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Reviews
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Not bad...
Pretty good movie...very faithful to the book with a few minor exceptions. I'm a little worried about how the digital effects will look 5 years down the road...as I am with all movies to rely heavily on digital effects. I was very impressed with the child actors who don't have a lot of experience in other films or TV shows. As I was watching the film I could easily see how a child place himself right into the Narnia universe while playing at home...and how easily I could have if this movie came out when I was the target age. The movie does stand alone without sequels, much like the original Star Wars did. However, just like Star Wars, sequels are inevitably going to happen. Maybe even a prequel. Who knows?
Amerika (1987)
Overly long...but not half bad. (spoilers)
I came across a copy of this 12 hour epic at my local library and sat down and watched some of the slowest footage in television history. The idea was good, even if it was implausible in 1987. The film would have had much more credibility if the time setting had been more at the peak of the Cold War. So, if you cast all that aside the movie is pretty good. But there are other drawbacks. The film takes place in 1997, ten years after the coup. They should have focused a little more on how the coup actually takes place. All they tell us is that the Soviets backed certain political candidates and then it was final. No blood shed. It features too many musical montages that take away from the film, particularly after the squatter camp has been attacked. Some characters are forgotten about or lose too much screen time. We only see Devin's youngest son one time after he meets him. And finally the film could have easily been shortened from 12 hours to 6 and not lost a thing. I guess after I've ripped the movie apart I still found time to enjoy it though. I give it a 7 out of 10.
The Civil War (1990)
Finest Documentary ever made
Ken Burns definitely established himself as a great film maker with Brooklyn Bridge, The Statue of Liberty and Congress. But, The Civil War has established him as the greatest documentary film maker of all time. The music initially captivates you, but the stunning original photography and the great narration is what brings the images to life. This is a film that not only Civil War Buffs should see, but a film that everyone should see as Ken Burns tries to answer the question of: Who are we as a people? He provides a good deal of that answer in this film.