We've not had a rant about films recently, so please excuse me whilst I have a massive one about "Flyboys". This 2006 epic is based on the Escadron Lafayette; Americans flying for the French in WWI and stars James Franco as the farmboy who gets all moody and flies around a lot, and the marvellous Jean Reno looking a little bewildered as the Captain ably supported by Officer Crabtree from "Allo, Allo".
The characters are stereotypes. The mysterious ace who reluctantly takes to the young pilot, the well to do screw up who is only there because of his father and the black pilot who saves the screw up so they drink expensive wine together.
Then there's the girl who is hilariously mistaken as a prostitute, and the cool German ace with a sneer and the coolest aircraft art.
The string and paper aeroplanes make climbs and turns that modern aerobatic tams would drool over, and seemingly there is no danger of the wings coming off or the engine cutting out.
They start their operations in 1916 escorting O-400's (which first went into action in March 1917) fighting Fokker Dreideckers (which first went into action in August 1917). Mid way through the film they take on Zeppelin L32 (which was shot down over London in September 1916) escorted by the Fokkers, on its way to bomb Paris. The heroes were told to take on the Zeppelin whist the rest of the squadron took on the fighters. The fat guy gets downed by the baddie in a distinctive black craft, and the hero is encouraged to "use the force" ... hang on ... wrong film ... but only just.
It's not like there isn't sufficient historical reference materials (especially about American units fighting wars before Uncle Sam gets involved) , so why do film makers constantly ignore them and make films guaranteed to irritate the sugar-how-item-tare out of those of us who read a book now and again?
"Flyboys" is full of teeth-grinding moments. The best thing I can say about this film is that it isn't as bad as "The Red Baron" from 2008.
I give it three "I don't want to see's" out of 5. X_X X_X X_X
Cant really disagree with any of that
What a great bad review! :D
+1
No-one ever accused Hollywood of historical accuracy. "Artistic value" is far more important than strict verisimilitude. >:( >:( >:(
Its a well known fact that Hollywood won both wars singlehandedly.
Wont stop me watching it though as there hasn't been any war films released for sooooo long that I will wtach any sh*t that comes along!
Quote from: Hertsblue on 20 September 2014, 05:56:35 PM
(...) "Artistic value" is far more important than strict verisimilitude. (...)
I personnaly didn' t see many artistic values in this movie.. :-\
Quote from: Nosher on 20 September 2014, 06:00:41 PM
(...)Wont stop me watching it though as there hasn't been any war films released for sooooo long that I will wtach any sh*t that comes along!
That's why I watch this one ;)
I tried to watch th new Stalingrad ( russian movie, 2013, from Fedor Bondarchuk ) and stopped after several minutes >:(
Why? Do not keep us in suspenders.
I've got a copy of the old German Stalingrad which is quite good.
I have been ordered to suspend my disbelief and shut the f**k up when watching war films.
Any thoughts from the assembled panel on "The Patrol" or "I am a soldier"? British films from 2013/14?
They're contemporary, and I know more about WWI in the air than I do about what goes on in Afghanistan.
Quote from: Dour Puritan on 20 September 2014, 07:00:38 PM
Why? Do not keep us in suspenders.
I don't want to keep you the "pleasure" to watch it by yourself ! :d
imho : poorly filmed, non-historical behaviour of the soldiers, etc. I also didn't like the look, they didn't choose between reality and "anime". ( strange special effects in several scenes )
Quote from: Subedai on 20 September 2014, 07:44:40 PM
I've got a copy of the old German Stalingrad which is quite good.
(...)
I do like this one. ( The french one is more like a western..)
I also like some russians movies from the 70s and 80s : "Come and See" (Иди и смотри) from Elem Klimov. Germans and russians "knew" how to make movies about the war. But now, the russian politic may be interfering..
As far as I know, Bondarchuk's Stalingrad was made with IMAX 3D in mind and it suffers if you don't see it in IMAX 3D.
It is heavily weighted in favour of the Russian point of view. The Russians are all (more or less) heroes and the Germans are all (more or less) unmitigated villains. Even the one "good" German is merely less bad than the rest.
The German-made Stalingrad and even Enemy At The Gates were better, IMHO.
For war films made fairly recently that are worth watching I'd go for
Defiance, Kokoda: 39th Battalion, Saints and Soldiers, Days of Glory, Flags of our Fathers/ Letters from Iwo Jima, Paschendaele and War Horse.
For more up to date stuff, The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty.
I'm enjoying Turn, an american show about spies during AWI.
I'm still a big fan of "the Bridge" - the original 1950's West German version - not the remake.
I'm afraid I'm not a big fan of "Defiance". After 20 minutes I was cheering for the Germans. This is possibly because I think that Daniel Craig is about as much fun to watch as a dried paint. In the Bond films, I was cheering fro the Russians or whoever (those films are so awful, I can't remember who he was spying on) and in "Cowboys vs Aliens" I was hoping the thingy on his write would explode. In "Layer Cake" ... well you get the picture.
"Kokoda: 39th Battalion" is an unsung gem, but I was disappointed in "the Hurt Locker". Don't know what I was expecting.
I sat and watched the Great Escape with my 12 year old daughter yesterday.
It may be old but its still more watchable than some of the rubbish put out today which is all CGI. Proper war films seem to be out of fashion. I'd love to see remakes of Khartoum, Zulu Dawn, Charge of the Light Brigade etc.
Maybe the US could win those wars too? ;D
I watched a film called "War of the Dead" and was disgusted that there were Americans fighting with the Finns against the Russians in 1941. Wrong weapons, wrong uniforms ... but I was OK with the basic concept of the film which was Russians creating zombies.
Tora, Tora, Tora must be the best war film ever made. Genuine Japanese and American acting, brilliant action sequences with authentic equipment and an absence of bias mainly due to the film being shot in both the US and Japan.
My cousin saw Tora, Tora, Tora in Japan when he was out there. Naturally enough, no Japanese subtitles and all of the American dialogue subtitled in Japanese. Luckily he knew enough of the history to follow the film.
