25 Best War Movies

Every history buff has their favorites; these are mine based on

1. American involvement (admittedly my optic)
   
2. historical accuracy
   
3. the sacrifice of war
   
4. brotherhood of soldiers
   
5. quotable lines
   

Pre-Civil War

1. The Patriot - (2000, Roland Emmerich) (Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Jason Isaacs, Joely Richardson)
   
2. Dances with Wolves - (1990 Kevin Costner) (Kevin Kostner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene)

   Civil War - 1861-1865
   

3. Glory - (1989, Edward Zwick) (Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman)

   WWI - 1914-1918
   

4. All Quiet on the Western Front (1979, Delbert Mann) (Richard Thomas, Ernest Borgnine)

   WWII- 1941-1945
   

5. Battle of the Bulge - (1965, Ken Annakin, WWII) (Henry Fonda, Robert Shaw)
   
6. Tora! Tora! Tora! - (1970, Richard Fleischer, WWII) (Martin Balsam, Joseph Cotten)
   
7. Patton - (1970, Franklin J. Schaffner, WWII) (George C. Scott, Karl Malden)
   
8. The Big Red One - (1980, Samuel Fuller, WWII) (Lee Marvin, Mark Hamill, Robert Carradine)
   
9. Memphis Belle - (1990, Michael Caton-Jones, WWII) (Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz)
   
10. Saving Private Ryan - (1998, Steven Spielberg, WWII) (Tom Hanks, Edward Burns)
    
11. Band of Brothers Miniseries - (2001, Tom Hanks et al) (several)
    
12. The Thin Red Line - (1998, Terrence Malick, WWII) (Sean Penn, Nick Nolte)
    
13. Flags of Our Fathers - (2006, Clint Eastwood, WWII) (Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford)

    Vietnam19 63-1974
    

14. The Deer Hunter - (1978, Michael Cimino, V) (Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep)
    
15. Apocalypse Now - (1979, Francis Ford Coppola, V) (Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, M. Brando)
    
16. Platoon - (1986, Oliver Stone, V) (Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen)
    
17. Full Metal Jacket - (1987, Stanley Kubrick, V) (Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin)
    
18. Hamburger Hill - 1987, John Irvin) (Dylan McDermott, Steven Weber, Courtney B. Vance, Don Cheadle)
    
19. We were Soldiers - (2002, Randall Wallace) (Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Sam Elliott, Greg Kinnear )

    Gulf War 1991
    

20. Courage Under Fire - (1996, Edward Zwick, Iraq'91) (Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan)

    Somalia 1993
    

21. Black Hawk Down - (2001, Ridley Scott, Somalia) (Ewan McGregor, Josh Hartnett)

    9/11
    

22. United 93- (2006, Paul Greengrass) (several)

    Afghanistan20 01
    

23. Jarhead - (2005, Sam Mendes, Desert Storm) (Jamie Foxx, Jake Gyllenhaal)

    Iraq 2003
    

24. Road to Haditha - (2007, Nick Broomfield) (Elliot Ruiz, Yasmine Hanani, Andrew McLaren)
    
25. The Hurt Locker - (2009, Kathryn Bigelow) (Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Christian Camargo)
    

raig D. Burma

Dear Scott—                                    May 14, 2010

 

My heart leaps for joy as you approach the accomplishment of being confirmed in the United Methodist Church. The commitment your Mom and I made at your dedication is one important step closer to being fulfilled: to bring you up in the way and teachings of the Lord.

 

I am a Christian because with Him my life goes better. That does NOT mean that it always goes "well." Our family has had our share of ups and downs. But through it all, whether mountain top or deep, dark valley, I have never lost my faith in God. And if ever I was tempted to, I needed only to look at you to see that of my own (or Mom and I's) doing , we could not have created such a beautiful being as you, Scott.

 

You are incredible. I love the way you step out of the shadow of being "a twin" and create your own personality that is all SCOTT!. I love how you are able to shake off the "Jason's little twin" and help people to see how unique and interesting your are without ever being disrespectful of Jason. I loved watching you run the bases with each homerun in 2006; so fast that I had to bat you first for fear you would pass other runners on the bases! I loved watching your leadership in football: always yelling "Watch the ball. Watch the ball" struggling to say it through your mouth guard. And now to see your incredible accomplishments on trumpet… WOW what a kid!

 

I love how you have embraced your Christian instruction; always taking good notes in church and being able to relate those concepts throughout your life. I hope you always turn to God and the Life of Jesus as the one and only source for all the answers to any questions.

 

I remember so many times when you and Brian would dance along side each other, part doing your own moves and partly looking at of the corner of your eye to see what the other was doing. I hope it continues that way. "Dance" your own dance in life but keep an eye out for each other and be there to help Brian or Jason. I know you will.

 

Finally, remember that the more I revolve around this world, the more I realize it does not revolve around me. Humans are unique in assigning blame to others, nature, objects and even God for situations we create. All in defense of our ego. But blaming others takes away our power to build a bright future through our own good choices.

 

I hope you read Romans 12, my favorite chapter of the Bible. "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18

 

Love always,

 

Dad

 

May 14, 2010

Craig D. Burma

 

Dear Brian –                                         May 14, 2010

                                    

My heart leaps for joy as you approach the accomplishment of being confirmed in the United Methodist Church. The commitment your Mom and I made at your dedication is one important step closer to being fulfilled: to bring you up in the way and teachings of the Lord.

 

I am a Christian because with Him my life goes better. That does NOT mean that it always goes "well." Our family has had our share of ups and downs. But through it all, whether mountain top or deep, dark valley, I have never lost my faith in God. And if ever I was tempted to, I needed only to look at you to see that of my own (or Mom and I's) doing , we could not have created such a beautiful being as you, Brian.

 

You are amazing. I love the way to are willing to help anyone immediately, completely and enthusiastically. Whether sticking up for your stepbrother/sister when the teenage boys attacked you with the airsoft guns, or helping football players up off the ground, I always see your empathy for others coming through. I loved watching your towering homeruns sail to the fence in 2006 baseball; followed by your incredible unassisted triple play at pitcher among hundreds of other outs. God has given you precious physical strength and talent. And along with that, God has given you a wonderful creativity and writing skills. …WOW what a kid!

 

I hope you remember you can only do so much and have the right to grow up before you take on adult responsibilities. Your Mom and Chris, Tina and I have the experience to solve our own situations. You should not worry about them. You will have plenty to deal with when you are an adult. Be patient.

 

I remember so many times when you and Scott would dance along side each other, part doing your own moves and partly looking at of the corner of your eye to see what the other was doing. I hope it continues that way. "Dance" your own dance in life but keep an eye out for each other and be there to help Scott or Jason. I know you will.

 

Finally, remember that the more I revolve around this world, the more I realize it does not revolve around me. Humans are unique in assigning blame to others, nature, objects and even God for situations we create. All in defense of our ego. But blaming others takes away our power to build a bright future through our own good choices.

 

I hope you read Romans 12, my favorite chapter of the Bible. "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18

 

Love always,

 

Dad

 

 

May 14, 2010