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    <title>Hamburger Hill's Recent Activity - Spout</title>
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      <title>Film:Hamburger Hill</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/films/Hamburger_Hill/14559/default.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<table width='100%' style='font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><tr><td><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t14313daqzy.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' /></td>
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<strong>Title:</strong> Hamburger Hill<br/>
<strong>Year:</strong> 1987<br/>
<strong>Director:</strong> John Irvin<br/>
<strong>Plot:</strong> Though the anti-war sentiments of Hamburger Hill come through loud and clear, the film is squarely on the side of those courageous, much-maligned Americans who fought and died in Vietnam. Based on a true incident, the story takes place in 1969, as the 101st Airborne Division confronts the Vietcong in a bloody battle over Hill 937 (aka "Hamburger Hill") in the Ashua Valley. During the next 10 days, both sides incur heavy losses, but the Cong refuse to surrender the hill. The ultimate American "victory" turns out to be a hollow one indeed. Scripted by Vietnam war vet Jim Carabatsos, Hamburger Hill not only underlines the futility of the war but also the pressures brought to bear upon the troops by an insensitive, often hostile media. By utilizing a cast of unknowns, director Jim Irvin deftly avoids the Hollywoodized slickness of such bigger-budgeted efforts as <a href=/films/1555/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Apocalypse Now</a> and <a href=/films/8589/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>The Deer Hunter</a>. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide<br/>
<strong>Times Tagged:</strong> 21<br/>
<strong>Number of Lists:</strong> 14<br/>
<strong>Number of blog posts:</strong> 1<br/>
<strong>Number of discussion threads:</strong> 7<br/>
<strong>SpoutRating:</strong> 3<br/>
</td></tr></table>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:21:55 GMT</pubDate><spout:Title>Hamburger Hill</spout:Title><spout:Year>1987</spout:Year><spout:Director>John Irvin</spout:Director><spout:Plot>Though the anti-war sentiments of Hamburger Hill come through loud and clear, the film is squarely on the side of those courageous, much-maligned Americans who fought and died in Vietnam. Based on a true incident, the story takes place in 1969, as the 101st Airborne Division confronts the Vietcong in a bloody battle over Hill 937 (aka "Hamburger Hill") in the Ashua Valley. During the next 10 days, both sides incur heavy losses, but the Cong refuse to surrender the hill. The ultimate American "victory" turns out to be a hollow one indeed. Scripted by Vietnam war vet Jim Carabatsos, Hamburger Hill not only underlines the futility of the war but also the pressures brought to bear upon the troops by an insensitive, often hostile media. By utilizing a cast of unknowns, director Jim Irvin deftly avoids the Hollywoodized slickness of such bigger-budgeted efforts as &lt;a href=/films/1555/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Apocalypse Now&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href=/films/8589/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;The Deer Hunter&lt;/a&gt;. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide</spout:Plot><spout:TimesTagged>21</spout:TimesTagged><spout:taglevel>Tag Target (&gt;10)</spout:taglevel><spout:Numberoflists>14</spout:Numberoflists><spout:NumberOfBlogPosts>1</spout:NumberOfBlogPosts><spout:NumberOfDiscussionThreads>7</spout:NumberOfDiscussionThreads><spout:SpoutRating>3</spout:SpoutRating><spout:FilmCoverURL>http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t14313daqzy.jpg</spout:FilmCoverURL><spout:SpoutFilmDetailURL>http://www.spout.com/films/Hamburger_Hill/14559/default.aspx</spout:SpoutFilmDetailURL><spout:type>Film</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Re:Top 5 Overrated Movies</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_5_Overrated_Movies/190/40434/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t14313daqzy.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/146238/default.aspx'>bailey822</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/190/discussions.aspx'>Top 5</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 2/12/2009 9:52:49 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> I agree completely about Goodfellas.  I love Scorsese, but this was no Godfather.  Shakespeare in Love was another one that didn't exactly deserve all that critical acclaim...it was basically a romantic comedy with lots of expensive costumes.   [quote user="leeroy711"] [quote user="SkyPilot"]   3. Amelie   [/quote] Boooooooooo!!! I love this one and everything else by Juenet. The rest of the list I can't disagree with but mine would look more like:   1. Platoon - Hamburger Hill was better........... trust me. 2. Goodfellas/Casino/Taxi Driver - I didn't really get into a Scorsese film until The Departed. These others were OK, but that's about it. If it weren't for Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese would be the most overrated director. 3. Shakespeare In Love - this was when I stopped watching or caring about the Oscars 4. Gladiator - see No. 3 - And I actually liked Black Hawk Down better for a Ridley Scott film. 5. Shawshank Redemption - This one was clever but c'mon. No. 1 on IMDB's top 250 list is just ridiculous. [/quote]<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2009 02:52:49 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>bailey822</spout:postby><spout:postto>Top 5</spout:postto><spout:postdate>2/12/2009 9:52:49 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>I agree completely about Goodfellas.  I love Scorsese, but this was no Godfather.  Shakespeare in Love was another one that didn't exactly deserve all that critical acclaim...it was basically a romantic comedy with lots of expensive costumes.   [quote user="leeroy711"] [quote user="SkyPilot"]   3. Amelie   [/quote] Boooooooooo!!! I love this one and everything else by Juenet. The rest of the list I can't disagree with but mine would look more like:   1. Platoon - Hamburger Hill was better........... trust me. 2. Goodfellas/Casino/Taxi Driver - I didn't really get into a Scorsese film until The Departed. These others were OK, but that's about it. If it weren't for Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese would be the most overrated director. 3. Shakespeare In Love - this was when I stopped watching or caring about the Oscars 4. Gladiator - see No. 3 - And I actually liked Black Hawk Down better for a Ridley Scott film. 5. Shawshank Redemption - This one was clever but c'mon. No. 1 on IMDB's top 250 list is just ridiculous. [/quote]</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Re:Top 5 Overrated Movies</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_5_Overrated_Movies/190/39479/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t14313daqzy.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/141391/default.aspx'>flair</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/190/discussions.aspx'>Top 5</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 1/13/2009 5:56:38 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> [quote user="pippin06"] [quote user="leeroy711"] [quote user="SkyPilot"]   3. Amelie   [/quote] Boooooooooo!!! I love this one and everything else by Juenet. The rest of the list I can't disagree with but mine would look more like:   1. Platoon - Hamburger Hill was better........... trust me. 2. Goodfellas/Casino/Taxi Driver - I didn't really get into a Scorsese film until The Departed. These others were OK, but that's about it. If it weren't for Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese would be the most overrated director. 3. Shakespeare In Love - this was when I stopped watching or caring about the Oscars 4. Gladiator - see No. 3 - And I actually liked Black Hawk Down better for a Ridley Scott film. 5. Shawshank Redemption - This one was clever but c'mon. No. 1 on IMDB's top 250 list is just ridiculous. [/quote] leeroy, I think you are harsh on Scorsese, and he didn't only make those three flicks prior to the Departed.  In the land of overrated for Scorsese, I submit Gangs of New York and The Aviator.  I hate them, and they were nominated a million times for a million awards (and were some in the long line of Scorsese's no-Oscar curse). Though, I totally agree with Gladiator (also doesn't hold up to repeat viewings) and Shakespeare in Love.  I was hot when the latter won Best Picture thanks to the alpha-campaignig of the Weinsteins.  Saving Private Ryan is a much better film, and I personally and generally prefer romances to war movies any day, but come on. And now I see why Shawshank might be considered overrated  Ok, I concede on that point, but I'm with leeroy on Amelie. [/quote]<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:56:38 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>flair</spout:postby><spout:postto>Top 5</spout:postto><spout:postdate>1/13/2009 5:56:38 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>[quote user="pippin06"] [quote user="leeroy711"] [quote user="SkyPilot"]   3. Amelie   [/quote] Boooooooooo!!! I love this one and everything else by Juenet. The rest of the list I can't disagree with but mine would look more like:   1. Platoon - Hamburger Hill was better........... trust me. 2. Goodfellas/Casino/Taxi Driver - I didn't really get into a Scorsese film until The Departed. These others were OK, but that's about it. If it weren't for Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese would be the most overrated director. 3. Shakespeare In Love - this was when I stopped watching or caring about the Oscars 4. Gladiator - see No. 3 - And I actually liked Black Hawk Down better for a Ridley Scott film. 5. Shawshank Redemption - This one was clever but c'mon. No. 1 on IMDB's top 250 list is just ridiculous. [/quote] leeroy, I think you are harsh on Scorsese, and he didn't only make those three flicks prior to the Departed.  In the land of overrated for Scorsese, I submit Gangs of New York and The Aviator.  I hate them, and they were nominated a million times for a million awards (and were some in the long line of Scorsese's no-Oscar curse). Though, I totally agree with Gladiator (also doesn't hold up to repeat viewings) and Shakespeare in Love.  I was hot when the latter won Best Picture thanks to the alpha-campaignig of the Weinsteins.  Saving Private Ryan is a much better film, and I personally and generally prefer romances to war movies any day, but come on. And now I see why Shawshank might be considered overrated  Ok, I concede on that point, but I'm with leeroy on Amelie. [/quote]</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Re:Top 5 Overrated Movies</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_5_Overrated_Movies/190/36951/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t14313daqzy.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/5353/default.aspx'>Risselada</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/190/discussions.aspx'>Top 5</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 11/4/2008 1:43:16 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> [quote user="SkyPilot"] [quote user="leeroy711"] [quote user="SkyPilot"] 3. Amelie [/quote] Boooooooooo!!! I love this one and everything else by Juenet. The rest of the list I can't disagree with but mine would look more like: 1. Platoon - Hamburger Hill was better........... trust me. 2. Goodfellas/Casino/Taxi Driver - I didn't really get into a Scorsese film until The Departed. These others were OK, but that's about it. If it weren't for Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese would be the most overrated director. [/quote] Of the three Juenet films I've seen, I've liked Amelie the least. My favorite by him is Delicatessen.[/quote] I luke Jeunet too, and Delicatessen is also my favorite.  