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BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) in Movies
Feb 2, 2023
Shows The Futility and Bleakness of War
War is hell. And if you don’t think it is check out the 2022 German film version of the classic novel ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT about a young German’s experience towards the end of World War I. It is a bleak, grim view of war told unflinchingly and drives home the point of the pointlessness of war (especially the trench warfare of WWI). It is bravura filmmaking that deserves to be mentioned with the great war films of all time.
And the book is even bleaker.
Directed by Edward Berger, ALL QUIET follows young Felix Kammerer (Paul Baumer) as he joyfully joins the German army to fight the French. Quickly, Felix learns of the cost of war and the grim reality of trench warfare.
Berger has a strong view of all of this and his Direction and Camerawork are squarely focused on young Felix and his continued attempts to stay alive amidst the fighting. Berger handles the action - and the acting - strongly and the Cinematography of this film by James Friend aides in the bleakness and futility of the conflict, showering the combatants in muted blues and grays and covering them all in mud. Berger does not hold back on the horrors of war (without going to “gorey”) and delivers a moody, bleak and important film.
Baumer plays Felix with an innocent sincerity that gives way to resolute abandonment of hope as the bleakness of the affair drags on. His futility is, then, juxtaposed against German envoy Matthias Erzberger (Daniel Bruhl) who is trying to negotiate a surrender with the French. The building frustration of both men are clearly shown growing as the film elapses.
And that is another strong suit about this film - it shows the situations, the hopelessness and negativity of war without having to “tell” or comment about it. The pictures are all one needs to know.
An anti-war film of the highest order, ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT is a must see - the best adaptation of this classic novel ever.
Letter Grade: A
9 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
And the book is even bleaker.
Directed by Edward Berger, ALL QUIET follows young Felix Kammerer (Paul Baumer) as he joyfully joins the German army to fight the French. Quickly, Felix learns of the cost of war and the grim reality of trench warfare.
Berger has a strong view of all of this and his Direction and Camerawork are squarely focused on young Felix and his continued attempts to stay alive amidst the fighting. Berger handles the action - and the acting - strongly and the Cinematography of this film by James Friend aides in the bleakness and futility of the conflict, showering the combatants in muted blues and grays and covering them all in mud. Berger does not hold back on the horrors of war (without going to “gorey”) and delivers a moody, bleak and important film.
Baumer plays Felix with an innocent sincerity that gives way to resolute abandonment of hope as the bleakness of the affair drags on. His futility is, then, juxtaposed against German envoy Matthias Erzberger (Daniel Bruhl) who is trying to negotiate a surrender with the French. The building frustration of both men are clearly shown growing as the film elapses.
And that is another strong suit about this film - it shows the situations, the hopelessness and negativity of war without having to “tell” or comment about it. The pictures are all one needs to know.
An anti-war film of the highest order, ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT is a must see - the best adaptation of this classic novel ever.
Letter Grade: A
9 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Frog Music in Books
May 10, 2018
**Received as a First Read for an honest review**
I was really excited to read this book. I have had [b:Room|7937843|Room|Emma Donoghue|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1344265419s/7937843.jpg|9585076] on my TBR list for a very long time, just haven't gotten my hands on it yet.
Blanche Beunon is a french burlesque dancer living in San Francisco in 1876. It's the end of the gold rush and smallpox is everywhere. Blanche is returning home one afternoon, when she literally runs into Jenny Bonnet and her riding machine. They quickly form a "friendship" and Blanche's life gets turned upside down.
During the week that Blanche has left her job and is trolling around town with Jenny, Jenny is murdered. Blanche is sure it's her "maques" Arthur and Ernest who have done it, since they have been so upset with her since becoming friends with Jenny.
This book just didn't do it for me. It was a very slow start and really didn't get interesting until the last 60 pages.
I was really excited to read this book. I have had [b:Room|7937843|Room|Emma Donoghue|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1344265419s/7937843.jpg|9585076] on my TBR list for a very long time, just haven't gotten my hands on it yet.
Blanche Beunon is a french burlesque dancer living in San Francisco in 1876. It's the end of the gold rush and smallpox is everywhere. Blanche is returning home one afternoon, when she literally runs into Jenny Bonnet and her riding machine. They quickly form a "friendship" and Blanche's life gets turned upside down.
During the week that Blanche has left her job and is trolling around town with Jenny, Jenny is murdered. Blanche is sure it's her "maques" Arthur and Ernest who have done it, since they have been so upset with her since becoming friends with Jenny.
This book just didn't do it for me. It was a very slow start and really didn't get interesting until the last 60 pages.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated Between Two Shores in Books
Feb 27, 2019
It's been some time since I read a Jocelyn Green novel, and let me tell you this....it was so refreshing to get back to her books. This book, filled with beautiful historical detail, took me on a journey to Montreal, and kept me hooked until the last page was reached.
