MikelMask1 Reviews

Fury (2014)

Good But Not Great

[8/10 · 19 October 2014]

I saw "Fury" today. I am still trying to figure out how much I liked it, especially when comparing it with Saving Private Ryan or the German mini-series Generation War. "Fury" takes place in Germany in April 1945 and all of the scenes are shot with overcast skies, fog and mud which adds to the generally dark atmosphere of the film. The combat scenes are very visceral and exciting, especially the battle against the Tiger tank. In most cases they are realistic although the finale is a bit over the top. Death is present at all times but comes unexpectedly adding to the tension of the movie. As Brad Pitt observes, "the war will end soon but before it does, a lot more people have to die." No one wants to be the last person to die so the film's depiction of emotional toll on soldiers and civilians alike is especially well done. Yet, "Fury" dragged at times and is formulaic enough that I knew early on how it would end and who would ultimately survive. It is definitely a movie worth seeing, especially on a big screen. However, I rated it only 7 out of 10 on IMDb. I had expected to rate it much higher.

Stalingrad (2013)

Disappointing

[6/10 · 6 September 2014]

Unfortunately, this movie turned out to be what I expected from a Russian produced film about the Great Patriotic War. The film depicts the heroic soldiers and sailors of the Soviet Union fighting to the death the barbaric fascist invaders. The Soviet defenders are almost all saintly; one is even nicknamed Angel. The Germans are all beastly underlined by the atrocities they commit on screen against the surprisingly large number of Russian civilians living in the middle of the battlefield. This movie compares unfavorably with the German produced movie Stalingrad and Enemy at the Gates because of its simplicity. The only scenes that I found interesting showed the Germans preparing to attack and those which depicted the Soviets crossing the Volga. I have great difficulty recommending this movie especially considering alternatives.

Generation War (2013)

Emotionally Shattering

[10/10 · 6 September 2014]

--Spoiler Alert-- This is an incredible piece of work. This is a highly controversial film and many reviewers believe that it lets the ordinary German people off to easy for the crimes that were committed in their name. I do not agree. Starting in May 1941, these young people undergo a series of events that force them to make moral choices that in the end leave them compromised and complicit in the system that they are defending. Viewers watch them experience a spectrum of emotions beginning with triumphalism and optimism toward their bright futures due to The Third Reich's victories, to alienation, to fear, and ultimately to shock and oblivion.

Almost uniquely among war movies, this miniseries to try to allow viewers to imagine what it was like to be one of the five main characters who experienced World War II in Europe on the losing side. A viewer may not sympathize with the main characters but the film forces one to try understand what he/she would do under the same circumstances. It is a very unsettling and depressing since there are no easy answers. I highly recommend this film to everyone.

Der Ring des Nibelungen: Die Walküre (1980) Season 1, Episode 2

What Opera is All About

[10/10 · 8 January 2011]

Wow! What a great performance. I have listened to and watched numerous productions of Wagner's Ring. This performance is easily the best that I have ever seen. The sensuality of the first act, drama of the second, and finally the heartbreak and catharsis of the third provided a true emotional roller coaster ride. All of the performers were fantastic. I was not familiar with Jeannine Altmeyer, Peter Hoffman, and Donald McIntyre but was so impressed that I am looking for more of their recordings. Gwyneth Jones' performance as Brunhilde was one for the ages. Chereau's and Boulez's vision to place the scene outside of its normal medieval-fantasy setting made the characters all the more involving and believable. Wotan's final parting with his favorite daughter, Brunhilde, gave my goose bumps. This is an unforgettable performance that I cannot recommend any more highly.

The Magic Flute (2003 TV Movie)

The Best of the Lot

[10/10 · 11 November 2010]

I have seen many performances of Die Zauberflote on stage, on TV, and on DVD. This is by far the best of the lot. All of the performers are terrific. Many reviewers of the performance have commented on the outstanding work of Diana Damrau's Queen of the Night and Simon Keenlyside's Papageno and I completely agree. However, I also want to underline the emotional realism that Dorothea Roschmann was able to bring to her part as Pamina and the heroic stoicism of Will Hartmann as Tamino. Ailish Tynan, a singer whose work I was previously unfamiliar with, is a highlight as Papagena- whenever she showed up on stage, sparks flew. Franz-Josef Selig as Sarastro was able to be regal without being boring (it helps when you have a bass like his) and the Queen's Three Ladies were simultaneously beautiful, amusing, and threatening (no mean trick). Probably the thing that I liked best in this performance was staging the action in the Age of Enlightenment. This underlined the philosophical elements that Mozart input into the opera and took away, or at least greatly diminished, the fairy tale, fantasy aspects that are often focused upon in other performances. This staging also helped the humorous aspects of the Papageno/Pagagena relationship stand out since Ms. Tynan, dressed in garish 1960's/1970's garb, was an eye sore compared to the "proper" eighteenth century folk around her resulting in her performance being such a hoot (and was better than the P/P pair being dressed up as pseudo-birds). All in all, this is a fabulous performance which I cannot recommend any more highly.