Machine Gun Preacher - dumbest American propaganda ever !
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otakucode — 13 years ago(October 14, 2012 03:29 AM)
"He definitely became a believer" but in what?
Can't say as it sounds like he embraced 'But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.' so it's certainly not anything to do with Jesus. -
The-Last-Prydonian — 10 years ago(February 12, 2016 09:58 AM)
I've read interviews with the director, screenwriter, and the actual Sam Childers. Sam says the movie is all true, only that the action scenes are a bit hollywood-ized.
Other than thathe claims its (sadly to a degree) all true. He even says that he cried while watching it because of how bad and terrible of a person he actually was.
Sam isn't a perfect guy, but He definitely became a believer and though he still made mistakes, it doesn't change his determination to do what's right and fight for those who can't. People don't understand that kind of thing anymore. Unless you're a bunch of tree-hugging hippies giving small charities to african kids (which ultimately do nothing), then you're not accepted.
My thoughts precisely and while I don't share Sam's religious convictions I still greatly admire what he did and still does to this very day. It's taken courage and determination for him to set out to do what's he's done. While he did make mistakes it's good that he was able to turn his life around and do something positive with it. There's rarely anyone you can say that about these days and his story is a testament to the fact that a Leopard can indeed change it's spots. -
Robert_duder — 13 years ago(June 05, 2012 04:44 PM)
Wow. I don't even know where to begin with your comments OP. First of allyou must be one jaded SOB to call a story about a man who made and is making a difference in one of those war torn, genocidal dictatorships in the history of mankind. A story that makes you think about all the innocent children and victims in the Sudan and you call it American propaganda? This man could have been from anywhereit had nothing to do with America.
Second of allperhaps someone should tell you know that films don't follow real timelines. A year or months or days can easily pass in minutes in a film in order to condense it. Maybe you should make a movie that follows real time lines and see how that works for you? The point of Sam Childers becoming a Christian was told in a poignant but effective CINEMATIC way. I'm sure his being saved took time and effort on his part. Thousands of people who appeared to be beyond help, and considered "bad" people have found God and turned their lives around. Christian revivals have gotten through to many people instantly who turned their lives around. It's called spirituality.
Third of allhe didn't kill anyone. It's too bad you snoozed through the part where his buddy told him the man he stabbed DID NOT DIE. If you took the time to actually look into Sam Childers, maybe even read his bookor have it read to youyou'd find out that his life was anything but cut and dry. Movies are meant to inform and entertain and because of that certain things have to be shortened for dramatic effect. I'm sure Sam Childers ate a hearty breakfast three times a week for the last fifty years but shockingly they left that out of the movie. Weird eh? Your sarcasm is not even sarcasm. It is dumb comments based on someone who clearly watched the movie out of the corner of their eye and didn't pay attention. Childers explains to Deng how to clean a gun to demonstrate TO Deng that he is no light weight and can handle himself.
Any movie that entertains but then goes above and beyond and actually makes you think about what you can do in the world and how to make a difference should be heralded not torn apart because it wasn't a popcorn flick. Go see the Avengers 15 times and make it another billions dollars like the lemming that you are. Watch that last step at the cliffside. -
jojozlo — 13 years ago(June 30, 2012 11:31 AM)
So if I go to a movie to be entertained and not educated I should walk off a cliff? Someone has anger issues and needs Jesus more than Sam did. And this movie was preachy, read the comments, you are in the minority.
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kaiserblade — 11 years ago(January 12, 2015 08:35 AM)
Robert Duder I salute you sir, very well put. Just saw the film and came to read the threads. Excellent film and brilliantly dramatized.
"Some folks call it a sling blade I call it a kaiser blade hmm hmm!" -
dmcmillan01 — 13 years ago(June 06, 2012 12:09 AM)
ilokk, you are dead wrong in everything you stated. The film actually played down some of the horror so as not to turn audience's away. I have friends who have lived for a time in this region of Africa who can tell you all about the horrors going on there.
As far as Sam getting religion, that's more than most men of his caliber do. And because of that, no matter what kind of religion, he's done than more any any other American has, as far as I know.
So do not believe any of the ney-sayers. Some people, who sit on their butts and do nothing to make this a better world, just love to put down people who are putting their lives on the line to help others.
The DVD is out now, so check out the wonder EXTRA about how the score was developed for this film. It's really wonderful. -
RightersBloc — 13 years ago(June 06, 2012 08:59 PM)
Seriously, this film is such a propaganda that I don't even know where to begin
Of course you "don't know where to begin"and through some deep introspection you would ultimately come to realize you don't know where to begin because you're a partially functional imbecile. -
antonsarse — 13 years ago(June 17, 2012 03:40 AM)
ilokk is a troll who has officially made my 'Ignored User' list. I suspected he's a parent's basement living, sexually frustrated 20 something, with no job and no future, and nothing better to do than post drivel about a fantastic movie.
Have a nice life ilokk. Now that's funny
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jenstar16 — 13 years ago(June 19, 2012 02:45 PM)
I agree, I expected a lot more after reading about this movie.
It is based on a true story, and not a documentary so my criticism is about the movie itself, not what Sam Childers actually did. (I haven't read his book etc)
I'm not saying Sam didn't do what he did in the movie, but the movie doesn't come across as believable - at all. With a different script maybe I even would've liked the movie.- So because he decided to come to church once he no longer needed heroin? Ok he had one relapse but that was it. His friend on the other hand needed more help. Sure his friend might have been a heavier user, and Sam's struggle with quitting might have been harder than it was portrayed here. Still, it was heroin, not normal cigarettes!
