The early "warning signs" that the acquaintances and friends of the family were pointing to in Episode 4 of Season 1, are considered normal for most parents in all places and time periods. Recording your fully clothed sleepy teenage son or daughter waking up, or monitoring their phones and boyfriends is considered creepy from a parents point of view? The dad jokingly saying "she smiled at the customer, she's in trouble," is a warning sign? Ridiculous. At this point, any few seconds captured on home video can be considered "a warning." One should also note that the dad was an immigrant from Egypt, whose kids were becoming Americanized. This isn't an excuse for murder, but not necessarily a "devil warning."
Reviews
8 Reviews
Mr. Jones
(2019)
Dictatorship over the Proletariat
10 May 2023
Exposing the Soviet lie; the divergence between misguided theory and visible results of attempted realization; between promise and reality. As the old peasant Russian proverb goes: "Bad crops are from God, hunger comes from men." While Communist party members were enjoying a buffet with caviar, veal, and butter, they were practicing forced food extraction from peasants for their picture-perfect display window in the select urban centers. Shops, restaurants, and villas were limited to a particular circle of people with status privileges. They lived in desirable neighborhoods, some were given Western cars with a chauffeur, had access to special resorts, and separate superior health-care facilities.
This was true of all communist societies. The privileges which came with power deepened the spell of power. They were removed from the daily life of the population, from standing in line for various scarce commodities, from the world of low incomes and standards of living. These privileges made them deaf and blind about the cares of the nation. Idealistic motivation, elevation to high office, and privileges that confirmed their importance together provided strong defenses against disaffection.
Why replace capitalists with another elite hierarchy endowed with special privileges? Some arbitrary, uninformed, party apparatus, making all of the decisions? That's a recipe for corruption on a mass scale. Before 1942, and after 1945, nowhere in the world was there such a fearsome concentration of suffering and political despotism, nowhere else was misery so disguised with advanced slogans. Even the NKVD (political police) had been known to hand over German anti-fascists to the Nazi Gestapo.
True, during de-Stalinization (1953-1970) mass purges had ceased, the population of the Gulag was reduced, and the worldwide Communist monolith gradually split apart and slowly faded over 30 years until its collapse. But the ideology had not changed, the state party still had a monopoly of political power, the KGB was still operating without fear of competition, and the economy was still centrally planned and directed. The regime had not become more liberal, unless one regarded the interpretation of party, KGB, army, and the state's commanding position in the economy a form of pluralism. The idea that it could reform itself and become more liberal and democratic was far-fetched.
I watched this film twice, and recommend it to everyone. Calling it "exaggerated" sounds like an Holocaust denier with their eye glued to an ideological key hole. Some apologists don't want to be disillusioned of their utopian ideals. True, the quality of good books is better than films or online information; especially the books published in the 1990s, after the opening of the secret Soviet archives.. As far as other commenters, no, Stalin is not the same as Putin in Ukraine. One can draw parallels between the two, but this does not make them the same. Putin is quasi-authoritarian with a wounded nationalism, but not totalitarian like Stalin. Russia has had conflict with Ukraine for ages.
We get anti-Nazi movies obsessively, but rarely do we get anti-communist movies. No atrocities maybe? The Nazis were vicious, but some apologists see communists as simply "intellectually misguided," which is implausible. Stalin's terror famine in Ukraine, the Gulag, the deportation of the Kulaks, the Katyn Forest massacre, Mao's Cultural Revolution, the Hungarian revolution, Che Guevara's executions in Havana, the flight of the boat people from Vietnam, Pol Pot's mass slaughter; material enough for dozens of movies. Furthermore, great villains make for great drama, and communism's central casting department is crowded: Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Hönecker, Ceaucescu, Pol Pot, Col. Mengistu, all of cosmic megalomania-along with their squads of hacks, sycophants, and stooges, foreign and domestic. The victims of communism, and its heroic resisters, deserve to have their stories remembered.
This was true of all communist societies. The privileges which came with power deepened the spell of power. They were removed from the daily life of the population, from standing in line for various scarce commodities, from the world of low incomes and standards of living. These privileges made them deaf and blind about the cares of the nation. Idealistic motivation, elevation to high office, and privileges that confirmed their importance together provided strong defenses against disaffection.
Why replace capitalists with another elite hierarchy endowed with special privileges? Some arbitrary, uninformed, party apparatus, making all of the decisions? That's a recipe for corruption on a mass scale. Before 1942, and after 1945, nowhere in the world was there such a fearsome concentration of suffering and political despotism, nowhere else was misery so disguised with advanced slogans. Even the NKVD (political police) had been known to hand over German anti-fascists to the Nazi Gestapo.
True, during de-Stalinization (1953-1970) mass purges had ceased, the population of the Gulag was reduced, and the worldwide Communist monolith gradually split apart and slowly faded over 30 years until its collapse. But the ideology had not changed, the state party still had a monopoly of political power, the KGB was still operating without fear of competition, and the economy was still centrally planned and directed. The regime had not become more liberal, unless one regarded the interpretation of party, KGB, army, and the state's commanding position in the economy a form of pluralism. The idea that it could reform itself and become more liberal and democratic was far-fetched.
