not for kids
Very dark, angry comedy about the media and its effects.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that God Bless America is a dark, dark comedy from Bobcat Goldthwait, the maker of World's Greatest Dad. The movie takes an angry stance against the media for its extreme vulgarity and stupidity -- but its "solution" is violence and killing. There are violent, gory slayings, especially in the opening few minutes, when the main character imagines killing a family (including a crying baby). Language is very strong and constant, with just about every swear word imaginable. There's also strong sexual innuendo and uncomfortable sexual tension between the two main characters, a late-40s man and a late-teen girl, though no sex. Both characters smoke cigarettes, the man drinks beer, and there are drug references. And though the movie is anti-consumerist, it has lots of references to real brands as well as spoofs of brands and fake TV ads.
- Families can talk about God Bless America's violence. Why would a character react so strongly to the media and its effects? Is this reaction out of proportion?
- Is the movie angry, or funny, or both? How does this qualify as a "black comedy"? Does the movie offer any real solutions?
- The movie depicts the media as mean, vulgar, violent, and "extreme." How close is this to the actual media of today? How is it different?
The good stuff
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Messages: In a world where everyone is obsessed with reality TV celebrities and vulgar, extreme content, God Bless America suggests that violently exterminating the worst offenders is a good (and funny) idea. The violence has little or no consequences, and it's shown to be a much more appealing alternative than the characters' normal lives.
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Role models: The main character utterly fails in his attempts to be a good person and succumbs to depression, anxiety (as well as a potential brain tumor), and suicidal thoughts. He's redeemed not by anything good but by the urge to murder everyone who annoys him. His companion could have been a strong female, but instead she's a somewhat sexualized teen girl who also shoots and kills people.
What to watch for
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Violence: The movie begins with its most disturbing image: The main character imagines shooting both a crying baby (off screen) and the baby's father, leaving the mother screaming and covered in blood. There are several other violent, bloody killings as well, mostly with guns. In the finale, the characters shoot everyone on stage, as well as the audience members of an American Idol-type show. There's also a general undercurrent of anger and hate, especially when the characters watch TV news and reality shows.
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Sex: Plenty of sexual innuendo and some disturbing sexual tension between the two main characters; the man is in his late 40s, and the girl is in her late teens. She shows sexual interest in him, but he rebuffs her. No sex or nudity. On a reality TV show, a woman reaches under her dress, removes a tampon, and throws it at another woman.
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Language: Very strong language throughout, including "f--k," "s--t," "balls," "p---y," "suck it," "c--k," "a--holes," "oh my God," "t-ts," "goddamn," "c--t," "whore," "queef," "c--ksucker," the "N" word, and "motherf----r." Characters hold signs that say "God Hates Fags."
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Consumerism: Though the movie is very much anti-consumerism, it mentions many real brands, as well as spoofs of real brands: Escalade, iPhone, BlackBerry, Disneyland, Glee, and Rambo. There's an American Idol spoof and spoofs of other reality shows and TV ads.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: The main character, a teen girl, is seen smoking a cigarette in one scene. The main character smokes cigarettes and drinks beer occasionally. There are drug references, but no drugs are shown.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Everyone needs to see this movie by chambertlo
A man shoots a baby, kills all of his co-workers, and even contemplates killing himself, and this is all in the first half of the movie! Suffice it to say, this film is not for the faint of heart. What it is is a witty, smartly written satire on the state of humanity now, and how America has turned into a Sodom and Gomorrah of mean spirited, vile human beings that all deserve to die. We celebrate mediocrity in our entertainment, we glorify violence and poor education, and even support the undeserving. Through this movie, you can vicariously live a life where you do away with all of these morons so you can finally live amongst genuinely nice human beings. Go see it if you are tired of dealing with jerks and douche bags, and enjoy the carnage. I guarantee that someone will use this as inspiration for a similar series of events in the future (with the way this country is going).
3
God Bless America by TheBlackEbert
You ever wish you could wreck your douchebag neighbors car? You ever wish somebody would kill one of these @$$holes on these reality shows? Do you day dream about one of those political talk show host would meet with some unfortunate accident that would shut their mouth forever?!? Then this is you kind of movie!! Writer/director Bobcat Goldthwait takes his time grinding up the force fed bullshit we see everyday and and the ppl who are feeding it to us! Light on the acting, heavy on the message, you'll get his point loud and clear plus die laughing while doing so! C+
4
Great movie.... Fuller Reflection scene had the twin towers in the background by chuckilogu
Was I the only one who caught that...
Anyway great movie, perpetuate the stereotype of what is wrong with people today while being part of the problem. The conundrum of modern life.
4
So TRUE
I never knew this movie existed until the member of a band I like on Facebook posted something about it being an awesome and honest picture of the American culture. Within minutes of reading his post, I was watching the movie..and LOVING every second of it. God Bless America shows us America's sad obsession with over-hyped reality shows, American Superstar (American Idol), and juicy, attention-getting news stories that are constantly blown out of proportion. If any of you enjoyed George Carlin's rants about society, politics, and arrogant rich people, you will really enjoy this. I even picked up on some of George's lines being slightly re-worded and used in the movie. Not to mention, the whole movie kind of brings Carlin's "People who Ought to be Killed" skit to life. While there are a few minor "dull" points to be found throughout the movie, the exaggerated and over-the-top use of violence quickly drowns out those moments. If you hate how our society and/or love Carlin. WATCH THIS!
4
Good flick by sullysbunny
I've been wanting to see this movie since I saw the trailer. I have to admit.....I really liked it. The best part was the scene with the religious group that protests the funerals and such. Very funny movie. Must own for rainy days. :)
5
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