you know it's not easy being your friend

Four good ones!

Twelve O'Clock High (1949) - "In this story of the early days of daylight bombing raids over Nazi Germany, General Frank Savage (Gregory Peck) must take command of a 'hard luck' bomber group. Much of the story deals with his struggle to whip his group into a disciplined fighting unit in spite of heavy losses, and withering attacks by German fighters over their targets. Actual combat footage is used in this tense war drama."
source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I love Gregory Peck (most of the time)
IMDB: 7.7/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 96% Audience: 87%
my IMDB: 7/10

notable quote: "It confused me. I think I shall stay drunk until I'm not confused anymore."

MPAA rating: not rated [TV-PG]

directed by: Henry King

my notes: a heavy hitter, well done. Some war movies are all about patriotism and propaganda, missing the harsh and sad realities of war. Others are so focused on those realities that there is little to celebrate, or relate to, for those of us who remain at home. This makes a good balance between those extremes, being something to cheer for while not missing the truth of what combat is like.

Academy Award winner:
• Best Supporting Actor—Dean Jagger

• Best Sound, Recording
Academy Award nominee:
• Best Picture

• Best Actor—Peck
overall: recommended

Mystic Pizza (1988) - "Sisters Kat and Daisy work along with Jojo at the pizza parlor in Mystic, Connecticut. Kat, shortly off to Yale, finds herself drawn to a local architect she is babysitting for, while her more reckless sister starts dating a guy from the money side of the tracks. Jojo leaves her man at the altar; she loves him but shies away from commitment. Meanwhile the fame of the pizza continues to spread; it seems to contain something almost...mystic."

source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: it's one of my very favorites
IMDB: 6.3/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 78% Audience: 54%
my IMDB: 10/10

notable quote: "'I fucked up.'

    'Yeah... but you gave it a 100% effort!'"

MPAA rating: R

directed by: Donald Petrie

my notes: damn, I love this movie. It is just the right mix of funny, wistful, romantic, smart, sweet, and flashbacks-to-my-good-years.
overall: most highly recommended

Remember the Titans (2000) - "Suburban Virginia schools have been segregated for generations. One Black and one White high school are closed and the students sent to T.C. Williams High School under federal mandate to integrate. The year is seen through the eyes of the football team where the man hired to coach the Black school is made head coach over the highly successful white coach. Based on the actual events of 1971, the team becomes the unifying symbol for the community as the boys and the adults learn to depend on and trust each other. "
source: I borrowed the DVD from my parents' collection
I watched it because: I've always wanted to see it, because I (often) love sports films
IMDB: 7.8/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 72% Audience: 93%
my IMDB: 8/10

notable quote: "'Left side!'

    'Strong Side!'"

MPAA rating: PG

directed by: Boaz Yakin

my notes: loved it! Tense, thoughtful, and truly inspirational. Ryan Hurst is phenomenal as Gerry Bertier.
overall: highly recommended

The Expendables (2010) - "Barney Ross leads the 'Expendables', a band of highly skilled mercenaries including knife enthusiast Lee Christmas, martial arts expert Yin Yang, heavy weapons specialist Hale Caesar, demolitionist Toll Road and loose-cannon sniper Gunner Jensen. When the group is commissioned by the mysterious Mr. Church to assassinate the merciless dictator of a small South American island, Barney and Lee head to the remote locale to scout out their opposition. Once there, they meet with local rebel Sandra and discover the true nature of the conflict engulfing the city. When they escape the island and Sandra stays behind, Ross must choose to either walk away and save his own life—or attempt a suicidal rescue mission that might just save his soul."
source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: I was in the mood for ass-kicking
IMDB: 6.4/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 42% Audience: 64%
my IMDB: 6/10

notable quote: "'It's difficult.'

    'What?'

    'My life is difficult. I need more money.'

    'Why that?'

    'I work harder than the rest'

    'No, you don't.'

    'Yes, I do! Everything is harder for me. When I'm hurt, wound is bigger, 'cause I'm smaller. When I travel I need to go farther.'

    'I know, because you're smaller, right?'

    'Yes. ... I need more money.'

    'I know, you told me.'"

MPAA rating: R

directed by: Sylvester Stallone

my notes: dumb, silly, and awesome
overall:  recommended

[the title quotation is from The Expendables]