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WilliamMortensenVaughan
In the summer of 1985, he completed U.S. Marine Corps Boot Camp at M.C.R.D. San Diego, California (Platoon 3060, Kilo Company). He was assigned to the Marine Corps Infantry Reserve at Fort Douglas, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and he was supposed to return to California to complete Infantry Training School at Camp Pendleton in the summer of 1986, but by then, General Gray, the Commandant of the Marine Corps at the time, released him to the U.S. Army National Guard, where he served as a Spanish Linguist at the Browning Armory in Ogden, Utah.
He attended Weber State College (later to become Weber State University) from 1985 until dropping out in 1988.
In 1989, he completed U.S. Army Boot Camp at Fort Bliss, Texas, and became an Intelligence and Operations Clerk for Air Defense Artillery. His first permanent duty station was with the S3 Section of 5/44 A.D.A.
He also served with the U.S. Army in Korea from the summer of 1996 to the summer of 1999, a period which he refers to as the worst three years of [his] life.
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A Christmas Star (2017)
An Anti-American, Political Hit Piece
One of the villains in this film has "fake," "orange hair," and is wealthy. Although I watched this film from beginning to end, it was never clear to me which fictitious character had the fake, orange hair; it might have been Pierce Brosnan's character, or it might have been another character, named Pat McKerrod; in reality, I have no doubt who the fictitious villain represented. An insensitive, wealthy man with fake, orange hair, in 2017... Who could that be?
Although this film is obviously a Christmas movie, it was released in May of 2017. I don't know for sure, but I suspect that its production began in November of 2016. They couldn't finish it in time to release it before Christmas that year, but they could not wait until the following Christmas to release it.
Besides all of the cheap shots at a man who is arguably the best U. S. President since Abraham Lincoln, this film also included several cheap shots at Americans, which, as a native American who retired from the U. S. Army, I resent.
To his credit, Pierce Brosnan did a political "U-turn" by Christmas, 2019.
Under Fire (1983)
Where's Raffel?
This is a "human condition" film, with no particularly likeable characters, and very little plot. For me, the most suspense was created when Nick Nolte started looking for Raffael. At that point, this film became a Central American game of "Where's Waldo?"
This story strikes me as a poorly done version of "The Lost City," starring Andy Garcia. What makes Andy's story better is that Andy makes a point: Communist revolutions make everything worse, and nothing better. If you look for a point in "Under Fire," it seems that they're condoning communists, even though they make a better case against it.
Buffalo Boys (2018)
Great Western With Offensive Propaganda
As far as I'm concerned, this film has everything I expect from a Western and an action-packed adventure thriller.
The reason that I'm docking it two Stars is that, as a Caucasian man of European descent, I find the anti-Dutch propaganda offensive. If this tale contained anti-Moslem propaganda, Moslems would find it offensive. Neither the Moslems nor the Dutch are indigenous to Indonesia or Java. However, in this tale, Moslems are portrayed as if they were indigenous, peaceful Javanese, bullied by abusive Dutch invaders.
For a moment, I thought this film was taking an anti-Moslem slant, when the Buffalo Boys' father and uncle were pursued by a group of people in the unmistakable guise of Assassins. Also, when one of the heroines gave one of the heroes a piece of her mind about how unfairly women are treated in their culture...
Although this film has a distinct anti-Caucasian and anti-European slant, I find it amusing that most of the bad guys appear to be Mongoloids. In other words, this film makes it seem as though foreign invaders wouldn't have made nearly as much headway in Java had they not been helped by local antagonists who betrayed their own people.
All Quiet on the Western Front (1979)
All Quiet...Zzz...
I should have known I wouldn't like this movie, because Richard Thomas stars in it. I found "The Waltons" too intensely boring to watch a full episode. My wife and I tried to watch this film on VHS, and made it through his character's college graduation, military training, military service in the trenches, hospital stay and arrival, in what we presume was his hometown when his service ended. We couldn't believe the movie wasn't over yet, so we went to bed and decided not to watch the rest of it. It was just too unbearable.
Having graduated from two Boot Camps (U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army), I could relate somewhat to the WWI Nazi version. Fortunately for me, my military combat service was less severe.
I'm giving this three stars because it shows the tedium ad nauseam of military service realistically, and because I always enjoy watching Ernest Borgnine's performances.
San Andreas (2015)
Pig Vomit in 3D!
Who died and put Pig Vomit, a.k.a. Lawrence, played by Paul Giamatti, in charge?!?!? This movie is hilarious! Howard Stern's former boss, Pig Vomit taking charge is perhaps the most hilarious thing about this movie. Seeing numerous people having their day/lives ruined in the most outrageous ways was also fodder for extended hilarity.
There were one or two heart-warming moments, such as when The Rock's character risked breaking his daughter's ribs to save her from drowning.
The aerial shots were breathtaking, and reminded me of my days as an Image Analyst in the U.S. Army.