Very good film, right enough.
War of the Dead. Tried to watch that recently ! Very strange as you say.
WW2 Yanks and Finns fighting Russkies. Plus zombies.
Gave up - the zombies were the most believable aspect.
phil
Quote from: Ithoriel on 20 September 2014, 10:13:56 PM
As far as I know, Bondarchuk's Stalingrad was made with IMAX 3D in mind and it suffers if you don't see it in IMAX 3D.
It is heavily weighted in favour of the Russian point of view. The Russians are all (more or less) heroes and the Germans are all (more or less) unmitigated villains. Even the one "good" German is merely less bad than the rest.
The German-made Stalingrad and even Enemy At The Gates were better, IMHO.
For war films made fairly recently that are worth watching I'd go for
Defiance, Kokoda: 39th Battalion, Saints and Soldiers, Days of Glory, Flags of our Fathers/ Letters from Iwo Jima, Paschendaele and War Horse.
For more up to date stuff, The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty.
Plus The Brest Fortress(Russian 2010 about the opening days of Barbarossa from a Russian POV, (bit jingoistic but watchable).
For some of the older ones I would add All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), although John Boy Walton's 1979 version wasn't too bad either; Longest Day, Paths of Glory and of course Kelly's Heroes.
I also give you "Age of Heroes", 2011: Sean Bean and Danny Dyer (would you believe) in "the true story of the formation of Ian Fleming's 30 Commando unit, a precursor for the elite forces in the U.K."
I would say that as uniforms and weaponry become more authentic, stories just become more dribble.
"Dawn Patrol", 1938 Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone and David Niven - who was in one of my favourite films "A Matter of Life and Death" (1946) - which may not strictly be a war film, but is a delight.
Waterloo. As a mainstream film, it is pretty close to an acceptably historically accurate account, is great fun, has some fabulous performances, great quotes, and stunning battlefield scenes. "The Prussians are in the woods!" "Raise High the black flags my children. No pity, no prisoners! I'll shoot any man I see with pity in him! ". "If there is one thing about which I know absolutely nothing, it is agriculture!".
Top that! ;) :D
Mollinary
1911 about the Xinhai Revolution with Jackie Chan is a good film, not sure how accurate it is though
Cross of Iron. Gritty, grubby, realistic.
Perhaps I am at an age, but I am suprised know one has mentioned classics like Ice Cold in Alex, Dunkirk and A Cruel Sea. I enjoyed Stalingrad (German version) and Assembly set 1948 China. Anyone seen Warsaw 1920?
"Warsaw 1920" is very ... Polish.
My own personal favourites remain the morale boosting WWII films such as "The Way Ahead", or "First of the Few". "Millions Like Us" is a little gem. It's about ordinary women and the contribution they can make to the war effort. Not so much was films as social history.
"Come on, darling, come back to my place and make a contribution to the war effort."
'Cross of Iron' is a good film. I might have enjoyed 'Waterloo' more had the booklet issued with the film not shown stills of infantry with bolt action rifles.
'Das Boot' is another good German film.
My all time favourite (although not war film) is 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' with Errol Flynn. The bent sword in the fight with Baz Rathbone at the end is classic.
Chad
Cross of Iron is a favourite as is Das Boot and the Battle of Britain
I think one of my least favourite war films has to be The Dambusters. Find it very tedious and boring
'Cross of Iron' is excellent.
My favourite war film is probably 'Thin Red Line' - (if you ignore some of the Malick arthouse crap) - great performances particular by Sean Penn and Nick Nolte.
For me "Thin Red Line" is so obviously Vietnam dressed up in WW2 clothing that it grates.
Though if we're going back beyond the last few years:
Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, A Bridge Too Far, The Longest Day, The Fighting SeaBees, Sands of Iwo Jima ...
For my sins I enjoy the following, in no particular order: Kellys Heroes, The Red Baron (2009?), Passchendale, A Bridge Too Far, The Longest Day, The Battle of Britain, Cross of Iron and Defiance :)
Not long finished watching 84 Charlie Mopic which is from the cameraman's viewpoint of a training film being made on the front line in Vietnam. Old (1989), but for a budget film it's quite good.
Quote from: skywalker on 24 September 2014, 11:26:34 AM
For my sins I enjoy the following, in no particular order: Kellys Heroes, The Red Baron (2009?), Passchendale, A Bridge Too Far, The Longest Day, The Battle of Britain, Cross of Iron and Defiance :)
Yes, I'd also include
The Longest Day (in spite of its Hollywood theme song) and
The Battle of Britain (If only for the action scenes) in my list of favourites. :-bd
Quote from: Subedai on 24 September 2014, 01:14:45 PM
Not long finished watching 84 Charlie Mopic which is from the cameraman's viewpoint of a training film being made on the front line in Vietnam. Old (1989), but for a budget film it's quite good.
84 Charlie Mopic is a great little film
Quote from: Hertsblue on 25 September 2014, 07:55:44 AM
Yes, I'd also include The Longest Day (in spite of its Hollywood theme song) and The Battle of Britain (If only for the action scenes) in my list of favourites. :-bd
Considering its age, in the Battle of Britain even the models they used for the planes were quite convincing. Michael Caine trying to control the Polish pilots is a great little scene.
Midway and The Long, the Short and the Tall haven't been mentioned yet. 'Flingers on Bonce' Some great character acting in the last mentioned.
Saw Aces High again recently , enjoyed it a lot
Fully support the Das Boot recommendation, an awesome film which is a quantum leap ahead of all previous submarine films. Although not a film for cinema release, Band of Brothers is pretty hard to beat. Gettysburg, for the Pickett's charge scenes alone, probably deserves to be on the list. And before we get the usual 'beards' comments, go back and look at some of the photos of real civil war generals. Jeb Stuart really had been attacked by someone with a paint brush loaded with wallpaper paste! :D
Mollinary
Alongside "Gettysburg" you might want to watch "Glory" (1989) - Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman doing a decent job of telling the story of the 54th Massachusetts.
