cross-posted at skippy as well as a literal cornucopia of other community blogs.
we have wondered elsewhere how long it would take the hardly-ever-right wing to get the vapors over the upcoming film “v for vendetta” starring bald natalie portman and the wonderful hugo weaving (agent smith in the matrix triology).
the answer: not long at all. even before the film has opened, tucker (i hardly knew ‘er) carlson had michael medved on his show to wax self-righteously about this movie.
medved, you will remember, is the man who was right once in his life, but that doesn’t stop him from collecting checks for spouting nonsense on screeching heads cable shows.
we discuss his beady little point of view after the jump:
medved: well, just to give you–to cut to the chase, the film`s climactic scene involves blowing up the houses of parliament, and that`s supposed to be a big, big triumph. and apparently some–a large number of british soldiers are also killed in the process…
the whole theme of the film, v says that blowing up buildings can change the world. is that really a message that we should welcome right now? we`re engaged in a war on terror. there are people who are exposing their bodies and their lives to terrorists every day to try to make us safer.
hollywood has yet to make a film about the heroic role of american counterterrorist activities. and yet they`ve made several films that express sympathy and in this case treat as heroic terrorist activity.
a couple of notes here, michael. we’re not sure, but we think the theme of the film is that people should fight fascism, not that “blowing up buildings can change the world.” of course, we haven’t seen the film yet, so we might be wrong. but we know we aren’t wrong when we point out films hollywood has made about the heroic role of american counterterrorist activities. the superb denzel washington vehicle the seige leaps to mind, as do every movie based on tom clancy’s works.
carlson: well, i suppose it depends what buildings, though. i mean, we were glad to blow up certain buildings in the green zone, now the green zone, in saddam`s compound in baghdad, happy to, you know, level the khmer rouge headquarters in cambodia, had we done that, we didn`t, but should have.
i mean, in other words, isn`t the struggle against illegitimate authority a good thing, something the founders approved of?
medved: well, no. because you see, there`s a difference between resistance and terror. even when you look at the french resistance to the nazis, and this movie suggests that it`s london 20 years from now, and a conservative government has come to power that is very christian. they have a flag that looks like crosses.
even during the nazi period, the french resistance targeted primarily military sources. here is a guy who`s going around murdering civilian leaders and at the same time blowing up buildings at random…
score one for michael. only evil people go after non-military targets.
medved:…and clearly, there are references repeatedly to america`s war in the middle east, america`s war in iraq. and the bad guys are people who served in afghanistan, for instance. one of the people who`s murdered and deserves to get murdered, who`s a right-wing tv commentator. no bowtie, though.
carlson: now, that is offensive. and i`m not one for censorship, but i`m offended.
we admit, we are sure tucker was being jocular. but we’re not so sure about the golden turkey.
topic: what’s the best political film ever made? corollary: will you go see “v for vendetta”? stupid remark: who thinks it’s a tv mini-series about aliens taking over the world?
I might see the film. More likely will end up waiting for the dvd to come out – we’re running short on funds at the moment.
Best political film ever made? Oh boy. I know there are a few I enjoy – Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 911” comes to mind, as does “Dr. Strangelove.”
The bits I’d read about the movie suggested a theme as you suggest: fighting fascism by any means necessary. Of course since the commentators you cite are among those who are defenders of fascism, I shouldn’t be surprised if they’re less than amused.
I’m wondering if Medved would view Luke Skywalker’s destruction of the death star as a terrorist act. Surely there were civilians on board.
Going to the theatre to see a movie is a horrible experience these days. They are usually these tiny little multiplexes with uncomfortable seats, so you can’t recline comfortably and naturally on pillows the way all deities intended people to watch movies, you can hear the other movie through the walls, you can’t smoke, you are subjected to everything from running commentary from people who are neither Madame Fatwa nor myself, noisy youngsters, crackling of wrappers from overpriced candy, you can’t smoke, the screens are small anyway, you can’t pause it to go get something good to eat that is not overpriced candy or popcorn covered something no one would ever believe had ever even seen butter, and you can’t smoke.
I am not a big fan of political movies. But then aren’t they all political, in a way?
I liked the Handmaid’s Tale, and Gandhi, and Operation Kashmir, despite its being essentially Indian propaganda it is a very good movie as art, and not as offensive as most Indian propaganda movies about Kashmir are.
The orange goo they put on popcorn is actually a petroleum product, dispensed by cranky counterpersons who can’t smoke, either.
Is the orange goo more artificial than the “popcorn” or vice versa? Just disgusting stuff.
But yeah–what Ductape said: Obnoxious “kids” running around; overpriced “food”, candy and water; obnoxious “adults” either acting like they own the whole damn row of seats or yapping on the phone during the film; being subject to yet more ads; and paying an arm and a leg for the experience.
Which is why, these days, IF I go to a movie, it’s something I really want to support. I try to go to a late show during the week. And I bring my own snack and water, dammit.
Political movies: the original Manchurian Candidate, Eddie Murphy’s The Distinguished Gentleman (it may not be a “brilliant” film by movie snobs, but I appreciate that film on SO many levels), Dave, My Fellow Americans, The Matrix Trilogy (it’s both political and philosophical in book) and of course, the source of my sig, The Insider.
I used to go to the Saturday matinee of “Fahrenheit 911” every week for as long as it ran. I could always lure a few young people to coffee and conversation afterward.
It was a great learning experience. They seemed to like it, too.
Boy are you a curmudgeon! I thought I was a curmudgeon, but I’m not even fit to shine your curmudgeon shoes, which are crummed up with many pounds of smashed butter popcorn and are totally gross.
age of those sported by Ashurbanipal. Yet another reason I avoid the theatres.
And thank you for the compliments 🙂
Ductape. Right up your (and my) alley.
The two monologues by V alone (at least) are worth it.
The only ad for it I have seen had what I guess was a villain in an evil clown mask, so that pretty much assured it a place on my Netflix list!
James Wolcott had a great take on V…just for balance, mind you.
Peace
PS: Check out the trailers…more ffrom the brothers who brought you The Matrix.
Wolcott is usually right. He says it is one of the all time greatest films. I’m going to see it.
It’s at the top of my list.