Two_Journeys Reviews

1883 (2021–2022)

Great drama, with high adventure but lacking realism

[7/10 · 10 March 2023]

Beautiful landscapes and great acting. Well directed too. High, classic adventure.

The simple yet compelling story of Europeans, civil war soldiers and cowboys on the way for a better life in Oregon.

There are sufficient action scenes, bloody meetings with cattle rustlers and powwows with noble native Americans. And everybody is dressed for the occasion too; a lot of attention went into the selection of the props.

What broke the plot are the beautiful white teeth, the poetry of the settlers, the deeply philosophical monologues. It is all too perfect and every character is a wise, educated person.

It is a pity that no realistic series exists about this great topic.

Bit of you love fantasy, this is a great way to escape daily life.

Snowblind (2017)

Memorable with some flaws

[8/10 · 6 March 2023]

Well directed and intriguing psychological story of the aftermath of the Second World War. A nazi and his son hide in an old farm in the Black Forest, terrorizing the resident family. They would like to escape to Switzerland, yet the dramatic dynamics among the five characters get in the way.

As with many German movies, the sound is terrible. On the one the hand, the movement of shoes on the wooden floors is loud and omnipresent, yet the voices are subdued and the conversations impossible to discern. This makes understanding the plot hard. Even the French soldiers are easier to understand.

The movie way shot in the buildings of the open-air museum in Gutach.

Fawlty Towers (1975–1979)

Back in the days a great show.

[6/10 · 24 February 2023]

The series didn't age well. Many people in the baby boomer generation grew up with this series, and nostalgia plays into their perception. In reality, many of the episodes are slowly paced and the laughs are long in between. The jokes also have a tendency to repeat themselves.

The series is also quite misogynistic and racist. Jokes about people with different nationalities or backgrounds are abundant.

Fun fact: the (in)famous quote 'Don't mention the war' originated from this series. The authors naturally meant this as a stab at the British, but it is still widely used as a insult (by English-speaking nationalists) against anything German.

Screen Two: Persuasion (1995) Season Unknown, Episode Unknown

Perfect interpretation

[10/10 · 13 February 2023]

Of all the Jane Austen novels, Persuasion is definitely not the most famous, yet the story is highly compelling. It is one of my favorite novels of all time. What makes this movie so special is a cast of (at that time) relative unknown actors, who, under expert direction, turn this story into an absolute jewel. Everything fits: the text maps well to the original book, the psychological interpretation of the characters is spot on. I can watch it over and over again, it never gets boring and new nuances can be discovered again and again. Special mention of the two main characters and romantic couple, who make this impossible love between two ordinary persons so special.

Caprice (1986)

Not very memorable

[4/10 · 4 February 2023]

A story about consuming. The movie is created in a quirky, fast paced fashion, with Swindon as the central character. I am not a great fan of Tilda Swindon, as somehow she always manages to smile during sad moments and cry when things are lightening up... and indeed in this movie her performance is also quite disappointing. At least she doesn't speak in this feature, but her overstretched facial expressions are over the top. Hard to understand why her acting talents are rated so highly, but sometime you don't have to understand everything. Perhaps it's her striking looks? But that would be discrimination of much better actors...

The Statement (2003)

Quite a suspenseful experience

[7/10 · 4 February 2023]

As always Michael Caine shines, this time as a French ex-nazi collaborator on the run for the law. The Israel secret service discovers his hide out in the beautiful French Provence. He is protected by a web of French clerics, but as this group starts to disintegrate, Caine's character defaults into panic... and blunt ruthlessness.

The movie is high-paced, highly entertaining, and makes the most of the scenery. The movie is definitely memorable and the acting/directing are sound. I am not a great fan of Tilda Swindon, and indeed in this movie her performance as a state attorney is disappointing.

Another Monday (2022– )

Surprising plot yet confusing.

[3/10 · 4 February 2023]

This story about a group of people who live through the same day over and over again definitely delivers some surprises. The reason for this repetition may remain unclear, yet this is an opportunity to delve into the human psyche. This creates some interest, and even a little suspense.