In a similar vein there's "Red Tails" (2012) which tells the story of the Tuskegee airmen. It got panned by the critics as stereotyped and cliched but I enjoyed it - each to their own I guess.
Glory is great!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 25 September 2014, 09:43:23 PM
Glory is great!
The movie or having your own tribute thread? ;D
=O =O =O =D> =D>
Quote from: Subedai on 25 September 2014, 12:01:55 PM
Considering its age, in the Battle of Britain even the models they used for the planes were quite convincing. Michael Caine trying to control the Polish pilots is a great little scene.
Repeat Please :)
Still a great film today IMHO - inspiration for my next project actually 8)
Cross of Iron
Defiance
The Longest Day
Spartucus - just for the spectacle - and the fact I was allowed to stay up late as a kid to watch it in the days before video recorders
Von Ryans Express - Not the best but I can remember sitting on the sofa with my late father watching it together - good memories
I do enjoy Gettysburg, but the Confederates on trampettes in Pickett's charge always make me laugh.
Just got back from town with a mega result -well I thought so anyway. Reading through these Film posts I realised I hadn't got a copy of Gettysburg or Gods and Generals so in town I popped into the local CEX shop. Found Gettysburg straight away...£2. Bargain, thinks I. Went to pay and the bloke said that'll be £1, please. So I got over four hours of film for a squid. Still looking out for Gods and Generals though. Well chuffed.
Two hundred and forty minutes for a Pound. Spooky! One old ( or real, depending on your point of view!) penny for each minute. Infredibke value!
Mollinary
Nice thread. I have always liked action films especially war films from when me and my dad used to watch them on a Sunday afternoon in the 60's. I have always had a liking for Errol Flynn action films as well.
So this is my list of action/war films that I will watch when they come around.
All quiet on the Western Front (digitally remastered original version)
The Light Horseman
Cross of Iron
Paschendael
Battle of Warsaw (last 30 minutes)
Black Hawk Down
The Wild Bunch
The Sea Hawks
They died with their boots on
The charge of the light brigade
Fort Apache
Cheers :)
You Sir, are a gentleman of good taste and discernment!
Not sure my Ex would agree. ;D
Quote from: Just a few Orcs on 26 September 2014, 07:16:04 PM
Spartucus - just for the spectacle - and the fact I was allowed to stay up late as a kid to watch it in the days before video recorders
I'm watching Sparticus now on something called 'PickTV' - it's not how I remember it . . .
Martyn
--
Anyone remember Taras Bulba with Yul Brynner and Tony Curtis? Quite fun, and now becoming somewhat relevant regarding the Ukraine? Scratch that last remark - it is just fun, Hollywood tosh - but fun! :D
Mollinary
How did Tony Curtis get these historical roles - "Taras Bulba", "Spartacus", "the Vikings", and of course "the Black Shield of Falworth".
In every film, he sounded like he'd been dragged in fresh from the streets of New York.
"Yonder lies the cassle of moi fadder."
Lovely stuff.
Curtis was pretty awful in one of the film versions of The Count of Monte Christo as well . Though he was good in Lobster Man from Mars
Except.... http://www.snopes.com/quotes/signature/tonycurtis.asp
though in fairness Heff's comment of "...don't tell anyone, it makes a great movie story" is kinda true too.
Taras Bulba was awful. Yul Brenner; great casting. Tony Curtis; err not so great.
I remember going to the pictures when I was 12 to see Taras Bulba. Never seen it since. Re. Gods and Generals: The Battle of Fredericksburg is the best bit of the whole film, but where did they put the flip between side one and side two; right in the middle of the battle, I ask you. Bit of trivia, the troops crossing the pontoons over the Rappahannock had to be re-filmed as it was done on a lake. Someone set up the wind machine, to make the flowing river effect, so that the Union troops looked as though they were crossing from south to north. :o
Had a bit of a ageist moment last night. Put Gettysburg on the diddly after Ma Subs went to catch some flies, (you gotta love Tom Berenger's beard and Jeff Daniels tache, even though they are accurate), and settled down with a cup of tea. Just at the end of the fight for Little Round Top the diddly stopped.Then there was another short film of the battle narrated by Leslie Nielson...then Main Menu. I've been done out of 50% of the ruddy film was my first thought! I sat there for a couple of minutes then thought right, those shysters at CEX are going to get it tomorrow. Opened the diddly to put it back in the case...and instantly realised it was two sided. Tried the second side and behold -Gettysburg Part Two! My name-calling was very inventive, quiet but inventive. How I manage to use anything technological sometimes amazes me.
Quote from: Subedai on 29 September 2014, 09:02:55 PM
Had a bit of a ageist moment last night. Put Gettysburg on the diddly after Ma Subs went to catch some flies, (you gotta love Tom Berenger's beard and Jeff Daniels tache, even though they are accurate), and settled down with a cup of tea. Just at the end of the fight for Little Round Top the diddly stopped.Then there was another short film of the battle narrated by Leslie Nielson...then Main Menu. I've been done out of 50% of the ruddy film was my first thought! I sat there for a couple of minutes then thought right, those shysters at CEX are going to get it tomorrow. Opened the diddly to put it back in the case...and instantly realised it was two sided. Tried the second side and behold -Gettysburg Part Two! My name-calling was very inventive, quiet but inventive. How I manage to use anything technological sometimes amazes me.
Nah, Sub, they do it deliberately to confuse us wrinklies. >:( >:( >:(
I had the same problem bought and watched it when it first came out. A few years later went to watch it again, watched up until little round top. Then spent 3 days looking for the second disc before remembering it was two sided
When I take power, every copy of Spartacus will be impounded and destroyed in honour of Stanley Kubrick's memory.
So will Il Sogno di Scipione, Mansfield Park, and any work about Nelson Mandela that doesn't include the photograph of him holding hands with Gadaffi.
And maybe every episode of Star Trek that shoots itself in the foot with plots allegedly involving time travel or evolution.
