Good films I watched this weekend (Vol 2)
Discussion
Watchman said:
JustinP1 said:
I've not watched the film but am 3/4 of the way through his autobiography which the film is obviously based upon.
Before reading the book I read a lot of the arguments surrounding the fact that certain more racist members of society will simply see him as some kind of hero figure.
In his own words, I therefore expected some more racism than there actually was. The worst is probably when he calls the enemy 'savages' and gives good reason for that in explaining some of their tactics like blowing up kids etc. I don't see what the 'hype' is about.
Yes, he may not be the type to discuss existentialism, but from his words I see someone down to earth, honourable, and highly patriotic.
I think that may be the problem - those are his words. No biopic will manage to capture a totally balanced impression of the character but there are some strong negative opinions "out there". I have no idea whether they are fair opinions or not but because they have been aired, you can't just ignore them and present a white-hatted Lone Ranger type without it looking unbalanced.Before reading the book I read a lot of the arguments surrounding the fact that certain more racist members of society will simply see him as some kind of hero figure.
In his own words, I therefore expected some more racism than there actually was. The worst is probably when he calls the enemy 'savages' and gives good reason for that in explaining some of their tactics like blowing up kids etc. I don't see what the 'hype' is about.
Yes, he may not be the type to discuss existentialism, but from his words I see someone down to earth, honourable, and highly patriotic.
The quotes of his that have been taken that are constantly repeated are:
1) The 'savages' reference, but which is put into context.
2) His recollection of when he was under investigation for shooting someone with an AK47 whose wife claimed he was holding a Koran. In the investigation, his angry response to being questioned was 'I don't shoot men holding the Koran, I'd like to, but I don't'.
3) Then in a later TV interview, he was asked about killing so many people, and he responded explaining along the lines of the numbers don't count, as for each killing of an enemy, he had saved Americans lives each time. To get though, he sees his target as the 'enemy' and not humans.
However, when an anti-war activist puts these three separate quotes together, you get:
"He called Iraqis 'savages', he openly stated he'd like to shoot Muslims holding the Koran, and doesn't think of them as humans.
That obviously puts a very different negative spin from picking out of context a few words from a tens of thousands and putting them back together in a new context.
Watchman said:
American Sniper
I must confess to being a bit confused by this film. Ignoring that it was a biopic and just treating it as a "story" then it was good, shows the confusion of emotions inherent in people waging war. The film was shot expertly (as you'd expect from Mr Eastwood) and gave the message that war is horrible but sometimes necessary and is justifiable.
I'm just not sure that message is genuine though. I've never been hugely pro war or anti, mostly because whenever I make my mind up one way or another, some new ambiguity lands forcing me to reevaluate. And having read up about Chris Kyle, this film seems just as confused about its message. Bradley Cooper did the script justice, no doubt, but that script seems to have take so much licence with who the real CK was that it's hard to view the film as any more than another American propaganda piece. And I don't like that because the Middle East seems to have more than its fair share of truly horrible people so why can't we find stories of people who are helping to fight them that don't require us to gloss over or completely ignore the less savoury aspects of their personalities which, in doing so, opens the story, its makers, and one whole "side" up for criticism?
Hugely engaging film but you just can't watch it on face value. So when you read around the subject, it feels slightly distasteful.
5/10
Watched this last night, it's an upsetting film, illustrates like so many other modern portrayals just how grim and dehumanising war is, however it didn't move me as I struggled to connect to Mr. Cooper, the film didn't get inside his head. That said it is very good and definitely worth a watch.I must confess to being a bit confused by this film. Ignoring that it was a biopic and just treating it as a "story" then it was good, shows the confusion of emotions inherent in people waging war. The film was shot expertly (as you'd expect from Mr Eastwood) and gave the message that war is horrible but sometimes necessary and is justifiable.
I'm just not sure that message is genuine though. I've never been hugely pro war or anti, mostly because whenever I make my mind up one way or another, some new ambiguity lands forcing me to reevaluate. And having read up about Chris Kyle, this film seems just as confused about its message. Bradley Cooper did the script justice, no doubt, but that script seems to have take so much licence with who the real CK was that it's hard to view the film as any more than another American propaganda piece. And I don't like that because the Middle East seems to have more than its fair share of truly horrible people so why can't we find stories of people who are helping to fight them that don't require us to gloss over or completely ignore the less savoury aspects of their personalities which, in doing so, opens the story, its makers, and one whole "side" up for criticism?
Hugely engaging film but you just can't watch it on face value. So when you read around the subject, it feels slightly distasteful.
5/10
7/10
Pantani - Accidental Death of a Cyclist. You don't have to be a PH-PPer to watch this, I think. Some insight leading up to his untimely end and background from commentators and other riders. I don't profess to be in the dark about road cycling (nor am I an expert) but I learned new things. I think general sports fans might like it too. 7.5/10
My ex recommended me something called Magic in the Moonlight lately as opposed to Budapest Hotel I was recommending to her. I wasn't going to follow her advice, but then she mentioned Emma Stone was in it.Turned out not bad, but not very bright either. Woody Allen is the director, which doesn't do anything for me, personally. And I hate Colin Firth. Overall, boring in places, but time well spent. 6/10
Any excuse to post this
Any excuse to post this
'71 - Fantastic film about a soldier left behind during the troubles in Northern Ireland.
9/10
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/71_2015/
9/10
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/71_2015/
Wild Card - Jason Statham doing what he does best yet again! Still enjoyable if you like his films (which I do) 7/10
Kill The Messenger - Based on the true story of Gary Webb a reporter for a small newspaper who uncovers the conspiracy of the C.I.A. Importing drugs to fund the war in Nicaragua. Very good indeed 8.5/10
Kill The Messenger - Based on the true story of Gary Webb a reporter for a small newspaper who uncovers the conspiracy of the C.I.A. Importing drugs to fund the war in Nicaragua. Very good indeed 8.5/10
t myself, it was something unexpected and all in all a brilliant filmGassing Station | TV, Film, Video Streaming & Radio | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff