The Admiral (Myeong-ryang original title) 2014 4 stars out of 5 stars

At 126 minutes long I was still fascinated.Sadly I could not follow this subtitling  as well as some other other films but the action made up for that.If you liked “Red Cliff”reviewed on this blog and my new favorite film displacing”Godfather”also reviewed here,then trust me,its a worthy addition just a cut below.Joseon admiral Yi Sun-sin is a Patton-ish character and thats what I feel I missed out on with the subtitles.The Battle scenes are just a cut below Red Cliffs but stunning none the less.Must see for action fans with a historic bend.
Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.Enjoy.

The film mainly follows the famous 1597 Battle of Myeongryang during the Japanese invasion of Korea (1592-1598), where the iconic Joseon admiral Yi Sun-sin managed to destroy a total of 133 Japanese warships with only 13 ships remaining in his command. The battle, which took place in the Myeongryang Strait off the southwest coast of the Korean Peninsula, is considered one of the greatest victories of Yi. Written by Anonymous

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi131836953

Above and Beyond 2014 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

At 90 minutes this film crams the 1948 war of survival or as the world called it Jew /Palestine Arab“Civil War”into a cormorant timeline to set the stage for the story of Israelis birth of its own Air Force in a riveting tale as told in interviews with serving pilots as well as films from that time.I learned a LOT as well as I was again fascinated by this thrilling story of struggle and perseverance.A must see for History buffs.
The story of How cargo airplanes were bought in the US as surplus for 5 thousand dollars is spellbinding.
The first fighters were patch work ME 109's from Checksolvokia which were dissembled and flown into Israel in those cargo planes,and on and on.The air raid in Cairo was also new to me.
 Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

In 1948, a group of World War II pilots volunteered to fight for Israel in the War of Independence. As members of 'Machal' -- volunteers from abroad -- this ragtag band of brothers not only turned the tide of the war, preventing the possible annihilation of Israel at the very moment of its birth; they also laid the groundwork for the Israeli Air Force. ABOVE AND BEYOND is their story. The first major feature-length documentary about the foreign airmen in the War of Independence, ABOVE AND BEYOND brings together new interviews with pilots from the '48 War, as well as leading scholars and statesmen, including Shimon Peres, to present an extraordinary, little-known tale with reverberations up to the present day.
- Written by Anonymous

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2928651801?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_3

William Shatner Presents Chaos on the Bridge 2014 2 1/2 stars out of stars

I watched this on Netflix and was a bit disappointed.It was to be Shatner's take on the first 3 years of all the issues surrounding the series up to Roddenberry's death but many key figures weren’t involved and others were not as believable as you'd believe.Perhaps it was the shortness of only 59 minutes but shockingly there was NO LeVar Burton or Brent Spiner or even Marina Sirtis. However there was Gates McFadden Jonathan Frakes and even Patrick Stewart as examples.Also VERY conspicuous by her absence, Majel Barrett. So it was a few studio heads,producers and writers for the most part and thus boring and self serving.For HARD CORE fans only with nothing else to watch.Clip URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary below.

Canadian acting legend William Shatner takes viewers inside the creation of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the bold attempt in 1986 to recreate the success of the original television series, in which Shatner played Captain James T. Kirk. The documentary, directed, written and presented by Shatner reveals the drama, chaos and controversy behind the scenes as producers tried to make lighting strike twice. Not only were the beloved original characters of Kirk, Spock and McCoy excluded from the new series, the studio also attempted to block the involvement of the creator of the original series - Gene Roddenberry. Few believed it would work including those closest to the production. Yet Star Trek: The Next Generation went on to enormous success lasting seven seasons and spawning the multi-billion dollar Star Trek franchise, which continues to the present day. Now, more than 25 years later, William Shatner brings together the cast, crew and fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation to present...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZBkSnj65h4

TV Series - The Man In The High Castle 2015 - Amazon Prime TV series 2015 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

My eldest son told me to watch this and as I was giving Prime another chance I did.There is one season out there now and I hope a second is coming.To be fair after the first 2 episodes I was somewhat confused but then the various story lines began to make some sense.Still there was a little out of balance on the storylines but I’m sure another season would correct that.As to the those storylines,well there are many.
The main one is that this is the early 60’s and the Germans and Japanese won the war and are occupying the US.What happened to Italy??Anyway that serves as a backdrop to a bunch of films that show the allies winning the war.Humm how could that be and who or what is “The Man in the High Castle”
I don’t want to give to much away but there is heavy drama,real heavy and some things that make you think both pro and con about the”human”condition and just what the truly means.
As far as the sci-fi meaning of all this,well thats a real teaser for a second season.
Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.Really suited for you bingers and sci-fi/history buffs.