And every copy of WRG 7th edition. And most cookbooks in English or Czech.
Quote from: Fenton on 30 September 2014, 08:10:38 AM
I had the same problem bought and watched it when it first came out. A few years later went to watch it again, watched up until little round top. Then spent 3 days looking for the second disc before remembering it was two sided
Boy, I am I glad to know it's not just me.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 30 September 2014, 12:51:54 PM
When I take power, every copy of Spartacus will be impounded and destroyed in honour of Stanley Kubrick's memory.
So will Il Sogno di Scipione, Mansfield Park, and any work about Nelson Mandela that doesn't include the photograph of him holding hands with Gadaffi.
And maybe every episode of Star Trek that shoots itself in the foot with plots allegedly involving time travel or evolution.
One can only await the day when your liberal and enlightened rule rids us all from the tyranny of the exercise of free will! :D ;D
Mollinary
At least I'm not claiming to be liberal and enlightened. Now that would be a danger sign.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 30 September 2014, 12:51:54 PM
and any work about Nelson Mandela that doesn't include the photograph of him holding hands with Gadaffi.
Whats wrong with the
Terrorist Saint Nelson Mandela ??? ( Says Orcs knowing he is pulling the Tiger by the tail). But as politics are banned on the forum so lets just say I agree with your sentiments
Is that a brown shirt FK is wearing in his photo?
QuoteHow did Tony Curtis get these historical roles - "Taras Bulba", "Spartacus", "the Vikings", and of course "the Black Shield of Falworth".
Well for the 'Vikings' it was simply that he, his wife (Janet Leigh) and Ernest Brgnine were great friends of Kirk Douglas, who financed the picture, and he wanted them in it. Simples. Oh and I love that film, especially the soundtrack and the bit where the run along the oars :D.
The Vikings was good, but I remember the Longships from my youth. Sidney Poitier and Richard Widmark (in a role I can imagine Tony Curtis in, curiously enough!) in a rip roaring adventure with treasure and secrets and the "Iron Mare" (?) surely one of the most cringe making methods of execution ever shown on celluloid (at least for the male members of the audience (although I doubt it would be comfortable for the female members either).
Mollinary
PS also a great soundtrack.
The Longships was on over the weekend, and although not a great film IMHO, that method of execution is memorable.
I thought it was unfortunate that the only way they could think of differentiating Saxons from Vikings, in The Vikings, was to put the Saxons in C13th costume. Made the film naff to me, even at the tender age of 13.
Quote from: Steve J on 30 September 2014, 07:39:35 PM
The Longships was on over the weekend, and although not a great film IMHO, that method of execution is memorable.
Yes, I thought the guy who played the victim did a great job.
I recently watched Robin Hood, the Russel Crowe version. Overall the film was good, that is until the final battle scene, drop front landing ships I ask you ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
It's thanks to the French inventiveness of the Middle Ages that D-Day was able to take place.
waiting to see the new Brad Pitt film Fury, shermans v tigers looks good,
Yes, wasn't the Tiger borrowed from Bovingdon?
The Tiger and the main Sherman (Fury) belong to Bovington.
From IMDBs "Fury"(2014) Trivia section:
- The Main Shermans used in Fury were : Fury M4A2 76mm HVSS from Bovington Tank Museum, M4A2 75mm VVSS from Tay Restorations, M4A2 76mm HVSS from Jeep Sud Est, M4A4 75MM VVSS from Adrian Barrell, M4A1 76mm VVSS.
- Fury marks the first time a genuine Tiger I tank has been used in the production of a WWII film. Fury features "Tiger 131" from the UK's Bovington Tank Museum, the only fully functioning Tiger tank in the world.
- The movie is also being endorsed by Belorussian gaming company Wargaming for the game World of Tanks.
- Fury is about the U.S. 2nd Armored division.
Saw the trailer at the cinema on Wednesday last week, looking forward to the film.
Fury, the American tank,
Wardaddy the heroic Yank
In a Hollywood tale,
But a history fail,
Single-handedly winning the war :D
You need another rhyme for "tank" (no, don't go there!). ;)
Trailer of new film from Russell Crowe about Gallipoli "the Water Diviner" - not your average war film :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZiDJCwD-xFE
Looks promising....
Quote from: Hertsblue on 07 October 2014, 07:43:18 AM
You need another rhyme for "tank" (no, don't go there!). ;)
AABBC - perfectly acceptable rhyme scheme.
Also avoids the obvious rhyme :)
A bunch of American tanks,
Crewed by some heroic Yanks
In a Hollywood tale,
But a history fail,
Win the war so let us give thanks!
..... better?
The Water Diviner - WWI, post-WWI Middle East and Olga Kurylenko - oh yes!
Quote from: Ithoriel on 07 October 2014, 09:39:56 AM
AABBC - perfectly acceptable rhyme scheme.
Also avoids the obvious rhyme :)
A bunch of American tanks,
Crewed by some heroic Yanks
In a Hollywood tale,
But a history fail,
Win the war so let us give thanks!
..... better?
Yep, classic limerick format. :)
Just watched 'Gravity'.
I don't think I will be sleeping tonight... Too scared!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 12 October 2014, 09:35:35 PM
Just watched 'Gravity'.
I don't think I will be sleeping tonight... Too scared!
One of the few films I've seen where the 3D was worth having.
Not usually a fan of Sandra Bullock as an actress but she pulled off what was pretty much a solo performance with great aplomb.
If you liked that you might want to watch "Moon" sometime. ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1182345/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 )
Moon is superb too! :D
Quote from: Ithoriel on 12 October 2014, 09:51:09 PM
One of the few films I've seen where the 3D was worth having.
Not usually a fan of Sandra Bullock as an actress but she pulled off what was pretty much a solo performance with great aplomb.
If you liked that you might want to watch "Moon" sometime. ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1182345/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 )
You watched it in 3D? You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din! I had to look away several times to avoid reviewing my dinner - and that was in 2D!
Good film, Moon.
"Flyboys" is full of teeth-grinding moments. The best thing I can say about this film is that it isn't as bad as "The Red Baron" from 2008.
Just about says it all fsn.
Right. I've been exiled to Cambridge for the past few days, which is why the forum has been bereft of my superior intellect and wit.
I also watched "Sahara". Not the 1943 version with Bogie, not indeed the drippy dross with Matthew Mcconnechery from 2005, but the intensely awful and borderline racist remake of the 1943 version starring the lesser Belushi brother and no-one else of interest.
For those of you who haven't had the pain, the film concerns a M3 tank (which I think ought to be a Lee, but may be a Grant) which was manned by a crew of 3 led by the tough "Sarge" (Belushi). They have had their backsides kicked by Teutonic efficiency and ... wait a minute! What are Americans doing swanning around North Africa before El Alamein? Skip that - don't let history get in the way of a good story - or indeed this one. So Joe and his two buddies (Bland and Blander) head off into the desert and find a group of various British & Empire troops. They pick up a spineless British Officer (who is a doctor so lets Joe walk all over him), steady Northerner (he had a pipe so was reliable), young chap (had a picture of his girl in his helmet, so guess what happens to him) Australian cattle drover, Frenchman with a burning hatred of all Germans, big Sudanese (who I think probably outranked the Sarge, but was black, so was just popped down the well) and a little Italian who hated Mussolini and was awfully eager to please.
At some point they are attacked from the air and pick up the obligatory blonde German, awfully correct but untrustworthy and sneaky.
This band climb on board the M3 and find the only well in miles - but it's dry-ish. News is that a battalion of German infantry are on the way and they're thirsty! Last ditch effort called for!
So obviously Sarge dismounts from the tank (leaving 2 men to crew an M3) and fights with a Tommy gun. Their job is made easier because a) every man has a machine gun of some description and b) the Germans don't know any tactic but the frontal assault in nice neat ranks. Mayhem ensures, and the only thing you need to worry about is who dies and who lives?
I've not seen the 1943 version recently, and the remake feels to have used exactly the same script. It feels like a morale booster showing how the nasty Germans are up against a wide range of canny and doughty fighters. However, in 1995 this message makes no sense and the whole thing just comes over as Xenophobic, pandering to American stereotypes and mores.
Give this film a miss unless you wish to get your blood pressure up.
I give this film 5 angry faces: >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
8.6 on the rant scale =D> =D> =D>
Worst film ever.
Already had my rant here.
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,11328.msg145262.html#msg145262
Cross of Iron. I went to see it at the cinema when it first came out. One scene that sticks in my mind for all of the wrong reasons is where the Germans find a bunch of female Russian soldiers and they have some fun. Then there is an almighty scream and one of the Germans walks back in with his hands over his bloodsoaked groin area. In a fit of nationalistic rage the Russian had done a Wayne Bobbitt on him with her teeth. Every bloke in the audience winced at the same time. Sam Pekinpah, eh? Strangely, the film has been on the box on a number of occasions since at various times after the watershed but I have never seen that scene since.
Sahara. I have seen the last twenty minutes and was sooo glad that I missed the rest.
Got Breaker Morant and Paths of Glory to watch at some stage.
Just seen the first episode of Vikings S3, and yes, the King of Wessex's soldiers are wearing BURGONETS - had to do a double take on this. No, they are definitely burgonets, so that particular Saxon army now looks like scruffy C16th border rievers. >:(
Quote from: Subedai on 27 February 2015, 08:33:15 PM
Worst film ever.
Already had my rant here.
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,11328.msg145262.html#msg145262
Cross of Iron. I went to see it at the cinema when it first came out. One scene that sticks in my mind for all of the wrong reasons is where the Germans find a bunch of female Russian soldiers and they have some fun. Then there is an almighty scream and one of the Germans walks back in with his hands over his bloodsoaked groin area. In a fit of nationalistic rage the Russian had done a Wayne Bobbitt on him with her teeth. Every bloke in the audience winced at the same time. Sam Pekinpah, eh? Strangely, the film has been on the box on a number of occasions since at various times after the watershed but I have never seen that scene since.
Sahara. I have seen the last twenty minutes and was sooo glad that I missed the rest.
Got Breaker Morant and Paths of Glory to watch at some stage.
I have the VHS of Cross of Iron and that scene is in it. I love Cross of Iron think its a great film. I have read that the funding was cut before it could be finished properly though
I watched The Alamo recently, not the one with good 'ole John Wayne, but with Billy Bob Thornton made in 2004. For me, I thoroughly enjoyed it and made a good impression although I still enjoy the originaldespite the cheesiness
I like that version of the Alamo as well, particularly Davy Crockett's musings on "what have I got myself into?"
Paths of Glory is a real movie, though one of his earlier efforts. Don't despair.
Another one on my 'to get at some time' list is Barry Lyndon. Seen part of it on You Tube -the bit where he is in the Prussian Army- and I remember a mate saying it was quite good if you got over whats-his-face as the lead.
Oddly enough it's usually all the films the critics rave about that I either loathe or can't be bothered to see. Girl With the Pearl Ear-Ring, what was that all about? Ninety minutes of plotless drivel based on the fact that the artist screwed the model. Well, the model was Scarlett Johansson - who wouldn't?
Quote from: Subedai on 28 February 2015, 09:50:23 AM
Another one on my 'to get at some time' list is Barry Lyndon. Seen part of it on You Tube -the bit where he is in the Prussian Army- and I remember a mate saying it was quite good if you got over whats-his-face as the lead.
My number one favourite.
I think everyonei s different in tastes
For me Dambusters and Reach for Sky are two film I always turn off when they come on as they are both appalling in my opinion
Quote from: Fenton on 28 February 2015, 10:09:42 AM
I think everyone's different in tastes
For sure, I like Waterloo with Christopher Plummer but I'm not a Nap gamer so....
Black Hawk Down. Hard to say why I like it; exciting, good tempo, things going wrong big style (what's this sh*t I'm in, got to think and fight my way out ....)
