Samuel L. Jackson Military Extravaganzas 4 Pack

[00:00:00] This podcast is a production of Unfiltered Studios. If you would like to know more about joining Unfiltered Studios, please visit our website at unfpod.com for more information. I have the ability to stare at people and not blink. Oh, you do? Yeah. So, I do that sometimes when I'm talking to people and it kind of unnerves them. So, welcome lads, welcome lads.

[00:00:26] We have yet another Star Wars featured actor to do a tribute to for this themed month of everything Star Wars. So, why not? The one, the only goat was Samuel L. Jackson. And so, we're going to be doing Assault at West Point, Court Martial Johnson Whitaker, Rules of Engagement, Basic, and Home of the Brave.

[00:00:52] All key military dramas starring our man, Sam Jackson. And if you hear us going in and out, don't worry, no need to adjust the speaker. That's deliberate. We're taking you through various chats from the past as well as the present. All on topic. All is scheduled and plenty to enjoy. So, listen in.

[00:02:19] Welcome to the rest of this Sam Jackson military drama chat. Once again, plenty of action, plenty of drama, plenty of history in all these movies. Well, most of them. So, the first one on the docket. I could have sworn this was an NBC TV movie. It's actually a Showtime original movie. It was co-produced with Capital Cities and ABC Video Enterprises. So, that's why it has a kind of a lower budget TV look. But, yeah, it was a 1994 Showtime film.

[00:02:46] It's about Johnson Chestnut Whitaker, one of the first black cadets at West Point in the trial that followed. Basically, he's played in this movie by Seth Gilliam, who you guys know from Starship Troopers and the Wire. He was a black cadet. You know, so 1880, you know, way after the Civil Wars ended. And he's beaten up by free fellow students. You know how racism was at the time.

[00:03:15] And this is still an interesting topic when you look at it in today's world. I'm looking at you, Jesse Smollett. The administrators believe that this man staged his own attack in order to avoid a philosophy exam. It's like, you gotta be kidding me. And the prosecutor is Major Gardiner, played by John Glover. He's always a bad guy.

[00:03:46] And the prosecutor examines him. Basically, they found Whitaker guilty of assaulting himself so as not to participate in the exam. He's later interviewed by a reporter. Whitaker tells him he went on to become a school principal. While Greener's now retired. But Greener is Samuel L. Jackson's lawyer character. He's a real-life person.

[00:04:17] His partner in this movie is Daniel Chamberlain, who didn't share his determination but wanted to acquire fame. So it's interesting seeing Sam Waterston, known for being a likable guy, be a stool pigeon in this. Be a tool, so to speak. So it's watchable. It's acceptable. It's kind of a 6 out of 10 star movie. It could have been just so much more. But if you just want an atypical, dramatic film, you know, they keep it going.

[00:04:46] And you're going to want to watch this anyway if you like historical dramas or the actors involved. Other actors include Al Freeman Jr. and Eddie Brackett. But it's not really addressed so much of the movie. But in 1995, years later, President Bill Clinton gave him the real life Whitaker, a commission.

[00:05:16] And since, you know, especially because of the book on which this TV movie is based on, Court Martial, A Black Man in America, was such a big success and reopened the public's eyes to such ignorance. But yeah, as a whole, it's an interesting way to start how just seeing Jackson, you know, he's already done some other legal and federal agent roles at this point. And he does his darndest.

[00:05:43] It's cool seeing him with the philosopher, you know, glasses and the long beard. But he seems in the role OK. It's just kind of a easygoing movie instead of a must-see film. But if you like obscure stuff as well as just atypical stuff that you're like, yeah, so hard to believe this actually did happen. That is kind of the main reason to kind of get into it and check it out.

[00:06:09] Have any of us seen the part Vietnam and Gulf War type movie, part courtroom filler, Rules of Engagement? I've seen it. Not all the way through. All right. By William Friedkin of The Exorcist and French Connection fame, he decided to tackle another movie. It's like, when do you just, you know, prosecute someone for a bunch of war crimes and, you know, contrarian viewpoints?

[00:06:37] And when do you just say, hey, you know, blame the mission. Don't blame the soldier. And I've seen a lot of people be divided on this and other people find this. I think this is at least just kind of an interesting one. Because, again, just like 12 Angry Men, no one can agree on the viewpoint of it. Jackson has been in many movies with Tommy Lee Jones, and this is one of them. He gets to act off perfectly against him.

[00:07:01] Tommy Lee Jones is assigned to him as, you know, his JAG type, you know, lawyer who's like, well, you know, regardless of what he did, you know, he saved my life in Vietnam when both my legs got shot out. So I got to just save face in this because this was a failed, you know, Saban ambassador and a bunch of people got slaughtered and it happened under his command.

