Above And Beyond..."13 Hours"

13 Hours (2016)

Rated R

Starring John Krasinski, James Badge Dale, Pablo Schreiber, David Denman, Dominic Fumusa, Max Martini, David Costabile, Matt Letscher,

Directed by Michael Bay

The Story:

Benghazi, Libya. In 2012, it was declared one of the most dangerous places on Earth, and pretty much all foreign governments pulled out of the area. The United States left a sorta secret CIA base in the area, and they were defended by former military special ops personnel. On September 11th, Ambassador Stevens (Letscher) has come to Benghazi to spread the message of peace through the land, and that's when terrorists decide to storm the Ambassador's compound. The security team at the CIA base want to go protect the Ambassador, but are told to stand down by the Chief (Costabile). They finally defy his orders and go to try and save the Ambassador before it's too late.

And we all know how it ends.

Ambassador Stevens and 3 of the security team members would die as a result of the attacks on the 2 compounds.

I won't name the names here, you can find them on a million news reports, and it then spoils which actors wind up getting killed.

It's more stressing not knowing which characters are going to end up not making the trip home alive, and you feel the tension and stress that the movie tries to convey.

Speaking of which, Michael Bay, give him credit, tells a really powerful war story here.

He's aided by a wonderful cast of mostly actors that you haven't seen before, minus Krasinski, who pulls off the role as a former Special Ops who is now wanting to provide for his family by taking this dangerous assignment.

By the 45 minute mark or so, you're so invested in these characters, you almost don't want to keep watching the movie because you know bad things are going to happen.

Plus, you know my usual complaint about how movies are too long or feel longer than they are?

That doesn't apply here.

The 2 1/2 hours are riveting and you remain engaged throughout.

As for the political finger-pointing that comes with this movie, Bay sidesteps pointing any direct fingers at the White House or those in positions of power that could have done something, but the implication is there that something could have been done in a much timelier manner.

It was a tragedy that shouldn't have happened and also shouldn't be ignored.

Final Grade: Solid B  /  B+

Is It Time For Cameron Crowe To Say "Aloha" ?

Aloha (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, John Krasinski, Danny McBride, Alec Baldwin, Bill Murray, Danielle Rose Russell

Written and Directed by Cameron Crowe

The Story:

Brian (Cooper) a former military contractor that had been left for dead returns to Hawaii to work alongside some former co-workers (McBride & Baldwin) and the former love of his life (McAdams). The Air Force assigns him a liaison (Stone) to keep him out of trouble as they prepare to launch a satellite for a billionaire (Murray). Will Brian have his edge back, or are familiar surroundings going to overwhelm his sense of duty?

I think the only thing I heard about this film was that there were complaints about having Emma Stone portraying someone who is supposed to be part Hawaiian. Apparently complaining about things is the new 21st century pastime.  Then the film pretty much tanked at the box office.

Is it game over for Cameron Crowe as a writer/director?

Not so fast.

This is hardly the worst film of his career. Yet that was seemingly the buzz that surrounded this film. Sorry, but that honor belongs to Elizabethtown (which I've seen) or possibly Vanilla Sky (which I haven't).

This is a fine ensemble cast that does their best with what they are given. It's certainly watchable, and with the amount of comic actors in this film, the humor is subdued as Crowe was not out to make a "comedy" but a slice of real life and capture the humor within.

The best part is near the end between Brian and Grace (Russell) that says so much with no dialogue at all. Heartwarming and tender, it lifts the rest of the movie right up with it.

Final Grade: C+