Don't believe the negative reviews. This is family friendly, wholesome, fun entertainment with an endearing story. The Black Lives Matter window sign and the U. S. President dog names made me smile because well, black lives do matter and they two of the greatest presidents ever! The kids are all adorable and the family dynamic is a creative reimagining of a well loved classic😊
Reviews
11 Reviews
The Water Man
(I) (2020)
Intelligent, Imaginative & Captivating!
21 August 2021
Great family film. An intriguing plot with characters that transform and take us on an adventurous, touching journey about life, loss and the belief in the miraculous. David Oyelowo's directorial debut and he does a fantastic job! The entire cast delivers. The Water Man is an intelligent & creative story that modern, intelligent audiences should love & appreciate.
Them
(2021– )
Brilliant. Bold. Terrifying!
5 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
"Them" is a brilliant and bold interpretation of a real American horror story. The supernatural is competing with real life for the possession & destruction of black souls. The extreme racism, hate and toxic elements displayed are beyond depraved, they are purely demonic & those demons have manifested themselves into physical form ready to wreak hell and havoc on the characters who portray a beautiful family just seeking a new start for themselves in lovely sunny Southern California.
The show's creators have done a masterful job at providing something that is so difficult to watch, so disturbing that it stays with you long after & that's the point. Little Marvin has created a dramatic shocker that grabs the audience by the throat and forces you to react. That would make any rational person extremely uncomfortable & the actors do a terrific job at showing just how the raw fragile emotional trauma impacts their lives at every turn. If the ghosts and demons don't get them, the neighbors will have a try. The character's trauma is real, and there is the horror.
Before watching this show, I would highly recommend viewing show creator Little Marvin's interview for a broader context and some perspective on the creative content.
The show's creators have done a masterful job at providing something that is so difficult to watch, so disturbing that it stays with you long after & that's the point. Little Marvin has created a dramatic shocker that grabs the audience by the throat and forces you to react. That would make any rational person extremely uncomfortable & the actors do a terrific job at showing just how the raw fragile emotional trauma impacts their lives at every turn. If the ghosts and demons don't get them, the neighbors will have a try. The character's trauma is real, and there is the horror.
Before watching this show, I would highly recommend viewing show creator Little Marvin's interview for a broader context and some perspective on the creative content.
An American Girl Story: Melody 1963 - Love Has to Win
(2016 TV Movie)
Child Appropriate Social Awareness
11 July 2020
American Girl has a great way of tackling sensitive historical issues in a way that appropriately educates & entertains. Similar to the American Girls Addy, Josefina & Kaya in their depictions of young girls who lived through tumultuous cultural periods of American history, Melody is no exception & true to form. We see her innocent view of the world challenged as she increasingly becomes aware of the social injustices that surrounds her. But in true American Girl spirit, that innocence merges with an irrepressible spirit of determination, strength and the faith that good & love will always triumph in the end.
Great Series - But...
20 March 2020
Rule#1: Never rely on films & TV to learn history - that's what in-depth reading & research is for.
I would hope viewers would watch this and then get inspired to delve deeper & research the real life of Madame C.J. Walker. As an entertainment piece & catalyst to inspire further learning I give it 8 stars.
I do have a particular dislike of hearing modern contemporary music in period pieces. I like to feel transported to the time & imagine the America my grandparents & great-grandparents experienced. When the rap lyrics start - it kills the mood of the period - Like Christopher Reeve thrust back to the present after seeing a 1979 penny in "Somewhere in Time"!
I know some productions like to do this (Example - WGN's "Underground" series). I can only imagine this is designed to attract younger audiences who may not find historical films as appealing - but I find it very annoying. Can't imagine "Downton Abbey" with a Beyoncé or Taylor Swift soundtrack!
I would hope viewers would watch this and then get inspired to delve deeper & research the real life of Madame C.J. Walker. As an entertainment piece & catalyst to inspire further learning I give it 8 stars.
I do have a particular dislike of hearing modern contemporary music in period pieces. I like to feel transported to the time & imagine the America my grandparents & great-grandparents experienced. When the rap lyrics start - it kills the mood of the period - Like Christopher Reeve thrust back to the present after seeing a 1979 penny in "Somewhere in Time"!
I know some productions like to do this (Example - WGN's "Underground" series). I can only imagine this is designed to attract younger audiences who may not find historical films as appealing - but I find it very annoying. Can't imagine "Downton Abbey" with a Beyoncé or Taylor Swift soundtrack!
Troy: Fall of a City
(2018– )
Don't Believe the Negative !
19 March 2020
Troy: Fall of a City was an excellent interpretation of Homer's classic The Iliad. The casting, direction, writing, performances & overall production was stellar! Creative licensing is expected with any retelling of a classic story. Why would anyone object to this series or the casting choices? If you don't object to the fact that the actors all sound like Londoners and none are speaking in Ancient Greek with subtitles then you have no basis to object based on any other creative liberties in the production.
