12 Strong tells the true story of the horse soldiers who were the first to fight back after 911

Movie Title:   
  12 Strong

Grade:   B

Rating: R,
  2 hours 10 minutes

In a Nutshell:  This declassified true story has good intentions and a solid cast, but doesn’t give us the depth that other war movies have provided in recent years.

Hoorah to our American soldiers who bravely fight in impossible circumstances.  I'm a proud mother of an officer in the US Army, so this kind of movie really tugs at my heart.

The inspiring stories after 911 seem to be endless.  A horse soldier statue was erected at the new World Trade Center in honor of the heroes in this story.  The film is based on the book 12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers.

Tips for parents: 

• Tons of profanity and trash talk from tough soldiers.
• Lots of shooting and violent deaths.
• Blood and gore.
• Lots of subtitles.

                                         

Uplifting theme: 

• “The greatest weapon in the history of the world is this (points at heart).”  - General Dostum   (Navid Negahban)
• “How do we love our family and leave them to go to war?” – Hal Spencer (Michael Shannon) 
• War, brotherhood
• Friendship
• Communication, culture

                                                                 

Things I liked:

• Because it's a Jerry Bruckheimer production, you are assured some great action sequences.  
• The capable cast includes the always hunky Chris Hemsworth, compelling Michael Shannon, and likable Michael Pena.
• Pictures of the real soldiers about whom this movie was made are shown at the end of the movie.
• I get a kick out of Rob Riggle in everything he does.
• Great sound effects that make you feel like you're in the middle of it all.
• The absurdity and horror of horses facing tanks is actually made believable in the movie.

Things I didn’t like:

• Sometimes it’s hard to understand what everyone is saying.
• Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s happening too, especially in the evening scenes.
• A surprising amount of standing around talking.  There is hardly any action during the first hour of the movie.  Lots of action in the second half.
• If you don't know the true story, you'll feel the suspense and danger.  If you already know who does and doesn't survive the ordeal, the tension lessons tremendously.  The good news for this movie is that most people don't know the story at all and will enjoy the ride.
• It's definitely a man's movie, so some women will feel pummeled and exhausted by the end.
• Some of the battles feel repetitive.

Interesting lines:

• That’s not intel; it’s motivation.” – Sam Diller (Michael Pena)
• “Stop being a soldier and start using this (points to heart) and you can be a warrior.” –General Dostum

Funny lines:

• “What is that?  $10?  $9.50?”   (American soldier says to an Afghan street vendor who holds up his hand and has a finger cut half off.)

911 War movie that did it better:
Black Hawk Down

                                              @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 

Newest Ben-Hur movie is half the length of Charlton Heston's Oscar-winning film

Movie Title: Ben Hur

  

Grade:   B-

Rating:  PG-13, 124 minutes

In a Nutshell:   I grew up watching the 1959 Oscar-winning original every Easter when it would play on TV.  

As a Christian, I’m always grateful to see religious-based movies hit the Big Screen.  However, as a Christian, I’m often disappointed.  

While the Charlton Heston adaptation earned 11 Academy Awards, this 6^th version will be mostly forgotten.   Watch the original instead.

Uplifting theme: 

• Redemption.
• Revenge vs. forgiveness
• Mercy vs. justice
• Fear vs. faith
• Kindness vs. brutality

Things I liked:

• This was filmed at the same site in Rome as the 1959 movie.
• Some of the sets were actually very good.
• The Roman ship battle scene was very impressive.  You’ll want to take a deep breath when it’s over.
• The chariot race towards the end was brutal, action-packed, and pretty exciting.
• Cheers to married couple Roma Downey and Mark Burnett who keep trying to bring family-friendly, inspiring movies to Christian audiences.  In fact, this adaptation shows more scenes with Jesus than any other version of Ben-Hur.
• Jack Huston sells us on his character's development.

