Real Movie Review-Movie Reviews, Movie Quotes, Movie Trivia

Director: Kimberly Peirce

Starring: Ryan Phillippe, Abbie Cornish, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rob Brown, Channing Tatum, Victor Rasuk, Timothy Olyphant

Director, Kimberly Pierce, who has been conspicuously absent from Hollywood movie credits since her auspicious debut with Boys Don’t Cry, returns with a motion picture that gives us yet another reason to hate the war in Iraq: the back-door drafting of soldiers who have finished their tour. This controversial practice is called ‘stop loss’ and little question remains as to what side of the argument this film falls onto. The tone gets preachy from time to time, and the story never quite manages to turn the heat up to the boiling level. The acting is strong, as is the direction, but neither manages to distinguish itself beyond that, leaving the film mired in mediocrity.

Stop Loss opens win some intense war scenes, but quickly shifts gears from a war film into a drama about a group of gung ho soldiers that include Brandon King (Ryan Phillippe- that guy you’ve heard of and know from something, but have no idea what), and his best friend Steve (Channing Tatum, who you don’t know from anything). Both of these guys have put in their time and are glad to have done their duty, but are even more glad to be done. Steve is all set to marry Michelle (Abbie Cornish), and Brandon, well I can’t remember what Brandon’s plans are, but it doesn’t matter because he is informed that due to a clause in his contract, the army is allowed to keep him and send him back to Iraq. This is called Stop Loss and is exactly what they intend to do. Brandon feels betrayed and angry over this and has to decide what to do, while all of his army buddies have struggles of their own, as well.

If you are not tired of films that show us yet another problem with the whole Iraq, post 9-11, Bush situation, yet, then here is another related issue. This subject area has already been saturated by the CNN, news magazine television shows, and several Hollywood releases. It’s point is valid, but perhaps using a true story might have managed to give it the interest and impact that it lacked. Stop Loss is a good film that will vanish into obscurity as quickly as a presidential address.

Director: Ricki Stern, Anne Sundberg

Starring: Brian Steadle

The Devil Came On Horseback is a relentless hard-hitting documentary about the horrible conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan, as seen through the eyes of an impartial military observer, former Marine Captain, Brian Steadle, who doesn’t feel impartial for long. The result is engaging, and is almost as hypnotic as it is powerful and disturbing and kinda made me feel guilty for not doing more to help. It was a darling of the film festival circuit, but has seen little commercial promotion.

In 2004, retired but young, Marine Captain Brian Steadle accepted a six month contract as an unarmed military observer supervising the ceasefire to a two decade long civil war in The Sudan. Soon after his arrival, he realizes that government backed thugs, known as the Janjaweed are executing a campaign of rape, murder and torture, against civilian villages in the Darfur region of the country. The film starts out with some background of the area, and its issues, and then watches and listens, as Steadle uses pictures, video, and narration to describe, and illustrate his experiences during the horrifying, and frustrating period. Next, Brian returns home and tries to tell America, and the world, what is happening in The Sudan.

The Devil Came On Horseback tells a troubling tale that is uncomfortably close to the Rwandan story from all too few years ago. It packs a punch, and I hesitate to speculate on who will ‘enjoy’ it. It is similar in tone and content to such films as The Killing Fields and Hotel Rwanda, and much like last year’s documentary feature, Shake Hands With The Devil, which focused on Lt. Gen. Romeo Dallaire’s experiences in Rwanda. This is a powerful project that should be seen.

Rambo (2008) *1/2
Director: Slyvester Stallone

Starring: Slyvester Stallone, Julie Benz, Matthew Marsden, Graham McTavish, Paul Schulze, Reynaldo Gallegos, Tim Kang, Jake La Botz

Rejoice Rambo fans, rejoice, for the man of few words and many bullets has returned in a 21st century style action movie, complete with the new action requisite of hand held camera scenes. This modern look is mixed with retro slow motion sequences and also features the God awful return of the 90’s bullet-eye angle (like the camera is is on the bullet). The action scenes are exciting, so it’s target audience will be unlikely to object to the canned dialog, utter lack of any interesting characters or even any stereotypical development of the cliched characters. Why bother with that? Instead, there is violence piled on top of violence and, in a new twist for the Rambo series, there is a disturbing level of sexual violence, though it is tastefully handled with little nudity (insert sarcastic chuckle here). The whole thing is written, directed, produced, and probably catered, by Sly, of course.

