Fury--A Review

Ideals are peaceful, history is violent.--Don WarDaddy Collier

-I'm a war movie buff, so when I saw the previews for Fury, I knew I wanted to see it.  It shows Pitt leading a tanker crew of soldiers through Germany towards the end of World War II in April 1945.


-Whenever I watch a movie based on history, I look up how accurate it is.  A review on Bustle had this to say:

Though at first glance, Fury may seem as if it’s just another World War II movie with a stellar cast (I mean, Brad Pitt, Shia Labeouf, Jon Bernthal, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña, and Scott Eastwood? Yes, please), don’t write it off as that just yet: While yes, the movie deals with the much-employed setting of World War II, it’s actually much more true-to-life than it seems — even if it’s not based on one singular story. From Street Kings writer/director David Ayer, Fury is actually based on a collection of true stories from real-life army veterans who spent their time during World War II in tanks, just like Pitt’s tank crew in the film.

-Director David Ayer wanted to communicate the personal and emotional price that men had to pay as a result of fighting in the war.  I think the movie did a great job of conveying that.

-Brad Pitt is a phenomenal actor, and I was struck by that as I watched the movie.  I have always loved how Pitt carried himself in Troy.  I saw the same thing as I watched Fury.  He exudes this air of humble confidence as a leader, and it makes you want to follow him anywhere.  I can't even describe the powerful emotions that he is able to convey.

-Fury did a great job of showing the reality and harshness of war, and the decisions that must be made when you are fighting for your country.

The Good Lie--A Review

--I saw a pre-screening of The Good Lie last night.  It was an AMAZING movie!  I had high expectations going in, and yet it still surpassed them.

Why I Loved It
--The movie was accurate when it came to the facts.  Almost everything about the lost boys journey from Sudan to Ethiopia to Kenya was similar to what Valentino Achak Deng's account was in his book, What is the What.

--I love it when a movie that is based on true events, sticks closely to the real facts, and this movie did that.  After the lost boys journey, it also accurately depicted the Kakuma refugee camp and their transition to life in America.

--The acting was incredible.  Reese Witherspoon did an incredible job, and so did the kids and the adults that played the lost boys.

--The movie has heart.  It crafted things in a way that made you feel for the lost boys.  I teared up several times.

--This is a great movie for introducing many into what the Lost Boys have been through in Sudan, and what life is like for them once they get here in the U.S.

--I liked the reason for calling the movie, The Great Lie.

Previously:
What is the What--A Review
The Lost Boys of Sudan
Lost Boys in Kansas City--The Good Lie

When the Game Stands Tall--A Review

  

It’s as if life has taken more than it gives, and I am lost.--Coach Bob

 Every time you’ll answer the same thing:  Bellevue played better than us and we lost.  That’s football.  Don’t let it define who you are.  I truly believe the best things in life happen when we lose something or something challenging happens.--Coach Bob

It’s no longer about who the bigger, faster, stronger players are.  It’s about who plays with more heart.--Rival Coach 

 --I saw When the Game Stands Tall last night.  It is an amazing movie based on a true story.  I am a huge Jim Caviezel fan, and he did a great job in this.

--Christianity Today had this to say:

When the Game Stands Tall is based on the 2003 book of the same name by Neil Hayes, a sportswriter for the Contra Costa Times. I don’t how many clichés are in the book, but if Hayes quotes De La Salle coach Bob Ladouceur at all, it’s certain to have some.

You get the idea. But here’s the thing: They’re (the cliche quotes) delivered with such sincerity that you believe them right along with the players. And not just because they’re so earnest, but because — at least at De La Salle High, and at least while Ladouceur was coach — they’re true. And because Ladouceur, a devout Catholic who also teaches religious studies at the school, lives out these ideals right before their eyes.

He’s the real thing. And Caviezel, also a devout believer, captures his subject very well — a coach who truly loves his players first as young men made in God’s image, and second as football players. Don’t get me wrong: Love alone won’t win football games. Ladouceur — who went 399–25-3 in his career before retiring last year — is a fantastic coach, and he has had incredible talent on his teams. But most of his players grew up to be exemplary young men, even the ones who didn’t play ball in college or the NFL.

