Larry Galearis

I probably should not be so outspoken about inaccuracies but some movie script play on the ignorance of the audience and what is worse, their prejudices. It is not a bad film (although the average viewers idea of wilderness is not what is presented in this film with stores and Winnipeg just down the road). But getting back to inaccuracies: fur trapping happens in the winter when pelts are at their finest, not in early fall. What the movie presents is an off season trapping family which just doesn't happen in real life. The other major inaccuracy is the dangerous wolf scenario. Wolves, wherever they are found are the shyest and wariest of animals and avoid people with great fear. So the aggressive wolf premise is also flawed. Other than these major flaws, the script dialogue is ok, the filming is impressive (although the Canadian Shield lies well to the east of Winnipeg, Manitoba) and some of the movie is shot in this rugged landscape, and the acting more than adequate. However, I am downgrading this film because of its lack of research and/or honesty as getting the seasons right would have helped a lot. That leaves the problem with the murderous wolf thing....

Curiously poor reviews with a very capable effort by an excellent director. Of course there is not much new here but chase films and spy thrillers combined either grab and hold ones attention or don't. This one does. It has an interesting plot line with mystery and intrigue, violence that is linked with the West vs Moslem war, and the duplicity (in the end) of a rogue element running an operation against its own ally. It is curious, however, that the a leading character had to explain in such a long winded fashion why he was involved in a biological attack on the U.K. when all he had to do was state that it was a "false flag" effort to gain a political response at home. The morality of this is horrifying but also something that happens all too frequently in modern wars, cold and otherwise, against their artificial adversaries.

This show is quite scary if one thinks of all those impressionable youth gaining nihilist ideas from it for relating to the world. The opening scenes where Wayne invited beatings from low life elements was initially incomprehensible except apparently to set them up later for his revenge on them. On the most basic levels Wayne is presented as a role model for alienated youth and the show lacks a moral compass. In watching it the production values (high) and script (literate) cinematography (good) all served to deliver the unpleasant message with force. The show completely lacks integrity and with the disintegration of America now going on, the show fits in well with angst and frustration of a people losing hope and morality.

In short he could be called the last mainstream MSM journalist left in the United States today. He does not like smear campaigns and is critical of both right and left (whatever that means today) when the constitutionality of government politics runs amok. He is credible and although from time to time editorializes on misinformation, he is overall honest with strong integrity. Galearis

This is essentially a character study of two brothers with gunfights. The acting is marvelous, the cinematography and period work spot on, and the story line an entertaining road movie. The failure is one that bothers me more with my background in mining about the central feature, the fulcrum premise for the plot about finding gold in California. It is pure fantasy nonsense. Most people will not know this, nor may not care and therefore are the fortunate winners when they view this film. Galearis

As a Canadian I likely have a better idea about a winter environment than what I saw throughout this film. It really had some production value problems as if everyone involved was from Southern California and had never experienced any cold weather, never saw ones breath vapour, frost bite, or had a concept of hypothermia during a Midnight Dip and hike. The space props, although visually impressive, failed because zero gravity apparently was only present within the space craft itself, not a constant outside during a walkabout. So there were many technical aspects to the environmental conditions that were mishandled. When the character was injured by an ice meteorite to the extent that blood globs were seen in her helmet, there was only a gradual loss of atmosphere within the suit itself. Impossible. And why was the George Clooney character doing with his self-imposed exile at that base? There did not seem to be any purpose to it. All of the above was so annoying that it occupied too much of my attention away from a plot that was too self indulgent and sedentary to be very credible.

The mark of successful fiction whether it be writing or in film is whether an unlikely premise can be sold in that medium. Good horror writers, like Stephen King, have that gift, and more rarely movies and series like this one. The acting is first rate; character development is appropriate; production values are up to the challenge, and direction is firm. I would usually avoid themes with religion and demons involved and that made selling the plot to this view was the greater challenge. Nevertheless, I was involved right from the first episode (albeit reluctantly) and with increasing enthusiasm as the series progressed. I would give this series full marks for dramatic impact and suspense. Give it a watch. Galearis

There is little wrong with the production qualities of this effort, and it has artistic merit, a thriller with suspense but is geared for the youth market. It is like the super-hero genre where special affects give it plus star ratings as it meets the approval of the youth market without straining I.Q.s unnecessarily. But subtle it is not, another apparent quality that helps with its market appeal. Character development is also lacking and histrionics replace acting. Plot holes therefore abound and one never quite understands some of the behaviors seen nor the foundation for all that happens around the monsters very existence. The older set should skip it as it simply overwhelms the senses and eventually dulls the interest in the characters and for what is going on. But heck, for the gore and thrill seekers who want non stop action without pause for reason or logic, this is the series for you. It does this most successfully. FWIW, Galearis

Surprising good! I am an older media person and do not respond well to super hero movies and tv shows of this type. This Titans series is different in several ways that made it an interesting watch for me. First, it was grittier and more graphically violent than the usual movie fare, and there was character development that is usually not present in feature films - and should be. But the series segments allow for this to happen, and the whole result in that the producers manage to sell the premise that this is more believable drama, and do it well enough for you to suppress the knowledge that this is a comic book drama. Well done.

I am not a fan of slasher movies but way back I watched Carpenters first Halloween. It created a unique atmosphere in that although violent, the action was more suggested than graphic. It lacked no dramatic impact over this style method and the new rendition follows suit to some extent. There are graphic elements, but it is a more split the difference kind of effort where not all the mayhem is put in front of the viewer. This is, like the original, a strength of the movie. Production values are very good, including editing and camera work. Acting is fine and the intensity of Jamie Lee Curtis quite carries the movie. So for a largely ex horror fan, this one kept me focused and interested. Galearis