#RodLurie

[adamwatchesmovies]

The Outpost (2020)

The Outpost begins uneasily. There are so many characters you’ll lose track of who’s who, even all of their names clunkily appearing on-screen. Director Rod Lurie also uses title cards to show the different “eras” of command at Outpost Keating but there are so many they don’t help orient you at all. Then, you realize that’s the point. While the characters become a homogenous unit instead of individuals, the presentation sets the stage and the combat scenes capture the chaos and danger of armed conflict like no other.

In 2009, Taliban forces attack Combat Outpost Keating on a daily rate. Located in a remote Afghan valley surrounded by mountains, it's a death trap that, on October 3rd, saw one of the bloodiest American engagements in the Afghan war.

The Outpost does not shine a good light on the U.S. military while simultaneously honoring the war's soldiers. Clearly, the Americans weren't welcome, the policies of the higher-ups were either ineffective or taken advantage of by the locals, and the base did not have the resources required to defend itself. Anyone with even basic knowledge of combat (or who’s seen Revenge of the Sith) would see the flaws in the defences. The men at the base are keeping their heads above water but cracks are beginning to form in the psyche of even the most level-headed troops. The constant stress is getting to them and with each attack, the Taliban are getting bolder.

The film draws strength from its realism and lack of clichés. The base’s Afghan interpreter (Mohammed, played by Sharif Dorani) warns of a large-scale attack so often even we dismiss them. How many times have the soldiers heard his warnings already? When Captain Benjamin D. Keating (Orlando Bloom) has a heart-to-heart with someone, it’s not to bump up our sympathy for him right before he’s killed; it’s because that’s what it was really like. Someone calling their faraway wife is just daily happenings. All of the dialogue we hear, the soldiers’ behaviour feels authentic.

As mentioned earlier, you’ll have a hard time remembering who anyone is. Even with Scott Eastwood playing Staff Sergeant Clint Romesha (essentially the main character), I could never keep track. If – like me – this makes you experience the film at a distance, that’s ok. The revolving door of leadership and the film’s sudden discarding of seemingly important characters are there to set the stage for an incredible climax. The odds are impossible and the combat is presented without an ounce of romance. People die suddenly and without warning. Acts of heroism are not met with grandiose fanfares; they're just lucky moves made on the spot to ensure survival. So much adrenaline is pumping through your veins you could get a piece of shrapnel in your arm and continue without even flinching.

If you feel cold towards The Outpost at first, stick with it. By the end, the picture fully allows you to see and feel what it must've been like at the time. The real-life interviews/footage during the end credits raise the authenticity to as high as it could be without it being a documentary. (December 21, 2020)

[peverflixmovies]

ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴜᴛᴩᴏꜱᴛ💌 അഫ്ഗാനിസ്ഥാനിൽ താലിബാൻ ഭീകരരും, അമേരിക്കൻ സൈനികരും തമ്മിലുണ്ടായ യുദ്ധം.💥 യഥാർത്ഥ സംഭവകഥയെ ആസ്‌പദമാക്കി രണ്ടായിരത്തിഇരുപതിൽ പുറത്തിറങ്ങിയ വാർ/ആക്ഷൻ മൂവിയാണ് "THE OUTPOST".📍 ഡ്രാമ മൂഡിൽ നീങ്ങുന്ന ആദ്യപകുതിയും, ആക്ഷൻ പാക്കേജ് ആയ രണ്ടാം പകുതിയും.♣️ ശ്വാസം അടക്കിപിടിച്ചു കാണാൻ കഴിയുന്ന gun-fight സീനുകൾ കൂടി നിറയുമ്പോൾ കാഴ്ചക്കാർക്ക് ഒരു visual treat തന്നെ സംവിധായകൻ ഒരിക്കിയിട്ടുണ്ട്.🌀 വാർ-ആക്ഷൻ സിനിമകൾ ഇഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്നവർ തീർച്ചയായും കണ്ടിരിക്കേണ്ട ചിത്രം.▶️ കൂടുതൽ സിനിമ വിശേഷങ്ങൾക്കായി ഈ പേജ് ഫോളോ ചെയ്യൂ....🎲 . . ᴍy ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ : 7/10💌 . . . . #theoutpost #rodlurie #scotteastwood #orlandobloom #milogibson #caleblandryjones #taylorjohnsmith #filmyblog #loveformovies #moviesuggestions360 #moviesuggestion #filmsuggestions #cinemaworld #movieworld #waraction #afganistan #america (at The Outpost) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRJatQ6L_le/?utm_medium=tumblr

