Saw "Jarhead" Yesterday

If you ever happen to read a negative review, don't believe a word of it. (I read one that sounded like the guy showed up drunk and somehow couldn't make sense of what he was seeing.) If even half of it is true -- and it's all true -- it's a harrowing story indeed, and makes the audience ask some tough questions about the military. If you're looking for something to do on a cold night, you could do a lot worse. Jake Gyllenhall's semi-deadpan style fits the demands of the character in a way that a more animated psycho-monster like Matthew Lillard never would. I haven't read the book, but an article about the parallels in Harper's makes it sound faithful. (I can't recommend the article highly enough, especially as a gloss on the history of war movies in general. Is there such a thing as a really anti-war film? The answer will only cost you $3.95 at your local Borders.) Seriously, it's as thought-provoking as movies get these days while staying non-political and not veering into contemporary commentary, which in a way makes it more powerful. Run don't walk! See the movie they're all talking about! Go! Go!