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Why you shouldn't see 'Tropic Thunder'

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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:01 AM
Original message
Why you shouldn't see 'Tropic Thunder'
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/12/shriver.thunder/index.html


After reading this article, I wouldn't see this movie if it were playing in my living room. :puke:

What a disgrace.
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ThatsMyBarack Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:02 AM
Response to Original message
1. It was a story on E!'s THS....
So it MUST be a piece of crap. :eyes:
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DangerDave921 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:05 AM
Response to Original message
2. another reason
It's Ben Stiller's 109th movie in the past 10 years. Man that guy has fallen so far since "There's Something About Mary." He is so not funny anymore.
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Scout Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:34 AM
Response to Reply #2
39. even Something About Mary wasn't that good n/t
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DangerDave921 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:46 AM
Response to Reply #39
62. No no no
I went to see that movie by myself and I laughed my arse off the entire time. One of the funniest movies I've ever seen.
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GoesTo11 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:32 PM
Response to Reply #39
127. delete
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 12:33 PM by GoesTo11
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bullwinkle428 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:30 PM
Response to Reply #2
120. Um, I think you're forgetting about a little something called "Zoolander"!
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DangerDave921 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:32 PM
Response to Reply #120
126. Terrible movie!
It would have been a fine SNL skit for 4 minutes. But a whole movie of him sucking in his cheeks and talking in that wispy way? No thank you.
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GoesTo11 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:35 PM
Response to Reply #126
134. Fighting words - I challenge you to a pose-off
That movie was one of the rare ones where the SNL skit-level joke could sustain the movie.
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DangerDave921 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:39 PM
Response to Reply #134
142. LOL
Did you ever see the movie Stiller did with Jack Black where the Black character invents some spray that vaporizes dog poop, and he becomes filthy rich? Was it called Envy? One of the worst movies ever made. One that makes you think -- how was this approved by the studio? Didn't they know all along it was a pile of garbage?

But you probably thought it was Citizen Kane.
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GoesTo11 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:56 PM
Response to Reply #142
159. That one was nasty.
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Richard Steele Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:46 PM
Response to Reply #120
150. Oh, if only that were possible. nm
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:06 AM
Response to Original message
3. OMG!!
How could Spielberg do this? Any contact info on him? As a special ed teacher, I am appalled by this film.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:07 AM
Response to Reply #3
4. I had no idea that it was this offensive.
Just the fact that the word 'retard' is used over and over makes it filth.

There is an article on CNN stating that critics are missing the point. Uh, huh. :eyes:
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:08 AM
Response to Reply #4
5. We work so hard to keep the kids at school from using that word
It is just as offensive as the N word, IMO.
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wvbygod Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:28 PM
Response to Reply #5
119. Yes, now if we could also focus on never using the N word
Yet it is considered "just fine" if certain people use it in song or wherever they desire.
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:31 PM
Response to Reply #119
124. We don't allow that word either
I agree about the music. It's gross.
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DangerDave921 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:54 AM
Response to Reply #3
75. Appalled by the FILM?
or by what you have been told about the film?

I have to admit -- I sometimes use the word "retard" amongst friends.
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:07 PM
Response to Reply #75
99. If it is promoting the R word, yes
When my friends use that word, I gently correct them. :)
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DangerDave921 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:18 PM
Response to Reply #99
108. Is there an appropriate synonym?
Can I call my friend a spaz? That may offend people with spastic disorders.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:28 PM
Response to Reply #108
117. Sure. And "colored" is a good alternative to the "n" word.
Since you seem to have trouble understanding the concept of and problem with pejorative speech.

Proud2BeLib is much more gentle with her reminders than I am in my household.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:35 PM
Response to Reply #117
133. .
:thumbsup:

:yourock:

But, I've told you that before.
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DangerDave921 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:35 PM
Response to Reply #117
136. Whoa there
I don't use the N-word or colored or anything like that.

Spaz is a well-recognized term that has been in movies and on TV for years. If you ever saw my brother-in-law shoot a basketball, you would know the true definition of spaz. It is not meant as an insult to handicapped people.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:50 PM
Response to Reply #136
153. How about "clumsy"?
You are going a long way out of your way to find a quasi-acceptable term which attempts to describe his characteristics as comparative to a unsympathetic group.

When I was a kid, we called the poorly-performing students "polocks". It wasn't primarily meant to be an insult to Poles, either. But it was.
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DangerDave921 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:04 PM
Response to Reply #153
168. Ahhh
I remember the days of my youth with all the polock jokes. Good point.

Hey, my mom (who is almost 70) still calls Brazil nuts "N-word toes" and she thinks nothing of saying that a salesman was trying to "jew her down." When I point out that she may want to change her terminology, she says, "That's what I raised with."

