Episode 41: Button, Gump, and Fjelsted

We talk about Forrest Gump, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Adam’s Apples (Adams æbler), as well as wish fulfillment, holy fools, the decline of Stars, platitudes, and immortality.

Episode 37: Mr. Hanks Goes to East Berlin

This week, we talk about Merle Haggard, cussing, Rogue One, communism, John Adams, the law, and Bridge of Spies.

Band of Brothers - Review

A lavish, moving drama centering around a ragtag band of soldiers fighting their way across Europe, Band of Brothers is an incredible testament to the bravery and ingenuity of the WWII military. From a technical standpoint, it's astounding - easily equal to most big-budget films, and often better. The settings, music, sound-mix, acting - everything combines to form an amazing period piece.

On the other hand, the story-telling itself has some issues. For one thing, like in Saving Private Ryan, I had a lot of difficulty keeping up with the varied members of the humongous cast. This made it much harder to empathize with those that lived or died. Many times I found myself asking "Wait, was that ____ who just died?" or "Has ____ been here the whole time?" It isn't helped by the fact that there are frequent new faces as replacements fill the ranks, and who sometimes act as protagonist for an episode. A heavy dose of action (exquisitely filmed and executed) early in the series also distracts from character development, and in the end I could number very few of the men by personality rather than name.

Minireview: Captain Phillips

The tale of a 2009 hijacking off the coast of Somalia, Captain Phillips is an intense, visceral suspense film with some terrific performances from Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi. Culture shock between Abdi and Hanks spices up a conventional action movie and the humanization of both sides saves the inevitable victory from savoring of triumphalism.

The choice to narrow the focus, refusing to cut back to the home countries of either the protagonist or antagonist does much to intensify the feeling of isolation, but is somewhat lessened by the many scenes aboard the glitzy, modern Navy ships (this isn't Bourne here, fellas). Some of Hanks's all-time best acting is set alongside the odd, quirky, sullenness of excellent newcomer Abdi.

While it becomes rather repetitive and tedious during the last act, the conclusion is truly moving. I don't think I'll be watching it again soon, but if I did it would be for the last ten, twenty minutes - a pure shot of adrenaline dwindling into a quiet end that's begging the audience to Think About It - to lean back after the thrills and terrors and reflect on events - that certainly doesn't happen with many films, much less suspense films. This one is definitely a top contender for my best-of-the-month pick.

4/5 stars






Hannah Long

Saving Private Ryan - Movie Review

Steven Spielberg has always had a penchant for the grandiose. It is very much on display in Saving Private Ryan, both in the enormous scope of the project and the scale of violence. At the time of its release, this film was hailed as markedly graphic. Watching it today, after the last decade of Tarantino and the desensitization that accompanies that, it's hard to comment, but it is still shocking and unlike films like Braveheart, it imbues every death with importance, even those of faceless soldiers on the beaches of Normandy. 

Certainly unlike Braveheart, it has enough respect for the enemy to not draw them as one-dimensional Disney villains. They are Nazis, but they are human beings. (It was clear, to me at least, that the one cruel decision made by a Nazi was impersonal and almost accidental, once again driving home the point that in wartime, there is no time to stop and think, to pause and pick out one man in the mayhem.)

Catch Me if You Can - Movie Review

I remember years back when my dad told me about the remarkable exploits of Frank Abagnale Jr. Abagnale was little older than I was, but he led a successful life of crime, impersonating an airplane pilot, a pediatrician, and a lawyer. I was fascinated.

So apparently was Steven Spielberg, who adapted the conman's life into a film in 2002, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.

Frank Jr. starts his life in the center of the 1950s American Dream. His father (a very good Christopher Walken) is a successful businessman, his mother a beautiful Frenchwoman. But one day, Frank Sr. can't charm his way out of his troubles with the IRS. It turns out Mrs. Abagnale isn't so charmed with Frank Sr. as she is with the American Dream, and the cracks are beginning to show. Divorce and loss of innocence. Frank Jr. can't take it, so he starts to run, desperate to renew his lost childhood. DiCaprio is particularly good in the role, concocting just the right mix of charm, innocence, and immaturity.