Senators write Sony, criticize 'Zero Dark Thirty'

http://www.centurylink.net/news/read.php?id=19210262&ps=1011&cat=&cps=0&lang=en

WASHINGTON (AP) — The movie "Zero Dark Thirty" is misleading and "grossly inaccurate" in its suggestion that torture produced the tip that led the U.S. military to find terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, three senators said Wednesday in a letter to the head of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The filmmakers dispute that interpretation and encourage people to see their movie, already considered a top Oscar contender, before characterizing it................

In their letter to Sony, the lawmakers said the "use of torture in the fight against terrorism did severe damage to America's values and standing that cannot be justified or expunged. It remains a stain on our national conscience. We cannot afford to go back to these dark times, and with the release of `Zero Dark Thirty,' the filmmakers and your production studio are perpetuating the myth that torture is effective. You have a social and moral obligation to get the facts right."

Director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal said in a statement from Sony that they depicted "a variety of controversial practices and intelligence methods that were used in the name of finding bin Laden.".............

More at link......

Just a note...I did not post this to get into a political discussion of torture issues....I was wondering if anybody thought the senators went too far in trying to influence what was included in the movie...seems close to censorship to me......

'Zero Dark Thirty' Turns Political Firestorm Into $24M Box-Office Triumph

http://www.thewrap.com/movies/artic...itical-firestorm-24m-box-office-triumph-72756

“Zero Dark Thirty,” fueled by a firestorm of criticism and five Academy Award nominations, captured the top spot at the domestic box office Sunday with $24 million in its nationwide expansion over the weekend............

The box office success of “Zero Dark Thirty” can be seen as a measure of vindication for Bigelow, writer Mark Boal and Sony executives, who have staunchly defended the film's portrayal of the U.S. government's pursuit of the al-Qaeda leader as accurate. Audiences' embrace of the film -- they gave it an "A-" CinemaScore -- must be gratifying for Bigelow, who was snubbed for a Best Director Oscar nod despite the film's five nominations, including Best Picture............more at link........