I was used as an extra in the movie as a soldier in the Army Reserve, many Soldiers from my unit were used for the movie during shooting at Lambert Airport in St Louis. It was very interesting to see what goes on into the making of a film. Between takes and such, I was able to chat with Robbins, Pena, and McAdams....yummy :). I would say that the filming went pretty well, but all things take time with that many players in the room. Staff and even the director were very down to earth and did not see any snobbyness from Hollywood types you would expect. Hell, I even made a suggestion to the director and the did a reshoot because of it. Couple funny moments: After seeing many extras that were not military with their patches and such on their uniforms all screwed up, I got to talk with the wardrobe director and they put me on "fix the uniforms" detail, Pena and I running into each other during a shoot and laughing our butts off about it, asking Pena if he was going to shave off his goatee before shooting a scene in uniform...he laughed it off, Robbins ribbed him a bit and we all waited while he went and shaved.Overall, a really interesting experience and kind of creepy to see yourself and others you know on a big screen movie theater. I am quite visible during 2 scenes

Three Iraq vets are back in the States. Sgt T.K. Poole (Michael Pena) is going home to his fiancée in Vegas. Pvt Colee Dunn (Rachel McAdams) is returning her boyfriend's guitar to his family in Vegas. Sgt Fred Cheever (Tim Robbins) is retired and going home to his wife in St. Louis. The three are stranded at JFK Airport and they rent a minivan for a road trip.Rachel McAdams is oddly funny. In fact, all three actors do a good job. They have great chemistry together. It's like a three way boxing match. They fight, they laugh, they cry, and they hug. We have three solid actors doing some pretty interesting gymnastics.A lot of things happen on this trip. Some of it is too out there. Let's just say the tornado is a little too much.

Three stars given strictly for three wonderfully talented actors - McAdams, Pena, Robbins - who, regrettably, had zero opportunity to display such talent in this turkey. Not to malign turkeys.As for the rest of the cast? They all "acted" like they had something better to do...which, in the case of this flick, they probably did. Regardless, for the simple fact of being paid, one should give more than a listless performance. Hey, maybe another three stars for "phoning it in."Writing: inane drivel. Directing: lacklustre at best. Most annoying: the constant "You OK? You OK?" filler dialogue. Film could have been good. Wasn't. IMO.

See this film."The Lucky Ones" (2008) is a true hidden gem. I wasn't expecting much when I put the DVD in my player but before too long I knew I had stumbled on to something great.THE PLOT: Three soldiers coming back from Iraq meet at JFK in NY where all flights are delayed due to a blackout. One soldier is older and getting out of the Army for good (Timothy Robbins), one has a serious groin injury and is trying to heal-up (Michael Pena) and the other is on leave to visit the family of a dead comrade (Rachel McAdams). They end up in a rental vehicle traveling across the country where they experience many sides of American culture and each other's deepest secrets, hopes and pains.All three stars have great chemistry and Rachel McAdams (who I've never seen in a movie before) is a total revelation as Colee. Although Colee isn't highly educated she's not dumb. In fact, she excels socially and is the catalyst to hope and healing for the other two. A more beautiful, spunky, stimulating woman could hardly be found! Both Timothy Robbins as Cheaver and Michael Pena as TK shine in their roles as well. Cheaver becomes the necessary father-figure in the trio and the others become increasingly concerned about the well-being of their temporary "dad." The film features a good balance of Eastern and Western locations, shot in Illinois, Missouri, Colorado and Las Vegas.FINAL WORD: I don't want to say anymore. If what I said perks your interest, be sure to check out "The Lucky Ones." RUNTIME: 115 minutesGRADE: A