L4yer Cake is well made with the layers (yes, picture a cake made up of different criminal layers) adding to the one already there i.e. our nameless dealer just wants to get out of the business but one job is added to another, one challenge to the one before making for an interesting end.

Well, then we have a total opposite of a role for Daniel Craig. Another one that I saw pre-Bond i.e. pre-Casino Royale. Here I saw what a brilliant actor Mr Craig is, how he delivers such contrasting roles to perfection. Or, at least I think so. The Mother is the movie I’m talking about now.

Here we have Darren (Daniel Craig of course), boyfriend of Paula and repairer of Bobby and wife Helen‘s conservatory. But, that’s the simple part. The complexity is that we have mother of Paula and Bobby, May (Anne Reid). Still all good, right? Well, not for long because while May is staying with Bobby and Helen in London, she is introduced to Darren. The form a connection around art and well, ultimately other things. Darren is also a married man. I think you see this is all one complex family setup but the movie revolves around May and the relationship (let me say that we’re not talking about just “friends”) she has with Darren but also with her children. May fears she will become an “invisible old lady” but also struggles to come to terms with her depression while raising her children and the effects this has had on them.

While this isn’t a feel good movie by any means, it is thought provoking (controversial?) and raises interesting questions around family relationships, growing older and parenting. But, it shows what a versatile actor Daniel Craig was/is. He is able to take on complex characters and portray them perfectly – from the quiet (and destructive) handy-man to passionate lover.

Granted, The Mother is definitely not for everyone but after having seen this and the previously mentioned L4yer Cake, I was totally hooked on an actor I’d never heard of before. And one who, at that time, wasn’t so well known as he is now.

And he’s the only reason I ever watched  Casino Royale. I honestly wouldn’t have bothered otherwise. I’m not sure (and I’m not really interested, sorry 🙂 ) what the previous Bond movies were like, but ever since Casino Royale, I’ve enjoyed them (ok, exclude Quantum of Solace).

For some more reading on non-Bond Bond actor movies, head on over to Real Weegie Midget Reviews or Pale Writer for their You Knew My Name: The Bond not Bond Blogathon.

PS: Gill and Pale Writer, I’m sorry I’m late – I had in my mind that I still had today. Arghhh, the calendar in my brain is a bit out at the moment. Could we use the excuse…ahm…Daniel Craig?

 

The perfect excuse to watch Hannie Caulder…

Another movie I‘d somehow avoided until Gill of Realweegiemidget Reviews tempted me with a Christopher Lee Blogathon. Gosh…I didn’t want to say no but, aside from Lord of the Rings, Christopher Lee roles are unknown to me. Ok..maybe the few minutes, if that, in Sleepy Hollow. But, I thought I needed something more. So, off to IMDB I went. And found the perfect excuse to finally watch Hannie Caulder.

Now, this is one movie that ‘d avoided mostly because the DVD cover just didn’t quite do it for me. It looked a bit…I don’t know…how should I say…ahem…let’s settle for “dodgy” or, to clarify, a bit too “sultry”. And secondly, the story premise, well, I wasn’t sure I was in the mood for it. But then, on the other hand, how bad can a 1971 western with Ernest Borgnine and Raquel Welch really be? So, I set my preconceived judgments aside, entered the Blogathon, watched the movie and….was really pleasantly surprised.

Yes, the beginning, where Hannie Caulder (Raquel Welch) is raped wasn’t pleasant, and I’m never enjoy watching these type of scenes but, after that, it got better. Because, Hannie Caulder, in nothing but a poncho, what appears to be some tatty sole-less shoes and one huge amount of revenge on the mind, comes across bounty hunter Thomas Price (Robert Culp, who, I admit, I’d never heard of before now). She eventually convinces him to teach her how to shoot and starts the search for the three Clemens brother miscreants, so superbly played by Ernest Borgnine (who I always enjoy watching), Jack Elam and Strother Martin. As much as these brothers were absolutely vile characters, the actors taking on these roles…well, wow, they played them brilliantly.And that’s where Christopher Lee comes in. He’s a renown gunsmith Bailey, living in a relatively remote (or maybe just out-of-the way) spot in Mexico. Price, finally having learnt of Hannie’s experience, brings her to Bailey to commission the ideal weapon for her. As much as Christopher Lee has a small role here, he brings this only Western character he played to life with such compassion and insight. I thoroughly enjoyed his role where he, to me, sees more than just two people coming for a gun. He sees beyond what Hannie later claims, that she doesn’t care about Price, that’s she’s only using him. As much as Hannie needs to go on once she has her fast-draw and light(er) gun, there is almost this feeling that she, together with Price, could build up something together. Have a life together. That they realise this while at Bailey‘s. Maybe I’m reading too much into it. But, ultimately, I really enjoyed Lee as a father and gunsmith. He also brings some calmness to the movie which balances the chaotic Clemens brothers, who, believe it or not, amongst the havoc they cause, also bring some comic relief.

