It seems that as the astounding box office for "American Sniper" continues to grow, so does the partisan bickering over a movie that is so slipshod that its politics (or lack thereof) are the least of its issues. For those on either side of the political aisle, it has become a movie to rally around, leading to a variety of preposterous developments. Jesse Ventura has grabbed some easy headlines on the talk show rounds declaring that he refuses to see Clint Eastwood‘s film, and has branded the film’s deceased subject Chris Kyle "a liar." Meanwhile, Brann’s Sizzling Steaks & Sports Grille has officially banned Seth Rogen (who tweeted and later apologized that ‘Sniper’ "reminds me of the movie that’s showing in the third act of ‘Inglorious Basterds‘ ") as well as Michael Moore. As you might already know, Moore tweeted that "snipers were cowards" and later posted a long explanation on Facebook elaborating his thoughts on Eastwood’s movie. Just a thought: maybe celebrities need to stay off Twitter?
Moore has returned to Facebook, this time addressing a story making the rounds again about the time Eastwood (semi-)jokingly threatened to kill him. This was in 2005, when both directors had movies in the awards hunt: Moore with "Fahrenheit 9/11" and Eastwood with "Million Dollar Baby." During an awards dinner at the National Board of Review, in which both were present, Eastwood accepted his trophy, and in his speech stated "Michael Moore and I actually have a lot in common —we both appreciate living in a country where there’s free expression. But, Michael, if you ever show up at my front door with a camera— I’ll kill you. I mean it." What did Moore think about all this then and now? Read on…
It’s not so much that Eastwood threatened him that bothers Moore, but that it’s part of what he perceives to be a strain of ugly rhetoric in segments of the current media which he dubs "our American ISIS."
Moore’s words are exactly what’s wrong with much of the discussion around "American Sniper" —it’s simply not a conversation. Moore only adds fuel to the fire by throwing around phrases like "our American ISIS," thus diminishing would could be valid criticisms of "American Sniper" (which he calls "a mess of a film that rewrites history"). He further states that Eastwood has gone "haywire" in the last decade, revealing a "loopiness" that wasn’t there before. These are not words you want to use to describe an eighty-four year old man.
Moore is promising more posts in the coming days, including a full review of "American Sniper." Meanwhile, Eastwood’s film is expected to top the box office again this weekend…
Patriotism is not out of control in America.What these gun-toting crazies are saying and doing is not patriotic.They are not
Well hell, I couldn\’t find the edit to correct my spelling. But you get the point.
All of you left wingers make me ill. You have a morons opinion. Unless you;ve been in war or had your friends brains and body parts blown all over you. You have no idea what war does to people. So keep your fingers off the keyboard unleass you understand just what heroes every man and woam are that put their lives on the line every day.
And one more thing, Clint like Moore is a filmmaker and entitled to his point-of-view and persepective, just like Moore. If one doesn\’t like or agree with another\’s artistic point of view or perspective, then don\’t see the work, and certainly don\’t use social media as a debate platform about it.
Basically the message of American Sniper is "war, what is it good for, absolutely nothing," I am a Hollywood movie producer and I look at films objectively – it\’s my job. Clint\’s film is beautifully executed from a production standpoint, with fantastic sound effects editing, and a terrific performance from Cooper. Aside from those elements, which were recognized by AMPAS, there is nothing remarkable about the script adaptation, or best picture. Snipers are a necessary part of all armies and quite frankly I\’m glad we have them (remember Captain Phillips?) We would have lost an innocent life had it not been for a Navy Seal Sniper. So deal with it and focus the conversation on resolving conflicts with words not weapons.
It\’s being marketed as a psychological view on the veteran\’s mind – it\’s not. It\’s like watching a video game (say Call of Duty) being played By someone else for two hours. Lot of shooting and sand, and no real message. Sure, Chris Kyle WAS a hero like all men are, who are willing to sacrifice their own safety for the safety of so many others. BUT it\’s a very bland look on a hero. Almost like a propaganda-piece. Suddenly Chris loves his wife again, hugs his children and loves his life back home again – like that. The first 90 % of the film is shooting in the desert (also known as Middle-East) and the remaining 9% is showing how much of a hero he was on the home front as well, whereas this certainly cannot be the case for a man suffering from post-tramatic stress disorder – he does not go once to the doctor, discover a support group and suddenly get healed. The last 1% of the films shows some questioning of the home-coming of this soldier and how it might have changed the dynamic between him and his wife but that\’s literally two seconds of viewing Sienna Miller\’s suspicious eyes and that\’s it. So what I wanted was more psychologial depth and more of cinematic brilliance – the music, the script even the cinematography (the scene with the dust strom anyone? I know, I didn\’t see a thing!) all lacked so much, very disappointing. Want to see a good film of this topic, go see Brothers from 2009. It\’s not perfect eihter, but at least it offers some insight into the cruelty of war.
Well, that does sound like Eastwood… Eastwood\’s appearance at the 2012 Gop convention also did much to give credence to "loopiness." But if a loopy 84-year can pull off a film like American Sniper– a film I hadn\’t planned on seeing but will eventually–more power to him.
