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Reviews
Restrepo (2010)
Raw & Grittly - A Rare powerful glimpse into the reality of war
I am not a critic nor a soldier. If I really like a movie I may rarely comment on what I enjoyed and why.
This movie had an intense affect on me. The intense close up battle scenes and the emotional scares we watch being slowly burned into these men really got to me. Knowing what your seeing is real only makes this more intense and personal.
This movie provides a more intimate experience than we are used to from other war documentaries. You feel for all the characters. You don't just watch this movie, you feel it. The gritty realism during this film makes this a must see for anyone who wants to know what war really looks like and to an extent feels like. I found myself watching the eyes of the men and how they change dramatically when battles would ensue, emotions flared and people died or people killed. Their enemy is mixed in with civilians and part of their job is negotiations with the village elders. The futility of the negotiations is also a rare glimpse into the war to "win hearts and minds"... I could not help thinking the promises offered to the elders seemed lofty and unrealistic. I thought many things during the film. I wondered if the road was worth the lives and cost to these men. I do not beleieve this movie is political on purpose. Certainly political arguments can be drawn from it. People will take different things from it. To me it only bolstered my detain for war, this one included. Others may leave feeling patriotic or both. But I guarantee you will feel something.
Winnebago Man (2009)
Compelling and entertaining
I had to say something after seeing this movie. I am a movie-alcoholic and watched this with very low expectations. I am not into viral videos and had never seen or been aware of Jack Rebney. I found myself at first afraid that Ben Steinbauer was going to make mistake and end up doing more damage than good. You feel for Jack when Ben finds him. I found myself worrying that this man would never get to say what he wanted and in a sense would be exploited all over again, ending in certain disaster. That could have easily happened. In one scene when Jack starts ranting about the evils of Dick Cheney, Ben stops him trying to get him to focus. I thought that was the big mistake that would end the film and and chance of us really learning more about Jack. But Ben was right to stop him. I have to give him props It seemed to me the process was healing for this already fascinating highly intelligent man, the sometimes angry Jack. In the end this experience seemed to help resolve what anger he had over the video going viral and the video outtakes themselves. This movie has allot going for it. It's a fascinating character study and much much more. It's funny at times and it just works beyond any expectations.
The American (2010)
Yawn
I very seldom write a bad review of a movie, nor am I a critic. I figure people work hard to make movies and sometimes they simply just are not my cup of tea. This movie however was a disaster. There was no character building. The plot was slow and shallow. Sure the nude scenes were fine, but that doesn't make for an entire movie. The movie simply dragged. I felt nothing for any of the characters with exception to the priest who played a small role. The plot was boring at best. I do not need action in a film, but this movie with its pretty faces that you cared nothing for needed something besides a nice backdrop and nice bodies. Don't waste your money at the theater. It ended in a strange spot and was very predictable. Everyone in the theater, about 20 people less the two that walked out -- were very disappointed and some confused. A waste of my time and should go straight to VHS and given out for free.