However, the confusion in the plot is omnipresent, and after a few episodes it becomes clear that the entire story will probably never lead anywhere. It quickly turns into an intellectual tour de force; not in like a muddy river.

What is really a pity is the poor acting. The actors and the directing are not able to convince. As for many German movies, many sentences are delivered as a mumble, or in a fast, hard to understand staccato, so that parts of the story are lost. Which may well be a blessing.

Hail Satan? (2019)

A fresh look at atheism

[7/10 · 3 February 2023]

Worthwhile, and amusing documentary about the Temple of Satan, a group that has given atheism a religious footing and which especially fights for religious freedom and secularism in the USA. The movie also provides insights into Christian fundamentalism in the USA... which is perhaps not so much an issue in other parts of the world (but you never know what may happen once the * hits the fan). The church of satan tackles these issues by holding up a mirror, always tongue in cheek, but with an impressive consistency. The movie's message is: cool down folks, there will always be people with different opinions.

The Presidio (1988)

Suspenseful thriller with some flaws

[7/10 · 28 January 2023]

Movies like this remind us of what a great actor Sean Connery was, both in action scenes, but especially in conversations. Meg Ryan also shines as the lovable lovestruck daughter.

The plot and setting is original, and there is considerable excitement. However, like many movies from that period, it didn't age well. The story is quite predictable. In addition, the editing is haphazard, often making the audience wonder how we got to a certain situation. It almost seems as if (random) pieces were edited out, and this is probably a result of too many intertwining storylines; the director probably was challenged to not turn this into a three hour saga. More focus would have done the movie good.

Twilight (1998)

Wonderful cast on a tight crime story

[8/10 · 11 January 2023]

This is a true film noir movie, with Paul Newman as a old, alcoholic detective. The movie has a splendid cast, is well directed, and the story remains quite surprising, although the number of suspects of past and present crimes, is limited. Although a number of murders happen, the movie never wanders off into the violence and gore that is loved in more modern crime thrillers.

In short, this is the type of movie for lovers of the old Bogard and Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett stories. Psychological impact of passed sins carried over into the present. I would especially like to highlight the beautiful musical score, which adds a lot of value to the experience.

Hollywoodland (2006)

Intricate and beautifully made movie

[7/10 · 9 January 2023]

Well directed, highly memorable with some of my favorite actors. It tells the same story but over separate times and with different branches, but perfectly managed so that the audience never looses track.

This movie also has distinct historical value, as it describes the times of a fixer in Hollywood by the name of Edward Mannix, a character later reference to by the Cohen brothers in Hail Caesar. And naturally, it is all about one of the earliest superman actors, and his tragic end... the mystery of which has never been fully resolved. Instead of a feeble attempt at giving a final answer, the movie remains pretty open ended.

Tjockare än vatten (2014–2020)

Compelling story in a beautiful setting

[7/10 · 4 February 2022]

Story about a dysfunctional family with an abundance of skeletons in the closet. A low key drama, where many topics aren't addressed verbally, in that sense typical for this part of the planet. Characters are believable, and the scenery is beautiful. There is some limited nudity which reflects the continental lifestyle. I liked it, as I recognized the atmosphere from my vacations in northern Sweden.

I'm Still Here (I) (2010)

Great acting in a convincing mockumentary

[8/10 · 3 February 2022]

This movie still catches many people on the wrong foot, as this hoax is so well implemented that it is hard to believe you aren't watching Phoenix completely loosing it. In reality this is great acting and great directing, and once you know this, the movie is hilariously funny and a sharp criticism of reality TV, Hollywood and show business.

They Rode West (1954)

Outdated, poorly acted low budget western

[3/10 · 23 August 2021]

This movie suffers from low budget, inexperienced actors and an overflowing plot. Although the Kiowas are not depicted in an overtly bad way, racism and sexism in flicks of this type are still overwhelming. This is not something that your children should look at with our parental guidance.

