Master and Commander-The Far Side of the World

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Napoleon is at war with Europe and the HMS "Surprise" is out on the ocean when its attacked be a much larger and more advanced French ship.    The "Surprise" is only saved by escaping into the fog and eluding their enemy.

But the Captain of the English ship, "Lucky" Jack Aubrey isn't content with just escaping.  But with a daring plan and masterful navigation plans to capture the French vessel.  But at an enormous risk to the lives of every soul aboard the "Surprise"

This movie was really enjoyable for me (a guy) because the captain shows fearless determination and leadership.  And the engages between the two ships is both intense and exciting.  The movie at the same time rather long, and at points hard to follow.  The acting however is well done and includes: Russel Crowe(Gladiator), Paul Bettany(Priest), and Billy Boyd(Lord of the Rings).

Warnings:  The battle scenes are pretty bloody and of the men that go under the docters knife are covered in blood. One man commits suicide and there is some foul language scattered throughout.

So I giving the intense  "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World-4 stars

True Grit

Some of you might remember the older "True Grit" with John Wayne playing "Rooster" Cogburn.   But I was surprised on how well this remake was done.   

The story goes something like this:    Mattie Ross' father is shot and killed by hired hand Tom Chaney, and her mission is to see him hanged.  But the 14 year old needs a man with "True Grit" to track down the criminal.  That man? U.S marshal "Rooster" Cogburn.  An alcoholic who knows how to capture a fugitive.  Or at least kill him in the attempt.  A Texas Ranger also joins the hunt, trying to bring Chaney to justice for shooting in Texas.

The film keeps you engaged throughout and makes you feel as if you were really in the setting.   The fighting scenes are intense, and the interchanges between the characters are interesting,although maybe a little hard to follow.   This film also boasts of good acting by Matt Damon and Jeff Bridges.

Warnings:   There is some pretty bloody scenes and the marshal is drunk in a some parts.  There is also a few swear words scattered throughout the film. 

I loved this movie and liked it even better than the old version.   4 1/2 stars for a mans "True Grit".   

 

U-571-WWII Film

1942:  U-571 is the name of an advanced Nazi U-boat (submarine) that has the "Enigma".  A German encoding device that makes the Nazi ciphering unbreakable.    U.S command has ordered that it must be captured under any circumstance. 
The Americans deploy in an old U.S submarine and an elite sub crew to do the job.

Things become complicated when another Nazi U-boat intercept them while they are boarding U-571.

This film is exciting and intense and may remind viewers of "The Hunt for Red October".  It will keep you engaged through the whole film with the battle scenes.  And as tensions rise between the members of the crew, the new captain must show leadership as well as courage and daring. 

Now as you probably already know I love history. And while this film is not fully accurate  it was WWII and as the acting was done very well so I still enjoyed it.   
Warnings: 
There is quite a bit of swearing throughout, and some of the fight scenes are pretty bloody.

Overall my rating is 4 stars for the exciting and intense U-571. 

Valkyrie- movie Informative and thought provoking.

The mission, to kill Hitler. The man Col. Stauffenberg. A man that has given an eye, three fingers and a hand for the motherland-Germany.

Valkyrie is a code-name for a plan to assassinate Hitler and seize control of the government. Col. Claus von Stauffenberg {played masterfully by Tom Cruise} is the one who must kill Hitler.

The film is intense all the way through and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Pretty clean for a WWII film as well, with a few swear words and some executions/suicides at the end. Stauffenberg kisses his wife a few times and that is about it.

It's very historically accurate and based on actual events. So I'm going to give the exciting and accurate "Valkyrie" 4 stars. { There is one thing I did not like, the accents were British instead of German, and Tom Cruise sports no accent at all.}