Hollywood and Patriotism

By John

Cal Thomas on Oliver Stone's World Trade Center:

I have a long list of favorite patriotic movies, including "Victory at Sea," "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "Sands of Iwo Jima," but Oliver Stone's "World Trade Center" is right up there with the best of them. It is one of the greatest pro-American, pro-family, pro-faith, pro-male, flag-waving, God Bless America films you will ever see.

A pleasant surprise from Stone, who is a notorious conspiracy theorist. And a pleasant surprise from Hollywood. which begs the question, can the four "F's" --family, faith, flag, and freedom-- still triumph on the silver screen?

A Hollywood screenwriter who I was recently chatting with says, "no." He's frustrated:

Hollywood doesn't get it. They will make money with patriotism, but they just don't wanna. But films like Jarhead which are anti patriotic just die.

So they run from war movies.

As I said. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.

The problem, as I see it, is that Hollywood has difficulty separating the glorification of war from film that appeals to the Joe American's pride in his nation. That's why we have to look to established, proven bearers of the blockbuster like Michael Bay or Jerry Bruckheimer to satisfy our need for pride and patriotism. And those guys tend to overdo it.

Red State America loves their faith, their families, their freedom and their flag. They also love movies. We may not be able to get Hollywood to embrace those ideals, but we do know that Hollywood will embrace a profit. Passion of the Christ was a start, World Trade Center is another positive step. Here's to bringing Silvertown around.

August 3, 2006 08:47 PM Hollywood

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Comments

Here, here. That's a great idea.

Andrew · August 3, 2006 09:58 PM

This has nothing to do with Stone suddenly finding religion. It has everything to do with Hollyweird seeing their earnings plummet.

GATC · August 4, 2006 05:51 AM

I disagree GATC. I think Stone's goal was to completely remove politics from the film.

The story is inherently patriotic and religious, Stone stayed true to that (so I hear, haven't seen it yet!)

John · August 4, 2006 06:10 AM

I'm conflicted. I pledged never to see another Oliver Stone movie after JFK. But people I respect have given it rave reviews. I suppose the mature thing would be to relent and recognize a good movie for what it is.

Brentbo · August 4, 2006 07:37 AM

I saw a premiere of it in DC. It was very good, very religous, and patriotic. Every American needs to see it for several reasons.

Lt Fishman · August 4, 2006 10:25 AM

Here's the deal about Hollywood. They make what they think will sell. When you're losing a war, rah-rah war movies don't sell. It's even harder when the two hero stories paraded by the Army, those of Jessica Lynch and Pat Tillman, turned out to be big, fat, cheesy lies.

I'm afraid that the Iraq War ain't gonna be a big Hollywood Hero Producer. Yeah, life is very unfair. If you don't like it, then win the war. You'll be amazed at how quickly they turn around.

WW · August 6, 2006 01:38 PM