Change Your Image
olihist
Reviews
Napoleon (2023)
A Napoleon For All Seasons
When it comes to dramas, especially historical epics, it's hit-or-miss. Much depends on the story. Even if you have the best actors, their efforts will go to waste on a weak script. There simply won't be much for them to do. Much also depends on other elements that make a great film: editing/pacing, costuming/setting, special effects, and music. And last but not least for a historical epic: historical accuracy.
I'm not going to comment as much here on the historical accuracy of "Napoleon," because I'm not an expert on Napoleon or his many battles, and also because there'll be many others who will focus on this particular area. But that being said, getting the History right does matter when it comes to historical films, especially when it's about famous figures. If that fails, then it comes down to story.
Unfortunately in both cases, "Napoleon" falls short.
Historically - and this is often the case with Ridley Scott films, there are indeed numerous plot holes, inaccuracies, and anachronisms. I was especially disappointed with the Waterloo segment, which, like the battle scenes in general, was epic but felt rushed, with broad paint strokes amplified by generous use of CGI substituting for historical detail.
But story wise, this film struggles also.
Is it "Napoleon?" Or "Napoleon and Josephine: A Love Story?"
It felt more like the latter.
Overall, I still enjoyed "Napoleon." It's a decent film. But I've seen better historical films. It felt like this film, in trying to please everyone, was doing too much. And perhaps in doing so, it didn't fully please anyone.
Rating: 7/10.
The Story of Ireland (2011)
An evenhanded treatment of an uneven voyage through time and place.
Ireland is a place that has always fascinated me from a young age. It is a place filled with history and culture, swirling with the passions and contradictions that history, in general, is only too filled with.
"Story of Ireland" is the BBC's version of Ireland's history. Like America's PBS, the BBC, through host Fergal Keane, tells a "warts and all" story of Ireland, filled with complex characters with equally complex, and often times contradictory, motivations.
Ireland is at once colonial and post colonial, its people today are divided on political, economic, and even cultural lines, struggling with a long and painful history of oppression and exploitation. They are increasingly globalist, in a world that has sadly become less so.
History, when taught right, helps develop greater empathy for one another, even those who we may otherwise and profoundly disagree with.
Far from being an idyllic oasis, Ireland has always been filled with loud and controversial meetings and goings, of peoples interacting, and often fighting, with one another. And like all other island peoples (including their next door neighbors), the Irish continue to voyage, filled with all the challenges, complexities, and possibilities that voyage entails.
Overall Rating: 8.5/10.
The Alamo (2004)
We like our stories simple and our heroes simpler
The Alamo is one of America's most cherished stories. At its heart, it is the story of a band of brave and defiant settlers fighting against a distant, tyrannical government for their freedom. And even though the story has a bad ending (the brave settler defenders die), their heroic sacrifice inspires more settlers to fight for their freedom. And in avenging the Alamo, they ultimately win their freedom.
The Alamo is a story that is already very familiar to most Americans, not only in book but also in film.
The 1960 version of The Alamo starring John Wayne remains one of his most famous films, and the most famous film depiction of the Alamo. It is also the most historically inaccurate, a simplistic tale of good Anglo settlers vs bad Mexicans that distorts a much more complicated history involving Anglo American settlers, Tejano Mexican settlers, Mexicans, Native Americans, and African slaves, all of whom were crossing back and forth between American and Mexican cultures in the middle ground that was 1830s Texas.
The 2004 version does a much better job in telling that more nuanced - and interesting - story. Unfortunately, however, it struggles to tell that story in a way that appeals to the deeper passions of either American or Mexican viewers.
None of the characters are given enough development in the film to garner deep interest or sympathy.
The Davey Crockett in this version (subtly played by Billy Bob Thornton) is a more subdued version of the larger than life version played by John Wayne. That may the more historically accurate Crockett, but he is the more boring one.
The most interesting character by far in The Alamo is General Santa Ana (played by Mexican actor Emilio Echevarría), but unlike, Crockett, Santa Ana is supposed to be the villain, in a story where the heroes appear less-than-heroic. There's also a controversial scene involving Crockett's death at the hands of Santa Ana that has only added fuel to the flames of controversy that this film (unfortunately) generated when it ese originally released.
On the plus side, I appreciated not only the greater use of Spanish in this film but also the greater prominence given to the Tejano characters in the story, including Juan Seguin. The African American slaves at the Alamo also feature in this version, although the movie itself - like all Alamo stories - does not delve extensively into the role that slavery played in the decision of the Anglo settlers to rebel from Mexico. The battle scenes, particularly the storming of the Alamo, are well done, but relatively brief in comparison to the more extensive (and arguably excessive) dialogue.
