MattHelm
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Posts posted by MattHelm
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To those of us who aren't particularly fond of remakes ... why do we watch them? Maybe we should start AA type meetings for us.
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I agree with you about the contrast between actors now and then. Actors were more mature back in the day. And they looked masculine then, today's actors for the most part look somewhat feminine to me ... almost androgynous. That's why it's hard to believe some of them today in a biopic of a classic actor. Also, back then they played leading men right up into their 60s, while today's actors for the most part lose the appeal and the box office draw as they age. People would be surprised how common plastic surgery is with some of these actors whom we think are aging gracefully. Pretty soon Botox will become its own film genre.
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Hey Tough, I agree with your list also, though some of them aren't annoying enough for me to care about. It is annoying to tune into a TV program and get a soapbox derby on instead. I don't mind them stating their political views during interviews, at least in those occasions they've been asked, which is somewhat of a novelty. Some of the "news" personalities you mentioned are annoying to me, not because of their views, but because they pass their own views off as fact i.e. Lauer, Couric, Sawyer, Gibson and any of the 60 Minutes gang where the news is "fake, but accurate." Lauer is also a little too smug and is annoying on that level too. I don't think even here anyone would defend Al Franken's place on the annoying list.
I also agree with your list of supporters. Maybe she's annoying, and I'm no fan, but you have to respect Jessica Simpson since she has been over to entertain the troops, too. I admire those who support the troops, but don't really take issue with those who don't, unless they're bashing them which is different. What a difference Hollywood is from the days when we were first attacked ... Pearl Harbor sent celebrities running to defend the country, 9/11 sent them running to defend the enemies ... although I'm not sure Michael Moore can run at all.
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"Just a word about accuracy. I never said anything about making fun of Alzheimer?s disease and it is bad form for you to even suggest that I would condone it."
Lux, I never said that you did say anything about it. If you're concerned about accuracy, then go back and read where I said that "maybe" you didn't see anything wrong about it. You're so concerned with my politics that you didn't comment on the reason I gave for listing Clooney. You're so consumed by politics that you pick and choose what's disingenuous and what's not about what I've written.
"I haven?t prejudged you. I looked at your list of annoying celebrity celebrities (in the footnote) and found they included all liberals and then heard you say that the list had nothing to do with politics. What I?m responding to is something that you have demonstrated, so what?s to prejudge."
You haven't prejudged me? First of all, is my list only of liberals? Are you sure? I don't even know the definite politics of some of them. You people have made the issue of politics, not I. It's irionic that you say I'm disingenuous for not listing conservatives when I've added them to the list in subsequent posts. I guess the original post is the only one that matters. Tony Danza strikes me as being a conservative, though I'm not sure.
I love the mentality you've displayed, maybe you need Psychology 101 ... let's accuse someone of being political by being political and pretend we're not politically motivated in doing so. You don't even understand the irony in your logic. And the fact that you think that the word "ideologue" is only used for conservatives says a lot. In your rationale, I didn't list any conservatives therefor I was politically motivated. If I were conscious of who was liberal and who was conservative when I made the list, then guess what ... that would mean it was politically motivated. Just because I wrote in a reply to Helen that politics shouldn't be an invalid reason for finding someone annoying, doesn't mean that that was my reason. She made that assertion and I commented on it.
"I haven?t prejudged you. I looked at your list of annoying celebrity celebrities (in the footnote) and found they included all liberals and then heard you say that the list had nothing to do with politics. What I?m responding to is something that you have demonstrated, so what?s to prejudge. Because that?s the sort of thing that is ?ideological bigotry? to use your term."
