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David McK (3576 KP) rated Sharpe's Company (1994) in Movies

Oct 10, 2021 (Updated Oct 10, 2021)

Sharpe's Company (1994)

1994 | Action, Adventure, Drama

7.0

(1 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Back when this was first shown on TV (it's a TV movie) in the mod 90s, this was based on what-was-then on of the mid entries in Cornwell's long-running series.

I say what was then, as there have since been more novels set before, during or even after The Napoleonic Wars, which provided the background for these movies.

This - both novel and movie - is the one that starts with the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo and ends with that of Badajoz, with (Sean Beans) Captain Richard Sharpe 'pushed aside' in the intervening period by those who can afford to buy his commission. This is also the one with the mad, twitching Obadiah Hakeswill (portrayed here by Pete Postlethwaite), who isn't so much a danger to Sharpe himself as he is too his men - Patrick Harper included - and who has a history with Sharpe.

I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again: I so wish they had a proper budget for these movies!

Kudos

Christmas Wish List (Hartbridge Christmas #2)

N.R. Walker

10.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

In need of work and a change of scenery, Aussie ex-pat Jayden Turner agrees to a short-term chef...

Contemporary MM Romance Seasonal

To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgertons, #5)

Julia Quinn

7.5 (4 Ratings) Rate It

Book

My dear Miss Bridgerton, We have been corresponding now for quite some time, and although we have...

David McK (3576 KP) rated The Imitation Game (2014) in Movies

Feb 26, 2022

The Imitation Game (2014)

2014 | Biography, Drama, War

8.1

(44 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Drama based on the life and times of Alan Turing, the so-called father of modern computing, who worked in Bletchley Park during World War 2 to break the hitherto-believed-unbreakable enigma machine that the German high command were using to send radio messages to their fleets.

This flits back and forth between three timelines: the 1950s (just before Turing committed society, after being found guilty of Homosexual behaviour, which was outlawed at the time), the late 30s/early 40s (his work at Bletchley) and the 1920s (his childhood at a public boarding school, where he was bullied).

Cumberbatch manages to bring a different aura to his portrayal of Turing than he did previously to Sherlock - even though both are geniuses who struggle with a low EQ (Emotional Quotient) - while Kiera Knightley does her period piece acting as his fellow (perhaps even smarter) codebreaker Joan, who has to also put up with the misogynistic attitudes of the time.

And yes, the Imitation Game of the title is a real philosophical conundrum (which is described during the movie itself).