Hacksaw Ridge – 10
This movie blew me away.
I’ll admit that I’m not one of those guys who automatically
runs to every war movie. Yet, I
recognize their importance. They are historical
markers of where we have been and why war is hell – something not to be
forgotten. War in the preservation of
freedom has been a constant throughout American History
Hacksaw Ridge is graphic, gory, and shocking
It is the story of Desmond Doss. He joined the Army during World War II as a medic and conscientious objector. He refused to pick up a gun, but also refused to sit on the sidelines. He first had to fight for his right to serve, and barely avoided court martial once he enlisted.
It is the story of Desmond Doss. He joined the Army during World War II as a medic and conscientious objector. He refused to pick up a gun, but also refused to sit on the sidelines. He first had to fight for his right to serve, and barely avoided court martial once he enlisted.
His legendary actions at Okinawa during the bloodiest battle
of the war are depicted here, as he is credited with saving 75 fellow soldiers.
Director Mel Gibson may have filmed the goriest film of all time. It is often hard to watch, and he wants it that way. Andrew Garfield got a well-deserved Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Doss and the editing stands out. Someone who didn’t get any recognition was Hugo Weaving who is great as the tormented father of Doss. He is a conflicted and miserable World War I veteran who must come to terms with his sons going off to fight a war just like the one that left him so scarred. He knows that if they are lucky enough to survive, they won’t be the same. This is the kind of terrific story telling that fiction can’t approach. I’m not sure there’s ever been a better film about heroism.
This was the last of the Oscar nominees for me to see, and I can say I would have been fine with any of them winning best picture. It was a great year for movies.
Director Mel Gibson may have filmed the goriest film of all time. It is often hard to watch, and he wants it that way. Andrew Garfield got a well-deserved Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Doss and the editing stands out. Someone who didn’t get any recognition was Hugo Weaving who is great as the tormented father of Doss. He is a conflicted and miserable World War I veteran who must come to terms with his sons going off to fight a war just like the one that left him so scarred. He knows that if they are lucky enough to survive, they won’t be the same. This is the kind of terrific story telling that fiction can’t approach. I’m not sure there’s ever been a better film about heroism.
This was the last of the Oscar nominees for me to see, and I can say I would have been fine with any of them winning best picture. It was a great year for movies.
John Wick: Chapter 2 –
8
The body count in John Wick almost equals a war movie. The first John Wick movie was a surprise hit, largely because of the performance of Keanu Reeves, who has found a second franchise to go along with The Matrix. He’s an assassin who is unparalleled in his abilities, which he gets to prove when a price goes on his head. He’s legendary for his skill, and in the first film he is reputed to have once killed 3 men with a pencil. In this sequel, we get to see how.
The body count in John Wick almost equals a war movie. The first John Wick movie was a surprise hit, largely because of the performance of Keanu Reeves, who has found a second franchise to go along with The Matrix. He’s an assassin who is unparalleled in his abilities, which he gets to prove when a price goes on his head. He’s legendary for his skill, and in the first film he is reputed to have once killed 3 men with a pencil. In this sequel, we get to see how.
But most of the body count is from bullets. This movie is gun porn, and I’m not the
originator of that description. It is
not one of those movies where the hero never gets hurt, and it’s not one of
those movies where the action is blurry during the hand to hand combat. Somehow this movie manages to be a work of
art. I guess you can wonder why it is
that Hollywood puts out such violence (answer – to make money) and you can
wonder why Keanu Reeves is just so good in this role (answer – practice, we’re
talking about practice) but one thing is for certain. They sure can make an entertaining movie out
of a simple idea.
Here's Desmond Doss:
