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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Monkeyleg on December 06, 2011, 07:50:08 PM

Title: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 06, 2011, 07:50:08 PM
I watched the movie "Shooter" last night for probably the 20th time. The makers of the movie went to great lengths to get a lot of gun details right. There's a lot they got wrong, though, especially for important points.

Bob Lee Swagger goes to see the old gunsmith to ask about paper patching, as he thinks it's possible the bad guys took the bullet he shot at the Dinty Moore stew can and used it to shoot the archbishop. The problem with that idea is that, even if the bullet went through the can fairly cleanly, it still wouldn't be useable, and certainly not usable for the 1800 yard shot.

Near the end of the movie, he presents his case to the attorney general, who releases him. Unless I missed something in US law, the attorney general cannot unilaterally dismiss someone charged with murder. Even if it's possible, does anyone think is likely?

He rescues FBI agent Nick Memphis by shooting the bad guys with a .22 rifle with a scope and a plastic bottle for a suppressor. Even forgiving the plastic bottle suppressor myth, the bottle would have obscured his view through the scope.

Also, near the beginning and the end of the movie are scenes where he's walking about 1/100th mile an hour. At that speed, wouldn't a person fall over?
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Harold Tuttle on December 06, 2011, 09:02:59 PM
I liked how the senator flew a chopper up to the snowfield but the good guys walked
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Unisaw on December 06, 2011, 10:57:11 PM
How about when he adjusts his telescopic sight after he puts his finger on the trigger?

Nevertheless, that's a great movie!
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: zahc on December 06, 2011, 11:46:44 PM
Can we make this about general movie mistakes?

I found it amusing in "The Last Samurai", which takes place around the time of Custer's Last Stand, that in one scene with a photographer, the image on the viewing glass of the camera was black and white. Really? Do people really think that the image would be black and white? Why? Why would people who allegedly MAKE MOVIES think that, and nobody catch it? Nobody cares, that's why.

If I ever make a movie, I'm hiring an nerd consultant from the internet for every conceivable aspect of the movie.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Perd Hapley on December 06, 2011, 11:53:20 PM
I found it amusing in "The Last Samurai", which takes place around the time of Custer's Last Stand, that in one scene with a photographer, the image on the viewing glass of the camera was black and white. Really? Do people really think that the image would be black and white? Why? Why would people who allegedly MAKE MOVIES think that, and nobody catch it? Nobody cares, that's why.

It would be more sepia?  ???  Not my field.

I just watched the first half-hour of Transformers 2, so my disbelief suspension is shot right now - mainly over that thing where they think Chai T. Laboof can carry a film. Also, ???
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 07, 2011, 12:34:46 AM
The image on the ground glass would be the scene the camera is about to record once the film is inserted, meaning real life, which is in color (unless you're a dog or a deer).

My guess is that someone was lazy and just digitally put the black and white image on the ground glass because that's the image they made, or it was creative license to help the viewer sense that this was an old camera, even if it defies all logic.

Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Fly320s on December 07, 2011, 01:03:11 AM
Is this the "Shooter" starring Mark Wahlberg?  If it is, that is a horrible movie. Wahlberg didn't even try to act, he was stiff and uninteresting throughout the movie.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: AZRedhawk44 on December 07, 2011, 01:17:10 AM

Near the end of the movie, he presents his case to the attorney general, who releases him. Unless I missed something in US law, the attorney general cannot unilaterally dismiss someone charged with murder. Even if it's possible, does anyone think is likely?



I thought the AG was more or less the big Fed equivalent of a DA.  And the DA can dismiss a case against anyone, or choose not to prosecute.

I'm sure a legaleagle will be along shortly to clarify, but the prosecuting attorney in a criminal matter has the power to drop charges at any point of a criminal proceeding.  And the AG is the biggest/baddest prosecuting attorney in the land.

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thelookingspoon.com%2Ftlsimages%2Fblog%2F2011%2Fweiner_holder_for_president_2012.jpg&hash=a8dfe30abbb39c1fc94da3c4f8718bb516d6814b)
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Perd Hapley on December 07, 2011, 01:17:20 AM
Is this the "Shooter" starring Mark Wahlberg?  If it is, that is a horrible movie. Wahlberg didn't even try to act, he was stiff and uninteresting throughout the movie.

Well, he IS Mark Wahlberg.  :laugh:
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: gunsmith on December 07, 2011, 02:13:20 AM
The court scene was done right in the book, they probably altered it because it would take to long in the movie.

I guess your right about the recovered bullet-I can not remember how its done in the book.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: wmenorr67 on December 07, 2011, 02:16:25 AM
Meh, it is a movie done for entertainment purposes.  Getting all bent out of shape and wrapped around the axles over "minor" stuff the general uneducated public isn't going to do any good.  And sometimes will ruin an actually decent entertaining movie.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 07, 2011, 02:29:07 AM
Yeah, I know it's for entertainment, and I'm not taking it seriously. I just see things in movies and go, "huh?"
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: wmenorr67 on December 07, 2011, 02:30:47 AM
I do at times also and then have to remember they aren't making the movie for those of us that actually know a thing or two.

They are gearing towards the mouth breathing, drooling 18-35 year old's or their girlfriends.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: kgbsquirrel on December 07, 2011, 03:33:57 AM
Also using the old exothermic quick clot on a torso wound. My Navy/Army training always said that was horribly bad ju-ju and not to do it. Ever.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Jamisjockey on December 07, 2011, 08:14:48 AM
Well, he IS Mark Wahlberg.  :laugh:

You will respect Dirk Diggler!
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: brimic on December 07, 2011, 09:28:36 AM
It might sound trite, but the book wa wayyy better than the movie.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: wmenorr67 on December 07, 2011, 09:29:18 AM
It might sound trite, but the book wa wayyy better than the movie.

When aren't the books better than the movies?
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: AJ Dual on December 07, 2011, 09:37:24 AM
Also using the old exothermic quick clot on a torso wound. My Navy/Army training always said that was horribly bad ju-ju and not to do it. Ever.

No. It's okay as long as it's a through and through gut-wound. Then you take your survival Bowie, cut/knock the bullet off the end of a 7.62x39 round, dump the powder in the wound, and then as long as fire comes out the entrance and exit, you'll live.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: cordex on December 07, 2011, 09:58:14 AM
When aren't the books better than the movies?
I Robot.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Nick1911 on December 07, 2011, 10:40:12 AM
For some real fun, watch a airplane film with an airplane pilot or mechanic, a hospital show or movie with an actual RN or doctor, a court film with a real judge or lawyer, a crime film with a real detective or investigator, or a computer hacker film with an actual computer programmer.

Turns out, Hollywood isn't just faking gun scenes; they're faking everything!
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: TommyGunn on December 07, 2011, 10:43:21 AM
When aren't the books better than the movies?

In my experience, The Posiedon Adventure was a better movie than the book.   That is the only time (IMHO) that it's turned out that way.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: wmenorr67 on December 07, 2011, 10:43:49 AM
For some real fun, watch a airplane film with an airplane pilot or mechanic, a hospital show or movie with an actual RN or doctor, a court film with a real judge or lawyer, a crime film with a real detective or investigator, or a computer hacker film with an actual computer programmer.

Turns out, Hollywood isn't just faking gun scenes; they're faking everything!

No, I would have never guessed. :facepalm:
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: makattak on December 07, 2011, 10:44:43 AM
For some real fun, watch a airplane film with an airplane pilot or mechanic, a hospital show or movie with an actual RN or doctor, a court film with a real judge or lawyer, a crime film with a real detective or investigator, or a computer hacker film with an actual computer programmer.

Turns out, Hollywood isn't just faking gun scenes; they're faking everything!

Works that way with most "news" pieces. Anytime the news reports on something I'm fairly knowledgeable about, they get many things wrong. I can only assume that is the case about the things I know very little about as well.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Nick1911 on December 07, 2011, 10:48:50 AM
No, I would have never guessed. :facepalm:

Well, I generally don't get any real red flags about wrong things in movies that I don't know in detail.  ???
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: wmenorr67 on December 07, 2011, 10:49:41 AM
Well, I generally don't get any real red flags about wrong things in movies that I don't know in detail.  ???

I missed the sarcasm button when I posted.  :lol:
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: roo_ster on December 07, 2011, 12:39:06 PM
When aren't the books better than the movies?

The John Wayne movie A Quiet Man was better than the story it was based on.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 07, 2011, 12:59:12 PM
Quote
For some real fun, watch a airplane film with an airplane pilot or mechanic, a hospital show or movie with an actual RN or doctor, a court film with a real judge or lawyer, a crime film with a real detective or investigator, or a computer hacker film with an actual computer programmer.

