Cool News
Merritcat Says You Should See VALKYRIE (Even If You Don't Like Tom Cruise)...
Merrick here...
Merritcat's not exactly a new AICN contributor; her photography recently accompanied Mastidon's QUANTUM OF SOLACE reports. However, this is the first review she's ever written for AICN...and I'm not quite sure what to say to someone as I'm throwing them into the Lion's Den...(?)
So, here's Merritcat with her thoughts on VALKYRIE, which she saw at BNAT X last weekend.
Merritcat here fresh from BNAT X with a review of VALKYRE, which was part of the amazing line-up of movies at this year’s BNAT. During the screening of VALKYRE, I decided to write a review on it, and perhaps provide some personal insight on the movie from someone who has grown up in post-war, Cold War West Germany, and consequently has witnessed first-hand the (then) unthinkable event of the Wall coming down in Berlin in 1989 (even though that is not relevant for this review). The events covered by this movie are an important part of German history and are covered in history lessons in German schools. Most Germans have heard the name von Stauffenberg before and least know something about the events of 20 July, 1944.
VALKYRE, directed by Bryan Singer and starring Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, is based a true story. On July 20, 1944, Colonel von Stauffenberg attempted to assassinate German dictator Adolf Hitler in the Wolf’s Lair in East Prussia using a bomb in a brief case in order to set the stage for negotiations between the Allies and Germany. The goal was to quickly end the war and put an end to the oppression and suffering of the German people. Even though Stauffenberg successfully plants the bomb, Hitler only sustained minor injuries and then furiously tracks down the perpetrators, executing them and some of their families and friends or forcing them to commit suicide.
Von Stauffenberg, a devout Catholic, originally was a staunch supporter of Hitler. But as he learned about the atrocities that Hitler’s regime committed against Jews and other minorities the Nazis considered inferior, he started to distance himself from the Nazis. After being seriously wounded during an Allied attack in Africa, he is reassigned as a staff member to the Replacement Army in Berlin and joins the resistance. He teams up with other resistance members from the Military and together with Major General Henning von Tresckow (Kenneth Branagh) and General Friedrich Olbricht (Bill Nighy) plots an assassination of Hitler and the replacement of Hitler’s regime with a government made up of resistance members. The plan at first seems to work; the bomb goes off at the Wolf’s Lair, von Stauffenberg is able to get back to Berlin and work on replacing the existing regime, but eventually the regime is able to restore order and arrest the perpetrators of the coup and eventually execute them.
The movie follows the actual historic events to the letter. The production team has done extensive research and was able to create impressive sets accurately portraying Germany during the last years of WW II. This is also due to the use of original props from the period, including restored air planes and some of Hitler’s personal items. The movie also vividly portrays the indecision of some of the army officers who had moral gripes about what the Nazi regime was doing but were afraid to not follow orders, as this was what was expected of them – for example the officer in charge of the communications room who told his subordinate to pass on both orders, the one to arrest an SS officer, which was issued by von Stauffenberg, and the one to arrest von Stauffenberg, which came from the Wolf’s lair: "We have to follow orders, and our order is to pass on these orders". It also portrays officers loyal to Hitler, like General Fromm (Tom Wilkinson), who knew about the resistance movement but did nothing to stop it – he just turned a blind eye on the conspiracy before the assassination attempt and did everything to distance himself from it afterwards to save himself.
The viewer is put right in the middle of the action, thanks to sweeping camera work at the beginning of the film and short, frantic cuts towards the end, when the perpetrators are hunted down. In order to keep this movie an action film and not to turn it into a docu-drama, Singer decided that the non-German actors should not use German accents but were asked to speak with neutral accents.
A great part of the movie was filmed on location in Berlin, using the historic buildings were the different ministries and offices involved in the plot were originally located, including the Bendlerblock close to the Tiergarten in the centre of Berlin, which today houses the German Federal Ministry of Defence. The request to film here originally created a controversy within Germany, as the German government initially rejected this on the grounds that the movie would simply sensationalize this important part of German history and that Tom Cruise as a prominent Scientologist was the wrong actor to portray von Stauffenberg – Scientology is rated as a cult in Germany and thus is closely monitored by the German government. After reading and reviewing the script the government eventually relented and allowed filming to go ahead. At the same time, the project had been supported by several well-known German actors and other public figures as they thought that a film on this important part of German history should not be held up.
After the screening, I talked to several people around me about the film. They were as fascinated about the subject as me, although most had never heard of this assassination attempt or knew hardly anything about the resistance movement in Germany or other European countries that had been occupied by Nazi Germany during WW II unless they deemed themselves armchair historians, as history lessons in US schools and colleges tend to present a very US-centric view of history.
We all agreed that the movie is important to see even if you don’t like Tom Cruise as it introduces you to an important part of German history not only Germans should know about.
The movie shows that not all Germans did just blindly follow orders or were staunch believers in Hitler’s Nazi party and his ideology, which some people still believe of the German people, but that there were large groups of Germans who did question Hitler. Many of those did what they could to work against the regime and were willing to risk their lives to resist it or try to bring it down. Some of these Germans are portrayed in this movie.
The members of the resistance never wanted to be seen as heroes. The film does not portray them as such. The perpetrators of the 20 July plot saw themselves as patriots trying to free the country from the grip of the Hitler regime. Many had originally been supporters of Hitler and his regime, but had distanced themselves from him when they learned about the atrocities that the regime had committed against Jews and other people the Nazis considered as inferior to the Aryan race. The perpetrators of the attempted coup were hoping to change history and bring democracy back to Germany. History has proved them right, with Germany, Europe and most of the Western world having lived in peace for the greater part of the past 60 years.
This is the message the film brings across and this is why the German government did allow the filming in Berlin – the movie sheds light on an often overlooked event in recent German history, but at the same time does not turn the members of the resistance into heroes. The participants in the attempted coup deeply believed in Germany and wanted to correct the evil that had been brought over the country by Hitler and his cronies, right the wrong that was done to the German people and restore Germany’s reputation with the world – just like any citizen of any other country would feel about their homeland and just like they would act to protect it.
Therefore I advise you to go see this film, even if you don’t like Tom Cruise – this is not just another typical Tom Cruise movie, but an important part of history everyone should know about – and enjoy a great action movie at the same time.
VALKYRE, directed by Bryan Singer and starring Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, is based a true story. On July 20, 1944, Colonel von Stauffenberg attempted to assassinate German dictator Adolf Hitler in the Wolf’s Lair in East Prussia using a bomb in a brief case in order to set the stage for negotiations between the Allies and Germany. The goal was to quickly end the war and put an end to the oppression and suffering of the German people. Even though Stauffenberg successfully plants the bomb, Hitler only sustained minor injuries and then furiously tracks down the perpetrators, executing them and some of their families and friends or forcing them to commit suicide.
Von Stauffenberg, a devout Catholic, originally was a staunch supporter of Hitler. But as he learned about the atrocities that Hitler’s regime committed against Jews and other minorities the Nazis considered inferior, he started to distance himself from the Nazis. After being seriously wounded during an Allied attack in Africa, he is reassigned as a staff member to the Replacement Army in Berlin and joins the resistance. He teams up with other resistance members from the Military and together with Major General Henning von Tresckow (Kenneth Branagh) and General Friedrich Olbricht (Bill Nighy) plots an assassination of Hitler and the replacement of Hitler’s regime with a government made up of resistance members. The plan at first seems to work; the bomb goes off at the Wolf’s Lair, von Stauffenberg is able to get back to Berlin and work on replacing the existing regime, but eventually the regime is able to restore order and arrest the perpetrators of the coup and eventually execute them.
The movie follows the actual historic events to the letter. The production team has done extensive research and was able to create impressive sets accurately portraying Germany during the last years of WW II. This is also due to the use of original props from the period, including restored air planes and some of Hitler’s personal items. The movie also vividly portrays the indecision of some of the army officers who had moral gripes about what the Nazi regime was doing but were afraid to not follow orders, as this was what was expected of them – for example the officer in charge of the communications room who told his subordinate to pass on both orders, the one to arrest an SS officer, which was issued by von Stauffenberg, and the one to arrest von Stauffenberg, which came from the Wolf’s lair: "We have to follow orders, and our order is to pass on these orders". It also portrays officers loyal to Hitler, like General Fromm (Tom Wilkinson), who knew about the resistance movement but did nothing to stop it – he just turned a blind eye on the conspiracy before the assassination attempt and did everything to distance himself from it afterwards to save himself.
The viewer is put right in the middle of the action, thanks to sweeping camera work at the beginning of the film and short, frantic cuts towards the end, when the perpetrators are hunted down. In order to keep this movie an action film and not to turn it into a docu-drama, Singer decided that the non-German actors should not use German accents but were asked to speak with neutral accents.
A great part of the movie was filmed on location in Berlin, using the historic buildings were the different ministries and offices involved in the plot were originally located, including the Bendlerblock close to the Tiergarten in the centre of Berlin, which today houses the German Federal Ministry of Defence. The request to film here originally created a controversy within Germany, as the German government initially rejected this on the grounds that the movie would simply sensationalize this important part of German history and that Tom Cruise as a prominent Scientologist was the wrong actor to portray von Stauffenberg – Scientology is rated as a cult in Germany and thus is closely monitored by the German government. After reading and reviewing the script the government eventually relented and allowed filming to go ahead. At the same time, the project had been supported by several well-known German actors and other public figures as they thought that a film on this important part of German history should not be held up.
After the screening, I talked to several people around me about the film. They were as fascinated about the subject as me, although most had never heard of this assassination attempt or knew hardly anything about the resistance movement in Germany or other European countries that had been occupied by Nazi Germany during WW II unless they deemed themselves armchair historians, as history lessons in US schools and colleges tend to present a very US-centric view of history.
We all agreed that the movie is important to see even if you don’t like Tom Cruise as it introduces you to an important part of German history not only Germans should know about.
The movie shows that not all Germans did just blindly follow orders or were staunch believers in Hitler’s Nazi party and his ideology, which some people still believe of the German people, but that there were large groups of Germans who did question Hitler. Many of those did what they could to work against the regime and were willing to risk their lives to resist it or try to bring it down. Some of these Germans are portrayed in this movie.
The members of the resistance never wanted to be seen as heroes. The film does not portray them as such. The perpetrators of the 20 July plot saw themselves as patriots trying to free the country from the grip of the Hitler regime. Many had originally been supporters of Hitler and his regime, but had distanced themselves from him when they learned about the atrocities that the regime had committed against Jews and other people the Nazis considered as inferior to the Aryan race. The perpetrators of the attempted coup were hoping to change history and bring democracy back to Germany. History has proved them right, with Germany, Europe and most of the Western world having lived in peace for the greater part of the past 60 years.
This is the message the film brings across and this is why the German government did allow the filming in Berlin – the movie sheds light on an often overlooked event in recent German history, but at the same time does not turn the members of the resistance into heroes. The participants in the attempted coup deeply believed in Germany and wanted to correct the evil that had been brought over the country by Hitler and his cronies, right the wrong that was done to the German people and restore Germany’s reputation with the world – just like any citizen of any other country would feel about their homeland and just like they would act to protect it.
Therefore I advise you to go see this film, even if you don’t like Tom Cruise – this is not just another typical Tom Cruise movie, but an important part of history everyone should know about – and enjoy a great action movie at the same time.
-
+ Expand All
-
I will see it
-
YA BEAT MEH!
-
I have always liked his acting, so him being in the movie wont stop me from seeing it if it looks good
-
So Close there buddy ;P
-
*evil cat growls*
-
well played...good times....
-
That's why I WON'T be seeing this.
-
Hitler would be defeated in the end. Actually, I'm looking forward to this. We should spread a rumor that 1:03:54 into the movie, there's a one second flash of Doomsday from Superman:The Man of Steel and Singer put it in there to whet fan's appetites.
-
but i love nazis. yeah i like horrible nazis better than tom cruise. so i want to see this. and guess what else. tom cruise as the producer in tropic thunder was overrated and annoying as hell. they should have stopped before the credits dance number.
-
don't want to see a bi-polar megalomaniac portray a hero
-
we know the ending.. whats the point.
-
His religion is a silly to me as anyone else's, but just because the guy is crazy in real life, doesn't mean he can't make good movies. And he does make good movies.
-
'yeah we know everyone is tired of tom cruise but the subject is fascinating. we extensively researched every detail of ww2 and we know it's a touchy subject to root for nazis, but don't feel bad because these are good bad guys'
-
HEROIC NAZIS ARE ALSO BOX OFFICE POISON.
DUMBED-DOWN SCRIPTS WRITTEN BY HACKS ARE ALSO BOX OFFICE POISON.
Tho' I must thank the UA marketing dept. for blanketing holiday TV with epic shots of swastika banners. MERRY CHRISTMAS. -
He always delivers, even though we see him as a nut job. I'll give Valkerie a chance.
-
The general feeling is Singer fucked up Superman so that rumour would actually make more people stay the fuck away....or was that your point?. Tc has been rehabilitated and toned down his faggotry (for now) so will give this a watch, hopefully if nothing else Branagh and Izzard will be awsome in it.
-
been waiting to see this one for some time now, and I don't even really like tom cruise
-
That is all.
-
I think Scientology is dumb, but in the end I really don't care. Tom Cruise is a great actor and I can't wait to see this movie. I don't care what religion, cult or whatever he's involved with. All I care about is enjoying the films. End of story!
-
I understand where the reviewer was coming from, really, this was mostly a political statement, and not a review of the movie per se. I will see the movie, as I'm sure it will be fun to watch, but my expectations are not huge with Mr Cruise involved...
-
I'm going Christmas day. Looks intense. I know the story pretty well (see The Desert Fox starringJames Mason) but I am looking forward to seeing a big, beautiful Hollywood budgeted Nazi Germany in 1944. Plus Singer is a competant director, so I'm sure it's a good flick.
-
Why the Cruise hate? And why not enough of Singer bashing after the bs of Superman Returns? Although Singer did a masterful job in Apt Pupil! I really hope he redeems himself in this movie
-
Oh Dear the Germans seem to hate it “The only thing that can definitely be said about this cinema adventure is that Tom Cruise, who has been damaged by his bizarre talk-show behaviour, may well continue storming the heights of the Scientology hierarchy as a thetan, but his image as an actor has been finally ruined by Valkyrie,”
-
Dec 17, 2008 8:12:32 PM CST
Valkyrie looks like a pretty good thriller, though I think...
by orbots commander
...that Cruise is getting progressively weirder. If I see this in theatres, it is because I think Singer is a talented director, Superman Returns aside. I briefly caught Cruise on the Today show this week. During the straight news-reading section of world current events with Matt Lauer and a chick, Cruise wandered over, stood behind Lauer and read off the teleprompter, i.e. "President Bush was confronted with an irate Iraqi shoe thrower yesterday..."
You could see the news chick and Lauer were pretty freaked out by that. And Cruise would not leave. He strolled around the studio sticking his head in during segments with that bizarre wide grin. The guy has lost his marbles. -
I saw this at a promo screening a couple weeks ago, and I must say I was disappointed. I had rather high expectations, and the film plays out more like a historical step-by-step explanation of what happens than a dramatic, tense thriller. There's too much explanation and not enough action. The cast does the best they can with the material (especially Kenneth Branagh, who is unfortunately not in much of the film), but in the end it could have been so much better.
-
Did the very first trailer not have all the non-German actors doing English-German accents very badly and is that not why they went back and changed them. If so I actually really would ahve preferd them to have kept those accents just for shits and giggles.
-
...cannot be trusted. I made a vow to never pay money to see a movie that Tom Cruise was in, but I had to break my vow for Tropic Thunder. I have a problem with Tommy's cult (Scientology) and his complete "assholeness". He tries to fit in and act like a human being, but he really isn't. He fucked up his movie career by being "glib" and he fucked up Katie Holme's movie career too. She was on her way to super stardom until Tommy stuck his dick in her. At least, that is what he are being led to believe...
-
Katie Holmes blasted him with her cock which is why he wears a patch. Cruise is on every fucking show lately. It's pathetic, they know this shit is gonna bomb. FUCK YOU CRUISE! GO FIND YOUR LEADER, I BET HE'S PLUCKING WILL ROBINSON.
-
If I want to know the history, I'll read about it, instead of spending 2+ hours of my life watching a tom cruise vanity film.
-
Paying to see a Tom Cruise movie = giving money to Scientology. I haven't paid to see a Tom Cruise movie in a looooooooong time.
-
Not a movie, an actual fight.
-
Dec 17, 2008 8:38:02 PM CST
Not sure about VALKYRE, but I'll definitely see VALKYRIE
by no respectable gentleman
-
Dec 17, 2008 8:40:25 PM CST
Wait... their plan FAILED??!! Thanks for spoiling the movie for
by 3d-man
Nyuk nyuk nyk. Seriously though, looking forward to this one.
-
... pretty much always make kickass movies. Sorry, but there it is.
-
Dec 17, 2008 8:43:06 PM CST
I hear Cruise is moving near to my neck of the woods.
by orbots commander
As in Manhattan. I know of one female friend that has seen Katie Holmes around town. I commute into NYC from Long Island; it'd be hilarious if I stepped into a deli for lunch one day and spotted Cruise ordering a roast beef on rye or something.
-
Don't you watch the Hitler, err History Channel?
-
I don't care to see this movie for the simple fact that Tom is a shitty actor.. I haven't enjoyed a movie of his since "Legend" and the fact that he can't even provide a english accent.. not even a german one just an english one.. proves hes fucking garbage.
-
Anyone?
-
It could happen.
-
nothing but g'me parts
Ever since risky business he's been handed parts that were guaranteed success.
Cocktail was the closest he's ever come to being in a post production.
The guy has 2 expressions and they're at opposite ends of the spectrum.
But he was purdy, he drew in women, and guys kinda liked him too.
But he's not a deep or particullary talented actor.
That's just my
And now that people have seen his true face, the masses are turned off as well.
That on top of the rumors about him for years.
The living with him was like living in a monastery, etc... -
There are plenty of idiots on this site who keep repeating they refuse to watch Tom Cruise movies because of his religious beliefs. Not only is that judgemental and ignorant, but also short-sighted. Plenty of people in Hollywood support Scientology. Most of them are silent about it. If you watch TV and movies, you likely watch shows and movies with Scientologists in them. You're supposed boycott of Tom Cruise isn't changing their personal beliefs or altering the world in any way, shape or form.
-
dadgum spell checker
"Cocktail was the closest he's ever come to being in a *pos* production
And
That's just *mho* -
Born on the 4th of July, Collateral, Vanilla Sky, Magnolia, Eyes Wide Shut, etc. The man is a talented actor. He isn't Gary Oldman or Ed Norton, but he is a talented actor who does seek out challenging parts from time to time. Heck, doing Tropic Thunder was a risk.
-
Come on you naysayers, why pop at the guy. cos you believe what you read?what does his religious ideas have to do with the movies hes in?
Can he be the person we read about and still accept roles like those in magnolia and tropic thunder? -
you beat me to it...
-
I mean, the hero always wins in movies right? In Valkyrie, Tom Cruise's little rebellion concocts a great plan to assassinate Hitler, their plan fails miserably, and then they are hunted down, captured and executed by Hitler's side? If Hitler win, then this mean that this movie is really NAZI PROPAGANDA!!!!
-
Moderate.
-
I bet he never had to compete for any of those parts.
And he never takes risks.
Never accepts a part that another actor has turned down.
I bet the only reason he was in tropic thunder was because his handlers really pushed him into it. -
Hes not in jail, he doesnt do drugs or beat his wife..he promotes his films and everyone that works with him says hes nothing but professional. So he jumped on Oprah's couch and called Matt Laur "glib"..show of hands..who the fuck here HASN'T wanted to call Matt Laur "glib" in front of a national audience
-
There is too much of Tom Cruise in the movie that has Tom Cruise in it.
He is a camera hog. -
you put any competient actor in that role, and they're going to shine
-
don't forget the scientology films that leaked
-
I'm sorry you got butthurt and to baaw in a talkback because I don't support Tom Cruise and his "religion".
-
I agree! Who gives a damn about SCI-TOL CRUISE!? These people need to stop talking about SCI-TOL and Katie Holmes and Cruise acting weird and focus on the movie!!! The movie!! Save the gossip for EW or People Magazine or whomever! This site is about films, not gossip and crap!
-
Von Stauffenberg's coup attempt was a major sub-plot of the great miniseries War and Remembrance 20 years ago. I realize there's a younger generation but I feel like I've already seen a definitive portrayal of this story. There are almost as many flavors of this as of James Bond. Cruise may be at least the 10th screen Stauffenberg going back to the 1950s. (Some of them were actually German.) With so many examples, many graduate theses could be written examining how contemporary attitudes color what are ostensibly recreations of the same historical events. Maybe all the films about Stauffenberg could be edited together in a weird way.
-
Heil!!!!!
-
I can read about the historical event on Wikipedia. I don't want to pay to see a shitty movie.
-
picture 90-120 minutes of TC really flexing his Steely Gaze(tm) look
-
The dude has made some fine movies, and I really could give a damn about the Scientology.
-
hitler lives and cruise is a fucking scientologist who will never get another dime from me
-
Doesn't Cruise look like he's step dancing on the poster?
-
Maybe he should've tried a suicide bomb instead?
-
Elsewhere ... not so much.
-
Who gives a fuck about what Tom Cruise believes in? Whatever movie he's in should stand on its merit alone.
-
There are indeed three films where I actually thought he was weel-cast and highly effective in: The loud, ego-maniacal, selfish asshole in Magnolia, the what-about-me, selfish, smart-ass doctor in Eyes Wide Shut, and the loud, selfish, smart-ass asshole in Tropic Thunder... hmmm, I'm sensing a pattern here.
-
This looks and smells like a turd that'll be on the DVD shelves by February. Its only good reviews were printed in backwoods newspapers (and, naturally, Jeffrey Lyons thinks this turkey is an orgasm). Critics loathed it and one reviewer was tossed out of a screening because he dared to suggest that Cruise was way past his prime (he also admitted to hearing "pannings" of the movie).
-
Is no fan of Tom Cruise. When we first saw the trailer, she groaned as to why does it have to be him? But the whole point here is that Tom may be the lead but he is secondairy over the whole story. Singer does a good job of keeping him in check and turning this into a great suspence / action flick.
-
The Reader, The Boy in Striped Pajamas, Defiance, Valkyrie. . . The average viewer can only take so much Nazi a year!
-
Ironic, given how an Oreo was just voted President.
-
About the people talking about the movie to be rather sad. She says that they had never heard about the attempt on Hitler. I knew of that when I was in middle school. What's happened to schools lately??
-
There was already nothing appealing about watching a failed assassination attempt against Hitler drag on. Then they cast Tom Cruise as the hero we're supposed to root for...who happens to be a nazi...who isn't even a good hero, since he fails. Then they decided to release it on Christmas day. What the fuck is this shit supposed to be?
-
Von Stauffenberg was a HUGE Nazi supporter and aristocrat who only turned anti-Nazi when he saw his country was going to lose the war, and like any mercenary sucking the teat of the establishment, turned against his own leader to save his gravy train. That he waited till 1944 should be enough evidence, but he also wrote letters decrying the racial inferiority of Poles and Jews, among other incendiary, racist diatribes. In barely more than a generation, Germany's governments plunged the world into war TWICE, and millions died as a result, and the notion of revising history to show "good" Nazis is an insult. I've no doubt there were good Germans, so if we're going to tell anyone's story in that regard, tell of those who fought against the Nazis from the beginning and were persecuted and/or died. Don't glorify dreck like Von Stauffenberg so idiots like Tom Cruise can make a buck and idiots in the U.S. and elsewhere who want to glorify the Nazis have a twisted reason to feel proud. I have some German heritage and can tell you that I bristle whenever someone tries to pander to Nazi worshipers with this kind of outrageous horseshit.
That is all. -
And why did they want him dead? I should read more.....
-
reading a bunch of pathetic talkbackers who hate EVERY single thing that comes out that is remotely popular bash him...oh yes i think he will revoke his beliefs cuz "insert geeky pathetic name here)" said he's a loser
-
had they really wanted to assasinate hitler...they woulda walked right up to him with a pistol and BOOM...they wanted to do it in a way to save their own asses...they werent heroes...they knew the war was lost and were all afraid of being hung during the war crimes tribunals
-
The movie has an interesting message, or is based on a fascinating true story doesn't mean it's particularly good. I like Tom Cruise, I think he gets unnecessarily savaged a lot when he's proven himself with a number of roles. Sure, he coasts as 'Tom Cruise' in most of his films, and I can understand how that annoys some, but when he's given enough to chew on, the dude has shown he's got the chops. That said, Valkyrie is pretty lifeless as a film. The coup sequence of the film is pretty much the only portion that is exciting, suspenseful, etc. Everything before and after is unfortunately very mediocre. Is Tom good in it? Sure, but he's Tom in it, if you know what I mean, not a whole lot of depth, more of a personality than a person. The flick on the whole is just an unfortunate misfire; I was hoping for a suspenseful, thought-provoking film, and while there are parts of it that are both, the film as a whole fails, I'd say.
-
but they remain the best dressed military organization in history. Those guys were SHARP. I think the US Army should make officers wear riding boots/pants. And their trench coats were bad ass as well.
-
Dec 17, 2008 11:01:32 PM CST
from the director of USUAL SUSPECTS, XMEN, APT PUPIL.. and the s
by theneonsamurai
Collateral, Minority Report, Magnolia, Eyes Wide Shut, Jerry Maguire, Mission Impossible, A Few Good Men, Days of Thunder, Born on the Fourth of July, The Color of Money, Top Gun.....
The trailer looks decent, I no nothing about this historic event, the people involved (ensemble cast) all pick great material... I'm going to see this fucking movie, and no one on a talkback is going to change my mind... stop fucking rooting against cruise and singer, stop hoping the movie fails... get a life. why do you motherfuckers give a shit if someone else enjoys or doesn't enjoy a movie. do you need to have your opinion of a two hour movie validated by it's opening week box office... (and that's another thing, why the fuck do we report box office gross in the NEWS?) anyway, stop living through the success and failure of people you don't even know. it's A MOVIE! They are meant to be enjoyed. If you want to root for someone to fail watch the lakers! -
...is that he's popular, and aging virgins living in their mothers' basements like to shit on things that are popular, because it gives them the sense of meaning that is so sorely missing from their lives.
Tom Cruise has more than proven himself as a talented actor. You didn't see anyone boycotting "Pulp Fiction" because of John Travolta's wacky religious beliefs. It's just arbitrary hate for someone who is rich and popular and talented and gets to fuck Katie Holmes. -
...but it sure smells good!
-
Thanks--quite sincerely--for the abridged history lesson. And I appreciate your point of view, amigo.
-
Yessir, I buy it. And, yeah, Andy Dick humps Megan Fox.
-
The Nazis WERE the best dressed military organisation in history. Besides the Teutonic Knights, that is. Anyway, Nazi uniforms FTW, etc etc!
-
This wasn't a film review. It was a mission statement.
Most people, I imagine, know about this failed assassination attempt. I'm not sure that the whole "this really happened" is enough reason to see the film. -
You get to have your opinion as long as it's yours. If somebody else has another opinion, then it's not okay to express.
-
He does his thing and he does it well. If he's messed up, I don't know and I don't care. Valkyerieeeey looks good though.
-
It's called the Tall Poppy Syndrome. Someone, who is admired and respected for awhile, is suddenly turned on with unexplained enthusiasm. I don't get it. I've always enjoyed his movies. What he does in his personal life, i don't give a fuck. I just watched Tropic Thunder, and he stole the film from everyone invloved. And I trust Singer too. He delivers quality work. I'm as big a superman fan as you can get (and I have the body art to prove it) and love with what he did in Returns. So...I will see Valkyrie and judge it on it's merits.
-
Give me a break people, every religion on the face of this planet is fucking ridiculous. Why hate on Scientology and Cruise when there are a million other nuts out there you can talk about (by the way, I'm not saying Cruise is a nut). I saw this film today, and it was pretty much what I expected: good, not great. An this reviewer said something like this film is "not your typical Tom Cruise film" is if Cruise chooses bad films. He has got one of the best resumes in Hollywood (Magnolia, Eyes Wide Shut, Born on the Fourth of July to name a few), which is certainly better than most stars of his caliber.
-
The boom seriously dipped in the frame over a dozen times. Really, really sloppy stuff.
-
Reviewers were like "Wow, that was Tom Cruise? A-mazing, what a transformation, didn't recognise him.." What bollocks, he just gave us "nasty-Tom" but this time in a bald wig. Overrated, like the movie itself.
