OohRah, Jarhead is gonna piss the Fundies off, big time

[DainBramaged]

The movie is about how you never lose the feel of your gun, how Saddam's weapons were sold by us, about insanity, poison gas and the pills that you signed the release for, the fact that they were only trying to get away, and how we're still in the desert.

You will not believe it, the humor, the insanity, how you will blush and feel guilty, and how every emotion you have ever felt for the politicians who drink gallons of oil and who let the earth bleed will sneak up on you like a stallion in the darkness.

The movie will rip your brain out and toss it around like a football.


Much of the movie is described in these words. You have to go see it. It is the best anti-war movie in a long, long time. And it doesn't smell like victory.

[sasquatch]

1. Sort of like Full Metal Jacket?

[DainBramaged]

4. Better, and you'll understand why when you see it

Every important movie about the Vietnam war is paid homage to in this movie. But this is one different movie. And the audience wasn't ready for it. It made people very uncomfortable when the laughter died down.

[SeattleGirl]

2. Thanks DainBramaged.

I've been looking forward to your "review" since you posted earlier that you were going to see it!

[DS1]

3. I could still put an M16 back together with my eyes closed

and I can still feel the pistol grip - and I didn't even go anywhere :crazy:

[11 Bravo]

12. How true! I haven't held one since 1972,

and I'll bet I could field strip the mother-fucker blind-folded.

[Left_Winger]

28. Same here

Although it has been about 30 years since my time as a jarhead, I am amazed as to how much has remained with me. Maybe the saying that we are "brainwashed" does hold a particle of truth. :shrug:

[DainBramaged]

45. A great line from the movie about "training"

"When you're sick you report to sick bay, when you're wounded you report to the corpsman, when you're dead you report to the graves detail, but when you're insane, there's nobody to report to."

[Scoots]

5. A recent conversation

I was talking to a guy who had served in every conflict from Panama to Gulf War I. Although we disagree on many things, the discussion was going very well until the point where he told me that US weapons were NEVER sold overseas.

My jaw hit the floor. Obviously I would defer to this guy on most military matters (I was never in the military), but I couldn't believe he was being serious.

I told him that it was common knowledge that US companies were allowed to sell weapons to Iraq while they were still allies, and we sold weapons to Iran during the whole Iran/Contra thing, and this was only scratching the surface.

He told me this was merely liberal propaganda -- US weapons have never been sold overseas. I simply picked my jaw up off the floor and walked away.

What else could I do?

[SeattleGirl]

6. Probably not much except try to smack some sense into him, but

I'm sure that would not have been a very good choice.

[raccoon]

46. I doubt it would've changed his mind, either. nt

[DainBramaged]

7. I think we're the largest arms seller in the world, with China and

North Korea close behind. You should have asked him how our planes get into foreign air forces?

[Scoots]

14. Exactly.

Unfortunately, I was so dumbfounded I couldn't think of anything. It was out of respect for his service that I didn't simply laugh at him.

His entire argument was based on one thing: "I've never faced an American weapon."

[ghostsofgiants]

9. I bet the Mujahideen never recieved training from the US either

:eyes:

[baldguy]

10. I'm sure he knows what a stinger looks like

http://www.afghan-web.com/gallery/



I wonder how many of Ronnie's stingers ended up knocking out our own helicopters.

[obxhead]

11. so that's why Israel and Venezuela are flying F16's right.

You read things like this and it just makes you want to cry. As well as understand how Bush is as high as a 35% approval rating.

[Rabrrrrrr]

15. So he doesn't even remember the SCUDS of the Gulf War?

The news constantly making a point that these were our old weapons? Ineffectual pieces of shit? Easy to shoot down? That we sold to Iraq?

Does he not remember the news back in the late 80s/early 90s (I can't remember when) about the Israeli pilots and how they were flying our planes better than our pilots?

He doesn't remember the Brits war with Argentina in the Falklands and the Harrier Jets we sold them?

[TheMightyFavog]

19. Hate to correct you, but...

The Harrier jump jet was a British design to begin with. It was us who bought the harrier from the UK.

[Rabrrrrrr]

20. Whoops - thanks!

I had a feeling I was getting that wrong, but I couldn't remember...

As Gallagher said, "Leave it to the British to want a plane that curtsies".

[Aristus]

22. Yeah, and the SCUD was a Soviet-made missile.

I know Saddam bought a butt-load of weapons from us, but not this one; The SCUD was Soviet.

Piece of shit, too.

[Rabrrrrrr]

23. Well, fuck.

Kinda kills my whole argument then, don't it?

:grr:

I hate being wrong.

