Hannah Arendt: Legal Theory, Political Action and the Eichmann Trial
Book
This book uses Hannah Arendt's controversial text Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of...
Dragon (Dirk Pitt #10)
Book
Japan, 1945: Two US bombers take off with atomic bombs. Only one gets through. The Pacific, 1993:...
Dirk Pitt
The Man In The High Castle
TV Show Watch
This series, loosely based Philip K. Dick's novel of the same name, takes a look at what the world...
Excalibur Epic Collection: Girl's School from Heck
Scott Lobdell and Chris Claremont
Book
Weird War III and even stranger things! The British-based ex-X-Men face fearful far-out adventures,...
David McK (3425 KP) rated The Suicide Squad (2021) in Movies
May 27, 2023
Like Aliens and not Alien.
A sort-of sequel to the earlier movie (here, Suicide Squad), with some of the same characters - most noticeably, Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn - although it is by no means necessary to have watched that earlier movie.
This is also a fair bit bloodier/messier than I remember said earlier movie being, and has absolutely no mention of either Batman or the Joker (unless you count Quinn's aversion to personalised number plates? See The Jokers car ...) to distract from the plot here, which sees the group of super-villains (all with a tracker and bomb implanted in their head) all sent on a mission to the island of Corto Maltese to destroy a Nazi-era prison and laboratory.
Of the 2 movies, I think this is the better.
It's definitely a James Gunn film through and through!
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Operation Finale (2018) in Movies
Jul 2, 2019
This is the incredible true story of the capture of one of the top Nazi officials. The story is set up well by Director Chris Weitz (About a Boy, The Golden Compass). Ben Kingsley and Oscar Isaac give outstanding performances. Kingsley’s character and how his story develops is interesting. The entire supporting cast does well and Nick Kroll (Sing, The House) brings a surprising bit of fun to a heavy story line. Some may say the bits of humor might be a little odd given the subject matter but I thought it brought a realness and humanity to the film. The balance between the humor and showing the horror of World War II was really well done. At a little over two hours it does run a little long and there are flashback scenes that are at inconsistent times.
I was pleasantly surprised by this film. Not having heard this story before I enjoyed how this film was laid out for the audience. It definitely made me want to learn more about this unique true story. I think this is a film that shows the importance of people fighting to bring truth and justice to the world regardless of the odds.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Jojo Rabbit (2019) in Movies
Jun 21, 2020
The subject of Nazis and Hitler is a touchy one to say the least, but it's also a subject that is ripe for satire, and one of the many aspects that stands out here, is how Taika Waititi has managed to craft a film that is absolutely hilarious, but never undermines how horrible this part of history was.
I laughed (a lot) before being slapped with a reminder of how bleak war is.
The main plot revolves around Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis), a 10 year old boy who looks up to Hitler, and is part of the Nazi Youth. He finds out that his mother Rosie (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl, Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie) in the attic of their house. Initially hostile, they begin to form a friendship as the Nazi regime begins to crumble.
Underneath all the goofiness, this main narrative is radiating in both warmth and sadness. I legit had a bit of a cry at one point.
The cast are brilliant. Roman Griffin Davis is one of the most likable protagonists in recent memory. His innocence and blind devotion to the war is humorous, and weirdly sweet. Thomasin McKenzie is great alongside him as well.
As well as directing, Taika Waititi also plays a version of Hitler, sort of like Jojo's imaginary friend, and he's honestly just the best, and provides the majority of the films comedy.
Elsewhere, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Alfie Allen, and Stephen Merchant all make up a pretty rock solid cast.
Screw it, I even liked Rebel Wilson (she usually makes me want to play in traffic.)
Jojo Rabbit is a truly wonderful experience. It evokes a whole range of emotions effortlessly, looks incredible throughout, and deserves all the praise thrown it's way.
Grand Hotel Abyss: The Lives of the Frankfurt School
Book
This brilliant group biography asks who were the Frankfurt School and why they matter today In 1923,...
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock in Books
Jan 15, 2018
The Last Hussar
Book
History comes alive in these pages as Peter Stephaich traces his origins from 1608 when King Rudolph...