--Besides being inspired by the Coach and what he taught the players, I was moved by the theme of how important it is to be a part of a team.  The same concept plays itself out in the military.  There is something about not facing life alone.

--I am definitely going to be reading the book.

A Review of Belle!

BELLE is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the illegitimate mixed race daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay (Matthew Goode). Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) and his wife (Emily Watson), Belle's lineage affords her certain privileges, yet her status prevents her from the traditions of noble social standing.

While her cousin Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) chases suitors for marriage, Belle is left on the sidelines wondering if she will ever find love. After meeting an idealistic young vicar's son bent on changing society, he and Belle help shape Lord Mansfield's role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England.--Rotten Tomatoes

--I saw the movie Belle last night and loved it!!

--The movie has numerous aspects to it that made me fall in love with it:

• It is loosely based on some true historical events 
• It is a "Jane Austen" type movie with an abolition theme 

--Historical Facts:

• The above 1779 painting of Dido Elizabeth Belle and her cousin, Lady Elizabeth Murray is what inspired the movie.  
• The painting was "one of the first European portraits to portray a black subject on an equal eye-line with a white aristocrat."
• Belle was indeed the illegitimate mixed-race daughter of Maria Belle (an African slave in the West Indies) and Naval Officer, Captain John Lindsay.
• Lindsay entrusted Belle to his Uncle William Murray in 1765.
• William Murray was the 1st Earl of Mansfield and the Lord Chief Justice of England.
• Murray did indeed rule in 2 important slavery cases--Somerset vs. Stewart in 1772 and the Zong Massacre trials of 1783 which did help pave the way for the Slave Trade Act of 1807.  Thus inspiring William Wilberforce to fight for the abolition of slavery in 1833.

--The rest of the movie is fiction, but extremely well-done.  I highly recommend it!  

Resources:
--The Zong by James Walvin

A Review of Sleepers!

--Sleepers is a story that will profoundly affect you.  When I first saw the movie back in the 90's, it had a powerful affect on me.  It challenges your views about justice and revenge.  What makes it even more powerful, is that it really happened.

--I am now in the middle of the book, Sleepers.  The movie sticks very close to the book.  Carcaterra had to change dates, names, places and people to protect the innocent.  There still has been controversy about whether the story is true or not.

--I find everything about the story to be fascinating.  I loved learning about what life was like for those that lived in "Hell's Kitchen" in the 60's.  It was interesting how the Catholic church made an impact on their daily lives, yet, couldn't curb the domestic violence.

--What happened to the 4 boys was horrific, it left me outraged.  Yet, just like their favorite book, The Count of Monte Cristo, there was amazing justice.  It doesn't happen too often in life, which is probably why many think the story can't be true.

--It was interesting to me that The Count of Monte Cristo was also mentioned in another favorite movie/book of mine, Shawshank Redemption.

--Anyway you look at it, both the book and the movie are well worth your time.

A Review of Lone Survivor!

I had high expectations for the film, Lone Survivor.  It not only met them, but exceeded them.  The above video illustrates why.  Everyone that worked on the film, wanted to honor the real soldiers who died that day.  It's not often that you see loved ones of men that have died, be happy with a film that is done about their lives.

Mark Wahlberg was phenomenal and Taylor Kitsch did an amazing job.  Kitsch is best known for his role on Friday Night Lights as Riggins.  It's not often that a mother and daughter have a crush on the same guy, but that's what happened to my daughter and I when we watched Friday Night Lights.  Yet, Kitsch proved in Lone Survivor that he was a great actor, and could do more than play a hunky football player.

The film was very inspirational, and anyone that watches it without tearing up, doesn't have a heart.  It was a story of how dedicated American soldiers are to not only their country, but to each other.  Seeing what all of them persevered through and kept going, was amazing.  It inspired me in my own life, that when things get rough, I need to keep on going.

Mark Wahlberg played Marcus Luttrell who was the lone survivor.  Luttrell wrote the book about the true story that the film was based on.  I put the book on hold at the library, and can't wait to read it.

I give the movie 5 stars, I highly recommend it, and will be buying it as soon as it comes out on DVD.

Links:
Seeing My Friend Depicted in 'Lone Survivor' 
Lone Survivor: A Review
Two of My Favorite Men--Wahlberg and Hannity

Previous Movie Reviews:
World Trade Center
Obsession
We Are Marshall
Amazing Grace
The Help
Lincoln
Valkyrie
Iron Jawed Angels
Taking Chance
The True Story of Black Hawk Down
The Path to 911
Argo
Won't Back Down
Attack on Darfur

A Review of The Help!

I am a big fan of movies/books when they are about people taking a stand for what they believe in, righting wrongs, fighting for a cause and bringing about some type of justice.  The movie, The Help is based on the book, The Help by Kathryn Stockett and both are exactly what I just described.

I saw the movie first and was both horrified and inspired.  It was hard to comprehend that racism/prejudice was still so rampant in the 60's.  It helped me understand that certain areas of the south definitely took much longer than other areas of the U.S. in realizing how wrong racism was and seeing it for what it was.

In college, I took classes on combating racism/prejudice and I remember at that time being shocked at how there was still a strong stigma against interracial dating in the 70's.  While racism/prejudice still exist, we definitely have come a long way.  Yet, it saddens me that it took so long.

I watched the movie numerous times and decided it was time to read the book.  I was happy with how closely the movie followed the book, but as always, the book added a lot more rich, detail.  I especially liked learning more in depth about Abilene's faith in God.  It was amazing to see when you looked at what she had to endure in her life.

Obviously, I highly recommend both the movie and the book.

Previous Reviews:
A Place of Yes!
John Adams
1776
My Grandfather's Son
Stephen Mansfield's Books
Stori Telling

A Review of "Won't Back Down!"

Last night I was given a free pass to see the movie Won't Back Down before its' release on September 28th. It was an AMAZING, inspirational movie based on actual events!

It was a powerful, realistic portrayal of how some schools are failing our kids. I was shocked to see Maggie Gyllenhaal (who is known for being a big liberal), star in a movie that showed how teachers' unions are protecting bad teachers and as a result our kids aren't getting the education they deserve.

It was also a picture of what it means to fight for something you are passionate about, despite the naysayers. I must confess, I'm always a sucker for these type of movies.

I'm not sure why I or the others' at the theater were picked to get the free passes, but you could tell most of the people in the audience loved it. I found myself and others clapping, gasping and crying at certain parts. I highly recommend seeing it when it comes out on September 28th, I give it 5 stars!

A Review of "Taking Chance"

The movie, "Taking Chance" is a must see!! It is an HBO film based on a moving true story. To be honest, whenever I hear that a movie is done by HBO, I'm pretty skeptical. The reason being that HBO is pretty good at putting out liberal propaganda pieces. That said, this is not the first time I've been pleasantly surprised. The first time was when I was wowed by Iron Jawed Angels.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael R. Strobl made a journey in 2004 that was so moving, he decided to write an article about it. Even though it was unusual for someone of Strobl's rank to escort a fallen soldier's body home, Strobl volunteered to do just that. He didn't even know Pfc. Chance Phelps, but he noticed that he was from a hometown right next to Strobl's own hometown.

Since, Strobl himself helped write the screenplay for the movie it ended up being very accurate. The neat thing about the movie also is that everyone can watch it and be moved whether they are for or against the war. There is nothing political about it.

Below are some excerpts from Strobl's article that show what big hearts Americans have in this country for our men and women who are putting their lives on the line for our freedoms:

On this day there were some civilians doing construction on the mortuary grounds. As each hearse passed, they would stop working and place their hard hats over their hearts. This was my first sign that my mission with Pfc. Phelps was larger than the Marine Corps and that his family and friends were not grieving alone.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The woman behind the counter already had tears in her eyes as I was pulling out my government travel voucher. She struggled to find words but managed to express her sympathy for the family and thank me for my service. She upgraded my ticket to first class.

After clearing security, I was met by another Northwest Airlines employee at the gate. She told me a representative from cargo would take me to the tarmac to observe the movement and loading of Pfc. Phelps. I hadn't really told any of them what my mission was, but they all knew.

When the man from the cargo crew met me, he, too, struggled for words. On the tarmac, he told me stories of his childhood as a military brat and repeatedly told me that he was sorry for my loss. I was starting to understand that, even here in Philadelphia, far away from Chance's hometown, people were mourning with his family.

On the tarmac, the cargo crew was silent expect for occasional instructions to each other. I stood to the side and saluted as the conveyor moved the container to the aircraft. I was relieved when he was finally settled into place. The rest of the bags were loaded, and I watched them shut the cargo bay door before I headed back to board the aircraft.

One of the pilots had taken my carry-on bag himself and stored it next to the cockpit door so he could watch it while I was on the tarmac. As I boarded the plane, I could tell immediately that the flight attendants had already been informed of my mission. They seemed a little choked up as they led me to my seat.

About 45 minutes into our flight, I still hadn't spoken to anyone expect to tell the first-class flight attendant that I would prefer water. I was surprised when the flight attendant from the back of the plane suddenly appeared and leaned down to grab my hands. She said, "I want you to have this, " as she pushed a small gold crucifix, with a relief of Jesus, into my hand. It was her lapel pin, and it looked somewhat worn. I suspected it had been hers for quite some time. That was the only thing she said to me the entire flight.

Bottom line: I give the movie 2 thumbs up and recommend it for all to see. I only caution you to have a box of kleenex close by.

Additional links:
A Marine's Journey Home
Taking Chance
HBO Films’ Taking Chance - Kevin Bacon, Michael Strobl Interview

A Review of "Valkyrie"

While on vacation my parents and I watched Valkyrie with Tom Cruise. I have to say that it exceeded my expectations and is probably the best character role I've ever seen Cruise play.

Cruise plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, who was one of the key players in what was known as the July plot (Operation Valkyrie) to assassinate Hitler. What was fascinating is that it was more than just an assassination attempt, it was a plan to take over the whole German government. I was wondering how accurate the movie was to history and found this:

Peter Hoffmann, professor of history at McGill University and a leading authority on the German Resistance, was a consultant for the filmmakers. Hoffmann spoke of the film's accuracy, "[Valkyrie] gives a fundamentally accurate portrait of Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators. There are details which must be counted as liberties. But, fundamentally, the film is decent, respectful and represents the spirit of the conspiracy."

My Mom and I were amazed that we had never heard more about the July plot or how widespread the German resistance was. There were a total of 15 assassination attempts on Hitler's life by the time the war ended.

Even though I knew how the movie would end and that the plot would fail, I still found it all to be very inspirational. These men and women put their lives on the line for a cause they believed in, they stood up against evil when they knew it could cost them their lives, and it did. Thats what I call courage. I marveled at the thought of how differently Germany would be viewed to this day if they could've taken back their own country from a mad man.

Movie Meme

Movie meme
The rules are simple:

Using the Entertainment Weekly list of the top 100 movies from the last 25 years:

- Bold the movie if you’ve seen it.
- Put asterisks next to the movies you’ve seen and liked.
- If you saw a film and hated it, cross it out. (I don't know how to cross out so I just wrote mine in parentheses)

Here goes:

1. Pulp Fiction 1994
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy 2001-03
3. Titanic 1997****
4. Blue Velvet 1986
5. Toy Story 1995***
6.Saving Private Ryan**
7. Hannah and Her Sisters 1986
8. The Silence of the Lambs 1991***
9. Die Hard 1988***
10. Moulin Rouge 2001
11. This Is Spinal Tap 1984
12. The Matrix 1999*
13. GoodFellas 1990
14. Crumb 1995
15. Edward Scissorhands 1990
16. Boogie Nights 1997
17. Jerry Maguire 1996**
18. Do the Right Thing 1989
19. Casino Royale 2006
20. The Lion King 1994**
21. Schindler’s List 1993***
22.Rushmore 1998
23. Memento 2001
24. A Room With a View 1986
25. Shrek 2001***
26. Hoop Dreams 1994
27. Aliens 1986*
28. Wings of Desire 1988
29. The Bourne Supremacy 2004
30. When Harry Met Sally****
31. Brokeback Mountain 2005
32. Fight Club 1999
33. The Breakfast Club 1985****
34. Fargo 1996
35. The Incredibles 2004****
36. Spiderman 2 2004
37. Pretty Woman 1990****
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 2004
39. The Sixth Sense 1999
40. Speed 1994***
41. Dazed and Confused 1993
42. Clueless 1995****
43. Gladiator 2000*
44. The Player 1992
45. Rain Man 1988*
46. Children of Men 2006
47. Men in Black 1997
48. Scarface 1983
49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2000
50. The Piano 1993
51. There Will Be Blood 2007
52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad 1988
53. The Truman Show 1998
54. Fatal Attraction 1987
55. Risky Business 1983
56. The Lives of Others 2006
57. There’s Something About Mary 1998 (hated it)
58. Ghostbusters 1984
59. L.A. Confidential 1997
60. Scream 1996
61. Beverly Hills Cop 1984****
62. Sex, Lies and Videotape 1989
63. Big 1988
64. No Country For Old Men 2007
65. Dirty Dancing 1987****
66. Natural Born Killers 1994
67. Donnie Brasco 1997
68. Witness 1985*
69. All About My Mother 1999
70. Broadcast News 1987
71. Unforgiven 1992
72. Thelma & Louise 1991***
73. Office Space 1999
74. Drugstore Cowboy 1989
75. Out of Africa 1985
76. The Departed 2006
77. Sid and Nancy 1986
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day 1991
79. Waiting for Guffman 1996
80. Michael Clayton 2007
81. Moonstruck 1987
82. Lost in Translation 2003
83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn 1987
84. Sideways 2004
85. The 40 Year-Old Virgin 2005
86. Y Tu Mamá También 2002
87. Swingers 1996
88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery 1997
89. Breaking the Waves 1996
90. Napoleon Dynamite (didn't like it)
91. Back to the Future 1985****
92. Menace II Society 1993
93. Ed Wood 1994
94. Full Metal Jacket 1987
95. In the Mood for Love 2001
96. Far From Heaven 2002
97. Glory 1989
98. The Talented Mr. Ripley 1999
99. The Blair Witch Project
100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut 1999

I've only seen 31, although there are several others that I think I've seen parts of. I snagged this from Patrick.

The Jane Austen Book Club!

Bernadette: All Jane Austen, all the time. It's the perfect antidote.
Prudie Drummond: To what?
Bernadette: To life.

I loved this Movie!!!!! Patrick and I are HUGE Jane Austen fans so we often email about different Austen type movies and books. So after seeing this he emailed me and told me how good it was. I then bumped it up in my Netflix que. I figured it would be good but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. I am planning on buying it in the near future.

Even if you don't know about Jane Austen, it is a great Chick Flick. If you do like and or love Jane Austen and you like contemporary movies you will adore this movie, it is a MUST SEE!! Two Thumbs up!!

Becoming Jane

As most of you know I am a HUGE Jane Austen fan. I have seen the movies: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Persuasion so many times that I probably have them memorized. I also have the movie Mansfield Park but it is my least favorite. Austen's other book Northanger Abbey has yet to have a decent movie done on it, I saw a BBC version once and it was horrible. I have read the actual books of my 4 favorites but have yet to read the other 2.

For my birthday a friend took me to see the movie, Becoming Jane which is a movie about her real life and romance. At first when I watched the movie I was confused because they were having her life be similar to Pride and Prejudice and I had always heard that her story was similar to Persuasion.

So when I got home I did some research. I found out that she had 2 different romances and one of them was similar to Pride and Prejudice and the other to Persuasion which made it all make sense. Jane's sister, Charlotte destroyed most of their letters so little is known about how serious either of these romances were.

What I found fascinating is that without even thinking about it I had always pictured Jane Austen to be very like the heroine Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. And that is how the movie portrays her so that was very encouraging to me because it fit what my perception of her was.

Of course, the movie on her real life doesn't necessarily have a happy ending (at least romantically) like her novels do. Neither of her romances worked out and she died at the age of 41, unmarried. She also died without having a clue how extremely popular her novels would really become.

Yet, the movie was good because it was the true story about a woman fulfilling her dream of being a writer when women didn't have professions back then and didn't make their living by being a writer. She also did have a marriage proposal from someone whom she didn't love but who had money and she didn't settle for him. She was above settling and was willing to make her own way in the world. That is hard enough to do today let alone back then when it was unheard of.

It is a great movie and I highly recommend it, 2 thumbs up!!