How the rest of the story pans out, well, I’ll leave that for you to see. No point me giving it away. But, let me just say, don’t be put off by the terrible DVD cover (which in my version has Welch in nothing but poncho/blanket and showing lots of leg and in another has her perched in a revealing dress between the Clemens‘). This is a really good revenge western. And nothing as sultry as the covers would have you think.

Price has his words of wisdom, which resonate far beyond the end credits.

Head on over to the wonderful Blogathon hosts, Realweegiemidget Reviews (here) and Cinematic Catharsis (here) for more on Christopher Lee.

What makes you so sure?

That you’d gun down 4 men? You were sure it was them. You were hell-bent on revenge. You just knew it was them. Even though they begged and pleaded. Claimed they were innocent. Yet blinded by revenge, grief, hatred, you did it anyway.

I’d passed over The Bravados (1958) many a time because it just sounded heavy. And so it was. One of those westerns that isn’t purely for escapism but thought provoking. Jim Douglass (Gregory Peck) rides in to a village constructing some gallows for hanging 4 men. The same four men, it turns out, that Jim has been relentlessly pursuing. They murdered his wife. Those bastards. And he intends to see them pay for it. With their lives of course.

(Stop here if you don’t want spoilers)

But, they escape (with a kidnap victim) . And Jim, with the help of his former love, Josefa Velarde (Joan Collins) hunts them down once more. This time, however, he kills them one by one. They are, after all, kidnappers, villains and rapists (some of them). As he gets to his final outlaw the truth is revealed. The four men had never been to Jim‘s ranch. They just happened to be passing there at the wrong time, when Jim was blinded by events and made assumptions. And failed to see the obvious. The real killer who was never on the run. It is at this point that the heaviness of this movie really hits home. How, no matter how much we often think we know events or the truth, no matter how much someone else tells us otherwise, we act based on our opinions, often to realise too late how horribly wrong we were. When things cannot be undone.

Yes, the 4 outlaws might have been guilty of many crimes (hence the pending hanging) which, in this case weren’t for the murder of a young mother and wife, but, does it justify the revenge taken for one crime that never happened to be “transferred” to other crimes that really were committed? Jim killed the men for all the wrong reasons. It was not his justice to have. As much as the villagers thought otherwise. He knows he is now just as guilty as them. How can he live with himself? I don’t think he does but his belief system is definitely changed. And that makes him deserve a second chance at a life with his daughter and Josefa. She is the voice of reason he needs to come to terms with himself and make a new future.

Josefa raises some interesting points to ponder. About love’s chances lost. What would have been had she and Jim made it as a couple. Would everything have been different? No murder to revenge? No beautiful child? I’m always fascinated by these ideas. That life takes you on a path but would circumstances have made it any different or would the same events have happened anyway? Or, was it all how it was meant to be? That ultimately Josefa and Jim were to be together but only with the journey they had to make to get there.

Gregory Peck, as always, is absolutely convincing, and sometimes even a little scary, in this serious role. He is ruthless, cold and hard as nails. And that’s were Joan Collins balances him out perfectly. She brings a lightness along that is never undermining now is she overshadowed by Peck‘s presence. And isn’t afraid to buy him a beer.

Now, I must admit, this was the first role I’d ever seen Joan Collins in. I’d only ever heard of her or seen photos from the last 20 years or so. But never had I encountered the young beautiful actress I found in The Bravados. While her role was relatively small, I thoroughly enjoyed her and will keep an eye out for other roles.

Amazing that even one of my favourite cowboy actors Gregory Peck couldn’t initially entice me to watch this western (and you all know I’m a huge Gregory Peck and western fan). Neither could perfect villain Lee Van Cleef. But along came the Joan Collins Blogathon, hosted by Gill over at RealWeegieMidgetReviews, and I just couldn’t let her (Gill and Joan) down. So glad I finally watched it. For other entries to this wonderful Blogathon, head on over here: here

Some belated Jeff Bridges Birthday anagram fun

The Anagram Hunter (@Thomas_W_Hunter) sent me this list of movies to unscramble – here’s to all you Jeff Bridges fans who want to give it a go.