Based on Philip K. Dick's award-winning novel and adapted by Frank Spotniz, The Man in the High Castle explores what it would be like if the Allied Powers had lost WWII, and Japan and Germany ruled the United States. Starring Rufus Sewell (John Adams), Luke Kleintank (Pretty Little Liars) and Alexa Davalos (Mob City). Executive produced by Ridley Scott (Blade Runner). Written by Amazon Studios

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2042343961?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_4

Love & Teleportation (2013) - 4 stars out of 5 stars

Released in 2013 and running only 92 minutes,I saw this film on Amazon and it reinforced my belief to give Prime another chance as this was free for those members.
Now this film starts fairly slow,almost boring so and the cast,well there are better BUT after about 20 minutes I was hooked and the cast began to FIT !!!
But this is a story film and I think almost anyone could have acted in it.That is both a strength and a weakness,thus a 4 but no 5 nor a much lesser 3 if you get my drift.
The story is simple enough almost Don Quixote-ish till the very end than it takes on a ,well lets just say I didn’t see THAT coming.However it all makes sense if you saw “Somewhere in Time”a film reviewed on this blog.So its a little gem for film fans of a films that view as a book,and you readers out there know what I mean.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is directly below.Amazon Prime subscribers there is still some hope yet.

Brian Owens was once a prominent professor of quantum mechanics until an accident stripped him of his credentials; he now teaches at a community college. In order to reclaim his stature, he is trying to build the world's first teleportation machine in his garage at night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HdANunFC2E

Limitless - 2011 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5

Heard of this movie when it was released but never checked it out because its star,Bradley Cooper as Eddie Morra,was for me,little more than a “Hangover” movie buffoon,a movie that was reviewed here.Well as THIS movie predates “American Sniper”,a film also reviewed here,I must say I was so wrong,the man is a ACTOR !!!The plot sort of turned me off.A “good”high drug for intellagence??Really??However MR Coopers performance makes you CARE and I will check out the new series because of his performance here lending realism to a sad storyline.In fact this movie is FULL of good acting.We only wish there was more of Andrew Howard as Gennady,a actor who to me is a fine possible successor to the long line of fine TV/movie villains we love to hate.Abbie Cornish as Lindy was unknown to me,but not anymore and of course Robert De Niro as Carl Van Loon to name but a few.Still the drug addictive script is a bit disturbing I forgive it as it has a sci-fi limitless mental possabilities.Think “Lucy”a film also reviewed here,but not as extreme.So I do recommend for the acting and as a intro to what I hope will be a good TV series.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.


With the help of a mysterious pill that enables the user to access 100 percent of his brain abilities, a struggling writer becomes a financial wizard, but it also puts him in a new world with lots of dangers.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1648531481?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_8

Cape No. 7 - 2008 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5

Ah how to begin.First its too long at 129 minutes but thats the only real negative along with being subtitled.Its a love set in Taiwan between a Japanese advance girl coming to set up a beach front performance by a Japanese male singer but she needs a local opening band act.However if you get through the standard “The Commitments”and “The Full Monty”early sort of storyline ,both films previously reviewed here,then you’ll get to seewhy this film represented Taiwan in the Best Foreign Film category of the Oscar Academy Award 2009, but unfortunately it was not nominated.AND that is an improbable love story superimposed over a lost one 60 years earlier with tinges of Casablanca thrown in,another film reviewed here prior, but in reverse.You have to see it to get it.So the trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

A unusual group of people in a village on the coast of Taiwan form a band to perform at a beach concert, while the lead singer searches for the intended recipient of 7 lost love letters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TaIUCyyiXI

Colin Quinn Unconstitutional 2015 - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Caught this on NETFLIX and grabbed this info below  from a web site called “the interro bang”

Colin Quinn tweeted some big news.  “Colin Quinn Unconstitutional” is coming to Netflix! Now all you couch huggers will be able to see the genius of CQ’s one man stage show dissecting, deconstructing and devouring our nations most revered document– the US Constitution.  The show, which was directed by Rebecca Trent originally ran at the Barrow Theater in New York City with an extended run at the Cherry Street Theater.

It is laugh out loud funny and VERY PC INCORRECT,I loved it !!!
The only drawback is Quinns soft spoken drawl can be hard to understand now and then,or maybe its just me.All that said if your politically astute and not just a dumb couch potato with no sense of the world,you will enjoy it as well.Trailer short follows the picture.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5-rHqbp4vE

White Chicks - 2004 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

OK this 2004 film is highly UN-PC and couldn’t be made today.Still it WAS made in 2004 and runs 109 and the unevenness is the acting and makeup.The scene and movie stealer was a turn by the now successful ex football player turned actor Terry Crews as Latrell Spencer,a pro BB player and he alone was enough for me !!!Now as a comedy the schtick is old school,guys in drag.This is a bit different and thats good and sadly bad.Two black FBI guys,Shawn and Marlon Wayans, pose as two blond FEMALE society spoiled brats at the Hamptons on LI to foil a kidnapping plot.That works,even the posing to a degree,but their in is the failure as well.Facial make up didn’t quite sell it.Still a few good laughs and a few that made me cringe.However you won’t see a film quite like it again I believe. I enjoyed Busy Phillips as Karen but the rest of the cast was just so,so.So there’s a trailer URL after the picture and a IMDB summary below.You could do a lot worse and a little better.

