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Hey guys -
I dont normally get too excited about movies - I see alot of them, and honestly I find that 90% fall short of my expectations.
I was a little hesitant about Leonardo DiCaprio's new movie, Blood Diamond - not because of the content of the movie - which I have researched in the past and have made myself familiar with.
Moreso I was discouraged because well........ it a Leo movie! right?
Firstly, I think the conflict diamond trade is something that most people in first world industrialized nations need to become familiar with, if they are not already - because of the needless loss of life and brutality that is initiated because of our lust for diamonds. For we account for the majority of the worlds diamond purchases.
I was SO wrong about this movie - rather than being an inaccurate fluff piece, this movie is HEAVY!
Leo Di is simply amazing, and absolutely nails the speech and mannerisms of an ex-South African soldier, I happen to be close friends with a few of them, and its uncanny to hear Leos interpretation of thier speech and attitudes. Im sure a South African could pick out the inaccuracies of his performance, but for a Westerner trust me its very very close!
Jennifer Connelly is very good as well, but not surprisingly, she is an incredible actress.
The story {an 80's period piece set during the Clinton Lewinski saga} is very intense and not for the squeamish, but I feel its the resposibility of Westerners to see the consequences for purchasing diamonds, especially for the poor Black African.
Even though it is a period piece as I said - it is very relevant as there is still a brisk trade in conflict diamonds, and the events of this movie are still echoed throughout Africa today, not the least being the commendeering of young Black African males to be child soldiers, in various militia forces!
This movie is nonstop action, and is a poignant tale of greed, power, loss and despair, but also of hope, and the spirit of the average Black African, who have suffered so much for the worlds greed over thier resources.
A story of blood diamonds, child soldiers, and arms trading, military conflict, soldiers of fortune, and the displacement of entire populations, as the next militia siezes control of a country - merely in order to exploit the resources, at any cost.
The cost as you will see is astronomical.
A must see, do yourself a favor, and watch this riveting piece of drama. Youll be glad you did, and it may even affect your desicion for the next anniversary gift you buy. I hope it does.
Cheers
Charliewoodcharliewood39079.6731134259

PS I forgot to mention this movie is set in many African nations including Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa, and Guinea as well as other locales. The scenery is spectacular, and the cinematography is incredible!
Cheers
Charliewood

Ok, I wasn't sure at first, but now I'm going! Thanks Charlie!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Like my bud Larry Presnall would say: That Leonardo, Whatanacta!

Thanks for the review Charlie buddy, i saw the movie trailer today and indeed, it looked like it had great content, i'll definitely try to watch it!

Charlie -- thanks for review - looks like one to take in over the holidays! Taking my wife might just save me a bundle in the future

We have a friend that has seen the movie. She said that she has never walked out on a movie, but came close to it with this movie because of the violence and gore and she isn't squimish. She said that she was glad that she didn't. Getting through to the end was rough, but well worth it to get the full story. She also said that she will never buy another diamond again.

We are going to see it, but I think I'm glad she gave us a heads up.

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Aoibeann

Great review Charlie. I'm looking forward to seeing this movie even more...

Have you seen 'A Scanner Darkly'? Although it isn't about geo/political themes, I found it to be one of the best written movies I've seen in a very very long time...

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Hesh - I really have been wanting to see that one, as does the wife - these concerns are our common cross to bear as humans and creatures of this Earth in general, no matter our inclinations.
Thanks for the reccomendation, I had assumed it was an important one to see from the reviews and trailers. I watch the Nature of Things with David Suzuki quite often and sometimes I cant finish an episode, because of the impending doom sensation that wells up in me.
I remember 17 yrs ago I used to canvas for Greenpeace, I cant count the people that would slam the door in my face, call me horrible things, and accuse me of being a terrorist back then, when I tried to tell ppl about this stuff........ I cant even believe that some people still think its a fallacy! Thier ignorance is going to be anything BUT bliss for all of us if we dont do something drastic! NOW

Alain, thanks for the review also - its on my to see soon list.

Aoibeann, I put "this movie is not for the squeamish", but your right - I forget some ppl are much more sensitive to violence than others, and I should have emphasized more heavily that this is an extremely violent movie!
The sad part is - these arent gratuitous violent scenes however - this story cannot be properly told without the inclusion of these horrific scenes - which are so prevalent in Africa. None of us like to think that we are contributing to something like that... but its true for some of us. Its good to see this is the result of Western greed in this instance!
While Sierra Leone is at peace now - there is an outright genocide happening in Darfur (western Sudan) and we need to pressure our politicians to intervene in this situation IMMEDIATELY as the Government over there is unwilling to stop it! Anyone who is unfamiliar with the situation in Darfur please educate yourselves on it.
A UN force is definitely and desperately needed.
Cheers
Charliewood

Blood Diamond is violent! Thanks for the heads up -- maybe best that I don't go now or maybe wait for the DVD version. I am finding that a sure sign of my middle age is my ever increasing abhorance for realistic violence. Talk about a wimp huh! I am finding it hard to watch NFL Football now without cringing

On a lighter note this past week I saw Casino Royale (latest Bond film) and took the kids to see Eragon.

Eragon was fabulous and a great family movie.

[QUOTE=Hesh1956]   I have not been to a public movie house in over a decade since I would miss to much on the way to the fridge.........

[/QUOTE]








Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Hesh, I know this is dangerously close to politics, which I prefer to not discuss on line, but I want to give you and Charlie a big

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

I second that Steve, Hesh and Charlie talked about difficult subjects that touched them both while staying in the neutral zone that allowed us to participate as well.

Well said guys!

So... what did you guys think about the new Bond movie?

I loved it.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Didn't see it yet but i have heard through the branches that it was action packed untill the end, that the guy acting as James Bond is really "Happy" and that he did all his stunts himself, will wait untill it gets out on video to see it.

Bond and Blood Diamond were both good. I like the "new" Bond, more human and realistic. Blood Diamond was an eye opener about conflict diamonds. I'm sure there are many onther quasi-legal products we use without knowing the background.

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Greg
http://garibaldiinstruments.com/

... I was subtly trying to change the subject from the political edge....

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Brock - I thought Casino Royale was good as well.

Like all Bond movies it's a must see on the big screen as opposed to DVD/TV (unless of course you've got a 60" plasma and killer surround sound system-which I don't).

Casino Royale has a more realistic plot. Typically Bond saves the world from a villain who will destroy life as we know it. This one is different.

The thing that slays me about Bond movies is that 007 always trashes the gorgeous sports car provided (that's as far as I will go in giving away the plot). This time it was a gorgeous new Aston Martin.

Lastly, the new Bond is a quite a departure from his predecessors. (Sean Connery I still think was the best followed by Pierce Brosnan).

If you like Bond movies -- this one won't disappoint. (I can't find the two thumbs up emoticon). Anthony Z39090.8054976852

The new Bond film is very good...

I love the Aston Vanquish, of course, but for my money, I would rather have the vintage '64 DB4... Now THAT is a sexy machine... It's got soul!

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...