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Nov 06, 05
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Jarhead
This is the kind of war movie I like. None of the pointless love stories, none of the pointless explosions, none of the pointless drama. This movie shows war for what it really is.
Unfortunately for the hundreds of thousands of soldiers deployed in Kuwait in 1992, it meant hundreds of days of waiting, doing nothing, and only 4 days of the actual "war." This is what Jarhead is essentially about. What happens to these soldiers who aren't involved in the front line, if there is one? Do they just sit around and do nothing? Pretty much. Those who plan on seeing a lot of fighting in this movie will be disappointed. This isn't Black Hawk Down, which is also a war movie I like, which told a story about a group of soldiers in the midst of conflict. Jarhead is about the amount of waiting marines had to do during 1992. This is based on a true story, I think one of the soldiers wrote a memoir about the event. Jake Gyllenhaal is excellent in this movie. So far I've really only seen him as the rough, but sensitive guy with puppy dog eyes. And while this is still true for this movie, he shows a lot more range and dimension playing the role of Swofford. There's a great supporting cast to with Jamie Foxx as their Sgt. and Peter Sarsgaard as a Cpl. I think Peter just might win that Oscar he deserved for Kinsey with this one. I read a review complaining that there isn't enough character development in the movie. Jamie Foxx's character says at one point that he "loves his job," but doesn't explain why. I don't think this is a shortcoming of the director (Sam Mendes), but an artistic choice. Early on in the movie, Swofford narrates that "Jarheads" are essentially empty jars, empty vessels. And by not delving too deep into the characters' emotions and motivations, this is exemplified. Also, I think there is some level of character development. It's just not fully explored and formulaically (sp?) laid out for everyone to gloss over. The cinematography is excellent. I don't think any other movie has portrayed the desert like this. At times, you can almost feel the dryness, and others, it's just alive with with flames. In one nighttime scene, the dunes almost seem like they're dancing with the way the lights move along them. Overall, I thought this movie was excellent. Deserves quite a few Oscar nods. PLUS: Straight guys be warned, while there's a lot of typical hetero-horny boy jokes, there's also a lot of shirtless males. And quite a lot of the Jake butt shots hehehe. And a nice full frontal (though shadowy) shower scene. Points for that :) Brokeback Mountain anyone? :D 
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Nov 06, 05
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Oooo.. sounds great. I'm really wanting to go see this movie, and hopefully I'll get to relatively soon. Your review is making me even more stoked to go see it. Thanks! (so who wants to go with me?!)
I think that Jake Gyllenhaal is a good actor, and it'll be nice to see him in a different kind of war movie. I'm not too into the shoot em up fighting war movies, but they can be real good. :)
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Nov 06, 05
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i am not one to be all "starry eyed" about actors or bands or anything.. i never was like that ever.. AT ALL...but jake.. holy i think he's the hottest guy out there.. if there was one person in hollywood i would take home.. it would be him.. not to mention he's one of my fav actors on the serious side..always plays really well in all his roles ..presents himself very well..
i would like to see this movie and i wouldn't .. (the closest person to me is currently in the military) so i think it would be really hard for me to watch.. i couldn't even watch the cheesey greenday music video...
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Nov 07, 05
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Oh yeah.
 
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Nov 07, 05
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^that's why he looked so familiar
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Nov 07, 05
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Donnie Darko was an excellent movie, and i really enjoyed jarhead. The way this story was shown to us was perfect. I think anyone that didnt like it was going in with notions that this was going to be you standard, arnold breaks through the floorboards picks up the 2 huge future guns and blows everything to bits, type of movie. Which it clearly is not.
(anyone pick up the 'eraser' reference??) haha.
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Nov 13, 05
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i really do everything in my power to avoid war movies - however i went and saw this one last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. most good things about it have already been mentioned - i just found it as the best take so far on modern war.
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Nov 13, 05
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thanks for the review. I was iffy about whether or not to watch this movie, considering I hate war movies and everything to do with them, but this sounds good. plus, the picture posted helped sway me over to the "must watch" side lol. keep posting reviews, great idea!
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