The War In Afghanistan..."Whiskey Tango Foxtrot "

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016)

Rated R

Starring Tina Fey, Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman, Alfred Molina, Christopher Abbott, Billy Bob Thornton, Nicholas Braun, Evan Jonigkeit

Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa

The Story:

In 2003, the war in Iraq has pulled all of the world's major journalists there to cover the story. Turning to whatever resources they have left, new reporters are sent to Afghanistan to cover that story. Kim Baker (Fey) is selected and heads to Afghanistan even though she's never worked in front of the camera before. However, her inquisitive nature and determination help her immensely as she befriends her colleagues, the military and the Afghan locals.

Yes, this is a true story.

And while there are many amusing things that happen, this falls more along the dramedy realm than a straight up zany Tina Fey movie.

So make sure you know that going in, or you too may think..."Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!?!"
Or some equivalent.
:)

Had Tina Fey written it, it's likely it would have been even funnier, but sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction, and there is plenty of that to go around in the film.

She's surrounded with some wonderful supporting characters, especially Christopher Abbott as her interpreter and Billy Bob Thornton as General Hollanek.

Along the way, Kim uncovers the cold truth about the war: while Americans love and support the military, they just don't want to see it, or the harsh realities of war played out on the television nightly.

That was true then in 2006, when everyone was tired of it.

A decade later, it's sadly even more true.

Final Grade: B

The Twists And Turns Of "Criminal Activities"

Criminal Activities (2015)

Unrated

Starring Michael Pitt, Dan Stevens, Christopher Abbott, Rob Brown, Jackie Earle Haley, John Travolta

Directed by Jackie Earle Haley

The Story:

Four men come together to remember one of their classmates who passed away recently. As they talk, a sure-fire get rich quick scheme is uncovered. However, when it falls through, it turns out that a chunk of that money is owed to the mob, and now Eddie (Travolta) is coming to collect. Unless they are willing to do a job for him, in which case he will completely forgive their debt.

Let the games begin.

This is a bit of a roller-coaster movie.

To explain the plot much further than what I did would spoil much of the film as it falls within the heist or mob family of films.

It's got its ups and downs, but overall, when it's all said and done, you're glad you went on the ride.

Just know that when Travolta and Jackie Earle Haley are on the screen, things usually pick up tremendously.

Which gives you the ups, and the downs happen when the rest of the cast takes center stage, because they just don't quite have the presence or sense of character that the other two veteran actors bring to the screen.

But for a B-movie with a lot of young, relatively unknown talent, it's not too bad at all.

So, no rush to move this to the top of your queue, but one that if you get around to seeing it, you'll probably be glad you did.

Final Grade:  C+