John Rambo is living a quiet life as some kind boat-driving, snake catcher in Thailand, when he is approached by a group of young missionaries off to do good in neighboring, war-ravaged Burma. When John is unable to use his monosyllabic skills of persuasion to dissuade the group from going to offer aid, he is charmed by the only female member of the group, Sarah (Julie Benz) into taking them in. It doesn’t take long for trouble to start and the body count begins before he gets them to their destination with only a minimum of mayhem. He leaves them there and returns to busy life. Soon, however, they are taken prisoner by a group of nonsensical somebodies who seem to have no goal beyond killing and raping everyone they find. John can’t let that happen. You can guess what happens next.

I knew this would happen. Now that these continuations to 80s blockbusters have begun, they won’t stop until we are rolling around on the box office floor crying and pounding the floor. I tried to do it before this one, but I need help, people! I’m only one man! Rambo is a low brain action feature, that also vomits out an offensive, condescending view of changing the world without violence as pointless, naive and impossible. They must be right. Humans have been fighting for forever, and that really seems to be working in keeping the violence level down. Ok, all kidding aside (for now, at least), this Stallone offering will please fans of Rambo 2 and 3. Younger action fans may like it, as well, but it does lack the familiar style of the current bullet operas. As for the rest of us, we can only lie in silent fear that the Indiana Jones entry into the Hollywood 80s revival festival is up next, but we can trust Ford, Lucas and Spielberg, can’t we?

Director: Jeffrey Ross

Starring: Jeffrey Ross, Drew Carey, Blake Clark, Kyle Dunnigan, Andres Fernandez, Larry Gelbart, Kathy Kinney, Rocky La Porte

This self-made documentary by comedian, Jerry Ross is part social commentary, part politically incorrect, but pretty funny, stand-up show and part look at the American soldiers serving in Iraq. There isn’t too much of a point here, just a look at life in the 138 degree Iraq desert from a comedian’s point of view.

So what happens when Jeffrey Ross, a self-confessed selfish, smart ass comedian drunkenly agrees to accompany and other comedians, on a Drew Carey led USO tour to Iraq. Ross starts off talking about the late, great Bob Hope’s tireless troop supporting activities, and continues referring back to his legacy, throughout the feature. Rather than a more traditional, informative documentary, this is really just a glimpse at the Iraq experience through his own experiences and through the words of other comics and the U.S. personnel.

Jeff Ross, joined by Drew Carey and others put on a decent show, but if you were looking for a Michael Moore-style politically charged attack on George Bush’s freedom-dismantling Patriot Act, then this is not what you are looking for. Patriot Act is somewhere around center/right in its view. It’s an entertaining enough, if you are so inclined, but i think there are better ways to spend 78 minutes.

Patriot Act - movie quotes:
Movie lines from Patriot Act
“You (Drew Carey) look like Buddy Holly and Barney Rubble had a baby and peed on it.”

“This is Operation Enduring His Act. The war didn’t last as long as his fucking show.”

“By the time we got to our third big show, we were all good pals; a giddy bunch of desert clowns. Drew Carey and his Iraq pack.”

Director: Irwin Winkler

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Biel, Brian Presley, Curtis Jackson (50 Cent), Christina Ricci,

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a favorite condition for the characters in touching Hollywood dramas and we have seen former soldiers showing its effects on film many times. This is a well-acted drama from that genre, though, here there is a female soldier suffering after her return from combat. That is something new, at least. The story would have been better with fewer characters, with more development, and with a little more going on with them. The story is thin here.

An American unit is Iraq is scheduled to go home after a long tour, but before they pack their bags, they are sent on a humanitarian mission and get ambushed. It gets messy, and the survivors head home to deal with the loss, pain and guilt. Christina Ricci is wasted in a small, inconsequential role, but 50 Cent shows some ability in his second on-screen performance. Samuel L. Jackson is as talented as ever, and Jessica Biel continues to impress me, but there is just not enough to work with here and make this film stand out.

This idea has been done many times before and often finds its way to the podium at the Academy awards, but this film, as well crafted as it is, just made me depressed. Strictly for fans who pine for the return of such works as Born On The Fourth of July, and Coming Home. Its not as good as those Oscar winners, but it is cut from the same cloth.

