Category Archives: Suspense

Action Film, Adventure, Catholic culture, Coarse manners, Conspiracy, DO NOT MISS, Docudrama, Father-son relations, Greed, Human spirit, Marital Infidelity, Netflix Streaming, Nudity, Occasional gore, Psychological Drama, Rape, Religious Theme, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Slavery, Suspense, Torture, Vikings, Violent, Wonderful acting

Vikings (2013)

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2014-2015 REVISION:

November 2015: Netflix offers season 3 but only on DVD, no streaming.

The release date for season 4 is not yet settled. Season 3 was at least as good as the previous two seasons with some very clever surprises at the very end of season 3 which makes the audience ever more eager to see season 4.

For more information about the Viking raid on Paris in 845 see the Wikipedia article. On that occasion the French king was Charles the Bald, one of Charlemagne’s grandsons. By the Treaty of Verdun in 843, Charles became king of what was for the most part modern day France.

Now from Amazon Prime you can stream both season 1 and season 2. Season 2 is at least as good as Season 1. Wonderful but violent!

FORMER REVIEW:

Netflix offers Season 1 on DVD. However, I streamed from Amazon for free because we bought Amazon Prime. Jan 2015 – Now you can stream Season 2 from Amazon. Somehow the story just gets better and better. DO NOT MISS all the VIOLENCE!

From Netflix:

Set in medieval Scandinavia, this gritty drama charts the adventures of renowned Viking hero Ragnar Lothbrok as he extends the Norse reach by challenging the rule of an unfit leader who lacks vision.

Merely appreciating the finesse and details that went into making this remarkable TV series just gives me chills.

His ambiguous smile is mostly that of the fox waiting for its opportunity. Eventually you come to accept and even identify that constant smile with the character Ragnar Lothbrok played to dazzling perfection by the Australian-born Travis Fimmel.

Gabriel Byrne as Earl Haraldson is the only actor I recognized. You may remember him as Dr. Paul Weston in the TV series “In Treatment”. Here he is a brooding, vicious bully.

In order to enter Valhalla a Viking must die in battle. Similar to the ancient Greek culture, violence and personal bravery are everything. Whatever riches a Viking can bury will be his in the next life. Hence the need for plunder. In other words, by its nature this film had to be very VIOLENT!

Perhaps some history will set the scene. Roughly speaking as Rome abandoned England in the 400s, she invited in German mercenaries among which were the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. They liked what they saw and oppressed the original inhabitants, the Celts. After centuries their many dialects would eventually congeal into Anglo Saxon. In the 600s Christianity appeared and the Anglo Saxons converted. In the 800s the Danes, i.e. the Vikings, reached England and were trouble for the Anglo Saxons until that famous year 1066 in which no sooner had Edward Confessor defeated the Danes then the Normans conquered the Anglo Saxons.

In regard to the previous mini-history, in the scenes in which the Vikings speak to the Anglo Saxons, the Vikings speak old Norse and supposedly the “English” speak Anglo Saxon.

Also in regard to that mini-history, probably the most important theme of the series is religion. Ragnar Lothbrok, in attacking his first monastery, brings back as a slave a young Christian monk Athelstan (thoughtfully played by George Blagden). No episode goes by without some discussion, confrontation, or comparison (call it what you like) between the “pagan” religion and the Christian. Odd how violent, vicious, and untrustworthy the Christians are. There are aspects of the Viking religion that may disturb your sleep.

Fighting is really a small part of the story. Interpersonal relations and conflicts are equally important. There is true character development.

And of course you cannot help to notice how these Viking men wore their hair. Let’s hope the costume department got it historically accurate. Needless to say there are many tattoos.

If you can stand the violence, DO NOT MISS !

Australian, Complicated, Crime thriller, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Drug Dealers, Ethical struggles, Greed, Marital Infidelity, Murder, Plot Twist, Revenge, Small gem of a film, Suspense, Thriller, Trains, Violent

Swerve (2011)

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From Netflix:

This Australian outback thriller brings together the classic film noir ingredients when a man’s cross-country drive is diverted by car trouble. Soon after, he witnesses a spectacular car crash that includes one survivor and a money-stuffed suitcase.

By accident I found this Australian gem that just never lets go.

None of the actors are familiar to me, but all are excellent, especially the trio:

  • David Lyons as Colin. Colin arrives on scene with car trouble, the mere beginning of his troubles. Colin is an honest man accidentally up against the rest of the trio.
  • Emma Booth as Jina is unhappily married to the local sheriff.
  • Jason Clarke as Frank the sheriff is a jealous man with a vicious, homicidal temper.

