Movie Review: The Deer Hunter

Length: 3 hours and 3 minutes
Released: 1978
Genre: Historical Fiction, War, and Drama
Rating: R
Directed By: Michael Cimino
Where I Got It: borrowed from library

SUMMARY:

An in-depth examination of the ways in which the Vietnam War disrupts and impacts the lives of people in a small industrial town in Pennsylvania.

TRAILER:

CAST:
Michael - Robert De Niro
Stan - John Cazale
Nick - Christopher Walken
Steven - John Savage
Linda - Meryl Steep
Axel - Chuck Aspegren
John - George Dzunda
Angela - Rutanya Alda


REVIEW:
OH my goodness....these actors are SO young! It was really weird to see them this young. I've seen in other films during their youths, but it always boggles my mind. Especially De Niro (played Michael). He's good looking now, but in this film he was EXTREMELY good looking. Wow. Even Christopher Walken looked good.

Anyways....

This was certainly a pick at the Vietnam War and all wars in general. They did not sugar coat anything in this film. War is nasty business and it can really destroy someone - even if they don't die or get maimed. It can cripple you or mess up your mind. I'm glad that the writers decided to show each side of the madness of war. One friend gets crippled forever, one snaps mentally. Poor Michael trying to hold everything together before, during, and after the war. He was their leader, their best friend. They guy everyone went to. I loved him, but man, did I feel bad for him.

I'm not going to lie...I usually don't watch many Vietnam War movies and I wasn't too keen on this one. However, Boyfriend REALLY wanted to watch it and so I gave in and watched it with him. Low and behold, I actually liked it. Perhaps it was because of all the actors in it. They are all fantastic! The beginning really was super slow and I nearly gave up. HOWEVER, it picks up after the deer hunt they go on. I get WHY they made the beginning slow. There are a lot of characters they wanted to establish and get you to know and understand. They wanted you to see how life was BEFORE the war. After the movie was done, I really appreciated the beginning, because it allowed me to connect with all the characters.

OH! The ending made me tear up, but it certainly was a good ending. It made me a little mad...but it certainly was good. I shall say no more.

It was a good movie and I recommend anyone who has any interest in history or likes a good movie, should watch this. The acting was wonderful. The story was engaging even though the beginning was a little slow. It was certainly worth the 3 hours. Out of five stars I shall stamp this 5 stars. It's more like 4.5, but I don't give decimals, so I rounded.

Favorite Character(s): Michael, Linda, Axel (I wish he had more camera time), and John.
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Steve, Angela (pull yourself together woman!), and Stan.
RE-WATCH: Sure. 

Movie Reviews: The Lost Battalion

Length: 92 mins
Released: 2001
Genre: Action, Drama, War 
Rating: N/A (I would give it a PG-13)
Directed By: Russell Mulcahy
Where I Got It: Library
I watched this and reviewed this for the War Through the Generations WWI Challenge

The Lost Battalion follows Major Charles Whittlesey and his battalion of 500 men as they struggle to keep their position behind enemy lines in the Argonne Forest in October 1918. They are completely surrounded with no real chance for reinforcements.

 Ricky Schroder (Scrubs, Crimson Tide) plays Major Whittlesey, Jamie Harris (The Green Hornet, Rise of the Planet of the Apes) as Sgt. Gaedeke, Adam James (Last Chance Harvey, Mother of Tears) as Capt. Nelson Holderman, Anthony Azizi (Eagle Eyes, Transformers: Dark of the Moon) as Pvt. Henchman, and many more. 

When I was still in US History in High School, my teacher had showed us a clip of this movie. We were learning about WWI and he was one of those teachers that believed that having visuals helped students learn better. Since then I have been wanting to watch this movie!

Well, to be blunt...I probably will never watch this movie again. Yes, I liked it, but it's one of those movies you just watch once and you move on. It was rather interesting. I felt so bad for that battalion, because everything that could go wrong DID go wrong. From friendly fire to a sniper to their runners being eliminated to the lack of reinforcements. I would find myself growing rather irritated and yelling at the movie, because the top guns were idiots and making the battalion suffer so. GAH! Just thinking about it irritates me! I mean they force Major Whittlesey to go on a suicide mission to just land in the middle of the Argonne Forest surrounded by the enemy. Major Whittlesey took it with a grain of salt, but personally I was pissed off for him. No battalion should be asked to do such a thing. Whatever...

Sorry for the ranting above, but that's one of the great things about this movie. It sucks you in and doesn't let you go until the very end. It doesn't help that this is based of a true battalion and true historical events. I'm pretty sure that they gave it a good Hollywood-shining, but I feel like they did a good job with blending the two together. They also did a pretty good job on the visual effects and the action bits. For being an early 2000 TV movie I was rather impressed with how well and uncheesy the effects are. They were pretty cool. For example, this one man was hit by a grenade (or something) and he exploded right in front of Major Whittlesey. It looked so real! Horribly amazing.

