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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Hacksaw Ridge (2016) in Movies
Nov 26, 2017
Vivid and brutal
I usually can't stomach war movies or Mel Gibson, but the story of Desmond Doss is an incredible one to behold. Doss is the only conscientious objector during the Second World War to have received America's top military award - the Medal of Honor. His refusal to bear arms gained him notoriety during training, being bullied by his commanding sergeants and fellow soldiers. But at the brutal battle in Hacksaw Ridge against the Japanese, Doss single-handedly went back into a warzone retrieving 75 injured soldiers, at a time when all hope was thought to be lost.
The film itself is in two halves. The first part is a little saccharine, portraying Doss as an innocent doe-eyed boy trailing a beautiful nurse who ends up becoming his wife. At the same time, his father, a tortured military man, is seen as abusive after witnessing horrors in France. Director Mel Gibson tries to connect this relationship to why Doss may not be keen on weapons. Overall, the war scenes are well-shot, extremely graphic to the point it is a completely immersive experience. If Gibson made the first half a little less Hollywood, it would be a skilfully made film. The best part by far is the end where you get to meet the real hero Doss speaking about his experiences. A harrowing watch.
The film itself is in two halves. The first part is a little saccharine, portraying Doss as an innocent doe-eyed boy trailing a beautiful nurse who ends up becoming his wife. At the same time, his father, a tortured military man, is seen as abusive after witnessing horrors in France. Director Mel Gibson tries to connect this relationship to why Doss may not be keen on weapons. Overall, the war scenes are well-shot, extremely graphic to the point it is a completely immersive experience. If Gibson made the first half a little less Hollywood, it would be a skilfully made film. The best part by far is the end where you get to meet the real hero Doss speaking about his experiences. A harrowing watch.
Griffin Dunne recommended Dr. Strangelove (1964) in Movies (curated)
Natalie Portman recommended The Ministry of Special Cases in Books (curated)
Gareth von Kallenbach (971 KP) rated Thank You for Your Service (2017) in Movies
Jul 11, 2019
The words “Thank you for your service” have gone from a meaningful statement of gratitude to an empty platitude. As a veteran, I cringe when someone says it to me when buying groceries, at the gym, or at an event where there is a casual reference to veterans. The film Thank You For Your Service examines the lives of those affected by the war directly and indirectly. In the movie, Miles Teller (Whiplash, War Dogs, Fantastic Four) plays Staff Sergeant Schumann, an Iraq War vet who is returning to his family and hoping to return to some sense of normalcy. Unfortunately, he and his friends discover that the war and the horrors that they witnessed cannot be escaped.
Thank You For Your Service is able to address an aspect of war that many films overlook; how the men and women who are deployed changed by their experiences. Additionally, it tackles the questions of how their families cope with the changes to them, how they go about living a normal existence, and how people understand how they are harmed by war without any visible injuries?
The film is a testament to the men and women suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It doesn’t sugar-coat or trivialize their experiences. The emotions are raw. The visual representation of their daily terror is present. With depth, the film shows audiences who may be unfamiliar with veterans or those suffering from PTSD what the world really looks like to them and how they struggle with just existing.
The film takes the statement of “Thank you for your service” and gives it greater meaning in able to connect the problems inherent in the military, healthcare system, and how we as a society view mental health. The film allows for an authentic examination of what servicemembers deal with in their return home from war. It becomes apparent that they themselves may be able to leave the battle, but the battle stays with them, tormenting and haunting them as each day passes. The war they face never ceases. Thank You For Your Service will hopefully help foster substantive discussions about what many men and women deal with in their return from the horrors of war.
Thank You For Your Service is able to address an aspect of war that many films overlook; how the men and women who are deployed changed by their experiences. Additionally, it tackles the questions of how their families cope with the changes to them, how they go about living a normal existence, and how people understand how they are harmed by war without any visible injuries?
The film is a testament to the men and women suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It doesn’t sugar-coat or trivialize their experiences. The emotions are raw. The visual representation of their daily terror is present. With depth, the film shows audiences who may be unfamiliar with veterans or those suffering from PTSD what the world really looks like to them and how they struggle with just existing.
The film takes the statement of “Thank you for your service” and gives it greater meaning in able to connect the problems inherent in the military, healthcare system, and how we as a society view mental health. The film allows for an authentic examination of what servicemembers deal with in their return home from war. It becomes apparent that they themselves may be able to leave the battle, but the battle stays with them, tormenting and haunting them as each day passes. The war they face never ceases. Thank You For Your Service will hopefully help foster substantive discussions about what many men and women deal with in their return from the horrors of war.
Dean (6925 KP) rated In the Valley of Elah (2007) in Movies
Feb 21, 2018
I didn't know much about this film before I saw it but heard critics and fans a like giving great reviews about it. A father and former part of the military police goes in search of his son who has gone AWOL after returning home from Iraq.
