Plantiana Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

jss-12433 I was used as an extra in the movie as a soldier in the Army Reserve, many Soldiers from my unit were used for the movie during shooting at Lambert Airport in St Louis. It was very interesting to see what goes on into the making of a film. Between takes and such, I was able to chat with Robbins, Pena, and McAdams....yummy :). I would say that the filming went pretty well, but all things take time with that many players in the room. Staff and even the director were very down to earth and did not see any snobbyness from Hollywood types you would expect. Hell, I even made a suggestion to the director and the did a reshoot because of it. Couple funny moments: After seeing many extras that were not military with their patches and such on their uniforms all screwed up, I got to talk with the wardrobe director and they put me on "fix the uniforms" detail, Pena and I running into each other during a shoot and laughing our butts off about it, asking Pena if he was going to shave off his goatee before shooting a scene in uniform...he laughed it off, Robbins ribbed him a bit and we all waited while he went and shaved.Overall, a really interesting experience and kind of creepy to see yourself and others you know on a big screen movie theater. I am quite visible during 2 scenes

juneebuggy This was a great "slice-of-life" movie which joins three very different U.S. soldiers who find themselves on an unplanned road trip together. Michael Peña, Rachel McAdams and Tim Robbins arrive in New York from Germany only to find their connecting flights cancelled due to a power outage. Anxious to get to their destinations, they agree to share a rented minivan, subsequently forming a deep bond that may be the closest thing any of them has to real family.A bit slow moving but gets better as you slowly find out details about the characters lives. Some of the situations they find themselves in are a bit contrived but I still found myself invested in all three characters and laughed many times. I appreciated the immediate friendship and camaraderie they found together. Rachel McAdams was very good here.At the end I wanted more, and had the thought; and then what happened? Which to me is the sign of a good story. 02.13

Wuchak See this film."The Lucky Ones" (2008) is a true hidden gem. I wasn't expecting much when I put the DVD in my player but before too long I knew I had stumbled on to something great.THE PLOT: Three soldiers coming back from Iraq meet at JFK in NY where all flights are delayed due to a blackout. One soldier is older and getting out of the Army for good (Timothy Robbins), one has a serious groin injury and is trying to heal-up (Michael Pena) and the other is on leave to visit the family of a dead comrade (Rachel McAdams). They end up in a rental vehicle traveling across the country where they experience many sides of American culture and each other's deepest secrets, hopes and pains.All three stars have great chemistry and Rachel McAdams (who I've never seen in a movie before) is a total revelation as Colee. Although Colee isn't highly educated she's not dumb. In fact, she excels socially and is the catalyst to hope and healing for the other two. A more beautiful, spunky, stimulating woman could hardly be found! Both Timothy Robbins as Cheaver and Michael Pena as TK shine in their roles as well. Cheaver becomes the necessary father-figure in the trio and the others become increasingly concerned about the well-being of their temporary "dad." The film features a good balance of Eastern and Western locations, shot in Illinois, Missouri, Colorado and Las Vegas.FINAL WORD: I don't want to say anymore. If what I said perks your interest, be sure to check out "The Lucky Ones." RUNTIME: 115 minutesGRADE: A

TxMike The three main characters are totally different from each other. At a picnic they probably would have little to say to each other. But all three just arrived by plane in NY, from war, on 30-day Army leave, and are about to catch planes to their eventual destinations. But something happens, a regional power outage has caused flight delays and cancellations. So they end up unlikely companions on a road trip.They are "The Lucky Ones" , they are still alive.Tim Robbins is Sgt Fred Cheaver, actually getting out of the military and on his way home to St Louis. He rents the last available car and takes along the two other soldiers to share expenses and driving. They will catch planes from St Louis.Rachel McAdams is Colee Dunn, country girl, unsophisticated and unfiltered, she says whatever crosses her mind. She has been wounded in the leg and has a limp.Michael Peña is T.K. Poole. He was also wounded, but in an embarrassing place, his male private parts. Some of the funnier scenes occur when Colee tries to get him help for his (hopefully temporary) ED.The three actors are very good here and their interactions are interesting. I found myself wanting to own the DVD so that I can re-watch it periodically.UPDATE: I just watched it again after almost 2 months and enjoyed it as much the second time.SPOILERS: Cheaver arrives home to a standoff-ish wife, she has decided she will be happier single. At the same time their son announces he has been accepted at Stanford but needs $20,000 within 3 weeks to hold his place. Colee's boyfriend was killed and she is surprising the boy's parents by delivering his guitar to them in Las Vegas. The deceased soldier turns out to be a big fraud, with girlfriend and baby back home, and Colee gets to keep the guitar. Cheaver tries to win $20,000 in LV but fails, but re-inlists for the $20,000 bonus. They all end up back together, about to be shipped off to 3 separate fighting zones, not knowing if they ever will see each other again.