The Last Legion

With his empire crumbling and his parents dead, 12-year-old Roman Emperor Romulus (Thomas Sangster) is exiled to Capri with his mystical tutor (Ben Kingsley). While there, he discovers a magical sword once owned by Caesar that foreshadows his destiny. Assisted by general Aurelius (Colin Firth) and warrior Mira (Aishwarya Rai), they escape and set out to avenge the death of Romulus's family -- and to save Europe from the rule of the brutal Goths.


I wasn't sure about this movie, but wow, was I please.  This is a great story.  Good action, and generally clean.  I especially enjoyed the goodness of the heros and the very clear badness of the bad guys.  It's probably too much for the little ones. Kimball****

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Avatar

Disabled Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) travels to planet Pandora to become an avatar, ingratiate himself with the natives and help Americans mine lucrative unobtainium. But he finds himself in an interstellar conflict after falling for Na'vi warrior Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). James Cameron writes and directs this Golden Globe-winning CGI odyssey that has broken box office records. Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang co-star.

I was not ready for what I was about to experience. I admit, I expected this one to be pretty good. Ticket sales were going through the roof and the trailer was pretty good. As I stood at the ticket counter and forked up the dough for six adult tickets plus two more dollars for the 3-D glasses I thought to myself, “This better be worth it.” When the show was ending I couldn’t believe how fast time had gone by. I was 100% entertained for over two hours. I don’t know when that has ever happened before. Forget all the hype about it being a “Save the Earth” film, this was a wild ride that will be hard to beat. The story has been told many times over; bad white guy persecutes poor simple minority group, and is converted by beautiful woman. But, put the story is this setting, of a far away planet that literally comes alive in 3-D and it’s like it’s never been told before. The computer animation, the sets, the wonder of it all is just beyond words. I found myself wishing that I could go to Pandora, no, wait a minute, does it really exist? I don’t know, maybe it does. Anyway, I can hardly wait to buy my own copy of this movie. Kimball **********+

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The Great Raid

Based on real-life events, The Great Raid brings to light a daring rescue mission launched by Lt. Colonel Henry Mucci (Benjamin Bratt) that will put him and the battalion he leads in grave danger. His goal? To liberate the Americans and Filipinos who've been captured by the Japanese and thrown into brutal POW camps located in the city of Cabanatuan in the Philippines. Co-stars Joseph Fiennes and James Franco. The Blu-Ray version of this film is unrated.

I was attracted to this film because of it's historical content. I had learned years ago about general Douglas MacArthur who's famous words "I shall return" have stayed in my mind ever since. General MacArthur was assigned to fight the Japanese in the Philipines until President Roosevelt ordered him off the island. Roosevelt decided to focus the US millitary on the war in Europe and left some 72,000 troops, Allied and Phillipino to be taken captive after a brutal and extended standoff on the Baatan. MacArthur protested but left under orders vowing to return. Three years later a daring mission was devised by a young Westpoint grad in which 511 POW soldiers were rescued by 120 Army Ranger and a handful of Fillipino gorillas against a force of some 1300 Japanese. Pay attention to the stats at the end of the film. This is a graphically violent film not good for children. -->Kimball****

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Miracle at Midnight

A valiant Danish doctor (Sam Waterston) and his family struggle against Nazi oppression and try to help their Jewish countrymen survive the Holocaust by escaping across the Baltic Sea to neutral Sweden. Co-starring Mia Farrow, this taut and suspenseful movie originally aired on television's "The Wonderful World of Disney."

A great film. Intense and moving. I really liked the goodness of the characters. Very well acted, and wonderfully filmed. I wonder if there are people like this anymore. The doctor and his family risk all to save their Jewish friends and become in the end some of WWII's greatest heros. -->Kimball*****

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The Children of Huang Shi

In this sweeping historical drama, British correspondent George Hogg (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) attempts to save 60 war orphans during Japan's occupation of China in the 1930s. With help from a guerilla fighter (Yun-Fat Chow) and a nurse (Radha Mitchell), Hogg leads the children across hundreds of miles of treacherous terrain -- struggling to overcome one obstacle after another -- while falling in love and learning what courage truly means.

This was a loooooong movie. Interesting history, and a really good story but it just took too long to tell it. Our hero George, turns out to be an impressive figure and a great example of courage, and sacrifice. The R rating is for some disturbing war seens where the brutality of the Japanese is shown in graphic images. Again, what I liked about this film most was that it was a fact based story. -->Kimball ***

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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 ****

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The Patriot

Widower Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) wants nothing more than to live in peace and farm his land. But when a cruel British officer (Jason Isaacs) brings the American Revolution to Benjamin's door and threatens what he cherishes most, the former war hero is forced to take action. With the help of his son (Heath Ledger), Benjamin becomes a feared militia leader. But before he can defeat the British, he must win a battle within himself.

I think I've seen this one four times. I enjoyed it just as much this time. The boys wanted to watch it again, and grandma wanted to see it. I think she's just in love with Mel Gibson. Anyway, I think this is an inspiring film filled with great patriotic lines. The classic struggle between caring for his family by staying at home, and saving his family by going to war is very convincingly portrayed. Freedom comes at a cost, and least we forget it, directer Rolland Emmerich and actor Mel Gibson remind us of the sacrifice made, not so many years ago. -->Kimball * * * * *

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Valkyrie

Wounded in Africa during World War II, Col. Claus von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) returns to his native Germany and joins the Resistance, becoming involved in a daring plan to create a shadow government and assassinate Hitler. Soon, events dictate that he become a central player -- and he finds himself tasked with both leading the coup and personally killing Hitler. Based on true events, this drama co-stars Stephen Fry, Bill Nighy and Eddie Izzard.

A good drama, but not really a war picture. The previews led me to think this was an action war film, but instead it was a suspenseful drama. I did really enjoy the movie for it’s historical content, and compelling story. I’m not a big Tom Cruise fan but he gave a great performance in the film. The bravery and courage of the coup is inspiring and helps one understand that not everyone under a dictator likes what he is doing. In fact, as portrayed in the film most of Germany’s citizens were as much victims of Hitler as were his conquered and gassed subjects. –>Kimball * * * *

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