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| Charlie Wilson's War (Full Screen) | 
 enlarge | Actors: Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Brian Markinson, Shiri Appleby
Studio: Universal Studios
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.98
Buy New: $1.99
You Save: $27.99 (93%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $1.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  (142 reviews)
Sales Rank: 13867
Format: Ac-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Subtitled, Ntsc
Languages: Arabic (Original Language), English (Original Language), Russian (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 102 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: MCAD61100565D
UPC: 025195004831
EAN: 0025195004831
ASIN: B0013XZ2QA
Release Date: April 22, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Great movie - even from a Russian's point of view :-) April 9, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
The studio decided not to distribute the movie in Russia. Official explanation was that it was not financially feasible (apparently, because the Russians are showed as bloodthirsty villains). Nonetheless, I think it is a great satire movie, showing how the States bred their current enemy, the Islam fundamentalists. Of course, I hate to see how Russian are presented as seemingly liking killing innocent people. I know several Afghan veterans and I don't believe that they liked being sent to a war. Neither do I believe that killing civilians was a normal thing, as the brief shots of fighting suggest.
However, the point is that the Americans do not learn by others' mistakes. We, the Russians, showed to the world what fighting Muslims can turn into (Afghanistan, Chechnya) (let's leave the reasons for those wars beyond the scope of this review). Overall, a really enjoyable movie thanks to the cast, performance and directing, but one which will provoke you thinking.
An Eye Opener April 7, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I knew next to nothing about the events depicted in this film prior to watching it. It is a real eye opener. Charlie Wilson's War is based on a true story. It is proof that, in this country at least, one caring, determined man can make a difference to the world.
This is a fast paced story, based on real events of the early 1980s. Essentially, Texas' colorful 2nd District US Congressman, in just 7 years, enables Afghanistan to be the first country to defeat the Russian Army, signaling the beginning of the end of the Cold War.
This film has an outstanding cast, all of whom deliver strong, believable performances. Tom Hanks is true standout, playing Charlie Wilson to a tee, depicting him in full-blown real life with all of his flaws and foibles, as well as his patriotism, big heart, determination, and guts. Julia Roberts is excellent as a wealthy Texas society woman who is used to getting what she wants. Philip Seymour Hoffman truly amazing as the CIA agent on Charlie's side. His comic timing is superlative, making you laugh out loud. Amy Adams is beautiful as always as Wilson's much put upon administrative aide. The entire supporting cast is top notch.
The script is just plain fantastic. It teaches us as well as being extremely entertaining. The dialogue is interesting and witty, and it rings true. The story is told with a host of emotions from plain amusement to sheer horror. The viewer becomes invested in this story and these people.
I highly recommend this film. You will enjoy it, and you will learn a little history.
 Shallow Pro-War, Kill-The-Ruskies Propaganda April 5, 2008
6 out of 39 found this review helpful
This is a film John Wayne would have loved. If your idea of fun is watching Russians being blown up, you'll have a good time. If you don't think war is the loftiest pursuit in which mankind can engage, this film may leave you feeling a little sick to your stomach.
 Good one, but a little odd April 3, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
I knew absolutely nothing about Charlie Wilson before sitting down to watch and review this film today. I assumed he was a real person and I was about to immerse myself in some biopic. I had no frame of reference whatsoever and couldn't even tell you what decade I was getting myself into. I just wanted to catch a good flick and here I found myself. I wonder if my uneducated background on Wilson's fight for the Afghan's in the 1980s allowed me to focus on the film itself without any expectations, and without those expectations and with very little information beyond the actual film, I didn't feel convinced. Hank's as Wilson wasn't bad as a character, and the film begins with a flashback from him receiving the top award a citizen can ever received as if this one event was his most successful in life. The film then flashes back to a buffoon of a congressman from Texas sitting in a hot tub in Vegas with a couple of strippers and some Cocaine, but by the end of the film the viewer's are supposed to believe Wilson's quasi-altruistic motives were genuine. I don't think I was convinced.
I've rarely agreed with critics praise for Hanks and usually cannot forget it's Tom Hanks playing an actor (Forrest Gump withstanding), and this film is exception. Hanks introduced as a womanizer, whiskey-guzzler from Texas was never forgotten by the viewer as he tramped around Afghanistan supposedly becoming affected by the warn torn (literally) children. But the only time I truly believed this was the purpose of Wilson's quest was when he continually mentioned it to any congressman who had money as his disposal.
A relatively elderly Ned Beatty looked withered and tired as if he were acting only for the check as a congressman dragged to Afghanistan with his wife. His performance was almost an afterthought that not even a Hilly Billy in West Virginia would remember, while Julia Robert's Texan was played with similar banality. Her billing over Phillip Seymour Hoffman felt like a credit writer's error.
And even though this film is up for a handful of Oscars and given Hoffman's natural talents, I would argue that the two shining stars in this film were Hoffman as a CIA agent who claimed he only helped Wilson because he had nothing better to do, and Amy Adams who's received more praise this year as a Disney princess thrust into the real world in Enchanted. Adams' as the congressman's administrative assistant finds herself in several questionable and not-so-questionable situations in the film from being surrounded by large breasted, small brained women working in Wilson's office to traipsing about the Middle East with him. She added a sense of genuine dramatic artistry to the film, while Hoffman's agent plays Hoffman as a relatively clandestine character as he so naturally and enjoyably does. So enjoyable he's up for Best Supporting Actor in a tight race that's focusing on Hal Holbrook's 82 year-old under dog fighting against the larger than life Javier Bardem. But of the two, Adams' steals the scene of supporting talent while finishing Julia Robert's Joann's martini while sitting with her two greyhounds while Hanks and Roberts strategically and sexually prepare to fund Charlie Wilson's War.
Charlie and Gust... February 24, 2008
It is amazing what can be accomplished when you take the committees and big mouth politicians out of the problem and give it to a few who know their business to resolve. This movie is an absolutely perfect example of what makes a GREAT film. First, it is based on a true story. Second, the character casting was perfect. Tom Hanks is exceptional in his role as Texan congressman and his accent blends perfectly, not over done. Julie Roberts plays her role beautifully as a blue-blood, wealthy women who is used to getting her way and being obeyed. I think she has never play such a part before and it truly shows her talent. But, the real gem is Philip Hoffman who plays the non-typical CIA agent. Hoffman should definitely receive `Best Supporting Actor' in my humble opinion. Third, the script is fantastic with constant witty dialog and moves you right along and you find yourself extremely interested, fascinated and smiling the entire time. I have now seen this movie 3 times and I am sure I will view it again and again and again as I can't seem to get enough of it. Wonderful film! Absolutely wonderful...and true. What especially is disturbing is the last 10 minutes...Charlie and Gust both knew what needed to be done to completed the '...end game.' But, of course, what committee or politician would listen to people who really know the problem and how to actually resolve it. Sad but true...
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