Valkyrie

Well, with the holidays here.  Me, a movie watcher.  I almost always go to the movies when there is a new release that catches my imagination.  However lately, we’ve been running short of good movies.  I’ve been watching the reviews and haven’t found a lot of movies worth my time or money.  I thought for sure, I’d see the Jim Carey movie “Yes Man” but alas, the reviews were all bad.  Finally, I decided to see Valkyrie, the reviews weren’t all that great either, but I’m a  history buff  of sorts and wanted to see the movie. 

I saw Valkyrie with my elderly father of 76 years.  I thought he’d enjoy the movie, because he likes war movies, spy thrillers and the like.  He did enjoy the movie.  Right about half way through the movie he started telling me what was really going on in world war II during a certain point in the movie.  Which I found very interesting.  And after a little research, discovered was also true.  [side-note:  My dad at times can be completely out of touch with reality due to Alzheimer’s disorder.  So all facts must be checked.]  Dad did give a thumbs up on the movie as well. 

Regarding Valkyrie, I thought the movie was good, four out of five stars due to the suspenseful air that permeated the film.  However, one important part of the story was left out.  I’m not sure why.  But it seems that the motivation of those seeking to assassinate Hitler was unclear in the movie.  Of course the movie did make a show that it was the German underground that was responsible for the assassination attempt.  Initially, I thought the movie was about good and evil.  But after seeing it, I thought the movie was about ego and evil. 

Tom Cruise was his usual self through out the movie.  He was the name that carried the movie and insured it’s success, however I ‘m unclear if the part was right for him.  He demonstrated a lot of bravado.  His character Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg seemed motivated to win the war for Germany, although his motivation to win the war, was never really clear in the movie.  Through-out the movie there was little information about what motivated the character.    I guess I was hoping for a clear-cut good versus evil.  It was not to be found. 

The movie itself told the story of Valkyrie clearly and quickly improving upon it enough to be declared a historical Thriller by the film industry. 

The movie was true to the story as the assassination of Hitler was unsuccessful and all the men behind the attempt were tried as traitors and put to death immediately.   Later they were all remembered as heros by the German underground. 

[Personal note:  I did some checking on the real motivation of  Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg; it seems that Colonel Stauffenberg was clearly a member of the German underground for since the polish campaign of 1939.  However, his political reasons for joining the German underground were more related to returning Germany to the old political beliefs.]

Zack and Miri, Hillary is a possiblity for the Sec of State and

Well, It’s Friday and I was feeling both excited and board and had no good buddies to hang out with, so I went to see a movie all by myself.  And so I saw Zack and Miri make a Porno directed by Kevin Smith; starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks.  First let me say it had great music.  I found my toes tapping all the way through the movie.  And brace yourself; it’s a love story.  All the soft porn just fades to the back ground.  This movie is R rated. and is rated an 8 out of 10 by the Reelz users; Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 6 out of 10 by it’s users.  I enjoyed it and it did me a world of good, So I give it the 8/10.  Just like Reelz Channel users. 

Did I hear my girl Hillary is on the list as the possible next Secretary of State??  No wonder Hillary decided to be acquiesce to Barack and help him with his campaign.  It was a win-win situation. 

And did you hear what President Bush had to say about President-elect Barack Obama about the way he interacts with his children??  President Bush said that President-elect Obama will make a good father figure to this country.  I thought that was a very generous thing for President Bush to comment about. 

Also, The Shuttle Endeavor Launch.  The shuttle Endeavor launched at 7:55 EST on the Kennedy Space Center.  On the left is a picture of the Launch just as it cleared the tree line.  Very bright light in the sky going ever upward until the light finally faded.