Valkarie

[djcyclone]

Just went and saw the new WW II movie. I heard that it had bad ratings, and people thought Tom Cruise did a pathetic job of acting.

I disagree. I think it was actually a good movie, and stuck to the facts pretty closely.

Has anyone else seen it yet?

If so, what do you think?

[paladin5]

Just went and saw the new WW II movie. I heard that it had bad ratings, and people thought Tom Cruise did a pathetic job of acting.

I disagree. I think it was actually a good movie, and stuck to the facts pretty closely.

Has anyone else seen it yet?

If so, what do you think?


I really want to see this one!

[Saffron]

I'm looking forward to seeing this, too, but I think the decision to cast Cruise as Stauffenberg was a horrendous idea.

Nothing against Cruise, but he's too "contemporary" to play a historical role and his face is just too familiar. He's one of those people whose screen presence as an actor overshadows the characters he plays ... dress him up in a German uniform and put on an eye patch and you still see Tom Cruise, not Stauffenberg. I don't know if I'm making much sense here, but I know what I'm trying to say.

:D

[Mike Malanaphy]

I'm looking forward to seeing this, too, but I think the decision to cast Cruise as Stauffenberg was a horrendous idea.

Nothing against Cruise, but he's too "contemporary" to play a historical role and his face is just too familiar. He's one of those people whose screen presence as an actor overshadows the characters he plays ... dress him up in a German uniform and put on an eye patch and you still see Tom Cruise, not Stauffenberg. I don't know if I'm making much sense here, but I know what I'm trying to say.

:D

Hi Saffron,

I have seen the movie and its excellent and historically accurate. I was a little worried about Cruise as well, but he pulls it off. With his hair different, it doesn't even look much like him. The biggest criticism would be perhaps he is too mechanical in his portrayal of Stauffenberg.

Go see it and enjoy a gripping story about some forgotten heroes even if you know the details. Don't worry, "Staffenberg" will not be sliding around the Wolf's Lair in his BVDs even though it's risky business. : )

[Saffron]

I'll definitely be seeing it when I can drag someone else along (movies by oneself aren't as much fun).

It's WWII so I'm sure I'll enjoy it. Plus buying a ticket is casting a vote for the types of movies I want to see next year. I don't know about anyone else, but I am sick to death of comic book movies (:mad:).

There were no less than 8 ... count 'em, 8 ... comic book and/or superhero themed movies that came out this summer alone.

[paladin5]

I'll definitely be seeing it when I can drag someone else along (movies by oneself aren't as much fun).

It's WWII so I'm sure I'll enjoy it. Plus buying a ticket is casting a vote for the types of movies I want to see next year. I don't know about anyone else, but I am sick to death of comic book movies (:mad:).

There were no less than 8 ... count 'em, 8 ... comic book and/or superhero themed movies that came out this summer alone.


If I do go see this in theaters I just hope there aren't a bunch of chatty teens in the row behind me like last time.

[Ed Rotondaro]

I'm looking forward to seeing this, too, but I think the decision to cast Cruise as Stauffenberg was a horrendous idea.

Nothing against Cruise, but he's too "contemporary" to play a historical role and his face is just too familiar. He's one of those people whose screen presence as an actor overshadows the characters he plays ... dress him up in a German uniform and put on an eye patch and you still see Tom Cruise, not Stauffenberg. I don't know if I'm making much sense here, but I know what I'm trying to say.

:D

Saffron:

Make you wonder, aren't there any good rising European actors who could have played the part? A young Maximillian Schell would have been perfect.

[Ed Rotondaro]

I'll definitely be seeing it when I can drag someone else along (movies by oneself aren't as much fun).

It's WWII so I'm sure I'll enjoy it. Plus buying a ticket is casting a vote for the types of movies I want to see next year. I don't know about anyone else, but I am sick to death of comic book movies (:mad:).

There were no less than 8 ... count 'em, 8 ... comic book and/or superhero themed movies that came out this summer alone.

Saffron:

My boys really liked Ironman and I did too. In fact we gave one son the DVD for Christmas and we brought to Viriginia and everyone watched it last night. For my brother in laws, it was the first time and they liked it too.

[john964]

I'll definitely be seeing it when I can drag someone else along (movies by oneself aren't as much fun).

It's WWII so I'm sure I'll enjoy it. Plus buying a ticket is casting a vote for the types of movies I want to see next year. I don't know about anyone else, but I am sick to death of comic book movies (:mad:).

