David-Keith Movie Reviews

I watched this movie very optimistically for the first time. I thought it was going to be a compelling and intelligent military drama. I knew De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr. were going to be fantastic. Oprah said this movie was incredible. How could it be wrong?
I have to say, for what it is, it's ok. I think other movies have done a better job of accomplishing what this film tries to do. DeNiro is always brilliant. This, however, is not my favorite DeNiro character, and I got the impression that the man himself was uncomfortable with the role at times. I've heard everyone rave about Cuba Gooding, Jr. and DeNiro's performances were great. But, not landmark or anything.
The plot, though based on a true story, is basically an inadequate Forest Gump formula. If you want to see DeNiro deliver amazing performance, watch "the Deer Hunter." if you want to be inspired to achieve anything, watch "Forest Gump." If you want to see an incredible Cuba Gooding, Jr. performance, watch "Jerry McGuire." Peace out.

This heartwarming drama is and extrodinary film with extremely great acting as well as cinimatography. I would put this wonderful drama in at least the top 20 greatest movies of all time, believe me this is a truly outstanding piece of work and I would recomend it to any one, with a heart.

Here was a guy who overcame the most harsh and unfair treatments in his life to achieve his life long dream. After watching this movie and learning about his story, I am going to feel ashamed when I don't give over 100%.

I also like the fact that Brashear isn't the type of black person, who in those days, preached hatred and intolerance against all whites the way Malcolm X did. Unlike Malcolm X, he didn't let bigots keep him down. He was not a bitter or man filled with contempt, despite all he had to go through. I admire someone like that. If only we all could be like that! I highly recommend this to anyone.

Nobody in his right mind would disagree with the noble sentiments that inform "Men of Honor." Celebrating the virtues of courage, heroism and strength of character, as well as the triumph of the underdog over personal adversity and societal racism - who could argue against such inspiring themes and concepts? As such, "Men of Honor" has the built-in potential to be a "feel good" triumph. Unfortunately, the narrative arc that the film travels is so tediously predictable and familiar and the sentiment so heavy-handed and treacly that, much as we may want to like the movie, we find ourselves quickly annoyed and bored by it.

This is no reflection on Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro, who do their best in two-dimensional, stereotypical roles. But it IS a reflection on the screenplay by Scott Michael Smith, which, although it is based on the true story of one Carl Brashear, the first African American US Navy diver, nevertheless, plays like a hundred other films with similar scenarios. "Men of Honor" just always "feels" like a MOVIE because we already know where it is going long before it gets there. So, essentially, we spend most of the time looking at our watches in the hopes that it will not take too long in completing its mission.

The sappy concluding courtroom scene, in particular, has the word HOLLYWOOD stamped all over it - not helped one whit by the saccharine musical score that seems to ooze across the soundtrack from one end of the movie to the other.

The movie does deal in a surprisingly frank way with the blatant racism that pervaded the military in the years immediately following Truman's forced integration of the forces. But don't we just know that, despite all the hostility he faces, Brashear will prove himself to be the most courageous, most noble and most technically skilled diver around - easily showing up all the Doubting Thomases in the process, including the by-now-inevitable stock military villain who seems to have devoted his career to standing in the way of this one man's success and progress? Brashear also turns out to be the most generous of spirit among the men in that he easily forgives the trespasses of those who trespass against him. What can we in the audience do but wile away the time till all this happens?

At first blush, De Niro's Leslie "Billy" Sunday, may seem to be a more complex character. After all, he defies the military rules so much that even the Navy is forced to demote him to the position of training officer. Yet, in a way, this is just the typical De Niro role - heavy on bluster, sarcasm and macho posturing, all merely hiding the sweet humanitarian and egalitarian lurking right below the brash surface.

Even the underwater diving sequences, which turn out to be the primary reason for watching the film, seem strangely unimpressive. I guess that a man standing almost perfectly still, encumbered by an awkward, heavy diving outfit, doesn't make for particularly exciting action cinema.

It's also interesting that the film paints the Navy as consisting almost exclusively of unenlightened racists - then turns around and expects us to get all dewy-eyed and goosepimply when Brashear makes an impassioned speech defending it.

"Men of Honor" may be a wonderful film for adolescents to see, for those too young to understand fully just how pervasive racism was in our institutions a mere 40 or 50 years ago. But for those of us who like our dramas a bit less tidy and a trifle more complex in nature, "Men of Honor" doesn't provide us with much to occupy our minds with for the duration of its running time - and precious little to think about after the movie is over.

I watched this movie very optimistically for the first time. I thought it was going to be a compelling and intelligent military drama. I knew De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr. were going to be fantastic. Oprah said this movie was incredible. How could it be wrong?
I have to say, for what it is, it's ok. I think other movies have done a better job of accomplishing what this film tries to do. DeNiro is always brilliant. This, however, is not my favorite DeNiro character, and I got the impression that the man himself was uncomfortable with the role at times. I've heard everyone rave about Cuba Gooding, Jr. and DeNiro's performances were great. But, not landmark or anything.
The plot, though based on a true story, is basically an inadequate Forest Gump formula. If you want to see DeNiro deliver amazing performance, watch "the Deer Hunter." if you want to be inspired to achieve anything, watch "Forest Gump." If you want to see an incredible Cuba Gooding, Jr. performance, watch "Jerry McGuire." Peace out.