- As mentioned above, why have the scene where Sam shows the black guy how to clean his weapon? It didn't contribute with anything, apart from making Sam look like a arrogant, gun-crazy twat. (Again, maybe it actually happened just like that but in the movie it comes across as stupid - the scene should've been left out)
I don't doubt that Sam did a fantastic job and should be considered a hero, but this movie does not succeed in showing his greatness. Perhaps I would've enjoyed it more if I was a Christian myself, but I was just very disappointed.
So long and thanks for all the fish
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Sweet_and_Lowdown77 — 13 years ago(July 18, 2012 08:54 AM)
- Once he's released from prison, he sees that the world has changed. His wife, mother and daughter go to church and have changed their lives. But he resists this. he continues his ways. But then after a night where he robs and terrorizes a drug dealer, he gets high and picks up a hitchhiker who he believes he kills.
He realizes he can't go on like this. He needs to change. He asks his wife for help. She helps him. He gets clean and goes to church and works to become a better person.
This was all clearly shown. He didn't just "go to church" 1 time. - The scene with the gun was to show 2 things - 1, that Sam knew how to handle a gun. This makes the scenes more belivable when he's fighting. and 2, it shows how untrained the Freedom fighters are. They're simply given guns without knowing how to properly use them.
The film shows a man who went from only thinking about himself to thinking about others so selflessly, he risked his family and his life. You might not define that as greatness. I don't know if I would. But it does show a true arc and shows how everyone, no matter how bad, can be good.
I thought the film went on a bit too long, but I was moved in Sam's passion and the horrors of what's happening in our world that never gets reported.
- Once he's released from prison, he sees that the world has changed. His wife, mother and daughter go to church and have changed their lives. But he resists this. he continues his ways. But then after a night where he robs and terrorizes a drug dealer, he gets high and picks up a hitchhiker who he believes he kills.
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jenstar16 — 13 years ago(June 19, 2012 02:58 PM)
I agree, I expected a lot more after reading about this movie.
It is based on a true story, and not a documentary so my criticism is about the movie itself, not what Sam Childers actually did. (I haven't read his book etc)
I'm not saying Sam didn't do what he did in the movie, but the movie doesn't come across as believable - at all. With a different script maybe I even would've liked the movie.- So because he decided to come to church once he no longer needed heroin? Ok he had one relapse but that was it. His friend on the other hand needed more help. Sure his friend might have been a heavier user, and Sam's struggle with quitting might have been harder than it was portrayed here. Still, it was heroin, not normal cigarettes!
- As mentioned above, why have the scene where Sam shows the black guy how to clean his weapon? It didn't contribute with anything, apart from making Sam look like a arrogant, gun-crazy twat. (Again, maybe it actually happened just like that but in the movie it comes across as stupid - the scene should've been left out)
I don't doubt that Sam did a fantastic job and should be considered a hero, but this movie does not succeed in showing his greatness. Perhaps I would've enjoyed it more if I was a Christian myself, but I was just very disappointed.
So long and thanks for all the fish
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Ishallwearpurple — 13 years ago(June 30, 2012 11:41 AM)
being a meek and mild missionary wherever you are, but you are not speaking about the film I saw on screen. I wrote in my movie review:
"How can a story be propaganda if you make a film about what the person themselves has put on paper? Sam Childers wrote a book about what he did and now everyone is saying, in effect - "no you didn't. We know better. It was this way. You are a jerk and don't know what you're talking about!" I think people don't WANT it to be true, because that makes them feel superior.
But Sam thinks he did what he wrote. I have watched it twice and taken some notes. Remember - it is HIStory and we, the viewers, can't change facts to suit our preferences.
The films prologue sets the theme. It's 2003 and the atrocities in Sudan are unbelievable. Then we jump to what Sam's life was in 2003. Drugs, robberies, prison, etc. It is HIS story from then on and he pulls no punches in how bad and lost he was."
You say you are looking for donations and if we give to Sam's organization, yours is left out. The film did very poorly because the company distributing it went broke, so I don't think you need fear the compitition very much longer.
More of my review:
"The cast are good. Gerard Butler is especially good in the beginning
scenes showing the bad-boy biker persona. The same qualities that made
Sam an addict make him successful in other pursuits. Singleness of
purpose, and a laser-beam on what he wants to do. And of course, Butler
is fine in the action scenes. Looked real to me.
Michele is good as his no-nonsense wife. She loves him but stands up
for herself. Michael Shannon as Sams buddy, doesn't get much to do. The
actors in the Africa segment are all good, but Savane is a strong
presence. Madeline Carroll, as daughter Paige, is sweet and normal.
Wants some attention from her Dad.
The film was engrossing to me. 8/10"
Jane
My Movie Blog, The Ancient Pelican here:
http://purpleladyj.blogspot.com/ -
jamescole2035 — 13 years ago(August 01, 2012 01:47 PM)
I guess we should all be thankful that there are people like you who know exactly what God wants us to do, the perseverance to so thoroughly research the matter by reading a posting in response to a magazine article and the courage to post your opinion here under an anonymous name.
John 4:20 Read it and weep.