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 

Hacksaw Ridge spills blood and faith in big amounts

Movie Title:  Hacksaw Ridge

Grade:  A

Rating:  R, 139 minutes

In a Nutshell: This is NOT your typical Christian movie.  Directed by Mel Gibson, this graphic, true story inspires faith and courage amidst a background of the brutal, horrors of World War II. 

The audience cheered and clapped several times during the movie to honor the first “conscientious objector" to receive the Medal of Honor, Desmond T. Doss.  The theater I sat in was also filled with veterans, based on their reaction and the comments I heard from them while we slowly walked out.

Uplifting theme: 

• “When the world is busy tearing itself apart, it doesn’t seem like such a bad thing to me to want to put a little bit of it back together.” – Desmond
• How well do you hold to your convictions?  How well do you show respect to those who do? 
• Bravery, cowardice, patriotism, friendship.

Things I liked:

• The star cast really knocked it out of the park on this one.  The acting really was stellar, led by Hugo Weaving, Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, and Dorothy Schutte.  Vince Vaughn was surprisingly effective. Hugo Weaving was absolutely amazing.
• Most people don’t much about Seventh Day Adventists. It was inspiring to watch a man truly live his religion.
• It reminded me a little bit of the faithful story in Saints and Soldiers, but with the gore and drama of Saving Private Ryan
• How do they film war scenes like this?
• I always love true stories where you get to see video footage and pictures of the real people the story is about at the end of the movie.
• Desmond goes to Fort Jackson.  I didn’t realize it was around during WWII.  My oldest son went there for his Army training too.
• Mel Gibson was a Hollywood hunk for many decades, only to be laughed at and dismissed in the past few years as a jerk and wackadoodle.  This film may be his comeback and apology.  It’ll be interesting to see if anyone is willing to grant him an Oscar.  Gibson is on par with his excellent work in Braveheart and Apocalypto  After a 10 year directing break, welcome back, Mel.
• There is a huge contrast between the sweet, innocent love story between Desmond and Dorothy during the first half of the movie and the brutal, gory carnage of the second half.   That stark contrast reminds me of the incredibly powerful movie “Life is Beautiful.”

Things I didn’t like:

• Does faith, patriotism, and courage have to be packaged with so much violence and gore to be appreciated?
• No guns.  No killing.  Where have I heard that before?  Oh yeah....Batman.
• You feel like your gut has been punched and your heart ripped out by the time you stagger out of the theater.

Here's an interesting trailer with Mel Gibson.  Did he get religion?

Interesting lines:

• “The U.S. Army does not make mistakes.” – 
• “You better come home to me.” – Dorothy Schutte (Teresa Palmer)
• “In peace, men bury their sons.  In war, fathers bury their son.” – Vito Rinnelli (Firass Dirani)
• “You didn’t kill him. “ – Smitty (I loved Luke Bracey in Point Break (2015) 

“In my heart, I did.” - Desmond

• “All I saw was a skinny kid.  I didn’t know who you were.” – Captain Glover (I chuckled to myself, because Sam Worthington's character in Avatar was all about "I see you.") 

Funny lines:

• “I have seen corn stalks with better physiques.” – Sgt. Howell (Vince Vaughn)
• “We’re not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy. Keep climbing.” – drill
• “You’re like gum on a shoe, ain’t ya?” – Sgt. Howell
• “It’s a bit late for target practice, don’t ya think?” – Sgt. Howell 
• “I’m going to marry her. “ – Desmond

“Does she know it?” –  Bertha Doss (Rachel Griffiths)

Tips for parents: 

• This is NOT a children’s movie.  It’s rated R for extreme violence, gore, lots of scary dead bodies, and realistic war images.
• You see the rear end of a naked soldier.
• It’s surprising how little profanity there is, considering the movie is full of tough soldiers in horrible situations.