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Hacksaw Ridge starring Andrew Garfield: Poetic, Brutal and Beautiful

Posted on December 5, 2016 Written by Pinar Tarhan

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Hacksaw Ridge starring Andrew Garfield
Hacksaw Ridge starring Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington and Teresa Palmer. Directed by Mel Gibson.

 

UPDATED: HACKSAW RIDGE Awards, Nominations and Box Office

Hacksaw Ridge is currently (as on January 1st, 2017) is rated at 8.5 on ?MDB voted by over 42,000 people. It’s Metascore is 71, and is currently at number 90 on IMDB’s Top 250 Films list.

The budget is about 40 million, and its current box office (domestic and international) has surpassed 136. The movie was nominated for 3 Golden Globes: Best Motion Picure (Drama), Best Actor (Drama, Andrew Garfield), and Best Director (Mel Gibson). It won AFI for Movie of the Year, and won several Australian Film Institute Awards including Best Actor, Best Direction and Best Screenplay.

Hacksaw Ridge starring Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaughn & Sam Worthington

Based on the incredible true story of Desmond Doss, Hacksaw Ridge is a movie about how a young combat medic didn’t bend his pacifist beliefs for anyone, and ended up being a war hero without having fired a gun or used a weapon (with the wonderful exception where he used a rifle to make a makeshift sliding stretcher for his wounded sergeant).

Plot Summary

Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) grows up in a violent home. Even though he has a loving mother (Rachel Griffiths), his father (Hugo Weaving) frequently uses violence on them, including his brother Hal (Nathaniel Buzolic; Kol from The Vampire Diaries and The Originals).

Their father is not necessarily evil; he is just a war veteran dealing with survivor’s guilt and PTSD horribly.

Doss boys seem to have a violent streak themselves. During one fight, Desmond almost injures Hal beyond repair, which triggers Desmond to embrace the peace-loving nature of his religion.

Desmond Doss grows up to be a loving, caring and determined man. He falls in love with beautiful nurse Dorothy (Teresa Palmer), which further ignites his love for medicine. Not having been educated well, being a paramedic seems to be his only option. Fuelled to serve his country and do something while others are also risking lives, he enlists. However, he objects to doing any weapon training and gets treated horribly by most of his fellow soldiers in training and superiors.

However, he eventually manages to get what he wants. And as horrifying violence and mayhem surround them, everyone who ridiculed him gets to see what he is truly made of – again and again and again.

rsz_hacksaw-ridge
Actual scene. Image via The Independent.

 

Hacksaw Ridge was directed by Mel Gibson. Unlike his other directed films, he is not a producer this time. He also doesn’t star in it either, unlike Braveheart, or The Man Without a Face.

I haven’t seen Apocalypto or The Passion of the Christ. However, I have seen Braveheart (and The Man Without a Face, which is not a war film.) – and while Hacksaw Ridge isn’t quite there, it is pretty damn impressive.

Hacksaw Ridge is also understandably more violent. Braveheart had swords and arrows. Hacksaw Ridge doesn’t shy away from any shot that might make you cringe or want to look away. It has more blood, more severed limbs, and people in more pain. It makes you uncomfortable, and not for the sake of show or art. War is hell, and Mel Gibson makes sure you feel that in your veins.

Many people, including the cast argue Hacksaw Ridge is both a love story and a war story; you might consider it one or the other. But I disagree. Hacksaw Ridge is an epic anti-war movie with beautiful romantic scenes and horrifying war scenes. But it is more a respectful, albeit glorious, biography of a humane man of faith than a war film or a romance.

Teresa Palmer and Andrew Garfield in Hacksaw Ridge.
Teresa Palmer and Andrew Garfield in Hacksaw Ridge.

I’m agnostic. I don’t like religious motives or messages much. But you see, Hacksaw Ridge might show a Bible, but anyone with a heart can’t disagree of how Doss has interpreted the message: “Don’t harm anyone. And absolutely, do not kill.”

And he does exactly that. He doesn’t fight back when people hit him, which might be considered extreme. But he is proving a point. He is proving his principles. And he ends up saving 75 people in the course of about 12 hours. He helps a lot more.

He gets shocked and wounded and tested. But he doesn’t give up. He prays to be able to save another man. And then prays to be able to save the next.

Comparisons to Saving Private Ryan

Comparisons are being made for better and worse, and it’s only natural.

– Like Saving Private Ryan (aff. link), Hacksaw Ridge asks some very hard questions about humanity.

“Is the life of 8 men more or less important than the life one 1, if the mother of that one kid has lost three of her four kids in the same war.”

vs.

“Is it ever okay to kill and go against your beliefs? Or is it okay to risk everything to make the world a better place?”