David Gyasi's portrayal of Achilles was brilliant, Louis Hunter plays a perfectly flawed human Paris who gradually matures into an honorable Trojan Alexander, Actress Bella Dayne (Helen) could quite possibly be the most beautiful woman in the world, Francis O'Conner is phenomenal in everything she does and I smile every time Hakeem Kae-Kazim is cast in any show I like.
So shake off the toxic viral perceptions of all things involving people of color & give this show a chance on its own merits & not that of angry disgruntled armchair social commentators unable to embrace the progressively changing world around them. 10 Stars!!!
David Gyasi's portrayal of Achilles was brilliant, Louis Hunter plays a perfectly flawed human Paris who gradually matures into an honorable Trojan Alexander, Actress Bella Dayne (Helen) could quite possibly be the most beautiful woman in the world, Francis O'Conner is phenomenal in everything she does and I smile every time Hakeem Kae-Kazim is cast in any show I like.
So shake off the toxic viral perceptions of all things involving people of color & give this show a chance on its own merits & not that of angry disgruntled armchair social commentators unable to embrace the progressively changing world around them. 10 Stars!!!
The Man in the High Castle
(2015–2019)
Outstanding from Beginning to End!!
2 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
In spite of many of the cynical comments, this is truly an outstanding series! Philip Dick's 1962 novel established a great source material & the writers got really creative in expanding this alternate history universe.
The production and performances were also top rate. Whether you're an avid student of history or not - this show is riveting. When you consider that just a few inches more and a steadier chair could have resulted in the bullet fired by Giuseppe Zangara in 1933 hitting its intended target and Franklin D. Roosevelt could have been killed in real life! What would our history look like then?
The "Manhattan Project" simply picked up the research where the Germans left off so it's plausible the Nazi's could have developed the atomic bomb first. If that had occurred - how many of us would be alive today? Or speaking German? The supernatural element of the films and windows to an alternate universe just add to the intrigue.
By coincidence a week after I finished the show I visited the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, TX (Highly Recommended). I was struck by the might and determination the Japanese had going into the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Unfortunately for them, they underestimated the American resolve but militarily they could have prevailed in the Pacific war. I also love how the show depicts parallels of behavior between universes - Hoover's still a pervert obsessed with wiretapping, the Civil Rights and Black Power movements take on different faces with essentially the same goals. The Japanese, Germany, Manzanar Japanese internment camp, Omar Bradley, Yamamoto, George Lincoln Rockwell, Hirohito - all of these places and individuals of our history with fates altered by the smallest winds of change - what could have been. And that's our history folks!
The production and performances were also top rate. Whether you're an avid student of history or not - this show is riveting. When you consider that just a few inches more and a steadier chair could have resulted in the bullet fired by Giuseppe Zangara in 1933 hitting its intended target and Franklin D. Roosevelt could have been killed in real life! What would our history look like then?
The "Manhattan Project" simply picked up the research where the Germans left off so it's plausible the Nazi's could have developed the atomic bomb first. If that had occurred - how many of us would be alive today? Or speaking German? The supernatural element of the films and windows to an alternate universe just add to the intrigue.
By coincidence a week after I finished the show I visited the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, TX (Highly Recommended). I was struck by the might and determination the Japanese had going into the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Unfortunately for them, they underestimated the American resolve but militarily they could have prevailed in the Pacific war. I also love how the show depicts parallels of behavior between universes - Hoover's still a pervert obsessed with wiretapping, the Civil Rights and Black Power movements take on different faces with essentially the same goals. The Japanese, Germany, Manzanar Japanese internment camp, Omar Bradley, Yamamoto, George Lincoln Rockwell, Hirohito - all of these places and individuals of our history with fates altered by the smallest winds of change - what could have been. And that's our history folks!
Bataan
(1943)
A Lasting Memorial
31 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
1943 saw many films of this type. The war was in its third year and the Homefront was full of ration cards and stars in windows. If it wasn't a war picture, it was sure to be escapism. For example, Kenneth Spencer had great roles in both Bataan and Cabin in the Sky in 1943.
I love the odd mixture of servicemen all lumped together at this forgotten outpost with a single yet futile mission. Destroy the bridge and keep on destroying it. Men are lost one by one yet they stay. Everyone has character flaws and everyone rises to heroic proportions when duty calls for it. That spirit of sacrifice and true grit fight is why the allies won the war.
All Americans knew of the fate of Bataan - McCarthur's retreat, the death marches and the horrific loss of life. This film captures that tragic story magnificently with fine performances from all of the characters and excellent direction. A perfect screening for a Memorial Day weekend.
I love the odd mixture of servicemen all lumped together at this forgotten outpost with a single yet futile mission. Destroy the bridge and keep on destroying it. Men are lost one by one yet they stay. Everyone has character flaws and everyone rises to heroic proportions when duty calls for it. That spirit of sacrifice and true grit fight is why the allies won the war.