[film-book]

Video Movie Review: THE OUTPOST (2020): A War Movie That Honors Our Brave Soldiers with a Frighteningly Realistic Vision https://tinyurl.com/y6tpebv4

[99quotes]

I do have this belief that we all have a chance to be great, beautiful people based on how we are raised and our surroundings. —Rod Lurie

[jenjen4280]

One of my Seester’s favorite films. Finally getting around to watching it.

[the-caleb-landry-jones-blog]

Caleb on the set of The Outpost one-week ago.

Source: https://mobile.twitter.com/RodLurie

[maikai-diablo]

scotteastwood: In the movies, we are lucky to make believe. But the truth is everyone has a real story that they bring to set - sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking... The relationships we build in life are what I cherish most. #theoutpost #rodlurie #caleblandryjones

[tvserieshub]

A Interview with Rod Lurie, Writer and Director.

An Interview and Behind The Scenes look at what it takes to make Damnation with @RodLurie

Meet Rod Lurie, who directed episodes three and four of USA’s new hit series Damnation.  He’s also written and directed such movies and The Contender, The Last Castle, and Nothing But The Truth.  To find out more, just keep reading. https://videopress.com/embed/WYPq3NlO?hd=0&autoPlay=0&permalink=0&loop=0 How did you find out about Damnation? Adam Kane was his dp on Line of Fire and Resurrecting…

[michaeldfuller]

via Twitter https://twitter.com/michaeldfuller

[adamwatchesmovies]

The Last Castle (2001)

I was able to foresee about 75% of the developments in The Last Castle. I nonetheless enjoyed watching it. I’d compare it to seeing a film based on a historical event you studied in high school. You know where it’s going so the entertainment comes from seeing the way the events are connected.

This action drama is set inside a castle. Well, not really. Castles have walls, defenses, a strategic position, banners under which the guards hold their chins high. Usually, they keep bad guys out. This one keeps people in. Lieutenant General Irwin (Robert Redford) has been sentenced to ten years in a maximum-security prison. The prison’s commandant, Colonel Winter (James Gandolfini) sees the newcomer as a threat. A battle of wills ensues as Winter utilizes the guards and to dominate the inmates. Frustrated by the show of force, they rally under Irwin's command.

The story becomes increasingly implausible but I was able to look past this for the most part. Winter has all the power... or does he?. With the armed guards, the ability to open and close the doors, the radio, access to vehicles, and weapons, he rules with an iron fist. Anyone who rebels is dealt with swiftly and without prejudice. In another film, he'd be the hero. Hundreds of military criminals don't inspire sympathy. His delusions of grandeur and abuse of power make him a villain. His opponent is more sympathetic without being strickly good. Irwin deserves his sentence. The way he handles himself around Winter is what makes you cheer for him. This conflict is robust enough to make you forgive the absurdity of the conclusion. It’s just fun to see these men push each other around.

Wondering what Irwin’s next move will be, how Winter will react to it keeps you invested. What will be the last straw that pushed things over the cliff of civility? While you're waiting, there are some good performances from the leads. They, and the supporting cast (which includes Mark Ruffalo as a slimy convict), keep you invested.

There are two issues which hobble the film. Firstly, you can foresee what's going to happen next far in advance. The conclusion, that final confrontation between the two giants who've been eyeing each other during the entire film is downright nutty. The events are plausible, the characters act logically but stuff comes out of nowhere. The prisoners come up with elaborate weapons to stage their big rebellion. You have no idea how they put their arsenal together. We’re not talking shanks made out of toothbrushes. We’re talking serious MacGyver stuff that I doubt my friends and I could assemble over a few months even with access to hardware stores, the internet, and free reign to do whatever we want in our free time. I have to hand it to the movie though. As far-fetched as it all is... the results certainly are exciting. I'd compare it to a game of chess between King Leonidas of Sparta and the Warden from Shawshank Redemption. It's entertaining but pure fantasy.

