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    The Men Who Stare at Goats

    • 20092009
    • RR
    • 1h 34min
    IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    128K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,839
    501
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey, and Jeff Bridges in The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
    A TV trailer for the movie Paranormal Activity.
    Trailer0:32
    11 Videos
    82 Photos
    ComedyWar

    A reporter in Iraq might just have the story of a lifetime when he meets Lyn Cassady, a guy who claims to be a former member of the U.S. Army's New Earth Army, a unit that employs paranormal powers in their missions.A reporter in Iraq might just have the story of a lifetime when he meets Lyn Cassady, a guy who claims to be a former member of the U.S. Army's New Earth Army, a unit that employs paranormal powers in their missions.A reporter in Iraq might just have the story of a lifetime when he meets Lyn Cassady, a guy who claims to be a former member of the U.S. Army's New Earth Army, a unit that employs paranormal powers in their missions.A reporter in Iraq might just have the story of a lifetime when he meets Lyn Cassady, a guy who claims to be a former member of the U.S. Army's New Earth Army, a unit that employs paranormal powers in their missions.A reporter in Iraq might just have the story of a lifetime when he meets Lyn Cassady, a guy who claims to be a former member of the U.S. Army's New Earth Army, a unit that employs paranormal powers in their missions.

    • Director
      • Grant Heslov
    • Writers
      • Jon Ronson(inspired by the book)
      • Peter Straughan(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Ewan McGregor
      • George Clooney
      • Kevin Spacey
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Grant Heslov
    • Writers
      • Jon Ronson(inspired by the book)
      • Peter Straughan(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Ewan McGregor
      • George Clooney
      • Kevin Spacey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 302User reviews
    • 267Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Videos11

    Paranormal Activity -- "Paranormal Goats" TV Spot
    Trailer 0:32
    Paranormal Activity -- "Paranormal Goats" TV Spot
    The Men Who Stare at Goats
    Trailer 2:24
    The Men Who Stare at Goats
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    Clip 1:13
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    Clip 0:20
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    Clip 0:51
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    Clip 1:05
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    Clip 0:53
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    Clip 0:33
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    Interview 0:29
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    Interview 0:46
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    The Men Who Stare At Goats
    Interview 0:30
    The Men Who Stare At Goats

    Photos82

    George Clooney in The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
    George Clooney in The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
    Ewan McGregor in The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
    Ewan McGregor in The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
    Ewan McGregor in The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
    George Clooney and Kevin Spacey in The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
    Jeff Bridges in The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
    Jeff Bridges in The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
    Jeff Bridges in The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
    Jeff Bridges in The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
    Ewan McGregor and Jeff Bridges in The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
    Ewan McGregor and Kevin Spacey in The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ewan McGregor
    Ewan McGregor
    • Bob Wiltonas Bob Wilton
    George Clooney
    George Clooney
    • Lyn Cassadyas Lyn Cassady
    Kevin Spacey
    Kevin Spacey
    • Larry Hooperas Larry Hooper
    Jeff Bridges
    Jeff Bridges
    • Bill Djangoas Bill Django
    Stephen Lang
    Stephen Lang
    • Brig. Gen. Dean Hopgoodas Brig. Gen. Dean Hopgood
    Robert Patrick
    Robert Patrick
    • Todd Nixonas Todd Nixon
    Waleed Zuaiter
    Waleed Zuaiter
    • Mahmud Daashas Mahmud Daash
    Stephen Root
    Stephen Root
    • Gus Laceyas Gus Lacey
    Glenn Morshower
    Glenn Morshower
    • Maj. Gen. Holtzas Maj. Gen. Holtz
    Nick Offerman
    Nick Offerman
    • Scotty Merceras Scotty Mercer
    Tim Griffin
    Tim Griffin
    • Tim Kootzas Tim Kootz
    Rebecca Mader
    Rebecca Mader
    • Debora Wiltonas Debora Wilton
    Jacob Browne
    Jacob Browne
    • Lt. Booneas Lt. Boone
    Todd Lawson LaTourrette
    • Daveas Dave
    • (as Todd Latourrette)
    Brad Grunberg
    Brad Grunberg
    • Ronas Ron
    Elsa Villafane
    • Gus' Motheras Gus' Mother
    Fawad Siddiqui
    Fawad Siddiqui
    • Kuwait Waiteras Kuwait Waiter
    • (as Fawad Masood Siddiqui)
    Samuel Ray Gates
    Samuel Ray Gates
    • Journalist #1as Journalist #1
    • (as Samuel Gates)
    • Director
      • Grant Heslov
    • Writers
      • Jon Ronson(inspired by the book)
      • Peter Straughan(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A reporter, trying to lose himself in the romance of war after his marriage fails, gets more than he bargains for when he meets a special forces agent who reveals the existence of a secret, psychic military unit whose goal is to end war as we know it. The founder of the unit has gone missing and the trail leads to another psychic soldier who has distorted the mission to serve his own ends. —Rob Harris
    satirearmy trainingiraq warsecret military operationgoat141 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • No goats. No glory.
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • War
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for language, some drug content and brief nudity
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jeff Bridges' character Bill Django is based on Army Lt. Col. James Channon, who wrote the First Earth Battalion field manual. In the mid-'70s Channon took a leave of absence (with pay) from the army to go on a fact-finding tour of the New Age Movement, before coming back and writing the First Earth Battalion manual. The movie combines two or three separate programs: the Army's Remote Viewing program (run by the army's Intelligence and Security Command), the "Jedi" program run by the Special Forces, and Channon's First Earth Battalion (which was a concept and a field manual rather than an operational unit).
    • Goofs
      After they escape captivity, Lyn and Bob chase down Mahmud in the pickup truck. In shots from inside the truck, Mahmud is running in the middle of the road, only veering off at the last moment. All other shots show him running on the side of the road.
    • Quotes

      Bill Django: Mother Earth, you're my life support system. As a soldier I must drink your blue water, live inside your red clay and eat your green skin. Help me to balance myself. As you hold in balance, the Earth, the sea, and the space environments. Help me to open my heart, knowing that the Universe will feed me. I pray my boots will always kiss your face, and my footsteps match your heartbeat. Carry my body through space and time. You're my connection to the Universe and all that comes after. I'm yours and you are mine. I salute you.

    • Crazy credits
      Although this film is inspired by John Ronson's Book The Men Who Stare At Goats, it is a fiction, and while the characters Lynn Cassady and Bill Django are based on actual persons, Sergeant Glenn Wheaton and Colonel Jim Channon, all other characters are invented or are composites and are not portrayals of actual persons. The filmmakers ask that no one attempt walking through walls, cloudbursting while driving, or staring for hours at goats with the intent of harming them... invisibility is fine.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Jay Leno Show: Episode #1.32 (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Alright
      Written by Danny Goffey, Gaz Coombes and Michael Quinn

      Performed by Supergrass

      Courtesy of EMI Records Ltd.

      Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

    User reviews302

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Terrific movie! Hilarious, smart and interesting.
    I just got back from seeing "The Men Who Stare at Goats" at the Woodstock Film Festival. I walked in knowing the main plot, and I expected it to be pretty good because of the great actors it has, the premise of the story and the music used in the soundtrack. My expectations weren't only met, but they were greatly exceeded.

    The story follows a broken-hearted journalist (McGregor) who goes on the job to Iraq to prove to his ex-wife he isn't weak or frail. There, he meets Lyn Cassidy (Clooney) who is a "psychic" soldier for the US government, trained by his hippie instructor Billy (Bridges) to use his mind, peace and love to overcome hairy military situations. The story is the two mens' adventure together.

    The movie is essentially broken down into I'd say 3 parts. The first part is the main story of the journalist and Lyn as they travel in Iraq on a special mission Lyn is on. The second is the very humorous back-story of the history of the creation and existence of the "psychic soldiers" of the military. When I say "back-story" and "history" I mean the main background to Lyn and Billy's character, as well as the main antagonist of the story, played by Kevin Spacey. The third part is the first person narration provided by Ewen McGregor about the things that are going on. He offers insight into his mind and opinions on the things he says and of himself and Lyn as the story progresses.

    The Men Who Stare at Goats is a very hilarious movie, with many quotable lines and excellent acting by the entire cast. The story is very unique and the film uses that as a great advantage to itself in setting up the humor. The characters are very real and are taken to heart right away. The film is funny, intriguing, smart, witty, fast-paced, emotional, enjoyable and inspirational. I highly recommend it to any Ewen McGregor, George Clooney, Kevin Spacey or Jeff Bridges fan, for fans of those men will not be disappointed with the acting and mannerisms of the characters those actors portrayed.

    The Men Who Stare at Goats is a very fun movie to see in theaters and everyone in my audience were cracking up laughing many, many times. It is a movie for casual movie goers and film aficionados alike. Go see it.

    8.5/10
    helpful•289
    160
    • Soundstage8
    • Oct 2, 2009

    FAQ4

    • Is "The Men Who Stare at Goats" based on a book?
    • What does the title, "The Men Who Stare at Goats", mean?
    • Was the movie based on a true story?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 6, 2009 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • Arabic
    • Also known as
      • Hombres de mente
    • Filming locations
      • Puerto Rico
    • Production companies
      • BBC Films
      • Ruby Films
      • Smokehouse Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $25,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $32,428,195
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,706,654
      • Nov 8, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $69,095,771
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 34min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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