Jan 07 2009
Valkyrie
I never heard the tale of Valkyrie before (why they spell it with a “v” versus the German way, with a “w” I don’t know) And it’s such an interesting story, a plot to overthrow Hitler, that came very close to actually working! (I’m not giving anything away Hitler wasn’t assassinated) Also, I think a valuable story for German’s, Germany, and history in general. There’s a question right there, Why hasn’t this story been told to the masses before?
Okay, controversy. Tom Cruise has become synonymous with controversy. Why? Not sure except for his wacky public behavior. But should we even measure the jesters the same as normal folks?
The making of the movie was controversial, not sure why. Somebody said some people died while making the movie—tragic yes, controversial, I don’t know. Really don’t care about the controversy or the controversial subject matter of the film. Solid story, well acted and directed. Maybe, you still can’t talk about the war in Germany, such an ugly stain on the country because of Hitler. Yet, it seemed to me that Tom Cruise was trying to take away some of that stain with the whole point of the movie—Not all Germans were happy with or supported Hitler and some even risked their lives as well as the lives of their families. So what’s controversial about that? It’s noble isn’t it?
Now as for the movie—DYNAMITE cast! Love Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh, Kevin McNally, Terence Stamp (General Zod), and yeah, I love Tom Cruise too!
Lets get to the heart of why I liked it so much—We all know what happens! It’s a movie filled with suspense, yet we all know the outcome before it even starts! We know that Hitler is not assassinated, yet we watch with hope that somehow the plan actually works—and it all works anyway!
This movie is in the tradition of WW2 movies that I grew up with: The Great Escape (1963) with Steve McQueen Capt. Hilts “The Cooler King”, The Eagle Has Landed (1976) with Donald Sutherland…. Liam Devlin, and who could forget The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) with William Holden and Alec Guinness.
All classics, all suspenseful, all not going exactly to plan, yet classics that I’ll never forget! Suspense, intrigue, spies, deception, willingness to do what’s necessary for the greater good…
Now there were times during the movie I had time to think and was wondering if there was some Hollywood message intertwined—Hollywood just can’t pass up an opportunity to try to indoctrinate the masses with their conspiracy theories, or that America is somehow the enemy, or that America is the problem with the world, etc.
I tried to resist the thoughts, but they did pop in and out of my head. For example: When I was growing up and saw a Few Good Men, with Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, I I thought Tom Cruise was the good guy and Jack Nicholson was the bad guy…
(Jack Nicholson) Col. Nathan R. Jessep was right—I do want him on that wall, we do need him on that wall!
(Tom Cruise) Lt. Daniel Kaffee —did make the country weaker that day! I didn’t get that when I was a kid. I get it now…
—iChef Cinema