I still think "spaz" is harmless. Saying, "Dude, you're so clumsy" just doesn't say enough.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:11 PM
Response to Reply #168
182. FWIW, I think spaz is benign.
But I'm not in a position to judge.

I volunteer with a national group dedicated to advocacy for those with developmental disabilities. I know for a fact that "retard" is extremely hurtful to them.
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:29 PM
Response to Reply #182
205. They don't like spaz either
But yes, "retard" is more offensive.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:04 PM
Response to Reply #205
237. I don't use either.
And I certainly wouldn't make a commercial for one of my movies using it.
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:09 PM
Response to Reply #237
239. I think you hit the nail on the head there, Jeff
They are using this word to promote the movie. If they had done that for Something About Mary I doubt I would have gone to see it.
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Romulox Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 03:31 PM
Response to Reply #182
270. "Spaz" is offensive to people with Cerebral Palsy. nt
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 05:47 PM
Response to Reply #270
282. Thanks for that. n/t
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Romulox Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-14-08 10:07 AM
Response to Reply #282
311. So YOU get to decide which words are offensive?
Selective outrage? Hmmm....

"Since you seem to have trouble understanding the concept of and problem with pejorative speech."

:silly:
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DangerDave921 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-14-08 09:00 AM
Response to Reply #270
310. Then I will be sure
not to say it around them.
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Romulox Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-14-08 10:11 AM
Response to Reply #310
312. LOL. I was just pointing this out for the sake of the Righteously Indignant
It is cute that the above poster can wax indignant about "retard", but basically blow off anyone offended by "spaz" (admittedly, I am not among these people.)

It just goes to show that Righteous Indignation is about the power to set the parameters of the conversation, rather than some hyper-developed sensitivity! :silly:
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DangerDave921 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-14-08 11:04 AM
Response to Reply #312
314. You make a good point
Seems like the last 10 years or so, much of our national diaglogue has been taken up with people claiming to be offended by every little thing. People so misuse that phrase now (offended). It used to be that being offended required some really offensive conduct. Now people say they are offended just because they disagree with somone's opinions. Disagreement is not the same as being offended.

And lastly, where in the Constitution is the right to be free from being offended?
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:28 PM
Response to Reply #117
202. Thanks Jeff
Glad you saw this thread! :hi:
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:28 PM
Response to Reply #108
118. You could always use "moran"...that is 100% approved in DU.
:eyes:
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Scout Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:42 PM
Response to Reply #118
226. i think for you i will use "ignorant prick" ... that shouldn't bother you or make you whine
'cuz i think it's just fine! and your profile does say you're a man.

if you're a white man i can call you an ignorant honky prick, ok?

:rofl:
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:13 PM
Response to Reply #226
243. I am and you may. You can even call me a faggot...I won't get all
hot, whiny and bothered. Jeezusfucking christ, they're only words, Bubba.
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ColbertWatcher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 05:35 PM
Response to Reply #226
278. Actually, if you really want to piss him off, call him "bitch". n/t
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:35 PM
Response to Reply #108
137. You can call your friend whatever you want.
I try to choose less offensive words when I talk to my friends. But I am not your mother or your teacher so you are free to ignore what I say. :)
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:21 PM
Response to Reply #137
191. So the word "moran" (or its archaic spelling) is just fine, eh?
Got it.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:41 PM
Response to Reply #191
221. It's an inside joke meant to be pejorative toward freepers.
They can defend themselves, much like you are trying to do.
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:31 PM
Original message
HAHAHA...that would be funny if it weren't so goddamn pathetic.
You know...well you obviously don't...the "inside joke" is every bit as offensive as the words you guys are pitching a bitch about. Talk about a double standard. If that's how you think discourse should be conducted you really should be a Republican. How sad.
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 03:19 PM
Response to Original message
267. Hmm?
So making fun of a mentally retarded person, who was born that way, is the same as making fun of republicans, who purposefully choose to be so stupid?

Interesting.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 05:42 PM
Response to Original message
280. You've only been here a week.
So you are excused for your not knowing what "moran" means in the DU context.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 07:35 PM
Response to Original message
297. HAHAHA. You would be funny
if you weren't so goddamn pathetic.

Again, go away.
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Irishonly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:15 PM
Response to Reply #3
244. Agreed
Words are hurtful. I wouldn't see it if you paid me.
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TahitiNut Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:16 PM
Original message
People with intellectual disabilities just don't get it.
:hide:
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liberalpress Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 08:02 PM
Response to Reply #3
300. I believe Spielberg has sold that studio
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evlbstrd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:08 AM
Response to Original message
6. Stiller claims it lampoons actors
who are seeking prestige and awards, not the disabled.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:16 AM
Response to Reply #6
12. Then they needed to pick a different word for the mentally disabled.
'Retard' is just as offensive to a lot of people as the 'n' word. It sure is to me. I volunteer in SpED every week.
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Cessna Invesco Palin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:25 AM
Response to Reply #12
25. Well, then you can cross Pulp Fiction off the list, then.
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 11:26 AM by yibbehobba
Edit: Ah, and Borat, as well. Probably many others.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:26 AM
Response to Reply #25
28. Never saw them. Don't intend to.
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DangerDave921 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:48 AM
Response to Reply #25
65. Both great movies
Pulp Fiction is an amazing film. And Borat is one of the funniest movies ever.
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iamthebandfanman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:20 PM
Response to Reply #25
110. LOTS
of other movies have used 'retard' 'retarded' 'tard' and other slangs ... so there would probably a long list if you included movies that just used the term once.

