'American Sniper' breaks box office records

[Pericles]

I talk to military guys and I can't completely comprehend the whole "glory" angle. Some are really addicted to their place as an American Hero. Just look at those videos depicting "Stolen Valor" incidents. While I think such behavior is cowardly and dishonorable, I view many of these ardent Stolen Valor defenders like I view Gollum from the LOTR trilogy. They are totally consumed by the lie.

Most people lead quiet lives and will not accomplish much of profound impact on the rest of the world. For some of those people, the time spent in the military is the exception where they like to think that something of great importance is being done, and may get some trinket of recognition, which makes their lives matter. Others get that ego stroke by being cops, politicians, or posting crap on the internet. At the lowest end, Facebook and Twitter serve that purpose. Because most of our people put the military in the highest category of that recognition, some feel the need to make up a fake military past.

 

[PaulConventionWV]

Writer/Director dead,, under questionable circumstances.

That's not really what I was talking about. I'm not too interested in the Gray State director conspiracy, but what I meant was that there is an elite establishment in Hollywood and they are the only ones with any credibility. So what I really meant to say that TPTB never would have backed the movie if it didn't fit the criteria. This movie served a valuable propaganda purpose. I think that's pretty obvious, but some people here apparently think it was a genuine and heartfelt revelation of the experience of war. I really don't get that. If this served no purpose for furthering the state's objectives, it never would have gotten this big because the Hollywood establishment never would have given it legitimacy by backing it and giving it funding, finding talent, etc.

 

[PaulConventionWV]

I talk to military guys and I can't completely comprehend the whole "glory" angle. Some are really addicted to their place as an American Hero. Just look at those videos depicting "Stolen Valor" incidents. While I think such behavior is cowardly and dishonorable, I view many of these ardent Stolen Valor defenders like I view Gollum from the LOTR trilogy. They are totally consumed by the lie.

This is a perfect example of what appears to be a pretty normal attitude by soldiers and marines toward their service.

 

[CPUd]

That's not really what I was talking about. I'm not too interested in the Gray State director conspiracy, but what I meant was that there is an elite establishment in Hollywood and they are the only ones with any credibility. So what I really meant to say that TPTB never would have backed the movie if it didn't fit the criteria. This movie served a valuable propaganda purpose. I think that's pretty obvious, but some people here apparently think it was a genuine and heartfelt revelation of the experience of war. I really don't get that. If this served no purpose for furthering the state's objectives, it never would have gotten this big because the Hollywood establishment never would have given it legitimacy by backing it and giving it funding, finding talent, etc.

The criteria is whether or not the studio will make a net profit if they invest in the film, or do they owe the producers any favors.

 

[PaulConventionWV]

The criteria is whether or not the studio will make a net profit if they invest in the film, or do they owe the producers any favors.

I would argue that that's not the only criteria.

I don't know if you were aware of this, but America is not a capitalist country. Any time something is done WRT the establishment and any of its defining characteristics (war machine), you know they're going to get involved. Making money is not the only objective when it comes to producing entertainment for the masses. It would be absurd to think just how involved the government is in everyday life and think that they're not also controlling the message that is relayed to us via popular movies and other media.

 

[PaulConventionWV]

I mean, think about it. Chris Kyle is an integral part of the establishment's propaganda campaign. The only reason he is a hero is because they made him one so people could ooh and aah at the bravery and sacrifice of our military. You can't just think that Chris Kyle is being used as military propaganda and also think that the establishment is going to let a movie be made about him without any input. This is a movie about an American War Hero. This is vital to their campaign, so they're going to make sure the proper message is displayed.

How can you even make a war movie without a particular slant? Sure, you can argue that there is always the "war is hell" slant, but the Hollywood higher ups and PTB are not going to waste an opportunity to make this movie good for the establishment agenda to keep the war machine going and the images fresh in the minds of the people. The fact that Chris Kyle is recognized as a war hero by the establishment that sent him to war and the fact that there was a movie made about him are virtually inseparable. To say that the establishment just idly stood by as Clint Eastwood did his thing would be silly. This was a carefully orchestrated propaganda piece, just like most movies are, especially war movies because of the subject matter.

 

[CPUd]

Flags of our Fathers was actually 10% about war and 90% about war propaganda.