The Kingdom - Early Review Thread

[moviebuff801]

Got the chance to see the sneak preview of this film tonight; review follows:

The Kingdom

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Chris Cooper and Jason Bateman

MY RATING: *** out of ****


The war on terror is an omnipresent issue these days, with news stories of varying tones appearing in the paper, on television, etc. However, oil is another conflict being dealt with as well and America's history with it can be traced back through the past few years with our dealings with Saudi Arabia, otherwise known as "The Kingdom", the title of a new terrorism thriller that takes place in that very country.

"The Kingdom" has interesting opening credits that chronicle America's history with Saudi Arabia; it is a solid thriller, effectively portraying the tension and violence that stems from the war on terror. It does not sugarcoat these situations, but instead provides a pretty realistic view of the world of terrorists and the Americans attempting to capture them. But while the realism and grittiness of "The Kingdom" helps make the film good, it also makes the movie a bit uncomfortable to sit through at times. When I say that, I am mainly referring to the tension that exists between the Saudis and the Americans, but especially the violence. I do admire "The Kingdom" for being bold and straightforward, but at the same time I think that the film's unflinching views of these conflicts were a bit too authentic.

The film stars Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Chris Cooper and Jason Bateman as a group of FBI agents who travel to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia after a mass murder committed by terrorists leaves many civilians dead, including two fellow agents of the Bureau. Jamie Foxx plays Ronald Fluery, the head of the elite FBI team, who was also good friends with one of the American victims. After begging permission to travel into the country of Saudi Arabia in order to investigate the terrorist attack, by way of some smooth-talking, Fluery assembles his team and flies out to Saudi Arabia. Upon arriving, Fluery and his team are met by Col. Al-Ghazi (Ashraf Barhom), the Saudi police officer assigned to escort the Americans around the country and help monitor their investigation. Al-Ghazi is polite to the country's guests, but still maintains a skeptical view of them. At one point, he becomes so annoyed by one agent's use of profanity, that he says that he would not mind washing the agent's mouth out with soap.

The terrorist behind the attack is known by many as Abu Hamza, a man who has been committing horrific acts of terrorism for quite some time. When Fluery and his team start to investigate the attack, however, they are hindered by the resentment of Saudi Arabia's citizens, who aren't comfortable with the presence of Americans in their country. The investigation takes the FBI team deep into the underworld and network of terrorists who are trying to kill them. Now, Fluery and his team must fight to stay alive and capture Abu Hamza.

The main strength of "The KIngdom" lies in the acting, which is better than you would expect for an action thriller. As always, Jamie Foxx gives a performance that proves his worth as an actor; this time he supercedes the generic government agent hero role and creates a realistic character that we come to care for. In addition, Jennifer Garner, Chris Cooper and Jason Bateman provide strong performances that help make "The Kingdom" a more character and dialogue-driven action thriller, rather than the conventional one that is more about blowing stuff up.

Even though there is less violence than you might expect, director Peter Berg ("The Rundown") still films them with an authentic and realistic brutality that far outmatches most of the stuff we see on "24" in terms of intensity. "The Kingdom" is one of those movies that employs the use of the handheld camera technique, but it works here. The technique helps you get into everything effectively, placing you in the center of each conversation and action sequence. Also, there was much more humor than I thought there would be. The humor obviously lightens the mood, emanating from the cultural differences between the Americans and the Saudis.

The more squeamish of moviegoers may want to skip "The Kingdom", because of the realistic violence and action sequences but for everyone else, it is a solid piece of entertainment. Even though the portrayal of terrorism ends up feeling a bit too authentic, it works nonetheless for the overall tone of the film. The only thing missing from "The Kingdom" seems to be Jack Bauer.

[Where's my elephant?]

The only thing missing from "The Kingdom" seems to be Jack Bauer.

But it does include a certain CIA agent from SD-6. ;)

Apart from Garner and the fact that Cooper is one of my favorite actors, I'm gonna see this for the great buzz it's getting.

I have a feeling that from your description of the non explicit yet realistic violence that I'm getting a Blood Diamond vibe from this.

[moviebuff801]

^^ The violence is brutal and realistic, and pretty bloody I might add. It's mainly graphic shootings with big splatters of blood, but there's also brief knife play and a pretty intense hand-to-hand fight scene involving Jennifer Garner. The audience I saw it with really enjoyed that scene, BTW.

