Stephen Bowler

WHITE BIRD (2023) Captivating..Emotional..Inspiring Finding a Gem of a film or series is no easy task at times, I always give them a good run before giving up on the hope, yes that hope a gem will leap out and grab me, it's only then, the passion drives me to pen a review and share, White Bird being one such wonderful watch.. A young boy of 15 Julian Albans, played by (Bryce Gheisar) has just started his new school after being expelled for bullying at his previous school, when he returns home he finds his Grandmother Sara waiting, played superbly by Helan (Mirren) Julian at that vunrable age, when a little guidance and direction is badly needed, sitting down with his grandmother she looks him in the eye's, and realising and identifying his plight, she starts to tell him her extraordinary story, of when she was a young girl at school in France, during the second world war.. Starting with beautiful picturesque childhood scenes, playing just magical memories of picnics in a bluebell forest, and Sara playing with her parents, accompanied by enchanting music.. Sara now a teenager, and played so beautifully by (Ariella Glaser) and living a wonderful life, and doing with friends all those wonderful things that teenagers do, then one day at school everything changes, and by the days ends this bright young girl goes home for tea, sensing something is wrong, but what she doesn't quite understand, her parents try to explain over the dinner table, and with her mother also just having been let go from her university job, the Germans are coming to their little beautiful idyllic French village, and Sara and her family are Jewish.. As the pressure in the village escalates, Sara still finding it hard to understand, about why or what these prejudices are all about, then while at school during class time, she is quickly usered out with other school children, the school has been tipped off, the Germans are coming to take away the Jewish school children. The children all congregate at the edge of the forest and make a break for it, but all are caught, all except Sara, frightened cold and afraid, Sara is found by her classmate Julian Beaumier, played so extraordinarily by (Orlando Schwerdt) Julian a disabled boy with polio, takes Sara home to his parents and hides her in their barn, and there she stays through the rest of the war, hiding from the Germans.. And there just a wonderful yet harrowing story plays out, as a beautiful relationship starts to blossom between Sara and her classmate Julian. With just enchanting teenage imaginations running wild, with amazing computer generated images, of scenes of them driving through the streets of Paris, then transported to Africa and New York, just beautiful enchanting scenes, Sara and Julian are gently falling in love.. With just superb camerawork throughout, and with every actor playing their amazing part in the portrayal of their characters, in the making of this magnificent movie, just keeping your attention from start to finish.. Finishing with an emotional ending, and just a film you could watch over and over again, and still it stirs up those emotions, just a wonderful film in every sense of the word... Of interest.. White Bird was filmed in the Czech Republic, using their beautiful capital city Prague, for many of the scenes.. Tap on my profile picture for more of my reviews...

ANNE WITH AN E (2017) 3 Seasons Beautiful..Emotional..Inspiring With the popularity of streaming services nowadays, there are just thousands of series and films available at the touch of a button, and hidden in this avalanche of productions, there hides some wondrous gems, some that I've so enjoyed, I just had the urge to pattionately pen a review and share, Anne with an E being one such wonderful series.. This beautiful imaginative inspiring series, tells the story of a young girl living in an orphanage in the 1890's, Anne Shirley, a little girl with hopes and dreams, and hoping above all to find her forever family.. This young 13 year old with flamming red hair and freckles, played so wonderfully and extraordinarily by (Amybeth McNulty) An elderly unmarried brother and sister, Matthew and Mirilla Cuthbert, decide to adopt a child from the orphanage, to help them on their small farm holding Green Gables. Matthew Cuthbert played superbly by (R H Thompson) a quiet shy man of very few words, gets on his horse and cart, and sets off to pick up an orphaned child at the bright river railway station, but unfortunately a mix up has occurred, with Matthew hoping to pick up an orphaned boy, finds the orphanage has sent a girl called Anne, with the train long gone, Matthew has no choice but to take Anne back home to Green Gables to meet Marilla, played so wonderfully by (Geraldine James) Matthew and Mirilla Cuthbert, don't know this yet, but this bright bubbly little red headed girl, full of hopes and dreams, with an imagination so vast deep and colourful, is going to change the Cuthberts lives forever, as Anne Shirley grows up in the house of Green Gables, near the small town of Avonlea.. With just superb camera work throughout, showing beautiful countryside meadows and woods, and with every actor playing their amazing part in the portrayal of their characters, and just making this production such a wonderful emotional watch, dealing with many issues, like the coming of age intricacies, to bullying and social attitudes, which sadly we still have to deal with this very day, but also giving balance and showing perfectly, enchanting childhood scenes, that triggered in me, my wonderful childhood memories, of climbing tree's and making dens, while playing in the woods, in my early worry free younger days, all these beautiful scenes, that just might grab you too, and like me, finding yourself watching this Jewel of a production, well past your usual bedtime.. Of interest.. The book Anne of Green Gables, was written by Lucy Maud Montgomery in 1905.. Her 1st novel of many.. To date, 50 million copies being sold.. For more of my reviews, tap on my profile picture above..

