Tag: War

Movies

Black Crab

Not A Walking Tree

I went blind into this movie because I saw Noomi Rapace. I’ve always enjoyed her performances of a stoic tough warrior with a softer side, sometimes motherly. This fit the bill. She stars as Caroline Edh, a young mother turned soldier in a future war that sees prolonged conflict. The enemy’s nationality unknown. She’s recruited for a mission along with several others to deliver a cargo to friendlies deep behind enemy lines with the special premise of having to skate under cover of darkness across an icy archipelago.

The tension was taut throughout the movie, as the party navigated the dangers of their journey. And the story seemed to run its natural course when I noticed there was still 35 mins left in the movie. I wondered what it could do, where it could take us and I was happily surprised in the direction it did take. In today’s political times, it was rather refreshing (more on that in the spoilers blurb). The action had me on the edge of my seat because it felt like the characters were fighting against the rising tide. Sounds of gunfire, and ice cracking with the wind whistling about, the sense of cold desolation came across well.

Noomi Rapace did an excellent job, and during an emotional scene in the later half, she pulled me right in. I couldn’t help but tear up alongside her. Jakob Oftebro followed her lead in that regard. With the portrayal of his character, of a soldier haunted with leadership and the knowledge that comes with it. The rest of the party played to their roles well, as the sniper, the medic, and the inevitable ‘not an idiot on purpose’ soldier.

Overall, I loved the movie. The soundtrack had a futuristic vibe to it, tense when needed, played with your heart, and pumped it up when necessary. I recommend it!

Spoilers

I knew as soon as I finished watching this movie that other reviews will call it poor timing, bland, and a tasteless depiction of war. Some might draw a direct comparison to the recent war in the western media’s eyes, like the refugee camps near the start of the film. They might consider that because the enemy is nameless that it makes the whole conflict not have any impact. They’re missing the point. The bad guys in the movie, the antagonists, were not the invading force but the defending nation. They were going to use biological weapons regardless of the cost on human life. And having a defending nation be the bad guys in a movie was very refreshing. Too often the aggressor is depicted as evil, and rumor and propaganda run rampant. The movie also depicted the defending military using backhanded methods such as lying about a child’s location to a mother to motivate her, or lying to their soldiers that locations have been bombed. They need soldiers focused for their war, properly motivated through manipulation. That is a very brave outlook to show in a movie with the recent turmoil in the political climate.

Movies

Megan Leavey

Not A Walking Tree

This is another war/drama movie with a fair bit of patriotic values that will resonate with American viewers that I found was a rather well told story. It is a biographical movie about a young Marine corps corporal who teamed up with a combat dog named Rex. She – the title of the movie – formed a bond with this dog, and after ending her tour tried to adopt him. Kata Mara plays the title character, and I really enjoyed taking this journey with her. She did a great job portraying the after effects of war, the trauma it leaves on a person, and how she coped with the loss of being Rex’s partner. The story itself did great at maintaining tension as you never quite knew where Rex might sniff out a bomb. The few scenes that were meant to serve as Iraq were tense and exciting and I wish they showed just a bit more of the types of missions that she and Rex went out on.

The supporting cast members that were her mom and dad, stepdad, Gunnery Sergeant, fellow dog handlers and soldiers were very good at creating the narrative and establishing the life of Megan Leavey. Common as the Gunnery Sergeant was a pleasant surprise, he’s always a joy to watch on screen. He’s got presence even if he’s just a minor character. Edie Falco as her mother did an excellent job at getting on your nerves because her character is a minor step away from being trailer trash. Bradley Whitford was a little bit of a wasted choice here, he didn’t really have much to work with. Tom Felton’s acting is always fun to watch, as one fondly remembers him from his Harry Potter movie days.

The thing that I enjoyed most about this movie, which also brought a tear to my eye, was the bond between Megan Leavey (Kate Mara) and Rex (Varco). That connection that a dog forms with their owner and partner is something truly special. Dogs form an attachment of love that is just so very touching and beautiful, and you can’t help but feel your heart be tugged when you see Rex light up at reuniting with Megan. Honestly, I watched it for the dog. And I was so very happy that the dog didn’t die during the movie. Although Rex, himself in real life, has now since passed away back in 2012.

Overall, I recommend watching this movie if you’re in the mood for a touching biographical look at this woman’s life and that of the dog. Besides the more patriotic moments that have no bearing on my viewing, the moments of tenderness between human and dog are a treat to enjoy.

Movies

Without Remorse

Not A Walking Tree

I went into this one straight away without watching the trailer because I am a fan of Michael B. Jordan, and I was curious as to how Amazon would treat another Tom Clancy property. I came away from it pleasantly surprised, and I see why a lot of other reviewers panned it negatively. It is not nice to American propaganda outside of the usual CIA fluff, which is obvious otherwise it wouldn’t be a Tom Clancy movie. You could see the ending a mile off, but that did not negatively impact my enjoyment. In fact, I was hoping it would be the case of what I thought it was and in that regard I was happy.

“I’ll show them what a pawn can do to a King.”

The plot, which is simple, and not indecipherable as several reviews I’ve read have said, is that John Kelly, played by Michael B. Jordan, goes on a hunt for the men responsible in the death of his pregnant wife and unborn child. Along the way he uncovers a conspiracy to frame the US and Russia in order to provoke them into war. The writer responsible for this movie is Tyler Sheridan, of Sicario fame. His script has similar themes to that movie, of the dirty business that the US utilizes to get results and/or wealth. You can see who is the main villain because of whom they cast in a certain role, for they wouldn’t cast an A list name if they didn’t have a larger purpose. I don’t mind that, because it is about the journey and how it is told.

The journey is accompanied by some spectacular action set pieces, carried by the strength of believability from Michael B. Jordan’s acting skills. Two particular scenes are still ingrained in my mind, one from the trailer – his jail cell fight, and the other involving a plane sinking into the ocean. There is plenty of hand-to-hand combat, along with shooting. These scenes are always fun, and the guns have a nice sound and heft to them when fired. It was gritty, and at times, a little intense. The scenes held my attention well – no looking at my phone.

Spoiler Alert

I’ll give you a second to avoid this. Skip down to the conclusion if you wish to not be spoiled.

Here Be Spoilers

I knew the big reveal was gonna be that the US, or rather, a corrupt D.O.D official was going to be behind everything and that it is because of money. Because nothing generates more war for a large country like the US than spending money on the horrors and tools of war. I particularly enjoyed the bad dude’s speech on how world war two was won for the economists because how much wealth it generated for them. I also liked that they said the problem is that the US has no real enemy anymore, that one half thinks the other half is the enemy and that doesn’t generate any real wealth. The people need a new common enemy to focus their anger and fear on. That fear generates the idea of patriots fighting for their country and in turn, the cycle of war and wealth continues. The spending continues. Corporate reviewers have to pan the movie negatively because of this, their bosses, especially in the US, are a part of the propaganda machine that always turns. Hence why the CIA are made out to be the good guys in the movie – luckily, hopefully, people still remember Gary Webb. So, no matter of propaganda will ever have the CIA be seen in a good light. Well, at least to those educated in such matters.

End Spoilers

Overall, I really liked the movie. The action was clear, and easy to follow along. The main character; that is, Michael B. Jordan is a bonafide action hero. He has that charisma to him, and believability that he can kick ass and take names. He also has the acting chops for when strong emotions are required. I enjoy watching his career with great interest. The other actors in the movie are sufficient at their roles, I wasn’t taken out of the immersion by anyone. Gunplay is solid, and I feel we have John Wick to thank for that. I feel that movie has positively affected every new action movie to have a certain standard when it comes to guns. I digress, I recommend this movie for a watch.