So what do you consider your mission in Hollywood?

To correct misperceptions about the military and celebrate the courage, devotion, and sacrifice of the men and women who’ve worn our uniform. Now, that doesn’t make me a Kool-Aid drinker or even a cheerleader. I served 22 years in the United States Marine Corps. I know when we screwed the pooch, and don’t mind talking about that. That means if Oliver Stone wants to say, “Hey, you know, some of these draftees were smoking dope”—well, that was a fact, and I don’t mind showing it. I don’t think that kind of scene denigrates the people who served. But a director also has to show the other side of the picture in the same story.

Link: The Man Who Brought War to Hollywood (The Atlantic)

Related posts:

1. Woody Harrelson Signs on For ‘Pinkville’
2. Pinkville Update
3. Penn to Star in Stone’s Next Vietnam Film?
4. Bruce Willis Drafted
5. Platoon (1986)

One part examines the “takeover” of the atoll by American forces and the subsequent “relocation” of the native peoples.  Basically they fed them a bunch of hooey and afterwards none of them were very pleased about it.  Can you really blame them?  What were they going to do?  “Oh, hai.  We’re here to blow up your island, you’d probably better leave.”  I mean, really.  It’s an unfortunate but unsurprising story.

Then, there’s the second part.  Probably the most disturbing.  What happens to you after you’re exposed to metric sh*tloads of atomic fallout and radiation.  In hindsight its shocking to think that the military would just hand these guys a set of welding glasses and say, “hey, watch this!”  But, on the other hand we really didn’t have a clue exactly *what* would happen.  To listen to these guys, it was pretty much a matter of daily business, and not until years later did the true effects manifest themselves.  It’s almost funny in an ironic sort of way, to watch these guys  mulling about on the decks of the ships that were at the center of the blast, smiling as the doctors hold up the pegged Geiger counters….

Almost.  Then you realize how completely screwed up it all was.  Radio Bikini is a perfect companion to “Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie”, which shows in great detail the span of nuclear weapons testing on both sides from Trinity and Hiroshima up through the cold war.  Including early 1950’s tactical weapons tests where entire squads of troops were in close proximity to the blasts….

Insert facepalm picture here.

Radio Bikini culminates with the sad story of one of those sailors who was exposed at Bikini, and developed bizarre deformities in his hands, feet, and legs.  Things that *should not happen* under normal natural circumstances.   You really feel for him, feel angry that this could even happen, and yet somehow, sadly, you’re not surprised.  At all.  That they were just told to get out there, and that “there’s nothing to be afraid of”…. When the reality is they were guinea pigs in a much larger picture.

Makes you wonder what else we *don’t* know.

IMDB: Radio Bikini (1988)
Amazon: Radio Bikini (1988)

Doesn’t look like this is in circulation anymore, but Netflix has it available via streaming, which is where I saw it….

A short clip, which pretty much sums up the “WTF?!” factor involved….

Related posts:

1. The Atomic Cafe (1982)
2. Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie (1995)
3. Operation Bikini (1963)
4. The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission (1988)
5. The Beast (1988)

The thing is, by 1971, everyone knows the war is pointless, and especially so everyone who’s found themselves here.  Most of all, one Pvt. Roland Bozz (Colin Farrell).  Through some masterful manipulation and a lot of cocky attitude, he manages to get a few of his class sent home.  Either by getting them hardship discharges, section 8’s, or finally, through injury and court martial.  Farrell’s portrayal of the I-don’t-care smartass is spot on.  Part of the reason I don’t really care for any of his other stuff (lol) but the casting crew really nailed it here.

Through his tricks he works his way to Platoon Sergeant, and from there manages to make friends and enemies, culminating in an unforgettable in the “jungle” of Tigerland itself.

Part of the uniqueness of Tigerland is in its style.  Filmed in an extremely grainy stock, with a lot of handheld shots, it almost comes across as a period 1970’s pseudo-documentary.  Big kudos to director  Joel Schumacher here.

But (and there’s always a but) if Tigerland has a flaw its the writing.  A lot of it is just so utterly cliched, especially where the drill sergeants and officers are concerned.  It’s like they said “Bring me R. Lee Ermy’s DS from Full Metal Jacket, and tone it down a bit” or something.  A lot of times its near eye-rolling and laughable.  At times the banter and such between the recruits starts to take on that same “haven’t I heard this before?” quality as well.  However, for some reason the conversations between Bozz and Paxton, which are probably the core of the story, are actually pretty well thought out, thought provoking, and interesting.

Overall I did like Tigerland, if nothing else just because it’s a take on the whole “going to war” business I haven’t seen, or even thought of, before.  Where most Vietnam movies seem to focus on “let’s just get out of this sh*t and get home” this one gets them out *before* they even go.

But (another one) there’s an even bigger message I think that may be overshadowed by all the stock DS shouting and Farrell’s cocky attitude.  As Bozz leaves on the bus, he leaves his injured-soon-to-be-discharged buddy Paxton behind.  (to paraphrase) “I guess I’m going in your place, huh?”  Which refers to a conversation the two had earlier in the movie.  Paxton’s reason for enlisting was that if he didn’t, someone else would take his place, and they’d end up getting killed or injured, and he couldn’t live with that.

