If it’s a haven for bigotry, is it worth appealing to? This is not elitism vs. homeland values, a false choice the right pushes. This is progress vs. stasis.
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Didn’t see any bigotry anyplace. Just some folks in a small Kansas town indicating they didn’t know much about movies. Was there more of that mind reading that conservatives are unable to do.
But you do seem to be on to a point. Middle America undoubtedly should be viewed by the left as unsophisticated and not able to comprehend their higher moral and intellectual standards. Write those hicks off.
Dugger, I’ve Fixed GA. to be Republican Forever – Who’s Next
Middle America is more of a state of mind than a geographical place. “Middle America” thought Jim Crow was just fine, until brave people – of many differing ideologies – chose not to cater to “middle america” anymore.
I agree that we should leave catering to bigots to the republicans, since they’re so good at it, but there are bigots in every state and region, and good people in every state and region. Don’t buy into the MSM horserace meme that there are entire hunks of geography that we must either fellate or write off.
I agree, Oliver, and the same can be said for the film discussion on Thursday night’s “Scarborough Country.”
“Middle America thought Jim Crow was just fine?”
HUH?
Those of us born long before 1979 know that the Northern “Middle America” thought that Southern “Middle America” were a bunch of batshit crazy hicks and many of those Christians you love to hate to went South to march with Dr. King.
Oh wait! I get it- you’re using “middle America” as a derogatory term. Talk about living in a bubble.
By the way- How many of the nominees for the Oscar have you seen Oliver? I mean we know that you’ve seen Brokeback Mountain three times, and probably got wet watching Syriana.
O.K. That was uncalled for.
Seriously- Were these all movies that you were dying to see? Or were you doing your imitation of “middle America” this year.
Marty, can you read? (obviously not) “Middle America is more of a state of mind than a geographical place.” And I musta seen Brokeback Mountain because only fairy boys would see it? Right? Ayup! Way to break the stereotype there, buddy. But to answer your question anyway, I’ve seen two of the nominated films – Capote & Goodnight and Good Luck. I saw Capote because I read In Cold Blood a few years ago. I saw Good Night because I love movies about the media business (The Paper, Network, etc.). I think Republicans (mostly) who want to make out the Oscars to be some sort of liberal indoctrination plot are idiots. They reward the best movies that Hollywood’s inside crowd likes. That is, unless you think that Forrest Gump’s win for best picture was some sort of mind control plot (it happened to have been one of my favorite movies).
I’m not wild about art movies that explicitly say that they’re art movies, I watch stuff that’s entertaining, whether that’s a movie about gay cowboys (this particular one seems quite boring to me, and that’s why I haven’t seen it) or about a guy from the planet Krypton. Somehow when a movie comes along that doesn’t parrot my worldview and other people like it — it doesn’t shatter my tender sensibilities.
Duh. I acknowledged your use of Middle America as a derogatory term for those who are right minded. I know- your brickbat mindset doesn’t lend itself to subtlety.
And please. As obsessed as you are with Jessica Alba, the Brokeback Mountain thing had nothing to do with your manhood. I assumed you hadn’t seen it.
Why? Let’s examine why it was unlikely. Is it because you are a homophobe? Probably not (though the overcompensation with the Jessica Alba thing might… ah never mind. I don’t need to go there.) Or is it just that you’re probably not into romance films? (Being the action/intrigue movie kinda guy that you are, Mr. Superman.)
And why would any heterosexual male who’s not into romance films want to see a romance film about two guys having a romance? That’s my reason for not seeing it. I have no interest. Does that make me a homophobe Oliver? Well, in your own little demagogic, snarky style it probably does.
But wait- you haven’t seen it either. Or Munich. Or Crash. (Which actually surpises me. Its an outstanding film and focusses on one of your favorite topics.) What’s your excuse? I mean you seem to imply that seeing all of these Oscar nominated films are required to avoid being considered a “middle America” bigot. And yet you haven’t seen the most hyped and celebrated film of the year?
Could it be that it’s $75,000,000 in box office (a flop by Hollywood standards) is because that no matter how “important” a statement the film makes, it doesn’t resonate with MOST of America- not just “middle America” and including you? It’s not about bigotry- it’s just a niche project that works for a niche market. They didn’t need to go to Kansas to find that out.
Marty;
In case you didn’t know,,,”Brokeback’ storyline is two guys who meet
once a year to go fishin’ and___________, but don’t think they’re Gay.
If that is not classic Republican denialism, I don’t know what is.
I llove the argument that we shouldn’t reward Brokeback Mountain or any or these other films because they weren’t big money makers. There is a difference betweeen art and commerce. Star Wars: Episode III was one of the biggest money earners, but surely you’re not arguing it deserves best picture. Just because its not a money earner doesn’t indicate its quality. Citizen Kane, widely beleived to be the greatest movie ever, was actually a failry big money loser. Or Its a Wonderful Life, which was a bomb until we showed it ad naseum during Christmastime.
Actually I do like romance-oriented movies, Brokeback just seems boring. I think for people to dismiss movies out of some sort of political agenda is lame and close-minded.
I’m not making the argument that it shouldn’t be rewarded because of the box office. I’m saying that it is a film being hyped for one reason and one reason only. There have always been great movies that have pulled in awards with lame box office numbers. My point was that regardless of how great the movie, implying that people haven’t seen the movie because they are bigots puts a vast majority of America in the bigot catagory (Just look at the box office.)
But I don’t think Brokeback should be dismissed out of some sort of political agenda. Nor do I think it should be pumped up because of a political agenda. Case in point- Syrianna was a fabulous movie in spite of it’s obvious political agenda.
Would Brokeback have held up if it were about a man and a woman out on the range? It would have been even more “boring” (unless of course the woman were Jessica Alba
My contention is that it is being hyped only BECAUSE of a political agenda. (Although even Michael Medved said it was a good film- not great, but very well made.)
But let me ask you this- is it ok for people to not go see a film because it doesn’t fit with their personal morality. Is that being any more closed minded that not seeing it because it seems “boring?” Or because it doesn’t interest you in the least?
Or are all of those reasons lame and closed minded?
I live in Wisconsin, I’d call this place Middle America.
Any of you genuises want to check how Wisconsin’s been voting since the 80s?
I think not going to see a movie because its got gay people is close minded. Not going because it looks like a maudlin, “serious” movie? No problem. I’m not exactly sure who’s “hyping” it, however. It’s been nominated for an Oscar, sure, but when I think of movie hype I think of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and the special cups you could get a Pizza Hut, KFC, and Taco Bell. Or those Batman logo t-shirts that were all the rage in the summer of ‘89 (I had one). If Hollywood was really “hyping” the gay cowboy movie, we’d be getting the “I Can’t Quit You” Happy Meal.
I could never really understand how Titanic won so much, when the script was so poor. Or how Spielberg hit oscar paydirt dealing with the plight of the jews (did anyone see Kate Winslet in “Extras”?), when The Color Purple (esp Oprah) would make all the nominees this year look so-so IMO. I am looking forward to seeing Nick Park hopefully pick up another animation award for The curse of the were-rabbit.
Well, there was no bigotry anyplace in those pronouncements, but I understand and have long known the leftist mindset wherein if you don’t go to movies they feel you should go to (or read ‘the’ books, etc), you are a bigot. Is it any wonder that the last refuge of intellectual totalitarianism is the American campus – which is owned and run by leftists.
Dugger, Lawrence Summers, We Hardly Knew Ye
Oliver- there is a huge difference between hype and marketing. Star Wars got both. Brokeback got mostly hype. It got more “ink” and talk show chat than just about any movie in the past twelve months. Just like the “Passion of The Christ” or “Titanic” did but with 1/12 of the box office.
Maybe Brokeback Mountain is a crummy movie — like Farenheit 9/11.
“Crash” was a very good movie.