colfromkirk Reviews

Kangaroo Jack (2003)

no no nooooo....

[1/10 · 20 April 2013]

The people responsible for this should be tried for crimes against humanity.

The whole premise of this film* is based on an urban myth. Thats not the only myth. That this is a film is a myth.

If it seemed to be aimed at kids it would still be no excuse for the effort we are shown. I know there are lots of dumb guy movies such as any L&H and Dumb and Dumber which is a masterpiece in comparison. The two main characters were instantly dis likable and remained so throughout. I cant think of anything else, it depresses me too much.

*film = entertaining and professionally made cinematographic art.

Behind Enemy Lines (1997)

'ang on a mo lets stop shooting

[2/10 · 26 May 2012]

Thought this beaut was the Gene Hackman film. Oops wrong.

Even several large whiskys while watching couldn't disguise the quality of this picture. The editing was very poor but the bit that stuck out for me was in the battle at the end, where the heroes whilst escaping and mowing down scores of hopelessly poor enemy marksmen, stop to have a earnest chat over something. Strolling nonchalantly along tete a tete, all shooting stops, even the enemy, while the heroes parley. Then suddenly realising where they were recommence the battle killing scores more enemy. Never knew you could call time out in a pitched battle. Never saw a rifle magazine changed and even hits on canvas tents were making sparks and flashes.

This film should be age rated. Not suitable for anyone over 12 years old

D-Day to Berlin (2005 Video)

Guy says it all. may have a slight spoiler

[5/10 · 12 June 2011]

I was disappointed with this too. As an aficionado of air warfare history, this vital aspect was almost entirely absent from the action, especially the role of 2nd Tactical Allied Airforce (2TAF) and the US equivalent the 9th USAAF. It's said that the detail's the thing and the overall quality of the production is demonstrated by scenes involving US airborne troops in the Ardense, actually carrying British Lee Enfield No4 .303 rifles instead of .30 cal M1 Garrands, something that never happened. Where the military advisers were is a mystery. Many of the interviews were of personnel who have been interviewed many times before on superior documentaries such as Jeremy Isaacs truly authoritative 'The World at War' narrated by the Great Laurence Olivier. Nothing new here just recycled. The same info could have been delivered in half the time if all the superfluous and dodgy drama had been left out.

Kidnapped (1971)

Great fun. Full of great set pieces

[8/10 · 29 September 2010]

I love this film in spite of its alleged inaccuracies in dress, accent and history. It was after all based on a novel not a history. It is certainly better than the Disney version with Peter Finch. I love the memorable set pieces such as the fight between Alan and David and the duel between Duncansby and David who 'doesn't know the back end of a sword from its front' and who won't 'play at the cards' with Freddie Jones, due to his promise to his father. The locations were good with little studio work like the Disney version. The over the top Donald Pleasance and Freddie Jones are wonderful but so are all the rest. I especially liked the nervous dithering lawyer played by Gordon Jackson. Micheal Caine was at his peak so must have been a coup for the producers who were hardly likely to make him a minor character. As previously stated, Lawrence Douglas was suitably downtrodden and dowdy. My only question is why he responded to Duncansby's insult so swiftly and violently. As he is portrayed as thoughtful and principled I would have at least thought he would have tried to elicit an apology by reason rather that demanding immediate satisfaction in the knowledge of certain death. I think the only better version was the serialised version with David McCallum as Alan Breck but as a serial had much greater time to give an in depth portrayal.

The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel (1951)

a good film spoiled by sloppy details

[6/10 · 22 July 2009]

I like this film despite its obvious flaws and I've always liked James Mason. I can't fault the acting as the cast were all good.

Two main points doubtlessly raised by other commentators.

a)The portrayal of Rommel as a good guy went a bit too far. True he became anti Hitler/Nazi in the end, but this seems to have been primarily due to having been abandoned in Africa and having his requests in Normandy turned down by Hitler, not due to any squeamishness about the Nazi state, who's brutality must have been self evident to him for many years or of Nazi aggression who he was all too willing to promote. Don't forget he was the mastermind Behind the Blitzkrieg in Holland France and Belgium in 1940 and saw no wrong in that campaign.

b) The use of incorrect stock footage, Such as a view of the Maginot line fortification to demonstrate the Normandy beaches. In the strafing attack we see a TMB Avenger transmute into 3 Spitfires who had gun flashes superimposed onto the incorrect section of their wings and also having the sound of whiny pre-war US fixed pitch radial engined planes dubbed over them as did the footage of the Beaufighter strafing. (something that still happens in films today - give em what they expect not what is real) and the tacky patriotic music. Probably taken from the first shelf in the effects room and couldn't be bothered to look any further.

I'm sure military vehicle/weaponry aficionados will have spotted some similar points about the MT/guns portrayed.

The scenes in the train and Rommel's house were authentic enough and seemed to have been filmed on location so its a shame they skimped on these other details.

One scene that did amuse me was when the Gestapo man followed the doctor out of the hospital and never shut the door properly behind him. Now this would have doubtless been re shot, in here the guard merely leaned over and pulled it shut.

Still a masterpiece of history when compared to 'Battle of the Bulge'

Fooling Hitler (2004 TV Movie)

An enjoyable if abridged tale

[7/10 · 4 May 2009]

This was a very enjoyable story of the methods of deception used by the allies against the Germans in WWII. It was more drama than documentary and much of the detail especially about the gadgets issued to spy's and agents was omitted (other than the rat), as well as the way these agents worked. However the main gist of this secret work was described along with the struggle by those carrying out this work to be taken seriously.

Acting was adequate but the special effects and CG generated A/C had some errors. Historical accuracy was reasonable but shallow and dumbed down. The RAF Dambuster squadron was mentioned, but not its actual number for instance.

On the whole a reasonable attempt to describe a lesser known aspect of WWII to those who would probably never watch a regular documentary in a month of Sundays.