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Kaleidoscope (2023)
A poor Heist of Money Heist
For all its grit and realism, this show is a very weak copy of the worldwide Spanish phenomenon Money Heist (Spain 2017). The characters are nowhere nearly as well developed as in the Spanish series and, although well-acted, fall flat as a result. There is nothing truly original in the plot. VIewers seem to like to make a big deal of the non-sequential episodes, as if this was something revolutionary in cinema. That simply reveals their ignorance of cinema generally, and of Money Heist specifically. The action scenes are OK, but nothing spectacular. In fact, the mimic the same scenes in the earlier show. In short, Kaleidescope is so clearly a knock off of the Spanish series that it isn't funny.
On the bright side, Giancarlo Esposito does a fine job and Rufus Sewell is magnificent as the villain. But what highlights there are do not make up for the overall weaknesses and lack of originality. The show is a disappointment and I would recommend that anyone who wants to watch it, watch the Spanish series first.
Im Westen nichts Neues (2022)
Talk about missing the point of the book...
Despite superb cinematography, this film is a disaster. It plays all too freely with the plot of the book, leaving out what is arguably the most important part of the novel (Paul's inability to reintegrate home during his leave). It plays fast and loose with characters and with what the author wrote. Kat's death, in particular, reveals that the screenwriters had no clue what Remarque was trying to say. Himmelstoss and Kantorek - two characters whose presence is essential to the general critique of war - are missing almost entirely. The movie focuses only on "action." Any nuance or subtelty is left out altogether. As someone who taught this book in school for years I would give it a D! An awful job.
Babylon Berlin (2017)
Great show spoiled by atrocious dubbing
The show is fabulous; especially at showing the culture of Berlin in the 20s. It captured the mood of that amazing city perfectly. The story lines are compelling, minor historical inaccuracies notwithstanding. But the dubbing as phenomenally bad. Not only are the readers clearly bored with their characters, there are what seem to be intentionally awful mistranslations from German in to English and utterly bizarre English pronunciations of standard German names and words. I've taught in Indiana, Alabama, New York, and California and no Americans pronounce a number of the words the ways these dubbers did!
Unorthodox (2020)
...the transformation of Yiddish
Fantastic show. But the thing that struck me most is how bastardized Yiddish has become in the US. Not surprising, of course, since that is what happens with Diaspora languages. But still...
Ekaterina (2014)
only two complaints
The cinematography and costumes are justly praised. Wonderful! But the CGI is positively awful! So many set shots of the palace and the "flowing Neva" are extremely annoying. Nowhere near the quality of everything else.
Secondly, the subtitles are horrible! The English is stilted and often completely ungrammatical. The reviewer who commented that certain Russian words cannot be translated into English doesn't know what he is talking about (I too speak both languages) The translation job gets worse as the episodes wear on, by the way. It is truly a subpar job. Rather disappointing
Bloody Foreigners: The Untold Battle of Britain (2010)
Thorough and accurate
Excellent portrayal of 303 Squadron in the Battle of Britain. True to the source material and balanced in its portrayal of all the issues involved. Single best movie/documentary on the Kosciuszko Squadron. Highly recommended!
Somebody Feed Phil (2018)
ignore the "sophisticates!"
My wife and I are thoroughly charmed and entertained by this show. We binge watched the entire second season on Netflix! Don't let the negative reviews by snooty sophisticates like Greg Morabito (Eater - Jan 1918) put you off. Phil is funny, and exudes a human genuineness and warmth that is wonderful to see in these jaded times. I am planning a trip to Lisbon based largely on that particular episode. Keep 'em coming, Phil!