Little Dieter Needs to Fly

I will die on the hill that is defending the movies made by Werner Herzog. I love Werner Herzog’s films. While they’re not as mainstream or known as other director works, they are still profoundly philosophical and beautiful to watch. Little Dieter Needs to Fly is no exception to this narrative. The 1997 war documentary recounts the experience of German-born fighter pilot (in the US Navy) Dieter Dangler getting shot down in the heart of Vietnam. The film follows Dieter’s escape from the Vietnam forces’ grip as he relives the experience.

While it was nowhere close to the best of Werner Herzog’s films, it’s still beautiful. The story, while at first can be somewhat slow, starts to pick up in the second act as he gets shot down, and I just found it to be highly captivating and, at times, beautiful. The film’s cinematography embodies the Herzog style of filming, with much of the footage having a lifelike feel. The film’s score helps elevate it with its blend of traditional Vietnamese chants and classical opera, driving in the complex beauty of Dieter’s time as a prisoner and his decision.

If there is one word to describe this, it would be “humble.” It is not a documentary about a grandiose topic or tackling this complex social issue or philosophy. It is just about the human experience, and when you break it down, it’s just one man’s story. What I love about Herzog’s documentaries is that they are small stories about the human experience. If you have seen this film, please sit down and watch it.

Where to Watch: YouTube Movies and Tubi (free)

Rating: 7.5/10

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

I am a massive fan of the Coen Brothers. Fargo and No Country for Old Men are some of my favorite films. So when I had the opportunity to watch O Brother, Where Art Thou come up, I took it without hesitation. What are my thoughts on the film?

It was a good movie, not their best work but a delightful film to watch. The film has a more Big, Lewisbiki or Raising Arizona type of Coen Vibe. It is a fun little film with many outlandish characters and a fair share of humor. George Clooney is great in this film, and both Tim Blake and John Turturro make a strong group. The film’s score works well with the deep southern setting of the film and the period it is set in. The camera work in the movie is overall sound, with it being great at times.

I would highly recommend this film. If you are not in the mood for a complex or serious film but still want to watch something good, this is the perfect film to watch and be highly entertaining.

Where to Watch: YouTube Movies (free)

Rating: 7/10

Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell is a film that I had always heard about and was always quite fascinated by. The film is regarded as one of the best-animated films ever produced, tackling philosophical themes that go over many people’s heads. So when I found that I could watch the film on YouTube Movie & TV, I jumped on that chance and watched the film, seeing if it was as good as people say.

So is the hype worth it?

To that, I say yes. The film is a work of art in every frame, from the giant buildings in the clouds to the tiny people on the grounds. The amount of detail in every animation is genuinely astonishing, and the fight scenes are especially significant—the soundtrack pair with this film perfectly. The use of traditional Japanese music gives it this magical feeling and grander-than-life feeling. The story is pretty good, a bit too fast to follow, but overall good. The characters are unique and exciting to watch, with all of them having their own goals, ambitions, and opinions.

I love this film, but I have to get the elephant out of the room, and it’s just too complex to follow. If you have heard of Ghost in the Shell, the film explores deep philosophical themes. With only a runtime of 90 minutes, it is hard to follow the film story when they are giving all these complicated philosophical ideas. The film is a bit too short for what it is trying to cover and introduces us to the world and deeper complexities of the film.

Overall I would recommend you this film, it is still great even with the overarching problems it has. It is still good, and still a beautiful film to watch.

Where to Watch: YouTube Movies (free)

Rating: 8.5/10