[SaltyDog]

First off I will say that some Critics will find some politics not to their liking as the story line is as close to today's American Gung-Ho attitudes as well as the screw-up politics of our conflict with terrorism as any we have seen or yet to see and thus push this flick off as just another action thriller and give it negative reviews but who cares....film critics with an open mind (if there are any) will see THIS AS ONE HECK OF AN ACTION THRILLER THAT WILL KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF. The first 20 minutes or so start off rather slow then accelerates with interest and information to where the last 20 to 30 minutes gives you edge of your seat action sequences you will ever see or have seen in an action thriller and then some. HECK, I WANTED TO GET OUT OF MY SEAT GET A RIFLE AND JOIN THEM. IT HAD ME WORKED UP. I think most of the audience felt it too. Once again the shaky camera work gives you the feel of being in the scene but as I keep stating the fast cut editing bothers me to no end as scenes flash across the screen so fast you don't see what is really happening until it comes to a stop. Minor flaws I suppose as the photography and the music score by Danny Elfman along with the performances all first rate. Be warned this film contains a lot of sub titles but overall I consider this a must see action thriller.

[SaltyDog]

^^ The violence is brutal and realistic, and pretty bloody I might add. It's mainly graphic shootings with big splatters of blood, but there's also brief knife play and a pretty intense hand-to-hand fight scene involving Jennifer Garner. The audience I saw it with really enjoyed that scene, BTW.

Yes. The theatre erupted with a cheer when she got that terrorist you know where with the knife and then she put that finishing touch to the you know what which brought on the cheer and people out of their seats.

[true fan11212]

While it lacks the depth of a Syriana in terms of character development, it still builds a solid human story and lacks pretentiousness. It is more successful as an action-thriller, however, providing an engaging story at a brisk pace. Overall, The Kingdom is a solid action-thriller and a satisfying film.

***/*****

[moviebuff801]

Yes. The theatre erupted with a cheer when she got that terrorist you know where with the knife and then she put that finishing touch to the you know what which brought on the cheer and people out of their seats.

Yeah, my audience cheered and even clapped at that moment.

[Sora Kahn]

I might have to see this. I remember seeing a trailer for it early on in the year.

[Matrix_Fan]

Saw this a few months ago at a preview screening. It was pretty damn great. Wonder if it's the final cut(I hope so). Can't wait to see the final cut in theaters.

[Tolkien]

Damn you people and your early screenings! :(

[SouthsideX300]

Cant wait to see this!!

[sshuttari]

I'm so pumped for this movie!!!

[Darth Maul]

HECK, I WANTED TO GET OUT OF MY SEAT GET A RIFLE AND JOIN THEM. IT HAD ME WORKED UP.

OMG should we report Salty Dog to the FBI?

[Matrix_Fan]

OMG should we report Salty Dog to the FBI?

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

For those who don't know, Darth is referring to a similar comment SaltyDog made about a persons views on Hot Fuzz.
Plus, gotta love that violence.


Should we report Halo7 to the FBi. Could this posting be considered a telling sign. Or do we wait..???

Oh SaltyDog, you funny little hypocrite.

[SaltyDog]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

For those who don't know, Darth is referring to a similar comment SaltyDog made about a persons views on Hot Fuzz.

Oh SaltyDog, you funny little hypocrite.

Oh, I love it when people pay attention to everything I print on the forums and then track it day to day. Just absolutely wonderful. I wonder if I was a left wing liberal if you would take the time. LOL.

As for the comments made. Two completely different context of conversation in which the comments were made. I would think the most simple minded nimcompoops would understand the difference and I say this with LOVE......

[Matrix_Fan]

Two completely different context of conversation in which the comments were made.

Oh, I see. We should call the fbi when someone likes violence in a movie, not when someone wants to grab a gun and shoot people.

Yeah, that totally makes sense.

[Where's my elephant?]

I might have to see this. I remember seeing a trailer for it early on in the year.

From what I hear it was supposed to come out around that time but the buzz was so great that Universal bumped it up to award friendly late September.

[SaltyDog]

Oh, I see. We should call the fbi when someone likes violence in a movie, not when someone wants to grab a gun and shoot people.

Yeah, that totally makes sense.