George Tillman Jr's blatantly syrupy and corny cinematic voyage into the tumultuous naval career of America's first African-American Master Diver Carl Brashear (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is an excessively blunt and fairly obvious attempt to felicitate massive emotions from the audience through another predictable man against the world formula. Essentially a rehash of any underdog coming-of-age sports movie (Rocky, Karate Kid, Rudy,) Men of Honor takes a typically idealistic but class challenged character and puts him through the paces of trying to prove himself in his own mind and, in spite of his ethnicity and personal background, validate his cause upon the hearts of others. As the audience follows Brashear on his predestined path, we meet a typically callous and hard-hitting commanding officer Master Chief Billy Sunday played marvelously by the always-authoritative Robert De Niro. Sunday is another stock De Niro character that is hot-tempered, violently impulsive, alcoholic, loud-mouthed, aggressively defiant against authority, and haunted by his human frailties on a daily basis. Through this unlikely union between these drastically varied men, Brashear eventually finds the will, determination, and persistence to succeed in the military amidst the initial resistance and eventual encouragement of Master Chief Sunday.

Including an all-star supporting cast comprising Hal Holbrook (Mr. Pappy), Carlize Theron (Gwen Sunday), Powers Boothe (Captain Pullman), and Michael Rapaport (Snowhill), Men of Honor supplies the acting muscle necessary particularly in the leads to upgrade what could have been a gooey dramatic hokum into a sound military period piece that still slightly disappoints, by supplying more sentimentality than film needs, in remaining entirely real throughout.

When this well-acted tale reaches DVD, I hope it contains a George Tillman Jr. commentary track, theatrical trailers, making-of documentaries, and much much more. If you're a fan of De Niro or of military period pieces than definitely by all means check it out.

Nobody in his right mind would disagree with the noble sentiments that inform "Men of Honor." Celebrating the virtues of courage, heroism and strength of character, as well as the triumph of the underdog over personal adversity and societal racism - who could argue against such inspiring themes and concepts? As such, "Men of Honor" has the built-in potential to be a "feel good" triumph. Unfortunately, the narrative arc that the film travels is so tediously predictable and familiar and the sentiment so heavy-handed and treacly that, much as we may want to like the movie, we find ourselves quickly annoyed and bored by it.

This is no reflection on Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro, who do their best in two-dimensional, stereotypical roles. But it IS a reflection on the screenplay by Scott Michael Smith, which, although it is based on the true story of one Carl Brashear, the first African American US Navy diver, nevertheless, plays like a hundred other films with similar scenarios. "Men of Honor" just always "feels" like a MOVIE because we already know where it is going long before it gets there. So, essentially, we spend most of the time looking at our watches in the hopes that it will not take too long in completing its mission.

The sappy concluding courtroom scene, in particular, has the word HOLLYWOOD stamped all over it - not helped one whit by the saccharine musical score that seems to ooze across the soundtrack from one end of the movie to the other.

The movie does deal in a surprisingly frank way with the blatant racism that pervaded the military in the years immediately following Truman's forced integration of the forces. But don't we just know that, despite all the hostility he faces, Brashear will prove himself to be the most courageous, most noble and most technically skilled diver around - easily showing up all the Doubting Thomases in the process, including the by-now-inevitable stock military villain who seems to have devoted his career to standing in the way of this one man's success and progress? Brashear also turns out to be the most generous of spirit among the men in that he easily forgives the trespasses of those who trespass against him. What can we in the audience do but wile away the time till all this happens?

At first blush, De Niro's Leslie "Billy" Sunday, may seem to be a more complex character. After all, he defies the military rules so much that even the Navy is forced to demote him to the position of training officer. Yet, in a way, this is just the typical De Niro role - heavy on bluster, sarcasm and macho posturing, all merely hiding the sweet humanitarian and egalitarian lurking right below the brash surface.

Even the underwater diving sequences, which turn out to be the primary reason for watching the film, seem strangely unimpressive. I guess that a man standing almost perfectly still, encumbered by an awkward, heavy diving outfit, doesn't make for particularly exciting action cinema.

It's also interesting that the film paints the Navy as consisting almost exclusively of unenlightened racists - then turns around and expects us to get all dewy-eyed and goosepimply when Brashear makes an impassioned speech defending it.

"Men of Honor" may be a wonderful film for adolescents to see, for those too young to understand fully just how pervasive racism was in our institutions a mere 40 or 50 years ago. But for those of us who like our dramas a bit less tidy and a trifle more complex in nature, "Men of Honor" doesn't provide us with much to occupy our minds with for the duration of its running time - and precious little to think about after the movie is over.

I watched this movie very optimistically for the first time. I thought it was going to be a compelling and intelligent military drama. I knew De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr. were going to be fantastic. Oprah said this movie was incredible. How could it be wrong?
I have to say, for what it is, it's ok. I think other movies have done a better job of accomplishing what this film tries to do. DeNiro is always brilliant. This, however, is not my favorite DeNiro character, and I got the impression that the man himself was uncomfortable with the role at times. I've heard everyone rave about Cuba Gooding, Jr. and DeNiro's performances were great. But, not landmark or anything.
The plot, though based on a true story, is basically an inadequate Forest Gump formula. If you want to see DeNiro deliver amazing performance, watch "the Deer Hunter." if you want to be inspired to achieve anything, watch "Forest Gump." If you want to see an incredible Cuba Gooding, Jr. performance, watch "Jerry McGuire." Peace out.

George Tillman Jr's blatantly syrupy and corny cinematic voyage into the tumultuous naval career of America's first African-American Master Diver Carl Brashear (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is an excessively blunt and fairly obvious attempt to felicitate massive emotions from the audience through another predictable man against the world formula. Essentially a rehash of any underdog coming-of-age sports movie (Rocky, Karate Kid, Rudy,) Men of Honor takes a typically idealistic but class challenged character and puts him through the paces of trying to prove himself in his own mind and, in spite of his ethnicity and personal background, validate his cause upon the hearts of others. As the audience follows Brashear on his predestined path, we meet a typically callous and hard-hitting commanding officer Master Chief Billy Sunday played marvelously by the always-authoritative Robert De Niro. Sunday is another stock De Niro character that is hot-tempered, violently impulsive, alcoholic, loud-mouthed, aggressively defiant against authority, and haunted by his human frailties on a daily basis. Through this unlikely union between these drastically varied men, Brashear eventually finds the will, determination, and persistence to succeed in the military amidst the initial resistance and eventual encouragement of Master Chief Sunday.

Including an all-star supporting cast comprising Hal Holbrook (Mr. Pappy), Carlize Theron (Gwen Sunday), Powers Boothe (Captain Pullman), and Michael Rapaport (Snowhill), Men of Honor supplies the acting muscle necessary particularly in the leads to upgrade what could have been a gooey dramatic hokum into a sound military period piece that still slightly disappoints, by supplying more sentimentality than film needs, in remaining entirely real throughout.

When this well-acted tale reaches DVD, I hope it contains a George Tillman Jr. commentary track, theatrical trailers, making-of documentaries, and much much more. If you're a fan of De Niro or of military period pieces than definitely by all means check it out.

Nobody in his right mind would disagree with the noble sentiments that inform "Men of Honor." Celebrating the virtues of courage, heroism and strength of character, as well as the triumph of the underdog over personal adversity and societal racism - who could argue against such inspiring themes and concepts? As such, "Men of Honor" has the built-in potential to be a "feel good" triumph. Unfortunately, the narrative arc that the film travels is so tediously predictable and familiar and the sentiment so heavy-handed and treacly that, much as we may want to like the movie, we find ourselves quickly annoyed and bored by it.

This is no reflection on Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro, who do their best in two-dimensional, stereotypical roles. But it IS a reflection on the screenplay by Scott Michael Smith, which, although it is based on the true story of one Carl Brashear, the first African American US Navy diver, nevertheless, plays like a hundred other films with similar scenarios. "Men of Honor" just always "feels" like a MOVIE because we already know where it is going long before it gets there. So, essentially, we spend most of the time looking at our watches in the hopes that it will not take too long in completing its mission.

The sappy concluding courtroom scene, in particular, has the word HOLLYWOOD stamped all over it - not helped one whit by the saccharine musical score that seems to ooze across the soundtrack from one end of the movie to the other.

The movie does deal in a surprisingly frank way with the blatant racism that pervaded the military in the years immediately following Truman's forced integration of the forces. But don't we just know that, despite all the hostility he faces, Brashear will prove himself to be the most courageous, most noble and most technically skilled diver around - easily showing up all the Doubting Thomases in the process, including the by-now-inevitable stock military villain who seems to have devoted his career to standing in the way of this one man's success and progress? Brashear also turns out to be the most generous of spirit among the men in that he easily forgives the trespasses of those who trespass against him. What can we in the audience do but wile away the time till all this happens?

At first blush, De Niro's Leslie "Billy" Sunday, may seem to be a more complex character. After all, he defies the military rules so much that even the Navy is forced to demote him to the position of training officer. Yet, in a way, this is just the typical De Niro role - heavy on bluster, sarcasm and macho posturing, all merely hiding the sweet humanitarian and egalitarian lurking right below the brash surface.

Even the underwater diving sequences, which turn out to be the primary reason for watching the film, seem strangely unimpressive. I guess that a man standing almost perfectly still, encumbered by an awkward, heavy diving outfit, doesn't make for particularly exciting action cinema.

It's also interesting that the film paints the Navy as consisting almost exclusively of unenlightened racists - then turns around and expects us to get all dewy-eyed and goosepimply when Brashear makes an impassioned speech defending it.

"Men of Honor" may be a wonderful film for adolescents to see, for those too young to understand fully just how pervasive racism was in our institutions a mere 40 or 50 years ago. But for those of us who like our dramas a bit less tidy and a trifle more complex in nature, "Men of Honor" doesn't provide us with much to occupy our minds with for the duration of its running time - and precious little to think about after the movie is over.

I watched this movie very optimistically for the first time. I thought it was going to be a compelling and intelligent military drama. I knew De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr. were going to be fantastic. Oprah said this movie was incredible. How could it be wrong?
I have to say, for what it is, it's ok. I think other movies have done a better job of accomplishing what this film tries to do. DeNiro is always brilliant. This, however, is not my favorite DeNiro character, and I got the impression that the man himself was uncomfortable with the role at times. I've heard everyone rave about Cuba Gooding, Jr. and DeNiro's performances were great. But, not landmark or anything.
The plot, though based on a true story, is basically an inadequate Forest Gump formula. If you want to see DeNiro deliver amazing performance, watch "the Deer Hunter." if you want to be inspired to achieve anything, watch "Forest Gump." If you want to see an incredible Cuba Gooding, Jr. performance, watch "Jerry McGuire." Peace out.

