Jarhead
 

Just saw Jarhead. I thought it was so-so. It lacked a coherent theme and and didnt't have much of a message behind it. The story is mainly about the phychological effect of being a solder, waiting for war. Although there are many ideas in the film it feels like the director doesnt have the guts to take a firm stand on any of them. The plotline is also very, very anti-climactic. Some would say that this was the idea, but frankly if I go to see a film I want it to be intresting and this film's protagonist is rather dull despite a great performance by Jake Gyllenhaal.

Not worth the price of admission in my opinion.

Yeah, I really like the trailer, with Jesus Walks in the backround, but... It doesnt look too deep, there's no real story hinted in the plot.

Mantus - did you read the book? Your impressions of the movie are very similar to how I felt about the book. Now the NY Times is claiming that the novel has already taken its place among the classics of the genre of military memoirs. I was hoping that the movie would fix the book, but it doesn't sound like that happened.

Thanks for the heads up. I will not go see this movie. Maybe a good rental. War movies should be explosive and action packed. Speaking of war movies, Saving Private Ryan was a good one.

Yes. Don't expect anything particularly interesting from this movie. Spoiler: I can't believe he didn't even fire his goddam rifle

But I did like the parts of the movie that dealt with the emotions of the marines. And there were some humourous parts.

But no, not worth the admission if you're planning to see a war movie.

BTW: Screw you Toronto Star and your 4 out of 4 rating. What bs.

EDIT: I'm a dumbass

But I had already read the book and it was kinda lame as well. An excellent book however, is Generation Kill. One Bullet Away is good as well, but the writing style is kinda awkward.

What do you mean by this Carn?

And no ubertuber, I did not read the book.

never mind.. confused my training.

Normally, I wouldn't of caught that.

But after reading Ben's stories, I was like "Huh? That's different..."

I thought it wasn't too bad.

Did anybody noticed that when Jake's character entered a command ops tent and it had Dell computers with flat screen monitors? In the middle of gulf war? Did I miss something?

I must have missed that.

I thought that movie was pretty good. It is true that it does not have much action in it, but I thought the movie was made well with some good shots.
I will say that, Full metal jacket was a better movie.

I really enjoyed it. I didn't see it as much as a "war movie" as a character study though...and if you went wanting to see bombs and gritty war scenes, then it probably wasn't the movie for you. I had to keep resisting the urge to lean over and ask hubby, "Was it REALLY like that??". I thought that all the acting was good, and the cinematography was great too.

I enjoyed it. Went in with few expectations, which I find works well for me with the quality of movies coming out these days. Kind of like the MTV version of Full Metal Jacket.

The soundtrack was hilarious. I had an involuntary dance spasm in my seat to "OPP". And then was very embarrassed because the only empty seat I found had a missing armrest between me and a gross old man that kept picking at his pant legs.

Opinions by the ladies here are invalid because of multiple exposures to Gyllenhaal's bum. :p

My little brother introduced me to Generation Kill - it is quite a good book. I've been meaning to see Jarhead, but haven't gotten around to it. Would it be worth the matinee price of admission?

I hadn't even remembered that part until you mentioned it. His bum is kinda dreamy...
:lol:

Yes, I think it would be worth it. It's a good movie for what it is, but an action movie it is not.

Fair enough - thanks for the info. :) I'll have to find some time this week and see it, and report back my thoughts on it.

Interesting. During my time on Parris Island, NOT calling the drill instructors "Sir" was a quick trip to the quarter deck, or even worse, maybe the sand pit, for a thrashing.

-bear

....never mind

Really :thumbsup: . Actually when I got to infantry school, I remember being schooled by the NCO's about calling them "Sir."

Don't call me Sir...I still piss in the shower PFC...

Aaaah good times.
Well, well, well. We've got a zero on our hands.

Exxxcuuuuuse me. "SIR!" :D

/at least you're a mustanger.

-bear

I'm excited as heck to see this movie..... one of the few movies I am looking forward to seeing it. Plus..... I put on my hunting fatigues and I'm good ole Jake.

I saw it, and appreciated it for what it was. It is no Kubrick, and there were times when it was trying too hard.

I loved some of the scenes. I fucking cried I was laughing so hard.

Spoiler: When he played the bugle with his mouth, and then did Stevie Wonder. And then when in the shower the guy says "Hey, its a dick, only smaller!"

But really, it is worth the price of a Matinee. There was a beginning, a middle, and an end. In that order.

It's not a Full Metal Jacket style movie, but the war in the Middle East isnt like Vietnam either. I thought it was a great look into what modern war is really like. Troops on the ground being replaced by air support. I thought the movie was worth more than the price of admission, and I didnt come away feeling like it was missing anything at all. I still put Full Metal Jacket at the top of my war movie list, but I thought Jarhead was great. (and last I knew, Drill Sergeants were the exemption to the rule about only calling Officers "SIR!!"

Swarhoff's book was more memior than war novel meaning that the adaptation was always giong to be difficult in replicating the same emotional effects.

The movie studios commissioned the film based upon the great book sales and reviews, but forgot to do their research into the book.

Okay so I don't think your a mustang at all, because if you went from boot camp then straight to OCS you were in a program I've never even hear of. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Four and a half years ago when I was in boot camp and one of my Maries who was in boot camp at PI one year ago called all Drill Instructors "Sir". If not then that was your ass bottom line. What branch of service are you in, because I'm thinking the Army? I say this because from what I've been told (never actually verified) but in there boot camp you call your Drill Sgt by rank not sir.

I'm not a mustanger.