Black Hawk Down: what makes a war film?

[SoulJacker]

But it is insulting when Hollywood churn?s out films like this, which are racist and (as per bloody usual) depict ?Americans? as the good guys. How many times have we seen flicks like this that create this illusion that Americans are invincible do-gooders? The Somalis hated the yanks for reasons that BHD glossies over and disregards all in the aid of creating a quick buck. Do you think this film would have been made if it depicted the US in its true light during this period of time? Hell-fucking-no.

BHD has attracted these criticisms (rightly so IMO) because it paints the yanks as whiter-than-white heroes. In reality, the inspiration behind Ewan McGregor's war hero/coffee supping gimp is now serving a prison sentence for the rape of a 12-year-old girl, while the true-life US troops were also ?alleged? to have shot women and children during their mission. But in this instance, to show yanks killing women on the screen, they have to take up arms as if in someway that justices killing them. Bull-fucking-shit.

Why can?t America ever admit its mistakes? I now why, because this may turn away some off ?the largest movie going nation in the world?. Hollywood changes the past to make a few bucks, and it this that people find disgraceful.

Granted this is a dumb movie, but trying to pass it off as some kind of ultra real, almost fly-on-the-wall style documentary stinks. Its one sidedness stinks even more.

[Admitting]?Saying that though, I ?enjoyed? this film to a certain extent, but I understand why films like this piss non-yanks off.[Admitting]


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Jay & Silent Bob DO NOT LICK BALLS.

[shirt]

You guys are just being ignorant of the situation. These films are made for Americans. No one else. The rest of the World is oblivious to them. Who the fuck cares if they don't consider Somalians when making a film about Americans FIGHTING Somalians. That is stupid. Do you really think a Somalian filmmaker is going to make the Americans look good in his version? Of course not. He's going to make them look like the vicious dogs they are.

Mass market films are about one thing. Money. And if the public doesn't like it, then they won't make any. Unfortunately, the public is American.

It's such a joke about how many Non-Americans bitch about mass market films that are Pro-America. Why not face reality and see who controls about 90% of the World.

Ah well, I'm bored of ranting.

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[shirt]

Oh, and another thing. Your being even more ignorant if don't think Canadian, or British Soldiers kill innocent people. Would you like to see a film about British Soldiers killing innocent people? Didn't think so. BTW: Remember, the UK is always right beside the US when they go to war.

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[SoulJacker]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, helvetica, sans serif">quote:</font><HR>It's such a joke about how many Non-Americans bitch about mass-market films that are Pro-America. Why not face reality and see who controls about 90% of the World. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This statement is utter Bullshit. Just because you pluck some statistic out of the air and proclaim the US to be the controlling force of the world, doesn?t make it write for them to produce pieces of mindless shite like this film.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, helvetica, sans serif">quote:</font><HR> Oh, and another thing. Your being even more ignorant if don't think Canadian, or British Soldiers kill innocent people.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Did I say I don?t think Canadians or Brits kill innocent people in war? How did you become a moderator again?

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Jay & Silent Bob DO NOT LICK BALLS.

[shirt]

Don't be stupid. Let's look at the facts.

1. Who leads and controls most of the World's economy?

The GWP (Gross World Product)rose to 3% in 1999 from 2% in 1998 despite continued recession in Japan, severe financial difficulties in other East Asian countries, and widespread dislocations in several transition economies, notably Russia. The U.S. economy continued to prosper, growing at 4.1% in 1999, and accounted for 23% of GWP. Western Europe's economies grew at roughly 2%, not enough to cut deeply into the region's high unemployment; the EU economies produced 20% of GWP. China, the world's second-largest economy, continued its strong growth and accounted for 12% of GWP.

2. Who's country has the richest people (ie. the people who control the economy, leaders, powerful business people, etc.)?

