Michael Moore, Seth Rogen receive blowback on ‘American Sniper’ comments
Jan 19, 2015, 5:17 PM
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The Clint Eastwood-directed biopic “American Sniper” has been an undisputed hit in its opening weekend, but two celebrities have made comments about the film that have put them in a little bit of hot water.
Comic actor Seth Rogen, whose latest film “The Interview” had a limited release and quickly was made available on digital platforms for its controversial satire on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, tweeted the following comment about “American Sniper” on Sunday:
American Sniper kind of reminds me of the movie that's showing in the third act of Inglorious Basterds.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 18, 2015
Rogen is referring to a fictional German propaganda film shown in a theater during the climax of Quentin Tarantino’s 2009 film. The faux film was called “Stolz der Nation” (Nation’s Pride) and it shows a German sniper killing several Allied soldiers from a clock tower, according to USA Today.
The tweet seemed to have brought attention to Rogen for all the wrong reasons, and about four hours later, he clarified what he meant.
I just said something “kinda reminded” me of something else. I actually liked American Sniper. It just reminded me of the Tarantino scene.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) January 19, 2015
Maybe some thoughts are better left unsaid.
Also on Sunday, about an hour and a half after Rogen’s controversial tweet, filmmaker and activist Michael Moore caught a lot of flack with this:
My uncle killed by sniper in WW2. We were taught snipers were cowards. Will shoot u in the back. Snipers aren't heroes. And invaders r worse
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 18, 2015
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and actor Rob Lowe were among many who didn’t take too kindly to Moore’s comments. Also, a tweet later in the day didn’t help with those who perceived Moore as calling snipers “cowards.”
But if you're on the roof of your home defending it from invaders who've come 7K miles, you are not a sniper, u are brave, u are a neighbor.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 19, 2015
On Monday, Moore began backpedaling from his comments.
Hmm. I never tweeted 1word bout AmericanSniper/ChrisKyle. I said my uncle killed by sniper in WWII; only cowards would do that 2 him, others
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 19, 2015
So ppl want me 2tweet something bout American Sniper? Great acting! Powerful message. Sad ending. There. My FB post: https://t.co/By4leT6b67
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) January 19, 2015
The latter of those two tweets links to a lengthy Facebook post where he explains that he actually liked the film but concludes, “I think most Americans don’t think snipers are heroes.”
Former Army Ranger and sniper Nick Irving briefly responded to Moore’s controversial comments on a Fox News morning program Monday.
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com
