The Devil's Brigade

War is hell … especially when a group of crack Canadian commandos (led by Cliff Robertson) must learn to work as a team with a group of misfit American soldiers (led by William Holden). Their objective: an Italian mountaintop redoubt held by an elite German garrison. The supporting cast includes Claude Akins, Richard Jaeckel, Vince Edwards, Andrew Prine and Richard Dawson.

This is a classic war picture. Well acted and suspensful. These guys are regular Joe's that make up the typical WWII outfit. They are given a pretty tough assignment and what makes it worse is they have to team up with some Canadians. In the end we find out that we're all just people trying to do our job, and anyone can be a hero. -->Cami ****

Netflix link to The Devil's Brigade

The Final Inquiry

In 35 A.D., following the crucifixion of Christ, earthquakes tear apart the Roman Empire and the sky turns black midday. Emperor Tiberius (Max von Sydow) calls upon investigator Tauro (Daniele Liotti) to determine the cause of this sudden upheaval. Tauro interviews treacherous governor Pontius Pilate, an insane man named Judas and poor fisherman Simon Peter and soon discovers that the strange phenomena may be linked to Christ's execution

The film quality was poor. The sound was patched over and it was obvious at times. The acting was mediocre. The story was very good. The idea that a Roman Centurion sent to investigate Jesus and His followers and being converted in the process, I thought made for a good story. Plenty of graphic violence is used to add interest to the lack of production. The portrayal of the followers of Jesus was pretty good in my oppinion, and the healings were simple and consistent with our view. -->Kimball **

Netflix link to The Final Inquiry

Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion

Based on a true story, this compelling drama recounts the events of Dec. 6, 1917, when a French freighter packed with tons of TNT collided with a Belgian ship in Halifax Harbour and exploded, killing more than 2,000 people. Graham Greene and Pete Postlethwaite lead an outstanding cast in chronicling the remarkable effort to rebuild the Nova Scotia city, a community devastated by tragedy that found the strength and courage to rise from the ashes.

This film was made for TV and it shows. The history is interesting. Tha acting is ok, but the interwoven stories are all to predictable and in the traditional Hollywood style of, "Towering Infurno", "Eathquake", Attack of the whatever, and any number of disaster films that are filled with the "human tragedy" sequences of divorce, teen pregnancy, abortion, emancipation, socialism, teenage problems, human rights issues, and ani-war stuff, all of which are made acceptable by the coming together of a ravished community. The special effects are a bit obvious as scene after scene of expoded dishes, shattered windows and scattered papers are used to give the effect of the largest non-nuclear explosion in human history. The realities of such a devistating event are well portrayed, and the following hearings and court cases are interesting. I think that wether you like this film or are board with it will depend upon your level of critique. I would not watch it again. -->Kimball **

Netflix link to Shattered City: The Halifax Exposion