After an unsuccessful mission, FBI agents Kevin Copeland and Marcus Copeland fall in disgrace in the agency. They decide to swap their bad position with his superior Section Chief Elliott Gordon working undercover in an abduction case, disguised in the two spoiled white daughters of a tycoon, Brittany and Tiffany Wilson, getting in hilarious situations. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1608646937?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

TV Series - Public Morals 2014 (TNT) 4 stars out of 5 stars

Although only 1 episode has aired on TNT so far 3 more are “on demand”on my cable system so I’ve seen 4, and while I love the 60’s setting of the series I’m not sure where the plot is going.I’ve seen enough series  to know a first season can often be that way so as long as the surroundings hold and the acting is good,stay with it for awhile.I’m hoping eventually for a Serpico meets Goodfellas or something along those lines down the road.The show seems to stand on Edward Burns as a actor and creator of the show with a push from Steven Spielbergs production company.So theres not much to say other than I feel good about its chances and recommend as a gritty NYC cops and criminals set pieace.Trailer URL foods the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Set in the early 1960's in New York City's Public Morals Division, where cops walk the line between morality and criminality as the temptations that come from dealing with all kinds of vice can get the better of them.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi449688345?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_2

Field of Lost Shoes - 2014 - 4 stars out of 5 stars

The American Civil War is by far the war that lasts forever in this countries collective memory and was decreed in absentia by the flawed original signing of the Declaration of Independence leaving slavery intact.
You would think that makes for great films and in many cases it did,however rarely do they have mass appeal. This 2014 release that sometimes seems longer then its 96 minutes,a flaw in pacing,is not preachy yet stark in some of its depiction that may seem uneven at times.Its based on a historic battle fought by cadets from VMI (Virginia Military Institute) that still exists today.However its also a coming of age film and in that sense some might find it corny,I didn’t.The young actors were good but unknown to me.The “b”level adult actors were also good and you’ll recognize a few,yet less screen time than the youngins.So if you like a somewhat different twist to a Civil War film yet keeping it “real”you might enjoy it.I certainly was pleasantly surprised.One of my lesser known gems.The films trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.


In the midst of a prolonged and deadly American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln appoints a very different kind of general, Ulysses S. Grant, Chief of Union Forces. Grant acts decisively. He brings total war to the pristine Shenandoah Valley, breadbasket of the South. The superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute volunteers to send the Corps of Cadets to protect the valley. 274 young cadets march northward toward the strategic valley choke-point of New Market. On the day of battle, Confederate General John C. Breckenridge, former Vice President of the United States, and commander of southern forces in Valley, is faced with a horrible decision. When Southern forces are jeopardized, he orders the young cadets into battle.
- Written by Anonymous

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi90811417?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Flight World War II (2015) - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

This 2015 release from”Asylum(never heard of them)is kinda weird but is also fairly short at 85 minutes so you have little to loose if your board.Now the cast is mostly unknown and very uneven ability wise.The story is full of factual flaws BUT I’m old school and I see sci-fi has changed DRAMATICALLY so perhaps this factual error stuff is “a alternate timeline”whatever.All you need to know is a commercial airliner travels through a storm back into World War 11 and perhaps saves it for the allies.Sounds a little like the “Nimitz”traveling back in”The Final Countdown”a film also reviewed on this blog,however the tone is far different but you sort of get a feeling the writer was  influenced.So if you like time travel flicks I give it a tepid recommendation.Trailer and full film URL’s follow the pix and a IMDB summary is below.


Flight 42 was on its way, when it comes across an unidentifiable storm. Realizing they must go through, find themselves in France, 1940, World war II. A young soldier (Robbie Kay) tells them they are in the middle of a war zone. Dodging bullets and bombs the flight will attempt to make it back to modern day, without changing history too much. Written by emilyh9817

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgRBVDzITNE 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzGUwkPhc2g

Jurassic World - 2015 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

If this is a reboot of the old series of films its not too bad.The cast was OK,no one I was really fond of or even knew, but its the FX that stars as well as a fair story that reminds one of a earlier classic”Westworld”reviewed on this blog.See the issue here is enjoying a fantasy of living with Dinosaurs as modern day zoo pets you can drive through like a safari ride.Ah but thow in some genetic enginering  and a bad government guy,some family issues,well,at least its a story.So a slight recommend.Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary below.Oh,124 minutes is a good length for this film as well.

