"For one thing, the idea of setting an action-thriller against terrorist activity that's all too close to real-life events is simply opportunistic and creepy."

It seems to me that realizing the futility of changing the Middle East or occupying a sovereign country isn't easily learned. The French learned their lesson in Algeria yet they were fooled again in Vietnam.

The Bushies evidently never read any history. It seemed like a valid point to make; the Middle East is complicated

I'm no fool and realize that the great majority of Americans don't care about the people being killed in Iraq.

They only read the tabloids, watch the soaps and sitcoms, and go to the movies.

What's wrong with "real-life events," if they somehow educate the masses even a tad?.

ditto

Stephanie, I admire you hugely as a critic, but this review highlights one of your most irritating tendencies - a belief that a specific terrorist or violent act against Americans is an unsuitable basis for a Hollywood film. You made the same point, for example, in your review for United 93.

We, in other countries, have had to deal with Hollywood using our national tragedies as the basis for dramatic fodder for decades. Yet it is only when it cuts a little closer to home that suddenly questions about the 'suitability' of a situation is brought up.

From what I have read about The Kingdom, it is much more sensitive then the usual slam-bam picture - maybe you should be thankful you haven't got Behind Enemy Lines or Patriot Games instead...

Is it just me?

I have over about the last 10 years begun to forgo reading movie reviews anywhere, because sometime back then (likely earlier), the purpose of a review changed. It used to be, I believe (no research here), to evoke and present the style, tone, BEGINNING plot points, and elements that made a movie an intriguing mystery you'd be well advised to see, or a turkey to leave in the woods.

Today I can't read them any more, because the surprise is invariably spoiled by TOO MUCH DETAIL ABOUT PLOT. If I read reviews almost anywhere today, I lose the great suspension of disbelief and pleasure of simply being open to an unfolding story without expectations triggered by reading plot summaries.

If I already know so many key things about the characters, conflicts, action and plot...it takes the edge off. So I'm stuck with squinting carefully at the number of stars somebody awarded it.

Is it me? Anybody know where I could find the other kind of movie reviews online?

But I would root for them all to kill one another down to the last.

from the smirky maladministration.

Proof is in the scene shot at the top of the article: our protagonists are fighting somewhere presumably not on a U.S. military base or American resident compound.

Yet the female is dressed on combat gear, her face and arms buck nekkid.

In Saudia Arabia, she would last approximately five seconds before being unceremoniously beaten to death by the Morality Police before her companions could so much as blink.

Saudia Arabia is the true center of evil in this world, the actual terrorist nation behind 9/11, surviving only because smirky and darth protect it.

This movie plays right into their hands by portraying Saudi Arabia as a place where an un-chadored American female can walk the streets without being executed on sight.

Jennifer Garner looks great, of course, but she couldn't go anywhere like that in Saudi.

Also, the French refused to learn their lesson in Vietnam first - leaving in 1954 - and Algeria damn near destroyed the nation until they finally got out in 1962. We should be studying Algeria and its domestic effects on France very closely, I believe.

Wow! Yellow Dog, what a nieve and hateful thing to say about what happens to western women who dress inappropriately in Saudi Arabia. Say what you want, but at least let it be truthful.

I have been to Saudi and I know western non-muslim women who have lived and worked there. To suggest that they would be killed or beaten for dressing inappropriately off compund is ridiclous. Just like in the US there are instances of the police and other autortities abusing their power, the same can be said for any country - in this case, Saudi. The fact is the few beatings you hear about are not the norm, rather, its the exception. Just like all the abuses were her about in the US with the police and african-americans.

Now if foreigners want to go to a country and complain about their laws then it seems to me then those forginers simply should not go to those countries - its not rocket science. Its like going to a restaurant where you dont like their food or customer service, but you know some people who go to the same restaurant and have absolutely no complaints. Just get over it and go to restaurants you like and leave the others alone.

Finally, its increasingly becoming clear to me that you have no other purpose in life other than to purposefully spread misinformation about islam and muslim countries. Ninety-nine percent of what you write is false and/or exaggerated, and/or placed in an improper context.

Find something more constructive to do with your time.

But it still sort of goes on behind the scenes today. A country which in quite literal terms is the personal property of 7000 princes. I say if it burns to the ground it couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.

"In Saudia Arabia, she would last approximately five seconds before being unceremoniously beaten to death by the Morality Police before her companions could so much as blink."

It is truly amazing the naivete of the American populace. I lived in Jiddah. Even in the 80's bikinis were common on the compound and also on the beaches, much to my dismay, because of the rightful sensitivities of the natives. Women (mostly airline stewardesses) pranced in the market places in mini-skirts and were never harmed. Crime is almost completely non-existent because of the severity of the consequences. Religious police were impolite but only if you weren't complying with the cultural rules of the populace. Certainly if you love pornography or like alcohol, this is no place for you. They are a fine people and culture. It was my pleasure to have lived there and a truly wonderful experience, as were all the other places I lived in the Middle East. In the world for that matter.

It amazes me that such a wonderful group of people have been so angered that they resort to terrorist acts. I truly believe that is not their normal tendency.

Show a little respect when you know nothing of what you speak of!