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C. B. Wolf Ponders Mixed Messages In THE KINGDOM!!
Merrick here...
C. B. Wolf sent in this look at THE KINGDOM, the new film from Peter Berg.
Berg directed FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and THE RUNDOWN (which I loved...The Rock being violated by jungle monkeys is sublime). THE KINGDOM is produced by Michael Mann. yeah, that Michael Mann.
An interesting combination to be sure. Hopefully they can pull this off...which C.B. Wolf says they do...to some extent, at least...
Here's C.B. Wolf...
The Kingdom is the story of a small team of FBI agents who make their way to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia after terrorists bomb a walled community of American oil workers. The americans are played by Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner, and Jason Bateman. This crack FBI team flies in against the wishes of some politicians because of personal relationships with a victim of the blast. They are not welcomed by the local Saudis and put themselves in severe danger while trying to track down the terrorist cell responsible. Peter Berg directs, and Danny Elfman provides the tunes for the film.
I acquired myself a couple of tickets for an advanced screening and decided to go largely because it was free and I had no other plans that night. The synopsis seemed to describe the same sort terrorist attack, FBI to the rescue plot I have gotten used to hating lately. I figured I was in for a movie saturated with the typical over-zealous conservative propaganda frequently mislabeled as patriotism. However, by the time the credits rolled I was surprised to find a soberingly well balanced film with a profound finish that hit me like a ton of bricks. My jaw is still sore from when it hit the floor, and I would gladly recommend the movie.
Before I delve into anything deeper, I'd like to point out that the production values on this film were top notch. This was a smooth high calibur film from start to finish, with talented people working in every aspect of the filming. There were really no major complaints about the directing, writing, acting, sound, cinematography, etc.
I've never seen a Peter Berg film before, but after seeing The Kingdom he is definitely some one I will look out for in the future. He has a deft eye for what makes a movie work, especially action sequences, and every dynamic of the film was well shot and executed. Berg showed an uncanny ability to horrify me in one moment, and make me laugh the next. He might pump me up with some badass action scene even as a I feel guilty for not properly appreciating the weight of the situation. In short, the movie took me for a ride and I enjoyed it.
Of course, it helped that the acting was spot on. Jamie Foxx has proven time and time again that he is an excellent actor, and he does not disappoint here. Cast as his usual (as of late) tough guy leader with a heart of gold, Foxx brings exactly what you expect to the table. Frankly, I preferred his awkward underdog in Collateral, but this is not a complaint so much as an observation. His performance was unsurprising, but it wasn't disappointing for a moment. Chris Cooper meanwhile continues to impress me with every I see him in. The man is an excellent actor and while he was not stretched much by this role, the depth he brings to every part he plays is undeniable. Jennifer Garner has never impressed me before, but she turns in solid work here, and Jason Bateman was a pleasant surprise as the reluctant forth man on the team. Maybe it is just the soft spot I have for anyone involved with Arrested Development, but I thought he did very nice work. The lesser knowns of the cast all did wonderful jobs as well, in particular the man who played the Saudi head of police working with the FBI team. He was a complicated and interesting character who was portrayed very well, although I sadly missed the name of the actor. My apologies for that.
A final shout out has to go to Danny Elfman who I have had an unnatural obsession with since Nightmare Before Christmas. He did not disappoint me and most of the really effective scenes in the movie would not have been what they were without his music underneath. As I said, the production values here are top notch.
But I hear you asking, what was bad about the movie? Well, my biggest problem with the film was definitely the portrayal of the American characters versus the Saudis. I said the movie was well balanced, and I'll get to that later, but there was definitely a lot of ridiculous pro-americanism. Now, I have no idea what the situation is really like in Saudi Arabia, but the police and military seemed impossibly incompetent, while the crack FBI team lent insight that was almost magical. The bomb detonator? The four FBI agents found it after 20 minutes at ground zero, but the dozens and dozens of Saudis there for days missed it. Talk to the witnesses? Saudis don't do that I guess, they just beat their own police men for information. While it was repeatedly established that the Saudi government wanted to catch the terrorists responsible, it frequently seemed like the only reasonable explanation was that they were purposefully impeding the investigation (without bothering to cover anything up so the Americans wouldn't find it). This departure from realism of course carried over into the climactic action scene where five good guys manage to kill some forty or so heavily armed bad guys. I'm afraid kevlar and good tactics are no reasonable explanation, and some serious suspension of disbelief is required.
That said, scenes like this were interspersed with touching human moments that magnificently illustrated the point that Americans and Saudis are both ultimately just people, people with families who make mistakes and are just doing their best. The combination of the US IS AWESOME scenes and the "We're All Just People" scenes, made the movie seem schizophrenic at times. In one instant I am watching a touching personal moment between the Saudi sergeant and his father, and in the next Jamie Foxx is telling his son about how he is off to "kill the bad guys."
While I tried to just leave the politics at the door and enjoy the movie, it was hard to ignore such drastic shifts. Then, after a roller coaster ride of action, intrigue, and emotion, the movie wrapped up, and completely justified itself in literally the last 60 seconds. I don't that I've ever experienced that before. One moment the movie is an entertaining piece that sits a little weird with you, and then suddenly it is bordering on brilliant. I don't want to over hype this, but it literally left me speechless for a moment or two, and I would wholeheartedly recommend the movie. Go see it with an open mind, don't think too much about what I said, and just let it hit you.
If you use this call me C. B. Wolf
I acquired myself a couple of tickets for an advanced screening and decided to go largely because it was free and I had no other plans that night. The synopsis seemed to describe the same sort terrorist attack, FBI to the rescue plot I have gotten used to hating lately. I figured I was in for a movie saturated with the typical over-zealous conservative propaganda frequently mislabeled as patriotism. However, by the time the credits rolled I was surprised to find a soberingly well balanced film with a profound finish that hit me like a ton of bricks. My jaw is still sore from when it hit the floor, and I would gladly recommend the movie.
Before I delve into anything deeper, I'd like to point out that the production values on this film were top notch. This was a smooth high calibur film from start to finish, with talented people working in every aspect of the filming. There were really no major complaints about the directing, writing, acting, sound, cinematography, etc.
I've never seen a Peter Berg film before, but after seeing The Kingdom he is definitely some one I will look out for in the future. He has a deft eye for what makes a movie work, especially action sequences, and every dynamic of the film was well shot and executed. Berg showed an uncanny ability to horrify me in one moment, and make me laugh the next. He might pump me up with some badass action scene even as a I feel guilty for not properly appreciating the weight of the situation. In short, the movie took me for a ride and I enjoyed it.
Of course, it helped that the acting was spot on. Jamie Foxx has proven time and time again that he is an excellent actor, and he does not disappoint here. Cast as his usual (as of late) tough guy leader with a heart of gold, Foxx brings exactly what you expect to the table. Frankly, I preferred his awkward underdog in Collateral, but this is not a complaint so much as an observation. His performance was unsurprising, but it wasn't disappointing for a moment. Chris Cooper meanwhile continues to impress me with every I see him in. The man is an excellent actor and while he was not stretched much by this role, the depth he brings to every part he plays is undeniable. Jennifer Garner has never impressed me before, but she turns in solid work here, and Jason Bateman was a pleasant surprise as the reluctant forth man on the team. Maybe it is just the soft spot I have for anyone involved with Arrested Development, but I thought he did very nice work. The lesser knowns of the cast all did wonderful jobs as well, in particular the man who played the Saudi head of police working with the FBI team. He was a complicated and interesting character who was portrayed very well, although I sadly missed the name of the actor. My apologies for that.
A final shout out has to go to Danny Elfman who I have had an unnatural obsession with since Nightmare Before Christmas. He did not disappoint me and most of the really effective scenes in the movie would not have been what they were without his music underneath. As I said, the production values here are top notch.
