tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post2796844394144624981..comments2024-03-28T14:47:11.132-04:00Comments on The Philosopher's Stone: I LOST IT AT THE MOVIESRobert Paul Wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11970360952872431856noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-65890205007961663082012-09-04T02:33:31.172-04:002012-09-04T02:33:31.172-04:00As it happens, just after writing my light-hearted...As it happens, just after writing my light-hearted reaction to the Clint Eastwood speech [or at least I thought it was light-hearted], I sumbled on a Clint Eastwood mini-festival on TCM and watched a bit of Fistful of Dollars. So I guess I am forgiven -- or is it Unforgiven?Robert Paul Wolffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11970360952872431856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-69362314372511569312012-09-04T00:10:50.363-04:002012-09-04T00:10:50.363-04:00Professor Wolff –
I have to weigh in on this. Firs...Professor Wolff –<br />I have to weigh in on this. First of all, for those of us not living in a cave, Clint Eastwood has been a lifelong republican. He was the republican mayor of Carmel, CA in the 80’s for crying out loud, so there should be no surprise with regard to where his politics fall. However, that is not to say that Eastwood is a republican ideologue. He is quite liberal on social issues, which is why many Leftists like myself enjoy his films. Movies like Bird, White Hunter, Black Heart, Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, Letters from Iwo Jima, Gran Torino and even J. Edgar are subtle, sensitive portrayals of complex characters that lack simplistic black and white exposition. I have admired and looked up to Eastwood since about the age of 9 or 10, and have diligently followed his films (but not so much his personal life) since then. I was not so much dismayed by Eastwood’s RNC speech as I was disappointed. I would like to believe that by now he knows better, and he is probably aware of his gaffe. I think it is more a reflection on the RNC organizers, who, upon learning that Eastwood agreed to speak before Romney’s appearance, were so excited and enthusiastic that a Hollywood icon would be there that they did not even consider any type of coaching or speech preparation – hence the reaction we are now experiencing. Given that, why would you even consider ceasing to watch A Fistful of Dollars? That thought sounds disingenuous at best, stupid at worst. It is an old argument. We all know that some of the greatest artists are not the nicest or brightest people. Does that mean we ignore their works of art? If it was somehow revealed to you that Mozart was a racist or homophobe, would you stop listening to his music? That’s moronic. If I stopped engaging with everyone who expressed support for Mitt Romney, I would be shutting out a huge portion of my life experience. Consequently, I will continue to re-watch my favorite Eastwood films and look forward to his new ones. As an open-minded, thoughtful and inquisitive person, you should as well.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00826600172627425879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-60873521551676608082012-09-02T06:01:35.237-04:002012-09-02T06:01:35.237-04:00(for someone who does not watch any American TV, r...(for someone who does not watch any American TV, really, what did he say?) High Arkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14723123626955733759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-11158696485347154042012-09-02T06:01:09.735-04:002012-09-02T06:01:09.735-04:00What did he say that was objectionable? What did he say that was objectionable? High Arkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14723123626955733759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-25833926017602753642012-09-01T13:17:22.369-04:002012-09-01T13:17:22.369-04:00I believe that Eastwood workshopped an acting exer...I believe that Eastwood workshopped an acting exercise and I am very surprised that the Romney team went with it. <br /><br />Eastwood made his position quite clear. He called the Afghanistan and Iraq wars foolish (and everyone applauded, which he should have corrected). <br /><br />He made it (sort of) clear that he is not a smooth fit with the Republicans. <br /><br />A friend of mine from Norway has argued that his stunt should not be seen as campaigning (and then it would be a failure) but as an expression of his actual attitude (disappointed with Obama and not one hundred percent Republican). <br /><br />I look forward to Saturday Night Live's take on this. Murfmenschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00031877154740991965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-84417170507365975072012-09-01T13:03:23.137-04:002012-09-01T13:03:23.137-04:00Given his resume, Eastwood's stunt was sad. I...Given his resume, Eastwood's stunt was sad. In contrast, coming from a room-full of NRA puppets, the "Make my day!" chant was sickening.Don Schneierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12751277350617015241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-47963438710382650992012-09-01T12:19:47.605-04:002012-09-01T12:19:47.605-04:00Well said, Sir. Well said, Sir. Vegan Underpantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15285570973703917541noreply@blogger.com