Overall, this was a good film. I'm glad I decided to finally pick this up and watch it. I may never watch this again, but I did enjoy it! If you love war films watch this. You'll like it! Out of five stars I grant this 4 stars. ^.^

Favorite Character(s): Major Whittlesey and Pvt. Omer Richards
Not-so Favorite Character(s): General Robert Alexander and the other top guns

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<3CR

Movie Review: Braveheart

(Sorry for the overly long wait on this review...school, ya know)


Length: 177 mins
Released: 1995
Genre:Drama, War Film, Romance, Action
Rating: R, "brutal medieval warfare"
Directed By: Mel Gibson
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Dad gave it to me)


Braveheart is a retelling of the famous and in some ways infamous, William Wallace. William Wallace is a Scottish rebel who unites the stubborn Scottish clans to stand against the tyranny of England. This is not only a movie about war and blood, but it's also about love, friendship, and fighting for one's freedom. 


William Wallace was born into a time of turmoil and bloodshed and power struggles. This story, even though a little on the long side, will keep you in a trance.


This is a star-studded cast! Mel Gibson (The Patriot, Lethal Weapons) plays the freedom-hungry William Wallace, Patrick McGoohan (Esacpe from Alcatraz, Treasure Plant) as the merciless King Edward I/Longshanks, Brendan Gleeson (Troy, Harry Potter movies, 28 Days Later, Cold Mountain) as the burly but beloved Hamish, Sophie Marceau (A Midnight Summer's Dream, Alex & Emma) as the lovely Princess Isabelle, Tommy Flanagan (Gladiator, Sin City) as Morrison, and so many more. 


Like earlier stated...this is slightly on the long side, but it's so entrancing! From the first minute, you can't take your eyes off the screen. I watched this at 8:30 am and even though I'm exhausted from being awake early with three hours of sleep I don't regret it. Even though I've seen this a couple other times in the past, I find I can appreciate this more. Wisdom and aging gave me more love for this movie. 


At the very beginning they cut out the usual opening credits and just showed the title and did an aerial shot of the Scottish Highlands. It was a wonderful and an ingenious move. The movie isn't about the director or the actors (which turns out the leading man IS the director...I digress...), it's about William Wallace. The man. The legend. It's also about the Scottish trying to win their freedom from the tyrannous hands of Longshanks and past English rulers. 


Without the wonderful actors, writers, and the film crew this movie would have been cheesy and a waste of my time. They blended the romance, warfare, humor, action, drama, and historical facts very well. The balance between all the genres was well done and I bow to writers and director. I find in a lot of these movies, the writers and whatnot try to play on the safe-side I only have a couple of genres at play. However, it takes a great movie maker to blend such a wonderful movie with many different genres and themes. 


I also must give a bow to the costume designers. In many films about medieval times the costumes seem to be a little cheesy and not historical accurate. If you were a commoner, you didn't get the luxury of having nice clothes. You wore clothes until they were pretty much rags. The costume designers, in this film, made me feel like I was watching a documentary secretly filmed! Again....wonderfully done.

There are so many things worth mentioning, but I mostly loved the story. I know there are a lot of historical flubs and errors, buuuuuut I love this movie. I love it as a movie freak, a history buff, a romance-enthusiast, and mostly because it's makes me extremely proud of my Scottish blood. 

Alright...there are a couple things I'm not a fan off. I wasn't too keen on Murron's and William's fast-paced relationship. Yes, yes, I know it was love at first sight, but c'mon! They only courted for a couple of days and then married? Really? I felt like they really rushed their courtship into a couple days. Yes, I know they had to make time for the blood and the "freedom" scenes, but I feel like they should have gave the illusion of a decent love affair between William and Murron. I also wasn't a fan with the ending. Yes...it is the most epic of endings, but I hated it because I have a hard time watching it. It's so hard for me to watch the last ten minutes or so... Don't get me wrong! It's a great way to end the movie! *SPOILER ALERT* I especially love how the had Murron drifting in the crowd and waiting for ax to end William's life and so they can be joined forever and eve. It was lovely and wonderfully done. I just really hated the torture parts. I'm usually good at observing scenes like these, but I have a hard time with this one. I can't explain it *SPOILER END* 

All-in-all this is a wonderful film and I love it even more than when I first watched it! Not only were the costumes, aerial shots, visual effects, acting, and directing were amazing. But the story itself was inspiring and wonderful. I would recommend this to those who love a good story and war movies (it's not for the weak of belly). I will warn though: for historical nazis, this is not the film for you. Hollywood took some liberties with the true story of William Wallace and polished it up. It happens and I accepted that a long time ago. I must grant this one 5 stars; in all reality it would be 4.6 stars, but I don't give decimals. ^.^

Would I Watch Again?:

Heck yeah. Seen this a million times already. 

