From Blog to Big Screen: "Taking Chance," a Soldier's Story First Published on BlackFive, Now an HBO Movie

Well, every once in a while, they get one right.

Okay, technically -- well, more than technically -- HBO is not the "big screen." So, sue me.

Let me recommend a vote for BlackFive, as we're on the subject.

Posted by: Ace at 03:42 PM

Comments

1 It's HBO. They'll turn him into a raving lunatic baby-killer somehow...

Posted by: ErikTheRed at January 07, 2009 03:43 PM (erlfI)

2 Damn, that trailer teared me up. This better be good. I trust Blackfive on this.

Posted by: CDR M at January 07, 2009 03:49 PM (TJoU6)

3 Maybe the only new movie I see this year that isn't a cartoon, big or small screen.

Posted by: Jean at January 07, 2009 03:54 PM (xCBQ4)

4 The original blog post on Blackfive will get the tears rolling as well.

Posted by: DCA at January 07, 2009 03:54 PM (DLuhR)

Stories like this have abounded for years now.

Funny how these types of stories are NOW being made into movies.

We've been so bombarded with crap like Rendition, Redacted, Valley of Elah, ad vomitus for years.

Now we start to get postive portrayals? I'm glad they are doing this, don't get me wrong.

Just color me a bit jaded on the timing...

Posted by: catmman at January 07, 2009 03:57 PM (grj4V)

I hate to say this but, HBO will turn it into a Bush-bashing steaming pile of fuck.

Every fucking night on HBO there is at least one show that features some form of Bush-hate. Some nights it is an all night Bush bash-a-thon. Don't forget, they employ the biggest douche in the universe Bill Mahr.

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at January 07, 2009 04:03 PM (E6GUg)

7 DCA, you are right about that original write up as well.

Posted by: CDR M at January 07, 2009 04:05 PM (TJoU6)

8 If that turns into anything other than a respectful story about some fine Americans, then it will be the worst case of bait and switch in history.

If it is as the trailer makes it out to be, well then let it be the first of many such films.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 07, 2009 04:06 PM (hlYel)

I certainly hope that the final movie will indeed be as respectful and honourable as the original story written by LtCol Strobl.

God help the suits at HBO if it isn't.

Posted by: EC at January 07, 2009 04:12 PM (mAhn3)

10 I wouldn't trust HBO/Showtime at all with this. No way. They'll do something shitty. They can't not.

Posted by: Eleven at January 07, 2009 04:12 PM (7DB+a)

Hairy Reedsucker supported the war and the surge since day one. Of course now that Barry is in it is ok to honor heros.

Posted by: hutch1200 at January 07, 2009 04:15 PM (yyXfK)

I saw a piece on this the other night on HBO. It was one of those "the making of..." they do as a filler between movies. Regardless of what you may think of Kevin Bacon, he seemed to be truly moved and awed at the prospect of this movie and very concerned with "getting it right".

With so much bashing of America and the American people it's nice to see this type of thing every so often to remind everyone just how amazing our troops and this country really are.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 07, 2009 04:15 PM (VW9/y)

13 Some advance screenings indicate that they indeed stay true to the story and it is very respectful of what the story is about. Of course, that's what was posted in the comments on the IMDB site and they were advanced screenings which means they could always slip something in there before it airs but I doubt they will. HBO did a good job with Band of Brothers so I would hope they wouldn't fuck this one up.

Posted by: CDR M at January 07, 2009 04:17 PM (TJoU6)

14 I won't order HBO for this though. I'll wait to buy it on Blu-ray. I can't support the rest of the crap HBO puts on the air. Too bad it won't be in theaters.

Posted by: CDR M at January 07, 2009 04:19 PM (TJoU6)

The most professional fighting force the world has ever seen. Let the demonizers of these fine men and women choke on their words.

I'm hopeful. At this point, the positive message about soldiers is the avant garde, the thing the audience isn't expecting. That's probably the reason most of these people decided to go a good route (assuming they actually did... we'll see.)

Posted by: Shillelagh at January 07, 2009 04:20 PM (Oz4Bj)

The story on Blackfive was very heartfelt and moving. Makes you wonder how bad HBO will fuck it up.

Posted by: huerfano at January 07, 2009 04:21 PM (knHvu)

17 I read it when it was first posted on Blackfive and again just now and damn if their wasn't some irritant in the air that got in my eyes just like the last time. I'll have to get maintenance to check the air vents.

Posted by: polynikes at January 07, 2009 04:27 PM (m2CN7)

18 You can say what you want but HBO did put out Band of Brothers and are spending a shit load of money doing The Pacific (plus From the Earth to the Moon and John Adams), so they have some track record of understanding that pro-American stuff means big money if nothing else.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 07, 2009 04:30 PM (hlYel)

19 I can't re-read the BlackFive post, don't want to start crying. But have been voting for BF as best military blog daily since Monday. I felt kind of bad doing it, maybe there are other great ones, too. But I do love BlackFive.

Also, slightly OT, but it would be nice if all the Ace voters would vote on the "Best Blog" category to keep the despicable Andi Sullivan from stealing it from Hot Air.

Posted by: CB at January 07, 2009 04:34 PM (9Wv2j)

20 Blackfive is a great milblog. But I have to go with Mike Yon, the guy is just doing and has done great reporting, and writing, about Iraq and Afghanistan.

Posted by: UN Observer at January 07, 2009 04:34 PM (QMGr1)

21 I figure they're doing it because it gives them a platform for saying what a waste war is, look at all these dead soldiers, etc. I like the story, and if they manage to tell it without treating a soldier's death as a bullypulpit, it would be worth watching. But where are all the heroic action movies that portray our military forces in a good light, fighting against murderers and thugs while trying to protect the folks those types prey on? It's not for lack of real stories that those movies haven't been made.

Posted by: Cautiously Pessimistic at January 07, 2009 04:35 PM (ltwze)

These are some quotes from firstshowing.net. First highlight is pretty funny. They can't figure out why Redacted, Stop Loss, etc failed but then they answer why it failed in the next paragraph!

"There are usually a few Iraq war based films that always show up at Sundance but never go far, because audiences (for some odd reason) just never connect with them."

"Taking Chance is without question one of the most powerful and vital films ever made about Iraq, or, for that matter, the military, and yet its potency comes not from melodramatic or political statements but simply from its reality and execution"

Posted by: CDR M at January 07, 2009 04:36 PM (TJoU6)

23 Eh, I think they're probably just yanking us with this.

Posted by: wiserbud at January 07, 2009 04:36 PM (EW49d)

24 oops, wrong thread.

Posted by: wiserbud at January 07, 2009 04:38 PM (EW49d)

Well, every once in a while, they get one right.

Sorry Ace but I'm a great deal more cynical. Now that The One is in office its okay to portray our troops as heros again. You should see the BDS fucktard down the row from me at work. Gets back to work on Monday and puts up a nice big bald eagle picture / calendar. Guess its okay to like one's country again.

Think its pure chance that ABC has a new show coming out called something like "Homeland Security USA" or some shit now that The One is president? Our paramilitary law enforcement elements now being portrayed in a more positive light? Or is this so we can all feel better when having an Elian Gonzales / Ruby Ridge / Branch Dividian moment?

Posted by: turtle at January 07, 2009 04:41 PM (PWj7B)

26 I take it that this film will not involve the use of an Mk19 grenade launcher from a range of five feet against women, children, puppies and a sack of Hello Kitty paraphenalia.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at January 07, 2009 04:49 PM (B+qrE)

27 Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at January 07, 2009 04:49 PM (B+qrE)

It might if one of those Winter Soldiers shitheads writes a review.

Posted by: DrewM. at January 07, 2009 04:52 PM (hlYel)

28 While you're over there voting for Blackfive or Michael Yon for Best Military Blog, make sure to drop a vote for Michael Totten or Martin Kramer for Best Middle East Blog.

Why?

So that the ridiculous conspiracy monger Juan Cole (Informed Comment) doesn't win.

Posted by: The Guvnah at January 07, 2009 04:54 PM (Rg8DN)

29 Michael Totten or Martin Kramer for Best Middle East Blog.

Not Kramer, he's too far behind. Either Totten or Isreallycool are within striking distance of that prick Cole.

Personally I went Totten because I've seen him around here on occasion.

What can I say, I'm easy?

Posted by: DrewM. at January 07, 2009 05:00 PM (hlYel)

30 I agree with Catmman. The last pro military movie I remember was We Were Soldiers, which began production befor 9/11 (and whild Billy Jeff was still CIC). Same with Black Hawk Down and Behind Enemy Lines. Hell, Behind Enemy Lines had the courage to show European "Soldiers" as the limp wristed douches that they are. And then... nothing but anti-military, anti-war tripe. Until, of course, The Messiah takes office. I wonder if they find a way to insert Obama into this. Perhaps the Marine will have had St. Barrack around his neck instead of St Michael?

Posted by: PDizzle at January 07, 2009 05:08 PM (5DhtJ)

"Now that The One is in office its okay to portray our troops as heros again."

Exactly.

Posted by: someone at January 07, 2009 05:28 PM (1wXl7)

Same with Black Hawk Down and Behind Enemy Lines.

PDizzle at January 07, 2009 05:08 PM (5DhtJ

Blackhawk Down was an anti-Clinton movie for me. Everytime I watched it, I cursed Clinton on our non response and withdrawal.

Posted by: polynikes at January 07, 2009 05:31 PM (m2CN7)

33 HBO did Generation Kill and while it had its mandatory military bashing there were some great firefight scenes.

Posted by: Jim King at January 07, 2009 05:35 PM (ZM2Vo)

34 Color me amazed.

Posted by: irongrampa at January 07, 2009 05:38 PM (ud5dN)

Generation Kill was all dead innocent civilians blown away by stupid trigger happy Marines all the time. Every mission ended in fiasco. In the three or four episodes I watched there was a grand total of one successful mission.

They just made the individual characters seem likeable. But it was still shit.

Posted by: Eleven at January 07, 2009 05:42 PM (7DB+a)

The Taking Chance story that introduced me to Blackfive. I can't remember where I found the link, but I clearly remember blubbering in my cubicle for a while that day, as well as add B5 to my Favorites.

Posted by: PaleoMedic at January 07, 2009 05:44 PM (yiNoG)

37 Does anyone recognize the music in the trailer, or is that something written specifically for the movie?

Posted by: OregonMuse at January 07, 2009 05:57 PM (FO+YO)

The original blog post on Blackfive will get the tears rolling as well.

Damn dust and allergies.

Posted by: C in Az at January 07, 2009 06:04 PM (GiRra)

39 Greetings:

Back in the last �68, I was assigned to an Army funeral detail for a couple of months down in Texas. I was a pretty �strac troop� at the time and enjoyed the �dress up� and precision drill. It was a bit of an emotional pendulum, though, from the WW II vets (y�all come down to the American Legion after the service) to the Viet Nam casualties (some of whose caskets couldn�t have 10 lbs of parts in them).

The funeral I remember most clearly was for a black Viet Nam soldier. I was in the rifle squad that day. After firing our volleys, there�s a most solemn pause before the bugler sounds �Taps�. At that moment, the soldier�s mother let out a yowl from the depths of her grieving soul. I almost dropped the weapon out of my hands. It was a lesson learned.

Not long after, I received my all-expense-paid tour of Southeast Asia. One of the many gallows-humor jokes we used to play on new arrivals was to have them designate someone to accompany their body home. Beside the implied demise the victim had to deal with, all the guys he would approach would say no. In reality, though, no body went home unattended, so in a way, the designee actually got a kind of free trip home.

Years later, around 1983, I was running a print shop (as a civilian) for the Navy. I had just recently taken over and the gentleman I was replacing was still �on board� and I only really knew a couple of handfuls of the employees. One morning shortly after I arrived one of our pressmen had a heart attack. We started CPR and called the ambulance. When we got him loaded, it suddenly
dawned on me that no one was stepping up to go with the pressman in the ambulance, so I jumped in. Our pressman died later that day, and later still I met his wife and grown children for the first time. The next morning, I had everything shut down for a shop meeting to explain the new casualty procedures, �No casualty will leave the premises unattended.�

Posted by: 11B40 at January 07, 2009 06:09 PM (3IBlA)

Well, sorry Yon, Blackfive is getting my vote. I read the story, and that will really tear you up.

Now that THE ONE has won the war, we can all be grateful for His merciful help and a few baby killers, er now heroes.

Kemp

Posted by: kempermanx at January 07, 2009 06:16 PM (2+9Yx)

41 Damn dust in here. Must have got into my eyes.

Posted by: Bill Ciz at January 07, 2009 06:17 PM (lkzNo)

Hey, HBO did Band of Brothers and John Adams (although the acting in Adams was a bit melodramatic at times, it tracked very well with the book)...

Wasn't Sopranos an HBO venture as well?

As far as Blackfive, they are great and got a vote from me, but so did Michael Yon, and I'm leaning towards Yon...

Posted by: Uncle Jefe at January 07, 2009 06:17 PM (+3fAP)

43 Sopranos was on Showtime.

Posted by: OregonMuse at January 07, 2009 06:24 PM (FO+YO)

44 According to what I found on Youtube, the music is "Comes and Goes (In Waves)" by Greg Laswell.

Posted by: OregonMuse at January 07, 2009 06:27 PM (FO+YO)

45 I'm a complete idiot. The Sopranos was on HBO. Duh.

Posted by: OregonMuse at January 07, 2009 06:29 PM (FO+YO)

46 Yup, that's the music in the trailer. Sounds very Gray's Anatomyish. Hey, I don't watch it, my wife does!

Posted by: CDR M at January 07, 2009 06:29 PM (TJoU6)

Actually, I have yet to see a movie about the Iraq war. I've seen a couple movies about Vietnam that happened to be set in Iraq, but so far none that were really about Iraq.

Posted by: gebrauchshund at January 07, 2009 07:02 PM (C+BlQ)

48 Since you're talking about the awards too, go check out The War on Big Tobacco (one of the other finalists). Really good stuff - pretty much perfect Moron reading material.

HBO had better not fuck this up. I still won't get HBO just to see it (no more Sopranos = no more HBO), but I'll see it later if they stick to the story.

Posted by: Beth at January 07, 2009 07:05 PM (yqiXY)

49 As my 5 year old daughter says, "my eyes are sweating."

Posted by: yomomma at January 07, 2009 08:24 PM (dwWnk)

50 I just voted for Ace, and boy is my anus tired.

Thank you.

Posted by: Ana Marie Cox at January 07, 2009 09:18 PM (MsWP4)

51 Better not fuck that up..

keep to the story on Black Five have your surefire winner of a movie.

OT..

after finally seeing the first episode of John Adams, is it wrong for me to wish Tar and Feathering on Barney Frank and Christopher Dodd?

Posted by: Dave C at January 07, 2009 10:42 PM (Xr2Pm)

52 This does sound like a good thing, but I do hope they portray the heroism of so many of our military some day. All the good they do, all that they have accomplished, despite our timid or lying politicians.

Posted by: PJ at January 07, 2009 11:17 PM (fyFnu)

39 eleven bravo

Damn man you got me reacting to sumthin in the air. Have long thought that there should be more military protocol in some civilian areas.

Welcome Home.

Posted by: solitary knight at January 07, 2009 11:36 PM (LY0Yu)

54 Before I retired from the Navy in June, I was a Decedent Affairs Officer at a Navy Hospital in CA...during my time there I had to send home for the last time, to grieving parents and loved ones 30 Marines and Sailors that died on active duty here in the States. I took each death seriously, from getting the body from the hospital/morgue to the funeral home, ensuring that they were prepared properly, dressing them in their Service Dress Uniform, and briefing the escorts, along with being the liaison with the Reserve Center back home. Each one took something out of me - some were old enough to be my brother, while others were young enough to me my son. Some died from natural causes, while others lost their lives in training accidents, due to abusing alcohol or taking their lives by their own hand.

What always impressed me was how serious each escort was in their duties...they treated it like it was an honor to go home with their fellow Sailor or Marine, to talk with the family and let them know that their son would be missed. Many times I saw Company CO's or even Battalion CO's go to the family's home for the services and funeral, as if it was a means of trying to bring closure to the family.

No amount of money, nor an American flag that has been draped on a father's/mother's/son's/daughter's casket...but seeing their faces when an officer or SNCO/CPO goes to the family and tries to console them for their loss...it actually gives a clearer picture to the term "Brothers in Arms"...

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