Also loved Glory (mentioned earlier). Rubbish on commercial TV - too many breaks interrupting the flow - you must watch it in one go.
When I was a lad, Northwest Passage - Roger's Rangers in the FIW. Audacious raid into French & Indian territory. Horse & musket (without the horses!).
Loads of comedies including:-
Great Race. Jack Lemmon and Peter Falk as the baddies. - brilliant!
Blind Date - "Shoot the dog!" (doesn't happen right away, then later, when you've forgotten and focusing on the current dialogue, there's a shot in the distant background and you realise the barking's stopped!)
Shot in the Dark. Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Bert Kwok. Brilliant. Nuff said.
The Three Musketeers (Oliver Reed / Spike Milligan version). Loved the 'aside' dialogue.
Young Frankenstein. Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman. But only good if you have seen the old Boris Karloff Frankenstein films first.
Ah, the acerbic wit, the pathos, the clever dialogue of...oh, hang on, Westmarcher mentioned Young Franakenstein.
Mel Brooks has made three of my all time favourite funny films -Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and Men in Tights. Ridiculous, slapstick filled humour but I love 'em. But of course, Peter Sellers tops the comedy bill as Clouseau with his outrageous Pythonesque French accent.
Aside: Did you know that Mel Brooks was the uncredited Executive Producer of The Elephant man, apparently he wanted to produce a serious film but thought that if his name was in the credits people would think it a comedy.
Didn't know that :o
Blazing saddles is a complete laugh riot however, couldn't help quoting it during my recent DMH game :D
My formative years were filled with quotes from Blazing Saddles and Python. Still use them automatically nowadays if the situation demands it.
Head 'em off at the pass Sub.
Quote from: Subedai on 28 February 2015, 01:33:00 PM
My formative years were filled with quotes from Blazing Saddles and Python. Still use them automatically nowadays if the situation demands it.
You might be surprised how many kids still do.
If I quote Python when I'm teaching at least two or three kids will carry on with the quote ;)
Ah, I see indoctrination works well. "Give me a boy until he's seven years old.... "
Quote from: Hertsblue on 01 March 2015, 12:49:37 PM
Ah, I see indoctrination works well. "Give me a boy until he's seven years old.... "
.... and you'll do fifteen years at Her Majesty's pleasure when Operation Yewtree catches up with you? :)
Unless you join the world's largest multinational organisation.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 01 March 2015, 01:49:25 PM
.... and you'll do fifteen years at Her Majesty's pleasure when Operation Yewtree catches up with you? :)
I don't think her Majesty knows anything about it. :D
You could open a shop on Saville Row.
Ray - the quote is "give me a boy when he is seven years old......"
by St Ignatious Loyola (SP)
IanS
Quote from: ianrs54 on 01 March 2015, 04:06:45 PM
Ray - the quote is "give me a boy when he is seven years old......"
by St Ignatious Loyola (SP)
IanS
"Give me six lines written by the most honest man, and I will find something there to hang him." - attributed to Cardinal Richelieu :)
"Give me a boy..." and a member of the priesthood? Hmmmm.........
Give me a range of Aztecs, and I will paint 'em.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 01 March 2015, 11:15:03 PM
Give me a range of Aztecs, and I will paint 'em.
BUT NO ONE ELSE WANTS THEM.......
IanS >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( :'( :d
Quote from: ianrs54 on 02 March 2015, 08:09:07 AM
BUT NO ONE ELSE WANTS THEM.......
IanS >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( :'( :d
I do...oh and I'm Spartacus too :D
The lack of Aztecs is heart rending.
I have to agree with the two previous posters.
The crappiest film in the history of all crappiest films was on again last night on Beeb 2. Yep, I'm talking about my favourite load of Hollywood bo**ocks, Genghis Khan. And no, I didn't watch it although maybe I should have done just to count the errors. Hmmm, wonder if Ma Subs put in a record for me. Get back to you on that one.
I still think the worst film I have paid good money to see (back in the 80s) is Raise the Titanic. Dire is too good a word for it.
Quote from: Subedai on 02 March 2015, 09:36:13 AM
The crappiest film in the history of all crappiest films was on again last night on Beeb 2. Yep, I'm talking about my favourite load of Hollywood bo**ocks, Genghis Khan. And no, I didn't watch it although maybe I should have done just to count the errors. Hmmm, wonder if Ma Subs put in a record for me. Get back to you on that one.
Maybe that would be
your version of hell: Ghengis Khan on perpetual loop whilst you're forced to watch a la Clockwork Orange :d
Depending on which way you look at it but Ma Subs did put in a reminder for me for the fillum. I got 20 minutes into it, found a mere 25 glaring errors so purged the bl**dy thing before I threw something at the telly.
Quote from: Subedai on 03 March 2015, 06:36:44 PM
Depending on which way you look at it but Ma Subs did put in a reminder for me for the fillum. I got 20 minutes into it, found a mere 25 glaring errors so purged the bl**dy thing before I threw something at the telly.
;D
I'm not sure anyone could make a commercial Mongol film which would appease you :)
Quote from: getagrip on 03 March 2015, 07:02:50 PM
;D
I'm not sure anyone could make a commercial Mongol film which would appease you :)
What about Mongol?
Quote from: Fenton on 03 March 2015, 07:22:17 PM
What about Mongol?
You see, that I liked but you know Sub's going to find anachronisms: "they didn't have cart wheels like that until after...." sort of thing :)
When you become so knowledgeable it's difficult to ignore errors.
Cromwell is a classic for legions of historical errors, but it is still fun with some great (!?) performances from Frank Finlay, Richard Harris, Alex Guinness, and Timothy Dalton. ;)
Mollinary
Quote from: mollinary on 03 March 2015, 08:03:14 PM
Cromwell is a classic for legions of historical errors, but it is still fun with some great (!?) performances from Frank Finlay, Richard Harris, Alex Guinness, and Timothy Dalton. ;)
Mollinary
Love that film. Glad I don't know as much as some of you guys do about arms; that way I can just enjoy. :)
Not impressed at all! Its taken me a long time to reply because I had written quite an in-depth synopsis of all four Mongol films that I have in my collection and then just as I was about to finish, feckin Opera crashed on another site I was looking at, so this is my second attempt..
