Full Metal Jacket

"In Vietnam. the wind doesn't blow, it sucks" poetic words from an intense movie. This is the best Vietnam war movie ever made. Better than The Deer Hunter. Better even than Apocalypse Now. Full Metal Jacket has some of the most gut-wrenching scenes ever put on film. Once again Stanley Kubrick shows what a meticulous director he was with such a superbly crafted movie.

The first half of the movie is only boot camp. We must see the marines before their journey into the unknown, and Vietnam is very much unknown. Boot camp shows humans breaking down at their most basic level. These boys want to kill, they are being trained to kill, but why is this? Why do they have a thirst for blood? That's an individual question so consider that yourself. What is certain is that some people do NOT know what they are getting themselves into. Unfortunately, Pvt. Pyle bears the brunt of the drill sergeant's wrath because he isn't the brightest bulb in the bunch. Kubrick's point to the first half is that soldiers don't have to be in a war zone to be in hell. This is Pvt. Pyle:


Later in the movie we learn of the 1000 yard stare, poor Pvt. Pyle already has it and he hasn't even left the country. It is very hard to watch this healthy, happy, human being turning into a deranged killer. But that is war, to say the least.

The second half is all "in country". This is when Pvt. Joker is tested. He goes in thinking he is a lean, mean, killing machine but see's very little action. When he finally does deal his first fatal bullet, there is a change in him. The same as Pvt. Pyle. Humans aren't meant to kill in this way. Without mercy or care. The second half is more poetic and nuanced than the first and must be paid close attention to to understand.

R. Lee Ermey is...vivid to say the least. When you watch this film, keep in mind that almost all of Ermey's lines were ad-libbed by him. Which for Kubrick must have been hard to get over, but the end result is very satisfying and will burn the ears of even the most hardened marine. Vincent D'Onofrio hits all the right notes as Pyle. Adam Baldwin is a sight to see as Animal Mother, a much more in depth character than he is portrayed as, pay close attention to him. Finally, Matthew Modine is perfect as Pvt. Joker.

Also, Kubricks use of music warrants mention. The score contrasts drastically with the subject matter and yet compliments it.

Many people love the first half of this movie and hate the second. I'm sorry to say, that's stupid. The entire first half of the movie is the set-up. An exquisite portrayal of the dehumanizing effect our military has on young men from all walks of life.

IMDB here.

It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life is one of the most moving movies of all time. I am very surprised that when it was first released, it was panned by critics. They hated it. It was released in 1946, so I can understand that, at the time, it would be hard to watch such an emotionally wrenching film. It really does bring tears to my eye every time I watch it.

James Stewart does an excellent job as George Bailey, a free spirit and dreamer growing up in Bedford Falls. As a kid he was a hardworking boy that actually saved his brothers life from a frozen pond - at the expense of hearing in his left ear. After that he gets a job in "old man Gowers" drug store. Gower fills a medicine bottle with poison accidentally. George sees this but doesn't know what to do. He eventually confronts Mr. Gower who beats him before checking the bottle, only to find that George was right. He apologises immensely and vowes never to hurt him again.

So before the age of 12, George Bailey has saved 2 people's lives. This says a lot about the character we will come to know that is the adult George Bailey. Constantly stopping his own quest or dreams to help someone else. This leads him to consider suicide on a cold winter night. Luckily, Angel Second-Class, Clarence is called in to show George what the world would be like if he had not existed.

Henry Travers does an excellent job as Clarence. His performance holds qualities of deep compassion, and childlike ignorance. He is truly a joy to watch.

For 1946 the production was extremely large for a film that did not do very well at the box office. Literally tons of chemical snow (that was created specifically for this movie and later used for years as the "new fake snow") was made to make every scene realistic. The music and cinematography lend itself to the story but nothing special here.

The ending really does make all the heartbreak the audience and George endured worth it. This film really shows the impact one man (and an angel) can have on a town and the world. It is deeply moving and cannot be scoffed at. Everyone can and will take something away from this great film. Recommended viewing for everyone.

IMDB here.

Pulp Fiction

Some call it a "cult hit". Some call it the best movie of all time. I don't agree with either of them. Pulp Fiction won an Oscar for Best Screen Play and was nominated for 6 others. Most "cult" movies do not achieve this kind of success if they pertain to a cult following. It is also not the best movie of all time. Extremely interesting, funny, exciting, violent, dirty, and foul is how I would describe it. Really nothing else has come close to being such an enigma.

What really makes the movie is the acting:

Samuel L. Jackson - This is probably his most enjoyable/best performance ever, here, as Jules the hitman. His lines are ridiculous at times and at others - deathly serious. But he gives such a stellar performance that you eat it up. You believe him. That is who Jules is. Not Samuel acting like him. That's Jules. Excellent performance.

John Travolta - Also great acting from a guy I was never a fan of. This movie changed my mind. Sure he hasn't done much of anything good since (a few exceptions) but this movie is his legacy. THIS is the movie he will be remembered for. His Vincent Vega is perfect, the best counterpart to Jules you could have asked for. His conversations are great, believable and interesting. Must be seen by a fan and non-fan alike.

Uma Thurman - There is something very understated about her performance. Quiet, out of it, and ready for some excitement, Mia Wallace gets much more than she bargained for with Vincent on their night out on the town. The "out of it" part of her performance stems from her characters drug habit. Great acting to be found here.

The list of famous actors and actresses that had parts in this movie is extremely long. Take a look at the IMDB page posted after the article and take a look. Tim Roth - awesome. Bruce Willis - doesn't pull any punches (haha). Ving Rhames - menacing as always. The list goes on and on.

The great writing is kept up with only through the quick editing and cinematography that accompanies it. The music also oddly aids the movie though it feels out of place in some parts.

Pulp Fiction is so interesting it takes multiple viewings to fully appreciate it. A must see for any film enthusiast.

IMDB here.