I used to get the majority of my DVDs through Buy.com. Now, I have nothing against that site at all and am very pleased with it. But thanks to Ebates, I found a smaller site that has better prices!
The website at DVDPlanet.com is very easy to navigate. This is probably because - unlike other big DVD stores - they only focus on DVDs. There is no electronics, books, computers or anything else to distract from the DVD selection. I found the search feature to work wonderfully. New Releases and Coming Soon are featured on the main menu, with a selection of genres on the left. There are links at the bottom of the main page to articles on www.thedigitalbits.com which contains a variety of movie reviews, rumors, art, and other interesting tidbits.
Under DVD Deals there is a large selection of DVDs under $6. Also available are DVDs between $6 - $10, $10 - $15, and $15 - $20. This is a great way to build your DVD collection fairly inexpensively.
What I like best about DVDPlanet.com is that their prices are at least 30% off of the retail price of DVDs. While I have come across other sites that are discounted from retail, I haven't come across any as cheap as here. For instance, my recent acquisition of Star Trek: The Next Generation - Season Two costs $94.49 at DVDPlanet.com. At Buy.com it costs $97.99 and at Amazon.com it costs $104.99. The DVD Marilyn Monroe Diamond Collection #2 is $59.99 at DVDPlanet.com and Amazon.com and $62.49 at Buy.com. The DVD of Gone With the Wind is $18.74 atDVDPlanet.com, $19.49 at Buy.com and $19.99 at Amazon.com.
The shipping costs at DVDPlanet.com are competitive as well. Standard shipping of 1-2 discs is $2.50 plus .50 for each disc. Priority mail of 3 or more discs is the same. 2-day shipping by UPS is $6.00 plus $2.50 each disc. Next day is $10.00 plus $2.50 each disc. Amazon.com has cheaper shipping charges for the 2-day and Next-day, but I have never had a reason to have my DVDs shipped to me this way, so I always choose standard. I have always had my discs shipped standard and have noticed they seem to arrive a day or two later than the other popular DVD sites. I don't mind waiting the extra day or two for the money I save! Even if it's only $10, that's $10 more that's mine.
There is an email list to subscribe to. Ever week I get a notice of what's being released. You can also get early notice of upcoming Criterion Collection titles, an Anime notice, as well as a notice about the adult selections. Also, for those in California, there is a DVD Planet Superstore in Westminster.
Showing posts with label DVD review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DVD review. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
A Review of the film M*A*S*H
I have to wonder just how many people actually think of the movie first when they hear the word M*A*S*H spoken. How many people even know that it was originally a movie? The television series was a hit for eleven years, but it all started with a wonderful film directed by Robert Altman.
If you have never seen the movie, only the television show, do yourself a favor and rent the movie. I had seen the movie a few times on television, but there were scenes which were cut. The new DVD release is completely restored and uncut; a real treat to watch.
How do you sum up a story when there really is none? M*A*S*H is a series of vignettes based on a five to six month period in the life of a Mobile Army SurgicalHospital during the Korean War. It begins with the arrival of two new surgeons, Hawkeye Pierce (Donald Sutherland) and Duke Forrest (Tom Skerritt). It ends with their tour of duty over.
In contrast to most war movies, there is no mission; no objective that needs to be completed for the movie to be over. The audience is just shown what life is like during this time period. Unlike the television show which had a fairly stable cast, the players go in and out of this setting at various times. We are introduced to Frank Burns (Robert Duvall) in the beginning, but he is soon carted off in a straight-jacket after being provoked by Hawkeye. Trapper John McIntyre (Elliot Gould) does not come into play till around one-third of the way through the film. Around this same time, Major Margaret O'Houlihan enters the picture as well. Lieutenant Dish (Jo Ann Pflug), one of the nurses, also ships out part of the way through the film, and in one of the later segments we are introduced to neurosurgeon and former football star Spearchucker Jones (Fred Williamson).
I believe this makes the movie more realistic than the television show. We don't have a guest du jour popping in to make the point of the episode. These people are stuck in a situation that none of them want to be in and they are just making the best of it. To deflect from having to sew up bodies blown apart by bombs, they drink, play cards, and let loose in many different ways.
Altman manages to convey that very well, transitioning at various interludes from the bloody gore of the operating rooms to the various diversions that go on both inside the camp and outside.
If you go into this movie expecting to see the Hawkeye Pierce and Trapper John we know from Alan Alda and Wayne Rodgers, you'll probably be disappointed. Sutherland and Gould portray these characters very differently than the television actors. It doesn't mean that one is necessarily better than the other, only different.
This is also a much wider canvas than I was used to from the television series. Spearchucker Jones disappeared after the first few episodes. We never got to meet Duke Forrest, Lieutenant Dish, "Painless Pole" Waldowski, or "Me Lay" Marston. These actors all participate in the various stories which take place: Major O'Houlihan and Frank Burns try to put a stop to Pierce and McIntyre's behavior and end up having sex with it broadcast over the camp loudspeakers (this is where the Hot Lips nickname comes in), Waldowski (the camp dentist) at one point decides he must be gay since he couldn't perform and wants to commit suicide, the 4077th M*A*S*H competes against another outfit in football and we get to watch both team try to unscrupulously rig the game, Pierce and McIntyre travel to Tokyo to perform an operation on a Congressman's son, the camp tries to find out if Major O'Houlihan is really a blonde.
The DVD has a whole bunch of extras. There is a Still Gallery, the option to watch the film with a commentary by Robert Altman, the original theatrical trailer, and a whole bunch of documentaries. It wasn't until I began watching these documentaries that I realized just how different M*A*S*H was for its time. To begin with, most of the war movies being put out during this time were decidedly rah-rah, go-get-‘em type films with our country's involvement in Vietnam. Altman was trying to make an anti-war film and yet have it not appear so. To do this, he set it in Korea and had the subversiveness on the part of the doctors be very subtle.
The movie presents its case that war is hell. It does not glamorize it or glorify it. We see all the blood and bodies; the result of so many of those other war films. Fox tried to get many of the operating room scenes deleted, but the feedback it received told them to leave it in.
M*A*S*H only won one Academy Award for Original Screenplay. This is ironic since Ring Lardner Jr. wanted to distance himself from this film after he felt the actors and Altman took way too many liberties with his script. In fact, most of the dialogue is ad-libbed, a credit to the entire cast, their chemistry, and Altman for being able to reap this wonderful talent.
Sutherland and Gould also at one point tried to get Altman fired as they were convinced this movie would be the end of their careers. This ended up being good for the movie, however, as Altman was able to use that friction to his benefit.
