Henry and Kristl investigated The Caine mutiny

Rating: 9/10 (20 July 2014)

"Humor me?" Kristl said.
"A six pack of Bogey," Henry's barked a laugh, "Isn't that a bit too much of one thing?"
"I thought it might be educational. Bogart is still quite famous, so I was wondering what substance is there to the icon."
"True, he is famous. Like Marilyn Monroe or.. Betty Boop."
"Betty Boop?" Kristl arched an eyebrow.
"Never mind about that.. So six old movies Why these?"
"It says that they are the great classics...but these are not all the movies that he is known for today. Well, except for the Cain mutiny. You know The African Queen, or the Maltese Falcon or Casablanca."
"It might be boring," Henry said.
"It might be interesting."
"Duh.. six movies. Six old movies. Six very old movies.. Black and white movies. The horror."
"The horror? That is hardly an fitting. I mean, it can not be as bad as all these movies about cutting teens into tiny bits."
"Hmmppf. Why do we not try one of those.. just to be fair?"
"Only if I can wear a helmet, a blindfold and have something like Rammstein playing over the headphones. Very loud."
"You're sissy."
"If that is what it is called, then that is what I am. And actually it is five now. We just saw the Caine Mutiny."
"True."
"Did you like it?"
"It was entertaining.. And that despite the lack of excitement.."
"You mean the lack of violence? It is not an action movie and not a romantic comedy either, but a drama movie. I got the feeling there are not that many around much, but maybe there were never that much around anyway."
"People like to be entertained or amused."
"It is entertaining for me.."
"So what is entertaining about it?"
"Hmm I think it is two things: the curiosity about what is going to happen and how the people deal with the situation. And.. also a third thing.. I feel empathy with the people involved. You can understand their attitudes even if it leads to disaster. You see the collision course, you see people trying to do their best, but still they collide. It is not inevitable.. but it happens, " Kristl said. "And what I find good was that the movie seems to go one way, then at the end you get an opposite view served. This story has twists like that. At first you think it's a simple story of a group of men who feel they have no other choice but to depose their captain during a climactic moment when he seems to fall apart. The whole movie works towards it, but at times not everything is as it seems. Some people suddenly show other sides..like people turning out to be cowards when put to the test, while putting up a brave facade when it is not needed. The end is another example of such a twist."
"Yes, it was quite an twist at the end."
"And that is what I like about such a movie. You think one way and then suddenly you find out that there is another way of looking at it.."
"So the story is OK."
"Yes, I liked the story."
"So how about Bogey?"
"It was Bogey that was not a Bogey. I mean this Queeg role he played was well done. Not the cool, collected, sharp witted, hard boiled bogey, but more like post Bogey..This is a man who is on the edge, but not so far as having buckle under. A nervous wreck.. but not enough. And this is they key to the story and Bogey plays it well."
"So you like his role."
"Yes. So what is your opinion?"
"It was okay for an old movie. I didn't fall asleep."
"What praise!"
"Don't take me wrong. It is a good story.. but somehow it would have been nicer with more action."
"Hmmpff."
"Just saying what I think."
"Well, everyone is entitled to their opinions."
"Sounds like mine isn't up to scratch."
"I just feel a good movie does not require action."
"Yeah, but on the other hand, it should not make a movie worse. Certainly not."
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