The Hurt Locker (2009)

"War is like a drug."

- The Hurt Locker

Watching this film made me realize and reminded me of a world so far from where we are today. This is what this movie felt like.

It really focuses on the lives of those who are serving our country even now. And, more specifically their role and job for what they are set out to do - serve and protect.

I think it was very interesting to focus in on one particular special unit - the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit (aka bomb disposal squad) whose job was to locate bombs and disarm them. It really made me see firsthand the importance and dangers involved in a world so far away from ours.

What was more interesting was the way the film portrayed the main character, Sgt First Class William James (played by Jeremy Renner), and his obsession with doing his job. In a way, this was a normal way of life to him. It was interesting to see how his obsession really had an effect on his team.

I really like how the film also portrayed the issues of soldiers returning home and the difficulty of coping with the everyday normalcies of life. So, then the film begs the question - what is normal? And, where is home?

It's a very unique story portraying a lot of different perspectives on the war. And, in the end it does show the audience a different and unique viewpoint - one that we may not see as outsiders.

It is very different being on the inside and being on the outside. In a way, those who are on the inside understand what those who are on the outside may not and vice versa. (If you've seen the movie, you'll know what I'm talking about - there's a unique twist at the end).

Overall, I enjoyed the film. It was a very unique story and kept my attention throughout the movie. There were a few scary moments that really made me on the edge of my seat - I kept wanting to watch more. And, then there were those scenes that showed the cruelty of the war and it's affect on the innocent - truly shocking.

It also made me think about a few things and made me thankful for those who are serving our country. For anyone who has served or know anyone serving, they may be able to relate to this film.

This movie served as a reminder that there is a world out there so different from the one we live in - a world where danger lurks everywhere. Sometimes we take for granted our everyday lives. And, don't realize there are those out there who are living in a completely different world - a world where anything can happen, where ones life can be taken at the split of a second.

To sum it up, this movie is real - very real. And, really gave me something to think about.

If you're in the mood for a war type film, I definitely recommend this one.

Happy movie watching!



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Letters From Iwo Jima & Flags of Our Fathers

Since both of these movies are both related to the Battle of Iwo Jima, I thought it would be best to group them together as a "double feature." Both movies are set in the same time period, though each depict different perspectives of the war.

Letters From Iwo Jima shows the war from the perspective of the Japanese soldiers. It's very interesting to see the story unfold from a different perspective.

The film showed the strategy of the Japanese used to defend their island of Iwo Jima from the Americans. It also depicts the personal struggles and lives of the Japanese soldiers. It's a very good movie to watch and to see things from a different perspective.



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Flags of Our Fathers shows the war from the perspective of the American soldiers. It showed the struggles and personal lives of the American soldiers who fought at the Battle of Iwo Jima. It was a neat way of telling the story as it was told backwards - from the present to the past.



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Overall, I enjoyed both movies very much. When watching war movies, it always makes me thankful for the freedom that we have today. I think many people still take freedom for granted. In some countries, a mandatory military draft still exists. After watching these types of movies, it makes me grateful for the freedoms we have today - these soldiers have risked their lives for our future.

I highly recommend both movies. I suggest watching Letters From Iwo Jima before watching Flags of Our Fathers.

Letters From Iwo Jima sets the tone for the time period. You learn the military strategy of the Japanese and also what the Japanese soldiers went through while at Iwo Jima. If you watch this film first, then when watching Flags of Our Fathers you will better understand certain parts of the movie which depict some events and landscape from Letters From Iwo Jima.

If you're in the mood for a war type movie, I definitely recommend watching both these movies. Happy movie watching!