Month: June 2022

Today’s quick review: The Bridge on the River Kwai. In 1943, Lieutenant Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness) and his men are taken to a Japanese POW camp ruled by the draconian Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa). There they are forced to labor under inhumane conditions building a railroad bridge over the River Kwai. While Nicholson fights for the rights of his men, Lieutenant Commander Shears (William Holden), a cynical American, plans his escape.

The Bridge on the River Kwai is a classic war drama about a battalion of British soldiers taken prisoner in Asia during World War II. The movie serves as both a historical account of the conditions faced by Allied POWs in the Pacific and a complex moral tale that illuminates the paradoxes of war. The Bridge on the River Kwai features a nuanced story, multifaceted characters, and powerful themes, all of which help the movie earn its place as a classic.

The heart of The Bridge on the River Kwai is the moral battle between Nicholson and Saito. The two men represent opposite perspectives on war and the duties of soldiers. Saito operates within Japan’s rigid code of honor, while Nicholson adheres to the more humanitarian rules of the British military. Their conflict plays out through exchanged volleys of punishment and defiance, and much of the film’s appeal comes from seeing the men vie for control.

But what sets the film apart is where it goes with this premise. Nicholson sticks dutifully to his principles but loses sight of the big picture. His rules give him the strength to endure, but they also blind him to the possibility of escape. This is where Shears enters the picture: a pragmatist less concerned with honor than with survival. The clash of principles betweeen Nicholson, Saito, and Shears results in a rich and compelling plot.

The Bridge on the River Kwai is a great pick for anyone accustomed to the slower pacing and thoughtful writing of the classics. The movie takes its time setting up the characters and conflicts it needs, but the payoff is a thorough treatment of compelling moral questions. Anyone interested in the nature of honor or duty would do well to give it a shot. Skip it if you are looking for action or an easier, more superficial plot.

For another war drama about a POW camp during World War II, try The Great Escape. For a violent and emotionally powerful war drama with a strong moral element, try Saving Private Ryan. For a classic drama that explores the effects of stress on an otherwise good man, try The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

8.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for a multifaceted moral conflict.

Today’s quick review: A Bridge Too Far. In September 1944, Lieutenant General Browning (Dirk Bogarde) carries out Operation Market Garden, an ambitious Allied offensive that drops thousands of troops behind German lines to claim a series of vital bridges in Holland. But as the mission hits setback after setback, Major General Urquhart (Sean Connery), Lieutenant Colonel Frost (Anthony Hopkins), and their men are left stranded with no relief in sight.

A Bridge Too Far is a classic war drama about Operation Market Garden during World War II. The movie follows the operation from concept to execution, showing an optimistic plan give way to crushing reality. A Bridge Too Far tracks half a dozen groups of soldiers as they struggle to claim and hold key points along the line of advance. The result is a war movie on a grand scale that skillfully conveys the long odds faced by Allied forces.

A Bridge Too Far stands apart from other war movies for the way it portrays an operation that is falling apart. Bad weather, faulty radios, and two unexpected Panzer divisions put a crimp in Market Garden from the very beginning, and the situation only gets worse as XXX Corps, meant to support the paratroopers, meets delay after delay. Throughout it all, the aloofness of the Allies’ leadership drives home a sense of futility and desperation.

In terms of execution, A Bridge Too Far is a well-crafted movie that is almost too complex for its own good. The named cast numbers in the dozens, and the fighting occurs in several Dutch towns simultaneously, leaving the audience with a lot to keep track of. But the movie does use its scale to good effect, offering a comprehensive look at a complex invasion and capturing the many sacrifices and acts of heroism along the way.

A Bridge Too Far is a strong pick for fans of the war genre or anyone interested in logistics of large-scale conflict. The movie requires a significant investment on the part of the viewer, and it lacks the immediate impact of war movies that are more modest in scope. But the payoff is an unusually thorough depiction of the consequences of bad planning. Those looking for a concise, focused war movie may want to steer clear.

For another seemingly jinxed large-scale operation during World War II, try Dunkirk. For a more intimate World War II mission with long odds, try Fury. For a less brutal depiction of events occurring in parallel, try Patton.

7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for a dramatic story and a star-studded cast.

Today’s quick review: Patton. In 1943, General George Patton (George C. Scott) takes command of American forces in Tunisia and begins the push to link up with British forces on the other side of North Africa. Patton’s bold strategies earn him a string of decisive victories and renown. But as the war goes on, Patton discovers that the greatest threat he faces is not the German military but the Allied politics that threaten to cut short his command.

Patton is a biographical war drama about one of World War II’s premiere generals. George C. Scott delivers a memorable performance as General Patton, a born soldier whose daring in the field is matched only by his poor political acumen. The movie paints a detailed portrait of its subject, capturing his greatest victories and his most crushing defeats. Along the way, Patton covers a significant portion of World War II, as seen from the command post.

General Patton cuts a fascinating figure. His boldness, tenacity, and classical education make him a terror to the Germans and allow him to accomplish feats of war that few others would dare to even attempt. But his audacity comes with a steep cost. His hasty strategies endanger the lives of his men, and his thirst for personal glory often clouds his judgment. More subtly, his inability to temper his speech has a profound impact on his career.

Patton does an excellent job of portraying these conflicting qualities. The movie unfolds at a deliberate pace, showing each step of Patton’s journey through the war as he’s buffeted about by the shifting tides of political favor. Patton’s hands-on leadership keeps him close to the action, and the large-scale tank battles help keep the movie engaging and moving forward. The result is a capable biography that does justice to its subject.

Patton makes for a solid choice for anyone interested in World War II or the diffrent ideologies of war. The slow pace of the movie and its relatively flat emotional arc mean that it simply will not appeal to some viewers, especially those hoping for a tense, visceral look at war. But those willing to take Patton on its own terms will find it to be a rewarding watch, thanks to a multifaceted lead character and a story that encompasses an entire war.

For more visceral tank action from World War II, watch Fury. For a satirical take on the war, try Catch-22. For the fictitious biography of a flawed man, try Citizen Kane.

7.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for a robust and comprehensive character portrait.

Today’s quick review: War Horse. Ted Narracott (Peter Mullan), a stubborn English farmer, takes a chance when he buys Joey, a smart and spirited horse. Ted’s son Albert (Jeremy Irvine) trains Joey and becomes his close friend. But when war breaks out with Germany, hard times force Ted to sell the horse to Captain Nicholls (Tom Hiddleston), a cavalry officer, who takes Joey into German-occupied France and the heart of the fighting.

War Horse is a war drama from director Steven Spielberg. The movie follows a British farm horse on a winding journey through World War I as he is passed from owner to owner. War Horse shows the impact of the war from a variety of angles, through the eyes of the soldiers and civilians who cross paths with Joey. The movie manages to tell a sweet story with some good emotional moments, but its unconventional story structure will not suit everyone.

War Horse combines the subject matter of a war movie with the tone of a family drama. Wherever Joey goes, he finds people who care about him and treat him as a beloved friend, even amidst hardship and close calls. While his direct contribution to the war is modest, he serves as an inspiration to the people around him. This injects an otherwise bleak war story with a ray of hope, turning it into not just a tale of suffering but one of survival.

The one major sticking point is that, at the end of the day, Joey is just a horse. He serves as an emotional anchor for the film and ties together the otherwise unrelated war vignettes that make up the story, but he cannot drive the action on his own. The movie has to make Joey worth caring about while keeping his role in the events around him realistic. This is a difficult balance to achieve, and there are times when the movie plays up Joey too much.

How much you get out of War Horse will depend on your ability to invest in Joey’s harrowing journey. The movie does have some triumphant moments that justify the audience’s investment, as well as tragic ones that do justice to the hardness of World War I. But a viewer who can’t latch onto Joey the way the movie intends will find the story disjointed and overly sentimental. Try it if you’re interested in a war movie that’s not as hopeless as some others.

