We have decided to commence a new section for our online newspaper.
Looking for something to watch over the weekend ? Then let us assist and inform you as each week we will be publishing reviews of films on the various streaming channels and as time progresses from the cinema industry. Don’t waste time watching dud films, instead let us do that for you and guide you to where the real quality is. At least in our opinion.
This week we review some films from Netflix
Universal Soldier Day of reckoning
Starring:Jean-Claide Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren and Scott Adams
Release Year: 2012
If your into martial arts, blood and guts and some pretty horrifying special effects in fights scenes involving knives, machetes and a range of armoury doing untold damage to the human body you are sure to love this one. In yet another film in this mind-numbing series of Universal Soldier sequels body bags pile up everywhere as the three main characters wander this film trying to figure out who they are while committing murder and killings on a grand scale. Pretty much your normal day in a lead up to an ALP or LNP leadership challenge in Canberra.
If you are after a movie with a story line, some inspiration or just a little something to warm the heart then definitely steer clear of this one
Surbicon
Starring: Matt Damon, Noah Jupe and Julianne Moore
Release Year: 2017
If anything, this film directed by George Clooney simply seems to reflect the hatred held by it creators for the USA and it’s citizens, especially the white side of it. Which isn’t surprising when George Clooney and Matt Damon have their fingerprints over a film, they seem to regularly resent the country that has delivered so much to their careers and wallets.
Based in the 1950’s it takes artistic license to represents the vast majority of white America as ranting white supremacists, who are at the same time imbeciles with devious and murderous plans with the legitimate intent on carrying them out.
It claims to be a comedy thriller, while delivering on neither genre. To describe this film as strange would be appropriate. If you thing a criminally insane racist hides behind every white person in two story house, ring by white picketed fences and manicured lawns, then this film is for you.
The Irishmen
Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Peci
Release Year: 2019
A gangster film directed by Martin Scorsese with leads such as Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, what could go wrong?
Well timing for one thing. As a person raised on the Godfather series and one who just loved the Goodfella, this cast and crew would have been awesome thirty years ago. Instead in this film you endure over three hours of watching people more suited to a retirement home rather than exciting hits on hardened criminals.
After witnessing De Niro meltdowns throughout the Trump presidency, it’s hard to imagine this guy every has a fun day and that certainly comes across in this film. In fact what film of his doe this ever not come across. He just epitomises angry. To see Al Pacino and Joe Pesci trying to regurgitate roles as gangsters and union thugs at their age is simply sad and even sadder make you reflect on your own traumas due father time.
These boys need to move onto something else.
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The Highwaymen
Starring: Kevin Costner, Woody Harrelson
Release Year: 2019
Maybe the elderly threesome from the Irishmen should checkout this film to see how to combine a gangster story with ageing superstar actors. I found this film superb
It also helps that I love film that reveal historical facts and stories that I was unaware off. While you always have to look past the extravagance of artistic license that Hollywood directors implement, you can always tell a film that largely holds true to the story and this one doesn’t disappoint.
Both Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson are superb in their roles depicting two former Texas Rangers, Frank Hamer and Many Gault, engaged to pursue the notorious Bonnie and Clyde when the rest of law enforcement can’t manage it.
The by-play between Costner and Harrelson is a joy to watch and the depiction of old school values along with these men’s frailties at the same time, provides a sagacious reflection of hard men at a time when men were raised not to show emotion
The support cast, sets and period pieces, from cars, to clothes, to weapons all takes you back to simpler and what many would argue were more noble times of the melancholy period of the great depression. A period in American history that reflects both the worst and best in people when values were seriously challenged.
If you want a film that you can believe in and makes you think a little deeper and just provides great entertainment with a great cast, then the “Highwaymen” ticks all those boxes.
