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Black
Hawk Down (DVD)
Black
Hawk Down (VHS), by Ridley Scott, 2002. There is one word you should
keep in mind when watching Black Hawk Down: fatigue. This excellent movie will
wear you down, just like it should. By the end, when the Pakistanis bring trays
of water glasses to the last utterly famished Americans, you will be grasping
for one yourself. There are no cheap character development tricks, no breaks to
allow you to recover, nobody who can't get killed. From the scout snipers who
volunteer to land in the face of near-certain death to the interrogation of the
captured Somali general, you will be taken step by wicked step through the
events not unlike they actually occurred. The attention to detail and accuracy
is admirable, and earns this movie a top rating by any consideration. Only a
few minor acts of "sanitizing" occured in order to get the cooperation of the
US Army to help with effects, but the overall realism gained was probably worth
the tradeoff.
Courage
Under Fire (VHS), by Edward Zwick, 1996. With Denzel Washington and Meg
Ryan. An interesting movie about the fictional investigation of a Gulf War
event, the results of which will decide the posthumous award of a Medal of
Honor. Great ending.
Crimson Tide, with Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman.
Fictional story of a modern American attack submarine crew fighting Russian
rebel subs and each other. Exciting but not very convincing.
Gunner
Palace (DVD), by Michael Tucker, 2005. This is a documentary about an
artillery unit serving in Iraq circa 2003, not a movie, but it's current
content recommends it to all categories.
Hunt
for Red October (DVD)
Hunt
for Red October (VHS wide screen), by John McTiernan, 1990. With Sean
Connery. Fictional story of a cold-war Soviet missle submarine whose captain
defects, with his ship of course, while hsi fellow countrymen try to stop
him.
Sniper
(DVD)
Sniper
(VHS), by Luis Llosa, 1993. With Tom Beringer.
Tears
of the Sun (DVD), by Antoine Fuqua, 2003. With Bruce Willis. The story
of a special forces team caught in the middle of a typically vicious civil war,
complete with genocidal slaughters and small unit actions. Worth
watching.
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Black Hawk Down
A
top-rated film, see review at left. |
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POST COLD-WAR