tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post6312165115914350235..comments2024-03-05T21:05:36.848-05:00Comments on CommentaramaFilms: Guest Review: Act of Valor (2012)AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-61766849730673525962012-07-26T13:51:43.958-04:002012-07-26T13:51:43.958-04:00Thanks to all who commented on this oneThanks to all who commented on this oneTennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-25630467657752872332012-07-26T00:19:50.075-04:002012-07-26T00:19:50.075-04:00Thanks, Indi! You are quite right about the review...Thanks, Indi! You are quite right about the reviewers. Their conclusions seemed clearly were driven by ideology. I am awed by our special forces. This film displays the incredible competence they bring to the table for the toughest jobs. It takes an incredibly rare breed of individual to do what they do, and no film has ever depicted it as well as this one.Tennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-37208089775701387572012-07-25T22:34:42.841-04:002012-07-25T22:34:42.841-04:00Jed
Great Review!
Why did the reviewers hate it...Jed <br /><br />Great Review!<br /><br />Why did the reviewers hate it.... oh Jed we don't have to ponder that too much do we....<br /><br />I mean we had Navy Seals and American In telligence agencies working hand in hand, supporting each other and in a competent way to boot.<br /><br />Most Hollywood films that show a heroic battlefield warrior have to have him at odds as much with Langley as they do the enemy.<br /><br />Is there any doubt the IN crowd in the NY Times jet set would hate this film.<br /><br />This was a great film and you are right people should see this....Individualisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11005025873042230314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-76926184632660653472012-07-25T21:14:51.916-04:002012-07-25T21:14:51.916-04:00rlaWTX: The American Interior Decorators Society...rlaWTX: The American Interior Decorators Society is going to do its own movie--<i>Men of Velour.</i> They wanted to to use velvet, but the budget wouldn't allow it. The original title was <i>The Velvet Undergarment.</i>LawHawkRFDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17800255923675295515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-74281852919641032232012-07-25T18:21:22.185-04:002012-07-25T18:21:22.185-04:00JG - an absolute great point. I know our crowd gen...JG - an absolute great point. I know our crowd generally is a netflix crowd. Since I love military films and tend to buy the discs, this one was a no brainer, but that is a great bonus.Tennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-51341721149183862802012-07-25T18:20:55.275-04:002012-07-25T18:20:55.275-04:00JG, Thanks for telling us! It's not a shamele...JG, Thanks for telling us! It's not a shameless plug, it's something people might very much like to know. :)AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-24223573384984493482012-07-25T18:19:52.305-04:002012-07-25T18:19:52.305-04:00I never go to a commercial theater anymore, Cheryl...I never go to a commercial theater anymore, Cheryl. I do love the soundtracks on blu-ray discs, though. The use of lossless digital technology and 7 discrete channels is an even bigger step forward than 1080p from 720 p.Tennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-11324400983480767082012-07-25T18:15:33.804-04:002012-07-25T18:15:33.804-04:00RlaWTX - you are absolutely right: what's not ...RlaWTX - you are absolutely right: what's not to love? :)Tennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-82193186543295374462012-07-25T18:06:35.277-04:002012-07-25T18:06:35.277-04:00I'd just like to throw in - if someone chose t...I'd just like to throw in - if someone chose to BUY this movie rather than RENT it, portions of every DVD sale go to Operation Homefront, a reputable organization that provides financial aid to military families in hardship situations. And Act of Valor is well worth the purchase price, in my opinion. :) Shameless plug over.JGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03116405895683599572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-18003283793093293252012-07-25T18:06:27.472-04:002012-07-25T18:06:27.472-04:00Cheryl, I used to do that at rock concerts otherwi...Cheryl, I used to do that at rock concerts otherwise my ears would ring for three days.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-60373713847159223352012-07-25T18:03:08.685-04:002012-07-25T18:03:08.685-04:00USS Ben:
I also shy away from the theater because...USS Ben:<br /><br />I also shy away from the theater because it's just too loud!<br /><br />Try wearing earplugs. <br /><br />It's so stinkin' loud you can still completely hear it, but your ears won't hurt at the end.Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15486596560358008036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-87029116971187131972012-07-25T17:59:41.716-04:002012-07-25T17:59:41.716-04:00Hawk, I think the Brits are usually velourous, tho...Hawk, I think the Brits are usually velourous, though...<br /><br />Jed, I LOVED this movie when I saw it. Partially, because I had been hearing all the bad press about it - so when it was actually pretty good, I was quite happy. I suggest having tissues handy when you watch it. Even my former USMC brother (who criticizes EVERYTHING) had nothing to gripe about!<br />The story speeds along. You get to see the men as people and as warriors. You see the bad guys get whomped by the good guys. What's not to love!?!rlaWTXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09319344164726195144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-8495774355235175352012-07-25T17:41:31.246-04:002012-07-25T17:41:31.246-04:00Thanks, Hawk. I'll be interested in your take ...Thanks, Hawk. I'll be interested in your take on it.Tennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-58035113781694861852012-07-25T17:35:51.445-04:002012-07-25T17:35:51.445-04:00Tennessee: I'm sure the Brits are occasionall...Tennessee: I'm sure the Brits are occasionally valourous too. LOL<br /><br />I'll be looking for this movie, thanks to your review. I might have missed it otherwise.LawHawkRFDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17800255923675295515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-74866011176646525172012-07-25T17:29:52.356-04:002012-07-25T17:29:52.356-04:00Ben - you are very welcome, and thanks for your ex...Ben - you are very welcome, and thanks for your extremely kind comments vis-à-vis "honest reviewing.". I really agree with you about "jingoism." For the absolute best response to that type of criticism, see Tam's comment--it's a Commentarama classic :)Tennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-968010366812223332012-07-25T17:15:40.240-04:002012-07-25T17:15:40.240-04:00Great review, Jed!
