War Dogs 2016

     This film is based on a book written by David Packouz and on a true story.  David Packouz had been a massage therapist and then he bought high thread count sheets in bulk to sell to retirement homes.  He wasn’t doing very well with this business until he met Efraim Diveroli.  They knew each other in school and he learns from Efraim that they can make big money bidding on U.S. Military contracts.  They start to do very well for themselves until they get in over their heads.  They bid on a 300 million dollar deal to arm the Afghan Military.  They end up with very shady people and investigated by the U.S. Government.

     This is the classic tale of rags to riches and then a downfall.  In this case the riches are very rich and the downfall is very hard.  It seems as if David and Efraim had a play list of step by step what not to do.  They take everything very glibly but the odds of getting killed grow as they take more and more chances.  There is lots of swearing and language.  3* (This movie is OK) 

114 min, Comedy directed by Todd Phillips with Jonah Hill, Miles Teller, Steve Lantz, Gregg Weiner, David Packouz, Eddie Jemison, Julian Sergi, Daniel Berson, Edson Jean Daimion Johnson, Bethuel Fletcher, Ana De Armas.

Note:  Imdb 7.1 out of 10, 60% critic 70% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2*, Amazon 4.1* out of 5* with 1261 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Bucharest, Romania; Casablanca, Morocco; Amman, Jordan; El Centro and Burbank, California; Miami, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Atlanta, Georgia.  The singer performing at the Hilldale Retirement home is the real David Packouz.  The real Efraim Diveroli did not want to meet with Jonah Hill.  The original title was Arms and the Dudes after the title of Packouz's book.  Jesse Eisenberg and Shia LaBeouf were in talks at one time to star in this film.  Jonah Hill gained 44 pounds for his role.