How come no one wants to watch movies about Iraq?

idal Sat, Mar 15, 2008 at 01:24 PM EST

it's plane simple. It's not over yet. People only want to see things that make them happy basically --memories not the real deal, they can watch that on news.

Yeaaahhh! Wed, Sep 19, 2007 at 03:16 PM EST

i'm just mad i have to wait till saturday to see it i think it's about time to be honest that there's a film like this

C Wed, Sep 19, 2007 at 07:00 AM EST

When I decide to watch a film like this, I need to psych myself up for it, you know, prepare my emotions. I still haven't seen any of the 911 movies because I'm just not ready to relive it again. And to reiterated what has already been said, it's all there live on the news.

beelkay Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 06:01 PM EST

I read about Iraq, Afghanistan, the war on terror, etc. all the time. I'm not interested in viewing it as entertainment.
I'm also not that interested in watching documentaries on the subject. I feel I'm well-informed by my online and print news reading, but I don't want to be visually reminded of what I believe is a large part of the biggest foul-up in American policy in the last 20-30 (at least) years. I don't want to feel empty and powerless and frustrated while I watch people destroy each other and themselves because of the decisions of our current president and those who put and kept him in power.

Jake Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 03:52 PM EST

I think it's the Ying vs the Yang here. War movies if they are considered somewhat historically accurate..(Saving Private Ryan...D-Day Invasion) People will go to see it. Going to see an Anti War movie throws bias into the mix as well as swells political ferver. People want to go to the movies to be entertained, not to be preached to. They can watch the news on tv for that.

Dio_K Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 02:29 PM EST

Well said, Ep Sato. Thanks.

Ames Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 01:42 PM EST

this is one of the first "adult" movies of the fall after the summer popcorn movies. We can't expect it to be doing that well since it takes adults a lot longer to get into theaters. and I don't know about others' part of the country, but I haven't seen many previews for this at all. If you asked me I would have though it came out in a few weeks.

And I had no idea people hated Paul Haggis or Crash that much.

Gary Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 01:16 PM EST

I believe a lot of it has to do with politics.

If you support the war and the troops you don't want to give your money to Hollywood that is making an anti-war piece.

If you are against the war you probably aren't interested in war movies so therefore have no interest in seeing it.

I'm curious what will happen if/when they make the book "Lone Survivor" into a movie. Since the book is a fan favorite of the war supporters, I'm curious if they will go see it.

J Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 12:47 PM EST

Haggis's involvement aside-- war is just such a huge and (for most of us) foreign concept. Movies about past wars benefit from perspective, hindsight, and established scripts (e.g., Vietnam war = bad, WWII = heroic). Plus the war is such a hot political issue that you can't help but suspect that there's some specific political agenda at work here.

To bring up Army Wives again, I think it goes down much easier than something like Elah because the scope is so much smaller and more familiar. And it's relatively non-partisan; you don't have to be pro- or anti-war to understand that it sucks to have a parent or spouse fighting overseas.

Finally, I think it's completely unfair to say people who don't want to watch Iraq movies are bad Americans. Does it make you a better informed, more thoughtful citizen? Possibly. Is it the be-all, end-all of model citizenship? Certainly not.

Ep Sato Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 12:20 PM EST

My guess is "Iraq Fatigue". The war's gone on since 2002, there is no end in sight and it's depressing to think about.

We've got 3000+ dead and many more wounded. These men and women are our brothers, sisters, daughters and sons. They are friends and neighbors, people we grew up with or sometimes friends of our friends. Whoever the fallen or injured may be, I think most of us have trouble wanting to think about how scary things are for them, and how we feel powerless to end the war or to win it.

We're in a quagmire and it's sending morale down the tubes. America is a nation of winners, a nation that usually goes to war for noble causes. This war feels like it's fueled by greed and misinformation. We feel lied to, and it's hard to get excited about it when we feel like we've collectively had the rug swept out from under us.

Tarjay Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 12:17 PM EST

As many people have already said, most of us go to the movies to escape. The cinema is largely for entertainment. Every time I turn on the national news or pull up cnn.com, I'm confronted with Iraq. I read the articles and try to stay informed, but I'm not going to go to the movies to see it. This is why musicals became so popular during the Depression era--people were looking for an escape. The same could be said of now. Yes, my eyes do glaze over when someone mentions Iraq and movie in the same sentence. I'll read the news articles, I'll even watch a PBS documentary on the subject, but I'm not paying to see it in the one place I'm hoping to escape it for a while--the movie theater.