Apologies for the delayed reaction with this…I’m afraid blogging, renovations and my work commitments just didn’t get in sync this week. Unfortunately, work had to come first…

Jeff Bridges Blogathon Wrap-up

I’ve had absolutely wonderful entries to the Jeff Bridges Blogathon. Thank you to everyone who joined me.

Apologies to those of you who I only linked up today – timezones, different bedtimes and a long day at work made it difficult to get everyone’s linked on 4th December, Jeff Bridges’ Birthday.

Sam Simon of vengonofuoridallefottutepareti tells us about the excellent performance given by Jeff Bridges in his Oscar and Golden Globe winning role of Bad Blake, a washed out singer (and actually excellently sung by Mr Bridges himself) in Crazy Heart (2009). (here)

The Midnite Drive-In guides us through cult classic The Big Lebowski, which, dude, if you haven’t seen, you really should do so, man. This 1998 Coen Brothers movie is rated one of the top 250 by IMDB. Get inspired here.

Realweegiemidget Reviews tackles Jeff Bridges’ role as  homme fatale Jack Forrester in 1985’s Jagged Edge. This court-room thriller has you wondering if Jack is guilty or not. Pop past this post (here) to read all about it.

Taking Up Room tells us about Tron (1982) and the cyber world together with some really interesting things about the sets and costumes. It must be quite an experience finding yourself in a computer program. Here you can read it all.

MovieRob gives us his thoughts about Tron (1982) as well as Tron: Legacy (2010). Both star Jeff Bridges. Here and here are his thoughts about these two movies. Technologies change so be sure to read about his thoughts on the latter.

Read about Tucker: The Man and His Dream of 1988 over at Dubsism (here). Aside from the great movie reviewed you’ll also discover some interesting information around the hidden allegory to the rise and fall of the Alliance of American Football.

Want to read about a little heard of gem of a movie? Head on over to Diary of a Movie Maniac and read about Bad Company here. A western showing a less glorified west, with Jeff Bridges in one of his first starring roles.

Pfeiffer Pfilms and Meg Movies reviews The Fabulous Baker Boys of 1998 here. In this one Jeff teams up with real-life brother Beau and take on the role of musicians and the impact when a singer joins them.

And finally, I review the movie that first introduced me to Jeff Bridges, Lolly Madonna XXX here.

Happy reading!

 

Lolly Madonna XXX

…not a dodgy rated movie but a postcard signed with kisses by Lolly Madonna. And the cause of a whole lot of violence between the Feather and Gutshall families in Lolly Madonna XXX (1973).

Two families, living next door to each other in Tennesse, steal or damage each others’ property. And up to this point, things are relatively harmless and nobody gets hurt. But then, the Gutshalls sons place a postcard into their own postbox which is next to the Feathers’ one. It is addressed to one of the Gutshall sons and states that Lolly Madonna will be waiting at the bus-stop in the village nearby on a particular day. This all with the hope that the Feather boys Thrush (Scott Wilson) and Skylar (Timothy Scott) will find the card (yes, the look into each other’s post boxes) and head off to town to find this girl thus leaving the Gutshalls with a chance to steal some pigs.

BUT…there just happens to be a girl waiting at the bus stop. Not Lolly Madonna but Roonie Gill (Season Hubley). She has no connection to these feuding families at all and is running away from her own troubles. Thrush and Skylar kidnap her while Zeb (Gary Busey) and Ludie (KielMartin) Gutshall go get the livestock. And this is the start of the total destruction of these two families. Even the respective patriarchs Laban Feather (Rod Steiger) and Pap Gutshall (Robert Ryan) fail to restore some order with violence ensuing on both sides. We do, however, have some members of these families who try to keep civil, including Zack Feather (Jeff Bridges) who is tasked with looking after Roonie.

It is Zack who always stood out for me. He is the caring one, the one who seems to want to stay out of it all. And this is also the role which introduced me to a very young Jeff Bridges. And I’ve been a fan ever since. He brings this perfect balance of a young man both loyal to his family yet still trying to do the right thing. And, it turns out that this mostly level headed Feather boy is indirectly responsible for all the mayhem.

