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The Spanish Princess (2019)
The Moors were from the Middle East, not sub-Sahara Africa
Once more, screen writers are either ignorant of historical facts or just so swayed by political correctness that they are compelled to depict anyone who even set foot in Africa as being Black (how about Elon Musk?). The Moors were not one ethnic group, but from Sicily, Malta and other areas of Europe. Generally, they were Arab, Berber or European Muslims. Unfortunately, most readers accept everything they see as factual without being curious enough to research for the truth. Filmmakers and politicians are generally lazy or motivated to spread falsehoods to further their own agendas. Another overlooked fact in this series is the ages of the primary characters. Arthur was a teenager when he married Catherine and Harry (Henry) was barely 10 years old. Historical facts being altered to enhance story flow and continuity is understandable, but at least disclaimers should be inserted to alert the viewer to fact vs, fiction.
Without Remorse (2021)
PC Gone Wild
I always enjoyed the Tom Clancy novels and his characters were quite authentic. However, once film makers got a hold of his material, they felt obliged to change the stories and the characters into something Clancy never intended.
I was intrigued to see "Without Remorse", as it was a depiction of one of Clancy's prime characters, John Clarke, nee Kelly, former Navy SEAL and now a CIA operative. This story was Kelly's life before entering the CIA.
Immediately, I noticed several film maker alterations to the novel. 1) John Kelly was White, as depicted in the reading material. The movie changes him into being Black, which is OK if you want to stretch the author's original work. But then, 2) we see the commander of Kelly's SEAL Team depicted as a black female. This is so wrong and unbelievable on several levels. FACT: there are no women currently on the SEAL Teams due to the physical requirements and grueling training regimen of the training (unless, of course, the Navy lowers their standards of acceptance) and possible disruption of Unit Integrity. The actress, who portrays LCDR Greer and is in command of the Team, is a skinny bone rack and could NEVER get through the first day of training with the SEALs (Note: 75% of the men can't make it!). Please note that at least one woman has completed the physical phase of the training for the SWCC (Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewman), which performs the transportation of the SEAL Team to the ingress site. However, these personnel do not perform the actual infiltration operations with the SEAL Team.
The movie then gets worse. The dialog is juvenile, as though it was written by a teenager on meth trying to create a high school play, and the story line is predictable and weak. The fight scenes are unrealistic with automatic weapons never running out of ammunition, survival in the icy waters near Murmansk in the Barents Sea and the main character able to hold his breath underwater for 15 minutes while being trapped in a car!
My advice is to avoid this clinker like the plague, unless you're a masochist and have close to 2-hours of your life to waste. Amazon Prime could do better than this piece of film-making trash.
Cut, Color, Murder (2022)
An Impossible Premise
God Bless Hallmark for attempting to create interesting crime dramas, but the recurring theme is getting a bit worn out. First, there is a proprietor of a cupcake shop solving murders, then a Crossword writer doing the same, followed by a college lecturer outwitting the bland "professional" detective to solve crimes and now, a hair stylist who is the female version of Sherlock Holmes. I suppose that all of the police professionals did not take notes at the Academy nor have any time on the job. This latest drama follows the same formula, that is, a hair cutter (whose clients only need a trim and are in the chair for under two minutes), who lives in a very hospital-clean town and works in a beauty salon that never needs hair trimmings swept from the floor. On top of her brilliance, she is rude and snarky to the new detective, so you know that romance is in the offing! Also, everyone in the perfect town appears to be in the six-figure income bracket...no homeless, no graffiti, no cigarette buts on the ground in this Hallmark World. Plus, their private homes appear to be from the pages of House Beautiful. If you like perfect environments, cleanly scrubbed citizens and storybook tales, this is the series for you.
Mile 22 (2018)
Action for Action's Sake!
I gave this film a "6" only because I like Mark Wahlberg and most of the work in which he preforms. This adventure into the shoot'em up world had several plus points...1) it was brief (about 95 minutes), 2) it had plenty of action (explosions, knifings, bullets, etc.) and 3) Ronda Rousey gets blown to smithereens in a street fight rather than actually getting beaten bloody in the ring. This was obviously a new adventure for her, as her spoken lines were short and trivial, but, hopefully, it's a start for a less hazardous career.
The film, other than the seemingly non-stop violence, was quite thin in its content, but would certainly hold the interest of the younger set (i.e., no thought required). There was little character development, especially with the soap opera drama of Lauren Cohan, who was trying to be an effective combat team member while stressing over her private life.
The rubber band snapping and the finger touching by the main characters were somewhat annoying, although all of the Roosky cast members were also touching their fingers in the same way as their triple agent, Iko Iwais, was doing. Maybe, it's from eating too much Beet Soup in the Mother Land!
Enjoy the movie for its action, but not its reality (of which, there is little).