Martha Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 12:04 PM EST

Caitlin: my prayers and support are with your brother.
Shamrock: my prayers and support are with you and all your colleagues putting it on the line in Iraq (and Afghanistan) every day.
If I'm a bad American for not wanting to see movies on Iraq, then so be it. That kind of rhetoric isn't going to move my butt off my couch to the nearest art theater.

Dio_K Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 11:45 AM EST

Oh, and Kirschling? While I appreciate you as a writer, you gotta take it down a few notches. Trotting out the "bad American" phrase (tongue in cheek or not) whenever people don't agree with someone else's firmly held beliefs is not appreciated. I get sick at heart when I hear people throwing this around. It's a big, diverse country with a lot of varied opinions. It's our right as Americans to say what we want without someone questioning our belief in our country.

mark in nyc Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 11:43 AM EST

HAve no plans to see this movie, mainly cause it willjust depress me more about the war.

A lot of people have commented on WWII pictures, of course people like them more (and they do better at the BO). WWII was a black and white war....we knew who the enemy was (Germany), and knew they were evil.
Today's war is shades of grey with who our enemy is, and morally ambiguous about the way we are conducting it.

melissa Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 11:24 AM EST

I would be more interested in a movie about Iraq if I got the impression that its focus is on its story and characters rather than on being basically a piece of political propaganda. I'm sick of people politicizing the war and of so many people coming at it from a political perspective, be it in news, columns or movies. I haven't read much about this particular film, though having Susan Sarandon in it is going to imply a certain perspective (whether that's fair, I don't know). And for the record, I'm not all pro-war and anti-actors/writers having opinions.

GeeMoney Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 11:06 AM EST

Maybe no one wants to see it because we already know EVERYTHING that's going on with Iraq. No one really knew a lot about what was going on in Vietnam, so everyone went to see Platoon, and Born on the Fourth of July and Full Metal Jacket.

Plus, no one wants to go out and spend $10 just to be depressed for an 1 and a half. We can turn on the news and hear about Iraq and be depressed for free.

johnathan Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 10:43 AM EST

I don't want to see any movie that shoves a MESSAGE down my throat. The perspective is gonna be very, very liberal. It's gonna be "america is the bad guy. america is wrong." we've seen that perspective about the Iraq war before. time to take a break.

t3hdow Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 10:38 AM EST

Well chippy, it's because Crash sometimes felt too heavy handed and exaggerated. Actual racism is much more subtle and silent. Sure, you could argue the same thing with American History X, but those characters were extremists, not everyday representations of racial discrimination. Still, I enjoyed the film but it shouldn't have gotten an Oscar (but I prefer Crash getting it over Brokeback Mountain).

Anna Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 10:33 AM EST

The person who posted about the history of film pretty much said what I was going to say that films about wars that are currently happening never do well. The wounds from this war are still open with new ones coming every day. Why rub salt in them?

chippy Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 09:32 AM EST

What's with all the negativity about Crash? I thought it was a very good film and I was delighted that it won the Oscar for Best Picture...and I'm so looking forward to seeing any and all films that Paul Haggis chooses to make.

MAC Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 09:08 AM EST

Iraq is on the news, it's in the magazines, its everywhere, and it is not good. Why pay 10 bucks to see a sad movie about it when you can watch it on tv?

jeff Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 08:56 AM EST

All these movies have something in common and that basically can be boiled down to America is bad. America is bad in movies has become even more of a cliché than a John Wayne WWII picture. That’s why few Vietnam movies are watched in reruns compared to WWII films. At least shows like Army Wives show the difficulties of serving in the military while still honoring those who serve and without making them clichéd. Over There, while mostly anti-war, did at least show solders who were trying to do their best in difficult circumstances.

chasgoose Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 08:35 AM EST

What if I just don't want to see Paul Haggis's movie about Iraq?

Jayel Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 08:18 AM EST

"Me" is absolutely right. We're not ready for artistic perspective - even in a documentary, but much less in fiction - on this event that is still tragically unfolding about which so much is still in painful question. We don't trust the government that has put us into the war to tell us the truth, but we don't trust artists, no matter how well-meaning, to tell us the truth, either.

So here's my suggestion. Let's end the war NOW to give all these great movies a fighting box office chance.

Joe Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 07:52 AM EST

I'm not interested because I don't need to see that perspective on the war, a war I still agree with, as I get that perspective every time I read the paper (or increasingly, movie reviews).
I would like to see, not a movie that glorifies the war (war is not glorious) but one that tells stories of heroism. If we had ONE of thos films for every THREE of the other I would be happy.
I don't need to watch a movie to see my country and the soldiers that fight for it demonized.

Me Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 06:50 AM EST

It's because the war is still on. They hear and see the drama every day on the news. It's like pouring salt on a wound.
People have no problem seeing war movies about WW1 and 2, Korea, Vietnam etc. When this war is over, then people will watch.

Kelsey Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 06:43 AM EST

It's not that I don't want to see it because I'm against the war or already get bombarded with the images day in and day out. I watched the trailer for Elah and thought it looked amazing. It also struck me as heart-wrenching. My brother was a Marine in Iraq and watching movies about what he went through - well, it's simply too personal. You start to see your loved ones in the faces and voices of those characters on screen. So, I would say that for some of us out there, we haven't become desensitized. The movies just hit too close to home. So don't call us bad Americans. We care too much to see those "what-ifs" that plaque our thoughts on the big screen.

Delon Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 03:26 AM EST

Why on Earth should i or anyone else go see a movie about a war that we thought was wrong from the get go? We marched against this fricking war. To expect me to go see a dramatization of events that i prayed would never come true is naive to say the least. And for all the people who supported this war i don't think they would pay $12 to see how horribly wrong they were.

Strepsi Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 01:38 AM EST

I guess a lot of people here are saying the movies are purely escapist Entertainment, and EW is arguing that they are Art. The purpose of art is to reflect society back at itself through the lens of an artist's creativity. That society, or that reality, does not have to be "happy". Many people in the world are cinema-lovers, but I think this post shows Americans have turned into "movie-goers".

Jakeem Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 01:26 AM EST

Does anybody remember the Bruce Willis movie "Tears of the Sun" and why it underperformed at the box office when it was released in the spring of 2003? Well, it was probably for the same reason we're talking about now. People don't want to deal with war topics in the movies when the real thing is slapping them in the face day after day after day.

grayson Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 12:50 AM EST

Shamrock, it probably doesn't mean much, but much love and support from all of us here to you. I commend you personally and every soldier there. You're right, I have no idea; please come home safe.

To answer GK's OQ, look to your own sister article:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/17/tv.fallseason.ap/index.html

To the other grayson: it's cause this name is sexy, damnmit.

Shamrock Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 12:09 AM EST

I am currently stationed here in Iraq and you do not have all the info on the war. When I first arrived I was shocked to learn that more soldiers are being killed than is being reported back home. So sit back and enjoy your freedom that you take for granted. I guess ignorance is bliss.

Dave Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 12:09 AM EST

Apparently you guys don't recall two little movies about Vietnam that came out barely three years after the last U.S. combat troops were withdrawn (before Platoon, and the '80s altogether): Coming Home and The Deer Hunter, both in 1978. Also, MASH began its run in 1972, three years before the war ended. Yes, it was about the Korean War, but everyone knows it drew its inspiration from Vietnam and was using the Korean War as a tool to comment on Vietnam. The Iraq War is no less divisive than Vietnam, yet people seem unwilling to deal with it in entertainment. Part of it is detachment, but I also think part of it is a weariness with the war and a desire to experience something (anything) else. This is sad, because people should be questioning what's going on and welcoming the forums for healthy debate that entertainment can provide. I, for one, can't wait to see Elah and hope it, and others like it, can spur along a debate and a discussion that has been sorely lacking in America.

david Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 12:03 AM EST

Several reasons not to see Iraq movies:

1. As others have stated, we already have information about the war, and as much as everyone disparages the news sources they disagree with politically, there's no way a movie is going to be more factual.

2. Every movie about Iraq will have the same viewpoint and the same political message. You may agree or disagree with it, but they will all be the same and they will all be negative. It's not that people want to bury there heads in the sand; avoiding a piece of art that is sensational or extremely biased is not denial.

3. A movie should probably take place a few years after the events it portrays. If it can still have an impact on what it depicts, it is less likely to be factual and more likely to be a "message" movie.

4. It's somewhat off-putting to hear about "heroic" or "brave" performances by actors portraying people who are actually heroic and brave and still dying.

Jack Burton Says Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 11:36 PM EST

I already know that Iraq is FUBAR. The TV and radio and newspapers and magazines tells me that 24-7. And you want me to PAY to be told that as well? In your dreams.

Joe C Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 11:00 PM EST

Simply put, we mainly want to be entertained in the theater with movies like 'Pirates of the Carribean'; we don't want to have to think. I know critics don't like hearing that, but it's true.

nathan Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 11:00 PM EST

The problem with this movie making money is the exact same problem with this comment list:

If you agree with the war and think Bush is doing the right thing then you don't want to see this movie because it's the same liberal crap Hollywood is always producing.

If you disagree with the war and thing Bush should be impeached than you're already so sickened by the last 6 years that you don't want a movie to remind you of how horrible it's been.

Either way the movie, and the topics ability to be debated, can't.

Mike Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 10:55 PM EST

People go to the movies to be entertained. Not to learn about Iraq, or think about Iraq, at all. It really is exactly that simple.

theOtherGrayson (why is our name so popular, dammit?) Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 10:45 PM EST

Dear EW

Whether or not this film is as fantastic as everyone says, I have the prerogative to excercise my right not to see it and you have the right to say that makes me a bad American. It also gives me the right to call hypocrisy on you for being the kind of American that tries to categorize the sort of entertainment that comprises your personal embodiment of necessity of mind and spirit. I may see it and I may not. It has nothing to do with my stance on the war. So how about toning down the rhetoric?

You were right. It was shrill.

Aaron Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 10:37 PM EST

Dear Paul Haggis Haters,

I understand that some people prefer subtlety and nuance at all times and Crash did not provide that for you. (I, for one, thought Crash had every right to punctuate its message, but I also love movies like Network and Traffic, both of which powerfully drive their messages home. Funny, though, no one calls Sidney Lumet a hack...) Anyway, having seen "Elah" this weekend, I can tell you that, with maybe the exception of the final shot, it's a subtle, powerful piece of film with some of the most fully realized characters I've seen in a while. There's a true whodunit at its center, but there's also a heartbreaking examination of what happens to soldiers upon their return. The whole thing has the feeling of a Hemingway short story. Please don't let your pre-disposition for hating an "overrated" filmmaker stop you from catching this film (and read the article on Haggis in this week's EW). I don't want people who resent his success to mar this beautiful film.

Kira Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 10:37 PM EST

In all honesty, I go to movies to find my "happy place" which usually means escaping from the war, republicans, dying soldiers and terrifying, senseless violence everywhere in the world.

I'm angry enough without knowing just how much how "leaders" fucked up. With that said, I might just have to see it to avoid being a "bad American." *winks*

Dance Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 10:36 PM EST

I work in the news and, let me say, the Iraq War is covered all the time (as it should be, all of our armed forces deserve recognition and respect). People are bombarded by REAL images from this unpopular war. Why would we pay to watch Hollywood try to recreate something so personal when there are REAL family and friends of those overseas who deserve to tell their stories more? I'm all for documentaries on the war, but I wouldn't shell out money to watch Hollywood try to push agendas, win Oscars, and make money on something that still hits too close to home.

grayson Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 10:35 PM EST

I'm going to throw my hate in the ring for Crash too. It was just stupid. There's just not too much else to say.

t3hdow Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 10:28 PM EST

If you're avoiding Elah just because of your Crash hate, give it a shot. From what the majority of critics said, this is a better and more subtle film in comparison. Even Owen, who had a distaste for Crash, liked the film well enough. I can agree that Crash was overrated (though I won't go so far and say Haggis is a hack) but then again, so was Brokeback Mountain.

Though I can agree that not too many people at the moment want to relive the Iraq war in movies. Considering how much you see it in the news, it's kind of weird watching it with movies. A documentary makes sense, but an actual film? Not too many people would want to watch a movie about something they'd rather escape from for the next 90-120 minutes in a theater. There's nothing wrong with releasing these films, but distributors shouldn't be surprised if the public's reluctant to see them at the moment. Well, that and since the distributors aren't releasing the films in enough theaters.

Matt Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 10:24 PM EST

There is a very simple reason why to not see In the Valley of Elah -- Paul Haggis. The man is one of the worst writers in Hollywood, ruining any screenplay he touches. His direction on Crash was some of the worst and most over-the-top I have ever seen. The man has never seen a cliched, overdone point that he didn't want to beat like an entire herd of dead horses.

stephen Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 10:16 PM EST

I did see United 93. Jesus what a whallop that punched. I don't think there's another movie where me and everyone else in the theater stayed through the end credots and minutes after they ended. Maybe if audiences were more willing to not say "I go to the movies for entertainment" then our country would be more informed.

