"Hacksaw Ridge" Review by Tim Hellman

'HACKSAW RIDGE': Five Stars (Out of Five)

The new war biopic set during WWII, and based on the life of Desmond Doss; the first conscientious objector, and American pacifist, to be awarded the Medal of Honor. The film was directed by Mel Gibson, and it's the first movie he's directed since 2006's 'APOCALYPTO'. It was written by Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight. The film stars Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Vince Vaughn, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Rachel Griffiths and Hugo Weaving. It's received rave reviews from critics and fans alike, and it's also been a modest hit at the Box Office (costing just $45 million to make). I think it's one of the best war films I've ever seen!

Desmond T. Doss (Garfield) was raised in Lynchburg, Virginia, by a very religious mother (Griffiths). His father (Weaving) was an alcoholic, due to his negative experiences in the Great War. After almost killing his brother, Hal (Roman Guerriero), while fighting when they were kids, Desmond becomes a very passionate believer in the Sixth Commandment. This becomes a severe problem when Desmond feels the need to serve his country, during World War II. After a great deal of harassment, and several obsessive attempts by his commanding officers (Worthington and Vaughn) to have him thrown out of the Army, Desmond goes on to save the lives of 75 fellow soldiers, as a medic during the Battle of Okinawa, and win the Medal of Honor.

The movie has been praised by many critics as being the best war film since 'SAVING PRIVATE RYAN', and I would agree; it's every bit as horrifically realistic, and violent, and it's also just as well made. I'm a big fan of Mel Gibson; as an actor and a director, but especially a director (and I've missed him over the last ten years). This film stands as one of his greatest; it's at least in the same league as 'BRAVEHEART' and 'THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST'. I'm also a fan of Andrew Garfield; he's my favorite Spider-Man, and I think he's a very talented and passionate actor. He's good in the lead, and Worthington, Vaughn and Weaving are all outstanding in supporting roles as well. What I most like about the film is it's message; it deals with a very passionate rebel outcast, who must do battle with nearly everyone else, and take on a lot of harassment, in order to stick up for his beliefs; and he does it beautifully. The movie is extremely moving, and breathtakingly beautiful; it's one of the year's very best!

"The Expendables 3" Blasts Its Way to DVD and Blu-Ray

Lionsgate recently released information for the upcoming DVD and Blu-Ray release "The Expendables 3". The film stars  Sylvester Stallone (Rocky franchise, Rambo franchise), Jason Statham (Crank, Snatch), Jet Li (Hero), Antonio Banderas (The Legend of Zorro), Kelsey Grammer (X-Men: The Last Stand), Wesley Snipes (Blade), Dolph Lundgren (Universal Soldier), Randy Couture (The Expendables franchise), Terry Crews (TV’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), Kellan Lutz (The Legend of Hercules, The Twilight Saga franchise), Ronda Rousey (UFC Champion, Fast & Furious 7), Glen Powell (The Dark Knight Rises), Victor Ortiz (WBC World Welterweight Champion), Robert Davi (Die Hard, The Goonies), with Mel Gibson (Braveheart, Mad Max), with Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones franchise) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator franchise).

The Blu-Ray combo pack will also contain the never-before-seen unrated edition of the film along with "The Expendables 3" Documentary, “New Blood: Stacked and Jacked” Featurette, “The Total Action Package” Featurette, “Christmas Runs the Gauntlet” Extended Scene and Gag Reel. "The Expendables 3" hits stores on November 25th.

Press Release:

The Expendables return tougher and faster than ever as old friends face off in the exclusive unrated edition of The Expendables 3, arriving on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus Digital HD) and On Demand November 25 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. The Blu-ray Combo Pack will include the never-before-seen unrated edition of the film – featuring more action, more explosions, more fights – and a higher body count – everything fans have come to love in the franchise! And now, with the immersive Dolby Atmos soundtrack experience, audiences will feel like they’re at the center of the action. The Blu-ray Combo Pack will also feature the original theatrical movie. Full of “testosterone-fueled fun” (IGN), both versions of the film will be available two weeks earlier on Digital HD November 11. Also available November 25, The Expendables 3 DVD (plus Digital) will include only the original theatrical version of the film.

The Expendables 3, “the best Expendables yet” (Crave Online), features an all-star cast of iconic action veterans and new recruits including Sylvester Stallone (Rocky franchise, Rambo franchise), Jason Statham (Crank, Snatch), Jet Li (Hero), Antonio Banderas (The Legend of Zorro), Kelsey Grammer (X-Men: The Last Stand), Wesley Snipes (Blade), Dolph Lundgren (Universal Soldier), Randy Couture (The Expendables franchise), Terry Crews (TV’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), Kellan Lutz (The Legend of Hercules, The Twilight Saga franchise), Ronda Rousey (UFC Champion, Fast & Furious 7), Glen Powell (The Dark Knight Rises), Victor Ortiz (WBC World Welterweight Champion), Robert Davi (Die Hard, The Goonies), with Mel Gibson (Braveheart, Mad Max), with Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones franchise) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator franchise).

In the latest edition of the popular franchise, Barney (Stallone) faces off with an old enemy and must fight old blood with new blood, bringing in a new era of Expendables who are younger and faster. The latest mission becomes a clash of classic old-school style versus high-tech expertise when The Expendables find themselves in their most personal battle yet.

The Expendables 3 Blu-ray Combo Pack is loaded with bonus material that includes The Expendables 3 documentary, two featurettes that delve deep behind-the-scenes with the incredible cast and crew, an extended scene and a gag reel. The Blu-ray features a Dolby Atmos® soundtrack encoded with Dolby TrueHD for Dolby Atmos-enabled systems. Dolby Atmos provides captivating, multidimensional sound to bring consumers deeper into the story by delivering an experience that moves sound throughout the room with amazing clarity and true-to-life detail. The Expendables 3 Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.99 and $29.95, respectively.

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES*
• The Expendables 3 Documentary • “New Blood: Stacked and Jacked” Featurette • “The Total Action Package” Featurette • “Christmas Runs the Gauntlet” Extended Scene • Gag Reel

Official Character Posters for the All-Star Action Film "The Expendables 3"

Lionsgate recently released the first character posters for upcoming action sequel "The Expendables 3". The upcoming film stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Antonio Banderas, Jet Li, Wesley Snipes, Dolph Lundgren, Kelsey Grammer, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Kellan Lutz, Ronda Rousey, Glen Powell, Victor Ortiz, Robert Davi, Mel Gibson (Conrad Stonebanks), Harrison Ford, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. "The Expendables 3" hits theaters on 8/15.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official Facebook page at: facebook.com/TheExpendablesMovie.

Plot Synopsis:

Barney (Stallone), Christmas (Statham) and the rest of the team come face-to-face with Conrad Stonebanks (Gibson), who years ago co-founded The Expendables with Barney. Stonebanks subsequently became a ruthless arms trader and someone who Barney was forced to kill… or so he thought. Stonebanks, who eluded death once before, now is making it his mission to end The Expendables -- but Barney has other plans. Barney decides that he has to fight old blood with new blood, and brings in a new era of Expendables team members, recruiting individuals who are younger, faster and more tech-savvy. The latest mission becomes a clash of classic old-school style versus high-tech expertise in the Expendables’ most personal battle yet.