All Americans knew of the fate of Bataan - McCarthur's retreat, the death marches and the horrific loss of life. This film captures that tragic story magnificently with fine performances from all of the characters and excellent direction. A perfect screening for a Memorial Day weekend.
Texas Rising
(2015)
Texas History for Non-Texans
29 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
What is going on with the bad reviews? This series is outstanding! I am a native Texan from a family of Texans dating back to 1820 and I study history religiously. I also write screenplays so I get why many historical "purist" may take offense to this series, especially if they are die hard Texan historians. Films are not meant to be documentaries. No one should get their history from watching movies. Hopefully, the film will serve as a catalyst for people to research and read for more accurate historical facts and perspectives. So what if Texas Rising was filmed in Mexico? So what if the landscape does not resemble the hill country of San Antonio, Goliad or San Jacinto? Films take artistic liberties to balance being informative and entertaining. This is the challenge of the writer & director.
In addition, you have to get into an early 19th century mindset. Hard to do for 21st century folks. I would recommend that you not only read modern contemporary authors who write about this period, but take it a step further and read the writings of Sam Houston, Andrew Jackson and the regular diaries, journals and first hand accounts of the people who lived during this period. You may be shocked, offended, intrigued and captivated all at once.
People's attitudes about rights, liberties, race, freedom and even life and death were drastically different than our norms of today. That's what makes history so fascinating. You can't compare the Texas Rangers in this series to your cousin Jake whose been a Tecas Ranger for the past 5 years - they are not the same!!!
Texas Rising delivers and it delivers with a Texas wholllup! I loved the performances, the direction, the cinematography and the whole production. Thank you History Channel one again for showing us you are the network for historical entertainment at it's best!
Bill Paxton, I knew you were from my hometown of Fort Worth Texas but I had no idea you were related to Sam Houston himself! That's way to cool. If anyone is ever driving down I- 45 between Dallas & Houston, check out that 50 foot statue of Sam Houston himself on the side of the freeway! Awesome!! I live in California now & you would never see a 59 foot statue of John Fremont or Pio Pico.
Only in Texas does such pride rise. Texas Rising.
In addition, you have to get into an early 19th century mindset. Hard to do for 21st century folks. I would recommend that you not only read modern contemporary authors who write about this period, but take it a step further and read the writings of Sam Houston, Andrew Jackson and the regular diaries, journals and first hand accounts of the people who lived during this period. You may be shocked, offended, intrigued and captivated all at once.
People's attitudes about rights, liberties, race, freedom and even life and death were drastically different than our norms of today. That's what makes history so fascinating. You can't compare the Texas Rangers in this series to your cousin Jake whose been a Tecas Ranger for the past 5 years - they are not the same!!!
Texas Rising delivers and it delivers with a Texas wholllup! I loved the performances, the direction, the cinematography and the whole production. Thank you History Channel one again for showing us you are the network for historical entertainment at it's best!
Bill Paxton, I knew you were from my hometown of Fort Worth Texas but I had no idea you were related to Sam Houston himself! That's way to cool. If anyone is ever driving down I- 45 between Dallas & Houston, check out that 50 foot statue of Sam Houston himself on the side of the freeway! Awesome!! I live in California now & you would never see a 59 foot statue of John Fremont or Pio Pico.
Only in Texas does such pride rise. Texas Rising.
Strange Magic
(2015)
Fantasy for the light of heart
23 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
My daughter, wife & I all loved this film. Thank you once again Mr. Lucas for staying true to your vision and creating a truly delightful story. Critics are by nature cynical and often lack the ability to see things with an open heart and mind.
This was a nice change of pace from the cookie-cutter scripts and stories that keep being churned out year after year. We laughed and marveled at the story and the always magnificent ILM visuals.
I think if you are the type of person who allows hundreds of little things to irritate and annoy you on a daily basis and have a cynical & negative view of life and people in general, then it stands to reason that this film will irritate and annoy you to no end.
If by contrast, you still have the ability to see the beauty in life & humanity in spite of the horrors that plague us, then you will see the beauty of this story and allow your heart and imagination to just go with it and smile:) That is what we do on a regular basis & I know that we are happier people for it. Quick Fact: critics and studio executives all hated Lucas' little space fantasy film in 1977 called Star Wars!
This was a nice change of pace from the cookie-cutter scripts and stories that keep being churned out year after year. We laughed and marveled at the story and the always magnificent ILM visuals.
I think if you are the type of person who allows hundreds of little things to irritate and annoy you on a daily basis and have a cynical & negative view of life and people in general, then it stands to reason that this film will irritate and annoy you to no end.
If by contrast, you still have the ability to see the beauty in life & humanity in spite of the horrors that plague us, then you will see the beauty of this story and allow your heart and imagination to just go with it and smile:) That is what we do on a regular basis & I know that we are happier people for it. Quick Fact: critics and studio executives all hated Lucas' little space fantasy film in 1977 called Star Wars!
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