Directed by Wolfgang Petersen Das Boot is a wonderfully intense, painfully bleak vision of war from the perspective of a German U-boat in 1941. Sure, maybe all war is bleak (I think so!), but some movies have a way of finding glory in such a conflict. Its soldiers are heroic, mighty, humble and self-sacrificing, all … Continue reading Das Boot (1981)
war
Memphis Belle (1990)
Directed by Michael Caton-Jones Memphis Belle is a pretty straightforward World War II film, but I was smitten with it. Maybe it's the cast, composed of welcome and familiar faces like Matthew Modine, a young Harry Connick Jr., Eric Stoltz, Courtney Gains, Tate Donovan or Sean Astin, as well as the always calming presence of … Continue reading Memphis Belle (1990)
Starship Troopers (1997)
Directed by Paul Verhoeven Starship Troopers only borrowed the name from the science-fiction book written by Edward Neumeier after similarities between that book and the screenplay, originally titled Bug Hunt at Outpost Nine. Director Paul Verhoeven couldn't read more than a few chapters of the Neumeier book, saying it made him "bored and depressed." Verhoeven later explained … Continue reading Starship Troopers (1997)
The Time Machine (1960)
Directed by George Pal It's December 31, 1899 when George (Rod Taylor) gathers his friends to introduce them to a device that can travel through time. Before questioning the capability of his invention, they interrogate his motivation. George is disgusted with the ways of the world, mostly the wars, and try as he might, his … Continue reading The Time Machine (1960)