Nix Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 10:05 PM EST

just wanted to add a note at how many responses are answering "Because we hate Paul Haggis!" I think that deserves its own article, EW.

Nix Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 10:03 PM EST

I know why I'm not watching "Elah": because Haggis' script ruined "Flags of Our Fathers" and "Black Donnellys" had unwatchable moments and "Crash" was not only crass and self-righteous but also STOLE THE OSCAR!!! *is fighting old battles*

As for documentaries, I don't watch documentary features. The very mediation of the filmmaker's point of view involved in making fiction, when applied to fact, makes it suspect.

J Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 09:59 PM EST

What about Army Wives? Sure, it's not about the war specifically, but it's definitely got a thing or two to say about it. It did pretty well, and I don't think it's fair to discredit it just because it's a soap and not a Serious Film.

I would consider watching Elah if it weren't by Paul Haggis. Crash sucked.

claire Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 09:54 PM EST

Hmm, let me think about this one for a second... Because most of the population of the U.S. is no longer standing for a) how the war has been handled, b) who it was handled by. Secondly, the topic of this war has been hashed and re-hashed so many times that, GEE, our brains can only handle so much war talk, and when we go to the movies it's to GET AWAY FROM all of that stuff. Regardless of how you think this makes us look, we go to movies for ENTERTAINMENT. Not, "OMFG we're all going to die, the world is ending, some guy just lost a leg, and tens of thousands of people are now without homes, etc, etc, etc."

That is not entertainment - by it's very definition. Sheesh.

SeattleMoviegoer Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 09:34 PM EST

so, Jay...you're looking forward to the movie classic that presents Iraq as a really good idea?
truth is, people aren't clued into current events. UNITED 93, despite the best reviews of last year and the most best picture citations, had trouble finding an audience and even the Academy was too fragile to sit through it. moviegoing America wants to see alien machines that transform into neat shapes and bad Pirate movies.

Coach's Mistress Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 09:10 PM EST

Most people know somebody who is serving in Iraq or elsewhere in the middle east. For that reason, they don't want to see a movie about the dangers that those people are going to face. I know that is the reason that i stay away. However, I am interested in both Elah and No End In Sight (more so the doc). But people don't want to spend their valuable entertainment time and money watching something that is going to cause them worry.
My cousin is on his second tour in Iraq, and not a waking hour goes by when I don't wonder how he is.

Jay Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 08:37 PM EST

Maybe if they made a movie exploring both sides of the issue, instead of recycling the "Iraq was a huge mistake, America is the bad guy" perspective, people might take to it. At least that would be something new. Balance is crucial--yes, even in Hollywood.

Also, Paul Haggis is a hack. Crash was horrible--doesn't make me too optimistic about "Elah"

t-fal Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 08:26 PM EST

I think music, entertainment and pop culture in general usually goes the opposite way of real life. In war times, we want to see comedies & listen to music with no purpose (Beautiful Girls, T-Pain). When there's no war and prosperous times, we liked more emotional movies and music, like grunge and Alanis. I don't think its a coincidence. Seems like we generally want to be entertained by the opposite of reality.

Chandi Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 08:20 PM EST

Rachel McAdams next film deals with the Iraq war so I'm hoping this trend doesn't continue!

grayson Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 07:55 PM EST

**love = look, excuse me.**

grayson Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 07:54 PM EST

My thoughts: ignorance is bliss. No one in American wants to see a film lacking a happy ending. We know there's no happy ending, and our worse fears are that there never will be one. These movies will probably get their days in the sun when we can love back on this period as resolved history.

Meg Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 07:52 PM EST

To be honest, I do not like to watch fictionalized accounts of the war partly because it feels off to me. I know the whole time that these are actors, that what they are portraying is really out there. I love movies and the incredible power they can have, to affect our thoughts, lives, and feelings, to educate and broaden perspectives. But people really are dying, and in this moment, I cannot bring myself to approach that as "entertainment."

