Movie Review: Union Pacific (1939) The Civil War might still be going on, but the United States has to consider what will happen after the war. Government approval is given to build railways that will link the eastern half of the country with the western, The eastern end of the line is being… Continue reading Movie Review: Union Pacific (1939)
Category: Movie
Movie Review: Cleopatra (1934)
Movie Review: Cleopatra (1934) It is 48 B.C., and Egypt is having a bit of a civil war. Cleopatra (Claudette Colbert) and her brother Ptolemy both want to be the ruler. The regent Pothinos (Leonard Mudie), who finds Ptolemy easier to control, exiles Cleopatra to the desert, then negotiates with Julius Caesar (Warren William), representative… Continue reading Movie Review: Cleopatra (1934)
Movie Review: The Crusades (1935)
Movie Review: The Crusades (1935) It is the 12th Century, and the Holy Land has been seized by the Saracens, under the command of Saladin (Ian Keith). Crosses, Bibles and other Christian symbols are burned, and the Christian inhabitants of Jerusalem taken into captivity. A hermit (C. Aubrey Smith) confronts Saladin and declares that he… Continue reading Movie Review: The Crusades (1935)
Movie Review: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
Movie Review: The Sign of the Cross (1932) In the year 64 A.D., Rome burns while Nero (Charles Laughton) composes poetry, accompanying himself on the lyre. Ambitious bodyguard Tigelinus (Ian Keith) warns that some parties are blaming the fires on Nero himself. Nero doesn’t actually deny the rumor, but doesn’t confirm it either. Tigelinus suggests… Continue reading Movie Review: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
Book Review: One For the Money
Book Review: One for the Money by Janet Evanovich Disclaimer: I received this book (and the DVD of the movie) as part of a Goodreads giveaway in the expectation that I would review it. Stephanie Plum is an unemployed lingerie buyer in Trenton, New Jersey. Her mother pressures her to take an office job at… Continue reading Book Review: One For the Money
Movie Review: Kill Devil
Movie Review: Kill Devil (2004) A teenager wakes up on a deserted beach, sometime in autumn. He doesn’t remember who he is or how he got there, but the blanket he was under indicates he wasn’t on that beach by accident. He’s wearing a strange metal wristband with the name “Shougo” on it, so that’s… Continue reading Movie Review: Kill Devil
Movie Review: Chushingura (The 47 Loyal Ronin)
Movie Review: Chushingura (The 47 Loyal Ronin) (1962) As mentioned in my previous reviews of book and comic book versions, the tale of the forty-seven ronin is one of Japan’s great stories, based on true events. Briefly, in 1701, Lord Kira provokes Lord Asano into breaking the rules of the Shogun’s court, a crime that… Continue reading Movie Review: Chushingura (The 47 Loyal Ronin)
Movie Review: Hammer of the Gods
Movie Review: Hammer of the Gods (2013) It is the 8th Century C.E. and the Viking invaders are struggling with the Saxons in middle England. King Bagsecg was given a slow but fatal wound in the last battle, so it’s time for him to choose a successor. Prince Steinar is a good warrior, but… Continue reading Movie Review: Hammer of the Gods
Movie Review: Viking Saga: The Darkest Day
Movie Review: Viking Saga: The Darkest Day A fairly low-budget film based very loosely on the real-life events surrounding the Book of Kells. Viking raiders have sacked the monastery at Lindesfarne, killing most of the monks. In addition to their usual spoils, the Vikings desire a book. This illuminated copy of the Bible is particularly… Continue reading Movie Review: Viking Saga: The Darkest Day
Movie Review: The Grandmaster (2013)
Movie Review: The Grandmaster (2013) This Chinese-French co-production is a Wong Kar Wai film loosely based on the real life of Ip Man, Bruce Lee’s instructor in the art of Wing Chun style kung fu. As the title indicates, however, the true central character is the Northern Grandmaster, Gong Yutian. As the film begins, Master… Continue reading Movie Review: The Grandmaster (2013)