tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post5829403950104098819..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Memorial DayBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17753570720706450892017-05-31T13:47:50.983-07:002017-05-31T13:47:50.983-07:00AND, it had that great whistling theme music!
(Br...AND, it had that great whistling theme music!<br /><br />(Bridge over the River Kwai, that is..)SharoneRosenhttp://www.sharonerosen.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75782768970648767952017-05-31T06:05:44.853-07:002017-05-31T06:05:44.853-07:00They weren't blockbusters by any means, but &#...They weren't blockbusters by any means, but 'Hamburger Hill' and 'The Boys in Company C' have stuck with me. (Re 'Hamburger': Courtney B. Vance's acting is always pretty awesome to watch, whatever he's in.)ScottyBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10717249940684289232017-05-30T14:47:09.342-07:002017-05-30T14:47:09.342-07:00I always enjoy THE DIRTY DOZEN. Great cast and scr...I always enjoy THE DIRTY DOZEN. Great cast and script. Although it's post-war, THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES is another movie I never tire of.MikeKPa.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-84673812740087214892017-05-30T09:59:10.712-07:002017-05-30T09:59:10.712-07:00The Green Beret is another must see.The Green Beret is another must see.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16880646894752760905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13612910573005047272017-05-30T07:45:52.534-07:002017-05-30T07:45:52.534-07:00Re: Twelve O'Clock High. When I went through U...Re: Twelve O'Clock High. When I went through USAF Officer Training School in 1962 (just in time for the Cuban Missile Crisis -- interesting times), that movie was part of the curriculum. Stuck with me ever since.Earl Boeberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07300222007927549893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-88866850567231851312017-05-30T01:55:20.679-07:002017-05-30T01:55:20.679-07:00There are so many great war movies listed here. I ...There are so many great war movies listed here. I want to add one of my own personal favorites, one largely forgotten today: The Story of GI Joe. This movie based on Ernie Pyle's World War II columns detailing the troops he met is subtle, so much so that any death is even more powerful. It was directed by World War I veteran William A. "Wild Bill" Wellman but don't let that fool you; it's not some prototype for "The Green Berets." Watch it to see Robert Mitchum's only Oscar-nominated performance.Louis Burklowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12105879183637623203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-59269716525697604572017-05-29T21:48:50.812-07:002017-05-29T21:48:50.812-07:00Aside:
Billion Dollar Kiss is worth a read for any...<br />Aside:<br />Billion Dollar Kiss is worth a read for anyone that wants to delve into the business & marketing side of TV - but also the writing. Wallynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31307818773537116362017-05-29T18:48:15.994-07:002017-05-29T18:48:15.994-07:00Battleground (1949) and Twelve O'clock High (1...Battleground (1949) and Twelve O'clock High (1949) are my two favorite WWII movies. Also The Red Badge of Courage with Audie Murphy.StoicJimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12180997130921988420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61366376484919307552017-05-29T18:46:46.746-07:002017-05-29T18:46:46.746-07:00I'd add this years' Best Picture Nominee &...I'd add this years' Best Picture Nominee "Hacksaw Ridge", the heroic story of a conscientious objector.mdv59https://www.blogger.com/profile/16110963117009209383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58967644243396812412017-05-29T18:46:26.868-07:002017-05-29T18:46:26.868-07:00Battleground (1949) and Twelve O'Clock High (1...Battleground (1949) and Twelve O'Clock High (1949) are my two favorite WWII movies.StoicJimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12180997130921988420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-12143774808699319142017-05-29T17:36:47.435-07:002017-05-29T17:36:47.435-07:00I agree with Anonymous that Memorial Day shouldn&#...I agree with Anonymous that Memorial Day shouldn't be politicized. But as long it's been done, it should be noted that military members voted for Trump over Clinton by a 2-1 margin. http://www.cnn.com/election/results/exit-polls/national/president<br /><br />Also, while "Bridge on the River Kwai" is a great piece of filmmaking, many British World War II veterans were angered by it. It's a fictionalized story, based on a novel based on a true incident. Some (including even Alec Guinness) thought the character he portrayed was unpatriotic in his zeal to prove that his men could build a bridge better than the Japanese, regardless of the consequences, while the real British officer in that position had done everything possible to sabotage the project from the get-go. Pat Reedernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-32283019573268437052017-05-29T15:41:11.268-07:002017-05-29T15:41:11.268-07:00To Anonymous, who objects to Ken's mention of ...To Anonymous, who objects to Ken's mention of the commander in chief as gratuitous. Making that statement is political, at odds with your supposed objection. Now go have one of Ivanka Trump's champagne popsicles to honor the fallen, whoever you are. <br /><br />Ken, thank you for your service. And for the deep humanism (with a twist) that always informs your columns. Tim Gnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-51161028436077821302017-05-29T15:22:39.839-07:002017-05-29T15:22:39.839-07:00My favorite war movie, by far -- and my choice of ...My favorite war movie, by far -- and my choice of viewing this evening -- American Sniper.Mike Moodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11973643901495588545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64595655538530586102017-05-29T14:56:18.930-07:002017-05-29T14:56:18.930-07:00I searched Netflix for Paths of Glory. This was in...I searched Netflix for Paths of Glory. This was included in the description:<br /><br />"Recommended based on your interest in Taxi Driver, Chinatown and Monty Python and the Holy Grail."