Best Book or Movie of The Year 2014

CMJ · February 24, 2015

I think enemy at the gates gave us the best visual discriptive (other than mine and CMJ's doc films we love) of what it must have been like to have experienced the German assault on Stalingrad. To me there hasnt been near enough discriptive/movies/coverage on that individual struggle. Would you agree C?
Rick

If you don't mind subtitles, there was a Russian film Stalingrad that came out a couple of years ago that is pretty decent. The eastern front in both World Wars is pretty understudied (and filmed naturally) by the west though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlMw8CjyV80

Edited February 24, 2015 by CMJ

FirefightnRick · February 24, 2015

Yup, forgotten about that.

The Russian people are just plain tough.

Rick

CMJ · February 24, 2015

I'm actually working my way through some books on the lesser studied WWI fronts right now. WWI is not really studied much by Americans period, as we've discussed. But what is common knowledge, mostly pertains to the Western Front in France and Belgium. Maybe a bit in the Middle East because of Lawrence of Arabia (one of my favorite movies btw), though even that theater isn't too thought on here.

But there was the Naval War, the Austrian/Hungarian Empire versus the Italians, the Russians versus the Turks, Austrian/Hungarians, and Germans, not to mention the British vesus the Turks on three separate fronts, General Lettow-Vorbeck versus basically everyone in Africa, & the Allies trying to fiddle with the Russian Revolution to get Russia back in the war after the communists took over.

And I am sure I'm leaving out some other juicy parts.

Censored by Laurie · February 24, 2015

I'm actually working my way through some books on the lesser studied WWI fronts right now. WWI is not really studied much by Americans period, as we've discussed. But what is common knowledge, mostly pertains to the Western Front in France and Belgium. Maybe a bit in the Middle East because of Lawrence of Arabia (one of my favorite movies btw), though even that theater isn't too thought on here.

But there was the Naval War, the Austrian/Hungarian Empire versus the Italians, the Russians versus the Turks, Austrian/Hungarians, and Germans, not to mention the British vesus the Turks on three separate fronts, General Lettow-Vorbeck versus basically everyone in Africa, & the Allies trying to fiddle with the Russian Revolution to get Russia back in the war after the communists took over.

And I am sure I'm leaving out some other juicy parts.

back to WWII...I can't recommend the book "HHhH" by Laurant Binet strongly enough...historical novel about to parachutists in the Czech resistance and the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich

CMJ · February 24, 2015

back to WWII...I can't recommend the book "HHhH" by Laurant Binet strongly enough...historical novel about to parachutists in the Czech resistance and the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich

Thanks for the tip.

Stories about resistance movements are often very interesting. The one I know the most about is the one that was in Holland. Saw a good documentary on it once, but can't remember what it was called. Actually it might have been part of the World at War.

My favorite book that I've read on WWI so far is The Last of the Doughboys by Richard Rubin. Actually, it might be one of my favorites on any subject. Rubin's style just makes it all come alive, but also very conversationally like he's sitting on your back porch talking to you.

Cerebus · February 24, 2015

If you don't mind subtitles, there was a Russian film Stalingrad that came out a couple of years ago that is pretty decent. The eastern front in both World Wars is pretty understudied (and filmed naturally) by the west though.

If you're going to watch a movie named Stalingrad watch the 1993 version (88% audience rating on RT) instead of the 2014 version (42%).

CMJ · February 24, 2015

If you're going to watch a movie named Stalingrad watch the 1993 version (88% audience rating on RT) instead of the 2014 version (42%).

I think that was actually directed by his father too. I saw an interview with the director of the 2013 (that's when I saw it anyway) version, and I seem to recall he said his dad had made one, so I'd guess this is it.

I have never seen the other one. Actually, I'd not be surprised if there are more out there. Russians are probably more fascinated by WWII than Americans are. Granted I haven't seen a huge amount of Russian cinema, but among the stuff I have seen the war is the focus of a whole lot of it.

FirefightnRick · February 24, 2015

I think that was actually directed by his father too. I saw an interview with the director of the 2013 (that's when I saw it anyway) version, and I seem to recall he said his dad had made one, so I'd guess this is it.

I have never seen the other one. Actually, I'd not be surprised if there are more out there. Russians are probably more fascinated by WWII than Americans are. Granted I haven't seen a huge amount of Russian cinema, but among the stuff I have seen the war is the focus of a whole lot of it.

Not currently on Netflix bttw.

