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Reviews
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
I couldn't talk for an hour after seeing this movie
My family went to the movies every week back in the 1940's when I was a young kid. Before each movie there was a newsreel. One newsreel which made an indelible impression on me contained footage of the battle on Iwo Jima. It showed terrifying images of U.S. soldiers using flamethrowers, aiming them in the caves the Japanese soldiers had hidden in. When a Japanese soldier ran from the cave, his hands up, his whole body engulfed in flames, the audience in our theater applauded and cheered. I was horrified and have never forgotten the awful feeling I had then. I was only nine.
When I saw the same scene enacted in "Letters from Iwo Jima", I was taken back to that time so long ago and I relived the extreme sadness I felt then, but even more so. Tears flowed during the rest of the movie. I couldn't talk for an hour afterward as I was grieving so.
This movie is honest and truthful, a must see for those who feel that war is the answer to anything.
I used to think Clint Eastwood was a "crybaby" when I watched Rowdy Yates in the first episodes of "Rawhide". Now, I believe Clint is one of the best things to come out of "Hollywood" ever!
The Constant Gardener (2005)
Over long, tried to be a tear-jerker, but didn't work, murky plot
The more I watched this movie, the more disappointed I became. The potentially exciting plot caught my attention at first, but never gelled. It just didn't work. It dragged on. I don't know if it was the directing or the plot that was lacking. For instance, it was unbelievable that the "bad guys" would have complete knowledge of every step Fiennes took, surveilling his every move, phone call, contact. How could they have complete control of all government, utilities, airports, etc.? I also didn't feel the chemistry I should have between Fiennes and Weisz. Her acting seemed to consist largely of turning toward Fiennes and flashing her patented lip-curling, toothy smile. Fiennes seemed dull and dumb to a fault. I just didn't believe any of it. Sorry, but I didn't like The English Patient either.
On the positive side, the photography and settings were nice (except for the jiggly hand-held camera-work that ruined some scenes). The potential was there; I kept waiting for it to happen. I think I'd recommend waiting for the DVD.