Hey folks, Harry here. I'm dying to see U-571. Ever since I was a kid I've had that submarine fetish because my Uncle was a Sub Commander and it captured my imagination. From 20,000 LEAGUES BENEATH THE SEA to THE ENEMY BELOW to ICE STATION ZEBRA to DAS BOOT to THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER to CRIMSON TIDE... and more... I love Sub movies. There are spoilers below as well as absolute raves for the film. I see it Thursday... I can't wait!
THE ADVENTURES OF A NORMAL GUY WHO WAS LOOKING FOR THE STRIKING JANITORS IN LOS ANGELES AND FOUND A U-571 SCREENING INSTEAD...
So there I was stepping off the good ol' MTA bus at the corner of Santa Monica and Avenue of the Stars when I realized I might not be in the right place. You see, I had seen the sea of red t-shirt wearing, striking janitors marching down Avenue of the Stars with Jesse Jackson on Friday night as did everybody in Los Angeles, and wanted to be a part of the party. Knowing that this was an important issue (hey, give them their f***ing $1 an hour raise, my god!), I had to be there if they were going to be marching again Saturday night. But no. No red t-shirts. No Jesse Jackson. No placards or wild postings. In fact, there were no janitors in sight! As I walked up the Avenue, I kept telling myself, "Goddamn it, man! Get a hold of yourself! There has to be a janitor somewhere!" As I got closer to the ABC building, I thought I heard a commotion. I picked up my pace, started opening my back-pack to pull out my red t-shirt and realized it was a line of non-striking, non-apathetic, non-janitors waiting to get into a screening for U-571. U-571!!?? The film that generated so much talk-back on Harry's site? So much talk-back that director Jonathan Mostow wrote a letter setting the pissed off Brits and Americans straight!!?? I wanted to see this movie! As I approached the line, the striking janitors quickly escaped my mind as now I was thinking, "How am I going to get into this screening?" Obviously, these people of young and old, derelict and non-derelict, had gotten their tickets through someone. I slid into the back of the line and pretended I belonged. The conversations I began to eavesdrop on were hilarious - my whole purpose to see if first, the tickets received were meant for two people, and secondly, IF the tickets WERE meant for two people, the ticket holder in question was by themself, then maybe I had a chance to get into this screening.
A couple of my new neighbors in line were a mother and daughter. And by listening to their conversation, I was able to find out the following: 1) they went to EVERY screening in Los Angeles and were known by other "regulars" in line 2) something about them actually winning a trip to London at a screening 3) that they hadn't taken a bath in a week (actually, I could just smell them) and finally, 4) they each were so good at getting screening tickets, they both had one! DING! DING! DING! I quickly swooped in on the daughter, who, when turning around to talk to me, had a huge hairy mole protruding from the right side of her face. I thought I was looking at the nurse from South Park - you know, the one with the "dead fetus blemish?" Trying not to focus on her "dead fetus blemish," I asked her if I could get in on her ticket. She began to giggle and said something completely incoherent, burped, farted and then a "yes" slipped out of her (I added the burp and fart for dramatic effect). I was in! For the next ten minutes, I waited and talked with other line-standers, finding out that most of them knew each other from other screenings and that they hated the fact that usually the middle section was taped off for "VIPs." Whatever. I was going to be seeing U-571!
As soon as we were let into the theatre, I ditched the baggage and her mother, and found a seat to the far right of the theatre. Sure enough, the middle section was taped off for press and the rustling of complaints from my fellow line standers began to be heard amongst the chewing of their free popcorn. I didn't care. I liked my seat. And the movie was about to begin. I was excited.
The film opens up with a short explanation of German U-boats sinking destroyers in the Northern Atlantic during WWII and the Allied forces' inability to crack the secret code. It then goes into this Das Boot-ish scene of a German U-boat who just sinks an Allied destroyer and is now being depth charged by another destroyer. They are able to escape but become stranded due to damage. The panic and emotion from the Germans in this opening scene sets the tone for the film - and the sound of the explosions was fucking incredible. My seat actually would rumble every time a depth charge would explode. The film then jumps into a party scene where each character is introduced. We see Matthew McConaughey, as Lt. Andrew Tyler, contemplating a letter just received - a letter we find out states he "didn't get his boat", Jon Bon Jovi with a couple of women (typical), Bill Paxton as the Lt. Commander who doesn't feel Tyler's ready to skipper a sub, and the god, Harvey Keitel as the sub's Chief. All of this learned in this scene and the way its shot makes you feel like you're a fly on the wall. The scene is interrupted by a group of MP's stating the immediate assistance of the crew in an "issue" that has just come about. We find out the Allied forces have intercepted the distress call from the stranded German U-Boat - and the film kicks into fourth gear.