So even through all of Bozz’s bullsh*t, he comes out of it as the real hero, sacrificing himself for the good of Paxton, and all the others he got sent home, *including* his enemy Wilson.  Something to consider.

IMDB: Tigerland (2000)
Amazon: Tigerland (2000)

The Obligatory Trailer(tm)….

Related posts:

1. The Patriot (2000)
2. Rules of Engagement (2000)
3. Thirteen Days (2000)

The story follows one Bruno Stachel (George Peppard) as he makes his way from the German infantry in The Big One up to a Lt. in the Luftwaffe.  His goal? To win the holy grail of the skies, The “Blue Max” medal.

To that end he ruthlessly goes after any and every kill he can find, much to the chagrin of his fellow fliers.  Even going so far as to spend an entire day out looking for the wreckage of a plane he downed, but can’t confirm.  He even manages to secure the Red Baron’s plane at one point.

Along the way, he becomes a “golden boy” of the German propaganda machine, propped up as the “commoner’s Richtofen”, a contrast to the upper-class upbringing of his comrade.  The problem is that Stachel buys into his own hype whole-heartedly, and quickly becomes a pain and a menace to the men around him, and to the officer corps in general, led here by General Count von Klugermann (James Mason.)  He even takes his “conquest” to the next level by having a fling with the General’s wife (Ursula Andress.)  Eventually, the General

The problem is not the movie, the story, or the production, all of which are quite excellent, if a bit long (clocking in at 156 min.)….  But rather Peppard himself.  He’s awfully, well, wooden in this picture.  No other way to say it.  There’s no feeling here, no nothing really.  He’s a machine.  But he’s outdone in this picture by the *real* machines, namely the aircraft and the dogfights therein.

And to that effect there are some wonderfully executed flying scenes here.  Done by real airplanes and pilots.  No low-budget CG here, folks.  It’s the real deal, and it’s really fun.  But like I said, the rest just sorta drags along as Stachel barely cracks a face of any kind.

Any message here?  That I’m not entirely sure of.  Having not read the book I can’t deduce if there’s supposed to be one, but I really can’t find one.  The movie comes across as more of a classical “character tragedy” than anything else, as Stachel rises to fame, poisons that by his own doings, and pays the ultimate price for it.

All that said, it is an overall very good movie, with the one flaw being Hannibal’s Peppard’s seeming lack of enthusiasm.

IMDB: The Blue Max (1966)
Amazon: The Blue Max (1966)

Here’s a trailer…

Related posts:

1. Cast a Giant Shadow (1966)
2. The Battle of Algiers (1966)
3. What Did You Do In The War, Daddy? (1966)
4. The Bridge at Remagen (1969)
5. The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming (1966)

I think what we’ve got here is an attempt to show how the political bullsh*t that is now a part of the US war efforts is the root of our problems.  That and the (obvious in the film) secondary message that we shouldn’t even be in Iraq.  Which makes the film a political statement and somewhat nullifying the first aim….  My head hurts.  Anyway.

What else can I say?  It plays out like your average “espionage thriller” might.  Sleazy good guys vs. Sleazy not quite so good guys vs. the “bad guys” vs. the guy caught in the middle.  But its not nearly as complex and intricate as it could be.

Don’t get me wrong, the action sequences are pretty good, as you’d expect from “Bourne” director Paul Greengrass.  The settings and dressings are also top notch, big kudos from a production standpoint to be sure.

But like a lot of Blu-ray’s I’ve seen lately, this suffers big time from the “low light digital noise” issue I see in a lot of films on blu lately.  Several scenes are barely discernible through the haze of it, and often times different shots (presumably from different cameras) in the same sequence will flip back and forth between crystal clear true blacks to this pixelized fog of, well, crap.  I hate it.  It’s not film grain, at least I hope not, as it varies so much between shots, and even from the darks to lights in the same shot.  Why can’t somebody fix this? (end rant)

Anyway, I wasn’t all that impressed with Green Zone.  I’m not sure what I *was* expecting exactly, but I didn’t find it here.  Average acting, average story,  I was just left with a “meh” feeling, which is what I’m giving Green Zone overall…

IMDB: Green Zone (2010)
Amazon: Green Zone [Blu-ray]

Related posts:

1. The Green Berets (1968)
2. The Pacific (2010)
3. The Pacific Pt. 1 (2010)
4. The Four Horsemen (2007)

What do I mean?  Well, let’s get the good out of the way right now.

The 101st Airborne is sent to the lines just prior to the German’s infamous push into the Ardennes.  They’re stranded, cut off, surrounded, without supplies and with dwindling morale and personnel.  Yet the manage to persevere, and (as we know) manage to hold the line until the weather breaks and air support can resume.

In this respect Battleground is one of the most frank and grueling pictures depicting what it must have been like, for its time that is.  It actually reminded me of the couple of Band of Brothers episodes set in the Ardennes.  Slightly (OK considerably) less graphic in language and injury, but with the same amount of tension, fear, desperation and courage going on.  Everything about it, even the triumphant march back off the line at the end, should make you proud of these guys.  And it does.