In the end, The Alamo attempts a middle-of-the-road, warts-and-all approach to History that, in my opinion, is sorely needed when it comes to this important story in both American and Mexican history. It is a laudable and much needed historical retreatment of a story that has been heavily mythologized. That many Americans find this version controversial says much about the entrenched nature of American exceptionalism in the American psyche. That other moviegoing audiences simply find The Alamo boring says equally as much about the film itself, a film that tries to appeal to everyone but that - sadly - appeals to no one.
The story of the Alamo deserves better.
Aloha
Personal Rating: 7.5/10.
All the King's Men (1999)
Powerful Depiction of Gallipoli, if Tainted by a Controversial Ending
World War 1 (or "The Great War") is never an easy subject to cover on film without leaning towards the extremes of patriotism or cynicism. "All the Kings Men" somehow manages to balance between the two ends, depicting the fighting at Gallipoli in the realistic terms that it deserves. This slips at the ending, however, into a controversial depiction of the fate of the battalion that drew criticism not only from the Turkish ambassador to London but one of Captain Beck's grandsons.
Despite this shortcoming, "All the Kings Men" is still a powerful - and humane - depiction of the awful tragedy that was Gallipoli, from the British side.
Aloha 🙏🏼🤙🏼
8/10.
Benjamin Franklin (2022)
Another Solid Entry by Ken Burns
"Benjamin Franklin" is Ken Burn's latest documentary, and it is a fine addition to his extensive catalog of American historical films. With fine narration by Peter Coyote, supplemented by solid commentary from the "talking heads" (notably historian H. W. Brands), "Ben Franklin" is a must-see for any student or enthusiast of American history.
If you've seen any of Ken Burn's other films, then you know the drill. Some of the music in this film, in fact, seems to have been recycled from earlier Ken Burns films, including "Thomas Jefferson" and "Lewis and Clark." But overall, "Benjamin Franklin" entertains and enlightens, befitting the classic Ken Burns documentary style.
Paul Giamatti makes a cameo appearance as the voice of you-know-who. 😉
Aloha 😊🤙🏼👏🏼
8/10.
Indian Horse (2017)
A Deeply Moving - and at Times Disturbing - Film that Everyone Should See.
Before I review this film, I should mention a few things:
---
I am Pacific Islander (very mixed, with a sprinkling of Cherokee blood), originally from the Island of Guam (or Guahan).
I came from an upper middle class family, (mostly) attending Catholic schools up to the University level (including several years spent on the Mainland).
I was raised to speak English as my first language (although I understand some of my Native language - Chamorro).
I have been living away from Guam since I graduated from high school in 2001 (I last visited Guam in 2007).
I have done research on education and cultural change (which I made into a Masters thesis).
---
As first glance, all of this reads more like a confessional than a film review. And normally, I do not review films (or anything else) in this manner. But so many issues were depicted in "Indian Horse" that touched on all these different elements in my own life that I've found it imposible to review this movie in the objective manner.
This is a film that all tug at your heart strings. And what makes "Indian Horse" is its ability to tackle so many controversial subjects (racism, reform schools, alcoholism, sexual abuse) within a compelling coming-of-age story.
Compared to the better known histories of physical violence, histories of cultural violence through forced cultural education is much less known, whether you're talking about Canada or Hawai'i or Guam. But for those who've experienced firsthand the pains of "living in two worlds," they are the wellspring of memory, and often times traumatic memory.
I was relatively fortunate, for unlike Saul Indian Horse, my personal journey has been a much smoother one. But like Saul, I have struggled with the ironies of being singled out, even unintentionally, by others, because of my indigenous culture. It's a lonely path that can often lead, as "Indian Horse" movingly depicts, into self-destruction. But as the movie also beautifully depicts, that journey can also lead one towards healing and redemption.
"Indian Horse" is a movie that deserves to be seen by everyone.
Aloha/Esta'
🙏🏼🇬🇺🤙🏼
Hamilton (2020)
History is Cool
Anyone who has ever taught History or even studied it will tell you that the most common complaint that they get from people is that "History is Boring."
But after you finish watching this beautifully filmed version of the acclaimed musical "Hamilton," you will no longer be thinking that.
History can be "cool" and educational at the same time.
There are powerful lessons from the story of Alexander Hamilton that are more than relevant to today's world. But like so many other historical subjects, Hamilton feels disconnected from our world of today. He's another one of these "old white guys" that we have to read in a textbook, another one of those "old white guys" frozen onto a painting, a statue, or a dollar bill.
But what "Hamilton" does so well is to take the essential elements of Alexander Hamilton and retell his story - including a number of lesser known characters - for a contemporary audience in ways that they can more easily connect to.
There is of course also a political undercurrent, but instead of overshadowing the story, it helps underline its most timeless elements, whether it's race, gender, or wealth.
Like many who have already posted reviews, I am not a huge fan of musicals, especially film adaptations of musicals, and especially historical musicals. Most of these tend to be soapy and shallow, full of stereotypes and inaccuracies that only hinder rather than aid the histories taught in books and/or the classroom
But not only does "Hamilton" avoid these traps, it manages to tell a beautiful and moving story that audiences from all backgrounds can connect to while remaining true to the essential history.
And - most importantly - it's entertaining!
History is Cool.
Aloha
😎🤙🏼
1917 (2019)
A Shoo-In Oscar For Best Cinematography
In terms of technical filmmaking, "1917" is easily one of the most impressive War films that I have seen, and not only for the one track shot. The settings are gorgeously depicted from beginning to end, with the editing and music perfectly matched. I found the story to be deeply moving (I was nearly in tears at one point near the end of the movie), but like any historical drama , there will be plenty to critique, and like any war film, there will be divided opinions.
But overall, I think "1917" deserves all the awards that it has already received, and I'm certain that this movie will get at least one Oscar, if not several, in a couple of weeks.
9/10
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder.
"Star Wars: the Rise of Skywalker" concludes a film series that has graced - or cursed, depending on your point of view - movie theaters for over forty years.
Is this the greatest Star Wars film? Probably not.
But is this the "worst" Star Wars film (however you define "worst" to be)? I don't think so.
But sadly, and this is the biggest detraction not only for this film but for the entire third trilogy (VII, VIII, and IX), "Rise of Skywalker" suffers from a lack of overall vision and imagination. It is as if Disney told JJ Abrams and everyone else involved in these three films to throw something together in order to appease the fanbase while also checking off all the intended market audiences.
In doing so, no one is impressed, and everyone has something to complain about.
So why did millions still choose to see this movie -and all the other Star Wars films?
Marketing? Nostalgia? Both?
I can understand the reactions - both from the film critics and from many in the hardcore Star Wars fanbase. And while I personally enjoyed "Rise of Skywalker," I can see where this movie was trying too hard to perform fan service - especially after the polarizing reactions from Episode VIII.
So if you already think the Star Wars universe has been ruined by Disney, this movie won't change your mind. It'll probably reinforce your opinions. You are better off saving your money for something that you will actually enjoy.
But If you simply want to go see an action filled and at times touching space opera, then by all means go see this movie. You will not be disappointed.
In these highly divisive and uncertain times, maybe that's just what millions of people wanted to see at the movie theaters for a couple of hours. Something familiar, something comforting.
Aloha 😊🤙🏼
Midway (2019)
Thankfully, not the sequel to Michael Bay's "Pearl Harbor"
Out of all the battles of World War II that have been portrayed on the big - and small - screen, the Battle of Midway has been the among the most difficult to adapt. The battle itself consisted of a complex series of events spread out over hundreds of miles of ocean and spanning a period of several days. There are the technical challenges of depicting naval and aerial combat. And there was also a considerable amount of prologue leading up to the Battle of Midway involving episodes occurring around the Asia-Pacific theater.
Any attempt to depict the Battle of Midway in a film setting is therefore going to face all of these challenges, and more. But all in all, Director Roland Emmerich does a fair job in balancing the history with dramatic interpretation.
The strongest parts of this film were the battle sequences, particularly those involving the actual battle of Midway. It's interesting that Emmerich chose to focus more specifically on the USS Enterprise and particularly on the dive bombers of "Bombing 6," and I think that this approach actually worked well. Unlike the 1976 version, some of the actual pilots of Bombing 6 (particularly Richard "Dick" Best and Wade McClusky) are portrayed extensively - and for the most part sensitively - in this version.
The Japanese perspective is also largely portrayed respectfully in this film. One particularly moving scene involved the scuttling of the Hiryu and Rear Admiral Yamaguchi's decision to go down with his flagship.
All of this being said, this version of the Midway Battle suffers from a number of issues. In particular, the movie drags at the beginning and then feels rushed at the end. I'm not sure if this movie really needed to depict Pearl Harbor, the Marshall Islands raid, and the Doolittle Raid in the detail that it did. And some of the actual Battle scenes felt rushed, with important details omitted (e.g. the contributions of the PBY Catalina search planes, which get a lot more mention in the 1976 version than this one).
Generally speaking, the acting in this movie was good, although you can tell the actors who were really settling into their characters from the ones "phoning it in."
In terms of historical accuracy, I did not detect any glaring errors or omissions. I could tell that certain episodes received special mention (perhaps due to the producers involved in this film). The Marshall Islands are not "high" islands like Tahiti or Hawai'i but low lying coral atolls like Midway. And as mentioned previously, certain scenes from the actual Battle of Midway were omitted or felt rushed.
But overall, I enjoyed this film version of the Battle of Midway. To some degree, this version is more historically accurate than the 1976 version. There was quite a bit of CGI, but that's to be expected from a war film covering such an epic battle (and CGI is better than recycled war movie footage). And thankfully, this is not the "sequel" to Pearl Harbor that I was afraid this movie would be. If anything, this is the way they should've made Pearl Harbor, with all the romantic triangle story baloney minimized or thrown out.
A Solid 8/10 (especially for the actual battle scenes)
American Experience: America 1900 (1998)
A much needed story for our own times
When "America 1900" was first broadcast in 1998, Americans were eagerly anticipating the dawn of the twenty first century in much the same way that their ancestors awaited the dawn of the twentieth. But just as most Americans in 1900 could not have anticipated events like the Galveston Hurricane, the Boxer Rebellion or the assassination of President McKinley, neither could any of us living in 2017 have foreseen events like September 11, the Great Recession, or the election of Donald Trump.
In that sense, "America 1900" not only provides an excellent overview of the defining events of America's "last" year of the nineteenth century, it also offers a powerful lesson for our own times. Changes that we today may view as inevitable were not so apparent to those living before those events had occurred. Controversies that we may view today as "breaking news" were developing long before they became the latest headlines on CNN or the newest hashtags on Twitter. And change - whether it be political, economic, social, or technological - was viewed with the same mixture of awe and dread in 1900 as it is in 2017.
At a time when events seem to be overwhelming, when people can no longer even agree on what is "real" or "fake" news, and when the world seems like it's heading towards a darker future, it's comforting to remember a time when Americans could face the future with confidence rather than with fear, with hope rather than with despair. For despite all of the glaring issues and heartbreaking tragedies that occurred in 1900, most Americans remained optimistic about the future.
This is not one of the easier episodes of the American Experience to locate, and that is a shame. Perhaps now more than ever, we need to hear the kinds of stories told in documentaries like "America 1900," stories that do not shy away from telling painful truths about our history but stories that also remind us of our collective journey through a complex and uncertain world.
The Making of the Mob (2015)
Episode 1 Kicks this Season off to a Good Start
Although the story of Al Capone's rise and fall is well known to most viewers, this eight-part second season of AMC's "Making of the Mob" portrays an Al Capone that defies mythologizing. While "The Making of the Mob - New York" seemed to suffer at times from a staid and disjointed story line, this season offers a more suspenseful yet surprisingly nuanced tale that breathes some fresh air into the tried and true histories of Capone and of the Chicago Outfit.
Was Capone a violent and ruthless killer? Episode 1 portrays Capone as less of a killer and more a man struggling to survive in a dangerous and unforgiving world. Was Capone destined for criminal glory/infamy? In this version, Capone is seen less as a gangster-in-the-making and more as a person of opportunity. Perhaps if he had received a better wage or a better education, Capone would've shied away from the criminal underworld. But as "Making of the Mob" vividly illustrates, Capone had few other options to make a better life for himself and for his family besides turning to the Mob.
"The Making of the Mob" does not exclude the violence and ruthlessness that lay behind Capone's rise to power in Chicago (e.g. the gruesome killing of Chicago kingpin "Big Jim" Colosimo), but it helps contextualize it in a way that offers a deeper portrayal of Capone and his life beyond the Hollywood imagery. Although it remains to be seen how well the show will cover the rest of Capone's career (as well as the subsequent history of the Chicago Mob following his downfall), Episode 1 seems to foreshadow a gripping and refreshingly new take on the infamous gangster and on the criminal underworld that he notoriously seized control of.
Ten'nô no Ryôriban (2015)
A fascinating and moving historical drama
When most Westerners think of Japanese historical dramas, they usually think of samurai tales like "47 Ronin" or Akira Kurosawa's films. "The Emperor's Cook" (or "Tenno No Ryoban") is therefore not your typical period piece. Instead of samurai, the main character is a chef named Tokuzo Akiyama. Akiyama is famous in Japanese culinary history for his innovative cooking style and strong French culinary background (he spent over five years in Paris studying under the renowned chef Auguste Escoffier). He was then appointed to be the Master chef for the Japanese Imperial household at the age of 26, where he would go on to have a long and distinguished career.
Akiyama's life is beautifully portrayed in "Emperor's Chef." While the storyline itself contains family themes that are common in other Japanese dramas (especially the NHK Taiga dramas), what makes "Emperor's Chef" memorable is the emotional journey of its main character. In the course of the series, Akiyama slowly transforms from a listless juvenile into a devoted servant of "Okami" (the Emperor). While often stumbling - and at times failing - through turbulent periods in his life, Akiyama never gives up his dream to be the best chef in Japan. And at critical times in his life, Akiyama's friends and family provide him with important love and support - and a little bit of humor.
In addiction to its powerful story and acting, "The Emperor's Chef" also benefits from fine costuming, location settings (scenes were filmed in Paris as well as in Japan), and music. The end credit theme song may sound a little bit karaoke-ish at first, but the translated lyrics reveal an eloquent and touching reflection on love and the power of dreams.
In sum, "The Emperor's Chef" is a fascinating and equally moving historical drama. It is unfortunate therefore that many Western viewers will not be able to view this drama without doing a considerable amount of digging around the Internet. But those who are fortunate enough to view this drama online or wherever will be treated to a poignant and memorable story.
Last Days in Vietnam (2014)
A Painful but Powerful Chapter in American History
"Last Days in Vietnam" tells the story of the Fall of Saigon through the eyes of the people - American and South Vietnamese - who experienced this tragic event. While a couple of these persons are notable figures - Dr. Henry Kissinger and former Deputy Sec. of State Richard Armitage among others - most of the people included in this film are not, and it is their harrowing, heroic, and often heart-wrenching stories that make up the heart of this film. Director Rory Kennedy interweaves these stories within a visually poignant portrait of a nation - and particularly its capital - in its death throes. While the film largely ignores the North Vietnamese perspective, it powerfully depicts American and South Vietnamese stories of compassion, resilience, and courage in the face of overwhelming adversity. But perhaps the most powerful theme that runs throughout this film - and in other documentaries that examine the Fall of Saigon - is betrayal, often personal betrayal. Although America entered Vietnam with a noble determination to promote democracy and stem communism, it exited that country in a painful and humiliating disillusionment with its own purpose in the world.
"Last Days in Vietnam" however ignores much of the preaching and controversy surrounding the Fall of Saigon to tell a more human and personal story. At a time when Americans are once again debating the merits of being the world's policeman, "Last Days in Vietnam" offers a powerful lesson about the costs that come from taking on such a responsibility.
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
One of the Best Films About the Battle of Iwo Jima - And About the Pacific War
In a field crowded with Hollywood films about Iwo Jima and other battles in the Pacific War, "Letters from Iwo Jima" stands out as one of the best. Unlike many other films about World War II, "Letters" does not descend into clichés about the war or its politics. And unlike "Flags of Our Fathers" (the companion film to "Letters" that focuses on the American side of the Battle for Iwo), "Letters" remains tightly focused around the actual battle for Iwo Jima. At its most basic level, it is the story of the 20,000 Japanese soldiers who fought and died there. There are no good guys or bad guys in this film, just Japanese (and American) soldiers caught up in one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific War.
Several of the Japanese performances stand out in "Letters." Ken Watanabe's portrayal of General Kuribayashi (the Japanese commander at Iwo Jima) is particularly memorable, as is the portrayal of Baron Nishi (another senior Japanese officer at Iwo). Saigo (a conscripted baker and the fictional main character in "Letters") serves more as an eyewitness to the chaos and brutality during the Battle for Iwo Jima rather than an actual participant. Shimizu (a former Kempeitai policeman and Saigo's companion during much of the Battle for Iwo) eventually loses his dogmatic hatred of the Americans and even tries to surrender to them (his Marine captors end up shooting him out of fear and/or malice towards their Japanese POWs).
There are many intense (and in a couple cases even controversial) scenes in "Letters." The film for example shows the defenders of Mount Suribachi blowing themselves up with hand grenades after running out of ammunition rather than going through the shame (and possible danger) of surrendering to the American forces. It would be hard to imagine the reaction of a Japanese audience to seeing such tragically graphic scene, but like much else that goes on in this film, "Letters" tells the story in a painfully honest but straightforward manner. Although the U.S. Marines make a couple appearances in "Letters," for the most part they remain in the background rather than forefront of the story. And far from being the Battle's "heroes" or "good guys," they are portrayed in several scenes as callous and even brutal towards the Japanese.