During a preview tour, a theme park suffers a major power breakdown that allows its cloned dinosaur exhibits to run amok.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1176612889?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_2

Sharknado 3 - Oh hell No ! - 2015 - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

By now everyone knows about this silly sci-fi channel franchise thats become a cheesy icon of todays TV film wannabes.Both prior installments were reviewed here so heres a brief one on this one.While  Ian Ziering’s portrayal of Fin Shepard is getting better the story just gets dumber.Really ? Mark Cuban  as the President of the United States,REALLY !!! Anyway,some guest spots were good,like the WHOLE Today Show cast getting sharked but most were just silly.Er,the Space Shuttle was back,really? So see it so you can say you did.but I would loook forward to anything meaningful.Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary is below.

A monstrous tornado unleashes ravenous sharks from Washington, D.C., all the way down to Orlando, Florida.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAmYUt1-5Rg

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 2014 - 2 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Well for me remakes are always risky BUT a sequel to a re-make much more so.I never thought I would say I MISS James Franco from Rise of the Planet of the Apes,previously reviewed here, but he was better than anyone in THIS sequel.At 130 minutes the film is tedious and I was not believing any of it.However the FX was wondrous if wasted.Please no more sequels let it die.Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary is below.

A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1849339161?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_12

Terminator 3 Rise of the Machines (2003) - 2 1/2 stars out of 3 stars

Only Arnold is “back”in the 3 film of the series and he’s not enough.He’s playing a even MORE confusing part as the “machine” with the addition of  Kristanna Loken as T-X a FEMALE terminator.Even the addition  of Claire Danes as Kate Brewster,love interest for John Conner,here is the real issue as he is played by  Nick Stahl and is not convincing given the earlier films.Oh and do we ever miss Sarah !!!
So see it for the story line but be prepared to be disappointed as I was.Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary is below.Film is short at 109 minutes also.

A cybernetic warrior from a post-apocalyptic future travels back in time to protect a 19-year old drifter and his future wife from a most advanced robotic assassin and to ensure they both survive a nuclear attack.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2056585497?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Terminator 2: Judgment Day - 1991 - 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

While this films FX is spectacular its hard to match the story of this first one,also reviewed on this blog. Arnold Schwarzenegger     as The Terminator and  Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor return and expand their characters believably and new to the story are  Edward Furlong as John Connor and  Robert Patrick as T-1000 .Look also for a brief supporting return connection to the first film by Earl Boen as Dr. Silberman.
James Cameron also directs and its visually stunning.So if you liked the first,see this one as well.Its fine as a stand alone as well.At 137 minutes you won’t be bored.Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary is below.

A cyborg, identical to the one who failed to kill Sarah Connor, must now protect her young son, John Connor, from a more advanced cyborg, made out of liquid metal.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3635216921?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Captain America - The Winter Soldier - 2014 - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars

Growing up I was a DC comics fan not Mavel ,however my grandson has me watching some of these newer flicks and while I have yet to see the first one,this second installment of the “Captain America”series isn’t have bad.Sure its heavy on FX and not so much on plot or character development,I’ll give that a pass because I missed the first one.Two box office “A” list actors made it watchable as well. Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and  Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow are those actors and I was plseantly surprised by a major role from retired legend  Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce.Sadly major role and lead  Chris Evans as Steve Rogers / Captain America  is not in this class although he is a hard worker.Now the plot is rather out there but so were comics,no?Flying aircraft carriers?So if the kids want a comic/action flick you can do far worse.Trailer URL follows the pix and a IMDB summary is below.

As Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with another super soldier, the black widow, to battle a new threat from old history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2263001113?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_14

Taras Bulba 2009 - 3 stars out of 5

In Russian and 129 minutes long,its a lot to ask to sit through.But,if you can handle subtitles and enjoy history with a little irony to history repeating itself on some levels,then watch and learn.Its NOT a complete remake of the 62 version with Yrl Brenner and Tony Curtis,reviewed on this blog,but much more of a storyline.So I leave it to you.If you can handle the language and some graphic violence,see it.Trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

Set in the 16th century, this is a story about Ukraine's Cossack warriors and their campaign to defend their lands from the advancing Polish armies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsj9z8_Ovmg

Stalingrad 1993 - 3 stars out of 5 stars

This is a German film but I saw it dubbed.So its not for everyone nor is the subject but its a interesting from the now full of guilt German point of view.Its hard to describe but for the war buff its worth the prospective even for the language issue.It is well made.The trailer URL follows the picture and a IMDB summary is below.

 A depiction of the brutal battle of Stalingrad, the Third Reich's 'high water mark', as seen through the eyes of German officer Hans von Witzland and his battalion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulq0dg-Yx0o