But.  (here it comes)  It’s like some higher-up mucketymuck at the studio got a hold of the script and said, “This is too serious.  Add some corny gags and jokes.  Really corny ones.”  And they did.  Gack, what a nightmare.  It’s like someone superimposed I Love Lucy over the top of Bastogne at times.

Screen icon Van Johnson seems to carry the bulk of these, much to his character’s detriment.  What could have been a very well done study of the guy thrust into the crap, put in charge, and ultimately (yet forcefully) overcoming his fears….  well, its kinda ruined by the silly gags.  All of them.  From the false-teeth-clicking (way overdone) to the Arnez-ish “oh noes!” by Johnson….  ack.  Keep an eye out, though,  for a few “racey” bits and gags that I’m surprised passed the censor types, mainly based around the French girl Denise (Darcel) and Holley.

There are a few familiar faces, such as the late Van Johnson, Richard Jaeckal (Dirty Dozen), a very young Ricardo Montalbon, and a suitably grisly James Whitmore, but mostly unfamiliar ones, at least to me.

A true near-classic, mired by gags, Battleground still carries a lot of weight.  It also took 2 Oscars in 1950 for best B/W Cinematography and Writing(!) believe it or not.

IMDB: Battleground (1949)
Amazon: Battleground

Related posts:

1. BattleGround: 21 Days on the Empire’s Edge (2004)
2. The Sands of Iwo Jima (1949)
3. Twelve O’Clock High (1949)
4. Gung Ho! (1943)
5. The Pacific Pt. 1 (2010)

I’d go as far as saying that Destination Tokyo is one of the prime examples of your typical US wartime “propaganda” films.  Not as bad as some I’ve seen, but definitely right up there on the list.

The fictionalized plot goes something like this.  The submarine USS Copperfin, led by Captain Cassidy (Cary Grant), is dispatched on Christmas Eve, presumably 1942.  Its mission?  To sneak past the nets directly into Tokyo Bay, and dispatch a landing party to provide weather reports in front of a Doolittle-style carrier-based bombing run over Tokyo.  And if targets present themselves on the way out (which they do) to fire at will (which they also do.)  As a typical wartime action picture its not all that bad, really.  It doesn’t have quite the submarine tension of other movies, but its not bad.

What’s really curious to me about Destination Tokyo is the portrayal of the sailors on board the Copperfin.  They all seem to be a bunch of happy-go-lucky types, more or less enjoying themselves and “palling” around in a happy friendly “aw shucks” style.  Sure there’s danger (cue music) and sure enough one of them is killed by a downed Japanese pilot (cue music again), one comes down with appendicitis and is operated on by the medic (cue music!)… but overall they seem to have it pretty damned good.  Just the kind of thing all those mothers, wives, fathers, and kids back home would like to think is going on.  Compared to the alternative, that is.  Right down to the decoration-filled (we are on a space-limited submarine, right?) Christmas party.

Another thing you can’t help but notice is the outright fear-mongering aimed at the Japanese that’s portrayed here.  Wow, is all I can say.  “There isn’t even a word for love in their language.”  “They’re taught to fight and kill from the age of five!”  Etc., etc.  I can understand the sentiment behind such propaganda, and the culture that created it, but looking back from this day-and-age, its pretty, well, unbelievable.

In short, Destination Tokyo is a flag-waving, patriotism-inducing, feel-good, picture made for the folks back home, during a period where we needed to feel good about what we were doing…. with the above caveats of course.  And hey, its got Cary Grant in it, so it can’t be all bad, right?

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035799/
Amazon: Destination Tokyo (1943)

Related posts:

1. Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944)
2. Once Upon a Honeymoon (1942)
3. Air Raid Wardens (1943)
4. Bombardier (1943)
5. Father Goose (1964)

Now, I’m going to go out on a limb and try to detach myself from 65 years of my own US-centric perspective and try and see this from the Japanese POV.  In that respect, I think that the end result is a fine, fine picture.  A tribute to all those who were called on to defend Japan at her “last stand” or dare I even go there, her “Alamo.”  The intent seems pretty clear that’s the portrait we are meant to see here.

In that respect also, it paints a different picture than what we on this side of the Pacific might be used to seeing.  That the defeat at Okinawa wasn’t so much dealt by a crushing invasion force, by land and by sea, but rather a failure by high command to allocate the proper resources and make the right decisions.  Since I have no earthly idea whether or not this could actually be the case, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.  In fact, the first part of the film starts almost a year before the invasion, exploring the preparation of the island, the airfields, etc.  and how those command decisions may have been the deciding factor.  Like I said, I don’t have a clue, but its interesting.

Then as the real invasion starts, the civilian population’s dire straits are portrayed quite well, to a point (more on this later)  and again, it seems to be a failure by command to provide adequate means for evacuation, to the point they’re forced to recruit local students and women into the fight.  OK, I might give you that one as well.

But throughout there is definitely a feel that this is, as I said, a tribute of sorts to those who fought and died, both military and civilian on that bloody island.  That might offend some of you, but I’d wager that its their right to do so, just as we would, and have done.

