Tailgunner1944 Reviews

Gulliver's Travels (1996)

Fantasy at its best

[8/10 · 25 December 2023]

When it comes to fantasy movies, this is unequivocally one of the best and most underrated ones out there. Even though it was made-for-TV, it has all looks and trappings of a big-bidget Hollywood movie. I've watched it twice and it seemed to only get better with time.

The performances, cinematography, and story were excellent. My only complaint was the back and forth with the flashbacks, but I guess that's how Jonathan Swift told the story in his book. But that's a minor issue.

Th great thing about this movie is that it is, as far as I know, the only live-action movie of Gulliver that takes you into all the worlds he travelled to.

Highly recommended movie.

Uncle Tom (2020)

Ill-conceived drivel at best

[1/10 · 25 January 2023]

I'm very open-minded and was eager to learn something new from this film. But what I got was something that sounded more and more like a propaganda hit-piece as the minutes rolled on. The film seemed to have been put together by paid individuals twisting themselves into pretzels by using selective information to portray a history that fits nicely into their own false narratives. They use the same old playbook: ranting and showing their disdain and contempt for African-Americans and their 400-year struggle for true justice, then say one or two nice things about MLK. Sadly, that has never worked and does not work here. As a film, the camera work and editing are excellent. As a propaganda film, I give this 10/10 for perfectly playing to its audience of deplorables. But if this was supposed to be an objective film that looks into real issues, then this was an epic fail that belongs to Newsmax or Foxnews reels.

See for Me (2021)

Drivel. Save your time and money

[1/10 · 22 December 2022]

You are better off watching some garbage of the month by Asylum than wasting your precious time on this drivel. If I could rate it less than "1," I would. The plot holes could sink an aircraft career. The story itself makes no sense. Whoever wrote this piece of ill-conceived drivel is so out of touch with realistic he/she thinks the rest of humanity is just plain stupid. The lead character is annoying and completely unlikable so much so that you leave the movie asking yourself who the "bad guy" is. I say again, do not waste your time or hard-earned money on this garbage. There are plenty of other choices out there.

Black Summer (2019–2021)

Utter Rubbish

[2/10 · 10 December 2021]

If you want to get angry all the time at the shows writers creating scenes that make no sense, then by all means, go for it. For example, characters will rather freeze to death or run away scared rather than just shoot the lone zombie chasing them. Some characters for some logic defying reason chose not to pick up available weapons event though they are trying to survive. This and many more, so I stopped watching Season 2 after a few episodes.

Triggered (I) (2020)

Stupid meets ridiculous

[4/10 · 1 August 2021]

The biggest surprise for me about this movie was that I was able to make it past the first 25 minutes. Whoever wrote the screenplay for this should have one of those bombs strapped on him. While the storyline seemed interesting, the action and dialogue was completely umrealistic, like characters choosing not to fight back, or not defending themselves; or characters talking about meaningless things that would not be realistic at all when one is facing death. Don't waste your time with this ridiculous garbage. It's a missed opportunity.

Nicole (2019)

Builds up nicely

[8/10 · 19 August 2020]

This film is a neat piece of work. I like how it slowly builds up the tension until you find yourself literally sitting at the edge of your seat. The performances are very commendable and are really what drives this film. Use of colors is unique and adds to the quality of the film.

Ghosts of War (2020)

Waste of money. Stupidest ending.

[2/10 · 26 July 2020]

All those given this movie positive reviews must be linked to the production somehow. It had potential, but it seems as if the filmmakers ran out of money and just stopped filming, then decided to put this garbage in the market. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY OR TIME! There is absolutely nothing gained from watching this ill-conceived drivel.

Is Paris Burning? (1966)

Best portrayal of the capture of Paris

[7/10 · 6 July 2020]

Do not listen to the naysayers. There is nothing confusing about this movie, unless you got into it thinking it would be MISSING IN ACTION part 17. The cast is stellar and the performances are solid. It mixed real-life documentary footage with staged performances, giving it a very realistic feeling. If you loved THE LONGEST DAY, you will love this movie. Highly recommended.

To the Ends of the World (2018)

Moving and well performed

[8/10 · 11 June 2020]

If you're looking for "We Were Soldiers" or heavy action, this is not for you. It has some minor action, but presents war in its grittiness, misery, and ugliness. This movie reminds me of "Charlie Bravo" another French movie set during the Indochina campaign. The performances were amazing and the music breathtaking. I highly recommend this if you're into the history of the Vietnam or Indochina wars.

