Tuesday, May 18, 2010

In Honor of...

In Honor of Memorial Day coming up I have two military inspired films for you (and your hubs, will really enjoy them too!)  You might be thinking that you can't stand military films, so violent, so sad etc.  I know, I really don't enjoy them either but these two are different, and here's why...

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The first film is called The Great Escape.  This film was made in 1963, set in a WWII POW camp.  The goal of every Prisoner of War is to some how find a way to escape.  So men from all different countries united against the Germans, team up to escape their imprisonment.  It's really a lot of fun, there's men who specialize in different things like stealing and forging, digging, who all play apart in the biggest escape ever! This is a true story and for some the story doesn't end happily, but because it's true that some died in the escape they are all honored.  I've never passed up an opportunity to watch it.

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The next film is called The Best Years of Our Lives, from 1946.  This film follows 3 men as the return from fighting in the second World War.   It's amazing that they made this film directly after the war ended because it deals with the struggles that the men returning had, entering back in to "America."  One man is a young man who lost his arms and learns to live (and love) without them.  Brilliant acting from this man (who had not ever acted before) and who also won an Oscar for his performance.  The second story is about a man who was a celebrated Air-man in the war and comes home to find that his triumphs mean nothing and he can't find a job.  The last is an older family man who has to deal with reconciling the horrors of what he was witnessing in battle, and returning to "life as normal."

These are great films! They make you appreciate the freedoms we have and who fought and often died to protect them!

4 comments:

  1. Thanks!! Ya...kinda stressful. Where are you working right now? Let me know!...I may just need that last resort soon :) haha.

    p.s I love reading your film findings! They make me want to stay home all day, be lazy, and watch all of them! :)

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  2. I LOVE The Great Escape but I've never seen The Best Years... I will definitely be on the lookout for that one. Thanks!

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  3. Sounds like a perfect way to end a Memorial Day cookout to me! Thanks (as always) for letting us know about some great lesser known films! Hope you're having a great Tuesday Meg...

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  4. what a great way to celebrate memorial day! i'm pretty sure that my hubby would think i was super awesome if i said i wanted to watch either. it's time for me to score some points! : ) -all thanks to you!

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