Director: Roger Spottiswoode

Starring: Roy Dupuis, James Gallanders, Owen Lebakeng Sejake, Deborah Kara Unger

Canadian Lt. General Romeo Dallaire was the military commander of the UN mission in Rwanda and this movie is his personal, and all too true, story of his time there during the genocide of 1994. It is not quite as moving as the similarily-themed Hotel Rwanda, but is also less geared toward formula drama and emotional manipulation, though this feature is still pretty grim and upsetting. The direction is slightly surreal and the acting is quite good, though I found Dupuis to be just a little too wooden (just a little over that line between stoic and wooden) in the lead role. It suffers a little from being virtually a one man show, with Dupuis’ lead character being the focus of virtually every scene but there is no denying the power and importance of this film.

Romeo Dallaire is a very brave, and equally honest, man and that is really what makes this film work. He is not afraid to show his human emotions and frailties, and this makes his courageous effort to save lives during The Rwandan genocide, at no small personal risk, all that more impressive. This film carefully documents the beginnings of the atrocity and fearlessly lays blame. Dallaire’s helplessness is enveloping and we feel his frustration in the face of ever-increasing shortages of men and equipment that leave him unable to do more than watch many of the atrocities.

This was a difficult film to watch and will be for most viewers. How can we watch this without a twinge of guilt? Almost one million people died in Rwanda in 100 days and the world knew about it and did nothing. All of us did nothing. A small group tried to help, led by a very special individual. This is his story. See it.

Director: Ronald F. Maxwell

Starring: Tom Berenger, Martin Sheen, Jeff Daniels, Richard Jordan, Cooper Huckabee, Sam Elliott, C. Thomas Howell, Kevin Conway, Stephen Lang,

Gettysburg is magnificent civil war epic that seems to run for longer than the battle itself! At over four hours, and with more characters than a season of soap operas, there is little doubt that director Ronald Maxwell’s editing knife was just a tad dull. Still, as a history, and movie, enthusiast, I love this film exactly the way it is. I would not wish for a single scene to be cut, and if more were left in, that would probably been ok with me as well. Gettysburg strikes a remarkable balance between telling a big story, but not losing touch with the individuals involved. The cinematic battle scenes are as grand as any I’ve ever seen and are mesmerizing in their scale, if not their effects. The screenplay, based on Michael Shaara’s novel, The Killer Angels, and the resulting performances (many by familiar actors), are surprisingly theatrical, with long soliloquies that they serve to give a voice to several diverse groups involved in the battle. Why are the officers fighting? How did they chose with which side to align? How do they feel about friends standing on the opposite side of the field? Why are the enlisted men fighting? These questions and countless others are addressed.

Gettysburg begins as the troops first become aware of one another’s presence, but are still unaware of the awesome numbers gathering for both sides. it continues through the most important three days of the Civil War in 1863. They are the bloodiest three days in American history and are almost equal to all of the American deathes in the entire Vietnam War. Viewers are privy to the various strategic views, as well as some of the personal opinions of the participants. Director Maxwell bends over backward to not pass judgment and doesn’t create protagonists or antagonists. These are just honorable men with differing loyalties and ideologies, who meet on the field of battle to do their duty. One area of contention might be the portrayal of Robert E. Lee (Martin Sheen) as a slightly deluded man on an unwavering course to disaster, while his second-in-command, Gen. Longstreet, had the answers. Jeff Daniels plays professor-turned soldier, Col. Chamberlain, who desperately tries to hold ground with his unit. His character, and those in his unit, made for some of the most poignant, and exciting, scenes in the film.

Gettysburg is a genuine treat for history students of all ages. The film builds patiently, but relentlessly, taking its time as if the director knew he was making the most historically important film ever made about the American Civil War. It’s long, and for those with little interest in the subject, it would be a tedious half day, indeed. If, however, this is a subject that holds interest for you, then Gettysburg is a required addition to your film library.

Director: Edward Zwick

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes, Jihmi Kennedy, Andre Braugher, John Finn,

This impressive, true Civil War story was an early effort by Edward Zwick, who has gone on to give us other excellent movies like Courage Under Fire and Blood Diamond. Glory’s screenplay, written by Kevin Jarre (he also wrote another favorite of mine, Tombstone), is based on a couple of books written from letters sent home by Civil War Colonel, Robert Shaw, who is smoothly portrayed by Matthew Broderick. Broderick doubles as narrator, reading excerpts of Shaw’s letters talking about his experiences, and opinions, of the events around him. The screenplay is formulaic and sometimes emotionally manipulative, but this is still a great story with some strong dialog and outstanding performances. The film won three Oscars, including Denzel’s first, and is a must see for those of you who have missed it.