And they had me on board with most of it.  Right up until the last, oh, twenty minutes or so.  Then things take a decidedly sour turn in the viewpoint toward the encroaching US forces.  The portrayal turns to a (IMO, quite nasty) characterization of us intentionally and mercilessly murdering the civilian population, shooting soldiers plainly attempting to surrender, even to the point of using chemical weapons on nurses and wounded in the caves.  True or not? I can’t say.  I don’t know.  There are few who probably do know the truth.  I’d like to think not, but it sure is a “whoa, hey, wtf!” kind of moment.  On the other hand, there are a few scenes where the US troops quite peacefully accept surrenders….

So while I don’t think there’s a total indictment going on here, one of the final scenes with the old woman and the tank implies a great deal.  I think its part of a larger picture of how the war is (was?) viewed in Japan, as a dark point in history, where the country did what it did at the time, to the point of crushing defeat, yet really doesn’t offer any apology for it.

Overall I think the tone and pacing of the Battle of Okinawa somewhat feels a lot like the previous year’s “Tora! Tora! Tora!”  With the jumping around to various desks and commanders making all these key and fateful decisions.  The combat scenes are done well for the time, if maybe a bit cliched and riddled with stock sound effects, but they’re better than some of the same period.  The pacing involved during the combat works quite well, so you’re not just left with a boring drone of shelf-reel richocets, but rather cutting between the various plots going on.

On a somewhat humorous note, was the DVD subtitle that appeared at the intermission point of the movie.  “Take a break, stretch your legs and make yourself a nice drink.  Or just skip to the next chapter.”  Ha!

If you’re easily offended by a countering viewpoint on the war, and some pointed accusations therein, I would suggest you just steer clear of The Battle of Okinawa.  You’ll just end up pissed off in the end.  However, if you can take a step back and see things from the Japanese point of view here, I think you’ll be pleased with the overall results of the film.  That is, a fitting tribute to their own soldiers and civilians who did what they had to do, and paid the price for it.

Also of note is the translation of the Japanese title: 激怒の昭和史：沖縄決戦, which amounts to “indignation of the history of the Showa era: the decisive battle of Okinawa”….  And I think that probably is a fitting title.

IMDB: Gekido no showashi: Okinawa kessen
Amazon: Battle of Okinawa

Related posts:

1. Midway (1976)
2. Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)
3. Battle of Britain (1969)
4. The Battle of El-Alamein (1968)
5. Battle of Britain (1969, Blu-Ray)

From the trailer, It looks to have a lot of, um, John Woo-”action movie” styled moments and well choreographed explosions anyway.  I’m also skeptical of the “K-pop” connection and that its just another pretty-boy vehicle, as these things sometimes can be.

Will reserve final judgement until I’ve actually seen it, which will be who-knows-when.  You know how things work around here!!

71-Into the Fire will open in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington and Philadelphia on July 30 in theater chains such as AMC and MPARK4. Fourteen screens have been confirmed; however, this number may increase if the movie does well in the box offices.

Link: 71-Into the Fire set for release in American theaters this July!
IMDB: 71: Into the Fire

Here’s a trailer to take a gawk at. No I don’t know Korean, so you’ll have to look elsewhere for translations and subs….

Related posts:

1. Courage Under Fire (1996)
2. Under Heavy Fire (2001)
3. 11 Hurt During “Valkyrie” Shooting

Producing duo Ian Stokell and Lesley Paterson wrote the script and will produce through their Sliding Down Rainbows Entertainment production shingle.

Says Stokell, “Daniel brings a vulnerability and innocence to Paul. When we realized how much he loved the script we were really excited because we know he can tap into the delicate balance between intensity and believability that is critical for this demanding role.”

Based on the World War I novel by Erich Maria Remarque, “All Quiet on the Western Front” was first adapted for the bigscreen in 1930 by Lewis Mileston, whose film later took home the Oscar for Best Picture

I will remain skeptical to see if they can pull off what MilestonE (cough, Variety) managed to achieve in 1930, and what made it a pioneering and visionary film.  You can read my review of the original All Quiet on the Western Front here….  and be sure I will post more news on this as I find it.

Article: Radcliffe to star in ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ (Variety)

Related posts:

1. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
2. 007’s Daniel Craig to star in ‘Defiance’
3. “Johnny Got His Gun” to be Remade? Why?!
4. Gandolfini to Star in Iraq Film
5. From the Navy Archives

From IMDB:

Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington’s year dug in with the Second Platoon in one of Afghanistan’s most strategically crucial valleys reveals extraordinary insight into the surreal combination of back breaking labor, deadly firefights, and camaraderie as the soldiers painfully push back the Taliban.

http://www.restrepothemovie.com/

No related posts.

I suppose the obvious comparison to any other film would be Downfall, or any other film chronicling Hitler’s last days in his Berlin bunker.  The difference here is that while Hitler is pretty much portrayed as the lunatic he was, here, Hirohito is portrayed in a seemingly sympathetic light.  As a tired, strange, little old man, puttering about by himself in his bunker, studying marine biology and going about his business as if nothing is happening.  But even he knows that’s not the case, and that he’s basically powerless at this point, in every respect.  He pretty much questions his own “divinity” as the Emperor, and in fact, his right to lead anyone.  Culminating in an almost (almost) humorous series of encounters with MacArthur, and finally reuniting with his wife and left to live happily ever after.