You're prejudging me because, a) you don't know me, and
when I say those people aren't listed for their politics, but for their conduct, you say I'm being disingenuous. Because you don't want to believe me. What is ideological bigotry? It's when you single out one person on a thread for ideological reasons and criticize them for what your perceived beliefs of their intentions. And worse, when they explain themselves, you refuse to believe them. If someone here had made a list of conservative actors, I'd have no problem whatsoever. I'm not the Thought Police. That's the difference between us. -
Rose, I think Best Years won over Wonderful Life, because it was the end of the war and people were more in tune with current events. Which is fine and I think the sentiment was deserving. I think the choosing of Best Actor was based on that too. But there's a great independent quality to Wonderful Life, as opposed to the studio treatment of Best Years, and I love both. WL has a much more independent style in it's filmmaking. I love the close up of Stewart at the train station just after he learns that his brother Harry has married and wasn't going to take over the Building and Loan from him. And there's the part where Stewart is at Martini's crying, where I agree that he should have got the Oscar for. I think it was a matter of timing.
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Thank you Scarlett. It would be great if everyone thought that way and took someone's word at face value around here.
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mongo, even though I find Oprah annoying, I don't put her in the same category as Moore, Eminem and Clooney. I'm glad somebody appreciates personal choice. Thanks.
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"I feel bad for you people that don't drink, because when you wake up in the morning, that's the best you're gonna feel all day." Dean Martin
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Laura, I did find a Lawrence Stewart in a 1936 movie, The Invisible Ray. The role was uncredited though. Maybe your friend would know if he was in this movie, which is on DVD.
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Lux, I'm sure you're probably aware of the word "projection" as it applies psychologically. That's what I see in your accusations about my posts as. You pretend that a person can't separate their politics from their views on people, or specifically, that I can't. Yet, it's evident that that's what dominates your diatribe towards me. Obviously, your earlier remark, with emoticon, wasn't a light-hearted jest but was rooted in your own ideological bigotry. Yes, you were disingenuous. You didn't like being called an ideologue but you've shown yourself to be one because you've prejudged me. Also, because you fail to either read or understand what I've written, or maybe want to agree with the bad behavior expressed by some of the people I've listed. My admitting my conservatism has nothing to do with any political motivation in making my list of annoying people. Just because I find it annoying that the way they choose to express their opinions, doesn't mean I'm attacking their opinions. I guess you don't understand that concept. If I admitted my political outlook why would I bother to lie about the reasons behind some of my selections. I'm proud to be a conservative, while you've eluded to your own beliefs as if you were ashamed. Maybe you condone making fun of Alzheimer's. If that's the case, so be it.
I'm surprised I wasn't labeled a racist because I agreed with Larry that 50 Cent was annoying.
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I appreciate your comments Helen. Thank you. I also suggested that these people were on the unofficial "enemies" list because these people were being unethical in the practice of their beliefs, not in their beliefs itself. I don't think any sane person would condone making fun of someone else's disease, whether they be conservative or liberal. I do listen to conservative radio shows and watch them on cable, and I've yet to see them attack people for their beliefs alone, other than politicians. Unless that person is Michael Savage, who I may agree with sometimes, but find awfully annoying and dislike.
I have many liberal friends that I get along with, since a paper I write for is liberal. And when I say liberal, I mean as far as you can go. I'm a token there. But we still enjoy each other's company and are great friends. The thing is, not even conservatives are calling for Hollywood stars to be censored. Censoring is stopping anyone from stating their opinion at all, in any way shape or form. But conservatives, and most of the country, criticize when you turn on the Oscars and get a political address instead of an acceptence speech. There's a difference between criticism and censorship. Last year's Oscars had the lowest ratings in decades. It wasn't because of some RW conspiracy, it was because people didn't want political soapboxing like they got the last couple of years before. The network even instituted the delay on the broadcast so they could cut away from someone who attempted to grandstand. That's not partisan politics, it's traditionalism which the majority of people are. There are appropriate times to state your opinions ... when you're asked for them. Just about any star could get a spot on any TV show or in a print media interview and say how they feel when asked. That's appropriate. To spring it on people unexpectedly is sneaky.
The "they are citizens too" argument doesn't wash because citizens like you or I can't command a huge audience to influence with our views, like they can. I don't mind an actor campaigning for a politician, but they should do so officially on the campaign ticket like Affleck or Springsteen (whom I love), instead of just mouthing off at inappropriate times and ways. Real citizens express their politics by voting, so Hollywood should be content with that and not feel they're superior to us as citizens, unless they agree to give us all equal time to express ourselves on camera.
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That's fine if you think I was being disingenuous, although you make it sound as if I admitted that, and I didn't. I merely asked why that criteria would be invalid had anyone chose celebrities based on that. Everyone has political beliefs but if you think you're the only one who's able to put them aside when deciding who's annoying and who isn't, that's a bit too egotistical in my book. And there's no need to twist my words about Ellen, the last name just begs for parody and it's a joke, but you assumed I'm annoyed by her because she's a lesbian. That's not the case, she'd be annoying whatever her orientation was, which I could care less about. If you appreciate my honesty, then be honest about what that honesty is ... you don't call someone disingenuous and then honest. How Orwellian. If you're so adept at separating politics from artists, then you'd be able to tell the difference in my separating politics from the inappropriate conduct of said "artists." I love Woody Allen movies and he's a liberal, yet he doesn't feel the need to abuse anyone's character. That's why he doesn't make the list. I even like Bill Maher. Opinions should be able to be made without spitting in people's faces in the process.
As for disliking anybody, I admit I dislike some on my list, while others I find just annoying. I find Stern to be funny every once in a while, yet on a daily basis he's annoying. I don't get the impression that he's a liberal either. And, as for my other posts that you "see through," which ones do you mean? I did offer my opinion on Clooney (and others) revising history to make his point in a movie, that's because it conflicts with historical fact, and he's a very disingenuous person. I also commented on the moral relavitism in some movies which is also fact. That's neither a left nor a right position. When the facts are either changed or omitted, then all we have is the propaganda of someone's political, or what have you, agenda. Some don't know the facts so they're duped into believing that the movie presents them. Carl Sagan wrote a great book called, A Demon Haunted World, where he discussed the dangers of taking word-of-mouth related information as gospel truth. I think it should be recquired reading in schools today.
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I don't think psychologists are saying they disagree with what he says, just how he says it. Giving that sort of advice to these people with emotional problems can be a touchy thing where even conventional psychology isn't always effective. I think when we give celebrity status to psychologists or judges on tv, it adds the air of mockery to those professions and to the people seeking guidance through them. After all, when it comes to TV it's ratings first, people's problems second.
I'd prefer watching my grass grow than practically anything on TV. Thank God for good movies.
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Not all the names on my list are there for the same reasons. I think your categorizing people who think Dr. Phil is annoying would be more apt if you put them in the category of those who disagree with you on the subject. A lot of psychologists argue that his tactics aren't helpful. I think all shows where people air their dirty laundry are annoying.
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Thanks, I'll be there.
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Helen, what puzzles me is that you act as if it is wrong to find celebrities annoying based on one's political beliefs. Everyone has reasons for deciding what they feel or think, whether it's political, religious, emotional, instinctual, etc. Like I said, I based my selections on these celebrities' inappropriate conduct and not their politics, though that misconduct often is when they're being political. I admit, I'm a conservative but had my list been politically motivated it would have included many more names just based on a celebrity's political beliefs. I find Pat Roberts and Jerry Falwell to be annoying too. Had it ever occurred to you that these same people on my list are criticized by the RW or anyone else because of their behavior and unethical tactics? No one but their fans care about their politics, they're only called into question when they've made some vitriolic public display or outlandish accusations that they can't back up. Conservatives don't care what's going on in George Clooney's head, but when he publicly makes fun of Charleton Heston's Alzheimer's Disease, they call him on it. As should we all.
Also, I don't feel that politically themed discussions should be barred from these message boards because a lot of movies are political. Whoever told you that you shouldn't mix politics and movies was wrong to have told you that.
Does one have to be politically motivated to find Eminem and Dr. Phil annoying? That would be a dire world indeed.
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Apology accepted. I didn't know you were just being amusing. I don't think that disingenuous is a politically charged word, it impugns someone's personal integrity. I'm sorry if calling you an ideologue insulted you. That word isn't directed at any particular side, and used for anyone who fully subscribes to any ideology. What else would I think if by merely naming a few names, I'm politically chastised?