SICARIO (2015) Dark..Gripping..Intense I really enjoy watching Taylor Sheridans work, whether he's the screen writer Directer or producer, however he's involved, you generally know you're in for a terrific watch.. So I settled down to watch Sicario (2015) which at times was a brutal watch, but although being a fictionalised film, you are left in no doubt, that inspiration has been drawn from well documented confrontations and battles had over the decades, with drug cartels and drug Lords of the day.. The film starting off with a bang, as a truck smashes through the walls of a heavily armed drug cartels safe house, and highly trained officers storm in, and start neutralising the occupants, then only to rip down the interior walls, and finding horrifying and stomach churning scenes. With stellar performances from (Emily Blunt) as Kate Macer, and (Daniel Kaluuya) as Reggie Wayne, also with (Benicio del Toro) as Alejandro Gillick, and (Josh Brolin) as Matt Graver, and with each and every actor playing their terrific part in the making of this magnificent movie.. This storyline, is shown through the eyes of Kate Macers character, doubling up as our eye's, as in the watching audience. Kate being a good serving officer, playing it by the book, who then volunteers for the upcoming assaults on the drug cartel in Mexico. Although Kate now is part of the team, she is always kept two steps behind, and purposely left in the dark, and not told the full facts, or the real reason for the upcoming assaults, as this brilliant film starts to unravel it's complicated terrific story.. With on the edge of your seat scenes, and amazing camera work throughout, accompanied by music that draws you in to the dark sinister mood of this Movie, that just keeps your attention from start to finish.. Also showing Silvo, played by (Maximilliano Hernaández) a corrupt Mexican police officer from Sanora, showing his every day family life, and portraying how deep the Mexican cartels have reached, and just corrupted the local Mexican police force.. Finishing with (Benicio del Toro) character Alejandro Gillick, playing out his amazing role, of the dark sinister character, you knew he was from the first minute he appeared in this movie, and finding out his motivations, while harrowing scenes are played out.. Just an incredible film, not for the faint hearted, and finishing as it started, with heart racing scenes playing out.. Of interest.. Josh Brolin initially turned down Sicario 2015 at first, but was later persuaded to take the role on.. The dramatic night scene tunnel attack, was filmed by the thermal heat seeking camera, the flir SC8300, and the soles of the attacking officers boots were heated up, giving a more dramatic effect, while filming that wonderful night scene.. Emily Blunt fell ill during filming and needed regular iv fluids, just to get her through and finish her scenes, showing her amazing dedication to her craft..