That pretty much sums it up.  But strangely enough its not all that bad a film.  Is it true in any way?  I can’t say.  Interesting to be sure, though.

It’s notable that this is a Russian produced film, and that it also tends to portray the occupying Americans in a negative light.  For the most part they’re shown to be generally racist and denigrating towards about any Japanese they encounter, including the Emperor himself.  (“Oh, you need *me* to open the door!” he says in a condescending voice.)  Even more curious is the attention paid to the relationship between the Japanese-American interpreter and his deference to the Emperor.  Yeah, I’m not sure I understand the significance of that bit, either.

It’ll leave you scratching your head a bit when it’s over, but like I said, its not a bad movie.  If nothing else check it out just for the perspective shown here.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0439817/
Amazon: The Sun

Related posts:

1. The Great Raid (2005)
2. The Last Drop (2005)
3. Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973)
4. Letters From Iwo Jima (2007)
5. Stealth (2005)

This series is graphic and brutal, mostly because its all real-life footage, but definitely because the producers didn’t hold back in showing the worst of the worst of what happened.  A lot of this footage you likely haven’t seen before because it is quite graphic, at times sickeningly so.  This series is *not* one you want to have on with the youngsters around.  I’d be hard pressed to recommend it to the older youth, unless they’re suitably prepared for it.  A lot of it I’ve seen bits and pieces of, but never in such clarity and never in its entirety.  It was enough to make even me look away at times.

And that’s really how it should be.  The reality of what happened is really displayed quite well.  Even if some of the footage itself isn’t in the best of shape, the HD resampling puts you right in the middle of it, for good or bad.  We need to have this kind of thing held up in our face from time to time, to remind us what the real costs of war are.

Not only that, the pacing and the way it unfolds actually holds your interest and keeps you watching.  Unlike some documentary efforts which quickly become tiresome and repetitive.

The clarity of some of it is really quite surprising, given the age and likely deterioration it was found in.  If nothing else, more projects like this are needed simply to preserve these bits of history from the ravages of time.  It doesn’t look like any effort was made to clean up or “restore” the footage, which in this case I think is actually a good thing.  They are what they are, and to try and make them “pretty” would be a disservice.

The stories which are interleaved in, and through which the film is shown, come from interviews with survivors, and letters from those who weren’t so lucky, or who have since passed on.  They provide a necessary “connection” to the footage, and without them, it would simply be another documentary.  To name a few, there are the Austrian Jew who fled to the US to fight in the Pacific, the Tuskegee Airman, the Navy Nurse, the B-17 pilot, and the Time/Life reporter.  All from different walks of life and backgrounds thrown into the grinder.

I think there was a lot that was either left on the floor, either due to time constraints, not fitting in with the stories that were told, or just because of lack of material, but there were several key events that should have been explored more.  Such as the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  If they see fit to show time and again the mangled and rotting corpses (for example) on Iwo Jima, Saipan, and Okinawa, then why hold back here?  A few cursory shots of the rubble and that’s really about all.  Not that I *wanted* to see it, (or any of it for that matter) but it seemed a conscious omission on their part.  Especially considering that they brought in black-and-white footage of both the Tuskegee Airmen and the 442nd, some of which was clearly re-hashed from poorly digitized source, artifacts and all….

If the series has a failing, it is probably that it tries to be politically correct (as it can be) in its inclusions *and* its exclusions as stated above.  The inclusions I don’t have any problem with whatsoever, but if it comes at the cost of leaving other important events out, then there’s an issue.  There are plenty of scenes of the carnage of London during the Blitz, and an entire sequence on Attu Island, for example, but few if any of China/Asia before Pearl Harbor, the fire-bombing of Tokyo, Dresden (not even mentioned), the entire Russian front, or the above A-bomb drops.  Editorializing on their part?  Trying to please a certain demographic? I can’t say, but…

If you’re going in on something like this, what should be a historical record, you go all in, which they didn’t do here.

Also somewhat disappointing is the “extras” that are present.  A couple of *extremely* short pieces on the preservation of the films, and that’s all.  I mean *really* short, as in not worth the effort short.  Oh, and on Blu Ray, be aware that (at least on my player) the audio defaults to 2-channel Master Audio.  I didn’t even realize that yes, there is a 5.1 Master Audio audio track on there until about half-way through.  The difference really isn’t that noticable, however.

So, while WWII in HD is a stunning portrait of what the war was really like, it is just a cross-section, and a US-centric one at that, rather than a true picture of the entire war.  A definite must-see for history and documentary buffs, but be prepared for what you’ll see, because it can’t be unseen.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489097/
Amazon: WWII in HD [Blu-ray]

Related posts:

1. The War (2007)
2. THE WAR – on PBS September 23
3. The Men Who Stare At Goats (2009)
4. Red Cliff: International Version (2009, Blu Ray)
5. Inglorious Basterds (2009)

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, or so they say.  This movie pretty much embodies that sentiment.  What could be an absolutely stellar story is, quite frankly ruined by writing and casting, and unfortunately, acting.