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I didn't know the guide showed what shorts were on, too. I subscribed to the guide years ago and when I got my first issue, the cable service I had stopped carrying TCM, so I had a year's worth of guides to see what I was missing. How depressing. I have the Cooper short on the Christmas In Connecticut DVD anyway. I got the box set on Amazon for $18 while some places charge close to that for each movie separately. And with Men Of Boys Town included on the Boys Town DVD, that's four movies and all those great shorts. That's not a bad deal.
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Yeah they have some good horror movies coming up. I'm surprised to see the Roger Corman/Vincent Price/Edgar Allan Poe movies like House of Usher and Masque of the Red Death popping up on there. Almost Hammer-esque.
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It usually helps your point when you can back it up factually, Lux. What are the facts that prove my disingenuousness? There are none, so your remark must be emotion driven. Politics had nothing to do with the people I mentioned ... public behavior and a person's integrity does. I don't care what ideology a person subscribes to (politics, religion, etc), just don't ram it down people's throats and especially in an inappropriate time and place. And when you do, don't lie to make your point or assassinate someone's character. That's what some of the ones I list do. The last thing someone wants to hear during a children's cancer benefit, for example, is some celebrity hijacking the spotlight to rant about their world view. Nor the Oscars ... like Helen said about these boards, it's about movies, not politics. Not all the people I mentioned do that, some are just merely annoying. If some balance is needed, since I couldn't list every name at the time I posted my list, then you can add Tucker Carlson to the list if makes you ideologues happy.
I think you're confused by my posts in the thread about the future of movie houses. What I said there about political motivations in movies turning people off isn't my original idea, many articles in the trades have pointed to that as being a strong theory behind the declining box office. Some careers have been effected and admittedly so by those very celebrities themselves. If they admit it then it's far from being my own political assessment. The reason why their careers took a turn is not because of their politics, it's because of their conduct. That's why they made the list. If it were politically motivated and I was just dumping on liberals, I could have added Henry Fonda or John Garfield to the list. But they conducted themselves admirably, didn't they.
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Wait, are you saying that the name of the channel isn't OCM?
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Well put. Initially, I was indifferent to the tribute, since it caught me off guard and I didn't realize that it was the infamous TCM Remembers that I've been hearing about, until they started showing the stars. The more I see it, the more I appreciate it. This isn't an obituary of people we know, it's a recognition of men and women in the film industry and their contributions to that industry. So, it is fitting that they're recognized within a vehicle that's a nod to the dramatic nature of the medium they were a part of, since that's our only exposure to them. TCM obviously wants to evolve the originality in its creative content, not stick to homogenous formulas as past "Remembers." The longevity of the channel not only relies on their consistency in the quality of their programming, but in their pushing the creative envelope and keeping things fresh. Otherwise, the content grows stagnant and people will turn the channel in between movies. I'm sure the hype over past TCM Remembers in e-mail feedback and message board posts encouraged them to give us something different this year.
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Sorry Leo, I just think you were being a little harsh calling for people to be sacked over this and you sounded a bit incoherent ... I thought maybe you tied one on the night before. I certainly did.
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Happy New Year (if it's acceptable to write that, since it's not film-related).
Reagan wasn't a great actor, that's true, but he had a sort of charm that he brought to movies.
I agree about the Gabors too. They were talented and funny ... especially Eva and her hotcakes. Zsa Zsa even ended up charming the cop she slapped.
when I say those people aren't listed for their politics, but for their conduct, you say I'm being disingenuous. Because you don't want to believe me. What is ideological bigotry? It's when you single out one person on a thread for ideological reasons and criticize them for what your perceived beliefs of their intentions. And worse, when they explain themselves, you refuse to believe them. If someone here had made a list of conservative actors, I'd have no problem whatsoever. I'm not the Thought Police. That's the difference between us.
ZETA-JONES & REAVES ALL WRONG FOR LANA BIO PIC !
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I'm in Florida. Clydesville is Rat Pack lingo for anywhere outside of Vegas.