Memphis Belle (1990)
#36 on my Top 100 List
This is a highly-fictionalized version of the story of the real B-17 Bomber that was first to finish its tour of duty during WWII and return home. It includes Eric Stoltz before he created the Cylons, Sean Astin before he went to Middle Earth, and pre-Titanic Billy Zane (and as a side note - long live Titanic with its pure box office totals, unbloated by 3D or IMAX ticket prices!). It's interesting how they tell the story, showing the crew as they go on one final mission. The tiny crawlspaces on the plane become the setting, the fire of enemy fighters is a constant presense, and everyone but the two captains becomes a gunner, regardless of their other jobs (even the navigator and the radio operator). Then, once the mission is done, everything is unimportant in the face of returning home (even Mona - the beloved gun of Jack, the left waist gunner). David Strathairn is awesome, plus Harry Connick, Jr. sings! Also, this is the first place I heard the true meaning of SNAFU.
My Netflix rating: 5 stars
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