Casper Van Diem seems to reprise his usual McGruff role here as the Captain of the unit, and the supposed criminal, Ramsey.  But he’s pretty much a caricature of your stereotypical “jarhead”, with his chain-smoking (but still able to take off on a long brisk jog, um, no.), rough demeanor, and barking orders in his captain’s voice after all this time.  Once a Marine always a Marine? Maybe, but I wouldn’t think so after being court-martialed….

The rest of the bunch also seem to be intended as “archetypes” if you will, maybe to represent a cross section of what might happen to a typical group of vets.  The priest, the scholar, the used-car salesman, the redneck…. Instead they’re merely stereotypes.  Throw in a semi-attractive female who’s supposed to be coordinating this reunion for a video piece (with the obligatory and pointless romantic interlude) and the train is well on its way to derailing.

Which it does, of course, at the end.  They return to the scene of the crime and the flashbacks ensue, the real culprit is revealed, blood and tears are shed, and everyone parts ways with a renewed respect and admiration for each other.

Along the way they visit various other sites and people they encountered during their time in the Nam.  Now, these scenes of confrontation and redemption could have really moved things along, and in a few places they did, but the execution just isn’t there.

When this was over, I was left feeling that this *could* have been an excellent movie.  Like I said the intention is there, the core story and emotion is there.  In some places it actually works, and works well, But the overall execution just killed it.  If it hadn’t been for the absolute cheddar about-face-and-salute moment at the end I might have even rated this higher.  The not-so-good bits smother the good bits, and its really too bad.

I couldn’t find a trailer, or a clip, but the entire thing appears to be available on YouTube.  I won’t link to it, but you should be able to find it easy enough.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243278/
Amazon: Under Heavy Fire

Related posts:

1. Courage Under Fire (1996)
2. Apocalypse Now: Redux (1979/2001)
3. Enemy at the Gates (2001)
4. The Lost Battalion (2001)
5. Pearl Harbor (2001)

OK, so its definitely *not* historically accurate, nor is it entirely technically accurate.  Bottom line is that it really doesn’t matter, just grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy it.

The Red Baron is, of course, about the infamous Baron Manfred von Richtofen, German WWI flying ace.  His exploits in the skies over Europe made him a legend, and this film bascially plays on the legend, not the fact.

The Baron (Matthias Schweighofer) in this film is the epitome of the aristocratic element.  The commensurate “sportsman” if you will.  For him, flying and shooting down the enemy is the ultimate game.  In fact he chastises his men for going “for the kill” rather than simply downing a plane.  He comes to shoot down a Canadian pilot, Roy Brown (Joseph Fiennes), and assists in pulling him from the plane, where he meets this film’s love interest, Nurse Kate (Lena Headey).  Later he runs into him again, and the two have a gentlemanly conversation as both of them are forced to land.

Of course the legend starts to consume him, and he and his entire squad decorate their birds in all manner of garish paint, leading to the “Flying Circus” moniker.   Eventually he’s wounded, and winds up back in the care, and eventually the arms of Nurse Kate.

War being what it is, and history, the film ends with his final flight.  Sealing the legend forever.

The film is not without its flaws.  Headey and Fiennes are their usual balsa-ish selves, not really making me feel much of anything towards them.  There is of course the historical inaccuracy of, well, most of it.

But the two aspects of the picture that most riveted me, were the message and the dogfights.  The message?  Yes, of course, that war is bad (mmK?) but that he eventually is faced with the reality that his celebrity and status is all for naught, as he witnesses the guys in the trenches being slaughtered from the safety of the Kaiser’s observation point.  That what he’s doing really isn’t that glamorous at all.  That it is decidedly *not* for sport, or anything even resembling it.

And the dogfights.  These CG scenes are really quite polished, and a lot of fun to watch.  While not hyper-realistic, they really put you in the seat with the pilots, and their fear and anticipation as they take care of business.  The night raid scene in particular is a sight in itself, as is the battle over the trenches with the barrage balloons.

Much like Flyboys (similar subject matter not withstanding), The Red Baron takes you back to a day when war movies weren’t all “Saving Private Ryan.” Where the truth and even reality was merely a suggestion, and the goal was a couple of hours of old-fashioned entertainment.

In that respect The Red Baron passes with flying colors.  Viewed via Netflix and my handy Roku player, again with flying colors.

And it took me nearly to the end of the film to figure out who Matthias Schweighofer reminds me of here.  Not sure what made it click but he sure looks like a young Anthony Michael Hall, like from the Sixteen Candles era.   Good for a bit of a laugh.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365675/
Amazon: The Red Baron [Blu-ray]

Related posts:

1. Winter in Wartime / Oorlogswinter (2008)
2. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
3. Rambo (2008)
4. The Blue Max (1966)
5. McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II (2008)

Ken Watanabe is usually to be found being tough and awesome in front of the camera in the likes of Batman Begins, Letters From Iwo Jima and Chris Nolan’s upcoming Inception. Now rumour has it he might be stepping behind the lens to direct a film about World War Two’s legendary 442nd US military unit.

