Also caught the new Tina Fey wartime correspondent drama/comedy Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Wasn’t sure what to think going into this movie but its certainly more of a drama (with light romance) than a comedy, though it can be quite funny. This is largely the true story of a newspaper reporter promoted to on-screen talent, sent to Afghanistan during the wind-up to the Iraq war. The news agency needs warm bodies to keep the Afghan story going while everyone else is focused on Iraq.

I lightly enjoyed this movie. It’s not very fast paced and some moments drag but I appreciate the tone and perspective it had. It is kind of good this movie exists – a mature movie about the war over there that focuses on the daily lives of the reporters. There are heightened moments but largely it just tells the story of the reporters doing their job.

It is less of a comedy than the trailers suggest, though there are some good inventive laughs along the way. But don’t be fooled – going in thinking its a laugh-a-minute would be a mistake.

Tina Fey did a very good for someone who says she isn’t much of an actor. Billy Bob Thornton plays a nicely believable hard-ass marine officer who isn’t as hard-ass as he seems. Margot Robbie makes for a good counterpoint to Tina Fey’s more reserved war correspondent. Martin Freeman is a lot of fun as a roguish Scottish reporter who is part-time antagonist, part-time romantic partner for Fey.

So, yeah, this movie may not be for everyone and it may be a little slow to sit through at the theaters but when it comes home, I certainly do recommend it (with a few reservations).

Score: 81