tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post4438807974715547411..comments2024-03-05T21:05:36.848-05:00Comments on CommentaramaFilms: Woody Allen: More Proof Americans Are Over RaceAndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-41295800325926490122014-04-30T22:38:14.582-04:002014-04-30T22:38:14.582-04:00Bob Hoskins was a great.Bob Hoskins was a great.Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01453591141757808708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-15796730196695346642014-04-30T17:41:36.812-04:002014-04-30T17:41:36.812-04:00KRS, Now that is a funny idea. Could you imagine ...KRS, Now that is a funny idea. Could you imagine if blacks began using the confederate flag for the symbol of some rap group or something? The confusion and outrage from the redneck sector would be priceless.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-80682939275563303032014-04-30T17:38:43.704-04:002014-04-30T17:38:43.704-04:00Jason, All you get these days is that about once a...Jason, All you get these days is that about once a year, some group issues a report on the percentages of each race on television. That's about it. I'm not even sure the MSM reports on it anymore. Back in the 1990s, it was a big deal.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-85137947340980217782014-04-30T17:37:44.004-04:002014-04-30T17:37:44.004-04:00Scott,Thanks! I'll read that when I get the c...Scott,Thanks! I'll read that when I get the chance.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-21775514273140053152014-04-30T17:27:50.852-04:002014-04-30T17:27:50.852-04:00Andrew, speaking of words and symbols changing, di...Andrew, speaking of words and symbols changing, did you know the peace symbol originated as the shoulder patch for the Nazis Wehrmacht 3rd Panzer Division? The reason they chose it was because it features the cross of St Peter, who was crucified upside down. The symbol was used during the first millenium and much of the second to intimidate Christians. Nazis hated Christians, too.<br /><br />Here's another: the two fingered peace sign is derived from the Churchill victory "V" sign, and THAT originates from the Battle of Agincourt. Before the battle, French Barons swore they would cut off the two fingers English long bow archers used to draw the bow. After the French were slaughtered, the English archers paraded through Nomandy holding up their intact fingers.<br /><br />I've often thought that, if African Americans wanted to end the insult they feel with displays of the Confederate Battle Flag, all they have to do is take and wear it.<br /><br />Every generation can remake whatever the previous one hands them, for better or worse.KRSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-29993397935781025782014-04-30T16:59:02.371-04:002014-04-30T16:59:02.371-04:00I’ll admit to liking Super Mario Bros. also. I kno...I’ll admit to liking Super Mario Bros. also. I know it gets a lot of flak for not being like the games, but having played the games a lot when I was a kid, the setting, action, etc, wouldn’t have been the easiest thing to adapt to a live-action movie. The sets of Dinohattan are actually really cool, and the movie does have a slightly dark, Blade Runner vibe to it. <br /><br />I do remember the NAACP making an uproar in the late 1990s about the lack of black characters in television. It’s funny that now that I read Andrew’s article, it’s occurred to me that I can’t remember any recent pushes on this issue. <br />Jasonhttp://www.rigelchase.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-1018569866858855432014-04-30T16:06:19.733-04:002014-04-30T16:06:19.733-04:00Andrew -
I actually bought the making-of book fo...Andrew - <br /><br />I actually bought the making-of book for the <i>Mario</i> movie at the school book fair. (Yeah...)<br /><br />I haven't seen it in its entirety in years but I've seen bits and pieces on YouTube, Nostalgia Critic, etc. and my only reaction is, "Oh. My. God."<br /><br />In my last link article, I linked to <a href="http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/10/10/mario-s-film-folly-the-true-story-behind-hollywood-s-biggest-gaming-blunder.aspx?PostPageIndex=1" rel="nofollow">this piece</a> on the making (and unmaking) of the movie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-31676091087977035012014-04-30T15:57:42.185-04:002014-04-30T15:57:42.185-04:00Scott, That's who I see him as as well. And f...Scott, That's who I see him as as well. And for the record, I actually enjoy <i>Super Mario Brothers</i>.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-68851564301740758812014-04-30T15:53:26.106-04:002014-04-30T15:53:26.106-04:00Andrew -
Yeah, I heard that. [rolls eyes]
On Ho...Andrew - <br /><br />Yeah, I heard that. [rolls eyes]<br /><br />On Hoskins, for my generation he'll always be Eddie Valiant... and Mario. Both he and John Leguizamo are on record about what a clusterf--- the <i>Super Mario Brothers</i> movie was... but Hoskins had the Brooklyn plumber thing down. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-72176846766741563462014-04-30T15:47:26.563-04:002014-04-30T15:47:26.563-04:00Plus, his accent was not only American, but it sou...Plus, his accent was not only American, but it sounded like ethnic American -- like he was holding back a Brooklyn accent. It's the rare Brit who can do that.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-38050131936695534502014-04-30T15:44:45.745-04:002014-04-30T15:44:45.745-04:00There is something very American about his appeara...There is something very American about his appearance. The man was born to play in noir films. tryanmaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09881154741574720094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-12674619763042485502014-04-30T15:43:10.159-04:002014-04-30T15:43:10.159-04:00tryanmax, That's the first time I ever noticed...tryanmax, That's the first time I ever noticed Hoskins and I had no idea he was British. I was sure he was American based on that film. It wasn't until a year or two later that I saw an interview with him and I realized he was British.