Change Your Image
donbrown-16800
Reviews
Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)
A really enjoyable movie.
Forget the junk movie Pearl Harbor by Jerry Bruckheimer that everyone keeps comparing to this one. This movie is better in every way, historically speaking and cinematic. Its acting is better, its accuracy is better and it's attack scenes are better. Unlike Pearl Harbor, this needed no computer animation whatsoever. No second is wasted.
Tora! Tora! Tora! is an enjoyable movie even though the Americans seem helpless in the attack. The Japanese just keep bombing and bombing. The explosions in the attack are greatly constructed as are the death scenes of characters. One thing that I like the most about this movie is how it is shown from both point of views.
Stalingrad (2003)
a moving wartime drama
Before we had films like Saving Private Ryan, Stallingrad is widely seen as one of the most graphic wartime dramas ever made, But the amount of raw graphic battlefield carnage might have won it awards at the time, but for a lot of people it put them off because it was classified as a horror film. But if you overlook the "horror" factor and accept it for what it is then its a really great film. It still remains one of my favourite beach war dramas. You also have to take into account that when the film was made the production team were very much anti nazi. Their are no heros in this film, just soldiers ordered to defend their country fight the enemy and most of all forbidden to retreat.
The Hill (1965)
A Forgotten Classic
This is one of the few films, of the time, in which Sean Connery doesn't get to mingle with a beach full of beautiful girls, nor does he get to save the world. But what he does is play a superb role in Sidney Lumets interpretation of Ray Rigby's screenplay. The cinematography produces some absolutely stunning black and white film it actually reminds me on 12 Angry Men. The film is about some soldiers at the end of World War 2, their hold up in military stockade. The film also includes some stand out performances from Roy Kinnear, Ossie Davis and Ian Hendry. The film has some really good quality dialogues. But whatever you say Connery takes the film for me with his performance. Just a really great movie and well worth a watch.
All Quiet on the Western Front (1979)
This is a really good film and NOT A REMAKE!
I really can't say this enough times before I start my review -- ITS NOT A REMAKE OF THE 30's FILM -- its a film that stands on its own.
Both films tell the story of the 1929 book, but equally both films are set in different time periods so this is more of an updated version of the story and so by definition a different film. They are retelling the story with a more modern perspective.
I like both versions very much but I just find this one a little more to my tastes. The acting is good - no overacting, the locations are excellent, a wonderful musical score, it just feels more realistic than the 1930's film. That's all I can say.
Top Gun (1986)
A Little bit cheesy but still a good film
This film is a little bit cheesy for my taste, but actually in a good way. Top Gun manages to show that just because your cheesy you can still pull of a damn good story. This film has just about something for everyone the arrogant individual who would most likely have been fired had it not been for the fact he could actually do all the things he boasted about. It also had romance, friendship, some funny moments and good a good script. It had some good action moments, I mean if your looking for authentic war films then this isn't it, but for a reasonable family friendly film (there is only one scene with bad language and mildly suggestible sex scenes that the kids would ignore anyway.
Paths of Glory (1957)
Close to Home Anti-War Movie
Is this not one of the best films that Stanley Kubrick has ever made This film was a pioneer in its time probably the most remarkable aspect of this film was its exposures of what you might call the monsters within and not particularly the anti war message itself. Two of the most stand out members of the cast for me are Adolphe Menjou and George Macready they are just superb. The message is our enemy can be at home not just in some far off battlefield and given what's going on these days with home grown extremism i think its very apt in today's world.
I think this film shows us about our misguided belief in the quest for glory. It shows us how politicians and military commanders are willing to sacrifice others in the name of their own self importance.
Where Eagles Dare (1968)
Truly Great War Epic!
There are reviews around here on IMDb calling this film boring, saying that it sends them to sleep. There are entitled to their opinion of course, but for me all I can say is I think this is the best film ever made!
This doesn't only apply to World War 2 films or even War Epic genre I think it applies to all films in all genres period. Some people just don't care about a plot a storyline a screenplay they care about bombs, bangs, booms. Some people think the film runs for too long but I really enjoy the story so it doesn't bother me how long it runs for.
My favourite film so hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Das Boot (1981)
Interesting thoughts about life aboard a U Boat.
Most people consider life aboard a submarine to be very difficult, but consider a comparison with life aboard a German U Boat. These were considered truly awful boats to live and work on.
Its said if you work in a profession you avoid it in your free time, but I think submariner's are a different breed to everybody else because they love to watch films about their life.
They like to watch films such as The Hunt for Red October, Run Silent, Run Deep even Destination Tokyo I wonder why but I honestly think they most find some kind of humour and appreciation in them.
Ask any submariner and they will tell you the same thing, this is the best film they have ever watched. Its wonderful.
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Excellent Movie
Lost count of how many times I have watched and re-watched this film I think there may even been times I rewound the tape and played it again!
At first you think the film is a war epic, perhaps its about torture, prisoners of war, but I actually think there is more a madness and also a pride aspect to the film.
Both Colonel Nicholson and also Saiko are prime examples of the very pride I am talking about. This is so evident that they have problems drawing common sense conclusions about their attitudes and issues they have with each other!
Both are POW's but neither will lift a finger to help the other!
Instead they are each determined they will make it on their own.
Both William Holdena and Alec Guiness deliver outstanding performances. Fantastic film, haven't you seen it 20 times yet?
Patton (1970)
Perfect Biography of General Patton
This film is about the American General Patton, he is a man who glories in war. The war is shown through his eyes and he thinks the war is glorious and takes pleasure from it.
Georce C Scott's depiction of General Patton is just mesmerising its so good its hard to tell them apart! General Patton truly believes he was a man destined to lead. Yet the man himself has character flaws and contradictions but then don't we all?
The scenes shot in combat are fantastic, the attention to detail great. Its very accurate in what it does.
Good piece of work.
The Hurt Locker (2008)
The Hunt Locker - one word masterpiece
This film is all about the work of bomb disposal experts set in the Iraq War. It doesn't cover any political themes unlike similar Iraqi War themed films. This in my opinion stands this film apart from others. Further the way they covered the work in such detail fascinating.
It could have been set in any situation, domestic terrorism is the buzz word today people are always on the look out for suspicious packages. So Iraq was just a background fact, not really related to the story.
The speed at which the film runs is just perfect not too fast or slow. The standard of editing is amazing. There is no high paced action, no central character or development, just focuses on the job. Well Done!