I wasn't so sure about the Harriers, but I would have bet all my retirement that the SCUDS were ours. I was sure of it!

Damn.

Anyway, thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[ContraBass Black]

94. Well, not quire.

There are plenty of people flying our planes and launching our missles.

[MrScorpio]

27. Right, SCUDS were Russian pieces of shit

and not very effective either

[Scoots]

18. His entire argument was based on one thing: "I've never faced

an American weapon."

[MrScorpio]

26. That guy is a complete idiot

I'm even surprised that the guy was in the military at all. Don't listen to him anymore, he's full of shit.

I wish that I could talk to the jerk.

He would be surprised to learn that when I worked in the Pentagon, the Directorate that was specifically responsible for foreign military sales was right next door to my office.


He's really stupid. What branch was he in?

[Scoots]

52. I meant to ask, but never did.

He introduced himself on day one as having recently retired from the military. That's about all I know, or care to know.

I find myself wondering if he wasn't just trying to pull a Bill O'Reilly move: You and I know the truth, but if I tell you something else loud enough and forceful enough then you'll believe it.

[MrScorpio]

59. Retired?!? If that's true, he's an even bigger idiot than I thought

Either that, or he's lying

Any which way, he's full of shit

[Coventina]

47. Uh, so the Israelies STOLE those Apaches from us?

:crazy:

[hickman1937]

67. Sin is an intentional offense.

He knew but chose to pretend ignorance. May God have mercy on his soul and his lucrative point of view.

[Jara sang]

68. Quick Google search of "US weapons sales"

will prove this guy wrong. Here is the short list and this is just since September 11th 2001:Algeria

Angola
Colombia
India and Pakistan
Indonesia
Nepal
Philippines
Georgia
Uzbekistan
Afghanistan and Iraq
Israel
Turkey

http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/wawjune2005.html

[jmowreader]

100. He never heard of the Foreign Military Sales Program, huh?

Our defense industry makes money by the pallet selling weapons to our allies.

FMSP doesn't include the sales to declared enemies of the US--these are guns that go to countries who like us.

[obxhead]

8. Really? I was planning on seeing it anyway, but

I was sure it was going to be a freeper show.

[DainBramaged]

13. Make NO mistake about it, NOT a Freeper show recruitment

movie. Not by a LONG shot. And the Freepers in the audience BOOED when the movie ended. It is stunning. Tell everyone you know, it is a slap in the face to these "dickwhistlers" in charge.

[obxhead]

16. I've got a few freeper friends that get a free movie night now...

Thanks. Now I actually look forward to it.

[DainBramaged]

17. They will curse you when the movie gets out. Read my first

thoughts at the top. Everything in there is about the movie, right down to the words used.

[BlueIris]

25. Yeah...you might want to just let them go see it if they want to...

but stay away from actively sending them to it. 'Cause I believe they are going to be HATING it and what looks like a lot of critical support for it. If it's anything like the book, which DainBramaged says it is, its content will be very threatening to them.

[BlueIris]

24. They BOOED?!

Don't know why I'm shocked to read that.

Maybe what shocks me is the fact that they bothered to go and SEE it. Most of these folks didn't have the stones to see F 9/11.

[ghostsofgiants]

30. But Fahrenheit 9/11 is blatantly anti-Bush...

Even people here on DU have assumed Jarhead is some idiotic, jingoistic piece of propaganda.

[BlueIris]

31. Oh, okay...

right, I forgot. I just--did my brain totally fry, or--I thought "their people" had already put the "word" out to FR.com that "Jarhead" is a "bad librul" movie.

I guess the other thing that shocked me about the idea that a bunch of them went to a movie about the war is...most of the freeper types I've met claim to support the war, but aren't just secretly terrified of ever having to actually serve in it--it's like they haven't even formed any real opinions about it. Their indecision is what scares them. Imagining a bunch of the ones I've met going to a film like this is--in my neck of the woods, that would mean having to face their own MAJOR issues with identity and values. Not one I met or registered to vote before the election would have been willing to do that.

[ghostsofgiants]

33. Haha, I dunno, I don't follow the happenings at FR...

But not every right winger who might see that is a Freeper anyway, so even if they know about it on FR, it's still likely that there would be right wingers going there expecting a good propaganda piece.

[DainBramaged]

35. Absolutely not and THAT is why it is always better to see

than assume. There are scenes in it that will make you shake your head as to how they did it too.

Remember this one sentence and you'll understand what the movie is about.


They were trying to get away.

And when you hear those lines and the reality of the scene hits you the anger will snap you back to today and why we are still in the desert.

