tfn65125 Reviews

Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne (2019) Season 8, Episode 6

Enjoyed the last episode, and unexpected is good!

[9/10 · 24 February 2024]

I enjoyed the last episode, and unexpected is good in my humble opinion! I think Bran was an excellent and logical choice as the new ruler. If you lived in that world wouldn't you want him rather than a bloodthirsty unstable power mad control freak? We have enough of those... Why do people not like the ending? Maybe because a 'happy ending' was preferred with Jon and the ('turned out nice') Dragon Queen settling down etc. That would be too predictable for me. It was action packed, possibly one of the most in the entire GoT, it was sad (death of Jamie, caused by his foolish love for Cersei, death of the Hound, Brienne heart-broken etc), but there were some uplifting aspects such as Tyrion's survival.

I don't doubt that some were disappointed by Jon heading north with the Wildling's, but the Unsullied had gone by then. How long before he would be free to return home to Winterfell if he chose to? A year, two years? He might also find himself a Wildling girl again, was he ever happier than when he was with Ygritte? Tragic when she died, but then in real life we all know what happened to 'Jon Snow' and 'Ygritte', a happy ending in another life! :-)

Overall I think it was possible to enjoy GoT so much that when it ends it is a kind of 'bereavement' without even realising it. You didn't want it to end and say goodbye to those characters so people thrash around and lash out at the last episode etc. We know the show was condensed from 10 down to 8 series by the producers so it was bound to have some implications, feel a little rushed in the last 2 seasons, but overall I think GoT is one of the best things I have ever viewed. I didn't want it to end either...

The Last Valley (1971)

Utter classic, can watch it over and over.

[10/10 · 11 December 2018]

OK, one or two flaws and some slightly dated 1970's production values, but look beyond these and you'll see the Gem, the lost Classic that this film is. What makes it so? The dialogue, the interaction of the characters as the power play unfolds in the last valley (the last unspoilt valley in the Hell of the Thirty Years War depicted in the film). It's a good representation of the little filmed Thirty Years War period (1618 - 48), the 'Rule of the Fist' as some German's called it where brutality and mayhem reigned for a generation and one third of Europe's population was murdered or died of disease and starvation. The soundtrack too, haunting, it lingers with you like the film..... Enjoy.

Journey's End (I) (2017)

Extremely good, but disturbing, as it should be.

[9/10 · 5 February 2018]

I don't rate myself as an overly emotional person, but I must admit this film hit a raw nerve for me. I had a relative in the First World War, perhaps that enables a better connection? The film really illustrates what an unspeakable tragedy this war was for ordinary young men of that period from a multitude of backgrounds, of course not just from this country. This story has been told and re-told many times over the years since it's release as a play in 1928, but I can't imagine a better adaption than this. The production is superb, the acting utterly compelling. I literally felt emotionally drained after leaving the cinema, it was more than a film, it was an experience I shall not forget, just as we should not forget that terrible war. Incredible film.

Last Stand at Saber River (1997 TV Movie)

Deserves more recognition

[9/10 · 12 January 2008]

This is a great film that grabs the attention and holds it all the way through. The story is excellent, the history convincing and the acting is superb throughout. It may be a 'made for TV' movie but this is about as good as a Western can get. It should definitely receive more recognition than it does. Perhaps it's movie snobbery because it was made for TV, maybe people don't like Ted Turner or Tom Selleck - who knows?

This is one of those DVD's that doesn't come down in price too often - a sign of a good film. If you watch it you'll know why. This is one for the DVD library. I'll never part with my copy.....

300 (2006)

Best film I've seen in a long time.....Killjoys hate it!

[10/10 · 23 March 2007]

Interesting that the critics have panned this one, my local paper refuses to even rate it - apparently it's politically incorrect! Killjoys! It's a film, get over yourselves! Saw it today and was blown away. I haven't been on the edge of my seat like that for some time. This film has it all - tragedy, heroism, love, sex, betrayal, and more action than your going to believe - what more do you want! Some people have become 'upset' apparently at the portrayal of Sparta (though it's a comic book adaption, it is of course a fantasy adaption of the real Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC) - but the Sparta the film is based on is historical fact, that's how it was idiots! At the real battle about 7,000 Greeks (with King Leonidas's 300 Spartan bodyguards way up at the front of a very narrow pass) faced down King Xerxes I's Persians - the biggest army ever seen in the classical world - estimates range from 150,000 to possibly half a million. If that isn't worth making films about what is? See it, believe it!

Outlaw (2007)

MUCH Better than the trailer suggests!

[9/10 · 9 March 2007]

Having seen the trailer I was expecting the usual predictable 'Vigilante franchise film' - guys take the law into their own hands, get carried away, end up 'as bad' as the criminals they're trying to punish, get arrested/ hand themselves in, moral of the tale - "Don't take the law into your own hands - ever". Nick Love plays this well into the grey area that is somewhat frowned upon. The Law really is portrayed as an Ass, the criminals really do seem 'above the Law'. It seems for these men, some of whose lives have been completely destroyed by such criminals - the only alternatives to the guilty walking away Scott free is to do nothing, do something or find religion. They do something. The viewer is asked 'what would you do?' and it's not mean't to be comfortable. The message of the film seems to be 'why has the government allowed things to come to this?' Anyone living in Britain today, particularly near the big cities can see plenty of parallels to current realities.

The film is dark, the acting is excellent (no disrespect to the other actors but Sean Bean and Danny Dyer do steal the scenes) and the scenario is MUCH more plausible than I was expecting it to be. Altogehter a hard-hitting, gritty film well worth the money......

