timdotm Reviews

The Story of Film: An Odyssey (2011)

An odyssey bent on turning you away from film history.

[4/10 · 23 January 2024]

Look, I get it. The creator has an insane depth of knowledge, a flair for putting historical progress in sequence and relation, and for digging out very obscure historical cinematic fact to educate the viewer.

I understand different ways of telling a story; the avant-garde, the alternative; breaking boundaries and forcing new ways to look at experienced subjects. Sometimes, this works. Sometimes, as it is here, the result is disaster.

Just because it's different doesn't mean it's good.

The material is spectacular. The presentation is horrifyingly flawed. An incredible story, presented by film, can be either brilliant or awful; in contrast, a boringly simple story can be brilliantly expressed or spewed out as worthless junk. The history of film is neither simple nor uninteresting. Here we have excellent material, brilliantly researched, and presented in a way that only the heartiest of viewer could possibly endure.

This documentary has great resources but is cut incorrectly. The idea of cutting between vintage clips and poorly filmed analogues just doesn't work. It is confusing, disruptive of continuity and frankly boring. It seems to me that the director/editor is trying to 'dumb down' the material to explain it. Never do that in a documentary - use the source material to show the detail, explain it clearly but simply by narration. Assume the viewer is just as smart or smarter than you. At some point, this disjointed and moreover 'pablumized' (copyright my term) presentation wears on the viewer.

The narration is beyond annoying (yeah, I know - some people find it difficult, some find it astonishing - unless an element is broadly appealing it risks being pretentious, uncommunicative, and ANNOYING ). There is no way this 'experiment' in English narration works, because it is largely unappealing no matter how much a given snob might think it is great. Put yourselves into the shoes of the broader audience - can you really say 'this narration is effective!'? It's like telling yourself that boiled jackrabbit is just as good or better than a Godiva chocolate; it may be to you, but not to most people.

The soundtrack seems like rushed afterthought. The scoring is choppy, shallow and uninspiring, and distracts from instead of enhancing the presentation.

Overall, the viewer is inspired not to seek out classic and important film, but to check their phones for the latest marketing from Target. Painful.

If the creators would REALLY like to educate the film going ignorant, they would hire an inspired editor, a gifted narrator, a knowledgeable, a deeply experienced musical director and a judicious producer to make it the watchable masterpiece it could be.

Tetris (2023)

Just watched... First Impression is Genius

[9/10 · 5 December 2023]

This is a spectacular movie for those in the tech world 1980s-present. It is a story I never knew, other than Tetris came from an inventor in the USSR. The movie is incredibly well made and well acted. Seriously, this is Academy material - folks just don't know it yet. You like electronic games? This movie explains a major facet of why you have them: because it's profitable, so profitable that the tech revolution helped to tear down countries. Because genius was at the root of such innovations, even if it came from the far deep, suppressed corners of the earth. Please see this film - it's different, it's entertaining and it's thoughtful + deeper than it seems at first glance.

Ties:

What was Peter Gibbons doing when Lumbergh came to his cubicle to hassle him prior to the meeting with the Bobs?

When Tony Mendez got the folks out of Tehran at the last minute after a narrow miss at the airport - where was the flight bound?

Mikhail Gorbachev involved in many USSR incidents... including Chernobyl and Tetris (both technological, although admittedly vastly different in scale). Nonetheless - don't underestimate the impact Tetris had on the world.

Finally: Villain Robert Maxwell died naked while peeing and falling over the side of his precious yacht... the Lady Ghislaine (as in Ghislaine Maxwell). Yeah, that person.

Chernobyl (2019)

Rare Dedication to a Subject

[10/10 · 5 June 2019]

I don't write a lot of reviews; my opinion of cinematic excellence is often different from others, as I am not in the business, but merely a fan. I also happen to be a lifelong engineer, I knew this was my profession in the 4th grade - maybe earlier. I wanted to work in the nuclear field, but I was discouraged by my parents due to politicization of the discipline and warnings about the scrutiny of the profession. I opted for mainstream classified work, but always kept nuclear science as a 'hobby'.

The background above gives a basis for my review. I was specifically clued to the Chernobyl disaster during my 3rd semester physics class in college - 'this is the worst nuclear disaster in history' our professor noted in April 1986. Little did I realize the prescience of his opinion or the magnitude of the issue. I have read several books about the disaster, and over time have established my own 'timeline' of what happened. As I started to watch Chernobyl, I worried that the story was going to concentrate on the aftermath, and ignore the actual problem. The first episode was captivating, incredibly realistic, and frightening. I watched it four times before episode 2 was aired; this added to my enthusiasm for the series. As I watched each installment, I became more enthralled with both the factual content, but the acting, script and feel of the series. The thing that really struck me: this is how I pictured the events. The imagery was spectacular, the sets fantastic, the acting nothing less than breathtaking. I can't emphasize this enough - the series seemed a masterpiece.

Episode 4 came along; I was disappointed. Why dedicate so much time to side stories such as escaped and wild-animal execution? I had been hoping from the beginning, from before the series was announced that someone would really explain the event. The split second decisions, the basic flaw of graphite moderated reactors, the complexities of nuclear energy... and the arrogance of the Soviet system. There has existed a clear, visceral depiction of what happened in the control room that morning - why hadn't it been revealed? This episode seemed to veer the story toward the typical emotionalist treatment so common in modern Hollywood.

