Today, Explained America at war, now in theaters
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Apr 12, 2024 
Mark Olsen, a movie critic for the LA Times, and Nathan Blake, a film theory professor at Northeastern University, dive into the gripping film 'Civil War.' They discuss how this apocalyptic narrative mirrors America's current political divide and raises unsettling questions about violence in society. The conversation explores how cinema reflects collective fears and the moral complexities surrounding conflict. They also examine the evolution of horror films, revealing how they capture societal anxieties across different eras.
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Global Division & US Anxiety
- "Civil War" reflects global division and anxieties, focusing on the US as a prime example.
- The film explores the unexpected potential for upheaval in a seemingly stable nation.
Anti-War Focus & Journalistic Ethics
- The film blends war themes with journalistic ethics, defying typical genre expectations.
- It aims to be anti-war, avoiding the glamorization of violence often seen in war movies.
Ambiguous Politics & Viewer Interpretation
- The movie's ambiguous political stance allows viewers from different perspectives to relate.
- The villain's Trumpian resemblance adds to this complexity without aligning with real-world politics.