A hilarious box office hit at the Roxy

By: Mollie Boise

Posted: 11/16/09

The Roxy was packed last weekend for the opening of The Men Who Stare at Goats. The story is centered on a reporter, Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor), who goes to Iraq to make something of his career. He is motivated by his failed marriage after his wife leaves him for his biotic-armed editor and by the death of a coworker.

When Wilton meets Lyn Cassidy (George Clooney), he may have just stepped into the story of a lifetime. Bob discovers Lyn was a part of a top-secret experimental government organization called the New Earth Army, which is revolutionizing the way wars are fought. Lyn claims that the New Earth Army has psychic powers that allow them to read enemy thoughts, pass through solid walls, even stop the hearts of goats' - just by staring at them.

Wilton learns that Bill Django (Jeff Bridges), the New Earth Army's founder has gone missing, and it is Lyn's mission to find him. Lyn's quest intrigues Bob and he tags along on a wild adventure through Iraq. On their quest they encounter Lyn's old New Earth Army acquaintance, Larry Hooper (Kevin Spacey). Hooper is trying to re-harness the psychic powers of the New Earth Army into his own militia of super soldiers. In order to survive, Bob along with the help of Django must outsmart the enemy in a way he never thought possible.

Based on a non-fiction novel of the same name by Jon Ronson, The Men Who Stare at Goats is a hilarious look at military tactics and adventure. With an all-star cast of George Clooney, Kevin Spacey, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges and Robert Patrick, this film is sure to please many audiences. There are jokes and references for several generations to enjoy. At times my fellow audience didn't laugh at things that put me in stitches, but most of them still left the theatre with a smile on their faces.