What movie are you going to see this weekend? Act of Valor is (predictably?) receiving poor reviews — currently at 20 percent on RottenTomatoes, the critics are calling it a recruitment film. (Note: They don’t consider this a positive thing.) So, what’s the problem with it? Rebecca Cusey answers:
The problem is not with the new “Act of Valor” movie that opens today. It’s a rousing manifesto. The problem is with some players in Hollywood and a segment of the American public who consider modern American soldiers something to be pitied rather than admired.
They respect the soldier in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Global War on Terror, just not what they do. There is an unspoken feeling that the American troops have been duped into something unsavory, as if looking for a better life or free education, they signed up and found themselves in an icky – if not downright dishonorable – war.
In “Act of Valor,” the soldiers speak for themselves and their message is loud and clear: We know exactly what we are doing. We consider it worthwhile. We consider it an honor.
Read the rest here. And if you go see the film, eat some popcorn for me! We’re snuggling up here at home, trying to clear out our very long queue of recorded television shows. (Note: we have two more episodes of Homeland to watch! Anyone else watching this? Don’t give the ending away.)
Go ahead and finish the first season of 'Homeland' if you must. I doubt you'll watch another episode. Ever. I know I won't.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSaw Act of Valor last night and really enjoyed it. As an action movie fan (i.e. things blow up), Act of Valor was well above the average Hollywood flick, and considering the good-guy actors are not professionals, I thought it was just fine. The swift boat extraction sequence was worth the price of admission all by itself. People in my theater actually cheered.
Act of Valor is a sober and realistic "day in the life" film about men and women in whose boots 99.9% of us would never qualify to walk in. Ignore the critics and go see it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThanks for the scoop! We didn't get to the movies this weekend, but this should be on our list.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePeople who intend to see the movie should be aware that in the film "the main terrorist financier and torturer of CIA agents is, not Muslim, but Jewish." And he is specifically called out as such.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIs there any wonder why Independent filmakers make films like these? The making of independent films is in a way , a microcosm of the independence in free thinking that goes on elsewhere in Americn life, a hallmark of liberty itself.
Hollyweird on the other hand is as clueless anymore about good film making, as Obama is about making any sense when it comes to rational policy. Americans DON'T require some lunatic to lecture them or teach them on their latest "rights du jour" mandate or manipulate emotions like Hollyweird is apt to promote in their movies.
Similarly, Rotten Tomatoes is equally clueless about movie reviews. I have from an anecdotal perspective, tracked Rotten Tomatoes accuracy in their description of films in their reviews. Their reviews are inaccurate 100 % of the time.I actually had an associate of mine say" I didn't like Act of Valor ( I think it's a superbly done film). I inquired as to why he thought that ? His answer was stunning. " It didn't seem realistic because they didn't use Hollywood actors"
Unbelieveable.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIs there any wonder why Independent filmakers make films like these? The making of independent films is in a way , a microcosm of the independence in free thinking that goes on elsewhere in Americn life, a hallmark of liberty itself.
Hollyweird on the other hand is as clueless anymore about good film making, as Obama is about making any sense when it comes to rational policy. Americans DON'T require some lunatic to lecture them or teach them on their latest "rights du jour" mandate or manipulate emotions like Hollyweird is apt to promote in their movies.
Similarly, Rotten Tomatoes is equally clueless about movie reviews. I have from an anecdotal perspective, tracked Rotten Tomatoes accuracy in their description of films in their reviews. Their reviews are inaccurate 100 % of the time.I actually had an associate of mine say" I didn't like Act of Valor ( I think it's a superbly done film). I inquired as to why he thought that ? His answer was stunning. " It didn't seem realistic because they didn't use Hollywood actors"
Unbelieveable.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThat's an unfair characterization of the criticism of the film. Here is the top line summary:
"It's undeniably reverent of the real-life heroes in its cast, but Act of Valor lets them down with a clichéd script, stilted acting, and a jingoistic attitude that ignores the complexities of war."
That does not sound to me much different than criticism of any action movie that's big on action and light on script and characters.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"...a jingoistic attitude that ignores the complexities of war."
That does not sound to me much different than a criticism of any military movie that's big on the US. Starting with a "yes, they revere heroes but ..." does sound to me much like calling someone a hero to criticize the ones who accurately admire their heroism.
Special forces succeed with conviction, dedication and by being mission oriented. I doubt if they care that their "script" is viewed as cliched by those who do not wish to accept or acknowledge their reality. Their complexities of war are on the screen in this movie and should not be mistaken for Hollwood's, journalism's, politicians', or the left's complexities of war.
Judging this movie on Hollwood standards is judging it on standards that were never appropriate for this movie. It looks like a lot of people get the difference based on audience attendance and reaction.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMy daughter & I saw "Act of Valor" and were deeply moved. Sure, some of the action was scripted, but SEAL missions are heavily scripted... that's why they are often successful! As to the real SEAL actors, they were better than Hollywood actors because they knew in their hearts the reality of what they were saying. To understand that, read the names of the SEALS who have died since 9/11 highlighted at the end of the film.
Let's put Mr. Depp & Mr. Clooney on a set with LIVE 50cal guns blazing and see how "scripted" they act...
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