Anyway, best of the lot by far is Genghis:The Legend of the Ten about a 10 man unit (a jagun everywhere else, aravt on the film cover), that is sent to find and bring back a holy man. Detail is excellent as you would really expect from a Mongolian film about Mongols.
Mongol -the 2008 version that was heralded as the mutts is long on mysticism and the part of his life where he may or may not have been a prisoner of the Chinese. The mangudai (god belonging) charge at the end with a sword in each hand is a bit of over-large artistic license. Not too sure about the masks of the Merkits either. Seemed to remember reading it was supposed to be the first in a trilogy. Action sequences are well done-as you would expect for this day and age- and I like the Mongolian throat singing and whistling music has a haunting fascination all of its own.
By the Will of Genghis Khan, a mostly Russian affair from 2009 is quite good as it is the only one that represents the chequerboard formations used by the Mongols as opposed to the 'let's go over there in a bunch and charge' tactics used by the other tribes.
A Japanese version, Genghis Khan: To the ends of the Earth and Sea, again, isn't bad. Most of them seem to get the details correct but tend to miss out bits of his life. Between the three 'biggies' they have most of it covered.
This is interesting in an Oh, God NOOOOO!!! kind of way. Mickey Rourke wants to play the G-Man.
http://screenrant.com/mickey-rourke-genghis-khan-ross-55819/
Obviously, either he or his people in Hollywood with their fingers on the historical pulse have, once again, got it totally and utterly wrong!
Article Writer person: "Rourke is definitely interested in Khan – and thinks he'll be a fascinating character to play. "Historically, if you read about the guy, he was a mystery," says Rourke. As many people are aware, Rourke is a dog-lover (specifically chihuahuas), an aspect of his life the actor shares with Khan:
Rourke: "One of the things I like about Genghis Khan was his love of dogs. The Mongols used dogs in battle, and dogs rarely made it out of the battle. But in one instance, in this script, he orders his men – 'Hold the dogs back.' He was looking out for the dogs. I like that.""
He feckin didn't like dogs, he was afraid of them!!! And nowhere, in any of the books and articles I have read does it say anywhere that the Mongols used dogs in war. He had his four 'Dogs of War' -Sube'etai, Jelme, Jebei and Qubilai whom he entrusted with his vanguard but no bl**dy Fido, Bullseye, Spot or Killer anywhere.
Quote from: mollinary on 03 March 2015, 08:03:14 PM
Cromwell is a classic for legions of historical errors, but it is still fun with some great (!?) performances from Frank Finlay, Richard Harris, Alex Guinness, and Timothy Dalton. ;)
Mollinary
Hmmm. For a film that was to have been researched for ten years...must have been researching Richard Cromwell by accident cos it's absolutely full of errors. Get past them and it's okay, I suppose (grudgingly).
Quote from: Subedai on 03 March 2015, 09:17:49 PM
Hmmm. For a film that was to have been researched for ten years...must have been researching Richard Cromwell by accident cos it's absolutely full of errors. Get past them and it's okay, I suppose (grudgingly).
Come on Sub; it's worth a better rant than that :D
Quote from: Subedai on 03 March 2015, 09:17:49 PM
Hmmm. For a film that was to have been researched for ten years...must have been researching Richard Cromwell by accident cos it's absolutely full of errors. Get past them and it's okay, I suppose (grudgingly).
So we agree then, both on the errors and the OK-ness?! :o
Mollinary
Quote from: getagrip on 03 March 2015, 09:19:06 PM
Come on Sub; it's worth a better rant than that :D
Bearing in mind that I haven't seen it for decades and am working completely from memory. The two really in yer historical face biggies are:
Cromwell was at Edgehill in the film, in that case Colonel H. C. B. Rogers and Brigadier Peter Young, the nation's ECW buff and every other historian missed that one because according to them, Cromwell didn't arrive with his troop until after the battle. (Along with a couple of infantry units and the remainder of the artillery).
In the film he is in command at Naseby. Err, no he wasn't, Sir Thomas Fairax was, Cromwell only commanded a wing of cavalry. And I reckon they didn't mention Marston Moor because he got wounded and had to leave the field to get it dressed.
As an aside, when I was in the SK I heard that the producers were offered its services as extras who would have done it for nothing but they were turned down because they looked too professional. Can you imagine the producers of Gettysburg saying that to their historical re-enactors? Course they wouldn't. Honestly, you can't make it up.
The most egregious error for me was that Cromwell was made one of the five members of parliament that Charles went to arrest. Not only that , he was still there! :o
Mollinary
Quote from: getagrip on 03 March 2015, 09:19:06 PM
Come on Sub; it's worth a better rant than that :D
I'm not sure it is.
Cromwell was another massively missed opportunity. Handed on a plate the story of a man who rose from virtually nothing to running the country with an iron fist. His sub-commander roles were a vital part of his rise to power, yet the whole thing botched for reasons beyond understanding.
I'm currently working my way through Borgia (not The Borgias), I'm enjoying it in the same way I enjoy Game of Thrones. Historically it is utter Borax: Battle of Fornovo1493; Charles Viii bangs his head after a game of tennis with Cesare Borgia and dies in 1494, and I'm left thinking this is good fantasy stuff. All we need are the Borgia dragons unleashed on the recalcitrant princes of the Papal States and we've got something really worthwhile here.
Quote from: Leman on 04 March 2015, 08:41:34 AM
Cromwell was another massively missed opportunity. Handed on a plate the story of a man who rose from virtually nothing to running the country with an iron fist. His sub-commander roles were a vital part of his rise to power, yet the whole thing botched for reasons beyond understanding.