As the crew gets ready for their new mission, David Keith comes into the film as Marine Major Koonan, a hard-ass soldier who takes over per the Admiral's orders alongside a nervous desk-sitting Lt. Hirsch (I can't remember the actor's name, even though he looks very familiar). They are going to lead the crew of young navy seamen and take-over the stranded U-boat - in hopes of attaining the Enigma, a machine that will finally allow the Allies to descramble German codes - but in complete secrecy. As soon as they are out of Allied waters, Koonan opens the crates brought aboard and reveals a Trojan horse plan of making their sub look like a German U-boat, complete with German uniforms and ensignia. They approach the stranded U-boat and the tension the crew feels is felt throughout the audience, as well. You could literally hear a pin drop as the Allied crew, dressed in German uniforms rows across to the U-boat. The tension in this scene is summed up in Lt. Hirsch, who we find out earlier, speaks fluent German. He is one of two on the rowboats that will be able to communicate and understand what the German soldiers are saying. It's because of his uncontrolled fear he doesn't answer the Germans and almost jeopardizes the mission. Jack Noseworthy's character, radioman Wentz, covers for him and answers in perfect German - the mission, now back on track. The Americans begin to board the U-boat when the Germans realize they're being taken over. The next five to seven minutes of the film is some of the most classic and beautiful shot scenes I have ever scene - not to mention deafening. Chaos breaks out and when finished, you have people dead you would never have known would be killed, all the German soldiers that were supposed to be taken as soldiers, except for one - dead, and the American sub completely destroyed and sunk. The movie now kicks into fifth gear. From this point on, everybody in the theatre was transfixed to the screen. Not one person got up to pee and even the "dead fetus blemish" girl and her look-a-like mom had stopped their popcorn stuffing to watch. The range of emotion portrayed between the crew that is left is incredible.
Everything written on the U-boat is in German, the sub is paralyzed and needs work, a select part of the crew plans mutiny over Lt. Tyler and now they not only have to keep away from the Germans, but their own Allied forces! One of the greatest moments during this time is when the crew, being quiet due to a destroyer heading over them, hears a light tapping and can't find where its coming from. All of a sudden, Lt. Hirsch realizes its Morse code and that the German prisoner they have captured, is tapping on pipes to communicate with any vessel in the vicinity. The ensuing scene provides huge canojes for Lt. Hirsch and a rousing applause from the audience. Other scenes of greatness includ a close collision between the American-operated U-boat and an Allied destroyer, Lt. Tyler finally standing tall and taking charge against another crew member's planned mutiny and the martyrdom of the youngest and smallest crew member, who sacrifices his life for the rest of the crew by freeing a stuck torpedo.
You can see I liked this movie. I really felt Matthew McConaughey does a great job with this ensemble cast - he shows the same kind of talent shown in A Time to Kill. Its about time a film with this great mixture of emotion, tension and suspense is made well. Kudos to Jonathan Mostow.
Now - what am I going to do with this red t-shirt??
And now here's that fatass country western singer, Girth Brooks
Hi Harry, First of all, you gotta see this damn flick! I know you're psyched about it, and I will tell you now, you will not be disappointed. Go see it the first chance you get!!! Here is my review for it.
Before I get started talking about this flick, I would like to get one thing out of the way.
SPECIAL NOTE: To all of you Historical Enlightened Schmucks who think this film is warping the truth about the war, the U-boats, the code machine, etc, etc, etc..... Please get over it. This film is a work of fiction and made for pure entertainment. I really don't wanna hear any of that "This isn't historically accurate!" bullshit. Who gives a rat's ass if it is or isn't? It is one hell of an action flick that is made to entertain you for two hours. Mostow and company give due credit to the U-boats and crew that were involved in the seizure of any of the Enigma coding devices at the end of the film.
I have some advice for all of you reading this. What you need to do is look at your calendar and see if you are doing anything on the weekend of April 21st. If you aren't, that's great. But if you are doing something, you need to cancel those damn plans because you have got to see this film as soon as possible.
U-571 follows the accounts of a group of Navy soldiers who are sent to seize an Enigma code machine and code book from a disabled German U-boat. This Enigma machine is a secret code device used by the Germans to encrypt messages sent via their radios. This code machine is costing the Americans the war. The German U-boat is attacked at the beginning of the film and is left disabled. With no mechanics on the U-boat to repair it, the Germans must radio for help.
The Allies find out about this and decide to send a group of Navy submarine sailors to pose as the German resupply team and take the Enigma by force when they meet up with the U-boat. Well, all does not go so well for our group of soldiers and they end up losing their sub while trying to capture the Enigma. This is only the beginning of their problems though. They now have to use the German U-boat to get back home. All of the panels, instructions, buttons, etc are in German and plus the boat is not in tip top shape. They also have the German Captain (I kind of feel that he was underused) on board as a prisoner who ends up giving them even more problems. I am not gonna tell you much else because you need to see it for yourself. I hate to give away even the smallest details of a movie because I am scared it may piss people off.
The performances in this film were outstanding. I think this film will give Matthew McConaughey the much deserved push to the next level. He plays Lt. Andy Tyler, an officer who feels he deserves his own sub and crew. He is tired of parading around and not getting to be the captain. Unfortunately his captain, Dahlgren, played by Bill Paxton, doesn't think Tyler is up for it yet. He feels that Tyler would not be able to make the decisions he has to make because he is like a brother to most of the crew. McConaughey plays this part dead on and we can feel some of the pain in the decisions he has to make while manning the German U-boat.
This movie featured a lot of young actors who did a hell of a job with their parts. One of them being E.R.'s Erik Palladino. He plays the untrusting Mazzola. There is a very memorable and chilling seen he is involved in and he pulls it off rather nicely. Tom Guiry (from The Sandlot!) plays the role of Trigger. I'm glad to see that he is doing roles in powerful films instead of all that teenage Freddie Prinze Jr. shit. Other stand out performances come from Jack Noseworthy, Dave Power, and Bon Jovi. Everyone else kicked ass too, just too many to mention.
SPLASHES!!! Whenever you hear this word during the film, I suggest you grab hold of your seat. The depth charges occur in rapid succession and will knock you out of your seat if you don't hold on for the ride. The sound is terrific and they make good use of the surround channels during this part.
This film was directed by Jonathan Mostow. I will now publicly forgive him for Breakdown. I really thought Breakdown sucked big donkey balls. I know a lot of people that liked it, but I just kind of look at them as being stupid (Sorry Harry). Mostow really shows us this time that he is a serious action director and does a good job keeping you on the edge of your seat. I am really looking forward to seeing what he will offer us next.
I was very impressed with this film as I know all of you will be too. It is truly one of the best films of the year so far and definitely one of the best action flicks to come out in a few years. Here is a quote all of you marketing guys at Universal can use to put on your commercials: "HOLY SHIT! A Kick Ass action flick you won't soon forget." Forget about MI2 and X-Men, this IS the action film of the year. See you at the theaters on April 21!!
-Girth Brooks
Here's that pointy toothed cape wearing mofo with an extra L, Bella Lugosi....
Bella Lugosi here, Harry, fresh from an advanced viewing of U-571. I'm not sure if this is something you'd like to post, but my review follows and I pleased to contribute.
Sometimes a movie geek just gets lucky. Not only did I get an advanced screening of a film for free, but I actually got to see an honest-to-goodness wonderful movie. That movie is Jonathan Mostow U-571 and suggest you RUN- do not walk- to see it when it comes out.
Let me say first off that my review will contain some spoliers, so for right now let me just hit the high points for those who want to remain U-571 virgins. The movie is a fine ride. The cast is excellent and the effects and camera work are wonderful. If you are looking for a real quality film, you could do much worse than U-571.
Now, for those who want an in-depth look (without revealing too much) let's move on.
For those not in the know, U-571 is about a group of U.S. Navy men who storm a damaged Nazi submarine to get a machine called the Enigma. This machine will allow U.S. forces to decode Nazi messages for the first time and will be quite a weapon in fighting WW2.
