Movies
Tropic Thunder
This is very much a "teen" movie. The jokes are juvenile at best, and the story is kind of lack luster. I mean this is a very popular movie and I just don't think it should have survived, the way it has.
War
Movies
Lone Survivor
This is a great story. Not for the actions of those involved, but for one simple line: "You are never out of the fight!" That is the prevailing lesson and process in this movie. Press on. It is honestly a good life lesson to hold on to.
Movies
Warfare
As I was writing this, I had a thought. They put a LOT of emphasis on this movie being based on their memories. I feel like that is intended to basically allow A24 to mess with the story a bit, or it is contradictory to the official story. So take that as a food for thought.
Books
Sword and Scimitar
As a Marine, I am aware that since the birth of this nation, we have been fighting against individuals that believe in a faith that hates us just because we are not them. This book does a lot to explain why they feel that way and why it continues to this day, 250 years later.
Movies
Taking Chance
This movie is only like an hour long because it was an HBO special feature at the beginning of draw down from Afghanistan. Kevin Bacon is outstanding in this and does a great job and honestly is the only real character.
Books
The Reaper
This is a decent book that tells a good story. However, it is nothing crazy. A memoir that doesn't explain anything beyond some almost repetitive statements about how military members deal with combat actions.
Movies
Valkyrie
This film, based on a true story about the final assassination attempt on Hitler, flew under the radar despite its stellar cast. The acting, especially from Tom Cruise, is top-notch. It's historically intriguing and enjoyable, with minimal violence and worth the watch.
Movies
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Just like the previous movie, I watched the extended version of this movie. I think this one has very scenes that extend and help the movie as compared to the last one, but for the readers I am sure these scenes are very important.
Movies
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
Typically I do not like the initial movie of a know series, but this one was so well done. I mean it should be with 3.5 hours for the original and 4 hours for the extended version. This is a CLASSIC.
Movies
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
I enjoyed this movie. It did take me the longest to get through. It might be a conditioned response from the times of trying to marathon these movies and just crashing at the end of the night, but I never wanted to start the last hour of this movie.
Movies
The Lord of the Rings Movie Trilogy
The Ring of Power is found and throws the world into chaos once again after centuries of relative peace from the forces of evil. The Fellowship ebbs and wanes against those forces as they work to get Sam and Frodo to Mt. Doom to destroy the ring.
Movies
Gladiator
This is an oldy but a goody. Russell Crowe does an amazing job for a completely historically inaccurate movie. So I was watching this and guess it was the extended version because I saw some scenes I have NEVER seen before. I agree they should have removed them as they just really slowed down