I'm currently working my way through Borgia (not The Borgias), I'm enjoying it in the same way I enjoy Game of Thrones. Historically it is utter Borax: Battle of Fornovo1493; Charles Viii bangs his head after a game of tennis with Cesare Borgia and dies in 1494, and I'm left thinking this is good fantasy stuff. All we need are the Borgia dragons unleashed on the recalcitrant princes of the Papal States and we've got something really worthwhile here.
I enjoyed Borgia (and The Borgias too for that matter). I have the suspicious feeling it was the same script :-\ There were too many errors which were the same in both.
Borgia however, was far more visceral.
As I said, great inspiration for a fantasy campaign. The French could be represented by the High Elves and the Spanish by Dwarves. The Undead could be the HRE. I like the idea of the various Italian factions being competing Dragon Men.
Quote from: Leman on 04 March 2015, 08:52:03 AM
As I said, great inspiration for a fantasy campaign. The French could be represented by the High Elves and the Spanish by Dwarves. The Undead could be the HRE. I like the idea of the various Italian factions being competing Dragon Men.
That's a rather good idea ;)
Also, as it's in a largely historical context, it would be really easy to develop the campaign.
Talking of bad films, just watched World War Z.
An hour and 56 minutes of my life I'm not going to be able to get back :(
They should rename it World War Zzzzzzzz I-) I-) I-)
If it is ever shown on the TV, I might watch it just to see how they transformed George Square and St.Vincent Street in Glasgow into Philadelphia(?). One of my daughters works in Glasgow and tells me they had the street signs and traffic lights changed to American ones and were filming all sorts of stunts (blowing up cars etc.,). And they had zombies walking about ...
..... heh! is that why they picked Glasgow? :D
[actually, Glasgow is a wonderful city - as the Commonwealth Games will testify - and doesn't deserve the reputation it is sometimes given - usually by people who have never been there]
One of the pleasures of life among the Czechs was the howls of audience derision every time an American movie tried to pass off an obvious Prague street scene as part of Budapest or Vienna or London or Moscow.
Quote from: Westmarcher on 18 March 2015, 09:37:06 AM
If it is ever shown on the TV, I might watch it just to see how they transformed George Square and St.Vincent Street in Glasgow into Philadelphia(?). One of my daughters works in Glasgow and tells me they had the street signs and traffic lights changed to American ones and were filming all sorts of stunts (blowing up cars etc.,). And they had zombies walking about ...
..... heh! is that why they picked Glasgow? :D
actually, Glasgow is a wonderful city - as the Commonwealth Games will testify - and doesn't deserve the reputation it is sometimes given - usually by people who have never been there]
Having been there many a time and oft, I'd have thought they could just roll the cameras in Sauchiehall Street on a Friday or Saturday night :P ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Ithoriel on 18 March 2015, 12:00:30 PM
Having been there many a time and oft, I'd have thought they could just roll the cameras in Sauchiehall Street on a Friday or Saturday night :P ;D ;D ;D
Wouldn't make it past the censors :D
Quote from: Ithoriel on 18 March 2015, 12:00:30 PM
Having been there many a time and oft, I'd have thought they could just roll the cameras in Sauchiehall Street on a Friday or Saturday night :P ;D ;D ;D
Yep, like every big city, it can get a bit boisterous at the weekend ...... especially when Batman, a large red crayon and a minion are roaming the streets! :D
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,11228.0.html (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,11228.0.html)
If they wanted Zombies walking the streets they should have come to Ipswich on payday weekend at 3am Friday and Saturday night.
Its like Shaun of the Dead.... and thats just the overworked Paramedics :-<
Just finished watching Panipat (the great betrayal) on Netflix for a bit of light relief.
Whilst it is a Bollywood mass - epic - I actually quite enjoyed it - even the standard Bollywood song and dance routines.
That period in Indian history has always fascinated me anyway. Definitely worth spending some time watching but not seriously :D
Quote from: Nosher on 17 March 2015, 09:17:04 PM
Talking of bad films, just watched World War Z.
An hour and 56 minutes of my life I'm not going to be able to get back :(
They should rename it World War Zzzzzzzz I-) I-) I-)
I am with your its complete bollocks and more to the point boring
Quote from: Westmarcher on 18 March 2015, 09:37:06 AM
If it is ever shown on the TV, I might watch it just to see how they transformed George Square and St.Vincent Street in Glasgow into Philadelphia(?). One of my daughters works in Glasgow and tells me they had the street signs and traffic lights changed to American ones and were filming all sorts of stunts (blowing up cars etc.,). And they had zombies walking about ...
..... heh! is that why they picked Glasgow? :D
[actually, Glasgow is a wonderful city - as the Commonwealth Games will testify - and doesn't deserve the reputation it is sometimes given - usually by people who have never been there]
The grid layout, and the build dates of the city centre make Glasgow a good stand-in for many USA cities.
Charleston S.C probably wouldn't match, but many of the northern Industrial ones are similar enough.
Modern CGI is extremely good at gluing another 40 stories of skyscraper on top of the classic sandstone facades for a proper transatlantic look.
Add a few road signs and yellow Taxis on the wrong sides of the road and job's a good-un.
I worked film security in Scotland a few years ago.
I agree Glasgow has a reputation not really deserved. (Worked the doors. happy to work any and all venues (only time I said no was when there was a certain football match on)
Worked in Glasgow (as said easily transformed into modern America). Also worked in the Highlands (Pokémon and Outlander) stunning Scenery.
Worked in Edinburgh and Aberdeen on various Films and TV series. Some of the Architecture is stunning.
Regards
Sean
OI !!
Your red card means you've got a three week suspension. ;)......You can appeal. ;D ;D ;D
Cheers - Phil :)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Wall_(film) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Wall_(film))
103 minutes of my life wasted.
Historical Vs Aliens nonsense.
Beautiful costumes, clever gadgets and CGI.
But just about everything that really irritates gamers about the film industry.
It was a beautiful film, but complete nonsense.
I dunno, the idea of dangling young women over the wall seemed a bit mean.