So is everyone watching Tora,Tora ,Tora tonight. It's Dec. 7th (1 Viewer)

[Jeff Whitford]

Just wondering. I almost put Pearl Harbor but I figured people would blast me for that. Just want to honor the memory of the day and the people who served. Im goofy like that.

 

[GlennH]

You could also give THE FINAL COUNTDOWN a spin.

 

[Jeff Whitford]

Got that too!

 

[Aaron Silverman]

But you said you wanted to *honor* the memory of the people who served. . .

 

[Ken_McAlinden]

I'm watching a Tivo'd copy of Howard Hawks' "Air Force" from TCM the other night! Warner Brothers sure knew how to make their WW2 propaganda films entertaining back in the day. I had never seen this before, and watched the first 45 minutes last night. Arthur Kennedy looks like his breath must smell like baby formula in this one, although I guess he was in his late 20s at the time.

Regards,

 

[Jeff Whitford]

I saw the wink but I think the actual attack scene was probably pretty realistic.

 

[Mike Frezon]

Well, okay guys.

I have come close to putting Tora, Tora, Tora in my collection....but it just hasn't happened yet. However, I do have the big Pearl Harbor release on my shelf....but haven't gotten around to viewing it yet.

Should I sit down with 14-year old son and give it a spin in honor of the holiday and all? I know reviews were pretty mixed. What I seem to remember is action movie fans thought there was too much romance. And romance fans thought there was too much action. Or, something like that.

*EDIT* I do have Final Countdown on the shelf and haven't viewed that one yet, either! :b

 

[Ken_McAlinden]

Yeah, but that's almost like pointing out the presence of great actors Malcolm McDowell, Peter O'Toole, and Helen Mirren in the Bob Guccione cut of Caligula. Context is important.

That being said, there is certainly no intent to do harm or be irreverent by Michale Bay et al.

Regards,

 

[Mark Cappelletty]

No, but I'll listen to the punk bad "Tora, Tora, Torrance" if that makes you feel better.

 

[Jeff Whitford]

I think Pearl Harbor is kind of a throw back movie to the 40's and 50's with modern CGI and special effects. A little sappy and not totally historically accurate. Tora,Tora,Tora is almost like a documentary. I did say almost. The Final Countdown is just a fun "what if" movie.
Mike, in answer to your question yes I would sit down and watch Pearl Harbor with your son if he's up to seeing people get killed. Some 14 year olds may consider it tame others may not. You know your son. I would also suggest that you pick up Tora,Tora,Tora and watch that with him to give him more historical background from both the US as well as the Japanese side.

 

[Mike Frezon]

Thanks, Jeff.

Maybe we'll have to have a "December 7th" weekend marathon!

 

[Kain_C]

Tora Tora Tora would be the perfect film.

Pearl Harbor on the other hand is extremely dishonorable because of it's horrible execution of the material. It is extremely unrealistic and turns the entire tragedy into a lame action picture intent on only drawing in the green.

However, I did suggest to a teacher that he show his class PH so that he can point out all of the inaccuracies, which would of course take up the entire length of the film itself.

 

[Aaron Silverman]

Mike,

Definitely watch Tora Tora Tora (your library probably has it). It's not for everyone, but it is very accurate and includes actual war footage. It's an educational experience.

The Final Countdown is worth watching too, if for no other reason than that it's a good movie.

 

[GlennH]

The attack sequence in Pearl Harbor is good, with all its CGI and whatnot. But don't sell Tora, Tora, Tora short on that count either. The attack sequence in Tora is very well done and they didn't have all the fancy new digital tools to work with back then. They blew up a whole lot of real props. To me that perhaps makes it a more impressive achievement. That, and no sappy love triangle.

 

[Mike Frezon]

I had a few minutes tonight and peeked at the attack sequence in Pearl Harbor. Very impressive. The DTS in the Director's Cut rocked! I watched up until the intermission card. It gave me the opportunity to talk to my son about the comparisons between the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the World Trade Center and why we always need to remember those dates and events. I believe I will pick up Tora Tora Tora this week--maybe as my 10% off disc when I buy the Bourne Supremacy at Best Buy!

Thanks everybody for your comments!

 

[Aaron Silverman]

I just remembered. . .From Here To Eternity is another good flick on the same theme. (It was on sale at Costco last week.)

 

[Tom Brennan]

You could have watched Star Trek - The Motion Picture as well. It turned 25 yesterday.

 

[Jeff_HR]

I watched "Tora, Tora, Tora" Saturday. I watch it every year on or about 12/7.

 

[Michael Bailey]

I also try to watch TTT this time of year. I may pop in Midway to cheer up after its over.
BTW, Jeff_HR after browsing your collection I see we have extrodinarily similar tastes in film (except for the ones I have for my son).

 

[Kain_C]

Guess I totally disagree. Prop planes performing jet-like speeds and manuevers what looked like mere feet off the ground are tips of the iceberg for this way overdone POS. No amount of CGI (and in this film's case, rather bad) can save something so completely unrealistic and numskulled.