Catherine, Samuel, Bright Star, and the amazing characters truly became a part of my soul. I loved following them on their journey. The rich detail of the French and Indian War was depicted beautifully. It came to life for me, making me feel a part of Catherine and Samuel's lives.
If you love history, hope, longing and mercy, then grab this book up. It's tenderly written, and will wrap you up as you read through these pages. As a reader, the emotions will flow through you the further into the story that you get. I highly recommend this with 4 stars and two thumbs up.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.
Catherine, Samuel, Bright Star, and the amazing characters truly became a part of my soul. I loved following them on their journey. The rich detail of the French and Indian War was depicted beautifully. It came to life for me, making me feel a part of Catherine and Samuel's lives.
If you love history, hope, longing and mercy, then grab this book up. It's tenderly written, and will wrap you up as you read through these pages. As a reader, the emotions will flow through you the further into the story that you get. I highly recommend this with 4 stars and two thumbs up.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Raw (2017) in Movies
Feb 10, 2018 (Updated Feb 10, 2018)
A Rare Treat
French language horror-drama with a you've-got-to-be-kidding-me premise that turned out to be one of the smartest and subtlest films of the year. It's the same old story we've seen a thousand times before - lifelong vegetarian goes off to vet school, is force-fed rabbit kidney, discovers an insatiable hunger for human flesh.
Ah yes, but as well as a degree of gore (weirdly, the most disturbing part of the film for me was watching someone receive a rather inept bikini wax), the film also has interesting and thoughtful things to say about peer pressure and the social demands placed on young women by the modern world - whether they don't even try to fit in or just try too hard, the results are often harsh.
The ending almost seems to be trying to reposition the film as a black comedy, but most of the way through this is ferociously intelligent and self-assured film helped a lot by Garance Marillier's remarkable performance. If you only watch one feminist cannibal allegory this year...
Ah yes, but as well as a degree of gore (weirdly, the most disturbing part of the film for me was watching someone receive a rather inept bikini wax), the film also has interesting and thoughtful things to say about peer pressure and the social demands placed on young women by the modern world - whether they don't even try to fit in or just try too hard, the results are often harsh.
The ending almost seems to be trying to reposition the film as a black comedy, but most of the way through this is ferociously intelligent and self-assured film helped a lot by Garance Marillier's remarkable performance. If you only watch one feminist cannibal allegory this year...
Lou Grande (148 KP) rated Dans ma peau (2002) in Movies
Jun 27, 2018
"Dans ma peau" is a film that got me into French cinema (along with Martyrs, but this is a different breed of film). It's both horrific and real. An allegory about the pressure of life, specifically as a woman, protagonist Esther injures her leg at a party and develops a fixation on the wound. She begins to mutilate the wound further, using the pain as a distraction from office politics and a hard decision in her romantic life.
Brief interlude: if you struggle with self harm, do yourself a favor and either avoid this film, or watch when you're in a good frame of mind.
This movie is filmed in an innocuous way. That is to say, it doesn't FEEL like a horror movie. In fact, it's hard to even call it that, despite the horrific content. There are scenes which stretch on to the point where the audience is horribly uncomfortable. But they're also REAL. How many times have you felt inadequate or embarrassed and wished you could disappear? That's what this film embodies.
Brief interlude: if you struggle with self harm, do yourself a favor and either avoid this film, or watch when you're in a good frame of mind.
This movie is filmed in an innocuous way. That is to say, it doesn't FEEL like a horror movie. In fact, it's hard to even call it that, despite the horrific content. There are scenes which stretch on to the point where the audience is horribly uncomfortable. But they're also REAL. How many times have you felt inadequate or embarrassed and wished you could disappear? That's what this film embodies.
Katie Guinn (34 KP) rated A Deadly Éclair (A French Bistro Mystery, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
A Deadly Eclair is the first book in a cozy mystery series. The main character, Mimi Rousseau, runs a small B&B and a French bistro in California’s wine country. As the story opens, she’s planning to host the wedding of a famous talk show host, but plans are derailed when the bride’s uncle (and Mimi’s financial backer) is found dead on the bistro patio, an eclair stuffed into his mouth. Mimi has to find the culprit before she’s hauled off to jail for murder. First of all, you should know that I love punny titles like this one. I also love cozy mysteries that feature food and/or chefs. Even if the constant descriptions of food makes my mouth water. I enjoyed the quirky supporting characters, and found myself laughing out loud several times. Did I find the frequent food facts unnecessary? Yes. Did I enjoy them anyway? Darn right I did. Ms. Gerber walked the fine line between too little description and too much like a gymnastic pro, and I will happily follow Mimi through her future adventures