As a military man who has been through a divorce, and who has witnessed numerous other military personnel go through bitter divorces, I could relate to what The Rock's character was going through.
My wife and I both enjoyed this movie in 3D, and we agree that 3D movie technology has come a long way since we saw our first 3D movie, A Christmas Carol, in 2009.
I look forward to buying the DVD version of this film and watching it repeatedly!
Metropolitan Detective (2013)
Not to Be Confused with Rural Criminals
SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!
Full disclosure, this web series is written and directed by my friend, Marc Chicoine (II), who also plays the title role; it is filmed by another friend, James Mason (XI); and features other friends, Vesher Yisrael and Dennis Nicomede, as well as me and my wife, Libertad Green.
That being said, I admit that this is one of the most low budget productions I have ever appeared in. Without exaggeration, I've had roles in student films with bigger budgets. Fortunately, "Metropolitan Detective" is a comedy, so the poor quality of the overall production only adds to the hilarity.
At first, I couldn't bear to watch any of the episodes - especially the ones I might have appeared in, but, when I realized that I was the most likely candidate to write a review, I decided to watch all three of five episodes which are available, as of February 13, 2014.
Perhaps the funniest thing about this series is the music, at least some of which is provided by The Free Refills (so appropriate for such a low budget production!) in the form of a song entitled "Gringo and Ready to Mingle."
Then there are the pre-requisite one-liners, such as, "That prison's not so bad; lots of people escape from it!" And, "Wanna be in a movie? 'Cause I'm going to put you in a cast!"
Perhaps someday, when Marc Chicoine becomes an award-winning, big budget producer, he and the cast and crew of this series will re-watch this series, and laugh at our humble beginnings.
Final Tears (2012)
World's Longest Corona Beer Ad
Full disclosure: Libertad Green, who plays Wife #2, is, in reality, my wife, which is why I'm giving this "ad" Ten Stars.
Corona beer is one of my favorite beers, so I agree with what seems to be the moral of this story: Corona beer makes everything better! (It may not solve any problems, but it makes them easier to deal with, and if you have cause for celebration, what better way to celebrate, than with a Corona?) Your wife is tired of being alone? You're spending too much time at work and your favorite bar? Drink Corona! Your wife leaves you? Drink Corona! You get engaged or married? Drink Corona! You discover your wife has a cocaine habit? Drink Corona! Your wife attempts suicide? Drink Corona! Your wife burns your house down? Drink Corona! You get a divorce? Drink Corona! Your wife tells you she wants to have sex with other people? Drink Corona! You discover your wife prostitutes herself while you're touring with your rock-and-roll band? Drink Corona! Your wife beats you? Drink Corona! Your wife succeeds in committing suicide? Drink Corona! You remarry your first wife 'cause you didn't learn your lesson the first time? Drink Corona! Besides my wife, who, at the time of this film's release, was the only actor in this movie with more than two films and/or TV shows in his or her filmography, I consider Gregory Wiggin the most impressive actor in this movie. He played the bar tender, and looked and behaved like the most professional person in this movie.
Minuto para ganar (2012)
Marco Antonio Regil, Host of Hosts
I attended the filming of these games twice, and found them very entertaining. The games themselves were intense enough, but, for me, the best parts of the show will probably never air: The antics of the host, Marco Antonio Regil, to entertain the live audience between the takes, while the stage and contestants were prepped! Hilarious! Lots of interaction with the audience. Dancing, singing, improvisation, games, on the spot interviews, touting, impersonation... Marco demonstrated an ability to imitate/impersonate anyone or anything. I hope someone hires him to host another show which will better showcase his many talents! And I would certainly want to watch any move he might star in!
Blast and Whisper (2010)
Sunday School Visual Aid
Blast and Whisper would serve as an ideal visual aid for a Christian Sunday school class about the Old Testament prophet, Elijah, and the infamous Biblical character, Queen Jezebel. Although the Producer, Mark Moran, has taken some literary license with the story as recorded in the Old Testament Books of First and Second Kings, a Sunday school teacher could show this movie as an introduction to the topics, to stimulate discussion about what the Bible and other historical sources say about these characters.
The story starts with a tree falling on top of Elijah, and pinning him to the ground, until one of his friends rescues him. Then it chronicles the struggles between Elijah and Queen Jebezel (a.k.a. Jazz, in this movie), and between his people and hers, as well as the marital conflict between Queen Jazz and her husband, the Prince of Omri. It includes massacres of Elijah's tribesmen, the drought he plagues the Queen's people with, and the confrontation between her priests and his god, who causes the wet wood on his altar to burst into flame. Read the Books of Kings to find out how these conflicts are resolved, and/or watch this movie! Although this movie is considered "low budget" by Hollywood standards, it includes a variety of settings, costumes and special effects- all the more to stimulate a Sunday school class' discussion.