Directed by Richard C. Sarafian and based on a novel by…wait for it…you’ll never guess…Sue Grafton, I never really know how I feel about this one. At times unpleasant to watch at other times leaving a hopeless and then hopeful feeling, it is most definitely an interesting one to watch with a final climactic shootout. Oh, the futility of it all!

You’ll know most of the cast (also Ed Lauter, Randy Quaid) and yet will probably never have heard of this one. But, I’m forever grateful that this relatively unknown movie introduced me to such a phenomenal actor and artist. I’ve watched pretty much every Jeff Bridges movie since.

For more posts celebrating Jeff Bridges (it is his birthday today), head on over to my Jeff Bridges Blogathon page and read all the entries!

The Jeff Bridges Blogathon and a birthday wish…

So, first and foremost:

Happy Birthday Mr. Bridges! Hope you have a wonderful day.

And for Jeff Bridges’ 70th Birthday, I’ve decided to hold the Jeff Bridges Blogathon to honour this wonderful and often underrated actor.

As many of you know, I was introduced the wonderful world of movies through my parents’ Super 8 film collection (saved just in time from someone tossing them into the junkyard). And, it is amongst this wonderful collection that there was Lolly Madonna – XXX (and no, don’t get any ideas…that’s XXX as in kisses). The character who caught my attention was none other than Zack Feather played by Jeff Bridges. Since then, I’ve always enjoyed this artist and the movies he’s been in. From the up-to-no-good Jake (Bad Company) to Jack (The Fabulous Baker Boys and The Fisher King), be it Charles Howard (Seabiscuit) or Rooster Cogburn (True Grit) and those myriad other characters, every role he takes on is absolutely perfect.

Born on the 4th December 1949 as Jeffrey Leon Bridges, he has starred in movies such as The Fabulous Baker Boys, Tucker: The Man and his Dream, The Big Lebowski, The Fisher King, Crazy Heart, Hell or High Water, and and and the list goes on. It was year after year that I hoped this great actor would win the coveted Oscar and/or Golden Globe…finally 2010 came and Crazy Heart won him both awards. Photography is another gift of his and the shots I’ve seen are superb. As for his musical talents, those are fantastic too.

So, without further ado, here are the posts of my fellow bloggers in honour of today’s special birthday (I’ll update the entries as the day goes by…late entries welcome, including mine):

 

	vengonofuoridallefottutepareti  (Sam Simon) – Crazy Heart (2009)
	The Midnite Drive-In – The Big Lebowski (1998)
	Realweegiemidget Reviews – Jagged Edge (1985)
	Thoughts All Sorts – Lolly Madonna XXX (1973)
	Taking Up Room – Tron (1982)
	MovieRob – Tron (1982)
	MovieRob – Tron Legacy (2010)
	Dubsism – Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)
	Diary of a Movie Maniac – Bad Company (1972)
	Pfeiffer Pfilms and Meg Movies – The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989)

Grace shines again…

…as always. I’m really enjoying watching Grace Kelly and this time I finally got around to a movie that I’ve been meaning to watch for ages. Rear Window (1954).

Here she takes on the role of snob high society fashion expert Lisa, who is desperately trying to win the full attention of her boyfriend Jeff (?, hmm, is he really? Maybe she thinks so…I’m not convinced he does). He, however, is confined to his apartment in a wheelchair due to a broken leg courtesy of some action shot he took (he’s a photographer). Bored, Jeff (James Stewart) spends his days spying on casually watching the comings and goings of the surrounding neighbours. One couple living across the courtyard is constantly fighting until suddenly, the wife is gone. Under very suspicious goings on. Lisa at first isn’t really interested – she’s more worried about serving lobster and being the perfectly styled lady around. Oh, and becoming the undivided attention. However, gradually she is pulled into the mystery of the missing wife. And eventually is fully involved in contributing theories.

I absolutely love watching Grace Kelly go from pretty much being disinterested to being hands-on with this personal investigation going on. An absolute pleasure to watch her transform yet still allow the underlying prim and proper lady to shine through. And she seems to manage this so will in all the movies I’ve seen her in (which, I’m afraid is really a small handful). She has the knack of subtly bringing out a woman who does, in fact, have more substance/strength than we initially believe. And yet she always keeps her poise.