Well, I can understand why it doesn't make sense to you. What are you some 10 year old who can't comprehend the context in which a statement is made in a conversation. Evidently. Enough...I rather talk about the film which I happen to like a whole lot.

[SaltyDog]

From what I hear it was supposed to come out around that time but the buzz was so great that Universal bumped it up to award friendly late September.

Amen Brother. You are right on. Absolutely correct.

[moviebuff801]

The film is good, but I don't really see anything Award-worthy about it. Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie and everything about it is well done, but in my eyes it didn't have anything that made it more than a solid action thriller. But I recommend it; a better action film than most that are released these days.

[SaltyDog]

The film is good, but I don't really see anything Award-worthy about it. Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie and everything about it is well done, but in my eyes it didn't have anything that made it more than a solid action thriller. But I recommend it; a better action film than most that are released these days.

I agree with your comments. I just like the Pro-American spunk that the movie presents. wow. I AM AT 700 POSTS ALREADY.

[SaltyDog]

"The Kingdom". This is a MUST SEE. PUT IT ON YOUR LIST.

[Tzarinna]

Bateman looks like he's going to blow my mind with his performance.
This movie looks a little too real for me though, I have a bleeding heart. I'll have to put this one on hold for a bit.

[DeadFlagBlues]

It looks decent. I'll be seeing it.

[DeadFlagBlues]

While it lacks the depth of a Syriana in terms of character development, it still builds a solid human story and lacks pretentiousness. It is more successful as an action-thriller, however, providing an engaging story at a brisk pace. Overall, The Kingdom is a solid action-thriller and a satisfying film.

***/*****

Thats what I was predicting. I did like Syriana, though.

[Ewok Droppings]

I really want to see this - but I didn't like Syriana at all. I thought it was boring.

[SaltyDog]

I really want to see this - but I didn't like Syriana at all. I thought it was boring.

I liked this film more than I liked Syriana. This is not a boring movie by any means although as I stated before the first 20 minutes or so are slow as they setup the investigation. But the last 45 minutes is kick butt edge of your seat excitement involving and I dare not say what takes place...but I suppose I can say one of the leads is taken hostage...and you have hooded terrorists....etc etc... AND AS I STATED BEFORE a few silly minded Liberal Critics are trying to put politics into the movie thus giving it negative reviews siding the fact that Director Berg has stated the filmmakers went out of their way to keep partisan politics out of the film which feat I believe they accomplished quite well. This might not be a GREAT film for some but most people are finding this film to be an excellent well made action thriller with fine performances by the four leads. Get on your pony and ride on down to the marts on Friday and take a look.

[SaltyDog]

I really want to see this - but I didn't like Syriana at all. I thought it was boring.

OOPss.............You didn't like "3:10" so you probably won't like this one as well. You may want to skip it.

[moviebuff801]

I actually didn't think either "Syriana" or "3:10" were boring at all. Both great films.

[Where's my elephant?]

Syriana was kind of slow to me but not boring. Good Shepherd on the other hand... :rolleyes:

[Ewok Droppings]

OOPss.............You didn't like "3:10" so you probably won't like this one as well. You may want to skip it.

How can you compare this to 3:10? They are completely different genres of movies.

[moviebuff801]

Syriana was kind of slow to me but not boring. Good Shepherd on the other hand... :rolleyes:

Another very good and interesting film that was one of the best from last year.

[SaltyDog]

Another very good and interesting film that was one of the best from last year.

I thought "The Good Shepherd" was an underrated, engrossing, very good film and although I don't particular care for Matt Damon (rememberance of "school ties" keep popping up) my thought is that he was very good in "TGS". Like it better than "Syriana".

[SaltyDog]

How can you compare this to 3:10? They are completely different genres of movies.

Genre has nothing to do with it. YOUR QUOTE on 3:10: "This movie was flat for me. It was boring in spots, and never really captured the feel of anything great." Your thinking can apply to any film regardless of genre.

So I would think based on the fact that I have seen both film, your stated opinion will probably apply to "The Kingdom".

[Superchunk]

Hey its Michael Mann. And if you want to see a good Mann film this one delivers. I think Mann has a fetish with guys wearing gray suits with gray hair. Audio was great and the visual effects too. Last 30minutes is none stop.

Definitely go and check this one out. Only thing was that it felt really short.

Good gunplay too!

[Dracula]

The Kingdom(9/28/2007)
The title of The Kingdom refers to the nation of Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the Middle East, a region we have all been slowly learning about. There are serious things going on in that area, a fact no one needs me to inform them about. There are many reasons to make movies about nations like Saudi Arabia, the Middle East conflict is the defining issue of our time and there are many positions to take. But is “no position” an option? That’s the question that The Kingdom poses without trying to.

The film opens with a frightening act of terrorism; two Saudi men enter an area of Riyadh populated by Americans and begin a mass drive by shooting, but this is only a distraction, two bombs eventually go off killing hundreds of Americans including two FBI agents. Special Agent Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx) upon hearing this manages to persuade the Saudi government (without telling his superiors) to allow his team into the country’s border to investigate the crime. Also on his team are Grant Sykes (Chris Cooper), Janet Mayes (Jennifer Garner), and Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman). In Saudi Arabia they are escorted by Colonel Faris Al Ghazi (Ashraf Barhom) who tries to help them despite some cultural differences.

The strong cast does a lot to keep this movie floating. Oscar winners Jamie Foxx and Chris Cooper live up to their award winning status and both are good here, neither are great but they do as much as they need to do with their fairly standard roles. Newcomer Ashraf Barhom is also quite good here, and Jeremy Piven has a fun turn in a small role. Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner however, both seem out of place here. Bateman simply doesn’t feel right for this genre, and Garner is just generally poor.

Viewers who were offended by the mix of action adventure and real world tragedy in last year’s Blood Diamond should stay even further away from The Kingdom. The film has no real message in this film, there’s the occasional poignant moment, but there’s certainly no clear thesis in sight. I was going to say it played out like CSI: Riyadh, but a bunch of other critics beat me to it. There is a lot of procedural here, but the result of the investigation seems inevitable. In the last half hour the film devolves into an all out Hollywood action movie.

The action scenes are well shot, in a more appropriate environment I’d support them, they are just wrong for this story. People go to action movies for escapism, something no one gets from a story about Middle East terrorism. People go to more political “issue-tainment” for smart insights into world affairs, something that’s absent from this action movie. It’s a movie that tries to have it both ways and ends up pleasing no one.

There have been reports that forty minutes were cut from The Kingdom, and this may have been part of the problem. One can really feel the participation of test audiences in the creation of the movie. It may be that whatever point the movie was trying to make was lost in this editing. The movie could also have benefitted from increased character development all around.

Peter Berg, director of Friday Night Lights and The Rundown is simply over his head with this material. He has no idea whether he wants to make a political thriller, procedural, or action film and has no new insight into the Middle East. It says a lot that The Wind That Shakes the Barley, a film set in 1920’s Ireland, has more to say about the American War on terror than this film set in modern Riyadh. There are better films about the Middle East and better action movies out there. The Kingdom is just good enough to hold your attention but ultimately amounts to nothing. Possibly worth a rental, the action sequence really is shot well, but otherwise quite missable.
** out of Four

[mjb]

Easily on of this years best in my opinion. I loved this film. good action, good action. We at least get an insight on the arab people. i do feel as though they should've flushed out the arab characters a little more. While the movie was good it was still one sided. The US as the good guy, while the arab terroists are the bad. Someone really needs to dig further as to why some of these people are willing to die by strapping a bomb to themselves.

Personally i'm tired of all the lines that we get from the US media and the political leaders. Stuff like they are crazy and hate America just doesn't do it for me. There is more going on in a person's mind where they would get to the point that they are willing to die for their cause. I could accept crazy as the reason if it wasn't so d@mn many doing it. Alas this is a simple hollywood film, so no point in getting deeper into the issues between the Middle east and america.