The press lied, the press lied so badly in that era and it is brought right up to your nose when you see this movie.

[peacebaby3]

98. I know what that means and I don't have to see the movie. My husband lived

it. I'm pretty sure I know exactly what you are talking about because I remember it as clear as day back then because I remembered asking my husband why this event was never discussed in the media. We were engaged at the time and got married right after he got back. I've seen the pictures as well. They were passed around everywhere to everyone. I remember being so disgusted. Some of that same sadistic crap is going on now. I've seen some of those pictures for this "war" as well. Of course, in this "war" you can see them on the internet, but back in '91 they were just passed around because the technology wasn't the same.

[LynneSin]

41. Exactly! There were DUers here badmouthing the movie just from the trailer

and yet I knew from the fact that the trailer was using Kanye West's "Jesus Walks" that this wasn't no pro-war, pro-bush military recruiting movie.

I think I'm going to go see it this afternoon

[ghostsofgiants]

54. And the fact that Jake Gyllenhaal is quit anti-war himself

[NashVegas]

93. The Auther of Jarhead Was on the Daily Show Sometime Back

and he seemed like a pretty cool guy. Ex-Marine.

[DainBramaged]

34. I'm sure from the clips they thought it was about the smell of victory

And there are some NASTY scenes in there that will set the hair of a Fundie on fire. It was VERY weird sitting next to my Daughter watching until she elbowed me in the ribs and laughed.

[BlueIris]

37. I confess...

I will need to "toughen up" a bit (as much as a jaded, but still reasonably young and innocent civilian can, anyway) before I go see it. Of course, I will, but it's been a hard week for me in a personal sense. I think I'll have to wait a few days. I used to have a high tolerance for violence in film. Now, post-election, post-watching real footage of the war, (what little there is in the West) it really drains me. I'm sure the drain would be worth it for a good, truthful film, but--I need to keep as much of my sanity intact is possible just right now. Maybe in a week.

[DainBramaged]

40. Do not assume that which is unknown is violent in nature

Insanity and boredom, masturbation, training, masturbating some more, cleaning weapons, then masturbating some more, is a good way to approach the film.

[BlueIris]

43. Okay...the other reason I don't want to go into a theater just yet...

has to do with how painful it is for me to watch anything which acknowledges how disgusting, terrible, destructive and exploitive the desert wars have been. Everytime I think I'm "over that," er, I wind up really upset again.

[LostinVA]

29. I read the book when it came out, and it definitely was anti-war

I've been bemused by all of the DUers who -- sight unseen and book unread -- have been condemning this movie out of hand. The actors in it are anti-war/anti-*, Kanye West's song plays in the trailer, etc. There's no way this would be a propaganda movie.

I loved the book, and am looking forward to seeing the movie next weekend.

[AlCzervik]

32. i thought the book was very good as well and i am looking forward

to seeing the movie, hopefully next week.

[tjdee]

38. Yeah that makes no sense. Jake Gyllenhaal, huge liberal. Jamie Foxx, huge

liberal.

I never for a moment even considered that it'd be a freeper show.

Come ON people, get a brain Morans!! Go USA!

[bliss_eternal]

69. Question about the book--

I just read a very interesting piece in Entertainment Weekly about Jarhead today. I was fascinated by the fact that the writer of the book was a marine, and had been deployed for Desert storm.

I misunderstood when they spoke about the book. I thought he would have been pro-war, as it seems it was implied they were upset it all ended too soon--before they saw any action.

So it wasn't pro-war, pro-wanting to kill?

Please forgive my ignorance on this--I tend to stay miles away from any films on the subject matter. Saw Apocolypse Now, Full Metal Jacket and Platoon--and while I saw the merits in each, I didn't come away from those films wanting to see MORE war movie films. LOL! Plattoon was probably my favorite of all of those...

[LynneSin]

72. Remember, they're marines - they're trained to want to kill

Does not make it pro-war.

I saw it today and it was a powerful movie and definately not some sort of war propaganda film. I'd discuss in details some of the great scenes but it would give away part of the movie. Just trust me on it. It's the "Full Metal Jacket" of this generation

[bliss_eternal]

83. Thanks, LynneSin--

I get it now. :dunce: LOL!

This is all very interesting--particularly because I usually avoid this subject matter like the plague. LOL! But it's compelling from a sociological and psychological standpoint--could be very educational in that respect.

I'm so glad you enjoyed the film!

[ellie]

96. Yes, thanks LynneSin

I loved Full Metal Jacket because it was about the insanity of war and how it can make previously normal people do horrible things.

[DainBramaged]

78. Read my very first post in this thread, my very first, again

And read some of my later ones. The hints are all there, line by line, honest to the film and book.

