A Midnight Clear (1992)

8.5/10 [Highly Recommended]

A wonderful masterpiece!!

Plot:Set in 1944 France, an American Intelligence Squad locates a German Platoon wishing to surrender rather than die in Germany's final war offensive. The two groups of men, isolated from the war at present, put aside their differences and spend Christmas together before the surrender plan turns bad and both sides are forced to fight the other.

What I loved about this film:

The unique start of the film, that drops you right into the world of the soldiers. The way this film present each character gives me instant connection with them.

Superb acting! Ethan Hawke, Kevin Dillon, Frank Whaley, Arye Gross are amazing together. Their dialogue and emotions compliment each other perfectly and . I felt drawn to each character and the mission they drew for themselves. If I had to be in that forest, I just hope Will Knot (Ethan Hawke),Cpl. Mel Avakian( Dillon), Paul 'Father' Mundy (Whaley), Bud Miller(Peter Berg) and Stan Shutzer (Arye Gross) has my back.

A story that captures. At no point of this film did I think about any behind the scenes or filming technique. I was so engrossed by the dialogue, story and engulfed by the decisions the squad took. (spoilers follows) Though the ultimate occurrence made me sad, as I direly wanted it all to have worked out.

Very believable filming locations and acting. Like I mention before, the story and approach at presenting this story is so unique and compelling that I might need to rewatch it again, just so I can observe the filming technique.

A Midnight Clear is probably on my top 5 favourite war movies, beating Saving Private Ryan

A Woman in Berlin (2008)

7/10 [recommended to selected viewers]

Intense, and harsh film based on a true account.

A Woman in Berlin, as its title says, is about a woman living in Berlin at the end of world war II. This film is her account of having to survive and the terror that she faces. The idea of safety and protection will never again be felt. Idea of love will never be the same.

All the ugliness, complexity and horrors of war are all laid out in this raw and harsh film.

The subject matter is difficult to handle, and there are some disturbing ....not recommended for everyone. Good but intense film.

I strongly advise against watching "Come And See (Idi i Smotri)" along with this film on the same day. Very hard hitting.

Napola (aka Before the Fall) 2004

7/10 [recommended]

Astounding and shocking look at how boys became weapons.

In 1942, Friedrich Weimer's boxing skills get him an appointment to a National Political Academy (NaPolA) - high schools that produce Nazi elite

This film at first felt like a story of friendship but as the film rolled we see that friendship is clouded with cruel intentions attempting to build up killers. The innocences that each student that entered the school is washed away and filled with ideologies of the Nazi regime.

Definitely worth watching.

Sophie Scholl: The Final Days (2005)

7/10 [highly recommended]

Powerful true story

Sophie Scholl: The Final Days is a dramatization of the final days of Sophie Scholl, one of the most famous members of the German World War II anti-Nazi resistance movement, The White Rose.

Someone had to stand up to the state, and that someone was Sophie Scholl and her brother. They saw the cruelty of the Nazi regime and decides to make a difference.

Great acting. Gripping true story.

Female Agents (2008)

5/10

could have been so much better

Plot: In May 1944, a group of French servicewomen and resistance fighters are enlisted into the British Special Operations Executive commando group under the command of Louise Desfontaines and her brother Pierre.

Beginning 10 minutes was really exciting as the story unfolded and characters introduced. But, sadly, after that the movie started to lose its grip. Some of the characters' personalities and mind set did not match their actions. A few character easily scared at one point then turn into Die Hard heroes the next.

The movie feels too rushed and choppy. Everything happens very quickly and we hardly have a chance to get to know the characters.

The lead cast did a good job in trying to capture the emotions but the rushed script made it hard to appreciate the acting.

Female Agents have some very noticeable continuity errors, where injuries and scars vanish into thin air. Also the film could have benefitted from some gore during some scenes.

Overall, mediocre film.

The Brest Fortress (2010)

7/10

well shot with good set decoration

plot: A war drama set during the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, in which Russian troops held on to a border stronghold for nine days.

Forgettable, but it is well edited and has a ton of emotion.

Charlotte Gray (2001)

5.5/10

Mediocre world war II resistance movie that doesn't really have much content

plot: A young Scottish woman joins the French Resistance during World War II to rescue her Royal Air Force boyfriend who is lost in France.

