is sniper movie popularity an extention of 1st person shooter games

[dembotoz]

My boys all have x-boxes and it seems all they play is 1st person shooter games.
halo, assassin creed, call of duty, star wars this that, and zombie anything games.

has american sniper become just a war game with wonderful graphics that make it all seem so palatable.

just an observation, not trying to suggest we should burn x boxes or play stations....

[benz380]

1. Why are you teaching your children to kill?

Just kidding! I'm sure someone will ask, though.
We played army with sticks in the woods when I was young since there were no video games.
We also would spend our allowance at the army surplus store buying stuff.

[Orrex]

2. You should check out the trailer for Hardcore

Now that's a 1st-person shooter movie.

[benz380]

4. Pretty cool. n/t

[Orrex]

9. I agree

Crazy concept, and how can you lose with Sharlto Copley at your side?

[frylock]

15. TURN IT OFF!

[JackRiddler]

3. No.

It's mostly an expression of the right-wing pro-military demographic doing their semi-annual movie trip. They have been successfully mobilized to go see it by the maudlin, militarist, National-Christianist propaganda campaign that has dominated NFL playoff games, etc.

(Also, a handful of junior film critics apparently are going because they think it's important to discover whether this effort to justify the American war of aggression and murder of hundreds of thousands of people in Iraq is also a fine work of art.)

Here's the prequel, by the way:

[earthside]

5. Who is getting killed in 'American Sniper'?

I suspect that there is a lot of vicarious trigger pulling going on out there.

[JackRiddler]

6. No kidding.

[DetlefK]

7. It's just an extension of a lonesome-hero-vs-horde trope.

You have a knight fighting against hordes of barbarians.
You have the outnumbered sheriff fighting bandits.
You have the Space Marine fighting against hordes of ugly space monsters.

And you have the sniper winning the war all by himself by raining death on his stupid enemies.

[Johonny]

8. I think it has more to do with why Clive Bundy was popular

A certain sub segment of the population if told something is good, righteous, patriotic and a most see. Then they will support it and see it no matter the actual facts or content. Why else would they not support things like insurance reform or regulating wall street?

[gordianot]

10. Next time someone complains about liberal media remind them:

Which movie got an Oscar nomination and which did not? 1st people shooter games may have influenced some but is not primary.

[dembotoz]

11. but it builds the appeal--I watch them play the games

they will prob see the movie and they are too young to remember how we were all lied to

clint eastwood is rewritting history and the chair is not empty this time

[former9thward]

13. I hope you are not talking about Selma.

It was nominated for Best Picture as was American Sniper.

[gordianot]

16. Seems a little odd that Selma got a nomination without merit of actors.

Maybe the story was recognized.

[former9thward]

18. I have not seen the movie so I don't know about the acting.

But then I am about the furthest thing from a movie critic there is. As long as the movie is good I don't care that much about the acting and I usually like all the movies the critics hate.

[dembotoz]

17. not selma

[former9thward]

19. Not selma?

What does that mean? Why the mystery?

[gordianot]

20. I guess Selma had to stand on its strory, not acting that is not a mystery for me.

Sorry I confused you, but I tend to get suspicious about such things.

[former9thward]

21. You did not confuse me.

I was replying to another poster who said "not Selma". See post #17.

[bigwillq]

12. Possibly

Although I feel the movie's popularity has more to do with:


1. It was a product of great marketing. The trailer was shown repeatedly during sporting events to catch the eye of the all-important young male demographic.

2. It features a popular actor (Bradley Cooper) and director (Clint Eastwood).

3. War movies have traditionally done well.

4. It's a pretty good movie. Not great, imo, but pretty good.

5. The movie was in part boosted by Best Picture and Best Actor Oscar nominations.

6. Word of mouth (it seems like movie goers have enjoyed the film). This probably means the movie will remain popular through the end of the Oscar season.

[Paladin]

14. I feel pretty sure that those games boosted the movie's popularity. (nt)

[Blue_Tires]

22. As a longtime former gamer, I'd say there is a connection...

[gladium et scutum]

23. I probably will

go see American Sniper. Not into war gaming at all. But do have some interest in the subject. Would go see a movie about Zaitsev or Pavlichenko. Would really like to see one about the Finnish sniper Hayah. Since I knew Gunnery Sergeant Hathcock personally, would definitely see a movie about him.