Prof calls Zero Dark Thirty ‘propaganda film’ for positive depiction of waterboarding

By Oliver Darcy

A law professor dismissed Zero Dark Thirty as propaganda in an op-ed on Friday, saying the film portrayed waterboarding in a favorable light by depicting it as a crucial tool in the hunt for Osama bin Laden.

A law professor skewered Zero Dark Thirty for allegedly portraying the use of enhanced interrogation techniques in a positive light.

Marjorie Cohn, a professor of law at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law argued in a Huffington Post editorial on Friday that the controversial technique of waterboarding, which some consider torture, had not in fact lead to the death of Bin Laden.

“After showing footage of the 9/11 attacks, it [the movie] moves into a graphic and lengthy depiction of torture,” she wrote, apparently referring to waterboarding. “Responding to the torture, he divulges the name of the courier who ultimately leads the CIA to Bin Laden’s location and assassination.”

“It may be good theater, but it is inaccurate and misleading,” she concluded.

Cohn’s view of the role of…

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Source: Campus Reform

The Kennedys

A review by Zach Foster

What was a post-production project scrapped by the History Channel was rescued and given a home by the REELZ channel, a cable film network with some behind-the-scenes shows about movies and red carpet affairs.  After seeing the 8-part miniseries The Kennedys, my feelings are mixed.  The show definitely had its high points, but there were certain details that were annoying during the first two episodes that took a while to get used to.

I wasn’t a fan of the pace or the editing.  While I do understand and enjoy flashbacks in film and television, the writers and editors really rode the flashbacks horse and ran it ragged.  In the first two episodes, whose setting is the eve of Election Day 1960, the series covers a few election events and within minutes flashes back to Joe Kennedy’s career as an ambassador, then forward to John F. Kennedy’s 1952 Senate race, then forward to the 1960 election, then back to World War II.  Believe me, it got old FAST.  The editing and pace aside, the content itself kept me with the series, and the best part is that every detail of this complete soap opera was true.

Some of the juicy events within the Kennedy dynasty include, but are not limited to: Joe Kennedy Sr.’s obsession and borderline fanatical crusade in living vicariously through his sons by making them politicians (whether they wanted it or not); the sibling rivalry between JFK and Joe Jr. during the war, which led to Joe Jr. getting killed; Joe Sr. and JFK’s addiction to extramarital sexual conquest; drug use being the norm in the White House; intense rivalries between the Kennedys and members of the Cabinet; Rose’s lobotomy; Frank Sinatra’s secret mobster deals; Marilyn Monroe’s obsession with the Kennedys...  The list goes on.

Tom Wilkinson played a good Joe Kennedy Sr.  Though it seemed as if his Boston accent periodically slipped back to British, Wilkinson successfully portrayed Joe Kennedy’s shrewd and unapologetic manner.  The series was honest about Joe’s flaws and his determination to settle problems by writing a fat check.

Katie Holmes played a decent Jackie Kennedy.  Though Jackie is a major character throughout the series, she remains a static character—always trying to be a good First Lady and doing her best to deal with JFK’s indiscretions—which is too bad, since I like Katie Holmes and wish she’d had a better role in which to shine.

Greg Kinnear surprised me by playing a good JFK.  He had the accent, vocal tonality, and the mannerisms down, and his chemistry with the other actors was excellent.  He was able to portray a loving father, guilty husband, fallible leader, courageous leader, and left me generally pleased with his performance.

Barry Pepper’s portrayal of Robert Kennedy was superb in every way—he nailed the role of RFK.  He had the facial expressions, voice, an outstanding accent, and unlike Kinnear’s solid performance, Pepper’s acting had me genuinely moved and I remained with the series principally to see his performance.  For those who don’t know him by name, he played the sniper in Saving Private Ryan.  His performance carried the series.

After the editing and the pace, which occasionally had me feeling dizzy, I have one major criticism for the writers.  WHERE WAS TED KENNEDY?  It seems as if he would have been an important character, since Joe Sr. also was Ted’s puppet master and had him running to fill JFK’s Senate seat just after the Presidential election.  I know for a fact that some of Senator Chappaquiddick’s drama would have added additional flavor to the series, if only the writers and producers hadn’t pretended that he never existed.

I appreciated the series for what it was: neither an exposé nor an apology, but an effort to take an honest look at the lives and times, including both the good and the bad, of one of the most influential American families and political dynasties that created a legacy and made history time and again.  I rate the series at 6 out of 10.  It’s worth watching at least once.

Waltz With Bashir

A review by Zach Foster

Waltz With Bashir is a 2008 animated autobiographical film dealing with a veteran of the 1982 Lebanon War whose memories of the war have been repressed, and sets out to reconnect with army buddies to piece together what happened.  Though it is animated, the film is by no means a cartoon—it is rated R for war violence, language, and some nudity.  The film’s plot and story are absolutely gripping and horrifying—and true.  It also includes a well balanced sound track, from classical piano compositions to Israeli and American heavy metal.  The film is available to own on DVD and Blu Ray and is dubbed in English as well as in Hebrew with English subtitles.  It was nominated for Best Foreign Film Academy Award and won the Golden Glove for the same category.

This film is very important for Americans to better understand not only the 2006 Lebanon war but also the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  This film is a perfect example of the psychological effects and manifestations of post traumatic stress disorder, as well as other evils facing troops and veterans.  It shows how religious fanatical terrorists fight and operate, and shows clear and explicit examples of collateral damage caused when jihadists bring the war to residential zones.  It even illustrates a portrayal of domestic civilian disgust or cold indifference to wartime soldiers.  It also illustrates how veterans cope daily with the horrors of their past which will always be a part of their present.