As for the movie, well, let’s just focus on Grace here. She is magnificent. And gives another fine performance.

Here the movie that first introduced my to this actress: Grace Kelly’s Mrs Kane in High Noon and here she is in another Hitchcock movie: To Catch a Thief (1955).

For more of this wonderful lady, head on over to The Wonderful World of Cinema (here), Musings of a Classsic Film Addict (here) and The Flapper Dame (here), the wonderful hosts of The 5th Wonderful Grace Kelly Blogathon.

Shelley takes no nonsense…

This is Shelley Winters to me:

Always has been. Always will be. In fact, I don’t know her in any other role. That is, the cigar-smoking, non-nonsense taking Kate from The Scalphunters (1968). So there you have it…another secret is out. I guess I should try watch at least one other movie of hers…but you know what? I quite like her as this western lady. The one who gives tough-as-nails leader of the “wickedest, crookedest”* scalp hunters, Jim Howie (who else but Telly Savalas?), a run for his money:

She has to though…who else would put up with kissing a man who chews tobacco and likes prunes:

Kate: “Look. Look at my skin. It’s getting all dried up. Pretty soon I’m going to look like an old prune.”

Howie: “Well, I like prunes”

She’s not scared to tell Jim Howie to run his business “like you knew what you’s doing” in such a way that all he can reply with is  “ain’t she pretty?”. And that she is. Underneath all her toughness, she dreams of a fancy house and beautiful skin. And, she’s Shelley Winters, really a pretty lady who has the perfect balance of sweetness and feistiness to pull off this role. I’m not sure who else could have been so perfectly cast opposite Telly Savalas, himself at times overpowering the screen.

Here she is, promised that after having had her hair shampooed by the humble cactus, she’ll be a fine lady:

I think that goal was definitely achieved:

Throughout the movie, Shelley Winters is just fabulous in her role. The perfect fit here and when facing the Kiowa chief, offering him a bottle of whiskey, she sums up her character (and performance) absolutely perfectly: “Indian Man, I don’t know how many wives you got now…but you’re going to have yourselves the damnedest white squaw in the Kiowa nation.”

If you haven’t seen this movie yet, do so. Aside from Shelley‘s performance, Telly Savalas, Burt Lancaster and Ossie Davis add their great acting skills to this western (with some comic moments added in). The story is about a fur tracker who encounters some Indians and being forced to trade his precious goods for an escaped slave. Things are further complicated when the furs end up with the renegades. For a more detailed review of the actual movie, head on over here (here).

*as so aptly described by Joe Bass (Burt Lancaster) to Joseph Lee (Ossie Davis)

Now I’m heading over to Realweegiemidget Reviews and Poppity Talks Classic Film the hosts of The Shelley Winters Blogathon  (here) to be enlightened on some more of this actress’ roles.

 

 

The Ladd Tag…

…my dear blogging and chocolate swap friend Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews likes a tag as much as I do…and she got me this time. The Mad About Ladd tag comes from a mad about Ladd blogger Pale Writer who I’ve recently discovered is also a western fan! Anyway, moving along, here’s the tag (albeit a little late):

1. Please add the name of and link to the person/blogger who tagged you as well as a link to Pale Writer and her original post here.
2. Please post your four favourite pictures of Alan Ladd as well as your favourite gif.
3. Say why you love these four pictures and this gif.
4. Tag four other bloggers/ people who are part of the classic film or film community on twitter.
5. And please circulate the rules through linking this post 😊

So, point 1 done, I now need to look for pictures and a gif of an actor I’ve only ever heard of (sorry…I know, that’s soooo bad. How could I?) and not seen….I’ll be back just now…

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Ok, I found some stuff and next, I guess I’d better make some time to watch this actor..

Here are the pics and why I like (love might be a strong word for an actor I don’t know 🙂 ) them – be warned though, as I am totally unfamiliar with any of his works, my comments might just be totally out of context…but hey, I’m trying…

1. The first one that really caught my eye…I like it purely because it looks so intriguing. So mysterious. So suspenseful. I might just need to track this movie down.

2. The next one was just so sweet. I guess it touches a soft spot seeing parent and child together. And I just like their expressions.

3. Up next, weirdly enough…a similar one to my first. I guess this movie (I think it is from the same one as 1) is really calling out to me. Once again, that intrigue got my attention.

and finally, number 4…well, this one just seemed such a “classic movie” pose. I’m the romantic at heart and this one just speaks love and that there is about to be a huge change coming but that it will eventually all work out.