But I hear you asking, what was bad about the movie? Well, my biggest problem with the film was definitely the portrayal of the American characters versus the Saudis. I said the movie was well balanced, and I'll get to that later, but there was definitely a lot of ridiculous pro-americanism. Now, I have no idea what the situation is really like in Saudi Arabia, but the police and military seemed impossibly incompetent, while the crack FBI team lent insight that was almost magical. The bomb detonator? The four FBI agents found it after 20 minutes at ground zero, but the dozens and dozens of Saudis there for days missed it. Talk to the witnesses? Saudis don't do that I guess, they just beat their own police men for information. While it was repeatedly established that the Saudi government wanted to catch the terrorists responsible, it frequently seemed like the only reasonable explanation was that they were purposefully impeding the investigation (without bothering to cover anything up so the Americans wouldn't find it). This departure from realism of course carried over into the climactic action scene where five good guys manage to kill some forty or so heavily armed bad guys. I'm afraid kevlar and good tactics are no reasonable explanation, and some serious suspension of disbelief is required.
That said, scenes like this were interspersed with touching human moments that magnificently illustrated the point that Americans and Saudis are both ultimately just people, people with families who make mistakes and are just doing their best. The combination of the US IS AWESOME scenes and the "We're All Just People" scenes, made the movie seem schizophrenic at times. In one instant I am watching a touching personal moment between the Saudi sergeant and his father, and in the next Jamie Foxx is telling his son about how he is off to "kill the bad guys."
While I tried to just leave the politics at the door and enjoy the movie, it was hard to ignore such drastic shifts. Then, after a roller coaster ride of action, intrigue, and emotion, the movie wrapped up, and completely justified itself in literally the last 60 seconds. I don't that I've ever experienced that before. One moment the movie is an entertaining piece that sits a little weird with you, and then suddenly it is bordering on brilliant. I don't want to over hype this, but it literally left me speechless for a moment or two, and I would wholeheartedly recommend the movie. Go see it with an open mind, don't think too much about what I said, and just let it hit you.
If you use this call me C. B. Wolf
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Hi ohhh
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I can't find stories about that movie anywhere on this site.
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I dig Peter Berg, heck I've even liked his stuff as an actor, but something about this review seems...green and leafy at least to me.and dude, I have a friend that just got back from Afghanstain and while I know that isn't Saudi Arabia and a whole different beast, he says things are run pretty incompentatly there so it wouldn't surprise me if Saudi Arabia was similar
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But I have to watch it. My lust for Jennifer Garner must be satisfied.
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http://www.libertyfilmfestival.com/libertas/?p=6167
The goal of the terrorist is not to win militarily. Because they can’t. There are too few of them to wage a victorious campaign against the capitol of a nation-state. The goal of the terrorist is not to win electorally. Because they can’t. Too few agree with the terrorist’s goals to win them any kind of election. Knowing this, the terrorist fights a different fight. They use any means necessary to break the will of the people. Terrorists wage a political war — a public relations war. They use violence, but it’s still a political war. It’s a war of wills. A war of attrition. A war of determination.
The terrorists have more than just conquered Hollywood. And Hollywood has more than just surrendered. It’s much worse than that. Hollywood has sided with the terrorists. They’ve become their enablers, not only in the sharing of terrorist goals but in working side by side with them to achieve those goals. And the terrorists didn’t even have to do that much to win them over. They needed only oppose George W. Bush.
Right now, al-Qaeda has a primary goal. A primary stated goal. A goal they have made no secret of: To win in Iraq. While an effective campaign has been won by terrorist appeasers in the media to call them insurgents, the truth — and the media knows this — is that the same people who killed nearly 3,000 of our citizens on September 11th are now fighting ferociously in Iraq to defeat us and take over that country.
And al-Qaeda is not fighting to win a military campaign, because they know they can’t defeat our military. Rather, they’re using violence to fight a political campaign. And every act of violence is geared towards buckling the knees of our politicians, grist for the evening news, and to turn public opinion against the war. And they are winning this campaign.
However, not all of the media has joined al-Qaeda. A lot of it has. The mainstream media has. Certainly, the liberal wing has. But there’s still some of the media who want us to win or are at least reporting fairly. Not all of the politicians have joined al-Qaeda. Some have. Barack lets-invade-Pakaistan-and-stop-destroying-villages-and-killing-innocent-civilians Obama has. Dick Durbin has. Nancy Pelosi has. But George W. Bush hasn’t. And thank God for George W. Bush.
