The Kingdom

[movieme07]

This movie opens in 900+ sneaks this weekend so i figured it was time to get this thread going.

This movie looks great I think. The trailer looks phenomenal (I think I spelled that wrong) and intense, despite the fact that Jennifer Garner appears to just give blank looks the entire movie.

I'm seeing it on Saturday as for once we got a special event like this at my shitbox.

[Scarfather]

This looks like it could be one of the most ignorant films of all time.

[echo_bravo]

Originally posted by Scarfather
This looks like it could be one of the most ignorant films of all time.

How?
I am just wondering cause I know nothing about it.

[Bourne101]

Originally posted by Scarfather
This looks like it could be one of the most ignorant films of all time.

An explanation would be nice.

I think this movie looks very good. Action packed, but while being smart and having a good story.

[dman476]

I'll admit it doesn't look great, but I'll be trying very hard to catch the sneak this Saturday.

[Lazy Boy]

Didn't know there was a sneak this weekend...I don't know if I can fit it in due to all the releases I've sworn a blood oath to see (Eastern Promises, The Brave One....yes, even In the Valley of Elah).

It looks promising due to the talent outside of Jennifer Garner and Jamie Foxx.

[ilovemovies]

Peter Berg and Jennifer Garner and a kickass trailer are the reasons why I can't wait to see it.

I'm suppose to be working Saturday night but I think I'll either call in sick or make up some excuse for not being able to show up so I can go to the sneak preview. :p

[navarr0]

Is it me or did the trailer come out like 4 months ago? It almost feels like this film is lagging, i know they delayed the release. Was originally supposed to be in AUG, but now next week.

[anakinsrise]

TK was supposed to be released awhile ago,which is never a good sign.But since i have a lot of time on my hands this weekend I'll check it out.

[franky4fingerz]

Just got out of it and WOW pretty much sums it up.Its very intense and suspenceful. the last 30 mintues was hair raising. you all must see this movie. the ending will leave you speechless, it was hard for me to get out of my seat once the credits came on. This is for sure one of the best movies of the year.

9/10

[Danger^Cart]

Looking at it objectively, I really don't understand the outcry of implausibility for this film. In the trailer he says, "an American housing complex was attacked." Much like an embassy, that's considered United States soil, and if attacked, is open to Federal investigation, as much as anywhere in the U.S.. The FBI isn't "invading." The FBI investigates acts of terrorism committed against the U.S., and killing hundreds of U.S. citizens on American soil epitomizes this. I don't see the problem.

The film looks mediocre.

[movieme07]

Holy shit this movie is amazing.

10/10

[anakinsrise]

This film held my attention from start to finish.From its opening explaining America's relationship to Saudi Arabia and Osama to its intense and edge of your seat climax.Outstanding acting by everyone.Jamie Foxx ,Jennifer Garner,Chris Cooper, and Ashraf Barhom.
Jason Bateman gets mostly all of the good one liners.
Scale of 1-10 a 9

[therealjohng]

The opening credits have been posted online and you can view them here: http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/thekingdom.html?showVideo=1

[Bourne101]

Going to see it either tomorrow night or Saturday night. Looks like my kind of movie, so I am looking forward to it very much.

[The Poonchy]

i want to see this just because of jason bateman

[visual_tension]

Aside from the effective opening scene and the last 20 minutes, this film was pretty much a bore.

I expected better.

5/10

[electriclite]

9/10

I loved the opening credits. I'm a big info junkie, and a fan of motion graphics and this was one of the best opening credits I've seen in a long while.

The film itself:

Smart, fast-paced, hypnotic, and SUSPENSEFUL. Its the kind of experience I wish I had everytime I saw a film.

[the_sneaker]

Is it me or did the trailer come out like 4 months ago? It almost feels like this film is lagging, i know they delayed the release. Was originally supposed to be in AUG, but now next week.

That's what I wanted to know. It was filmed here in AZ early last summer, so I was waiting a long time to see it. I saw the first full trailer last November, and was surprised to find out that it was going to be another year before I could see it.

But this film was incredible. I saw it with a friend of mine who was in the military for four years and he didn't even want to get up from his chair after the credits started to roll.