[00:07:21] It's an interesting kind of just perspective of it all because regardless of the viewpoint, you're kind of left in the gray and you just have to just say, well, you know, he was doing his job, but at the same time could have been a burden. At the same time, was there any real game plan? The chopper almost got brought down by this rioting crowd. What would have happened anyway? By this point, Jackson's already been in a bunch of legal thrillers. And so when he was in this, this was just really kind of, you know, he'd already done soldier roles and already done, you know, legal thrillers.

[00:07:50] So to see him in this one was kind of icing on the cake where he just got to be a stuck up asshole at the beginning who goes, shoot the motherfuckers, you know, make them pay. And then here he is just kind of holding back tears saying, you don't get it. You don't get it. You know, having the jarhead mentality. And so a little more on rules of engagement. I don't know why it's not a bigger movie. Like.

[00:08:18] It could be just that it's an open ended ending or they're like, hey, Jackson's character had to do what he had to do, even though he's technically a war criminal. Is he also a hero? So I think, again, though, this is what I love about Freakin. He loves asking those tough questions that even he doesn't know, but he does it in a way where he doesn't feel like a chicken shit when you bring it up.

[00:08:40] But yeah, if you like Rashomon type movies and especially stuff like Courage Under Fire, where you mix a war movie with a whodunit, where there's three different opposing sides and you only get the real scoop at the end. But still makes you want to rewatch even if you predict the outcome. This is one of those. And again, Tommy Lee Jones, Guy Pearce, Bruce Greenwood. Just a lot of other political stuff here, too.

[00:09:08] Even a brief role by Ben Kingsley. Yeah, it's so funny when people say rules of engagement. They're thinking of the sitcom like, no, I'm talking about the movie from 2000. One of the best war movies ever. Say what you want about any of this like top notch acting like. All kinds of character actors in here and Archer. Dale Dye was in every war movie. I just love.

[00:09:37] Again, just how the progression of time. How it goes from being set in Nam to even just a present day, just filled mission in Baruch. And also establishing that Jackson's character was a Desert Storm veteran and blinded by his patriotism, perhaps, you know, it's. A hardened movie. And I'm so disturbed how even Roger Ebert was reluctant to even give it a full grade. I'm like, Jesus, guys.

[00:10:07] This is everything you want. If you want a Law and Order, A Few Good Men type legal drama, check. If you want a war epic, check. If you want an action thriller, check. Blur Underwear was even good here as one of the guys who was like, yeah, I'm taking orders from, you know, Jackson. He's my superior. Did you have any hostile intent otherwise? I don't know if I did or not, you know.

[00:10:30] So even though a lot of people give chicken shit answers, I don't feel like the movie is an actual chicken shit because it actually makes them all breathe. It gives some. I mean, that's pretty much it. It gives them some breathing room. And I love how Jackson and Jones questioned their friendship as this progresses. You know, it's just like, yeah, are you doing this because I'm a hero or because you're my friend? It's like, I just believe you're a good man in a tough situation.

[00:10:58] And call it a slap on the wrist kind of movie. I think it's just, I just dig the whole tough to talk about atmosphere. Now, as you've heard in some of the interview earlier, Jackson said this, noted that this ending is probably why the movie wasn't as popular. But it's one of his best roles, and you should see it for that alone. You should see it if you want to complete your William Friedkin character studies. See it. Now. I guess I'll mention his role in Basic.

[00:11:29] Because it's, again, another soldier role. And the whole time, Jackson, depending, much like Courage Under Fire and Rashomon, depending on what segment you watch, determines whether or not, you know, he's the good guy or bad guy in the argument. You know, prior to the very end. Right, where you get the truth about the whole thing. And it was just a movie that flew under the radar, but he was reunited with John Travolta. And definitely one of John Travolta's better movies, in my opinion.

[00:11:57] A lot of people don't like this one because, but compared to other mystery movies, you're less likely to be disappointed. Compared to other ones, which just were like really bad, you know, Scream. Other knockoffs. Very true. And I don't know why everyone hates so much on Basic, because it's basically another Usual Suspects type whodunit. And we prefer Usual Suspects to be fair enough.

[00:12:25] It's one that, yes, there was a lot of twists in it. And I know some of the things convoluted. And, I mean, you could say that, but to me, it all manages to weave in and out. And just to at least have a crease of joy. Like some films are trying to do that, especially nowadays.

[00:12:47] Out of all movies I've seen, it's hardly one I would say is problematic or unwatchable. And it's like, when's the last time anyone saw kind of something like this? Whether it was a soldier story. And it's just, you don't often see a military mystery unless it's in CIS. It's not trying to be like that. I wouldn't have been influenced in CIS by any means, because it feels like that was influenced by Basic. I don't know.

[00:13:18] Who knows? Same here. Who knows? Everyone talks. So, yeah. Basic. It's not perfect. But it's definitely one of Travolta's better movies, if not Jackson's. But Jackson is good in it, too. And what an all-star cast. You had, man, that cast was packed, wasn't it? And again, you know, there was all kinds of better movies at this time. There was Joint Assembly Area, which tackled a similar deal.

[00:13:47] And the fact that Roger Ebert, man, I know he's not the final word of approval. The fact that he gave this a one out of four. He compares it to Usual Suspects, a movie he did not care for, but acknowledged was well-liked. He compares it to Memento. He said, this movie exists with no respect for objective reality. I, as all smoke and no mirrors, I completely, completely disagree. I can like superior movies like Identity from 2003.

[00:14:17] I can like all sorts of other films like Gone Girl, A Perfect Murder. And you're going to give this a garbage rating? No, no, sir. This big all-star cast, Connie Nielsen. This was one of the first tough gal roles I saw her in before. You know, I knew she was in Gladiator. And years before, she makes a comeback of Wonder Woman and other TV shows. But yeah, Taye Diggs, Giovanni Ribisi, Rosalind Sanchez, Dash Mahak, Brian Van Holt.

[00:14:45] He's already been in SWAT with Sam Jackson. And Tim Daly is a good standout in this because, again, he plays everybody for fools. I'm not generally a fan of writer James Vanderbilt. You know him from his work on the Scream films and Independence Day 2 and the amazing Spider-Man and Zodiac. So yeah, I'm not a fan. I'd like Ready or Not and found an interview with that an okay idea but wasn't good.

[00:15:12] So he's one of those definitely where I feel like he is just – I don't know what he is. But there's a lot of producers' credit on this. I think John McTernan took the idea and made it more than just basic. But unfortunately, it's the final movie by John McTernan, our beloved diehard and predator filmmaker. And that's just it.

[00:15:38] It's like people were just all – most general folks who I asked, you know, like the user score. It's pretty solid on this. And yet, despite solid camera work, suspense, and then mixing in a fictional war with action, like I would compare it to – it would make a wonderful double feature, dare I say, with Southern Comfort. Yeah, I went there.

[00:16:08] And by that point, you're like, what do you mean, Cam? Why would you compare it to that Walter Hill gem of a movie? And I'm just like, because it's literally the same themes. The whole what war are we even fighting except taking out any allusions to Vietnam or Iraq and just like the questioning of a soldier to begin by. It's like that always is theatrical and makes for a compelling time to the movies.

[00:16:33] But yeah, despite being widely released by Sony and being one of those movies people might have casually seen on HBO or as cable went on, just on other Fox affiliates, it just wasn't a big movie. But I remember sitting down and watching it with my brother, and he wasn't planning on watching a movie that night. And we were just like, that was pretty compelling and cool. I don't – a lot to consume from that ending, but very mysterious. But yeah, it's also a mild R.

[00:17:02] It would just be just some infrequent language. It's intense without being gory. And yeah, it just wasn't a hit for Phoenix Benchers and Sony. And John McTernan has since said in a 2014 interview post-prison sentence, because he went to prison for some illegal wiretapping so he could extort a producer he was not on good terms with, he said it was an absolute fucking nightmare.

[00:17:29] The week before shooting, I was told I was going to have to shoot the original draft of the screenplay, which didn't work. Furthermore, I was sent a lawyer's letter saying I couldn't tell this to the studio and would be sued if I tried to communicate it to them. I was able to scroll away half a million dollars to do reshoots, but the story still makes no sense. No sense at all. So that is a shame that despite being pretty well liked by users, it's a dud in the director's eyes. I'm like, what?

[00:17:55] But then again, keep in mind, this is the same director disowned last action hero just because he didn't have full final say. So it makes you wonder if he's really talented but has the mind of a hack or if he just, I mean, he has the right to the opinion, but I'm just like, really? So, I mean, this script was acquired by Sony for $400,000 against a $700,000 heated bidding war.

[00:18:26] And, I mean, originally they wanted Lee Tamahari of Once Were Warriors and the crappy James Bond film Died Another Day to direct it. Same kind of director. Practical pyrotechnics. Dramatic tension. I mean, Martin Campbell would have worked too, but, I mean, looking at the movies it went against. Head of State, that's an okay idea. That doesn't work. Bringing Down the House, mediocre but watchable, with two great leads, Queen Latifah and Steve Martin, and The Core, a terrible movie.