Atlantis (2019)

A gem

[10/10 · 12 May 2021]

For lovers of the post apocalyptic and dystopia, watch this movie. It is a bunch of stories within a story, with an extreme wealth or true nuggets of cinema. Beautiful filming; no fear of taking long slow and silent shots. Good acting. It was also an anti-war movie, showing that in war there are no winners, except for cynicism.

Dunkirk (2017)

Impressive but backward looking

[6/10 · 17 March 2021]

Impressively made, with good actors and beautiful camera work, yet the movie paints a one-sided view of the Second World War, underscoring the nationalist "we won the war" narrative. On the surface it seems to claim an anti-war stance, but beneath that it provides plenty of messages that support the opposite: war is beautiful, our country is beautiful.

Go West, Young Lady (1941)

Very funny western

[8/10 · 15 January 2021]

Great actors, and although the plot is spiked with humor and song and dance, the story makes sense.

Vice (I) (2018)

Great movie that uncovers the lies of the Bush administration

[9/10 · 13 January 2021]

I witnessed Cheney throughout most of his career and followed his role as VP closely as well as the wars in Afghanistan and Irak. As became clear at that time already, the Bush administration was built on lies and incompetence and the ability of Rumsfeld and Cheney to pull the strings with a weak president in power. The movie, very well made, with great actors, nicely summarizes how uninformed people were bamboozled and how it was possible that so many innocent people had to die in the Middle East and elsewhere. The world still suffers from Cheney's legacy.

Yellow Sky (1948)

Great dark and moody western

[8/10 · 14 December 2020]

This movie intrigues from the start. Beautiful scenery and the whole time you have no idea where the plot is going to take you. Very good acting, splendid direction, you should see this one.

Run for the Sun (1956)

Good adventure, worthwhile but a few flaws

[6/10 · 14 December 2020]

Worthwhile to watch especially for the two main actors, who deliver quite a good show. A young Widmark plays a Hemingway-type author, and very convincingly. The story has considerable excitement and it keeps you on your toes, but there are some mistakes in the storyline that are a bit distracting.

Man with the Gun (1955)

Solid western, dark and broody

[8/10 · 4 December 2020]

Mitchum is perfectly matched for this role as a lone "town tamer". A very focused story, set in a dusty, run down and dusty town. I love western movies, but many suffer from poor acting and or rehashed scripts. This one kept me on the edge of my seat, a compelling story and great acting - naturally by Mitchum but also by the rest of the cast.

Das Verhör in der Nacht (2020 TV Movie)

Good story, simplistic yet powerful

[8/10 · 30 November 2020]

Movie about terrorism, what motivates people that are terrorists, and the way society and our law functions. Beautiful acting by the two main characters. The interaction between the two main characters is intriguing to watch.

The Pleasure Principle (2019)

Optically impressive, good acting but a complex plot

[5/10 · 18 November 2020]

The director manages to pick beautiful shots and the actors do a great job in this thriller series across Eastern Europe. Alas, the storyline is rather convoluted, with many characters and possible culprits. At times it seems the detectives are as confused as the audience, with little coordination or plan.

The Ambassador (1984)

Disappointing and unrealistic movie

[3/10 · 13 November 2020]

Although this movie has an absolutely tremendous cast of high-class actors, the script is highly illogical and too much US centered. The ambassador doesn't blink an eye as innocent people are slaughtered around the main characters, and is presented as the lone and only man who knows how to correct the terrible situation in the Middle East.

Santa Fe Trail (1940)

Confusing and outdated plot

[5/10 · 23 October 2020]

Complex movie, as the heroes of the movie defend racism and outdated practices, whereas the villains are the good guys against slavery. It's a bit of a gem with a number of actors that became great stars in later movies, such as Errol Flynn and Olivia de Haviland. What the movie does show, is that soldiers can never be unpolitical. But the rest of the storyline is downright dangerous propaganda, especially unsuited for younger and gullible people.