Cate Blanchett did a great job in the lead, bringing drama to the movie. The kids didn't leave much of an impression for me.

The movie is fairly slow and doesn't have many memorable moments.

Good cinematography but a forgettable film.

Glorious 39 (2009)

4/10

such dramatic build up that resulted in nothing.

Plot: A mysterious tale set around a traditional British family on the eve of World War Two. eldest sibling Anne is a budding young actress who is in love with Foreign Office official Lawrence, but her seemingly perfect life begins to dramatically unravel when she stumbles across secret recordings of the pro-appeasement movement.

what the heck? Were the first words I said at the end of the film. Glorious 39's synopsis built itself up to be this huge espionage war movie that is thrilling and (mistakenly thought by me) full of twists. Throughout the film my mind was racing to figure out what the twist could be and who was behind it all. When the final conclusion unfolded, I realized my attempts at guessing the ending and holding my breath was all for naught.

Glorious 39 seems to be too sedated to be a thriller/mystery. The pace is slow with mostly static shots. The use of children in this film is very odd making the film feel more scary, like the Grudge, than thrilling. I was really thrown off by the children, I didn't feel the connection between the children and the 'big secret'. Bill Nighy and Romola Garai are great, but their acting couldn't save the poor script.

This film is better labeled just drama because the thriller bit is disappointing. I was not thrilled with the ending.

If you want to watch a world war II-thriller-espionge-spy film DON'T watch this.This will just leave you feeling confused and sleepy. INSTEAD watch Black Book,its rated R for some very graphic scenes, not suitable for everyone but it is really thrilling.

Winter At Wartime (2008)

8/10 [Highly Recommended]

Amazing war film with a great spin

Winter in Wartime plot: Near the end of World War II, 14-year-old Michiel becomes involved with the Resistance after coming to the aid of a wounded British soldier

The acting, cinematography, writing, and set decoration all came together beautifully in this film.

The cast is unknown to me, but the performance is phenomenal. The story is a bout a 14 year old who witnesses his family and friends being tangled in the war. We watch as he comes to age and matures through different events that occur.

This film reminds me of the film/book Boy in the Striped PJs where the war is seen from the point of view of a boy. Winter in Wartime is far better in comparison. We see the war and its impact on a village from the perspective of a boy whose family is caught in the middle of World War II. We see the boy maturing and seeing the world differently as the movie progresses. His understanding of the war, difference between right and wrong, and the idea of trust in people changes.

What I love about the film is the unexpected twist and its well written characters. I did not expect much from this movie but I thoroughly enjoyed the 103 minutes. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to those who love war films with a great storyline.

Divided We Fall (2000)

8.5/10 [highly recommended!]

A fantastic film that makes you think

Plot: In Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia, a childless couple agree to hide a Jewish friend at great personal risk of discovery and execution.


Divided We Fall is truly amazing. It examines human behaviour in the most abnormal situations, analyzes morals in tough situations and questions shades of grey. This film brings out people's most heroic as well as our most pathetic side.

During the course of this film you'll find yourself biting your nails in in suspense, shaking by nerves and keeling over in laughter. Bolek Polívka is superb in his portrayal of Josef Cízek, the childless husband who is torn between protecting his family, battling his morals and trying to stay sane during World War II. During the most intense scenes, where the audience's adrenaline is racing, Polívka is able to smooth over the situation with his silly facial expression and Chaplin like gestures. So many moments in the film I was actually laughing out loud. Anna Sisková and Jaroslav Dusek all deserve praise for their great acting in making this an intense yet hilarious film.

Spoiler Alert:

What makes Divided We Fall stand out from the many other films is that it doesn't try to create one die-hard-tough-fighting super-hero and uses humor in very sophiciated manner.This film is centred around characters who continuously had second thoughts about his/her actions but kept trying to do the right thing. What I love at the end of the film is we see how much each character needed the other. David Wiener, a jewish friend of Josef Cízek, desperately relied on Josef during the war. Josef, who was tormented by the danger of hiding David, found himself in several situations where he desperately needed David.

Max Manus: Man of War (2008)

7/10

Solid cast, great set decoration but slow paced story

Plot: The true story about one of the most brilliant saboteurs during World War II and his battle to overcome his inner demons.

