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HankB wrote:The only movie I recall where guys actually were deafened by gunfire is Blackhawk Down. . .

Well, there's also the internalization of sound in Saving Private Ryan, but that was usually from explosions, and was more mental than physiological. There were some scenes where Horvath and Miller were exchanging dialogue during combat in something less than a full roar, but they certainly never spoke in less than a strong speaking voice. And, though not suited to a movie audience, there are a few times where you can't make out what they're saying for all the explosions and gunfire.

Matrix Revolutions - Trinity points a gun (I believe a Beretta, it's been a while) at the Merovingian's head and dialogue ensues. She then cocks the hammer keeping her finger on the trigger, the rest of her grip stable, and the muzzle never leaving the target. She's the bomb; I have not yet been able to do that with your average 20-lb. hammer spring.

American History X - 24 shots fired from a Ruger P89 with flush magazine during the AWB period. Max capacity of a P-series 9mm is 15 rounds in factory mags. At least the gun recoiled (blanks, which shoot a wad of flash paper out the end, have far less recoil due to Newton's Third Law).

Gun Sounds. Anyone who has ever shot a gun at a range knows that the POW you get from the gun in real life is nothing like any sound effect ever used in a game, movie or TV show. Saving Private Ryan won an Oscar for "best sound", and the sound used for the M1 Garand was more akin to a paintball marker or air rifle; the sound of the clip popping out is definitely not that loud in comparison to the report and the gun does not make a "pfft" sound when firing. The Thompson and BAR were a little better. And video games? Don't get me started. A burst from an MP5 without earplugs would deafen you at least temporarily, and by the end of the game the main character wouldn't be able to hear a grenade going off, much less the footsteps of the guy sneaking up behind him.

American Beauty - Lester was shot in the back of the head at point-blank range. What's left of his face is going to be anything but "beautiful".

People who get shot and fly back or get knocked off of their feet

It's actually a real human response to being shot. A gunshot carries about the same force as a good punch, albeit with far less surface area affected. The natural human reaction to an impact is to move in the same direction in an attempt to absorb the blow and avoid future blows. It doesn't work for gunshots; the bullet's made its hole long before your natural reaction kicks in, but it's still instinct. There's also a psychological element; there are thousands of movies and TV shows that subconsciously educate viewers about what you're supposed to do when shot, perpetuating the cycle; it happens in real life so they show it on TV. And finally, it really does happen. Incapacitate someone by pain, blood loss or nervous system disruption and their knees give way. Knees bend in front of them, pushing center of mass behind, and voila they're on their back. Couple that with the impulse imparted on the body by the bullet, however small, and if the person was standing upright and not moving they'll crumple onto their back.