Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
3/4
"Jarhead" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 01/19/2012
A new kind of war film for a new kind of war, Sam Mendes' adaptation of Anthony Swofford's account of his experiences in Iraq can however stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the best of them. Gyllenhaal's progression from raw recruit through to the sheer tedium of waiting for his war to happen is in turns funny, fascinating and shocking and Mendes provides some truly striking imagery. The well observed and intelligent script gives the viewer a real sense of "being there", and the uniqueness of the Iraq war in that it was so ubiquitous in the media means that these "behind the scenes" observations give real insight into the conflict, essentially filling in the blanks for those of us who experienced the war blow by blow on TV. Some of the characters were a little sketchy, but the …
Rating of
3.5/4
Jarhead review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 01/09/2012
A biographical story of U.S. Marine Anthony Swofford's about the 1991 Gulf War experience. Anthony Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) narrates the story of becoming a Marine. He is relocated to another platoon. Staff Sergeant Sykes (Jamie Foxx) invites Swoff to the “Parade” and becomes part of the training for Scout Snipers. Iraq invades Kuwait so their unit was sent to the Persian Gulf as a part of Operation Desert Shield. Lt.Col Kazinski (Chris Cooper) explains the mission. Their operation becomes Desert Storm.
Pertinent information was divulged in the dessert which was wonderful, making you feel you were there. The director has a gift in terms of the precise tempo of storytelling. Soundtrack of the film was radiant and appropriate for each scene. Gyllenhaal spectacularly …
Rating of
N/A
Fans of 'Jarhead' should check out 'In Our Name'
gzvc - wrote on 12/09/2010
Fans of Jarhead should check out a brilliant new British film called ‘In Our Name’ opening this Friday 10th December in Curzon cinemas and countrywide via the new Curzon-On-Demand video streaming (https://www.curzoncinemas.com/film_on_demand/ - great for those of us who don’t live near an arthouse cinema!). It stars Joanne Froggett (Anna from Downton Abbey) who won a BIFA (British Independent Film Award) for her role as a soldier returning from a tour in Iraq and struggling to re-adjust to family life and cope with after effects of her experiences in a war-zone. It’s a really thought-provoking and tense, edge-of-your-seat drama; culturally significant, reminiscent of Ken Loach-style social realism, it is inspiring for filmmakers as it was made on a very low budget by newcomer …