Washington (2020)
The Cliff's Notes rendering of G. Washington
I was curious to see how the often PC History Channel would present the life of our first President and one of the dynamic forces in the founding of the United States. While understanding that no 6-hour series can properly cover the life of Washington, there were too many gaps and misinformation in the actual history. Some of the commentary implied that Washington singlehandedly defeated the British Empire during the War. Glossed over were events such as the Battle at Freeman's Farm (Saratoga), in which Washington had no role. The defeat of the British army here created the impetus for the French to join the cause. No mention was made of Baron Von Steuben's work at Valley Forge in shaping and discipling the Continental Army into a world-class fighting force able to stand toe-to-toe with the British army. Washington had little to do with this, although the implication was that he was the reason for this transformation. The "historians" also claimed that Washington lived with the average soldier during that winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge. Yes, Washington was there, but his quarters were in a mansion located on the site, complete with servants and all of the amenities. Anyone who has ever visited Valley Forge can see this for themselves. As for the talking heads doing the commentary, most were taking advantage of their 15 minutes of fame. Especially of note was the Yale historian (Joanne Freeman) who appeared as though she was auditioning for her High School senior play. The arm waving and emoting was rather annoying. In all, this miniseries was a "Face Plant", which would teach the average viewer very little of the depth of George Washington's character. But, in an age of truncated verbiage and superficiality, this thin presentation would be considered as epic. LOL!
Mary Queen of Scots (2018)
What were they thinking?
I generally enjoy period pieces, as I have a fond interest in history. However, "Mary Queen of Scots" was quite challenging to watch, as it had very little to do with actual events in the 16th Century. Here's what they got correct: 1) Mary was married to Francis of France when she was 15 years old and ended when he died three years later 2) Elizabeth did contract small pox in 1562 when she was 29 years old. However, the disease did not disfigure her as depicted in the film (in which she looks as though she was winning a backwards track race until she fell down) 3) England had changed from Catholic to Protestant during the 16th Century and the question of Royal Succession existed.
The movie was 2 hours and 4 minutes of excruciating pain and politically correct diversity thrown in to confuse the hapless viewers who might believe that "this is how it was". There was an English black ambassador to the Scottish Court, an Oriental handmaiden and a mixed race (or Pacific Islander) minstrel among the historic fakery sprinkled throughout this clinker (such as Mary and Elizabeth meeting, which never happened, and Elizabeth being subservient to Mary). And, somehow, enough viewers thought that this was great theater to give it a combined 6.3 out of 10 star rating. I guess that legalized pot sales are taking its toll!
My best advice, as an alternative to this "gem", is to read some real history about this period when England was emerging as a preeminent nation in Western Civilization. This film is a dud...I hope the actors cashed their paychecks before they bounced!
Presidents at War (2019)
Caveat Emptor!
This two part "history" of several future U.S. Presidents covering their service during World war II is, at best, a glamorized and sometimes fictionalized account of the events surrounding their actions during the War. For example, the awarding of the Silver Star to Lyndon Johnson omits the actual reasons for him getting this medal. It had nothing to do with valor and bravery, but more to do with a deal cut between Johnson and General MacArthur in order to procure more supplies for his army in the SW Pacific (Johnson was a sitting Congressman and had the ear of FDR. His Naval rank was temporary.). A viewer should always check the facts before believing, at face value, any presentation by a TV show. While some of the information is valid, the attempt by the writers of this piece to change the actual events leaves me no choice than to rate this as Alternative History. Unfortunately, too many people view something seen on the internet, TV or in the theater as fact. Let the Buyer Beware!
The Curse of Oak Island (2014)
Caveat Emptor!
This is a never ending saga of two brothers, obviously afflicted with the same mental disorder, trying to discover something that does not exist. Of course, they are also demonically clever to convince the History Channel and the sponsors to continue to air this idiotic fantasy. After 5+ seasons and how many millions of dollars invested, they have uncovered a few artifacts that could have been left by passing seagulls. This series belies the desperation of modern television programming...scant content and no apparent purpose, other than to fill airtime. What is interesting is the brothers are so serious that even they can't realize what a couple of dopes they are. But, I guess that Oak Island is better than a winter in Michigan.
This series should be combined with "Ancient Aliens" so that the entire cadre of lunatics can join and be transported back to the Planet Zork.
Manifest (2018)
There's nothing like a fine Whine
I watched the first episode and found it to be rather thin on substance. The most annoying aspect of this is the universal whining by the cast after their 5-year disappearance. One would expect changes to the rest of humanity after this time period, but the main characters are caught up with acting as a bunch of spoiled brats (although, they are Millennials after all!).
I will give this three episodes to improve, otherwise it's in the can (the Garbage Can, that is!). So far, nice try, NBC.