But Hollywood has joined al-Qaeda. All of it. Every segment of it. From the studio execs, producers, directors, actors, and media who report on it all. Oh, they won’t strap bombs to themselves to help achieve their shared goals — that would require sacrifice. Instead, they’ve joined the fun branch of al-Qaeda. The branch that allows them to keep the BMW, drink Starbucks, live in mansions, but still more than do their part. Hollywood has joined the public relations wing of al-Qaeda.
Is it fair for me to say “all” of Hollywood? I think so. Other than a few brave windmill chasers tirelessly trying to get anti-Muslim terrorist films made, it’s “all” of Hollywood. All of the decision makers, all their minions, all of those in a position to change things who lack the courage to do so.
Everything political coming out of Hollywood today aids al-Qaeda. Everything. Every piece of product this community manufactures is designed to break our will to fight, break our will to win in Iraq, and make us question our own decency as a people and country. And other than the tactics employed, there is no daylight between those goals and the stated goals of al-Qaeda.
So far it’s only been light offensives launched by Hollywood. Anti-American propaganda in the form of the Syriana and Mighty Heart type. And it wasn’t just these films alone doing the dirty work. It was the Hollywood press hyping them as something special; it was the critics hyping them as watchable. Some of Hollywood’s P.R. terrorist attacks on behalf of al-Qaeda have been subtler — more insidious and subversive: Showing our military torturing in the Fantastic Four sequel, letting a French cab driver get away with saying Americans kill for no purpose in Rush Hour 3, extolling the virtues of those who expose our anti-terror operations in Bourne 3. But these have simply been small skirmishes launched by the West Coast branch of al-Qaeda. Hollywood hasn’t even begun to fight on behalf of their terrorist allies. Not until now.
With summer winding down and fall on the horizon, Hollywood is set to launch their Tet-offensive. The movie-going public is about to be swamped in pro al-Qaeda propaganda. Am I being harsh? I don’t think I am. With the exception of employing violence, what’s the difference between what al-Qaeda wants and Hollywood? Different tactics, exact same goals. Both want a weak-willed Democrat in the White House — and one eager to concede Iraq and attack an ally in the War on Terror would just be icing on the cake. Both want us to lose in Iraq. Both want the CIA discredited. Both want the Patriot Act dismantled. Both want Americans questioning our moral foundation to not only wage this war but in our very right to exist. Both want Bush to lose the War on Terror. And both are using every resource at their disposal to achieve these goals.
Those of us who want to see al-Qaeda beat have very little to grasp, and do so somewhat desperately to the deep subtext of films like Tranformers and 300. But those are just distractions as an outright offensive is launched right before our eyes. We can argue all day long about the effectiveness of Hollywood’s partnership with al-Qaeda. That’s not the point of all this. I’m just telling you what they’ve become and who they are.
And I know… You don’t have to repeat it. I’ve heard the argument: Dissent is the highest form of patriotism. But sometimes dissent isn’t the highest form of patriotism. Sometimes it really is siding with the enemy. -
Hollywood Surrenders? If Only…
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I want to give proper credit to the author:
http://www.libertyfilmfestival.com/libertas/?p=6167
Here's another good one:
http://www.libertyfilmfestival.com/libertas/?p=6180 -
After all, brainwashing kids that they can kill others who don't submit to Islam or convert, and get rewarded for it is a good for the whole diversity crowd some how.
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I find it somewhat baffling that people who so righteously defend our nation do little else other than bad mouth its defining principle, freedom of expression. What happened to I don't agree with you but I'll die for your right to say it? Is America now defined only by people's right to do and say what you personally consider acceptable?
The most defining feature of the American right seems to be a reluctance to step into anyone else's shoes. Whether it is liberals who disagree with them, the dissenting peoples of Iraq, or the violent anti-American terrorists around the world, the idea that they may have an opinion worth considering seems alien to many. Now I don't for a minute condone the violence committed by either side in this conflict, but I consider it worthwhile to consider all people as human beings, just like me.
