Liberal Movie Critics Decry Pro-Military, Pro-American ‘Act of Valor’
The new film “Act of Valor” doesn’t accuse U.S. military members of war crimes, nor does it paint them as cold killing machines.
That simply won’t do for many film critics, who cling to the kind of anti-military movies which routinely flop at the box office. “Valor” uses amateur actors – active duty Navy SEALs – and certainly can be faulted for their flat line readings. And the episodic nature of the movie also invites fair critiques, even if it’s remarkable the cast routinely acted around live gunfire. But many critics went beyond the call of duty to smite a film that dared to show SEALs as heroes, and their efforts to stop terrorists a noble endeavor.
Time Out New York’s Joshua Rothkopf calls the film “scary,” with a “ridiculously limited view of American righteousness.”
Tampa Bay Times critic Steve Persall dubs “Valor” “a land mine movie for anyone to review who isn’t a military veteran, who hasn’t bought into the cult of warfare,” later adding “pacifists won’t be nearly as impressed.”
How ’bout audiences who realize terrorists are a legitimate threat, and that military intervention is often necessary to prevent them from wiping out hundreds, if not thousands, of innocents?
Philly.com’s David Hiltbrand seemed upset by sequences in which people responsible for the capture and torture of a CIA agent met their gruesome fate:
You watch as one of our snipers dispassionately and from a great distance lays out these scruffy untrained campesinos one after the other with graphic head shots.
So, as long as you’re a “scruffy, untrained campesino” we should give you a pass for torturing a woman. But Hiltbrand’s moral confusion intensified as the film wore on:
Here’s a clue – the folks who want to commit terrorist acts are the bad guys and need to be stopped. The ones stopping them are the heroes. Now, how hard is that?Near the end, the film degenerates into an extended, chaotic firefight. You know who you’re supposed to be rooting for because they’re the ones wearing uniforms, but it’s easy to lose touch with why.
And then there’s Roger Ebert, the dean of liberal film critics. Mr. Thumb actually has some positive things to say about “Valor,” noting its excellent action sequences, for starters. But Ebert can’t help compare the film with “To Hell and Back,” a new documentary following a soldier who joined the Marines because he wanted to kill people.
Why Ebert would compare the heroism on display in “Valor” to a single soldier with serious mental issues is beyond comprehension.
Ironically, the liberal comedy outlet The Onion delivered a harsh but fair assessment of the film.
No film should be above criticism, but the nature of the attacks above has less to do with quality and everything to do with scribes uneasy with the notion that Navy SEALs should be considered heroes for their bravery in the face of live fire – on and off screen.
(Cross-posted from Big Hollywood)
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Comments
Nothing New
Submitted by Kleenex on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 1:22pm.
Lefties always hate anything that's pro-American or pro-military unless Clinton or Obama are involved in it. Case in point: the killing of Bin Laden, they hardly ever mention the Navy Seals but instead act as if Obama thought up and participated in the raid himself. Expecting logic from the left is like trying to reason with a brick wall.
If Acts of Valor were about
Submitted by kg on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 2:51am.
If Acts of Valor were about Obama's "Civilian Security Force", which is just as strong and well funded as the military, doing Obama's bidding then there would be rave reviews and awards abound.
"DumbAssity of Dope"
Good point
Submitted by upcountrywater on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 3:52am.
Now that O'bama defunding the military, at warp speed...
Some of us thought that the "Civilian Security Force", would require billions, nope...just ditch one for the other, see how easy that is.
Today the force level is at 49.5%
You Didn't Build That.
Interesting point. Just four
Submitted by BD on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 10:28am.
Interesting point. Just four years ago it became patently obvious to all that the final force cuts of the CLinton Administration that whacked two flag units (roughly 50,000 troops) were cutting bone rather than fat or muscle.
One of the decent things the Bush Administration did was at great expense and effort replace that with a meagre 40,000 troops in an effort to put it back on the field.
Now Obama wants to not only chase away that force replacement of 40,000, but double down and remove an aditional 40,000?
Our current force laydown is at its lowest in modern US history when adjusted for population and it is going lower. Thanks to the leftists we will not be able to fight a full war and maintain deterrence elsewhere. In fact, we will not be able to successfully DEPLOY anywhere.
"Why Ebert would compare the
Submitted by BD on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 10:34am.
"Why Ebert would compare the heroism on display in “Valor” to a single soldier with serious mental issues is beyond comprehension."
You forget, to leftists all of us in uniform can simply be universally swapped for the mentally defective. They do not know us, would not want to know us, and cannot imagine their children becoming us.
If you ever have time I recommend reading Frank Schaeffers book "AWOL—The Unexcused Absence Of America's Upper Classes From Military Service and How It Hurts Our Country." In it he recounts the trials and tribualtions of his prep school son becoming a Marine and how he was treated by his liberal cohort.
THe only beef I have with Schaeffers thesis is that it is not the universal absense of upper class individuals, but raher upper class liberals from uniform.
A thought on the topic from George Orwell:
Submitted by 26CX on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 1:30pm.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
Another thought, from John Stuart Mill.
Submitted by UpNorth on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 3:29pm.
"A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself". Nuff said.
LOVE that quote, UpNorth!!
Submitted by NC Cop on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 11:02pm.
I've used it several times, especially in conversations with the "It's none of our business!" crowd.
Yeah, but when Boy Barry's
Submitted by killa37 on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 2:28pm.
Yeah, but when Boy Barry's movie comes out in October, showing him single-handedly killing Obama bin Laden, and having the Navy SEALS carry him away on their shoulders, cheering his bravery and valor, then the left will be raving about what a great and patriotic movie, and President, it was!!!!
Killa -
Submitted by 26CX on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 2:33pm.
Any thoughts on what tune Barry should be warbling as they tote him off to his coronation?
Possibly 'We Are the
Submitted by killa37 on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 2:49pm.
Possibly 'We Are the Champions', by Queen...............except it will come out as 'I AM the Champion'!!!!
Obama the Christ superstar...
Submitted by jkwtrading on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 6:55pm.
Obama the Christ superstar...
Liberals always seem to decry the ones that keep them safe
Submitted by gmaniac1 on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 2:31pm.
at night in their beds while they tuck their cowardly heads under the covers.
liberals can start the war,
Submitted by jkwtrading on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 6:53pm.
liberals can start the war, and we will see who is safe...
never ever argue with a rabid dog, all liberals are rabid dogs.
I want to go liberal or rabid dog hunting.
lol me too
Submitted by gmaniac1 on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 11:44pm.
nm
I think you've misread
Submitted by balboa on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 2:58pm.
I think you've misread Hiltbrand's review. He's blaming the abilities of the directors, not the SEALs, for the problems in the movie.
So, the quote about dispassionately laying out
Submitted by UpNorth on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 3:33pm.
"scruffy, untrained campesinos" is blaming the directors? Really?
I think you've misread just about everything, ever.
Did you read the actual
Submitted by balboa on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 3:49pm.
Did you read the actual review?
Yes, that's why I put "scruffy campesinos" in quotes.
Submitted by UpNorth on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 3:51pm.
Did you see the actual movie? Or are you still printing Free Mumia posters in your mom's basement?
Ohhh, I didn't realize you
Submitted by balboa on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 4:04pm.
Ohhh, I didn't realize you were a kook. My bad.
You can't accept guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,
Submitted by UpNorth on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 4:08pm.
and I'm a kook? You have major reading comprehension problems, I doubt you read the review. Or is "scruffy, untrained compesinos" taken out of context?
Oh look, balboa poltroon is calling others a k00k.
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 4:41pm.
Kingfish17: Do you think that Mumia and Assata are innocent of the crimes for which they have been convicted?
balboa: I think there's a possibility, from what I've read.
balboa: Have you read about either case?
balboa: There seem to be just a few more dissenting opinions about Mumia than the Holocaust.
balboa: And what is that exactly? That anyone who thinks Mumia is innocent is a nut ball?
Any day. Any hour. Any minute you want to bring that evidence you have read here to this page, this website. We are waiting 9 long months now. Poltroon.
Any time you are up to it. Until then, yeah, you call everyone you want a k00k. We know the truth. Poltroon.
Careful VET
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 4:49pm.
His skill with the palindrome is formidable.
Oh look boys and girls
Submitted by mandrake on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 4:51pm.
The Vet's Cray supercomputer which he keeps in his mommies basement has once again tracked every single statement made by a troll on this site..could that be his job or something?
Up yours troll.
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 5:18pm.
You are too stupid to use google, that is your issue. Not mine. Tell us now that you think Mumia is innocent as well. Otherwise, shut up.
Here is the entire extent of my cray supercomputer abilities.
A google search --- "the Vet" kingfish17 mumia balboa yes innocent site:newsbusters.org
There ya go boys and girls. How to impress a really stupid troll 101.
Words can hurt you know!
Submitted by mandrake on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 5:38pm.
Now I gotta cry myself to sleep.
Maybe I didn't learn those advanced google search incantations because I really don't care what someone posted here 5 months ago.
Oh but you should. I was on a
Submitted by balboa on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 5:40pm.
Oh but you should. I was on a ROLL five months ago!
Pegged.
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 5:53pm.
Still proud that he has the hearty lovey crushes on two convicted cop killers. One of them, Mumia, shot a cop in the back. Puff that chest out poltroon, and tell us what a roll you were on.
Bal, you're delusional.
Submitted by UpNorth on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 6:15pm.
You've never been on a roll, unless you're counting your time at Kos and DU. And even your buddy, mandrake, identifies you as a troll.
A ROLL, I say!
Submitted by balboa on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 6:27pm.
A ROLL, I say!
You go cop killer lover.
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 6:32pm.
Puff out that chest and go write another love letter to Mumia and Asata.
If law was about justice
Submitted by BD on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 10:41am.
If law was about justice rather than being a business both would be immediately led to the nearest wall and shot.
We no longer have justice in this nation, simply an over grazing population of lawyers.
Let's see who the kook is.
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 5:03pm.
balboa poltroon has secret evidence he and he only has seen that will free a convicted cop killer.
Mumia shot a Police Officer in cold blood. The bullets from his gun, the gun registered to him were pulled from the Police Officer's body. A bullet from the Police Officer's gun was removed from the belly of Mumia. Mumia was sitting on a curb bare feet from the dying Police Officer, the gun registered to him by his side. 5 strangers witnessed him shoot the Police Officer, the final shot a bullet to the brain. And balboa the Poltroon claims he has seen evidence that somehow, despite all the damning evidence against him, Mumia is actually innocent and balboa the Poltroon has that evidence under his bed.
FACT
A total of five eyewitnesses have testified that they saw Mumia Abu-Jamal run from a parking lot and shoot Officer Faulkner to death as the officer attempted to arrest Jamal's brother. None of these eyewitnesses knew each other. Each gave their accounts within minutes of the shooting, and the accounts agreed with each other in every significant detail. Several of these individuals stated that -- in some cases from less than 30 feet away -- they watched as Jamal repeatedly fired at the fallen and unarmed officer from point blank range. One even stated that Jamal took the time to bend down and fire the final shot into the wounded officer's face from less than a foot away and that the officer's "whole body jerked" when the shot hit his face. Was each and every one of these eyewitnesses - including a man called by Jamal's own lawyers in 1995, Robert Harkins - "confused" about what they saw, as Jamal and his attorneys allege?
FACT
Within a few minutes of the shooting, three of the eyewitnesses personally identified Mumia Abu-Jamal to police at the scene as the man who had shot Officer Faulkner. Again, none of these individuals knew each other. They had no time to find what other witnesses were going to say. Nor was there time for police to "coerce" or "intimidate" them prior to making their identifications. The police had no way of knowing what story to "coerce" witnesses to tell even if they had wanted to. Each witness watched from a different vantage point, and several stated that they never lost sight of Jamal from the moment the shooting stopped, until the police apprehended him and placed him in the van. Were these eyewitnesses all "mistaken" about what they saw, as Jamal and his attorneys now argue?
FACT
Jamal was apprehended only 10 feet away from Officer Faulkner's body. In his chest, Jamal had a bullet fired from Officer Faulkner's gun. If the officer was shot by a "phantom killer," as Jamal's lawyers contend, he would have shot the gunman, not Jamal. The eyewitnesses all said that Jamal shot the officer in the back before the officer even knew Jamal was there.
FACT
The gun found next to Jamal was owned by Jamal and registered in his name. Does an "innocent man" run to the scene of an arrest with his gun in his hand if he doesn't intend to use it?
FACT
Jamal's gun contained five spent casings from unique high velocity special +P ammunition. These casings were the exact brand (Federal), caliber (.38) and type (high velocity +P with a hollow base) of ammunition retrieved from Officer Faulkner's brain. Is it reasonable to believe that an "innocent man" just happened to load his gun with exact same ammunition that the "real killer" used in his gun?
FACT
The rifling characteristics of the bullet removed from Officer Faulkner's brain showed that it was fired from a barrel with 8 lands and grooves and a right hand direction of twist. This is identical to the rifling characteristics of the barrel of Jamal's gun. Is it a coincidence that an "innocent man" just happened to load his gun with the same unique ammunition as the "real killer" AND have the same riffling pattern in the barrel of his gun as the "real killer"?
FACT
Jamal's brother, William Cook, saw the murder unfold. When police arrived at the scene -- less than one minute after the shooting -- they found Cook against a wall a few feet away from the dead officer's body. Cook's only comment was, "I ain't got nothin to do with this." Would not the brother of an "innocent man" say something like, "The guy who shot the cop ran away." or "My brother didn't do it"? In fact, to this day, Cook is the only known eyewitness (other than Jamal himself) who has never testified to what he saw. He has never so much as suggested that his brother might be innocent
Yes. We did.
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 3:58pm.
Mumia Abu-Jamal: A Case for Reasonable Doubt?
Review ----
<>TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE, August 6, 2011
<>By balboa poltroon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
Mumia Abu-Jamal: A Case for Reasonable Doubt? (DVD)
Dang. I loved this movie! When will they come out with a movie about Asata. Dang. I would love to see that!!!
Poor poltroon balboa.
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 3:46pm.
His favorite movie still going nowhere.
Time to lash out again because those dang bullies at NewsBusters never talk about his favorite movie.
Any day. Any hour. Any minute you want to show us the evidence, we are here waiting. Where is the evidence that convinced you two convicted cop killers, both of them convicted by a jury of 12 of their peers, are innocent? You said you had it. Where is it?
Do you have to drag this
Submitted by BosTarus on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 4:41pm.
Do you have to drag this whole Mumia nonsense into every single blog that Bal comments on? I'm trying to get caught up here, and I'm bogged down with this bs that has nothing to do with the actual blog in question. I get that you disagree with the man on something, but do us all a favor and leave it else where. Private messages, the original blog in question, whatever.
I know you're gonna drag me through the wringer for this, but I just wanted to say its really irritating. If you want to fight Bal, either fight him in PMs or on the actual issue he's commenting on for the post in question.
Oh dear. Now I feel bad.
Submitted by The Vet on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 5:07pm.
Did I squeeze your head too hard when I forced you to read my posts?
I would prolly complain about your posts and the waste of time you spend writing them and the waste of server space storing them but I have never actually read anything of import you have said. Evah.
PS: So irritating you will leave and never come back? Please. If it will take one more irritating post to cross that line, let me know. I will do it.
Attention all NBers*
Submitted by cajun2 on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 5:26pm.
Let us all express sorrow for Bos Taurus. He has naively walked into direct line of sight of THE VET!
All together now.....pauve bete
What is REALLY irritating, Bos Tarus,---
Submitted by matthewdean on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 12:02am.
is to read through another of your space consuming posts and realize that once again, you ain't said a damn thing of interest.
As no one forces me to read your inept forays, I can easily refrain from complaining about them - but if you are going to whine, mewl, and bitch about another poster's posts because you are somehow 'inconvenienced', then you have projected your bullsh*t into the sight picture.
The goose and gander effect, dontcha know?
MD
We went to see this movie
Submitted by Ruths husband Ben on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 5:10pm.
We went to see this movie last night. If you take into account that the SEALs are not professional actors it is really, really good. That is because, surprisingly, they turn out to be pretty good actors. I especially liked the Senior Chief, which is funny because my Senior Chief (when I was in the Navy) wasn't worth a Tinker's damn. (Apologies to any Senior Chiefs out there who are worth a Tinker's damn.)
Oh, and it got Ruth crying, which for her is the sign of a good time at the movies.
The only thing that made me
Submitted by balboa on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 5:15pm.
The only thing that made me hesitant to go was the commercials don't give you any info on the story. I couldn't tell if this was a documentary or a fictional movie or what.
Too confusing for the troll balboa the poltroon.
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 6:58pm.
Kingfish17: Do you think that Mumia and Assata are innocent of the crimes for which they have been convicted?
balboa: I think there's a possibility, from what I've read.
He knows damn sure about two convicted cop killers though. Convicted by a jury of 12 of their respective peers. Any time poltroon. Any time you want to show us the evidence that convinced you. Any time at all.
It's a fictional movie. What
Submitted by Ruths husband Ben on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 8:46pm.
It's a fictional movie. What is fascinating is that many of the scenes are live fire, so the realism (from that point of view) is far beyond standard Hollywood fare. Also, before you go, you should Google "medal of honor recipients" and see what some men have won that award for. It will help you understand the movie.
You couldn't tell?
Submitted by CobraMan on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 1:34pm.
You couldn't tell, Bal? Was that because the commercials all state "staring actual Seal members" or something? Come on, Bal. You knew this was fiction.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Trailer wasn't clear, that's
Submitted by balboa on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 1:37pm.
Trailer wasn't clear, that's all I'm saying.
Well, it was clear to me
Submitted by CobraMan on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 1:45pm.
Well, it was clear to me, as I suspect it was to anyone who's actually served, and their family members.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
It was clear this was
Submitted by balboa on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 1:49pm.
It was clear this was fiction, based on your experience with the military?
The trailer gives you no idea what the story is, what the movie is about, the plot.
Ignore the idiot poltroon balboa. He is LYING again as usual.
Submitted by The Vet on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 2:16pm.
balboa the poltroonish crypto-dummy LYING: I couldn't tell if this was a documentary or a fictional movie or what.
Here is the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUkKuImX_ok">OFFICIAL trailer</a>
Note -- at the 18 second mark, 18 seconds into the trailer, here is what it says ---
The Story is Fictional,
But the Weapons
And Tactics are Real.
Lying poltroon, go kiss a cop killer. It is all you are good for.
balboa the poltroonish crypto-dummy LYING just to get a response here: Trailer wasn't clear, that's all I'm saying.
.
"Real" Fiction
Submitted by CobraMan on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 2:18pm.
Well, that explains Bal's confusion, they used "fictional" and "real" in the same sentence.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
balboa the poltroon LIES right through his green teeth.
Submitted by The Vet on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 2:42pm.
balboa the poltroon: The trailer gives you no idea what the story is...
balboa the poltroon: I couldn't tell if this was a documentary or a fictional movie or what.
54 seconds into the trailer --
Based on Actual
U.S Navy SEAL Missions
Yes. The Cop Killer Lover gets confused so easily looking at these words in the trailer.
2:08 into the trailer ---
Courage
2:11 into the trailer ---
Loyalty
2:14 into the trailer ---
Honor
Now go write another poem about your lovey squeezy crush Mumia, troll.
I will go see this movie
Submitted by c5then on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 5:19pm.
BECAUSE the liberal "critics" don't like it. This method has served me well for a while.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
Liberals please and I mean
Submitted by jkwtrading on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 6:55pm.
Liberals please and I mean Please start the war, so we can rid mankind of you.
who is the bad guy
Submitted by mrbill on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 9:21pm.
i thought the left would like it since the bad guy in the movie is a Jew instead of those peace loving Muslims...and you know all the terror in the world is due to those evil Joos....
What a crap movie.
Col. Jessup said it best...
Submitted by steve2526 on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 10:36pm.
...."that my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. I know deep down in places you dont talk about at parties, you don't want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then question the manner in which I provide it. I prefer you said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand to post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!"
Saw Act of Valor today -- despite what the leftards think we loved every minute of it.
Thanks to those who have gone and will go downrange!
A member of the right-wing media
Yea steve, I saw it today, Tom Clancys name was in the credits
Submitted by upcountrywater on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 1:51pm.
A feel good watchable movie.
The lefty squealers, "Oh the dialog was flat, coming from amateur actors".
It was like Apocalypto in that the dialog was not a big part of the movie.
yea downrange...
Thank you for your service...
You Didn't Build That.
These sorry-ass liberals worry
Submitted by ThisnThat on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 10:49pm.
These sorry-ass liberals worry that SEALs can "dispassionately and from a great distance" kill a depraved and terroist enemy.
Yet, in the next instance, they don't give a second thought about Planned Parenthood's ability to "dispassionately and up-close and personally" kill an innocent baby.
And they expect us to take them seriously, and hang on every word they say??!!
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
I think The critic is
Submitted by balboa on Sat, 02/25/2012 - 10:50pm.
I think The critic is actually saying that the film makers are to blame for making the soldiers seem dispassionate.
Dispassionate is bad? Over
Submitted by BD on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 10:49am.
Dispassionate is bad? Over dramatic like what we get from Hollywood is good?
I am tired of Hollyweird types having their actors portray us as having our psyches on our sleeves.....
They're supposed to be "dispassionate."
Submitted by CobraMan on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 1:40pm.
Combat personnel are supposed to be "dispassionate," bal. It's part of their job, to kill people, period. You can't do that when you allow your personal feeling to get in the way of your job. You'll end up getting yourself, and others, killed if you allow that to happen.
It's Hollywood who falsely displays the "emotions" of combat personnel. When you become a member of the military, you're supposed to be a "cold blooded killer." THAT'S reality. I'm not surprised that the liberal "critics" don't understand that. THEY'VE never served in the military.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Yes but the viewer is
Submitted by balboa on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 2:16pm.
Yes but the viewer is supposed to feel something, identify or relate or empathize. The reviewer found fault in the story-telling, not the characters.
So, we can't form our own emotions
Submitted by CobraMan on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 2:27pm.
So, we can't form our own emotional responses based upon what is displayed on the screen? We need "better" directors to guide us to the "correct" emotional response, as per what the critics think is appropriate for such a serious subject as war?
Come on, Bal! That's WEAK! The audience is more than capable of forming their own emotional response to what is displayed on the screen,. We don't need directors to do that for us. They're supposed to be directing how the film is made, and not what we "make" of the content. That's what "imagination" is for. Directors aren't the only people with "imagination," you know. The audience has imaginations too, you know. So, let the audience partake in their own imagination, where it belongs. THAT'S entertainment.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
That's the point of good
Submitted by balboa on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 2:29pm.
That's the point of good directing. When a character does something, you understand in the context of the story being told.
The point of good directing...
Submitted by CobraMan on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 2:48pm.
The point of good directing is to let the audience form their own emotions while watching the action on the screen. That's what the "great" directors, such as Cecil B. Demille, and, most importantly, Alfred Hitchcock did. They set up each scene in such a way that the audience formed their own emotional responses to what was happening, they weren't "directed" into what emotion they were supposed to be feeling.
Case in point: Psyco. Can you name a more deadpan deliverance in any film that what the main charter in Psycho achieve under Hitchcock's direction? It was his lack of emotion, his lack of empathy, that allowed, that forced, so to speak, the audience to form their own emotional response to the horrors that were being depicted on the screen, and that's WHY is was such a emotional upsetting, and because of that, a hugely popular film. Our own imagination is what made that film so "scarey."
The TRUE masters of direction let the audience form their own emotional responses to the films, they didn't feel it was necessary to "direct" the emotions of the audience the way "modern" Hollywood directors are compelled to do these day. And that's one of the reasons that "independent" films are becoming more and more popular. The independent directors don't direct the audience , like Hollywood loves to do. They direct the action, and let the audience "direct" their own emotional responses.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Perkins' performance made
Submitted by balboa on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 2:51pm.
Perkins' performance made sense in the larger context of the movie. Sure the audience forms an opinion, but you understand the character. If you don't understand the characters, then you don't connect with the story. (unless, obviously, if the director purposely makes the character ambiguous)
Larger context
Submitted by CobraMan on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 3:19pm.
You're forgetting the most important aspect of that "context," the way the audience reacts to it. The greatest films allow the audience to form their own emotional attachments to what the characters are doing. The "context" is what the audience feels, not what the directors tells us to feel.
Remember that shower scene In Psycho, the one that is probably the most scariest in the film? You didn't even see the killer's face! You had NO IDEA what emotion he was feeling. And the "victim?" All you saw from her is the "emotion" of surprise. All other emotions were felt by the audience, not the characters. Fear, anger, empathy, jealousy, what-have you, these were the audience's emotions and not the character's emotions. THAT'S what made it so scary! And THAT'S what made Hitchcock a great director. He didn't feel the need to direct the "context," for the story itself does that. He let the audience direct that "context" themselves. That's something that Hollywood has lost over the years due to their tendency to direct the audience and not the film, alas.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
And I think the reviewer is
Submitted by balboa on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 7:00pm.
And I think the reviewer is saying that the story fails to do that, so, in his opinion, the soldiers come of as dispassionate instead of focused or driven or intense.
Hollywood would rather...
Submitted by stage9 on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 12:42am.
that stinking filth they used to portray the military called the Green Zone. Pro military. Unacceptable. Paranoid propaganda film. Acceptable.
"If God is dead, somebody is going to have to take his place. It will be megalomania or erotomania, the drive for power or the drive for pleasure, the clenched fist or the phallus, Hitler or Hugh Hefner." — Malcolm Muggeridge
Act of Valor is a farce
Submitted by Boudin on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 8:53am.
It's about Jewish terrorist. Sad, I know.
Not having seen the movie and
Submitted by BD on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 10:45am.
Not having seen the movie and having only read a smattering of items about it, I was under the impressing that it takes place in the Philippines. I assumed the bad guys were Tausug's.
Am I wrong?
BD Go see it's good, the Filipinos were used as the pawns.
Submitted by upcountrywater on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 1:45pm.
Tom Clancy had some input into the movie. It hoops all over the world.
You Didn't Build That.
Boudin, That review is a stretch...
Submitted by upcountrywater on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 2:09pm.
He funded his childhood friend that turned into a moslem, it's clearly moslems pulling off the terror.
The Jewish dude was small part of the movie.
A tad 24, ish... in the fictional story line, however the SEALs were never out of control,unlike Jack.
Finally a movie that does not bash the military.
You Didn't Build That.
The review says
Submitted by Boudin on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 4:51pm.
The Muslims were crying because they didnt want to carry out the mean ol Jews terror plot? That aint true? Debbie gave it FOUR GOEBBELS PLUS A BIN LADEN AND AN ARAFAT, now thats bad.
Debbie Schlussel is a Conservative movie critique and pundit, I'v been listening to her for years, and she was very disappointed,
You've been listening to a kook.
Submitted by ghidorah15 on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 3:16pm.
I'm sorry, but you have - Ms. Schlussel is no conservative, and taking her seriously is a colossal mistake.
Hey,
Submitted by Boudin on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 11:03pm.
You take her serous? I wouldnt do that
Boudin, They were crying because they were going to die.
Submitted by upcountrywater on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 6:00pm.
The word Jew was used by an interrogator... The leader of the pack was a moslem.. Go see it will ya
For whatever it's worth Rush Loved it.
She went off on some bender....
Because She did like "An American Carol"....
You Didn't Build That.
Alright,
Submitted by Boudin on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 11:04pm.
I believe you
Can't wait to see this movie.
Submitted by wiwf on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 8:55am.
Can't wait to see this movie. It looks awesome!
Boo Freakin Hoo
Submitted by Chicagoray40 on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 3:04pm.
They're just all torqued up because they were cut from the loop as frankly, Americans are sick and tired of this liberal 'play time make believe world' they all live in that starts in Hollywood - New York and infects the nation inwards. For once a movie is actually made with actual action heroes who've actually saved a life or two, men who should be the ones being paid millions of dollars for their work in the real world and they don't like it.