Circle (II) (2015)

Don't hold your breath for an explanation

[1/10 · 5 May 2020]

The movie is unique but the ending is completely botched. No explanation is ever given for the things that happen. It's as if the audience e has to figure it out or use their imagination. Never understood why filmmakers do things like that. Please save yourselves some time and pick a better movie to watch.

Nine Dead (2009)

Stupid ending. Save your time and money

[1/10 · 5 May 2020]

I have never understood why some filmmakers deliberately end a movie badly. The movie had a lot of potential, and then it just came to a sudden end. I was like, "is this a joke?" Anyway find something better to do with your time, or watch s better movie. I wish I could rate this garbage lower than 1.

Vivarium (2019)

Waste of time or money

[3/10 · 18 April 2020]

I've often asked myself whether some filmmakers get together and make a deliberate effort to make a movie that leaves audiences asking "what just happened?" Or perhaps they just ran out of money and could not film all the scenes they needed to film. The movie had a lot of potential but messed it up bigtime. While it kept me on edge, it leaves plenty to be answered. Not e exactly sure what the point of the movie is at all. Do not waste your time or money.

The Last King (2003)

Nailed it!

[8/10 · 14 April 2020]

It's been a long time since I enjoyed a film like I did with this. Rufus Sewel Rupert Graves are spectacular, as well as the rest of the cast. The costumes dialogue, performances, all give this film it's authenticity. Best of all, from the little I know of history, this series deviates very little from history. It is as close to the actual history as you can get on film. One of the most well-made movies I've ever seen, from the first shot to the last.

The only warning I have is that be sure to have some time on your hands before starting to watch it. You won't want to stop. It is very binge worthy.

Range 15 (2016)

Drivel

[2/10 · 14 April 2020]

I am active duty Army and I really wanted to like this, but alas it was not to be. I have been trying to finish watching the move for sevem months now, but it's becoming more challenging each time. When I do finally finish watching it (and I will, God willing), I will consider it one of my greatest feats endurance, perhaps only comparable to scaling Mount Everest wearing flip-flops. Anyone who rated this garbage anything more than 3/10 must be jealous friends of the filmmakers, because good friends would not have let the filmmakers make this.

The dialogue and acting are beyond stupid. How William Shatner, Keith David, and Sean Astin got associated with this, I have no idea.

Don't waste your time or money on this.

Big Kill (2019)

Grear story and performances

[8/10 · 29 September 2019]

I was very pleasantly surprised by this movie. I wasn't expecting much, but found myself wanting to know "what happend next." The action, acting, and dialogue are good and memorable. One of the best westerns made in the last 10 years.

Mission of Honor (II) (2018)

Enjoyable war movie

[7/10 · 2 August 2019]

Not sure if this was a major theatrically released picture, but it sure seems like it was. The performances were solid and the battle scenes realistic, or at least what I think of as realistic (since I never was in a WW2 dogfight). If you're into WW2, especially its air combat, then this is for you. Not sure if they used CGI or real aircraft, but they looked quite realistic. This little known story of the Battle of Britain fully deserved this movie (author of "Renee: St. Mary's Virus).

Black Summer (2019–2021)

Typical Asylum Garbage

[2/10 · 25 April 2019]

If you want an annoying and poorly written show, then this is for you. Characters lack basic knowledge of survival. They do things that normal people won't do in the middle of an apocalypse: don't close doors, don't watch their six, make terrible decisions, and stand around and watch dangerous events unfolding when they should be running. This is the typical garbage that results from either terrible writing, editing, directing, or all three.

Dawning of the Dead (2017)

Rubbish!

[1/10 · 31 December 2017]

I know it's a low budget movie, but I've watched low-budget movies that were amazing to watch. Sitting through the entire 1 hr 43 mins of this movie is one of the greatest tests of endurance I have have ever engaged in. I spent $3.99 to rent this movie and will I miss that money forever. The movie is unbelievable and makes no sense whatever. The characters have guns but don't use them when they need to for some unexplained reason. Please save yourself. There is absolutely nothing you will gain by watching this nonsense, unless perhaps you are a filmmaker who wants to learn about how not to make a bad movie.

Admiral (2008)

Excellent War movie and love Story. Leaves a lasting impression

[9/10 · 10 December 2016]

This is one of the best movies I have watched in years. Not only is it a historical war movie based on actual events, it is also a very captivating love story. It is one of those movies that you keep thinking about long after it has ended. The performance by Konstantin Khabenskiy is exceptional and Oscar-worthy. Had this been an American movie I have no doubt it would have been a Best Picture contender at the Oscars.

