Movie review: Deep Sea Detectives: U-Boats in the Gulf

 

 During WWII when Nazi U-boats were terrorizing the Gulf of Mexico the U.S. engaged and sank only one boat, the U-166. Finally found in 2001 after almost 60 years, the U-166 was resting 140 miles from where it was reportedly sunk. Investigation into the sinking with historians, scientists, and crewmen led to the rewriting of history with new theories about what actually happened.

War activity in the Gulf of Mexico was suppressed from the media at the time it took place and as a result isn’t something a lot of people in the U.S. realize took place. Dozens of German U-Boats infiltrated the Gulf of Mexico and sank hundreds of U.S. ships in 1942. Effectively impacting the shipping of oil, fuel, and other supplies from the U.S. to troops abroad, the strategy nearly crippled military operations and brought WWII to the shores of the U.S. Originally thought to have gotten away from a U.S. PC boat, the U-166 was believed to have been sunk by a U.S. aircraft dropping mines. Now 60 years later research shows that the boat was actually sunk by the PC boat and it was another submarine attacked by the aircraft.

Excellent wartime footage and underwater video of both the U-166 and its most famous victim, the Robert E. Lee passenger and cargo liner. The sequence of events leading to the discovery of the ships was interesting, as was the process of creating new theories about what actually happened to the U-166 in 1942.

Although this was a good documentary, there was a lot of redundancy with repeated video, interviews, and technical points. I would recommend this to anyone with interest in submarines, WWII, or U-166, as a good introduction.

Nothing here to limit audience age.

Released: 2004
Reviewed: 12.11.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: History, Documentary

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Outpost

 

 In Eastern Europe a group of mercenaries is hired by a businessman to escort him into a destabilized military zone in search of minerals for his company. What they find instead is an abandoned Nazi war bunker in which they soon become trapped.

Ray Stevenson (DC), Julian Wadham (Hunt), Richard Brake (Prior), Paul Blair (Jordan), Brett Fancy (Taktarov), Enoch Frost (Cotter), Julian Rivett (Voyteche).

Billed as a Slasher or Serial Killer film, this one starts off looking like a war or possible action film during which the plot is developed. It then gets a bit creepy and confusing, looking like a thriller or possible sci-fi film as more depth is revealed. Then things really get moving and as the bodies start to pile up, the film begins to look like a horror flick. Serial Killer is not a description of this film I could come close to using but it is a very good film.

Director Steve Barker did an exceptional job of creating a dark and creepy setting which set the tone for the film. With just the right amount of special effects, violence, gore, and BOO moments he created an eerily scary film. Plot expansion revolved around the well known Philadelphia Experiment and how the Nazi’s may have attempted to pursue the technology which provided an enjoyable intellectual component to the film.

Camera work, effects, and settings were all nicely done. Most impressive was that with a cast of unknowns they were able to create a solid, quality film.

I was pleasantly surprised by this film and didn’t at all expect the quality it delivered. Put this one toward the top of your Must See list if you like sci-fi horror in the least.

Some foul language, violence, and gore so save this for older teens and above.

Released: 2008
Reviewed: 12.10.18
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Zombies, Horror, Military & War Action, Action, Sci-Fi

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Rick Sebak: A Cemetery Special

 

 A PBS home special, this has Rick Sebak taking us through a journey of cemeteries to look at the artistry and history. Visiting Florida and Alaska, the film also explores the roots of Memorial Day.

Movie review: Rick Sebak: A Cemetery Special – 2005

This is a good entry level documentary into the world of cemeteries. There is absolutely no way to make a comprehensive hour long video but this one gives a good taste for the differences that abound. The show starts with some good history and art appreciation but quickly turns into to much of a Road Show for my tastes. And although I did appreciate the Memorial Day history lesson I felt it was out of place in this video.

Video and camera work were well done though it would have been nice to see some of the art work rather than having Drive-By shots and glimpses. Sound and narration were well done.

This was a fun, light, touch on cemeteries however by cutting some of the campy comedy and irrelevant history it could have contained a lot more serious information and displays of artistry. Overall a nice diversion, just don’t expect too much from this one.

Nothing here to limit audience age.

Released: 2005
Reviewed: 12.10.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: History, Documentary

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Dead Calm

 

 Rae and John have taken their yacht for an extended trip after the death of their son to get away from things for a bit. When they come across Hughie, escaping from his sinking schooner in the middle of nowhere, they bring him aboard. It isn’t long before they realize he is actually a deranged sociopath and they may now be the ones who need rescuing.

Nicole Kidman (Rae), Sam Neill (John), Billy Zane (Hughie).

I have seen this one before and will see it again I’m sure, it just never gets old. The movie kicks off at a high pace with plot and character development then settles into a nice tension building stride. The bulk of the plot is set once Hughie is revealed to be a sociopath, fairly early on, and the rest of the movie deliciously builds suspense with only the three main characters. The ending was a bit unrealistic but not enough so to damage the rest of the film. This is one of those unusual films that builds tension unbelievably well.

Acting was very nice in this film. This was an earlier film by Kidman and one of the few roles in which I enjoy her work. She seemed to have a freshness that didn’t last long in her career and it was particularly enjoyable to see her character transform from mourning mom to survivor. Neill performed well if not predictably while Zane, also one of his earlier films, completely sold the sociopath character to the finest detail.

Camera work, sets, sound and dialogue were all done very well. It is surprising how overlooked this film is considering the quality of acting, impact of the plot, and overall production quality. Well worth watching if you enjoy thrillers or are a fan of any of the main characters.

Some nudity, sexual scenes, violence, and adult concepts. Save this one for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 1989
Reviewed: 12.5.18
Star rating: 5 out of 5
Genre: Thrillers, Suspense, Psychological Thrillers, Horror, Thriller

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel