Robert Elswit

This film was a real treat, with Strathairn's dead-on performance as legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow a sure bet for at least an Oscar nomination. Perhaps the best decision by writer-director George Clooney was to cast no one in the role of Senator Joseph McCarthy. Instead, Clooney uses actual footage of McCarthy in the HUAC hearings and press conferences. Movies based on actual historical events often sensationalize events, but the extensive use of documentary footage brings home the reality of this movie's story line. In addition to Strathairn's best performance to date, the entire cast delivers, from Clooney himself as Murrow's producer Fred Friendly, to Frank Langella as CBS chairman William Paley, to Ray Wise as the insecure anchorman Don Hollenbeck. If there is a weak point in the cast, it is Jeff Daniels, who was given little to do in the role of news director Sig Mickelson and did little with it. As most people today are acquainted with the 1950s through black-and-white images, the decision to film in black-and-white also feels appropriate, and helps the documentary footage to blend in seamlessly with the filmed actors. I strongly recommend this film to those who lived through the McCarthy era and to those, such as myself, who only have witnessed it in the rear view mirror.

Sure, you have to do a lot of "suspending your disbelief" with some plot twists, but this is one of the better action movies to come along in a while. Jolie, and the film, keep us on edge by testing our loyalties throughout. This creates real tension and suspense. It works.

my Mom said I have to be 21 to see this movie. but my friend told me to see it and i will see this movie and Dream about Mark Wahlberg. but I'm 18 and i will see this movie.

This is an astonishing - and astonishingly underrated - piece of cinema. The scrambled chronology seems, at first, obscure. But the denouement is so utterly powerful that one is led to see the film again and again - and each viewing reveals the depth of artistry involved, all of it tied together by Clooney's brilliant understatement in the lead role. In a class with "Z", "Three Days of the Condor", and"The French Connection."

Men Who Stare at Goats begins with the phrase ?more of this is true than you would believe? I cannot verify that clam, but I do suspect that there lies some distant reality in this cleverly funny film. Ewan McGregor is Daily Telegram reporter Bob Wilton, whose life suddenly begins to collapses when his wife leaves him for his editor. In his own words he does what most men do when a women break there heart, he goes to war. A wannabe war corresponded; Bob hopes that in hunting for adventure he can prove to his lost love that he is not weak. In Iraq Bob meets Retired Special Forces operator, Lyn Cassady; played as the ever charming and crafty George Clooney. Cassady refers to himself as a Jedi warrior, a military trained super soldier, fighting with his mind. As they journey into the desert together, Lyn reveals the story of his training by the New Earth Army; at the height of the cold war the pentagon catches wind of a Soviet psychic soldier program, unwilling to accept a psychological warfare gap, they begin their own program. Newly Oscar winning Jeff Bridges brilliantly stars as Bill Django commander of the New Earth Army. Bill embraces the hippy movement in his personal quest for a peaceful warrior. He uses mental projection, positive thought, eastern meditation techniques, and yes even the occasional psychotropic drug to create a new form of warrior, a super soldier with the power of mind over matter. The new age soldier movement attempts, with varying degrees of success, to train men to walk through walls, overcome there enemies with mental projections, and even kill goats with a stare. An expectantly well rounded and talented cast saturates the film; Kevin spacy plays Larry Hooper the films primary antagonist; a vindictive psychic trainee. Stephen Lang, Robert Patrick, and Stephen Root all appear as minor but amusing roles. Megregor and Clooney have great chemistry on their strange desert adventure; there humor is smart, bordering on absurdist. I was not expecting much from Men who stare at goats, I am happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised. It?s a smartly written little comedy. The acting is great, filled to the brim with talent; the humor is very amusing with more than a few laugh out load moments. It doesn?t hit on all of its notes, but does maintain a good comedic vibe, culminating in a hilarious final act. I enjoyed Men Who Stare at Goats. The story is well told, and well shot, acting is very good all round. The comedy is crafty and a bit absurdist, this is a fun movie. I liked its message about trusting in one?s destiny, in finding something worth believing in. Just open your mind and trust, the power of positive thought will make you a believer.

What a great film. I suspect many viewers, like me, will find this film to be much like "Syriana"--poignant, sad, topical, current, and a great vehicle for Clooney's acting abilities. Superb supporting cast; great script, and another excellent performance by Clooney.

I thought this was a great movie, regardless of whether one watches American Idol or not. Very clever and witty. The Omer storyline was brilliant..."You've been Omerized!"