Media Notes: Roundup for February 2021

 

This is a somewhat random selection of the movies and series on DVD and/or online I watched during February 2021. For this month it feels like I did not watch a whole lot or new to me. Last two weeks we had ice storms and extreme snow, so you would think being stuck at home would make for more media watching but the constant anxiety about that is not always conducive to that (plus I did have to work from home on those days).


Movies and films (links to IMDB.com for basic information unless noted otherwise). Some of these I watched via TubiTv.com or other online source. The DVDs come from the public library (unless noted otherwise). In addition, I will try to add other trivia notes, such as when a film is based on a book adding the information about the book (at least the WorldCat record if available):

• Doom (2005. Horror. Science Fiction. Action. Video game adaptation). Brief description: "Space Marines are sent to investigate strange events at a research facility on Mars but find themselves at the mercy of genetically enhanced killing machines." Library had the "unrated" version. The opening before the credits notes this film includes material not in the original theater release. To be honest, did not seem that much different than first I saw it. There are some extras, but I do not think they were that big a deal. Overall, this is a decent action film with a bit of sinister conspiracy element and horror. If you like films and games like Resident Evil, you will likely enjoy this too as it has similar appeal factors. You get just enough story to keep it interesting but in the end it's a good action popcorn kind of flick. I liked it, so giving it 3 out of 5 stars. DVD from Berea branch, Madison County (KY) Public Library. Watched 2/6.
  
• Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World (2003. Action. Adventure. Drama. Literary adaptation). Plot description: "During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America." While I had heard of the film, I had never seen it until now. A reason I picked it up was that someone on Twitter apparently spoke ill of the film, and Russell Crowe happened to be online and defended the film. So I got curious and decided to finally watch it. Aside from some small historical facts they took liberties with, and some small goofs in anachronism that most people may likely not notice (I had to double check some details myself to verify a thing or two), this was a very good period drama film with a nice blend of adventure and tension. The cinematography was great, really makes you feel like you are there in the oceans. Crowe as always had a great performance. If you are looking for one of those action movies where a lot of stuff goes boom and with some hot bimbos, this is not that film. But if you want a serious drama in a historical period that looks good and draws you in, this is a very good film then. I found it interesting and engaging, and I would recommend others give it a chance if they have not seen it. It is a pity that sequels are unlikely. The movie as I understand did well critically but did not generate the giant profits Hollywood would want to approve a sequel. I could have seen this as a series, especially given there is a whole series of books. It is a film for mature folks and people willing to enjoy a well crafted film that takes its time. I'd say 4.5 out 5 stars. Via DVD from Berea branch, Madison County (KY) Public Library. Watched 2/11.
  
• The film is based on Master and Commander, a book of the Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian. This novel is the first in what went on to become a series of 20 novels. The film draws from this and other books in the series, mainly from the book The Far Side of the World. The film was so good I am curious about to books, so I am adding at least the first book of the series to my TBR list to give it a try. 
• The Brooklyn Banker (2016. Crime. Drama. Mobsters). Description: "A banker with a talent for memorizing numbers is recruited by a mobster looking to get ahead." Santo, the banker, gets embroiled with a mobster when the mobster wants some dubious cashier checks cashed. This happens because his father in law talks to the mobster about him, and thus the reluctant involvement. Santo also happens to have a very good gift at handling and remembering numbers. From there, things escalate as Santo has to deal with the mobster, his father in law, his pregnant wife and daughters, oh, and his uncle the local street wise parish priest. Soon things get complicated when Santo's bank is visited by a Secret Service agent investigating financial crimes. The movie has a good drama, but it is quite on the slow side though. The movie is tense, but it is mainly because we follow Santo who is pretty much tense throughout the film once things get going. He is not that good at hiding his emotions; his acting is not that great either. His family may be oblivious on the home, but we certainly know. An irritating detail is that Santo's father had some involvement in the mob when he was alive, and everyone who knows the truth dances over the detail, so like Santo, we really have no certainty one way or the other. It would be nice if someone, even that priest, would speak plainly for once. Then again, Santo does not help himself either showing off his talent in small ways here or there. If he'd only know when to shut the fuck up, he might avoid some trouble here and there. So you got all these forces colliding, but they do so in a seriously slow film that just seems to drag on, until the last five minutes or so of the film when the truth comes out, and does so in a pretty sudden way. For that ending, I am not sure if this slow film was really worth sitting through. The story had potential, but the writing, plotting, and execution just bogged the whole thing down. I'd give 1 1/2 out of 5 stars at most. Via TubiTv. Watched 2/13.

Television and other series (basic show information links via Wikipedia unless noted otherwise). Some of these come in DVD from the public library. Others may be via YouTube, which, as noted before, I keep finding all sorts of other old shows in it, often full episodes:

• America's Dumbest Criminals (1996-2000. Reality. Humor. Crime).  See my June 2020 wrap up for commentary on this. I continued this month watching more of the third season and finished watching the third season. As I noted previously, a new season, and they have a new intro, and David Butler has a new co-host in Debbie Alan (Beaumont Bacon co-hosted during the second season). Also this season the show is filmed in studio with a live audience.  The stories range from outright stupid to amusing, good for a chuckle here or there. They also add bits of trivia like dumb laws still in the books. Via TubiTv.
  
• Space: 1999 (1975-1977. Science Fiction. Adventure). I started watching this last month where I commented on it. I continue watching the first season this month, managed to watch episodes 3 and 4 of the first season. Via TubiTv.