Things I didn’t like:

• It doesn’t seem to have the same heart and soul as the Charlton Heston version. 
• The first half of the movie was a bit of a snore fest.
• Choppy editing.
• There is a lot of very obvious foreshadowing.
• This remake doesn’t really add anything new or even offer a different perspective to give audiences a reason to watch it.
• A lot of CGI, although it was done well.
• I always feel so sad for the horses in these sandal and sword movies.
• I wanted to cry and really feel something, but the few touching scenes were too rushed.
• Yeow!  Yeow!  Yeow!  Yeow!  (chariot race)
• This remake is half the length of Charlton Heston’s famous film that lasted almost four hours.  Granted, four hours is really too long for a movie (the popcorn only lasts 20 minutes).  I guess you could call this version “efficient.”  
• This movie will give you a headache if you see it in 3D.  2D is perfectly fine and enough.
• When you see Morgan Freeman playing the old sage, you know this movie isn’t going to be offering anything new.  I mean, how many times have we seen him play that role already?  Don’t get me wrong.  I do love him.  But wait, Morgan Freeman in dreadlocks?  That's new.

Interesting lines:

• “What should I do?” – Judah Ben-Hur  (Jack Huston)

“You’ve done enough.  Now pray!” – Naomi (Ayelet Zurer)

• “Love your enemies.” – Jesus (Rodrigo Santoro)

“That’s progressive.” – Judah

“It’s the truth.” – Jesus

• “We don’t kill all Romans.” – girl in tent

“Well, that’s not very comforting to the dead ones.” – Judah

• “You confuse peace with freedom.” – man in tent
• “You should have stayed away.” – Messala (Toby Kebbell)

“You should have killed me.” – Judah Ben-Hur  (Jack Huston)

“I will.” – Messala

  

Tips for parents:   

• Fighting, blood, suffering, drowning, trampling.  In other words, LOTS of violent sequences.
• Some kids just don't like older movies, so this newest version of Ben-Hur will be a nice introduction to this loosely-based Bible story for them.

Max honors military dogs and families

Movie:   Max

PG, 1 hour 51 minutes

Grade:  C+

In a Nutshell:   A Malinois Belgian Shepherd gives a respectable performance as a salute to all of the dogs who have served in the military.

Uplifting Theme:

·         Dogs have been used by the U.S.  military since World War 1.

·         Over 3000 dogs have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

·         26 dogs and 25 handlers have been killed in the service of their country since 2003.  The movie tells you at the end that this film was made in their memory.

Things I liked:

·         It’s absolutely heartbreaking to watch Max sit next to the casket of his fallen trainer, Kyle.

·         The animal training in the film is extremely impressive.  Wow, how do they choreograph the fight scenes?

·         I’ve enjoyed watching Thomas Haden Church in anything ever since I first saw him in that old TV show WINGS - The Complete Series .

·         It’s a needed look at another aspect of war and what grieving families and pets go through.

·         There are a few heartfelt patriotic moments.    The patriotism is extremely sappy and could have
      been done better, but I’m a sucker for the red, white and blue.

Things I didn’t like:

·         I usually like Lauren Graham, but her fake Southern accent was terribly distracting.

·         The movie makes all Mexicans look like total gangsters.
-      Justin’s friend Chuy is a real jerk of a kid.  I wouldn’t want my sons playing with a kid like that.

Funny lines:

  “Yo, we’re cool, but we don’t talk about this.  Never.” – Chuy after he watches his buddy kiss a girl.

          

Interesting lines:

·         “A hero always tells the truth, no matter what other people think of him or what the consequences are.” – Ray Wincott

·         “You’re turning against your race!” – Chuy   (Dejon LaQuake)
-     "Mexican isn't a race, Stupid!" - Carmen

·          

Tips for Parents:

·          Children will enjoy watching the dogs, but might be frightened by the fighting.
-      Some "mild" profanity.
-     Watching the film together as a family should create a good opportunity to talk about the costs of
       war and what things are worth fighting for.