Year Released: 2014
Directed by: Angelina Jolie
Starring: Jack O’Connell, Takamasa Ishihara
(PG-13, 137 min.)
Genre: Drama
Inspring, Violent, Heartfelt

Brace for impact as we take off into the dive-bombing adventure of Louie Zamperini! This inspiring film, as well as 2014’s Fury, displays the gruesome hardships of war and battle.

Unbroken is motivational because our generation can no longer relate to those harsh times. Today many people fly planes for recreation. They have to worry about storms, turbulence, and mechanical failure. In World War II, you had to worry about all those things, too, but you were flying in combat! Your biggest peril was being shot down by enemy aircraft.

Louie Zapperini’s crew is lucky in a way. They don’t get shot down. It is simple mechanical failure that lands them in the ocean, where they have to survive on a raft for 47 days.

Another reason that this movie stands out from other war-based ones was that it is based on a true and unique story. Louie Zamperini is first a troublemaker who steals things, drinks liquor, and smokes cigarettes when he is only about 11 years old. His older brother straightens him out though. He tells Louie he can be a winning track runner is he works through the pain.

“If you can take it, you can make it.”

That advice not only inspires him to become an Olympic track runner, but it helps Louie through his 2 years of tortuous captivity in the hands of the Japanese. The worst is the horribly cruel camp commander they all call "The Bird." He chooses Louie to be the main subject of his abuse, one time making all Louie’s comrad prisoners punch him in the face.

Unbroken has brought out my true appreciation of what it took to gain our freedom. This is one movie you shouldn’t miss.

*A great follow up is Unbroken: Path to Redemption: Guy’s Fabulous Italian Style Chicken Dinner Recipe

This review was written by Peanut Gallery member Weston, who was only 8 years old at the time. He still loves to observe life. He has a wry sense of humor, and whether he has his nose buried in a book, or is dribbling on the basketball court, or studying at Texas A & M University, he is on top of the situation. Like his famous lefty basketball layups, Weston’s movie tips will score points with readers.

Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

On the life raft Louie and what is left of his crew live on raw fish and rain water, but he keeps their morale up by telling how his Italian mother made a potato pasta called Gnocchi from scratch. Maybe you can talk your mom into making this great Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup to keep you warm. The recipe is so easy, you might even be able to make it yourself.