There were no less than 8 ... count 'em, 8 ... comic book and/or superhero themed movies that came out this summer alone.You got to get your ideas from somewhere and several comicbook movies are really good like V for Vendetta, Fantastic 4 RSS, X-men, Spiderman 1,2 & 3,the first Batman with Jack Nikolson as the Joker though Heath Ledger does a bangup job in another Batman flic Dark Knight. Also IronMan is also a good movie to watch. You can also have some really bad ones like The Hulk and Godzilla

[paladin5]

You got to get your ideas from somewhere and several comicbook movies are really good like V for Vendetta, Fantastic 4 RSS, X-men, Spiderman 1,2 & 3,the first Batman with Jack Nikolson as the Joker though Heath Ledger does a bangup job in another Batman flic Dark Knight. Also IronMan is also a good movie to watch. You can also have some really bad ones like The Hulk and Godzilla


I love V for Vendetta, in fact it is my favorite movie.

[djcyclone]

That movie was too real for me. Something like that can happen for real. People today think that things like that are in the past, and we are smart enough to catch a person before they do that.

I bet if you could go back in time, and ask German Citizens how they believed they would act in a similar situation, many of them would probably say they would not fall for it, but yet Hitler mannaged to brain wash them all.

Brain Washing is always possible, and that is why I shutter at the idea of V for Vandetta.

The idea that people can do unbelievabley horrid things, and preach the Bible at the same time thinking that it is okay.

[paladin5]

That movie was too real for me. Something like that can happen for real. People today think that things like that are in the past, and we are smart enough to catch a person before they do that.

I bet if you could go back in time, and ask German Citizens how they believed they would act in a similar situation, many of them would probably say they would not fall for it, but yet Hitler mannaged to brain wash them all.

Brain Washing is always possible, and that is why I shutter at the idea of V for Vandetta.

The idea that people can do unbelievabley horrid things, and preach the Bible at the same time thinking that it is okay.


I like that move for it's use of symbolism. V is not just a revolutionary, he is a symbol. As is Suttler, Criddey and just about everyother character in the movie.

[Mike Malanaphy]

You got to get your ideas from somewhere and several comicbook movies are really good like V for Vendetta, Fantastic 4 RSS, X-men, Spiderman 1,2 & 3,the first Batman with Jack Nikolson as the Joker though Heath Ledger does a bangup job in another Batman flic Dark Knight. Also IronMan is also a good movie to watch. You can also have some really bad ones like The Hulk and Godzilla

John,

Godzilla, bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The original rubber monster movie with little Kenny drawing at yoru heartstrings!? OK, Godzilla 2000 was less than sterling. You probably wouldn't enjoy "Fiend without a Face". : )

[john964]

John,

Godzilla, bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The original rubber monster movie with little Kenny drawing at yoru heartstrings!? OK, Godzilla 2000 was less than sterling. You probably wouldn't enjoy "Fiend without a Face". : )Mike, I liked those old japanese monster movies like Rodan, Monster Zero, Godzilla, MechaZilla, MechaKong, Mothra, King Kong and a multitude of others. Yes I know the special effects were hokey and the monsters were guys running around in rubber suits doing some serious urban-redevelopment on Tokyo or Japan in general but they were fun to watch.

[Kyle Holgate]

I don't typically go for WW2 movies as I'm often spending the entire movie picking them apart. It would be a pleasant surprise to see one that follows the facts reasonably well! I saw the day the Earth stood still last week, but was waiting to hear from others before going to Valkyrie.

[Mike Malanaphy]

That movie was too real for me. Something like that can happen for real. People today think that things like that are in the past, and we are smart enough to catch a person before they do that.

I bet if you could go back in time, and ask German Citizens how they believed they would act in a similar situation, many of them would probably say they would not fall for it, but yet Hitler mannaged to brain wash them all.

Brain Washing is always possible, and that is why I shutter at the idea of V for Vandetta.

The idea that people can do unbelievabley horrid things, and preach the Bible at the same time thinking that it is okay.

Hi Dj,

You'd like to think so. It's not so much that the German population fell for it; due to tremendous social upheaval, Hitler offered them a vision of a Germany restored to the global scene and prosperous. After defeat inWW I, the onerous Versaille Reparations, the political upheaval of the 20s, and the depression of the 30s had the German people yearning for a savior. The excesses of the regime were in the future and you wonder if war had not come, how much disenchantment might have been present in the populace to oppose them. It became extremely difficult as the Nazis dominated all the apparatus of government.

It takes a lot of courage for a population to oppose such evil especially if you have a lot to lose personally. We see it today in our inability to deal with places like Rwanda, Uganda, Somalia, Darfur, and a number of other places where genocide is almost a national sport. Look at what happened in Yugoslavia on the doorstep of Europe. I don't want to pick on the Dutch, but they are the most obvious example. The Dutch army was in charge of the UN safe haven of Srebrenicia and turned it over to the Serbs without a shot being fired. 8,000 men executed.

[Mike Malanaphy]

I don't typically go for WW2 movies as I'm often spending the entire movie picking them apart. It would be a pleasant surprise to see one that follows the facts reasonably well! I saw the day the Earth stood still last week, but was waiting to hear from others before going to Valkyrie.

Hi Kyle,

I know the feeling, but Hollywood has produced some really great WW II movies, Saving Private Ryan perhaps being the best recent one. I think the duo of Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List should be required viewing for high school students in the US.

[Ed Rotondaro]

I love V for Vendetta, in fact it is my favorite movie.

Mike:

I'm renting that when I get back home, probably for New Years Day. Too violent for kids under 12 years of age? Otherwise I'll let my sons watch too.

[Ed Rotondaro]

Hi Kyle,

I know the feeling, but Hollywood has produced some really great WW II movies, Saving Private Ryan perhaps being the best recent one. I think the duo of Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List should be required viewing for high school students in the US.

Mike:

Agreed. The problem is that the movie has to also be entertaining, so liberties are taken with history to make it more palatable. Compare the actual Watergate scandal to the movie "The President's Men" with Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford. I lived thru that entire affiar and it was a grinding extended series of investigations that finally brought Nixon down. Reminds me of any recent political scandal. It takes months of spin doctoring and denial before the truth is grasped and "justice ' is done. That doesn't even make for a good mini-series.:rolleyes:

[paladin5]

Mike:

I'm renting that when I get back home, probably for New Years Day. Too violent for kids under 12 years of age? Otherwise I'll let my sons watch too.


It is violent but not horribly so (there is some blood, but not much more gore beyond that). It isn't a mindless shoot 'em up like rambo.

[djcyclone]

Mike:

I'm renting that when I get back home, probably for New Years Day. Too violent for kids under 12 years of age? Otherwise I'll let my sons watch too.

There is actually vary little blood, but it will scare the hell out of you.

As you are watching the movie, you start asking yourself "what if this really happened"?

The scariest part of all, is you start to realize that something like this could happen at any time, and you might be the only sane person trying to oppose it while your friends and possibly even your own family call you a fool and a traitor, because you refuse to go along with something that you know is wrong.

[djcyclone]

I feel sorry for anyone who does not like Valkarie.

I say that, because I just went through the list of nearlly all the movies that are out right now. From reading all the intro's I can be pretty confident in saying (THEY ALL SUCK)

I will probably go an see the new James Bond tonight, so I will let you guys know if that is okay.

Someone mentioned some time back that Austrailia the movie, was supposed to be a WW II flick. I just read the intro, and it sounds like nothing but another Western. If you are into the whole cattle driving thing then go for it, but if not leave that movie alone.

I went and saw Valkarie last week, and I was not disapointed. That seems to be the only WW II flick out right now.

[old_pop2000]

I feel sorry for anyone who does not like Valkarie.

I say that, because I just went through the list of nearlly all the movies that are out right now. From reading all the intro's I can be pretty confident in saying (THEY ALL SUCK)

I will probably go an see the new James Bond tonight, so I will let you guys know if that is okay.

Someone mentioned some time back that Austrailia the movie, was supposed to be a WW II flick. I just read the intro, and it sounds like nothing but another Western. If you are into the whole cattle driving thing then go for it, but if not leave that movie alone.

I went and saw Valkarie last week, and I was not disapointed. That seems to be the only WW II flick out right now.

I just say "The Illusionist" with Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and Jessica Biel. I loved that movie, will have to download or record from pay per view.

[Kyle Holgate]

Find a copy of Stalingrad.
If I remember correctly (it's been a while) it is a German film and I think is German with sub titles.

It's one of those movies that you probably only want to see once, not because it's not well done but because you'll need antidepressants when you finish and will have much to think about.
A good friend of mine who I've known now for 16 years or so sat down and watched it with me over 10 years ago. He'd always been curious about my interest in WW2 and how I find history so interesting, thought provoking and sometimes relevant in today's world.
He was very quiet for a long time after the movie ended but still remembers it and brings it up on occasion. Note, this is not one for kids under 90 probably and may well give adults nightmares, but I highly recommend it particularly to anyone that even remotely thinks of war as anything but pure, bloody Hell.

