NEWS: Do Movies Influence People?

Exactly why are you in the military if you think Americans are stupid enough to think The Kingdom is reality? Of course, a large number of people are dumb enough to believe Iraq was responsible for 9/11, so I can understand.

You want to know what fiction you are believing? The one you are promoting - the strawman bullshit that criticizing the war, and showing the realities of war dead, equals a myspace page which says Fuck the Troops.

The idea soldiers aren't seen, heard or respected is bullshit. Their point of view is in Gunnar Palace or Occupation: Dreamland or any of the other documentaries, news reports, essays, poetry books and radio interviews which air the views of soldiers and vets. For example, here's a major essay from the Washington Post, written by 12 former army captains who are vets of the war:

Seems to me the voice of the soldier is strong, but you don't notice because not all of them are saying what you want to hear. Some are, but apparently it doesn't count unless all of them do and Brian DiPalma says nothing.

Over and over and over war critics make a point of saying they support the troops, but Fox News types keep bringing it up as code for "shut up traitor."

What really bugs me is the "I report you decide" facade of this essay. When you write "Do you think Al-jazeera is a Middle East news organization run by terrorist sympathizers or a legitimate organization based in London?" it's clear what you want people to think. Also, it's not based in London, but Qtar. When you write "I'm not even here to lash out at individual's who hate the military or America." well, yes that's exactly why you're here.

So here's your reassurance: I hate this war because I support the troops. But that support doesn't include respecting weasel words to feign objectivity while implying criticism of the "war" on terror hurts the troops and helps the troops. I call bullshit on that.

"Octopussy" wasn't based on actual events?

I've worked on a number of research papers dealing with "history" in film, and while I am not sure if all people "believe" what occurrs in movies to be the truth, I feel it definitely colours and skews the perception of what the truth could be, and often very little research is done beyond the actual film.

Every medium, whether its a film, documentary, television show, book, advertisement; has an agenda, and if you know little about a topic to begin with, it's quite easy to believe a "true story". Get well research on a topic, and then watch television documentaries on it...it can be pretty damn rediculous. TV spots on the witch hunts can be some of the worst.

That's touching. However, each of those soldiers made the choice to be there, and to be away from their families. There is no draft. These people were not unwillingly torn away from their everyday lives.

Anyway.

You haven't even seen these films, and you are concerned with the way they influence the public? You don't even provide examples of how the films themselves directly effect public opinion, just the fact that they, in some way, do... like all other films. Fuck the Troops is a whole 600 people, and nowhere is it displayed that the group was spawned by a thought-provoking film... nor does it show these people going around saying, "Hey, I saw The Kingdom which portrayed this, so now I believe that! Fuck yeah!" Movies are movies, and I think even the biggest idiot realizes that.

people will. But not on such a large scale. Especially considering the amount of Vietnam vets who are still homeless, mentally ill, etc and are here to remind us of it. We learned our lesson there.

Unless people "lashing out" at Vietnam veterans was created to serve some political purpose. Not to say that Vietnam vets weren't spat on when they came home... No, that's actually what I'm saying.

you sleep through 3rd grade english? apparently so did erin_broadley.

additionally, you're referencing al jazeera's website as proof al jazeera is a legitimate organization. that's fucking retarded.

actually, i think "how to avoid apostrophe typos" was like 5th grade or something. i'ts''' a'll a blur'

It is okay!
When apostrophe's over-----usage (happens) for me,
Simply' poetic, I--- say.

The pull out the E.E. Cummings bible.

what lesson will we learn for the iraq vets who will be homeless, mentally ill, etc? what will they remind us of?

I know, I love elephants too.

Bahahaha! You are my favourite

If anyone is ever truly influenced by a movie, I really hope it's Pay It Forward.

The only thing that movie influenced me to do was kill puppies.

VERY interesting-looking book!! Thanks for bringing that up- i'm gonna check it out.

I understand what you're saying, and do agree in the sense that the troops should not be given a one sided perspective in films and presented largely as evil. Unfortunately, the article wasn't too strongly argued. Maybe a bit more research? Still, it'll take more than a slightly wonky Brian DePalma film to stimulate opinion against the guys and gals out there who are doing their best.

In the end, a movie is just a movie. I don't care how well written it is, or how close to the truth it might be, you are still sitting in a cinema, watching flickering lights on a screen. It bears no relation to reality what so ever, but is massively powerful, because it gives the illusion of reality.

Ultimately, the process of observing a movie gives a false impression. There really is only one way to know what is happening and that is to take part. Obviously that is not really an option, so in this day and age we have the modern enigma, which is the partially educated person. More dangerous than completely ignorant, is someone, who get's their half facts from the media, and then forms an opinion. Even worse if it comes from a movie.

Never forget that movies are made to make MONEY!! They can never be a valid source of news and info about what is really happening in the world. If they inspire people to search out the truth, then great, but I doubt that happens often. They are there to primarily entertain.

I feel sorry for people who believe that shooting bullets into peoples bodies is a way to do good. I'm sorry that they believed all the propaganda about the army, but I still respect them for trying, even if I think they are way off the mark.

And that's why I don't watch movies. Or TV fiction.

everything influences everything. Every action has a reaction.
Some folks are dumb and copy the dumb stuff