And I do think Amelie is a good movie, but the reason why I would agree that it is overrated is because every person who would normally never seen a foreign film ends up seeing Amelie somehow and and declares it their favorite foreign movie.  If you look at the structure, it's really a foreign movie designed for American sensibilities in what they think a good foreign movie should be.<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:43:16 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>Risselada</spout:postby><spout:postto>Top 5</spout:postto><spout:postdate>11/4/2008 1:43:16 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>[quote user="SkyPilot"] [quote user="leeroy711"] [quote user="SkyPilot"] 3. Amelie [/quote] Boooooooooo!!! I love this one and everything else by Juenet. The rest of the list I can't disagree with but mine would look more like: 1. Platoon - Hamburger Hill was better........... trust me. 2. Goodfellas/Casino/Taxi Driver - I didn't really get into a Scorsese film until The Departed. These others were OK, but that's about it. If it weren't for Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese would be the most overrated director. [/quote] Of the three Juenet films I've seen, I've liked Amelie the least. My favorite by him is Delicatessen.[/quote] I luke Jeunet too, and Delicatessen is also my favorite.  And I do think Amelie is a good movie, but the reason why I would agree that it is overrated is because every person who would normally never seen a foreign film ends up seeing Amelie somehow and and declares it their favorite foreign movie.  If you look at the structure, it's really a foreign movie designed for American sensibilities in what they think a good foreign movie should be.</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Re:Top 5 Overrated Movies</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_5_Overrated_Movies/190/36924/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t14313daqzy.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/2227/default.aspx'>pippin06</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/190/discussions.aspx'>Top 5</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 11/3/2008 10:59:21 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> [quote user="leeroy711"] [quote user="SkyPilot"]   3. Amelie   [/quote] Boooooooooo!!! I love this one and everything else by Juenet. The rest of the list I can't disagree with but mine would look more like:   1. Platoon - Hamburger Hill was better........... trust me. 2. Goodfellas/Casino/Taxi Driver - I didn't really get into a Scorsese film until The Departed. These others were OK, but that's about it. If it weren't for Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese would be the most overrated director. 3. Shakespeare In Love - this was when I stopped watching or caring about the Oscars 4. Gladiator - see No. 3 - And I actually liked Black Hawk Down better for a Ridley Scott film. 5. Shawshank Redemption - This one was clever but c'mon. No. 1 on IMDB's top 250 list is just ridiculous. [/quote] leeroy, I think you are harsh on Scorsese, and he didn't only make those three flicks prior to the Departed.  In the land of overrated for Scorsese, I submit Gangs of New York and The Aviator.  I hate them, and they were nominated a million times for a million awards (and were some in the long line of Scorsese's no-Oscar curse). Though, I totally agree with Gladiator (also doesn't hold up to repeat viewings) and Shakespeare in Love.  I was hot when the latter won Best Picture thanks to the alpha-campaignig of the Weinsteins.  Saving Private Ryan is a much better film, and I personally and generally prefer romances to war movies any day, but come on. And now I see why Shawshank might be considered overrated  Ok, I concede on that point, but I'm with leeroy on Amelie.<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:59:21 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>pippin06</spout:postby><spout:postto>Top 5</spout:postto><spout:postdate>11/3/2008 10:59:21 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>[quote user="leeroy711"] [quote user="SkyPilot"]   3. Amelie   [/quote] Boooooooooo!!! I love this one and everything else by Juenet. The rest of the list I can't disagree with but mine would look more like:   1. Platoon - Hamburger Hill was better........... trust me. 2. Goodfellas/Casino/Taxi Driver - I didn't really get into a Scorsese film until The Departed. These others were OK, but that's about it. If it weren't for Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese would be the most overrated director. 3. Shakespeare In Love - this was when I stopped watching or caring about the Oscars 4. Gladiator - see No. 3 - And I actually liked Black Hawk Down better for a Ridley Scott film. 5. Shawshank Redemption - This one was clever but c'mon. No. 1 on IMDB's top 250 list is just ridiculous. [/quote] leeroy, I think you are harsh on Scorsese, and he didn't only make those three flicks prior to the Departed.  In the land of overrated for Scorsese, I submit Gangs of New York and The Aviator.  I hate them, and they were nominated a million times for a million awards (and were some in the long line of Scorsese's no-Oscar curse). Though, I totally agree with Gladiator (also doesn't hold up to repeat viewings) and Shakespeare in Love.  I was hot when the latter won Best Picture thanks to the alpha-campaignig of the Weinsteins.  Saving Private Ryan is a much better film, and I personally and generally prefer romances to war movies any day, but come on. And now I see why Shawshank might be considered overrated  Ok, I concede on that point, but I'm with leeroy on Amelie.</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Re:Top 5 Overrated Movies</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_5_Overrated_Movies/190/36918/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t14313daqzy.