were people this offended by Something About Mary ? thats another movie Ben is in that kinda pokes fun at mentally challanged or ill people.
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tuckessee Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:31 AM
Response to Reply #12
33. Truth is......
Whatever word you pick to replace it will just become the new slur.

It's already happened with the word "special" when used in certain ways like the Onion piece about "'Special' Special Forces" being deployed somewhere with pics of Down's Syndrome people pasted over actual soldiers.

It takes more than linguistic smoke and mirrors to change cultural attitudes.
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SteelPenguin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:37 AM
Response to Reply #33
45. I think this is definately true
Retard itself used to be the politically correct term. Mental Retardation. Even until 2006 it was the American Association on Mental Retardation. I'm not sure specifically what Retard replaced, but I know that it used to be considered better than idiot, imbecile, moron, etc.

Now a character can call someone else an idiot in a film, and nobody bats an eye and thinks they're actually calling them mentally disabled. The same is happening to the word Retard. It's phased into the same semantics group, for most people as idiot, imbecile, moron, etc. Most people who use the word aren't actively associating it with someone who is mentally disabled.

it's still a bit close to home though, and I think many people may not be conscious during all usages of the word that it's offensive, but I would be willing to be that many people who would use it in everyday life, wouldn't dream of using it around someone who actually is disabled, or if they heard it in that context would wince.
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EOTE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:43 AM
Response to Reply #45
55. Are you sure about that?
I don't think retard ever used to be the politically correct term. Retarded, on the other hand, was. It might even still be. I see a world of difference between the two words. That being said, I still intend to see the movie.
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SteelPenguin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:46 AM
Response to Reply #55
61. I'm sure about nothing
I don't have time to source it, and that would be a hell of a thing to try and source, but I'm fairly certain that Mental Retardation, retarded, and retard were all at one time used as terms to counter the late 19th and early 20th century usages of Idiot and Imbecile.
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EOTE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:55 AM
Response to Reply #61
78. Once again, big difference between "retard" and "retarded" or "retardation"
One was a medically acceptable word to describe the mentally handicapped while the other was never used as anything but a slur against the mentally handicapped.
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:59 AM
Response to Reply #78
85. Bingo
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SteelPenguin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:51 PM
Response to Reply #78
154. I don't think there's much difference
My point is more that linguistically it's passing more into the same realm as 'dumb' 'idiot' and 'imbecile' even in those usages and many people don't, I think, equate it to the actual disabled, even if they know the origin. I think about 30 years ago even, the word 'retard' and 'retarded' didn't have as widespread usage as it does today to mean just general stupidity. At least from my anecdotal experience.
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EOTE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:00 PM
Response to Reply #154
165. Then I don't think you understand the application of the word.
The difference between "retard" and "retarded" is the same as the difference between "gay" and "faggot". One is a word to describe a medical condition and one is a word that people use to denigrate the people who suffer that medical condition. The words are as different as night and day.
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:31 PM
Response to Reply #78
206. 2nd Bingo
:applause:
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Evoman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:58 AM
Response to Reply #45
83. For downs syndrome kids, they used to be called Mongoloids.
I've chewed out my brother in law for calling DS people "mongos"....although, to be honest, I shouldn't throw stones since I've used to word retarded way to many time. I gotta stop it, that's for sure..don't want to be too much of a hypocrite.
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Heather MC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:01 PM
Response to Reply #45
90. Retard replaced "Dumb"
People use to call the mentally challenged "dumb"
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Ghost in the Machine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:19 PM
Response to Reply #90
307. No... "mute" replaced "dumb", as in 'deaf, dumb & blind'...
Remember the 'Pinball Wizard'?

"...he aint got no distractions, don't hear no bumps & bells, don't see no lights a flashing, he plays by sense of smell, always gets a replay, never tilts at all..... that deaf, dumb, blind kid sure plays a mean pinball..."


:shrug:
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:08 PM
Response to Reply #33
174. Words mean things.
Without addressing the bigotry ingrained in the language our culture uses, the underlying bigotry can't be changed.

