...For great movies, that's what. Whether you love the old Hollywood propaganda films about killing the Reds and/or Gerry's, or love the cheesy fun of Stripes, one thing that is as constant in this world as war is the inevitablility that LA will churn out some heart pounding war movies every few years. I rarely write anymore about my time in the army, but having just completed Generation Kill, in my opinion one of the best collections of the authenticity of war, or what I went through in Iraq anyway, I present my list. Now I need to tell you that while I love many war movies, I only have room for 9 on this list. These movies best represent what I went through in the army and while in combat. Reminder, Band of Brothers, another favorite of mine, is a series, not a singular movie. So, with that, I call now to order, my top nine war movies.

How can Patton be number nine on my list? Well, I wasn't in World War II. Plus, I wasn't allowed to make my own uniform and walk around slapping my subordinates, though I wanted to. But it has arguably one of the most memorable openings of any movie, any genre and it just a kick ass movie about a great leader who helped put the Germans on their heels and ultimately open doors for us in Africa and Europe. George C. Scott was tremendous and won the best actor Oscar that year while Patton took home best picture. Bonus points for its iconic music which was lifted for the Police Academy movies.

I had the Great Escape on my list, as well as Empire of the Sun, two movies that for me tell tales about survival in different ways. Enemy at the Gates, based on a true story of a Soviet sniper who's heroic feats with his rifle helped an entire nation's hope survive during a time when the fall of Stalingrad meant the fall of their country, is one of those movies that snuck up on you and kept you thinking about one man's difference long after you left the theater. This movie helped propel Jude Law to movie star status and re-affirmed Ed Harris as a Hollywood bad ass. And yes, that's a pre-Hellboy Ron Pearlman with the shiny grill.

You'd be surprised by how many people don't know that the television series was a spin-off of this movie. You'd also be surprised by th enumber of people who wouldn't believe how true to real life MASHactually is. Though set during the Korean War at a mobile hospital camp, the movie and the series was actually a commentary against the Vietnam War. The surgeons, nurses, and staff were a bunch of cut-ups, pun intended, and spent their down time doing whatever they could to de-stress. MASH introduced us to Hawkeye, Trapper, Radar, and Hot Lips and kept America at attention for a decade on television.

Most of my picks on this list have the commen theme of brotherhood. Afterall, one of the first things you learn in the army is that the only people you can count on are the men on your left and right. Glory, another movie based on a true story, is all about brotherhgood. Matthew Broderickas the young Union Colonel who leads the first black regiment during the Civil War, is outstanding tale of courage, loyalty, and facing your fears. The movie doesn't shy away from racism, it embraces it to help mold the characters and give the audience a sense of what each character in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment was going through, black or white. This movie is often overlooked but you'd do well to remember that it won three Oscars, including Best Cinematography and Best Supporting Actor for some guy named Denzel Washington. If you've seen Glory you'll never forget the scene that won Denzel the Oscar.

What!? Those movies aren't about war. No? Then I direct you to dictionary.com because war is defined as: a conflict carried on by force of arms, as between nations or between parties within a nation; warfare, as by land, sea, or air. Take away the Mob and you still have a movie about family bonds, sacrifice, and plenty of warfare. From the Godfather we learned some very important lessons, like cannolis are more important than guns, keep your friends close but your enemies closer, and most importantly, never go against the family. I like part 2 better than 1, only because it spells some things out, but they are both classic movies in every sense. Oh, by the way, director Francis Ford Coppola knows a thing or two about war; he wrote Patton and did a little film called Apocalyspe Now.

No one would ever pick Victory for a best of war list. Except me. I told you at the beginning my list is comprised of movies that best define my time in the army. For 16 months I served in Iraq, and trust me when I say this, I played plenty of soccer in that country. Victory is set during WWII at an Ally POW camp. Michael Caine leads a bunch of friendlies in a friendly against Za Germans in occupied France. Made up of actual former pro-footballers (soccer players), the team prepares to win the game while planning their eventual escape. Sylvester Stallone starred as Hutch, the goal keeper, between filming Rocky II and III. And soccer legend Pele not only plays a part, but steals the show with his signature bicycle kick.

The movie that made R. Lee Ermey a star. Set during Vietnam, STanley Kubrick takes us on an adventure following the new Marine recruits from Basic Training to the streets of Saigon. Ermey as the foul-mouthed drill instructor, and of course, "Private 'Fuck Up' Pyle," (Law and Order's Vincent D'onofrio) who is teased and teased until he can't take it anymore. The movie is long on leadership, blood, guts, bigotry, and short on patience for the weak. Matthew Modine hitched his star to his role as "Joker" for as long as he could, but the movie ultimately lives on for its graphic violence and telling of one of America's worst wars.

From General Hal Moore and journalist Joe Galloway's book, We Were Soldiers Once...and Young, the movie is yet another told of America's chapter in Vietnam. Mel Gibson, as Moore, leads the 7th Cavalry Regiment, the first version of the Air Cavalry, into the Battle of Ia Drang, while Barry Pepper stars as the young and courageous/naive Galloway. The movie will be remembered for the bitter combat action, topped by the unprecedented danger-close air strike that Moore calls in. But for me it is that much more because of the small-unit leadership and courage the young sergeants and lieutenants display...plus I met Gen Moore and have emails from Mr. Galloway as inspiration.

Of note, I was going to put Good Morning Vietnam on the list, but ran out of room. For everything that movie is in terms of insubordination and shananigans by military personnel from top to bottom, I love it for its realism and heart. But now my number one pic:

Of course he picks that. Yep. Of course I do. From the opening scene to the denouement, Stephen Speilberg had the balls to tell a story about war and inlcuded all the things that nobody wanted to talk about. Bullshit orders. Bullshit mission - a small combat effective group goes blindly after a lone surviving brother whose three other brothers are killed during WWII. Incompetent and scared soldiers. Risking everything for the unknown. I loved it in 1998 and was appalled when Shakespeare in Love took home the Best Picture. However, it wasn't until I served that I was able to fully appreciate the movie, the story, the mission, and the actual acts of my grandfather and the heroes he served with. The direction was brilliant, and there wasn't a bad acting job across the board. Saving Private Ryan defines sacrifice above self and forges the bond of brotherhood like few other movies have. You'll never forget the opening battle and you'll never forget this movie.