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-72715102832102419462014-04-30T15:40:51.042-04:002014-04-30T15:40:51.042-04:00I may have to watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit? tonig...I may have to watch <i>Who Framed Roger Rabbit?</i> tonight. tryanmaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09881154741574720094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-80902371503227859862014-04-30T15:36:47.534-04:002014-04-30T15:36:47.534-04:00Alex, The 1990s were awful, that's for sure. ...Alex, The 1990s were awful, that's for sure. And today certainly isn't as free as the 1970s. But things have changed significantly and I'm seeing more and more changes all the time.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-11946032582046019292014-04-30T15:34:42.690-04:002014-04-30T15:34:42.690-04:00I sincerely hope you're right Andrew! Having c...I sincerely hope you're right Andrew! Having come-of-age in the 90s, I may still be shell-shocked by what I remember of rampant political correctness. Time will tell. Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16946742995687817751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-8564357111340836252014-04-30T15:31:22.910-04:002014-04-30T15:31:22.910-04:00Bev, I saw that. I liked Hoskins a lot. RIPBev, I saw that. I liked Hoskins a lot. RIPAndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-9630885539873249292014-04-30T15:27:13.934-04:002014-04-30T15:27:13.934-04:00***News Break***
It has been reported the Bob Hos...***News Break*** <br />It has been reported the Bob Hoskins passed away today after a long bout with pneumonia...BevfromNYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953050916932306270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-68980545714280542502014-04-30T15:25:45.436-04:002014-04-30T15:25:45.436-04:00Scott, On that line, do you recall about two years...Scott, On that line, do you recall about two years ago when some race group proclaimed that the term "black hole" as used by science was racist? LOL! That was pretty funny.<br /><br />Of course, in the 1990s many words were suddenly considered racist and you better hope you didn't use one when the accusation was made, e.g. "picnic."AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-27449031700239148452014-04-30T15:23:39.702-04:002014-04-30T15:23:39.702-04:00Alex, I understand why people think these groups a...Alex, I understand why people think these groups are still relevant. They do still exist. They still try the same things they always did. And they still get favorable media coverage when they do. Heck, conservative talk radio even paints these guys as an invincible force on the verge of victory. But the reality is that they are powerless and played out.<br /><br />Their legislative agenda is DOA, if it's even suggested anymore. The public no longer ranks racial/gender issues as important. The race baiters can't get more than a handful of people to show up at rallies. When they attack people for racism, people no longer cringe and panic, they fire back and the public no longer blindly accepts these allegations -- they demand direct evidence. Moreover, it's easier to rehabilitate yourself now when caught without the apology tour or any sort of reparations. Hollywood, Madison Avenue and TV land no longer play by the rules of political correctness and are breaking more of them every day. And the public won't boycott things the race baiters want boycotted. They are losing the young, who are acting in ways that are directly opposed to the things they've been pushing. Their pronouncements barely make the news, much less the front page. And few could even identify their leaders or their agendas.<br /><br />So what you have is: (1) no influence with Congress, (2) no influence with the public, (3) no ability to turn people out, (4) waning influence over Hollywood and the culture factory, and (5) no younger generation following in their footsteps.<br /><br />That's a sad state to be in and hardly compares to their heyday 20 years ago.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-83777294167930636522014-04-30T14:59:42.949-04:002014-04-30T14:59:42.949-04:00KRS, Sadly, words and symbols change. In the 1970...KRS, Sadly, words and symbols change. In the 1970s, the rainbow was everywhere. Now it means gay.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-49312221964985122612014-04-30T14:58:58.392-04:002014-04-30T14:58:58.392-04:00Thanks KRS. The remnants are still there, but the...Thanks KRS. The remnants are still there, but they are faking it. Guys like Sharpton and Jackson now spend their time counting their money and they know not to try to rally the troops for a show of force because no troops are going to show up. Moreover, no one has stepped into the vacuum.<br /><br />When it comes to guys like Bundy and Sterling, keep this key difference in mind: they deserved it. <br /><br />This is important, I'm not saying that the public no longer cares about racism or racial discrimination. What I'm saying is that the public now only cares about legitimate complains by or about specific individuals. They no longer care about group rights or vague claims. In the past, you could be tagged as racist for not having enough blacks on stage with you or in your company. That kind of attack no longer flies. These days, a charge of racism needs to be backed up with actual, provable misconduct of a racial nature.<br /><br />And that's where Bundy and Sterling are differ from victims of the race industry in the past. Both Bundy and Sterling gave evidence with their own words of their racist beliefs. Sterling when further and admitted acting on his racist beliefs. The result is that both were abandoned by their friends an Sterling has found himself in deeper trouble with his partners. If it hadn't been for their own words, however, neither would be in trouble.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-1548885834895701272014-04-30T14:56:05.901-04:002014-04-30T14:56:05.901-04:00I got nothin'. :-)