But what do I know, I'm just a dumb mick.
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cobalt1999 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:33 AM
Response to Reply #12
37. What about Blazing Saddles?
The 'n' word is used throughout.
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Lisa0825 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:14 PM
Response to Reply #37
105. Yep, a few of us have mentioned that in this thread, but surprisingly
there has been little response to that question.

IMO, whether the movie is offensive will probably really come down to whether or not it was EFFECTIVE in making the lampooning obvious enough for the public to get it.
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:34 PM
Response to Reply #105
132. Which is why I think this is all a joke.
Nobody's that dumb.
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Growler Donating Member (896 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-16-08 01:23 AM
Response to Reply #105
316. I saw the movie, and the lampooning WAS obvious. n/t
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Bucky Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:39 AM
Response to Reply #12
50. A different word wouldn't be offensive, which is, I suspect, the point of using it
It's satire. Ben Stiller says that the protests are organized by people who haven't seen the movie. If this were "Passion of the Christ" you'd be on the other side of this issue.
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Johonny Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:56 PM
Response to Reply #12
265. but
it is probably the word the characters in the movie would use. Thus it is probably an appropriate usage of the word. If it makes the characters unlikable, well the characters aren't suppose to be likable there suppose to be self centered actors.
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aikoaiko Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 06:10 PM
Response to Reply #12
288. Isn't the acronym SpED an offensive word too?
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 06:54 PM by aikoaiko

yep. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sped
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:35 AM
Response to Reply #6
42. Bad word choice
I like Stiller but I really disagree with him on this.
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evlbstrd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:49 AM
Response to Reply #42
68. So,
you don't have a problem with Downey playing a self-important white actor undergoing pigmentation change to play a black man?
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:59 AM
Response to Reply #68
84. That's a different topic -- start a thread about it and I'll post in it
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:06 PM
Response to Reply #68
98. Is the N word part of this film?
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:24 PM
Response to Reply #98
115. What if it is?
Would you be against that too?

Me, I've banned Shakespeare in my home because of his awful use of racist perjoratives.

"What cracker is this same that deafs our ears with this abundance of superfluous breath?"

- King John.
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:33 PM
Response to Reply #115
129. I find it offensive
I would have to know more about that movie to make any more comments.
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:53 PM
Response to Reply #129
158. Do you find censorship offensive?
How about ignorance and illiteracy?
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PVnRT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:28 PM
Response to Reply #158
203. Is he asking the government to shut the film down?
In fact, he's asking the people who made & distributed it to stop showing it. And asking people not to see it. Care to explain how this is "censorship"?
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 03:48 PM
Response to Reply #203
272. He's calling for a ban on a movie...
because one of the characters behaves inappropriately.

Care to explain how that's not censorship, or for that matter, ignorant, and illiterate?
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evlbstrd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:32 PM
Response to Reply #98
125. I haven't seen it.
But "some" might construe Downey's performance as blackface.
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theboss Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:49 AM
Response to Reply #6
66. I disagree with this quote
"Mockery in any form, or for any purpose or directed at anyone, especially those least able to defend themselves, is neither funny nor acceptable."

Define "mockery" first of all.

Secondly, it can be funny. Things that are wrong are often funny.
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evlbstrd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:01 PM
Response to Reply #66
92. People are dissing a film they haven't seen.
The disableld aren't the targets of the mockery.
Sometimes I can't stand DU.
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:15 PM
Response to Reply #92
106. I've a feeling this is all a joke.
:shrug:
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Growler Donating Member (896 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-16-08 01:21 AM
Response to Reply #6
315. exactly correct!
I saw this movie tonight, and thought it was very funny. It is quite clear that only the shallow, ignorant actors use the word "retard"; it is not used by someone the audience is supposed to respect -- quite the opposite.
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soleft Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:08 AM
Response to Original message
7. Has anyone from the film responded yet?
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bridgit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:59 PM
Response to Reply #7
163. Yeah, Downey has. Says he respects people's right to express their opinion...
and that they should likewise respect an artist' right to express themselves
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FredScuttle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:13 AM
Response to Original message
8. Have any of you fucking people SEEN the movie?
For Christ's sake, stop acting like Rev. Wildmon and watch the movie before you leap to smear!
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:15 AM
Response to Reply #8
10. No, thanks. Any movie that uses the word
retard as a prejorative isn't going to be seen by me. :eyes:
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SteelPenguin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:22 AM
Response to Reply #10
20. No matter the context?
Even if the character is a self centered shallow abusive manipulator who has no respect for the disabled, sees them as something to exploit, and uses the word retard, you won't see it?
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cwydro Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:08 PM
Response to Reply #20
102. I saw the clip
where Downey tells Stiller "never go full retard".

Not funny.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:35 PM
Response to Reply #102
138. Oh, cwydro. Sure it is.
You're just being overly PC and sensitive.

:sarcasm:

Boy, DU sure has changed.
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cwydro Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:08 PM
Response to Reply #138
175. Yeah, I think you're right.
I can chalk part of it up to just plain ignorance. Many people never get to know anyone with developmental disabilities.