– Both films have disturbingly realistic battle scenes. Both films have great casts, though SPR’s might have been slightly more famous. Both are critically acclaimed; both have amazing directors.

– Both films have solid anti-war messages.

– Both films must be seen as movie lovers, and people.

– I liked them both. I just liked HR a bit better.

Mel Gibson is my favorite actor, and he is one of my favorite directors. So there is a positive bias. But HR assaults your emotions for a shorter time. It’s ultimately less depressing despite being equally terrifying at times.

It’s a matter of personal preference. I’m pretty sure I can’t sit through SPR again one more time, just like I’d have to fast-forward HR’s battle scenes. Once is enough.

– Both movies have achieved greatness at shockingly low budgets for movies this size: Saving Private Ryan at 70 mil and Hacksaw Ridge at 40 mil.

Some more reasons to see Hacksaw Ridge

– The training scenes have some good humor. I loved the sergeant’s (Vince Vaughn) reaction to the naked soldier “Hollywood.” Also, Vince Vaughn is in a dramatic role again.

I have loved Vince Vaughn as an actor since Return to Paradise, which is one of my favorite films. It provides one of the most humane, enthralling and impossible-to-make decisions ever, and Vaughn shines in a dramatic role. Sure, he almost always talks fast, but he is as good as drama as he is at comedy. HR takes him to deeper lengths than The Interns ever could or wanted to (which is really entertaining film). The point is, Vaughn has more substance than just being the king of R-rated comedies.

– The romance is very well-done. It’s not sappy or corny. It has a pureness to it we haven’t quite seen since the relationship between Wallace and Murron. It feels real (and well, it was real.) So if like me, you really didn’t enjoy The Choice, here’s Teresa Palmer’s second chance to win you over in a romantic story.

*

Hacksaw Ridge is a must-see war film. It’s, in my opinion, not the best movie or the best war movie ever made. It’s however a very exquisite one that deserves to be seen on the big screen. It’s not always easy to watch, but you will feel intensely. You will occasionally escape your reality and the depressing things going on around the world. However, you’ll also be faced with the uncensored ugliness of war. I’d say it is great entertainment, but that’d not be the best choice of words. I wasn’t entertained. I felt. A lot, and all the time.

*

Written by Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight. Also featuring Luke Bracey and Milo Gibson (one of Mel Gibson’s 8 kids). Directed by Mel Gibson.

*

How about you? Have you seen Hacksaw Ridge? What did you think?

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: andrew garfield, Braveheart, hacksaw ridge, hacksaw ridge cast, hacksaw ridge movie, hacksaw ridge movie review, hugo weaving, Mel Gibson, mel gibson director, Mel Gibson movies, Rachel Griffiths, Sam Worthington, saving private ryan, Teresa Palmer, The Man Without A Face, Vince Vaughn

My Favorite Movie Proposal: Braveheart – William Wallace to Murron:

Posted on July 2, 2012 Written by ripitup

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Braveheart movie poster, Braveheart starring Mel Gibson
Braveheart movie poster, Braveheart starring Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau & Catherine McCormack. Image via popcornfreak.com

Of all the movies that I have seen, my favorite proposal in a movie remains Braveheart. Yes, Braveheart is my favorite movie ever and there are hardly any scenes I don’t enjoy (except for the ones where Bruce talks to his sick father. The man gives me the creeps- looks and personality wise).

But I am a big fan of Randal Wallace, just because he wrote Braveheart and I’m willing to forgive him for Titanic (I just didn’t like that movie.) The dialogue is smart, touching, inspiring, sad, romantic and funny -combinations depending on the character and the scene.

The Background

The scene will probably mean more to you if you’ve seen and liked the film. But even if you haven’t, I’ll give you all the crucial details so that you can enjoy it more. And this is not a spoiler. The catalyst of Wallace’s quest for freedom will start a little later anyway.

The 13th Centrury, Scotland

Scotland is under the rule of England. King Longshanks is ruthless, and he enjoys the suffering he inflicts on the Scottish.

Wallace is a young boy with a loving father and older brother. He’s not yet old enough to join them in their battle to get their freedom, but his father isn’t willing to put his life at risk. When they are trapped by the English and killed along with other Scottish men, Wallace is naturally filled with a desire to take his revenge. But a distant uncle (Brian Cox) arrives at the funeral, and he explains to him that a man’s strength doesn’t lie in his sword but in his brain. Wallace is to go with him.

This is one of the significant events that is about to make Wallace the smart and strong man that he’ll become. The second event that will shape the rest of his life is a little girl named Murron who sees how sad Wallace is, and she picks up a beautiful purple flower that she sees, and runs to him and gives it to him. Neither of them says anything, but share a moment. Then she runs back to her parents.

Flash-forward many years, and Wallace (Mel Gibson) returns to his village, as it is where he belongs. Raised and trained by his uncle, he has fought in many battles. He has seen the world, learned French and Latin and has become a very good warrior who can outsmart any enemy.

However his desire for revenge has been replaced by a desire to live happily and peacefully in his home town, raising a family.

When he arrives, he goes to a wedding where Murron is. (Catherine Mccormack).  Before he can get to her, he is challenged for a fight by his old friend Hamish (Brendan Gleeson)– who doesn’t recognize him. However while Hamish fails to beat Wallace despite his size and strength, Wallace manages to knock him down with a strategic throw of a little stone. This makes them realize that it is Wallace, and he is welcomed back. Even though the wedding is interrupted by a horrible intervention by English lords who take the bride away- as it is their “right. “

Wallace doesn’t lose any time in courting Muron and impressing her with his charm, knowledge and sense of humor. But it is what Wallace gives to her end of the end of their first “date” together that totally wins her heart. He has kept the flower all she gave him all those years ago and gives it to her.

braveheart-mel-gibson-william-wallace-and-catherine-mccormack
Catherine McCormack (Murron) and Mel Gibson (William Wallace) image via theiapolis.com

During another day together, this is how he starts his proposal:

Braveheart Proposal Scene : Witty, romantic, sweet & original

Wallace: Of course running a farm is a lot of work but that’ll all change when my two sons arrive.

Murron: (taken aback) So you have got children?

Wallace: Not yet, but I was hoping you could help me with that.

Murron: So you want me to marry you then?

Wallace: (smiling) That’s a bit sudden but alright.

Murron: (amused) Is that what you call a proposal?

Wallace: I love you. Always have. I  want to marry you.

They kiss.

Wallace: Is that a yes?

Murron: That’s a yes.

They kiss.

*

They get married in secret, have their wedding night in secret. But even though they could hide their marriage, they can’t hide their happiness, and I don’t want to recount what happens next.

*

Why I love the proposal:

It’s romantic, heartfelt, original, sincere- led to by a sweet sense of humor. It i so romantic , surrounded by the gorgeous Scottish nature and it kinda makes you feel like you wouldn’t minmd living in that century if you could love and be loved like that, by someone like that.

OK, obviously reality sets in after the movie but the important thing is that the movie- not specific to that scene takes you into that time, that world and makes you forget that it is a movie. That it is fiction, just accompanied by historical facts and real characters –Wallace being the Scottish hero.)

I love everything about this movie. If you haven’t seen it, remember that a movie rarely scores well both with the oscars and box office, fans and critics. And the director/producer/starring actor is hardly ever the same guy (in this case Mel Gibson) – and he/she doesnt usually put $60 million dollars from their own money when the studio doesn’t finance fully.

Rated at 8.4. on IMDB, has been on the top 250 for a very long time and it has been rated by nearly 360.000 people. It has won 5 Oscars, been nominated for 5 more. Mel Gibson received Best Director and Best Film.

*

How do you like the proposal scene? What do you feel about Braveheart?

And what is your favorite movie proposal ever?

 

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Braveheart, braveheart dvd, braveheart mel gibson, braveheart oscars, braveheart proposal scene, braveheart quotes, Brendan Gleeson, bryan cox, catherine mccormack, longshanks, mel gibson braveheart, mel gibson oscars, randal wallace

Dangerous Beauty starring Rufus Sewell & Catherine McCormack

Posted on February 18, 2011 Written by ripitup

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Dangerous Beauty starring Rufus Sewell & Catherine McCormack
Dangerous Beauty starring Rufus Sewell & Catherine McCormack. Feat. Jacqueline Bisset, Naomi Watts & Oliver Platt. Image via cinemanow.com

Marco (Rufus Sewell), a handsome and fun-loving guy from an established Venice family. And life is going just fine for him – especially after he falls in love with his sister (Moira Kelly)’s friend Veronica (Catherine McCormack).

Veronica and Marco are crazy about one another. But their happiness lasts only until Marco’s father reminds him that he has to marry according to his station; that is marrying to a girl with parents with the right background. Marco accepts this, devastating Veronica.

Veronica is intelligent, beautiful, modern and elegant. She is also a poet and a romantic. But since her pen wouldn’t feed her or her family, her mother (Jacqueline Bisset) comes up with the most shocking career option: being a courtesan. Although she is outraged by the idea, sleeping with men for money sounds better than living in a convent. So after some training, Veronica turns into the perfect seductress

Of course Marco is shocked and he is disappointed, especially when he is one of the very few men in Venice who is rejected by her – the other one being his own cousin Maffio (Oliver Platt).

