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Reviews
100 Degrees Below Zero (2013)
Ice Cyclones and a New Ice Age for the Northern Hemisphere, Who knew these could be funny?
Not a bad concept, and with the presence of Jeff Fahey and John Rhys Davies I had hoped for a little better. But, sadly "100 Degrees Below Zero" leaves one standing on a snow bank that isn't quite tall enough to cover you.
The majority of the plot & dialogue circles around the two adult/late teenage children running around the City of Lights (aka Paris), trying to get to a location where their father, played by Jeff Fahey, a former/retired US Air Force Officer & pilot, can 'rescue' them in time to board a NATO flight executing "Operation Down Under". The script could have been a bit better, but the acting from the two children was downright sad, poorly executed, and on the corny side. Given the number of times the son gets hit, falls over or is knocked down to the ground (at least five by my count) one would NOT expect him to be able to get up, let alone run. Some of the accidents & "encounters" with other minor characters seem forced and trite, but in a sense could BE reasonable given the overarching plot.
As one reviewer said, I've seen far worse films executed from the 1950's, 60's & 70's. Thankfully, this film is just under an hour and a half, and is bearable if you really want to waste the time doing something else while watching this. I don't normally like to pan films, however in the hands of a different screenwriter, director, and slightly better talent, this concept could turn out to be as good as or better than Armageddon or 2012.
Time Trap (2017)
This is NOT Your Typical "Time-Travel" Flic. . . Well Worth The Time To Watch
Hang on boys, we're going on a bumpy ride!
You think from the brief description that you're in for a standard, run-of-the-mill college students in a cave looking for their lost professor, in a cave type of story. But, this film is so much MORE than that, 'though I must admit it does start off in that direction. Then, the subtle shifts in direction and story changes turn ever so slightly as both the students, and you the viewer, figure out that all is not as it seems.
This film sucks you in. It DELIVERS. Provided that you have the patience to stick around and PAY ATTENTION. My heart is still pounding from the fast twists and turns that the last 15 to 20 minutes took, which may have actually been ONLY 5, but felt so much longer, in a GOOD sense. And, it DEFINITELY needs a sequel to finish the story, cuz you really want to know what's next. While they all DO eventually get out of the cave system, the ending leaves you wanting to know more, but leaves it up to your imagination to fill that in.
Looking at the spread of the different star ratings, clearly MORE people enjoyed this movie than the ones who decided to trash it. Frankly, I'm beginning to think that there are a bunch of reviewers who see it as their job to trash everything, which I'm not going to waste my time doing an detailed, by username analysis. Even though I could. I've got better things to do with my time.
So, why did I give this a ten? Because it entertained and it gets you thinking. The film took you on a journey that turned out to be completely different from what you thought you'd end up. Are there flaws? Possibly, but I didn't see any during my first viewing. But, then again, I wasn't deliberately looking for them. Is it Oscar material? No. But, then so many Oscar winners of the past three decades weren't really as good as the Award "System" wanted you to believe. I'm pretty jaded when it comes to films and television. I bore easily. It takes a lot to leave me feeling the way this film did. Afterall, I did my undergraduate degree in Film and Television, I know how everything works. Spent a few years in Radio, before a few more in the Navy. Watched 100's of films in 60 (+) years and read tons of Science Fiction. Time Trap is worth your time.
Partisan (2015)
Something to think about before you go to sleep
Before seeing the artwork, and with a name like "Partisan", one might first think this is a film about the French or Allied Resistance during WWII, which it is not. Plot descriptions and the Synopsis quickly disabuse one of that thought. However, that does not mean that this little film is not without some merit because, contrary to some of the reviews at this site, at Rotten Tomatoes and other purveyors of movie opinions, I think this film is worth watching. But do not expect a trip down the yellow-brick road or pleasant journey to la-la or some fantasy land.
"Partisan" is an interesting, intriguing, thought-provoking, and curious first-time production from Director/Co-Author Ariel Kleiman well-worth one's time and effort. Curious in the many questions that one might have, including several professional movie "critics", that are NEVER answered, let alone even ASKED within the context of the film. Thought-provoking and a little disturbing in the "picture it paints" of the break-down in Society and the Different responses to such a break-down within one location following a worldwide catastrophic event. Intriguing, as you watch the society one man is attempting to create that he believes, in his slightly deluded thinking, is a "better" way forward.