Lt. Andrew Tyler (Matthew McConaughey) is bitter about being passed over for command of his own ship and is one of the men who storms the Nazi submarine. For plot point reasons which I will not get in to, Tyler and his men have the submarine they arrived on sank and now they must try to survive against Nazi battleships and aircraft in a damaged Nazi sub.
Tyler is having a crisis of confidence. His own captain, Captain Dahlgren (played woodenly by Bill Paxton), had him passed over for his own command because Andrew is too close to his men and the captain feels Tyler will freeze if he has to sacrifice the lives of his men. When Tyler finds himself as the captain on the damaged Nazi sub, all of Dahlgren's fears are made flesh- Tyler is not comfortable in command and yet if he does not lead his men all of them will die.
Tyler's problems on the sub are many: the torpedo tubes are in disrepair, the batteries are almost drained, all of the machinery is marked in German, and he can not communicate with the radio. If Tyler uses the radio, the Nazis will plot out his position and sink the sub. Also, Tyler has been informed that none of his men can be held prisoner by the Germans, so if things look bad, they must blow the ship up and themselves to prevent the Nazis from learning about what we know of the Enigma.
The only prisoner on board is the German captain who originally commanded the damaged sub, and will prove to be bad news as I'm sure you can guess.
But Tyler's big problem is that his crew knows he was passed over for his own command and his crew does not want him as a captain. So, from within and without the sub, Tyler is in the middle of an explosive situation that only he can lead them out of.
This is as much of the plot as I want to get in to. The real reasons to see this film are the cast, the effects, and the camera work. These should be the reasons you see ANY film, but how often do we get a home run in all areas?
As far as the cast goes, there are only two real disappointments: Bill Paxton and David Keith. Paxton is just too uneven here. He gives a REALLY wooden speech (if you wanna call it that) to his men before they leave dock, but then really seems to connect when he informs Andrew why he will have no ship of his own. It's like he just did not try for half of the film. As for David Keith... outside of An Officer And A Gentleman, I have always had the opinion that casting David Keith was the same as casting David Carradine... why bother? Might just be my personal taste, so take it for what it's worth to you. As for the rest, the characters of crewmen Tank and Trigger are very memorable. Not as cohesive a cast as American Beauty, but they do a damn fine job. Even John Bon Jovi was good... it is so hard to believe I just wrote that. AHEM!
The real gem here is Matthew McConaughey. For those of you waiting to see if Matthew is A-list talent material, you can wait no more. Mr. McConaughey has arrived people... and he came to play. Matthew brings very real dimensions to the role of Tyler and make you feel his struggles as an officer and as a human all the way through the film. Some of the decisions he must reach in the film are gut wrenching and you feel them right along with him. Whatever you may think of his past work, Matthew has really grown as an actor and he deserves his due for this.
The camera work is stunning. You really feel that you are one of the crew members and that their danger is your own. Aside from keeping the vibe of the film on the right track, Mostow really brings out an unusual quality in the weapons of war: beauty. I know it's odd, but when the short range depth charges go off and spray into the air, it's breath taking.
Of course a submarine movie without great effects would be worthless and here Mostow really delivers again. All I can say here is that the effects make you feel like you are part of the war itself and the constant depth-charging keeps you on the edge of your seat.
There were things that I really did not care for, of course. This was good for a PG-13 rating, but I really feel that so much more could have been achieved with more depiction of the suffering of the men who die in the film. It does not ruin the experience of the film at all, but one wonders what we might have missed. I feel that Paxton and Keith really watered down the scenes they were in and that the characters might have been better served by someone else. Again, you'll have to decide for yourself on that.
Also, for all of those unhappy with the "fictional history" angle, I was happy to see that Mostow addressed this by giving you a run down just before the credits who actually delivered the Enigma machine and a list of all of the people the acquisition of this machine would have been impossible without. Very classy, I thought.
The last thing I wanna say is that I was very happy with the way U-571 distinguished itself from "The Hunt For Red October". October was a very different film. In U-571, we are hardly on the enemy ship opposing Tyler and his crew at all. Most of the time, we are in the trenches with Tyler as he defends a helpless submarine in the face of opposing Nazi battleships and aircraft. There is nothing more riveting than watching the expression on a man's face when he has no weapons and hears that dreaded word : SPLASHES.
Anyway, that's my take on U-571. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did. It looks like we just might have another great year in film if U-571 and High Fedelity are any indication.
Thanks- Bella Lugosi
