Valkyrie - Blu-ray

2008
Starring: Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Carice Van Houton, Terence Stamp, Eddie Izzard, Jamie Parker, Kenneth Branagh, Christian Berkel
Director: Bryan Singer
Runtime: 120 Minutes
Distributor: United Artists
Rating: R

Ever since the debacle of MI:3, a project which saw Tom Cruise to put it politely “released” from his obligations to Paramount, Cruise has had more ups and downs than the stock market. Bouncing straight back after he was prestigiously appointed to head up United Artists, his first act was the somber, snooze inducing political drama Lions for Lambs. Then out of nowhere a self-deprecating turn under some seriously unflattering make-up as the foul-mouthed, ball-busting studio mogul behind Tropic Thunder made him credible again.

Now after a long and bloody PR campaign that saw the world’s biggest film star taking to the TV spots explaining why you should go see his movie, Cruise managed to cement his place in a year that was really all about comebacks. And what better way to comeback than to go so against type – The Cruiser flashing those pearly whites against the clammy grey of the Third Reich, Surely not? Though in all honesty this detailed reconstruction of Col. Claus Von Stauffenberg and the plot to assassinate Hitler is a deck so stacked in his favor it wouldn’t look out of place being shuffled by Danny Ocean.

Click here to read the full review at JustPressPlay.net.

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The Eagle Has Landed

1976
Starring: Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Donald Sutherland, Jenny Agutter, Donald Pleasance, Jean Marsh
Director: John Sturges
Runtime: 124 minutes
Distributor: Granada
Rating: PG-13

Given the self-imposed blackout of certain aspects of history by its people for their own sake, combined with a deep seeded sense of shame, we are never going to get a World War II film where the Germans come off well made by Germany. So in the spirit of forgiveness, good relations, and fair play, we duly obliged and made one ourselves. Based on Jack Higgins pulp thriller The Eagle Has Landed could certainly be accused of being more than a little far-fetched (even by war movie standards) but, as it goes, it’s one of the most simple, entertaining and criminally underrated war flicks out there. With an all star cast and a unique take on a genre that’s played out to the point of redundant, this little belter has plenty of charm and a brigade of top notch performances that sees it punch well above its weight.

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Posted in Action/Adventure, Feature Films, Reviews, War | No Comments »