Here's your list of movies to watch (and critique) alongside us this year. Let's see what 2019 and Hollywood have in store for the military community:
Sgt. Will Gardner (Friday, January 11) SGT. Will Gardner tells the story of Will, an Iraq War veteran who suffers from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained in combat that is making it difficult for him to reintegrate into society. His PTSD causes frequent flashbacks to the Iraq War which he survives with the help of Sam, his best friend and war buddy. A series of setbacks motivates him to embark on a spirited motorcycle journey across America with the hopes of reuniting with his son and to begin a healing process that will help him pick up the pieces of a life he lost after serving his country.
Max Martini who has starred in countless veteran films to date, including 13 Hours, Captain Philips, and Saving Private Ryan as well as the television series The Unit is the director.
Tom Hanks. Enough said.
It's a stretch, but we can only assume that his Special Ops skills are going to be what get him through the movie.
The Last Full Measure (Release date TBD) Based on a true story, William H. Pitsenbarger was an Air Force Pararescueman who gave his life aiding and defending a unit of soldiers pinned down by an enemy assault in Vietnam. He was initially posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Jeremy Irvine (War Horse), portrays Pitsenbarger alongside the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and Christopher Plummer.
Based on the behind-the-scenes photos and cast, we have high hopes for this one to do Pitsenbarger justice.
Midway (Friday, November 8) 6 months after Pearl Harbor in 1942, The Battle of Midway is an epic battle and Pacific victory. Set to star Patrick Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Luke Evans, Mandy Moore, Dennis Quaid, Ed Skrein, Aaron Eckhart, Darren Criss, and Nick Jonas, this well-rounded cast has us wondering if it's too star-heavy to successfully carry out the story?
The damage to the Japanese fleet in this battle was so extensive that it never recovered and military historians regard the battle as a turning point in the war.
1917 (Friday, December 25) Plot details are being kept under wraps, so its unclear whether this will be 'based on a true story' or just tell a fictional one about two young soldiers in dangerous terrain during WWI. It is being financed by Spielberg though so there's definitely enough of a budget for this to be successful.
Jacob's Ladder (Release date TBD) Jacob is a Vietnam veteran whose experiences prior to and during the war result in strange, fragmentary visions and bizarre hallucinations that continue to haunt him. As his ordeal worsens, Jacob desperately attempts to figure out the truth.
We still aren't entirely sure why the 1990 horror film needed to be remade, particularly in a time when so many veterans are trying to fight the stereotypes that accompany with PTSD. Did we really need two steps back with a refresh of this 90's stigma? Note: It's also very unclear how similar this remake is going to be, with zero promotional material out as of January 2019.