PiraBit
if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.
AshUnow
This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.
Usamah Harvey
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
Juana
what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.
juneebuggy
This was a family story as much as a war story, mostly watchable due to the performances from James and John Cromwell. It does its best to tug at your heartstrings and make you feel for the characters, and ultimately I wish I had liked it more because Memorial Day has an important message to tell.The story is filled with flashbacks starting when a 12 year old Kyle discovers his grandfathers footlocker from WW2 and asks him about his time during the war. "Bud" is still wracked with grief and struggles, reluctant to talk about it. Eventually though an aging James Cromwell shares a story about one of the items from the footlocker, taking us back to Europe where his real life son James plays his part. -Wow do they ever look alike.Flip flopping back and forth we also follow a grown up Kyle who uses the wisdom from his grandfather while serving his own tour in Iraq. I did enjoy the modern battle scenes here, I thought they were well done. Ultimately this did bring a lump to my throat and James Cromwell kind of breaks your heart it just wasn't fantastic or anything. 11/9/15
PWNYCNY
This is a fine movie that respectful remembrance to those who have served in the military. However, the movie is not a polemic purporting militarism. Rather, it provides a thoughtful and sensitive retrospective on what it means to be in the military. The movie shows that that the American soldier is essentially a civilian who has been asked to become a soldier, which challenges one's sense of identity. The main character, Lieutenant Vogel is, by nature, not a violent person, yet in his role as an soldier he must commit violent acts, which leaves both physical and emotional scars. The movie effectively shows how this remains true even in more recent conflicts involving American soldiers. The United States is not by nature militaristic and regimented, thus when American soldiers are ordered into combat, they may have to perform acts that go against their essentially peaceful nature. And to perform those acts requires a level of bravery and courage that makes the American soldier the strongest and best soldiers in the world.
brancwp
As a son of a military combat veteran I loved this movie. It is hard to get someone to talk about their experiences. I know my dad only talked one night about his...but it made me know him more than just about any other discussion we ever had.Not sure why this site needs 10 lines of text for each review. The movie involves a chest of souvenirs from WWII each with a story. Much like many people have in their attics. But they only mean someone when their story is told. The grandson goes on to his own military experiences and souvenirs. A must see every Memorial Day. Put it on your plans or Netflix list.
rcarlton1
Wow! What a surprise. Went in not expecting much and was hooked! The trunk that young Vogel found was identical to my grandfathers! I used the trunk in college. Never asked my grandfather about the war, all I knew he was a postman. He also won a bronze star. Because of this I really connected to the movie. While watching the movie all I could think of was the questions I did not ask. It did bring a tear to my eye!Switching back and forth between now and WWII worked well. The parallels between characters was very believable. As another reviewer said: "have Kleenex available!"