12/2/2016 - Hacksaw Ridge (2016) -4+/10

Another godly bloodbath, full of horror, sanctimony, and a complete lack of nuance. The most heavy handed of efforts, reeking of jingoism and unnecessariness…  Yeah, I wasn’t a huge fan.

Garfield does a good job committing to the character, though the person/character come across as a righteous backwoods simpleton. Maybe that was legit or intended, but, again, it felt like a blunt tool instead of a delicate instrument.

Is there art? Yes, but it is overwrought and stifled by too much of everything (color palette, obscene and monotonous violence, "distant" camera work, a "godly Gomer Pyle goes to war"-ification to the point of an anti-humanistic sensibility, the lone constantly beaten down savior that wins the day trope to 11, severe beating over the head of every point, idea, and emotional beat, etc).  There is a strong visual and storytelling point of view throughout the whole thing. It just isn’t one I identify with or appreciate.

More like a proselytizion than a fully worked and intentioned frantic piece. Perhaps in another creator's vision this inspiring story might feel rounded, terribly emotional, and somewhat objective. There is an amazing story asking to be told. Here, it is a militaristic fluff piece draped over the ringing of a church bell.