Violence in Three Kings

The following link is to an article published in Flak magazine. The article is divided up into four different section each focusing on formalism, nationalism, and ideological analysis of particular aspects of the film. I have chosen the link which looks at the concept of shooting, violence and its meaning in the film. The author looks at a few key scenes, one of them being where Barlow is being tortured by the Iraqui's. The author suggests that while being tortured, idea of reducing the torture to oil was a reductionnist action by the Iraqi's due to the history behind oil.

Here are a few quotes

To reduce the argument solely to oil is reductionist, but the persuasiveness of this viewpoint must be considered when dealing with the Iraqi people. The Bush administration has done little to dissuade this view, which is why movies like Three Kings are essential to the public consciousness

In the language of Three Kings, how can American liberation be sincere when the country is being looted?

The Mafia Genre

The Mafia genre can be seen in many movies today, but one of the greatest movies in this genre is The Godfather. In this article written by Murray N. Rothbard, he discusses this genre and the difference between The Godfather and Goodfellas. The success of the Mafia genre can be seen by the "realization and dramatic portrayal of the fact that the Mafia, although leading a life outside the law, is, at its best, simply entrepreneurs and businessmen supplying the consumers with goods and services." Rothbard states that the violence depicted in The Godfather should not be taken the wrong way because it is "productive and non-aggressive," while unorganized crime is "punkish and viciously aggressive against the innocent." He also talks about the difference between The Godfather and Goodfellas. Rothbard mentions that The Godfather stays true to its genre because Goodfellas has many contrasting aspects, such as the punkish crime and random violence, which is not true to the ideals of a Mafia. The Godfather depicts its genre of family and Mafia excellently, but still many people fail to realize the true meaning and portrayal of the film.