Only The Brave

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: February 17, 2006

DVD Release Date: November 10, 2009

Plot 411: During WWII, many Japanese Americans volunteered to fight for their country despite facing outright racism in many parts of the country. This is their story.

Review: This was a great portrayal of the lives of the men in the 100th/442nd regimental combat team in both civilian and military life. Starring Lane Nishikawa, Jason Scott Lee, Mark Dacascos, Yuji Okumoto, Tamlyn Tomita and Pat Morita, this film was set in France as they soldiers tried to save a stranded Texas unit that was surrounded by Germans. Through flashbacks, the audience gets a glimpse of what life was like for many of the soldiers. The use of Pidgin is highly entertaining and carried out pretty authentically for the most part. However, on occasion, it sounds forced. I think this has more to do with the actors' abilities than their grasp of the slangs. Movies like this are a necessity in a world that sometimes fails to recognize or remember its past. Lessons can be learned through past actions if only we pause to acknowledge them. It's quite sad that this film didn't get a wider release. It seems to have made the film festival rounds but was not picked up for a wide release.

Watch It: If you have relatives who perhaps were part of this elite group of men for a better understanding of what they may have gone through and why they may not talk about it.

Skip It: If you're already a history buff and perhaps have already done your research on this group of men. I'm not sure how accurate any of this is and it might set off warning lights in your mind if you're proficient in all the goings on.

American Pastime

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: May 13, 2007

DVD Release Date: May 22, 2007

Plot 411: The Nomura family is relocated from Los Angeles to Topaz Relocation Camp in Utah during World War II and finds comfort in baseball.

Review: This film is about the lives of Japanese Americans during WWII who were interned in camps because of the color of their skin. It follows the Nomura family from L.A. to Utah as they settle into barracks behind barbed wire fences. They face discrimination by society and by the military guards that oversee them. However, with their dignity in tact, they manage to form a life within the fences that is as close to normal as possible. Depsite the injustice they continue to hold their heads high and never complained about their situations. Aaron Yoo plays Lyle, the youngest son of Kaz (Masatoshi Nakamura) and Emi (Judy Ongg), who gave up a college athletic scholarship when the war broke out. He is angry and bitter and pulls away from his family, including his older brother Lane (Leonardo Nam). He finds comfort in the jazz music he plays and befriends Katie (Sarah Drew), the daughter of one of the guards (Gary Cole) and music teacher to the children.

Watch It: For a rare film that openly addresses the atrocities that happened on U.S. soil during WWII and manages to do it with dignity.

Skip It: If you're purely looking at it from a movie perspective. While the subject matter is compelling, the storytelling is weak. It wasn't as poignant and emotional as I think it could've been. With a topic like this, why not "go for broke?"