Friday, May 9, 2008
Member since:
June 2006
June 2006
Hi Chris... now don't shoot the messenger. I'm just providing some FYI info on the posts above (and reader comments), whether I personally agree or not. And hey, in reviewing this thread I noticed that even Tim gave us a rare 'spew salad' long post. 
As for the film, I haven't seen it myself - but did notice the bad reviews, and that some have labled it 'propaganda', and other terms, since the story's scenario is another Hollywood production critical of the US. I'll end up renting it one day myself, just to see about the fuss.
Whether a film is labled by some as an "anti-American" movie or not, occasionally a film succeeds that has a critical message against the American government's policies, and is powerfully written and acted, like the case with Costa-Gavraz/Thomas Hauser's classic MISSING - excellent, realistic, and sympathetic drama, also featuring a fantastic musical score by Vangelis.
_____________
-JIMI McLovin (the Voodoo Child)
[Post edited by Love Hendrix! on May 11, 2008]
As for the film, I haven't seen it myself - but did notice the bad reviews, and that some have labled it 'propaganda', and other terms, since the story's scenario is another Hollywood production critical of the US. I'll end up renting it one day myself, just to see about the fuss.
Whether a film is labled by some as an "anti-American" movie or not, occasionally a film succeeds that has a critical message against the American government's policies, and is powerfully written and acted, like the case with Costa-Gavraz/Thomas Hauser's classic MISSING - excellent, realistic, and sympathetic drama, also featuring a fantastic musical score by Vangelis.
_____________
-JIMI McLovin (the Voodoo Child)
[Post edited by Love Hendrix! on May 11, 2008]
Friday, May 9, 2008
Member since:
March 2002
March 2002
Quote:
even Tim gave us a rare 'spew salad' long post
Oh, I agree Jimi, and it's not like me to carry on that way, but I just get so sick of people sucking into the media's bandwagon, smear campaign any time an entertainer does something in disrespect to the national morale of the world. Plain and simple, nobody is perfect and, IMO, it shouldn't give the media or others the right to go on a witch hunt.
I just think it's so silly when people say "I'll never see that guys movies again because (place whatever bad morale f-up here)"! I mean, for the love of Pete, the Beatles did a lot of shit in their career that didn't sit well with many people's morale structure, but their music changed music as we know it today, and that's all that should matter! And yeah Jimi, you can say I'm getting emotional and I'll admit it is something that gets me all fired up. Joking around and ribbing each other is one thing, like you and I do (I hope you realize most of the time I'm laughing my ass off with all the crap we dish out to each other), however, to seriously smear someone's life choices and mistakes just irks me to no end! Again, nobody is perfect!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Member since:
March 2002
March 2002
"...occasionally a film that's anti-American is very powerfully written and acted, like the Costa-Gavraz/Thomas Hauser classic MISSING - excellent." --Love Hendrix!
Love,
Maybe it's the way you use the term "anti-American" that is confusing people. It actually means something close to "un-American," and I don't think that's what you mean to say. "Anti-American" is defined by the Random House Unabridged Dictionary as "opposed or hostile to the United States of America." Whereas "un-American is defined as "opposed to the characters, values, standards, goals, etc., of the U.S."
Certainly, it's not "anti-American" (or "un-American" ) to criticize U.S. government policies. Otherwise, people like myself who vehemently oppose Mr. Bush's Iraq war and tax breaks for the rich and endorsement of CIA torture techniques and the like are all "anti-American," and I don't think we are, and I don't think you mean to label us as such. We love America and are not "anti" or "against" it. We want to see it improved, and our criticsims are meant to be constructive.
Anyway, perhaps you could clarify your position on the meaning of "anti-American," and there would be less confusion.
John
[Post edited by John J. Puccio on May 9, 2008]
Love,
Maybe it's the way you use the term "anti-American" that is confusing people. It actually means something close to "un-American," and I don't think that's what you mean to say. "Anti-American" is defined by the Random House Unabridged Dictionary as "opposed or hostile to the United States of America." Whereas "un-American is defined as "opposed to the characters, values, standards, goals, etc., of the U.S."
Certainly, it's not "anti-American" (or "un-American" ) to criticize U.S. government policies. Otherwise, people like myself who vehemently oppose Mr. Bush's Iraq war and tax breaks for the rich and endorsement of CIA torture techniques and the like are all "anti-American," and I don't think we are, and I don't think you mean to label us as such. We love America and are not "anti" or "against" it. We want to see it improved, and our criticsims are meant to be constructive.
Anyway, perhaps you could clarify your position on the meaning of "anti-American," and there would be less confusion.
John
[Post edited by John J. Puccio on May 9, 2008]
Friday, May 9, 2008
Member since:
June 2006
June 2006
Good comments Tim... and I have not stopped watching Tom Cruise movies either (or Mel Gibson, etc). If we personally got offended at every 'report' (or an actor's actual audio/video embarassment clip) coming out of Hollywood about this star, or that director, etc, we'd miss out on a lot of films (if we decided to boycot the person). And when I post some criticism here on the Msd Bd, it doesn't mean I personally agree with it... often it's just to stir the pot, or for entertainment value, kinda. I guess.
___________
-JIMI Lovin (the Voodoo Child)
___________
-JIMI Lovin (the Voodoo Child)
Friday, May 9, 2008
Member since:
June 2006
June 2006
Good observation John. I re-read the post and it was confusing in that final paragraph, so I changed it just now, and hope it reflects what you are meaning. I've seen MISSING several times now, and it's a great movie! Yet obviously un-American in regards to criticism of the USA's CIA operations and the 'disappearance' (actually murdered) of a American citizen who was anti-war while residing in that country (with his wife's character, played by Sissy Spacek).
___________
-JIMI McLovin (the Voodoo Child)
___________
-JIMI McLovin (the Voodoo Child)
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Member since:
March 2002
March 2002
"...obviously un-American in regards to criticism of the USA's CIA operations." --Love Hendrix!
Love,
Maybe we'll have to agree to disagree. I don't think it's "un-American" to disagree with or criticize the American government (in this case the CIA) any more than I am "anti-Love" or "un-Love" if I disagree with you.
John
Love,
Maybe we'll have to agree to disagree. I don't think it's "un-American" to disagree with or criticize the American government (in this case the CIA) any more than I am "anti-Love" or "un-Love" if I disagree with you.
John
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Member since:
October 2004
October 2004
I know plenty of conservatives had no trouble criticizing the Clinton administration and probably still considered themselves to be "pro-America." Being critical of the Bush administration and of the war in Iraq is also hardly anti-American.
I actually found "Lions for Lambs" a bit of a turn-off because it worked hard to be "patriotically-correct" with its anti-Iraq-war message. That and the terrible script and one-note performances.
You want anti-American, go watch "Mr. Freedom," the most hilariously anti-American film I've ever seen. There's no ambiguity about the term with "Mr. Freedom" either - it is anti-American in every fiber of its being.
I actually found "Lions for Lambs" a bit of a turn-off because it worked hard to be "patriotically-correct" with its anti-Iraq-war message. That and the terrible script and one-note performances.
You want anti-American, go watch "Mr. Freedom," the most hilariously anti-American film I've ever seen. There's no ambiguity about the term with "Mr. Freedom" either - it is anti-American in every fiber of its being.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Member since:
June 2006
June 2006
Take 3... (oops) 
Hey John, I was tired Friday night, and after reading again what I posted, I can agree with your last message above.
So, I re-wrote that paragraph again (posted the change today), and again here (below)... I think this wording won't imply that those who disagree, or are critical of a government's policies doesn't mean they are 'anti' or 'un' just because they oppose the government's (or administration's) position, as there will always be multiple sides/opinions on an issue.
Whether a film is labled by some as an "anti-American" movie or not, occasionally a film succeeds that has a critical message against the American government's policies, and is powerfully written and acted, like the case with Costa-Gavraz/Thomas Hauser's classic MISSING - excellent, realistic, and sympathetic drama, also featuring a fantastic musical score by Vangelis.
On a related note (politics), yes I support McCain - BUT have been very impressed (can't believe I'm now admitting this, but honestly it's not a put-on to 'tickle your ears') ... been very impressed with Hillary Clinton's campaign the last few months. She's improved her image/message to voters, had a fantastic and candid interview on The O'Reilly Factor (Fox News) where she often gave direct yes/no answers to questions (rare among politicians), and is clearly more experienced than Barack Obama for president (one of the toughest jobs - if the person in this office really cares about change).
Plus, she has the respect of Republican senators who have worked with her in Congress (as some in the GOP have mentioned in interviews etc), also her tax plan (concerning the rich) is quite reasonable, and can be argued is fair. And frankly, I've lost my first impressions of Barack Obama (from many months back), and think his "change" message is misleading, as he rarely ever mentions real, workable specifics beyond the emotional issues like ending the war, or the over-blame on 'big oil' for high gas prices (overlooking Democratic opposition to drilling in our outer belt regions, as well as opposing new refineries, etc)... so IF the Democrats win back the White House this November (and it does look that way based on their great success in the primaries, with increased voter registration and heavy turnout) - well, I'm saying I won't be 'scared' -or- extreme right wing (in considering Hillary as a 'communist', 'evil' etc)... and would definitely be respectful of her being our next President... so just wanted you to know this, as a fellow American who loves our country, and can admit that some of our governement's policies need improving, changing, and/or ended.
(and am glad I'm NOT a politician)
By the way, I personally feel (for both parties benefit, and for all Americans) that Ron Paul would have been the best candidate to become President. Everyone knows his strong convictions on ending the war (makes the Dems happy), as well as controlling government spending/taxes (makes Conservatives happy, and most anyone). And despite the battle he would face against Congressional members who oppose some of his views, I think he would have been successful in getting his positions realized, albeit with some compromises (which always happens in politics).
______________
-JIMI McLovin (the Voodoo Child)
[Post edited by Love Hendrix! on May 11, 2008]
Hey John, I was tired Friday night, and after reading again what I posted, I can agree with your last message above.
So, I re-wrote that paragraph again (posted the change today), and again here (below)... I think this wording won't imply that those who disagree, or are critical of a government's policies doesn't mean they are 'anti' or 'un' just because they oppose the government's (or administration's) position, as there will always be multiple sides/opinions on an issue.
Whether a film is labled by some as an "anti-American" movie or not, occasionally a film succeeds that has a critical message against the American government's policies, and is powerfully written and acted, like the case with Costa-Gavraz/Thomas Hauser's classic MISSING - excellent, realistic, and sympathetic drama, also featuring a fantastic musical score by Vangelis.
On a related note (politics), yes I support McCain - BUT have been very impressed (can't believe I'm now admitting this, but honestly it's not a put-on to 'tickle your ears') ... been very impressed with Hillary Clinton's campaign the last few months. She's improved her image/message to voters, had a fantastic and candid interview on The O'Reilly Factor (Fox News) where she often gave direct yes/no answers to questions (rare among politicians), and is clearly more experienced than Barack Obama for president (one of the toughest jobs - if the person in this office really cares about change).
Plus, she has the respect of Republican senators who have worked with her in Congress (as some in the GOP have mentioned in interviews etc), also her tax plan (concerning the rich) is quite reasonable, and can be argued is fair. And frankly, I've lost my first impressions of Barack Obama (from many months back), and think his "change" message is misleading, as he rarely ever mentions real, workable specifics beyond the emotional issues like ending the war, or the over-blame on 'big oil' for high gas prices (overlooking Democratic opposition to drilling in our outer belt regions, as well as opposing new refineries, etc)... so IF the Democrats win back the White House this November (and it does look that way based on their great success in the primaries, with increased voter registration and heavy turnout) - well, I'm saying I won't be 'scared' -or- extreme right wing (in considering Hillary as a 'communist', 'evil' etc)... and would definitely be respectful of her being our next President... so just wanted you to know this, as a fellow American who loves our country, and can admit that some of our governement's policies need improving, changing, and/or ended.
(and am glad I'm NOT a politician)
By the way, I personally feel (for both parties benefit, and for all Americans) that Ron Paul would have been the best candidate to become President. Everyone knows his strong convictions on ending the war (makes the Dems happy), as well as controlling government spending/taxes (makes Conservatives happy, and most anyone). And despite the battle he would face against Congressional members who oppose some of his views, I think he would have been successful in getting his positions realized, albeit with some compromises (which always happens in politics).
______________
-JIMI McLovin (the Voodoo Child)
[Post edited by Love Hendrix! on May 11, 2008]
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Member since:
March 2002
March 2002
Sounds reasonable, Love. Thanks for the reply. But I still don't think you'll get Eddie's vote.
John
John