For a World War I story with excellent cinematography and a more focused plot, try 1917. For a more harrowing drama about war from the British perspective, try Dunkirk. For a more violent war and iconic war drama from Steven Spielberg, try Saving Private Ryan.

7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for solid craftsmanship and a few of triumphant moments.

Today’s quick review: Lone Survivor. Navy SEALs Marcus Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg), Michael Murphy (Taylor Kitsch), Danny Dietz (Emile Hirsch), and Matt Axelson (Ben Foster) are sent to a remote village in Afghanistan in search of a high-value Taliban target. But when the operation is compromised, Marcus and his men are surrounded by Taliban gunmen and forced to fight their way down a mountain in the face of overwhelming odds.

Lone Survivor is a war drama that tells the true story of a team of Navy SEALs struggling to survive in Taliban-controlled territory after a mission gone wrong. Luttrell, Murphy, Dietz, and Axelson sustain massive injuries in their push to get off the mountain, but their SEAL training and devotion to one another keep them fighting to the very end. Brutal combat, realistic characters, and a focused plot make Lone Survivor a powerful tale of survival.

Lone Survivor presents its events with a mixture of frankness and reverence. The wistful soundtrack and the courage on display are clear tributes to the men involved in the incident, while the bloody and frantic action captures the desperation of a situation going from bad to worse. The movie manages to find a good balance between sentiment and action. The result is a captivating watch with plenty of raw action and a strong emotional payoff.

Lone Survivor is a solid pick for anyone interested in a remarkable story about grit, brotherhood, and determination. The scope of the story will feel narrow to some viewers, and not everyone will appreciate its reverential tone. But for most viewers, Lone Survivor makes for a tense and rewarding movie that does an excellent job of portraying its subject matter. Those looking for action with more escapism should steer clear.

For a similarly desperate escape from enemy territory, try Black Hawk Down. For another true story about modern warfare, try American Sniper. For a fictional action movie about Navy SEALs, try Act of Valor.

7.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for solid presentation of an impressive story.

Today’s quick review: Black Hawk Down. In 1993, the United States sends troops into Somalia to overthrow Mohamed Farrah Aidid, the warlord starving the country. Seizing on an opportunity to capture Aidid’s inner circle, General Garrison (Sam Shepard) orders a daring raid into Mogadishu. But when a Black Hawk helicopter is shot down in a hostile section of the city, Sergeant Eversmann (Josh Hartnett) and his Rangers are sent in to effect a rescue.

Black Hawk Down is a war drama from director Ridley Scott. Black Hawk Down tells the true story of a US helicopter downed in a war zone and the ensuing rescue mission. The movie is a visceral look at a heated battle, following the troops on the ground as they try to manage a situation going from bad to worse. Black Hawk Down’s gripping combat scenes and compelling subject matter make it a worthwhile watch for viewers who can stomach the gore.

Black Hawk Down is notable for the scale of its conflict. What begins as a simple snatch-and-grab mission turns into a protracted urban shootout as the troops sent to the crash site, led by Sergeant Eversmann, take severe enemy fire. The danger, the violence, and the raw chaos of the battle are captured by the film’s flashy special effects and heavy casualty rate. The result is a movie chock full of noisy, messy combat and plenty of close calls.

All of this makes Black Hawk Down a very specific type of war movie: one focused on an entire battle, rather than an individual group of soldiers. The movie does give the spotlight to Eversmann and his men, but there are nearly half a dozen groups of soldiers caught in similar situations, painting a comprehensive picture of the battle. The movie does find the time for some characterization, but the main focus is always on the fighting itself.

Black Hawk Down is an intense watch that will appeal to fans of visceral, non-stop action. The high degree of violence and lack of a strong personal angle will put off some viewers, but the frantic, desperate nature of the battle is something few other war movies can replicate. Those interested in the premise will find what they’re looking for. For another war drama that about a rescue mission gone wrong, try Saving Private Ryan.