We are never told exactly what this event was or how long ago it occurred. As the movie opens we are given a hint that something is different, not quite "right". The camera pans up and out after the first establishing shot to show us buildings with blown out windows and a general air of dishevelment. It is not OUR time, but you're not sure if it is the Future or some alternative Past. It is just Different. Different in the Nurses' uniforms and in the way newborns are handled immediately after birth. For a flash of a second you might think "A Handmaid's Tale". But that image is replaced as you watch Vincent Cassel's character visit a new mother and her infant son, who you discover later, he has "recruited" to join his commune, of sorts.
It is the interplay of the members of the commune, who are all women with their children and Cassel's character, and the nature of a society he is trying to create that is the focus of the film. Some critics and reviewers feel that the unanswered questions in the film mean it is unfocused and incomplete. Or that without deeper context it stretches a tiny idea too far. I'll admit that that can be a bit disconcerting. But I believe that that IS exactly its strength and a key factor in the theme of the film. The viewer is left to fill in some of the blanks, and with no preconceptions as to the 'whys and the wherefores', the stark reality of what Cassel's character is creating comes forward. Whether you, and the character played by Jeremy Chabriel, will ultimately agree with that creation is the point. In the end, you are left to make up your own mind, as you see Chabriel's intention, but not his final choice.
This is NOT a picture to watch if you are MERELY looking to be "Entertained" in a big budget, luscious, Hollywood "blockbuster" style. You won't find that here. It is also not a film to watch if you are already in a dark place or bordering on a depressive episode, as it could push your thoughts to an even darker mood.
However, it is not "just a time-waster" either. Be prepared to become engaged in the story and pay attention, as that is the only way you'll be able to follow what is going on. It WILL draw you in. And, as the film was shown at Sundance Film Festival, and won one of their awards, that gives it Merit and warrants respect in my book. "Partisan" is worth the time to watch, and it just might get you thinking about where this "human race" of ours is heading.
Den kæmpestore bjørn (2011)
Loved It! NOT as eerie or heavy-handed as some suggested
In the post Christmas season I have been looking for different things to watch than the constant drivel that is Broadcast Daytime TV, so I began exploring some of the alternate media services that are available online. As much as I dislike watching or even reading things on the small screen that is my 15" (17"?) Laptop, I've put up with it as I haven't taken the time yet to hook-up my router to my smart tv.
Personally, I enjoyed this little film Very Much and did NOT find it as dark and eerie as a few of the other reviewers. Plus, as I don't have children and am more used to used to hanging with teenagers as a former High School Guidance Counselor, I cannot gauge how scary this film might or might not be to young children. I leave that to the parents who have already written, and they seemed okay with this film.
Keeping in mind that the Production Year for "The Great Bear" was 2011 , AND it was produced by a Culture DIFFERENT from the USA, I did NOT see ANY issues with the graphics or technical aspects of this film. For all WE know, it could have been an Artistic Choice by the Director and His team. As write-ups of this film already describe the Great Forest as "magical", NO explanation of miniature moose, an over-sized bear or how squeezing a frog can produce a rainstorm are needed. I considered the latter one about the frog as possibly being routed in Nordic Culture an mythos. Who knew?
Yes, the story line is simple and moves along literally towards a not too unexpected end, I did not feel it was heavy-handed or overly Pro-PETA in it's approach. Pro-Nature and a belief that we need to protect our Planet and still be in awe of Nature, might be a more correct assessment. For those who wrote and found the film to be visually "dark", I recommend you adjust the Brightness and Contrast controls on your monitor. I had no problems with it. Whereas, LOTR and The Hobbit are infinitely MORE dark and difficult to watch on a small screen that was not in a Theater than this little film.
Want something to watch with or without your Grade School children? Something with a realistic, yet positive world voice, AND from a culture different from Hollywood and the USA? Then, I HIGHLY recommend "The Great Bear". I'm not sure if I have any spoilers, but I'm checking "Yes" just to be on the safe side.