[00:18:56] This is literally the winner. And the fact that Roger Ebert and others said, not a film that could be understood, fuck that. And now the creator's saying this? Wow. So fucking wrong. But, yeah, even Lunar Malton said, adding layers of confusion to be where it becomes even less interesting. I completely disagree. I mean, you will like this if you even want to see

[00:19:25] a JAG or NCIS type episode done atypical. You'll like it, because it's military mystery, fictional war, and action-packed. And literally one of John Travolta's stronger performances in the 2000s. That says a lot before Hairspray and more comebacks. It is a slick, polished production. And what is everyone smoking here?

[00:19:48] Apparently some serious grass that's distorting their portrayal of reality. I will just say that. So, as a whole, yeah. What can I say? Home of the Brave, the final war film, and that's not counting fictional war films like The Avengers. Home of the Brave. And after seeing him in this, I was like, awesome. Sam never lets me down.

[00:20:16] I mean, he was in Star Wars, but then he was in, you know, two more modern-day warfare films. And a war legal thriller. And in this case, it's like, this movie was just way better than had any right to be. It was slaughtered by critics, but surprisingly well-liked by Roger Ebert and company. And this was one of those many films produced by Millennium Films and MGM.

[00:20:46] It was one of Erwin Winkler, best known as the producer of Rocky. You know, doing some of Elvis's earlier films, and they shoot horses, don't they? Yeah. You know him from doing all kinds of stuff, you know, producing Raging Bull and The Right Stuff and Goodfellas. Very accomplished talent and just good, Nature's Soul. It was produced with the infamous Emmett Ferla films as well. So yeah, they get

[00:21:16] 50 Cent involved. They get Jessica Bill and Brian Presley involved. They get Christina Ritchie. Even the shitty actor, Chad Michael Murray's in this as a brief supporting role. I've seen this a few times. It really goes by really fast. It was a limited release. A lot of people just thought it was just very average or just schlocky, predictable, well-acted nonsense. But yeah, the AV Club named it in its top 100 flops.

[00:21:46] That was back in their flop files for 07, whatever. I mean, it was a limited release. But whatever. It even dared to say, critics summed it up on Rotten Tomatoes as hammy direction and a script lacking nuance. It's like, you've watched a different movie again. Like, it opens up with an explosive, you know.

[00:22:14] And this is back when they were doing so many War on Terror films. And it's like, we're not going to deal with the war. We're going to deal with the aftermath. What happens when you get home? I love how Sam Samuel L. Jackson's the lieutenant colonel. And I just dig the overall thing. They deal with thoughts of suicide. They deal with getting their life back together. They feel dead inside, even though their wounds are treatable.

[00:22:37] And Jackson, man, his character had a perfect moment where he just busted someone in the lip who was talking down to him. And he was having to realize, hey, just because I'm a veteran doesn't give me the right to act out blind. I got to get my shit together and acknowledge that I'm mentally on sound. The back and forth flashbacks weren't overdone at the various AA meetings with the veterans.

[00:23:05] It doesn't tragically for one of them. But 50 Cent was really growing as an actor actually here. And Jessica Bills, same deal. This and the illusionist. I was willing to give her a pass. It's like, hey, you know, you're good in Rules of Attraction. You're whatever. And Blade Free. You're in all these other shitty movies. These are acceptable. And years before The Sinner and what have you. He wasn't trying to be eye candy here. Everybody was willing to do their work. And it was just...

[00:23:35] If you ask a random war veteran, I guarantee you they'll say, hey, didn't get the suits right. Got the story and the realism down. But... So... Yeah, that concludes the Sam Jackson war drama outings. And thank you for listening. And I hope we entertained your earbuds for the Star Wars themed week. Again, I just thought it was just perfect. It's like, yeah, Samuel L. Jackson did lots of war movies. But it wasn't always up and beyond in the stars.

[00:24:05] It was sometimes just more of the same old... Just fighting the good fight. And depicted on film. And just adding just so much nuance. And in all these movies, everyone should just see just to show, hey, he can actually do more than just play historical figures, foul-mouthed criminals, tough-ass cops. It's like, no. He was doing more than just Mr. Tough Guy.

[00:24:30] He was flat out in it to win it as, I want to just make a difference and show how people are blinded by their patriotism, their freedom to express themselves. It's like, he's doing all kinds of serious work here that you're not going to see so many of his other co-stars do nowadays. So, yeah. Definitely must-checkout stuff. So, thank you for listening all.

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