AHOLDER-1 Sound: Just simple sound editing and sound track use here. 60/100 Technical: Nice use of cell phone video. Use of simple location sets. 70/100 Narrative: Standard crime investigation film. It moves a little slow and meticulous like a real investigation and Tommy Lee Jones' character does. Flows with logic then we get a twist at the end. 60/100 Character/Acting: Very well acted; Charlize Theron and Tommy Lee Jones draw a lot of sympathy and they both arc well; and in ways we do not anticipate. This is the strong point of the film. 90/100 Did I like it: Yes, my sympathies for the characters and the mystery solving kept my interest. 70/100 Artistic merit: There are better films that deal with the effects of war on soldiers and their families, but looking at these issues in a criminal investigation is a different approach. 70/100 Total score 70/100

Wuchak Released in 2007 and directed & written by Paul Haggis, "In the Valley of Elah" is a crime drama/mystery inspired by the real-life case of Richard T. Davis. The story revolves around an elderly Tennessee couple (Tommy Lee Jones & Susan Sarandon) who get word that their son has gone missing from his base in New Mexico shortly after his return from Iraq. A retired military investigator, Hank Deerfield (Jones) goes to the base to find out the awful truth. Charlize Theron plays the civilian detective near the base who tries to help Hank while Jason Patric plays the Army counterpart. Josh Brolin is on hand as the town police chief. This is a slow-burn mystery highlighted by great acting by the principles, especially Jones, and a thoroughly realistic story, which isn't surprising seeing as how it's based on true events. Speaking of which, I was surprised to find out that the basic details of the story are all accurate. The actual events took place in the Fort Benning area of Georgia rather than the fictitious Fort Rudd, NM.The movie's not anti-Iraq War, but rather anti-PTSD; it merely reveals the awful truth about war in general: When we send our young men off to far-off lands where brutal warfare is normal they can bring that desensitized mentality back with them where the barbaric behavior that might be acceptable in war is anything but normal or conducive to a successful life, to say the least. Add the idiocy of alcohol abuse to the mix of PTSD and the results almost certainly WON'T be good. The title refers to the valley where David, as a teen, fought and defeated the utterly intimidating Goliath from 1 Samuel 17. ADDITIONAL ACTORS: James Franco, Wes Chatham, Jake McLaughlin, Mehcad Brooks and Roman Arabia play soldiers who knew Deerfield's son while Frances Fisher has a curious cameo (you'll know what I mean).The film runs 121 minutes and was shot in Whiteville, Tennessee, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, with Morocco substituting for Iraq.GRADE: B

g-bodyl Unlike many films based around the Iraqi War, In the Valley of Elah is not really a political-based movie at all and is more of a thorough murder mystery. If one doesn't pay enough attention, people may view the film as pacifist or anti-military. But on a closer look, this film is a fascinating study on the human condition of soldiers as they return to the homefront after a brutal war. In that aspect, this film is emotional as any and perhaps this will bring light to everyone's eyes. As the film itself, it is incredibly well-made and the acting is fantastic starting with the ever-great Tommy Lee Jones.Paul Haggis, the director known for 2005's Best Picture Winner Crash, directs a film about a Vietnam veteran named Hank Greenfield who finds out his son has returned from overseas, but has not been home yet. When Hank goes out to search for his son, he uncovers something much more than he had bargained for.The acting is excellent. The film plays to the strength of Tommy Lee Jones's personality. A grumpy man who rarely smiles and as always, Jones blasts his performance out of the water. Charlize Theron does a good job as the cop who is working alongside Jones. Susan Sarandon is great as the grieving wife of Jones. We also have some good cameos by James Franco and Josh Brolin.Overall, In the Valley of Elah is a smart, well-scripted drama/mystery film. It may seen anti-war at first, but it's just a study on the psychological mess soldiers suffer. It's not propaganda, it's just the truth. I understood what Haggis was trying to say, unlike many people who take the message out of proportion. It's very powerful and it will pack a heavy punch with your emotions, so be prepared. It's not for light-viewing, but it uses a powerful story to deliver the message. I rate this film 10/10.

indigoikarus The film has the core qualities of a good movie: Good story/plot, good actors and acting, nice directing/shooting of the story etc. - Yet what unfortunately slowly kills the overall enjoyment of the otherwise good movie is the Extremely Slow Pace, by which you have to be very, very patient in general to not let this bother you. It simply drags down the movie by taking So Much Time to move the story along.While I do appreciate the gradual and patient character development, as well as the mature and slow unfolding of the story - allowing for a greater appreciation of the actual feelings and considerations of the characters - I do feel that the director Paul Haggis has slowed it Too much down unfortunately - for me anyway. But if you do like crime and mystery stories in general, it's not a bad movie, just very slow paced.