Jarhead

[jazz]

David Poland has seen it and says it's a whole lot of nothing. The acting was good but nobody stood out special. And that seems to be what a lot of the people who attended the screening thought. He's calling it the "seinfeld movie of 2005".

His main beef is that he could nto connect to anybody and that some stuff that was supposed to shock ended up meh.

[realitybug]

Meh. I usually like the movies the critics hate. I'll probably like this.

[Binky]

The preview is awesome. I'm don't know that I'll see it, but the preview is fantastic. I love that I have no idea what it's about (beyond the obvious Marine...war...).

So, who bets they produce a typical "give the plot away immediately' trailer shortly?

[Deleted]

I'm taking the boy to see this, as he's an ex-Marine. He thought the book was "awesome," but doesn't see how it could be made into a movie because not much really "happens" in the traditional sense. I haven't read, so I don't know.

[jazz]

Jamie Foxx annoys me no end and no fan of Jake whatever his name is. I'll maybe wait for the DVD.

[Deleted]

I am planning on seeing this but I don't think it will live up to its pedigree (Oscar winning director and actors). Sam Mendes hasn't made many films so it is difficult to say that he really has a cinematic style, but his two previous movies were quite detached and clinical. That worked, imo, for American Beauty but less so for Road to Perdition. I can see his sterile, precise style (if he uses that for this movie) getting in the way of caring about the characters and the situation.

[orchidthief]

I saw it last Monday.

This film is completely different from the one marketed in the trailer. It is apolitical, has next-to-no narrative, and there isn't any shoot 'em up sequences, whatsoever.

I liked it. Thought it was sad but honest contemplation on loneliness and ennui. But this is not for everyone. Especially the typical multiplex moviegoer.

I bet there's gonna be a fine share of people, come the weekend of November 4, that will ask for refunds upon the end of the screenings. Lol. They'll think it was some kinda mean trick or something.

ETA: And no, it won't be an Oscar contender, despite its release date. It's far from a crowdpleaser.

jazz said:

David Poland has seen it and says it's a whole lot of nothing. The acting was good but nobody stood out special. And that seems to be what a lot of the people who attended the screening thought. He's calling it the "seinfeld movie of 2005".

His main beef is that he could nto connect to anybody and that some stuff that was supposed to shock ended up meh.

David Poland, who btw is only a columnist, likes the films I hate. And vice versa.

Nevertheless, this film will have mixed reviews. It'll be pretty divisive, I think.

And yes, if you only have a proclivity towards narrative-driven films (which is 99% of American cinema), then I strongly recommend you steer clear from this film. There is no climax.

[Deleted]

I enjoyed it. I think it's something that just is what it is, that being a look at Swofford's time in the Marines. It definitely isn't for everyone though, I will admit. And I thought there was plenty of action myself, the oil fires in particular were done really well. I haven't read Swofford's book but the movie does remind me of alot of books I've read that are based around war. It was very much focused on the environment and the effect it had on various people.

Plus it had Jake Gyllenhal's bare and well-toned butt. Not such a bad thing.

[Deleted]

I saw it with my marine, and I really enjoyed it. He never saw combat (neither did Swofford, basically) and it was kind of scarily close to his experiences (I know probably too much about his stint). I think the critics who are bitching that "nothing happens!" miss the point and obviously aren't marines.

[jynni]

My dad hated it and whined and complained about how it made the Marines looks bad and that they were all psychos and stuff. He said it was a total waste of time.

However, my brother (the Marine) called and said he really enjoyed it. Basically shut my dad up by saying that knew tons of guys that were just as crazy and that the movie was pretty accurate. He said it had (although short) the most accurate boot camp scene he'd ever seen in a movie.

I think my dad's problem is that he somehow believes all Marines are good kids like my brother when really, quite the opposite is probably true.