Next to Luxembourg ($34,200 per capita), the United States ($33,900 per capita). However let me remind you Luxembourg has a population of roughly 500'000, whilst the U.S. has roughly 300'000'000. The third largest population in the World. Also be reminded that the United States has an economy of about 9 billion dollars. In second place, China with jus over 4 billion.

There's a few facts to get started. Your turn. Argue that the United States is not the most powerful country in the World. And by powerful, I mean controls what goes on.

NOW, as a Canadian... I was just pointing out that Americans are not the only bad people, and that if I a film about Canadian Peacekeepers was made... it would definately not show the truth. As the same with British soldiers...

Ah, well. Your ignorance is not wasted, as it provides humour. Thanks.

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[Davis]

Shirt, I just want to let you know your efforts are not wasted. I am super greatful to know someone shares my view.

Did I say this movie was good? No. Did I say it was right? No. Did I say America is right? No. I said a bunch of Americans made a movie to make some money. Now, do you think they're going to do that by saying "Hey Americans, you guys fucking suck!" No, they're not. SoulJacker, you say "it is insulting when Hollywood churn?s out films like this." Why are you insulted? The movie wasn't made for you, they don't care about you, they aren't trying to appeal to you, so why are you offended?

nate_dog, you must be kidding me when you say "These movies could make more money if..." Make more money!? Do you know how much movies make right now? You think they care if they get an extra 100,000 bucks out of Canada? No, they don't.

I didn't say, "Why do you get mad when Hollywood makes crap?" I didn't say that. I said, "Why is the word 'American' used as an insult around here?"

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"He who breaks a thing to discover what it is has left the path of wisdom."
-Gandalf

www.pmind.com

[nate_dog]

just a question Davis, do you enjoy movies which are considered (by non-Americans) American patriotic propaganda? As an American, do you like seeing your own flag over, and over in these hollywood, blockbuster films?

Just curious.

(by the way, $100,000 would not even cover the amount for print and advertisment for the movies released in Canada. Get your shit together.)


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I LOVE THE SMELL OF NAPALM IN THE MORNING

[Davis]

I meant $100,000 American. So that's like a million billion Canadian. Sorry for the mix-up.

Before I answer your question, I have one for you: seeing my flag over and over? Are you kidding me? What, Pearl Harbor and now Black Hawk Down. You act like every movie out of America is some kind of racist, nationalistic propaganda. Dude, lighten up. But now to answer your question, I am proud to live in America, and you can ask Mods, I was proud to be American WAY before 9/11. I love it here, I love how good I have it. And I say that not as a trailer-park livin' rebel flag wearing hillbilly, but as a very well travelled, educated and open minded person. I've seen many other countries. I've lived in England. I like it here, not because it's all I know, but because I've been around the globe and I pick here.

Was Pearl Harbor a good movie? No, of course not. But was it because there were American flags in it? No. No way, man. I mean, all this America hating comes off as jealousy, really. And I know everyone's going to get all trumped up and insist, "Why, that's just rediculous guv'na!" But why then is all you do bash America over and over again. I can understand saying, "I hate it when America does this one thing, or that thing." But with you guys, just the word "American" is intended as a scathing insult.

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"He who breaks a thing to discover what it is has left the path of wisdom."
-Gandalf

www.pmind.com

[BuBu]

Alas steven i was captured by my university lecturers and forced to do some 'work' as they call it!

Now now boys why has this turned into an America v Britan war?! We are all the same - just humans who make mistakes and who also have the ability to be hero's. Ask anyone why a war started and they can all give you a different answer, ask who is the bad guy and they will give a different answer...because it is personal to just them. And this film was personal to the director and from his point of view and instead of debating 'who's the bad guy?' we should be discussing the shots and camera angles and whether the film was well done. Sorry if that sounded preachy there's just ne need to be 'pro' anything except 'pro-human'.

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[Crafty Banton]

Too true , BuBu. Pro-human yup.

And Hollywood isn't the world's largest movie industry - Bollywood is. They don't care much about the outside world either. but no one moans about that.



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