Many of the techniques Altman use in this film were groundbreaking, such as the zoom lens. The actors would be in scenes and they would not know if he was focusing on them or not. He fitted the actors with microphones so their conversations would be going on over each other, creating a general tone for the movie. He then used the camp loudspeakers, and announcements almost word-for-word out of a Korean War manual to wrap the film together.
The three documentaries AMC Backstory Behind-the-Scenes Documentary,Enlisted: The Story of M*A*S*H, and M*A*S*H: History Through the Lens all seem very similar. I would watch these at different times since I think they would be better appreciated instead of watched one on top of the other. However, the30th Anniversary M*A*S*H Cast Reunion was an excellent piece I will watch again and again. The Film Restoration Featurette was also good.
M*A*S*H is a don't miss. It's a true classic that deserves to be on any best film list. Do yourself a favor and get this DVD in your collection.
If you have never seen the movie, only the television show, do yourself a favor and rent the movie. I had seen the movie a few times on television, but there were scenes which were cut. The new DVD release is completely restored and uncut; a real treat to watch.
How do you sum up a story when there really is none? M*A*S*H is a series of vignettes based on a five to six month period in the life of a Mobile Army SurgicalHospital during the Korean War. It begins with the arrival of two new surgeons, Hawkeye Pierce (Donald Sutherland) and Duke Forrest (Tom Skerritt). It ends with their tour of duty over.
In contrast to most war movies, there is no mission; no objective that needs to be completed for the movie to be over. The audience is just shown what life is like during this time period. Unlike the television show which had a fairly stable cast, the players go in and out of this setting at various times. We are introduced to Frank Burns (Robert Duvall) in the beginning, but he is soon carted off in a straight-jacket after being provoked by Hawkeye. Trapper John McIntyre (Elliot Gould) does not come into play till around one-third of the way through the film. Around this same time, Major Margaret O'Houlihan enters the picture as well. Lieutenant Dish (Jo Ann Pflug), one of the nurses, also ships out part of the way through the film, and in one of the later segments we are introduced to neurosurgeon and former football star Spearchucker Jones (Fred Williamson).
I believe this makes the movie more realistic than the television show. We don't have a guest du jour popping in to make the point of the episode. These people are stuck in a situation that none of them want to be in and they are just making the best of it. To deflect from having to sew up bodies blown apart by bombs, they drink, play cards, and let loose in many different ways.
Altman manages to convey that very well, transitioning at various interludes from the bloody gore of the operating rooms to the various diversions that go on both inside the camp and outside.
If you go into this movie expecting to see the Hawkeye Pierce and Trapper John we know from Alan Alda and Wayne Rodgers, you'll probably be disappointed. Sutherland and Gould portray these characters very differently than the television actors. It doesn't mean that one is necessarily better than the other, only different.
This is also a much wider canvas than I was used to from the television series. Spearchucker Jones disappeared after the first few episodes. We never got to meet Duke Forrest, Lieutenant Dish, "Painless Pole" Waldowski, or "Me Lay" Marston. These actors all participate in the various stories which take place: Major O'Houlihan and Frank Burns try to put a stop to Pierce and McIntyre's behavior and end up having sex with it broadcast over the camp loudspeakers (this is where the Hot Lips nickname comes in), Waldowski (the camp dentist) at one point decides he must be gay since he couldn't perform and wants to commit suicide, the 4077th M*A*S*H competes against another outfit in football and we get to watch both team try to unscrupulously rig the game, Pierce and McIntyre travel to Tokyo to perform an operation on a Congressman's son, the camp tries to find out if Major O'Houlihan is really a blonde.
The DVD has a whole bunch of extras. There is a Still Gallery, the option to watch the film with a commentary by Robert Altman, the original theatrical trailer, and a whole bunch of documentaries. It wasn't until I began watching these documentaries that I realized just how different M*A*S*H was for its time. To begin with, most of the war movies being put out during this time were decidedly rah-rah, go-get-‘em type films with our country's involvement in Vietnam. Altman was trying to make an anti-war film and yet have it not appear so. To do this, he set it in Korea and had the subversiveness on the part of the doctors be very subtle.
The movie presents its case that war is hell. It does not glamorize it or glorify it. We see all the blood and bodies; the result of so many of those other war films. Fox tried to get many of the operating room scenes deleted, but the feedback it received told them to leave it in.
M*A*S*H only won one Academy Award for Original Screenplay. This is ironic since Ring Lardner Jr. wanted to distance himself from this film after he felt the actors and Altman took way too many liberties with his script. In fact, most of the dialogue is ad-libbed, a credit to the entire cast, their chemistry, and Altman for being able to reap this wonderful talent.
Sutherland and Gould also at one point tried to get Altman fired as they were convinced this movie would be the end of their careers. This ended up being good for the movie, however, as Altman was able to use that friction to his benefit.
Many of the techniques Altman use in this film were groundbreaking, such as the zoom lens. The actors would be in scenes and they would not know if he was focusing on them or not. He fitted the actors with microphones so their conversations would be going on over each other, creating a general tone for the movie. He then used the camp loudspeakers, and announcements almost word-for-word out of a Korean War manual to wrap the film together.
The three documentaries AMC Backstory Behind-the-Scenes Documentary,Enlisted: The Story of M*A*S*H, and M*A*S*H: History Through the Lens all seem very similar. I would watch these at different times since I think they would be better appreciated instead of watched one on top of the other. However, the30th Anniversary M*A*S*H Cast Reunion was an excellent piece I will watch again and again. The Film Restoration Featurette was also good.
M*A*S*H is a don't miss. It's a true classic that deserves to be on any best film list. Do yourself a favor and get this DVD in your collection.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
A Review of the Movie Bull Durham
I don't know of anyone who has a true love of baseball that doesn't love this movie. In my opinion, it's the best movie ever made about the sport. Ron Shelton is the writer and director of this romantic comedy centering around the Durham Bulls minor league baseball team. He does not romanticize the sport as was done inThe Natural or Pride of the Yankees, two other baseball films I love, but has shown us all sides of the game. It can be fun, brutal, glorious, unfair, challenging, and tormenting.
The film opens with a collection of classic baseball pictures. A wave of nostalgia came over me as I watched it. In 1988, when this movie was filmed, Fernando Valenzuela was still in his glory. There is an incredible shot of him looking to the heavens as he pitches. I wonder how many kids growing up with the superstars today even know about him? The shot of Pete Rose also tore at me, as all he is doing his famous head-first slide. How many kids know about his great accomplishments in baseball, not just the controversy surrounding his (lack of) induction into the Hall of Fame? There are also pictures from before my time, including that of the Women's Baseball League and Babe Ruth looking out towards right field. If these pictures don't move you, then the baseball side of this film might not be for you.
