I have watched this series 3 times now. And each time I have been left with questions about the politics, governance and sociology of war. Everybody involved in this is nothing short of amazing. Thank you to Dexter Filkins and Alex Gilbertson for their coverage and testament to what happened and my heart goes out to all the Iraqi people involved in the making of this so their truths may be told as witnesses to an occupation which was neither warranted or needed and it's very actions allowed ISIS to gain control. Blair and Bush should be charged with war crimes and the Chilkott report all but confirmed this. This is a must watch series in my opinion. It shows all sides of the war and the tragedies within it. This is the most concise documentary series on a war I have ever seen. 5 parts, it shows from the beginning to the... I was going to say end but in the words of Dexter Filkins it hasn't ended and probably won't the rammifications of the invasion of Iraq will continue throughout our lifetimes and will certainly outlive most of us..I could go on and on but the best thing to do is just watch it and learn for yourself gain your own perspective on this. It is a heart wrenching journey I assure you but it is inter spaced and laced with a seam of humour from the Iraqi people who lived through these horrors. May peace be with you all.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Once Upon a Time in Iraq
(2020)
An Amazing documentary... And a credit to all those who participated.
5 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Our Friends in the North
(1996)
One of the finest dramas ever...
29 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I have just finished watching this superb drama for the first time in 2022. In 1996 when it was released for a multitude of reasons I simply didn't watch it. Probably because I was out on the piss.
The start of the drama is in 1964 ironically the year I was born. And the story of the characters within OFITN are basically revisited every few years to see how their characters have changed, this is fascinating because each character makes life changing decisions based on their immediate circumstances and the knock on effects over time are mesmerising to watch.
The drama quite clearly catapulted nearly every actor and actress within in it on to bigger things. I always remember Freddie Vaughan as the character " Grouty." in Porridge opposite Ronnie Barker. But his turn in this was quite simply oscar worthy. To see him go through his life with morals and decency to an aging father with alzheimer's slowly slipping away whilst trying to search for something is truly tragic and heart breaking.
Christopher Eccleston's character as Nicky is awesome as his son who becomes angry and disillusioned with his father as his father slips away with alzheimer's. Amazing performance.
I couldn't help but shed tears for Daniel Craig's immense performance as the unlucky Geordie Peacock. The transformation of him from film star looks to a homeless person was a combination of amazement and sadness at the realization that it could happen to anyone.
Gina McKee was fantastic throughout as the sort of person an entire group communicates with at any and all times. Mark Strong was again fantastic ( he had a good head of hair back then ) For a drama to span from 1964 to 1995 at roughly every 3 year intervals in 1996 was not only commendable and highly original but it displayed the differences of the North / South divide and the political decisions at the time .
If only they would have done a second season...
The start of the drama is in 1964 ironically the year I was born. And the story of the characters within OFITN are basically revisited every few years to see how their characters have changed, this is fascinating because each character makes life changing decisions based on their immediate circumstances and the knock on effects over time are mesmerising to watch.
The drama quite clearly catapulted nearly every actor and actress within in it on to bigger things. I always remember Freddie Vaughan as the character " Grouty." in Porridge opposite Ronnie Barker. But his turn in this was quite simply oscar worthy. To see him go through his life with morals and decency to an aging father with alzheimer's slowly slipping away whilst trying to search for something is truly tragic and heart breaking.
Christopher Eccleston's character as Nicky is awesome as his son who becomes angry and disillusioned with his father as his father slips away with alzheimer's. Amazing performance.
I couldn't help but shed tears for Daniel Craig's immense performance as the unlucky Geordie Peacock. The transformation of him from film star looks to a homeless person was a combination of amazement and sadness at the realization that it could happen to anyone.
Gina McKee was fantastic throughout as the sort of person an entire group communicates with at any and all times. Mark Strong was again fantastic ( he had a good head of hair back then ) For a drama to span from 1964 to 1995 at roughly every 3 year intervals in 1996 was not only commendable and highly original but it displayed the differences of the North / South divide and the political decisions at the time .
If only they would have done a second season...
The Counselor
(2013)
" A Masterpiece of a film."
19 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
When I saw the trailer for this film my interest was immediately woken due to the cast and director also the writer.