It is for this reason that I hope The Kingdom finds its audience. -
they're freedom haters
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"Don't tell Canada."
David Cross, I *heart* you. -
I thought "Superbad" would be the funniest thing I would experience today. Thanks for that article. What a hoot!
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If Mann's name is on ANY film, then I will see it, regardless of its politics. This is because I love him as an artist (regardless if he is sitting in the producer's chair for this one), not because this film may or may not agree with my politics. Thankfully, Plissken, I have the ability to think for myself. I'll decide in the end if Hollywood is poisoning my mind with pro-terrorist propaganda. In the meantime, I'll enjoy my time at the movies. Thanks for your concern, though!
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enough to induce prolonged, uproarious laughter. I mean way to miss the point, Snakey old pal. I wonder if you realise that by calling yourself that particular moniker you immediately draw attention to the fact that you have at best, limited congniitve faculties and at worst are just plain old thick as pig shit. I'd ask you to enlighten me but something tells me (the) enlightenment is probably something you skipped at school.
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Outside of Jim Carrey, I can't think of two more overrated, hack-ass, bullshit, wannabe 'actors' than those two. I don't care about his Oscar. I don't care about ALIAS. They both blow. And the movie looks like a stinker.
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So in other words The Kingdom is not the typical modern Hollywood film with politics left of Stalin and Mao? The only mainstream Hollywood films that could be considered Pro American are a few of the WWII films that came out in the last ten years (I'm thinking more Saving Private Ryan..not Thin Red Line). I'm not for propaganda by any means (because stuff like John Wayne's Grenn Berets is laughably bad...as is something like Syrianna), but at the same time it does get kind of old when almost every single film dealing the slightest with world politics makes America/American Culture out to be the bad guy.
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was Starship Troopers. Now that's a film made by a real director with a vision. Verhoeven's political, but he understands more about war and conflict then these other suppossed directors who paint everything in black and white.
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can we put him in ANOTHER fucking cop/military/swat/vice wisecracking role?
i mean really. your description of the movie, no matter how good the rest is, lost me at jamie foxx. -
It's awfully hot in the desert - does Jennifer Garner cool off by getting nekkid??
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such a beautiful woman
As for our man Snake, while I think terrorists are low-life scum that should be rounded up and shot into the sun, the fact that Hollyweird is against the war does not make them Al Qaeda sympathisers. Most people, who think for themselves and don't just swallow whole what they are spoon-fed by Bush's media machine, simply see that the "war" in Iraq is nothing more than a cluster-fuck. The whole shebang has been a cluster from day one. Anybody with the slightest of military strategy, whether it derived from playing Stratego or attending the War College, knows that you don't invade a country half-assed, without proper levels of ground troops, and without several exit plans. What actually transpired seemed like something a grade schooler playing touch football would map out in the sand at recess. I would have even given the "war" a bit more backing if the justification wasn't blatant bullshit. If they would of just said that Saddam Hussein is just an evil mother fucker and needs to go then I don't think anybody would have questioned that. It's common knowledge the guy held onto his beret by the horns on his head. I mean exterminating thousands of your countrymen doesn't make you president of the year. The whole war has been simply poorly thought out. You cannot say it has been poorly executed because the plan has been complete shit to begin with. The short of it is that we should have gone into Iraq, toppled the government, and then let the religious clerics figure out who will run the show. This whole idea of installing a democracy there is pure fantasy. You can't just storm in and tell them they have a democracy now and life is beautiful. We are a democracy because our founding fathers demanded it and fought for it. What we're doing in Iraq is almost as bad as forcing Muslims to convert to Christianity or vice versa. I think most people realize all this. Hollywood sees this and uses it because it's outrageous and it's a solid talking point. In my opinion, only the well-off can afford to question the asanine decisions of the last 8 years. They don't have anything to worry about. When you make multi-millions for shooting a movie you don't have the common worries of your everyday Joe. Those Hollywood types don't have to worry about working 60 or 70+ hours a week just to keep food on their table and pay for their family's health care. People are just trying to survive and live a decent life man. They got their own problems without having to worry about some fucked up country thousands of miles away. Should the welfare of the people of Iraq be an important issue? Sure. So should the situation in Darfur. If put in the situation to see first-hand what's going on in those countries then I would imagine anybody would be hard-pressed not to be outraged and demand something be done. But, when you have your own mountains of troubles piled up on you then the other stuff is going to have to wait. In any case, we'll be there awhile more so best get used to it. Meanwhile, I'm gonna check this movie out and hopefully be entertained and drool over some Jennifer Garner hotness. -
Sorry bub, but those same attributes you love to give to neocons also apply to leftists. Unfotunately you're too blind to see that. Any group that is too political is usually blind to the realities around them, they can be left or right. BTW did you know that many democrats voted for the war in iraq??? Do you consider them neo cons??? How do you feel about people of the left who claim to be for free speech, but then attack free speech when it's politically convenient???? The political rah rah of Starship Troopers applies to any culutre that blindly sends people off to war. It could be a right wing or a left wing government.
