In the Valley of Elah

[drb124]

The movie is coming out in a few weeks, and it has pretty solid reviews in addtion to Tommy Lee Jones getting a best actor nom. Just wondering if anyone saw it and if it is more than a one watch movie?

[BTS11]

Originally Posted by drb124

The movie is coming out in a few weeks, and it has pretty solid reviews in addtion to Tommy Lee Jones getting a best actor nom. Just wondering if anyone saw it and if it is more than a one watch movie?

Tommy Lee is good in it. It's a good movie. I'd give ie a 7 on a 1-10 scale.

Good acting, pretty solid story, though it is similar to storylines we've seen before. But none the less, worth watching.

[JadedRaverLA]

It's a very good movie and Tommy Lee Jones' performance is stellar.

That said, it's a tough story, and not a "popcorn flick" by any means. I would recommend everyone see it... but I'm not sure that many people are going to be eager to rewatch it too often -- so a blind buy probably isn't a good idea. Definitely worth a rent, though.

[Minimejer05]

I wanted to see this after watching the trailer awhile back. But then I never heard much about it and forgot about it...might blind buy if i have the extra cash.

[DS1975]

Since this is a Warner title and therefore Region Free (at least I hope so) I will Import it - this movie will open here in theaters not before March!!

[Firefly]

I didn't care for it all that much and I dislike the whole 'anti-war' aspect of it. I'd rather Hollywood stayed out of my politics a bit more. Besides, I want to see a war film with a ridiculous body count like Commando

[DS1975]

Originally Posted by Firefly

I didn't care for it all that much and I dislike the whole 'anti-war' aspect of it. I'd rather Hollywood stayed out of my politics a bit more. Besides, I want to see a war film with a ridiculous body count like Commando

If Hollywood would stop creating such movies or if they never had made any movies which could have "collided" with someones political views then we would have never seen films like "Platoon";"Full Metal Jacket";"Apocalypse Now";"Good Morning Vietnam".... only to name a few.

It never hurts to watch a movie with a different view on things... you don't have to agree with that view in the end anyway.

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by DS1975

If Hollywood would stop creating such movies or if they never had made any movies which could have "collided" with someones political views then we would have never seen films like "Platoon";"Full Metal Jacket";"Apocalypse Now";"Good Morning Vietnam".... only to name a few.

It never hurts to watch a movie with a different view on things... you don't have to agree with that view in the end anyway.

That's absolutely true...but those are all movies that are anti-US policy. Where are the movies that are pro-US policy? Where is a Hollywood exploration of what Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City might be like today if the US never got involved there, or if Saddam was allowed to stay in power, or if our government wasn't supportive of the oil industry, on which we all rely for energy. It's easy to criticize policy--and especially easy to criticize war--but it's hard to have the vision to see that other policies could in fact be worse. Yet I have not seen that kind of film come out of Hollywood. If we're going to defend the idea that filmmakers have a role in making movies critical of this country, which shape public perception, we should also support filmmakers that would make movies championing this country. We have a lot to be proud of as Americans and someone needs to give that message to Hollywood.

[C6 Z06]

Originally Posted by drb124

The movie is coming out in a few weeks, and it has pretty solid reviews in addtion to Tommy Lee Jones getting a best actor nom. Just wondering if anyone saw it and if it is more than a one watch movie?

Wondering the same thing. I am just about to order it on-line.

[Hypnopooper]

Originally Posted by Gremal

That's absolutely true...but those are all movies that are anti-US policy. Where are the movies that are pro-US policy? Where is a Hollywood exploration of what Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City might be like today if the US never got involved there, or if Saddam was allowed to stay in power, or if our government wasn't supportive of the oil industry, on which we all rely for energy. It's easy to criticize policy--and especially easy to criticize war--but it's hard to have the vision to see that other policies could in fact be worse. Yet I have not seen that kind of film come out of Hollywood. If we're going to defend the idea that filmmakers have a role in making movies critical of this country, which shape public perception, we should also support filmmakers that would make movies championing this country. We have a lot to be proud of as Americans and someone needs to give that message to Hollywood.

Amen Brother!! While some of those movies listed were good movies, I am tired of our soldiers being portrayed as murderers. Now if we could get a movie about the story of Marcus Luttrel's "Lone Survivior", that portrays the the real life and death situations our soldiers are placed in and the heroing heart breaking story of the fire fight in which he was a lone survivor near death would surely rank in with such movies as behind enemy lines, black hawk down and Finding Private Ryan. A Story in which we as non soldiers feel the pain and suffering in which our soldiers are faced with, in which you emerge from watching damn proud that our country can still produce quality young men and women who go above and beyond the call of duty and put their life on the line for the greater need of our nation without a second thought about the policies that placed them in the situation. If you don't know the story about Marcus Luttrell I highly recommend you read his book about what he went through.

http://www.amazon.com/Lone-Survivor-...1457407&sr=8-1

[DS1975]

Originally Posted by Gremal

That's absolutely true...but those are all movies that are anti-US policy. Where are the movies that are pro-US policy? Where is a Hollywood exploration of what Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City might be like today if the US never got involved there, or if Saddam was allowed to stay in power, or if our government wasn't supportive of the oil industry, on which we all rely for energy. It's easy to criticize policy--and especially easy to criticize war--but it's hard to have the vision to see that other policies could in fact be worse.

Yes, I agree with you! But you have read my post and I clearly state that you have to watch both - pro and contra US-policy.
Only leaning towards movies criticizing the US Military is not getting a clear picture; the same goes if one only wants to watch movies glorifying the US Military and their decisions.

However making War movies which show "how it might be now if...." isn't really helping anybody. What would be the sense behind such a movie? You could invent incredibly stupid stories and turn everything upside down and of course nobody would be able to contradict you because who knows how things might be if...?
That's a discussion with no end to it!

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by DS1975

Yes, I agree with you! But you have read my post and I clearly state that you have to watch both - pro and contra US-policy.
Only leaning towards movies criticizing the US Military is not getting a clear picture; the same goes if one only wants to watch movies glorifying the US Military and their decisions.

But Hollywood doesn't produce movies glorifying the US military--let alone US leaders. Each of those films you mention demonizes the US. This has a serious impact on public perception.

However making War movies which show "how it might be now if...." isn't really helping anybody. What would be the sense behind such a movie? You could invent incredibly stupid stories and turn everything upside down and of course nobody would be able to contradict you because who knows how things might be if...?
That's a discussion with no end to it!

Well, that was just an example. But Hollywood indulges in "what if" scenarios all the time. Take "Children of Men" for example. Here we have a vision promoted by Hollywood in which the terrorists and the government are equally evil; a very ugly vision...where is the premise is that we live in a peaceful utopia thanks to our military and diplomatic efforts to fight terrorism? Again, this is just an example of the type of film you will never see from Hollywood.

What you will see are films demonizing prior presidents, propagating conspiracy theories, bashing the CIA and implicating our hardworking agents in all kinds of "unfair" actions as they basically look out for our interests and security. I just find it uncomfortable that there is such a strong push in Hollywood to demonize the very government and military that guarantee and protect its free speech. Why not occasionally use that free speech for some other means? Movies are powerful and they can be used to indoctrinate viewers in dangerous ideas. Michael Moore's movies have been distributed in the Middle East by Hezbollah for terrorist recruitment. I would just like to see a bit more responsibility and fairness from film producers.