BABEL (2006) Gripping..Captivating..Emotional I'll start with this film by saying that one word MASTERPIECE!! Yes just an amazing film, that prods and probs at many of your emotions, it got my mind just racing, i was so immersed and concerned for the young children and their nanny Amelia, anxious about Chieko the young Japanese deaf school girl, sorrow for the young Moroccan boys and their family, a longing that Susan was going to pull through her predicament, again worry for Amelia the Mexican Nanny, I could go on, all that miscommunication and confusion, stirring all these emotions while I sat there watching this wonderful intense movie.. Early on in this film, i did get totally bewildered, with multiple stories starting, and running one after the other, i thought, what the hell is going on here, i was utterly Confused!! (BABEL, The Bible word for Babel meaning, TO CONFUSE OR TO COMFOUND) job done Mr Director (Alejandro González Iñárritu) I was confused, but just hang in there! because as this film gently reveals its story, it will all start to make sense, as these stories playing out in countries from around the world, are now starting to knit together, and reveal their connections to each other.. Yes those headline actor's peaked my interest into watching this film, with (Cate Blanchett) and (Brad pitt) giving their customary wonderful powerful performances, but honestly, I found it difficult to highlight any stand out roles, as every one of those actors and people, participateing in this film, all played their amazing part in the making of this magnificent movie. A film you could watch again and again, and being a very thought provoking film also, it will live long in the memory. just wonderful.. How the gifting of a rifle, can lead to unpredictable consequences around the world.. Of interest.. This film was shot in four different countries.. Has also won multiple awards.. Many of the Actors had never met before the red carpet event In California, November 5th 2006..

THE POPES EXORCIST (2023) Horror..Sinister..Mystery..Chilling Horror!! I tend not to gravitate towards Horrors, but seeing Russell Crowes name in this films cast, my interest was some what peaked. Thank you Mr Crowe for lighting my path to such a great film. This films powerful intro of haunting music and graphic scene's, gives you a terrific taster of what is about to come. Father Gabriel Amorth, played so Powerfully by (Russell Crowe) a priest who still practices the ancient ways of an exorcism, but these old practices are some what scorned by the Vatican. An American family recently bereaved move to Spain, having inherited the Spanish Abbey of San Sebastian, with the sole purpose of over seeing its renovation and to sell on, and then move back home to America. This families mother Julia, played by (Alexandre Essoe) and children, Amy (Laurel Marsden) and Henry (Peter DeSouza-Feighoney) unwittingly release an evil entity into the Abby, and Father Amorth is tasked by the Vatican to deal with the Abbey of San Sebastians mystery, so he sets off on his trusted mode of transport, his Lambretta scooter. On arrival at the Abby, Father Amorth meets the local priest Father Esquibel (Daniel Zavatto) who then becomes Father Amorths assistant in the Exorcism of a powerful evil demon. With wonderfully shot picturesque scenery, and splendid camera work throughout, and terrific alround acting, with Russell Crowes performance bringing in its own vibrancy and humour in the only way Russell Crowe can, Just a wonderful film.. Of interest.. Dromore Castle in County Limerick, was the stand in for the Abbey of San Sebastian, other scenes were filmed in Dublin and Rome.. Ralph Ineson, a well known actor himself, was of course the recognisable voice of the Demon...