I don't know why there is such an uproar about this. Over at IMDb, hundreds of people seem to have their panties in a bunch over it (but then again, that's IMDb for you; the boards over there are a joke, just as bad as the posters most of the time). It was not implausible and was very refreshing in the fact that it didn't try to shove a message down the viewers throat, other than the end line, which was actually really incredible and showed that there aren't that many differences between the two cultures.

This was a fantastic film. 9/10

PS: To those of you who live near the Tempe, AZ area, go see it at the Cine Capri. The sound system alone nearly made me blow a load :D

[jaw2929]

I'll be passing this one up, I'm tired of all these war-related movies, when there's still a real one that is needlessly STILL happening....

[Cronos]

I don't remember even hearing about this until a couple of days ago. I saw the trailer earlier before The Brave One and while I'm generally not that interested in war films this looks pretty good to me.

[electriclite]

Ummm, i think we need to have something cleared up here.


This is not a war movie. Its more like a CSI-lite mystery to find a killer, with military grade weaponry.

[ElderPredator]

It looks pretty fun!

[Scarface98.9]

I saw The Kingdom about 2 months ago in a sneak preview and I really enjoyed it. I posted a review somewhere but don't know where on the site it is, but it was smart, funny, suspenseful, and most of the good adjectives that one could use. The last shot was excellent too. Easy thumbs up

8/10

[franky4fingerz]

I'm glad to see most of us are likeing it.Whats up with the reviewers slaming this movie, I dont understand.Anyway, I loved this movie.Great acting all around.Once the credits came on I couldnt move, thats rare.

9/10

[Bourne101]

The Kingdom - 9/10

Without a doubt one of the best movies of the year. The story is engaging, the acting is superb, the direction is excellent and the action is extremely intense. There have been complaints about this movie just being a big old violent action film, when that's not what it is at all. The movie starts out with the terrorist attack, and then for the most part the rest of the movie until the last 20 minutes (which is by far the most intense 20 minutes I've seen in a long time), is an intense political mystery/thriller. You get to know the characters, their jobs and their personalities, which is something that a lot of political thrillers seem to be lacking these days. The movie doesn't prolong itself with outrageously boring dialouge, like most modern political films that critics seem to love, are always doing. Instead the scenes of dialouge are intense and interesting, and keep viewers with eyes glued to the screen, instead of eyes looking at watches to see how much longer is left in the movie. Don't let critics, previews, ads etc. sway you into thinking that this is just an action film, when really the only scenes of real action are the first 10 minutes and the last twenty minutes. Everything in between is a smart, mysterious, intense and interesting investigation of an extrememly brutal attack. This is a must see.

[navarr0]

i saw it last night, and i was satisfied. Some parts were kind of "ok", for example, *****spoilers****Jaimie Foxx kicking down the windshield with one swift kick yelling ""GRENADE", it takes at least two or three kicks for a windshield to come off that easily, and then him throwing directly across the street into the other building...perfectly.****end spoilers*** It was a good film, and like someone said earlier, they didnt try to shove down propaganda down your throat, like 'Death of a president'.

8/10

[ilovemovies]

Damnit! I just HAD to get sick on the week this movie came out. I won't be able to see it until at least Tuesday. Damn.

[therealjohng]

I thought it was a decent movie. I'd give it a 7/10. Out of the 3 Berg movies that I've seen, I'd say it's his least best. Acting was good. Didn't think the story was anything special. The opening scene is really jarring at how violent it is. Those two guys driving around just mowing everyone down with a machine gun really caught me off guard. The ending was kind of intense. Reminded me a lot of Black Hawk Down. Having said what I said, I love the the last lines of the movie. They pretty much summed up why this whole shitty thing (jihad or whatever) is never going to end. And yes, no propaganda was shoved down our throats.


7/10

[movieme07]

I for one am stunned by the mixed reviews this is getting, I thought for sure critics would love this movie.

[the_sneaker]

I for one am stunned by the mixed reviews this is getting, I thought for sure critics would love this movie.

Doesn't have the huge anti-war sentiments that other films in the past few years have had (Munich, Syrianna, etc) so it probably won't be a critical success, which is unfortunate.

[JasonBourne]

Saw the movie this past Saturday. Enjoyed it very much.