I watched this film twice, and recommend it to everyone. Calling it "exaggerated" sounds like an Holocaust denier with their eye glued to an ideological key hole. Some apologists don't want to be disillusioned of their utopian ideals. True, the quality of good books is better than films or online information; especially the books published in the 1990s, after the opening of the secret Soviet archives.. As far as other commenters, no, Stalin is not the same as Putin in Ukraine. One can draw parallels between the two, but this does not make them the same. Putin is quasi-authoritarian with a wounded nationalism, but not totalitarian like Stalin. Russia has had conflict with Ukraine for ages.
We get anti-Nazi movies obsessively, but rarely do we get anti-communist movies. No atrocities maybe? The Nazis were vicious, but some apologists see communists as simply "intellectually misguided," which is implausible. Stalin's terror famine in Ukraine, the Gulag, the deportation of the Kulaks, the Katyn Forest massacre, Mao's Cultural Revolution, the Hungarian revolution, Che Guevara's executions in Havana, the flight of the boat people from Vietnam, Pol Pot's mass slaughter; material enough for dozens of movies. Furthermore, great villains make for great drama, and communism's central casting department is crowded: Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Hönecker, Ceaucescu, Pol Pot, Col. Mengistu, all of cosmic megalomania-along with their squads of hacks, sycophants, and stooges, foreign and domestic. The victims of communism, and its heroic resisters, deserve to have their stories remembered.
Fascism in Color
(2007– )
Probably one of the better documentaries on Italian Fascism
21 June 2022
After years in fascist studies, I can honestly say that this is one of the better documentaries on Italian Fascism, with respected specialists in the field such as Stanley G. Payne and Emilio Gentile. However, the music can be a little loud at times, overpowering the narrator. I had to purchase a digital copy through Amazon in order to watch the entire thing. Good documentaries on Italian Fascism have always been lacking.
The Hollow Crown
(2012–2016)
Sublime!
8 June 2022
I was highly impressed at the amount of talent in this BBC production. I can't believe I have never seen this! I would say that the finale of season 1 and the finale of season 2 was my absolute favorites. Benedict Cumberbatch did an amazing job as Richard III. There are quite a few instances within the two seasons that are just captivating and sublime! I see this production becoming a standard, and a classic.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
(2022)
Bad acting indeed.
1 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
They're not kidding about the bad acting. I don't give films high ratings for "effort" or "the message." A lot of people were waiting a long time for this, hoping that they would "at least" get this one right. . . Nope... Btw what's up with the most interesting villians being killed off early in Disney's Star Wars? Oh well, it's not like its cannon anyway. I gave it 3 stars for the effects...
X
(II) (2022)
Unlisted goof?
18 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
More entertaining than most horror films these days, but a little weird at times. However, I am a little confused. Is RJ still dead in front of the van, or is he hanging in the cellar with his pants pulled down? Or is the body in the cellar somebody else entirely? I swear the body moved twice-first, being moved from the front of the van to the cellar (before church mouse gets locked in), and then back in front of the van just before the handgun is grabbed out of the glove compartment. Is this an unlisted goof?
Live Reliving My Childhood
13 November 2021
And the biggest selling Power Ranger toy of all time. . . . the flip heads. . . . I remember kids at school arguing over MMPR toys at school, and who got to be the Green, White, or Red ranger. Then there were those few individual kids that were "too cool" for Power Rangers. . . . This particular episode of "The Toys that made us" was like reliving my childhood, and i'm sure that you would agree. It was nice to hear a little bit on the history. Its weird watching the show and remembering every single characters name. . . . Even the monsters from a single episode. I mainly grew up with the original season, the thunder season, and the ninja and Aqua Rangers season. Watching the MMPR episode of "The Toys that made us" made me feel like I aged as fast as Billy.
Power Rangers Zeo changed everything, but it was still a good show with the Machine Empire. But how many of us wanted Rita and Zed to come back? Zed was the best villain that Power Rangers ever made. I remember some parents complaining that he was "too scary" but us boys thought that he was awesome, that is, until they turned Zed and Rita into a joke. Who remembers them driving around in a camper on the moon in MMPR Zeo? . . . . Sure, all the episodes had bad cheesy comedy (Bulk and Skull). I stopped watching Power Rangers somewhere around Turbo. Lets be honest, it wasn't as interesting after that and I believe the show lost its spark (especially when sold to Disney). I mean, Mystic Rangers? Come on. . . . I lost track after that.
Over all, those first few seasons were great. I liked the new toys every year, and I was willing to mow lawns all summer to have them. Everyone wanted the Zords which costed around $50-$60 at times. The original Zords and the Thunder Zords from season 2 were probably the most iconic in my opinion, especially Jason's Dragonzord and the White Tiger Zord. Remember the 20 minute VHS tapes of the classics? The belts/morphers, the gloves, costumes with a one sided mask, and thin spandex like fabric that you had to wear a coat over in order to Trick or Treat in the cold. . . .
