After spending the weekend watching movies, I thought it might be nice to take a break from my usual political banter and recommend some movies I found to be profound. Note that I am not a professional critic, or even a movie buff per se; I simply found these movies enjoyable and think they are worth of being watched.
"Gods and Generals:" (2003) One of the best Civil War movies ever made, because it shows what the average soldier on both sides was thinking. It mostly stayed out of the politics of the Civil War, opting instead to present it through the eyes of its participants, most notably General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Not politically correct, but a heartfelt portrait of the greatest tragedy in our nation's history.
"Red Dawn" (1984) Released toward the end of the Cold War, this is a rather unique movie; the acting isn't always superb, but the plot is enthralling. The Soviet Union invades the United States, and a group of high school kids retreat into the mountains to wage a guerilla war against the invaders. Sometimes dismissed as propaganda, a "second amendment love fest," or "the most rightwing movie ever made," this movie is incredibly entertaining, and will bring any patriotism you have buried away to the forefront. It's hard to believe that Charlie Sheen is one of the stars.
"Forrest Gump" (1994) I would imagine that virtually everyone has seen this one already, but if not, do so as soon as possible. The story of a mentally limited man from Alabama who proves everyone wrong by becoming one of the most influential figures ever. Treated badly much of his life, Forrest never loses his optimistic worldview, his kind demeanor, and never yields to cynicism. A feel good movie, despite the sad ending, that captures all the emotions of a bygone era.
"Patton" (1970) General George S. Patton was not a nice man; he was rough, ragged, foul mouthed, had bizarre ideas of himself, brash - and just what the Allies needed to win World War II. Played to perfection by George C. Scott, Patton as seen as he was - a brilliant leader with a sense of honor no one, not even his enemies, dared to question.
"The Truman Show" (1998) Call me crazy, but I say this is Jim Carrey's best effort. The story of a man who doesn't know that his entire life is a television show, that his every move is being watched by millions around the world. Truman, an extremely likable guy, slowly begins to piece together the facts about the world around him. As he does, he overcomes his fears to take on, quite literally, the world. As television, through the advent of "Reality TV," becomes increasingly voyeuristic, it is quite scary indeed to consider just how far (or not) this movie is removed from reality.
"Dr. Strangelove" (1964) A cynical look at the Cold War and one of the weirder movies ever made. Trying to summarize it here could not possibly do it justice. Remember: there is a reason people are still talking about it today, 41 years after it was released.
"Hotel Rwanda" (2004): One of the saddest movies I've seen, Hotel Rwanda is the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a manager at a luxurious hotel he used as a sanctuary for hundreds of Tutsi and Hutu refugees during the 1994 genocide that occurred in Rwanda. If you think that evil is a relative term that cannot be defined, you need to see this movie. It is both moving to watch the courage of Paul, and depressing to witness the failure of the United States, the United Nations, and the West in general to do anything to stop the massacre.
"The Patriot" (2000) Freedom wasn't free, goes the old adage, and this film proves this fact as well as any movie can. The story of the colonists' brave fight against the better equipped British. This movie, along with "We Were Soldiers," is Mel Gibson's best effort.
Finally, if you just want to watch something funny, then "Napoleon Dynamite," "Dead Man on Campus," or "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" all deliver laughs. Just don't watch the latter two with the family.
John Brown (www.johnnorrisbrown.com) is a senior in political science and history at the University of Tennessee @ Knoxville. Contact him at johnnyb325@aol.com. This column originally appeared in the February 1, 2005 edition of The Daily Beacon entitled "Columnist recommends movies," available here.