A house of dynamite (2025)

[Zavulon]

Just finished to watch this movie. It's pretty nice (in its own way).

Made by famous Katherine Bigelow at written play by Noah Oppenheim with Rebecca Ferguson as Captain Olivia Walker, the oversight officer for the White House Situation Room (and some other nice girls who are, actually, the only attraction in this piece of, one could say, "modern art").

Its one of the attempts to play Herman Kahn's scenarios of "Field of Caplan" and/or "Pearl Harbor".
Previously we saw nice plays in:
Fail-safe (1964);
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964);
First Strike (1979);
By dawn's early light (1990), but while guys in 60-s and 70-s and even in 1990 were more about rational calculation of possible losses, about following orders, procedures and making moral choices....


Ok, nowadays, snowflakes are too stupid to calculate consequences of their actions (say nothing about making attempt to understand other people, like, you know "If I do this, they'll do that"), too sluggish and undisciplined to fallow orders and procedures and too selfish to do really moral choices.
Nowadays supposed "decision-makers" are sweating, tearing, vomiting, emotionally supporting each other and even desperately watching the picture with Zelenskiy. So touchy...

The plot is quite simple, and the action was actually (but unrealistically) compressed in 19 minutes. America tryied to f#ck Russia, took her own pants down, and was, surprisingly, f#cked by Russia.
Some people say that there is an open end, but no. In the end the POTUS has a choice of two more or less equally stupid and equally fatal solutions because of stupidity and incompetence of himself and his advisors (may be, NSA actually betrayed him).

I'd recommend to watch it, but take it with a grain of salt. And, of course, read books. Books are almost always better.

 

[TNHarley]

The ending pissed me off

 

[Zavulon]

The ending pissed me off

But the ending was pretty natural result of all previous actions. You shouldn't have expected a lot from all those people.

 

[marvin martian]

Just finished to watch this movie. It's pretty nice (in its own way).

Made by famous Katherine Bigelow at written play by Noah Oppenheim with Rebecca Ferguson as Captain Olivia Walker, the oversight officer for the White House Situation Room (and some other nice girls who are, actually, the only attraction in this piece of, one could say, "modern art").

Its one of the attempts to play Herman Kahn's scenarios of "Field of Caplan" and/or "Pearl Harbor".
Previously we saw nice plays in:
Fail-safe (1964);
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964);
First Strike (1979);
By dawn's early light (1990), but while guys in 60-s and 70-s and even in 1990 were more about rational calculation of possible losses, about following orders, procedures and making moral choices....


Ok, nowadays, snowflakes are too stupid to calculate consequences of their actions (say nothing about making attempt to understand other people, like, you know "If I do this, they'll do that"), too sluggish and undisciplined to fallow orders and procedures and too selfish to do really moral choices.
Nowadays supposed "decision-makers" are sweating, tearing, vomiting, emotionally supporting each other and even desperately watching the picture with Zelenskiy. So touchy...
View attachment 1179447

The plot is quite simple, and the action was actually (but unrealistically) compressed in 19 minutes. America tryied to f#ck Russia, took her own pants down, and was, surprisingly, f#cked by Russia.
Some people say that there is an open end, but no. In the end the POTUS has a choice of two more or less equally stupid and equally fatal solutions because of stupidity and incompetence of himself and his advisors (may be, NSA actually betrayed him).

I'd recommend to watch it, but take it with a grain of salt. And, of course, read books. Books are almost always better.

Imagine Joe Biden and Kamala Harris "in charge" when something like this happens.

 

[BackAgain]

The ending pissed me off

There was no ending.

It was akin to the alleged “ending” of The Sopranos.

The movie had an interesting format. And it might have been accurate in some details (maybe). It was also well acted. But overall, it was an artistic cop-out.

 

[Zavulon]

There was no ending.

It was akin to the alleged “ending” of The Sopranos.

Actually, there is an ending. Whatever POTUS choose the result will be more or less the same (elimination of the USA). They finally lost survivable options in few minutes before the end of the plot.

