Warbird Information Exchange

I just saw a preview and two new movies: not directly about warbird flying, but related. WARNING!!! There may be an idea/opinion expressed here, so either don't read further or hold on to your Depends.

1st. One that looks good is Valkyrie, about the plot to save Germany by killing Hitler. Don't know if Tom Cruise is believable as Klaus Von Stauffenberg, but I think WIX folks will like this one. It has guys in crisp Nazi uniforms, danger, intrigue, and a Ju-52 and a 109 to set the scene. Won't be out for some time.

2nd; saw Lions for Lambs, the Redford directed one. I'd give it a C+, I was slightly disappointed. The reviews have talked about how much dialog there is and that's true. No writer strike here. There are lot's of snappy lines, especially between Cruise as a pro war Sen. with a eye to his future. He looks like John Edwards and talks like John McCain. And no spaceship jokes, the Mustang pilots can use a handsome member! Meryl Streep is veteran newspaper writer with a long term skepticism of govt propaganda. Redford is a parallel story, and there is a 3rd element in Afghanistan with some gripping flying scenes, after you get past all the talk. A reviewer said it is both very liberal and very patriotic. Maybe worth seeing once. Some bad language, lot's of violence, not the best for kids.

3rd. American Gangster. Very good reviews. I don't go quite as high, I'd give it a B+, and I'd probably see it again. NOT FOR KIDS, lot's of profanity, porrnnography, and blood and guts. If you can accept Crowe as the new Brando, or Harrison Ford, you'll like it. Denzel Washington is both cool and cruel. How cruel? Well, he makes the Mafia look moderate. I don't want to discuss the warbird part and give away the plot, but it is there in a small, but vital part, although it is neither a pro nor anti war film. Worth seeing, but it is not Lawrence of Arabia.

Anybody else see them, what do you think?

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

I saw "American Gangster" and found it well made and well acted, but somewhat unremarkable (I just feel like I've seen this story several times before). I'm not as knowledgable about Vietnam-era warbirds, but it struck me that while the planes featured were of a type in service at that time -- the markings were more in line with those in current use.

I've also seen the "Valkyrie" trailer and actually posted a link to it (strictly for warbird-relevant material) in another thread last week...

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=17072&highlight=valkyrie

I live in Baltimore. Every day, there is one or more American Gangster stories in the Baltimore Sun or on TV. I don't need to see a movie about depraved people killing each other. It happens here every day and I am exposed to it too much. I really like Denzel Washington, but I don't think I'll see that one.

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REMEMBER THE SERGEANT PILOTS!

I'm waiting to see Ironman dogfight F-22's in May!

Movies! Where? Man I live out here where the men are men and the sheep are nervous! Heck, we get "Saturday Night Live", Sunday evening.

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tracers work both ways

I am still pretty partial to the movie "Iron Eagle III"

Man, what great scenes and such realistic interiors of those planes.


Makes me want to watch 100 times a day.

O2, what or who is Ironman? Is this real or a cartoon character?

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Ironman with Robert Downey Jr. playing Stark.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/ironman/

I doubt that Ironman would be of much help against Starscream though... Hehehehe...

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Olivier Lacombe -- Harvard Mk.4 C-GBQB