"300", a movie about the battle of Thermopylae, opens this weekend on the 9th.

I don't know about you, but I think I'll be skipping this one.  Just on the "style-factor" alone.  It looks too much like some video game to be worth anything.  I may be wrong but there's a point at which style, flash, and "bullet time" take over and overwhelm any story there might be.

Anyone want to prove me wrong?

Link: 300 - Movie Info - Yahoo! Movies

Technorati Tags: war movies, 300, spartans, film

"Tonight we dine in hell!"

Well, I finally did it.  I broke down and put 300 on the top of my Netflix queue.  And I have to say, I'm impressed.

Either 300 is a total piece of hyper-stylistic, cheeseball, violence-celebrating, FX-laden garbage...

...or its pure friggin genius.  I'm still trying to figure it out.

300 tells the story of King Leonidas of the Greek city-state of Sparta, whose citizens were bred and taught to be the warrior elite.  Faced with imminent destruction by the king of Persia, Xerxes, he takes a band of 300 men, against the will and laws, to face them.

You'll have to pardon the R-rated nature of this review, but damn, after seeing this (actually for the 2nd time) I can't help it.

In a word, Black Hawk Down is intense.  In two words: Fucking Intense.  So intense that when its over you will feel worn out, angry, and down.  And that's just as it should be.  You'll also feel thankful, at least I hope you will.

Black Hawk Down is based on actual events surrounding the capture attempt of General Aidid in Somalia in 1993.  I'm not going to repeat history, you can read all about it on good ol' Wikipedia.

What strikes me most about this movie is that if you were to look up the definition of "clusterfuck" in the dictionary, there'd be instructions to watch it.  The series of decisions and events are portrayed that culminated in the loss of 19 (or 18 depending on your source) lives and over 70 wounded in a single operation over 18 hours or so.  If nothing else, it should show just how totally fucked up the current (even then) military "micro-management" style has become.  You start yelling at the screen, and getting downright pissed off....

If I go down that road I'll be writing for hours, so that's all I'm going to say about that.  Back to the movie....

Actually things start off rather slow, but really all we're doing is the obligatory character development and story set-up.  It's unfortunate it takes 30 minutes, but once that's over, the fight is on.

And it does. Not. Stop.  The constant pinging of ricochets, the low growl of the Blackhawks, the hurried buzzing of the Kiowas, and the yelling.  It just doesn't stop until its all over.  The confusion and mis-steps that result, and compound the situation will make your head spin.  The General walking into the operating room and wiping up pools of blood was a nice touch.  A bit obvious, but a nice touch none the less.

Is it graphic?  Yes.  Make no bones about it, if you've got a soft stomach then you should probably avoid it, prep yourself, or watch it with someone who's seen it already.  You will see things that aren't pretty, nor are they fun.  Understand that also, this is by no means a "fun" movie.  There is no "happy ending" where everyone waves the flag and triumphant music rings out, quite the opposite in fact.  Not something you just pop in on a Saturday afternoon with a bowl of corn and a brew.

You'll also wonder just what the fuck we were doing there in the first place.  I know I did then, and still do now.  Even after watching this.  Yeah you get the Delta's little speech at the end, about doing it for the guy sitting next to you and all that.  But I don't really see how after the last hour and a half of hell on earth, that matters at all.

So what should you take away from this?  After you watch it, go outside to your patio, sit down, listen to the quiet, and thank God you weren't there.  And then thank the guys who do do this stuff.  And if you are one of them, then I'm glad you're still here to read this, and thanks.

The cast?  I can't really fault anyone's performance.  Although it is funny watching Ewan MacGregor as "Grimsey" try to feign an American accent.  Also starring is Josh Harnett as Sgt. Eversmann, Tom Sizemore (who oddly seems to fall back into his "Private Ryan" role at the end), Eric Bana, William Fichtner, Sam Shepard, Ron Eldard and many, many more.

The audio and cinematography is also quite well done, I viewed this on DVD on a proper digital 5.1 setup, and it is utilized as well as it can be.  I imagine though if you were to view this on a standard two (or even one) channel set the noise would start to "mush" together, for lack of a better term.