The good news on that front is that Ron Shelton managed to weave a wonderful romantic comedy around the subject of baseball. Susan Sarandon portrays Annie Savoy, a baseball "groupie" who each year chooses a player off of the Bulls team to hook-up with and impart her wisdom on. A triangle forms as Ebby Calvin LaLoosh - also known as "Nuke" - and "Crash" Davis square off for her affection.
Nuke - portrayed by Tim Robbins - is a bonus-baby; an up-and-coming hot-shot with a million-dollar arm and a five-cent brain. He throws a fastball 95 miles an hour but has control trouble. In his first appearance, he hits the announcers, the mascot, and a whole bunch of players. However, he also strikes out eighteen players. He is so full of himself at the beginning of this film, I don't know how his head fit into that cap. Robbins nails the part with a perfect balance of goofiness and seriousness that Nuke is believable and not a caricature.
Enter Crash - portrayed by Kevin Costner. Crash was in the majors for "21 of the best days of my life". He is a veteran who has been around the minors for a long time. So long, in fact, that he is about to break the record for the most home runs in the minors. That record is a double-edged sword. While it speaks to his abilities as a player, it also tells just how long he has been rattling around the minors. In a great piece near the end of the film, Crash tells how what separates a .250 (minor-league) hitter from a .300 (major-league) hitter is just one hit a week - a blooper, or a fantastic play by the outfielder. It all boils down to luck and Crash seems to have been on the wrong side of that. Costner also has the perfect balance in this character. I found myself rooting for him, but not pitying him.
Crash was brought in specifically to cultivate the new potential superstar. Hit catching abilities are needed to help the kid settle down and teach him control of not just the baseball, but himself as well. Both of these men also begin vying for Annie's affection, although she hooks up with Nuke after Crash makes one of the best speeches ever in a film. The famous I believe ... speech has been parodied many times, but Costner delivers it with such feeling that watching it again now has the same impact it did all those years ago. And I happen to agree with him about the Constitutional amendment banning Astroturf and the designated hitter.
It's easy to believe the chemistry in this film. Robbins and Sarandon first met here and it was a movie romance that is still continuing this day. It's Annie's and Crash's chemistry throughout the film that have us rooting for them to be together, though. They seem perfect for each other as each year she is finding the rookies getting younger and younger and he knows the time is coming when the game will no longer be his to play. Their banter is slick, friendly and filled with affection. Both of them are facing "retirement" and fighting to get in their last bit of playing time.
There are lovely bits of comedy in the background of this movie as well. Robert Wuhl is terrific as the assistant manager, Larry Hockett, and brings in a lot of comic relief. I will never look at conferences on the mound the same way again after watching all of the players gather in discussion, and seeing Larry's lack of surprise at the conversation taking place and his response to it. The superstitions that baseball players have is also played here for some comedy, and any fan knows how seriously superstitious most players are!
The DVD of this movie contains extras such as Between the Lines, a documentary about the making of the movie, a profile of Kevin Costner, andSports Wrap, another short documentary. There are also the usual theatrical trailers. A big surprise, however, was the ability to run this movie with two different commentaries. One was by the director and writer, Ron Shelton, and the other was with Tim Robbins and Kevin Costner. After discovering the Robbins/Costner commentary, I watched the DVD a second time - it was that good! It felt like I was listening to two old buddies sitting in my living room commenting and laughing. At one point they make the comment that they are having such fun watching, they have to remember to comment. They are having fun and it shows!
By the way, Tim Robbins is a Mets fan!
The film opens with a collection of classic baseball pictures. A wave of nostalgia came over me as I watched it. In 1988, when this movie was filmed, Fernando Valenzuela was still in his glory. There is an incredible shot of him looking to the heavens as he pitches. I wonder how many kids growing up with the superstars today even know about him? The shot of Pete Rose also tore at me, as all he is doing his famous head-first slide. How many kids know about his great accomplishments in baseball, not just the controversy surrounding his (lack of) induction into the Hall of Fame? There are also pictures from before my time, including that of the Women's Baseball League and Babe Ruth looking out towards right field. If these pictures don't move you, then the baseball side of this film might not be for you.
The good news on that front is that Ron Shelton managed to weave a wonderful romantic comedy around the subject of baseball. Susan Sarandon portrays Annie Savoy, a baseball "groupie" who each year chooses a player off of the Bulls team to hook-up with and impart her wisdom on. A triangle forms as Ebby Calvin LaLoosh - also known as "Nuke" - and "Crash" Davis square off for her affection.
Nuke - portrayed by Tim Robbins - is a bonus-baby; an up-and-coming hot-shot with a million-dollar arm and a five-cent brain. He throws a fastball 95 miles an hour but has control trouble. In his first appearance, he hits the announcers, the mascot, and a whole bunch of players. However, he also strikes out eighteen players. He is so full of himself at the beginning of this film, I don't know how his head fit into that cap. Robbins nails the part with a perfect balance of goofiness and seriousness that Nuke is believable and not a caricature.
Enter Crash - portrayed by Kevin Costner. Crash was in the majors for "21 of the best days of my life". He is a veteran who has been around the minors for a long time. So long, in fact, that he is about to break the record for the most home runs in the minors. That record is a double-edged sword. While it speaks to his abilities as a player, it also tells just how long he has been rattling around the minors. In a great piece near the end of the film, Crash tells how what separates a .250 (minor-league) hitter from a .300 (major-league) hitter is just one hit a week - a blooper, or a fantastic play by the outfielder. It all boils down to luck and Crash seems to have been on the wrong side of that. Costner also has the perfect balance in this character. I found myself rooting for him, but not pitying him.
Crash was brought in specifically to cultivate the new potential superstar. Hit catching abilities are needed to help the kid settle down and teach him control of not just the baseball, but himself as well. Both of these men also begin vying for Annie's affection, although she hooks up with Nuke after Crash makes one of the best speeches ever in a film. The famous I believe ... speech has been parodied many times, but Costner delivers it with such feeling that watching it again now has the same impact it did all those years ago. And I happen to agree with him about the Constitutional amendment banning Astroturf and the designated hitter.
It's easy to believe the chemistry in this film. Robbins and Sarandon first met here and it was a movie romance that is still continuing this day. It's Annie's and Crash's chemistry throughout the film that have us rooting for them to be together, though. They seem perfect for each other as each year she is finding the rookies getting younger and younger and he knows the time is coming when the game will no longer be his to play. Their banter is slick, friendly and filled with affection. Both of them are facing "retirement" and fighting to get in their last bit of playing time.