The movie had an interesting format. And it might have been accurate in some details (maybe). It was also well acted. But overall, it was an artistic cop-out.

Yes. One of my frieds even called it "techno-fantasy". Though, I think that the original plot was just time-compressed (and certain details were added for certain artistic reasons). Like one can't mobilise his forces, get all of his strategic bombers airborne, and all his subs in sea in few minutes. You need hours for it.

 

[Zavulon]

Imagine Joe Biden and Kamala Harris "in charge" when something like this happens.

Yes. As if Trump is somehow different. Actually, there are backroomboys (and girls) who are suppose for making decisions (or providing accurate information for decision-making with the necessary result). And it is their incompetence that is leading the USA in the hell. (Both in the movie and in the reality).

 

[Zavulon]

Another funny moment. Not sure it was intentional, but SECDEF Baker wears a tie in the colours of Russian militarism - orange and black.

A bit resembles my own band:

So, if he was a secret agent of Russia it might explain his behaviour and his suicide. I do know that Americans love their children (sometimes is really weird ways) but committing suicide only because your daughter had found a boyfriend is too gross even for an American, I think.
But mutually contradicting motivations - say, when his sense of duty and loyalty (belonging to Russia) force him to destroy Chicago (and then whole America) and his natural love to his daughter and his people demands to to protect them, yes, it could cause a deep inner conflict.

 

[g5000]

The plot is quite simple, and the action was actually (but unrealistically) compressed in 19 minutes. America tryied to f#ck Russia, took her own pants down, and was, surprisingly, f#cked by Russia.

.
That is not what the movie was about. At all.


For those who want to know, the plot is this:

America's Ballistic Missile Early Warning System detects an inbound ICBM. For some reason, the origin point of the launch cannot be determined.

At first, the chain of command does not take it seriously, believing it is probably a missile test by the North Koreans or some other non-threatening event.

Before long, though, it become clear the missile is targeting Chicago.

The movie rewinds several times to present the perspective of various parts of our defense network, finally ending with the President's perspective and the options he has at the end.


.

 

[Zavulon]

.
That is not what the movie was about. At all.


For those who want to know, the plot is this:

America's Ballistic Missile Early Warning System detects an inbound ICBM. For some reason, the origin point of the launch cannot be determined.

At first, the chain of command does not take it seriously, believing it is probably a missile test by the North Koreans or some other non-threatening event.

Before long, though, it become clear the missile is targeting Chicago.

The movie rewinds several times to present the perspective of various parts of our defense network, finally ending with the President's perspective and the options he has at the end.


.

Hey, try to see a wider picture, pls. I know, it's not in fashion nowaday, but try to think a little. This ICBM didn't just materialize from vacuum. It was launched by Russians or their closest allies (who acted with Russians and under their command). Given the DSP satellites missed it, that GBIs missed it, it is not just an accident. It is a coordinated, well prepared smart cyberattack (and you C3I systems are compromised), and well-aimed shot. Given estimated number of casualties - 9 mln killed in Chicago agglomeration, it is not a regular Russian or Chinese warhead (usually 100 kt). It is something much bigger, like 10 Mt.
And if Russians decided to kill 9 mln of Americans just as an act of invitation for further negotiations, it means that they think that it is much safer to fight and win a nuclear war for elimination of the USA, rather than to allow USA continue to support Kievan regime (as well as Taiwanese and South Korean separatists).
It is obvious that they are not really interested in "negotiations for negotiation" and de-escalation on the American terms. In Russia there is popular opinion about negotiations with the West: "There is nothing to talk about, there is no reason to talk, and, in fact, there is nobody to talk with".
US officials, in this movie (and in our reality, too) do all they can to prove that this opinion is right.
So, what was demonstrated by Katherine Bigelow in this movie? Nobody is trying to think. Lower guys have volunteerely withdrawn from decision-making and want higher guys to make decisions. Higher guys: POTUS is an incompetent narcissist, who was elected because of his skin color and basketball skills. NSA - deserted (and possibly traitor), SECDEF - likely traitor and a weak suicider. STRATCOM - incompent imbecile (and possibly traitor).

 

[g5000]

It was launched by Russians

That was never established.

It was either China, North Korea, Russia, or a rogue state.

The launch origin was not detected because it was probably submarine launched.

Those are the parameters of the movie.

At no point is it firmly established to be Russia or any other suspect.


.

 

[Zavulon]

Retelling this (wider) story in the more common for an American words and images of a "Girl Power" and "Western" movies....
Ok. Welcome to the Wild West, town of Agua Fria, where human life cheaper than a bottle of beer and where is no law but what it's inhabitants established by themselves.
This town is "terrorised" or "protected" by the self-proclaimed sheriff, Jonny de Volk. In fact he is just a gangster. His gang publically avovwed that they will kill and take ranchos of Jerica, Mia and Kim, three girls who want just mind their own business and do it well. They are rather rich and they help other citizens of the town.
Once, at a dark evening, Jonny left a bar, and suddenly got a bullet in his calf. He turned back and saw those three girls with their gun in their hands. In rage he cried: "Who did it? Who is responsible for this shoot? Was it an accident?". The girls watched him in amazed silence for some time and then Jerica answer. "It is not we, who are responsible for it." (And silently added with a little smile "You are"). Then Jonny, trying to open his holster, "Put down your guns, bitches! Trust me, I'll kill you!" Jerica: "You ask us to put down our guns, but why are still scratching your holster?" (Silently: "Was it something in your booze?"). Jonny: "You don't understand! It is just a precaution! I'll kill you all, bitches, with my knife! I'll slowly cut off pieces of your body!!!"
Jerica, turning to her friends: "You were right, girls. There is really nobody to talk with." And then she pulled the trigger. Happy end.

 

[Zavulon]

That was never established.

It was. It was an intentional attack.

It was either China, North Korea, Russia, or a rogue state.

If it were not Russia, Russia would be interested in negotiations and elimination of the threat. And they are obviously not.

The launch origin was not detected because it was probably submarine launched.

The sats supposed to detect the place of launch, and interceptors supposed to intercept the RV. It definetely was a smart and coordinated cyberattack.

Those are the parameters of the movie.

At no point is it firmly established to be Russia or any other suspect.

It's just a wishful thinking and incompetence of movie protagonists. Given the facts, demonstrated in the movie, one can be pretty positive that it was a well coordinated and well performed intentional attack of a nuclear superpower (or one of its proxies). And the only superpower who can play that kind of games with America, is Russia.

 

[CrusaderFrank]

My wife was watching it and as it progressed I thought it was a series, each part about half an hour

At the end it reminded me of an old Second City skit with Joe Flaherty as Count Floyd saying, “that’s it? That’s the movie?”

What a groaner

If it just one inbound missile and with a terrible 60% chance of hitting with with their awful anti-missile batteries, they should have fired 4 or 5 missiles at it

 

[Zavulon]

My wife was watching it and as it progressed I thought it was a series, each part about half an hour

At the end it reminded me of an old Second City skit with Joe Flaherty as Count Floyd saying, “that’s it? That’s the movie?”

What a groaner

If it just one inbound missile and with a terrible 60% chance of hitting with with their awful anti-missile batteries, they should have fired 4 or 5 missiles at it

Yes. They should have. And it demonstrates the incompetence (or treason) of the military guys. But with the malfunctioning (after sophisticated cyber attack) targeting system 5 or even 50 missiles are as useless as 2.

 

[Zavulon]

BTW, just realised. The image "walls of dynamite" may be referring to the popular Russian image "The fence of ICBMs".



I'll hide my rage,
I'll conceal my resentment,
I'll dive in the deepness
Of Motherland's fields,
And I'll build the fence of
high, strong Poplars*
Around me.

