JUST SAW "PRESSURE"
So, Alex my screenwriting partner and I went and saw “Pressure” this afternoon.
As those who have seen in know, it’s very good. George Maras, the director, previously did “Hotel Mumbai,” which is the most tension-filled terrifying movie I’ve seen (It’s about the Pakistani terrorist attack on the Hotel Mumbai in India). He more than handles this.
So, the writer of dramatic fiction really liked the movie. The historian had some detail nits to note: Stagg was not the “new boy” - Ira Eaker hired him to run meteorology for 8th AF back in summer 1942. However, if the historian won out, the drama would have suffered. Movies aren’t history books.
The tension over one of the most important decisions made in the war is well handled and I am certain people there at the time felt the way the cast did here. I remember every D-Day vet I ever talked with remarking on how the morning of D-Day was rainy - from deluge though downpour to a soaker - and then by the time they got across the Channel, the skies opened up (Followed the next two days by that second, delayed storm).
Anyway, I recommend this unreservedly. Well worth the $14.85 senior ticket I paid.
There are two more interesting war movies coming I saw trailers for:
End of the month there is “Lucky Strike” - a Battle of the Bulge story “based on real events” starring Scott Eastwood. Looks excellent and The Word out here is very good on it.
Opening the first weekend of “Oscar Season” in November is “Jimmy” - Jimmy Stewart’s battle to get into the air force, be allowed to fight, and his 35 missions over Germany during which he became Deputy Group Commander of the 445th Bomb Group. An “unknown story of World War II” to most (I once talked to him about his wartime experience - the fact I was an “airplane person” and had knowledgeable questions got me an hour of his time - he wouldn’t talk about the war to anyone who hadn’t been to one). The topic is certainly Oscar-worthy. The aviation SFX look real good.
Anyway, go see “Pressure” - it’s a good story that comes at the right time to remind Americans about back when 89% of Europe didn’t see us as a “doubtful ally” and when our word was good.
You bring us back the other reality that we have missed so much of since the fire. We DO have to take the time to get away, even for just a few hours. The rebuild bullshit is tearing us down.
Thanks again Tom.
So glad you felt up to an outing and you went to see the movie! And thank you for the heads up of two more coming along.
Clearly your critiques carry weight due to your experience and knowledge base… Just think of it. An hour with Jimmy Stewart!
I wish my mother were still living for an informative conversation about similar wartime personalities… in particular I remember her mentioning Audie Murphy with great admiration, but she never elaborated, and of course I was young and also intimidated by her and so … just never learned more from her on topics like that.
She passed suddenly in the same manner as her dad and brother so… I’m watchful in hopes I don’t carry that same genetic tendency. Hmmm.
Anyway, anytime you feel the urge to write more about war heroes, any at all… Always your writing carries stories of oh so many pilots, the action, particular campaigns - who, what, when, where … I know I’m not alone in my eagerness and interest to learn.
Always grateful for your critiques and recommendations. Thanks for this. I enjoyed seeing Pressure June 5, which was great timing.
So many other aspects of people Mom referenced are coming to my mind now, but it’s not the place for saying more. Suffice it to say there were contradictions in the beliefs she seemed to hold and convey… Biases… And yet there were people she clearly admired who didn’t fit her templates.
One trait always was spunk.
Growing up, we got to watch “I Love Lucy,” spunk personified, of course!