I remember wearing out the double-cd "Amazing Grace" until it was scratched. As I listened, I imagined what it was like to be in the audience those two nights to hear and see Ms. Franklin live. I've been chomping at the bit to see this film and I was not disappointed. I sang and cried along with them. I want to see it again and can't wait to buy the DVD.
Reviews
3 Reviews
Murder on the Orient Express
(2017)
Why Kenneth?
12 August 2018
I love Kenneth Branagh as an actor and director. His take on "Thor" was Shakespearean and he made it work. His take on "Murder on the Orient Express" was a hot mess.
He had a stellar cast, a wonderful and well-known story, and he got in his own way.
I know it is hard to remake a classic murder-mystery and give it a fresh take, but this was a serious fail. I hated the way Kenneth portrayed Poirot.
I admit that when I read the book years ago, I figured out who the murderer was, but even so, I enjoyed the way the 1974 version strung the viewers along until the big reveal.
In this version, the clues and solution pop up like memes or hashtags on social media.
I am sorry I watched this and even more sorry to learn that Branagh plans to give "Death on the Nile" a go. If it's anything like his "Orient Express," I'll be rooting for Poirot to drown.
Black Salt
(2015)
The first short film that I've watched
6 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I've never been inclined to watch a short film as I thought that the filmmakers couldn't possibly convey much, but I was wrong. I thought "Black Salt" was pretty interesting. It is based on a comic book series that I'm not familiar with, but I may have to read now. Without giving away too much, the character Black Salt is a spy, and not just any spy, he is an elite force unto himself. In typical spy thriller fashion, he is racing the clock to stop a catastrophe.
The fight scenes are good considering this is a short film and the special effects were also good. I think that if given the opportunity to develop this comic series into a series of shorts or full-length films, it would do well. Black Salt could also benefit from a cartoon rendering ala "Batman: Under the Red Hood."
There were a few plot holes, but I won't weigh that too heavily against the filmmakers. I would recommend this film to others and it has encouraged me to watch other short films.
The fight scenes are good considering this is a short film and the special effects were also good. I think that if given the opportunity to develop this comic series into a series of shorts or full-length films, it would do well. Black Salt could also benefit from a cartoon rendering ala "Batman: Under the Red Hood."
There were a few plot holes, but I won't weigh that too heavily against the filmmakers. I would recommend this film to others and it has encouraged me to watch other short films.
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