RT Firefly

I will admit my bias upfront: Who doesn't know that war is hell? Who doesn't know that a heroic war film is fantasy? I find the strawman argument that "Nobody shows you what war is REALLY like, but we will!", so tired and ignorant. Even prior to 1930, there were ample novels and movies that broached this topic. This angle may appeal to those who insanely want to pretend all war is bad (as if 'no war' is always an option and nobody ever thought of that), but I don't find this shallow thinking entertaining. In fact, considering the price so many pay, it's depressing.

That being said, I can enjoy a good "war is hell" movie. I enjoyed Platoon, in spite of Oliver Stone's heavy political hand. Good film making is good film making. All Quiet On the Western Front is not good film making. I'm taking into consideration the era and what they had to work with, I'm trying to be fair. I like many films from this era. I even take into account how unnecessary WWI is said to be. Even so, 'All Quiet is simply bad storytelling and not as good as people say.

The opening scene was a harbinger of what was to come; a professor lecturing his class on the glories of war - over the top, on the head, melodramatic - then the reactions of the students had all the subtlety of a monster truck rally - Lets Goooo! I was willing to buy it from John Belushi in Animal House, but not here. An inexcusable fail was the lack of any accuracy in the military training segments. Considering that director Lewis Milestone was actually in the army during World War I, it's hard to understand how that part was so campy and inaccurate. There is a line that can get crossed when things become too silly, and, in this case, it starts feeling like bad propaganda.

Some of the acting is very good, the lead characters especially. The cinematography is excellent, as well as other techs - wardrobe, set design - but the movie drags in many scenes and takes too long to tell simple plot points, like the getting drunk in the bar scene, or the swimming/partying with the girls scene. Then they sell short the very dramatic scenes by hitting you over the head with obviousness.

There is also the issue here with the perceived importance of a film. This movie won many awards, it's old and black and white, and we all know only cool people enjoy those films. It is on important lists as one of the best movies of all time. This undoubtedly influences many to agree with that trend for fear of appearing irrelevant or ignorant. I have no doubt that some do find this movie compelling. After all, Die Hard is considered a classic by many, but, as with here, it's not.

All things considered, it's not a bad movie, and there are some worthwhile parts to it, but it is nowhere near as good as the hype.

Old films are generally better than anything made today - the wardrobe, writing, set design, hair, even just the peek into a world where virtually everything was superior in both style and quality. The Kennel Murder Case checks all those boxes and much more. This could have easily been written by Agatha Christie. It's a fun ride that sucks you in. The cast of characters is fun and the story keeps you guessing. As far as murder mysteries go, this is right up there with the greats. William Powell is excellent, of course, with shades of his Thin Man character. Directed by Michael Curtiz of Casablanca fame, it's filmed beautifully with lush sets and all of the things you simply can't find in simple movies anymore. It's a fun ride in a world long gone and well worth checking out.

Not to be an echo here, but this is, without exaggeration, the best drama series I have ever seen. It is funny, intelligent, fun, sad and wildly original. It can't be compared to anything as there has never been anything like it. The acting is superb. The art design is even interesting. The first season from start to finish is magnificent. The second season, well, that becomes more and more bizarre until, I hate to say, it sort of jumps the shark. The 2nd season has its moments, and is still fun, but perhaps from the heights from which it fell, it was a disappointment to me. None the less, if you start this, block out an entire day as you'll want to binge watch the entire first season at least.