A Family At War The Facts Of Life

Advantages: Entertaining true story set against an important historical backdrop
Disadvantages: People may think it's all song and no action

...married and Maria’s life as a nun is officially over. It is at this point that the film takes a more serious and historical stance. There have been brief references to the war up to this point and we are aware of Captain von Trapp’s viewpoint towards the Germans. He strongly believes that Austria should remain Austrian and refuses to fight for the Germans, even though there has been a Nazi takeover of his country. The songs in the film now become fewer and the story focuses on how Georg von Trapp will escape his call up to fight. It is the final part of the film that brings the experience of living through the war to life. This is highlighted with the fact that this film is based on a true story and the von Trapp family really lived through this suspense. I’m not going to pretend that it suddenly turns into an action or blood and gore war... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great performances, fantastic direction,emotionally intense
Disadvantages: Not meant for sensitive people,some of the scenes are too shocking

...soldiers huddled as prisoners, you don?t even feel any pity for them. Other great scenes from this movie include Ø The scenes at the railway station involving the transportation of Jewish prisoners and Spilzmans separation from his family. Ø Spilzman?s deseparate fight for survival in bombed out Warsaw. Ø Spilzman playing an impromptu piano tune for one of the few Nazi officers who had a conscience and who helps him out. Ø Splizman running through the railway yard weeping after being separated from his family. The Pianist is not your average Hollywood war flick where the brave hero goes in and finishes off the Nazis. In fact in real life also there were no heroes to protect the Jews. As you watch this movie only one question crosses your mind, why didn?t the world lift a finger to prevent it? The self proclaimed defender of freedom... Read review

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Advantages: Funny
Disadvantages: Perhaps not so funny if you have not seen Star Wars

...Family Guy is essentially a cartoon, currently airing on BBC3 and occassionally BBC2. It follows the eccentric life styles of the Griffin family. At its head is Peter Griffin, a rather idiotic buffoon with his long suffering but not without fault Lois. Chris and Meg are the children along with Stewie, a talking one year old with a British accent and a passion for world domination and killing his mother. Brian is the intelligent talking lush of a dog. Normally Family Guy is 20 mins of side splitting idiotic escapism but Blue Harvest is a 47 minute tribute to all that is Star Wars. The Griffin family are sitting around theTV when there is a blackout. In his own unique style, Peter decides to retell the Star Wars: A new Hope film, recasting the Griffin family in all the major roles. Stewie is perfect as Darth Vader. For those fo you who... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good historical links and great acting
Disadvantages: Not for younger viewers.

...The film tells the story of Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson), a war veteran who has settled down for a life with his family of 5 children, unfortunately his wife passed away and now he devotes his life to protecting those who he loves. The British are invading under General Cornwallis and threaten to destroy all that is dear to Benjamin, not just his country, more importantly, his family. As much as Benjamin fights the cause of going to war with the British the decision is not his and before long he finds himself drawn into it, largely due to the fact his son Gabriel (Heath ledger) has decided to join the army to follow in his fathers footsteps. The war eventually arrives at Benjamin's doorstep, and when one of his sons is killed by an unruly lieutenant Martin realises he must fight to rid the British from his land. Him and Gabriel ride... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Excellent interpretation, funny, Family Guy and Star Wars fans must see
Disadvantages: A little short

...Lucas and Seth from Family Guy about Star Wars, Family Guy and quite a lot more. Although not particularly long, it is a nice insight to the world of George Lucas. *Once in a life time: The making of Blue Harvest featurette. I found this featurette to be very interesting and watchable. It shows the team working on the episode and explains the thinking and processes behind the decisions they made. The title Blue Harvest is an "in" reference to Star Wars as it is the fake production title given to The Return Of The Jedi (Episode V1) to keep the production secret. Something that they now regret due to the fact that they will be making a The Return Of The Jedi episode in the near future. The making of featurette is a great use of 19 minutes. *Animatic version of Blue Harvest. A simplified storyboard version of the film, the black... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful