Tuesday, September 11, 2007
TEXTBOOK
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was
This is a WWII film that hits all the notes of cinema cliché and yet is an enjoyable and moving film of men at war.
This is the magic of movie making skill.
The acting, the pacing, the editing? Who knows?
You can even say to yourself that you are watching an ancient story being played out. And yet it seems strikingly new and urgent.
Humphrey Bogart helps as well as a fine ensemble cast.
I enjoyed it.
It looks as though they did too. See the cast photo below.
Some are real soldiers helping with the film which was shot not too far from here in the Mojave desert.
There is some standard WWII propaganda but I grew up on that stuff.
What is most interesting is that the values espoused are the traditional American values.
They resonate with me.
This was also filmed at time that 'we' were losing the war.
The message was loud and clear.
Today's war should be so aligned with public sentiment.
I will give it a 3 out of Netflix5.
Labels: best films
