She Who Waits

"They also serve who only stand and wait." - John Milton

Movies etc.

Can you watch movies about war? Does the time frame of either the film or your loved one's deployment schedule make a difference?

I ordered The War Tapes during his deployment in '06 and could never watch it. It's still in the wrapper, actually. I made the mistake of watching We Were Soldiers during that deployment and just couldn't bring myself to watch a documentary about the current war, where someone I loved was currently fighting.

DH really wanted to watch Generation Kill on HBO. I know I can sometimes react badly to things like this (I couldn't watch Baghdad ER either), but the first episode wasn't too bad at all.

We turned on the second episode in bed last night and I decided that I wasn't going to watch any more of them. The imagery, however hollywood-ized, was just too vivid for me. While I laughed at several points, I found myself picturing him there during that time frame (he was in the invasion) as well as visualizing future deployments. I fought back the tears and snuggled closer to DH, incredibly grateful he was there, but told him that I was done watching the series. It's hard enough trying to battle the worry without the mental videos playing too.

Posted Under Day to Day, Deployment, Military on 07.22.2008

9 comments

Comment from: dar [Visitor] Email · http://d-and-z.blogspot.com
Nope, I can't do it either. It just hits way too close to home, whether it is something current like Generation Kill or something older like Blackhawk Down, Saving Private Ryan or We Were Soldiers.

Maybe one of these days, when we are no longer in the military!
07/22/08 @ 14:37
Comment from: Sara V. [Visitor] Email · http://saravido.blogspot.com
Can't do it. Well, one I did watch that is definitely the best movie I've seen in a while is Lions for Lambs. It made me cry quite a lot but it gave a fresh perspective. One that reflected young basketball stars purposely quitting college to achieve something above themselves. It showed people who doubt the war arguing intelligently with those who make the policies. But none of the typical arguments you hear nowadays. It was a unique movie and has a place in my home. But other movies? Mark had me watch Blackhawk down right before the deployment and I thought it was a terrible idea. I can hardly even watch sitcoms that have episodes about Iraq and a soldier.
07/22/08 @ 15:02
Comment from: Lacey [Visitor] Email
I kinda wanted to watch JarHead, but I can't bring myself to do it.
07/22/08 @ 15:29
Comment from: Sara V. [Visitor] Email · http://saravido.blogspot.com
Lacey, watch JarHead. To me it was far more a comedy than anything else. I don't know if anyone agrees with me but I remember laughing maniacly through most of it.
07/22/08 @ 15:55
Comment from: Keritsubo [Visitor] Email · http://amusingrapture.blogspot.com
I cannot watch newer stuff, even though I do not have any one close currently deployed. Our two closest friends have both finished their contract. The one I believe is still a reservist possibly. But the ones set in more recent times I have trouble watching. I feel like I honor the struggles of past soldiers when I watch those set in older conflicts. WWII, Vietnam and the like are still disturbing but seem at least a bit distant enough that I can watch. Any tears or heartache I have is in memorial to those brave men.
07/22/08 @ 16:21
Comment from: BabyGirl [Visitor] Email
I generally avoided "war" movies while DF was away but "Home Of The Brave" was one I just couldn't wait for. I told him about it and he told me to wait... it sounded like it might be rough. I waited as long as I could stand and watched it the day he left the Sandbox. I laughed through parts, shook my head in complete agreement in parts and cried as though my heart was breaking in parts... overall, a REALLY good movie. I couldn't have watched it without knowing he was on his way back to my arms though.

As for Generation Kill, Baghdad ER, etc... can't do 'em, no way no how. I know better than to even try. I'm still in the really REALLY grateful that he's here with me, where he belongs stage.
07/23/08 @ 20:38
Comment from: Tonya [Visitor] Email · http://tsquest.blogspot.com
While I have interest in what he's doing and what its like, a HUGE part of me feels better for not knowing. Even my soldier rarely talks about what its like over there. I'd prefer the high points for now and maybe, when he's retired, I can sit down and watch a movie or two. But I'm still pretty sure I'd cry.
07/23/08 @ 23:09
Comment from: Just a Girl in a Port [Visitor] Email · http://www.kitchencombat.blogspot.com/
This is the second blog post by someone I've read on this show today. I've never even heard of it before. I'm intrigued.
07/24/08 @ 21:50
Comment from: azzy [Visitor] Email · http://www.beingazzy.blogspot.com
I have a hard time watching any of these shows. My husband and I were at the movies just before he deployed when the commercial for "Carriers" on PBS came on the screen. I was fine until they showed the men calling home to their pregnant wives and dad's walking off the ship to their new children... It hit to close to home. He left 2 weeks later on his ship and our first child was born 1 month into a 6 month deployment...

And now I can't watch anything where I child is harmed...
08/21/08 @ 19:30

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