Flags of our Fathers Review.

[Doctor Sinister]

Coinciding with the cover of the current issue of ACG.



Movies: Flags of our Fathers

This film presents the gritty and ugly truth of the flag-raising on Mount Suribachi. To Marines on Iwo Jima the flag became a beacon of hope.

Review by Paul Glasser.

Discuss this review here!

Dr. S.

[Boonierat]

Going to see it first thing in the afternoon

[Duncan]

I just saw it. My wife and I were the only ones in the theatre, which was nice. It's an excellent movie. Read the book first. It's one of those rare movies where reading the book first enhances viewing, rather than sets you up to be dissapointed.

I don't think the last 20 minutes dragged as the ACG review says. I found them to be a good denumount. A gentle de-escalation for the viewer. It's also a good reminder about how we should(not) treat our veterans.

I read mixed reviews about the movie. I think the negative ones were probably written by people who go to war movies wanting to see how much s*#$ can be blown up and how many American flags can be waved in two hours. Although this movie is a well deserved tribute to the American fighting men and the great debt they are owed by the world, it isn't in-your-face patriotism and killing the bad guys. It's about six men who made great sacrifices and the confusion in their lives that resulted from being recorded at an unheroic but popular news bite. When you watch the movie remember that no one in John Bradley's family even knew he won the navy cross until after his death.

My one peeve... All through the movie... Rene Gagnon, a son of French Canadian immigrants, who lives in "...a dense ethnic enclave... ...in which French was the language and Catholosism the religion." (p65)... Why is he pronouncing his own name Rainy, or Reeny, or some gosh darned thing all through the movie? I cringed every time I heard that.

[Salinator]

Originally Posted by Duncan

I just saw it. My wife and I were the only ones in the theatre, which was nice. It's an excellent movie. Read the book first. It's one of those rare movies where reading the book first enhances viewing, rather than sets you up to be dissapointed.

I don't think the last 20 minutes dragged as the ACG review says. I found them to be a good denumount. A gentle de-escalation for the viewer. It's also a good reminder about how we should(not) treat our veterans.

I read mixed reviews about the movie. I think the negative ones were probably written by people who go to war movies wanting to see how much s*#$ can be blown up and how many American flags can be waved in two hours. Although this movie is a well deserved tribute to the American fighting men and the great debt they are owed by the world, it isn't in-your-face patriotism and killing the bad guys. It's about six men who made great sacrifices and the confusion in their lives that resulted from being recorded at an unheroic but popular news bite. When you watch the movie remember that no one in John Bradley's family even knew he won the navy cross until after his death.

My one peeve... All through the movie... Rene Gagnon, a son of French Canadians, who lives in "...a dense ethnic enclave... ...in which French was the language and Catholosism the religion." (p65)... Why is he pronouncing his own name Rainy, or Reeny, or some gosh darned thing all through the movie. I cringed every time I heard that. Surely he pronounce his own name René, even if other people didn't.

You and the missus the only people? Two people? Sounds like it will get pulled quick.

I think I will wait for the DVD. Cheaper for me anyhow. To pay for parking, tickets, sodas and snacks for two is at least $60 but more likely about $100 where I'm at.

[Duncan]

Originally Posted by salinator

You and the missus the only people? Two people? Sounds like it will get pulled quick.

I think I will wait for the DVD. Cheaper for me anyhow. To pay for parking, tickets, sodas and snacks for two is at least $60 but more likely about $100 where I'm at.

We take a thermos of coffee and sushi. Costs about $7-$10 for the two of us. Less expensive than a pop and popcorn and much more enjoyable. The theatre must water the coffee or something. Their coffee is twice the price as at a coffee shop and tastes like nun's piss. I won't pay inflated prices for an inferior cup of coffee and crap service.

It's been playing for two weeks here I think. We went to a 440 show, which is usually pretty quiet. I won't go to evening movies if I can help it. It has also been getting as many bad reviews as good. I don't think US war movies play as well in Canada as they do in the US. I don't want to offend anyone... we are burnt out on the in-your-face flag waving from US media. It can really turn away customers here. You don't get that in this film. I may go see it again next week.

