The Writer's Poke

When I was writing my review about Platoon (1986) this week, I noted that a lot of American war films do not present both sides of the battle; so, with that freshly in mind, I was interested that this film does include at least a bit of the German perspective. And to be quite honest, the Germans are portrayed quite decently, or at least as no better and no worse than the Allies.  At one point, the Germans try to surrender to Lt. Col. Frost (Anthony Hopkins), but he tells them to go to hell. In response, the Germans act shocked. They were trying to play by the rules of war, and the Allies refused to follow those rules. It was only then that the German Field Commander said, Fine, destroy the city.  Until that point, you get the idea at least that Germany occupied The Netherlands, but they didn't turn it into a parking lot or rubble.  At another moment in the film, a German commander gave Allied prisoners chocolate. I mean, it's small things like that humanize the Germans, b...

The montage of Lawrence (Michael Caine) teaching Freddy (Steve Martin) how to be a refined gentleman reminded me of the montage of Mr. Miyagi teaching the Karate Kid. I guess I have mixed feelings about this one. Although I've seen it a couple of times before and remember enjoying it, I didn't really remember much from it -- other than the scene with Freddy, as Ruprecht, going to the bathroom at the dining room table. This time around, I found myself enjoying the opening, not being that engaged during the middle, and then liking the ending. What happens towards the ending is rather predictable, but I do like the ending. Caine looks older, and I take it his character is supposed to be older, but in reality, he's only two years older than Martin, whose character, I'm guessing, is supposed to be younger -- in 1988, Caine is 44 and Martin is 42. What I didn't realize until now is that this film is a remake of Bedtime Story (1964), which stars David Niven and Marlon Bran...