War Stories

I liked this film. It's comparable to HBO's Live From Baghdad. I was really surprised to find such a good film on "regular" TV. Jeff Goldblum is great in it. Hope he gets an Emmy nod. It's important for the American people to see a harsh depiction of what our journalists go through to bring us the war experience.

When I saw this pilot episode of what was supposed to be a TV series, I was quite excited about it. The story was daring and original, considering the usual high-tech kitsch that usually air on broadcast TV ("24", "CSI" and the likes). This show felt different - in a way it felt real, like it had meat on its bones. It was more than just stories of people and the outlandish things that happen to them - it dealt with ideas and got one thinking. War Stories talked about the grittiest, truest and maybe noblest side of journalism: war correspondents. This was a show that seemed to chose story lines mirroring reality, even if that reality felt a bit uncomfortable to acknowledge. Finally, I thought, a series that tries to be more than pointless thrills and suspense. The series was even mentioned by Newsweek magazine for its originality and provocative subject. Unfortunately, by next week the show was cancelled. I guess, since the show was too daring, didn't fit a "format", and mostly considering the political climate and the attitude towards war at the time, someone threw their weight around, and instead of more episodes of War Stories we got more mind-numbing sitcoms, reality shows, and cheesy thrillers. Heaven forbid we see something controversial that expresses a different point of view, or gets us thinking. Still, I am hoping the producers haven't given up on this one yet...

In Uzbekistan war correspondents compete and struggle to get the "hot" story while risking their lives. The movie has various relationship triangles. The movie focuses on the life of one disgruntled, cold reporter in particular. An exploration of objectivity is explored. Refugee camps are reviewed with respect to their insignificance to governments. The human side of "terrorists" is depicted. Deep insights into the value of life and different peoples take on this is explored. There are various plot twists that add intrigue. A discovery is made about U.S. deliberate acts that defy morality to track a wanted terrorist. Good cinematography and pacing. Exciting and thought provoking movie.

I wasn't expecting anything new or spectacular. I wasn' blown away by the tv-film itself, but more so by the potentiality of the program to be a series. I agree with a previous post that with the mind-numbing so-called 'reality tv' horse crap playing, a show like the example here could've been a refreshing change of pace.

Jeff Goldblum's portrayal of Ben, an experienced foreign correspondent thrown into the lawless and chaotic world of war torn countries in search for the truth, was quite fascinating. Although it isn't quite new as far as composition is concerned, for tv it works quite impressively.

I can't really imagine any other actor capable of such restrain from being overtly expressive. His reserve seems very accurate and is reminiscent of Dan Rather and Nic Robertson (CNN).

Had this film been directed by Steven Soderbergh, a probability very slim for tv productions, it would have been very fascinating. I see a very interesting neo-realism treatment to the direction, something à la Traffic.

Unfortunately, this show just isn't what it could've been. I believe, aside from the obvious plot holes, the useless subplot which for the shortness of the film's length seem to leave too many questions unanswered. A doubtful supporting cast, which appear only to count on Jeff to support them in such a way it seems forced, the show aimed at greatness, but fell short.

I believe, a reason for such a miss perhaps was using a theme that is a bit too actual. Utilizing al Qaeda as an actual reference, the 9-11 slaughter and Usamah bin Laden himself appears only a bit too disrespectful for the memory of the very unfortunate victims of terrorism. Specially so soon after the events themselves.

Basically, this feature seems more or less like an extended pilot of a terrific show with great prospects, but falls short as far as a film is concerned.

The DVD release does not include the extended voice-over complained about in other reviews...

So far this is a funny flick, with serious issues. (I'm mid way thru it)

Jeff does a great job delivering dialog, and the setting is...realistic.

Reminds me a little of...Wag the Dog vs. Three Kings.

I would recommend checking this movie out if you're in the mood for a good watch, and not a full out SFX orgy.

It grooves man, dig it.