Rules of Engagement (2000)
In the vein of such military courtroom dramas as A Few Good Men and The Caine Mutiny, comes Rules of Engagement. The short version: One Marine Corps. Col. Terry Childers (Samuel L. Jackson) must defend his decision to fire on a crowd of protestors at the US Embassy in Yemen. Defending him is his buddy since Vietnam, who was saved by Childers in a nasty battle there, Col. Hayes Hodges (Tommy Lee Jones.)At the core of Rules of Engagement is the entire principle of the boundaries of war. In fact one of the characters spells it out quite clearly, "There's a thin line between a war hero and a murderer." Or something to that effect. Childers has to make the best decision he can, knowing full well the consequences. Which are plentiful.
Military Intelligence and You (2007)
Military Intelligence and You is one of the funniest pictures I've seen in a while. It's a creative spoof on "old style" World War II films, with enough jabs and pokes at the current administration and war effort to fill a "B-99" bomber.A brilliant blending of WWII-era training films and new footage, it pits intel officer Major Nick Reed (Patrick Muldoon) against the task of obtaining valid intelligence in order to attack the base of the German's "Ghost Squadron." The "Ghosts" have been using their 109's to repeatedly obliterate the 950th bomber squadron on their runs.
Charlie Wilson's War (2007)
You know anytime you put Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts together, you're going to get something which is at least a fun, well-acted ride. Charlie Wilson's War is no exception.It's the "true" story of one Texas Congressman, Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks), who throughout the 1980's managed to get oodles of money to fund weapons for the Afghan Mujahadeen to fight the invading Red Menace(tm). While there may not really be that many typical "war movie" elements to speak of here, the premise is just as relevant.