There are lovely bits of comedy in the background of this movie as well. Robert Wuhl is terrific as the assistant manager, Larry Hockett, and brings in a lot of comic relief. I will never look at conferences on the mound the same way again after watching all of the players gather in discussion, and seeing Larry's lack of surprise at the conversation taking place and his response to it. The superstitions that baseball players have is also played here for some comedy, and any fan knows how seriously superstitious most players are!
The DVD of this movie contains extras such as Between the Lines, a documentary about the making of the movie, a profile of Kevin Costner, andSports Wrap, another short documentary. There are also the usual theatrical trailers. A big surprise, however, was the ability to run this movie with two different commentaries. One was by the director and writer, Ron Shelton, and the other was with Tim Robbins and Kevin Costner. After discovering the Robbins/Costner commentary, I watched the DVD a second time - it was that good! It felt like I was listening to two old buddies sitting in my living room commenting and laughing. At one point they make the comment that they are having such fun watching, they have to remember to comment. They are having fun and it shows!
By the way, Tim Robbins is a Mets fan!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
A Review of the movie In The Line of Fire
In The Line of Fire is a suspense-filled thriller about the Secret Service. In contrast to the film Murder at 1600, which I also recently viewed, the Secret Service here is portrayed in a much better light; having a responsibility beyond covering up for the President and his family.
Clint Eastwood portrays aging Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan. In the beginning of the movie we see him at work undercover in Counterfeiting Investigations. Dylan McDermott is his new partner, Al D'Andrea.
A tip leads them to the apartment of a man we will later know as Mitch Leary. In that apartment, Frank finds a haunting reminder of his failure to protect the President as a young agent: clippings of the Kennedy assassination. There are many other clippings as well, all leading them to believe that another kook is on the loose with designs on trying to assassinate the current President. Unaware that this is no kook, but a psychotic killer who is watching them, Frank and Al leave the apartment to come back later with a warrant. When they do, it has been cleared of everything except a clipping showing a young Agent Horrigan with his head circled in red pen.
John Malkovich portrays Leary, and this is one of his best roles as he leads Agent Horrigan in a game of cat and mouse. Leary is a former CIA assassin who wants to make one last strike against the government he is angry with. His intention is to kill the President, knowing he will die as well. This means nothing since he knows his own agency has tried to kill him already.
But the game is the thing for Leary and he enjoys taunting Frank with his past failures. The fact that Agent Horrigan has to sit there and listen to it as other Secret Service agents attempt to trace the taunting calls is very believable, so we are not wondering why he doesn't just hang up. The telephone conversations between the two men build the suspense throughout the film. Both Eastwood and Malkovich manage to convey the building tension between the characters when these conversations take place. At times Horrigan seems to be cracking under the relentless emotional abuse by Leary, while at others, we see Frank managing to break through the emotionally cool exterior of Leary. It is a thrilling game of cat and mouse as each side in this battle seems to have the upper-hand at different times.
Agent Horrigan also has a reputation as a bit of a renegade, which is what made his new partner so uncomfortable in the first place. Other agents in the field do not want to work with him, and through a series of set-ups by Leary, his reputation is further eroded. Only the Director, portrayed by John Mahoney, best known right now as Frasier's father, seems to really believe in him, and yet he keeps trying to do his job. Horrigan is moved from the President's Detail after repeated requests by the Agent in charge (Gary Cole as Bill Watts), the White House Chief of Staff (Fred Thompson as Harry Sargent) and, finally, the President himself (Jim Curley).
Rene Russo portrays Agent Lilly Raines who is part of the President's Detail and also ends up being a romantic interest for Agent Horrigan. Their romance is believable, even as they move through the clichés of his sexism of dismissing her as a secretary at their first meeting, as well as his arrogant attitude and reputation. Lilly seems to know what is going on inside Frank. Having been burned romantically by another Agent, she has sworn off romance on the job. When she sympathizes with him at various times it does not have the feeling of pity, but pure compassion. Lilly believes in him, but can see both sides of the argument.
Wolfgang Petersen has done an amazing job directing this film. Where it could have easily fallen into the usual predictability and clichés, he has managed to instead craft an exciting thriller. Credit also must go to write Jeff Maguire, especially for the dialogue while Leary and Horrigan are on the telephone. Eastwood and Malkovich are fantastic in these roles - it is as if it were written specifically for these two men.
The only drawback I would have to say is the predictability of the movie. As soon as Al talked about his wife and taking his kid to school in the first scene, I knew he was going to bite the dust at some point in this movie. There are some parts that are that terribly predictable. However, the movie works despite these parts - a great credit to the cast and crew.
The visual imagery especially around Washington D.C. was stunning as well. It almost felt like a travel documentary and made me want to visit! The monuments and parks looked absolutely pristine and perfect.
On the DVD there are a host of Special Features. Included are the usual Cast and Crew bios, and trailer, as well as the ability to view the film with a running commentary by the Director. The Deleted Scenes are:
-- a scene of a woman trying to pick-up Agent Horrigan in the Piano Bar
-- a conversation about a practical joke Frank played on a supervisor
-- a conversation between Frank and Lilly prior to his being assigned to her team before the President's trip to Los Angeles
-- Agent Horrigan watching news coverage of him roughing up a bellman in the hotel lobby
-- another conversation in the Piano Bar, this one with Lilly about being assigned to protect Fidel Castro.
There is a nice piece called The Ultimate Sacrifice where Wolfgang Petersen and Executive Producer Gail Katz discuss getting the cooperation of the Secret Service. They tell how former Director Robert Snow became their Technical Advisor. He then discusses the Secret Service and its duties. Another short piece talks about the Secret Service's Counterfeit Investigation division.
There is another short piece about the special effects which mostly consist of digitally inserting images into different places. In some spots, actual clippings of John F. Kennedy had a young Clint Eastwood digitally inserted into them. At other times we see how campaign rallies were created to appear larger than they were.
Finally, there is a great documentary Behind the Scenes with the Secret Service. It was very interesting to see how much goes into being an agent and what training takes place.
Clint Eastwood portrays aging Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan. In the beginning of the movie we see him at work undercover in Counterfeiting Investigations. Dylan McDermott is his new partner, Al D'Andrea.
A tip leads them to the apartment of a man we will later know as Mitch Leary. In that apartment, Frank finds a haunting reminder of his failure to protect the President as a young agent: clippings of the Kennedy assassination. There are many other clippings as well, all leading them to believe that another kook is on the loose with designs on trying to assassinate the current President. Unaware that this is no kook, but a psychotic killer who is watching them, Frank and Al leave the apartment to come back later with a warrant. When they do, it has been cleared of everything except a clipping showing a young Agent Horrigan with his head circled in red pen.
