What I Watched in April

 

Am I a bit late? A bit!?!!  Oh yes, I’m very late with this because it’s lengthy but, I hope you enjoy. My hubby and I must be into war movies the last month as we watched a fair bit so here we go...

1. HART'S WAR- 2005

Set during WW2 in a POW camp starring Bruce Willis and Colin Farrell. Quite good because it's not just a war film but a who done it mystery with intrigue and even a court case. Not your typical POW movie

2. THE FLYING TIGERS-1942

John Wayne plays the head of a small air group trying to fight the Japanese while stationed in China. Funny, they show a quote by Ho Chih Min at the beginning. This film was done before Communism took hold. Quite good if a bit formulaic.

3. I. T. -2015

Pierce Brosnan is a billionaire who hires a nut that knows computers. Dumb, full of holes but ...no, still dumb.

4. RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP-1956

Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster on a sub during WW2. The men wished Lancaster was in charge instead of Gable but Gable may know more than what they give him credit for. Taut, well-acted film worth seeing.

5. HEARTBREAK RIDGE-2010

This is unexpectedly funny and in a good way when Clint Eastwood is sent in to get these kids ship shape for the army. They end up going to Grenada...yeah, Grenada but it was an invasion and men did die. It's a better film than I thought it would be and I love Mario Van Peebles in the role.

6. THE MONUMENT'S MEN-2005

True story based on the disgusting pillage of the Nazis, especially, Goring, of famous art to the amount of millions, not just money but objects. There were a small group of men and one brave woman, who helped retrieve thousands of pieces. The Movie could be better, but still engaging. 

7. THE FOUR FEATHERS-1939

The first of many remakes with this taking place during the Boer war. 4 friends, and the young lady that 2 men love, are ready to enter the war...well, except for one who does not see the reason to go and is given 4 white feathers, which means they think him a coward. When he finds out they are in trouble, he decides  to rescue them but, in disguise. It's well acted if a bit dated since I would never think of giving him a white feather for his decision. Remember, this film was done when Britain still ruled over quite a bit of land in the world. 

8. AUSTRALIA-2003

Nicole Kidman's husband owns a huge ranch in Australia so she must travel, from England, to see what all the fuss is about. She gets driven there by hunky Hugh Jackman. It's set during the war but you also have a meanie who wants the land plus you have an aboriginal kid who is trying not to be sent to a missionary. Its ok but it's all over the place...comedy, action, love story, epic. It never decides what it should be.

9. ENEMY AT THE GATES-2003

Excellent war film during the siege of Stalingrad. There is a famous sharpshooter, played by Jude Law, who becomes a hero to the Russian people. Rachel Weisz plays a fellow shooter and Joseph Fiennes is a reporter who places Jude in the headlines. Ed Harris is the nasty German Sharpshooter sent to take out Jude Law. The dread, bleakness is showcased well and it’s based on a true story.

10. MAN AGAINST THE MOB-1980

TV movie starring George Peppard as a PI with a special task force set up to catch some bad guys during the 1930s. I enjoyed this movie- fun  entertaining and surprising that it was made for TV.

11. VON RYAN'S EXPRESS-1965

Frank Sinatra is a pilot that crashes his plane, in Italy, during WW2. He is sent to a POW camp with  mainly British men. When they find out the US has broken through, they high-tail it out of there. They go through a number of hurdles but end up on a train making sure it goes to Switzerland. The Germans are hot on their trail. I love this move. Action, the cinematography is great when they are on the train. Fun to see.

11. THE CODE or THICK AS THIEVES-2009

Morgan Freeman is a famous thief who take Antonio Banderas under his wing to learn the ropes since Antonio shows promise. Meanwhile, the Feds are trying to nab this thief…will they? I enjoyed it and found it surprising in spots. Worth a look.

12. ROGUE MALE-1976

This was a BBC TV movie starring Peter O’Toole as an aristocratic man who tries to take out Hitler, fails, is captured, tortured but escapes. This happens in the first 10 minutes of the film. Well-acted, taut suspense movie.

13.  LAST DAYS OF PATTON-1986

George C. Scott reprises his Oscar winning( he declined the award and, unlike Brando, never did claim it later) role as the controversial General in the last year of his life. This was a TV movie played on regular TV which would never happen today. Again, well acted and thought out movie about this General. 

TV SHOWS

1. PICARD-SEASON 3-2023

Love it!! A couple of holes but I don’t care. Thoroughly enjoyed it and leaves a door open for another ST series starring Seven of Nine.

2. THE SALVAGE KINGS-2019-TO PRESENT

My hubby and I enjoy this Canadian show about a team of salvage people who go to homes, businesses, factories etc,,,, before the places are torn down, in search of treasures. They find everything from great old wood to signs, lights, tools, you name it. They sell it at their own store whether it is to individuals, collectors or film studios needing props. 

3. THE GREAT POTTERY THROWDOWN-2015- PRESENT

I my have spoken about this before but, I don’t remember, so that works for me. This is a British show about potters who wish to win the big prize and must create different pieces of pottery challenges which can include garden gnomes, lighting displays to working toilets. I have never bought much pottery but I do love anything creative plus the head guy cries at a drop of a hat. Love that!

Ok, this is late with a ton of movies. Have you seen any of these?