-
I've never liked Tom Cruise, I like a couple of his movies, but dont think much of him as an actor in general. And I've had that opinion for years before I even knew what scientology was. So scientology or not, I am just not impressed by his resume, but I respect what he's done with his career.
-
Why doesn't someone make a film about the White Rose? It took incredible courage for these students to speak out against the Nazis - and they paid dearly for it.
-
"...history lessons in US schools and colleges tend to present a very US-centric view of history."
What a broad, moronic statement. -
Cheers for the review. Enjoyed reading it. I always had hopes for this movie, not least because of the talent involved, and look forward to seeing it. By the way Tom Cruise is an actor, and isn't selling something when he acts other than a movie.
-
What exactly do you think they're teaching over there in German colleges and universities, merritcat? A Chinese-centric view of history? Of course not b/c that would be preposterous.
-
you know how great you lot are with your history, apparently you defeated Khan and helped build the Egyptian pyramids ffs
-
Say it aint so!
-
If you don't respect Kubrick, Stone, Anderson, Scorsese, and Coppola your opinion doesn't count for anything. Btw, why even mention my post when I'm clearly addressing the people who HATE him mainly for his religious views. Tool.
-
...blindly follow orders and Germany was a nation of committers (Tätervolk). We must not forget this.
Back to the movie... I'm so looking forward to this!!!
-
Miss Merritcat claims that the people involved in the conspiracy wantred to "...correct the evil that had been brought over the country by Hitler and his cronies, right the wrong that was done to the German people"
Which German people? Hitler was democratically voted into power by the German people of which the overwhelming majority supported him, unless she is referring to the jews, gypsies, homosexuals, left wingers etc. that were put in camps with the full knowledge of "the German people".
That was an evil that cannot be corrected by an assassination attempt by a group of people who didn't exactly do this out of hatred for Hitler and his regime, I mean we're talking 1944 here, they had no problems with him for 12 years, but as there was this little allied invasion on June 6th 1944 it seems likely that other motives were on their minds as they planned this and not the suffering of the "German people" nor any desire to "correct the evil", but simply fear for their own asses in the sling as they saw they were losing the war.
So please, let's see things for what they are; the underground resistance to the nazis in Germany was made up of a very slight minority. Check the movie "Die Weisse Rose" for some people that really put it on the line, not this crap. -
Damn You Michael Bay
-
If you want a decent account of the assasination attempt go read Shirer's Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. The reason Hitler got away with only minor injuries is because after Stauffenberg placed the bomb next to Hitler and he slipped out, another one of the Generals moved in for a closer look at the map they were pouring over and noticed this bulky briefcase in his way. He picked it up and moved it to the other side of the large table leg which shielded most of the blast from Hitler. I've been to the German history museum in Berlin and I can tell you Hitler loved large furniture. They have one of his desks in the museum and it's massive. Another bit of history about the coup attempt. The conspirators had mentioned Rommel as a possible head of state once Hitler was dead. When the coup failed and one of the conspirators blurted out Rommels name under torture that was enough to seal Rommels fate. Even though rommel really didn't have anything to do with the conspiracy he was made to commit suicide anyway. What could have been huh?
-
Nothing i've seen of Bryan Singer's work says he's capable of directing action.
-
Bullshit, man. Hitler wasn't democratically elected to tyrant-hood - he used the power he was given to seize more and overturn the proper institutions of German government. No tyrant in history ever seized power without the suport of at least a sizeable or powerful group of people backing them up, don't try and make the Germans the only people who ever chose their despot and regretted it later.As for being supported by the majority of German people, or them knowing about concentration camps, I'd love to know what your basis for that was. And it's true the actual resistance movement only comprised a minority of people (how can you have a resistance movement that isn't though? Surely if it formed the majority of people it would be the status quo to be resisted against?), but so did the really hardcore Nazis. As with any other era in history and any country in the world, the vast majority of the population were timid, confused, ill-informed and powerless (or believed themselves to be) and just trying to get along with their lives as best they could with the circumstances they found themselves in.
-
Actually there is a film about "The White Rose". It's called "Sophie Scholl" and features the fine german actress Julia Jentsch. It really is an extrordinary movie and it made me cry out loud at the end. It also was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film back in 2005. Go watch it. http://tinyurl.com/3fehyd
-
See the article in the Times here:
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article5358878.ece
-
put the one space in ffs
-
and you'll learn all you need to know.
-
Hitler was chosen to be chancellor by Hindenburg after the 1932 elections in january 1933. He got more than a third of the votes and he made no secret about it that he wasn't exactly a proponent for democracy. The people in Germany knew what they were voting for.
I never stated anywhere that the Germans are unique in this, so don't put words in my mouth.
As to as source of how well the average German population knew about the camps and that atrocities were being committed there (even though the "Final Solution" itself was not known):
Read Robert Gellately's "Backing Hitler. Consent and Coercion in Nazi Germany", Oxford University Press, 2001 and get educated.
I do contest your statement that the majority of the Germans were just "timid, confused, ill-informed and powerless (or believed themselves to be) and just trying to get along with their lives as best they could with the circumstances they found themselves in".
Nothing supports the fact they were either timid or confused or ill informed; they actually (read above study) knew most of what's going on. That they felt powerless is probably true but that doesn't absolve them of responsibility. The degrees to which they were is a complex debate that I guess will never be over and I don't contest that.
But I don't like the suggestion of this review that Hitler and a few of his cronies had the poor suffering German nation in their grip and the valiant von Stauffenberg tried to liberate them form the tyrant. It's simply a distortion of the actual facts.
-
is Laurence Rees's the nazis a warning from history. I have seen it three times since. it contained more info than I remembered. To the outside world Germany was industryous, efficient country built on order. IT was of course a nation built on slave labour, run by a hate filled psychopathic, sociopath. Who was brough up by pyschopathic nutcase of a father. Who cared little when six of his children. Hitler senior was a violent man. who shed no tears when he beat the family dog to death. I remember watching the superlative and deeply moving Jerry springer who do you think you are program on the bbc. Where he traced his roots to germany. He was born in a bomb shelter in London. 1945. The most fascinating thing was that there was a preacher in germany. who was hugley popular. he predated hitler. He was an agressive and violent anti-semite. He was involved in several campaigns to rid germany of "jewish scourge". I cant recall this mans name. NOr do I want to. Anti-semitism was alive and well long before hitler came along. people remember what he did to the jews. but this pyschopath also experimented on disabled people. Hitler also liked wagner. who was anti-semetic. The more you know about Germany the more complex the story of hitlers rise is. World wide depression trigger the rise of a world wide up surge nationalism. The war began not when Hitler invaded poland. but it began in asia. thats according Niall Ferguson.
-
Dec 18, 2008 5:54:50 AM CST
Dunno if anyone has mentioned it yet but
by nomoredirtyjokespleaseweareyanks
Some of Cruises choices are amazing. He might be a nut in real life but fuck me in the goat-ass if he wasn't the perfect fuckin Lestat. Also The Color of Money RULES!!!!
-
actor producer. He bought MIssion impossible and was told that it wouldnt work as a film franchise. 1 billion dollars later. He is no fool. He may act foolish. but he is not stupid. He undertands publicity. he is a salesman. one more thing. Tom Cruise was always spiritual. at 14 he went to a seminary. That put manners on him. He clearly has or has had adhd. I know someone who found god. She cleaned up her act. and his now a true believer. this person told me of someone who had OCD. He became a christian and OCD was gone by reading the bible. Cruise is not the only person to use his religion to cure his problem. I am sure that there are many converts to islam who claim the same. Stars are control freak. they want power and they will use anything to obtain it. Cruise is no different.
-
I don't think anoybody would claim that anti-semitism was a nazi invention or even Hitler's for that matter. It was rife in Europe for centuries especially eastern Europe and Russia; it's not that hard to understand therefore that Hitler could so easily tap into it, using the economic depression as a catalyst.
-
The thing is, Tom crews never really plays a different character. The only time I saw him branch out is in Magnolia. So his stardom works against him in this movie. We *assume* he's going to be an action hero. He basically has to, or he isn't tom cruise. Therefore no suspense. I'll still go see the film, I was a fan of this story before the movie was announced as a WWII buff. I hope there is a scene in this movie that pays homage to Georg Elser. His attempt, though certainly not worthy of its own movie, was pretty cool.
-
a staunch supporter of Hitler." Hahahahahah!! Bizarre non sequitur of an appositive.
-
Dec 18, 2008 6:44:58 AM CST
You've got to give Cruise credit...
by i_am_not_the_droid_you_are_looking_for
His career is on a slow downward spiral, he repeatedly appears on US television looking like a nutjob, his last film (which was about a war) tanked and he goes and makes a film about a FAILED attempt to assasinate Hitler. It's an interesting story, but not exactly the kind of guaranteed hit that can resurrect a stalling career. He COULD just do a generic action thriller, but he goes for something a little bit more. Good on him.I'll be seeing Valkyrie.
-
everyone that turns out to his premiers in London, takes photos, chats on peoples mobiles and keeps all the other Z listers waiting, infact hes got quite the rep for being such a sound guy so all this hate from a bunch of netknobs is just pure jealousy, so what if hes a member of some cult and likes to bounce around on sofas, he makes entertaining movies, can act and above all actually gives a fuck about his fans
-
This film was SAVAGED by early audiences and is stil getting roughed up. I wish I could, but I simply can't get excited for it. Not to mention, Cruise doesn't even attempt a reasonable accent....it's a step below Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Absolute junk.
-
Dec 18, 2008 7:52:41 AM CST
Enderandrew, Scientology is a cult, not a religion!!!
by leafar the lost
It is a cult created by L. Ron Hubbard to make a million dollars, and it worked. The fact that millions of idiots out there are sucked into it is sad and pathetic. Most of the actors in Hollywood are only into Scientology for the connections, not because they actually believe that bullshit. Cruise, and to a lesser degree Travolta, actually believe in the bullshit that Hubbard made up (I think that John is really a nice guy btw). Remember, the big secret of Scientology is that it is all a hand written science fiction story. That's it! A Scientologist will spend $100,000 for their bullshit classes in order to achieve higher levels of clarity, and then at the highest level they reaize that it was all some bullshit, piece of sci/fi fiction, and it isn't even well written. I actually saw Hubbard's final secret online, and I am not making this up. Southpark did a funny show on it, and they kept flashing the words, WE ARE NOT MAKING THIS UP, over and over. Tom Cruise is the poster boy for Scientology, so any money you pay to see a movie he is in goes to that bullshit cult, so fuck him and fuck Scientology!!!
-
If people want to worship him. Fine. If people want to defend Scientology. Fine. If people want to diss him. Fine. All I know is that he tries a lot harder to entertain folks than other actors. I don't really have an urge to see this until it comes out on dvd but there have been many Cruise movies that I am glad to have seen in the theatre. I got my money's worth.
-
He's fruit loops, a couple of sandwiches short of a pick-nick, as mad as a tree. He believes in 'Thetans' and worships a cult all of which was made up by s fucked up science fiction writer (his books incidentally, are universally gash)
In addition to that he hasn't made a decent film in years and I mean years - I can't actually remember the last film of his that I enjoyed – actually collateral was good - he was the miscast but the film was good and even that was what 4 or 5 years ago?
Yes he spends hours schmoozing up to the fans outside his premiers - he has to - his career is disappearing down the shitter like a freshly laid log. He became too powerful (that’ll be the thetans I guess) and started to believe his own press.
If that isn’t enough he clearly suffers from small mans disease (dwarf like stature, power crazy) and couldn’t get it up with Nicole Kidman when she was hot.
To conclude – Cruise is like a wet fart – unwelcome and of no use in any situation.
-
But most of you are looking at that with hindsight bias. He was preaching at the time a stronger better Germany which was being economically destroyed. Also think about this America voted in George W. Bush, twice.
-
The awfulness what the nazis did has been explained away without hindsight in the past. by the lazy hitler was born in hell argument. or he had 666 stamped on his forehead. this was used to wrongly justify what the nazis did. Us govts are very good at demonizing their enemies. The demonized the nazis and rightly so. who did they side with to fight communism. CIA had thier orders to secretly side the nazis. to fight the spread of communism. it has been alleged that CIA raided the Hitlers bunker and brought back to america, a helmet with a skull and bones on it with the numbers 365. it apparently resides in an ivy league University which had allumni including john Kennedy, JOhn Kerry and bill clinton and the bushes. This secret society is called Skull and bones.
-
I don't know why anybody would go see a movie about Nazis on Christmas Day.
"We've finsished the turkey and opened presents, now let's go watch a movie about an assassination attempt on Hitler."
Yep....weird timing. -
help fight Iran. plus the west. including ireland. who gave them the beef. the irish govt did. sad really.
-
its a vain attempt to get cruise his oscar. that is why it is opening on Chrimbo day. pathetic.
-
Pretty bad.
-
telling of the gang who couldn't shoot straight- starring Tom Cruise with his pearly white teeth. No thanks. What's funny is I enjoyed him in most of his movies up until I saw him in the movie that everyone loved him in- Tropic Thunder. I didn't find him funny for a second in that movie- and I definitely didn't have to do a double take to realize it was him.
-
unless they're a good Nazi, which should make them a dead Nazi, which, oh nevermind. This does look like a chapter of WWII that many Americans are not aware of, and this looks to be Usual Suspects-Singer, not Supes Returns-Singer. Look like a good show.
-
It seems like Cruise is in a different movie than everyone else in the cast. He does the whole thing like another Mission Impossible movie, while everyone else is doing a historical drama. Perhaps that's what he thought was needed to get asses in seats, but it certainly doesn't help the movie. Nor does the fact that all these German officers are played by Brits and Americans speaking English. Valkyrie is a dumbed-down version of a really cool story that shouldn't have to spoonfed to people to make them interested in it.
-
Has anyone heard of Napoleon Syndrome? It is when one overcompensates for their short stature, by becoming an egotistical, overbearing megalomaniac. "I'm Number 1!! I'm Number 1!!"
-
A review is hard work but I think that Merritcat carried it off. But this story is well known in the UK we have seen it in many Films and TV series and there has been several TV series that either mention or are about the plot including a special that examined how That Swine Hitler survived, it was closer than any body would believe if it wasn't real.
-
...'Cause EVERYONE knows about his involvement in the Von Stauffenberg incident. Says so right there in Watcher Chronicles.
-
The series lampooned Cruise's futile attempt to camouflage his personal lifestyle (Cruise bouncing on Oprah's couch, repeating the litany, "I'm not gay...I'm not gay."). Everytime a tabloid outted Cruise, he would link himself with a hotty (this "beard" is an old gag, it was deployed for Rock Hudson many decades ago). And now the delusion of marriage is defensively utilized to assure the public that Cruise is heterosexual. Nobody's buying it (see SOUTH PARK). If Cruise preferred to be iconic, he should have voluntarily marched out of the closet. Instead, he opted for a lame facade that was further handicapped with all sorts of personal conceits (TODAY show). The first consequence was LIONS FOR LAMBS (tanked at the boxoffice and DVD). There's already speculation that his Nazi drama (which someone compared to "Springtime for Hitler") will similarly die (the reviews, from real critics, are damning).
-
I have described VALKYRIE as a good movie, but not great. Cruise is serviceable as Von Stauffenberg, but the movie belongs to his co-stars who largely outclass him at nearly every turn. Nevertheless, Cruise isn't awful in it, not by any means. The movie is, indeed, beautiful to look at. It is a gorgeous piece of work in regards to art direction, cinematography and costume design. It is not, however, a great movie. It is so slick and so clean and so polished as to come off more like a well written graphic novel than a war movie. Given the sand-heavy and very gritty SAHAHA showed directly before VALKYRIE there contrast may have been so stark that I simply noticed this more than I would have otherwise. But there is at least one scene in which Von Stauffenberg is about to leave to do the job that Singer holds the camera on Cruise pausing in a doorway for SO long that it practically jolted me out of my suspension of disbelief and loudly proclaimed "WE ARE MAKING MOVIES HERE!" Overall, though, this was MUCH better than I expected. Having seen more than a few History Channel shows about the July 20th plot and knowing damn well how things ended up, I was fascinated to see the machinations involved in such an attempt in the midst of a regime such as Hitler's. That part of the movie is probably the part that pays off the most to me. To see the very tight cat and mouse games necessary to make things work as well as the often very blunt and openness that many officers shared among themselves about dissent. If you like beautiful historical dramas then I certainly would recommend VALKYRIE, but do yourself a favor and rent BLACK BOOK as a followup.
-
Not SAHAHA. :)
-
I always think of Ian Holme in time Bandits playing Napolean when I think of Tom Cruise. Always funny to see Holmes towering over him in all publicity shots. And I don't think she's especially tall either! (but she is much hotter than Maggie Gyllenhall).
-
And it will be the only way he can get an oscar. The He in question however is Arnold. A number of years ago. a decade ago. Paul verhoeven was talking about doing a film with Arnold. It was called the good nazi. Arnold needs to make this film, so can put his fathers history to bad once and for all. This film could be the biggest film of arnies career. and it could be his best performance. it may never happen. I do think he needs to make that film.
-
than Cruise? And for what, because he acted a little nutty and jumped on fatty's couch? Or because he belives in some wacky space religion? There are plenty of people in Hollywood(and the rest of the world) that believe in stuff just as nutty, but it seems some space religions are more acceptable than others.
-
"Yeah Germans voted in Hitler...
by spectrebeeyatch Dec 18th, 2008
08:17:06 AM
But most of you are looking at that with hindsight bias. He was preaching at the time a stronger better Germany which was being economically destroyed. Also think about this America voted in George W. Bush, twice."
I would like to think the point of this was a general "people sometimes regret their voting decisions" but comparing Bush to Hitler, no matter how much some people despise Bush, is still a completely ignorant and moronic analogy. At least if you know anything about Hitler or history.
And someone else made a comment above essentially blaming Germany for both World Wars. Again, if you know history, you know Germany was not responsible for WW I and the fact that they were scapegoated and blamed for it, directly led to the conditions that made Hitler's rise possible. -
However, I made one exception. I just HAD to see Tropic Thunder.
-
He's had 16 films that have grossed over $100 million. He's had 9 films in the last decade that have made over $100 million, 2 of which made over $200 million. Since his series of interviews which supposedly "ruined" his reputation in 2005, he has had a $200 million grosser and two $100 million grossers. His only movie that wasn't a hit was that stupid ensemble anti-war movie from Robert Redford which wasn't his fault was a bomb and would never had been a huge hit for any actor. So, it's possible that he has damaged his reputation and some people won't see him in a movie anymore, he's hardly "box office poison". I'd like you to name me 5 more bankable stars than Tom Cruise at this point. Will Smith, maybe Tom Hanks? That's about it. There's still hardly anyone in Hollywood that can open a movie better than Tom Cruise.
-
Shocker. Actually I don't get the Cruise hate. He's not even worth hating. He's just another fucking Hollywood star with a boundless ego. fuck they're all like that. that's why America loves them.
-
How was Hitler? After seeing the incredible Bruno Ganz in Downfall, I automatically think any portrayal of Hitler is just doomed to fail. It's such a powerfull piece of work that it is hard to imagine any actor coming close. Hows this Hitler? Better than other Hitlers?
-
Mein Kampf!!
-
has to do with how Hitler was groomed by the Illuminati. Where's THAT movie? Huh?
-
...is at least more interesting than watching another 'America won WWII single handed' movie. I'll check this flick out.
-
a scene. There are many well shot scenes in his movies. But I'm not entirely convinced he knows how to construct a solid, compelling movie. Though that might have to do more with his writing skills...
-
Dec 18, 2008 11:48:56 AM CST
Singer is a good director but I think his gayity ruined
by coughlins laws
Superman. Also, big fans of a franchise shouldn't get to direct a sequel, at least not when they are making a movie with the same plot as an earlier effort but falls far short of that movies geniuous (i.e. Superman Returns compared to Superman. Star Trek 10 compared to Star Trek 2) Also, one thing no one can ever explain to me about Superman Returns. What exactly was Lex Luthor's plan? Did he really think he was going to sell real estate on those huge, ugly brown kryptonite icebergs?
-
This is one of the most professional reviews I have ever read on this site. Two sentences of preamble to explain the reviewer's credientials, and then BAM - right into the review. And it didn't talk about scientology or Oprah's sofa, or any other unrelated bullshit.
5 stars - would read again. -
Dec 18, 2008 11:52:43 AM CST
For a different angle on WWII, check out Flammen & Citronen
by cat_corporation
Fantastic film about two leading figures in the Danish Resistance, directed by Ole Christian Madsen and starring Thure Lindhardt and the wonderful Mads Mikkelsen (I've said it before and will say it again, if you only know him as Le Chiffre, check him out in Danish!). Pretty grim, some very uncompromising scenes (as you'd expect) and satisfyingly even-handed even though it's a Danish production. Similar vibe to Downfall. I caught it at the London Film Festival; not sure when its slated to open in the UK and US, but if you get the chance, give it a go. Stuff that doesn't focus on the UK, US or Germany in WWII is important I reckon - although Enemy at the Gates was a bit shit.
-
In America, when it comes to our 'enemies' we get a cursory 'bad guy' facade for them, and never teach the intricacies and nuances of these enemy nations. Japan bombed Pearl Harbor so we decimated them because they were entirely evil. We sacked Berlin because Germany was entirely evil.