<br /><br />Nothing like targeted recommendations.Eric Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10639837826294361383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20952006948265653882017-05-29T14:45:58.711-07:002017-05-29T14:45:58.711-07:00Re: Patton. Actually, Patton had a high, squeaky v...Re: Patton. Actually, Patton had a high, squeaky voice and there's (IIRC) only one recording of him extant. Think of that George C. Scott speech being delivered by Truman Capote and you'll get the idea. It's actually scarier.Earl Boeberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07300222007927549893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-74084631484744540662017-05-29T13:37:35.643-07:002017-05-29T13:37:35.643-07:00
Ken, the Commander in Chief remark was gratuitous...<br />Ken, the Commander in Chief remark was gratuitous on Memorial Day.<br />A day for remembrance, not for politics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63401901830063051412017-05-29T12:48:32.260-07:002017-05-29T12:48:32.260-07:00Twelve o'clock high, written by two combat vet...Twelve o'clock high, written by two combat veterans, best showing of what it was like to be a member of the 8th Air Force in ww-2,<br />Best years of our life, outstanding movie showing the readjustment problems returning vets had.<br />JoeJoe Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09145743257761084965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-5813722319761190192017-05-29T12:11:52.754-07:002017-05-29T12:11:52.754-07:00Sam Peckinpah's "Cross of Iron" with... Sam Peckinpah's "Cross of Iron" with James Coburn, Maximillian Schell and James Mason is another one, but from a German point of view...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-21691219778320788102017-05-29T10:37:48.535-07:002017-05-29T10:37:48.535-07:00Since Memorial Day began during the Civil War, I w...Since Memorial Day began during the Civil War, I would add GLORY. Denzel's Oscar but an even better performance by Morgan Freeman.<br /><br />TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH is one of the few Gregory Peck movies I can watch with pleasure, as the hard-driving general seems to mesh with his stiff personality. I like him better as a nasty SOB than as Atticus Finch.<br /><br />Wartime comedies seldom work for me, but there are comic elements in A BRIDGE TOO FAR, the story of the Allied disaster known as Market Garden. Pay special attention to Michael Caine. Buttermilk Skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07430011403223875192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-22866456542955194722017-05-29T10:12:10.035-07:002017-05-29T10:12:10.035-07:00I usually watch animated cartoons from the WWII er...I usually watch animated cartoons from the WWII era, appreciating the sentiment from a just war (on our side, of course) while regretting the ethnic and racial caricatures all too popular during that time period.<br /><br />We were shown Bridge On The River Kwai in junior high school around 1975, and I'd seen it a couple times since.<br /><br />As for TV, the two M*A*S*H shows I watch on, and are perfect for, this day are "Sometimes You Hear The Bullet" and the aforementioned "Abyssinia, Henry". Mibbitmakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17649369314906738690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-6569037374791203432017-05-29T09:39:22.500-07:002017-05-29T09:39:22.500-07:00George C Scott's opening in Patton was classic...George C Scott's opening in Patton was classic. Just the power of that portrayal and even though the movies was accused of glorifying war (reality I think it also pointed it's absurdities, just not in a comedic way), Scott became Patton. My image of Patton will always be George C. Scott.Mike Barerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14447874605833321732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20823568605870613582017-05-29T08:59:26.110-07:002017-05-29T08:59:26.110-07:00P.S. I hope you watched the latest Twin Peaks and ...P.S. I hope you watched the latest Twin Peaks and enjoyed the hilarious appearance of Wally Brando.Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-18293233936048678012017-05-29T08:58:16.941-07:002017-05-29T08:58:16.941-07:00A movie I strongly recommend is Sophie Scholl, whi...A movie I strongly recommend is Sophie Scholl, which tells the heartbreaking true story of a brave German girl who formed an underground resistance group in Nazi Germany. Beautifully acted, moving and devastating, it's a tribute to someone most people haven't heard of but whose sacrifice is a lesson in decency against evil.<br /><br />A more recent recommendation is Robert Zemeckis's Allied. A terrific old fashioned wartime thriller.<br /><br />Not strictly a war movie but you can't go wrong with Raiders of the Lost Ark, with Indy killing Nazis.Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47891116918734797212017-05-29T08:35:14.981-07:002017-05-29T08:35:14.981-07:00I love the quiet, languid pace of David Lean films...I love the quiet, languid pace of David Lean films, especially Doctor Zhivago, Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia. You can still get that type of pacing from Malicks films. It's nice to still be able to "settle in" to a film like those; a welcome change from all the blasting/shoot em up/action films.<br /><br />Sean Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57296601164478890562017-05-29T07:59:32.938-07:002017-05-29T07:59:32.938-07:00The Great Escape. Everyone was in it. The Great Escape. Everyone was in it. kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09216705763011665828noreply@blogger.com