A decent film that captures the life of Max Manus during world war II.

However, I felt something was missing in this film to push it into the catagory of epic/classic but can't put my finger on what. Max Manus: Man of War had the action, great set decoration and amazing characters but it feels like it lacked in the intensity that other world war II films carried. The ease Max and his gang went through check points didn't leave me in cold sweat and panicked. I remember watching Uprising (the TV movie) and after certain scenes I was left shaken. A different type of feeling was created when I was viewing this film. I felt I was just on the sideline watching in on Max's life where I connected with a few characters but spectator for the rest.

This being one of the first Norwegian film I viewed, it has left an impression on me. It was well filmed with great camera angles, nice colour treatment in editing, realistic special effects, bloody amazing set decoration and solid casting. A bit more focus on the other characters' (like Gregers, Kolbein, Gunnar) lives in relation to Max and the saboteurs would have helped the audience to feel attached the the movie. It would have benefitted knowing just a bit more about the other characters to really feel the loss Max felt.

Overall a well made film that is worth viewing but not overly epic.

Though, not going to lie, I have grown rather fond of the supporting character Gregers and wouldn't mind seeing more of the actor  Nicolai Cleve Broch in films.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

8/10 [highly recommended]

Daring, unique and brilliantly epic

Plot: In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis.

Inglourious Basterds doesn't try to find forgiveness, to be historically accurate or to please the audience. It is full throttle on being a dark, fun filled comic fantasy film about an alternative WWII where people fault back. I loved the dark humour and gore that filled this film from bottom up. The film uses all the human emotions and takes a shape of its own.

Tarantino knows exactly how much gore, crudity and length of each scene. Giving you enough to laugh while gagging. He toys with cliches and uses unexpected as well as expected moments to put together a piece of art work.

All the Basterds are a bit mad, which gives the film an edgy appeal. My favourite characters would have to be Donny Donowitz (aka bear Jew played by actor Eli Roth) and Hugo (portrayed by Til Schweiger) as they have real dynamic to the group.

Go watch it! It's a crude, gory, unsympathetic and very daring film that is just plain awesome! Not recommended to the squeamish and the weak hearted as it is gory.

Oh and don't take the film seriously because that's not the point of it.

A Very Long Engagement (2004)

7.5/10

Very sweet

Plot: Tells the story of a young woman's relentless search for her fiancé, who has disappeared from the trenches of the Somme during World War One.

It has been so long since I saw this film that I don't remember much detail about it except that I enjoyed the film.

Audrey Tautou ( from Amélie and Da Vinci's Code) is stars in this film and from what I recall, she gave yet another great performance.

The one thing I remember quite clearly about A Very Long Engagement are the enchanting cinematography and set scapes that made this film just breath taking.

Beneath Hill 60 (2010)

 7/10

Intense, insightful but a tad slow

Beneath Hill 60 is about the extraordinary true story of Oliver Woodward. It's 1916 and Woodward must tear himself from his new young love to go to the mud and carnage of the Western Front. Deep beneath the German lines. Woodward and his secret platoon of Australian tunnelers fight to defend a leaking, labyrinthine tunnel system packed with enough high explosives to change the course of the War. (imdb)

Caked with mud and clay in the trenchs of war world I, we follow Oliver Woodward as he takes his troops deep below German front lines.

The actors are fairly unknown to me, but they did not disappoint. The performance was emotional, real and very raw.

This movie uses a very simple storyline but with an interesting editing technique with flashbacks intersected with war time scenes to show us how Woodward changes as the war progresses. This jumbling style of going back to pre-war occurance to war time to post-war events gives an indication that the movie may have just been part of Woodward's memories.

What I love most about this movie is that it did not label sides as 'good/bad'...Beneath Hill 60 only told story of men who did their best with what they knew so they can return home.

Beneath Hill 60 isn't just about hand-on battles but a blind strategic one where calculation determines life and death. Great Australian movie!

The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler (2009)

9/10 [Highly Recommended]

Heartfelt story of a true hero with great acting.

The story of Irena Sendler, a social worker who was part of the Polish underground during World War II and was arrested by the Nazi's for saving the lives of nearly 2,500 Jewish children by smuggling them out of the Warsaw ghetto.(imdb)

The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler would fall on my list of being one of my favourite films about a hero trying to make a difference during the holocaust. Schindler's List and Uprising being my other favourites.Irena Sendler, risking her lifesaved 2,500 Jewish children. This film does a fantastic job of capturing her efforts and the emotional road her action takes.

