What have you been watching?

Saving Private Ryan. Though I've seen this movie before, I'm pleasantly amazed that the film still retains its impact and still has the ability to surprise me.

 

I watched Saints and Soldiers for the first time yesterday and was quite pleased. It wasn't exactly what I thought it would be as far as action sequences, but the message of courage, honor, and camaraderie was simply brilliantly done.

 

Tonight for krieg will be.. To hell and back.. sounds good
best krieg

 

Hi Tomcat,I got A solution for you. You should of found a Girlfriend just like you are,with the same interests, a War Buff. Then all she would want to do with you is talk and watch and read books all about ww2 or any war.

 

Thanks to the rotten weather last night I stayed in and behold another film I had not seen in years, glad I stayed in.

The Odessa File

How true was the book writen by Frederick Forsyth as he claims it was based on real events.

 

Some battlefield documentry's for krieg tonight

 

I just watched Beachhead, a truly awful film starring Tony Curtis. It was the most unrealistic, implausible, inane piece of celluloid posing as a WWII movie. I watched it only because I had started it and felt that it would have to get better at some point. I was wrong.

 

The horrible Thin Red Line followed by the classic and great Longest Day.

 

I watched Destroyer, an enjoyable film from 1942, starring Edward G. Robinson and Glenn Ford (with a nice small role performance by Leo Gorcey from The Bowery Boys). I can't speak the the accuracy of the film from the perspective of naval history but the story (WWI vet getting squeezed out by younger guys and his own lack of knowledge of the ways of a modern destroyer) was very entertaining. I was able to believe what I was watching, while I was watching it. The combat scenes (especially one involving a Japanese submarine) were low budget cheese, but otherwise, no complaints.

 

I watched "The Hill" from 1965. I'd recommend it for those of you who haven't seen it. It's a bit sad and very cruel, but well written and acted.

 

I watched Stand by for Action!, a 1943 film starring Charles Laughton, Robert Taylor, Brian Donlevy and Walter Brennan. I enjoyed the film but it dragged a bit when it went over the top in trying to introduce elements of humor and melodrama. The 20 or so minutes of "baby" scenes should have been cut to about 2 minutes.

It was interesting to note the similarities to Destroyer which I watched earlier in the week. John Paul Jones was quoted and the story of the Bonhomme Richard was told to inspire the crews in both movies. Lots of other similarities but, I suppose, these films were to be patriotic and inspire people to join the navy so I am not surprised.

Charles Laughton is a brilliant actor, in everything he does.

 

This one i have heard off but have not seen as yet .. Krieg

 

I watched a new documentary called Warner at War about the Warner Brothers studio's opposition to Fascism. Narrated by Steven Spielberg, the film tracked Warner's support of a strong USA from 1917 into the post-war years. I recorded the film on November 11 when it premiered on Turner Classic Movies. If you have a chance to watch it, it is an interesting show.

 

An old Airforce film tonight for krieg called . Flying Fortress . sounds good
best krieg

 

I've just started watching The Winds of War and War and Remembrance. It's a mini-series adapted from the books of the same name by Herman Wouk. It stars Robert Mitchum, David Dukes, and Peter Graves just to name a few. It's a bit cheesy, as most TV mini-series could be in the 80's but I still love it.

I also just finished watching Conspiracy with Kenneth Branagh, Stanely Tucci, and Colin Firth. Quite chilling.

 

Conspiracy gives you the creeps doesn't it? I like Branagh in this film

 

Oh yes, very much so. I actually had to watch it twice because the first time I just couldn't get beyond how cooly and matter-of-factly they were discussing the Final Solution. Laughing, joking, eating...it was all quite unnerving. The second time I watched it I was more able to pay closer attention to each individual and what they were saying. (Not sure if that makes any sense...?)

And yes, Branagh was wondeful. I also loved Firth's portrayal of Dr. Wilhelm Stuckart.

 

It certainly does, I had the same uneasy feeling when I saw them eating. Did you notice how the civilian particpants more or less tried to discuss the matter, but were "politely" told that those who did not agree would end up hung on a meat hook....

 

Yes! I actually felt a bit sorry for Dr. Kritzinger at times. Especially when Heydrich had a little "chat" with him outside during one of their breaks. I think that chat pretty much settled the matter with Dr. Kritzinger. On a similar note, I loved the line given by Dr. Stuckart (Firth) when the meeting is near a close and Heydrich has asked if everyone was on board (for lack of a better term)...

Dr. Stuckart: "Oh, yes. What can I say? My enthusiasm is boundless."

I think this is a movie one needs to watch several times in order to take everything in and really get to know the individual personalities and views.

 

The legendary Finnish WW2 film "Unknown soldier" as usual on the 6th Dec our Independence Day!