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/2470/default.aspx'>SkyPilot</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/190/discussions.aspx'>Top 5</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 11/3/2008 8:02:40 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> [quote user="leeroy711"] [quote user="SkyPilot"] 3. Amelie [/quote] Boooooooooo!!! I love this one and everything else by Juenet. The rest of the list I can't disagree with but mine would look more like: 1. Platoon - Hamburger Hill was better........... trust me. 2. Goodfellas/Casino/Taxi Driver - I didn't really get into a Scorsese film until The Departed. These others were OK, but that's about it. If it weren't for Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese would be the most overrated director. [/quote] Of the three Jeunet films I've seen, I've liked Amelie the least. My favorite by him is Delicatessen. I'll have to see Hamburger Hill. I think part of why I like Platoon so much is that I watched it with my dad when I was 13. I wonder if love of the film is a coming-of-age, nostalgia thing for a lot of dudes?  Like someone insisting Little Monsters is great, but they haven't seen it in sixteen years. Wow, Scorsese the 2nd-most overrated director ever! I agree that Goodfellas and Casino are just good gangster movies at best, and The Departed knocks the lining out of 'em both. On the other hand, even though I don't love Taxi Driver--and I don't even particularly enjoy it--when I've watched it (twice), I've had this sensation that something new was happening. Like the "You talkin' to me scene," the date with Cybil Shepherd, the meal with Jodie Foster--there's something there for me, something raw and real and scary. <br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:02:40 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>SkyPilot</spout:postby><spout:postto>Top 5</spout:postto><spout:postdate>11/3/2008 8:02:40 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>[quote user="leeroy711"] [quote user="SkyPilot"] 3. Amelie [/quote] Boooooooooo!!! I love this one and everything else by Juenet. The rest of the list I can't disagree with but mine would look more like: 1. Platoon - Hamburger Hill was better........... trust me. 2. Goodfellas/Casino/Taxi Driver - I didn't really get into a Scorsese film until The Departed. These others were OK, but that's about it. If it weren't for Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese would be the most overrated director. [/quote] Of the three Jeunet films I've seen, I've liked Amelie the least. My favorite by him is Delicatessen. I'll have to see Hamburger Hill. I think part of why I like Platoon so much is that I watched it with my dad when I was 13. I wonder if love of the film is a coming-of-age, nostalgia thing for a lot of dudes?  Like someone insisting Little Monsters is great, but they haven't seen it in sixteen years. Wow, Scorsese the 2nd-most overrated director ever! I agree that Goodfellas and Casino are just good gangster movies at best, and The Departed knocks the lining out of 'em both. On the other hand, even though I don't love Taxi Driver--and I don't even particularly enjoy it--when I've watched it (twice), I've had this sensation that something new was happening. Like the "You talkin' to me scene," the date with Cybil Shepherd, the meal with Jodie Foster--there's something there for me, something raw and real and scary. </spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Re:Top 5 Overrated Movies</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_5_Overrated_Movies/190/36917/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t14313daqzy.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/121669/default.aspx'>leeroy711</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/190/discussions.aspx'>Top 5</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 11/3/2008 6:19:24 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> [quote user="SkyPilot"]   3. Amelie   [/quote] Boooooooooo!!! I love this one and everything else by Juenet. The rest of the list I can't disagree with but mine would look more like:   1. Platoon - Hamburger Hill was better........... trust me. 2. Goodfellas/Casino/Taxi Driver - I didn't really get into a Scorsese film until The Departed. These others were OK, but that's about it. If it weren't for Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese would be the most overrated director. 3. Shakespeare In Love - this was when I stopped watching or caring about the Oscars 4. Gladiator - see No. 3 - And I actually liked Black Hawk Down better for a Ridley Scott film. 5. Shawshank Redemption - This one was clever but c'mon. No. 1 on IMDB's top 250 list is just ridiculous.<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:19:24 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>leeroy711</spout:postby><spout:postto>Top 5</spout:postto><spout:postdate>11/3/2008 6:19:24 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>[quote user="SkyPilot"]   3. Amelie   [/quote] Boooooooooo!!! I love this one and everything else by Juenet. The rest of the list I can't disagree with but mine would look more like:   1. Platoon - Hamburger Hill was better........... trust me. 2. Goodfellas/Casino/Taxi Driver - I didn't really get into a Scorsese film until The Departed. These others were OK, but that's about it. If it weren't for Oliver Stone, Martin Scorsese would be the most overrated director. 3. Shakespeare In Love - this was when I stopped watching or caring about the Oscars 4. Gladiator - see No. 3 - And I actually liked Black Hawk Down better for a Ridley Scott film. 5. Shawshank Redemption - This one was clever but c'mon. No. 1 on IMDB's top 250 list is just ridiculous.</spout:body></item>
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      <title>Spout Post: Hamburger Hill (1987)</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/blogs/warmovieblog/archive/2008/10/15/36346.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t14313daqzy.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/127748/default.aspx'>WarMovieBlog</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/blogs/warmovieblog/default.aspx'>WarMovieBlog Blog</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 10/15/2008 8:01:36 AM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> Hamburger Hill (1987)


