Re: have you watched tv or seen a movie since the 50s?
Not as many in recent years, and I almost never watch TV. If it's changed drastically in the past decade, I must have missed it.
All of your examples except one are set in WWII (the "Good War") or earlier. I don't know if that's an important factor in showing the military in a positive light or not. Top Gun would certainly qualify as a positive example from more recent years. Maybe others can think of more.
Can anyone come up with examples where a businessman or corporation is the good guy?
It occurred to me that the movie Aliens is an interesting combination of military heroes and corporate bastards.