On the other hand, Casablanca, somewhat mind-blowingly, was made right at the beginning of WWII. They were portraying the desperate and necessary struggle against the Nazis at a time when the outcome of the situation was totally unknown. That amazes me, and I think about it every time they stand to sing La Marseillaise. I can only imagine the impact that film had at the time.

For me, now, I am not committed to seeing Elah (yes, Haggis' involvement is a factor.) We'll see.

The History of Film Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 07:50 PM EST

Hi, I'm the history of film. I guess you and I have never met!

Because if we had, you would know that films based on currently ongoing wars have never done well, and in fact are almost entirely a creature of the iraq wars.

All the Vietnam movies came out well AFTER vietnam.

Heck, the vast majority of WW 2 movies did as well, minus a few exceptions (the great dictator for example).

Fresh wounds make audiences flee. They always have.

That's why world war 2 movies are far more popular now and in the late ninties that they ever were in the late forties and fifties.

Caitlin Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 07:45 PM EST

My brother served in Iraq with the Army last year and is being sent back in December. To be honest with you, I don't really want to think about it more than I have to; it's kinda stressful. I generally go to the movies to take away some of that stress. Not that I'm against seeing movies that make you think about tough stuff, but this hits too close to home for most people right now.

robin Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 07:26 PM EST

I work in the media. I have to read about this stuff everyday. I don't want to see movies about 9/11 or Iraq because I like to go to the movies to forget all the stuff that's going on.

Howard Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 07:09 PM EST

Greg, are you sure you don't want to "hear" from us instead of hereing from us?

I'd be curious to know if any WWII feature movies were successful during WWII. I don't think there was a feature about Korea until the 70's, and as Starchild said, Platoon was the first VietNam hit in the 80's. And I don't think they made any If we hear about it every day, then it's not as necessary to go to the movies to see something about it. It doesn't make me a "bad American" (I'll save that appellation for the citizens who scream about how much they hate this country but still stay here); just one who prefers to see different films.

Dio_K Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 07:08 PM EST

The idea of seeing a movie about Iraq as entertainment doesn't do anything for me. As for enlightenment, I'm not sure if I'll find it in the movies. That's why I'm not going. There have been so many stupid things said about this war, I'm not sure if I want to go to these, or any, films and find myself surrounded by something else I think is unbearably knee-jerk or thoughtless. And, I'm sorry, but you can't trust most critics. If I had a nickel for every film the critics loved & I hated, I'd have quite a few bucks.

mrclean Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 06:51 PM EST

also, no one wants to watch TV shows about Iraq.
'over there', anyone?

tnygrl Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 06:33 PM EST

I will see Elah...just later. I think the timing really affects a lot of people. This has been such a protracted, drawn-out war effort. That movies can be made and released while it's still going on can be a painful reminder. Perhaps it's not that people are detached, but too attached. Imagine if movies about the Civil War were available during that time? Or a documentary about atom bombs was released in Japan right after Hiroshima? Do you really think people would go see a dramatization while the real thing is happening?

ktbuffy Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 06:23 PM EST

It's not that it's about Iraq, it's that it's a Paul Haggis film. I hated "Crash" SO MUCH I refuse to see another one of his films.

Dominique L. Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 06:05 PM EST

Paul Haggis is the only reason I don't want to see Elah. Anyway, I'm Canadian, so I guess I'm already a bad American ;)

starchild Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 06:04 PM EST

Sometimes you need a little distance from things chronologically - "Platoon", about Viet Nam was a hit in the 80's. Sometimes you need distance emotionally. Life sucks, yeah but sometimes, all you want to do is just shake your a** or laugh it off.

Jaime Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 06:03 PM EST

For me, it's not that Elah's about Iraq. It didn't get that great reviews (look at Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic). Not that that usually stops me, but I'm not looking forward to seeing another mediocre drama from the guy who brought you Crash.

Love No End in Sight, though.

KingLouieXVIII Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 05:57 PM EST

Despite the chops of Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, & Susan Surandon, despite the rave reviews, despite the fact that I'm one of the few who loved CRASH, I just don't think I will go to the theatre and pay to see IN THE VALLEY. I even had free passes for an advanced screening and chose not to go. It's just that I don't want to be depressed for an hour and a half about something as frustrating and infuriating as the Iraq War. I know this is not a good enough reason, but I cannot come up with a better reason...

stephen Mon, Sep 17, 2007 at 05:52 PM EST

well, those two films aren't showing in any theater near me. I can see "Superbad" 3 times at noon in the same movie theater. Go figure.