* (Topol-M mobile ballistic complex)

 

[kyzr]

Just finished to watch this movie. It's pretty nice (in its own way).
Made by famous Katherine Bigelow at written play by Noah Oppenheim with Rebecca Ferguson as Captain Olivia Walker, the oversight officer for the White House Situation Room (and some other nice girls who are, actually, the only attraction in this piece of, one could say, "modern art").

Its one of the attempts to play Herman Kahn's scenarios of "Field of Caplan" and/or "Pearl Harbor".
Previously we saw nice plays in:
Fail-safe (1964);
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964);
First Strike (1979);
By dawn's early light (1990), but while guys in 60-s and 70-s and even in 1990 were more about rational calculation of possible losses, about following orders, procedures and making moral choices....

Ok, nowadays, snowflakes are too stupid to calculate consequences of their actions (say nothing about making attempt to understand other people, like, you know "If I do this, they'll do that"), too sluggish and undisciplined to fallow orders and procedures and too selfish to do really moral choices.
Nowadays supposed "decision-makers" are sweating, tearing, vomiting, emotionally supporting each other and even desperately watching the picture with Zelenskiy. So touchy...

The plot is quite simple, and the action was actually (but unrealistically) compressed in 19 minutes. America tried to f#ck Russia, took her own pants down, and was, surprisingly, f#cked by Russia.
Some people say that there is an open end, but no. In the end the POTUS has a choice of two more or less equally stupid and equally fatal solutions because of stupidity and incompetence of himself and his advisors (may be, NSA actually betrayed him).
I'd recommend to watch it, but take it with a grain of salt. And, of course, read books. Books are almost always better.

I saw "A House of Dynamite". It was total bullshit. You think we only have one layer of ABMs? Miss at one layer and the missile gets thru? Not very sophisticated. Also, to think we'd take a nuclear attack without responding is nonsense.

In the movie we don't know who launched, so we didn't want to risk a full nuclear exchange by responding.
In reality, we'd know, and we'd respond.

So in reality, that single missile would not have gotten thru.

 

[kyzr]

Actually, there is an ending. Whatever POTUS chose the result will be more or less the same (elimination of the USA). They finally lost survivable options in few minutes before the end of the plot.

The "survivors" were herded into the massive shelters.

Yes. One of my friends even called it "techno-fantasy". Though, I think that the original plot was just time-compressed (and certain details were added for certain artistic reasons). Like one can't mobilize his forces, get all of his strategic bombers airborne, and all his subs in sea in few minutes. You need hours for it.

Subs are on station all the time.
Strategic bombers take a few minutes, ICBMs are always available.

 

[Zavulon]

I saw "A House of Dynamite". It was total bullshit. You think we only have one layer of ABMs? Miss at one layer and the missile gets thru? Not very sophisticated. Also, to think we'd take a nuclear attack without responding is nonsense.

In the movie we don't know who launched, so we didn't want to risk a full nuclear exchange by responding.
In reality, we'd know, and we'd respond.

So in reality, that single missile would not have gotten thru.

In the movie your Command and Control system is compromised (likely as result of the sophisticated and smart cyberattack), your NSA and SECDEF are deserters (and likely traitors), your STRATCOM is incompetent (and possibly traitor, too).

And such things are pretty possible in reality.

 

[kyzr]

Another funny moment. Not sure it was intentional, but SECDEF Baker wears a tie in the colours of Russian militarism - orange and black.
A bit resembles my own band:

A cello quartet?

So, if he was a secret agent of Russia it might explain his behaviour and his suicide. I do know that Americans love their children (sometimes is really weird ways) but committing suicide only because your daughter had found a boyfriend is too gross even for an American, I think.
But mutually contradicting motivations - say, when his sense of duty and loyalty (belonging to Russia) force him to destroy Chicago (and then whole America) and his natural love to his daughter and his people demands to to protect them, yes, it could cause a deep inner conflict.

He was not a Russian agent, his daughter was in Chicago headed for downtown to work with her boyfriend, there was no time for her to escape the blast area.
His suicide was typical Hollywood, always surrender monkeys.