In February 1945 during World War II, a battle between the Americans and the Japanese took place on Iwo Jima, Japan. It was a hard-fought battle which the Americans miraculously won. And as five Marines and a Navy corpsman raised their country's flag on that tiny island, a photographer snapped a photo of them. When the photo was published, it quickly became the most inspiring image of the war for Americans. It even helped turned the tide of public cynicism about the country's involvement in the war.

Today, amid growing public disenchantment over the Iraq war, director Clint Eastwood has chosen to make this film to deal with the complex issues of war, politics and the media. But rather than take an absolute pro- or anti-war stand, the film delicately balances its viewpoints to show both sides of every argument. The result is an eloquent, well-crafted film that attests to Clint's virtues as a director.

Sadly, when this film was released in the United States a month ago, it flopped at the box-office. Its commercial failure was attributed to the lack of big-name stars in its cast and the possibility that the American public, tired of seeing images of conflict in Iraq, is in no mood to see a war movie. But talk of a possible Oscar nomination for Best Picture may just lift the picture out of its commercial doldrums. After all, this is the first picture from Clint since winning Best Director and Best Picture for Million Dollar Baby in 2005.

We here at Fridae think that it is a good movie that'll give you plenty to think about long after the lights come up. Catch it if you can ¡ª after you've seen Quinceanera.