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Rake (2014)
It's true about bad acting
Some remakes are good. Some are even great. This one is neither.
I did try to stay open-minded. I survived 15 minutes of watching. The Aussie dude had charisma and that unbeatable confidence about him no matter what. That smart creativity and ability to enjoy life whatever the circumstance. This poor fella does act like a looser. No joy, no creativity, no intelligence. I do like the actor. It's just not his character.
There is an American show like the original Rake AU — Boston Legal. Not identical but same adventure spirit.
Just 1 star does not give justice though. It is okay to watch on a sofa with beer on a TV when nothing else is available. But for download, better new shows are available.
Likvidatsiya (2007)
very entertaining piece of Sovet history
I thoroughly enjoyed the show. It was educational to get into postwar Odessa. The local Jewish slang is definitely the most entertaining part. Check out the show's page at Wikipedia for a list of those great quotes.
Of course, nothing is ever perfect with historical movies. Especially, details. Still, the makers apparently did their best to render the minds and hearts of people on both sides of the regime. Frankly, I was surprised by such fairness.
This is a highly advisable watch for admirers of the Russian/Ukrainian Jewish culture, linguists, and certainly the Odessites themselves. Also, for the fans of Mashkov and Porechenkov like myself.
Kings (2009)
finally, something both entertaining and edifying
Definitely, a good watching both for Christians and other folks concerned with such matters as destiny, karma, God, signs, calling, etc.
I first rated the show 10 because got so excited about the plot but then had to downgrade to 8 because of some flaws with characters due to the secularism of the script authors.
If not the Biblical story and characters behind this show, it would come 6 out of 10. But it's just amazing how inspiring and even edifying a show becomes once you insert the Scripture. Also, the contemporary wrappings (our times and things look like America) make it more appealing and relevant.
The authors did alter story lines and only the general figures of the account from the books of Samuel and Kings were preserved. I guess that even helped the show. Otherwise, things would be too predictable. It's nice that some authentic spiritual principles were represented - signs from God were treated properly, matters of sacrifice and character, great deal of grace/mercy on the part of God who is still the judge, etc. Another possibly positive factor is that the producers are not hardcore Protestants who would inevitably make the product sterile and merely black and white.
On the other side, the spiritual side is somewhat shallow and obviously lacks the understanding of how men and God interact and communicate. Those who biblically are men of faith - here, sometimes appear merely as doubting liberals, always confused and ignorant of the ways of God. Some totally unreligious Hollywood films once in a while come up with characters way too deeper and stronger in faith.
Still, thoroughly enjoyed the first season and looking forward to the second one if it ever is produced.
The Unit: Whiplash (2009)
one of the best episodes
I believe this is one of the best episodes in all the four seasons. As usually, double development lines. Not much action but very touching.
It was sad to see what happens to one of the squad members. But that is naturally considering his known history. Still, very unexpected. Not in this show!
I appreciate this show a lot because it includes both action and higher morals. Even faith issue is covered here in a dramatic and very unsimplistic way.
Not to spoil the watching, you'd enjoy this one thoroughly if you perceive the show like me.
Felon (2008)
a prison action film on ... family values?!!
One of the best films of the year.
Dramatical and brutal action (main incentive for men in movies) ends up with a solid moral statement, Family is the number one priority. I loved the excellent thriller aspect blended with the old-school republican values - hard work and protecting one's family at all costs.
Another detail that makes the film so different is that the character is encouraged to accept the change in his soul, instead of forever blaming himself for the monster he became. The pressure and violence he suffered in prison rather stimulated him to treasure the simplistic American dream that caused him to survive.
Untraceable (2008)
pretty watchable but too many crazy details
The movie was okay but it was boring to see the way that cybercrime details were treated so sloppy. Of course, a film maker can't be professional with all the details so I'd skip all the technical nonsense with this killwithme.com website.
The film makers exploit the fears of the general audience before crime in the Internet. The untraceable cyber monster they created has nothing to do with reality. Geeks don't torture people. Maniacs and intelligence do. And torturing maniacs never become geeks.
Overall, the idea is silly though the mix of the old maniac theme and cybercrime makes it watchable. Just don't take education from it. The plot has nothing in common with reality. Only minor parts do.
Black Dawn (2005)
another enjoyable piece for Seagal's fans
In the first place, let it be clearly understood that Seagal's products are not marketed for general consumer group. This is not commercial stuff.
Now, the movie is pretty enjoyable. As always, you get ethical ideas and things to think about. I was inspired by this one just like by everything that Steven Seagal does. Here, his character is a deep undercover operator classified as freelance foreigner in the intelligence database. He does services to the terrorist group whilst doing his own job.
The message is personal ethics in the ground where law does not matter.
I put 8 and consider this a pretty decent Seagal's piece. Apparently, not the best one but not a bad one at all, either. You will surely enjoy it if you are his fan like myself.
Clementine (2004)
a very emotional drama with barely any Seagal in it
I downloaded the movie just because I am fond of Steven Seagal and watched every movie with him both in English and Russian. This one was a very emotional story rather on parenting and family issues than action and Aikido. Seagal briefly showed up in but a few episodes so this is not really a type of movie for his fans.
I never saw a single Korean movie so I was moved by the family and parenting line. Overall directorship is what they call at Yahoo! "flawed but worthy" :) Seagal's acting is rather nominal.
A minor but striking flaw of the scenario was that the Korean godfather always had a Bible with him. No logic at all because he was the bad guy and his Scripture quotes were really inappropriate. It was an apparent attack on Christianity as the Western (American/European) religion. Steven Seagal himself never used religion in diminishing terms although his own choice is rather Zen Buddhism than Christianity.
My own rating would be "flawed but worthy" while for an action movie fan, it's fairly a waste of time.