Despite these scenes, "Letters From Iwo Jima" manages to capture the common humanity that exists in the midst of the tragedy of war. The Japanese soldier in "Letters" shares the same love of family and devotion to country as his American opponent. And it is this love and devotion that makes "Letters From Iwo Jima" an especially profound film about war.
In one of the film's most moving scenes, Baron Nishi reads a letter from the Mom of a captured U.S. Marine to the Japanese soldiers under his command. Shimizu's reaction to this letter in many ways sums up the nuanced yet powerful message contained in "Letters From Iwo Jima."
"That letter," he exclaims to Saigo, "could have been written by MY mother!"
The Pacific Century (1992)
Definitely Dated, but still Insightful and Informative
I've just finished viewing the entire "Pacific Century" series (all of the episodes are available on Youtube), and it's funny how so much of what this show covers (and especially about Japan and the United States) is still relevant today. If a person wanted to remake this series, he/she could simply substitute "China" for "Japan," and it'll make The Pacific Century up-to-date.
Overall, this is a very good series, one that remains quite relevant for today's world. Anyone interested in going beyond the glaring headlines on CNN or Fox News about China or East Asia will learn a lot from this documentary.
Note: The textbook on which this show is based upon is also available from Amazon.com. It's in its 4th edition, has been updated with more current information, and is available for as low as 33 or 34 dollars. There is also a website for the book and series (pacificcentury.org), which contains a useful study guide and faculty materials for the textbook and video series.
American Caesar (1985)
Enigmatic Caesar
First released in 1983, "American Caesar" is based upon historian and WWII veteran William Manchester's bestselling biography of General Douglas MacArthur. Like the book, the documentary offers a comprehensive but at the same time gripping examination of MacArthur, one of the most famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) generals in American military history.
Easily viewed as a vainglorious and pompous figure, MacArthur was really a complex man who came of age at the same time that the United States came of age as a global superpower. While possessing a romanticized nineteenth century view of warfare, near the end of his life MacArthur denounced all warfare as pointless in the age of atomic weaponry. He was a tactical genius with a highly flexible mind, and on numerous occasions he displayed almost reckless courage in the face of enemy fire. On other occasions, MacArthur was quite incapable of adapting to rapidly changing circumstances, choosing to seclude himself in his headquarters surrounded by staff who pretty much told MacArthur information that MacArthur wanted to hear. MacArthur's defeat in the Philippines, for example, while perhaps inevitable considering the situation facing the U.S. after Pearl Harbor, was accentuated by MacArthur's hasty retreat to the Bataan Peninsula in January 1942 (tons of vital food and ammunition had to be destroyed or abandoned because of this hasty retreat). MacArthur's costly misreading of the Chinese military situation during the Korean War would lead to an intense and bitter political exchange with President Harry S. Truman, who ended up firing MacArthur for disobedience.
MacArthur is of course well known for both his military accomplishments and his military (and especially political) failures. Perhaps his most significant accomplishments, however, occurred when he was given the enormous political task of rebuilding Japan after World War II, a task for which he truly deserves the title "American Caesar." MacArthur presided over a country of over eighty million starving and destitute citizens, a country devastated from years of American aerial bombing and naval blockade. As an American "shogun" (the word "shogun" actually refers to a military commander appointed by the Japanese emperor to directly rule over the country in the emperor's place), MacArthur presided over one of the most significant transformations of the twentieth century. The post-WWII Japanese constitution (including Article IX - which prevents Japan from maintaining a strong military force) was in fact heavily influenced by MacArthur and is arguably one of his most significant achievements in Japan.
Interspersed throughout "American Caesar" are interviews from various friends and associates of MacArthur as well as from biographer William Manchester. Acclaimed film-maker John Huston (in one of his last appearances before his death in 1987), serves as the voice of MacArthur. Huston's distinctive voice-over of MacArthur colors "American Caesar" in much the same way that historian Shelby Foote colors Ken Burn's Civil War series. While much emphasis is put on MacArthur's military career, there are also some notable anecdotes about MacArthur's personal life. His romantic affair with Eurasian actress Elizabeth Cooper, for example, resulted in MacArthur having to pay her $15,000 in order to avoid a scandal in the papers (Dwight D. Eisenhower, who during the 1920's and 30's served as Douglas MacArthur's aide, allegedly delivered the money to Cooper).
