Two movies, similar name, but oh so different.  Phantom Submarine U-67 was a creature of the 1930’s.  This is a tale of a washed up sea captain played eerily by Alan Hale, Sr. (You’ll scream “Gilligan”) who missed a U-boat that hit a freighter. Made in 1931, this swashbuckling captain has his eye of a blond dame, his hands on the neck of the ex-u-boat captain, and a grudge against a snotty, twerpy lawyer.  Cutting edge for 1931, this movie has it all—underwaterfootage with “modern” diving gear, intrigue and sultry soundtrack, prophetic war guilt (“I was only following orders”), as well as a  thoroughly doltish British sidekick who walks the stereotype  plank right into the deep blue.  Finally this anti-attorney movie probably has the first “lawyer dunking” in cinematic history. Pathetic by today’s standards you can’t fault the makers who made magic, albeit 1930s style.

Fast forward to the edge of the century, 1999.  Phantom the Submarine was a  Korean (South) more intense feature set in the present day.  This is a heavy movie made with spin shots, long close ups, and (typical) edgy Korean storyline.  Picture a secret submarine with a very strange crew.  The South Koreans go after another secret submarine (owned by the Japanese government).  Beyond the extreme unlikelihood of the premise, the action is gritty, edge of your seat quality.  There are reasons that submarines make such awesome action/drama settings.  Enjoy.  

Black and White in Coloris French film at its best.  There is classy irony in this historic tragi-comedy. Set in Africa, at the start of The First World, the film follows a group of isolated French nationals swept up by patriotic fervor and very little sense.  The natives get dragged along on this fool’s adventure (as do the natives on the “German side”). There is a lot of senseless and fruitless killing.  The wise and prudent voices being drowned out by the rabid rabble-rouse rs.  The ending is both deeply saddening and highly ironic.