Posted by
Jeremy Randolph on Thursday, August 09, 2007 10:36:33 PM
When I was about seventeen or eighteen, I began to notice the "Hollywood message" that seemed to be tucked away in most movies. I would leave the theater and ask if anyone else saw what I saw and most of the time they would say that I was crazy and over analyzing the film. Many of my friends or family would get sick of me talking about this paranoia. Some still do.
However, this has changed over the past few years due to Hollywood's blatant admission to "inform" or "sway" the audience. Sometimes it is the overall message of a film and at other times it's the one liner or quick scene that might not be noticed. Either way, the intent was usually kept quiet. Not any more.
Well, at least I don't have to convince anyone about Hollywood's intent any longer. Apparently, there are a slew of anti-war or anti-Bush films set to be released this year and they are loud and proud about the message. Not to mention all the retread stereo-types in current releases.
I know, I know, you think I'm crazy. Alright, try this simple test. The next time you see a film that involves a dark and sinister government or military "bad guy", check the photos hanging on the wall. I'm willing to bet you a bag of donuts it will be a Republican President. The walls of the "hero" that is fighting for the truth will almost assuredly be adorned with framed photos of Slick Willy or some other Democrat.
Also, when is Hollywood going to get a new theme. The whole "covert American Govt agency masterminding terror attacks so that they can get more money to fight terror attacks", is old and couldn't be further from the truth. By the way, just for those that still aren't paying attention, the bad guys really are just Muslim extremists that want to cut your head off. Oh!, I'm sorry, was that offensive? I meant, Muslim extremists that wish you to no longer live. How's that? Nooo... ...cut your head off was better.
So in regards to all this "war is bad" talk. Are we to believe that all of these Hollywood folks (that are surely more enlightened than the average joe) are simply anti-war or just displeased with the Iraq war. I'm not sure, but all of this "smarter than you" talk about war not being the answer is at best stupid and at worst ignorant. If war was not the answer to some of history's atrocities, what would that answer have been? Which war would you deem worthy. Vietnam, the Korean war, WW1, WW2 or how about the American Revolution. Let me guess, you chose all the wars we won. Big surprise.
If war is not the answer, then winning war is.
Jeremy Randolph