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henryoswald
Reviews
The Thin Red Line (1998)
Better than Saving
I'm very sorry I didn't get to see this film in the theatre. It is a beautifully filmed masterpiece with a superb story, excellent acting (esp. Nick Nolte), and a great script. It takes things way deeper than Saving Private Ryan or most other modern war movies dare to go. Very introspective and dreamy at times, with the camera constantly dwelling on faces, animals, and the landscape. Merrick is never in a hurry, and this pace suits the film well.
The Thin Red Line asks a lot of good questions about death, war, and the ultimate meaning of life. Now that I have seen it, I'm very surprised that this film did not win picture of the year. Spielberg's film was a gritty, realistic portrayal of war. But it was also highly commercial and had a very contrived plot. In comparison, this film sort of wanders through itself and in the process helps to put you in the boots of the soldiers it portrays.
My only criticism is perhaps the film was a bit long, but I never noticed that the second time through. I can't praise this film enough. Excellent work.
Suing the Devil (2011)
raises some interesting points about our fascination with the after-life
Just throwing in my 2 cents as well..The film raises some interesting points about our fascination with the after-life as seen through the magnifying lens of the angels and demons that Scripture talks about, and the morality of real lives viewed as so much entertainment. But like most soaps the scenes from "Suing the Devil" that appear within the movie are variously dull, mawkish and sentimental. At points the film has a problem deciding on whether it is going to be a straight courtroom movie or a philosophical piece about morality and God. The courtroom's inherent blandness also lends little to the pace or our sense that there are characters worth caring about. Nevertheless, I give this high marks because not many films discuss death or God's existence regardless of whether you are an atheist or not....
No Man's Land (1987)
Sheen is really god
This is one of Ron Howard's first movies as a director, if not the first. There is little wonder why he has become so popular.
I have watched No Man's Land in excess of 20 times. It is still one of my favorites. It has a solid cast, an excellent script, and great car chase scenes (with Porsches) that make this movie a winner.
Do yourself a favor and watch it. The cars and music are dated but, like watching Bullitt with Steve McQueen, the movie is well put together so you just get absorbed in along with the characters.
Charlie Sheen is charismatic and exiting. Brad Pitt apparently is in the movie as a waiter, but I have yet to notice him. Maybe I'll throw it in again and see if i can spot him.