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I'm sure the nerds here will find ample opportunities to tear this movie apart, but keep in mind that the "average American" (a) doesn't know much about Snowden

I'm sure the nerds here will find ample opportunities to tear this movie apart, but keep in mind that the "average American" (a) doesn't know much about Snowden, other than "he stole secrets and hid in commie Russia, so he must've been working for them", and (b) just believes what the government says. To counter the powerful voice of the government, you need an equally powerful voice like Hollywood. Maybe this movie will make the average American think more about the issue, and it might even cause some to change their views about Snowden. If it does, this movie has served its purpose, and kudos to Stone.

Vexs 10y ago
I agree. I like ripping on these as much as the next guy, but as long as it gets people talking that's enough. Also, one of the best ways to learn something is to find out that the teacher was wrong. People love that.
atmosx 10y ago
This movie is made by Oliver Stone right? Judging by prior work like The Doors (Jim Morrison) and Alexander (Alexander the Great) I don't have high hopes. Oliver Stone likes to destroy characters on the big screen paying attention to the flaws rather than the charisma of his charactes. Jesus, I didn't remember a single battle scene from the movie "Alexander" and this guy went from Greece to India on horse battling his way out. He is considered one of the biggest strategic minds in history. He was the only leader I recall who changed the faith of battles consistently by making swift, unexpected moves with his cavalry hitting the enemy where he least expected it. Being gay[2] is not the reason why Alexander was named "Great". [1] In the case of Alexander he admitted that it was a huge failure, but I'm not sure if by failure he and I mean the same thing, probably not. [2] Sexual relationships amongst men were a very natural thing in ancient Greece, especially between soldiers. Indeed Alexander was married twice AFAIK.
- toyg 10y ago
  No director is perfect. Oliver Stone had a few duds, but he also made some excellent movies: JFK, Any Given Sunday, Platoon, Talk Radio, Wall Street... If you have to criticize him, you could say that his recent movies have not been up to the bar he set in the '90s -- but it definitely was a very high bar. I'm much more worried about Gordon-Levitt playing Snowden, from the trailer he looks pretty bland.
  - proksoup 10y ago
    I've been impressed with Joseph's other recent work like "hit record". For me personally I can't think of anyone better for the role. Also maybe relevant is his opinion not an opinion after meeting Snowden for research on the role: > "Now, as he would say, it’s not for him to say whether it was right or wrong. That’s really for people to decide on their own, and I would encourage anybody to decide that on their own. I don’t want to be the actor guy who’s like, ‘You should listen to me! What he did was right!’ I don’t think that’s my place. Even though that is what I believe – that what he did was right.” [1] [1] http://www.ew.com/article/2015/09/18/joseph-gordon-levitt-snowden-russia http://www.ew.com/article/2015/09/18/joseph-gordon-levitt-sn...
    - atmosx 10y ago
      tbh I don't like the choice but I consider Gordon-Levitt a good actor. I don't have high hopes but I have to say that is unfair to judge an actor by a trailer.
  - atmosx 10y ago
    Agreed. Who's choice was Gordon-Levitt if not Stone's? As another commentator pointed out, it's one of those rare situations where the real-life character is more beautiful, fascinating and tall(!) than the actor. Don't you find this a little funny/awkward?
- cromwellian 10y ago
  Stone directing doesn't give me high hopes for documentary realism and adherence to facts.
- jonathankoren 10y ago
  Oliver Stone also like to make every movie about Vietnam, and how the government lies and manipulates. Even his movies that apparently aren't about Vietnam reflect his Vietnam experience.
- rurban 10y ago
  Snowden was a favorite to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival at an early Out of Competition slot. Stone himself requested an early slot. In the end he didn't get it, so this is a hint that the movie lacks something. On the other side Laura Poitras new Assange documentary "Risk" screens in the Quinzaine (Directors fortnight) competition.
B1FF_PSUVM 10y ago
> To counter the powerful voice of the government, you need an equally powerful voice like Hollywood. They're separate?
- discardorama 10y ago
  Often they're the same. But once in a while a director like Stone will go his own way, luckily for us.
thangalin 10y ago
https://youtu.be/XEVlyP4_11M?t=1355 https://youtu.be/XEVlyP4_11M?t=1355 Average Americans know nothing about Snowden.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]