It’s certainly a story worth telling: following the events of Pearl Harbour, the US moved to contain all Japanese/Japanese American citizens in internment camps, labelled as “enemy aliens” thanks to Japan’s opposition in the conflict. But thanks to the sheer number of Japanese Americans living on Hawaii, it was deemed impractical on the island. Plus there were many Japanese troops in the State still willing to fight for the US.

Your opinions?

Original Article: Ken Watanabe Directing 442nd?

Related posts:

1. “Saving Private Ryan” Voted Best War Film
2. Gandolfini to Star in Iraq Film
3. John Woo on “Red Cliff” and “The Flying Tigers”
4. What is the best film about the U.S. military?
5. Penn to Star in Stone’s Next Vietnam Film?

If you recall the original Red Dawn (one of the first films I reviewed here!), it was a fairly unrealistic portrayal of what might happen if the Soviets invaded the US.  It required a fictional communist takeover of Mexico where they staged this invasion.  Leaving the “secure the border” jokes aside, it just wasn’t really a scenario you could buy into, but yet at the edge of your mind was that “What IF?”  We lived in a world without a world-wide internet.  Where we pretty much had to take what they told us in the newspapers and on TV at face value, propaganda, truth, or neither.

Fast forward 26 years.  Now, they’ve taken the only possible communist (or world-wide even) force that could even pretend to pull this off, (N. Korea? Puleeze!) and the Chinese are invading!

ZOMGWTF!!!  <insert some image of funny cat or something>

Of course it wouldn’t, and nay, couldn’t happen.  But its still causing everyone to scream foul.  “Racists! Xenophobes!”  Some are even going so far to claim that its a right-wing propaganda piece attempting to illustrate some Obama-induced socialist America.  That this is painting *all Asian people* in a bad light.  That we should all be ashamed of ourselves for the sins of our fathers and grandfathers, and we are all going to hell.  That its just part of a recent and recurring trend.

Sigh.  Chill out people.  It’s a damned movie.  Personally I don’t feel the need to “reboot” all these films, let alone weak ones such as Red Dawn. Don’t get me started on that tirade.

Since I have no connection to Hollywood, or the producers of this reboot, I may be talking out my ass, but…  I don’t think there’s any particular malice-of-forethought behind it.  It likely came about from a bunch of uncreative studio business types sitting around the table with a hat full of 1980’s movie titles, wondering what they should “reboot” next.

*pluck* “What’s it say?”  “Red Dawn.”  “What’s that?!”  “Oh, yeah, I remember that!”  “Soviets. Communists.” *Silence as they all think*  “Communists.  China!” “We did it! We made it ‘modern’!! Yay!”

The only driving forces behind this are the almighty dollar, a serious lack of creativity, and ignorance.

And I can’t seem to find an official website or trailer or even any decent images for this thing yet, even though its supposedly set for a November ‘10 release….  Which I find odd.  Yeah, I’ll watch it, but I can’t say I’ll be going in optimistic.

Related posts:

1. Red Dawn (1984)
2. Rescue Dawn (2007)

No related posts.

Making its appearance on this side of the pond on 5/31 (Blu Ray and DVD) is Winter in Wartime (or Oorlogswinter).  A Dutch film that explores what happens to a young boy who is dragged into the war quite by accident, to quite tragic, and triumphant results.

Michiel (Martijn Lakemeier) witnesses a plane crash one night.  Being as this is Holland in the cold of winter, January, 1945, its probably not the first time its happened.  He and his friend nearly get into hot water when the Germans find them pilfering the wreckage.

Then the friend’s older brother gives him a note.  “Deliver this if I don’t make it back.”  And then it starts.  One event leads to another, then to another, then another.  Until he finds himself helping a downed RAF pilot, much against the wishes of his father, and his resistance-fighter uncle Ben.  He also gets his sister involved against better judgment.

Speaking of Michiel’s father, actor Raymond Thiery manages to extract one great performance as the father/mayor trying to keep his family and his town together under the Nazi shadow.  The way he exudes this weight-on-his-shoulders is on the surface, maybe a little shallow, but as time goes on you start to understand….

I’ll leave the unfortunate twist ending and inevitable tragedies out of this (no spoilers here!) But suffice it to say this is quite a moving story about a boy being forced to grow up before his time, in the middle of a terrible war.

Not only that, its a story of doing what you need to do in order to survive.  Even if that means appearing to submit to the enemy, or in fact, appearing *not* to when in fact you are….  The father (who happens to be the town mayor) and the neighbor, both of which are shown to be capitulating to the Nazi’s, to varying degrees, and for different reasons.  How much I leave it up to you to decide.

Everyone’s performances are well acted.  I can’t say anyone really stood out as being “that guy” who should have stayed home.  Maybe Jack the RAF Pilot (Jamie Campbell Bower) was a tad weak.  But then I didn’t think much of him in the recent remake of “The Prisoner” either, not sure why.

