Tag: war

video review : Fair Game

video review : Fair Game

This movie, based on a memoir by former CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson, seems to have its political views in the right place. It’s not afraid to portray the US government as the corrupt organization it often is. The main focus goes back to the weeks, months and years after “9-11” and the questionable war that started as a result.

The plot, about Valerie’s sudden termination from the CIA; the result of her ambassador husband publicly denying that Saddam Hussein is using “yellowcake” to make weapons; doesn’t really untangle itself until about the half-way point. From there, this Fair Game is two people versus the government in what is ultimately anything but.

my rating : 3 of 5

2010

audio review : Soldier Of Love ( album ) … Sade

audio review : Soldier Of Love ( album ) ... Sade

Songstress Sade has a thing for Love. This is her third album in a row with that word in the title. For her, it’s a catch-all for romantic allure, which this time comes with the theme of war. Even the Babyfather ballad, presumably dedicated to her own daughter, has “troops and extra backup standing by”.

It’s a waste of resources though. The one place Sade needs back-up is on the hooks of these songs, which rarely sway from the narrow melodic range we’ve come to expect from her. It, along with the smooth jazz grooves it’s presented upon, represents her comfort zone. But neo-soul only goes so far.

There’s some impressive, subtle yet sporadic, instrumentation happening during the last third of the title track, which marches like the beat of a military band. The best song though doesn’t come until the album’s end. “In my heart, your love has found the safest hiding place,” she sings to her soldier.

my rating : 3 of 5

2010

video review : Captain America : The First Avenger

video review : Captain America : The First Avenger

I’m an American but not a patriot and I’ve lost what little fascination I had with comic books a long time ago, so Captain America does nothing for me as a character. This movie, the latest in a relatively recent string of money-motivated superhero flicks, makes him matter even less because his story isn’t an exciting one. If it is, director Joe Johnston does a piss-poor job of telling it.

Where the first Iron Man had its clever, perhaps even awe-inspiring, moments, this script is all hack. It’s significant only in the sense that it leads directly to the much-hyped Avengers movie, which I have no interest in seeing. Even the visuals, featuring a bulky Chris Evans CGIed down to a charicaturous weakling, lack luster. That’s surprising for a film with a 140-million-dollar budget.

my rating : 2 of 5

2011