Must see: HBO's Generation Kill

Updated: HBO is showing the first two parts, back to back, tonight starting at 8:30. That, combined with part three, which is repeating all week, and you can catch up (or set your TiVo) with the series. Trust me, do it - you'll be glad you did.

HBO is right in the middle of its mini-series, Generation Kill, based on the book of the same name by Evan Wright.

In short, this series is another triumph by HBO. It's not another run-of-the-mill, cheer leading flick about the U.S. Military. In fact, in many ways, it's the exact opposite of that. The 1:10 episodes really bring the horrifying, ill-advised and tragic invasion and occupation of Iraq by our country into sharp focus. Every time I watch a new episode, I can't help but think that the War in Iraq is my generation's Vietnam (and I suppose Gen Y's, too); both tragedies that will be looked back on 50 years from now as having devastating consequences for our economy, and standing in the world.

Anyway, the series is superbly cast, and its sometimes callow sense of humor, especially from the mouth of Cpl. Josh Ray Peterson, actually provides some much needed levity to the horrors of the invasion.

Part four of the seven-part mini-series airs the Sunday night on HBO. Even if you're missed the first three, you can quickly catch up on the official Website, and it won't take long to catch on. (In addition, HBO reruns the episodes during the week, so it's not too late to catch part three this week.)

I never cease to be amazed that groundbreaking movies like this continue to be produced by our corporate media (Time-Warner is the parent of HBO). Call the cable network an island of reality in a sea of diarrhea.

I own Wright's book, and I plan on reading it over vacation, so when I'm finished with it, I'll bring you a review. If the book is half as good as the movie, it's going to be a riveting read.