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Special Forces: World's Toughest Test (2023)
Highly Entertaining
Something has always fascinated me about training tier-one units such as Delta Force and the SAS. Beyond just the intensity of the exercises, there is something that exposes the grit, determination, and inner character of the people willing to put themselves through treacherous conditions to become part of a tight-knit, war-fighting team.
This isn't the first time American media has dipped its toes into reality-based television wrapped in a military training package. Shows like "Combat Missions (2002)", "American Grit (2016)", and "The Selection: Special Operations Experiment (2016)" are American-produced programs that have featured a fusion of reality and competition TV. "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test" is similar to "The Selection," where a cadre of former commandos agonizes - I mean, trains - a small squad of masochistic candidates.
What many people will notice is that "Special Forces" is a derivative of the UK-produced "SAS: Who Dares Wins (2015)". The formula and training environment directly pick up where the seventh season of that program left off, except this time, we are bearing witness to a troop of willing individuals with a bit more star power than someone plucked from their home and dropped into a production environment. Many of these contestants (and the cadre) have their own followings and fan bases, which is an immediate plus for viewer numbers. It also helps that (most of them) are charismatic, have a history of being in the public eye, and bring their own baggage to the training ground.
The editing is driven by a need to create drama among the contestants. I do not doubt that the show is presented non-linearly (from Day 1 to Day 10), with the need for the post-production team to put an early focus on those contestants struggling, dominating, and/or having emotional reactions to the environment they are subjected to.
What I enjoy most about these sorts of shows is that we quickly find that physical dominance does not necessarily make a contestant a top contender. Those with solid minds and grit will rise to the top. However, a bad attitude and a lack of military bearing can keep an individual from passing the course, even if they pass all the challenges.
The training exercises and stunts remind me of "Fear Factor," except with an apparent military influence. It's fantastic to see the cadre demonstrate the activity, proving that they can perform. Water is the great equalizer, so I expect many more challenges to involve water.
This show is highly entertaining, especially for those who enjoy military-oriented shows like those mentioned above. The curated drama is an unfortunate side-effect of a fascinating look into the once-hidden world of special forces selection, but this doesn't keep the show from being unwatchable. Bringing in contestants with some popularity allows an otherwise ignorant audience to become engaged with them and their adventure. I will certainly be watching this program through to the end.
Metallica Through the Never (2013)
Meh
"Through the Never" is a sort of long form music video. The initial overhead shot from above the city all the way down to the car was flawless. When it started introduction the character, environment, and tone of the plot, I was excited. Even more excited to know that Metallica would be providing the soundtrack throughout the piece.
Through the Never falls flat on its face after its grandiose opener. I would have liked to have seen a deeper story that connects with the lyrical themes of the chosen songs. The scenarios that the main character "Trip" gets involved in don't make any sense and don't further develop the story. The staged antics during the live show portion are laughable, as is Trip's interaction with his volatile environment. Another case of thick plot armor.
The live show is beautifully shot. Stick around for the first few Metallica songs then turn this program off. You're not missing much beyond those.
We, the Marines (2017)
A fine tool in the Marine Corps recruiting tool box
First, read the headline: this is a recruiting tool, for sure. This piece really seems like something the recruiters would play for the local High School auditorium full of kids and leave 20 minutes for questions. Or something they would show parents to give them an idea what their son or daughter might be going through in their next four years of their Marine Corps career.
As a documentary piece, this is a very fine program. The shots are fantastic, with a mix of traditional documentary style shots and drone footage. Kudos to the cinematographers and editors because they seem to have carried the majority of the weight in this program. It also makes me wonder if they used the Marine Corps combat camera units in their video team. I wouldn't be surprised if they did.
Gene Hackman is enthusiastic and seems very connected to the script. He delivers a very strong narration, and is heard laughing at times, as if he's remembering his own journey through Marine Corps recruit training.
A few things bugged me:
Very, VERY obvious ADR (dialogue replacement), as noted in another review.
Subtitle issues. A "Nine Line" is a call for fire / evacuation - I don't know what an "eye line" is. Also, anyone that has ever been in the Corps knows it is sacrilegious to call even a recruit a "soldier" (one of the obvious ADR mistakes - they must have taken the clip from an Army boot camp program).
There are also random voice overs from... people. Are they Marines? Are they defense contractors? Why wouldn't you identify them as to build context? These clips are used very sporadically throughout the film, and seemed to be filling in gaps where Hackman's narration left off.
Overall, this is a nice recruiting tool with a visual style that will really attract a younger audience. Old time Marines like myself can watch for some nostalgia. Anyone who is into historical documentaries will be disappointed.
Almost Mercy (2015)
An Independent Horror Film Worth Watching!
There are two types of horror movies we see being scrounged up these days. There are the over the top flicks that make you "jump" with spontaneous startles or over the top gore. Then there are flicks that have something to say about modern society and cultural values, strewn in with over the top murder and other risqué elements. "Almost Mercy" sits comfortably in the latter category, bringing elements of social commentary in with over the top gore, sex, and violence.
The story starts off by introducing Jackson (Jesse Dufault) and Emily (Danielle Guldin) as two outcasts in a small town in Rhode Island riddled with corrupt leaders, parents with addictions to pills and infidelity, and all kinds of terrible mentors that haunt Jackson and Emily's childhood. For a while, you feel a lot of sympathy for the two troubled youths. Dufault and Guldin have terrific chemistry and truly bring their characters to life. There are no awkward lines. Even their first on scene kiss doesn't feel or look terribly awkward. Sometimes it can be difficult for two actors to portray a life-long friendship, but Guldin and Dufault pull it off quite well!
As with many horror films, there is no moderation. All of the characters are terrible, terrible people on a moralistic stand point. Jackson and Emily are made out to be the victims, until the last 20 or so minutes of the film where Emily finally snaps and ends up violently butchering almost all of the "bullies" that are introduced in the film. If you found yourself cheering for Emily, the film makers did their job properly. This is truly where the social commentary value lies. At some point you say to yourself "Wow, I'm cheering for the mass murderer right now." Emily's character does show a bit of humanity when her mother overdoses, but that seems to only add fuel to the young girl's rage.
Overall, I was impressed by this indie flick. There are some scenes that drag a bit, audio quirks that caught my ear, and some make up / FX that seemed off, but thanks to the enthralling story, none of that really bothered me enough to turn it off in displeasure. Composition was fantastic throughout the story. Lighting was on point and there weren't any scenes where I was struggling to make out what was happening, which is a common flaw in a lot of low budget films.
As mentioned earlier, the movie does drag at some points. There are sequences with many fast cuts to show long lapses in time which help push the story along fantastically. However, these are often followed by slow, droning scenes that creep along, not allowing the rebuilding of tension, just sluggishly moving the story to the next major plot point. I think the editor's could have shaved a good 6 - 8 minutes off the film and still came out with a fantastic final product.
Oh, Rhode Islanders will love this movie, as it takes place in RI and you will recognize some of the locations if you're from the state.