Vanity: The "Meet the Fockers" Dilemma

Fishface | 11/09/2004 | Fishface

[Fishface]

I am conflicted about the upcoming film "Meet the Fockers." While I really enjoyed "Meet the Parents" and eagerly awaited the sequel, discovering that Barbara Streisand has been cast as Gaylord Focker's mother has sickened me in such a way that I will refuse to see it.

As the cultural war has intensified and the battle lines etched deeper, I find myself incapable of getting past my disdain of these America hating, liberal celebrities. I just can't do it anymore.

As a result, I won't see a film I was really looking forward to. Laura Ingraham is a good example of someone who can put her personal feelings about celebrities aside and still enjoy their creative output. For instance, she wrote an entire book castigating loud mouthed celebrities, but she remains a devoted fan of Pearl Jam and Eddie Vetter.

As for me, I cannot differentiate any longer, and sadly, my list of "Never Again" entertainers grows by the day. I am interested in hearing how other freepers handle this dilemma. Can you put aside your disdain aside and enjoy the entertainment for what it is or are you, like me, incapable of differentiating anymore?

[Tijeras_Slim]

The Road Warrior was much better than Mad Max.(Beyond Thunderdome was a classic example of how Hollywood can screw things up, IMO)

[Question Liberal Authority]

The Godfather Part II.

[LatinaGOP]

I haven't paid to see Julia Roberts in a movie in about 6 years although I loved "Pretty Woman" and rom coms are my guilty pleasure. You are definitely not alone.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I'd pay to see that!

[HitmanLV]

Just go enjoy the movie if you are anxious to see it, wait till DVD if you aren't that anxious, and otherwise don't sweat it.

Streisand made her money for her performance in the film - you dropping $5.50 for a matinee, or $3 to rent the DVD, won't make a big difference

Most of the most obnoxios celebs are ones that I don't support at the box office, anyway. I enjoy Larry David's HBO series and won't watch it any less because he is a nauseating democrat and his trophy wife hosted the 'hate bush' dinner a while back (I suppose she has the need to feel significant). That's just one example.

I can't think of any celeb or music star who alienated me enough to not patronize their product, but that says more about my taste (they were not folks I supported anyway), than it says about my commitment to avoiding their work.

Just enjoy the movie.

[truthandlogic]

I agree. My list is getting longer and longer. They will not get my money. I will not support their anti-American, anti-military sentiments.

There are a few good ones out there, and they will continue to get my support.

[Barney Gumble]

I'd also point out that there has only been ONE sequel in the whole history of movie-making that was worth any damn thing at all: Aliens. Every single other sequel has sucked.

Terminator 2 was better than the original. Shrek 2 was quite clever.

[EllaMinnow]

(cough, cough) Merman!

[Xenalyte]

Beyond Thunderdome sucked massive rhino. I'd have to revisit Max and Road to argue your contention.

QLA, I'm not entirely wholly satisfied with G2's superiority. Can't say why exactly.

It's entirely possible that the deluge of sucky sequels over my lifetime has conditioned me so that I perceive any sequel to suck, regardless of its intrinsic merits. (Which, let's admit, are often hard to detect.)

[Cyclopean Squid]

I say enjoy the art while dismissing the artist (as I'll generously call actors). Why should you deny yourself entertainment because of the perversity of the actors who are but a vehicle for the story? Music lovers have long since resolved their adoration for Wagner's operas with their contempt for his worldview. On a much lower artistic level, we can surely ignore an actor's supine philosophy while enjoying a flick.

[LatinaGOP]

Hey, Tijeras, I live in Albuquerque! :)

[gopwinsin04]

Superman 2, Godfather II, and Star Trek 2 could also be argued as superior.

[Xenalyte]

You two are like brothers to me. And when I say brother, I don't mean, like, an actual brother, but I mean it like the way black people use it. Which is more meaningful, I think.

[cbkaty]

Don't sequels normally suck? .....add BS...... and wild dogs could not chase me into the theater........

[Time is now]

I think Laura has it wrong on this one. She shouldn't encourage this odious behavior. These types must come to realize the effect of alienating 51% of the movie going population. If they supported candidates privately or in person, where they would be available to the contrary position, that would be different.

They however get behind the microphone and broadcast their opinions with no chance of refutation by the opposite side, i.e.Freepers... In essence saying hear me loyal bumpkins, and I don't need to hear you.

[subrosa sam]

I refuse to support any actor or entertainer that uses their celebrity status to subvert my beliefs and political causes. Of course that means less movie theaters and cds but all movies eventually are free on cable TV.

[Xenalyte]

T2 didn't jolt me like the first one did . . . and by definition no animated sequel can be better than its original.

Them's the rules, and I don't make 'em. Okay, well, yeah, I do, but nevertheless, there you have it.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Of course, hollywood, not content to produce lousy sequels, is now doing truly horrendous remakes. If there are more than three original braincells in that town I'd be amazed.

[Fishface]

Larry David is another great example. I loved his show until his ultra leftist politics kept finding their way into the plot lines.

Now, I'm done with him.

[Xenalyte]

Oh, do not EVEN get me started on remakes. The entire industry is creatively bankrupt.