Vietnam War movies

[Rushian King]

QUOTE (Lamneth08 @ Sep 19 2008, 05:15 AM)

How many war movies have been made since the close of WW2?...I think we know the outcome.

Knowing the outcome of a real event has nothing to do with the making of movies. By that logic there's no need to make just about any movie. Why make a romantic comedy when you know the couple will get together at the end? Why make an action movie when you know the bad guys will die at the end? Why make a horror movie when you know the monster/ghost will kill everyone except for one person who escapes at the end?...

[telegraphcreeklocal]

QUOTE (Rushian King @ Sep 18 2008, 10:52 AM)

I think there've been a lot of solidly made Vietnam War movies. Are they historically accurate? Not sure, not really my biggest concern at least for the fictional ones. The 2 documentaries listed would need to be viewed differently. I've seen all of the titles mentioned except for Winter Soldier which I'd never heard of until I looked it up. Definitely want to see it now. I just watched Full Metal Jacket again the other day, still as good as ever, but Apocalypse Now gets my vote. I haven't seen the 'Redux' version yet. The most underappreciated is probably Casualties Of War, overshadowed by Cruise's BOT4thOJ of the same year. The most disappointing to me was Williams' GMV. Viewed 20 years later it just wasn't very funny.

I prefer The Fog of War with Robert Strange...

[Lamneth08]

QUOTE (Rushian King @ Sep 20 2008, 10:23 AM)

QUOTE (Lamneth08 @ Sep 19 2008, 05:15 AM) How many war movies have been made since the close of WW2?...I think we know the outcome. Knowing the outcome of a real event has nothing to do with the making of movies. By that logic there's no need to make just about any movie. Why make a romantic comedy when you know the couple will get together at the end? Why make an action movie when you know the bad guys will die at the end? Why make a horror movie when you know the monster/ghost will kill everyone except for one person who escapes at the end?... IMO, the story lines tend to be quite similar in War movies.   How many Wars can we tell a story about? They usually center around WWII or Vietnam.   With Horror, Drama and Comedy , i feel you can be more creative.   I think you are being very cliche with your outcomes. I have seen many Horror and comedies where the plot lines are quite twisted and not obvious in the least.

Edited September 20, 2008 by Lamneth08

[Rushian King]

QUOTE (Lamneth08 @ Sep 20 2008, 07:29 PM)

QUOTE (Rushian King @ Sep 20 2008, 10:23 AM) QUOTE (Lamneth08 @ Sep 19 2008, 05:15 AM) How many war movies have been made since the close of WW2?...I think we know the outcome. Knowing the outcome of a real event has nothing to do with the making of movies. By that logic there's no need to make just about any movie. Why make a romantic comedy when you know the couple will get together at the end? Why make an action movie when you know the bad guys will die at the end? Why make a horror movie when you know the monster/ghost will kill everyone except for one person who escapes at the end?... IMO, the story lines tend to be quite similar in War movies.   How many Wars can we tell a story about? They usually center around WWII or Vietnam.   With Horror, Drama and Comedy , i feel you can be more creative.   I think you are being very cliche with your outcomes. I have seen many Horror and comedies where the plot lines are quite twisted and not obvious in the least. War movies are a genre just like any other, and most can be listed as 'dramas' which bring about the need for fine storytelling, direction and acting. WWII took up 6 years, involved a big chunk of the world and millions of people. Frankly I'd argue we haven't had enough movies dealing with it, especially from countries not called America. The Vietnam War brings in all sorts of political intrigue which I feel has been underplayed in most films.   Different genres give the viewer a chance at different feelings/emotions. War movies perhaps draw people in for the action and adventure aspect. Maybe they bring a sports-like mentality and want to watch their team 'win.' Maybe they like the historical aspect and want to be brought into another time.   The soon to be released Canadian movie Passchendale (sp?) deals with WWI while Spike Lee's The Miracle Of St. Anna is coming out with an entirely different aspect (black director/black soldiers). Will they have the same basic premise? Maybe, but like I said any genre can be viewed that way.   Just because a movie has a twist or a storyline that diverges from the expected or cliche won't make it a better movie.

[telegraphcreeklocal]

QUOTE (telegraphcreeklocal @ Sep 20 2008, 09:20 AM)

QUOTE (Rushian King @ Sep 18 2008, 10:52 AM) I think there've been a lot of solidly made Vietnam War movies. Are they historically accurate? Not sure, not really my biggest concern at least for the fictional ones. The 2 documentaries listed would need to be viewed differently. I've seen all of the titles mentioned except for Winter Soldier which I'd never heard of until I looked it up. Definitely want to see it now. I just watched Full Metal Jacket again the other day, still as good as ever, but Apocalypse Now gets my vote. I haven't seen the 'Redux' version yet. The most underappreciated is probably Casualties Of War, overshadowed by Cruise's BOT4thOJ of the same year. The most disappointing to me was Williams' GMV. Viewed 20 years later it just wasn't very funny. I prefer The Fog of War with Robert Strange... I prefer fact over fiction. The Fog of War is a must watch...

[Ancient Ways]

Why lots of war movies?

I enjoy the brotherhood, the camaraderie, that single-minded focus on the job at hand. Soldiers in a war are in a bubble, with the rest of the world going on with their lives these guys live in a surreal world where nothing matters but living. It's like the line from 'River Kwai: all you want to do is try and die like a gentleman when the only important thing is to live like a human being. With all of this drama war movies ain't ending anytime soon.

[Rushian King]

QUOTE (alphseeker @ Sep 18 2008, 09:25 PM)

The Killing Fields - Green Berets - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH4-tOqLH94

Killing Fields is Cambodia.

[Jack Aubrey]

QUOTE (Lamneth08 @ Sep 19 2008, 05:15 AM)

QUOTE (pedro2112 @ Sep 18 2008, 11:36 PM) QUOTE (Lamneth08 @ Sep 18 2008, 08:09 PM) QUOTE (Jack Aubrey @ Sep 18 2008, 08:15 PM) QUOTE (Lamneth08 @ Sep 18 2008, 07:48 PM) Does anyone else feel that the whole  " War movie" theme has been overdone?.. No. If i offended you with the " PLatoon" thread, i apologize.   I am sensing some hostility.   It was just an opinion on a movie.   Thank you. You asked a question and he answered, without any comment. For the love of everything holy, quit being so damn sensitive.   I also agree that the War movie theme has not been "overdone." In fact, I'd like to see more quality war movies made.   I voted for Full Metal Jacket more on an "overall" basis. However, some movies are better for action, some are better for story, etc. If you would refer to the " Platoon" thread in question, for some reason he came across as quite pissed at me.   And i'll act any way i feel is appropriate . It doesn't concern you.   How many war movies have been made since the close of WW2?...I think we know the outcome. I explained to you earlier in the thread that I'm not pissed off at you, but I simply hate 'Platoon'. Please understand this and stop flogging yourself over it.   If someone doesn't like something that you don't like it's OK. You can bet your last dollar that the reverse is true.   Go back and look at the 'Platoon' thread and read what Ancient Ways said about 'The Green Berets'. Now his opinion of the movie and mine differ greatly, but I'm not taking it personally because the man is entitled to his opinion and I'm not hung up on it being the same as mine.   Back to the 'Platoon' thing: I'm a veteran and I do a lot of volunteer work for the Troops. Movies that make my brothers and sisters in uniform look bad just piss me off, it's that simple.   This will be the last time I explain this to you, it would be appreciated if you let the matter rest.   Carry on.

[theworkingman]

Pearl Harbor.

[WCFIELDS]

QUOTE (-D-RocK- @ Sep 18 2008, 02:07 PM)

Toss up between Apocalypse and Platoon.

same here..........both excellent........

[Lamneth08]

QUOTE (Jack Aubrey @ Sep 21 2008, 03:18 PM)

QUOTE (Lamneth08 @ Sep 19 2008, 05:15 AM) QUOTE (pedro2112 @ Sep 18 2008, 11:36 PM) QUOTE (Lamneth08 @ Sep 18 2008, 08:09 PM) QUOTE (Jack Aubrey @ Sep 18 2008, 08:15 PM) QUOTE (Lamneth08 @ Sep 18 2008, 07:48 PM) Does anyone else feel that the whole  " War movie" theme has been overdone?.. No. If i offended you with the " PLatoon" thread, i apologize.   I am sensing some hostility.   It was just an opinion on a movie.   Thank you. You asked a question and he answered, without any comment. For the love of everything holy, quit being so damn sensitive.   I also agree that the War movie theme has not been "overdone." In fact, I'd like to see more quality war movies made.   I voted for Full Metal Jacket more on an "overall" basis. However, some movies are better for action, some are better for story, etc. If you would refer to the " Platoon" thread in question, for some reason he came across as quite pissed at me.   And i'll act any way i feel is appropriate . It doesn't concern you.   How many war movies have been made since the close of WW2?...I think we know the outcome. I explained to you earlier in the thread that I'm not pissed off at you, but I simply hate 'Platoon'. Please understand this and stop flogging yourself over it.   If someone doesn't like something that you don't like it's OK. You can bet your last dollar that the reverse is true.   Go back and look at the 'Platoon' thread and read what Ancient Ways said about 'The Green Berets'. Now his opinion of the movie and mine differ greatly, but I'm not taking it personally because the man is entitled to his opinion and I'm not hung up on it being the same as mine.   Back to the 'Platoon' thing: I'm a veteran and I do a lot of volunteer work for the Troops. Movies that make my brothers and sisters in uniform look bad just piss me off, it's that simple.   This will be the last time I explain this to you, it would be appreciated if you let the matter rest.   Carry on. Serious miscommunication on this but i shall Carry on and leave it at that.

[GeddyRulz]

A lot of good ones in the poll, each with their moments.

 

I'd pick either "Born on the Fourth of July" or "The Deer Hunter." But the "boot camp" part (first half) of "Full Metal Jacket" is wickedly intense - it really illustrates how dehumanizing the situation is.

 

 

[alphseeker]

Edited September 22, 2008 by alphseeker

[Ancient Ways]

[OriginalFan]

QUOTE (theworkingman @ Sep 21 2008, 02:43 PM)

Pearl Harbor.

Um... World War II...

 

[Rushian King]

[Rushian King]

QUOTE (Weatherman2112 @ Sep 18 2008, 11:33 PM)

Forrest Gump?

Maybe? Haven't seen it since it came out.

 

I remember the timeline of the film is what, around 2 decades? How much of the movie's runtime is in and about the war?

[Rushian King]

QUOTE (telegraphcreeklocal @ Sep 20 2008, 12:20 PM)

I prefer The Fog of War with Robert Strange...

The Fog Of War is a great movie about a fascinating man who had his hand in some of the most important events/times in recent American history. That said I don't think enough of TFOW is about the Vietnam War.

 

Have you seen either of the 2 documentaries I included in the poll? Hearts And Minds should be fairly easy to come across, Winter Soldier not so much.

Edited September 23, 2008 by Rushian King

[skyswing]

There's a couple of other movies that I would say are low-budget but nevertheless interesting: "84C Mopic" and "Seige of Firebase Gloria." The first one doesn't have too many recognizable names, except Richard Brooks. "Seige" includes R. Lee Ermey.

[telegraphcreeklocal]

QUOTE (Rushian King @ Sep 22 2008, 10:04 PM)

QUOTE (telegraphcreeklocal @ Sep 20 2008, 12:20 PM) I prefer The Fog of War with Robert Strange...   The Fog Of War is a great movie about a fascinating man who had his hand in some of the most important events/times in recent American history. That said I don't think enough of TFOW is about the Vietnam War.   Have you seen either of the 2 documentaries I included in the poll? Hearts And Minds should be fairly easy to come across, Winter Soldier not so much. When I entered High School, the VietNam War was still on and I remember the fear I had growing up in the 60's reading LIFE and seeing the pictures. I don't like when Hollywood gets a hold of what I went through. The point is I prefer cold hard facts.

[treeduck]

Apocalypse Now

 

I like the way it's structured, like a detective mystery novel, featuring a great Philip Marlowe-style narration, delivered perfectly by Martin Sheen, one of the few times narration has worked for me in a feature film...

 

One of the best opening sequences ever, great use of music...

[Arleen2112]

For me it is a tie between Apocalypse Now and Platoon

 

Martin and Charlie Sheen

[Albone2112]

Voted 'other' to show 'Missing in Action' some love. Why? Because it's Chuck Norris and he counted to infinity...twice!!!

 

Out of the ones listed, I'd have to go with 'Apocalypse Now'.

 

'Uncommon Valor' with Gene Hackman was good as well.

[kyleargyle]

Definitely Plattoon. Love Willem Dafoe in that.

[skyswing]

QUOTE (kyleargyle @ Sep 30 2008, 10:50 AM)

Definitely Plattoon. Love Willem Dafoe in that.

There are things I like about Platoon. I'm routinely known to shout "King!" when I see or hear Keith David, the actor who played King. He does a good amount of voice over work and can be heard in the recent U.S. Navy recruiting ads.