Syriana

[sleuth]

Anyone seen it yet? Is it a liberal hatchet job?

I know everyone is wrapped up in Kong and Narnia... but I've already seen Narnia which was bomb-diggity and I'm saving Kong to watch with the missus...

Yahoo Reviews gave it a B/B-

 

[DotTheEyes]

This comes out on DVD this Tuesday and I recommend everyone who loves a good suspense film rent it. I thought it was last year's best movie. The ensemble cast (which includes George Clooney, Matt Damon, William Hurt, Amanda Peet, and Christopher Plummer) all deliver excellent performances and the script is very intelligent and intense. I wouldn't say this is a liberal film. It's not a Bush bash or anything (He is never even referenced). It's just an examination of modern terrorism and the corruption of the oil industry. If you enjoyed all or one of these films...

The Bourne Identity/Supremacy
The Constant Gardener
The Manchurian Candidate
The Peacemaker
Traffic

...and love a smart, well-made suspense film, I'd say chances are good you would love Syriana and should check out the DVD. Just an incredible movie.

 

[virgovictoria]

Okay, I have to preface my commentary by saying that I can be geographical window licker... As well as a middle east historical idiot... AND... I tend to forget which countries speak which languages ....


I have to say, using my ever valuable subtitles (as always), and having my faithful companion explain everything to me during multiple pauses, I found the movie very interesting!




Thumbs up!

 

[kom526]

You could always read the book. "See No Evil: The true story of a ground soldier in the CIA's war on terrorism" By Bob Baer. Syriana is based on this book and the author has a role in the movie also.

 

[DotTheEyes]

I read that after loving the movie. It was great and added further nuance to the movie. The movie isn't, however, a direct adaptation of the novel. It takes many of the book's themes, settings, and ideas and uses them to form a movie storyline. Also, George Clooney's character in the movie is based on the writer of the book (though, clearly, somewhat loosely, as the writer was interviewed on CNN a few days ago).

 

[SmallTown]

the author os the book was down the street last week for a book signing. He has a new fictional book to go along with his two previous books. His other book is about the american-saudi ties.

 

[DotTheEyes]

His book about American-Saudi ties is called "Sleeping with the Devil."