The journey from there to here

I actually like George Clooney as an actor. Even though I haven't seen the movie "Good Night and Good Luck", I appreciate Clooney's bringing the compelling story to the big screen. While I have NO desire to see "Syriana", I can respect Clooney's asking hard questions about current events, even if I wholly disagree with his conclusions.

What I CAN'T accept is Clooney's condescension towards the American public. He appreciates being "out of touch", and rightly points out that Hattie McDaniel's Oscar came at a time when segregation was still the norm in America. By doing so, he makes the obvious implication that current leftist agendas are morally comparable, and that those of us who do not agree are backwards, unenlightened, and/or morally inferior. We are, in other words, too stupid to think for ourselves.

In a year that saw a larger ticket sale drop than anytime in the last 25 years (1980 being the year of "Xanadu" and "The Blue Lagoon"), it is interesting that Hollywood activists would choose such a self destructive career path. While it is not improper to ask that we as a society allow others to live their lives as they choose, it is wholly unacceptable to repeatedly attempt to indocrinate us into the belief that such lifestyle choices are moral, decent, or normal. And yet producers continue to do just that on a regular basis by implicitly stating that we are too stupid to make such decisions without their assistance/input.

George Clooney may not be a spokesperson for all of Hollywood. But if Hollywood doesn't want their image cast by the likes of Clooney, I would suggest that a roll of duct tape over his mouth might be in order. But I'm guessing by the applause and acclaim that he perpetually receives, Hollywood DOES want him as their spokesman. And I'm further guessing that such decisions will further affect their box office intake.

Industry analysts will point to the home theater system as the reason for the decline in movie attendance. And it might well be a part of it. But I suggest that a larger part is a viewing public who is sick of the continual insults to their intelligence.


Comments (Page 5)
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on Mar 08, 2006
Then why were complete garbage movies such as "MR & Mrs Smith" so popular?


Because entertainment, not indoctrination, is our chief reason for going to the movies.
on Mar 08, 2006
Because entertainment, not indoctrination, is our chief reason for going to the movies.


But they largely fail at even that modest goal. I mean, if you submitted half those plot lines as part a school project, you'd fail because the end product sucks.

The product that the studios is selling is crap. Usually if a business or set of businesses are selling something which does not meet reasonable expectations, the customer base naturally buys far less of that product.

Hollywood needs to make BETTER movies... they spend 150 million dollars on the special effects and acting talent for project, and yet they won't actually get someone good to come in and actually write something worth seeing.

While it is not improper to ask that we as a society allow others to live their lives as they choose, it is wholly unacceptable to repeatedly attempt to indocrinate us into the belief that such lifestyle choices are moral, decent, or normal.


I also think it is odd that you keep saying that movies you haven't seen are trying to indoctrinate people. I mean, if I wanted to really get technical, than very few movie present a view of life that is decent, moral or normal. I mean, how many people have you seen murdered, beaten up, raped, tortured, robbed or otherwise wronged by someone in a movie... which is not normal, decent behavior.... and considering the heroes of these movies often do these things as well, what kind of message is that sending people.
on Mar 08, 2006
Hollywood needs to make BETTER movies... they spend 150 million dollars on the special effects and acting talent for project, and yet they won't actually get someone good to come in and actually write something worth seeing.


Agreed. And even when they DO produce films with an agenda, the entertainment value should override the agenda.

A good example of this is actually in one of the films. "Brokeback Mountain" did FAR better than the other agenda driven movies, and it was no accident. Even its harshest critics had to concede the compelling story and the production value of the movie.

Going back through history, I can cite other examples that reinforce this: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?", which tackled the issue of racism, and "Adam's Rib", which tackled feminism, come to mind.
on Mar 08, 2006
I also think it is odd that you keep saying that movies you haven't seen are trying to indoctrinate people.


history,

Well, maybe you're right here. Maybe they AREN'T trying to indoctrinate people. But if they aren't, I suggest they FIRE their PR firms IMMEDIATELY, because that IS the message the PR firms are sending. And I'm not the only one getting that message.
on Mar 08, 2006
I am more likely to ascribe an "agenda picture" tag on Syriana given the other particulars of the film, but having never seen it, I can't make a judgment one way or another, though it still probably isn't in the same league as Farenheit 911 for having an major league agenda.

Brokeback Mountain, given the fact that it is Ang Lee, whose previous projects don't fit that mold, doesn't fit in my mind as being such a picture. I get more of a sense that most of the participants were interested in the film because the material was strong and interesting to them rather than anyone involved wanting to make a broader social statement.

on Mar 08, 2006
I get more of a sense that most of the participants were interested in the film because the material was strong and interesting to them rather than anyone involved wanting to make a broader social statement. - HistoryisHere

I think 'Brokeback' is (yet) another love story some went to see because they felt this love story would be insightful and interesting because it depicted a side of things they weren't familiar with.

That's one market.

The other is the gay community who crave for 'mainstream' content catering to their sub-culture. I don't care for love stories much and I already am familiar (via friends) with the gay culture, so I'm not one to run out and see the film. In fact, you probably couldn't drag me to it as some filter in my head has already branded this 'Chick Flick'. I'm extremely wont to avoid torture.

The only 'love story' or near-chick-flick in my library is When Harry Met Sally, I'm certain if a movie was released called When Harry Met Harry it would be met with a muted response from me but if a film entitled When Sally Met Sally was released (depending upon it's production values) I'd be particularly interested in at least reviewing the film (preferably starring Meg Ryan and Sandra Bullock).


on Mar 08, 2006
"Brokeback Mountain, given the fact that it is Ang Lee, whose previous projects don't fit that mold, doesn't fit in my mind as being such a picture."


Two gay men being unable to live the way they want to because of the social stigma... not ringing any bells? I seem to remember there being some debate recently about something like that... oh, what was it?

I don't necessarily think Ang Lee was trying to bait people about it, but it is the whole culture of the entertainment industry to shift to where people's minds are. Like all the "torn from the headlines" TV shows. There's nothing wrong with that, but when you have people who are very politically motivated working in tandem, I think you end up with preachy, overly-manipulative movies.
on Mar 08, 2006
I mean, listen to what Ang Lee says in his acceptance speech:

"And they taught all of us who made "Brokeback Mountain" so much about not just all the gay men and women whose love is denied by society, but just as important, the greatness of love itself."


I believe him when he says he wanted to make a love story, and strange as it may seem the love story in the movie reminds me of the different love stories in Crouching Tiger.

...but you won't see people NOT mentioning the social implications of this movie either, and I think it is pretty naive to think that the studio didn't go into this project thinking it was making a statement about the recent gay marriage debate. Lee himself has to always qualify that it isn't JUST about society dealing with gay people.
on Mar 08, 2006
Clooney and his ilk aren't open to debate. They just spew away and plenty of their fans will eat up whatever they say. Heck, the ladies on the view said that he could stand up there and pick his nose and they would marvel at what a great nose picker he is because he is so suave.


That's the second time in this thread you've mentiond "the ladies on The View." Seems to me you're ga-ga over them.
on Mar 09, 2006
Brokeback Mountain, given the fact that it is Ang Lee, whose previous projects don't fit that mold, doesn't fit in my mind as being such a picture.


Again, THEN FIRE THEIR PR FIRMS! The PR PROMOTED it as an agenda film!
on Mar 09, 2006
That's the second time in this thread you've mentiond "the ladies on The View." Seems to me you're ga-ga over them.


Actually, I happened upon the show and was rather disgusted and embarrassed on behalf of women by them. What a bunch of vapid, celebrity ass kissing!
Great deducing there Sherlock. I made two criticisms of the same show, yep, I guess I'm "ga-ga".

Icono, you are an expert at jumping to conclusions. I may have gagged over The View but I am certainly not ga-ga. I even stated earlier in this thread that people in entertainment don't interest me any more than anyone else who does what they do well.

Your jump missed the mark so completely it's funny
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