I have been wanting to see thi...Great review, Jed!<br /><br />I have been wanting to see this one since it came out. I tend to avoid theaters due to the extreme noise and costs.<br /><br />I went to see the Avengers in a theater because my oldest daughter bought me a ticket for Father's Day and I could find no way out of watching it (plus, I wanted to see it).<br /><br />The last film I saw in a theater was the first Spiderman. <br />"So maybe they have fixed the speaker problem," I thought.<br /><br />Um, no. It's even worse, if that is possible. I have 50% hearing loss in one ear and 25% in the other so you wouldn't think this would be a problem.<br /><br />But after the film, which was very good, my ears hurt like crazy. Almost as bad as the time I was almost bombed to smithereens by our own aircraft (wasn't there fault or mine...long story).<br /><br />Anyways, I hope to watch it soon. <br />At any rate, I appreciate the honest reviewing by you and a few of my fellow commenters who have seen it rather than the kneejerk (and seemingly coordinated) reviews I read when it first came out.<br /><br />It's not that I have a problem with negative reviews of films I like or think I'll like, it's when the reviews don't really address the film.<br /><br />"Jingoistic?" WTF does that mean? Usually, when lefties use this word it is code for too patriotic or too pro USA.<br />Maybe it's just me, but I really feel like slapping people that say "it's too jingoistic."<br /><br />Not because they are anti-American turds but because they don't have the cajones to be honest.<br />Okay, I lied, I would still like to smack 'em but I won't.<br /><br />I do agree that those on the right tend to give films like this glowing reviews, but the ones I read did say the acting wasn't great, and that it could've been more polished, but seemed to be liked by all conservatives who had seen it.<br /><br />Looking forward to seeing it soon. Thanks Jed! :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-61168800802059955432012-07-25T17:12:15.234-04:002012-07-25T17:12:15.234-04:00Tam, I get the same feeling watching shows on the ...Tam, I get the same feeling watching shows on the Discovery Channel. America and Americans are awesome. :)AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-26240932853042716092012-07-25T16:35:49.411-04:002012-07-25T16:35:49.411-04:00well said, Tam :) I felt exactly the same waywell said, Tam :) I felt exactly the same wayTennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-47414737177137309702012-07-25T16:24:38.402-04:002012-07-25T16:24:38.402-04:00Two hours of overt and covert all-American badasse...Two hours of overt and covert all-American badassery by real American Bad Asses. What's not to love? I loved it. I couldn't talk immediately afterward, that happens when I'm proud, angry, sad and on the verge of tears.<br /><br />If you haven't seen it, see it.Tamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16892551860593187175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-14070472090418547472012-07-25T15:46:14.288-04:002012-07-25T15:46:14.288-04:00Backthrow - great comments all. I loved "seni...Backthrow - great comments all. I loved "senior" (chief Miller) as well, particularly how he would irritate Christo by mispronouncing his name. Then when he quit being Mr. nice guy and snapped on him . . . excellent.<br /><br />And yes, The Costa Rican sequence is, how you say . . . just so ;) I can truly imagine only a SEAL telling another SEAL while comforting him: "hey Mikey . . . you took one in the face . . .you are one hard mf'er, man"Tennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-41315110813739489152012-07-25T15:32:49.503-04:002012-07-25T15:32:49.503-04:00I saw the movie (via a Netflix DVD rental) a few w...I saw the movie (via a Netflix DVD rental) a few weeks ago, and quite liked it. The SEALs obviously weren't professional actors, but didn't embarrass themselves either, and did a satisfactory job. Actually, the bearded Interrogation expert has a great scene grilling "Christo", and I could see him having a decent career as a charactor actor, ala Fred Dalton Thompson, if he chooses that career path.<br /><br />I wouldn't call the film a masterpiece; the story is serviceable and spare, and none of the participants pop out as particularly memorable characters, but I don't think that was the point. I think ACT OF VALOR is more along the lines of a military-mission version of something like the original GONE IN 60 SECONDS (1974); that film was filled with stunt drivers instead of seasoned actors, and its goal was to be the ultimate car chase movie, with spectacular real crashes in real locations. ACT OF VALOR exists to show you what real SEALs are capable of pulling off, using their training and equipment, albeit in a heightened and condensed manner, as well as to display their bond and code of conduct.<br /><br />It was a refreshing change from the glut of CGI-fests (the Costa Rica sequence really packs a punch), and I was happy to see no phony dissent amongst the team (ie SAVING PRIVATE RYAN), no crazy 'rogue' member, and that the criminal/terrorist scheme wasn't actually perpetrated by either an evil CEO, an evil clandestine arm of the military or CIA, or some ludicrous P.C. non-threat like Iceland or Lichtenstein.Backthrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02289433396695381105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-67245214688811793192012-07-25T15:08:21.663-04:002012-07-25T15:08:21.663-04:00By the way, it is the back of a big aircraft, not ...By the way, it is the back of a big aircraft, not a carrier.Tennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-60325950356447384912012-07-25T13:30:51.453-04:002012-07-25T13:30:51.453-04:00Jed, I see the tag line now: "Getting in and...Jed, I see the tag line now: "Getting in and out of sticky situations fast!"AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-38266807764205574382012-07-25T12:30:32.789-04:002012-07-25T12:30:32.789-04:00How about "Act of Velcro"?How about "Act of Velcro"?Tennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-45554897971712934892012-07-25T12:08:41.147-04:002012-07-25T12:08:41.147-04:00Yeah, that would have been a very different film!Yeah, that would have been a very different film!AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.com