An Open Letter To Hollywood
By Jon Alvarez (02/03/04)
You have to admit, 2003 was a pivotal year for our great country. We saw a major shift, albeit a negative one, in world attitude towards America. Much of this is centers around our efforts to protect America from the threat of terrorism.
However, we cannot downplay your role in the rise of anti-Americanism, not only around the globe, but here in America as well. In 2003 many of you took sides against our country by either signing leftist statements of conscience that were critical of our actions, marching alongside anti-war protesters, or badmouthing the current administration. By siding against America in her time of need, you emboldened our enemies abroad and fueled the fires of hatred and distrust for our country. This we will not forget, nor will we reward you for your treachery.
There is another issue that must be addressed concerning your role in the rise of anti-Americanism and the tarnishing of America's image around the globe. You have consistently advanced an anti-American agenda within the movies you create. Many of your movies center on themes of corruption within the American government, police, and military, thus advancing an air of mistrust and dislike for these institutions that extends beyond the silver screen. As the world grows smaller with the advent of instant news coverage and shrinking borders, your audience and fan base has grown significantly. People are watching you, and while it can be argued that they place too much significance on what you say and do, there can be no doubt of your impact on the mindset of the average person.
Here is a small sampling of movies that cast a negative light on the American government, police, and military:
Platoon
JFK
Born on the 4th of July
Dances With Wolves
Eraser
The Untouchables
X-Files
Die Hard 1 and 2
E.T.
Buffalo Soldiers
Apocalypse Now
Dr. Strangelove
Wag the Dog
Casualties of War
Starman
G.I. Jane
Serpico
Rambo
The Net
1984
Conspiracy Theory
The Rock
Dark Blue
Mission Impossible
Legends of the Fall
The Hulk
Absolute Power
Bowling For Columbine
Cop Land
Certainly those reading this letter can add to the list, but the point should be clear, Hollywood. We realize that you can only make so many films with the Nazis as the bad guys. However, your second favorite antagonist, the government, the police, or the military of the United States, will no longer be considered an acceptable choice. We're in the middle of a fight for our survival and we will no longer accept the casting of our country in the role of the bad guy.
After the first Gulf War, you treated us to movies like "Three Kings" and "Courage Under Fire". You're going to have to do much better this time around. We are not going to accept films where our brave troops are portrayed as thieves as they were in "Three Kings". Miramax can attest to that due to the pressure to shelve "Buffalo Soldiers" in 2003. Nor will we have you shove your "pc crapfest" down our throats as you did with "Courage Under Fire". This film did nothing more than portray male soldiers as drunkards, junkies, and cowards while attempting to justify the role of women in combat. Throw in a little military cover-up and you've scored a trifecta! It's time for you to stop being "politically correct".
If America is such a bad country, why on earth are millions of foreigners flocking to our borders yearly? Danny Glover maintains that America is a racist nation, yet he seems to have no problem landing choice roles in movies earning him millions of dollars. No land of opportunity there, eh Mr. Glover? Hollywood, your message conveyed via your movies and your politics does not reflect reality. It's time to start portraying America for what she truly is, the land of opportunity. If there is another country in the world that surpasses America in terms of opportunity and freedom, then might we suggest you move there? Otherwise, stop bashing her and instead, embrace her.
Could the patriotic movie "Miracle", starring Kurt Russell, be a signal that the tide is turning? While we'd like to give you the benefit of the doubt, we know better. You've got to earn our trust, Hollywood. How many films are in the works that cast Islamic terrorists as the bad guys? True Lies 2 was shelved for fear of offending Muslims as a group. Even Ben Affleck's "Pearl Harbor" was toned down for fear of offending the Japanese. Your continued infatuation with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro leads us to believe that you will not learn anything from the events of the past year. Robert Redford is reportedly fawning over the movie "The Motorcycle Diaries" which deals with the travels of communist Che Guevara. We don't care to idolize those whose ideology goes against all that America stands for. Communism is not a good thing, so stop trying to glamorize it.
While 2003 and the Dixie Chicks should have provided some important business lessons, you continue to insult and erode your fan base. Gwyneth Paltrow just recently denounced America for the new wave of patriotism that has swept across the country. Ben Stiller is set to cast Barbra Streisand as his mother in the movie "Meet The Fockers". What are you thinking Ben? You just lost half of your paying audience! Michael Moore and Miramax continue with plans to debut a "documentary" titled "Fahrenheit911" that attempts to tie President Bush to Osama bin Laden and the events of 9/11. Remember the controversy and the outcry over the CBS mini-series "The Reagans"? The reaction we saw towards CBS will pale in comparison once the American public gets wind of this film.
If you want to continue earning our money Hollywood, you're going to have to work harder to get it. Instead of rewarding anti-war celebrities like Sean Penn and Tim Robbins with Oscars, you should consider handing them pink slips. Don't you see the correlation between celebrity anti-Americanism and the decline in ticket sales in 2003? Americans are tired of the garbage you're peddling as entertainment. We have become more aware of who our entertainment dollars are supporting. Stop recycling old movies and TV shows; we've seen them already. We demand films that are pro-USA, that celebrate America and what she stands for. It's time to clean up your act Hollywood and give us what we want. Otherwise, we're going to stop wasting our money supporting your affluent lifestyles.
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"Little in Hollywood these days provokes any thought. The utter lack of morals and standards of many of the people in Hollywood is directly reflected in their work. Life also imitates art as players in Hollywood are frequently violent, addicted, or adulterous and never once held to the same standards as the rest of society. And to some, the opportunity to use film making as a political propaganda tool is too much to resist." --Sterling Rome
If you agree, you can share your feelings with the major studio heads at:
http://www.mpaa.org/relatedsites/
(Printer friendly version) Email: Jon Alvarez