John Malkovich portrays Leary, and this is one of his best roles as he leads Agent Horrigan in a game of cat and mouse. Leary is a former CIA assassin who wants to make one last strike against the government he is angry with. His intention is to kill the President, knowing he will die as well. This means nothing since he knows his own agency has tried to kill him already.
But the game is the thing for Leary and he enjoys taunting Frank with his past failures. The fact that Agent Horrigan has to sit there and listen to it as other Secret Service agents attempt to trace the taunting calls is very believable, so we are not wondering why he doesn't just hang up. The telephone conversations between the two men build the suspense throughout the film. Both Eastwood and Malkovich manage to convey the building tension between the characters when these conversations take place. At times Horrigan seems to be cracking under the relentless emotional abuse by Leary, while at others, we see Frank managing to break through the emotionally cool exterior of Leary. It is a thrilling game of cat and mouse as each side in this battle seems to have the upper-hand at different times.
Agent Horrigan also has a reputation as a bit of a renegade, which is what made his new partner so uncomfortable in the first place. Other agents in the field do not want to work with him, and through a series of set-ups by Leary, his reputation is further eroded. Only the Director, portrayed by John Mahoney, best known right now as Frasier's father, seems to really believe in him, and yet he keeps trying to do his job. Horrigan is moved from the President's Detail after repeated requests by the Agent in charge (Gary Cole as Bill Watts), the White House Chief of Staff (Fred Thompson as Harry Sargent) and, finally, the President himself (Jim Curley).
Rene Russo portrays Agent Lilly Raines who is part of the President's Detail and also ends up being a romantic interest for Agent Horrigan. Their romance is believable, even as they move through the clichés of his sexism of dismissing her as a secretary at their first meeting, as well as his arrogant attitude and reputation. Lilly seems to know what is going on inside Frank. Having been burned romantically by another Agent, she has sworn off romance on the job. When she sympathizes with him at various times it does not have the feeling of pity, but pure compassion. Lilly believes in him, but can see both sides of the argument.
Wolfgang Petersen has done an amazing job directing this film. Where it could have easily fallen into the usual predictability and clichés, he has managed to instead craft an exciting thriller. Credit also must go to write Jeff Maguire, especially for the dialogue while Leary and Horrigan are on the telephone. Eastwood and Malkovich are fantastic in these roles - it is as if it were written specifically for these two men.
The only drawback I would have to say is the predictability of the movie. As soon as Al talked about his wife and taking his kid to school in the first scene, I knew he was going to bite the dust at some point in this movie. There are some parts that are that terribly predictable. However, the movie works despite these parts - a great credit to the cast and crew.
The visual imagery especially around Washington D.C. was stunning as well. It almost felt like a travel documentary and made me want to visit! The monuments and parks looked absolutely pristine and perfect.
On the DVD there are a host of Special Features. Included are the usual Cast and Crew bios, and trailer, as well as the ability to view the film with a running commentary by the Director. The Deleted Scenes are:
-- a scene of a woman trying to pick-up Agent Horrigan in the Piano Bar
-- a conversation about a practical joke Frank played on a supervisor
-- a conversation between Frank and Lilly prior to his being assigned to her team before the President's trip to Los Angeles
-- Agent Horrigan watching news coverage of him roughing up a bellman in the hotel lobby
-- another conversation in the Piano Bar, this one with Lilly about being assigned to protect Fidel Castro.
There is a nice piece called The Ultimate Sacrifice where Wolfgang Petersen and Executive Producer Gail Katz discuss getting the cooperation of the Secret Service. They tell how former Director Robert Snow became their Technical Advisor. He then discusses the Secret Service and its duties. Another short piece talks about the Secret Service's Counterfeit Investigation division.
There is another short piece about the special effects which mostly consist of digitally inserting images into different places. In some spots, actual clippings of John F. Kennedy had a young Clint Eastwood digitally inserted into them. At other times we see how campaign rallies were created to appear larger than they were.
Finally, there is a great documentary Behind the Scenes with the Secret Service. It was very interesting to see how much goes into being an agent and what training takes place.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Horatio Hornblower: The Fire Ships
If you haven't yet had the pleasure of viewing the wonderful A&E miniseriesHoratio Hornblower, you are missing out on a real treat.
The miniseries is based on the novels by C.S. Forester. It tells the tale of a young orphan who rises in rank in the British Navy. In this tale, we find Horatio on the frigate Indefatigable under Captain Pellew. They are soon confronted with Spain switching sides to the French and attacks on the British supply ships. With the crew on half-rations, Horatio must also study for the upcoming Lieutenant promotional exams.
In order to secure more supplies, the Indefatgable travels to Iran with a member of the diplomatic corps. The small shore party is exposed to The Black Plague, forcing them to endure a three-week quarantine aboard another ship. Horatio is given command of that vessel.
The title, The Fire Ships refers to the practice of setting a ship on fire and sending it off into another ship, or area where there are several ships in an attempt to destroy them. We see two fire ships in action during this story as Horatio proves that the true test of a sailor is not before an examination board, but at sea.
Ioan Gruffudd portrays Horatio. Gruffudd is so believable as the character, I have had trouble viewing him in other roles since then. He conveys the anxiety of the situation as he commands the men beneath him. Horatio is a human being who sees his men as individuals and truly takes it to heart when one dies or has problems. The stress on his face during the examinations is believable as well. It honestly felt as if I was just glancing in on a bit of this man's life.
Likewise, Robert Lindsay as Captain Pellew was a great piece of casting. He portrays the Captain strong, often seeming as if he shows no feeling to the crew. Yet the feeling is there and shows through, even when he must take a hard stance to keep his men in line.
Since this is a period piece, the costuming is exception. I can't imagine having to wear such heavy clothes all the time, especially while standing in the hot sun. Everything appears authentic, from the differences in dress according to rank, to the diplomat's subtle changes in dress as the story goes on.
The score which accompanies this episode is also terrific. This is a nice treat for what originally was a made-for-TV miniseries. Very few shows have scores which accompany the story as well as this one does, conveying the feeling of what is going on in the scenes at the time.
Likewise, the cinematography is beautiful as we see the men in the ship draped across the background of an expansive ocean, a small Iranian port, and the port of Gibraltar. Watching the fires glow on the faces of the men in the evening, as well as the times when the sea is lit only by moonlight, are incredible moments.
I cannot find anything wrong with this DVD and have enjoyed it numerous times. The only bonuses on this disc is an explanation of some of the nautical terms used by the sailors. I found this to be interesting, but you don't need to know them to follow the story.
