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Reviews
The Green Berets (1968)
As relevant today as it was then...
Coming at a time when the press was getting aligned with the student left and congressional left, it was the only true movie that dared to face off against the yuppie generation's parents.
Burt Lancaster in Go Tell The Spartans and the movie Don't Cry It's Only Thunder were two more in their time periods that though low budget and story intense, did put the message out that the enemy was ignorance, politics, and communism.
Green Berets was the Strategic Air Command (among others) of its time. Get past the b.s. and look at the portrayal of the participants of all sides and you will see that it is more truthful than others give it credit for.
The movie relates that the Green Berets mission was not one of smoke and mirrors, but get in the dirt and live at the grass roots levels of those who were stuck between communism and a corrupted democratic govt.
It doesn't need computer graphics or shock and awe effects to say that the military then was in a transitional stage. Where the conventional warfare military leaders thought that European land battle tactics could win an Asian war.
The special forces then and of today got the message...the cold war wasn't the true war, it was the war of the flea being waged in south America, east europe, asia, and Africa.
Enjoy the movie for what it is...Wayne's unashamed tribute to a new breed of American soldier...the special operator. Remember, they were all volunteers. Screened. And chosen for their people skills, not kill skills.
Conversations with God (2006)
It is what you make of it- and your life...
1. Many have judged this film in a variety of ways, usually in the negative and as propaganda by 'religious types', or as another attempt to make money on the 'religion' bandwagon. Over the years I have come to believe in one God, based upon unconditional love. Not man's versions based upon interpretations and founded in other countries.
2. This movie is what you make of it, just as your life is what you make of it. I have reviewed other movies I consider spiritual in meaning, of entertainment to my human spirit, without judgment, and from all societies and beliefs. And yet, I find that there is always going to be one or more people who will pass personal judgment instead of objective insight when reviewing a film.
3. We are free to express ourselves, within the guidelines of posting (which some of us will argue against also), and forget the bigger picture that we are about life. That when we write, we influence others, or hope to, or vent, or whatever. This is our opportunity to show others our personal qualities, beliefs, and values.
4. I have written and been challenged and ostracized before and will again. I am a college grad, retired military, former law enforcement, former mental health counselor, youth leader, half Japanese, military brat, etc. I have never been particularly religious but do believe in a Supreme Existence. This isn't about me. One thing I learned in my careers in my short 52 years is that when a crisis arises, there are no atheists and that man can show his best and worst. Through it all, people will gather and express thanks in some way.
5. This movie, in particular, does just that...it gathers people together to be entertained, to experience, to reflect, to spend some time connected in some way with others. This is a transformational film. It isn't about 'talking with God'. It is about going inside ourselves and thinking what it meant, what it provoked, what it caused us to feel, and then listen to that inner voice inside and the message received.
6. I received value from it because I chose to see it as having something to give to me. The mechanics of the film don't matter. If you feel drawn to it because of some issue in your life, or want to experience an alternative to what is out there then go with an open mind and heart. Don't go expecting the book. Go with no expectations and no pre-judgments. Just go, and take a friend, or make a new one at the movie.
7. This movie may be like your life, it's what you've made of it so far or not...and then write a review.
Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964)
Film As Mentor
Yes, a film can affect a person in many ways as we all know. To make a short story long, this movie, seen when I was an air force brat of 11 years, did have an influence upon myself and others I discovered after I attended Air Force survival school in the mid 70s.
I remember instructors calling us either astronutts (those who wouldn't remember lessons), astromutts (those who enjoyed themselves too much)Monas (no comment), and Saturdays (too stupid to be a Friday). But most of all, they would refer to the movie to illustrate a point.
There were many of us who also remembered the movie when we were in potential survival situations and times where we needed the motivation to survive.
A classic? Yes. Paul Mantee unrecognized? Yes, the air force and others owe him a debt of gratitude. The movie that mentored.
Jim USAF SOF Retired