Then, the gif…here it is…I’m just so curious as to how a man with a gun, obviously waiting out some situation ends up with a cat in his lap and a lady by his side…

I’m going to have to pass the tagging of other bloggers because I think all the classic film bloggers have been tagged by this stage…if not, you’ve been tagged…tee hee.

Announcing the Jeff Bridges Blogathon

I think it’s high time we have a Blogathon in honour of an often underrated but brilliant actors…Jeff Bridges! I was first introduced to this fantastic actor when I was a teen and right from that moment, he was right there on the top of my list of favourites. And there he remains to this day.

So, without further ado, here it is:

I’ll be doing a one day only Blogathon, on Jeff Bridges‘ birthday. So, 4th December 2019 it is. You can submit as many entries as you like and the topics can cover the man himself, his movies, or anything related to this versatile actor. I don’t mind duplicates as everyone is different. No previously published posts though.

You know the drill I’m sure…sign up in the comments below with your topic/movie of choice and publish it on 4th December 2019. I’ll link them all up on the Blogathon page that day. Oh, and in the meantime, grab a banner from further down (or create your own) and link back to me here.

(Of course, it should go without saying that if you are not a fan, please don’t submit a post i.e. no disrespectful entries please. And, please don’t write about a movie you didn’t really enjoy just because Mr Bridges is in it. We’re here to celebrate after all. )

Here’s the roster so far:

Thoughts All Sorts – Lolly Madonna XXX (1973) and TBC

MovieRob – TBC

Pfeiffer Pfilms & Meg Movies – The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989)

Dubsism – Tucker: The Man and his Dream (1988)

Realweegiemidget Reviews – Starman (1984)

The Midnite Drive-In – The Big Lebowski (1998)

Taking Up Room – Tron (1982)

Seven Doors of Cinema – Kiss Me Goodbye (1982)

vengonofuoridallefottutepareti  (Sam Simon) – Crazy Heart (2009)

Diary of a Movie Maniac – Bad Company (1972)

 

Sexy, oops, I mean, Mean Villain…

…gosh, what’s on my mind? This is the Great Villain Blogathon…right? And I’d put my name down for Prince John from Robin Hood (2010)…right? And, my mind is clearly elsewhere because I got sidetracked…right? Wrong…because…actually, the real villain here is not Prince John (Oscar Isaac)…he’s merely being, should we say, gently guided, by the sexiest nastiest man with ulterior motives. Oooh….but there’s just something about Godfrey, who just wouldn’t be the same if played by any other actor than Mark Strong.

I’d very quickly realised that Prince John is simply a spoilt brat who wants his way. And he’s too busy having his way (not with his wife) to really pose any threat. Yes, he might have his moments, purely out of having some sort of power kick, but Godfrey, he’s there ever so subtly, or not, steering things. Weaseling his way into everything. Being English “when it suits me” French when that works better.

Godfrey has this presence from the very start. He’s clearly not phased by airs and graces, so comfortable is he around Philip of France during their (and our) first encounter. With that introduction comes…a perfect piece of music that will forever be associated with him…this one:

…it is Godfrey for me…staccato, slightly evasive, yet with an underlying hardness, energy, gradually increasing in drive, just like this man…all to gradually crescendo to a point where he eats the human blood stained oyster. The things people do. He encourages his men to plunder from the dead and doesn’t hesitate a moment to yank on the lance embedded in a dying knight. All in a day’s work it seems. And he’s so smooth when he does this.

And if his initial presence isn’t enough, somehow the scar on his cheek from Robin’s arrow simply makes him meaner in terms of personality as well as looks. Oh, and according to seasoned expert Prince John, the “ladies will love you all the more” for it. It amplifies his sexiness, oh no, did I write that again? “villain-ness” while he’s always listening, always scheming:

Addressed as “my Lord” by both the French and the English, this man will casually instruct his men to get rid of someone or patiently wait in the sidelines for an opportunity to present itself. Strategically positioning himself during court meetings, saying just the right things, while Prince John is too busy dealing his family and greed issues. Wait…isn’t that an ever so slight (sly) smile on his face as he is about to officially serve the crown? Nicely played Godfrey, nicely played:

“Choose carefully the spot Godfrey, where you would place your dagger”, so obvious to everyone including William Marshal (William Hurt). A man to be wary of.

