Flight

This film is probably one, if not the best, movie that I have seen on drug and alcohol addiction. The producers and writers absolutely pulled content and experience from real-life people. Denzel was amazing and portrayed his part in spectacular form. He's so handsome!! Flight touches on alcoholism, the lies, the lifestyle, the gambling, the drugs, the drug cover ups to get you "functional", dealers, finances, and the toll all of this can take on your family, mental, and physical health. It also shows real life consequences of employment impact as well. I do appreciate how things came full circle for the pilot in this film in that he suffered consequences not as a result of getting caught, but as a result of voluntarily coming clean.As someone who has lived with drug and alcohol addicted siblings and parents, I can say that so many of the events in the movie are true to life. It was hard to watch at times but so telling of how much people truly do suffer when a person has an addiction. The movie expertly blends the existence of functional alcoholic and functional drug addict to the forefront of the film. It shows that even a hero can be terribly flawed.I am a health professor and have played this movie multiple times for my students during our drug and alcohol unit. They all seem to very much appreciate the context of the film.

I really like Kelly Reilly, been following her career for several years and am impressed with her beauty and her talents. Denzel Washington is a very talented actor too, I remember him the first time I saw him in the late 1980, he has just gotten better and better over the years, he deserves all the awards he has received.Before I give my review, I have to say that I am an airplane buff, I know a few things about planes; so, naturally I am going to be drawn towards watching a movie about planes.This movie is actually not just about a plane, it is about humans, relationships, addictions, and healing. This movie depicts the best and worst in the human characteristics associated with addiction."Flight" is a movie that is based on a true story of Alaskan Airline's McDonnell-Douglas MD-80 crashed off the coast of Los Angeles in January 2000, 88 people were killed with no survivors. The mechanical problem on this plane was identical to what was depicted in this movie.This movie doesn't just reveal the truth about alcoholic pilots but also poor maintenance of airlines because it cost so much money to run an airline that corners have to be cut and most often that happens to the jobs that really matter.Did I like this movie? Yes. On a percentage scale, I would rate this movie 94% good quality in acting, screen play, and special effects.Did I have any issues with it? Yes. First, I thought the plane crashing and then suddenly stopping was too quick, a plane that size has to be flying over 100 mph that is around 48 yards per second, I would think the plane would have traveled much further after hitting the ground. I imagine this is artistic license taken by the director as a way of justifying the survival of so many passengers and the loss of so few. Second, the scene with Capt. Whitaker at the hotel, the unlocked hotel room door, and the fully stocked alcohol in the refrigerator was far too convenient, along with how quickly the drug dealer, John Goodman, arrived at the hotel to save the day; and again, I think this is taking some artistic license to help bring things to a climax, it adds tension and excitement to the plot. In reality, that's not what would have happened. But, I can forgive that only because I understand what "corners need to be cut"

It arrived safely, movie in good condition.

All the comments about nudity are silly. It's just a scene to set the tone for the reckless lifestyle the pilot is living. Besides, Nadine Velazquez is quite beautiful in that scene.There are so many, but here are a few of my favorite scenes:The lead up to the crash. "We're gonna roll it." Washington and Brian Geraghty were brilliant in that. Washington for his cool control and Geraghty for his aghast yet still maintaining professionalism and executing commands.Harling Mays enters the hospital ward. Classic modern day pusher. Bling, blending in. Seeing Goodman with Washington brought back memories of "Fallen." You hate that cocaine is what makes them "buddies" in Flight, yet there is something about their relationship that also feels good. You know they have each others back.The hospital stairway scene with Washington, Kelly Reilly and James Badge Dale were great in that unusual scene. Dale philosophizing as a dying man was really thought provoking. His insight into why they had "accidentally" converged in that stairwell proved to be key to the rest of what happened in the move.Washington pays unexpected visit to his ex wife's home. Great scene showing how a drunk no longer processes decorum properly. Washington thinks he is being a great dad in that scene, but has actually brought terror into that home. I almost felt sorry for Washington in that scene. I knew he was lost when I saw it. Of course, like a good alcoholic, seconds later he was giving a sentimental statement to the press that indeed garnered sympathy.All the scenes with Kelly Reilly. Great actress. The British actresses Georgia peach accent was awesome.The real fun was racking my brain trying to figure out who the heck she was. I nearly kicked over the table when "Caroline Bingley" popped into my brain. Yeah, she plays a fairly raunchy character in the beginning, but there is still something pure about her and that plays out well in the final scenes.Washington finds the stash of booze in the adjoining hotel suite. Like a lot of viewers, I really prayed on that one hoping he wouldn't mess up the effort at staying sober. The long focus on that lone tiny bottle of destruction and then his hand swooping in to grab it was great cinema.Washington with Reilly outside her new job. Really a nice, hopeful, scene, but when she mentions the AA meeting, you know things are about to go downhill.The hearing scene with "Miss Block." All the great men sitting there waiting for Washington to put them back in secure positions. The press waiting to confirm him a bona fide "hero" but his love and respect for all of the women in the movie, especially Trina, Nicole and Margaret, overcomes him and he decides it's "now or never." Again, I was left a bit dismayed thinking about all the effort that had gone into patching things up for him, but the overriding thought was that him taking himself out of the sky with lives in his hands at the controls of jet airplanes was the right thing to do, despite the appearance that that is not why he did it.Overall, a 5 star movie for me because it was just so very different than any movie I've ever seen. Very entertaining and thought provoking.