  IMDB



    
    In May, 1969, Airborne troops were tasked with the awful duty of taking a hill from the North Vietnamese, in a battle which would become known as "Hamburger Hill" and documented in a book by Samuel Zaffiri, and then on film in this 1987 picture.

I hadn't seen Hamburger Hill in a long, long, time.  And for some reason, the last time I did I remembered not liking it very well.  Well, this time was very different.  Maybe age and experience, maybe the myriad of pictures I've seen here have put some things into perspective, but Hamburger Hill is really quite the Vietnam epic.

 This film takes the typical Vietnam experience that you've seen before in pictures like "Platoon" and "We Were Soldiers", and amplifies it signifcantly.  From the mud, muck, and filth that our heroes live in back at the base, to the near endless death and destruction on the hill.  You will come away from this with that "sunk" feeling, as you realize how futile all of it is.

The only real problem I think is that it takes itself a bit too serious at times.  Even in the "lighter" moments it wields a heavy hand.  Maybe "problem" isn't the right word.  If you've seen it, you probably know the feeling I'm trying to describe.

Not only does Hamburger Hill succeed at presenting its message, but also spends a great deal of time on the issue of race in the military of the Vietnam era.  And surprisingly does it without coming off as "preachy" for lack of a better word.  You've got the seemingly out of place doctor, "Doc" Johnson (Courtney B. Vance) who seems to be a liaison of sorts between the black and white elements of the squad.  But it becomes clear by the end that despite all the rhetoric and discussion of race, it just doesn't matter.