This must be one of the most heartless villains…who gives an old man news of his son, proudly telling him that “I’m the one who killed him” (left in a French ditch)??? To entice a fighting reaction from a blind man…plain mean.

Yet, at the end of the day, things must come to an end for him. And, while cowardly trying to race from the battlefield, this villain has had lots of personality. He has a certain presence that doesn’t even need his “signature” theme music. You notice him in all the scenes he’s in. He’s so bad yet somehow I feel drawn to him. He has the blatant audacity to pursue his goals. The way he holds himself. Confident, almost elegant. And while I obviously don’t support his behaviour, it is this type of character, acted perfectly by Mark Strong, that allows that “guilty pleasure” of being drawn to the bad guy. Because, that’s what movies allow us. Escapism.

For my previous entries to the Great Villain Blogathon, pop past Villain, Villain on the wall (here) and Meanest of the Mean…Ma-Ma (here). I’ve also written a piece on Mark Strong as a character actor in A Strong Character… (here)

And of course all the other entries to the Great Villain Blogathon can be found here (Shadows and Satin), here (Speakeasy) and here (Silver Screenings).

Here some impressions together with his theme song:

“Rome! By all means, Rome…”

“I will cherish my visit here in memory as long as I live”. These the words of Princess Anne (Audrey Hepburn) after her 24 hour (give or take) adventure in Rome. With a man, I might add. Unchaperoned. Tsk tsk. This is Roman Holiday (1953).

Princess Anne is on a tight schedule of appearances and events during an official visit to Rome. Having had enough of this one evening, and being lured by the wonderful music and dancing outside the residence walls, she sneaks out to do exactly what she feels like doing for a change. However, the effects of the new drug she’s been given to help her sleep and be happy only kick in once she’s well on her way in this big city. Sleeping on a bench, reporter Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck, ahhhh….swoon, as always) comes across her, mistaking her as being drunk. Sleeping off her “hangover” in his apartment (due to circumstances) as he rushes off to work to discover the identity of this woman. And, being a reporter, also sees this as an opportunity for his big story. Hoping for exclusive, personal insight into the princess he takes her out for the day with the pretense of doing something nice for someone. And of course, they fall in love…supposedly.

I say “supposedly” because I’m not really convinced with this one. They have wonderful chemistry but for me, they part more with respect and possibly friendship rather than love. Maybe you might think differently. Even the ending, to me, feels less like lovers parting. More like her having grown from the experience. Anyway, doesn’t really matter as the focus is the wonderful Audrey Hepburn. She takes on this role so wonderfully… balances that naive girl with the groomed royal so well. And we sympathise with her…she just wants to live, to be left alone, to do what she wants. To experience the everyday like the residents of Rome do (actually, the city is irrelevant). I absolutely love watching her start to relax and have some fun. Especially at the dance down by the boats…ah, that guitar part is something to behold. Ms Hepburn is definitely deserving of her Oscar (Best Actress in a Leading Role) and Golden Globe (Best Actress – Drama) wins for this role. I can’t believe that Audrey Hepburn was supposedly a newcomer…wow, now that is an actress…or should I say artist?

Directed by William Wyler, it also stars one of my favourite leading men…Gregory Peck. Oh, sorry…I got distracted there…Eddie Albert also stars. Oscars were also won for Best Writing, Motion Picture Story and Best Costume Design (I absolutely love the outfits). Oscar nominations also included Best Picture, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Director, Best Writing – Screenplay, Best Cinematography (Black-and-White), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Black-and-White) and Best Film Editing.

For some more posts on the wonderful Audrey Hepburn, head over to Sister Celluloid for her Audrey at 90: The Salute to Audrey Hepburn Blogathon

Fonda…the bad guy…

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), one of my favourite Westerns. And the perfect entry to focus on Henry Fonda for The Fondathon, hosted by Sat in your Lap.

Fonda is Frank. Totally ruthless. What more proof do you need when his “introductory” scene is one of gunning down a whole family…even the little boy frozen to the spot who you’d hope would be saved? But no…not Frank.