Casino Royale (2006)

Bond is Re-Born! Excellent. Breath-taking.

[9/10 · 16 November 2006]

I went into this film expecting to be disappointed. I thought - what's left to do in a Bond film and after the last Bond film I thought the genre was dead (ridiculous CGI let-down). I also felt the trailer gave me the impression that the film was going to formulaic. How wrong was I. This as they say, is the authentic Bond - which in itself is ironically the twist. I don't think even the Connery films were as dark or convincing as this (in their time). This Bond really is 'not a nice guy' - honestly - how could he be? Real espionage is unpleasant and this new/ real Bond is almost as unpleasant as the bad guys. This is just what the Bond franchise needed to survive - a real good 'kick up the ****'. I think I actually want to own the DVD.....

Children of Men (2006)

Realistic vision of the future?

[6/10 · 22 September 2006]

Aside from the main theme of infertility this film is interesting for the bleak vision of the future it offers. With shades of Blade Runner we see a dying world, focusing upon Britain with hints of an even bleaker world outside Britain. With references possibly to the book 'Camp of the Saints' it seems that most of the rest of the world seems to want to enter Britain as a relative safe haven leading to a never ending stream of unwanted 'illegal immigrants', the tide of which is combatted by an extreme populist New Labour style Department of Homeland Security. The resistance are portrayed as a kind of far left 'Worker's Revolutionary' underground, possibly even more brutal than the government; with militant Islam hovering ever present, ready to take over if either the government or resistance should fail - and with terrorist bombs going off all over. One of the most uncomfortable premises resulting from all this, is does it pander to current far-right fears today of uncontrolled mass immigration and what Britain might look like/ be like in the quite near future - i.e a society in chaos and at war with itself? Overall, I found the central theme a little too simplistic, but the style excellent. I would recommend you see for yourself....

Cold Mountain (2003)

Superb & haunting. One for the collection...

[10/10 · 29 October 2005]

Having seen this film again on DVD I can say that I enjoyed the film even more than I did at the cinema. It is atmospheric, beautifully filmed (in a beautiful part of the world) and combines a war film with a love story, with other elements thrown in. It is also important in illustrating just how grim the American Civil War was, at the front or on the 'home front'. Although Rene Zellweger won the most acclaim, I actually think Jude Law steals the acting with his portrayal of a thoroughly honourable 'southern boy' soldier torn between his desire to do his duty to his state and his love (Nicole Kidman). Where light relief is needed the brilliant and versatile Philip Seymour Hoffman provides it as 'the Reverend', not to mention Brendan Gleeson as the musician father to Rene's character - though it is never over-done. On the darker side Ray Winstone and his extremely sinister albino side-kick (Charlie Hunnam) provide the menace. Together with a superb soundtrack I would rate this as a timeless classic to be enjoyed in DVD collections for many years to come.

Flambards (1979– )

Cannot recommend this highly enough.

[10/10 · 21 August 2005]

I saw this series when it first came out in the UK and it left a big impression on me then. Thank goodness for the advent of DVD which seems to have breathed life back into so many gems such as this, which might otherwise have been forgotten. The characters are fascinating, it is difficult to make a final judgement on some of them. The historical period wrapped around the First World War is a fascinating one, so much change and in some ways 'the end of innocence' (discuss!). The sets are great, the acting wonderful (what happened to their careers??), you feel like you're there. It's feel-good at times, bitter-sweet at others. If you treat yourself to the DVD you'll feel that you've made a real discovery. And the music, hauntingly beautiful....

The Bunker (1981 TV Movie)

Great film, deserves a DVD release!

[10/10 · 12 May 2005]

This is another one of those inexplicable films that should be out on DVD by now but isn't. There is so much 'dross' being released, yet this minor masterpiece with excellent performances from Hopkins remains locked away! A region 1 release is rumoured, but no date yet. It's been a while since I saw it, but I do remember being very impressed at the time. Another similar 1974 film exists with Alec Guiness playing the Fuhrer; "Hitler, the last ten days". My recollection is that the "Bunker" film had the edge. The Alec Guiness film was spoiled slightly by a series of strange comments from Hitler in his sealed room moments before he and Eva Braun commit suicide (obviously there were no witnesses to record this!). It was as though the film-makers added it in just in case anyone might find themselves admiring the Fuhrer for his resolute position! After the German masterpiece Downfall/ Untergang, it seems crazy not to be able to add this gem of a film to DVD collections crying out for it.........

Downfall (2004)

A Masterpiece. Seen it twice, will see it again.

[10/10 · 8 April 2005]

** CONTAINS MINOR SPOILERS**

I think I can say that this film has elevated itself to my personal favourite war film - and I've seen a few! Not only does it offer a gripping, bone-jarring realism that all war films should strive for - it also disturbs and leaves the viewer with many questions. It encourages the viewer/ amateur historian to seek out more information that the film can only hint at. Why did General Krebs speak fluent Russian (I know that one - he was a former military attache in Moscow before 1941). Who was Professor Schenk, and was SS General Mohnke really so utterly fearless and devoted to his dubious Master?? What was in Hitler's last political testament (I believe he claimed that he did not want war and offered to disarm etc) Perhaps such films should be required viewing in schools?

Although I will definitely buy the DVD (you can buy this now on the German Amazon site Amazon.de - DVD HAS English sub-titles), this is a film to see in the cinema. There is no substitute for a big screen filling your vision and the whole cinema vibrating to the sound of Soviet artillery shells.......