Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Draft Hollywood("The nation needs more gung-ho, patriotic war movies...")
Los Angeles Times ^ | May 7, 2006 | Andrew Klavan

Posted on 5/7/2006, 8:22:55 PM by kellynla

THERE HAS NEVER been an age without war, not ever. Mass violence is a continual aspect of the human condition. Peace, like good weather, is always local and temporary — and what is peace anyway but the result of past victories in war and the effective threat of future war against would-be aggressors?

We play with our children, read books, go to work and enjoy recreations only because people with guns stand ready, willing and able to kill other people with guns who would kill us if they could.

It's sweet to forget this and therefore difficult to keep it in mind. "It is hard for those who live near a Police Station to believe in the triumph of violence," as T.S. Eliot wrote. That's us — we Americans, protected by a mighty military that by and large obeys the rules of our republic — safe enough, and keeping much of the world safe enough, so that we find it hard to believe in what would happen if that protection failed.

But these fighters do keep us safe. And because keeping us safe is harsh, dangerous work, we should glorify them, exalt them in story and song by way of appreciation.

"United 93" — the film celebrating the heroic civilian attempt to retake a hijacked plane on 9/11 — opened last week. That's great. Well done and about time. But now, let's have some war movies.

We need some films celebrating the war against Islamo-fascism in Afghanistan and Iraq — and in Iran as well, if and when that becomes necessary. We need films like those that were made during World War II, films such as 1943's "Sahara" and "Action in the North Atlantic," or "The Fighting Seabees" and "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," which were released in 1944.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government
KEYWORDS: hollywood; movies; war
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-74 next last
"When war comes, as it always will, and when it is justified, as it is now, some nuances and shades of gray have to be set aside. It is time, instead, for faith and for ferocity. Our enemies have these weapons, after all. Our movies should inspire us to have them too."
1 posted on 5/7/2006, 8:22:57 PM by kellynla
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: kellynla
I thought Team America was pretty cool.
2 posted on 5/7/2006, 8:28:29 PM by Gordongekko909 (I know. Let's cut his WHOLE BODY off.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kellynla

Won't happen unless Democrats take over the White House.


3 posted on 5/7/2006, 8:29:12 PM by Lakeshark (Thank a member of the US armed forces for their sacrifice)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kellynla

LAT article. Hmmmm. The success stories out of Iraq must be really getting to them of lately. But yes. We should have well made films depicting our military in action. But how many hollywood directors would present a un-biased view?


4 posted on 5/7/2006, 8:29:12 PM by Marine_Uncle (Honor must be earned)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Marine_Uncle

For todays Hollywood, instead of the "Sands of Iwo Jima," they would make "The Panties of Abu Gharib."


5 posted on 5/7/2006, 8:34:39 PM by A message
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: kellynla
"The Great Raid" made in 2005.

Excellent, patriotic movie that almost no one has heard of.

6 posted on 5/7/2006, 8:39:07 PM by Siena Dreaming
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: A message; All

.

The next 9/11 Motion Picture really ought'a be titled:


"The Man Who Predicted 9/11: RICK RESCORLA"

http://www.armchairgeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24361

.


7 posted on 5/7/2006, 8:39:46 PM by ALOHA RONNIE ("ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer/Veteran-"WE WERE SOLDIERS" Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.lzxray.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Marine_Uncle

"But how many hollywood directors would present a un-biased view?"

Mel Gibson comes to mind...
but the list is short. LOL


8 posted on 5/7/2006, 8:40:13 PM by kellynla (Freedom of speech makes it easier to spot the idiots. Semper Fi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: A message
"For todays Hollywood, instead of the "Sands of Iwo Jima," they would make "The Panties of Abu Gharib."
Yea. I wonder how they will butcher the movie Fallujah if it is even still being shot. Hard to see how hollywood would portrait the deep honor and bravery of our Army and Marines and the airforce/navy/Marines pilots/aviators who took the city back from the goon squads, without putting their slant on it.
9 posted on 5/7/2006, 8:40:57 PM by Marine_Uncle (Honor must be earned)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: kellynla

The Halo movie they're making needs to be this kind of moive, where the military are the GOOD guys. If they get that right, the movie should kick ass.


10 posted on 5/7/2006, 8:41:47 PM by Sofa King (A wise man uses compromise as an alternative to defeat. A fool uses it as an alternative to victory.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kellynla
"Mel Gibson comes to mind... ".
Yea. But Mel is not a hollywood imbed. He would HONOR our men.
11 posted on 5/7/2006, 8:42:23 PM by Marine_Uncle (Honor must be earned)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Siena Dreaming

My guess is that Americans have so often seen 'military' movies that end up sneering at the military (Jarhead, etc.) that whenever a war or military film comes out, the audience automatically avoids it. That might have been what happened to The Great Raid. They think it's just another jab at soldiers, the military etc.

I have read a book about that raid and it was miraculous.


12 posted on 5/7/2006, 8:48:49 PM by squarebarb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Sofa King

Same here. My father, brother, and I have already made the conclusion that the Covenant in the Halo games are like the Muslims in real life, down to the destruction of all 'infidels'.


13 posted on 5/7/2006, 8:51:45 PM by Ultra Sonic 007 (Conservatives teach you how to fish. Liberals give you the fish by stealing it from the fisherman.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Marine_Uncle
Yea. I wonder how they will butcher the movie Fallujah if it is even still being shot.

They would title it Falljahana, starring George Clooney as the intrepid New York Times reporter who uncovers the real story in Fallujah, that the terrorists aren't really terrorists just very disgruntled backgammon players who are upset at the Imperialistic American invasion of their country.

And if it wasn't for the Imperialistic Americans these poor downtrodden fanatical backgammon players wouldn't have resorted to indiscriminate bombings, beheadings, kidnappings, and we should forgive these terrorist backgammon players.

14 posted on 5/7/2006, 8:53:07 PM by A message
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Siena Dreaming
Excellent, patriotic movie that almost no one has heard of.

Agreed. Great film- and well researched, for a change.

15 posted on 5/7/2006, 9:00:36 PM by Riley ("What color is the boathouse at Hereford?")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: A message

What more can one expect from a town that was many years back totally infiltrated by the commies.


16 posted on 5/7/2006, 9:15:24 PM by Marine_Uncle (Honor must be earned)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: kellynla

America definitely needs more such films, but we shouldn't trust Hollywood to make them.


17 posted on 5/7/2006, 9:17:13 PM by Petronski (I love Cyborg!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kellynla

Political correctness and liberal weenies won't allow a good propaganda film to be made, even for a just cause.

They don't acknowledge real evil, and haven't for some time. Rather, they tend to elicit sympathy for the villain as being just some misguided soul.

Take a look at Pro Wrestling. Back in the day, the Heel's (bad guys) were German, Japanese, Korean, etc.

Where are the ethnic Heel's today? Why isn't there an Afghan Butcher, a Kosovan Killer, or an Iraqi Insurgent in the squared circle?

PC baby, PC...That's why.
(Note this is purely satire) :-)


18 posted on 5/7/2006, 9:19:57 PM by Mrite
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Marine_Uncle

Mel Gibson is against the Iraq war.


19 posted on 5/7/2006, 9:22:02 PM by Austin Willard Wright
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: A message
See McCaslin's column taken from my forthcoming book, "America's Victories: Why the U.S. Wins Wars," about "Hollywood at War."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1623101/posts

"America's Victories" is here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595230211/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_2/103-8050085-2396666?%5Fencoding=UTF8

20 posted on 5/7/2006, 9:22:23 PM by LS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-74 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson