Thank you for your service presents sobering reality for American veterans

Movie Title: 
Thank You for Your Service

Grade:   B

Rating: R, 108 minutes

In a Nutshell:   I was curious about this film, because I have proudly shouted the titled words to soldiers passing by in the airport or wherever I see them in uniform. 

As a mother of a son in the Army, this movie was sobering, frustrating, and even infuriating.

While we have seen this subject matter done before in other movies, it’s still worth reminding the American public that our vets deserve much better than they’re currently getting.  They need support when they return from war and they should not be afraid to ask for help when they desperately need it.

I taught at a local college for 5 years where I had many vets in my classes.  Some did great, but many of them really struggled and, honestly, some were messed up.  They all deserve thanks from a grateful nation, but even better, they need practical help.

Although the movie didn’t mention it, you should check out the 22 Day Pushup Challenge that raises awareness for veterans suffering with PTSD.  A friend of mine recently participated.  On Day 1, he couldn’t even do a single push-up.  He finished strong on Day 22.  The movie DID mention that 20 vets commit suicide every day.  The actual number is now 22.  It’s a sobering, real problem that deserves our public outrage and action.

I would have liked to see a call to action at the end of the movie, like a web site or phone number where we could go to have our voice heard.  Allow me to give you that call to action.   Contribute to organizations that offer support to vets.  Write to your legislators today.

Uplifting theme: 

• “You live.  That’s how you honor him.” – Amanda Doster (Amy Schumer)
• "Every day I wake up, I'm grateful." - Michael Adam Emory (Scott Haze)

Things I liked:

• It appears to be very realistic.
• I was surprised to see comedienne Amy Schumer in it, especially playing a very serious wife of a fallen soldier.  I was super impressed to learn that she donated all of the money she earned for her role in the movie to several army war vet foundations.
• The cast did a very good job and features Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, Beulah Koale, Scott Haze, Joe Cole.
• I liked the way the movie doesn't tell you exactly what happened to this unit in Iraq all at once, but fills in the puzzle pieces as the film unfolds.
• Shania Twain sings the feature song Soldier.  I've always been such a fan of her music and think she's gorgeous.

Things I didn’t like:

• Sooooo much profanity. 
• It kind of makes vets look like a bunch of rednecks.
• While the Veterans Administration does a lot of good, this film is a scathing condemnation of the ridiculous red tape that exists in the government organization that should be there for our vets.  Incompetent bureaucracy gets in the way of providing timely support.
• I felt more angry than tearful.

Interesting lines:

• “You don’t see the bomb unless they want you to.  You sense it.” – Adam Schumann (Miles Teller)
• “We’re having a baby.” – Solo (Beulah Koale)

“That’s great!  You’ll have a new unit.” –   Linda Sanders (Allison King)

Tips for parents: 

• Very bloody and gory.  People die.
• TONS of profanity, including TONS of F-bombs.
• Sex scene (clothes on) and talk of sexual acts.
• Racial slurs, including the “N” word.
• Full nudity of the back side of a lady.
• Bloody, vicious dog fight.
• Drug use and other illegal activities
• Violent war scenes
• It’s pretty depressing.

If you enjoyed this movie, you'll also like: 

The Hurt Locker

American Sniper

MOVIE REVIEW MOM

@trinaboice 

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk is a trudge

Movie Title:  Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

Grade:  C

Rating: R, 110 minutes

In a Nutshell: As an Army mom, I admit I watched this flag-waiving drama through different eyes.  Based on the best-selling book, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk: A Novel, this was the first time High Frame Rate technology was used in a movie at such a high speed.  

It has an interesting effect that is supposed to be immersive in a new way.  Unfortunately, most people will end up watching this underwhelming movie on a TV or tiny computer screen after it comes out on DVD, missing the impressive work in each frame.

Uplifting theme: 

• “Has anyone looked in the eyes of the dead?” – poetry at funeral
• “It’s not something I’m real proud of, but I did what I had to do.” – Billy Lynn
• "The karma of action…the way of the warrior." - Shroom
• “Sometimes I wonder if we really deserve what you guys do for us.” – Faison (Makenzie Leigh)
• “We're a nation of children, Billy.  We go somewhere else to grow up, sometimes to die.” – Shroom (Vin Diesel)
• Loyalty, bravery, patriotism, war, freedom, politics.

Things I liked:

• The funeral at the beginning is heart-breaking when the ceremony includes calling out for the deceased soldier.
• Shout-out to Matt Damon, Hillary Swank, and Destiny’s Child.  Celebrities who were actually in the movie are Vin Diesel, Chris Tucker, Kristen Stewart, Steve Martin. 
• Newcomer Joe Alwyn has incredibly expressive eyes that allow you to see the conflict within his character.
• Ben Platt is so likable.  He has only played small roles in movies so far, but I’d like to see him in a bigger role someday.
• Two-time Oscar winning Director Ang Lee broke new ground cinematically because of his technique.  (I loved his work in Life of Pi.)  I also liked how he tried to film it as if we were in the middle of the action, rather than watching the action.
• The film addresses PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)  You might be interested in learning more about combat stress recovery programs.  
• I loved how Shroom always said “I love you” to his men.
•  This movie isn't really a war movie, but rather, a soldier movie.

  

Things I didn’t like:

• All of the guys talk at the same time, so it’s often hard to hear what everyone is saying.
• The film tells you how to feel.
• The acting isn’t particularly good.
• I realize the soldiers are just young kids.  They are often extremely badly behaved, even at their press events.  Doesn’t the military teach some etiquette to soldiers before they go on a media tour like this?  It's embarrassing.
• There is some ignorant talk of gays in the military.
• On the one hand, the movie seemed like a satire.  On the other hand, it felt like it was too saccharine.
• I wanted more of a backstory so that I would care about any of these soldiers.
• The script is rather dull. 

Interesting lines:

• “It doesn’t have to be about God or country.  Just find something bigger than yourself.” – Shroom (Vin Diesel)
• ‘I’ve kind of gotten used to telling people what they want to hear.” – Billy Lynn
• “It’s so weird, being honored for the worst day of your life.” – Billy Lynn
• “Sometimes nothing is better than something.” – Billy Lynn
• “Take us some place safe.  Take us back to the war.” – Sykes (Barney Harris)

Funny lines:

• “72 virgins in heaven?  Why 72?” – random girl who talked to Billy Lynn at a football game.
• “I can appreciate trash talk.  It’s not the best I’ve heard, but it’s pretty good.” – Steven Martin
• “Yeah, yeah.  Let’s go get a middle school named after us!” – Dime  (Garrett Hedlund)

Tips for parents: 

• Lots and lots of profanity.
• A lot of inappropriate sexual conversations and a fairly graphic sex scene.
• There is a scene were some guys smoke marijuana.
• War violence, including a bloody hand-to-hand combat scene.

@trinaboice