Movies to Honor Veterans

| 21 Feb 2012 | 11:00

    Born On The 4th Of July n The life of a man from H.S. athlete, to soldier, to Vietnam Veteran, to activist. Tom Cruise is in top form in a vivid view of the war's effect on a person and society. Rated R. (1989) The Boat (Das Boot) n WWII combat seen through the eyes of a German U-boat crew. Still one of the most realistic and suspenseful submarine warfare movies ever made. Rated R. (1982) Deer Hunter n Still many people's favorite war movie and in fact many people's favorite movie. Robert DeNiro and Christopher Walken deliver stunning performances in a film portraying the carnage left in the personal lives of a group of soldiers during and after the Vietnam War. Rated R. (1983) Lawrence Of Arabia n The cinematography in this film can best be described as perfect. Every frame is stunningly beautiful. Who knew that heat waves rising from the sand and sandstorms could be so visually impressive? Director David Lean did. Lean did more than that. He gave us a great story about a remarkable man that organized nomadic tribes to join the fight against the Nazis in Africa. Peter O'Toole is fantastic in the title role. This film is on any critics list of the best movies ever made. Rated PG. (1962) The Longest Day n Long before "Saving Private Ryan" gave a realistic portrayal of the invasion of Normandy, this film did it in an era filled with the usual propaganda war films. Rated G. (1962) Patton n One of the best military biography movies made to date. George C. Scott won a best actor Oscar for playing General Patton. Rated PG. (1969) Saving Private Ryan n The first 30 minutes of this film contains the most powerful (and disturbing) battle footage ever put on film. It is the reason this film must be seen by anyone who wants to know what the invasion of Normandy was really like. Rated R. (1998) Suggestions by Tom Laureys of Sunset Video, Woodport Road, Sparta.