Surviving The Cold War..."Bridge Of Spies"

Bridge of Spies (2015)

Rated

Starring Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda, Amy Ryan, Austin Stowell

Directed by Steven Spielberg

The Story:

James Donovan (Hanks) is selected by the CIA to defend Rudolf Abel (Rylance) who is charged with spying on America and giving intelligence to the Russian government. Naturally, defending a spy during the Cold War isn't the most glamorous position to be in, and Donovan suffers for it. He does provide an intriguing twist to the proceedings when it is time for the sentencing, one that would have repercussions years later when American pilot Franci Gary Powers (Stowell) would be shot down in his U2 plane while flying over Russian airspace.

This is their story.

And, aside from some dramatics, most of the story is roughly true, and condensed for time.

Yet it is always a tense and gripping drama and spy thriller all rolled into one.

Hanks and Spielberg know each other so well and they do exactly what they need to complement the other in what they do.

Mark Rylance however, is quite wonderful as the accused spy. Never bending, never breaking, and always with a bit of wit to his credit, his performance brings much levity and heart to the story.

Now for the second time in as many weeks, I must seriously ask if this was indeed an Oscar worthy performance?

My gut instinct: No.

While he is a great supporting actor in this movie, his support is very minor. I think of all the nominees, he ends up with the least amount of screen time.

I'll get to that review and who should have won soon enough, but I won't begrudge Rylance his statue. It's a very good performance and he would have been my 2nd choice to win of the group mentioned.

Naturally, as with most spy or heist movies, I try not to say too much to avoid any potential spoilers.

Watch this one, you're very likely to enjoy it.

Final Grade: Solid B

Avoid Being Drafted Into "Frankenstein's Army"

Frankenstein's Army (2013)
Rated R for language and violence

Starring Karel Roden, Joshua Sasse, Robert Gwilym, Alexander Mercury, Luke Newberry

Directed by Richard Raaphorst

The Story:

World War II is coming to a close, and a Russian unit pushing through into Germany discovers a secret lab.  Inside, Nazi scientists were experimenting Victor Frankenstein style and combining the bodies of the dead with pieces of machinery to create unstoppable weapons in a last-ditch effort to win the war.  Will the Russians save the day, or is humanity doomed?

Based on the grotesque true story...

No, not really.

Based on someone's pretty crazy imagination though, this film does pretty good for a B movie trying to make a horror/World War II film.

For the most part, they completely succeed.

Shot almost entirely as a handheld documentary/found footage affair, you know you're going to be subjected to shaky camera syndrome and the usual jumps and starts that go with that genre.

It also plays like a hybrid cross between Medal of Honor or Call of Duty in the first person shooter.

Opening doors, diving behind things for cover.

Great work on the monsters.  They seem to be a perfect balance of nightmare yet completely plausible, and that adds to the drama and tension, especially as they close in on the Russians.

This film is currently available to stream on Netflix for those interested.

Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Once was enough for me.

You Say You Want A (Musical) Revolution Weekend..."Billy Joel: A Matter of Trust-TheBridge To Russia"

Billy Joel: A Matter of Trust- The Bridge to Russia (2014)

Starring Billy Joel, Russia :)

Directed by Jim Brown

The Story:

In the summer of 1987, Billy Joel was the first western act to bring Rock & Roll to Russia  to tour behind the Iron Curtain.

Within 2 years, the Berlin Wall was knocked down.

Coincidence?

I think not.

Joel's six concerts in Moscow and Leningrad were filmed, and some footage was shown on HBO back in 87.

Now, a new special with additional footage and new interviews reflecting on that tour are shown, currently playing on Showtime.




It's a great time capsule of a time in transition, captured perfectly by Joel's energetic performance.

The songs are wonderful, and the atmosphere of the entire production is infectious.

This is what Americans felt when the Beatles came on Ed Sullivan.

That's pretty cool to witness in retrospect.

Final Grade: Solid B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I wouldn't have any problem watching it again, always been a huge Billy Joel fan.