We are NOT talking about a love triangle. Colin honestly returns the suitcase of money to the sheriff which is when Colin’s troubles really begin. Proceed from there through drug dealers, fighting, murder, bodies dumped in a mine, deception, and a satisfying final set of clever plot twists.

Don’t miss this lucky find!

2013, British, Corruption, Cynical, Lawyers, Love Story, MI5, Nothing special, Suspense, Terrorist Attack

Closed Circuit (2013)

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From Netflix:

Martin and Claudia, top-flight lawyers who happen to be former lovers, become targets when they’re teamed up to defend a notorious terrorist. As the trial unfolds, the danger causes the pair to reevaluate their allegiance to justice.

If the plot confuses you in any way, you can read the Wikipedia summary. Nothing special distinguishes this story from other cloak and dagger films. MI5 is painted as a ruthless organization not above murdering their agents in order to cover up MI5 mistakes. But then clandestine government organizations are never suspect, are they? (Parlez-vous CIA?)

Eric Bana as Martin Rose and Rebecca Hall as Claudia Simmons-Howe play well as a team. Other notable appearances are from Ciarán Hinds as Devlin and Jim Broadbent as Attorney General.

Try the British TV series “MI5” instead.

2013, Action Film, Amazon Prime, Based on true facts, Car Chase, Communists, Complicated, Conspiracy, DO NOT MISS, Ethical struggles, FBI, Love Story, Marital Infidelity, Revenge, Russian, Sex Scenes, Spy Theme, Suspense, Torture, TV Series, Violent

The Americans (2013)

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From Netflix:

Set during the Reagan presidency, this Cold War drama follows two married Soviet sleeper agents living discreetly near Washington, D.C. But tensions begin to mount for the couple when a spy-hunting FBI man moves in nearby.

Because we use Amazon Prime I was able to stream season 1 of “The Americans” for free.

In Cambridge Massachusetts a Russian husband and wife team of spies were disguised as a normal American family. This real-life incident motivated this TV series which offers the same kind of milieu as the British TV series “MI-5”. Possibly “MI-5” is a bit better, but the quality and human interest in “The Americans” is excellent. Needless to say, both series are violent.

By “human interest” I refer to the pseudo marriage between the spies who by this time have two children, thoroughly American boy and girl who have no idea of their parents’ spying activity. In addition a new neighbor moves in who just happens to be an FBI agent whose specialty is counter-intelligence but whose family life always takes the familiar backseat to his career.

Be sure to appreciate the effective personality disguises these two spies use as they play many deceptive roles in society. For one example, the disguised husband actually goes so far as to marry an unsuspecting American woman in order to get her to bring him information.

Season One ends abruptly and inconclusively. Season Two seems to not yet be available. If you like spy stories, then DO NOT MISS!

2013, Based on true facts, Black History, Could Be Hard To Watch, DO NOT MISS, FilmReview, Human spirit, Mental Illness, Nudity, Rape, Sadism, Sex Scenes, Slavery, Suspense, Torture, True Story, Violent, Wonderful acting

12 Years a Slave (2013)

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From Netflix:

The autobiography of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was abducted from New York state and sold into slavery in the mid-1800s, serves as the basis for this historical drama. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Northup, and Brad Pitt plays an abolitionist.

“12 Years a Slave” is a LONG film (2 hours 15 minutes). At least it certainly seems long due to all the sadistic cruelty portrayed. You will see enough whippings to last you a lifetime. Children should NOT see this torture-fest. If you last through the whole film, be sure to read the final follow-up text.

Just how realistic a portrayal of the slave owners this film is would take a bit of research to determine. You can read an account of Jefferson’s treatment of his slaves.

Many reviews exists of this film. One such review says that Brad Pitt’s role was too good to be true, but since he was one of the producers, he could do as he pleased.

So many fine actors played such diabolical roles, that I was embarrassed for them. Michael Fassbender will probably remain in my mind as a psychotic pervert.

WARNING: This is NOT an easy film to watch. If you can stand the sadism, DO NOT MISS!

2013, Abduction, Book Review, Costa Rica, Crime thriller, Deep Sea Diving, Detective, Prostitutes, Psychiatrists, Psychological Thriller, Religious Theme, Revenge, Serial Killer, Sex Scenes, Stalker, Suspense, Thriller, Torture, Well developed plot

9 Killer Thrillers (2013) [Book Review]

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From Amazon I downloaded this collection of 9 Complete Thriller Novels onto my kindle for only 99 cents. At the beginning of the book there is a section “Blurbs” which gives a short sense of each story. Here is a brief summary of the 9 books contained therein:

The Halo Effect by M.J. Rose
Detective Noah Jordain seeks the help of a psychiatrist Morgan Snow whose clients are prostitutes. Noah is confronted with a serial killer who targets prostitutes. In particular the story concentrates on one such client of Dr. Snow named Cleo Thane who disappears while the murders are happening. Using somewhat questionable methods, Morgan Snow investigates on her own the disappearance of Cleo Thane. Much of the story involves Morgan’s inner musings on her life and her clients. M.J. Rose has written many books.
Vigilante by Claude Bouchard
My first impression was “This is amateurish and too simple”. But the end of the seemingly ordinary story knocked me for a loop because only until almost the last word (literally) do we learn who the VIGILANTE really is. Never have I been so cleverly misled. You are hereby challenged to see if you can guess what is really happening in the story. Upon finishing I had to re-read parts to see where I had gone so wrong. Claude Bouchard has written many books, including a collection called the Vigilante Series.
The Devil’s Deep by Michael Wallace
Costa Rica figures heavily in this thriller. Someone is doing evil things to patients and staff at Riverwood Care Center. Some of those patients are profoundly retarded, some trapped inside a frozen body. Wes, brother of one of the retarded patients, and Rebecca, a caretaker, are the heroes in this tale involving deep sea diving, murder, and family conspiracy. At least one surprising revelation awaits the reader. Not great literature but a page-turner nonetheless. Michael Wallace has written many thrillers.
Traces of Kara by Melissa Foster
YOU MIGHT WANT TO SKIP THIS SOMEWHAT TEDIOUS STORY. Rather than being a who-done-it, this suspense novel centers on a psychotic killer who is searching for his long-lost sister Marissa so that he can kill himself and the sister at the same time in order “to be together forever”. Other characters, notably Kara Knight and her mother Mimi and Sergeant Mark Agnew, eventually relate to the killer’s mad scheme. But how they relate is what you have to discover.

The 19th Element by John L. Betcher
Tom Clancy would love this story which is chuck full of all kinds of technical data which I skipped over without doing any damage to my enjoyment of the story. Basically Beck (a former undercover agent, now financially independent but cleverly disguised as a lawyer) gets wind of a terrorist plot to nuke a large area in the USA. He has trouble getting anyone else to believe him. One pleasant feature of the story is the constant sarcastic banter between Beck and his friends.
Big Lake by Nick Russell
When an armored car hijacking leaves two men dead, Arizona Sheriff Jim Weber takes the crime personally, because one of the dead men is his brother-in-law. His hunt for the killers leads him into a world of sordid sex, deceit, and violence, with a suspect list that includes jilted women, a family of anti-government survivalists, and the beautiful wife of the richest man in town. Nick Russell can produce enough action to keep me turning pages. Part of the appeal of the story is the small-town feeling and all the eccentric characters therein. Sheriff Jim Weber comes across as a solid lawman with an eye for the ladies and a tendency to violence when he is really angry. His bromance with special FBI agent Larry Parks offers a lot of amusing repartee. When the killer was revealed, I was surprised that I had never suspected the guilty party.
Before Her Eyes – Rebecca Forster
In a remote mountain community, the execution of a grocer and the abduction of a word-renowned model leave the local sheriff searching for a connection, two killers, and a woman running for her life. While Dove Connelly sets his investigation in motion, Tessa Bradley escapes her captors only to find greater peril ahead. As her life passes before her eyes, Tessa struggles to stay alive, prays for rescue, and fights for her soul’s salvation. One almost disconcerting feature of the writing is that Tessa’s ruminations, which are scattered everywhere, just start suddenly so that at times I wondered if I had skipped a page.
Corpus Christi by Luke Romyn
blah blah
2013, Abduction, Acceptable Trash, Action Film, Action Hero, Addiction, B-movie, Boxing, Bullying, Car Chase, Crude Talk, Drug Dealers, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, Gangs, Mayhem, Mixed Martial Arts, Motorcycles, Revenge, Sad small town, School Teacher, Suspense, Violent, Vulgar

Homefront (2013)

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From Netflix:

When ex-DEA agent Phil Broker is widowed, he moves with his 10-year-old daughter to a small town in pursuit of a quiet life, but he finds his dream destroyed by a murderous drug trafficker, Gator, and his gang of meth-making thugs.

Once again you have already seen this film with many other names. Jason Statham films are all more or less the same: really nasty bad people trying to kill really good (albeit a bit violent) people like our hero Jason and his 10-year old daughter.

Laugh all you want: I was once again glued to my seat. Does Jason Statham use a double? He sure can fist fight and shoot guns and do kick boxing and do somersaults and withstand water boarding (which according to President Cheney is NOT torture). What a hero!

