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Topic: Taking Chance - HBO Original Movie

Bobby Henderson
"Ask me about Trajan."

Posts: 10973
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 02-22-2009 03:17 AM

I just wanted to put in a recommendation for anyone with a subscription to HBO on cable or satellite to watch Taking Chance. It's a emotionally moving story about a Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel who volunteered to escort the remains of a fallen Marine to his final resting place.

This short, 77 minute movie tells a story no one really sees when it comes to the cost of war. The American people don't get any credit for giving a damn what happens to the fallen of our fighting forces. This made for HBO movie shows the reality is a bit different. We do realize young men not a few steps out of just being kids are putting their necks out on the line and even making the ultimate sacrifice. This show provides some background on how those men are honored.

I have to admit I am a bit biased toward being pretty sympathetic to nature of this story. My father is a retired Marine officer. I'm very familiar with the culture of the Marine Corps. Marines take it very seriously when a brother Marine has fallen. And that seriousness extends across all branches of the armed services -which is illustrated in this movie.

A week ago I attended the funeral for the father of an ex-girlfriend. The father was a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer. He served two tours in Vietnam and was even on the tail end of the campaign in Korea. When the Navy Honor Guard did their thing with the flag and the 21 gun salute I couldn't help but get choked up with tears over it. The Lord only knows how I'm going to behave if I live long enough to see my father buried with military honors.

It's a bit different when a Soldier, Marine, Sailor or Airman falls in combat. We see a fair bit of that here in Lawton with Fort Sill being so close. On the other hand, a good number of people do a lot for the fellows who come home still alive and in one piece.

I think it would be good if someone could make a companion movie or short subject piece to Taking Chance that spotlighted the story of people like those who visit Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to welcome home and applaud troops coming home and waiting for connecting flights. I've personally seen how a soldier exhausted from jet lag can light up when complete strangers are giving him a pat on the back and a welcome home. It gives someone who hasn't slept since he was in Germany quite a second wind.

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Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!

Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 02-22-2009 09:04 AM

Yes, this is an excellent movie. I was fortunate to do two premieres for it (on film, no less)...one at the MPAA in DC with a lot of brass in the audience and then again the following night at Qunatico for about 2000 Marines, including folks the film is based on.

One part of of the movie I'm curious about is with the TSA official. Was it put in for drama? One would think that a policy regarding Military escorts would have been issued to all TSA officials regarding what the escort will and won't do. It seems like everyone else in the airport is very clued in except for TSA.

One thing that is done at Nationals games (Baseball for those that don't follow the sport) is to recognize the military in each and every game. They are also often seated in some of the most prime seats (by some) right behind the screen. They normally get a standing ovation by the entire stadium.

Steve

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Claude S. Ayakawa
Film God

Posts: 2738
From: Waipahu, Hawaii, USA
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 02-22-2009 03:05 PM

TAKING CHANCE sounds like a movie I would like to watch and will do when it is released on DVD and possibly Blu Ray. I used to subscribe to HBO but because I have only enough time to watch DVDs & Blu Ray from my Blockbuster membership and the one ones I buy, I decided to cancel my subscription. I am glad I did because watching HBO shows on a DVD is better because I can enjoy them with 5.1 surround sound and watch as much as I want at a time. JOHN ADAMS was one of the HBO show I had enjoyed as well as many others on discs. TAKING CHANCE will be available on DVD on May 19th and I will either rent or buy it.

-Claude

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Bobby Henderson
"Ask me about Trajan."

Posts: 10973
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Registered: Apr 2001

posted 02-22-2009 04:01 PM

Unfortunately HBO drags its feet when it comes to releasing season box sets of their original shows on Blu-ray format.

For instance, no release dates have been set at this point for a Blu-ray versions of John Adams, Generation Kill, Big Love, Deadwood and a number of other series, mini-series or original movies shown in high definition.

It appears the only HBO shows available on Blu-ray are the Band of Brothers mini series, and season 6 of The Sopranos (which is split in half across two separately sold box sets). Season 1 of True Blood has a May 19 release date.

There's no telling when/if Taking Chance will arrive on Blu-ray. For now I have it recorded on my DVR.

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Phil Hill
I love my cootie bug

Posts: 7595
From: Hollywood, CA USA
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 02-22-2009 04:15 PM

This IS an excellent film and it's on HBO several times this coming week.

Do a Google search and you'll find several sites that document the actual events and comments from those that knew and served with Chance Phelps.

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