The WWII depictions were moving in their portrayal of Soldiers, so much so that they undoubtedly contributed mightily to the overwhelming celebration those brave men recieved upon their victorious return, and the gratitude they recieved from all America.
That the history of American films, which contains so many outstanding war movies, will NOT have anything of note to remind us all of this most recent and brutal chapter in our country's history is nothing less than a crime.
It would seem that the days of such honorable luminaries as Clark Gable, John Ford, James Stewart, Lee Marvin, and Henry Fonda (ALL of whom VOLUNTARILY served in the Armed Forces), just to name a few; and such others as John Wayne, who portrayed the American Soldier with such obvious respect and admiration, are long gone. Notice, that in the wake of Black Tuesday, exactly ZERO Hollywood "stars" volunteered to suspend, even temporarily, their pampered, million+ dollar-a-movie lives to serve the country which made it all possible. NONE, not actors, not directors, and not screenwriters, are even TRYING to do this war the justice that those fighting it deserve. Its beginning, its implications, and its ultimate results mean nothing to them.
I ask again, for the millionth time it seems, how did we get to this? Was it the '60s generation and its aftermath? Because so many of them chose to desert their country, and then to offer ludicrous rationalizations for their cowardice, that ANY conflict, no matter how justified and righteous, is now "tainted" in the eyes of the elites?
As an American Seviceman myself, far now from my home and family, I count this as nothing less than a betrayal of my service and my country. My country in particular, as there are MILLIONS of Americans out there whose children and spouses and parents' exploits will not be honored in film. How many millions of dollars is THAT, Hollywood? Can the Terr-allied CAIR match THOSE dollars, you ignorant, mercenary bastards? If you cannot bring yourselves to practice patriotism for its own sake, what about the money, Honey? Are you so desperately afraid that by making films honoring those men and women battling right now for YOUR liberties that it will make You, the serial-marrying, coked-out gigolos and gutter sluts with glitter about you, seem so smalll that people might finally see you for what you are, depite the money?
There is more pure honor and decency and pure AMERICA in the lowliest, grease-covered aircraft maintainer in my squadron than there is in ten million of you. One Sailor, Marine, Soldier, or Airman in his uniform is more admirable and worthy of respect than any thousands of you in your Armani and body-waxed fakery. Obviously, he is far more dependable in a bad time, too.
Enjoy your wealth and priviledge, dogs. Wallow in your laughable, screwed-up-like-Hogan's-goat personal lives. Snort up Peru if it numbs the truth to you, and let the personal trainers give you a body that at least LOOKS tough. However, remember well exactly WHY you get to live that way. Remember who it is that enable your pampered, sycophant-slobbered lives as you spit on them. And remember, WE will remember, too.
We'll remember when we return home, once again, to a silent airfield or pier. We'll remember when we decide whether to see yet ANOTHER remake-of-a-remake of a classic from the days you still had consciences. And we'll remember when and if we by chance see one of you out among the "little people" you swear to "care" about, but truly despise in your hearts. We'll remember, all right...to spit on YOU.
After all, turnabout is fair play, mongrels.
LC, you sure have a way with words, sailor. Ever thought of re-training into the public affairs field? :)
I agree with all you wrote FRiend except one part. There's nothing "lowly" about a grease-covered aircraft maintainer - heck, I married one!!! - or any person in uniform no matter what his or her rank or job description. Every link in the chain of command is important and necessary for the military to accomplish its mission.
THANK YOU and all who serve! You won't win Oscars or make millions of dollars but you all are the best of America, in my opinion.
~~~~~SALUTE~~~~~
Black Hawk Down
2001
Tears of the Sun
2003
They're few and far between, and not related to the "War on Terrorism". But they were made, and they were good. I saw them in the cinema and own the DVD. I can't be the only one. These few exceptions point out (by contrast) the hideous reality of your post.
You're goooooood, LC, really good! I loooove your way with words!!
I've pretty much given up on Hollywood...don't go to movies anymore and watch little on tv other than news these days. That's bad enough because of the bias but at least I can keep abreast of what's going on in the world. Then I come to FR for the real scoop. hehe!
And thanks so much for the ping, Tonk!
And, yes, I do believe that the 60s turned everything around! You put your finger right on the correct place when you spoke about the difference between movies made with or by Clark Gable, John Ford, James Stewart, Lee Marvin, Henry Fonda, and John Wayne and those since the 60s (and the Vietnam war) made with ......ahhhhmmmm, hmmmmmm, oh yeah, like all those anti-war movies (a.k.a Vietnam movies) made during this time period, with whomever starred in them. (I don't remember cause I didn't like those movies).
Oh, but have you noticed who is making or starring in some of the most recent war movies? Like Black Hawk Down and We Were Soldiers (my favorite war movies and I don't usually like war movies). Hopefully out of this crowd we will see someone step up and take on the industry.
But you know what? Do we really care if the movie industry goes into oblivion? It would serve them right. And, it would help us get back to the basics, I think. Or, it will help us to be more selective in selecting which movies we spend our money on. You can bet I'll be seeing most of Mel's movies. And, Bruce's movies. And, should Toby Keith make a movie, I'll go see it.
And, finally, that God we have the old movies we can fall back on.