Then came episode 5. If there was ever a visual art, a television production, a cinematic masterpiece worthy of recognition, it was here. I realized within 5 minutes that the previous 4 episodes were a set-up for this. I've watched it twice and I still don't know how to describe it. Everything came together like a great painting, like a classic novel... the script, the acting, the visual effects - all orchestrated in a way that not only explained the catastrophe in salient terms, but gave the most dedicated of students a sense of awe. The final scene left the watcher reeling, only to drive the stake into ones heart with the prologue, showing the actual footage of the heroes and villains, reminding even the most cognizant of their fates in poignant and heart wrenching detail.

Chernobyl is a masterpiece; I encourage every person alive to watch it; to learn what authoritarian control does to a society, and to appreciate the value of western science and industry. Despite the 'skull and crossbones' that Chernobyl projects on the nuclear sciences in general, one should realize that nuclear energy has been and is our planet's best chance for a pollution free and sustainable energy future. It may be another generation before folks realize it, but covering the earths surface with solar panels and corporate wind farms, killing the birds, tortoises and land environment is an abomination compared to the efficiency of safe nuclear power. Use Chernobyl as a basis for your new open mind - reasearch the subject! Learn about RBMKs, PWRs and BWRs. Explore TMI, SL-1, Fukushima. Realize that you can find nuclear material everywhere - in any antique store, in your home, hardware supply, the ground, the sky, your food (naturally) and every part of your environment. It is part of life, learn to accept it, and talk intelligently about the risks and rewards of nuclear science. Then, we can have a dialogue about our future!

Code Black (2015–2018)

Fantastic show, on a par with Southland; Depressed

[10/10 · 25 July 2018]

I'm very sad to learn that Code Black has been cancelled; this has been, by far, my favorite show to watch for the last three years. It is well acted, has engaging story lines, likeable characters, and is extremely well directed and produced. The last show I liked this much was Southland. If you've never seen the show, please watch a few episodes. Watch S3 E10-12. Spectacular. Then tell me you aren't sad S3/E13 is the end.

Hopefully somebody out there realizes a show can have greater potential if only better promoted; this is a prime example. I don't think most folks know it even exists. I'm ready to cancel Showtime and HBO - if one of them would pick it up, I'll keep my (gulp) 5 receivers and pay gladly.

Thank you!

The Knick (2014–2015)

Ohhhh... I really like this show.

[10/10 · 22 August 2014]

My great uncle was a doctor in the1920s and 30s. When I was 9 or 10, my parents and I went to my great aunts house and 'opened' the doctors office at the premises where he practiced and subsequently died in ~1950. I was utterly fascinated with the instruments, exam table and all the medicines and gear that was there. I still have photos and several pieces from that office.

Having been the victim of a major accident five years later, subsequently spending months in the hospital, I again was fascinated by the differences between modern medicine and what served as medicine in the early 1900's.

Watching this show, the subject comes back again; it is intriguing, fascinating, compelling... So realistic and true to the day. The make-up, effects and realism of the sets is stunning. If you were to look at operating theater photographs from the early 1900's era, you would see the realism that the show has created in these scenes. Add to that the elaborate street scenes, amazing costumes and attention to detail that the production employs and I hope that you will see the extreme talent and effort that has gone into The Knick. Take special note of some of the special effects showing medical conditions and operating trauma, it's very realistic and downright scary. It will make you thankful for modern medicine and the amazing advances of the medical establishment during the 20th century.

The direction and cinematography is well done. Dialog based scenes are typically shot with the rule of thirds followed (pleasing) but there are many non-dialog scenes where the director moves away from the banal by shooting action from odd angles (carving of pig carcasses with action at mid-line filmed low) or a fight sequence filmed with a wide angle 'behind the hero' view -- this keeps the visual story interesting. Add the Contagion-like soundtrack (I know - a 1900s drama with a techno music track = ?) and the overall experience is captivating.

Finally, I am not sure everyone is familiar with the 'steampunk' enthusiasm (movement?) that is finding its way into both culture (art, collecting) and mainstream style (go to a high end plumbing /appliance store and you will see what I mean!) -- this show captures the industrial late 19th century look extremely well.

I am literally sad when each hour is over. This show is among the best shows I have ever watched. I would be thrilled if every episode were 2 hours long. It's that good.

The acting is good; Clive Owen is not only very believable as Dr, Thackery, but really has a strong command of each and every scene he is in. Some of the characters do not stand out as well, BUT: Special kudos to Eve Hewson, she not only performs with incredible expression, style and emotion, but really looks the part! Amazing actress -- thank you!

Overall, Bravo!

Sicko (2007)

Absurd

[1/10 · 1 July 2007]

This is just another MM attempt at social engineering through inaccuracy and deceit. Anyone that has had any education, any concept of logic and clear thought can discern that Mr. Moore is simply trying to play upon the stupidity of the uneducated and the sympathies of the anti-establishment "enlightened". Having extensive experience with health care in the United States and abroad, as well as having a reasonable understanding of statistics and the evils of propaganda, I can tell you this piece of garbage is a non-starter. Want to get an education in health care AND do your part? Donate the ticket and popcorn money to a inner city health provider, volunteer the 2-3 hours at a clinic or hospital in your home town, and ignore this grandstanding tripe.

Terror on a Train (1953)

I like trains!

[7/10 · 9 November 2001]

I found this movie fairly enjoyable -- A good escape. It does not have a sophisticated plot, but it is nonetheless captivating. I particularly liked the imagery and the feel of the movie, the "cold, damp England at night" look. As a railroad enthusiast, I really liked the early sequences involving the steam-powered freight.

Glenn Ford is a favorite and did well. Despite his lack of lines, I thoroughly enjoyed "Old Charlie" (Herbert C. Walton). I suspect that is what I will be like at his age...