If you can craft a scenario that'll have you cheering for inmates, it makes for a great conflict. There’s a lot of politics going on within this prison; potential for betrayal, corruption, makeshift weaponry, deception. With the injustices in need of righting, and action, it's a good watch. Sometimes it turns bad, and the word "cartoonish" comes to mind. Altogether, it adds up to a mild recommendation. You have to suspend your disbelief to get through The Last Castle. If you can, you'll be pleased. (On DVD, May 10, 2015)

[onthelinefilms]

Today's additions to my #MovieCollection, from #MovieTradingCompany. #LAConfidential, an amazing #Film!! Also stars #GuyPearce, who I had the pleasure to work with on #Results. He kills it in this movie!!! Been trying to add the next to my collection for a bit, part of my #OriginalandRemake collecting, the original #ManOnFire. #TonyScott was slated to do this flick, but lost the opportunity, and later made is version with #DenzelWashington. This version stars #ScottGlenn as #Creasy. Sticking with the #Remake theme, a film I actually even got to work on, the updated #StrawDogs. I got this, to say hey I did that, but also to pair up with the original #SamPeckinpah movie starring #DustinHoffman. Also, the remake Director, #RodLurie, did a film called #TheLastCastle, which I Love!! That starred #RobertRedford, who I got to work with recently! I could go on and on!!! Man, #ILoveMovies!!! #Cinephile #Movies #BluRay #BluRayCollection #TodaysFinds #MakingMovies (at Movie Trading Company - Hurst)

[theenthusiasticcinephile]

Straw Dogs

1 hour 50 minutes

Rated R (Strong Brutal Violence Including A Sexual Attack, Menace, Some Sexual Content, and Pervasive Language)

Directed by Rod Lurie

Starring James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgard, Dominic Purcell, Laz Alonso, Willa Holland, and James Woods

3 out of 4 stars

Straw Dogs is a surprisingly well-made remake that doesn't go too over the top. It is pretty violent though, and I'll warn that there is a sexual attack in the film. I remember when I watched Wes Craven's original The Last House on the Left I enjoyed it because even though it was brutal it didn't exactly try to put a label on itself as a flat-out horror film. The 2009 Dennis Iliadis remake is suspenseful but tries too hard to act like a horror film. And worst of all, the violence goes completely over the top. Straw Dogs is different though. It's brutal but doesn't try to celebrate horror movie conventions. This is strictly a thriller about the animal inside us and the time it takes for us to release it.

The controversial Sam Peckinpah original, though, is much much much much much better. It came out in 1971 and it still manages to shock me every time I watch it. It's about Dustin Hoffman and Susan George, a married couple that decides to move into George's old house in Cornwall, England. Their lives get mixed up with some creepy old british men and thennnnnn it get bad. That's all I'll say. Hoffman and George give grade A performances and the editing is exhilarating. Best of all though is the movie's views on violence in society. Why are certain people fascinated by it? Sometimes we exhibit violence when we don't mean to and sometimes we're forced to to protect our own lives.

The remake is set in the south this time and stars James Marsden and Kate Bosworth as the couple and Alexander Skarsgard, or Eric from True Blood, as the main baddie. The movie certainly isn't as effective as the old one and its philosophical views feel less intact. However I was engrossed by its effort. Director Rod Lurie understands the meaning of the original and tries his absolute best to make a faithful remake and in many ways he succeeds. The acting is superb. Marsden makes his character as dorky and awkward as Hoffman's. Bosworth is surprisingly natural here. Skarsgard is great at being bad. James Woods, as well, is so amazing at being bad too.

The editing is very well-done as well. The cross-cutting technique that signifies Peckinpah's films (specifically The Wild Bunch) isn't really used here but does it need to? I'm glad that Lurie didn't simply repeat what Peckinpah did in the editing room. The soundtrack in the movie is also very nicely handled. If you've seen the trailer for the movie then unfortunately you pretty much know what will be the big climax of the film. Take my word for it, DO NOT WATCH THIS TRAILER. Be surprised. Even though Hollywood made this trailer to try and get more audiences Straw Dogs still got #5 at the box office its opening week. Trailers don't always work!

[maikai-diablo]

rodlurie: Here I am with @scotteastwood and Caleb Landry Jones about to embark on our new film #theoutpost based on the book by @jaketapper. That photo is of my son @hunter_lurie who passed away this summer. This movie is meant to honor the heroes of the battle of Kamdesh and will be dedicated to my boy