Now, Marco is stuck in an unhappy marriage, still madly in love with Veronica. Veronica still isn’t over him and as events unfold, they will find it impossible to stay apart. But Maffio has sworn for revenge and when war strikes, Veronica might just lose all the power she has and witness the whole country turn against her, except for Marco…

The movie is a lovely, romantic period drama with wonderful performances from both Rufus Sewell and Catherine McCormack. Oliver Platt is always fun to watch, even when he plays the jerk.

Naomi Watts has a supporting role as Marco’s wife. The scenery, costumes and the art direction are simply beautiful. It is romantic and thought-provoking. Catherine’s character Veronica is really inspiring. She really had the guts to question the hypocrisy of her time.

It is especially recommended for the fans of period dramas and Rufus Sewell. You might remember Catherine McCormack from her short but very important role in 1995’s Braveheart.

Also on Naomi Watts

The International starring Clive Owen & Naomi W   atts

The Painted Veil starring Edward Norton & Naomi Watts

Also on Rufus Sewell

Tristan and Isolde starring James Franco, Sophia Myles and Rufus Sewell

The British Actors We Love feat. Rufus Sewell, Colin Firth, Daniel Day Lewis

The Woodlanders: A Gorgeous Rufus Sewell in an Awful Movie

In a Savage Land with Rufus Sewell

Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence: Fun romcom with Monica Potter, Rufus Sewell and Joseph Fiennes

Vinyan starring Rufus Sewell

The Illusionist with Edward Norton, Rufus Sewell and Jessica Biel

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Braveheart, catherine mccormack, dangerous beauty, dangerous beauty movie, drama, jacqueline bisset, Naomi Watts, Oliver Platt, period movie, romance, Rufus Sewell, Rufus Sewell movies, the international movie, The Painted Veil

My 26 Movie Reviews on Another Website

Posted on August 11, 2010 Written by ripitup

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I’ve been writing on Triond for so many months, I realized I have written a total of 26 movie reviews there. Well, I wrote more movie posts if you count the collection posts (such as Top 5 Movie Endings, Ewan Mcgregor Movies: 10 Films Featured and Only One Recommended) and actor trivia posts.

Worry not!  I will later update this post so that all my movie-related articles will be under one roof. But for now, enjoy your links and descriptions to 26 different movies’ reviews that give info about the cast and plot and don’t contain spoilers without warning you.

Enjoy!

New Moon The second movie of the Twilight Saga starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.

He (She) is Just Not That Into You starring Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, Scarlett Johannson, Bradley Cooper, Ben Affleck, Justin Long and Drew Barrymore.

Playing by Heart starring starring Angelina Jolie, Dennis Quaid, Sean Connery, Madeleine Stowe, Jon Stewart, Gillian Anderson, Jay Mohr, Ellen Burstyn and Ryan Phillippe

The Last Time starring Michael Keaton, Brendan Fraser and Amber Valletta

The Saint starring Val Kilmer and Elizabeth Shue

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee starring Robin Wright Penn, Keanu Reeves, Alan Arkin, Blake Lively, Winona Ryder, Monica Belluci and Maria Bello

 Made of Honor starring Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin McKidd

 Enchanted starring Patrick Dempsey, Amy Adams and James Marsden

 Forever Young starring Mel Gibson Jamie Lee Curtis and Elijah Wood

 Just Like Heaven starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo

 Law Abiding Citizen starring Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx

 It’s a boy girl thing starring Kevin Zegers

 Braveheart starring Mel Gibson, Catherine McCormack and Sophie Marceu

 Dorian Gray starring Ben Barnes, Colin Firth, Ben Chaplin and Rebecca  Hall

 Gamer starring Gerard Butler, Amber Valletta, Michael C. Hall

 The Day After Tomorrow starring Dennis Quaid, Jake Gyllenaal and Emmy Rossum

 Pretty Woman starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts

 At First Sight starring Val Kilmer and Mira Sorvino

 The Usual Suspects starring Kevin Spacey and Benicio Del Toro

 Beyond Borders starring Clive Owen and Angelina Jolie

 Wolf starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Jack Nicholson and James Spader

 Yours, mine and ours starring Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo

 Closer and Titanic

 Fight Club starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton

 You’ve Got Mail starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks

 The One Jim Carrey Movie to Hate: I Love You Philip Morris starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor

 

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: at first sight, beyond borders, Braveheart, closer, dorian gray, enchanted, Fight Club, Forever Young, Gamer, he is just not that into you, I love you phillip morris, it's a boy girl thing, Jim Carrey, just like heaven, Law Abiding Citizen, made of honor, mine and ours, movie reviews, movies, New Moon, playing by heart, pretty woman, the day after tomorrow, the last time, the private lives of pippa lee, the saint, the usual suspects, titanic, Wolf, you've got mail, yours

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