Cigarette Soup

The movie is certainly not for everyone. If you are not a patient individual, or dislike found-footge movies, this is not for you. It takes it's time to give the characters 'life' through interviews-which at times are awkward. A few moments make you go "what are they doing?". But if you stick through to the end, you will be left with a few good memories.

Felt connected to the characters, especially how down to earth and human they all really were. Soldiers taking a bad situation to band together. Everyday heroes.

Unconvincing and rather tedious. The characters and their reactions to situations were hackneyed, and the acting and script often poor. Quite simply, I could not believe I was watching armed forces in operation.

This is one to avoid. If you want quality drama about embedded journalists on the modern battlefront, watch the HBO mini-series 'Generation Kill'.

Like most 'found footage' films Cigarette Soup has performances that feel rough and somewhat amateurish. In addition, it tends toward 'preachy' dialogue about some very well worn topics. But, if you find yourself a little stuck in 'watch' mode then pay attention: there are some moments that will simply shock you in a way that will form some new, unpleasant, sticky memories very few low budget war dramas manage to do. Cigarette Soup is worth a try. If you begin it and find that you are losing patience or interest then feel free to turn it off. But, if you keep going you will be deep in vivid thoughts by the end.

Not sure what the story is supposed to be about. The acting from the first party was very unconvincing. Most of the action is predictable and even the "interviews" don't tell a real story. Doesn't anyone in this army drink water? The uniforms are missing many things, real (looking)body armor, units that keep changing, no one carries ammunition, radios, any military equipment. When there is no story to follow, it is too easy to tear it apart.