FRESH (2022) Gripping..Suspense..Horror..Funny I so enjoy Daisy Edgar Jones work, with her wonderful normal people and Crawdads, which incidentally blew me away, she Oozes emotional intelligence when acting, especially her moving scenes, so I saw her name under the film Fresh, I read the genre, Psychological Thriller, intrigued I settled down to watch. Noa played by (DAISY EDGAR JONES) looking for love through Internet dating, and bumping into that army of men with baggage strewn all over the place, instead of being packed away, not necessarily neat and tidy, just packed away. Her friendship with her best friend Mollie, played by (JONICA T GIBBS) being a shining light, illuminating Noa's otherwise uneventful normal everyday life. Then while shopping for groceries, Noa bumps into Steve, a good looker, smart but casual, with a brief conversation and laugh, then off Steve walks, getting some 20 meters, he stops, thinks, and returns back to Noa, and asks for her number. No text was fourth coming for a few days, then the connection was made, they went out for a drink, and the relationship quickly blossoms and veers into the fast lane, and before you know it, Noa is going on a surprise weekend with Steve, a doctor played by (SEBASTIAN STAN) With her friend Mollie having cautious reservations, Noa excited but also intrigued, packs her bags and off they go. Pulling up to Steve's beautiful house, Noa a bit over roared but makes herself comfortable, and wanting to text Mollie, Noa asks about having no Internet signal, Steve replies, "is it out again," immediately for me, that red flag appears, well maybe not quite red, but an orange one, not bright, but a slightly dusky orange, Steve makes her a drink, then Noa's vision starts blurring, that flag instantly turns to blood red, quite apt really, under the circumstances, as it turns out. With great acting, this storyline has some wonderful twists and turns, with funny one liners perfectly placed in there as well, There is a terrific turning point with Noa, that really did make me cringe and shudder, i found myself gripping my blanket throw, yes we all have our comforts in times of stress, don't we, you'll definitely know the scene I'm talking about, I got so immersed into this film, and was strongly championing for Noa and the girls. Yes, this film will take you on a walk, through many of your edgy emotions. Will this film end well, that is for you to find out. Such an enjoyable watch for me,, a film that stays in the memory, and yes, I'll definitely be watching again...

NUMBER 24. (2024) Gripping..Intense..Emotional Occasionally, a film will leave you with such an impression, either by it's beauty of it's story, or by the horrors of the subject matter.. it's the latter for this film, and being based on a true story, this astonishing watch will truly leave you spellbound. Gunner Sønsteby, an elderly man, and being the highest decorated Citizen of Norway, is talking to young school teenagers, about the horrors and decisions he had to make, and participate in during world war 2... As a young man in his early 20's, Gunner Sønsteby joined the Norwegian resistance, to fight against the German oppression of the Norwegian people. Being an intelligent young man, and being calm under pressure, a trait that would keep him alive on many stressful situations. Flashbacks of Gunner's young life, showing scenes from his past of how he joined the resistance, and his orders and decisions he carried out, decisions that most ordinary people like mysellf cannot possibly ever realise, and I hope i never will. Explaining his passing years since, and the coping mechanisms he used to overcome his memories and horrors of his war actions, with some of his men unable to cope, and losing that particular battle. Being wonderfully and meticulously explained, and with an emotional ending, with curious and searching questions, asked from his now memorised teenage audience. A truly thoughtful and emotive film, that will live long in the memory, and i will certainly be watching again. Of interest, Gunner Sønsteby passed away in May 2012, and he has a memorial statue that stands in the City of Oslo, the Capital City of Norway..

EXTINCTION (2018) Dramatic..Emotional..Intense..Sci-Fi Another films title I had seen and read it's Synopsis, and thought, No, not for me, HOW WRONG WAS I.. This film was such a good watch, and very enjoyable. With a terrific storyline, that kept my attention from start to finish. Peter played by (Michael Peña) a working engineer, keeps having dreadful traumatic nightmares of flashing lights and devastation, falling down from the skies, which keep regularly waking up his wife Alice, played by (Lizzy Caplin) Both Peter and Alice having busy lives, and juggling lifes pressures, around work friends and family, with their two adorable children, Hanna and Lucy. All these pressures and Peters nightmares keep persisting and are fast becoming a problem. Peter and Alice living in a beautiful futuristic high rise building, have organised a party gathering with neighbours friends and family, while Peter is chatting on the balcony with friends, flashes and bangs suddenly appear, Peter wasn't having nightmares he was having Visions, and those flashing lights coming down from the skies with explosions, are now destroying his city, and Aliens are hunting down the people. Peter and Alice are now in survival mode, desperately protecting themselves and their childrens lives. With terrific acting that blends this storyline together, and realistic scenes, and to top it all off, some wonderful twists and turns, with one twist I just did not see coming, you'll definitely know what scene I'm talking about. It's by no means a terrifying film, but it certainly does have an edge to it, and I found I was emotionally immersed and fully behind the lead characters, as they try to escape all that carnage and devastation. And with a lovely emotional ending that wraps this film up. Yes a thoroughly enjoyable film for me, and I will definitely be watching again. Incidentally, I also found it very thought provoking, with today's improvements of artificial intelligence, it makes you think. Hopefully a sequel is fourth coming.. And of interest, this film was shot in Belgrade Serbia, over forty days or so...