Aside from the story and acting by all the actors, the music and sweeping cinematography is quite on point.

When it comes to battle scenes, the last big battle towards the end is one of those that leaves you scratching your head as to what was going through the heads of the Soldiers when their Commanders ordered them to carry out these massive charges straight into machine gun fire. Well-made movie that deserves watching again.

Now, because it is based on actual events, I am about to Wikipedia the heck out of the characters. It is just one of those movies where you connect with all the characters so much that you want to read and know more about the real-life people.

The Counselor (2013)

Don't Waste Your Money or Time

[1/10 · 13 November 2013]

Watched this movie in the theatre. At the end of it, you had several patrons scream out in disgust like they had been cheated! It movies like this that make me want to run for Congress, so that I can introduce a law that forces movie theatres to issue refunds to customers for showing remarkably and magnificently bad movies! Great cast with marvelous acting. Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, and Jarvier Bardem were at their best. What kills this movie is the story. While the movie is unnecessarily long with countless pointless scenes, the story itself is quite captivating and leaves you on the edge of your seat. That is until the end- literarily. You had patrons screaming, "what!" It is as if the filmmakers ran out of money, then stopped filming, called it a day, and then sent this tremendously pointless monstrosity to us in the theatres. What suckers we are.

Volcanic Sprint (2007)

Not for the Faint-Hearted

[9 June 2013]

Great inspirational sports documentary. This documentary is about one of the most gruelling foot races on the planet. Takes place in Cameroon, West Africa. I first knew about the Mountain Race when it was sponsored by Guiness and known as the Guiness Mount Cameroon Race. While the documentary did a good profile of some of the current contestants, I would have liked to see at least a little bit more on the history of the race itself, accompanied by old footage. Overall, I enjoyed the documentary and I'm quite inspired to partake in it during my lifetime. One thing I found funny about this documentary is how it shows athletes making up countless excuses for why they lose a competition or do not meet their expectations.

When Soldiers Cry (2010)

What a waster of everybody's time

[1/10 · 27 February 2010]

This filmmaker must have friends in high places since he was able to get this movie on Netflix. I only saw about the first three minutes, and that was all I needed to see. The acting was "cheap." The setting for this movie is the most Missouri-looking looking South Vietnam I've ever seen. Not trying to be mean to the filmmaker, but movies like this sometimes make me wish that there should be some kind of media censorship in America. Anyway, if you are having a really bad day and are looking for something to be mad about, then this movie is for you. I really do not have to watch the rest of this movie to know how bad it is. I suggest to the filmmaker to work better at crafting his skill so that he can come up with something watchable.

Deceit (2006 TV Movie)

Waste of time. Such a cliché!

[1/10 · 8 February 2009]

I do not know what some of these filmmakers are thinking, by making the same type of clichéd film over and over, where the bad guys (bad girls in this case) win. Weak acting and very predictable. Nothing original about it. This same movie has been made over and over again- not different from GOODBYE LOVER (1989), SLOW BURN (2005), or at least ten other movies with the exact same storyline and ending. There are a lot of holes in the movie too. It is as if they ran out of money and just stopped filming. Or perhaps they ran out of ideas. But do not waste your time with this one. It will only leave you upset by having wasted your time watching it.

Black Hawk Down (2001)

Even in 2001?!

[4/10 · 4 August 2005]

The most blatantly racist movie since D.W. Grifith's BIRTH OF A NATION! I know some of you might say that "well this movie simply states the FACTS as they happened," but I'm afraid that is where you are dreadfully wrong. The movie simply shows Black Africans as bloodthirsty born savages who needlessly attacked American SOLDIERS involved in a COMBAT operation. For the producers to do justice they could have at least showed why the Somalis attacked the US soldiers. This is where the facts come in: about a month or so before the incident, American helicopters, while hunting for a SINGLE warlord, had come to the town looking for him. The Somali residents did not trouble the Americans then, for after all the Americans were there to help them all out. But in hunting for that SINGLE guy, the Americans, in their classic military tradition, blew up the ENTIRE building that this guy was thought to be in, killing at least 75 PEOPLE, all of whom had LOVED ONES too (and the guy was not even there). So what do you think Mogadishu residents did the next time they saw American helicopters in their neighborhoods? They had to at least try to defend themselves from another mass killing of course. And the vast majority of the Somalis killed by the Rangers were unarmed women and children, a fact the filmmakers carefully disguised. And by the way, for those of you who think the Rangers in Somalia were sweet little angels, I believe that the ranger one who was portrayed by Josh Hartnett is currently serving a thirty-year sentence for CHILD RAPE!!!