🍿 SATURDAY NIGHT MOVIES - TOP 5 WAR FILMS🎬 My fascination ..

🍿 SATURDAY NIGHT MOVIES - TOP 5 WAR FILMS🎬 My fascination with war movies led me recently to watch the cinematographic-tastic, yet tragic story of the USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage. The World War II-set picture follow the cruiser that carried the A-bomb that was disastrously torpedoed. Victims to dehydration, heat, int0xication from the salt water they drank, and shark attacks, out of 1995 souls, only 316 made it out of the water alive. While I’m not a huge fan of Nicolas Cage, I thought he was exceptional as Captain McVay. While blasted by critics and the infamous Rotten Tomatoes lot, I still thought elements of it were inspired and moving. Touching upon the lives each sailor had waiting for them back on land really brought home the realities of war. Multiple breeds of shark picking off the crew one by one, is a stark reminder of the rawness of nature. Here are my top five war movie recommendations – would love to hear what you think if you’ve not watched them! The Deer Hunter Some of the most intense scenes of the Vietnam War I’ve seen. Incredibly moving. The emotive ‘human element’ is especially brought to life by the rather turbulent relationship between Mike and Steve – both in love with the same woman and on tour together. The alter scene at Steve and Angela’s wedding is an uncomfortable watch. The deer shooting is a little shocking, but nothing compared to war. The cast is simply epic – Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep amongst names. Black Hawk Down Academy and BAFTA award-winner for a reason, Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down captures the tragic legacy in Somalia that saw militia shoot down two American Black Hawk helicopters with rocket-propelled grenades. This was the first movie I’d seen actor Josh Hartnett shine – a huge move away from his romcom beginnings. Eric Bana stunned as ever. Saving Private Ryan The first war movie I’d ever seen - and on the big screen. The opening scene of the infamous Normandy beach landings almost saw me leave the cinema. The first time that the gruesome reality of war hit me like a punch in the stomach. Men crying, carrying limbs and holding their guts in - not how I pictured war as a naive youthful girl. Tom Hanks is my favourite actor of all time and he didn’t disappoint. Kudos to Matt Damon for his portrayal of Private Ryan, encapsulating just how high and torn emotions run when out in the field. Tom Sizemore also put on an epic performance, leaving viewers moved by the rawness of men at war. Tears of the Sun A US Navy SEAL team are seconded on a mission to rescue a doctor deep in the jungle, crawling with rebels. Produced by Bruce Willis who also stars in a lead role as Lieutenant A.K. Waters, the picture interprets the turmoil that erupted in Nigeria following the brutal murder of the president and his family by a military coup. This film had me sobbing at the horrific practices going on during the Nigerian Civil War. A woman’s breasts cut off to prevent her feeding her baby was the moment I took a closer look into different world practices on women. I have since been involved in campaigns to raise awareness of Female Genital Mutil@tion and breast ironing through my communications business. Inglourious Basterds I had to include this one - the ultimate revenge movie - World War II Tarantino’s way (massive fan!). A definite re-shape of history, however, Tarantino captures the racial subtexts and power of propaganda rife at the time. The cast list reads like an Oscars night – Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth and captivating Mélanie Laurent. I found Austrian-German actor Christoph Waltz’s role as the ‘Jew Hunter’ especially chilling. The graphic and violent film set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, reveals this big plan hatched by Jewish U.S. soldiers, to assassinate Nazi leaders. Want to hear yours! xxx