Posted on 12/19/2008 1:42:56 PM PST by AIM Freeper
The headline on a critique in todays New York Times says it all: Wonderful? Sorry, George, Its a Pitiful, Dreadful Life. Nothing more clearly illustrates the papers hatred of normalcy than its revisionist perspective on Its A Wonderful Life.
The moral of the 1946 Capra classic life has meaning. Even if we dont achieve our dreams, even if our existence is seemingly hum-drum, those who lead good lives will never know how much good theyve done.
George Bailey does, by glimpsing what his world would look like if hed never been born. He discovers (to paraphrase the film) that every life touches so many other lives and, if its not there, it leaves a terrible void. This hopeful message is why the film has charmed audiences for over 60 years.
Wendell Jamieson, author of The Times diatribe, hates nearly everything about the film. George Bailey is pathetic for sacrificing his dreams for the greater good of his family, friends and the depositors of the Bailey Savings and Loan. Jamieson finds the films nostalgic vision of small town life embodied in Bedford Falls boring and stultifying.
He much prefers Pottersville in the alternate reality. The women are hot, the music swings, and the fun times go on all night.
Yes, and Georges wife is a mousey, spinster librarian; his mother is a bitter, dried-up hag who runs a dilapidated boarding house; brother Harry died as a child because George wasnt there to save him (consequently, all the men on Harrys ship died because he wasnt there to save them); Uncle Billy loses his marbles when the Saving and Loan closes its doors, and so on.
Jamisons piece reflects The Times worldview individuals should live primarily for themselves, self-sacrifice is stupid, fast women, gambling and loud music are fun, and life is ultimately meaningless.
People who are world-wise are attracted to one type of cinema; those who are world-weary are drawn to the opposite. One is tempted to describe The New York Times as the Grinch who trashed a Christmas classic. But it probably likes the Grinch too.
The Pinch who Stole Christmas?...............
Any questions as to why the NYT is going under?
Nuff said.
Just another sign of the times, it had to be written eventually. More to come. Maranatha!
What’s the big deal? A film critique is just one guy’s opinion.
There's a new movie out about Pinch Sulzberger. When he gets to see what the world would have been like without him, it is a far happier place! In the end, the angel refuses to let him live again, saying, "It's a mitzvah you were never born!"
Way to go Don. See tag line.
I'm finding it difficult to argue with this part.
“Jamisons piece reflects The Times worldview individuals should live primarily for themselves, self-sacrifice is stupid, fast women, gambling and loud music are fun, and life is ultimately meaningless.”
I enjoy Feder, but I don’t agree. THE TIMES would have us all be part of the collective, doing everything for the good of the world.
Liberalism is a mental disorder.
Diversity. You don’t have to address anything more than that, and you have the real reason why the Times and its ilk hate the holiday classics.
It’s the 1950s white middle class American that these rags are at war with. They claim those classics touch on values that never existed. And I say hogwash.
George Bailey is the quintessential John Doe, the guy who saw a need, recognized a cause, volunteered for the draft and to help out his fellow man out of loyalty to them and the nation.
If the Times and it’s ilk (hate to use the word twice, but what better word to describe their ilk) were only at war with our founding documents and principals, it’s would be bad enough, but it doesn’t stop there.
If you are a moral individual who has even the slightest tinge of respect for our nation, moral values and the golden rule, you’re a world class jackass, chump, and pseudo criminal in their eyes.
I say F M and the horse they rode in on. May these bastards be relegated to a hell in the afterlife that closely resembles the one they would create on this earth, if brighter souls didn’t exist in every nook and cranny of this nation.
liberal Socialists...(spit)...They all go around walking and talking like they are some kind og guild of George Baileys...But if you watch the movie, and see the part when the town exists *without* Geo. Bailey...You see a town where libperv values and the things that the plague rat ACLU, fight, tooth and nail to achieve.
DemoLib Socialists are the ones who want the godless, souless socialist, dog eat dog, loneliness, of a nation of Pottervilles....in the name of “civil” & “individual rights”.
Casey Anthony would heartily concur.
I have fast women always tailgating me on Interstate 77.
It's hard to understand what he's really trying to say.
The story is still one of my favorites.
Poor NYT boys.
It’s simply a group autobiography of the NYT staff... nothing more.
The end needs to be updated. When they are reading the telegram near the end of the movie:
Mr. Gower cabled you need cash. Stop.My office instructed to advance you up to twenty-five billion dollars. Stop.
Hee-haw and Merry Christmas.
Ben Bernanke.
I think we've all gotten that message from la la land, that you really haven't experienced life until you've taken a walk on the wild side.
A friend of mine says, "It's the work of the devil" And you know what? I haven't a better answer.
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