The miniseries is based on the novels by C.S. Forester. It tells the tale of a young orphan who rises in rank in the British Navy. In this tale, we find Horatio on the frigate Indefatigable under Captain Pellew. They are soon confronted with Spain switching sides to the French and attacks on the British supply ships. With the crew on half-rations, Horatio must also study for the upcoming Lieutenant promotional exams.
In order to secure more supplies, the Indefatgable travels to Iran with a member of the diplomatic corps. The small shore party is exposed to The Black Plague, forcing them to endure a three-week quarantine aboard another ship. Horatio is given command of that vessel.
The title, The Fire Ships refers to the practice of setting a ship on fire and sending it off into another ship, or area where there are several ships in an attempt to destroy them. We see two fire ships in action during this story as Horatio proves that the true test of a sailor is not before an examination board, but at sea.
Ioan Gruffudd portrays Horatio. Gruffudd is so believable as the character, I have had trouble viewing him in other roles since then. He conveys the anxiety of the situation as he commands the men beneath him. Horatio is a human being who sees his men as individuals and truly takes it to heart when one dies or has problems. The stress on his face during the examinations is believable as well. It honestly felt as if I was just glancing in on a bit of this man's life.
Likewise, Robert Lindsay as Captain Pellew was a great piece of casting. He portrays the Captain strong, often seeming as if he shows no feeling to the crew. Yet the feeling is there and shows through, even when he must take a hard stance to keep his men in line.
Since this is a period piece, the costuming is exception. I can't imagine having to wear such heavy clothes all the time, especially while standing in the hot sun. Everything appears authentic, from the differences in dress according to rank, to the diplomat's subtle changes in dress as the story goes on.
The score which accompanies this episode is also terrific. This is a nice treat for what originally was a made-for-TV miniseries. Very few shows have scores which accompany the story as well as this one does, conveying the feeling of what is going on in the scenes at the time.
Likewise, the cinematography is beautiful as we see the men in the ship draped across the background of an expansive ocean, a small Iranian port, and the port of Gibraltar. Watching the fires glow on the faces of the men in the evening, as well as the times when the sea is lit only by moonlight, are incredible moments.
I cannot find anything wrong with this DVD and have enjoyed it numerous times. The only bonuses on this disc is an explanation of some of the nautical terms used by the sailors. I found this to be interesting, but you don't need to know them to follow the story.
Monday, March 18, 2013
A Review of the Film The Rock
The one thing that has really drawn me to this movie several times is the blurring of the line between villain and hero. The Bad guys in this film are not your typical baddies. They are not the absolute evil of everything on the earth. They are presented in such a way that we can sympathize with their motivations and the reason behind their actions, even if I do not agree with them.
Ed Harris portrays General Hummel, a man trying to take care of the families of men he had to leave behind during various covert operation the U.S. government does not want to admit to. Instead of simply paying off the families of these men to keep quiet, the government has treated them as criminals.
Hummel is doing what he feels is honorable. He is a decorated and revered commander. And I did feel a great deal of sympathy for the man and for the way he feels the government has treated him and his men. However, they sympathy only extends so far. When he and other former soldiers he has enlisted in the role as mercenaries steal VX gas and rockets from the government and hold up with innocent people on Alcatraz demanding that the government compensate the families of the men he lost, he has gone too far.
Enter Nicholas Cage as F.B.I. Agent Stanley Goodspeed. He knows just about everything there is to know about chemical weapons. The government wants to send him with a team into Alcatraz to disarm the weapons and rescue the hostages. Only problem is, there's no secret way into the island fortress... or is there?
John Mason is a former British S.A.S. officer who knows so many of the U.S. Governments dirty little secrets, they've kept him illegally imprisoned for thirty years. Sean Connery portrays the acerbic Mason and is perfect for the part. It almost feels - at times - like I could see this scenario happening for Bond since he knew way too much. Unfortunately, the writing for most Bond films is better than what we have here, the plausibility ends fairly quickly.
These three actors are what makes the movie. All are believable in their respective roles, and casting Connery was a perfect move by the Director, Michael Bay and Producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. Of course, one of the ways they enticed Connery was giving him credit as Executive Producer, so his name is in the credits there as well.
This movie is an action thriller, and it delivers in that area. The action is rapid-fire and is - at times - there just to dazzle and make me go Wow! There are great scenes of a car chase through San Francisco, as well as in a coal car underneath the fortress. Sets seem to appear with no real reason for being there, but just seem to fit in with the action sequence. There are also scenes that are upsetting, such as when the rescue team is ambushed and massacred. These scenes are why this movie is most definitely not for children.
The movie works because of the chemistry between Cage and Connery and the performance by Harris. Thy make us believe that all this could happen, even though the movie is actually a live-action cartoon similar to Bugs Bunny. The dialogue between characters is not spectacular either. Some of the lines are real groaners, while at other times the dialogue seems to have nothing to do with the current situation. Instead, the characters are saying something just to elicit an emotional response from the viewer.
Another complaint I have would be the length. Though I did not feel that the movie dragged, it was just a long movie. There are some parts that could easily have been trimmed without damaging the character development.
Suspend your disbelief and you will enjoy it. Try to make it fit into reality and you will be disappointed.
Ed Harris portrays General Hummel, a man trying to take care of the families of men he had to leave behind during various covert operation the U.S. government does not want to admit to. Instead of simply paying off the families of these men to keep quiet, the government has treated them as criminals.
Hummel is doing what he feels is honorable. He is a decorated and revered commander. And I did feel a great deal of sympathy for the man and for the way he feels the government has treated him and his men. However, they sympathy only extends so far. When he and other former soldiers he has enlisted in the role as mercenaries steal VX gas and rockets from the government and hold up with innocent people on Alcatraz demanding that the government compensate the families of the men he lost, he has gone too far.
Enter Nicholas Cage as F.B.I. Agent Stanley Goodspeed. He knows just about everything there is to know about chemical weapons. The government wants to send him with a team into Alcatraz to disarm the weapons and rescue the hostages. Only problem is, there's no secret way into the island fortress... or is there?
John Mason is a former British S.A.S. officer who knows so many of the U.S. Governments dirty little secrets, they've kept him illegally imprisoned for thirty years. Sean Connery portrays the acerbic Mason and is perfect for the part. It almost feels - at times - like I could see this scenario happening for Bond since he knew way too much. Unfortunately, the writing for most Bond films is better than what we have here, the plausibility ends fairly quickly.