But the main part, I fear, is just plain meanness.
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EOTE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:23 AM
Response to Reply #10
21. Is there any other way that word could be used? NT
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:25 AM
Response to Reply #21
24. Only medically.
As in, 'he is small in stature for his age, so we must consider whether or not his growth is retarded'.

IMHO. No other acceptable use. Certainly not as prejorative to those with mental disabilities. Even my 12yo knows not to use that word and has for years.
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EOTE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:39 AM
Response to Reply #24
49. There's a difference between retarded and the "R" word.
The "R" word was created because of idiots who wanted to be offensive and hence couldn't be bothered to use a medically acceptable word. The word retarded is typically not used in the pejorative sense when speaking about the mentally handicapped. The "R" word is.
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SteelPenguin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:41 AM
Response to Reply #49
52. You know what's funny
The word idiot, which you use in your first sentence, used to be a specific term for a mentally disabled person, much like 'retard', and it phased over time into a different meaning, as 'retard' is in the process of doing. Not all that long ago, there would have been people who would have gotten angry at you for your use of 'idiot' in that statement.

Just sayin.
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EOTE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:50 AM
Response to Reply #52
72. I understand what you're saying.
And I agree almost 100%. However, that doesn't remove the fact that people created the word as a malicious way to mock the mentally handicapped. And also, the term idiot was at one time a scientific term to describe someone of diminished mental capacity. The word "retard" was never a scientific term. It is a shortened and pejorative version of the word "retarded" which is (or at least was) a scientifically acceptable term. That said, I can't wait to see the movie. It looks hilarious.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:31 PM
Response to Reply #52
123. Where does "retard" show up in medical literature?
It is exactly analagous to the N word.
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SteelPenguin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:36 PM
Response to Reply #123
141. I would agree it's analogous
Nigger was also used in the past non-perjoratively, as well as perjoratively, before there were other terms. A person using the word Nigger in 1835, hard to believe as it is, would not necessarily have been using it in any different context than someone today saying Black.

As far as where does Retard show up in the medical literature, I dont' have time to research it, but I'd be willing to bet that it was used in the late 19th century early 20th century in some literature at some point. It doesn't make it any less offensive today of course, but it's just another example of the sliding scale aspect of Linguistics.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:02 PM
Response to Reply #141
167. It is a slang derived from retarded, just like the "n" word is derived from negro.
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 01:03 PM by lumberjack_jeff
You'd lose that bet.
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ForrestGump Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:10 PM
Response to Reply #123
179. The word is accepted as diagnostic by doctors


in 2505.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3Yiiphkrqw


:hide:
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:44 AM
Response to Reply #49
58. Sure it is.
I hear it all the time.
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EOTE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:00 PM
Response to Reply #58
86. The difference.
I'd imagine if you called a gay person "gay", they wouldn't think too much about it. I'd imagine most gays would be offended if you called them a "fag". Attempting to denigrate a person who is mentally retarded by calling them retarded would say far, far more about the insulter than the insulted.
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:34 AM
Response to Reply #10
41. Irony really is dead...people here are encouraging a boycott of a movie they've never seen
and won't ever do so. Sound familiar?
:eyes:
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Marr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:19 AM
Response to Reply #8
15. Of course not. Just the usual outrage party.
I swear, when it comes to movies, DU is almost indistinguishable from a right-wing loon site. "Batman is pro-Bush!", "I won't see anything with Mel Gibson in it!"... bleh.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:21 AM
Response to Reply #15
17. Actually, if you clicked the link, which I am assuming you didn't.
The thread title is paraphrasing the title of the article.

There are a lot of people on this site who work with SpED kids as well as people here who have disabled children.

It's offensive to us.
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SteelPenguin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:24 AM
Response to Reply #17
23. So should offensive language never be used in cinema?
Even by offensive characters doing offensive things?
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:26 AM
Response to Reply #23
27. There is quite a leap from things which are
a prejorative to some of our community to 'FUCK'. FUCK is far more preferable than calling someone 'retarded' because of their disability.
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SteelPenguin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:30 AM
Response to Reply #27
31. I'm not talking about swearing
I'm talking about using perjorative terms.

A movie set in the 1920's south where white characters use the word 'nigger' repeatedly and with venom.

etc

Should we never examine the context of the characters, or the films use of said terms?
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Orsino Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 04:04 PM
Response to Reply #23
273. Depends upon whom is offended, why, and even who's doing the offending.
I probably wasn't going to see this movie, but now that I know about its repeated use of the most cowardly slur of all, I'm sure I'll steer clear.

I really, really hate the word "retard," and appreciate the warning.
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Growler Donating Member (896 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-16-08 01:31 AM
Response to Reply #23
317. That's the crux of this, isn't it??
I saw this movie tonight, and really enjoyed it. It is obvious in context that the audience is supposed to find the use of this word offensive.

