Can Hollywood change its ugly version of USA?

USA Today ^ | 10-15-01 | Michael Medved

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Will Hollywood play a positive role in helping America win the new war on terrorism? The answer depends on the willingness of the entertainment industry to confront and correct the destructive and dysfunctional elements of its own recent past. Celebrities recently have engaged in a brief, refreshing flurry of flag-waving. But such gestures can't instantly erase many years of damage to the nation's psyche and to its image abroad.

[SerpentDove]

I and most of us have a visceral disgust reserved for all the arrogant, ignorant idiots in the Hollyweird crowd.

[Nitro]

Many thanks!!

It just seems to me if you compare todays Leonardos and Keanus to yesteryears John Waynes and Gary Coopers there is no doubt who the real men are!!

[Memphis Schmuel]

"Hollywood has failed miserably in broadcasting to the rest of the world the truth about America's fundamental kindness, decency, generosity, patriotism and deep religious faith — all traits abundantly displayed in the days since Sept. 11.
The emphasis on darkness, deviance and dysfunction has produced important consequences."

And I believe these "consequences" have been desired by those who control the industry.
Medved himself showed in his book, "Hollywood vs America" that the response of, "We only give the audiences what they want" was B.S.
"Family" movies and positive themes were always big money-makers. The twisted stuff almost always lost money, yet the sick, degrading and culture destroying crap was still pumped out to pollute our society.
I recommend reading Medved's book. The facts are there that it is true, it is "Hollywood vs America."
I hope that this crisis we are in will cause more discussion on the effects of this poison on American life.

[MoJo2001]

The people in Hollywood have lived for many years in a "box" to which they were "untouchable" to the rest of us because their make believe life on screen was better than our own realities. Well, reality has set in for all of us. America is no longer invincible. America is finally awake. While many of our fellow citizens have perished, the focal point isn't on Hollywood. It isn't on the pyscho babble stars who forgot that we pay them to act and make believe..not tell us what they think about political issues. We watch them for mindless and useless reminders of why movies are escapism for many in the society. Today, we need these people to get back to work making movies we can complain about. No moral authority, equivocations, or anything from them. They never had it nor do I want to see or hear them profess it. So? More Jim Carrey making those hilarious facial expressions. More Julia Roberts being a confused and complicated woman. Just don't expect us to think that the world revolves around you. You aren't that worthy!

[RGSpincich]

No discussion on WWII and Hollywood is complete without including Jimmy Stewart. He was a real pilot and flew bombing missions over enemy lines. Others here have the complete story, it is truly inspiring.

[aristotleman]

People in Europe and the middle east always talk in terms of movies when they speak about Americans. For example, GW's actions are labeled as ones of a "wounded sheriff" , our commandos are "deranged Rambos" etc. etc. The American people should finally realize that the ONLY image people around the globe have of "America", is images on a screen, images of commercials portraying clueless people spending money frivolously, images of powerful-evil F-16ns bombing "helpless" innocents.

Realize that just like OUR idea of the rest of the world is limited, so is theirs. Distances are too great. All we know of the rest of the world mostly comes from images or second hand accounts. Hollywood, like it or not, is our PR representative. That's why most Europeans are disgusted with our movies. Euro movies are cheap, simple, usually realistic, about human pain, thinking, relationships, despair. They reflect European nature. Hollywood on the other hand, does not reflect American Spirit.

TIME TO WAKE UP AND FREEP HOLLYWOOD.

I'm not saying let's make fuzzy, wholesome, unrealistic movies. I'm saying let's portray the greatness of this country.

Bless the U.S.A

[bluetoad]

Apostle

Well it has a Christian Theme, some might question if it is positive or not.

But the real question is name any 10 positive Christian Themed movies in the last 30 years. I can’t, don't know anyone else who can and it's a shame that hollywod has to undo 30+ Years of Neglect...

[Reagan's_Mom]

Excellent post. One commentator over the weekend was pointing out that among the arab people we still aren't making our case. When all these people have ever know of us are the Hollywood garbage flicks, why should we expect to be believed when we drop a load of food and say "Hey, we're the nice guys."

[Irene Adler]

I agree.

[McGavin999]

This not only influences how we are seen abroad, it influences how we see ourselves. I've said this for a long time. If Joe Camel is supposed to influence kids to smoke, why wouldn't all the sex and violence portrayed on the TV and movie screens influence them to sex and violence.

I love old movies. They were fun, imaginative, and always carried the message that in the end, the good guy wins. Hollywood will tell you that they still do that, trouble is, the good guy usually isn't really a good guy. He's just the hero of the story.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

Above all, the entertainment industry should strive for greater balance in its presentation of American life

Don't put all the blame on Hollywood. Hollywood produces what sells. The American audience is just as responsible for the filth and garbage being churned out.

[rogers21774]

Don't put all the blame on Hollywood. Hollywood produces what sells. The American audience is just as responsible for the filth and garbage being churned out.

Not completely accurate. There is as much a demand, if not more, for good and wholesome family entertainment as there is for the gutter variety that Hollywood churns out. And yet the balance of movies produced is heavily in favor of the gutter variety.

There are two (at least) reasons for this. One, it's much easier and cheaper to produce garbage than it is to produce something of real quality. Two, Hollywood is definately pushing an agenda.