Overall, "American Caesar" offers (and in a relatively concise 4 hours) a quite comprehensive and nuanced but at the same time entertaining look at Douglas MacArthur, a general who in his famous Congressional speech remarked that "old soldiers never die, they just fade away." Perhaps MacArthur's memory has faded in the American historical mind in much the same way that this documentary has faded from television. A closer look at Douglas MacArthur, however, reveals a person full of the complexities and contradictions that continue to shape America's foreign relations in Asia.
Secrets of the Dead: Deadliest Battle (2010)
Interesting, Informative, and Timely
"Deadliest Battle" provides a coherent overview of the famous Battle of Stalingrad - with attention paid to both German and Soviet sources. Perhaps the biggest "revelation" in this show is that the Battle of Stalingrad extended far beyond the city limits into the surrounding countryside, where arguably the most important fighting occurred. For a 50 minute documentary, "Deadliest Battle" does a good job tracing the history of one of the most significant confrontations in World War II, although viewers more familiar with the battle may find important details missing from the script (e.g. Hitler's famous "stand and fight" order to Paulus was influenced by Goering's confident claim that he could keep the German 6th Army resupplied via the Luftwaffe).
Overall, a good program to watch, especially with the events rapidly unfolding in the Ukraine. The Battle of Stalingrad, after all, was part of a much larger campaign launched by Hitler in 1942 to seize the Caucasus oil fields and the strategically located Crimean Peninsula.
Argo (2012)
An Excellent, if not completely historically accurate - Movie
I've just viewed Ben Affleck's "Argo" for the second time, and it really is a well-made film (and surprisingly so, considering its leading actor and director). The acting, script, and direction in this film are all very good, and the final thrilling scenes at the Tehran Airport were especially well done.
"Argo" has something for everyone - comedy, suspense, and intense historical drama. What makes "Argo" less than a 10 for me, however, are a couple of historical inaccuracies. As the film portrays very well, the Canadians carefully sheltered the six Americans who managed to flee the Tehran Embassy but the Canadian government also played a leading role in their evacuation from Iran (which is why the real operation was named the "Canadian Caper"). Perhaps the most glaring inaccuracy in "Argo," however, deals with the British and New Zealand Embassies, which, contrary to the film, did shelter the beleaguered Americans for a time rather than simply turning them away (Ben Affleck later admitted in an interview that he decided to alter the British and NZ contributions in order to dramatize the dire situation facing the Americans in Tehran).
In spite of these inaccuracies, "Argo" is still an excellent film that deserves much of the accolades that it has received. Its historical inaccuracies are worth mentioning but in my view do not seriously take away from an otherwise well acted, well written, and well directed historical drama.
Cold War: Make Love Not War (1998)
An Interesting episode, but familiar historical ground for American viewers
"Make Love Not War" is the 13th episode in the 24-episode "Cold War" series co-produced by CNN and the BBC. For American viewers at least, this episode covers familiar topics from the 1960's - Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, JFK and his assassination, LBJ's Great Society, the hippie counter-culture, the Vietnam War and the anti- war movement, and the incredibly dramatic year of 1968. To paraphrase one historian's opinion, Americans encountered more history in the 1960s than they could digest.
There are a couple historical nuggets in this episode that are usually not mentioned in more conventional histories of 1960s America. The defense industry, for example, was a major source of employment for many middle-class Americans during the Cold War; their "bread and butter" according to one interviewee. To this day, there are many Americans who are not fully aware of the powerful role that the military and its supporting industries continue to play in the American economy. In places like Hawai'i and the territory of Guam, the U.S. Federal government (and especially the military) provides an important and steady source of jobs and local revenue.
For most American viewers, "Make Love, Not War" will offer a pretty familiar history of 1960s America, but like the Cold War series in general, the history is told in an even-handed fashion. Perhaps the most important theme in this episode is the connection between America's domestic politics and economy and American foreign policy, a connection that is not always visible to American or non-American observers.
Law & Order: Conspiracy (1992)
Another Fine Law and Order Episode
"Conspiracy" is another excellent Law and Order episode that features solid acting and a gripping storyline.
In this episode, a Jewish schoolteacher named Mitchell Koblin is accused of assassinating Marcus Tate, a radical African American political figure. The case goes to trial, but the outcome is not what Executive DA Ben Stone expects. In a final twist, Stone and ADA Paul Robinette investigate the possibility of a murder conspiracy from within Tate's close-knit organization. In investigating this conspiracy, Robinette has to face (and not for the first time on the show) his painful position as an African American in a (mostly) white DA's office.
