jazerbini

The Designated Survivor series is undoubtedly one of the best still available (currently on Netflix). There were three seasons, and the first and second seemed better to me than the third season. Kiefer Sutherland really played the role of the US president very well, giving the character a lot of credibility. Among the supporting cast, I would like to highlight Adan Canto and Italia Ricci, with exceptional performances. I became aware of the series around 2019, but I didn't have the opportunity to watch it and only saw it this year, 2024. I was impressed by Italia Ricci's work. She is a great actress, she can clearly convey what she is thinking or what she is going to say, just with her expression and gestures. I saw the same competence in Adan Canto and I was deeply upset to learn that he passed away in January of this year. He certainly had a good future on the screen, but his life was suddenly cut short by an illness. All of this is very sad, I confess that I was extremely moved by this news. At the end of the 3rd season, I had the impression that they were thinking (or still are thinking) about producing a 4th season, since some situations were left pending, such as: the new phase of President Kirkman's government, Emily's departure, very hurt, Isabel's possible pregnancy, Seth's future, among others. But the death of Adan Canto may have determined the end of the series, since he would have had an important role as Vice President. Details that I considered negative in the series were: the unexplained absence of Kendra and Lyor, the unexpected death of Hannah Wells, and what seemed inappropriate to me, the attempt to meet the demands of the NWO, highlighting some aspects of the minorities that bothered me... but I consider the series excellent as a whole. I will miss that environment.

A B western that can be considered among those at the top of the list. It's a pleasant film to watch, of course we can't compare it to the countless good westerns of the 50s (this one is from 1952), but it doesn't disappoint us. Moore has the main role and takes the opportunity to also appear with songs that are compatible to a certain extent with the film's plot, they do not disturb, and we can see the great Edgar Buchanan once again, in fact, it is difficult to find a film in which he is not in the cast, it's incredible! Overall, a good film, very typical of B films about the Old West from the late 40s and early 50s. Obviously, at the time we had several other westerns of recognized quality, but this one is, without a doubt, good fun!

I try to watch The Big Trail regularly, at least every two years, since the 1960s when I discovered it. I've always admired westerns and some of the older ones are my favorites: Cimarron, Texas, Virginia City, Dodge City, Stagecoach, Arizona, simply because I see them as more realistic, without the exaggerated glamor of Hollywood from the 50s onwards. Big Trail a masterpiece. Made 94 years ago, it is surprising that looking at 1930 as if I were there, I understand this western as extremely modern. He doesn't carry those false features of the feathered cowboy of the 1920s. He's surprisingly realistic. The good ones are good and the bad ones are bad. And the bad ones are very bad. This, I understand, was a characteristic aspect of those violent times in which there was very little living. Life had to be lived in the few years possible, you couldn't wait too long, make too many plans, people lost track of each other, reunion was almost impossible. John Wayne is perfect in the film, which gives us the certainty that he was truly the greatest actor in westerns. It's a shame that the film at the time didn't achieve the success it deserved with the public. In fact, looking from this perspective of 94 years ago, it is almost scary to admit that someone managed to make a film like The Big Trail in 1930, with the insane difficulties of the Oregon Trail, with so many successes. My respects to Raoul Walsh, my respects to John Wayne! It's a great film! A true and absolute work of art!