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Silly me, I believed the review. "Politically correct," they said. "Liberal trash," they said.
I should have gone with my gut.
I watched it on Netflix over the weekend.
Moved and impressed I was.
It helps when one is a big fan of some of the cast. I've always liked Christian Bale, since I first saw him (as a kid) in Empire of the Sun. Rosamund Pike I've liked since Reacher. Not all of their work mind you, but enough to appreciate their work.
I didn't mention Wes Studi, one of my all time favorite actors. Dances With Wolves, Last of the Mohicans, and a short lived mini-series Skywalkers, with Adam Beach (who is also in this film) perhaps more famous for Code Talkers, and another favorite actor of mine.
The story here isn't a happy one, it's gritty and it rings true. And it's got some great acting in it. At least I thought so.
See it.
Agree with you Chris- it was a great movie. Glad that I had not read any reviews prior to watching. Sometimes it was difficult to hear Christian Bale, but that is my hearing as he spoke in such a low tone. That period of our history was harsh.
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of Netflix, subtitles. I find myself using those more and more.
DeleteMy wife can't hear the low tones. I can't hear the high tones. Makes for a fun time, two old coots saying "What'd he/she say?"
DeleteI like the pause and rewind button. Like it a lot.
I'll have to check out subtitles, but since I like paying attention to the action (and, yeah, I lipread a lot) I find I lose some of what is going on when I have to read it. About the only negative thing about one of the best war movies ever, "Tora, Tora, Tora," was when I wanted to see the action I had to read the darned words, during the Japanese scenes.
What? You didn't learn to speak Japanese for that film?
DeleteYeah, having to read subtitles drives me nuts, but not catching a line is worse. When stationed in Germany there were a lot of American and British programs on Dutch TV, which had Dutch subtitles. I learned a little Dutch because I was always reading the subtitles, even when I didn't have to.
Odd that...
Yes, pause and rewind is your friend. (I'll also do that to rewatch a really good scene, or a "Whoa? What just happened?" scene.)
I was 8 when I first watched it. On an outdoor screen at the Richardson Walk-In Movie Theater on Kwajalein. Ya bring your own chairs.
DeleteAfter that, on a succession of small screens until I finally graduated to a nice sized flat screen in 2008.
Small screens are contra-indicated for reading subtitles.
Wakarimasu, small screens and subtitles, not a good match.
Delete60" plasma TV 8-9' away works for my visually impaired wife and my hearing impaired self. Even she can read the sub-titles and keep up, though they've never been an issue for me. One glance and I've got it usually. Without sub-titles, I'd never make through our British crime shows. And both of us hate dubbed movies. Those are worse than bad sub-titles. They grate horribly on a subliminal level.
DeleteDas Boot is dubbed in English, badly. I have to watch it in German, sometimes I have to check the subtitles.
DeleteBut yeah, 60" plasma works well!
I figure if critics hate it, I'll probably love it. I have very little in common with Hollyweird. Critics can't just look at a movie, they have to bring in their world view. I pretty much gave up on recent stuff. There is a wealth of old film noir and 1950's tv shows to keep me entertained when I have 30 spare minutes to watch something.... That said, I may have to watch this show this weekend.... It has the OAFS seal of approval!
ReplyDeleteIt was conservative reviewers who didn't like it. Rare as those are.
DeleteWow, I didn't see that coming.
DeleteWhich is why I listened.
DeleteLast time that happens, I'll judge for myself.
A friend highly recommended it and I do like Studi. His Magua was spot on. I'll likely give it a look.
ReplyDeleteHis Magua was brilliant.
DeleteI watched on Netflix too, I liked it. Not what I expected (not sure what that was) but I have been thinking about the movie since I saw it.
ReplyDeleteParts of the movie are still occupying my thoughts. An excellent film.
DeleteI think that parts good movies or good books stay with us and make up part of the tapestry that is what we are as a person. Whom among us doesn't have elements of L'Amour, Asimov, Solzhenitsyn, Twain, Churchill, Goodrich ..... Just saying!
DeleteI find myself in fine company there...
DeleteBetter here on the blog, fine friends you all are. The ones I've met and those I've yet to meet!
We bought the movie about a month ago because I also really like the actors especially Wes Studi. As you said, he's been in some great movies. Also a fellow Vietnam Vet. It WAS a most excellent movie. (I seldom read movie reviews as they are usually wrong. If I do read a review and they rate a movie badly then I know it's probably worth watching!)
ReplyDeleteYeah, should have gone with my gut instincts, which are usually pretty good.
DeleteThere is much to like about Wes Studi, not just his acting.
Sounds like a darker version of a John Wayne movie, the one where he's a retiring Major on his last patrol. "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon." Rather a dark movie, but a good one.
ReplyDeleteI will have to look this one up.
So... How many Phantoms do you give it? You used to give us Phantoms, like Netflix used to give stars, but now you're just giving thumbs ups/thumbs down. Slacking again?
Not many Phantoms left -- and they're expensive, that's why. ;)
DeleteBeans, it's been ages since I watched that John Wayne flick, I don't remember enough about it to make a comparison. And yes, this film is very dark, as was that period for the aboriginals.
DeleteFour out of five Phantoms. (Yeah, I was kinda slacking. By the way, glad you volunteered for this weekend's Roman trireme vs Nimitz-class carrier races. We needed another oarsman.)
And what Larry said.
Delete;)
Ha. I can be the mostly naked fat sweaty guy with a gimp mask beating the stroke... wait, that sounded filthy and not-G-rated..
DeleteOkay, retry. I can be the drummer appropriately dressed for the hot confines of the rowing deck who is setting the rowing tempo. There, that's much better.
And as to the Phantoms rating system, bring it back. Phantoms are like the OldAFSarge and juvat version of the Bat signal.
DeleteBeans @12:06 - After spraying my monitor, and getting funny looks from my co-workers, I think you have the job. You provide your own uniform, naturally.
DeleteBeans @12:06 (part 2) - Will consider, but like Larry said, it's expensive. Now we have to win that race with Nimitz!
DeleteHa. Good on me making sure your monitor is clean and your co-workers are awake and/or alive.
DeleteIt's a public service you provide.
Delete;)
go to twitter acct 327EJ he has the best aviation pics and alot of JSDF F4 pics....i didn't know they use a 747 as a tanker...whaaaat ??!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice pics! Thanks Mark!
DeleteMaybe I can catch it on my trip over the pond tomorrow. Gonna be even more scarce than usual around here as my bride and I will be sailing the Rhine to celebrate our 25th. See you when I get back. I'll maybe share the pics after I get them developed and turned into slides. ha!
ReplyDeleteAh, the Rhine! A wonderful river, enjoy the trip!
DeleteWir erwarten einen Bericht über Ihre Rückkehr.
Have fun storming the castles!
DeleteAnd Happy Anniversary, whenever it is.
Ooooh, a good old fashioned slide show! How... 70's... Seems every officer my dad knew had a carousel or two of his latest photos of obscure and interesting locations.
9493. We had one of those slide projectors too. I remember having family over and my folks showing them our trip to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.
DeleteOh yeah, and thanks!
DeleteIndeed, Happy Anniversary to you and Mrs. Tuna!
Delete