5th October 2008

First of all, I have to say this…I can’t believe that I actually did not watch the greatest war movie (in Hollywood that is) until now. I’m talking about “Saving Private Ryan”, which I guess many of you guys out there had already watched it. Well to be honest, I’m never a fan of war films, sorry, but they are kinda boring. I mean, guns, tanks, weapons and ammos (which are supposed to be bullets, right? is that even the word?) are so not my thing. Haha… I mean, wat we see in war films are all the soldiers in war, and them bombing each other. But war films are usually very touching and inspirational, and that’s the only thing I like about war films. (Besides all the darn hot, macho and good-looking soldiers tat is) So of course not being a war film fan just subdued my drive to watch that movie. When it was broadcasted on TV, I chose to go online and watch Youtube. But come on, it’s “Saving Private Ryan”, an Oscar-winning film! People talk about it and being a broadcast student, how can I not watch a movie like this rite? Plus it’s by Steven Spielberg, one of the greatest and most brilliant directors to ever grace our planet…

The opening scene at the Normandy memorial in France was breathtaking! Notice how the crosses are perfectly aligned and straight. That is actually my favourite scene because of the breathless view and the emotional delivery from the old man who plays the old Ryan. The look in his eyes is so significant and you can tell the pain and gratitude through the eyes. I think anyone who actually visits that place, whether or not they hv relatives buried there, will shed a tear or two. Even I can’t hold back my emotions when watching the last scene. I hate to cry when watching movies. Sigh but had to. Anywayz, in my opinion, this movie also questions one issue besides the insanity of war. Tom Hanks said in the movie…that when he kills an enemy, his rational is, he kills one to save 10 or 20 or maybe 20 times more. But when he sets out on the mission to save Private Ryan, he is sacrificing his team and himself for one. He then adds of course that saving this Ryan will earn him his rights to go home. But then again, as soldiers one cannot actually question the orders of the authority right? Private Reiben played by Edward Burn also said is this private worth risking 8 men’s live for. Even Matt Damon who played Ryan was curious. Why he deserved to go home and not any of his brothers? (meaning other soldiers) I guess he was partially right. But when you come to think about it, it is difficult to determine right and wrong when making these sorts of decision. For one thing, the Army has to consider the private’s mum…the consequences if she loses all her sons. But then, did they consider James Ryan’s decision; he doesn’t want to go home yet. He feels he has responsibilities as a soldier and he wants to fulfill them. He cannot leave his remaining ‘brothers’. But then according to Steven Spielberg the main theme of the movie is how you find decency in war. I guess it’s true. It’s hard to be human when in the battlefield. If you don’t kill others, others might kill you. But to the Tom Hanks who plays Capt. Miller and his rangers, maybe saving Private Ryan is the decent thing that they can do. but i think the mini series "Band of Brotherhood" (which is also produced by Steven Spielberg, together with Tom Hanks) explores that theme even deeper. Everyone thinks it's cool to hold a gun, but i think it really takes guts to actually fire the gun at someone. I can only imagine how it would be like to be in a situation in which u'd have to stay alive under desperate conditions, plan ur next strategy to defeat ur enemy while having to carry a heavy load of weapons. Then when the time comes, you even have to shoot someone. THen when u think back, it's like, the person u shoot could be just like u, desperately afraid and want to survive. but u hv to shoot or die. War brings out the other side of human, i guess one that u urself don't know. i reckon that war is the time that propels one to do things that they can never imagine themselves doing in a civilized world....it's beyond civilization. 

But if we concentrate for a moment on hot guys in the movie rather than the warfare, i recommend u girls to pay attention to Edward Burns. He is so cool in the movie...haha....i dislike him on "27 Dresses", well just becuz i prefer James Marsden. Anyway Edward Burns is so stylish and he really has got attitude in this one. There was also one funny joke he told in the movie...abt boobies hahah....hillarious. It's something like this...he was telling his troop mates abt the most meaningful thing a woman had said to him before basics...she has very large breasts and she was trying on a very tight corset (if i'm not mistaken, i forgot) and she was making her breasts look very ..ahem large. He said he can't stop staring at those things and she caught him staring at her...and she called him over.  She told him...when u go to war, and when u are experiencing the most trial and upsetting times, do me a favour...u think and picture "these" (meaning her extreme boobs). so now he says whenever he faced the hardest of times, he will think of that...and now i bet i will too....hahaha...but dun get misleaded here...i'm not tryin to be dirty...i'm just sharing a joke

                                                              (Oskar Schindler - the man!)

Oky back to serious...I've just finish watching "Schindler's List" also directed by Steven Spielberg. It is another very touching movie, about the holocaust and Nazis. I think that movies like this are the most inspiring and they give us something to ponder on. We should sometimes look back in the tragic historical events and only then will we feel the gratitude of being here today. After watching this movie, i think that this man -Oskar Schindler is truly a hero, not only to the Jews, but i guess to many as well. the sacrifices and the things he had done to save the lives of the Jews at that time - there is no bigger word to describe the kindness of his soul....so let's take some time to pay tribute to this man, who has rescued 1,100 jews and now there are actually more than 6000 of Schindler Jews. It's a black and white movie n i must admit that it is so difficult to hear the words becuz of the German accent. But it would be helpful if u actually go to Wikipedia and search for they brief synopsis first, if u don't mind it spoiling the suspense.

Poldek Pfefferberg is the name of the man who brought up Oskar Schindler to Thomas Kenealley, who wrote the book "Schindler's Ark" and also persistently persuaded Steven Spielberg to make the film. He was the advisor for the movie "Schindler's list". And i love Pfefferberg's quote:

"Schindler gave me my life, and i tried to give him immortality"

Pfefferberg has definitely done so...like how Steven Spielberg put it in his Oscar acceptance speech - he owes Pfefferberg such a debt becuz Pfefferberg has carried the story of Schindler to all of us....very very true indeed....

Til next time

Tammy d awesomist....