The real reason why enemy at the gates sucks ass.

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[Skunker]

So I went to the library the other day, which is a rare occasion for me since I hardly ever feel like reading a book, and decided to pick up books to fill the hours of boredom I have. That's the luxury of being in high school, by the way. In any case, I decided to grab a random science fiction novel (since they're always fun to immerse yourself in) and of course, something based on warfare. A book titled "The War of the Rats" caught my eye, since it looked pretty much like a sniper warfare sort of thing. I don't read the insides sometimes, and since I was feeling lucky, I didn't bother to read it until I got home. Basically I found out that I  had picked up a sniper novel about Stalingrad, which really wasn't such a bad thing - I like the idea of a sniper novel, and I like the idea of something about WWII.

Well as it turns out, It felt like I was reading a much more historically accurate (and more entertaining) version of Enemy of the Gates. I actually enjoyed the novel, which was of course about Vasily Zaitsev and his exploits against the believed-to-be fake Heinz Thorvald. It was a good read, but I couldn't escape the fact that the assholes that wrote Enemy At The Gates pretty much lifted almost all of the entertaining fictional parts of this book out of it and put them into a shitty and unjust visual context with pretty poor acting. Fuck enemy at the gates, not only does it suck on its own merits, but its so goddamned unoriginal that it makes me want to throw up.

I would recommend the book to anyone who likes to read - it's a pretty decent read and the guy's style makes it very easy to get into the book - plus it doesn't leave the shitty taste in your mouth like Enemy at the Gates.

[They Call Me SpitFire]

Enemy in the gates was okay, but unrealistic. The book sounds nice I'll thnik about getting it.

[vet0]

how was enemy at the gates unrealistic?

[They Call Me SpitFire]

Maybe I'm using the wrong word....it was a great movie it just had an unnatural feeling to it. its hard to explain.

[PrydainII]

Captain Obvious strikes again!

If you have found yourself in a western country and attended an educational system up until you are 15 (18 in the US methinks), you tend to use your acumen together with your knowledge of history and you realise that Enemy at the Gates is actually fictional entertainment for the masses. Well done.

[They Call Me SpitFire]

No thats not the feeling I'm talking about. It gives me unnatural movements in my legs and arms. I mean that its somewhat like a shiver,but an unnatural movement. Like damn Its hard to explain.

[Skunker]

It's not the fact that it's fictional that disgusts me, it's the fact that it's both fictional and disgustingly unoriginal - plus rather poorly done. Historical fiction is great if it's done properly, but Enemy At The Gates just is not proper....especially since they just ripped it straight from this guy's novel without really giving him a whole lot of credit.

I enjoyed the book, but only because being in the thoughts of the characters is much more entertaining to me than watching their actions.

[RikiRude5]

It's called a movie, and it's called movies are never as good as the book, could be a new idea to some of you i guess.

The funny thing is my little brother, who is in like 4th grade is reading war of the rats.

And a good sniper book is 93 Confirmed kills.

http://www.amazon.com/Marine-Sniper-93-Confirmed-Kills/dp/0425181650/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215400785&sr=1-1

the story of Carlos Hathcock, the man who helped make the marine sniper what it is today.

And if you want a list of good WWII movies, I can make a thread similar to the zombie one. My whole movie collection is zombie, horror, WWII, and music videos haha.

[Bonte]

my favorite movie is either saving private ryan or the eagle has landed...(the eagle has landed seems pretty far on the fiction scale though)

[Wraith547]

P.S. for anyone wondering, Enemy at the Gates is based directly on War of the Rats. The movie is ok, but the book really fleshes out the story.

[Skunker]

my favorite movie is either saving private ryan or the eagle has landed...(the eagle has landed seems pretty far on the fiction scale though)

Have you read the book? The Eagle Has Landed?

The book is really a good read, I dunno how the movie is. Of course it's wayyy fictional, but it's very entertaining.

By the way Wraith, I totally agree, the story is not only fleshed out but way more detailed in every single way. Hell even the visual details are much more in-depth than in the movie (obviously the luxury of having an infinite amount of time to express detail makes it easier to flesh out a plot and such, but it's very well done).

[CombatMuffin]

Most movies are based form books, because it saves them in having to actually be creative. Especially the new ones:

I am legend: Will smith, with zombies and a mustang!

Indiana Jones: Same sh!t, different timeframe

Hancock: Will smith in the superhero market!

Cloverfield: Godzilla meets viral marketing

Jumper: Anakin Skywalker learns Force Teleportation

etc etc etc

[Thtb]

You gotta give Hancock credit for not being the same again, there is no SuperVillan at least.

[Rahx]

Most movies are based form books, because it saves them in having to actually be creative. Especially the new ones:

I am legend: Will smith, with zombies and a mustang!

Indiana Jones: Same sh!t, different timeframe

Hancock: Will smith in the superhero market!

Cloverfield: Godzilla meets viral marketing

Jumper: Anakin Skywalker learns Force Teleportation

etc etc etc

Haha Indeed!!
The Jumper one is the funniest
learns force teleportation... rofl.

[RikiRude5]

Lots of movies are based on comics as well.

Wanted, Hellboy, batman (the latter being obvious   )

I cannot find anything saying Hancock is based on a book though? Though you have to admit the movie has a pretty cool concept.

I am Legend is based on a book of the same name, and was a remake of a remake, the previous films being Last Man on Earth with Vincent Price, which is really good plot wise, with the vampires being more zombie like then in I am Legend the movie, and in the 80's it was under the name Omega Man, which I haven't seen.

Cloverfield wasn't a book either. Maybe I misunderstood the point you were trying to make. But Cloverfield was supposed to be the american godzilla, although I think Dark Knight is doing a way better job with it's viral marketing.

Jumper was based on a book though, either way it looked totally retarded.


And your point of movies being based on books because they don't have to be creative is a valid point... but the problem is, they have the plot and stuff right there, but what do they do 90% of the time? the change the plot and make it totally stupid. Take Doom the movie for example. They had a perfect freaking plot. Scientist on Mars make a dimensional rip that opens the gates of hell. How cool is that? But no wait... nope, the movie totally changed the plot, why? Because a majority of directors are apparently complete idiots. Quoted from the director of Doom "I wanted to take the film in a different direction..." famous last words! No one wants you to take the film in a different direction   .

[Akranadas]

Bioshock Movie is going to be awesome; both the producer and potential direct played the game heaps and loved it. They want to stay true to the game as possible, without stepping away from gore and violence; going on the record say that they wouldn't mind if it ended up getting a R rating.

[relentless707]

If you want a really good WW2 movie, watch '' Cross of Iron '' its an old movie with James Coburn, James Mason and a few others set on the Eastern Front, it's really entertaining to watch and Coburn is more an Antihero than the stereotypical knight in shining armour type.

- Schwarzuhr

[Sach]

I liked Enemy at the Gates.

And i second Schwarzhur, both the book and film of Cross of Iron are very good.

[Saint]

If you want a really good WW2 movie, watch '' Cross of Iron '' its an old movie with James Coburn, James Mason and a few others set on the Eastern Front, it's really entertaining to watch and Coburn is more an Antihero than the stereotypical knight in shining armour type.

- Schwarzuhr

prob the greatest WW2 movie i've seen. love the intro scene to the movie.

[relentless707]

My favourite part is when Steiner is talking to Stransky saying '' I'll take you to the land where Iron Crosses go '' with a wry smile on his face.

Has to be one of the best quotes of the film.

- Schwarzuhr