What’s with all the anti-America propaganda these days anyway? It seems as if every time the Gorilla turns around, there seems to be yet another celebrity or public figure trying to talk us into believing that our President is evil, our current political policies are mostly a heap of hogwash, and that our leaders are a bunch of senile idiots! Granted- some of them are, but be that as it may, you still cannot sway the American public to be anti-American no matter how hard you try. As a whole, when it comes to our beloved country, we will defend it and support it. Take for example, the Iraq war: there are many people opposed to our presence in Iraq and it’s certainly understood, but in general, try to bash the U.S. and its policies in a movie, and you won’t get a very good turnout. The proof? Well, the proof is in the American moviegoers’ refusal to support almost every Iraq war movie or America-bashing film shown recently in theaters. These include “Stop-Loss,” “Lions for Lambs,” “Rendition,” and ”In the Valley Of Elah.” “Stop-Loss” only grossed $5 million in it’s opening weekend and the others aren’t exactly bragging about their big paydays either! Probably the biggest joke was Mark Cuban’s new melee, ”Redacted” (A Da Palma film), which only grossed a shameful $65,000! Meanwhile, the film cost millions to make. The point is, this film, like many of the others, may have set out to relay one message, but ended up relaying an entirely different one to the American public. Many of these films cast a negative image on our soldiers, our leaders, and yes, our country. Apparently, Hollywood thought we were all a bunch of pushovers or an “easy sell” if you will, but they were wrong. They took the stance that since the American people are so opposed to the war, we must also love anti-war, anti-American type films.
But they are wrong. Yes, the American people hate the handling of the Iraq war, all of the money spent on it, and mostly all of the lives lost due to it. These are all true statements. But to say we all hate the war effort in general, may be a stretch. Most American’s would agree that there are no regrets in taking down famed evil dictator Saddam Hussein, and trying to establish democracy in very disturbed Iraq. But to open an artillery of anti-war movies on the American public was just not wise. Note to Hollywood: we love our U.S. OF A! Nice try! (The Gorilla should add that he himself saw the movie “Stop-Loss” and enjoyed it thoroughly.) It brought to mind the fact that our American soldiers deserve our respect and admiration. This movie will certainly enlighten you to their trials and tribulations. Yes, some things in this country certainly need some fine tuning, and that will most likely always be the case, but America bash we will not! Take that Hollywood!
April 12th, 2008 at 11:57 am
I am afraid I disagree with most of what you said. Your premise is faulty, i.e., anything: a movie, an editorial, a magazine article, a speech that takes the decision makers to task for this war is anti-war and thereby anti-American. This war (never declared…it really was an invasion—the first of its kind in American History) is/has been unnecessary to protect the American People. It was, afterall, the product of a macho President wanting to even the score for his father. I can’t imagine how anyone would want the 4000+ deaths as part of their legacy but this Administration doesn’t seem to get it!. I am a Vietnam Veteran and a staunch supporter of our troops and hate when others hide behind loyalty to the Flag as a way to put down those that disagree with the current policies of this terrible Administration. Your comments question the loyalty of any dissenter of this war which, to me at least, is un-American. Phil Donahgue of TV fame has recently made another anti war movie and the turnout thusfar is truly amazing. We will see if your faulty premise about Hollywood is really correct.