THE AGE OF ADALINE (2015) Beautiful..Elligent..Charming There's a saying about a book and it's cover, so never judge a film by its title, like me. This film is a beautiful emotional watch, of a young womans life Adaline Bowman. An unremarkable life at first, she marries a young engineer, Clarence James Presscot, they have a child called Flemming, Clarence who is a working engineer, building the golden gate bridge, unfortunately dies in a tragic bridge accident. Ten months later Adaline driving to see her parents and child, has an accident herself in a snow storm, her car leaves the road and overturns and plunges into the water, Adaline now near close to death, when a lightening strike hits the car, and changes her biological bodies make up, and brings her back to life, and from that day onwards, Adaline never ages a day. Adaline played so wonderfully, and with such poise and Elligence by (BLAKE LIVELY) Adaline with her new found gift, or, is it a curse, well at times the sadness in her eye's seem to give it away, with everyone ageing around her, every decade or so, she has to change her name and address and move to another city, she tells no one her secret, except her now ageing daughter, otherwise she would instantly become a scientific curiosity, prodded and probed like a wild caged animal. With wonderful flashbacks of Adaline's earlier life and loves that knit this beautiful films storyline together, and with Adaline's daughter Flemming, played wonderfully by (ELLAN BURSTYN) Her now ageing daughter gives her mother huge love and emotional support. Adaline still having to keep relationships at arms length, when out one night she bumps into Ellis Jones, superbly played by (MICHIEL HUISMAN) yes Adaline finally falls in love, and her life will change forever.. With no more spoilers from me, apart from, this film has a few more wonderful twists and turns, and surprises, and finishing with a beautiful emotional ending.. Certainly a film that you could watch over again.. Its a pick you up film if you've had a bad day... Please click on my profile picture above for more of my reviews...

MIRACLE IN CELL BLOCK 7 (2019) Turkish Version.. Beautiful..Emotional..Sad & Tearful I really enjoy films that get you emotionally invested. Miracle in cell block 7 is right up there with the best for emotion. Such a beautiful film with heart breaking scenes, with every actor playing their part, you just can't help yourself and get involved in this films storyline. Memo a young man, who has a disability of having the intellectual age of a seven year old child, and lives on the coast with his daughter Ova, and his grandmother Fatma. They are relatively poor, but rich with love and care for each other. Memo a shepherd, is out in the fields tending his flock, when he sees a young girl falling to her death, off the rocks into the sea and drown. distraught, Memo wades into the sea to retrieve her body, as he carries her body to the shore, he is spotted by soldiers and the local army commander, who is the little girls father. Memo unable to explain himself, is wrongfully arrested for the death of the little girl and taken to jail, where he is horrifically beaten, and thrown into a communal cell with career hardened criminals, who find out what Memo is accused of, he then sustains more terrible treatment and beatings, and is sentenced to death by hanging. His love for his daughter and grandma keep him going, and over time these hardened criminals, begin to realise that Memo has a kind gentle nature, and is incapable of hurting anyone or anything. Meanwhile Ova his adorable little daughter, stumbles across an army deserter hiding in castle like ruins, who is a witness to the little girls tragic accident and death. With some wonderful acting and terrific twists and turns, and not wanting to give away any spoilers, this film has to be a must watch, and there won't be a dry eye in the house. This film is spoken in Turkish, so will have to be subtitled by most, but don't let that put you off watching this wonderful film... Please double click my small profile picture, to see more of my film reviews.