[asnrobert]

Find a copy of Stalingrad.
If I remember correctly (it's been a while) it is a German film and I think is German with sub titles.



How about 'Enemy at the Gates?' That was a pretty gritty movie.

[djcyclone]

Well I went and saw James Bond the other night. It was pretty good (much better than the original Bond movies), but it is still the typicall story.

James Bond is still being shot at by about 20 men all of which are equipped with automatic rifles, and none of them can mannage to hit him. Yet James Bond mannages to take all of them out with a 9mm pistol.:D

[JMS]

Then you need to watch "Taken", one ends up wondering why does he bothers with guns...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0936501/

[Ed Rotondaro]

It is violent but not horribly so (there is some blood, but not much more gore beyond that). It isn't a mindless shoot 'em up like rambo.

Mike:

Sounds good. Since the Giants have a buy this weekend, there is no need to watch the NFL. V is on the list! Thanks.

[Ed Rotondaro]

I just say "The Illusionist" with Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and Jessica Biel. I loved that movie, will have to download or record from pay per view.

Dennis:

I've heard that is really good and clever. Plus it has Micheal Caine in it, so it has be watchable (is that a word?). Hapy New Year old friend!

P.S. The Smithsonian Museum of Air and Space is the coolest place in the world! Go immediately if not sooner.

[Ed Rotondaro]

Find a copy of Stalingrad.
If I remember correctly (it's been a while) it is a German film and I think is German with sub titles.

It's one of those movies that you probably only want to see once, not because it's not well done but because you'll need antidepressants when you finish and will have much to think about.
A good friend of mine who I've known now for 16 years or so sat down and watched it with me over 10 years ago. He'd always been curious about my interest in WW2 and how I find history so interesting, thought provoking and sometimes relevant in today's world.
He was very quiet for a long time after the movie ended but still remembers it and brings it up on occasion. Note, this is not one for kids under 90 probably and may well give adults nightmares, but I highly recommend it particularly to anyone that even remotely thinks of war as anything but pure, bloody Hell.


Kyle:

"Enemy at the Gates" was a more recent English release covering the fames sniper battle between a Russian sniper and a German sniper sent in to kill him. One friend said after watching the film that it made you want to take a shower because of the dirt and filth that a combat infantryman had to endure. A good film if somewhat overly dramatized.

[Ed Rotondaro]

Well I went and saw James Bond the other night. It was pretty good (much better than the original Bond movies), but it is still the typicall story.

James Bond is still being shot at by about 20 men all of which are equipped with automatic rifles, and none of them can mannage to hit him. Yet James Bond mannages to take all of them out with a 9mm pistol.:D

DJ:

Must be steriods!:eek:

[Jittery]

If you are to watch Australia don't watch it for a good movie watch it for a good drinking game. It is such bad taste it isn't funny IMHO, it made me cringe. Every time Hugh Jackman says any odd bit of "Aussie" slang, you drink (you end up drinking a lot). It does have some good scenery (absolutely fantastic) but it isn't enough to make up for the hopeless script, wait for the DVD or BLU-Ray to come out preferably so you can see the scenery and put mute on.

I'll have to DL Valkarie tonight if its getting good reviews.

Edit: If Max Payne the movie is anything like the original game it will be rather good with a old school element of Die Hard attached, haven't seen it yet but could be a fairly good one. Wanted is pretty good for the running battles through it as well...... Angelina Marry me!!!

[Jittery]

Pretty good movie. I also downloaded the Discovery Channel episode on the 42 different attempts to kill Hitler. A pity how they have to dramatize the occurrences to get it into a movie, but nevertheless a good movie fairly accurate.

[djcyclone]

Hey Ed. Did you ever watch V for Vendetta?

If so, what did you think?

[Ed Rotondaro]

Hey Ed. Did you ever watch V for Vendetta?

If so, what did you think?

DJ:

I rented movies for the kids over the last few weeks, but I will grab that one tonight. (Too many sleepovers with their friends to let me and the wife enjoy some serious drama and action):o

[paladin5]

DJ:

I rented movies for the kids over the last few weeks, but I will grab that one tonight. (Too many sleepovers with their friends to let me and the wife enjoy some serious drama and action):o


So did you rent it yet?

[Ed Rotondaro]

So did you rent it yet?

Mike:

I'm actually getting it tonight since I have to go to the video store to return some DVDs. I will probably watch it on Friday night.