George Tillman Jr's blatantly syrupy and corny cinematic voyage into the tumultuous naval career of America's first African-American Master Diver Carl Brashear (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is an excessively blunt and fairly obvious attempt to felicitate massive emotions from the audience through another predictable man against the world formula. Essentially a rehash of any underdog coming-of-age sports movie (Rocky, Karate Kid, Rudy,) Men of Honor takes a typically idealistic but class challenged character and puts him through the paces of trying to prove himself in his own mind and, in spite of his ethnicity and personal background, validate his cause upon the hearts of others. As the audience follows Brashear on his predestined path, we meet a typically callous and hard-hitting commanding officer Master Chief Billy Sunday played marvelously by the always-authoritative Robert De Niro. Sunday is another stock De Niro character that is hot-tempered, violently impulsive, alcoholic, loud-mouthed, aggressively defiant against authority, and haunted by his human frailties on a daily basis. Through this unlikely union between these drastically varied men, Brashear eventually finds the will, determination, and persistence to succeed in the military amidst the initial resistance and eventual encouragement of Master Chief Sunday.

Including an all-star supporting cast comprising Hal Holbrook (Mr. Pappy), Carlize Theron (Gwen Sunday), Powers Boothe (Captain Pullman), and Michael Rapaport (Snowhill), Men of Honor supplies the acting muscle necessary particularly in the leads to upgrade what could have been a gooey dramatic hokum into a sound military period piece that still slightly disappoints, by supplying more sentimentality than film needs, in remaining entirely real throughout.

When this well-acted tale reaches DVD, I hope it contains a George Tillman Jr. commentary track, theatrical trailers, making-of documentaries, and much much more. If you're a fan of De Niro or of military period pieces than definitely by all means check it out.

Nobody in his right mind would disagree with the noble sentiments that inform "Men of Honor." Celebrating the virtues of courage, heroism and strength of character, as well as the triumph of the underdog over personal adversity and societal racism - who could argue against such inspiring themes and concepts? As such, "Men of Honor" has the built-in potential to be a "feel good" triumph. Unfortunately, the narrative arc that the film travels is so tediously predictable and familiar and the sentiment so heavy-handed and treacly that, much as we may want to like the movie, we find ourselves quickly annoyed and bored by it.

This is no reflection on Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro, who do their best in two-dimensional, stereotypical roles. But it IS a reflection on the screenplay by Scott Michael Smith, which, although it is based on the true story of one Carl Brashear, the first African American US Navy diver, nevertheless, plays like a hundred other films with similar scenarios. "Men of Honor" just always "feels" like a MOVIE because we already know where it is going long before it gets there. So, essentially, we spend most of the time looking at our watches in the hopes that it will not take too long in completing its mission.

The sappy concluding courtroom scene, in particular, has the word HOLLYWOOD stamped all over it - not helped one whit by the saccharine musical score that seems to ooze across the soundtrack from one end of the movie to the other.

The movie does deal in a surprisingly frank way with the blatant racism that pervaded the military in the years immediately following Truman's forced integration of the forces. But don't we just know that, despite all the hostility he faces, Brashear will prove himself to be the most courageous, most noble and most technically skilled diver around - easily showing up all the Doubting Thomases in the process, including the by-now-inevitable stock military villain who seems to have devoted his career to standing in the way of this one man's success and progress? Brashear also turns out to be the most generous of spirit among the men in that he easily forgives the trespasses of those who trespass against him. What can we in the audience do but wile away the time till all this happens?

At first blush, De Niro's Leslie "Billy" Sunday, may seem to be a more complex character. After all, he defies the military rules so much that even the Navy is forced to demote him to the position of training officer. Yet, in a way, this is just the typical De Niro role - heavy on bluster, sarcasm and macho posturing, all merely hiding the sweet humanitarian and egalitarian lurking right below the brash surface.

Even the underwater diving sequences, which turn out to be the primary reason for watching the film, seem strangely unimpressive. I guess that a man standing almost perfectly still, encumbered by an awkward, heavy diving outfit, doesn't make for particularly exciting action cinema.

It's also interesting that the film paints the Navy as consisting almost exclusively of unenlightened racists - then turns around and expects us to get all dewy-eyed and goosepimply when Brashear makes an impassioned speech defending it.

"Men of Honor" may be a wonderful film for adolescents to see, for those too young to understand fully just how pervasive racism was in our institutions a mere 40 or 50 years ago. But for those of us who like our dramas a bit less tidy and a trifle more complex in nature, "Men of Honor" doesn't provide us with much to occupy our minds with for the duration of its running time - and precious little to think about after the movie is over.

I watched this movie very optimistically for the first time. I thought it was going to be a compelling and intelligent military drama. I knew De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr. were going to be fantastic. Oprah said this movie was incredible. How could it be wrong?
I have to say, for what it is, it's ok. I think other movies have done a better job of accomplishing what this film tries to do. DeNiro is always brilliant. This, however, is not my favorite DeNiro character, and I got the impression that the man himself was uncomfortable with the role at times. I've heard everyone rave about Cuba Gooding, Jr. and DeNiro's performances were great. But, not landmark or anything.
The plot, though based on a true story, is basically an inadequate Forest Gump formula. If you want to see DeNiro deliver amazing performance, watch "the Deer Hunter." if you want to be inspired to achieve anything, watch "Forest Gump." If you want to see an incredible Cuba Gooding, Jr. performance, watch "Jerry McGuire." Peace out.

George Tillman Jr's blatantly syrupy and corny cinematic voyage into the tumultuous naval career of America's first African-American Master Diver Carl Brashear (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is an excessively blunt and fairly obvious attempt to felicitate massive emotions from the audience through another predictable man against the world formula. Essentially a rehash of any underdog coming-of-age sports movie (Rocky, Karate Kid, Rudy,) Men of Honor takes a typically idealistic but class challenged character and puts him through the paces of trying to prove himself in his own mind and, in spite of his ethnicity and personal background, validate his cause upon the hearts of others. As the audience follows Brashear on his predestined path, we meet a typically callous and hard-hitting commanding officer Master Chief Billy Sunday played marvelously by the always-authoritative Robert De Niro. Sunday is another stock De Niro character that is hot-tempered, violently impulsive, alcoholic, loud-mouthed, aggressively defiant against authority, and haunted by his human frailties on a daily basis. Through this unlikely union between these drastically varied men, Brashear eventually finds the will, determination, and persistence to succeed in the military amidst the initial resistance and eventual encouragement of Master Chief Sunday.

Including an all-star supporting cast comprising Hal Holbrook (Mr. Pappy), Carlize Theron (Gwen Sunday), Powers Boothe (Captain Pullman), and Michael Rapaport (Snowhill), Men of Honor supplies the acting muscle necessary particularly in the leads to upgrade what could have been a gooey dramatic hokum into a sound military period piece that still slightly disappoints, by supplying more sentimentality than film needs, in remaining entirely real throughout.

When this well-acted tale reaches DVD, I hope it contains a George Tillman Jr. commentary track, theatrical trailers, making-of documentaries, and much much more. If you're a fan of De Niro or of military period pieces than definitely by all means check it out.

I watched this movie very optimistically for the first time. I thought it was going to be a compelling and intelligent military drama. I knew De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr. were going to be fantastic. Oprah said this movie was incredible. How could it be wrong?
I have to say, for what it is, it's ok. I think other movies have done a better job of accomplishing what this film tries to do. DeNiro is always brilliant. This, however, is not my favorite DeNiro character, and I got the impression that the man himself was uncomfortable with the role at times. I've heard everyone rave about Cuba Gooding, Jr. and DeNiro's performances were great. But, not landmark or anything.
The plot, though based on a true story, is basically an inadequate Forest Gump formula. If you want to see DeNiro deliver amazing performance, watch "the Deer Hunter." if you want to be inspired to achieve anything, watch "Forest Gump." If you want to see an incredible Cuba Gooding, Jr. performance, watch "Jerry McGuire." Peace out.

This heartwarming drama is and extrodinary film with extremely great acting as well as cinimatography. I would put this wonderful drama in at least the top 20 greatest movies of all time, believe me this is a truly outstanding piece of work and I would recomend it to any one, with a heart.

Here was a guy who overcame the most harsh and unfair treatments in his life to achieve his life long dream. After watching this movie and learning about his story, I am going to feel ashamed when I don't give over 100%.

I also like the fact that Brashear isn't the type of black person, who in those days, preached hatred and intolerance against all whites the way Malcolm X did. Unlike Malcolm X, he didn't let bigots keep him down. He was not a bitter or man filled with contempt, despite all he had to go through. I admire someone like that. If only we all could be like that! I highly recommend this to anyone.

Nobody in his right mind would disagree with the noble sentiments that inform "Men of Honor." Celebrating the virtues of courage, heroism and strength of character, as well as the triumph of the underdog over personal adversity and societal racism - who could argue against such inspiring themes and concepts? As such, "Men of Honor" has the built-in potential to be a "feel good" triumph. Unfortunately, the narrative arc that the film travels is so tediously predictable and familiar and the sentiment so heavy-handed and treacly that, much as we may want to like the movie, we find ourselves quickly annoyed and bored by it.

This is no reflection on Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro, who do their best in two-dimensional, stereotypical roles. But it IS a reflection on the screenplay by Scott Michael Smith, which, although it is based on the true story of one Carl Brashear, the first African American US Navy diver, nevertheless, plays like a hundred other films with similar scenarios. "Men of Honor" just always "feels" like a MOVIE because we already know where it is going long before it gets there. So, essentially, we spend most of the time looking at our watches in the hopes that it will not take too long in completing its mission.

The sappy concluding courtroom scene, in particular, has the word HOLLYWOOD stamped all over it - not helped one whit by the saccharine musical score that seems to ooze across the soundtrack from one end of the movie to the other.

The movie does deal in a surprisingly frank way with the blatant racism that pervaded the military in the years immediately following Truman's forced integration of the forces. But don't we just know that, despite all the hostility he faces, Brashear will prove himself to be the most courageous, most noble and most technically skilled diver around - easily showing up all the Doubting Thomases in the process, including the by-now-inevitable stock military villain who seems to have devoted his career to standing in the way of this one man's success and progress? Brashear also turns out to be the most generous of spirit among the men in that he easily forgives the trespasses of those who trespass against him. What can we in the audience do but wile away the time till all this happens?