These three actors are what makes the movie. All are believable in their respective roles, and casting Connery was a perfect move by the Director, Michael Bay and Producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. Of course, one of the ways they enticed Connery was giving him credit as Executive Producer, so his name is in the credits there as well.
This movie is an action thriller, and it delivers in that area. The action is rapid-fire and is - at times - there just to dazzle and make me go Wow! There are great scenes of a car chase through San Francisco, as well as in a coal car underneath the fortress. Sets seem to appear with no real reason for being there, but just seem to fit in with the action sequence. There are also scenes that are upsetting, such as when the rescue team is ambushed and massacred. These scenes are why this movie is most definitely not for children.
The movie works because of the chemistry between Cage and Connery and the performance by Harris. Thy make us believe that all this could happen, even though the movie is actually a live-action cartoon similar to Bugs Bunny. The dialogue between characters is not spectacular either. Some of the lines are real groaners, while at other times the dialogue seems to have nothing to do with the current situation. Instead, the characters are saying something just to elicit an emotional response from the viewer.
Another complaint I have would be the length. Though I did not feel that the movie dragged, it was just a long movie. There are some parts that could easily have been trimmed without damaging the character development.
Suspend your disbelief and you will enjoy it. Try to make it fit into reality and you will be disappointed.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Remember the Titans - Always!
After finally getting around to watching this movie, I'm just disappointed that I didn't see it before now.
Remember the Titans is a movie based on the true story of a Virginia football team that is forced to integrate in 1971. For me personally, this movie was a shock. Growing up in New York, our neighborhood became integrated round about 1974, and though we had our share of trouble, none of it was on the scale of what was depicted in this movie. Sure, some of it might have been built up to tell the story, but even if half of the reactions to the integration of the school and football team are true, it was still a reality check that this was still going on to this degree in 1971.
Due to the integration of the school - and the football team - Herman Boone (portrayed by Denzel Washington) is named as the head coach of the Titans at T.C. Williams High School. This head coach job comes at the expense of the previous Coach, Bill Yost (portrayed by Will Patton).
Much has been made of Denzel Washington's performance in this movie, but I think Patton's portrayal of Coach Yost is truly a shining moment - and the greatest performance in this actor's career so far. Patton is best known for supporting roles in the movies Armageddon, Gone is Sixty Seconds, and Entrapment. InRemember the Titans, we get to see the full scope of this actor's talent. He conveys the conflict within Yost with great subtlety, yet we know it's there.
Coach Yost is greatly at odds with Coach Boone's style. He does not want to be in this position - which is essentially a demotion for him - but remains because otherwise the white players will refuse to play. He is putting what is best for his players above his own personal gains, and does this several times throughout the film. Coach Yost is a man caught in turbulent times. His strong feelings of right and wrong may cost him in the end, but he is a man of conscience.
That is not to diminish Denzel Washington's performance in the least. However, Coach Boone has a job to do and a need to prove himself. If the story is true in that Coach Boone would have been fired had the Titans lost a single game that first season, it is all the more a credit to the character that Boone does not break down and confess this fact to Coach Yost at any time during the season. That was the one moment I was waiting for: the buddy-bonding moment between the two coaches when Boone confesses his predicament to Yost. It never came, and I actually think the film was better for it.
The changes in the attitudes of the players very well done, and not rushed along for the sake of the story. Neither the black players nor the white players wish to associate with each other in the beginning. Coach Boone goes to extravagant lengths to force them to know one another. This is helped along by the fact that two white players from other areas of the country join the team - one from New Jersey and the other from California - where the attitudes are not quite as separatist as in Virginia.
The movie had opened with a funeral. At the time, I was sure I knew who's funeral it was. At the end I was shocked. It is a somewhat sad ending to the film, but at the same time the entire movie is very uplifting. For if this team could accomplish the impossible in such a short time, then there is hope for the rest of the world.
I watched this movie on DVD. It does not seem to be available for purchase until January of 2002. I rented it through Netflix. The extras which come with the DVD are well worth it. There are interviews with the real-life coaches as well as the usual "making of" documentaries and deleted scenes. I found the interviews to be the most interesting, seeing the actual people involved talk about the events and the film.
The only drawback I have to the entire film was the actual brutality involved in football itself. There are two scenes in particular that bothered me. One is where Coach Boone refuses to allow the players to get water during practice. In light of recent instances of players collapsing - and dying - after becoming dehydrated during practice, this is particularly disturbing. In another scene, Coach Boone talks about football being a way to control anger and harness aggression in these boys, and my thoughts drifted to OJ Simpson. Football is a brutal sport, and this film leaves little doubt about how much brutality is involved.
In January, I can guarantee this will be added to our collection. This is a great way for a generation to learn about what life was like when "separate but equal" ruled the land.
Remember the Titans is a movie based on the true story of a Virginia football team that is forced to integrate in 1971. For me personally, this movie was a shock. Growing up in New York, our neighborhood became integrated round about 1974, and though we had our share of trouble, none of it was on the scale of what was depicted in this movie. Sure, some of it might have been built up to tell the story, but even if half of the reactions to the integration of the school and football team are true, it was still a reality check that this was still going on to this degree in 1971.
Due to the integration of the school - and the football team - Herman Boone (portrayed by Denzel Washington) is named as the head coach of the Titans at T.C. Williams High School. This head coach job comes at the expense of the previous Coach, Bill Yost (portrayed by Will Patton).
Much has been made of Denzel Washington's performance in this movie, but I think Patton's portrayal of Coach Yost is truly a shining moment - and the greatest performance in this actor's career so far. Patton is best known for supporting roles in the movies Armageddon, Gone is Sixty Seconds, and Entrapment. InRemember the Titans, we get to see the full scope of this actor's talent. He conveys the conflict within Yost with great subtlety, yet we know it's there.
Coach Yost is greatly at odds with Coach Boone's style. He does not want to be in this position - which is essentially a demotion for him - but remains because otherwise the white players will refuse to play. He is putting what is best for his players above his own personal gains, and does this several times throughout the film. Coach Yost is a man caught in turbulent times. His strong feelings of right and wrong may cost him in the end, but he is a man of conscience.
That is not to diminish Denzel Washington's performance in the least. However, Coach Boone has a job to do and a need to prove himself. If the story is true in that Coach Boone would have been fired had the Titans lost a single game that first season, it is all the more a credit to the character that Boone does not break down and confess this fact to Coach Yost at any time during the season. That was the one moment I was waiting for: the buddy-bonding moment between the two coaches when Boone confesses his predicament to Yost. It never came, and I actually think the film was better for it.