Production-wise, though, is where “Winter” really shines.  The entire environment is bleak and depressing.  From the stark white of the winter landscape, to the drab decor of the period-dressed towns and homes, everything just puts you in “that place” you need to be to enjoy the film.  “Enjoy” is probably not the right word.  “Experience” might be better.  The entire thing is just uncomfortable enough to make it excellent.

The “experience” of the final winter-time scene (no spoilers here!) though, is enough to make you think.  What would you have done?  Could you have done what Michiel did?

Winter in Wartime is produced by Martin Koolhoven, the same guy behind “Black Book,” an equally bleak and brutally frank look at the Dutch resistance during the war.  The two stories aren’t directly related (that I see) but both can’t be missed.

And yes, folks, its in Dutch with smatterings of German throughout, just a heads up.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795441/

Related posts:

1. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
2. Valkyrie (2008, Blu-Ray)
3. The Red Baron (2008)
4. The Children of Huang Shi (2008)
5. Stalingrad: The Attack, The Kessel, The Doom (2003)

Related posts:

1. The Pacific Pt. 1 (2010)
2. HBO enlists Marines for ‘Pacific’
3. HBO’s “The Pacific” Trailer
4. Promo for HBO’s “The Pacific”
5. Green Zone (2010)

Based on a battle from Chinese history that took place ~209AD, its probably not too well known outside of the region.  Hell, I didn’t know anything about it until this.  I think, though I’ll leave the history lesson to Wikipedia, in The Battle of Red Cliffs…

Despite its length, I never found any part of Red Cliff to be particularly dull or boring.  There’s enough going on plot-wise, battle-wise, and imagery-wise to keep you going.  Some of the f/x shots are awe inspiring in their scope.  And yeah, there are some funny bits in there to boot.  Bonus is that its not overly complicated, as sometimes epic pictures can become, so you’re not left trying to take notes and keep track of umpteen different plot lines and characters, etc.

But the real treat is on the battlefield.  I don’t mean that in a “yeah, blood!” type of way.  (Although there is plenty of that to go around.)  I mean there are some real studies of tactics and strategy going on here.  Just damned interesting in themselves.  And the politicking and intrigue is there for you who enjoy such things as well.

Performance wise everyone did a fine job, nobody stood out as “that guy.”

Faults?  Welllll, I have to admit to *not* being a fan of the whole “kung-fu shtick”, and unfortunately directory John Woo delivers just that on several occasions.  The flourish and slo-mo scenes, the CG blood spatter… At least nobody was flying “Crouching Tiger” style or anything too over the top.  On the bright side these events are few and far between.

I’ve *not* seen the pared-down for American audiences version, nor do I intend to after this.  As is often the case (Dune, Lord of the Rings), the “long version” proves to be more than definitive.  How much of this story is true and how much is legend?  I will leave that up to the historians to decide.  It really doesn’t matter in the scope of the film.

And yes it is all in Mandarin Chinese with subtitles.  Would you have it any other way?  Seriously!?

If you’ve got a dreary weekend afternoon with no plans, rent a copy of parts I & II (they were released separately, due to the length) and settle in for an adventure, a history lesson, and just a good time.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425637/
Amazon: Red Cliff International Version – Part I & Part II [Blu-ray]

A Trailer to wet your whistle….

Related posts:

1. John Woo on “Red Cliff” and “The Flying Tigers”
2. The Men Who Stare At Goats (2009)
3. WWII in HD (2009)
4. The Last Samurai (2003, Blu-ray)
5. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

And every time I see this movie (a few times since that initial review was posted) I like it less and less.  I think it’s because of the (long) section that occurs somewhere in the middle where the combat drones on. and on. and on.  With little variance.  It’s just “oh look! enemy! BLAM!” over and over and over again with a certain indifference.   It just gets, well, old.

As for the Blu Ray, I can’t fault any part of it.  The picture and sounds are spectacularly transferred.  The signature Huey ‘chop chop’ really hits you here.  Although the volume range is rather wide.  You’ll find yourself turning it up for the quiet parts and back down again for the thick-of-battle scenes, unless you just turn it up and leave it there!

Anyway, if you’ve already got this on DVD, I don’t see why you’d feel the need to upgrade, unless you really, really like We Were Soldiers.  I’m not even going to give a rating here and let my other rating speak for itself.  No Change(tm)

Related posts:

1. We Were Soldiers (2002)
2. Soldiers of Change, aka The Painting (2002?)
3. Saints and Soldiers (2003)
4. Black Hawk Down (2002, Blu Ray)
5. Hart’s War (2002)

Related posts:

1. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
2. “Saving Private Ryan” Voted Best War Film
3. “Private Ryan” Ghastly?!
4. The Thin Red Line (1998)
5. Private SNAFU – Booby Traps (1944)

Related posts:

1. The Pacific Pt. 1 (2010)
2. Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)
3. HBO enlists Marines for ‘Pacific’
4. Hell In The Pacific (1968)
5. Midway (1976)

Related posts:

1. Red Cliff: International Version (2009, Blu Ray)
2. WWII in HD (2009)
3. Inglorious Basterds (2009)
4. The Fallen (2004)
5. Delta Farce (2007)