It’s that time of year again, folks! It’s the magical, special two months where Hollywood puts on its Sunday best in preparation for the upcoming Academy Awards. So, without further adieu, ladies and gentlemen, Mel Gibson presents for your Oscar consideration: “Hacksaw Ridge.”

“Hacksaw Ridge” is based on the true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), a conscientious objector who becomes a combat medic during World War II. This means that no matter what, Doss refuses to kill anyone for his personal religious beliefs. He won’t even pick up a gun for any reason, be it rifle training or defense. Then why join the Army in the first place? The short answer would be he feels a sense of duty to save lives on the frontline. If you want the complete answer, go see the film yourself. It’s worth it.

This powerful film is nearly flawless in every aspect. From the opening moments, it’s clear this is an A film. The only flaws are a few rough cuts here and there, but everything else from story to acting is extraordinary.

The best part about the film is the battle sequence, which takes part after the hell-on-wheels experience that was Doss’s boot camp. Be warned: This isn’t your usual movie battle where every shot is clean and men just slump over when they die. You’ll see gratuitous amounts of blood and guts strewn about the battlefield, men being burned alive, rotting corpses consumed by rats and many other things deserving an R rating.

Who says war is a pretty picture? It doesn’t matter if you played every Call of Duty or Battlefield game out there, you will be deeply frightened and disturbed by the harrowing experience that is combat.

However, the film isn’t all blood and gore. In addition to the horrors, hostility and loudness of battle, there is also true bravery and heroism. Combine that with a strong religious undertone, and you’ve got yourself a great film.