i·me·michael

I’ve been extremely impressed with the recent output by HBO Films. Films and stories that would never have made it to the big screen but should have. These are well-made and sometimes courageously undertaken films both by the film-makers and the actors themselves.

Conspiracy is a chilling dramatization of events during WWII outlining Germany’s final solution. The casualness of this summit meeting is in sharp contrast to the weight of the subject matter. The cast, led by Kenneth Branagh and Stanley Tucci is phenomenal. I highly recommend it.

Wit is Emma Thompson shedding every pretense and baring the soul of a woman whose life is fast reaching it’s end. If you can take the weighty subject matter, I highly recommend this one too. It’s a fantastic piece of work.

Gathering Storm is a look at Winston Churchill’s life as Britain faces the possibility of War with Germany. Brilliantly acted by Albert Finney and Vanessa Redgrave.

Path To War is a wonderful look behind the scenes of 1960’s politics during the Johnson years. LBJ is portrayed as a fiesty southern gentleman out to do good, but haunted by the shadow of the Kennedys and his own decisions regarding Vietnam. I heard the director talk about LBJ’s great works and how he might have been one of our most beloved presidents if only we could take the Vietnam war out of the equation. Shame we can’t do that, huh? Excellent cast and fine acting all around by Michael Gambon, Alec Baldwin, Donald Sutherland et al.