10/10

[SaltyDog]

I saw this film for a second time Saturday and it was even better than the first. Looking at reviews (and I stated this the first day I saw the movie) it seems that the majority of those that didn't give this film a good review fault it because it has nothing to say one way or another about the Middle East Crisis. Then they go on to say that the Action sequences make the film less effective because the sequences really don't fit in this what wants to be a serious political thriller. What ridiculous and nincompoop left wing mentality. HEY, THIS IS NOT A MIDDLE EAST PROFOUND STATEMENT ON THE WAR ON TERROR for goodness sake. Get over it. "The Kingdom" is nothing more than a suspense thriller. A compelling police procedural with expertly executed action sequences film that doesn't insult the intelligence of its audience. Simply put, FBI agents go through the process of trying to find the clues and fit them in to catch a criminal in a country that doesn't want us there and as the no-nonsense investigation progresses, gives us a glimpse of life in Saudi Arabia and the relationship with America as presented by the relationship between the FBI agents and the Saudi Security Agents. As for the action sequences, they fit perfectly into the story as on their journey home one of FBI agents gets abducted and in their efforts to save the agent they chase the criminals into a deadly fortified area and have to fight their way out. Seem real and true to me. I suppose some will not like it but if you don't like it at least use some common sense reasoning instead of trying to flesh out some ridiculous claims that aren't even part of the film. A FRICKING EXCELLENT SUSPENSE ACTION THRILLER WITH INTELLIGENCE.

[Ewok Droppings]

Genre has nothing to do with it. YOUR QUOTE on 3:10: "This movie was flat for me. It was boring in spots, and never really captured the feel of anything great." Your thinking can apply to any film regardless of genre.

So I would think based on the fact that I have seen both film, your stated opinion will probably apply to "The Kingdom".

Well, I wouldn't count on it. It's still comparing apples to oranges. They are 2 completely different films, different directors, different storylines, different casts etc. I know you get all fanboyed up for movies, but just because I dislike 1 movie that you think was the best thing since sliced bread, doesn't mean I will dislike another movie that you like too. Silly comparison.

[Matrix_Fan]

Don't let his snarkyness fool you Ewok, he's no fanboy, just a boy.

To answer you about not being sure cause you didn't like Syriana, I wouldn't worry. Like you, I didn't like Syriana either. Luckily, The Kingdom isn't like that. No real mention of oil aside from the opening credits, no 3 stories put together, no confusion or boringness. Just a good political action flick.

I recommend it.

[DeadFlagBlues]

Don't let his snarkyness fool you Ewok, he's no fanboy, just a boy.

To answer you about not being sure cause you didn't like Syriana, I wouldn't worry. Like you, I didn't like Syriana either. Luckily, The Kingdom isn't like that. No real mention of oil aside from the opening credits, no 3 stories put together, no confusion or boringness. Just a good political action flick.

I recommend it.

I wouldn't even call it "political". Its just an action film. Thats it. But Syriana is a different kind of film altogether. Syriana is the more sophisticated film (of course).

[Where's my elephant?]

^I have to agree. Syriana is more about dialouge whereas The Kingdom is more action oriented although it had more character development and more sophisticated dialogue than the average Michael Bay movie.

[SaltyDog]

^I have to agree. Syriana is more about dialouge whereas The Kingdom is more action oriented although it had more character development and more sophisticated dialogue than the average Michael Bay movie.

How would you know. YOu haven't even seen the fricking movie. You and "Deadflagblues" need to get your parents to take you to the movie as you need a guardian and someone to pay for your tickets to get into the show. Then come back and put up your "PLAGIARIZED' REVIEWS ON THIS PAGE WHETHER POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE like everyone else does.

[DeadFlagBlues]

How would you know. YOu haven't even seen the fricking movie. You and "Deadflagblues" need to get your parents to take you to the movie so as you need a guardian and someone to pay for your tickets to get into the show. Then come back and put up your "PLAGIARIZED' REVIEWS ON THIS PAGE WHETHER POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE like everyone else does.

Why hasn't anyone banned you yet? Quit being so defensive and presumptuous.

[SaltyDog]

Why hasn't anyone banned you yet?

You even sound like a Liberal water carrying jug. Censor the voice...that tells the truth.

[DeadFlagBlues]

You even sound like liberal water carrying jug. Censor the voice...that tells the truth.

Excuse me? You assumed that I hadn't seen the film. I simply posted an opinion that I had. You seem to attack anyone who feels differently than you do. Strangely enough, everything you post is politically charged. Whenever someone feels differently, you attack using an ad hominem. Grow up.

[moviebuff801]

I'm tired of reading reviews that criticize the movie because of their personal political views and that the film doesen't really have that much to say about the war on terror. Can't it just be reviewed for what it is: a solid action thriller?

