mini-rant : War movies, TV shows and fiction about War

[alexandral]

It seems to be generally accepted that War is very important topic, but what can I do with myself? I was fed war movies since the age 0 (in former USSR) and I have grown to be not very keen on the topic as an adult.

The main problem I have with the topic is that any fiction about war usually doesn’t have too much space for women, it is all about men, men, guns, more men and more guns. These men usually keep killing each other for various reasons, and I usually object to the reasons and the killing. I am supposed to feel how heroic they all are and how wonderful the male bonding is, but I usually want to tell them all "stop fighting, guys! Stop!"

Plus usually any war fiction takes a certain side in the conflict depicted, which is sometimes difficult to accept too. We as viewers are supposed to feel the rightness of the cause of the "right" side, but sometimes there is no right side and sometimes the "right" side is also not quite right.

PS: There are few exceptions , of course, especially for olden day wars (before they invented guns, when war was fought beautifully with swords). :D I adored "Generation Kill".

This rant has been forming for few moths: this year is anniversary of the Korean war and there are many Korean war dramas and movies. And on the side note: there is this new highly anticipated Korean war movie, "71-Into the Fire". You know, one of the leads, Kwon Sang Woo age 33, is supposed to play 17-year guy in it?? Why????? They didn’t have any 17 year olds???? He will look like a spy. :D

Comments

[timescout.livejournal.com]

I rather like war films/tv-shows if they are told from the point of view of the solders and/or civilians cought up in the mess and are not too heavily weighted with battles. I don't take sides even if the film/show does, so it doesn't generally bother me. There's nothing glorifying in war itself, it's a brutal and misguided way of solving disputes. In the long run no-one wins.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

The taking sides issue bothers me probably the most, this and the fact that the "winner" is often glorified, importance of the event is often shown from POV of one or another country.

I know you are not a shipper, but one of the things I don't particular like about war movies that they often don't depict too many romantic relationships.

[timescout.livejournal.com]

I don't particularly care for the posturing either but I can generally ignore it. Unless it's really 'up in you face'. The best war moves and shows keep that to the minimum.

Yup, not being invested in romance has it's advantages. :) Lack of romance is not a big obstacle for me, if I like the story it's enough to keep me watching.

Btw, did you notice the little 'gift' I left you @ my LJ? ^^

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Yup, not being invested in romance has it's advantages. :) Lack of romance is not a big obstacle for me, if I like the story it's enough to keep me watching.

The story has to be really REALLY good to grab me without the additional prop of romance. But give me some good romance - and I will watch almost anything. :D

YESSSSSSSSSSSS! THANK YOU SO MUCH. I have been drooling all over it for the main part of this afternoon. :D