Rick

cwb · February 24, 2015

Anyone ever read Skis Against the Atom? I haven't, though I am fascinated by the story of Knut Haukelid and the Norwegian underground. I think their sinking of Hitler's heavy water may have saved hundreds of thousands of lives along with insuring the Allied victory. Of course I have no idea how far along the Nazis were in development of the bomb, but it sounded like they were real close in the documentary, Real Heroes of Telemark, which I thought was very good.

cwb · February 24, 2015

Oh, and also not a book or movie from 2014, but does anyone else think Comedy Central's Drunk History is damn funny. I think the Lewis and Clark episode was my favorite.

UNT90 · February 24, 2015

Let me tell you what isn't a good movie.

100 Ways to Die In the Old West. (Or whatever the hell it was called).

2 hours of snow day that I'll never get back.

TheTastyGreek · March 24, 2015

If you liked Blue Ruin that much, keep an eye out for Slow West whenever it gets a release.

Not identical; Slow West is a period Western. But, having seen both... I think you'll really like it.

Theatrical release, May 15th.

FirefightnRick · March 26, 2015

Let me tell you what isn't a good movie.
100 Ways to Die In the Old West. (Or whatever the hell it was called).
2 hours of snow day that I'll never get back.

Ugh!...agree.

Rick

All About UNT · March 27, 2015

If you're going to watch a movie named Stalingrad watch the 1993 version (88% audience rating on RT) instead of the 2014 version (42%).

Agreed...still the best Eastern Front movie made besides Come and See (rough watch). Can't really get behind Russian cinema in that their patriotic romance is a bit too strong for my liking. This year's Best Foreign Film from Poland is supposed to be a solid watch

KRAM1 · March 29, 2015

back to WWII...I can't recommend the book "HHhH" by Laurant Binet strongly enough...historical novel about to parachutists in the Czech resistance and the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich

If you enjoyed that...try to find "Cyanide in My Shoe". The book is out of print, but I found it through Amazon's book find service for very little cash. About a Women Allied spy who parachuted in behind enemy lines. Really good book.

Got5onIt · April 1, 2015

Let me tell you what isn't a good movie.
100 Ways to Die In the Old West. (Or whatever the hell it was called).
2 hours of snow day that I'll never get back.

Seth McFarlane is a one trick pony. His comedy passed me by years ago. Hated Ted aka Peter Griffin the Bear, too.....

Quoner · April 1, 2015

Cannot believe you all watched that crap. Was Blended sold out?

UNT90 · April 1, 2015

Cannot believe you all watched that crap. Was Blended sold out?

Free through Amazon on Roku. But it still stole my time.

Quoner · April 1, 2015

Free through Amazon on Roku. But it still stole my time.

The absolute worst feeling - especially if you're multitasking and then realize you're an hour in something terrible. You can see it through or bail completely, but you're going to be pissed either way.

This is completely too mainstream for this thread, but how about that Going Clear, kids?

FirefightnRick · April 2, 2015

The absolute worst feeling - especially if you're multitasking and then realize you're an hour in something terrible. You can see it through or bail completely, but you're going to be pissed either way.

This is completely too mainstream for this thread, but how about that Going Clear, kids?

Saw it Sunday, made me feel sorry some people. But,.... it's still impressive that anyone or group was able to bring the IRS to its knees.

Could that happen again in these days and times?

Rick

UNT90 · April 3, 2015

The absolute worst feeling - especially if you're multitasking and then realize you're an hour in something terrible. You can see it through or bail completely, but you're going to be pissed either way.

This is completely too mainstream for this thread, but how about that Going Clear, kids?

Don't have HBO, but any religion that tells their followers that aliens were frozen, dropped in the Earth's volcanos, had a hydrogen bomb dropped on top of the volcano, causing their souls to float around the earth, entering human bodies at the time of birth, is a cult.

Because you would have to be brainwashed to believe such a story.

Edited April 3, 2015 by UNT90

Got5onIt · April 8, 2015

Just watched V for Vendetta for the 1st time in almost a decade. I forgot how great of a movie it is.

Saw Furious 7 this weekend, too. Man the movie is flat out ridiculous. It's up there with Michael Bay's craptastic work. Paul Walker's sendoff is really helping this movie rake in the dough......

FirefightnRick · April 16, 2015

Jim Dent, author of "The Junction Boys" and my fav "Twelve Mighty Orphans" just got sentenced to 10 years in prison for his 10th DWI and fleeing while facing prosecution.

How does anyone get their 10th DWI? You'd think after the 4th or 5th that there wouldn't be the light of a free day left to be out to drink any more?

Rick

UNT90 · April 17, 2015

Jim Dent, author of "The Junction Boys" and my fav "Twelve Mighty Orphans" just got sentenced to 10 years in prison for his 10th DWI and fleeing while facing prosecution.
How does anyone get their 10th DWI? You'd think after the 4th or 5th that there wouldn't be the light of a free day left to be out to drink any more?
Rick

He's Jim Dent, that's how.