I usually watch horror but sometimes I come across movies that feature real horrors. Philip Falcone movie Joe's War does that. It shows you the true horror of war and how it does not end when you go home. Michael Markiewicz portrayal of the titles charector Joe is award winning. He is supported by a very good cast but he outshined the bigger actors Ed Asner, Tom Sizemore, and Armand Assante. They have outstanding performances But Michael really shines. Joe recently returned home and has problems dealing with civilian life. What he sees and done while deployed is a living hell. It slowly takes its toll and destroys everything and everyone he loves. Most noteworthy his girlfriend and Uncle. PTSD is a problem for these young soldiers and this movie needs to be seen so everyone could understand and bring awareness to this mental disease. Philip Falcone is a movie maker to look for and hope this movie gets the recognition it deserves. It is available on Amazon.

I suppose its a good movie depicting the effects of PTSD, however, the cinematography, acting, music and depth of plot lets this movie down. Having watched this, I'm now inclined to watch The Deer Hunter (1978) again for the 100th time,it is with out a doubt the best film of its kind.

Joe (Michael Markiewicz) a home town hockey star comes home from the war and has trouble adjusting. He can't open up and drinks his life away. Eventually he sees a doctor.

PTSD is a sad thing. What is even sadder is when Hollywood can't respect those who serve with a decent film about it. Where did Joe serve? In the first half of the film it was Iraq, the second half Afghanistan. I guess it was all the same to Phil Falcone. The flashback scenes were not coherent. One time his buddies are being killed in a home to home search, in another scene they are killed by some Iraqistanis in blue jeans and sneakers. Armand Assante was a joke as a doctor, with his Mohawk comb over. In order to make the film seem like it had worth they kept playing the same sad piano riff over and over again. Couldn't afford a decent sound track after the Edward Asner/Tom Sizemore cameos.

This is part of a genre I call "PTSD exploitation films." You take a hot and sensitive topic and you make a quick and dirty film about it, hoping to cash in. The acting wasn't good. The flash backs lacked a coherent story. Joe hears and sees a helicopter at the airport and has a flashback...to what a helicopter? Nope. Playing poker. In fact you never see a helicopter in any flashback. So why did a helicopter trigger a poker game? Almost Ed Wood bad.

The film has some PTSD stats at the end to make you think you watched something meaningful.

Guide: F-word. Near sex. No nudity.