[SaltyDog]

Well, I wouldn't count on it. It's still comparing apples to oranges. They are 2 completely different films, different directors, different storylines, different casts etc. I know you get all fanboyed up for movies, but just because I dislike 1 movie that you think was the best thing since sliced bread, doesn't mean I will dislike another movie that you like too. Silly comparison.

First, you don't even comphehend what you even write because you get confuse trying to "outsmart" those you are trying to confuse. Of course you can determine whether you like a move or not based on what you have liked before. There are exceptions but if you don't like slow pace or dialogue type movies then it doesn't much matter what genre the movie is from if the movie is slow paced or dialogue driven. Get a life, Bud....if I can call you that......No...yes....

Oh, by the way, I never said "The Kingdom" is the best thing since sliced bread. See what I mean.......

[Matrix_Fan]

So, SaltyDog, is it really THAT hard for you to give a polite response to anything?

[SaltyDog]

Excuse me? You assumed that I hadn't seen the film. I simply posted an opinion that I had. You seem to attack anyone who feels differently than you do. Strangely enough, everything you post is politically charged. Whenever someone feels differently, you attack using an ad hominem. Grow up.

Well, have you seen the film. Didn't think so. AND I guess I could have deleted the world "Liberal" and inserted the word "loose nut" instead. But we were talking about what is considered by some as a "POLITICAL" film, aren't we.

[Ewok Droppings]

First, you don't even comphehend what you even write because you get confuse trying to "outsmart" those you are trying to confuse.

What's wrong with this sentence? :funny: Anyways, I'm not trying to trip you up grammatically, you can do that yourself, but you proved my point in your response. Why you feel the need to go on the attack against everyone that might disagree with you is laughable. It's like you get so attached to these movies that you can't stand to have someone dislike them and come away with a different opinion. You'll even defend it before someone sees it. Somehow you have it in your mind that you know exactly the types of movies I like/dislike from 1 movie review. It's amazing that you are so capable of complaining and degrading on just one review. Why do you feel the need to get so worked up when anyone disagrees with you?

[Matrix_Fan]

Hey SaltyDog, if you even bothered to look up DeadFlagBlues and Where's my elephant?'s previous posts, you would have seen that they actually have seen the movie.

[SaltyDog]

So, SaltyDog, is it really THAT hard for you to give a polite response to anything?

To tell you the truth ....I try to be as far removed from anything having to do with political arguments as I can be.....but this doesn't excuse me from not setting the record straight from those that want to curve it or just downright distort it.

[SaltyDog]

What's wrong with this sentence? :funny: Anyways, I'm not trying to trip you up grammatically, you can do that yourself, but you proved my point in your response. Why you feel the need to go on the attack against everyone that might disagree with you is laughable. It's like you get so attached to these movies that you can't stand to have someone dislike them and come away with a different opinion. You'll even defend it before someone sees it. Somehow you have it in your mind that you know exactly the types of movies I like/dislike from 1 movie review. It's amazing that you are so capable of complaining and degrading on just one review. Why do you feel the need to get so worked up when anyone disagrees with you?

Actually there is nothing wrong with my grammar or reasoning its just your lack of comprehension . I suppose when someone is lacking something there is nothing one can do to make him understand anything. So be it. I never rudely criticize anyone for not liking a film I like. I just argue my views as compared to their critique much like everyone on these boards do. Show me where I have degraded anyone reviews but here again you loosely slander people just to think you are smarter. Good Luck.

[SaltyDog]

Hey SaltyDog, if you even bothered to look up DeadFlagBlues and Where's my elephant?'s previous posts, you would have seen that they actually have seen the movie.

Up to now I don't see where.

[SaltyDog]

So, SaltyDog, is it really THAT hard for you to give a polite response to anything?

Matrix Fan...you really know where to hit and hurt one sensitivity. I am thinking my responses are about as polite, warn and cuddly, as those that attack me, aren't.

[Matrix_Fan]

Matrix Fan...you really know where to hit and hurt one sensitivity. I am thinking my responses are about as polite, warn and cuddly, as those that attack me, aren't.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Attacking you? I'm sorry, you ALWAYS throw the first punch! Then they try to defend themselves, and you attack some more! Then they attack you and you're like "Why are they attacking me?" LOL! Now put me on your ignore list before I hurt your feelings again.

