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James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Atomic Blonde (2017) in Movies
Dec 23, 2019
Haskell Wexler recommended The Cranes Are Flying (1957) in Movies (curated)
A Great Place to Have a War by Joshua Kurlantzick is a book about the history of Laos. The synopsis caught by eye since I lived and worked in Laos for a year as an English teacher. The book is about the conflict which occurred in Laos roughly during the same period of the Vietnam War. This is an interesting and impressive book, yet depressing. Details the rise of the CIA as a war machine during the Vietnam War, which was fought to a great extent in Laos. It looks at some of people involved in building the war to epic proportions, and then withdrawing, leaving the country to collapse into yet more suffering.
This is a fascinating look at the shadow war in Laos, staged by the CIA, during the Vietnam War. It's an extremely interesting history of the how that war came to be, some of the main people involved in that war, and the rise of the CIA as an organization conducting paramilitary operations, not just spy missions. It also relates the political intrigues of the time, and the fate of Hmong who fought for Laos, and with and for America.
I learned a lot about the history of the conflict itself, and the characters on both sides of the war. This war which has been hidden in the shadows, and the author has given the people involved a chance to have their deeds, or misdeeds aired in the light of day. As with most of the little wars that occurred during the Cold War period, there is a lot of political manoeuvring which occurs in the background.
This is a fascinating look at the shadow war in Laos, staged by the CIA, during the Vietnam War. It's an extremely interesting history of the how that war came to be, some of the main people involved in that war, and the rise of the CIA as an organization conducting paramilitary operations, not just spy missions. It also relates the political intrigues of the time, and the fate of Hmong who fought for Laos, and with and for America.
I learned a lot about the history of the conflict itself, and the characters on both sides of the war. This war which has been hidden in the shadows, and the author has given the people involved a chance to have their deeds, or misdeeds aired in the light of day. As with most of the little wars that occurred during the Cold War period, there is a lot of political manoeuvring which occurs in the background.
Dean (6921 KP) rated Red Dawn (1984) in Movies
Mar 2, 2018
An entertaining non-stop action film, but plot wise not a lot happens. A bunch of kids hold up in the mountains when Russia and Cuban forces invade America at the start of World War 3. Over the months the group fight back as much as they can making quite a reputation as the Wolverines! Starring an 80's star cast including Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze who paired up a few years later in Dirty Dancing. A good action film made at the height of the cold war, but looking dated now. It does still have some dramatic, iconic scenes though.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Atticus Institute (2015) in Movies
Sep 3, 2017
Great concept but not really horror
There's a great concept behind this film that looks more like a documentary than anything else. Set in the 1970s, during the paranoia of the Cold War, scientists attempt to find those with telekinesis abilities like that of the Soviet Union. Except they get more than what they bargained for. While it's not frightening as such, it's an interesting film and seems pretty realistic.
Melanie Caldicott (6 KP) rated The Winter Ghosts in Books
Apr 29, 2021
A beautifully crafted ghost story full of atmosphere and vivid poignancy. The themes it portrays about war and grief are unsentimentalised yet moving. The backdrop of cold, winter and snow are on one hand symbolic of emotion but on the other are personnified to become almost a second protagonist. I'm a huge fan of classic ghost stories and loved Mosse's multi-layered tale with its historic and emotional twists.
David McK (3185 KP) rated Ice Station Zebra (1968) in Movies
Nov 24, 2023
1960s Cold War submarine based thriller, based on the novel by Scottish author Alistair MacLean, with this movie - I have heard - being so beloved of Howard Hughes that it aired on a Las Vega station he owned over 100 times during his lifetime.
The plot? Basically, a satellite containing stolen equipment has crashed in the arctic. The race is on to retrieve said equipment.
But who can be trusted?
The plot? Basically, a satellite containing stolen equipment has crashed in the arctic. The race is on to retrieve said equipment.
But who can be trusted?
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated Bridge of Spies (2015) in Movies
Aug 6, 2020
This is not a traditional "war" film by any stretch.
The Cold War ran long and strenuous and many people on every side made sacrifices and gave everything they had in an effort to do what they believed was right (in many cases.)
Tom Hanks is brilliant (as usual) in demonstrating the mental gymnastics and anguish required to fill the role of a spy during that time in our world.
I won't go into detail about the story in the movie because there is an awful lot to unpack and all of it is relevant to the overall payoff, but please do yourself a favor and watch this movie.
The Cold War ran long and strenuous and many people on every side made sacrifices and gave everything they had in an effort to do what they believed was right (in many cases.)
Tom Hanks is brilliant (as usual) in demonstrating the mental gymnastics and anguish required to fill the role of a spy during that time in our world.
I won't go into detail about the story in the movie because there is an awful lot to unpack and all of it is relevant to the overall payoff, but please do yourself a favor and watch this movie.
Kimberly Peirce recommended Cold War (2018) in Movies (curated)
Shaun Collins (3 KP) rated Doctor Who: Nocturne in Books
Jan 12, 2018
There are some great ideas buried in Nocturne, unfortunately, they are buried in Doctor Who tropes as old as the show itself, making for a bit of a humdrum reveal and so-so listen. I enjoy my Who predictable from time to time, but this was just a bit too much, detracting from the proceedings and leaving me cold. Also tired of Ace and Hex stories set against a war backdrop. For more, check out www.travelingthevortex.com