Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Jarhead (2005)

What is it about? 

Based on the book written by former Marine, Anthony Swofford, which recounts his military experience in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. 

Who is in it?

Jake Gyllenhall - Anthony Swofford

Jamie Foxx - Staff Seargent Sykes

Favorite Scene: 

After finally getting a mission to take out the opposition, the two snipers get the clearance to pull the trigger up until the last minute when they are told to abort the mission. Troy then loses it inside the tower after all of the pressure and mental fatigue from the deployment. 

Favorite Quote: 

"A story. A man fires a rifle for many years. and he goes to war. And afterwards he comes home, and he sees that whatever else he may do with his life - build a house, love a woman, change his son's diaper - he will always remain a jarhead. And all the jarheads killing and dying, they will always be me. We are still in the desert."

Review: 

Jarhead is not your typical rah-rah war film with heroes, enemies, the overcoming-the-odds plot, and some tragedy thrown in. Ironically, Jarhead wraps all of those usual elements about war movies and gives them to you in the characters all on the same side. 

Jarhead is a great film that gives a realistic look during combat times and allows the viewer in on authentic Marines life. Most of all, the film, based on real-life Anthony Swafford's memoirs, does a fantastic job of exposing and expounding on the internal hardships that marines go through in their deployment. Self-worth, sanity, relationships, and the usual causes of PTSD. All of it is touched on in Jarhead.

With a great book to base the film off, Jake Gyllenhall and Jamie Foxx really delivered spectacular performances in the film. 

All in all, Jarhead is a highly regarded film that is more than just entertaining - it's highly enlightening. 

Grade: 4/5

Recently Read

Quick Ponder: Parental Reverance

Are these the moments of hard work and sacrifice, in front of my kids, that I hold my parents in reverence for? 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 1/12/25

3 Up 1. California Fire Fighters - From nearby and even across international borders (some even imprisoned), a lot has to be offered to the firefighters who made their way to Southern California this week to help control this massive natural disaster.  2. Human Spirit - People who opened their homes to others. Businesses that provided free services and assistance. The outpouring of donations and so much more. People can be awesome at times.  3. Medical Debt - This seems like a pretty big deal, no?! Why should your health and the needs for your care affect your credit score?  3 Down 1. California Wildfires - Awful. There's not much you can place into words here that would capture so many people losing their homes, their lives, and everything. 2. Politicized Wildfires - As much as the human spirit took center stage, of course, we gotta make things political in this nation. Because, you know, there's an opportunity to do so.  3. Extreme Weather - There's just a whole l...

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Rio (2011)

What is it about?  Blu, a domesticated macaw bird from Minnesota is off to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in order to save his species by meeting, an independent macaw, Jewel. After meeting, the two embark on an adventure to reconnect with Blu's owner, but end up having an adventure that will change their lives.  Who is in it?  Jesse Eisenberg - Blu Anne Hathaway - Jewel George Lopez - Rafael