Tears of the Sun - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Daval · 07-21-2003, 04:11 AM

Who has seen this movie? I just rented the DVD over the weekend and I was stunned. It was a great movie in my opinion. Very powerful stuff.

I almost got emotional at some points due to the events happening in the movie that truly are happening in the movie.

'God has already left Africa'

MikeyChalupa · 07-21-2003, 05:05 AM

Since I'm in the military, I watch military movies differently than other types of films. I rented Tears of the Sun and really, really wanted to like it. But halfway through, I was thoroughly pissed off by it and resorted to nitpicking all the technical details.

My main problem with the movie (and apologies if these are spoilers) is, WHY IN THE HELL DIDN'T THE PRINCE GET ON THE FIRST HELICOPTER? Monica Belucci knew who he was, why didn't she make sure he'd be safe? Furthermore, I have never seen as big of a whiny, backstabbing, annoying, ungrateful little bitch as Belucci's character. Willis should have asked her to please come with him, and when she refused, socked her in the kisser and carried her out of the jungle. Mission accomplished. Instead, half of his squad and half of the refugees get killed to basically save one guy's life (the prince), when he shouldn't have even been there in the first place. Why didn't he send one of his team off in a different direction with the cell phone (I didn't see a cell tower in that jungle, did you?) to throw the rebels off their trail instead of leaving it on the body? And the clergy that stay behind in the mission? Please. Faith to the end is admirable, but they just threw their lives away. What purpose did that serve? Especially the younger nun who is prepared to leave and live to help another village another day, but the older one gives her that look, and all of a sudden, the young nun is like "You're right, dying worthlessly here today with you two is a much better idea."

Technical problems? Christ, where do I start. The jets that launch from the carrier to wipe out the Nigerian rebels are unarmed F/A-18C's. When they arrive on the scene, they've magically transformed into F/A-18E's, armed for air-to-air combat. The weapons they carry would be completely useless against a formation of ground troops. And how the hell did Tom Skerritt's Seahawk helicopters (top speed 180 knots) reach the border at about the same time as the fighters (top speed 1200 knots)? Speaking of Tom Skerritt, he couldn't find a quieter, more secure place to call Bruce Willis than the FLIGHT DECK of the carrier? He's up there during flight ops with no ear plugs or cranial helmet on, yakking away on the satellite phone. Try that on a REAL aircraft carrier.

The movie calls attention to ethnic violence in Africa, which is a noble cause. But they've gone about it all wrong. Instead, we have another movie in which a few white guys drop in, and save a bunch of non-white people from themselves. Black Hawk Down worked because it was a true story, and needs to be told. Tears of the Sun just comes off as condescending. Especially to me, as an American serviceman, and I'm sure to victims of ethnic cleansing in Africa. Most of them will probably never see this movie though, although I hear that almost all of the refugees were played by actual survivors of tribal warfare in Africa.

The deleted scenes added a lot to the story and most should have been included.

Lots of good "wound porn" but I thought it was a poor story, with bad acting, questionable moral, and big plot holes.

-Mikey

Daval · 07-21-2003, 05:34 AM

heh, oh well, I guess I am able to suspend my disbelief a lot more.

I do agree with many of your plot holes and discrepencies. I did notice a lot of those as well.

I don't think it was a cell phone, rather it was a radio transmitter - thats the impression that I got anyhow, thats how they were able to track him and find the radio on the dead body.

About the storyline - you're right, in real life she would have gone on the helicopter willingly or unwillingly. But they had to get a story out of this somehow.

What really affected me though, and which allowed me to forgive the other obvious errors was the powerful images and story of the ethnic cleansing.

I've not seen Black Hawk Down yet, is it a good movie?

MikeyChalupa · 07-21-2003, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Daval

I've not seen Black Hawk Down yet, is it a good movie?

With the exception of Josh Hartnett (who has firmly supplanted Leonardo DiCaprio as my least favorite actor) Black Hawk Down is pretty good. It's somewhat Hollywooded-up but on the whole, the story is true and that makes it all the better. Little known fact: Ewan MacGregor's character's name was changed for the movie, since the REAL character he is playing is currently serving time for having sex with underage girls. But I digress...

Yes, go ahead and rent it. And remember that the stories are true from that forgotten conflict.

-Mikey

sportsrule101 · 07-21-2003, 08:40 AM

black hawk down = great movie

/wonders how a person watchs ToS, before BHD

Spektr · 07-21-2003, 12:30 PM

I thought Tears of the Sun was a great movie, despite plot flaws (which are unescapable in most movies). It was stunning and also rather depressing.

Mr. Mojo · 07-21-2003, 01:07 PM

I'm gonna agree with alot of <b>MikeyChalupa</b> especially this:
"Speaking of Tom Skerritt, he couldn't find a quieter, more secure place to call Bruce Willis than the FLIGHT DECK of the carrier?"

it annoyed the fuck out of me!

*Belucci's make-up bothered me. Who has perfect lip gloss in the middle of the freaking jungle?

versnatch · 07-21-2003, 10:39 PM

I also thought it was a really good movie, seen it twice now. Felt like they really showed the emotion that comes with ethnic cleansing

warrrreagl · 07-22-2003, 06:27 AM

I hated this movie. In addition to all the technical flaws mentioned by Mickey, I'm just getting weary of all the "ethnic shame" genre of movies these days.

Arrow · 07-22-2003, 11:52 PM

its too damn emotional...
what happened to war movies like The Longest Day, and Patton?

now they all have romance or some other sappy bit thrown in.
I do not like this!

07-21-2003, 04:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
Daval Junkie Location: The True North Strong and Free!	Tears of the Sun Who has seen this movie? I just rented the DVD over the weekend and I was stunned. It was a great movie in my opinion. Very powerful stuff. I almost got emotional at some points due to the events happening in the movie that truly are happening in the movie. 'God has already left Africa' __________________ "It is impossible to obtain a conviction for sodomy from an English jury. Half of them don't believe that it can physically be done, and the other half are doing it." Winston Churchill

07-21-2003, 05:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
Daval Junkie Location: The True North Strong and Free!	heh, oh well, I guess I am able to suspend my disbelief a lot more. I do agree with many of your plot holes and discrepencies. I did notice a lot of those as well. I don't think it was a cell phone, rather it was a radio transmitter - thats the impression that I got anyhow, thats how they were able to track him and find the radio on the dead body. About the storyline - you're right, in real life she would have gone on the helicopter willingly or unwillingly. But they had to get a story out of this somehow. What really affected me though, and which allowed me to forgive the other obvious errors was the powerful images and story of the ethnic cleansing. I've not seen Black Hawk Down yet, is it a good movie? __________________ "It is impossible to obtain a conviction for sodomy from an English jury. Half of them don't believe that it can physically be done, and the other half are doing it." Winston Churchill

07-21-2003, 08:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
sportsrule101 Insane	black hawk down = great movie /wonders how a person watchs ToS, before BHD __________________ winning isn't everything but losing isn't anything

07-21-2003, 01:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mr. Mojo Addict Location: NYC	I'm gonna agree with alot of <b>MikeyChalupa</b> especially this: "Speaking of Tom Skerritt, he couldn't find a quieter, more secure place to call Bruce Willis than the FLIGHT DECK of the carrier?" it annoyed the fuck out of me! *Belucci's make-up bothered me. Who has perfect lip gloss in the middle of the freaking jungle? __________________ When I jerk off I feel good for about twenty seconds and then WHAM it's right back into suicidal depression

07-22-2003, 06:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
warrrreagl pinche vato Location: backwater, Third World, land of cotton	I hated this movie. In addition to all the technical flaws mentioned by Mickey, I'm just getting weary of all the "ethnic shame" genre of movies these days. __________________ Living is easy with eyes closed.

07-21-2003, 05:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
MikeyChalupa Squid Location: USS George Washington	Since I'm in the military, I watch military movies differently than other types of films. I rented Tears of the Sun and really, really wanted to like it. But halfway through, I was thoroughly pissed off by it and resorted to nitpicking all the technical details. My main problem with the movie (and apologies if these are spoilers) is, WHY IN THE HELL DIDN'T THE PRINCE GET ON THE FIRST HELICOPTER? Monica Belucci knew who he was, why didn't she make sure he'd be safe? Furthermore, I have never seen as big of a whiny, backstabbing, annoying, ungrateful little bitch as Belucci's character. Willis should have asked her to please come with him, and when she refused, socked her in the kisser and carried her out of the jungle. Mission accomplished. Instead, half of his squad and half of the refugees get killed to basically save one guy's life (the prince), when he shouldn't have even been there in the first place. Why didn't he send one of his team off in a different direction with the cell phone (I didn't see a cell tower in that jungle, did you?) to throw the rebels off their trail instead of leaving it on the body? And the clergy that stay behind in the mission? Please. Faith to the end is admirable, but they just threw their lives away. What purpose did that serve? Especially the younger nun who is prepared to leave and live to help another village another day, but the older one gives her that look, and all of a sudden, the young nun is like "You're right, dying worthlessly here today with you two is a much better idea." Technical problems? Christ, where do I start. The jets that launch from the carrier to wipe out the Nigerian rebels are unarmed F/A-18C's. When they arrive on the scene, they've magically transformed into F/A-18E's, armed for air-to-air combat. The weapons they carry would be completely useless against a formation of ground troops. And how the hell did Tom Skerritt's Seahawk helicopters (top speed 180 knots) reach the border at about the same time as the fighters (top speed 1200 knots)? Speaking of Tom Skerritt, he couldn't find a quieter, more secure place to call Bruce Willis than the FLIGHT DECK of the carrier? He's up there during flight ops with no ear plugs or cranial helmet on, yakking away on the satellite phone. Try that on a REAL aircraft carrier. The movie calls attention to ethnic violence in Africa, which is a noble cause. But they've gone about it all wrong. Instead, we have another movie in which a few white guys drop in, and save a bunch of non-white people from themselves. Black Hawk Down worked because it was a true story, and needs to be told. Tears of the Sun just comes off as condescending. Especially to me, as an American serviceman, and I'm sure to victims of ethnic cleansing in Africa. Most of them will probably never see this movie though, although I hear that almost all of the refugees were played by actual survivors of tribal warfare in Africa. The deleted scenes added a lot to the story and most should have been included. Lots of good "wound porn" but I thought it was a poor story, with bad acting, questionable moral, and big plot holes. -Mikey

07-21-2003, 12:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
Spektr Copacetic Location: Nati	I thought Tears of the Sun was a great movie, despite plot flaws (which are unescapable in most movies). It was stunning and also rather depressing.

07-21-2003, 10:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
versnatch Upright	I also thought it was a really good movie, seen it twice now. Felt like they really showed the emotion that comes with ethnic cleansing

07-22-2003, 11:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
Arrow Tilted	its too damn emotional... what happened to war movies like The Longest Day, and Patton? now they all have romance or some other sappy bit thrown in. I do not like this!