Turns out, Hollywood isn't just faking gun scenes; they're faking everything!

When I see a photographer in a movie and watch him work, I rarely see anything that comes close to real life. Ditto with gun things, and other things I know about. So I just figure that anything about anything in a movie is made up, and never count on movies for reference to the real world.

Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: makattak on December 07, 2011, 01:00:05 PM
The John Wayne movie A Quiet Man was better than the story it was based on.

I gotta disagree with that. The movie was longer, but by no means better.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: makattak on December 07, 2011, 01:01:20 PM
When I see a photographer in a movie and watch him work, I rarely see anything that comes close to real life. Ditto with gun things, and other things I know about. So I just figure that anything about anything in a movie is made up, and never count on movies for reference to the real world.

You know, that's gotta be painful for some of the authors these movies are based off when the authors took pains and interviewed experts to try to get such things right in their books.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 07, 2011, 01:23:00 PM
Quote
You know, that's gotta be painful for some of the authors these movies are based off when the authors took pains and interviewed experts to try to get such things right in their books.

There's a custom 1000 yard rifle maker who advertises on my site named Vaughn Beals. He's out of Pennsylvania. He told me that everything in the book is 100% accurate. I don't know if the paper-patching scene counts as "accurate", but I tend to believe what he says.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Jamisjockey on December 07, 2011, 02:51:29 PM
You know, that's gotta be painful for some of the authors these movies are based off when the authors took pains and interviewed experts to try to get such things right in their books.

Hurts 'em right in their wallets.....
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: MechAg94 on December 07, 2011, 04:45:45 PM
There's a custom 1000 yard rifle maker who advertises on my site named Vaughn Beals. He's out of Pennsylvania. He told me that everything in the book is 100% accurate. I don't know if the paper-patching scene counts as "accurate", but I tend to believe what he says.
I thought in the movie, he got the case dismissed by showing that he had changed the firing pin in the rifle so it would not fire. 

As for the bullet, if the bad guys had as much influence as they described, they could have substituted the other bullet in the evidence room.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: brimic on December 07, 2011, 04:55:12 PM
Quote
You know, that's gotta be painful for some of the authors these movies are based off when the authors took pains and interviewed experts to try to get such things right in their books.
Especially Stephen Hunter. He seems to go far out of his way to get every little detail correct.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 07, 2011, 05:56:09 PM
Quote
I thought in the movie, he got the case dismissed by showing that he had changed the firing pin in the rifle so it would not fire. 

As for the bullet, if the bad guys had as much influence as they described, they could have substituted the other bullet in the evidence room.

Yes, he showed that he had changed the firing pin, although I don't know how that would keep the rifle from firing. He checked on the paper patching to see if his Dinty Moore bullet might have been used in the assassination (even though a sniper of any caliber would know that a bullet fired through a metal can would be unusable again).

As for substituting bullets, they would have needed a bullet fired from his rifle that would have appeared to have been taken from a body. They had his rifle, and presumably his ammo, so why not get a clean bullet, paper patch it, and shoot the archbishop?

I would think that paper patching would affect accuracy, especially at 1800 yards.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Fly320s on December 07, 2011, 08:52:12 PM
In the book and the movie, the firing pin was shortened so it would not contact the primer. No bang.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: gunsmith on December 07, 2011, 09:11:45 PM
When aren't the books better than the movies?

The Graduate
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Perd Hapley on December 07, 2011, 10:54:06 PM
The Graduate


The book was worse? Seriously?  :O
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: AJ Dual on December 08, 2011, 01:27:00 PM
When I see a photographer in a movie and watch him work, I rarely see anything that comes close to real life. Ditto with gun things, and other things I know about. So I just figure that anything about anything in a movie is made up, and never count on movies for reference to the real world.



My problem isn't with movies. It's the exact same thing with the news. If you watch a news story on something you know about, or with someone who's an expert on the subject matter, guns, computers, medical, science, law... it'll inevitably be wrong.
Title: Re: "Shooter" movie mistakes
Post by: Monkeyleg on December 08, 2011, 01:41:20 PM
Oh, that's a given, AJ. Such as when they report on a stabbing and show a graphic of a gun behind the news anchor.