Rose
12-25-06, 05:32 PM
I saw Letters From Iwo Jima at a matinee yesterday, and was truly amazed at what I saw in that theater. It is definitely one of the best movies I have seen this year. As most of you probably know, Letters was made by Clint Eastwood as a companion film to Flags of Our Fathers.
I saw Flags about a month ago, and thought it was okay. I thought it was a bit choppy and the tour of the States intermingled with the brief flashbacks of battle (Iwo Jima) just didn't hold my interest so well. (If you don't know the history this could be a "spoiler") Also, the three flagraisers who died did not get nearly enough screen time, and when they do die, we don't feel any connection towards them.
Letters From Iwo Jima tells the story of the battle through the eyes of the Japanese. Instead of having the battle in flashbacks, the battle is in the present, and memories of home are in flashback. This held my interest much more than Flags. The story mainly revolves around the experiences of Gen. Kuribayashi, the commander of Iwo Jima, and a grunt, Pvt. Saigo. That is all I am going to say about the story... you have to see it!
I will also say that it is probably the most disturbing war film I have seen in a while. There is a scene involving some Japanese soldiers committing Seppuku with grenades. Yes, you see everything. So don't take your kids :nope:. It is a devastating movie, and quite powerful. It is on limited release in New York, LA, and San Francisco. If you live anywhere near these cities, go see it. NOW! I believe it comes out worldwide in February.
Here is the trailer: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_fGgkDGF2Ts
If you didn't like Flags of Our Fathers, don't worry. Letters blows it out of the water. It was amazing :up:. I think I will probably see it again.
PS: I know there are a couple people from NYC in here. The only theater it is showing at is the Loews Cineplex on like 67th and B-way. If you are from Brooklyn or any other borough, it is definitely worth the trek.
I saw Flags about a month ago, and thought it was okay. I thought it was a bit choppy and the tour of the States intermingled with the brief flashbacks of battle (Iwo Jima) just didn't hold my interest so well. (If you don't know the history this could be a "spoiler") Also, the three flagraisers who died did not get nearly enough screen time, and when they do die, we don't feel any connection towards them.
Letters From Iwo Jima tells the story of the battle through the eyes of the Japanese. Instead of having the battle in flashbacks, the battle is in the present, and memories of home are in flashback. This held my interest much more than Flags. The story mainly revolves around the experiences of Gen. Kuribayashi, the commander of Iwo Jima, and a grunt, Pvt. Saigo. That is all I am going to say about the story... you have to see it!
I will also say that it is probably the most disturbing war film I have seen in a while. There is a scene involving some Japanese soldiers committing Seppuku with grenades. Yes, you see everything. So don't take your kids :nope:. It is a devastating movie, and quite powerful. It is on limited release in New York, LA, and San Francisco. If you live anywhere near these cities, go see it. NOW! I believe it comes out worldwide in February.
Here is the trailer: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_fGgkDGF2Ts
If you didn't like Flags of Our Fathers, don't worry. Letters blows it out of the water. It was amazing :up:. I think I will probably see it again.
PS: I know there are a couple people from NYC in here. The only theater it is showing at is the Loews Cineplex on like 67th and B-way. If you are from Brooklyn or any other borough, it is definitely worth the trek.