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Political pearls before apathetic American swine
One Hollywood writer says the writers are about to go on strike, and it’s not because of a bad contract. It’s because we, America, have let them down. The Kingdom, Rendition, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, In the Valley of Elah, Redacted – political films all, and ones supposed to be relevant in the most precious way – are not doing so well at the box office.
It’s so sad: Here we were, on a roll, with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid in command of Congress, the Clinton Restoration practically a fait accompli, and Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace Prize to use as a doorstop alongside his Oscar – and this is the thanks we get.
Are Americans tired of politics on film, or are these just bad movies, or is there a difference between those two options?
Topic: WorldMagBlog
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back to top25 Comments to “Political pearls before apathetic American swine”
The preview for the Kingdom did not make it look like it was written by leftist progressives, I mean come on! “Step out of your world and enter THE KINGDOM.” Is not a progress way to talk about SA!
I don’t anything about the other films except for Elizabeth, which I’m waiting for someone I trust to review for I go watch it.
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Can’t say I know much more than Luke, but here’s my gut reaction (from the movies I have seen since 2005):
Don’t wanna know your political views, just write good stories ya buncha hacks…
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So go on strike, it’s not like we’re missing anything! (2006 was a pathetic year for movies anyway – and 2007 hasn’t been a whole lot better even if Harry Potter and the rest did come out). So if they think going on strike will improve their lot, go right a stinkin ‘head…
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When I see a bad script I don’t blame the writer. I know that by the time the producer, the assistant producer, the second assistant producer, the lead actor, the head of the studio and his nephew the intern get through with it, the writer usually barely recognizes it.
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I didn’t know these movies were suppose to inspire me politically. Now that I do I will be sure not to see them. I don’t care what your political views are. Don’t force them on me and I won’t force mine on you.
And I have to agree with kbells.
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I saw the Kingdom and have to say it was an entertaining action flick — which is primarily what it was with a mild message, imo.
Luke — the title The Kingdom is actually what the Saudis call their country so it is not as un-pc as you think.
On Rendition — how many Americans actually want to be reminded of what our government is actually doing to protect them and in their name?
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Yeah, but even if they borrow the name from Saudi parlance the romanticization of difference and rhetorical tribalism was still right their in the preview (not like it was directed by Mel Gibson, but I’m still surprised they are calling it a progressive film)! That they can now make a claim to “authenticity” doesn’t change that.
Oh yeah, now I remember what Rendition is about. I thought the preview made it look good but will not see it because I hate Kristen Dunce!!!
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I think moviegoers are simply tired of having Hollywood preach to them. The screen is their pulpit and Hollywood is becoming too predictable especially around election time. Americans are on to them and will no longer reward their efforts by buying tickets.
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Luke, I’m pretty sure it’s Reese Witherspoon in Rendition.
I’m just curious as to what these writers and directors are hoping to accomplish with these films. Upon seeing the trailer for Lions For Lambs, I thought: “there’s no real narrative here, just people talking about the subject of the war for two hours. If I wanted that, I’d go online so that I could leave unseen when I get bored.” If they’re really trying to make money with these things, they might want to wrap the pontificating with a story that isn’t so obviously pedantic.
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“Luke, I’m pretty sure it’s Reese Witherspoon in Rendition.”
Oh well I”m not a big fan of her either. Though she is much better, I hold her personally accountable for “Cruel Intentions.”
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Mainstream movies like some of those mentioned above suffer from the same affliction as do most movies produced by believers — too much message and not enough story. people don’t go to movies to be preached at, regardless of who is doing the preaching.
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Regarding the threat of writers’ strike: is that a threat or a promise?
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As ya’ll know, I’m as liberal as they come and I see a movie every week. But I’m just not interested in any of these movies, even though they should be right up my alley. I think it’s because I like to go to movies to be entertained, not educated. I already know how badly my government has screwed things up. I’m already appalled about things like secret prisons, torture, and rendition. I already know how sorry (as in “no-good”) both the politicians in Washington and the American press are.