I'm sure I read at lea...I got nothin'. :-)<br /><br />I'm sure I read at least one review that castigated Allen for casting a black woman in the role of a prostitute named Cookie in <i>Deconstructing Harry</i>. If I recall, it was one of the first prominent black characters in any of his movies to that point. In all fairness, she gets the best joke: <br /><br />Woody: "Do you know what a black hole is?"<br />Cookie: "That's how I make my money!"<br /><br />He also cast Chiwetel Ejiofor in <i>Melinda and Melinda</i> and he's excellent. I don't remember if his race is mentioned but I doubt it was - it didn't matter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-7884569439693831362014-04-30T14:42:01.536-04:002014-04-30T14:42:01.536-04:00tryanmax, What's left of the feminists are an ...tryanmax, What's left of the feminists are an angry confused lot. They're also engaged in an internal war right now about whether or not to endorse heterosexual sex. In fact, I could probably write an article every other day of some other bit of proof that liberal feminism has collapsed.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-25645807215930245502014-04-30T14:34:41.542-04:002014-04-30T14:34:41.542-04:00Anthony, You have to separate people who know Ster...Anthony, You have to separate people who know Sterling from the public and race industry at large. The reason someone like Jordan spoke out is because he knows the man and the owners and this is personal to him. I doubt he would have spoken out if this had been the owner of a hockey team. You can't judge the public's reaction by looking at people personally involved.<br /><br />On <i>Bullets</i>, I haven't seen it since 1994, but I'm pretty sure he included blacks in the background. And I know he cast a couple Hispanic actors as minor thugs. The rule wasn't that they need to be leads, they just need to appear on film and in an appropriate manner.<br /><br />On the Wayans.... I think you misunderstand the point to identity politics. The rules applied to non-blacks. If you were white and you cast a film without a black character or cast a black character as something pathetic, then you were called racist and you ran the risk of being protested and attacked. Those rules have never applied to blacks because that is the point of identity politics -- two sets of rules, one for "our people" and one for everyone else. That's why blacks have been allowed to use the n-word and whites haven't. That's why women could say "bitch" but men would find themselves charged with harassment. And that meant that black filmmakers were free to do whatever they wanted. So pointing to the Wayans doesn't really address the point because they were allowed to break the rules so long as they stayed in their niche of "films by blacks."<br /><br />As for <i>Pulp Fiction</i>, that's an outlier. For one thing, Tarantino was seen as hip and edgy and that gave him special dispensation to do things others couldn't... within reason. He was a bit like Mel Brooks in that regard. Moreover, his choice of Samuel L. Jackson was important because Jackson has the pro-black cache to render a sufficient endorsement of "honorary." And that's what Tarantino became -- honorary. Notice also that Jackson is present each time the word gets used.<br /><br />As for the big bad guy being black in <i>Pulp Fiction</i>, <i>Pulp Fiction</i> was a heist film, so there is no real "bad guy." Moreover, both Rhames and Jackson are presented as unbelievably hip and are both made into quasi-good guys before the film ends. That's not the same thing as casting a black guy to play a street thug or a drug addict or servant or a traitor.<br /><br />I definitely agree that <i>Django Unchained</i> was more risky. I don't think Tarantino could have done this one before <i>Pulp Fiction</i>.<br /><br />Finally, in terms of being marginal in the 1990s, I just can't agree with that. These people were everywhere, controlling all things. Media rooms, Hollywood, the television industry, magazines all ran by their rules. Congress was busy trying to pass the legislation they wanted. They held large rallies with several hundred thousand people in attendance. They swayed the federal government in several criminal cases. They ruined careers. They got people fired, even famous people. The charge of racism or sexism alone was enough stop a political career cold until innocence could be proven. The things they wanted worked their way into employment rule books and codes of conduct on college campuses. Groups like the ABA were busy doing their bidding. Race and gender re-education were all the norm. The publishing industry was spewing out books on gender and race.<br /><br />None of that is true anymore. These people have retreated to their foundations and their universities and they've lost all the powers they had in the 1990s. These days, they are just lobbyists basically, without any ability to sway the public or to sway our political class. And now they've lost their grip on the culture machine too.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-81177829144685094442014-04-30T14:13:51.717-04:002014-04-30T14:13:51.717-04:00Like KRS said above, you make good points Andrew, ...Like KRS said above, you make good points Andrew, but I don't see the race-baiting industry getting any weaker. As I said before, <i>people</i> might be on to them, but they still have too much money behind them, which gives them a disproportionate influence. Add to the mix the general apathy and ignorance of the American people, and I think the race-grievance industry is here to stay. Hispanics replacing blacks on TV is just replacing one race with a well-funded grievance/hysteria machine behind them with another. Ask yourself: Are race-relations any better now than they were in the 90s? I say no. The lack of protests over Supreme Court rulings, for example, are more likely because, let's face it, how many people in this country really know what the Supreme Court is or what they do? Then again, if apathy and ignorance <i>is</i> leading to the death of the race industry, I'm all for apathy and ignorance!<br /><br />This all, of course, stems from the grievance-mongers' refusal to see people as <i>individuals</i> and instead lump them in groups.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16946742995687817751noreply@blogger.com