This is a great film, with a very good cast giving great performances especially Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron. It touches on quite a few political views about the army and war in Iraq and the effects it can have. A truly moving film based on true events.
This is a great film, with a very good cast giving great performances especially Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron. It touches on quite a few political views about the army and war in Iraq and the effects it can have. A truly moving film based on true events.
AJaneClark (3962 KP) rated His Woman In Command in Books
Dec 2, 2019
Short Read
Captain Nike Alexander is in Afghanistan for one reason only - to use her pilot skills. She doesn’t have time for men, especially military men. Playing hard to get with Captain Gavin Jackson comes as naturally to Nike as flying one of her Apaches. But Gavin’s sexy-as-sin smile is making it harder and harder to say no. Nicely written short read, touches on the hardships of war and the tolls that this has on all involved. It would have been nice to tie up some of the unfinished parts touched upon throughout the book. The characters were very likeable!
The Failure of the southern column to continue to advance north after the battle of Rosebud set the stage for the annihilation of George Armstrong Custer and his five companies of the 7th Calvary at the Little Big Horn. For nearly 150 years everything possible has been written except the true causes and culprits of the bloody fiasco at the Little Big Horn on June 25, 1876, that shocked the American nation like no other post-Civil War event. Dr. Tucker has relied primarily on source material to expose those individuals American's leading military and civilian officials, who were most responsible for the greatest military disaster. Revealing the Machiavellian currents, dark threads that had artificially manufactured against the Sioux by America's top leaders, including the president, to gain their territory of the Black Hills. He provides with a new understanding of why Custer died on that mountaintop with his most faithful followers. This book brings the reader closer to understanding exactly what occurred on that fateful day that left one man standing and the rest 7th Calvary and Custer dead in the dirt. This book does cover some of the previous books written but you can tell that Dr. Tucker took the time to research further not completely satisfied with the consciences the previous researchers on the Little Big Horn or the life of Custer. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in post-civil war history, military history or Custer. The overall view was quite refreshing in the fact it covers how much was honestly lost that day not just the dead of those men.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated War Stories: New Military Science Fiction in Books
Jan 12, 2018
As a military fiction fan and a sci fi fan this was the best of both worlds in one. I loved how most of the stories were from either a LBGT perspective or a female one. Also the various views of war from authors(and in a lot of cases) soldiers from not only different branches but different countries. There were one or two stories that were very difficult to read because their wordiness caused them to be pretentious and drag on(one in particular). Over all though I would recommend this book and would like to see some authors turn the short stories into full length books.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn (2012) in Movies
Jun 15, 2019
Call me, Master Chief!
Cadet Thomas Lasky and fellow students train at Corbulo military academy. Lasky is unsure of his path and suffering from emotional conflict causing problems with his fellow cadets. One night, the academy is heavily attacked buy alien insurrectionists causing a Galactic civil war.
This is where the cadets must lay down all issues with eachother and work together if their going to survive the night.
With surprise help from a mysterious ally, a legendary armoured super-soldier known as the Master Chief.
This movie by Microsoft studios & 343 industries is definitive proof that a multi billion dollar production isn't what make a great sci fi, action movie.
This is where the cadets must lay down all issues with eachother and work together if their going to survive the night.
With surprise help from a mysterious ally, a legendary armoured super-soldier known as the Master Chief.
This movie by Microsoft studios & 343 industries is definitive proof that a multi billion dollar production isn't what make a great sci fi, action movie.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated Girl on the Edge in Books
Nov 30, 2018
CD Reiss has destroyed me yet again in this incredible book.
WOW, what an ending!? CD Reiss has destroyed me yet again in this incredible book.
In Girl on the Edge, we meet Caden and Greyson, a military couple, having found each other during the harsh realities of war. After returning home to New York to try and start a life as a married couple, everything begins to change, testing the limits of even the most hardened soldier. Watching these two fight for each other without limits, again and again, was beautiful and heartbreaking. Their commitment, strength and undying love overflowed from the pages and I was crushed at every obstacle they endured and my heart swelled with each step forward. Highly recommended author and book - I've been a fan of Christine's for years and she always finds some new creative twist and Girl of the Edge was no different! War, love and just the right amount of CD Reiss-style sass.. ;-)
In Girl on the Edge, we meet Caden and Greyson, a military couple, having found each other during the harsh realities of war. After returning home to New York to try and start a life as a married couple, everything begins to change, testing the limits of even the most hardened soldier. Watching these two fight for each other without limits, again and again, was beautiful and heartbreaking. Their commitment, strength and undying love overflowed from the pages and I was crushed at every obstacle they endured and my heart swelled with each step forward. Highly recommended author and book - I've been a fan of Christine's for years and she always finds some new creative twist and Girl of the Edge was no different! War, love and just the right amount of CD Reiss-style sass.. ;-)