If we are going to ban this movie because it uses the "r" word, we need to burn Huck Finn because it uses the "n" word.... Just saying...
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Quantess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-16-08 02:52 AM
Response to Reply #317
324. I see your point. I saw the movie tonight, too.
I thought it was hilarious and raunchy overall, but I really didn't appreciate some of the parts where "retard" was bandied about.

However, my boyfriend considered the whole movie to be a swipe at Hollywood film industry, and thought the "retard" discussion should be taken in context.
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Growler Donating Member (896 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-16-08 12:17 PM
Response to Reply #324
327. I agree with your BF
I thought that the word "retard" was used in the movie by actors who use it to show how sensitive and in touch they are, but in fact only reveal how clueless and manipulative they are.
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Marr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:25 AM
Response to Reply #17
26. I did click the link.
I'm not for banning words.
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PVnRT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:31 PM
Response to Reply #26
208. Who's banning anything?
The only entity that can "ban" words is the government. Anything else is the free-market economy at work.
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Dreamer Tatum Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:43 AM
Response to Reply #15
57. If the movie in question were suitably anti-Bush
then no one would notice the word 'retard.' Especially if used in reference to Bush.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:47 AM
Response to Reply #57
64. Epic
FAIL. :eyes:
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Dreamer Tatum Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:55 AM
Response to Reply #64
76. Would you like me to post the instances of 'retard' used as pejorative on DU?
I can do that if you like.
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cliffordu Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:30 AM
Response to Reply #8
32. Naw, this is leap before you think circular firing squad land......
Any reason to get hysterical, any time. (Carpe Whine)

Rule by the most sensitive/loudest.

People are rude. Sometimes the best humor is rude, too....This might not qualify, but then again I haven't seen it.....
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:30 PM
Response to Reply #8
121. I don't need to fucking see a move which uses bigotry as a marketing tool.
In fact I SHOULD NOT pay to see such a movie.
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varkam Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:34 PM
Response to Reply #8
214. Free speech
doesn't protect the speech that you agree with, it protects the speech that you don't.
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ScreamingMeemie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:17 PM
Response to Reply #8
247. If it uses words like that and then claims them to be innocuous, I
won't see it, Jesus Christ... I won't spend money on poking fun of the disadvantaged and trying to label it "just for laughs".
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MedleyMisty Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:14 AM
Response to Original message
9. You should see Dark Knight instead
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 11:18 AM by sleebarker
So that it can keep winning the box office because it deserves to, so there. :)

Anyway - I wasn't planning on it anyway just because it didn't seem like my kind of movie. If people don't want to see it because of the issues in the article, then cool. But I think it's a bit much to say that no one should see it and that it should be banned. Censorship is never cool.
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:06 PM
Response to Reply #9
171. Oh, no, don't do that.
That movie has a character who jokes about murdering people.

And that's highly offensive. It should be banned.
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cobalt1999 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:15 AM
Response to Original message
11. Any article telling people not to see a movie will guarantee increased ticket sales.
Self-defeating.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:16 AM
Response to Reply #11
13. I don't know. This is pretty offensive.
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AllentownJake Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:51 AM
Response to Reply #13
74. Offensive material sells
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Codeine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:35 PM
Response to Reply #13
135. "Retard" isn't that offensive
to your average viewer. Honestly.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:42 PM
Response to Reply #135
147. Either is
'n'. If you're not black.

See what I'm saying? Just because it isn't offensive to YOU doesn't make it inoffensive.
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SteelPenguin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:53 PM
Response to Reply #147
156. Whether or not it's offensive isn't the point
The point is whether an offensive word can be used in humor, art or satire to make a broader point.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:00 PM
Response to Reply #156
166. Using an offensive word as a part of art or satire is different from using it as a marketing tool.
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Codeine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:07 PM
Response to Reply #166
172. How? Satire IS the marketing tool here! nt
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Codeine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:06 PM
Response to Reply #147
170. The N word
used in certain contexts, is a staple of American screen dialog year-round. Samuel L. Jackson makes his living off that word! ;) Viewers are intelligent enough to realize it's not being used derogatorily; I'm sure they can make the same distinction in this instance.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 07:36 PM
Response to Reply #170
298. Here's the difference. Samuel L. Jackson, as a black man
can say it til the cows come home. The disabled will never refer to themselves as 'retards' and neither should any thinking human being.

