Movies

Catching up on some stuff I’ve watched.

We Were Soldiers

I’m usually not a fan of Vietnam War movies (as opposed to WWII and Civil War).  So much moral ambiguity, and there’s an ugliness to the fighting that makes it very hard to watch.  (At least in the way it’s usually filmed.  All wars are ugly.)  

But this is a really well done film.  Mel Gibson, for all of his many, many faults as a human being is a phenomenally charismatic actor and magnetic to watch on the screen.  The action is gripping and well filmed.  All the wife scenes back at the base felt completely unnecessary.  (This is based on a true story, by the way.  Worth reading about.)

Regret watching: No

Would watch again: Yes

Would buy on DVD: No

Rating: Pretty good  

Outpost

One of the few Afghanistan War movies that I’ve seen.  (Lone Survivor’s the only other one I can think of.  Wait, Zero Dark Thirty.)  An engrossing movie about the defense of one of the worst positioned bases ever.  Seriously, who wanted to put a base there, surrounded by mountains?

Regret watching: No

Would watch again: Yes

Would buy on DVD: No

Rating: Pretty good  

Stowaway

An extra person somehow finds himself on a mission to Mars.  His presence and a series of unfortunate events means that there won’t be enough oxygen for everyone to make it there alive.  What does the crew do?  How do they decide who dies?  

A sweet cast of Anna Kendrick, Toni Collette, Daniel Dae Kim, and Shamier Anderson.  They all sell their roles extremely convincingly.  The ending’s a little melodramatic, but even that was still effective.

Regret watching: No

Would watch again: No

Would buy on DVD: No

Rating: Nice

Unstoppable

Chris Pine and Denzel Washington need to stop a runaway train before its cargo of toxic chemicals destroys a city.  A nice action flick with situational conflicts that I haven’t seen before.  It feels unique, something that doesn’t happen much anymore.  (The true story it’s based on is a fun read as well.)

Regret watching: No

Would watch again: Yes

Would buy on DVD: No

Rating: Pretty good  

Greyhound

A wonderful WWII movie about a destroyer protecting a convey in the Atlantic, captained by Tom Hanks.  The only fat on this movie is the opening scene with Hanks and his girlfriend.  Everything else is a taut, exciting movie about tactics and survival. 

Special shoutout to composer Blake Neely for his spectacular score.  The wailing sounds are eerie, captivating, and haunting.  Amazingly suitable for this movie.

Regret watching: No

Would watch again: Yes

Would buy on DVD: Yes

Rating: Good