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kittykatjazz
Reviews
The Caine Mutiny (1954)
Really, Really, Poor
Gawd-awful mix of impossibly shallow love sub-plot, with WWII trumpet-laden, march music and early '50's American jingoism. I'm certain the novel is much better, because this piece of crap transitions from scene to scene as abruptly as a 1950's Superman, after-school, 30-minute segment. The characters have less definition than Jimmy Olsen; that said, the plot mechanisms and dialog are no worse than the original Superman series.
I only voted it a '2' because the directing and 1950's rural Oklahoma college drama department level of acting are as competently handled as seen in the Superman series that worked so well for so many years.
That is, of course, a terribly low, if not somewhat ridiculous standard; I only use it because it is so apt.
My Kingdom (2001)
Recommended Crime Drama
Overall, I'd vote this a 7.5/10 film, if fractions were available.
I think the comments by L8Hatter (above) veer near the essential tone as to whether or not a person reading these comments might want to view the film. Nonetheless, I am rather more sympathetic than Mr/s Hatter, because I think the film is especially strong in one regard: directing.
I differ with L8Hatter re "We're supposed to believe that this tough, streetwise gang boss would be stupid enough not to see the consequences of his actions..." I believe that is an oversimplification of the presentation of a powerful figure near the end of his life not realizing how his strength and, indeed, bullying conduct of his life have kept him more than a little ignorant of the feelings of those in his own family.
While I disagree with L8Hatter's phrasing, "...the second half of the film becomes increasingly silly...", I agree that there is definite stumbling in the plot line about halfway through the third act, which is a hell of a bad place to have it.
All that said, the directing pretty much single-handedly carries the film. If one particularly enjoys that aspect of the craft, this is a should-see film. And if you haven't some powerfully better film to watch this evening, the character work, cinematography, 92% of the plot line, and definitely the superbly paced directing of action, timing and actors, mean you can make up your mind now.