Favorite Character(s): Hamish, Morrison (he's just a hottie, I can't help myself), William Wallace (obvious one!), Princess Isabelle, and so many others.

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Longshanks (evil, evil man! Not even the English liked this cold-hearted son of bit...biscut!), the majority of the Scottish nobles (didn't deserve to have their titles), and the creepy old soldier guy (who says "you remind me of my daughter" and then try to rape them? He was a big creepier and a little bonkers in the head)

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<3CaroleRae

Movie Review: Red Cliff

~*My brain was fried from studying, so I wanted to sleep, but this movie was calling my name, so I got up and watched it. Haha, again I will not be slave to Exam Week!*~



Length: 150 mins
Released: 2008 (China)
Genre: Action, Drama, Adventure
Rating: R-rating, war scenes
Directed By: John Woo
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Movie Gallery)





Red Cliff is set in Ancient China (208-209 AD) and is based on the Battle of Red Cliff. This occurs during the end of the Han Dynasty. Chancellor Cao Cao has been given permission to eliminate the "rebels", but in all reality he wants to remove the last two major forces that stand in his way for his own ambitions: Sun Quan and Liu Bei. Liu Bei knows that Cao Cao will succeed in his ambitious plans if Liu Bei and Sun Quan do not join forces to stop him, so he sends his best battle stragestic and diplomat, Zhuge Liang, to convince Sun Quan of an alliance. Sun Quan agrees, so the battle for life as they know is on.

There are a couple of names and faces I recognized, so I was excited to watch this. John Woo is the director/producer of this, he also helped in the making of Face/Off, Windtalkers, and many others. Tony Leung (Hero) played Zhou Yu, Chang Chen (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) as Sun Quan, Shido Nakamura (Letters From Iwo Jima) as Gan Xing, Takeshi Kaneshiro (House of Flying Daggers, The Warlords) as Zhuge Liange, and Zhao Wei (Mulan) as Sun Shangxiang.

Well, where to begin?

I was enchanted with this movie! I can always tell when John Woo has anything to do with a movie. He has a certain magic in his directing or producing. It's hard to describe, but it's there. My first John Woo movie was "Windtalkers" and even though they used the female side of the language in that film, I still liked it. Yet again, I fell in love with one of his movies. The way he put the movie together was seamless! Even though I have the cut up American version, I loved it!

I'm a little angry that the American version squished both Part I and Part II together into one film. Yes, so there is no sequel. When I found this out, I was absolutely devastated!  Someday I might try and get my hands on the Asian versions. Someday. I doubt that they'll have English subtitles though. Perhaps it will, I purchased a completely Asian movie and it had English subtitles (Mulan), so there is still hope. Or I could learn Chinese. Whichever is easier.

Anyways, I loved learning about Ancient China. I learned a little about Ancient China and all the different dynasties in my Humanities class. However, we didn't get into too much depth. This movie shows a different world and you don't feel alienated, somehow it sucks you into their culture and helps you understand. I was confused at a couple points about what was going on, but thats bound to happen if you never heard of any of those people (which is me). The dialog was easy to follow, so that's not an issue. Even though you can watch the dubbed version, I couldn't without laughing, so I changed the audio to Chinese and read the subtitles. That was personally easier for me to do. Also, I loved how they added the element of nature and music to the theme of the movie. It wasn't just a war movie, it had deep meaning and it focused on the true love between Zhou Yu and his wife Xiao Qiao (played by Lin Chi-ling).

There was a couple things I didn't like though... For example, I found some parts to be kind of cheesy, like the ending. I chuckled and roll my eyes. Personally, I would've picked a different ending, but I do understand the symbolics behind it. I really do, but it was still VERY cheesy. Also, AGAIN my favorite character dies. SPOILER: Gen Xiang dies in the big battle at the end and sacrifices himself,  which didn't happen in real life. SPOILER END  What the heck? I think people are seriously out to get me. When that occurred I was very upset and was bitter. Maybe that's why I didn't really like the ending...who knows. I was especially mad when I found out that in real life he didn't die until years after Battle of Red Cliff. Come on John Woo! In my mind he lived, but maybe he was injured or something so they didn't show him. That's about it; there's nothing else I can really complain about.

Overall, I really loved this movie. I know I'll be watching it a few more times! There's magic in it, I swear. If you have a love of movies, you should check this out. You should especially check it out if you love history, like me! Out of fives stars this one will receive the full 5 stars! Yayy! ^.^

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<3CaroleRae