tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post8307302048362369945..comments2023-08-20T06:16:15.362-05:00Comments on Getafilm: Taking It Home: RestrepoDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-4461870916968366082010-08-21T11:46:10.688-05:002010-08-21T11:46:10.688-05:00Thanks for taking the time to read through it, Fle...Thanks for taking the time to read through it, Fletch (and now that you have, I recommend taking more to read the VF article).<br /><br />I agree that the conclusion of this particular story - that so many lives were lost and dollars were spent for the purpose of...? - is really a hard pill to swallow. I'm sure it's a constant in wars dating back centuries, but when the ramifications of this war aren't easily tied down to daily life here it makes it even harder to process.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-2425276985447687882010-08-19T12:57:22.248-05:002010-08-19T12:57:22.248-05:00Yep, my instincts were right - fantastic review/ar...Yep, my instincts were right - fantastic review/article, Daniel. You wouldn't think that such a simple premise (turn on camera, follow) could lead to so many questions and provide us with such a forum for conversations. <br /><br />I was just as mystified as you. It's difficult - you don't wish to denigrate the efforts of these soldiers, but it's really hard to walk away from this without wondering what the point of their being there is. Obviously, they take immense pride in the job they've done (in setting up Restrepo, amongst other things), butI must admit a disconnect as that made its way to my ears and eyes. I was dumbfounded with the sheer anonymity of the enemy - it's bad enough that they don't even know the 'organization' they're going after, but to barely see them as well is almost comical. Shoot and pray.Fletchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299302086449086987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-17394412123136356662010-08-02T11:08:32.679-05:002010-08-02T11:08:32.679-05:00It's true, you could say I threw the baby out ...It's true, you could say I threw the baby out with the bathwater with my dismissal of THL here. And to be clear, Restrepo also really supports the PTSD on display in Stop-Loss, which I am willing to carry the torch for at every opportunity.<br /><br />What I should have clarified in comparing The Hurt Locker to Restrepo is that the former presents what I think is a wildly inaccurate portrayal of military procedure. Even the mere presence of a commanding officer in Restrepo appears to demand quiet respect from the soldiers; going outside of protocol and leaving fellow soldiers in a vulnerable position would result in disaster, not proud approval (as seen in The Hurt Locker).Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-4622108571032712552010-08-01T17:07:38.211-05:002010-08-01T17:07:38.211-05:00Hmm. Yeah, looks like it. While noting that I agre...Hmm. Yeah, looks like it. While noting that I agree with most of your review, here's the one disagreement (sort of) ...<br /><br />Yes, <em>Restrepo</em> reveals <em>Hurt Locker</em> as Hollywoodization. Of course, as a documentary, it should. But I'd argue that more than anything it shows the truth of <em>Hurt Locker</em>'s main premise, that combat is addictive and difficult to leave behind. We see this both in the direct comments of the guys in the warzone, and we see it in their expressions after their Korengal tours are over -- they have not moved on, they have not readjusted. So, yes, <em>Hurt Locker</em> has John Wayne-going-on-Rambo moments. But the heart of the film is supported by what we see in <em>Restrepo</em>. That's my take anyway.Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-41072475349434419732010-08-01T12:55:59.232-05:002010-08-01T12:55:59.232-05:00Jason...? I suspect your comment was snipped off i...Jason...? I suspect your comment was snipped off in cyberspace.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-36209973806291975152010-08-01T12:55:45.691-05:002010-08-01T12:55:45.691-05:00Thanks, Craig. I actually picked up on some of the...Thanks, Craig. I actually picked up on some of the anti/pro debate at LiC before I saw it, but now I can say that it succeeds pretty well at keeping its nose out of politics. Of course that leaves us with all kinds of questions, but again, the point of this wasn't to examine the reasons why the U.S. is there, but to just show us what it looks like when we're there.<br /><br />Glad you made it to Lagoon to check it out, Castor. I hope it has a decent shelf life in theaters, but if people are deciding between this and Dinner for Schmucks, I think it's pretty obvious where they'll end up. Pretty sad.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-86954492160214238652010-08-01T07:48:17.721-05:002010-08-01T07:48:17.721-05:00The Hurt Locker did, the documentary undeniably re...The Hurt Locker did, the documentary undeniably reveals last year's Best Picture-winner as the Hollywoodized version of war that many accused it of being (including me). These rounds are live, these deaths are palpable, and this trauma lingers long after the credits roll.Jason Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18150199580478147196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-77666189395202022582010-07-31T21:37:04.996-05:002010-07-31T21:37:04.996-05:00Seen it! Best film of 2010. I know it lack a coher...Seen it! Best film of 2010. I know it lack a coherent narrative structure but it doesn't need it. A truly riveting documentary that every American should see.Castorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15317266954630009383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-24651687557800906192010-07-30T19:39:29.505-05:002010-07-30T19:39:29.505-05:00I've been meaning to drive myself to the Lagoo...I've been meaning to drive myself to the Lagoon to see Restrepo since last week. Hopefully, I will get to see it this weekend as this is one I REALLY want to see. The A-Stan war really is a stalemate at best, I'm not sure what we are doing over there but we are doing something... right?Castorhttp://www.anomalousmaterial.com/moviesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-3086325203183421332010-07-30T17:38:09.636-05:002010-07-30T17:38:09.636-05:00Fantastic look at an excellent and important docum...Fantastic look at an excellent and important documentary Daniel.<br /><br />Noted jerk Jeff Wells has repeatedly taken this movie to task for not offering a blatant anti-afghan-war message, but if this documentary doesn't leave you shaken and feeling that we are truly and deeply screwed over there, I don't know what will. You don't need to be spoon-fed by Keith Olbermann. You just need a look at what's really happening and this is it... or a very disturbing part of it.<br /><br />Makes The Hurt Locker seem like The Sound of Music.Craig Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00924813294666616097noreply@blogger.com