What Do You Think About Movies Based on Current Politics?

November 7, 2007

This fall we've seen some films, like The Kingdom and Rendition, that deal with current political issues, and they've been met with mostly lukewarm responses. I'm curious to find out whether or not Lions for Lambs will experience the same fate when it opens this weekend. This all makes me wonder: do people want to see movies that deal with current politics?

28 Comments

3 years 10 weeks

There's no doubt that political movies can be bias; but no matter how objective people may try to be, everyone is capable of being bias. If someone feels a film is bias, come up with a piece of art that will contradict and expose it's short comings. Acting in general is striving for truth, so I see no reason for belittling people who want to create things that have to do with social and political issues that effect the way people live; even though this person may be fundamentally wrong in their vision, you have the same right to come back with a vision of your own. The problem isn't that there's have too many political films in America, it's that there's not enough; the market is way too saturated with movies minute. Political and social movies (right or wrong) have the power to make people discuss issues that they wouldn't normally discuss. I think this country needs as many points of view as possible with how controlling the mainstream media is with information. The sad truth is the foreign press often does a better job of reporting more information on American issues than the mainstream American press, so this country could use as many movies of substance as possible. Sometimes an issue presented through a particular series of events that a person can relate to can change their opinion(or create new interest). Although I do wish Hollywood would focus more on accuracies and less on adapting stories to fit cinematic story appeal; sometimes you can use a fictional stories with the characters as vehicles for the message, so long as your not trying to portray actual events inaccurately(or at least admit to adapting a true story).

billdollar 5 years 26 weeks

To the Streeps, Cruises, Sarandons Baldwins, Redfords,etc....the people who finance your lifestyles, the same ones who you bend over backwards to insult and alienate, ....these people are pulling the plug on you. It may be a while before the chickens come home to roost, and you fully feel the effects of your ostracization from the hearts, minds and WALLETS of the American People, but it has and is occurring as I compose this. Have any of you the slightest inkling as to how much you repulse the people of this country? And, I'm not referring to the strips of land on the East and West Coasts that reach inland for a hundred miles or so-I'm referring to AMERICA, or what you flippantly refer to as "fly-over country"!!! You pick and choose your venues carefully these days, don't you? Try spewing your rhetoric at a gathering in Tuscon, Albuquerque, Dallas, Laramie, Boise, Charleston, Mobile, or any one of hundreds of other American cities, and you'll be fortunate to escape with your lives! Stick with Manhattan, (Who, by the way, will be hard pressed to receive much sympathy from the rest of us NEXT time it goes up in flames or is charred by a "dirty bomb")or Orange County, Seattle, Ann Arbor, or San Francisco.These places won't threaten your fragile perception of reality. Keep hating and denigrating this great country who has given you EVERYTHING you have....remember, WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND. We, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WILL NOT FORGET.

ebur47 5 years 27 weeks

I would find these movies enjoyable if they were objective or at least distributed by objective people.

jonesf 5 years 27 weeks

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THIS MOVIE! Tom Cruise is the most exciting actor of our time and I don't think any other actor can bring as much attention to a subject as Tom can. Unlike many, I'm someone who actually cares about what's going on in this country and do pay attention to what's going on. We finally have a film that is addressing both sides of the argument of war and policies. This is a movie that's intended to make people think and I'm a big fan of that as well as Mr. Cruise. Katie looks unbelievable by the way.

liciababe 5 years 27 weeks

i really hate them they are sooooo one sided and slanted it kinda makes me sick plus i can just read the newpaper if i want to know what's going on

juju 5 years 27 weeks

I think these movies are important, and in the future Americans will look back at these films and gain some insight into what it feels like to be living in this country right now. I also think that it is great for film makers to work with what's on their mind. If they are passionate about something, they express it through their art...they aren't going to wait until the topics are "popular" before putting it on film. (Goodness knows they can't wait until the war is over....who knows when that will be.) At the same time, they can be difficult to watch, and a little too close to home. I can't image having a friend or relative in the service and watching something like "In the Valley of Elah" or something similar.

FB1977 5 years 27 weeks

I don't mind these movies, because I have a genuine interest in current events, especially the war and I feel it's one of the only ways to really get people to remember there is still a war going on. My boyfriend is in the military, along with many good friends of mine, so it's interesting to watch these movies and then compare to how it really is. More importantly, no matter how fictionalized the movie may be, at least it gives civilians a glimpse into what it's really like for the troops fighting this war.

pinupsweetheart 5 years 27 weeks

I think the studios have a right to make films on what is going on in the news. HOWEVER, there are a lot of ignorant people out there that will assume that what they see in the movies is really happening. They don't have the brain power to realize the movie is BASED on current events. I think Hollywood can create racial discrimination against certain cultures and ethnicity of characters depicted in films. If someone sees a terrorist portrayed by someone of a Middle Eastern descendant, they will assume anyone from the Middle East is a terrorist. Personally I would like to leave the political crap at home on my evening news and use movies to ESCAPE for a couple hours.

jessugar 5 years 27 weeks

i don't mind social commentary, but i like it cleverly done in such a way that it's not obvious. i don't like movies about terrorism; there's already enough real fear in the world.

ohmondieu 5 years 27 weeks

I really enjoy watching these sort of films (I'm into politics) but realise afterwards that most of what's shown is exxagerated. It is hollywood like caterpillargirl said, so for me it's still a kind of escapism.

Too_Posh 5 years 27 weeks

I understand the importance of getting these movies out to the public, many people don't watch the news but will go see a movie with Reece Witherspoon or Tom Cruise. I personally do not like them, because I do watch the news so when I go to a movie I want to see something that isn't what I just saw on CNN. Another reason I don't like the recent political movies is because they don't know exactly whats going on yet, its hard to make a movie about something happening right now, because all the facts aren't all out.

mrspiven 5 years 27 weeks

i appreciate the fact that these movies are relevant and make people think about issues affecting us in the here and now, but so many of them are too fictionalized and inaccurate, some are just sick propoganda, and a few are even just plain offensive. hopefully, the good will be that people will research the topics these movies bring up and will form their own opinions, not just grasp immediately onto what the movie is 'selling'.

figurine 5 years 27 weeks

No, everyone doesn't want a happy ending -- some of us want life.

CaterpillarGirl 5 years 27 weeks

Its hollywood, i dont trust any "real political" story to be true.

lil l 5 years 27 weeks

I don't necessarily hate them...See the thing is: If I'm going to be entertained, I don't want to have to worry about the world after seeing a movie!! I just want to relax and enjoy!!! Doesn't everyone want a happy ending...Sappy, I know! :)

figurine 5 years 27 weeks

I agree with some other people; I like political/serious movies, but especially the ones made by Americans are pretty one-sided. It's not really a problem as long as you're aware of it, though. :)

FourLeafJewel83 5 years 27 weeks

I can't stand most of them because I feel like they are kind of exploiting our military. While our troops are there fighting, Hollywood is trying to make big budget movies about it and get more of my money? No thanks.

BlairBear 5 years 27 weeks

Hate, hate, hate them! My husband is in the Army and has been deployed twice. I could barely watch the news when he was deployed, let alone try to watch a movie about the same thing. I picture him in all of those scenes where something bad is happening to someone. I just can't do it.

Brendelwoman 5 years 27 weeks

I hate them. It seems like there is a definite agenda being pushed by most of these movies and I don't care for it.

steen 5 years 27 weeks

I think they're interesting and certainly help bring home a lot of issues that people don't think about or only see in words in the news, but I also take them with a grain of salt as far as accuracy and any slant that may have been put on by the makers.

-Maryan- 5 years 27 weeks

I think they are important!

Zahara Pitt 5 years 27 weeks

Don't like them... I like serious movies... but these political movies seems to be one-sided

fleurfairy 5 years 27 weeks

I think people for the most part watch movies to escape from reality. If we want to see current politics we can turn on the news or read the newspaper. Plus, movies about current political issues don't have enough context. I think you only get the full story when you are removed enough by time to look back and see the whole picture.

aimeeb 5 years 27 weeks

Why pay to see a movie about current world issues when I can watch the news for free...

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