The Summer House
James Patterson and Brendan DuBois
10.0
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For seven unsuspecting victims, death comes in the dark . . . Once a luxurious getaway for a...
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
One day Barker is called into a meeting where, because she is unmarried and without children, she is asked to cover the war in Afghanistan. Seeming hesitant, but pulled by a desire to escape her mundane life, she decides to go for it.
When Barker arrives in Afghanistan the journalists that are stationed there basically just party most of the time, which speaks volumes about the ways people may try to avoid the emotional intensity of their surroundings.
Other than that, Barker hangs out with some very calm troops, gets ballsy and captures some crazy footage, and seems to get very wrapped up in the thrill of getting a lead story. It doesn’t seem that Barker ever has any actual interest in the politics of what she is covering. Realizing that it is a comedy, this may be totally fine. But the film is an odd mix. It portrays Barker’s character as somewhat numb to the tragic reality she is immersed in, while at the same time making a joke wherever it can.
I’m not quite sure what genre “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” fits into. It gets close to drama, and it gets close to comedy but it isn’t that funny and it isn’t that touching. It leaves the impression of a dull and desensitized view of war and the challenges reporters face abroad. Perhaps the film is staying true to the memoir, but it is definitely a different approach to describing such an experience.
That being said, it’s not a bad film or a bad story. It’s interesting. It has funny moments, and it makes you want to know what will happen in the end. A few scenes even get close to developing the characters in a way that might make the audience care about them. But overall, there is really no emotional substance to the film and it leaves no big impression.
Worth a watch on Netflix, I give “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Helmand to the Himalayas: One Soldier's Inspirational Journey
David Wiseman and Nick Harding
10.0
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"From the war torn valleys of Afghanistan to the frozen peaks of the Himalayas, David Wiseman's...
Wylie: The Brave Street Dog Who Never Gave Up
Book
The remarkable true story of Wylie, a dog who endured horrific cruelty in Afghanistan and survived...
Gendering Counterinsurgency: Performativity, Embodiment and Experience in the Afghan 'Theatre of War'
Book
This book analyses the various ways in which counterinsurgency in Afghanistan is gendered. The book...
Three Cups of Tea
4.0
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One day Greg Mortenson set out to climb K2 - the world's second highest mountain - in honour of his...
Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations
4.0
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Just and Unjust Wars forever changed the way we think about the ethics of conflict. First published...
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Lone Survivor (2014) in Movies
Jan 26, 2021 (Updated Feb 2, 2021)
The plot:In 2005 Afghanistan, Navy SEALs Marcus Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg), Michael Murphy (Taylor Kitsch), Danny Dietz (Emile Hirsch) and Matthew "Axe" Axelson (Ben Foster) deploy on a mission of surveillance and to take out Taliban leader Ahmad Shah. Though spotted by goatherds, Luttrell and his team decide not to kill them. But one of the Afghans alerts a group of Taliban fighters to the invaders, and a terrible battle ensues, in which the SEALs find themselves hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned.
Its a must see film.
All The Devil's Men (2018)
4.3
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When Collins a CIA agent wants to return home he is sent by his Leader Leigh to kill a terrorist...