I'm giving Black Hawk Down a full nine.  I have yet to give out a total ten, and I'm not sure what would make that happen, but this is close.  Prepare yourself, put away the kids, and watch when you're ready.


Technorati Tags: war movie review, black hawk down, 2002, mogadishu, somalia, army, rangers, delta force, josh hartnett, ewan macgregor, eric bana, sam shepard, ron eldard

After World War II, as you are probably quite aware by now, the official state of Israel was formed in Palestine.  And then all hell broke loose.

Cast a Giant Shadow attempts to tell a bit of that story, as former American officer Mickey Marcus (Kirk Douglas) goes to Israel to help establish their military, fend off those who would oppose them, and legitimize the newly formed government.

Now, I don't want to get into an argument about the politics of the Middle East, so I won't touch on any of that.  Sure this is based on a true story, and the American bias is obvious, but really this is an excellent war movie from the "docu-drama" category.  With plenty of artistic license thrown in.

Yeah, you've got to contend with the tacked-on love story bit, where Marcus gets estranged from his wife, and falls for the hot Israeli chick.  But its all good.

Basically the plot follows Marcus as he's thrust into the battle early on his arrival to the region, and has to figure out how to unify about four different "militias" under the flag of the provisional, still unrecognized government.  Once this is accomplished, he's lauded as a hero, both there and at home.  Unfortunately he meets his doom quite by accident, and that's where the movie ends.

What strikes me most odd about this is the near upstaging of Douglas by the "special guest" cast, who only get billed at the end of the cast list in the credits.  You've got the US Army General Randolph whom Marcus flaunted (and still does) during the war played by none other than John Wayne.  Then there's the commander of one of the Israeli factions, Asher Gonen, played by Yul Brynner.  Wait for it, there's more.  Toward the end, Frank Sinatra of all folks shows up as a (should I say *the*) pilot for the Israeli "Air Force" (once you've seen it you'll understand the quotes...)

Overall this star studded cast along with Angie Dickinson as Marcus' wife, and Senta Berger as Magda, the other woman, makes Cast a Giant Shadow a movie worthy of its name.

Really I wasn't expecting to like this one very much, I figured it'd just be a "let's just hash some history" type of story, but its done really well.  Yeah there are some stereotypes portrayed, most notably on the Arab side of things, but you just have to run with it.

Regardless of your opinions of the middle east situation, I'd recommend
Cast a Giant Shadow, if nothing else to learn about a bit of history you probably weren't aware of (I know I wasn't at all) and to watch a cast of great actors click together.

Technorati Tags: war movie reviews, cast a giant shadow, 1966, israel, middle east, united nations, kirk douglas, senta berger, angie dickinson, yul brynner, john wayne, frank sinatra

OK, I know what you're thinking.  "What are you smoking over there! Children of Men isn't a war movie!"'

Well, you're right it isn't.  It falls somewhere in the "dystopian future science fiction" category.  Children of Men follows the story of Theo (Clive Owen) who is somewhat forced into the situation of delivering the first baby born in the UK in eighteen years, and her mother, Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) to safety.  Along the way we're witness to a lot of 'bad future' scenarios.

You know, just because something's old, doesn't mean it isn't any good.  1929's Flight is yet another example.  One of Frank Capra's early films, it stands as a classic.

The entire movie is a bonified period piece, that's for sure.  There's no denying the era it comes from.  It's packed full of slang, mannerisms, social norms, and a lot more.  Most of it is just plain swell(!), while at least a couple of times you cringe at what today is considered taboo.

Really this picture is a lot of fun, I found myself laughing the whole way through.  Most of it was designed that way, but a lot of that was just at the 20's style and dialog.  That doesn't detract from it in any way at all.  A lot of the acting and dialog seemed to me to be very improvised and "off the cuff", which does nothing but add to the charm.  The overall style and approach is very different from pictures of today, especially the noticably absent musical soundtrack throughout most of the film.