Oh, wait. :eyes:
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:59 PM
Response to Reply #135
164. Jesus Christ! Are you stupid?
Of course it isn't offensive to the average viewer. It's offensive to those with developmental disabilities (and those who give a shit about them).
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Codeine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:09 PM
Response to Reply #164
177. Besides bothering Our Ladies of Perpetual Outrage
I really doubt anybody, even folks who deal with developmentally disabled folks or who care about them, is going to care.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:15 PM
Response to Reply #177
184. I do, I do, and I do. n/t
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Codeine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:23 PM
Response to Reply #184
195. Of course you do. nt
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:19 PM
Response to Reply #177
189. Thinking of ways to be grievously offended is a cottage industry for
a segment of the population that hates linguistic variety and loves to wallow in pity.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:32 PM
Response to Reply #189
211. Yay! Way to strike a blow for "linguistic variety"!
The opportunity to indulge in some base bigotry is simply a bonus. :mad:
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:16 PM
Response to Reply #211
245. Our fucking moron retard Pretzeldent might get us into a shooting war with
Russia and a bunch of little girly offended shitbags are raising a hugh (sic) stink over a fucking movie. I fucking give up.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 07:34 PM
Response to Reply #245
296. Please give up. Please give up.
Please go away.
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:33 PM
Response to Reply #177
213. I do and I care
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:18 PM
Response to Reply #213
249. You have the right to be offended by any goddamn thing in the universe.
What you and the cadre of PC Police do not have is the right to tell everybody else what kinds of movies they can pay their own good money to see. That attitude is PRECISELY the same as the one most everyone here criticizes when it comes from the fundy/right/wingnut/etc. gallery. Talk about hypocrisy.
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:21 PM
Response to Reply #249
253. When did I ever tell anyone else what to do?
You are over the line Dude.
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:28 PM
Response to Reply #253
259. You agreed with the premise in the OP. If you think he was wrong you really ought to say so
instead of toeing the "do as I say because I am offended" line.
Just sayin'
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proud2BlibKansan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 03:31 PM
Response to Reply #259
269. I said "As a special ed teacher, I am appalled by this film."
Now show me where I said no one should go see it.
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Growler Donating Member (896 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-16-08 01:34 AM
Response to Reply #177
318. agreed.
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Captain Hilts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:18 AM
Response to Original message
14. The film - complete with fake ads beforehand - is a satire of ignorant machismo flicks...nt
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SteelPenguin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:21 AM
Response to Original message
16. How do you respond to this article?
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/12/miller.film.tropic/index.html

Out of curiosity, they had two commentaries and you linked to one. I'm assuming you read the other, what are your thoughts on it?
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:22 AM
Response to Reply #16
19. Honestly, I think that is a knee jerk response to criticism
from Tim Shriver.

Lampooning or not, a lot of people will see this movie and not realize that use of the word 'retard' to a lot of people is as offensive as 'n'.
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SteelPenguin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:27 AM
Response to Reply #19
29. Perhaps
However do you think that if a person before the movie wouldn't think twice of calling a disabled person a retard to their face, the movie would have any affect on them whether they used the word retard or not in the movie?

In the context from what I've seen, and I haven't seen the movie, but it seems pretty obvious that it's an over the top thing. If you're missing the fact that even in the context of the movie, the use of the word is offensive, and hence why they're using it, I doubt you're someone who cares about other people's feelings. No?
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:29 AM
Response to Reply #29
30. I think, no, I KNOW, that a lot of people don't think of it as a prejorative.
The same people would never use the word 'n', but don't think that the word 'retarded' is offensive. So they use it. And, their kids use it. And, the cycle perpetuates.

You can go to virtually any school yard playground in America and not hear 'n'. But you'll hear plenty of kids saying 'retard' and some of it is directed at the children who have mental disabilities.

And, your last sentence? You couldn't be more wrong. :eyes:

Plonk.
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SteelPenguin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:32 AM
Response to Reply #30
34. I understand you're sensitive to this issue
However, I don't think that putting politically correct terminology in the mouth of an offensive movie character in an R rated film is necessarily a way to reduce the usage of a perjorative in the schoolyard.
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AllentownJake Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:40 AM
Response to Reply #30
51. The movie is rated R
Children are going to mock what is different from them at a certain age. It sucks but its part of the growing process. Anyone who thinks there is an inheritant good in man only needs to step on a play ground to realize we are cruel from the moment we learn to speak and behavior has to be unlearned.

There was a time in my life when I called my own brother that and he was autistic (12-14) because it was frustrating to live with him. I got my ass kicked when I did by my dad.