At first blush, De Niro's Leslie "Billy" Sunday, may seem to be a more complex character. After all, he defies the military rules so much that even the Navy is forced to demote him to the position of training officer. Yet, in a way, this is just the typical De Niro role - heavy on bluster, sarcasm and macho posturing, all merely hiding the sweet humanitarian and egalitarian lurking right below the brash surface.

Even the underwater diving sequences, which turn out to be the primary reason for watching the film, seem strangely unimpressive. I guess that a man standing almost perfectly still, encumbered by an awkward, heavy diving outfit, doesn't make for particularly exciting action cinema.

It's also interesting that the film paints the Navy as consisting almost exclusively of unenlightened racists - then turns around and expects us to get all dewy-eyed and goosepimply when Brashear makes an impassioned speech defending it.

"Men of Honor" may be a wonderful film for adolescents to see, for those too young to understand fully just how pervasive racism was in our institutions a mere 40 or 50 years ago. But for those of us who like our dramas a bit less tidy and a trifle more complex in nature, "Men of Honor" doesn't provide us with much to occupy our minds with for the duration of its running time - and precious little to think about after the movie is over.

I watched this movie very optimistically for the first time. I thought it was going to be a compelling and intelligent military drama. I knew De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr. were going to be fantastic. Oprah said this movie was incredible. How could it be wrong?
I have to say, for what it is, it's ok. I think other movies have done a better job of accomplishing what this film tries to do. DeNiro is always brilliant. This, however, is not my favorite DeNiro character, and I got the impression that the man himself was uncomfortable with the role at times. I've heard everyone rave about Cuba Gooding, Jr. and DeNiro's performances were great. But, not landmark or anything.
The plot, though based on a true story, is basically an inadequate Forest Gump formula. If you want to see DeNiro deliver amazing performance, watch "the Deer Hunter." if you want to be inspired to achieve anything, watch "Forest Gump." If you want to see an incredible Cuba Gooding, Jr. performance, watch "Jerry McGuire." Peace out.

George Tillman Jr's blatantly syrupy and corny cinematic voyage into the tumultuous naval career of America's first African-American Master Diver Carl Brashear (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is an excessively blunt and fairly obvious attempt to felicitate massive emotions from the audience through another predictable man against the world formula. Essentially a rehash of any underdog coming-of-age sports movie (Rocky, Karate Kid, Rudy,) Men of Honor takes a typically idealistic but class challenged character and puts him through the paces of trying to prove himself in his own mind and, in spite of his ethnicity and personal background, validate his cause upon the hearts of others. As the audience follows Brashear on his predestined path, we meet a typically callous and hard-hitting commanding officer Master Chief Billy Sunday played marvelously by the always-authoritative Robert De Niro. Sunday is another stock De Niro character that is hot-tempered, violently impulsive, alcoholic, loud-mouthed, aggressively defiant against authority, and haunted by his human frailties on a daily basis. Through this unlikely union between these drastically varied men, Brashear eventually finds the will, determination, and persistence to succeed in the military amidst the initial resistance and eventual encouragement of Master Chief Sunday.

Including an all-star supporting cast comprising Hal Holbrook (Mr. Pappy), Carlize Theron (Gwen Sunday), Powers Boothe (Captain Pullman), and Michael Rapaport (Snowhill), Men of Honor supplies the acting muscle necessary particularly in the leads to upgrade what could have been a gooey dramatic hokum into a sound military period piece that still slightly disappoints, by supplying more sentimentality than film needs, in remaining entirely real throughout.

When this well-acted tale reaches DVD, I hope it contains a George Tillman Jr. commentary track, theatrical trailers, making-of documentaries, and much much more. If you're a fan of De Niro or of military period pieces than definitely by all means check it out.

Nobody in his right mind would disagree with the noble sentiments that inform "Men of Honor." Celebrating the virtues of courage, heroism and strength of character, as well as the triumph of the underdog over personal adversity and societal racism - who could argue against such inspiring themes and concepts? As such, "Men of Honor" has the built-in potential to be a "feel good" triumph. Unfortunately, the narrative arc that the film travels is so tediously predictable and familiar and the sentiment so heavy-handed and treacly that, much as we may want to like the movie, we find ourselves quickly annoyed and bored by it.

This is no reflection on Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro, who do their best in two-dimensional, stereotypical roles. But it IS a reflection on the screenplay by Scott Michael Smith, which, although it is based on the true story of one Carl Brashear, the first African American US Navy diver, nevertheless, plays like a hundred other films with similar scenarios. "Men of Honor" just always "feels" like a MOVIE because we already know where it is going long before it gets there. So, essentially, we spend most of the time looking at our watches in the hopes that it will not take too long in completing its mission.

The sappy concluding courtroom scene, in particular, has the word HOLLYWOOD stamped all over it - not helped one whit by the saccharine musical score that seems to ooze across the soundtrack from one end of the movie to the other.

The movie does deal in a surprisingly frank way with the blatant racism that pervaded the military in the years immediately following Truman's forced integration of the forces. But don't we just know that, despite all the hostility he faces, Brashear will prove himself to be the most courageous, most noble and most technically skilled diver around - easily showing up all the Doubting Thomases in the process, including the by-now-inevitable stock military villain who seems to have devoted his career to standing in the way of this one man's success and progress? Brashear also turns out to be the most generous of spirit among the men in that he easily forgives the trespasses of those who trespass against him. What can we in the audience do but wile away the time till all this happens?

