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| Movie Review: Flags of Our Fathers Alternate Title: The Shot Seen Around the World
Story: A picture is worth a
thousand words and in this case, much more. AP photographer, Joe
Rosenthal's iconic image of the flag raising at Iwo Jima on
February 23, 1945, is the raw material for this film .According to director
Clint Eastwood, based on the book by James
Bradley and Ron Powers that image seemed to
have changed the nature of the ending of WW11. The US had no more money
to fund the War and no country would lend us anymore money (China was
not in the money lending business at the time). This stirring image
of 'victory' moved the country through a drive to sell war bonds, using
the 'heroes' of that day. They raised almost 30 billion dollars, allowing
us to finish the war's.
Eastwood uses a non-linear time line to present
the story. He covers the action on Iwo Jima, the story of the three
men who were used by the Treasury Dept. to sell the bonds and finally
he jumps to the present as we see the men as senior citizens. The editing
is not always seamless but the story of how these men were used was
fascinating. Reminders of Jessica Lynch were ever present.
Eastwood is a fine director and even though this
film is not the finest WW11 film I have seen - it is worth your time.
He simultaneously made another film from the Japanese point of view
which will be released this winter.
Check out some of Joe Rosenthal's photos of that
day here : http://www.iwojima.com/raising/raisingb.htm and check out
his life here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Rosenthal Acting: This is definitely what would be called an
ensemble cast. All of the actors, obviously encouraged to show grit,
were underplayed. he cast included: Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford,
Adam Beach, Jamie Bell, Barry Pepper, Tom Verica, Paul Walker, Robert
Patrick, Neal McDonough, Joseph Cross.
Predilection: I like films by Eastwood.
Critters: Dobermans
Food: Little time to eat in the trenches.
Soundtrack: Some original songs by Eastwood.
Opening Titles: Credits are at the end and it is
definitely worth the extra ten minutes to see photos of some of the
real people and places depicted in the film. Eastwood had to shoot in
Iceland because it is the only other place to have black sandy beaches. Visual Art: Eastwood washes the color out of the
battle scenes so that other than the blood, it a[ears to be in black
and white. The three distinct time frames are envisioned in different
tones.
Theater Audience: About 20 or so other movie goers.
All men, but me.
Squirm Scale: The battle scenes are very graphic and
squirmy. Drift Factor: It could have been edited a bit.
Tissue Usage: I welled up a bit.
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: The big screen would be the
way to go for this film. For some other good WW11 films, try renting:
The Bridge on the River Kwai, Stalag 17, The Longest Day, The Dirty
Dozen, Patton, The Guns of Navarone, Sands of Iwo Jima, A Bridge Too
Far, The Great Escape, Enemy At the Gates, Saving Private Ryan, Das
Boot, Battle of the Bulge, Schindler's List, To Hell and Back, Fat Man
and Little Boy, The Caine Mutiny and From Here to Eternity
Length: A bit over two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 7
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