[DeadFlagBlues]

Well, have you seen the film. Didn't think so. AND I guess I could have deleted the world "Liberal" and inserted the word "loose nut" instead. But we were talking about what is considered by some as a "POLITICAL" film, aren't we.

"..loose nut.."? You are the only one acting completely out of line here. I never once insulted the film. I simply said they were different. I believe it was you who took the first shot in assuming that I'm somehow Liberal.

[Ewok Droppings]

Actually there is nothing wrong with my grammar or reasoning its just your lack of comprehension . I suppose when someone is lacking something there is nothing one can do to make him understand anything. So be it. I never rudely criticize anyone for not liking a film I like. I just argue my views as compared to their critique much like everyone on these boards do. Show me where I have degraded anyone reviews but here again you loosely slander people just to think you are smarter. Good Luck.

Actually, there was something wrong with your grammar. It's more funny those that you don't recognize it. Are you a native English speaker?

And how am I slandering you? LOL - do you hate everyone on these boards?

[SaltyDog]

Actually, there was something wrong with your grammar. It's more funny those that you don't recognize it. Are you a native English speaker?

NO. I am an ARAB. What is your excuse. YOUR QUOTE....""It's more funny those that you don't recognize it. Are you a native English speaker

[Ewok Droppings]

NO. I am an ARAB. What is your excuse. YOUR QUOTE....""It's more funny those that you don't recognize it. Are you a native English speaker

As a matter of fact I am - and that's why I can tell if your grammar isn't right on.

Anyways, grammar aside - why do you always argue with everyone on here?

[Matrix_Fan]

.......................................

I think he ran away.

[SaltyDog]

As a matter of fact I am - and that's why I can tell if your grammar isn't right on.

Anyways, grammar aside - why do you always argue with everyone on here?

No. My grammar is right on. Its my typing that sucks.

[Matrix_Fan]

Way to skirt the question SDog.

[Darth Maul]

Salty Dog Skirts The Question! News At 11!

[RedVader 2004]

How good can this movie be if The Game Plan beat it this weekend. I have not seen it. Sure looks ok but was it doomed to loose to the great one or was it not very good .

[Matrix_Fan]

The Game Plan was number 1 cause it was a PG family flick starring The Rock. The Kingdom is an R rated film geared for the adult crowd. Still, 17 million is pretty good.

[Dracula]

The Kingdom is an R rated film geared for the adult crowd.

So was 300, it made 70 million on opening weekend

[Matrix_Fan]

Good point.

However, 300 had a bigger marketing push, and was an adaptation of a Graphic Novel. It's highly stylized nature also appealed to younger and older teens.

[RedVader 2004]

Yeah teh game plan was on evey channel from espn to the usa network all over tv in promos. I think both would have done better in August or towards teh end of October. But the Rock always has a film this time of the year.
I don't see Game Plan real big but will be a monster on dvd like all his films.
The Kingdom sure looked good and had Star Power in it. Just wrong time of the year me thinks.

[SaltyDog]

Way to skirt the question SDog.

Oh, please.................................

[hammerhedd11]

It wasn't as good as I thought it would be but it was still good. 7.5/10

[Ewok Droppings]

Just got done watching this on DVD. I was pleasantly surprised with this movie. I'm not sure why it didn't do better at the box office. The only downside to the movie was in the ending gunfight, it's about 5 or 6 against an entire heavily armed neighborhood and they take everyone out. That just seemed a little too cliché for me. Other than that - I felt like they portrayed Saudi Arabia and the dangers that westerners face there in a most intriguing way. Good flick!

8/10

[saveus1011]

Loved this film. Was very surprised it didn't do better. The action sequences were killer. Piven's character was unnecessary though.

[squeekness]

Just got done watching this on DVD. I was pleasantly surprised with this movie. I'm not sure why it didn't do better at the box office. The only downside to the movie was in the ending gunfight, it's about 5 or 6 against an entire heavily armed neighborhood and they take everyone out. That just seemed a little too cliché for me. Other than that - I felt like they portrayed Saudi Arabia and the dangers that westerners face there in a most intriguing way. Good flick!

8/10Yeah, I feel the same way about the ending, but it was quite enjoyable throughout. Ithink it is well worth a watch for anyone debating it. 8/10 for me. :)