"Lefty" Philips (Ralph Graves) has just come off of a terrible misplay at the Rose Bowl game, where he ran the wrong way and almost scored for the opposite team.  While avoiding ridicule, he comes across Sgt. "Panama" Williams (Jack Holt), and decides he wants to become a Marine Corps. aviator...  and the fun commences.

It's at the base where Lefty meets Elinor (Lila Lee), a nurse who Panama also has designs on....

Seems that Lefty can't even fly correctly, and winds up as Panama's mechanic as they're shipped off to Nicaragua to battle the revolutionaries who have been fighting with the Marines there.  Before they leave, though, Lefty discovers Panama's affections for Elinor.

While in Nicaragua, who should show up on nurse duty but Elinor.  And for some reason, the veteran Panama can't get up the nerve to ask Elinor to marry him, so he asks Lefty to do it.  He reluctantly agrees, and the secret's out, leaving Panama and he to duke it out.

But not before the bugle sounds.  And with that we're shown one of the earliest (that I know) examples of close air support on film.  Really remarkable when you think about it, just a few short years after the airplane was even invented.  The battle rages on, with Lefty and Panama acting as gunners/observers on separate aircraft.

Lefty's plane is brought down, and its up to Elinor to convince Panama to find him after the CO calls off the search.  Of course he's found, and the two resolve their differences in a display of aerobatics that'll turn your head (and Panama's stomach!)

The lighthearted fun of this picture is just great to behold.  Like a lot of pre-World War II "war movies", it has a certain degree of optimism that brings a smile to your face.

Thanks to Turner Classic Movies yet again for digging this one out.  It's clear that this picture is in need of some restoration work, the scratches and dust, missing frames, and badly degraded audio prove that.  But even through its physical flaws, this classic shines through.

Technorati Tags: war movie review, flight, 1929, usmc, marines, aviation, nicaragua, jack holt, lila lee, ralph graves

Good war movies don't necessarily have to develop out of a major war.  Sometimes all it takes is a little political maneuver to provide the catalyst, even if its purely fictional.  Guns at Batasi gives us a glimpse into the collapse of the worldwide British Empire, as control is handed over, somewhat awkwardly, from the British to the local government of an unnamed African nation.

Actually the movie is based on the 1962 novel, The Siege of Battersea, by Robert (or is it John?) Hollis (or Holles? Wikipedia and Amazon conflict here!)

Regardless, the story mainly follows a group of British sergeants, who have been trapped by chance in their mess hall during the messy takeover of the camp by an overzealous Lieutenant Boniface (Errol John).  Meanwhile they're hosting a member of parliament (Flora Robson) while the former camp CO (Jack Hawkins) is away.

They've got to hold their ground in the most English of ways against this new tyrant, and the men have to deal with their "by the book" Sgt. Major Lauderdale (Richard Attenborough), and a rogue Private Wilkes (John Leyton) and his wayward companion and interest, the UN secretary Ms. Wise (Mia Farrow).

In the process of harboring the interim camp commander, Capt. Abraham (Earl Cameron) they're given an ultimatum, deliver the Capt. to be "tried" for treason or face destruction.  They choose to fight back, and do so successfully.

Unfortunately for Lauderdale his actions bring shame to his career and his family tradition, and himself, as he's forced to leave the country immediately or face the government for his "crimes."

Ultimately its a sobering look into the politics and helplessness of situations like this.  Really I can't describe any more than that.  It may sound like a boring exercise, but really it works quite well.  There really isn't a lot of military action to speak of, except for the very end, but the tension and chemistry between all the characters, along with the superb acting and writing really make for an excellent film.  After all that's more of what this is about, the plight of the trapped sergeants and their company.  The rest of it is window dressing.

Guns at Batasi might on the surface seem like just another ho-hum British war movie (believe me I've seen a few of 'em) but I recommend checking it out, you'll probably be as surprised as I was.

Technorati Tags: war movie reviews, guns at batasi, 1964, the seige of battersea, richard attenborough, mia farrow, earl cameron, errol john, jack hawkins, flora robson, british empire, africa