Rating: 7/10

[cletus66]

The Kingdom is definitely one of the best movies I have seen this year. I was very impressed with the opening credits showing ther history of Saudi-U.S. relations which was a great way to segue into the chaotic attack on the compound. The middle portion was fairly average but it more than made up for it with one of the most suspensful conclusions I've seen in a long time. I definitely think Peter Berg made a great decision by avoiding taking sides and having a political agneda which is somthing most filmmakers would not do.


8.5/10

[Badbird]

Critics hate this movie. The Entertainment Weekly review gave it a C-, but by reading it you'd think it got an F.

I still want to see it. Maybe next week.

[electriclite]

i saw it last night, and i was satisfied. Some parts were kind of "ok", for example, *****spoilers****Jaimie Foxx kicking down the windshield with one swift kick yelling ""GRENADE", it takes at least two or three kicks for a windshield to come off that easily, and then him throwing directly across the street into the other building...perfectly.****end spoilers*** It was a good film, and like someone said earlier, they didnt try to shove down propaganda down your throat, like 'Death of a president'.

8/10


Wasn't the windshield already cracked severely after the rocket launched bomb exploded just to the side of the SUV?

[bigred760]

Just saw the flick and liked it a lot. Peter Berg loves his shaky cams which made me a little queasy - damn popcorn didn't help either :D. Still enjoyed it nonetheless; particularly the movie's final act which includes one hell of a suspenseful gunfight. I especially liked how the movie shows the difference in cultures which is punctuated nicely by the movie's final scene.

7/10

[the_sneaker]

Wasn't the windshield already cracked severely after the rocket launched bomb exploded just to the side of the SUV?

That's what I was just gonna say. Yes, it is improbable for someone to kick out a windsheild after only a few kicks, but not only had it been subjugated a huge explosion mere feet away, but it also had bullet holes in it which would weaken it extremely!

[the_sneaker]

Critics hate this movie. The Entertainment Weekly review gave it a C-, but by reading it you'd think it got an F.

Of course they hated it...because it doesn't follow the same patter as Syrianna or Munich. It's neither promoting the act of war, or condemning it. It simply just is...well, there. It seems that critics these days will only like movies about a war as long as it condemns it outright and makes all the characters seem like terrible people for even considering such an act. Pity, really. It would be nice if a real critic out there could grow a spine and not be so worried what others might say about him/her if they said they actually liked a film about war that didn't have some underlying message about what warmongers we all are.

Wasn't the windshield already cracked severely after the rocket launched bomb exploded just to the side of the SUV?

That's what I was just gonna say. Yes, it is improbable for someone to kick out a windshield after only a few kicks, but not only had it been subjugated a huge explosion mere feet away, but it also had bullet holes in it which would weaken it extremely!

[Preston_79]

Good Movie. My friend thought the middle was a bit slow, but I thought it was well paced. Great opening, and the end really does have you on the edge of your seat. SOLID!
7/10

[ilovemovies]

I liked the movie a lot. The begining is great, the middle portion was really good and the entire ending was utterly gripping and exciting. Foxx and Garner were both terrific. The actor playing the Saudi cop helping them out was great too. He probably gave the movie's best performance infact.

But I left the movie kind of confused as to what exactly it was trying to say with the last line(s). I was like, WTF?!

Overall though it was a really good, intense action thriller. Another solid effort from Peter Berg.

7/10

[bigred760]

But I left the movie kind of confused as to what exactly it was trying to say with the last line(s). I was like, WTF?!

**POSSIBLE SPOILERS**

What I think they were trying to say with the "last line" is that the terrorists and the "good guys" have somewhat of a similar standpoint on the issue of what they want to do to the other . . . which is a little ironic.

[ElderPredator]

Looks good to me!

[ilovemovies]

Well it didn't work. It felt incredibly tacked on and jarring IMO. Only major flaw in what was otherwise a pretty good movie though.

[HoyleHaw]

If you're looking for a political statement, steer clear. If you wanna see some FBI agents fly in the face of bureaucracy, butt heads with Saudi authorities, and then kick terrorist butt, it's your cup o' tea. Granted this isn't some C-grade Chuck Norris butt-kicking, it's intelligent socio-political butt-kicking, with an ambiguous message tacked on the end. Peter Berg probably thought he was making more than the sum of its parts, but what he did make ain't too shabby. I liken it to "Miami Vice" meets "Syriana." But it's better that the first, and more accessible than the latter.

7/10