I did go see “The Kingdom” and was sorely disappointed. It was second rate. Also, I nearly got sick from all the hand-held camera shots.
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See that’s what I like about you Anlir. You are the flip side of my conservative politics but we both agree that the government and the media are screwed up. Which came first though? The chicken or the egg? The media or the govt?
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What, Anlir? Calling a Jamie Foxx action movie second rate? That’s unheard of!!! It even has Jennifer Gardner, from such fabulous action “sagas” like Marvel’s Elektra!
What made you think you were going to enjoy this movie?
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Let’s see ‘em hold their breath ’til they turn blue and pass out!
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Good one Luke
When you see one movie a week as I have done for the past 6 years, there are some real stink-bombs that I’ve seen. I try to be selective, but Hollywood is making it awfully difficult these last few years.
I dunno – maybe these movies (”Rendition”, et al) are just too soon and cut too close to home. Hollywood and TV have a tendency to rush things and display a “herd” mentality.
In today’s world where everything is immediately politicized, it’s hard to make a thought-provoking movie that’s going to be given a fair hearing.
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I think Alan had it right. Christian movies and books can often suffer from the same problem.
Don’t preach! A movie can have a point of view, but it should be subtly done. No one wants to go to the movies to be preached at…even the choir!
Better yet, let a movie show some various points of view. Help me to be sympathetic to the war but also to hate it! Or help me to see the various, heartrending decisions a person made about abortion, but don’t preach to me about it one way or another. Allow me to make my own conclusions based on a storyline that really tries to deal with the complicated issues involved.
Preaching in a movie (or television show) is boring, and a huge turn-off. (I love a number of TV shows that are more “Liberal leaning” because they’ve always had good story lines. But, if they don’t stop preaching the Liberal line ONLY to me, then I may just stop watching them! At least they could ATTEMPT to show the various sides, as many of them did in the past. Take note Boston Legal. You’re often funny and interesting, but no more preaching one side only!)
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Ironically, I’m reminded of a scene from “The Holiday”, where two characters are discussing movie recommendations an elderly screenwriter friend had given them, movies from Hollywood’s golden age of 60 years ago.
Amazingly, Hollywood good produce war movies during the war, without too much hassle, unlike today. They could craft movies about politics without being overly offensive or partisan.
But that was a couple of generations ago.
I’ll probably miss “Lost” if season 4 is affected by this…whenever I see it on DVD, that is. But the rest…the writers deserve to get paid. The studios (IMHO) deserve to get slapped a bit for their greed. Maybe this will teach the high-and-might folks what’s really important…communicating a story, and not just a sermon or PC pap to the “yokels.”
It’d be nice if Hollywood worked harder story-wise. Writers who can tell both sides, well, are so rare. Shows that do it, rarer still.
A shame, really.
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I’m surrounded with–drowning in–politics day and night, day after day. If I happen to hear that a movie has the tiniest bit of a political message–either side–I’m absolutely sure to avoid it.
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Maybe (I almost hate to have to say it) there are better things to do than watch the drivel served up in movie theatres.
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Hollywood writers are planning to go on strike? I thought they already were and all the remakes and spinoffs of TV shows we have been fed were written by strike-breakers.
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I had sort of assumed these last several years that there was some sort of computer program generating scrips using outlines from old movies, infused with philosophical twists from Noam Chomsky. Somewhat better than a thousand monkeys with typewriters as far as coherency goes, but poorer as far as philosophical content.
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KRM, I’m not sure if you are kidding, but it seems like I have seen those advertised.
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KRM person,
Please don’t underestimate the potential philosophic depth and coherency of even a single monkey with a laptop and too much time on his hands! Or feet! Oip! I recently replicated “Troilus and Cressida” during off hours between nitpicking! Oip! Oip! And that was typing with my toes! They’re opposable, you know! OIIIP!
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