bghilliotti's reviews

If you are looking for a Star Wars type sci-go movie, with a Christmas Tree collage of explosions and special effects, don't go to this one. This movie belongs more in the category of Star Trek I, 2001 Space Odyssey, and even a little bit of the movie event horizon. This movie focuses more on character development than anything else, with a horror theme plot backdrop. If you can accept the movie's style, it was ok. The scene where the protagonist gets through Neptune's rings is pure Hollywood unrealism, however. Film effective gives a fascinating (and in my opinion realistic) portrayal of the political situation of a future Moon colony. A conflict between government vs governments, corporations vs corporations, governments vs corporations. Brian Ghilliotti

The film does a good job depicting the fact that the war in Afghanistan is a multi-dimensional war, not simply a matter of coalition forces and Taliban fighting each other. There are numerous locus's of power fighting for their own interests in Afghanistan, who shift their alliances and manipulate each other for their own dominance. Touches on the disturbing topic of child trafficking. Some viewers may find the numerous subplots of the film confusing. Interesting humor devices. Brian Ghilliotti

Older Star Wars fans may be interested in the backdrop stories behind the main Star Wars series, but could end up getting tired of the same plot and special effects mechanisms used throughout the films. Younger Star Wars fans will probably enjoy it. Brian Ghilliotti

The movie is okay if you do not mind following two plots presented in parallel fashion, with flashbacks used as the transition mechanism. The film tries to depict the events before and during the sea disaster simultaneously, which some movie goers may find disorienting. Brian Ghilliotti

The film does a good job depicting the brutal process of African youth being converted into child soldiers, not only in this un-named West African nation, but probably throughout all of Africa. The film does not shy away from depicting the sickening barbarism of war, and the aimless cycles of revenge that keeps it going. Viewers should be warned when watching this film. What blew my mind the most about this film was the speech made by the African warlord toward the end of the film as his soldiers are abandoning him. I have *absolutely no sympathies* for this character, but I feel his speech hit it on the head not only for veterans of this historical fiction conflict, but for US Veterans as well (minus the war crimes). In my opinion, I feel that the US has some of the absolute poorest attitudes towards its veterans when compared with many nations in the world. What you see in the US is absolute insincere, shallow, fakery in terms of its public 'support' for veterans (my opinion). Also, the speech made the by main character, a child soldier, during his therapy after he surrendered, could not have said it ANY better for US Veterans....COMPLETELY different circumstances between the wars of US Veterans and the rebels depicted in this movie, yet the final realities for both veteran groups are depicted in similar and disturbingly accurate ways. Brian Ghilliotti

A very historically accurate film about an obscure event in African and Cold War History. It is surprising that such a movie was made, and glad that it has. Also explains why it has become forgotten, and the moral dilemma the the commander the Irish UN forces faced. Brian Ghilliotti

This is some of the best psychedelic genre cartoon artwork I have seen since the Beatles' 'Yellow Submarine'. Brian Ghilliotti

The movie mixed science fiction with a real life portrayal of life in space fairly well. Plot also examines the politics of space disasters as well. There is some Star trek dialog in the script, which may or may not turn some people off. Part of the movie that pissed me off was that it did not seem to give much credit to Rich Purnell for his idea...(see movie). Brian Ghilliorri

This is a film that looks at a group of close friends in a Pennsylvania rust belt town before getting deployed to Vietnam, briefly depicts their combat experience, and then refocused on their efforts to reintegrate back into society. People looking for a more traditional war movie will find it very boring. Interesting portrayal of the fall of Saigon. Brian Ghilliotti

I personally identified with this character, minus the drug addiction and homelessness aspects of his life, in that I have been completely shunned by my family, with no effective support system in life. However, the main character had it much worse than me, and I feel inspired by how he overcame his challenges with the help of his stray cat friend. The film also appealed to me since I am a supporter of animal rights. There are very strong themes of hope in this film. This film is notable in that it is one of the few films that examines the issue of homelessness and animal rights in a non judgmental way. Brian Ghilliotti

This film attempts to combine a lot of western related historical themes into a single plot. These include frontier family blood feuds, land claim disputes, organized crime (as it existed in the frontier days), political corruption, and Native American culture and conflicts. Many people will find the plot confusing. I personally felt that the film did manage to pull it off, but I can see why many would get confused and loose interest. Brian Ghilliotti

An interesting movie that explores the question of what could happen if humans came into contact with alien life. It is not a 'dumb' question to ask. We discuss the possibility of going to Mars, where there could be microbial life. What if humans are exposed to these microbes. Interestingly, the 'life' that wreaks havoc on the science team started as a microbial life form from Mars. Not suggesting that is likely microbial life from Mars could mutate as a full blown creature; in in real world Martian microbial life would most likely kill by inhalation. Though the movie does try to depict space life more realistically than many other sci-fi films I have seen, Hollywood does pull out some dramatic licenses here; especially with the creature somehow flying about in the open vacuum of space without imploding. Brian Ghilliotti

Some of the best cinemagraphic depiction of combat that I have seen. The movie was in Chinese, making it more realistic; however, the English subtitles were presented very quickly and it was hard to follow the story. The intense action of the film tended to distract you from effectively reading the subtitles. Brian Ghilliotti

Way too much mellodrama and sentimentality. Excellent Cinematography. You'll either love this movie or absolutely hate it. Brian Ghilliotti

Just when we thought all WWII stories have been told, this film offers an interesting story about a consciousness objector who chose to fight the system by serving in the military anyway as a medic. Mocked as a coward, he proves himself as one of the bravest in his unit. Critics here will state that it unrealistically depicted combat, but unfortunately this is Hollywood, which will use artistic licenses to promote a story. Brian Ghilliotti

The film had a modest budget, but it depicted very accurately events and major characters involved in the Nez Perce war. Had a strong anti war message; couldn't help noticing that it was made just after the US pulled out of Vietnam. Brian Ghilliotti