He’s got his orders. The family that he’s just disposed of…well, the land is in prime railway territory and business is business. Railroad baron business. Problem is…there is a young widow around. And she’s on her way to the exact piece of land. The killings are pinned on outlaw Cheyenne (Jason Robards) who befriends widow Jill McBain (Claudia Cardinale). Together with Harmonica (Charles Bronson), he sets out to find the real killers. Of course, there’s more to this than meets the eye…Harmonica has his own motive…

Henry Fonda is just excellent. He has this perfectly calm coldness to him. Accentuated by the eyes. Especially in the close-ups. And there are plenty of those. Sergio Leone presents us with such wonderful visuals in this one. In fact, I believe those eyes are what the director really wanted to stand out. To be recognisable. As Fonda. From what I’ve read, Fonda arrived on set with a fake moustache and brown contact lenses…and that didn’t fly with Leone.

“People scare better when they’re dyin'”…what a ruthless character. And once again…he’s so casual around the unexpected business events. Things he didn’t plan on. And Fonda is absolutely, totally convincing. The real, nasty bad guy.

What I hadn’t realised until now (my lack of Henry Fonda knowledge) was that this role didn’t fit in with what he was typically cast as. He was always the good guy. And here’s something interesting I found on IMDB: Henry Fonda originally turned down the role of Frank. Director Sergio Leone flew to the United States and met with Fonda, who asked why he was wanted for the film. Leone replied, “Picture this: the camera shows a gunman from the waist down pulling his gun and shooting a running child. The camera pans up to the gunman’s face and…it’s Henry Fonda” (until then, with one exception, Fonda had only been cast in “good guy” roles. Leone wanted the audience to be shocked).

But, not knowing this in the first place, I was still shocked at how ruthless a man can be. Fonda or not. I guess…at the end of the day, the actor totally managed to convince me . What sheer acting brilliance.

So, this being my first Fonda film, to me, he’ll always be the bad guy stereotype and I’ve yet to discover him as the nice guy. I’m sure I’ll be shocked…

For my other thoughts on this one…head on over here…here.

Now…head on over to Sat in your Lap for the other Fondathon entries …here.

Der Rote Baron (2008)…on this 100 Year Anniversary…

I’m totally, emotionally drained. My mood is sombre. I’m quite angry…at the futility of war. It is just disgusting.

I tend to avoid watching war movies, not because I want to ignore that fact that these things happen but because I struggle to watch the atrocities, the lives being wastefully taken, the horror of it all…and the list goes on. But, as World War I ended 100 years ago today and Maddy from Maddy over at Maddy Loves Her Classic Films is hosting the World War 1 Blogathon, I decided to watch a movie I’ve long wanted to see…Der rote Baron (The Red Baron). I’ve just finished…hence my tender emotional state…but…it is an excellent movie.

The Red Baron is about the ace fighter pilot Manfred von Richthofen (superbly played by Matthias Schweighöfer) who, as a child dreams of the freedom he might find up in the air. Born into aristocracy, he has the opportunity to follow this dream and so, during The Great War, finds himself using his skills for his country. We find ourselves following his ascent to the skies in his red plane but also in his status. He is known as the Red Baron not only because of his skills and abilities but just as importantly, because of his camaraderie with those around him. Initially, this is more a game for him…a means to live out his passion for flying, he even mentions that the objective is “..to bring down aeroplanes, not men”. At the beginning of the movie the atmosphere is lighter, with our young pilots having quite a number of cocky one-liners. As our story and therefore the war progresses, von Richthofen‘s eyes are opened to reality. This largely initiated by Käte (Lena Headey), a nurse desperately helping those less fortunate on a daily basis. As more and more of his pilot friends fall from the skies it all starts hitting home.

Excellent acting from all involved…so much so that you’ll find yourself sitting there feeling the losses, the decisions, the horrors of war. Der rote Baron doesn’t give many gruesome battlefield scenes but I think the emotional ones, the conscious decisions given and orders taken, those scenes are as powerful as any. It also tends to stay away from taking any sides but rather focuses on what would have been experienced by anyone, regardless of which side they were on.

 

Matthias Schweighöfer

Manfred von Richthofen

Written and directed by Nikolai Müllerschön, it also stars Til Schweiger, Joseph Fiennes, Maxim Mehmet, Hanno Kofler and Volker Bruch amongst others.

When watching these things, I mourn the general destruction and loss of life…not only the human ones but also that of the environment, the fauna and flora. It makes me hope like crazy that at some point someone will learn from the past so that nobody ever needs to experience something like this again.

It is only fair that we honour the real man behind the movie too (along with everyone else fallen in battle).

For more entries to Maddy’s Blogathon head on over here.