The changes in the attitudes of the players very well done, and not rushed along for the sake of the story. Neither the black players nor the white players wish to associate with each other in the beginning. Coach Boone goes to extravagant lengths to force them to know one another. This is helped along by the fact that two white players from other areas of the country join the team - one from New Jersey and the other from California - where the attitudes are not quite as separatist as in Virginia.
The movie had opened with a funeral. At the time, I was sure I knew who's funeral it was. At the end I was shocked. It is a somewhat sad ending to the film, but at the same time the entire movie is very uplifting. For if this team could accomplish the impossible in such a short time, then there is hope for the rest of the world.
I watched this movie on DVD. It does not seem to be available for purchase until January of 2002. I rented it through Netflix. The extras which come with the DVD are well worth it. There are interviews with the real-life coaches as well as the usual "making of" documentaries and deleted scenes. I found the interviews to be the most interesting, seeing the actual people involved talk about the events and the film.
The only drawback I have to the entire film was the actual brutality involved in football itself. There are two scenes in particular that bothered me. One is where Coach Boone refuses to allow the players to get water during practice. In light of recent instances of players collapsing - and dying - after becoming dehydrated during practice, this is particularly disturbing. In another scene, Coach Boone talks about football being a way to control anger and harness aggression in these boys, and my thoughts drifted to OJ Simpson. Football is a brutal sport, and this film leaves little doubt about how much brutality is involved.
In January, I can guarantee this will be added to our collection. This is a great way for a generation to learn about what life was like when "separate but equal" ruled the land.
Bravo Two Zero - No Action Heroes Here
Bravo Two Zero is based on a book by former Sergeant Andy McNabb of the 22nd Special Air Services, a British unit that served in the first Gulf War. Whether or not his account of events is accurate has come under fire by two others present during the mission. The Special Operations mission was to destroy Saddam Hussein's SCUD missile bases during the first Gulf War in January 1991. This was imperative as Hussein was launching the SCUDs at Israel hoping to draw them into the war. He knew if they joined the war, all the Arab states would drop their support for the war. What really happened during the mission is something the world may never know.
Sean Bean stars as Andy McNabb who also narrates the events that take place. There is actual news footage used to supplement the story. The film opens with the men preparing to leave their families and say their goodbyes. It's not drawn out or set to music to evoke an emotion in the viewer. In fact, the way it's handled in a matter-of-fact way goes a long way to establishing what these men and their families really go through. It's emotionally charged while at the same time being something they're used to. For them, this was their chance at war in their lifetime.
When this mission comes up, the eight-man team of the 22ndSAS finds themselves inserted behind enemy lines right near a concentration of Iraqi troops. One thing after another seems to go wrong for the mission. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout to see whether they could do all they had set out to do as well as escape in the end to Syria as well as who could and would survive.
Produced by the BBC and Directed by Tom Clegg (who also Directed Bean in the Sharpe series of tele-films), Bravo Two Zero is quite good, if only for its lack of sensationalism. The facts of the mission might be debated by those who participated, but the way this is portrayed is quite good. I prefer the films that are trying to simply tell a story rather than create a hero, and although McNabb might have set out to do that in his book, it’s not overdone here. The men do have to fight their way out of bad situations as well as endure torture, but there’s no unbelievably heroic moments. They are just good soldiers trying to succeed with a very difficult mission.
Bean is excellent as McNabb, both in the narration and the performance. It’s easy to follow, even for those of us unfamiliar with military protocol and terms. His role is faithful to McNabb’s book, but Bean doesn’t need to overdo it and become the ultimate action hero. He seems to be a soldier that wants to finish what he’s set out to do and isn’t looking for accolades. If McNabb has distorted the truth in the book, that is on him, but Bean does a terrific job in a role I would have easily seen actors like Mel Gibson or Tom Cruise sensationalizing. It makes the film so much better. I give kudos to him for not having to have his ego fed and instead telling the story accurate to the material it was based on.
The production values are quite good. The battle scenes are handled well with intensity and tension. The special effects are probably closer to what it’s actually like than most Hollywood productions, not looking to dazzle the audience but looking to tell the story.
I recommend Bravo Two Zero for most people to get a taste of what that first Gulf War was like and the difficulty soldiers faced on missions. Without the sensationalism that usually accompanies Hollywood war stories, it does a great job painting what it’s like for these soldiers, and especially looking at a military that’s different from ours here in the U.S., a new appreciation for our allies.
Sean Bean stars as Andy McNabb who also narrates the events that take place. There is actual news footage used to supplement the story. The film opens with the men preparing to leave their families and say their goodbyes. It's not drawn out or set to music to evoke an emotion in the viewer. In fact, the way it's handled in a matter-of-fact way goes a long way to establishing what these men and their families really go through. It's emotionally charged while at the same time being something they're used to. For them, this was their chance at war in their lifetime.
When this mission comes up, the eight-man team of the 22ndSAS finds themselves inserted behind enemy lines right near a concentration of Iraqi troops. One thing after another seems to go wrong for the mission. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout to see whether they could do all they had set out to do as well as escape in the end to Syria as well as who could and would survive.
Produced by the BBC and Directed by Tom Clegg (who also Directed Bean in the Sharpe series of tele-films), Bravo Two Zero is quite good, if only for its lack of sensationalism. The facts of the mission might be debated by those who participated, but the way this is portrayed is quite good. I prefer the films that are trying to simply tell a story rather than create a hero, and although McNabb might have set out to do that in his book, it’s not overdone here. The men do have to fight their way out of bad situations as well as endure torture, but there’s no unbelievably heroic moments. They are just good soldiers trying to succeed with a very difficult mission.
Bean is excellent as McNabb, both in the narration and the performance. It’s easy to follow, even for those of us unfamiliar with military protocol and terms. His role is faithful to McNabb’s book, but Bean doesn’t need to overdo it and become the ultimate action hero. He seems to be a soldier that wants to finish what he’s set out to do and isn’t looking for accolades. If McNabb has distorted the truth in the book, that is on him, but Bean does a terrific job in a role I would have easily seen actors like Mel Gibson or Tom Cruise sensationalizing. It makes the film so much better. I give kudos to him for not having to have his ego fed and instead telling the story accurate to the material it was based on.
The production values are quite good. The battle scenes are handled well with intensity and tension. The special effects are probably closer to what it’s actually like than most Hollywood productions, not looking to dazzle the audience but looking to tell the story.
I recommend Bravo Two Zero for most people to get a taste of what that first Gulf War was like and the difficulty soldiers faced on missions. Without the sensationalism that usually accompanies Hollywood war stories, it does a great job painting what it’s like for these soldiers, and especially looking at a military that’s different from ours here in the U.S., a new appreciation for our allies.
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