Cin’s Movie Critiques

Memphis Belle

Matthew Modine, Sean Astin, Harry Connick Jr. Rated PG-13 for language and war themes. 1990, Action/Drama. Cin’s Critique: 4 *

This is the story of the “Memphis Belle”, a WWII bomber plane with a crew of ten young men who make dangerous bombing missions into Europe. The plot is focused around the idea that they will be making their 25th mission, and if they complete it successfully, they will be finished with their duty in the war and go home. The story hovers around the young men, their fear that their luck will run out, and the way they work together.

Full of action, drama, and moving relationships, Memphis Belle is one to put on your list of movies to watch. This one has stood out in my mind since I first watched it in high school. It is inspired by true events, but many facts were changed in the movie. Read more about the real Memphis Belle on wikipedia.com.

U-571

Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Jon Bon Jovi. Rated PG-13 for war violence. 2000, Action/Drama. Cin’s Critique: 4 1/2 *

WARNING: If you are a nail biter, be sure to tape your fingertips before watching this movie or you will chew them down to a bloody pulp!

Not having seen this movie since it first came out in 2000, I had forgotten how severely intense it was. As I watched it last night, I found myself holding my breath several times, or wringing my hands together. This all began with the opening scene of the movie and continued up through the very last minute. Turn your phone off, use the little boys or girls room beforehand, trust me, you will not want any interruptions!

U-571 is the story of a US submarine crew sent on a mission in WWII to intercept an immobilized German submarine. Their mission is to arrive incognito, pretending to be the Germans that were dispatched to help. In fact, they intend to board the sub and recover the Enigma cipher machine, which will help the United States in breaking the German code, which ultimately would help in winning the war.

Action, drama, suspense…if you haven’t already, give this one a try, you won’t be sorry.

Flyboys

James Franco. Rated PG-13 for war action. 2006, Action/War. Cin’s Critique: 3 ½ *

Spiderman’s James Franco leads this World War I story about the Lafayette Escadrille, the young Americans that volunteered for the French military before the United States entered the war.

These young men join the war to learn to fly airplanes. Once there, they are surprised to find that the life expectancy of a fighter pilot is six weeks. The movie quickly gets through their training and spits you right into the aerial fighting in the war. There is a little side plot of romance, but the main focus is the combat these Americans volunteered for.

Overall, this movie was better than I expected it to be. I enjoyed the dogfight scenes, it’s hard to imagine what it would have been like fighting a war in some of the first airplanes ever invented. Also, this movie credits itself on being inspired by true WWI heroes.

The Passion of the Christ

Jim Caviezel. Rated R for sequences of graphic violence. 2004, Drama/Historical. Cin’s Critique: 3 *

The Passion of the Christ focuses on the last twelve hours in the life of Jesus Christ. It begins in the Garden of Gethsemane and takes you through the trials and torture he endured, and ends with the crucifixion.

This was a powerful and moving film, filled with excruciating detail showing the torture that Christ endured on our behalf. It helped me to better appreciate the pain he endured for me personally, and it put a good deal of shame into me for incurring the debt that he paid.

I watched this movie recently with the intent of posting the review on Easter Day. Unfortunately, I didn’t get it done in time. I considered saving it for next Easter, but then I looked at my review I just put up for 300. It got me to thinkin’….

Why did I give 300 a 4* for violence and gore, yet the movie about Christ only got an “it’s okay” 3*? I remember all the controversy this movie stirred up when it was released. I now understand why. It was so brutal and violent; yet, it was depicting truthful events, and honestly, probably didn’t even come close to how horrible the events really were. For me, this movie was too personal. It was very hard to watch the graphic violence when it was someone I know and love. I had my hands over my eyes for much of the movie, wishing it would end.

I guess the difference between 300 and Passion, is that even though they are both based on factual events, that one was much more personal and emotional for me, and it was hard to watch. Do I recommend watching this movie? That is a tough question. I’m glad I finally watched it, it invoked deep feelings that any believer in Christ should have. However, I will never watch it again.

If you are debating about whether or not to watch this movie, I’ve included a review that I found to be very accurate. Adam Shellenberg describes exactly the feelings I had watching this movie:

“From the opening shot to the falling credits, this film demands full control of ones body and emotion. So visually spectacular and physically gripping, this film had me literally convulsing as I attempted to watch what was onscreen. Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, starring Jim Caviezel, is a retelling of the last hours of Jesus Christ. Believe me when I say that this production is more than a story, more than a movie; this film can only be described as an experience.This movie is fantastically brutal. From beginning to end, blood drenched flesh is smeared across the screen in a ghastly fashion. Gibson defends his incredibly graphic depiction by noting that the bible states Jesus was beaten beyond recognition. I assure you, beaten beyond recognition hardly describes soft tissue being torn to be the bone as blood drips into puddles on the ground. The violence shown in this movie is unlike other Hollywood violence – it’s uncomfortably personal. The scenes are so believable, the violence so real, that the scenes appear to take place in your very presence; imagine before you a man being torn to bloody shreds; your helpless to do anything, you’re a spectator – utterly horrific.”–Adam Schellenberg

300

Gerard Butler, Lena Headey. Rated R for graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity. 2007, Action/War/Historical. Cin’s Critique: 4 *

Based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel, 300 concerns the Battle of Thermopylae that took place in 480 B.C., when King Leonidas of Sparta led his army against the Persian army of Xerxes. The battle has gone down is history, known as the battle that inspired all of Greece to fight and defeat the Persians, and helped usher in the world’s first democracy.

I went into this movie expecting lots and lots of bloodshed and gore. Yes, I got it. The battle scenes were violent, yet I was absorbed into the history, the bravery and the mentality of the soldiers. Their vision of a glorious death allowed them to fight valiantly. It was inspiring as well as heart breaking. The movie had a lot more to offer than the battle scenes, it had an interesting plot that drew me in and kept me captivated. And beautiful bods! Yes, 300 men with perfect bodies, it was a very beautiful movie indeed! Also, did you know this movie was shot mostly with bluescreen technology to duplicate the imagery of the original comic book. That too, was beautiful to view, it was almost surreal and dreamlike.

While not for the weak of heart or stomach, I recommend this epic movie. It was unique and it left me pondering…if it’s not for you, at least watch the preview!

Braveheart

Mel Gibson.  Rated R for brutal medieval warfare, language, and nudity. 1995, drama/war/biography/action. Cin’s Critique: 5 *

Braveheart is my favorite movie of all time. Has been for eleven years standing, no other movie has even flirted with my notions. I remember seeing this movie in the theater. I remember how intense it was to watch it on the big screen. I laughed, I winced, I cried, I pondered it for days. I went back and saw it again. And still, many years later, after seeing it at least a dozen more times, it has the same effect on me. I am awestruck at how powerful this movie is.

Braveheart is the story of William Wallace, the Guardian of Scotland in the early 1300’s. It is the story of a common man, who rose against English oppression to fight for his country’s freedom. The movie begins when Wallace was a young boy and his father was killed by the English. It tells the story of why he chose to fight. It takes you through several battles. It tells of Wallace’s capture and execution. This movie has it all; a timeless love story, humor, strength, action, battle scenes, victory, defeat, and most of all, the message to fight for what you believe in.

Some of my favorite quotes from the movie:

“Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it.”

“Every man dies. Not every man truly lives.”

“They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom.”

I never tire of seeing this movie. If you haven’t already, give it a try, you will not be sorry. It is inspiring and thought provoking, it will have an impact on you. I hope you love it, like I do. And please, leave me some comments on this one, I’d love to hear what you think!

For more on the history of William Wallace go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wallace