Its not quite that simple. Many people, including military people, will remain loyal to evil regimes for fear that their families will be harmed. In tyrannical empires like Germany and Japan were, dissidents were handled quickly and cleanly - and in some cases, their own demise was extended to their immediate families. If I were a clerk at some German Govt building, you can bet you ass that I wouldn't make waves. The last thing I needed was to put my wife and children in danger because I had some personal moral problems with something someone said in a conference room.
This story, while its current execution (?) may not be flawless, is one worth learning.
I'd like to see a good Mitsuo Fuchida movie to bookend this one. One of the squadron commanders that bombed Pearl Harbor, he embarked on a similar path as Von Strauffenberg, that while it doesn't involve failed assassination plotlines, is no less important to tell.
Good loyal soldiers died on all sides of World War II, and many German soldiers didn't die because they felt they had the right to exterminate Jews - they died because they were drafted into their local provisional milita, and told that their homes were in grave danger. Out on the warfront, many German soldiers did not even learn of the atrocities committed by thier government until well after the fighting stopped.
and they were appalled along with the rest of the world. -
...I mean, what these guys did was brave... trying to take of Hitler, but still, let's face it, they were fuckin' Nazi's for crying out loud.
-
Dec 18, 2008 12:01:49 PM CST
Don Cheadle is a traitor cos he can't handle the truth!
by damien chowder
-
I still do enjoy some of his films. I liked War of the Worlds, Minority Report, Collateral, I even enjoyed The Last Samuri (Preposterous as it was). He may be a total fruitcake in real life, but at least he's entertaining.
I still don't think I'll go to see this film however. I just don't get a good vibe off of this so far. -
You guys hate Scientology that much, round them up, put them in camps and gas them.
-
Highlander fans certainly do know about this part of German history. Heil, Duncan McLeod. Word, Leto III.
-
That with the impending demise of the Third Reich the assassination attempt is more of a desperate effort to prevent Germany from being beaten too badly by the Allies by sacrificing Hitler, rather than a genuine moral repudiation of his practices.
The plan didn't succeed, of course, and the firebombings continued until the war, and Hitler, were finished nine months later. -
There's one in the works, but as of Oct 08 they were still looking to complete funding:
http://tinyurl.com/3md7xz
-
You know...the one where Bull suddenly becomes smart...
-
Dec 18, 2008 4:11:15 PM CST
Many historians say world war 2 began when Hitler invaded poland
by emeraldboy
However everyone forgets that WW 2 really started with asia. No one really talks about the fact about how the nazis started the war in africa that was where they started to dabble in chemical experiments.
-
a la X-Men...:)
-
when it comes out on DVD. Behind Closed Doors. the book is out now.
-
What a fucking bunch of scabs, that's like me saying 'Yeah Hitler is an ass but let's be Nazis anyway. They're not all bad.' Tom Cruise encouraged mentally ill people with schizophrenia and chronic depression to come off their meds and join Scientology instead as it would make them better. Fucking wake up you bunch of loser cunts.
'Merricat says you should see Valkyrie even if you don't like Tom Cruise'. Fuck off Merricat, you fucking prick. It looks like a good film, with a top cast and story but ITS THE FUCKING PRINCIPLE! People stop being so fucking selfish, do the right fucking thing and BOYCOTT IT. WAKEY WAKEY you DOSS CUNTS! -
Go to YouTube and type in 'Plotting To Kill Hitler' and you'll find a very interesting documentary on Operation Valkyrie. Just finished watching it and it's worth a look.
-
starring people you agree with 100% on everything they believe in? Does that mean everyone who watched Iron Man is for doing heroine and coke? Does that mean everybody who watched Cristian Slater's TV show (all 2 dozen of them) is for getting drunk enough to black out and break into your neighbor's house to fall asleep? If you boycotted every person in Hollywood who believes in stupid things or does stupid things you'd never see any movie...
-
The documentary also shows those who opposed Nazism in the early days, including Catholic Germans who marched through the streets in protest. Further proof that many Germans did NOT support Nazism.
-
I pretend that movie doesn't exist
-
And he makes great films and that's a fact.
-
He doesn't make great films. He's been in some (ie, ambiguous definition of "some," just how he likes it).
-
This bomb can't be defused; its aleady on self-destructive pilot. This is to Cruise what LE MANS was to Scott McQueen.
-
I think we all better shape up and do exactly what he says...wouldn't want to let such a charming, well-versed individual down.
-
Your handle is redundant.
-
'Loser cunts' = I refer to those who think there is no problem watching movies starring guys as moronic and destructive to people as Tom Cruise. I also refer to all the actors and directors who rave about working with him and movie websites that give his films coverage. As for Downey doing drugs, if he was still doing them I wouldn't watch his stuff at all either. Since he is clean and has been for years, then I have no problem enjoying his films. I used to work with kids who were running drugs for their dealer parents and they were the most vicious fucked up kids you have ever met because of the vicious fucked up people they had to face in the drug scene every day. So its not true that drug users only harm themselves. I have an aunt who has been ill with schizophrenia and depression for many years and Cruise saying she should come off her meds and join Scientology made me blow a gasket. I won't deny Cruise has made many good films and that Valkryie sounds exactly like what I want to see more of in cinemas. But the little turd needs to come out and renounce Scientology and until he does I'm going to continue to spread nasty word of mouth against him. Apologies for the language but it got your attention didn't it? I'll try some nicer language. Please, please look into your hearts and ask yourself if you want to support a man like this or not. If you support the man, you support his cause. On a point of principle, out of solidarity with your fellow human beings, do not support an organisation which manipulates emotionally vulnerable people into parting with 6 figure sums of money to fill their heads with creation stories like 'Battlefield Earth'. 'But all religions are just as bad' I hear you say. No they are not, a church will ask you to make them an offering and bibles are free. With Scientology you have to cut them a cheque for tens of thousands to get to the next level and then they tell you you're descended from clams. Give this film a miss or get yourself a pirate copy. Pretty please, with a fucking cherry on top.
-
fuckin morons. that people dont know who he was really annoys me.
the review was ace, merritcat.
von stauffenberg has always been if not a hero - as no nazi could be, except maybe werner von braun (that should stir some shit up, hehehe) then an inspirational figure to me, and i can't wait to see the film. -
who's your team?
-
Who got the impression that the person who wrote this review kind of sucks?
-
Then why did you mention it? That should make your head explode, like computers on TOS that couldn't hold two thoughts at once.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 171 total posts 169 posts
- AVENGERS enemy revealed as pink boardgame pieces... You might suffer some form of elation... SPOILERS!!! -- 157 total posts 111 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 138 total posts 75 posts
- Here's The Red Band Trailer For Drafthouse Films' THE FP! -- 67 total posts 67 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 479 total posts 62 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 59 total posts 59 posts
- Does ‘SNL’ Rhyme With ‘Deschanel’?? Learn Which SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Vet Hosts After Sexy Zooey!! -- 62 total posts 59 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 48 total posts 45 posts
- Friday Brings SWEEPS DAY NINE!! Gab Here About Tonight’s FRINGE!! Plus Einstein on TIM, Wiig On PORTLANDIA, MAHER, CLONE, GIFTED, GRIMM, SPARTACUS, SUPERNATURAL, GOLD RUSH And More!! -- 116 total posts 32 posts
- SPACE 2099!! -- 181 total posts 30 posts