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BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Greyhound (2020) in Movies

Mar 11, 2021

Greyhound (2020)

2020 | Drama, History, War

7.3

(8 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Hanks Does It Again

Tom Hanks interest in the men who fought in WWII is well known. From his starring role as Capt. Miller is what is (arguably) the definitive film about D-Day, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, to his Executive Producing role in, arguably, the best mini-series ever produced about WWII, BAND OF BROTHERS, Hanks has brought a face to the nameless heroes who fought in the middle of the last century.

Add his latest film GREYHOUND, to the list of films that brings a face to a heretofore unknown (at least to me) group of heroes.

Based on the book THE GOOD SHEPHERD by C.S. Forester and adapted for the screen by Hanks himself, GREYHOUND tells the story of a Commander of a U.S. Navy escort ship, helping cargo ships cross the Atlantic Ocean - an Ocean filled with enemy submarines.

Hanks, of course, plays Commander Ernest Krause, Captain of the USS Keeling, code named “Greyhound”, who is on his first mission. As one might imagine, Hanks imbues Krause with a common decency and you inherently trust Krause’s instincts as he makes split second decision after split second decision. What surprised me about Hanks in this role is his “steely resolve” in dealing with the problems. You can see his brain working as he makes pragmatic decision after pragmatic decision - sometimes not the most “human” decisions - but the right decisions after all.

This is both the strength and the problem with this film - Hanks’ character is NEVER wrong, so after awhile, the tension on the Bridge with Capt. Krause being questioned on his decisions, is never really there.

But, that is a “nit” in this film for Director Aaron Schneider has constructed a taunt and tight thriller that is non-stop action from start to finish. He wisely decided to keep the film at a tight 90 minutes and keep the action flying (versus putting in a couple of “character building scenes” that could have stretched the runtime). He does shoehorn in a flashback scene between Krause and his lady love (played by Elisabeth Shue), a scene that is not really needed, but besides this he focuses his attention on the Greyhound and it’s mission and this is a smart move that the film benefits from.

Director Schneider relies, heavily, on the Special F/X recreating the Atlantic sea battles and, for the most part, it succeeds. BUT…from time-to-time I felt like I was watching a video game - and not a film. The F/X (at times) was just not feature film quality that drew me away from the emotion and the action on the screen.

With the Global Pandemic, this film’s theatrical release was cancelled and it was put on Apple TV+(where you can find it today), so I can forgive the lower F/X results…but just a little.

All-in-all a fun thrill ride, with a terrific central performance, in a film that shows an aspect of WWII I had not previously scene portrayed on film before.

Letter Grade: A-

8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)

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Elizabeth (1521 KP) rated Next Year in Havana in Books

Apr 24, 2019

I completely relate to Marisol's romanticized idea of Cuba and the desire to see it first hand, being that I too have immediate family that emigrated from Cuba. Unlike Marisol, I don't have stories that my family told of their time there to paint a picture in my mind. For me, it is a desire to trace my roots, to learn my history.

I don't know how much of the present day portion of the story is based on fact. It makes me sad to think that the country is in such disrepair. I always thought that since tourism with other countries was still allowed, that the country was still in good shape and it was just the relations with the US that was in shambles. It just goes to show how little I really know since I've only just begun to learn more about the island where my family came from in the last few years.

The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is because I reserve that honor to books that change me after having read them. I connect very deeply to this book, but it did not change me.