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Attack on the Iron Coast, a review by GSyren

Attack on the Iron Coast (5-037899-056394)

United Kingdom 1968 | Released 2014-11-10 on DVD from 101 Films

90 minutes | Aspect ratio Non-anamorphic 1.85:1 | Audio: English Dolby Digital Mono

Directed by Paul Wendkos and starring Lloyd Bridges, Andrew Kier, Sue Lloyd, Mark Eden, Maurice Denham

Commando Major Jamie Wilson plans an audacious Combined Operations raid on the Axis held French port of Le Clare; if destroyed the Germans would be stripped of their only dry dock capable of servicing their large battleships. Wilson's plan, code named Operation Mad Dog, is to ram a destroyer packed with tons of explosives into the outer gate of the dock. Opposed to Wilson is Royal Navy Captain Owen Franklin, whose own son was killed on Wilson s disastrous last raid on the French coast. Under pressure from Winston Churchill, Wilson's plan is given the go-ahead even though the naval craft requested for the mission are reduced to a minesweeper replacing the destroyer, no escort craft and only four motor launches.

My thoughts about Attack on the Iron Coast:

Objectively Attack on the Iron Coast is probably a rather mediocre film. But I'm rather partial to these type of "war adventure" films. And after watching Sea Hunt, I'm a fan of Lloyd Bridges. From what I gather, this film is loosely based on a real event. That makes it a little bit more interesting than if it was all fictional. The script does leave something to be desired, though. The portrayal of the German officers is rather stereotypical. Walter Gotell and George Mikell are both fine actors, but they don't get a chance to show it. They are given much better roles in The Guns of Navarone, which is, by the way, a much better film. The special effects, courtesy of Les Bowie, vary quite a bit. The shots of the ships at sea suffer from poor depth of focus, which immediately makes them look like the miniature setups that they are. But Les probably did the best he could with the budget he was given. The explosions in the German docks looked better. This is probably not a film that would suit everybody. It was just right for me, though, so I'll give it 3 1/2 stars. Be aware that this is a highly subjective rating, though. Oh yeah, the DVD is 1.85:1, non-anamorphic! On a DVD that was released 2014! WTF 101 Films?

I (still) rate this title

(From Reviews and ramblings by Gunnar on January 2nd, 2015)

Arthur Christmas, a review by Danae Cassandra

Arthur Christmas
Year of Release: 2011
Directed By: Sarah Smith
Starring: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, Ashley Jensen
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Animation

Overview:
How CAN Santa deliver billions of presents to the whole world in just one night? With an army of one million combat-style Field Elves and a vast, state-of-the-art control center under the ice of the North Pole! So how could this incredible operation have MISSED one child?! To Santa's young son, Arthur, it threatens to end the magic of Christmas. With retired Grandsanta, a rebellious young elf, an old sleigh and some untrained reindeer, Arthur sets out in a crazy mission to deliver the last present! Deck the halls with excitement, fun and wonder in this new Christmas classic!

My Thoughts:
This was a great, fun movie for the season. For being 5 years old now, the CGI still looks really good. The heart of the film is the relationships between the members of the Santa family, and the characters are pretty well fleshed for an animated film. It has a good story and lots of humor to keep it going as well. This has made it into my yearly rotation, and would be a good addition to the collection of any Christmas movie fan or any family with children.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 3.75/5

(From Christmas 2016 on December 16th, 2016)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Season One (2000/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia HBO Video (United States) Length: 347 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, French: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

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Plot:
Larry David, co-creator and executive producer of the long-running hit comedy series "Seinfeld," tackles a new subject - himself. He's got it all: a loving wife, good friends, a successful career, a great home...what could go wrong for Larry David?

Surrounded by an eclectic mix of real and fictional re-creations of his friends, acquaintances and outright enemies, prone to speaking the unspeakable, and honest to the point of insensitivity, Larry David is a walking victim of misunderstandings and missed opportunities.

Curb Your Enthusiasm
1.00 Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm
Writer: )
Director: Robert B. Weide
Cast: Interviews), * Jason Alexander), * Larry Charles), * Carol Leifer), * Richard Lewis), * Rick Newman), * Glenn Padnick), * Jerry Seinfeld), ), Linda Bates (HBO Production Team), Mark Beltzman (Mourner), Cynthia Caponera (Wife's Friend), Julie Claire (HBO Production Team), Donna Cooper (HBO Receptionist), Ed Crasnick (Larry's Suite Mate), Larry David (Himself), Jeff Garlin (Jeff Greene), Eric Scott Gould (Jeff Yerkes), Allan Havey (Himself), Cheryl Hines (Cheryl David), Michael Patrick King (HBO Publicist), Don Lake (HBO Director), Losmir Marin (Hotel Clerk), Susan Marque (HBO Assistant), Suzy Nakamura (HBO Production Designer), Mike Reynolds (Himself), Caroline Rhea (Herself), Stefanie Singer (HBO Receptionist), Suzy Soro (Herself), Larry Thigpen (HBO Production Team), Becky Thyre (Jeff's N.Y. Girlfriend), Judy Toll (HBO Executive), Allan Wasserman (HBO Executive)

This HBO special was the inspiration for the series. So I decided to watch it for this pilot marathon. Many elements for the series are already in place. Although this is build up more like a documentary. The characters are aware of the cameras and also give interviews.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on April 2nd, 2011)