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won't have a talking stealth bomber in it!
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Pukes @ this "review."
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If Saudi police are shown as incompetent and/or unwilling to catch homegrown extremists [in THE KINGDOM], this may not be too far from the truth....... The thing is, fanatical extremists are not a marginalized group in Saudi Arabia, but are in fact part of its powerful Establishment. But far from everyone living there is fanatical or reactionary. (For instance, check out the blog Saudi Jeans: http://saudijeans.blogspot.com/)
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...that fucking ugly singing blue thing from THE FIFTH ELEMENT that does the funky chicken in front of a bunch of intergalactic queers and then gets blown away. I think it's Garner's fucked-up cheekbones, which are apparently trying to conquer the center of her face.
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The sad rhetoric of the threat of the invading Muslim is a common motif in the American landscape. Sadly, it is again echoed in the talkback section where individuals that know nothing spew forth the empty rhetoric against Islam. Blah blah Jihad....blah blah Islamofacist....blah blah violence....blah blah extremist. Of course, it is ok to invade another sovereign nation to bring freedom and democracy and to end tyranny and to find WMDs. It is also ok to give the IDF a free pass as they butcher Palestinians and grab as much land as they can. I am sure that justifications will start appearing to all these queries, but unfortunately they will ring hollow for a culture and religion under attack from those that supposedly want freedom.
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I am wondering because in movie land we have a healthy staple of the Foxx's and Denzel's. Unfortunately, I have not actually seen any coloured folk in top FBI/CIA positions in the news. I must say also, that those Saudi's would treat a black investigator like a slave... It is a cultural disposition, rather than a religious one.
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You know studios now make propaganda films for the US. In some cases they get paid for anti-drug messages. In others it is access to military vehicles and advisors.
Kind of sucks. -
I dont give a crap about the politics of this film, any film, or this site. I do hate fake quotes. "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." was never said by Thomas Jefferson or by anyone else of consequence (except to claim that Jefferson said it). Its fake and a dumb sentiment.
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...naked is funny, the article by NeoConSnakePlissken is funnier. Way funnier.
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You go Neo-con Plisken!
I haven't seen The Kingdom yet, but I have followed the plot and I actually payed attention to the M.E. before '91, so by no means does anything that you described in the movie (aside from the body count) sound unrealistic.
CB Wolf, I will defend your right to say what you will, but defending your ability to say something and not thinking you are an ill-informed dilettante are two different things. I put myself in others shoes all the time, but challenging my viewpoints with others views ends when they try to kill us or Iraqis that don't agree with them or try and destroy their own country. They have forfeited their right to be included in any debate on how to move forward. If you don't condone any of the violence you have seen in the past few years, it sounds like you are either a principled idealist, or a wishy-washy pussy. We may not get it right all the time, but most of the time we do, and we aren't just fighting terrorism so it doesn't happen to us anymore, but so others will feel less of it's sting as well.