[northamericancitizen]

21. recommended. nt

[SeanQuinn]

36. Oh wow, I thought it was a fundie's favorite.

I seriously thought it was a big pro-war film. Guess not. I gotta see it now then.

[hfojvt]

65. I keep seeing the ads with the explosions and the guy saying

'I love this job.' The ads sure seem to be pro-war.

[DainBramaged]

74. It is important to the movie in context

And you'll understand as the movie ends why. They did a shitty job with the commercials. Instead of appealing to us, they tried to appeal to everyone. Bad movie marketers, bad.

[ellisonz]

79. Tongue in cheek.

;-)

[LynneSin]

39. Oh yeah, that's a military recruiting film if I ever heard it

:sarcasm:

Funny how certain DUers thought this was some sort of pro-war/pro-bush movie. Sure any flick that has anti-war advocates like Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx and songs provided by that guy who worships George W. Bush - Kanye West, is gonna be pro-war

:sarcasm:

[DainBramaged]

42. Best line in the movie

"I'm here because I got lost on my way to college, sir" Jake G as his face is smashed into the chalk board.


That's the only direct hint you folks get. If you read the book, or my words, it's all there.

[raccoon]

44. It's actually anti-war????

Maybe I'll see it. I used to like war movies, such as PLATOON, BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN.

THen 9/11 happened and war movies became pro-war propaganda crap.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

48. Thank you

I was getting annoyed with people calling it a pro-war recruiting movie before even seeing it. The book is basically as you describe - I'm really keen to see how they pull off the completely overwhelming fear and panic that Swofford describes as soon as the ground war starts.

[senegal1]

49. My son is 16. Would this be a good movie about

why you shouldn`t enlist? Any other suggestions for movies that won`t glorify war and tough men in a 16 year olds mind?

[DainBramaged]

50. It depicts the insanity surrounding service, because it isn't

what you would think a war movie is about. Without giving the movie away, it shows for the most part, why desk-bound, dumbfuck, whistledick pencil pushers should be the first on the battlefield.

[redsoxliberal]

58. I'm 16. A threat of castration in this situation may suffice.

[Nevernose]

64. Seriously funny one-liner. (n/t)

n/t

[DainBramaged]

75. The lines in this movie are specular and wonderfully placed

I haven't remembered dialog like this since my stoner days of Cheech and Chong. Maybe because they're simple, or maybe because of their pointedness to the scene.

[senegal1]

86. I will keep that in mind.

[mtowngman]

61. Wife and I just saw it

Leaving the theater she said, "every 16 and 17 year old should see this movie, they won't think about enlisting." I think it depends on the kid, I certainly pray your son makes the right decision.

[senegal1]

85. Thanks.

[AwakeAtLast]

51. There must be a lot of Freeper reviewers

I have read quite a few that absolutely did not like this movie, maybe for the reasons you state but not reported. The last one I read said that this movie didn't even come close to Full Metal Jacket.

Hmmmm....interesting.

Thanks for your post! :hi:

[uncle ray]

60. show me a freeper that actually gets full metal jacket...

and i'll show you a troll.

[Metta]

53. We're more likely to see it since your review.

Ordinarily, we won't go to shoot'em ups.

[DainBramaged]

56. But the trick is depicting war without the shootyshootybangbang

[redsoxliberal]

55. wow... it had never, NEVER occured to me that it could be anything

but pro-war propaganda.

[DainBramaged]

57. I think that with the polls the way they have been for so long

A real war movie would be a terrible loser. As funny as this sounds, it was running neck in neck with Chicken Little for boxoffice Friday, over $10,000,000, bur it's in 1250 theaters LESS than the Chicken.

Which means a LOT of theater owners wern't sure either. I wonder if it will pick up more theaters next week?

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/daily/chart/?sortdate=2005-11-04&p=.htm

[hickman1937]

62. Drain, I scrolled through the threads and found you still here.

That's why I'll see this movie. Now I'll go back and read the responses to your thread.
Hickman.

[Jed Dilligan]

63. Saw it today and I agree

Gyllenhaal, Saarsgard, and Foxx turn in great performances... no surprises there. I've been a fan of Swofford's writing for a few years and the filmmaking is true to it. Yes, it is probably the best antiwar movie since Full Metal Jacket.

[Nevernose]

66. NPR review ystrdy said it wasn't as anti-war or hard0hitting as the book

Regardless, I may still have to see it. Didn't even know it was based off a book (thought the same review siad, contrary to folks around ehre, that it wasn't as good as "Full Metal Jacket").