Replacing the psychotic, often drug addicted fiends who play them in the make believe world, but forget that when lecturing Americans on their lives and values and such that they only PLAY THESE PEOPLE fictitiously. Martin Sheen west wing is a perfect example, he actually acts like and thinks he was president once! Now Charlie, he's a crackhead & plays one too, so that's a little different. ;)
Very few have ever done anything noble and virtuous in their lives except have publicists and accountants cut checks, (the easiest thing for people who gain easy gotten wealth, like playing make believe for grown ups pretending to be the real heroes for a living btw) but yet strut around as if they do 'nothing but', and demand everyone else do the same for THEIR CAUSES.
As for everyone else like you and I, we/they're nothing but flyover homophobic, racist rubes. Or in other words & many cases, the very people who not so brightly pay their salaries gladly. Not me anymore. I have a limited Hollywood library and keep my viewing to limited cable news, GBTV, bios and reality 'work' shows like Dirty Jobs, Chopper and the likes where the Americans who build things, engineer things, protect things and people all working for a living are the REAL heroes.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe. –Albert Einstein My Twitter
What'd We Expect?
Submitted by rammingspeed on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 2:24pm.
These critics are among the mortal enemies of this country. I believe the majority of people in America recognize them as such.
Disliking a movie with real
Submitted by BosTarus on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 1:32am.
Disliking a movie with real Navy SEALs does not mean you are anti-military or anti-American. Generally it means they prefer their movies with real actors. Can't say I disagree.
And even if they may bring politics into it-complaining about jingoism or whatnot-I'm sure most of these critics also loved some very pro-American films, like Saving Private Ryan, or the HBO series' The Pacific or Band of Brothers. All of which received mostly rave reviews across the board.
Being Pro-Military does not preclude the film from being bad.
Doesn't preclude it from being good, either.
Submitted by ghidorah15 on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 3:18pm.
You're just making up excuses.
You're right, it definitely
Submitted by BosTarus on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 3:28pm.
You're right, it definitely doesn't. But in this particular case, though, by all accounts this movie is not supposed to be very good. Has nothing to do with Navy SEALs or the fact that its a pro-military movie or anything. It just doesn't sound very good.
I haven't seen it, but I have a few friends who saw it-and they weren't too thrilled. They actually thought the poor acting on the part of the SEALs was somewhat charming-but that didn't help the movie.
Anyway, I'm not making up excuses-I'm just getting the impression that everyone here is assuming that movie critics "can't" like this film because of its "pro-American agenda". And I'm saying I don't think that has anything to do with it. A stinker is a stinker-no matter what the message.
Also, I love your handle!
Ignore the Bostarus troll.
Submitted by The Vet on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 10:42pm.
He won't like a movie unless it involves simulated kiddie porn.
agreed
Submitted by Mark81150 on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 9:04pm.
It's not been about justice, since a law degree became a license to steal. It's a game to them, ah.... HA, you forgot to dot the i and cross the T... so obviously, this multiple serial killer must go free in the enterest of "justice"..... never mind he confessed, or has ten witnesses against him.
His "rights" weren't perfectly observed.... emphasis on PERFECTLY..
The value of common sense carries no weight, nor the enterests of the victims.. the "justice system is written now by activists and judges who think they get a ticket to immortality by putting their name on a gross miscarrage of justice.
My father was a career cop, a good man, a sargent, and he retired in 75, passed away in 89.. I vividly remember the late 60's when the panthers were ambushing cops at red lights,.. in a big city 40 miles away, our town, not so big, 60,000.. I remember worrying wether Dad was safe when I was 8 years old, after hearing two were murdered in their squad car.. shotgun to the head at a traffic light..
Cops have families, and my father was a good cop, an honest one, even though that cost him friends.
any fan of a cop killer,
Let's just say, be glad we never meet. I'm harmless enough these days, but the education you get won't be pleasant on your candy pink ego.. or your ears.
The man had a family,.. where is their justice?
that F*&*^&% should fry..
Civilian security force
Submitted by Bucknutpete on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 10:23pm.
If O gets another 4 yrs to dismantle this country, look out! This security force will come to reality. He will be going after anyone who dares to disagree or cross him. Why do you think they have started having people turn in people who are "haters" or are spreading false information. They are already monitoring all public media, and phone calls. Oh, Germany did this in the late 30's. See what they got out of it. I just pray that enough Americans wake up and stand up in time to stop this Fundamental change that is being thrust upon our Republic.