As for you, Darfur, your are truly an apologist for extremists, I wonder if you even realize the irony of your own name? Darfur has been pushed into it's current situation by extremist muslims. Just ask George Clooney, he wants us fighting radicals muslims there, but not in Iraq? -
President of Hollywood! Clean up this town Snake, please! I live just outside, in Burbank, and it's getting bad here. I think we're about to surrender too, and then the whole San Fernando Valley will go. Hell, most of Southern California will be in the grips of the terrorists by the end of the year. Help us. Please. BTW: What exactly does 'win in Iraq' mean, and how do movies stop people from accomplishing that vague goal? Don't 'the People' decide, through box office revenue, what kind of movies get made, and doesn't that make it the most democratic system there is? And doesn't that mean that the movies that get made are the reflection of the will of the people and not the will of 'Hollywood' one the most blatantly capitolistic entities in the history of world?
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I am just jealous because Neo Con Snake Plissken knows how to put line breaks into his talk back comments...Is it like this?I can't tell, I have to post it to see, and if it doesn't work I will just feel more inferior to Mr. Plissken.Crossing fingers.
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Alright!Phew!Now I can go back to shaking in my sandals about the pairing of Hollywood an al-Quaida. Though, considering the current Box Office Top Ten, I think we'll be safe for a little while.Unless "Rush Hour 3" is the terrorists way of hurting America, is that what you mean?
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A. the review. Make sure CB Wolf gets plety of sunshine and remember to water him once a week.
B. The talkbacks - between the jingolistic ranting and raving to the "they have reasons to hate us"
(yes they do but the most basic one is it gives them a purpose in life. Good luck in fighting that paticular mindset) and even the old chestnut stastemic racisim.
C. The movie itself. -
'Cause if there is, I walk out. Somebody in another Talkback said this movie was bad for it, and I won't tolerate this bogus cinematic stunt any longer...no matter how good the story is or who's in the movie.
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Get away from Michael Mann, and stay away from the piano and the recording studio, man! Do some stand-up again!
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it's the time of year when a lot of PLANTS die from the heat.
Looks like this review survived the baking sun though. -
because the desert makes it hard for PLANTS to grow.
Maybe the Saudis could send some investigators over to AICN for some tips. -
Somebody had to say it. Felt like I was reading a press release with a few semi-negative (but not damaging) comments thrown in to make it sound like it wasn't a press release.
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So much for plants being mindless.
Sneaky bastards. -
I cant believe HollyWood is makeing a movie about global politics that makes America look bad. Whats next are they going to start visiting Middle Eastern dictators right before we go to war with them or support Communist Latin American dictators who destroyed the free media oh wait a minute they already do that.
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...but presumes to cast doubt on anything that makes the Americans look more competent. The Saudi police are in many ways incompotent and/or incredibly slow to act. Look no further than the attack on Khobar Towers (a loose insiration for the bombing in this film) where the Saudis were incompotent in their investigation and the FBI suceeded in finding evidence where the Saudis could not or would not.
As to the reviewer's disbelief that a small number of men(and women) could engage and defeat a vastly larger force... this is not about American jingoism (clearly the reviewer has issues that he brought with him) this is a fact and has been proven again and again in combat. A small well trained force using surprise and speed and violence of action can defeat a force ten times their size very quickly and suffer no losses. Don't think of combat as two opposing rous who slug it out on the battlefield. Look at the last 60 years of accounts of small unit raids and ambushes... they are almost always quick and completely one sided. -
There were several public screenings in the last few weeks, including one here in NYC on 11th street. The reviewers misinformed preconceived notions that caused his disbelief show he's not a plant.
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When u can't here from a reviewer weather a films good because of its merit or that they have mixed feelings on the film because its only 90% liberal propagand instead of the 100% he needs to give it the thumbs up. The reviewer isnt a filmmaker he doesnt know anythang about the subtleties of anti American propaganda that has to go into these HollyWood films, they can't make it a 100% anti American they have to fool the public by throwing in the standard 10% middle of the road maybe they're not the Devil evil but definently Nazi evil.
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Hope they play "America, Fuck Yeah!" whenever they swing into action...
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