Vexs 10y ago

I agree. I like ripping on these as much as the next guy, but as long as it gets people talking that's enough. Also, one of the best ways to learn something is to find out that the teacher was wrong. People love that.

atmosx 10y ago

This movie is made by Oliver Stone right? Judging by prior work like The Doors (Jim Morrison) and Alexander (Alexander the Great) I don't have high hopes. Oliver Stone likes to destroy characters on the big screen paying attention to the flaws rather than the charisma of his charactes. Jesus, I didn't remember a single battle scene from the movie "Alexander" and this guy went from Greece to India on horse battling his way out. He is considered one of the biggest strategic minds in history. He was the only leader I recall who changed the faith of battles consistently by making swift, unexpected moves with his cavalry hitting the enemy where he least expected it. Being gay[2] is not the reason why Alexander was named "Great". [1] In the case of Alexander he admitted that it was a huge failure, but I'm not sure if by failure he and I mean the same thing, probably not. [2] Sexual relationships amongst men were a very natural thing in ancient Greece, especially between soldiers. Indeed Alexander was married twice AFAIK.

toyg 10y ago
No director is perfect. Oliver Stone had a few duds, but he also made some excellent movies: JFK, Any Given Sunday, Platoon, Talk Radio, Wall Street... If you have to criticize him, you could say that his recent movies have not been up to the bar he set in the '90s -- but it definitely was a very high bar. I'm much more worried about Gordon-Levitt playing Snowden, from the trailer he looks pretty bland.
- proksoup 10y ago
  I've been impressed with Joseph's other recent work like "hit record". For me personally I can't think of anyone better for the role. Also maybe relevant is his opinion not an opinion after meeting Snowden for research on the role: > "Now, as he would say, it’s not for him to say whether it was right or wrong. That’s really for people to decide on their own, and I would encourage anybody to decide that on their own. I don’t want to be the actor guy who’s like, ‘You should listen to me! What he did was right!’ I don’t think that’s my place. Even though that is what I believe – that what he did was right.” [1] [1] http://www.ew.com/article/2015/09/18/joseph-gordon-levitt-snowden-russia http://www.ew.com/article/2015/09/18/joseph-gordon-levitt-sn...
  - atmosx 10y ago
    tbh I don't like the choice but I consider Gordon-Levitt a good actor. I don't have high hopes but I have to say that is unfair to judge an actor by a trailer.
- atmosx 10y ago
  Agreed. Who's choice was Gordon-Levitt if not Stone's? As another commentator pointed out, it's one of those rare situations where the real-life character is more beautiful, fascinating and tall(!) than the actor. Don't you find this a little funny/awkward?
cromwellian 10y ago
Stone directing doesn't give me high hopes for documentary realism and adherence to facts.
jonathankoren 10y ago
Oliver Stone also like to make every movie about Vietnam, and how the government lies and manipulates. Even his movies that apparently aren't about Vietnam reflect his Vietnam experience.
rurban 10y ago
Snowden was a favorite to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival at an early Out of Competition slot. Stone himself requested an early slot. In the end he didn't get it, so this is a hint that the movie lacks something. On the other side Laura Poitras new Assange documentary "Risk" screens in the Quinzaine (Directors fortnight) competition.

B1FF_PSUVM 10y ago

> To counter the powerful voice of the government, you need an equally powerful voice like Hollywood. They're separate?

discardorama 10y ago
Often they're the same. But once in a while a director like Stone will go his own way, luckily for us.

thangalin 10y ago

https://youtu.be/XEVlyP4_11M?t=1355 https://youtu.be/XEVlyP4_11M?t=1355 Average Americans know nothing about Snowden.

deleted 10y ago
[deleted]