Jungle Skipper
<font color=purple>I know the secret of the backsi
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2004
- Messages
- 2,029
Alright, So I just got in from a looooong day at work, so forgive my brievity, but I finsihed watching Jarhead about 30 minutes ago.
NOT a recruitment film. Not a political film. Not an easy film to watch. Not a movie for kids or those easily offended by language, sex or violence. Not a war movie.
Jarhead is a poigniant tale of one man's experience in the first Iraqi War. It tells of his experiences as a Marine during the late 80s early 90s. Anthony Swafford is a confused man not sure what to do with life, so he joins the Marines. He is reluctent about war, scared, concerned, uncomfortable, tense. Most of the film is about the monotony of the war, the tension and the mental/emotional toll it put on Swafford and his fellow soldiers.
Not sure exactly how to react to the film. I was touched, in fact moved by the story of this man's trials and tribulations. I reiterate, it is NOT a traditional war movie, of course Desert Storm wasn't a traditional war either.
The performances were superb, the direction spot on and the cinematography was perfect (every frame of that film could be framed and placed on my wall! I stand by the statement that Roger Deakins is a GENIUS! Maybe the best working cinematographer in the buisness). This is the first major Oscar contender of the season, and it deserves the acclaim. 4 out of 5
Oh and on a personal note, I watched the film with a guy that is in the army and he was bothered by the film because of the realistic nature of what happened. He said it was hard to watch because it reflected many of his own thoughts and feelings.
Cheers,
Jungle Josh
NOT a recruitment film. Not a political film. Not an easy film to watch. Not a movie for kids or those easily offended by language, sex or violence. Not a war movie.
Jarhead is a poigniant tale of one man's experience in the first Iraqi War. It tells of his experiences as a Marine during the late 80s early 90s. Anthony Swafford is a confused man not sure what to do with life, so he joins the Marines. He is reluctent about war, scared, concerned, uncomfortable, tense. Most of the film is about the monotony of the war, the tension and the mental/emotional toll it put on Swafford and his fellow soldiers.
Not sure exactly how to react to the film. I was touched, in fact moved by the story of this man's trials and tribulations. I reiterate, it is NOT a traditional war movie, of course Desert Storm wasn't a traditional war either.
The performances were superb, the direction spot on and the cinematography was perfect (every frame of that film could be framed and placed on my wall! I stand by the statement that Roger Deakins is a GENIUS! Maybe the best working cinematographer in the buisness). This is the first major Oscar contender of the season, and it deserves the acclaim. 4 out of 5
Oh and on a personal note, I watched the film with a guy that is in the army and he was bothered by the film because of the realistic nature of what happened. He said it was hard to watch because it reflected many of his own thoughts and feelings.
Cheers,
Jungle Josh