Without Power Rangers, I probably would have been one bored kid. There was no mention of MMPR: The Movie, which I remember seeing in theaters. The Ninja Zords had bad early computer animation, but it didn't seem as bad as a kid. I even remember collecting all of the McDonald's Power Ranger toys. I wish I could go back in time and relive those days when life was more simple, when boys were boys. Back then kids played video games, but we played outside and road our bikes and went on adventures just as much.
Power Rangers Zeo changed everything, but it was still a good show with the Machine Empire. But how many of us wanted Rita and Zed to come back? Zed was the best villain that Power Rangers ever made. I remember some parents complaining that he was "too scary" but us boys thought that he was awesome, that is, until they turned Zed and Rita into a joke. Who remembers them driving around in a camper on the moon in MMPR Zeo? . . . . Sure, all the episodes had bad cheesy comedy (Bulk and Skull). I stopped watching Power Rangers somewhere around Turbo. Lets be honest, it wasn't as interesting after that and I believe the show lost its spark (especially when sold to Disney). I mean, Mystic Rangers? Come on. . . . I lost track after that.
Over all, those first few seasons were great. I liked the new toys every year, and I was willing to mow lawns all summer to have them. Everyone wanted the Zords which costed around $50-$60 at times. The original Zords and the Thunder Zords from season 2 were probably the most iconic in my opinion, especially Jason's Dragonzord and the White Tiger Zord. Remember the 20 minute VHS tapes of the classics? The belts/morphers, the gloves, costumes with a one sided mask, and thin spandex like fabric that you had to wear a coat over in order to Trick or Treat in the cold. . . .
Without Power Rangers, I probably would have been one bored kid. There was no mention of MMPR: The Movie, which I remember seeing in theaters. The Ninja Zords had bad early computer animation, but it didn't seem as bad as a kid. I even remember collecting all of the McDonald's Power Ranger toys. I wish I could go back in time and relive those days when life was more simple, when boys were boys. Back then kids played video games, but we played outside and road our bikes and went on adventures just as much.
Unbroken: Path to Redemption
(2018)
Why all the hostility?
3 January 2021
I finally watched this film for the first time and decided to go on Imdb to rate it. I read at least half of the comments, both positive and negative. I don't see anything wrong with giving a deeply passionate message on fighting inner demons, forgiveness, and a transformed life in the salvation of Christ. After the Second World War, many men found inner peace through salvation and became ministers, and planted intergenerational seeds. They were men of faith. Billy Graham wasn't a perfect man, as there are none, but his message was a shining light to many. He was active during the civil rights movement, and even worked with MLK Jr and Southern ministers to desegregate the South. However, I do understand what some of the negative reviewers are saying. Some modern Christian films can be corny and overly dramatic to the point of spoiling the moment for some.
At the same time, a lot of films such as "Jesus camp" about Christian youth propaganda, brainwashing, and making it seem like the norm, is way overly dramatic. The film "Boy Erased" about conversion therapy, is an inaccurate portrayal. Even decades ago, that wasn't all that common. Scientists once "believed" (meaning based on faith), that being gay was a mental illness. That is far removed from the belief of many of today's Christians. True Christians believe that only God can change someone. If there are any remaining stragglers believing that sending a gay teen to "conversion therapy" is a solution, then they are missing the biblical mark. A lack of understanding, and a shared bitterness towards religion, leads to the creation of these types of films. Filmmakers pick rare instances and blow them up in a full feature film in order to politicize it.
My dislikes for Broken 2 obviously had nothing to do with the film having a Christian aim. At the same time, giving the film one star just because you strongly dislike anything to do with Christianity, shows your deeply imbedded bias. I've seen plenty of films that irritated me to the point of desiring to give it one star. But at least I try to have an open mind to be realistic, understand the message, and look past my personal beliefs in order to give films a fair and unbiased rating. Some of these one star raters either did not watch the film, or allowed their bitterness for Christianity to cloud their vision and overcome the important message of "forgiveness."
At the same time, a lot of films such as "Jesus camp" about Christian youth propaganda, brainwashing, and making it seem like the norm, is way overly dramatic. The film "Boy Erased" about conversion therapy, is an inaccurate portrayal. Even decades ago, that wasn't all that common. Scientists once "believed" (meaning based on faith), that being gay was a mental illness. That is far removed from the belief of many of today's Christians. True Christians believe that only God can change someone. If there are any remaining stragglers believing that sending a gay teen to "conversion therapy" is a solution, then they are missing the biblical mark. A lack of understanding, and a shared bitterness towards religion, leads to the creation of these types of films. Filmmakers pick rare instances and blow them up in a full feature film in order to politicize it.
My dislikes for Broken 2 obviously had nothing to do with the film having a Christian aim. At the same time, giving the film one star just because you strongly dislike anything to do with Christianity, shows your deeply imbedded bias. I've seen plenty of films that irritated me to the point of desiring to give it one star. But at least I try to have an open mind to be realistic, understand the message, and look past my personal beliefs in order to give films a fair and unbiased rating. Some of these one star raters either did not watch the film, or allowed their bitterness for Christianity to cloud their vision and overcome the important message of "forgiveness."
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