Cormac McCarthy writes epic material, Ridley Scott makes epic and sublime films, Kingdom of Heaven being my favourite. The cast Michael Fassbender, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz all have made exceptional stuff in their own ways. This film sort of throws everything you've seen from each of these actors / actresses on it's head in so many ways.
The biggest change for me was Cameron Diaz playing the most evil bad ass ever. I'm not saying that to be corny even though it sounds it. We are so used to seeing Diaz playing in rom-coms and sickly sweet comedies that to see her play such a manipulative and unempathetic character as she did was quite frankly mesmerizing. There is very little gory scenes and that is good because the one's which do happen stick with you for very different reasons. It's the psychology of the events and the slow but gently upward level of psychological suspense which draws you in and does the damage.
The plot of a greedy lawyer wanting to make a " Fassbuck " by getting in on a drug deal with his friend Reiner ( Bardem.) is almost a cliqued plot line but the moral tale which unfolds because of the decisions taken and the effects on other peoples lives is truly the films strength. The essence of realisation after making decisions and the hefty consequences which loved ones end up paying for is monumental.
For me, seeing Fassbender trying to put things right towards the end by contacting two intermediary's to hopefully intervene in what is quite frankly a terrifying end for his partner is one of the best roles and scenes he's ever took part in. The Counsellor is a double edged sword, that of a lawyer in America and one is a psychotherapist. The second intervention comes across as that of a psychotherapist who will listen to your problems but cannot intervene. The decisions you make have consequences and they are outside of your control.
This is one of the most under rated gems of films ever and is now one of my favourites for so many reasons. I simply cannot understand the negative reviews and think that over time this will become a classic film.
Cormac McCarthy writes epic material, Ridley Scott makes epic and sublime films, Kingdom of Heaven being my favourite. The cast Michael Fassbender, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz all have made exceptional stuff in their own ways. This film sort of throws everything you've seen from each of these actors / actresses on it's head in so many ways.
The biggest change for me was Cameron Diaz playing the most evil bad ass ever. I'm not saying that to be corny even though it sounds it. We are so used to seeing Diaz playing in rom-coms and sickly sweet comedies that to see her play such a manipulative and unempathetic character as she did was quite frankly mesmerizing. There is very little gory scenes and that is good because the one's which do happen stick with you for very different reasons. It's the psychology of the events and the slow but gently upward level of psychological suspense which draws you in and does the damage.
The plot of a greedy lawyer wanting to make a " Fassbuck " by getting in on a drug deal with his friend Reiner ( Bardem.) is almost a cliqued plot line but the moral tale which unfolds because of the decisions taken and the effects on other peoples lives is truly the films strength. The essence of realisation after making decisions and the hefty consequences which loved ones end up paying for is monumental.
For me, seeing Fassbender trying to put things right towards the end by contacting two intermediary's to hopefully intervene in what is quite frankly a terrifying end for his partner is one of the best roles and scenes he's ever took part in. The Counsellor is a double edged sword, that of a lawyer in America and one is a psychotherapist. The second intervention comes across as that of a psychotherapist who will listen to your problems but cannot intervene. The decisions you make have consequences and they are outside of your control.
This is one of the most under rated gems of films ever and is now one of my favourites for so many reasons. I simply cannot understand the negative reviews and think that over time this will become a classic film.
The Immortal
(2019)
Gomorrah - Season 5, part 1
22 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
As an avid Gomorrah fan this is a must watch film for any self respecting Gomorrah fan. After the end of season 4 it's been a long time because of the Co-Vid19 pandemic and subsequent delay of the season 5. This however makes up for that delay in part and also answers alot of questions surrounding the past of Ciro.
This film is mainly about the upbringing of Ciro from childhood to the adult he has become. How he was brought up explains so much about his familial love towards those he cherishes and is perfectly counter balanced with the ruthlessness of a mob boss. To truly understand this film and it's meaning you simply have to take the journey and watch the entire series. I promise you you will not be disappointed.
This is Italian TV / Film making at it's raw and ethereal best. The company Cattelya who started this off have been bought out by ITV and when I heard this my heart sank at the thoughts the quality of the writing and production might suffer but up to now this has not happened and I can only hope the ITV executives will leave the Cattelya production team to keep doing their thing. I can't understand why the ratings are not higher for this film. Truly under rated.
If you like this then try Suburra the film by the same team and then the series. Amazing stuff.
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