Born on the 4th of July

We're taking it back to the old school. Tom Cruise style.

This is an Oliver Stone war flick about a small-town USA kid, Ronnie Kovic (Cruise), who grows up to serve in the Vietnam War. It follows his life from small-kid time all the way 'till after the war. He grew up in the Kennedy-Nixon era, where Americans were supposed to serve their country, and everyone seemed to be worshipping God like good ol' Christians.

Basically, he's the All-American boy. He goes all out in everything. He does the right thing. He's the oldest in the family. He even wrestles for his high school. He's the chosen one in his family, destined for great things.

Influenced by the patriotic climate of his era, he ends up joining the Marines right out of high school. This leads him to the frontlines of the Vietnam War, where he ends up experiencing two things that would change his life forever. You can watch the movie and see for yourself. Later, he ends up getting shot and is paralyzed beneath the waist.

When he comes home from the war, he deals with all the real struggles of a Vietnam vet. This is the part of the movie that really makes you think. Ronnie finally begins to question the government and their participation in the Vietnam War. He feels like he went over there and fought for nothing.

I suppose many vets watch this movie and cringe. My dad is a Vietnam vet and he hardly ever talks about it. It seems kinda surreal. It's easy to think of it as a part of US history, not someone's personal history. We all just pretty much leave it alone, but it must be difficult for anyone who has served to repress their memories and experiences. To be honest, it never really comes up. Of course, my dad's a strong-minded guy though.

Lately, I've been thinking about the "truth" about things. Like the Vietnam War. Were they really trying to stop Communism? Most people think the war was bull$hit, but how come so many Americans fell for it. It makes me think of now and the reason why we're sending all those soldiers to Iraq. I'm beginning to think that America was built on bull$hit. We're just bullies and no one says $hit 'cause we all benefit from the bullying. Maybe I'm the one talking some bull$hit, but really, what if? We just go around the world taking what we want, and now, the rest of the world is tired of getting beat up, so they're fighting back, and all of our resources are getting blocked off. Why are gas prices so high? Hmmmm... Where the hell is Osama? Hmmm... 9/11? Organized religion? Don't even want to go there, but it makes you wonder, huh. Well, maybe it's just me being crazy.

Sorry to get all deep on you, but the movie was good in that Oscar-Best-Picture-you-gotta-be-in-the-mood kinda way. I can see why the critics liked this movie. I don't know how much you'll like this movie, especially if you don't have 2 hours and 24 minutes to spare. My Baby was taking a well-deserved nap, so I knew I had some time. It was either this or some porn that would last me only two minutes anyway. Two patriotic thumbs up for being American. Two middle fingers for Asians getting beat down by the White man. Two full-time jobs and some housing for my people living on the beach. Sovereignty!!