The movie was very good, and while certain aspects of Mr. Kyle\’s story might very well be fiction (can you say Selma?), overall it was fairly accurate. I take issue with those of you calling him a murderer. It would seem your views of the military color your opinions to the point that you cannot differentiate between a soldier with a weapon and a thug using a gun on the streets. Too bad for you. You might take note that from the president on down to the average citizen, your opinions, for the most part, are not shared.
Gee, that sounds like a serious threat. Nothing indicates the fear and anxiety of a legitimate threat like a Facebook post designed to criticize a film.
is the author of this post a tea party Republican? that would make a lot of sense, actually..
I could care less about politics as I haven\’t seen the film. Yet, I think Clint would\’ve done the world a favor if he offed Michael Moore.
I like how one of his issues is a claim that sniper rewrites history, yet he praises Selma, a film that boldly rewrites history and does it for no discernable reason.
Hmm. Moore dead, and Eastwood incarcerated. LET\’S DO THIS.
"Moore only adds fuel to the fire by throwing around phrases like \’our American ISIS,\’ thus diminishing would could be valid criticisms" – This is true because Kevin lives in an insulated world in which the violence his media openly defends and cheers on is acceptable and *not* comparable to ISIS in any way shape or form because said violence is directed *at* his nation\’s adversaries. Only when that same violence is re-directed at *his* country does it become troublesome.
Where is reality in Hollywood? We are fighting over a movie. Get over it!
@EK, it\’s not just "patriotism." It\’s equally pernicious on the Left as well as the Right. If you aren\’t willing to acknowledge that, you\’re contributing to the partisan hyperbole.
Entertainment melodrama. In the industry, when one thing is a success, folks either attach themselves like leeches, or jump into Twitter bombast, thereby attaching themselves like leeches. Different methods, same result.
There is a great irony to this whole conversation. A person like Moore makes a statement about his opinions on snipers which implies negativity towards the armed forces in general. The response is so angry and scathing that much of it encourages his death and states the armed forces are what keeps him free etc and as a result of that he should not question them or criticize. This position endorses the silence of his opinion when it is negative towards the military, essentially saying they are an infallible group who will never do wrong or be corrupted. The irony of these responses is that the freedom to question the armed forces is exactly the freedom the armed forces are fighting to protect. If you endorse his silence and do not respect his right to have an opinion that is controversial then you are what is being fought against…to simplify you are the bad guy.
I think your point in regards to the type of incendiary rhetoric that diminishes intelligent discussion is an appropriate one. But you\’re speaking about a man who\’s made his career with sensationalist, one sided documentaries catering to mass appeal. Whatever your opinions might be in regards to his Moore\’s films, you need to be able to recognize them for what they are, and him, for what he is. All that said, the fact that this movie is topping the box office speaks immensely to the current state of complete moral disillusion in America. We celebrate each and every man and woman in uniform as heroes, but this is just a symptom of collective cowardice. I have served. I am not a hero. No one I served with was a hero. We wore thousands of dollars worth of body armour, NVG\’s, had the latest weapons and rely on a vast intelligence network to bully and punish impoverished minorities wearing sandals and wielding a 50 year old kalashnikov. Chris Kyle is a sociopath and murdered dozens of civilians while a member of an army that invaded a sovereign country. The fact that America is celebrating this is incomprehensible.
Hahahahaha, Jack Frost. A "conservative" on Indiewire. GOD FORBID! Anyways, Michael Moore played Weekend at Bernie\’s with Heston, and obviously faked his conversation with him (the editing was so patently artificial in that sequence it made 60 Minutes look honest.) And Eastwood simply stated his property rights — if Moore goes on Eastwood\’s property, he will be killed. Good for Eastwood.
The Moore quote about snipers is only partially correct. He should\’ve said: "Americans are cowards."
Here\’s how I remember it since I was actually in the audience that night. Michael had shown up at Charlton Heston\’s Beverly Hills Estate and gotten an interview with Charlton by basically buzzing at his gate. Heston comes out and it\’s very clear that he is not in good shape (dementia or what have you). And as you remember from Michael\’s film he twisted Charlton around pretty good with his questions and long stroy short it wasn\’t pretty. Clint alluded to that encounter and said along the lines of "you ever show up in my driveway and try that I me and I will…" you fill in the rest. Just reporting the whole story.
Hopefully many have read the guardians article on Chris kyle already.
Patriotism is out of control in america. Attacking people who don\’t share the same opinion of you and trying to silence and shame them is maddening and against a persons freedom of speech. Chris kyle was a cold
blooded murderer who took pleasure in killing. There should not be a movie displaying this man as a hero.
Funny. This article started off well, sticking to reporting without commentary. Then Mr Jagernauth forgot how to be a journalist and his inner conservative took over. Sad to see.
Moore told the truth re Iraq 9/11 and George w bush at the oscars in front of the whole world which is more than i can say about Eastwood