7.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for sheer gritty spectacle.

Today’s quick review: The Patriot. At the outset of the American Revolution, Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson), a widower and a father of seven, chooses to take care of his family rather than fight. But when Colonel William Tavington (Jason Isaacs), a heartless British dragoon, murders one of his sons, Benjamin takes up arms as a colonel in the Continental Army, leading the South Carolina militia against the forces of General Cornwallis (Tom Wilkinson).

The Patriot is a war drama set during the Revolutionary War. Mel Gibson stars as Benjamin Martin, a retired soldier who put his violent past behind him to start a family. Now, with British soldiers committing atrocities on his doorstep, Martin has no choice but to fight for his country. The Patriot is a solidly constructed drama whose grounded characters, meaningful themes, and thrilling battles capture the essence of the American Revolution.

The Patriot shows the uphill struggle faced by American troops in the Revolutionary War. Martin makes use of crafty and unconventional tactics to fight the British, in contrast to both the old-fashioned thinking of Cornwallis and the war crimes perpetrated by Tavington. The fight choreography is not as precise as in comparable movies, but it conveys the key dynamics of the battles, and its intensity helps sell the importance of the conflict.

The Patriot also ties the war to the personal story of a father who has to leave his family in order to save them. Mel Gibson’s performance is the glue that holds the film together, conveying the love and regret that drive Martin, while Jason Isaacs makes for a disturbingly effective villain as Tavington. The emotional beats of the story are simple but effective, and they are backed by strong dialogue and good supporting character moments.

Watch The Patriot when you’re in the mood for a dramatic but uplifting story. The clear-cut moral conflict and fairly predictable plot will not speak to everyone, while the action is not quite as spectacular as in some films. But the strength of its characters, the skillful flourishes with the dialogue and dramatic tension, and the ideals it brings to life are enough to make The Patriot a great watch for the right viewer.

For another drama set in the historical South, try Gone with the Wind. For another tale of rebellion starring Mel Gibson, try Braveheart. For a drama with a similar protagonist and tone, try Gladiator.

7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for capable storytelling.

Today’s quick review: 6 Days. On April 30, 1980, Arab terrorists take over the Iranian embassy in London, taking over two dozen hostages. Chief Inspector Max Vernon (Mark Strong) attempts to negotiate with Salim (Ben Turner), the leader of the terrorists, but only succeeds in stalling for time. Meanwhile, Lance Corporal Rusty Firmin (Jamie Bell) of the SAS Special Projects Team prepares his men to raid the embassy if negotiations break down.

6 Days is a crime thriller based on a true story. 6 Days depicts the response of the British police, military, and press to a hostage standoff at the Iranian embassy. The movie captures the delicate nature of the negotiations, the political pressures involved, and the phases of preparation the SAS team goes through, all leading up to a final confrontation. Solid craftsmanship and an eye for detail make 6 Days a decent watch.

6 Days has a couple of aspects that help carry it. Chief among these is the performance of Mark Strong as Max Vernon, a hostage negotiator who genuinely wants to prevent the situation from ending in bloodshed. At the same time, the rigorous preparations of Rusty and his men show just how complicated an assault on prepared targets can be. The parallel threads of negotiation and force give the movie a comprehensive perspective on a complicated situation.

Even so, 6 Days is not as heartfelt, as elaborate, or as thrilling as other movies in a similar vein. There is no grand plan for the terrorists, only a volatile situation and a set of impossible demands. There is a human angle as Max and Salim attempt to find some sort of common ground over the phone, but there’s only so far they can go. And while there is some action, it is closer to a historical record rather than thrills for their own sake.

Watch 6 Days is you are interested in the political and tactical realities of a hostage situation. 6 Days does a good job of presenting its subject matter, telling a succinct story that covers precisely what it needs to. But it’s missing some of the raw appeal of fictional crime movies and dramas that dive deeper into the human side of things. Accommodating viewers will find it worthwhile; viewers with high standards can do better.

For another tense hostage situation, try The Negotiator, Mad City, or Dog Day Afternoon. For another true story about a major criminal incident in modern Britin, try The Bank Job. For a more plot-oriented hostage standoff, check out Inside Man.

6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for solid pieces without the extra power needed to stand out.

Today’s quick review: Mine. Marine sniper Mike Stevens (Armie Hammer) and his spotter Tommy (Tom Cullen) are trekking through the desert when Tommy is badly injured by a landmine. As Mike goes to help, he steps on another one and is forced to stay where he is to avoid setting it off. With the nearest help over two days away and only a passing Berber (Clint Dyer) in sight, Mike must figure out how to keep himself alive long enough for rescue to come.

Mine is a war movie and psychological drama about a Marine trapped on a landmine. Mike Stevens faces dehydration, the elements, and his own inner demons as he struggles to survive. Mine aims to be a powerful tale of perseverance that digs deeply into its protagonist’s psyche. The movie’s high ambitions lead to some clever moments and some emotional heft, but it lacks the fine touch needed to make its themes feel natural and rewarding.

Mine has a tendency to overplay its hand. Instead of focusing on Mike’s predicament and letting the psychological drama happen organically, the movie is explicit about the connection between the mine and his inner demons. Regrets about his childhood, his relationship with Jenny (Annabelle Wallis), and going off to war weigh heavy on Mike’s mind. These are interesting themes to explore, but their discussion within the story is fairly blunt.

Mine can also be difficult to follow. For the sake of drama, the movie plays coy about just what’s been eating at Mike. But this leads to flashbacks without context that become downright confusing as Mike starts to hallucinate. Still, even with these drawbacks, the strength of Mine’s ideas shines through. Mine tries too hard to be dramatic and to deliver a message, but along the way it pulls off some clever tricks, all within a limited premise.

Mine is an odd movie that will not appeal to everyone. Those who appreciate the puzzle of constructing a minimalistic and highly personal film will find it to be an interesting watch, albeit one with some flaws. Those hoping for a more conventional war drama or a more straightforward tale of survival will probably want to look elsewhere.

For another tale of survival in a harsh environment, try Moon, The Martian, or 127 Hours. For a more mundane journey into one man’s psyche, try Locke.

5.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for bold ideas and mixed execution.

Today’s quick review: The Hurt Locker. After an Army bomb disposal technician (Guy Pearce) is killed in the line of duty, Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner) takes his place. James’ reckless style immediately puts him at odds with his team, consisting of Sergeant JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Specialist Owen Elridge (Brian Geraghty). To survive their last month in Baghdad, the men must find the right balance between boldness and caution.

The Hurt Locker is a war drama that steps inside the lives of an OED team during the Iraq War. James, Sanborn, and Elridge face death on a daily basis, whether it’s in the form of a roadside bomb, a car full of explosives, or an enemy with a gun. The Hurt Locker specializes in tense situations that never go according to plan. High tension, multifaceted characters, and a couple of powerful gut punches make the film an engrossing watch.

The Hurt Locker is as much about James, Sanborn, and Elridge as the bombs they dispose of. James is a risk-taker in an already risky profession, putting lives on the line to finish the job as quickly as possible. In contrast, Sanborn is cautious to a fault, and Elridge struggles to handle the pressure. The psychological angle ties the film together thematically, turning a series of incidents into the story of three men trying to hold it together.

How much you get out of The Hurt Locker will depend on your taste in drama. The film’s bleak tone and mature content will be too much for some viewers, while others will dislike the reactive nature of the action, in contrast to the proactive nature of traditional war movies. But for those willing to invest in the characters and situations, The Hurt Locker is a well-crafted movie with a lot to offer.

For a thriller from the same director, try Zero Dark Thirty. For a less eventful portrait of military life, try Jarhead. For a more scathing take on war and the military, try Full Metal Jacket. For another look at the hardships of war, try Saving Private Ryan.

7.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for robust and effective drama.