Comments on: ‘HURT LOCKER’ THUNDERDOME: Klavan vs. Nolte — Two Men Enter, One Man Leaves…

By: Kevlaur

Kevlaur — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:00:31 +0000

As I stated a few weeks ago… best scene is the last 'bomb' scene with the guy who has a bomb locked to him.
I didn't like the film. Why? Well, I've been in 21 yrs and am currently deployed to Afghanistan.
Many parts are so implausible as to be laughable. What are the three of them doing driving around the desert by themselves? No reason was given. It isn't done. How is a guy who isn't trained going to pick up a .50 cal sniper rifle and take out bad guys with very little difficulty? And, make no mistake, they were portrayed as knowing what to do (the main character picks up the spotter scope and calls shots). Soldiers (I'm in the AF) are trained and by and large follow the rules. To quote the great Jack Nicholson "we follow rules or people die." Where were his superiors? When did he report to them? They just don't stay in their hootches, getting drunk and punching each other, waiting on calls…
People get addicted to activities that raise their adrenaline. Wow… thanks for the info.

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:32:43 +0000

Carolyn, it's tough for me to agree or disagree with you on "Hero" because I kind of thought that film, though beautiful, was boring regardless of the message. In fact, I feel all his "wu xia" films are pretty but a little bit dull plot-wise.

However, in defense of Zhang Yimou, I'm not entirely sure he can be compared to Leni Riefenstahl. In fact, I honestly don't know what's up with that guy. I don't know why he makes blatantly pro-communist films like "Red Sorghum" and then does a 180 and makes films like "To Live", "Raise the Red Lantern" and "Ju Dou", all three of which were banned in China for being anti-communist. I can't speak for the quality of the last two because I haven't seen them yet, but "To Live" is a great film, one of my favorites. So, don't write him off. If you like Zhang Yimou's style, give "To Live" a shot.

By the way, in case you didn't know, none of the films I just mentioned are martial arts films. His earlier films are mostly dramas.

By: Buck_Turgidson

Buck_Turgidson — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:43:02 +0000

I find it respectful overall, but with a dash of eccentricity, I guess for that surrealism that every "great" war movie of the postmodern age feels compelled to indulge. My problem is simply that it is too rambling, episodic and slow to be all that enjoyable. It didn't give me any adrenaline rush. It's worth a look, but I doubt I'll add this one to my collection.

By: ToddM

ToddM — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:04:07 +0000

I just got done watching it and as an ex-Army guy, I didn't think it was that bad. I also didn't see much in the way of any particular political message in it.

By: DFCtomm

DFCtomm — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:53:19 +0000

I watched it a couple of nights ago, and was impressed. It was a different take. A man becomes addicted to war, danger, and excitement. He loves it more than he loves his family, even though it's sure to end his life. It's rare, but I'm sure it happens. I think the movie took great care to show that this was an unusual condition. The opening of the movie showed us the safe way to do the bomb disposal job, so we would realize how reckless the lead was. We were given examples of other characters on his team showing what we would consider the correct emotional response. The soldiers showed compassion for the local populace and even risked their lives to save a man in one scene. I thought it was more than fair to the military in general, while presenting the story of a flawed man.

By: bob321

bob321 — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:49:28 +0000

great picture

By: ANgie

ANgie — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:44:27 +0000

I am watching this movie right now. I had to stop and look up some comments about it. I stopped liking it as soon as the dr said war is fun. That is just irresponsible as a director to even put that in the movie., No one should think war is fun. The drinking got to me too. No one was allowed to drink although, I'm sure some was snuck in, I doubt it was blatenly obvious like they protrayed it.

Overall, I wouldn't waste you time!

By: Billy Bob

Billy Bob — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:04:28 +0000

I felt the movie is even handed – based on the writing of a man who was embedded in Iraq with an Army unit it has apparent authenticity. It rolled almost like a documentary. Were there stupid bits? Hell yes. Look at the unneccessary junk Oliver Stone threw into Platoon. Renner's performance was understated. Compare to Steve McQueen's B-17 pilot in The War Lover. That is a portrait of an adrenaline junkie. I think Renner was showing a man who had a unique skill (and a whole pile of luck) and knew few had this unique combination.I will be loaning my copy to a friend who was in Mosul at the time portrayed. I will let him be the judge of how well the story is told.

By: Billy Bob

Billy Bob — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:03:55 +0000

I have been trying to make sense of our War on Terror since 9/11. I have read extensively, talked to those veterans who are willing to discuss their experiences. The preceding Iraq War movies have been political theater crap.I have been trying to see this movie for months.It was in the local theaters (Detroit area) for what seemed like less than a week. It was gone before I could get to see it. It has been described as bombing in theaters – It was marketed by an independent company – who seemed to not give it wide distribution — Is that the movie's fault? Small release – short dwell time – equals fiancial failure.

By: Bill_Brandt

Bill_Brandt — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:10:26 +0000

Joe – I used to see him regularly at the Reno Air Races. He'd sell prints and books. He was a smaller guy – maybe 5'6"-5'7"?

I have a signed poster of his in my hallway – of him in his F4U Corsair shooting down a Zero. He went from Marine ace to POW in Japan to shoe salesman.

He's buried at Arlington now.