Slaget om Finland Tali-Ihantala 1944

I watched the second Åke Lindman directed movie about Finland during WWII. This movie depicts the events leading up to the biggest battle in Scandinavia during the second world war. The battle at Tali-Ihantala in the summer of 1944. Finland managed to stave off the Red Army's attack on the Karelian Isthmus. It was a heroic battle regardless of the political disputes. If looked upon as David against Goliath it showed why my admiration for Finland is still so great to this day. Finland found itself on the wrong side of the good people at the end of the war, many say Finland had no options but using Hitler. Regardless, Finland kept it's freedom somewhat intact during the cold war and Soviets domination of Eastern Europe.

The movie itself is not as good as the previous Åke Lindman movie about the winter war. It is lacking in plot and the battle scenes are not as good. Budgetary problems maybe. Even so, it's a movie worth seeing for anyone with an interest in world war II.

Not doing much

I have been on the lazy side when it comes to outdoor pursuits. I have been waiting on colder temps and I guess they are finally here. I don't have that excuse anymore. I'm going to Elkmont to camp on October 4. I'm supposed to camp with a coworker. We are planning on hiking upstream to do some fishing.

I have been contemplating a camping trip up to north east of TN but since we haven't gotten any rain I don't know if it's worth it. I might do a tail water run instead.

I have finished reading a book by one of my favorite authors from Finland " Arto Paasilinna". He is not widely known in the U.S. I think his most famous work which is translated in to the English language is The Year of the Hare. It was a good book and was also made in to a movie in 1977 I think. This later book which I read in a Swedish translation "Snablar" wasn't that good. In fact it was the first of his many books I didn't really like.

I watched a movie with my wife last night. "Married Life " with Chris Cooper and Patricia Clarkson. I love Chris but he couldn't save this movie. It was a bore. I have also seen one Finnish movie by Auki Kaurasmaki who is somewhat of a cult director in Finland. The movie named "Lights in the dusk" in Finnish was very bleak and dull. It takes a lot for me to like a movie nowadays. I'm eagerly waiting on Ed Harris's new movie "Appaloosa" and the new Bond. Hopefully they won't disappoint. Until then I will remain.