journal features

movie review - Murder on The Orient Express

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-eight years and a million words

Toronto, 2019.11.15

This is a retelling of the classic Agatha Christie movie. Featuring probably the greatest cast ever assembled, it is a faithful retelling and it borders on the out-dated in so doing. But that's one of the things I like about it. Today we get a lot of spandex crotches rammed in our collective face with all these superhero movies, and it's downright pleasure to see something done with this degree of care. The direction is flawless, the setting is amazing, and the photography gives everything life. God, just having characters that can feel so real with so few words of exposition! Masterful.

Strongly recommended.

rand()m quote

Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

—Hermann Goering