For myself, the most haunting scene in this episode occurs in the courtroom when the verdict is read on Koblin's charges. The aftermath reminded me of the 1992 Rodney King trial in Los Angeles, in which four white police officers were acquitted of beating Mr. King. As usual with the Law and Order series, "Conspiracy" grapples with troubling questions and not-so-simple (or predictable) answers. And as the death of Trayvon Martin has recently demonstrated, the "race question" has not completely disappeared from the American legal system.
In sum, "Conspiracy" is another well done episode in the venerable Law and Order series.
Law & Order: The Troubles (1991)
One of the more interesting Season One episodes
"The Troubles" examines the murder of a Lebanese Drug smuggler who was being transported to a courthouse under Federal custody. What begins as a homicide investigation (and mini-turf war between the NYPD and the FBI) evolves into a complex courtroom trial involving the Sinn Féin and IRA, U.S.-British relations, and the legal issues surrounding international terrorism. The final minutes of the trial feature a particularly memorable performance by Michael Moriarty as Executive DA Stone (one of his most interesting from Season One).
There are certainly characterizations of the Irish and Ireland on this episode, as "GusF" very specifically lays out in his review (the Lebanese and Cubans are not portrayed very positively on this show either). And as most Americans after September 11 already know, inter- agency police cooperation does not always exist in the USA as it is eventually portrayed in this episode. But "Law and Order" generally succeeds in this episode in what the show does best: providing a riveting combination of police and courtroom drama.
Overall, this was one of my favorite episodes from Season One (along with "Subterranean Homeboy Blues").
Taiheiyou no kiseki: Fokkusu to yobareta otoko (2011)
A Highly Recommended (and Underrated) WWII Movie
I do not usually write reviews on IMDb.com, but after viewing this movie (and especially after seeing its rating on IMDb), I've decided to take the proverbial plunge....
"Oba: the Last Samurai" is based on the true story of Captain Sakae Oba, who fought during the Battle of Saipan in the 18th Imperial Japanese Army Regiment. After surviving the brutal "Banzai Charge" of July 7 (in which U.S. Army and Marine units fought against nearly 5,000 Japanese soldiers in pitched hand-to-hand combat), Captain Oba retreated into the mountainous interior of Saipan with 46 other Japanese soldiers and nearly 200 Japanese civilians. As the movie eloquently depicts, Oba waged a remarkably successful guerrilla campaign against the U.S. troops stationed on Saipan (for which he earned the nickname "The Fox"). As the movie also depicts, Captain Oba battled not only against the Americans but also against starvation, disease, and the overwhelming emotional chaos of war. Finally, on December 1st 1945, Captain Oba and his surviving men surrendered to the U.S. military. Oba was repatriated to Japan, where his memorable struggle on Saipan was later turned into a popular novel.
Like any historically based film, "Oba" contains its share of historical inaccuracies and dramatizations. In particular, the Korean, Okinawan, and especially native Chamoru civilians who were also present on Saipan (and who suffered just as terribly as the Japanese civilians) are virtually ignored in this film. But in comparison to other WWII films (and especially to "Windtalkers," another WWII film set during the Battle of Saipan), "Oba" successfully depicts the desperate fighting that occurred on the island from both the American AND Japanese perspectives.
In summary, I highly recommend "Oba: the Last Samurai" for anyone who is interested in the Battle of Saipan or the Pacific War. This movie comes as close as almost any other movie or TV series I have seen (American or Japanese) to capturing the sheer brutality of the fighting between the American and Japanese forces in the Pacific. And it deserves a much higher rating than the 6.2 average it currently holds on IMDb.com.
The Lovely Bones (2009)
Good Effort, But A Difficult Adaptation
Death is a very difficult subject to treat honestly in any media, let alone film, and "Lovely Bones" seems to be no exception to this rule. I have not read Alice Seibold's novel so I will not comment on how well Peter Jackson's adapted her story. That said, I thought the film did a nice job in portraying the grief and emotions surrounding the violent loss of a loved one. In terms of acting, visuals, and overall story, "Lovely Bones" compares well with "What Dreams May Come," another moving film on death. There were some elements of this film, however (e.g. conclusion, supporting characters), that seemed rushed or disjointed. Adapting a complex book is never an easy task, although director Peter Jackson should have considerable experience with such a task from his "Lord of the Rings" films. Still, many of the harsh reviews that I've read from critics and moviegoers seem more directed towards Peter Jackson than the actual merits of this film.
Overall, I would give "Lovely Bones" an above average rating of 8 out of 10.