Parts to be left wanting.

There comes a time when you watch a film; and it looks good. Yet it leaves you thinking: "What?" It's not that you don't understand what happened. It's more you don't understand why. You feel misled in some ways. Hoping that something even minutely on the side of epic would happen. There was even music that built the suspense so high, that if Hollywood had done it; you know there would be some climactic scene about to follow... Yet; nothing.
Valhalla Rising was not a bad film. Rather, it was very thought provoking. There are not a whole lot of lines in the movie, and it's based on a book. The film itself was broken up into "Parts" which I can only assume is done so like the book. It had all the feel of independent film, with long stretches where no one spoke to boot. It was placed in the genre of Action and Adventure, there are very few scenes in it that lend itself to that, unlike what the preview showed. I did like watching it. I enjoyed my time spent with it. I do not wish to have that hour and a half of my life back... But I'm at a loss for words on how to describe it. Parts of it were very graphic, and even other parts went unexplained. I'm not saying it was great. I am also not saying it was bad. Check it out and see how you feel about it. It's the type of movie that needs to be discussed.

Valhalla Rising

(P.S.: Based on the Novel by Clive Cussler)

A Gem in a Pile of Rubbish

Some films are highly overrated. There is so much build up and hype surrounding their box office debut that; I'm not so sure it's actually the film that has done well, or the advertisers. There is a lack of originality and art to the films that do best on most occasions. Granted; this is not true for all films, but it is for many.
Other films don't even get to see the light of day, as far as advertisement goes. Some of this days greatest works are completely neglected due to not meeting the requirements of box office stamina. Some movies go unnoted simply because they lack the funding or origin that Hollywood prefers. And then; some are just lost in the shuffle of time.
Tonight I have seen a good film. One of those films that you watch and are (even before the end is near) immediately added to your favorites cue. I found this film to be unpredictable, (I did try to predict it on numerous occasions) Enticing, Entrancing, and just plain good. The acting was done well; as far as I'm concerned it seemed believable as the time it was set in. The language was also pleasing. All around; Arn: The Knight Templar was a good film.
While perusing for a film to watch, we happened upon a good looking cover and settled on trying it out. We were pleased with this choice almost as soon as it started to play. It drew me in and made me feel for the characters. There was very little I didn't understand, even with all the language changes, and before I even knew it was the end; I found myself wondering why I'd never heard of it before. Why was such a gem never mentioned to me amongst talks of films like Braveheart? I can only suppose that no one else has seen it either.
Now I truly and honestly don't want to talk it up too much. I don't want it to be a disappointment to anyone if they do happen to see it. However, I was genuinely pleased that I did like it so much. I'm sure I've not seen a film of this caliber for quite some time, especially in it's own genre.
So; instead of going on and on about it; I will merely recommend. One of my new favorite films. Please watch Arn: The Knight Templar.

Check it out!

(p.s.: This film was based on the trilogy by Jan Guillou)

Another Empire's Fall

In the late 21st century; The United States Empire began to waver. It had reached a height in immorality comparable to no other. Not even Rome in its day held a candle to it. The country had become so self centered they did not notice that they had outsourced themselves out of work. The poor of the country welcomed all the foreign products unknowingly. They were happy for the ‘lower prices’ that until they themselves lost their jobs to those other countries, they savored the junk. Eventually the only jobs open to Americans who were not born to opportunity; were retail, food services and entertainment. But even entertainment was leaning more towards the new blue blood. There was of course still White Collar Americans who were caught up in their own plights of what the next thing the Jones’ would acquire. The rich got richer, the poor got poorer, and the media corrupted all. Soon enough; poverty was so rampant in some areas that violence and theft reigned supreme; it was like a riot every night. Without the income of the lower classes though, the upper classes were starting to feel it. They had no way to fight it. China would not give back what they had received, and America had no means to recreate what they had given away so willingly. Slowly but surely; the economy fell. There was a state of panic in the people. All the people. The Government made rash decisions and one president blamed the previous president for each downfall that occurred during his term, and then made their own terrible decisions. Each of them preached hope and a uniting of their nation to equality. Before long the people realized that the only equality left for them was to all be equally unfed and poor. So each class rose up individually against the government. There was modern warfare on the streets.

When it was clear to the rest of the world that America was no longer the so called strongest nation; China stepped in with Russia on their heels and calmly reclaimed that throne. In all the confusion the transition was seamless. But was not long lived. Soon, with treaty after treaty, and the help of the media; China lost control of their power. Russia had main control, but each country now had a more equal control in this new world of theirs. Some countries started uniting with others in attempt to tip the balance in their favor. That is where our story begins.