[LynneSin]

73. It wasn't a "Slap you across your face anti-war"

It had a subtle way of showing it - more of a "This is really what war is all about which isn't all that Stars & Fireworks happy-happy to bring democracy to other countries" type of anti-war.

Believe me, it's hard to think a young man or woman of near enlistment age would walk out of there thinking they need to enlist. If fact they might think the opposite knowing what war really is all about.

[bliss_eternal]

70. DainBramaged

I appreciate your review and recommendation of the film. I may have to see it. I didn't necessarily think the film was going to be 'pro-war' at all... I honestly just don't care for any films (pro or anti) when war in deserts or jungles are the back drop.

To this day I am shocked that I saw Platoon, Full Metal Jacket and Apocalypse Now. I've seen Apocalypse several times as well as Platoon. I like Platoon more, but am always fascinated by what is revealed on additional views of Apocalypse--from a film perspective.
Platoon being the more character driven piece was my favorite and again, that still is surprising coming from me.

So, I wasn't planning to avoid Jarhead based on thinking it may be propaganda as much as I just don't usually care for that type of film. But what you say about it makes me rather curious and interested in possibly checking it out...

I read the piece on it in Entertainment Weekly today and am so surprised by your comments. Sam Mendes was rather pointed in saying the film didn't have a 'spin' or political perspective about war, or about Iraq, per say.

[DainBramaged]

76. Sam Mendes is on acid and mushrooms he is

Platoon, Full Metal Jacket and Apocalypse Now and the Deer Hunter are give their just deserts by depiction in this movie, and the importance was how Marines confused those movies as being pro-war when they were anti-war.

Appearances are not necessarily what they appear to be.


"They were only trying to escape." People broke out crying during this scene when the realization hit as to remembering the scene in real life. And we were told very differently what had happened.

What was, was, and what is is, and this what is... is what's happening. Paul Tuttle

[DanCa]

71. Question I cannot take bloody war or gun movies.

My nine year old niece is a hemophilac and i am just bugged by them . Can you let me know how graphic it is thanks.

[DainBramaged]

77. I can't because it will ruin the movie, but you can pm me

[ellisonz]

80. It's rated R, definitely not appropriate for a 9 year old.

[ghostsofgiants]

81. I think that he was saying that bloody movies bug him because of...

His niece's condition, not that he wanted to take her to see it. (Though I probably shouldn't be speaking for him.)

Also: Welcome to DU! :hi:

[DanCa]

88. Yeah thanks for clearring that up for me primate. :D

[DainBramaged]

82. It sure isn't appropriate for pre teens at all

And I was really embarassed a few times with my nearly 17 year old Daughter sitting next to me elbowing me and laughing. No no no, it is a Raw R.

[DanCa]

89. Thanks that's all I need to know. :)

Ill buy the book. :D

[SeanQuinn]

84. I saw the book yesterday at Waldenbooks.

It's about the first gulf war. Now the Saddam "mother of all battles" comment makes sense.

[DainBramaged]

87. There ya go, the Mother of all boredom and insanity war

[Dude_CalmDown]

90. Some wing-nuts in the gym on Fri...

...were talking about how they "can't wait to see it tonight." "OohRah" one of them shouted. Oh yes, Monday will be a great lift.

[BlueIris]

91. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!

That's beautiful.

[BlueIris]

97. Be sure to give us an update about their outrage, Dude_CalmDown!

:popcorn:

[Skittles]

92. please tell me the carnage factor

typical war movies make me queasy - I did like Full Metal Jacket

[DainBramaged]

95. There is nothing that would make you physically upset, I promise (I think)

[Left_Winger]

99. Monday morning in my classroom...

To begin with, I am a former Marine and my students know this.

I have a large number of Marine JROTC cadets in my classes and even before I could get my first class of the day started they were trying to tell me how much the movie "sucked". It turns out that they were parroting (in most cases) the JROTC instructor and his opinion of the film; and he is a serious fundamentalist, as well as a retired 1SGT USMC.

It appears that your assessment is correct in that the film will piss off the fundies. I still have not seen it, but the reactions to it which I am witnessing are interesting, to say the least, which will most likely cause me to see it soon.

[DainBramaged]

102. It's sad that the students won't make up their own minds

It would be interesting to ask the JROTC and 1SGT if they had seen the movie or were themselves parroting the opinion of others (the Fundie views network, of course).

My bet is they didn't see it. And they probably never will.

[Wapsie B]

101. I imagine the blood-lusting rwingers

would hate it. Just from the trailers it doesn't appear to be a John Wayne, America's #1 in everything, wrap yourself in the flag type of flick.