Historical Nugget – Page 3 – Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews

Another Look: Can we all admit Saving Private Ryan (***1/2) is good sentimental B.S.?

May 27, 2020

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in 3.5 Stars, Action, Another Look, CPE, Drama, Historical Nugget, Movie Reviews

The soldiers deserve the knowledge that we cannot or will not forget their sacrifice. Then we can work to earn the freedom they gave to us, like Captain Miller wanted Private Ryan to do.

Criterion: Samurai III: Duel At Ganryu Island (****) settles down

May 11, 2020

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coolpapae

in 4 Stars, Action, CPE, Criterion, Foreign Films I Don’t Hate, Historical Nugget, Movie Reviews, Toshiro Mifune

The last installment of the trilogy narrowly avoids greatness by concentrating on the love story. It’s not that any of the storylines are done poorly. On the contrary, they’re about as evocative as was possible at the time.

Criterion: Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple – is giant

May 8, 2020

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coolpapae

in 5 Stars, Classic, CPE, Criterion, Foreign Films I Don’t Hate, Historical Nugget, Movie Reviews, Toshiro Mifune

Musashi’s presence is undeniable as the burgeoning samurai. His is one of the giant characters in episodic history, every bit worth the value of the legend he represents.

Criterion: I Live In Fear (*****) has reason on all sides

May 5, 2020

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coolpapae

in 5 Stars, Classic, CPE, Criterion, Drama, Foreign Films I Don’t Hate, Historical Nugget, Movie Reviews, Toshiro Mifune

Kurosawa, Shimura and Mifune by this point are in full swing. There is nothing in the world that matches their ability to relay a story.

BlacKkKlansman (****1/2) greatness mixed with prejudice

May 3, 2020

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coolpapae

in 4.5 Stars, CPE, Drama, Historical Nugget, Movie Reviews

Spike Lee makes a great film, then he takes a dump in the credits with easily refuted claims through selected editing. Why?

Criterion: Drunken Angel (****) is a stunning look at postwar Japan

Apr 4, 2020

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coolpapae

in 4 Stars, Classic, CPE, Criterion, Drama, Foreign Films I Don’t Hate, Forgotten Gems, Historical Nugget, Movie Reviews, Toshiro Mifune

Drunken Angel is a flawed, but brilliant first film by one of the world’s greatest directors. Knowing he is this good when he started out makes me hopeful for a future I already know.

1917 (****1/2) is never really gone

Jan 10, 2020

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coolpapae

in 4.5 Stars, Classic, CPE, CPE and Em, Historical Nugget, Movie Reviews

This film is exceptionally filmed and performed. It’s a necessary reminder that war is for keeps and not at all glamorous, even if the effort is a beautiful effort to save 1600 lives.

Richard Jewell (****1/2) now more than ever

Dec 15, 2019

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coolpapae

in CPE, CPE and Em, Drama, Historical Nugget, Movie Reviews

“Thank God for Clint Eastwood, Billy Ray and this incredible cast. They have pushed forward the name of a man who is as good, decent and important as anyone you ever will meet. Because of them, we all now can thank God for Richard Jewell. ”