The story is well knit supported by a fine cast. Anna Paquin's performance, especially, as Irena Sendler is absolutely amazing. All the actors/actresses does a very realistic performance without being over dramatic, capturing the pain and desire for hope of the situation.

Highly recommend this movie! True story of a true hero!

The Counterfeiters (2007)

7.5/10

A fascinating movie that focuses on a man's desire to live while struggling with morality.

I heard about this movie from my buddy Cleone and fairly enjoyed it. I have been so caught up with other things that I haven't finished blogging about this movie after finishing watching it so many weeks ago...so here it is!

The Counterfeiters is the true story of the largest counterfeiting operation in history, set up by the Nazis in 1936. It fictionalizes Operation Bernhard, a secret plan by the Nazis during the Second World War to destabilize Great Britain by flooding its economy with forged Bank of England bank notes(wiki)

The movie focuses on Salomon 'Sally' Sorowitsch, a man with a talent in counterfeiting, hence the title of the movie. The film was largely based on Adolf Burger's memoir, a Jewish Slovak who was imprisoned for creating forged baptismal certificates.

Winning the 2007 academy awards for Best Foreign Film, the cinematography and acting in The Counterfeiters are stunning. I love how Karl Markovics, as Sally,is able to communicate such complicated feelings through such simple facial expression. Markovics keeps a very set expression throughout the film but his eyes tells a different story. This simple technique is so effective in demonstrating Sally's personality as the criminal who's all for himself but at the same time has the want to help others.

The cinematography, like the acting, is simple but conveys a deeper message. Simple panning, angles and camera focus coming together to create some interesting effects. Look for it ;)

Definitely worth watching.

Uprising (2001)

8/10 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)
TV movie

Riveting and inspirational

Uprising is based on the true story of the revolt by the Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto against the Nazis in 1943.(imdb)

Though this movie has its flaws, it is delivers an atmosphere of sorrow, determination and pain. A fantastic TV movie!

The characters and actors made Uprising very impacting. The relationship between the characters are so real and raw making it very realistic. The each character responds at a time of desperation with such determination is very inspiring and riveting.

Leelee Sobieski or David Schwimmer are amazing in this film. At no point during the film, did I see Schwimmer as Ross Geller. Uprising has three cast members from Friends (Hank Azaria, David Schwimmer and Alexandra Holden) and they all gave a absolutely stunning performance.

The cinematography and music usage in this film is so well done that I am surprised this is only a TV movie. There are moments in the film where music takes over and without a single word a somber tone can be felt.


I highly recommend Uprising! A heartfelt sorrowful movie that is wonderfully done and portrayed. Of course this film has flaws, but the energy that is create far out-weighs the flaws.

Holocaust (1978) mini-series

6/10
Mini-series, 4 episodes, 1978

A Haunting short series

The saga of a Jewish family's struggle to survive the horror of Nazi Germany's systematic marginalization and extermination of their community. (imdb)

The details in using actual black and white pictures and footage from the war, gave this TV series a very haunting effect.

Meryl Streep is absolutely fantastic. I was not impressed with Michael Moriarty performance. He lacks in facial expressions and the entire series it feels as if his face has been pumped full of botox making it hard to read his emotions, but I guess playing a SS captain he needs to be expressionless. Moriarty.

The cinematography is well done giving us a range of different angled shots, close-ups and wide shots.

The story is hauntingly disturbing. The series focuses on the Weiss family and horror of what's happening around them. The jarring impact of the horrors are brought to life. We see the story told from both perspectives, from a Jew family and from a SS officer.

There are a few flaws to this series. Firstly, the poor makeup, which is not done very convincing, but for an late 70s mini-series I can bare with it. I feel that to every character's story is wrapped up at the end of the series, we are left expecting another episode to follow. Also, the audio and dialogue felt very dubbed and not natural. There's also some poor performances from certain actors/actress but none of which sways Meryl Streep's incredible portrayal.

Holocaust, definitely needs some fine-tuning but is worth watching for the content and script. The story will stick with you...