Movie Review: All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

Title: All Quiet on the Western Front

Length: 2h 28m

Released: 2022

Genre: Drama, Historical, War
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Netflix

SUMMARY:

A young German soldier's eagerness to serve his country quickly fades when he witnesses the horrors of combat on the Western Front during World War I.

Trailer

REVIEW:

So I read the book a few years ago and I think I seen the 1930s version of the film when I was super young (or at least clips of it) so I was eager to watch this eventually. 

The story follows Paul and his friends. It is midway through WWI and they are eager to fight. However, they quickly realize war isn't pretty. Especially this war. While Paul and his friends struggle to stay alive and sane, the political world is on fire. Germany is losing the war and running out of bodies to send to the front. They will have to decide what to do.

I couldn't remember much of what happened in the book. There were a couple of things I remembered so I was prepared for some parts. 

You can't help but feel for Paul and his friends. War is hell....especially WWI. It was the dawn of a new age of fighting and they were being led by old folk used to the old style of war so the casualties were staggering. New technologies, new styles of fighting....no rules. This was war was a bloodbath. The film did a great job showing this. This was visually gorgeous. The music filled in the gaps and made this so intense. 

Now they did take away a few scenes of Paul going home at one point. I'm kind of bummed they did that because it shows how Paul is transforming. The beginning...he is a young dumb boy. The middle...he is losing his old self. The ending...he is the hardened soldier. Honestly, they could've compromised and just had him interact with civilians in some way just to show his realization he is not the old Paul anymore. 

However, they did add some political scenes which I did appreciate overall. It showed the bloated elite making decisions and being unsure if they should stop the war and sign the deal. The scene when they are all signing made me cry. That Armistice of Compiègne would seal the fate of Germany. Yes, the war is over which is awesome, but signing the armistice would begin a treaty that would be so harsh on Germany that it will lead to another and even more deadly war. The way they filmed that scene was so haunting and perfect.

This film was hauntingly beautiful. It was really good and I highly recommend it even if you haven't seen the past renditions or read the book.

I'll give this 5 stars. Yes, I was bummed they altered some scenes and removed Paul going home for a few, but the added behind-the-scenes political parts made up for it. Especially that signing scene. Oof. 100% recommend this film.  

Movie Review: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)

Title: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Length: 2h 2m

Released: 2024

Genre:  War, Comedy, Action/Adventure
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Delta

SUMMARY:

The British military recruits a small group of highly skilled soldiers to strike against German forces behind enemy lines during World War II.

Trailer

REVIEW:

I watched this on the plane while flying out to LA. I've been meaning to watch this so why not on a 4 hour flight??

The British are struggling against the flood of the Nazis. They are up against the wall, so Churchill and his group recruit a small group of highly skilled soldiers to strike against the Nazis behind enemy lines. They need to strike them where it hurts and in the most ungentlemanly way possible. 

So this was based off a true story. Records were recently released that Churchill authorized an unauthorized group of saboteurs to do what they can to give the US the open they need to enter the war and help the British. I feel like we keep finding out more and more about WWII. I don't think we'll ever know everything those men and women did to fend off the Nazis. It's unbelievable sometimes. 

I really enjoyed this. It was..........fun. I hate to say a war movie is "fun" but it really was. These guys in this group really don't take themselves seriously. They don't even really care about King and country. They want to kill Nazis and win and live. So yes there really was a humor behind all the seriousness of a serious war. 

The acting was great. I loved everyone they got. They worked well off of each other. 

The ending was great. I wouldn't mind seeing more of their adventures, but they gave the "what happened to them after the war" thing so I doubt we'll get more. 

All-in-all, I had a great time watching this action-packed war movie while flying. I was chuckling and rooting for these guys. I'll stamp this with 5 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Absorbing

Movie Review: Ironclad

Length: 2 hours and 1 minute
Released: 2011
Genre: Historical Fiction, War, and Action
Rating: R
Directed By: Jonathon English
Where I Got It: watched on Netflix

SUMMARY:
A ragtag group of Knights Templar hold out for months against the hard-fought siege of Rochester Castle in the thirteenth Century. Set in the time of King John's signing of the Magna Carta treaty, the group struggles against the King to defend the freedom of their country. 





TRAILER:

CAST:

Thomas Marshal - James Purefoy

Baron d'Aubigny - Brian Cox

Lady Isabel - Kate Mara

King John - Paul Giamatti

Gil - Jason Flemyng 

Jedediah - Jamie Foreman 

Daniel Marks - Mackenzie Crook

REVIEW:

Okay...I'll be honest....the main reason why I wanted to watch this was because of James Purefoy and Paul Giamatti. Love them! 

Besides for the actors and the awesome fight scenes this...well...disappointed me. It was extremely historically inaccurate and there was a huge lack of dialogue and depth. Pretty much the actors are the only ones who saved the film. Especially James Purefoy who played the Knight Templar, Thomas Marshal. Thomas Marshal is made up (I looked) and was based off of the famous William Marshal. Poor Thomas. He lost everything in one day thanks to good ol' King John. He snapped and decided enough was enough, so he teamed up with Baron d'Aubigny. They take over a different Baron's castle and hold up against King John and his Danish army until the French arrive. 

Throughout all this there is blood and love. Yes....there is a love story between Thomas and Lady Isabel (the castle's baron's wife. Tsk). It was forced and just didn't make sense. o.o She pretty much raped him, because he refused and said he was a man of God and had given up normal life to fight for God. She was like, "NO WAY JOSE! THE ORDER IS DONE, SO LET'S GET IT ON!" And he responded, "NO, NOOOOOOOOOOOO!.......OKAY. Just this once though!" Tsk, tsk. I feel like they forced this romance to add more depth to the story, but it failed. Plus it didn't help that they made her look slutty.

Not the best example...but all her dresses are missing shoulder pieces and her cleavage is always hanging out. 

Is there and HEA? That I can not tell you....but the ending will make you shake your head. I loved the last fight between the head of the Danish army and Thomas. Awesome and had me worried for Thomas. There were lots of sad heroics, but then...something happened and it made me mad. I can not say, but alas, that's not how it should have ended.

There's not much else to say. 

This was okay and I enjoyed it well enough. It was an interesting take on a historical event that happened during the time of King John and the magna carta. The amazing fight scenes and actors are the only reason to watch this film. If it wasn't for them...this would have been crap. I wish that they would have cut out the romance between Lady Isabel and Thomas (because it would never had happened). Also, the ending made me shake my head. I loved the last epic fight scene and the heroics...but the last 5 minutes was not okay. I would recommend this to those that like James Purefoy and for those that love a good war movie. Out of five stars I will grant this...ummmmm.... 2 stars. 

Re-watch?: Mmmm, if it was randomly on I wouldn't protest. 

Favorite Character(s): Thomas, King John (just because of the actor and how will he played him), Daniel Marks (hahaha), and the Squire

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Lady Isabel