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The Universe: Beyond the Big Bang (2007)
Beyond the Big Bang--One of the Best Documentaries
Of course I have a point of view--I am the son of Ralph A. Alpher, one of the pioneers of the Big Bang Theory--predicting 16 years before it was found the Cosmic Background Radiation (in 1948). However, I was also involved in assisting my father with preparation for his interview for this documentary (his interview filmed in Austin on 9/1/06). The show first aired on 9/4/07.
If you want a concise, excellent history of cosmology going back to man's first observation of the heavens and wondering "where we came from", you can do no better than invest the 2 hours (minus commercial time, about 100 minutes) in this documentary--2 or 3 viewings if you are not scientifically savvy.
Matt Hickey, who wrote the script, wrote a tour de force covering the history of cosmology from man's egocentric beginnings, to realizing Earth was not the center of the Universe, through the Enlightenment and into the very productive 20th century. He found an interviewed not only the modern luminaries but also my father--the last of the first generation of modern physicists to consider the Big Bang mathematically--more than just an "idea' based on a contrast to the "Steady State" theory of the Universe. The Big Bang puts our current Universe at about 13.7 million years old. Dr. Ralph Alpher was awarded the National Medal of Science (award year 2005) shortly before he passed away on August 12, 2007--so the Nobel Prize committee will never have a chance to correct its omission of him while awarding 4 (FOUR) Nobel Prizes related to observations (2 accidental) of the Cosmic Background Blackbody Radiation, which virtually slammed shut the door on alternative theories of the origin of the observable (and non-observable University). More information can be found on his website (www.ralphalpher.com) and his personal history, intended to correct some historical errors that have persisted throughout the past 60 years, "Genesis of the Big Bang" (co-authored with Robert Herman, who passed away in 1997). He even took an American film crew to traipse across Europe in order to get the best interviews and background filming possible for this documentary.
Matt Hickey should be well-known for his work on the History Channel's "Modern Marvels" series; however, his excursion into hard science and cosmology, I hope, is the first of many that will come from his production company, Workaholic Productions, Inc. Although this program, the last of the first season of "The Universe" on the History Channel, received many Telly Awards, I expect to see many more kudos for Mr. Hickey's work. I don't know anyone who watched this documentary without being flabbergasted at its quality!
'Breaker' Morant (1980)
A Plot for Warriors of Any Epoch
After first encountering "Breaker" Morant during a bout of insomnia in 1984 on cable, I have repeatedly come back to this film as one of my all-time classics--covering war, politics, tactics, transitions to manhood involved in all wars--and injustice.
Although set during the Boer War, the account of three officers tried for murder during a war in which the opponents were dressed as civilians has its obvious parallels to the 21st Century. It is absolutely amazing how similar a court marshal can be out on the "velt" of South Africa, in Washington, D.C., or during a purely uniformed war in which all protagonists are easily identifiable.
Three Australian volunteers for the "Bushvelt Carbineers", recruited to fight against civilian-clad commandos (reportedly the first use of the term), find themselves charged with murder, and set as an example by the British in order to prevent Germany from entering the war on the side of the Boer (Dutch) inhabitants of South Africa. In one incredulous encounter between a British officer and Lord Kitchener, the officer spouts the British line "they lack our altruism" (referring to German interests in the gold and silver mines of South Africa), to which Lord Kitchener grudgingly responds, "Quite." A sham trial from start to finish, the Australians are defended by military attorney with experience in "land conveyancing and wills" to which one of those charged, "the latter might come in handy." The film is replete with irony and tragicomic circumstances, as this "new war for a new century" presages many of the conflicts that would come later in the 20th century, and many of the clear paradoxes and trying aspects of the war against terror--again, in which one side is not uniformed, does not conduct war according to any known "rules" of "civilized warfare" (an oxymoron if ever there was one). It has lost none of its cutting edge in the 25-odd years since its release.
In Enemy Hands (2004)
Not the Best, But Should be Seen
This movie slipped by in the U.S. theaters, with DVD release only, so I found out about it from a U-Boat movie recruit friend. With William H. Macy, Til Schweiger, and Thomas Kretschmann (the latter now well known for his role in "The Pianist" there is no excuse for no release.
The details are well documented in other reviews. I have seen many such films, in German and English. After watching half in English, I purchased a copy in German (well-dubbed). I tend to find such films more convincing (easier to suspend disbelief), although the down side there is seeing American actors speaking perfect German. Well, perhaps there will come a copy someday with appropriate subtitles.
Of course, the film that really shows U-Boat conditions is the film Das Boot. I do not know the budget of this film, but the cramped quarters, filth, and unseemly conditions were not part of the budget.
However, the decision of the Kaleun (Kapitän-Leutnant) Schweiger to take on American prisoners (against Oberkommando des Kriegsmarines orders), deal with the inevitable conflict--American soldiers and sailors were well-indoctrinated to hate Germans--after the certain death of his daughter to Allied bombing is more than touching.
Kretschmann's performance is especially noteworthy. Although he once wanted an American Hollywood acting career, and has most frequently been cast as a German military man, all of these performances have been quite different, a testimony to some real acting skill. He has it in spades. Til Schweiger is, as I have read, a "matinee idol"--he does not have to act.
To war film afficionados, most highly recommended, to those who wish to see some great German actors, also highly recommended, and finally, to fans of William H. Macy, a guaranteed pleasure. There is enough WW2 period ambiance to keep this film in suspense.
Gods and Generals (2003)
The Cradle of Our Civilization Comes Alive
This film, likely to be succeeded at some point with "The Last Full Measure" from the book by Jeff Shaara, is part of a trilogy that surrounds the 1974 prize-winner "The Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara, which became the film "Gettysburg." Unlike Gettysburg, which tends to deal more with battle technical details, this film is one that deals particularly with character development, especially that of one Thomas S. Jackson, West Point graduate, and defender of his home state of Virginia. Steven Lang's portrayal is monumental. This is the major theme from the beginning to the end of the film, which concludes with Jackson's death at Guinea Station, Virginia, after the Battle of the Wilderness, shortly proceeding Lee's movement into Pennsylvania. Unlike Gettysburg, this film attempts to deal with the many conflicting loyalties, passions, understandings of secession, that existed in the period prior to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Jeff Daniel's character, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (also appearing in Gettysburg), attempts to bring an understanding of the "higher purpose" in conversation with his brother Thomas, also a soldier with the 20th Maine Volunteers. In what is already a long film, we see elements of surreal aspects of war in the mid-19th century--Napoleonic tactics (supplanted brilliantly by Jackson under Lee's orders), the outpacing of war machinery to the flesh of fighting combatants, more realism in battle scenes, and a fresh, convincing portrayal of the somewhat aloof Robert E. Lee--yet to be idolized as Jackson was early in the war. In this, it is a refreshingly complex film, made all the more heart-rendering with its beautiful and tragic soundtrack, wasting of human potential (Fredericksburg), forceful attribution of the War as a 2nd War for Independence in America, and brotherhood of those who would defend their perceived homeland anywhere--be they Native Peoples, Confederates, Irish (on both sides of the conflict), Germans or Algerians...and the intricacies of the issues that unite and divide humans in such struggles. Dealing with the attitudes of women in several aspects of "home fronts" (and a brilliant portrayal of Chamberlain's wife by Mira Sorvino) I would call this a must-see for anyone who would wish to understand war, not only the American Civil War.