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wrossdavis
Reviews
Iron Eagle IV (1995)
A flurry of negative vibes.
Movie is watchable. It isn't Gone With the Wind or even Top Gun, but it is fun.
That's all of my review of the movie
I recommend that all of the negative reviews be tossed because the content proves that none of them watched the movie. Did all of ya'll (Yeah, I'm from Dixie) get together and decide to pan this movie as an addition to your pointless evening?
You can't spell either.
Get a life.
BTW I was an Air Force officer and a flier. The enlisted guy can call me Sir or Colonel.
Iron Eagle (1986)
Like it. Lived it.
I have reviewed a number of the negative reviews of this movie and have just watched it again. Of course the story is fantasy. No teen is going to bypass Air Force base security or fly an F-16, but I can tell you from 40 years experience as an Army and Air Force doc and flight surgeon that those of us who have walked the walk, not just talked the talk, love this movie. We got to fly because we qualified for it above others who just as passionately wanted it. We have walked in the Valley of the Shadow of Death so you guys can live free. Every flyer I know loves what they do as passionately as portrayed in this movie and would choose to do what is right rather than leave a fallen comrade. We live "Iron Eagle" and "Top Gun" and "Platoon" and "Full Metal Jacket" every day of our service to you and our country.
One of the three best days of my life was the day I was commissioned an Air Force officer in 1972 and one of the worst was the day I was informed that I had to retire from the reserve. I just confirmed a need for my services again and will be returning as a National Guard officer for another six years just as my youngest gets her commission as an officer in the US Army.
Watch this movie not for the realistic story but for the realistic portrayal of the passion of those of us who stand in harm's way to preserve your ability to live free. I don't expect you to emulate me. It will be enough if you merely try to understand me, and to appreciate what this movie is trying to say..
WRD
Amanda and the Alien (1995)
Cult film, similar to Eddie and the Cruisers.
Cult films should have their own rating schemes. This film is in the same genre as "Eddie and the Cruisers," "Pulp Fiction," "Sin City," "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (books and movie) and "Risky Business". The folks who rated it low just don't get it. The tongue-in-cheek humor is highly intellectual and I'd bet that only people with an IQ above 125 who grew up in the 60's really get it. For those who don't, can you say "No imagination?" How about "Narrow minded?" There is paradox after paradox. An alien who falls in love with an earthling (How about the parallel with "Starman?"), absorbing people becoming an acceptable action. References to other Science Fiction movies and TV shows are all over the place. As already noted, the parallel with "Starman," or Amanda's stating "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one," noting that she heard it on Star Trek and then Michael Dorn's (Star Trek TNG) querying "Star Trek?" If you liked the other films (or books) I have mentioned, you will like this one.
The Thin Red Line (1998)
Don't waste your time
This is the worst movie I have ever had to endure. The chaos in combat is unrealistic and contrived. The actions of the Japanese soldiers that was meant to make the American soldiers appear to be heartless and cruel is actually incredibly insulting to the Japanese who often fought to the last man and NEVER groveled or begged for mercy. This movie was made by people who hate the military and is an open attempt to degrade the young men who defend our country. The contempt of the makers for the soldiers is apparent throughout the film. It is a shameful and contemptible piece of anti-military propaganda and is not worth watching, even if you can see it for free.
Heartbreak Ridge (1986)
Best military movie of 1986
Of the three successful movies having a military theme released in 1986 this is by far the best. I am a 34 year member of the military having duty in both the Air Force and the Army and have been in combat. I have watched "Heartbreak Ridge" many times and continue to be impressed with how closely it mirrors military life. The only unrealistic theme is the open disrespect that Gunny Profile has for Major Powers. In the real corps no sergeant would do this no matter what his opinion might be, at least not in public. Nonetheless most scenes ring true to my experiences in the military. As I near the end of my military career and am looking at my last deployment in the next month or so, I am beginning to experience some of the same emotional conflicts so accurately portrayed by Mr. Eastwood.
As comparison, the two 1986 military movies receiving more acclaim, "Top Gun" and "Platoon", were much less realistic. "Top Gun" was a rousing good story, but as a flight surgeon with many pilot friends who agree, it was moderately unrealistic. Fighter pilots can have their wild moments but not in their aircraft. They are highly trained professionals engaged in extremely dangerous but necessary activities. A moment's inattention will end in disaster and they know it. "Platoon" is a complete flight of fancy with absolutely no relationship to reality, but then it was never meant to be realistic. It was a war protest movie made by people who have continuously demonstrated their contempt and hate for all things military that was intended only to degrade the military. It isn't worth watching. The only worse military movie than "Platoon" that I am aware of is "The Thin Red Line" which, in the attempt to denigrate American soldiers who fought in the South Pacific, actually was incredibly insulting to Japanese soldiers who frequently fought to the last man and NEVER groveled for mercy as the movie maker wants us to believe.