There has to be a reason what these films are so popular. Putting snobbery aside, they are CONSISTENT. Story line manages to insert human interest, acting is reasonably good, car chases well filmed. Plant a radish, get a radish. You know what you are getting when you invest precious time in a Jason Statham film.

One of my many guilty pleasures.

2003, Acceptable for children, Acceptable Sci-Fi, Acceptable Trash, Action Film, Adventure, B-movie, Based on true facts, Corny, Hundred Years' War, Military, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Violent

Timeline (2003)

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From Netflix:

In the near future, when a technology corporation has created a method for traveling into the past, a history professor gets trapped in 1357 France, prompting his students and son to travel back in time and face untold perils to rescue him.

In yet another B-movie 30-year-old Paul Walker and 34-year-old Gerard Butler get to travel back to France during the Hundred Years’ War. (Old films certainly show us how quickly we age.) Who knows how historically accurate the life of that era is portrayed? At any rate this is NOT a film to be taken seriously. Just in case you don’t remember intimately the details of the Hundred Years’ War, you can always read the Wikipedia account from which the following quote is taken:

The Hundred Years’ War, a series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453, pitted the Kingdom of England against the Valois Capetians for control of the French throne. Each side drew many allies into the fighting.

The war had its roots in a dynastic disagreement dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, who became King of England in 1066 while retaining possession of the Duchy of Normandy in France. As the rulers of Normandy and other lands on the continent, the English kings owed feudal homage to the King of France. In 1337, Edward III of England refused to pay homage to Philip VI of France, leading the French King to claim confiscation of Edward’s lands in Aquitaine.

Edward responded by declaring himself to be the rightful King of France rather than Philip, a claim dating to 1328 when Edward’s uncle, Charles IV of France, died without a direct male heir. Edward was the closest male relative of the dead king, as son of Isabella of France who was a daughter of Philip IV of France and a sister of Charles IV. But instead, the dead king’s cousin, Philip VI, the son of Philip IV’s younger brother, Charles, Count of Valois, had become King of France in accordance with Salic law, which disqualified the succession of males descended through female lines. The question of legal succession to the French crown was central to the war over generations of English and French claimants.

As far as this B-film none of that matters. Just grab some popcorn and chill out with the on-screen corn.

2013, Abduction, Action Film, Based on true facts, DO NOT MISS, Greed, Kidnapping, Military, Navy, Sea Rescue, Somail, Suspense, Violent

Captain Phillips (2013)

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From Netflix:

In this exciting adventure based on true events that made international headlines, Tom Hanks portrays Capt. Richard Phillips, who is taken hostage by Somali pirates after they hijack his cargo ship, and the U.S. Navy’s efforts to rescue him.

After watching “Gravity” I knew I never wanted to be an astronaut. After watching “Captain Phillips” I am not sure I will ever get on a boat again. Do pirates seize ferries?

If you can’t stand unrelenting tension, danger, suspense, and excitement, then do not watch this film. It never lets up. Every second is somehow a new development without there being any repetition.

Acting is superb on all parts. All the pirates are played by Somali actors who present their parts to perfection: naïve greed, bravado, fear, panic, desperation, anger, and the list goes on. Tom Hanks comes across as truly human, crafty at first but finally after almost being shot a man in shock.

While portrayed as villains, the Somali men are also presented as not only greedy, but also as desperately poor and underfed men forced by warlords into piracy.

Historical accuracy has been questioned and you should read that discussion in the Wikipedia article on the subject.

You cannot help but feel pride as you watch our US Navy come to the rescue. But no, I don’t think I want to be a Navy seal.

“Captain Phillips” is a page-turner of a film. If you can stand the suspense then DO NOT MISS and hold onto your seats!

2013, Acceptable for children, Acceptable Sci-Fi, Acceptable Science, Astronauts, Good digital effects, Psychological Drama, Suspense

Gravity (2013)

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From Netflix:

As a medical engineer on her first shuttle mission embarks on a space walk with a seasoned astronaut, debris strikes their craft and destroys it — leaving the two floating through space tethered together, with no connection to Earth.

After watching Sandra Bullock spin weightlessly in space while I was clutching my seat with white knuckles and cringing, I have definitely decided that I do NOT want to be an astronaut.

As Wikipedia explains, it took three years to make this film. There are even films about the making of “Gravity”.

For the most part this is a visual adventure best seen with a large screen. Equally important are Bullock’s emotions: panic, steely determination, despair, and some elation. Early on we learn that she has cut herself off from feelings when her little girl was killed in an auto accident.

George Clooney plays a role that is secondary to that of Sandra Bullock. Rather than any special acting ability, it is putting ourselves in her place that makes the film so harrowing.

Possibly not for everyone, but definitely a cinematic achievement.