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Reviews
The Sixth (2024)
Six key people in the middle of Chaos
"Usually the Federal Government comes in to back up local law enforcement. On January 6th, local law enforcement came to the rescue of the Federal Government." Washington DC Chief of Police
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I did not know many things about January 6th but I always assumed when the then POTUS told people to go home - the crowd did. That's not what happened. They kept attacking, as violent as ever, but law enforcement from VA, MD, and NJ swept in and dispersed the crowd. Regular police officers faced that huge crowd and relieved the few hundred that had battled them for hours.
I definitely just recommend watching this documentary. It uses extensive actual footage and interviews the D. C. Chief of Police, a D. C. Policeman (himself a former Guardsman), a Capitol policewoman, a photographer in the crowd, a congressman, and a Congressional Staffer (running with the six theme). There is almost no political commentary. Just what law enforcement and our Congress faced. Regardless of what one thinks about the vote - I have no doubt law enforcement in the Capitol saved many lives that day. There were people in that mob ready to kill Congressmen and women.
We can get locked into pointing fingers on who should have done what and chain of command. For the record , I learned the nearby Guardsmen were unarmed and had no body armor. So they really couldn't have been used. But all I can say is I am grateful for the heroes of the day and that local law enforcement stepped into the breach. And I hope in the future we will be as fast against a domestic threat as we would be for a foreign one.
We should make sure that nothing like that ever happens again.
The Wheel of Time (2021)
Don't Expect a Verbatim of the Books
But it is well done and shows promise. The sets are extensive and it looks like they didn't skimp on production. The acting is good and I think aging the characters was a wise move.
Invasion (2021)
Better than average
Cinematography, soundtrack, and more importantly acting is all good. The issue I have is with the writing. They have good protagonists. But their foils are very two dimensional from the bully on the crashed van, the unfaithful Indian husband, and even the Japanese comm expert's mother. They don't seem believable as people. But I do enjoy the show and plan to keep watching.
The Umbrella Academy (2019)
Surprisingly good
Very quirky "superheroes." It isn't as dark as Watchmen but it surely shows flawed superheroes. Very much enjoy Ellen Page leading the ensemble cast of characters. I think it is interesting that it's current score is 8. There are vocal ones on here dogging it but it obviously is drawing. Hope for season 3.
Okkupert (2015)
How Far Would You Go?
The plot, reading some of the reviews, seems to throw many people. But, as I understand it, the Middle East is in chaos, The US has turned isolationist, and Russia alone can't provide enough oil and so at the behest of the EU, Russia sends in forces to Norway, now ruled by a very environmentally conscious government, to force them to produce oil again.
That's the plot but at its heart, and even if it makes little real world sense, it is asking the same question USA Network's "Colony" does - how far would you go in collaborating with an enemy or fighting one (especially if they were much more powerful)?
I am sure if you are Russian or an EU advocate, you don't like being portrayed as the bad guys (USA Network is safe in that if there are actual aliens, I doubt they watch our TV shows to be offended).
But to me it is all just fantasy to get to the ethical dilemma both series present. And I like, so far, what I consider the better acted and written Occupied though I watch both.
Sense8 (2015)
Recommended (with disclaimers)
Disclaimer: This show, more than any I have watched (and I have watched a few over the years) is very up front about sex in many of its varieties. I don't mean by that that it is excessively graphic but you do have to be comfortable watching men kissing each other (and women kissing each other). There is nudity and non-graphic sex. The story centers around straight, gay, and one trans character). I suspect many of the strong negative reviews and maybe some of the strong positive ones are based on this. If, and only if, you can get past this hurdle - it is well worth it.
Without spoiling the show, it focuses on eight characters who are linked. The can see, feel, and interact with the other eight even though only two of the eight are in the same country (and those two in very different parts of the country). They come from different backgrounds, experiences, jobs, family life, belief systems, etc. But they grow to depend on each other.
It truly is the first international television show I have seen. It is shot in the US, Iceland, Germany, Kenya, India, and Korea. It is something to see. The acting and photography are strong. Excellent music too.
Very much enjoyed it. Recommended if you don't mind the hurdle.