[Salinator]

Originally Posted by Duncan

I take a thermos of coffee and sometimes some sushi. Less expensive than a pop and popcorn and the theatre must water the coffee or something. Their coffee is twice the price as at a coffee shop and tastes like nun's piss. I won't pay inflated prices for an inferior cup of coffee and crap service.

It's been playing for two weeks here I think. We went to a 440 show, which is usually pretty quiet. I won't go to evening shows. It has also been getting as many bad reviews as good. I don't think US war movies play as well in Canada as they do in the US. I don't want to offend anyone... we tend to expect, and are given, a lot of in-your-face flag waving from US war films and it really turns away customers here. You don't get that in this film. I may go see it again next week.

We are not allowed to bring in outside food and drink in our theaters here. People with special requirements have to load up before they cross the ticket line.

[Duncan]

Originally Posted by salinator

We are not allowed to bring in outside food and drink in our theaters here. People with special requirements have to load up before they cross the ticket line.

I carry a daypack everywhere and my wife carries a purse/satchel.

I would be happy to give the theatre my money (more than happy as it would be less hassle for me) if they got decent coffee, decent pricing, decent food, or could at least make a veggie burger in less than 20 minutes. Drives us nuts. We don't go to a lot of movies. When we don't sneak our own stuff in I go without and my wife buys a burger or popcorn. Half way through she always throws it out and mutters, "X dollars and I can't even eat this garbage. Why did I buy food here again?" I giggle.

[tsar]

Originally Posted by Duncan

I don't want to offend anyone... we are burnt out on the in-your-face flag waving from US media.

You must be watching a different Us media then I am.

[lufttiger]

Went and saw it yesterday, as far as a war movie goes I'd give it a 5 out
of 5. Done very well, a good story based on real people and real events
unlike saving Pvt. Ryan. Not as much action as SPR but that's not what
makes a movie great.

I remeber seeing the original one that came out years ago with Tony Curtis
playing the part of the Indian. It wasn't too bad either from what i remember.

This one will be up for awards for sure! Its a must see for those teeny bobbers who take our freedom for granted.

[Duncan]

Originally Posted by lufttiger

I remeber seeing the original one that came out years ago with Tony Curtis.

The Outsider

[lufttiger]

Thanks Duncan, i would never have remembered that title, it makes
no reference to what the movie is.

[SilentEagle]

i would give this a 4/5. not as great as SPR, but certainly a hell of a lot better then The Thin Red Line (just my opinion, dont take offense if you disagree).

it got a bit slow in some parts, mainly the end, and i wish there had been a bit more of the actual battle shown. what was shown of the battle was excellent though, it certainly looked a lot better than SPR, but that is probably just the result of new technology. overall, a good, but not great, film. im betting this will be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. probably wont win, but a most definate nomination.

[TJ Power]

I saw the movie with my father and my brother just the other day. I think it was great but a little hard to follow if you didn't know any thing about the story.

[Admiral]

2.5 of 5 & only for the effects.

I shoulda just read the book, instead.

[Siberian HEAT]

Originally Posted by TJ Power

I saw the movie with my father and my brother just the other day. I think it was great but a little hard to follow if you didn't know any thing about the story.

Finally caught up with this movie over the weekend. I thought it was pretty good, especially in showing how the war's "heroes" were largely ignored once they had served their purpose in the war bond drive. As is well known, the post-war period for Ira Hayes was pretty tragic. The actor who played him in the movie was outstanding.

The worst aspect of this movie was all the actors were no-names (with a couple exceptions) which made it almost impossible to follow who was who during the battle scenes. This took away some of the impact for me personally. However, the battle scenes (though usually brief) were very well done. I was especially fond of the battleships pounding the island.

Overall I liked this movie more than most war movies, although I am really looking forward more to seeing the other side of the battle from the eyes of the Japanese. This is a sensitive battle from either side, and as such should be interesting to see how it is portrayed.