At first blush, De Niro's Leslie "Billy" Sunday, may seem to be a more complex character. After all, he defies the military rules so much that even the Navy is forced to demote him to the position of training officer. Yet, in a way, this is just the typical De Niro role - heavy on bluster, sarcasm and macho posturing, all merely hiding the sweet humanitarian and egalitarian lurking right below the brash surface.

Even the underwater diving sequences, which turn out to be the primary reason for watching the film, seem strangely unimpressive. I guess that a man standing almost perfectly still, encumbered by an awkward, heavy diving outfit, doesn't make for particularly exciting action cinema.

It's also interesting that the film paints the Navy as consisting almost exclusively of unenlightened racists - then turns around and expects us to get all dewy-eyed and goosepimply when Brashear makes an impassioned speech defending it.

"Men of Honor" may be a wonderful film for adolescents to see, for those too young to understand fully just how pervasive racism was in our institutions a mere 40 or 50 years ago. But for those of us who like our dramas a bit less tidy and a trifle more complex in nature, "Men of Honor" doesn't provide us with much to occupy our minds with for the duration of its running time - and precious little to think about after the movie is over.

I watched this movie very optimistically for the first time. I thought it was going to be a compelling and intelligent military drama. I knew De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr. were going to be fantastic. Oprah said this movie was incredible. How could it be wrong?
I have to say, for what it is, it's ok. I think other movies have done a better job of accomplishing what this film tries to do. DeNiro is always brilliant. This, however, is not my favorite DeNiro character, and I got the impression that the man himself was uncomfortable with the role at times. I've heard everyone rave about Cuba Gooding, Jr. and DeNiro's performances were great. But, not landmark or anything.
The plot, though based on a true story, is basically an inadequate Forest Gump formula. If you want to see DeNiro deliver amazing performance, watch "the Deer Hunter." if you want to be inspired to achieve anything, watch "Forest Gump." If you want to see an incredible Cuba Gooding, Jr. performance, watch "Jerry McGuire." Peace out.

George Tillman Jr's blatantly syrupy and corny cinematic voyage into the tumultuous naval career of America's first African-American Master Diver Carl Brashear (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is an excessively blunt and fairly obvious attempt to felicitate massive emotions from the audience through another predictable man against the world formula. Essentially a rehash of any underdog coming-of-age sports movie (Rocky, Karate Kid, Rudy,) Men of Honor takes a typically idealistic but class challenged character and puts him through the paces of trying to prove himself in his own mind and, in spite of his ethnicity and personal background, validate his cause upon the hearts of others. As the audience follows Brashear on his predestined path, we meet a typically callous and hard-hitting commanding officer Master Chief Billy Sunday played marvelously by the always-authoritative Robert De Niro. Sunday is another stock De Niro character that is hot-tempered, violently impulsive, alcoholic, loud-mouthed, aggressively defiant against authority, and haunted by his human frailties on a daily basis. Through this unlikely union between these drastically varied men, Brashear eventually finds the will, determination, and persistence to succeed in the military amidst the initial resistance and eventual encouragement of Master Chief Sunday.

Including an all-star supporting cast comprising Hal Holbrook (Mr. Pappy), Carlize Theron (Gwen Sunday), Powers Boothe (Captain Pullman), and Michael Rapaport (Snowhill), Men of Honor supplies the acting muscle necessary particularly in the leads to upgrade what could have been a gooey dramatic hokum into a sound military period piece that still slightly disappoints, by supplying more sentimentality than film needs, in remaining entirely real throughout.

When this well-acted tale reaches DVD, I hope it contains a George Tillman Jr. commentary track, theatrical trailers, making-of documentaries, and much much more. If you're a fan of De Niro or of military period pieces than definitely by all means check it out.

Another shark terrorizing Amity isn't impossible or implausable. It already gets to be a bit of the roll of the eyes....

Roy Scheider thankfully gets to be the Chief again. Sure, Quint is dead, and Hooper didn't have time to get there...(lol). The mayor again gets prideful and ingnores the facts of evidence that it's another shark gobbling up people.

THe kids are grown up some. Entereing a boat race with pals gets terrorized by the gaping Shark a farily bit....oh, yeah. In this, the terror is more plentiuful here. As scary as the original classic? Some parts-ya! It doesn't carry gold in a script as it's boss....yet it does really give some depth into terror and not some screaming teens just saying AHHHHHHHH. Sometimes they do, but not to junk the movie....

Just wasn't needed....but its a samn good horror flick.

Highpoints : The opening dive scene to the sunken Orca.....SCARY>>>>>

Lowpoint: That annoying screaming girl...GO AWAYYYY....YAA.....(oh-just gobble her up Jaws-somebody push er in......lol)

So, rent it ....not a classic....still a fair sequal to the boss...a fin...hmm.....huh???!!! Ah! Coast Guard! I went out too far to sea! Helllllllp...

When Jaws hit theaters in 1975, it was an instant success. It wasn't long before it became the highest-grossing motion picture of all time, being the first so exceeed the hundred million dollar mark (though this record was quickly outdone by Star Wars two years later.) With Jaws bringing in so much cash, it seemed only natural that a sequel be recorded. But how does the sequel measure up? Read on for my review of Jaws 2.