Robert Shaw (Matthew Broderick) is a young Civil War officer who, due to powerful family connections, finds himself offered command of the first African-American regiment, of the Civil War. His unit includes a tough unruly runaway slave, Trip (Denzel Washington), an older Negro named Rawlins (Morgan Freeman), and Thomas, an educated Black, whom Shaw grew up with in Mass. society. Shaw’s second in command is also a childhood friend, played by Cary Elwes. The insecure, and inexperienced, Shaw shows himself to be an excellent leader, and the men, motivated by their desire to fight for freedom, turn into good soldiers. The story builds to a memorable ending, that i won’t reveal here.

Glory should be enjoyed by most viewers, and may even get a grudging nod even by those who don’t like “war movies”. If this is not the best film made about the American Civil War, then I can’t think of which motion picture surpasses it, (though, Gettysburg does come close). There are several very powerful scenes and grand battles, that combine with the film’s other magnificent qualities to make this a personal favorite and film library staple for me.

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Adam Goldberg, Giovanni Ribisi, Matt Damon, Jeremy Davies, Vin Diesel, Ted Danson, Paul Giamatti, Dennis Farina.

This film starts out with the most powerful twenty minutes of footage that Hollywood has ever produced as Spielberg re-creates D-day with such skill that we all feel it. This alone would make this an impressive effort, but it soon launches into a simple, but strong, action/war drama that is loaded with strong, individual characters with such depth that will make you feel angry, sad, laugh and generally feel like these were people that you knew. The acting is uniformly strong, and is aided by talented veteran performers in small roles, throughout. Spielberg uses a jerky, and, sometimes, grainy camera style that adds to the realism. This is a tricky style to employ. It is effective when done well, but distracting and unpleasant when overdone (Check out the Bourne Supremacy for how NOT to do it). Even the sound (and lack of it) adds to the power of this film. The action scenes are shocking, quick, random and brutal. When the action stops, the story is full of natural dialogue and tension and even has some humor.

Saving Private Ryan seizes you from the early scenes on Omaha Beach and holds you as Capt. Miller (Tom Hanks) is assigned to assemble a squad to go find Private James Ryan (Matt Damon) and ship him home because his four brothers, also serving, have all been killed. As an act of mercy, the Army wants to send him home. The men set out on this “public relations mission” across the dangerous French countryside, reluctantly. The story includes action and internal conflict and camaraderie and the viewer is never sure what will happen next, right up to the final scenes.

This is the best war movie ever made and is one of the best movies of all time on top of that. It is one of the Maniac’s all-time favorites and a must for any movie collection. The screenplay should be required study for writers who want to create a large cast movie and not rely on stock, one-dimensional characters and the film should be required viewing for students looking to gain some measure of understanding of the sacrifices of those who served in World War II. When Spielberg puts his heart into a project, there can be no better director and in this case, there is no better movie.

Director: Rachid Bouchareb

Starring: Jamel Debbouze, Samy Naceri, Roschdy Zern, Sami Bouajila, Bernard Blancan, Mathieu Simonet, Aurelie Eltvedt, Asaad Bouab

This Algerian war film is billed as a North African “Saving Private Ryan” and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film of 2006. The characters are good, the acting is authentic and the overall quality of the camera work is impressive. The story lags at times and could have used more action, but it is still a powerful film.

It’s World War II and a North African Unit is fighting to liberate France from Nazi occupation. Director Rachid Bouchareb does a fantastic job of capturing the period and creating gripping scenes, both of battles and of the men moving through WWII France. The story primarily follows four Algerian soldiers who fight for their lives and for respect from a nation that colonized their land and now wants them to fight the Germans in return for second-class citizenship.

Well, it’s nowhere near as entertaining as “Saving Private Ryan”. It is too slow and dark to measure up to that instant classic, but this is still a taut and engaging war movie with significant social commentary to share that all of us could learn from. There is no society, that I aware of, in which all members are treated equally. Yet when times of war come, these underprivileged citizens are asked to risk their lives for the very group that oppresses them.

“I got nothing against no Viet Cong. No Vietnamese ever called me a n*****.”

Muhammad Ali: when asked why he would refuse to fight in the Vietnam War.