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#4115097 - 05/03/15 03:38 AM War films that should have been good but sucked...  
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PanzerMeyer Offline
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Lil'Jugs thread inspired me to start this one.

What are some war films that you think had tons of potential but ended up disappointing you?

My top 3,

1. "Windtalkers" - Nicholas Cage. 'Nuff said.

2. "Flyboys" - It's like the scriptwriters wanted to set a new world record for how many cliches they could use in 2 hours.

3. "Red Tails" - George Lucas. "Nuff said.


“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
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#4115105 - 05/03/15 04:05 AM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Pearl Harbor.


Ken Cartwright

No single drop of rain feels it is responsible for the flood.

http://www.techflyer.net

#4115106 - 05/03/15 04:11 AM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Tarnsman Offline
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Thin Red Line.

How do you make a boring war movie?

#4115107 - 05/03/15 04:16 AM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Pearl Harbor wins my vote. That is not to say others like thin red line do not deserve this honer. But Pearl harbor had an big arse budget and flew so far off the rails from history and reality it was a true WTF.

#4115127 - 05/03/15 08:04 AM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Naunton Beauchamp Worcestershi...
'Red Baron'. As it was domestically produced and not Hollywood like. From the online preamble which seemed to indicate much research and the fact that all Hun kites were not Red Tripes I had high expectations of true representation of the character of the man and of the combat and conditions of the time; how wrong I was.



#4115162 - 05/03/15 10:13 AM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Most.

I don't want to waste 90...180 minutes of my life for the sole message "War is hell" or "These people had to endure a lot of hardship". IMO a good war movie must be historically reasonably accurate (even if it is in a fictional setting), it shouldn't alter tactics of the time to fit the narrative, it should deliver context (why was the battle fought to begin with, why did its outcome matter), and ideally it would also keep the audience oriented about what's going on.

Most war movies fail in several of these categories.

#4115163 - 05/03/15 10:19 AM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Yeah, my vote would also have to be Pearl Harbor. What a pile of cack.

#4115164 - 05/03/15 10:19 AM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Gods and Generals.

#4115175 - 05/03/15 11:32 AM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Battle of the Bulge

#4115176 - 05/03/15 11:40 AM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: GogKbob]  
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PanzerMeyer Offline
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Originally Posted By: GogKbob
Gods and Generals.
I'm interested to know in what areas do you think this film failed. I think G&G was very good across the board IMHO.


“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4115195 - 05/03/15 12:42 PM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Enemy at the Gates

War is hell...except that you can take a break every so often and have an old grandmother home-cook a meal for you and your friends...and have wild monkey sex with your girlfriend from your co-ed army.


You're only young once, but you can be immature forever.
#4115239 - 05/03/15 02:18 PM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Historical accuracy in a dramatic movie does not concern me all that much, that is what documentaries are for. Basicaly, as long as it is accurate enough not to break the third wall -- planes flying out out the distant past or far future, actors wearing out of period styles etc., I can enjoy the story even if it does not track to our understanding of events. Movies are storytelling.

Accuracy as far as character studies, motivations, and unfolding events, are always suspect, because history is written by the victors.

#4115242 - 05/03/15 02:29 PM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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#4115259 - 05/03/15 03:33 PM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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#4115281 - 05/03/15 04:49 PM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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#4115292 - 05/03/15 05:24 PM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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#4115322 - 05/03/15 06:34 PM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: Falstar]  
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Originally Posted By: Falstar
Starship Troopers


I believe, but I can be wrong, that this movie is not to be taken to the first degree...

now what about the war movies with Audy Murphy ? even with him playing his self, they managed to do everything rubbish...


"Anyone can shoot you down if you don't see him coming but it takes a wonderfully good Hun to bag a Camel if you're expecting him."
Tom Cundall.
#4115323 - 05/03/15 06:37 PM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Sniper - Tom Berenger. mad Could have been so good.


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Someday your life will flash in front of your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.
#4115360 - 05/03/15 08:28 PM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Sorry dudes- those guys deserve more respect than that.


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#4115382 - 05/03/15 09:04 PM Re: War films that should have been good but sucked... [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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These,

Originally Posted By: PanzerMeyer

1. "Windtalkers" - Nicholas Cage. 'Nuff said.

2. "Flyboys" - It's like the scriptwriters wanted to set a new world record for how many cliches they could use in 2 hours.

3. "Red Tails" - George Lucas. "Nuff said.


and this:

Originally Posted By: CG2015
Fury


I had high expectations for Fury, but my God, what a steaming pile of turd that movie turned out to be! Possibly only eclipsed by the monumental turd tower and disgrace to a brave group of pilots that was Red Tails. I still want my two hours back after having watched that.

Now, off to watch Band of Brothers and Generation Kill.


In all my years I've never seen the like. It has to be more than a hundred sea miles and he brings us up on his tail. That's seamanship, Mr. Pullings. My God, that's seamanship!
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