But, as is the case, you've got the usual Vietnam cliches to deal with.  The somewhat forced friendly-fire incident, the out-of-touch officer corps, the above mentioned racial tensions, the blood and guts, the punji stick traps....  You sort of have to expect it I suppose.

Dylan McDermott and a young Don Cheadle are excellent in their roles.  Far better than I had remembered.  But again, that spectre of 'seriousness' seems to affect everyone in their portrayals.  Like the director was shouting out 'remember, you're not enjoying this' or something.

One particular element of the film that I do remember, and still think reverberates as an overarching theme, is the destruction of Hamburger Hill itself.  At the beginning it appears as a lush, green thing of beauty.  But by the end is laid waste into a burnt and broken, smokey, desperate wasteland.  Somewhat like the guys who left there alive.

     
                        Hamburger Hill (1987) on Spout.com Originally posted on:War Movie Reviews and News<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:01:36 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>WarMovieBlog</spout:postby><spout:postto>WarMovieBlog Blog</spout:postto><spout:postdate>10/15/2008 8:01:36 AM</spout:postdate><spout:body>Hamburger Hill (1987)


  IMDB



    
    In May, 1969, Airborne troops were tasked with the awful duty of taking a hill from the North Vietnamese, in a battle which would become known as "Hamburger Hill" and documented in a book by Samuel Zaffiri, and then on film in this 1987 picture.

I hadn't seen Hamburger Hill in a long, long, time.  And for some reason, the last time I did I remembered not liking it very well.  Well, this time was very different.  Maybe age and experience, maybe the myriad of pictures I've seen here have put some things into perspective, but Hamburger Hill is really quite the Vietnam epic.

 This film takes the typical Vietnam experience that you've seen before in pictures like "Platoon" and "We Were Soldiers", and amplifies it signifcantly.  From the mud, muck, and filth that our heroes live in back at the base, to the near endless death and destruction on the hill.  You will come away from this with that "sunk" feeling, as you realize how futile all of it is.

The only real problem I think is that it takes itself a bit too serious at times.  Even in the "lighter" moments it wields a heavy hand.  Maybe "problem" isn't the right word.  If you've seen it, you probably know the feeling I'm trying to describe.

Not only does Hamburger Hill succeed at presenting its message, but also spends a great deal of time on the issue of race in the military of the Vietnam era.  And surprisingly does it without coming off as "preachy" for lack of a better word.  You've got the seemingly out of place doctor, "Doc" Johnson (Courtney B. Vance) who seems to be a liaison of sorts between the black and white elements of the squad.  But it becomes clear by the end that despite all the rhetoric and discussion of race, it just doesn't matter.

But, as is the case, you've got the usual Vietnam cliches to deal with.  The somewhat forced friendly-fire incident, the out-of-touch officer corps, the above mentioned racial tensions, the blood and guts, the punji stick traps....  You sort of have to expect it I suppose.

Dylan McDermott and a young Don Cheadle are excellent in their roles.  Far better than I had remembered.  But again, that spectre of 'seriousness' seems to affect everyone in their portrayals.  Like the director was shouting out 'remember, you're not enjoying this' or something.

One particular element of the film that I do remember, and still think reverberates as an overarching theme, is the destruction of Hamburger Hill itself.  At the beginning it appears as a lush, green thing of beauty.  But by the end is laid waste into a burnt and broken, smokey, desperate wasteland.  Somewhat like the guys who left there alive.

     
                        Hamburger Hill (1987) on Spout.com Originally posted on:War Movie Reviews and News</spout:body></item>
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      <title>Spout Post: Re: Top War Films</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_War_Films/190/4119/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t14313daqzy.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/5853/default.aspx'>Rock</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/190/discussions.aspx'>Top 5</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 12/8/2006 1:56:50 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> Everyone has listed very good war films.   But let's not forget movies like  The Killing Fields  Schindler's List  Hambuger Hill We were Soldiers<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:56:50 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>Rock</spout:postby><spout:postto>Top 5</spout:postto><spout:postdate>12/8/2006 1:56:50 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>Everyone has listed very good war films.   But let's not forget movies like  The Killing Fields  Schindler's List  Hambuger Hill We were Soldiers</spout:body></item>
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      <title>Spout Tag:war</title>
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