BASIC PLOT:
A few years have passed since the events of the first film. During a diving expedition to the wreckage of the Orca (Quint's boat from the first film), a shark attacks the divers. Police Chief Brody becomes convinced that another great white is lurking in the waters around Amity when he discovers a camera from the doomed diving expedition, a murdered whale, and the remains of a woman. In a foolish attempt to get rid of what he thinks is the shark, he is fired from his job as police chief. Meanwhile, his two sons sneak off with some friends to go sailing - unaware of the shark that is lurking in the water beneath them. It's not long before a series of events similar to those in the first film begin to take place - solid proof that history repeats itself.

FILM OPINIONS:
Sure, this isn't as good as the first Jaws film (that one was a MASTERPIECE), but it's still an excellent movie. If you liked the first one, I think you'll like this one too. One of the best things about this movie is that the shark actually looks better than it did in the first film, making most of the events here more believable (though, as another reviewer stated, the helicopter scene is hard to believe no matter what way you look at it.) I really missed Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw (they brought so much to the first film), but Roy Schieder's acting here is still top-notch.

DVD:
Don't be expecting a full-blown anniversary collector's edition DVD like what Universal did with the first movie. Extras are, sadly, virtually nonexistant here (other than the very basic DVD stuff.)

OVERALL:
Overall I feel this was a great follow-up to one of the greatest motion pictures of all time. Amazon said that "this film ushered in the age of the inferior sequel" and "was just a license to print money." Okay, maybe these things were true, but this sequel isn't THAT inferior. Final verdict? Check this movie out. You'll be glad you did.

Jaws 2 is an awsome movie I thought Jaws was Ok.Jaws 2 excellent,Jaws 3 OK.Jaws The Revenge Tottaly Tottaly BAD MOVIE! I liked Jaws 2 the best becuase it is more scarier then Jaws!The kids being attacked,girl horrorfied after her boyfriend was eaten,girl eaten and Sean Brody screams,shark electricutited,water skier and boat driver eaten.Some people saw it and said it's a bad sequal I thought it was EXCELLENT!

Another shark terrorizing Amity isn't impossible or implausable. It already gets to be a bit of the roll of the eyes....

Roy Scheider thankfully gets to be the Chief again. Sure, Quint is dead, and Hooper didn't have time to get there...(lol). The mayor again gets prideful and ingnores the facts of evidence that it's another shark gobbling up people.

THe kids are grown up some. Entereing a boat race with pals gets terrorized by the gaping Shark a farily bit....oh, yeah. In this, the terror is more plentiuful here. As scary as the original classic? Some parts-ya! It doesn't carry gold in a script as it's boss....yet it does really give some depth into terror and not some screaming teens just saying AHHHHHHHH. Sometimes they do, but not to junk the movie....

Just wasn't needed....but its a samn good horror flick.

Highpoints : The opening dive scene to the sunken Orca.....SCARY>>>>>

Lowpoint: That annoying screaming girl...GO AWAYYYY....YAA.....(oh-just gobble her up Jaws-somebody push er in......lol)

So, rent it ....not a classic....still a fair sequal to the boss...a fin...hmm.....huh???!!! Ah! Coast Guard! I went out too far to sea! Helllllllp...

When Jaws hit theaters in 1975, it was an instant success. It wasn't long before it became the highest-grossing motion picture of all time, being the first so exceeed the hundred million dollar mark (though this record was quickly outdone by Star Wars two years later.) With Jaws bringing in so much cash, it seemed only natural that a sequel be recorded. But how does the sequel measure up? Read on for my review of Jaws 2.

BASIC PLOT:
A few years have passed since the events of the first film. During a diving expedition to the wreckage of the Orca (Quint's boat from the first film), a shark attacks the divers. Police Chief Brody becomes convinced that another great white is lurking in the waters around Amity when he discovers a camera from the doomed diving expedition, a murdered whale, and the remains of a woman. In a foolish attempt to get rid of what he thinks is the shark, he is fired from his job as police chief. Meanwhile, his two sons sneak off with some friends to go sailing - unaware of the shark that is lurking in the water beneath them. It's not long before a series of events similar to those in the first film begin to take place - solid proof that history repeats itself.

FILM OPINIONS:
Sure, this isn't as good as the first Jaws film (that one was a MASTERPIECE), but it's still an excellent movie. If you liked the first one, I think you'll like this one too. One of the best things about this movie is that the shark actually looks better than it did in the first film, making most of the events here more believable (though, as another reviewer stated, the helicopter scene is hard to believe no matter what way you look at it.) I really missed Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw (they brought so much to the first film), but Roy Schieder's acting here is still top-notch.

DVD:
Don't be expecting a full-blown anniversary collector's edition DVD like what Universal did with the first movie. Extras are, sadly, virtually nonexistant here (other than the very basic DVD stuff.)

OVERALL:
Overall I feel this was a great follow-up to one of the greatest motion pictures of all time. Amazon said that "this film ushered in the age of the inferior sequel" and "was just a license to print money." Okay, maybe these things were true, but this sequel isn't THAT inferior. Final verdict? Check this movie out. You'll be glad you did.

Jaws 2 is an awsome movie I thought Jaws was Ok.Jaws 2 excellent,Jaws 3 OK.Jaws The Revenge Tottaly Tottaly BAD MOVIE! I liked Jaws 2 the best becuase it is more scarier then Jaws!The kids being attacked,girl horrorfied after her boyfriend was eaten,girl eaten and Sean Brody screams,shark electricutited,water skier and boat driver eaten.Some people saw it and said it's a bad sequal I thought it was EXCELLENT!