I think this movie is more making fun of Hollywood actors who potray people with disabilities over the top to try to win awards.
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EOTE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:22 AM
Response to Original message
18. I still intend to see it.
Ben Stiller is definitely hit or miss, but I've loved almost everything that Robert Downey Jr. has been a part of. And the rebuttal to this argument seems pretty sound. It does not seem to me that any of these jokes are aimed at the cognitively disabled. Rather, it seems that the movie is making fun of actors and studios who use those types of roles in order to gain prestige and such. I would never use the "R" word in conversation, and I could certainly understand why Mr. Shriver is so upset. However, I think that given the movie has an R rating, it should be watched by adults who understand where the satire is aimed.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:23 AM
Response to Reply #18
22. I disagree. I think you give adults too much credit.
There are 'adults' here on DU who think nothing of posting things considered offensive to those who have mental disabilities. It's almost the last group that can be made fun of with impugnity.
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EOTE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:37 AM
Response to Reply #22
46. I don't know about that.
How about the obese? How about 'rednecks' or 'white trash'. I see lots of groups that are targeted with impugnity. That doesn't make it any less wrong, but it shows that they're not alone.
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Captain Sensible Donating Member (200 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:38 AM
Response to Reply #22
48. You are not being "adult" you are just being self important.
The term is used to lampoon other self important types. if the characters were pc it would not have the intended effect (the one you soo clearly missed in your rush to be offended).
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:41 AM
Response to Reply #48
53. And you
are just being a jerk.


Plonk.
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Growler Donating Member (896 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-16-08 01:36 AM
Response to Reply #48
319. exactly.
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:32 AM
Response to Original message
35. How many other "offensive" words should we ban and who gets to decide
on the list? I'm getting a little sick of all this Political Correctness bullshit.
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Hugabear Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:36 AM
Response to Reply #35
44. Who said a fucking word about BANNING the movie?
Why the quotation marks around the word offensive in your post? You disagree that the word 'retard' is offensive to many people?

Nobody said a FUCKING WORD about banning this movie. We as a society are allowed to decide what we will and will not support, got that?
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:42 AM
Response to Reply #44
54. I was referring to the word, not the movie, Einstein.
I guess I'll have to see the movie twice since you bring up the support thing. Thank you!
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AllentownJake Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:43 AM
Response to Reply #44
56. Actually Shriver is calling for the movie to be banned
"How can you help? Ban the R-word. Ban the movie. Take a stand"
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Codeine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:36 PM
Response to Reply #56
139. self-delete
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 12:37 PM by Codeine
for the Alert button crowd
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Dreamer Tatum Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:45 AM
Response to Reply #44
59. The article being referenced reads "Should not be seen."
Sounds like an ex post method of banning the movie to me.
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underseasurveyor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:49 AM
Response to Reply #44
67. From the last line in the article
"How can you help? Ban the R-word. Ban the movie. Take a stand."

It was mentioned.


Just sayin:shrug:
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:51 AM
Response to Reply #44
73. The author of the article, and presumably the OP.
"How can you help? Ban the R-word. Ban the movie. Take a stand."
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RadiationTherapy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:01 PM
Response to Reply #44
88. Actually, the article mentions it at the end. nt
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Skip Intro Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:27 PM
Response to Reply #44
258. Last line in the article: "How can you help? Ban the R-word. Ban the movie. Take a stand." nt
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:00 PM
Response to Reply #35
87. "Political Correctness," eh -- your bias is showing
:eyes:
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:11 PM
Response to Reply #87
103. I am indeed biased. Against the ongoing dumbing-down of the language
to accomodate every current group of whiners.
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Scout Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:30 PM
Response to Reply #103
122. i bet you're a white man, aren't you?
you're group never whines, do they?
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:53 PM
Response to Reply #122
157. I bet you can't spell "your"
moran.

See how it works?
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Scout Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:32 PM
Response to Reply #157
210. oooh, i typed the wrong "your" once... you are so superior
and your opinion just means so much more than mine does now.

i'm hurt, disillusioned and disappointed :sarcasm:
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:12 PM
Response to Reply #210
242. Well, just so you're (sic) not desiccated with mortification,
it's all good.
:shrug:
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:57 PM
Response to Reply #103
161. So, your point is that the term "retard" meaningfully contributes to the value of our language?
Uh, dood?

I'll make my own contribution. Fuck you.
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:11 PM
Response to Reply #161
180. Every word is part of the language until some whining asshole decides it's offensive.
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 01:12 PM by isentropic
See?
but seein's how you're a lumberjack and you're OK

How much are you offering?
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:14 PM
Response to Reply #180
183. These aren't whining assholes. These are my friends and family.
I didn't decide it was offensive, I can see it is offensive by virtue of the tears it causes.

Those who continue to insult the defenseless after being shown the harm they are doing are beneath contempt. They are not merely ignorant, they are the worst kind of assholes.

Present company included.
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:23 PM
Response to Reply #183
196. You might take note of the fact there are 2 of us in "present company"
:eyes:
I have to love the hypocrisy though...you don't hesitate to call me by inference an asshole. That's pretty fucking funny.
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Scout Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:33 PM
Response to Reply #196
212. you didn't mind when you called me a moran n/t
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:38 PM
Response to Reply #196
219. Sorry for inferring.
That was uncharacteristically ambiguous.

I apologize for my unintentional insult to anuses.
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:20 PM
Response to Reply #219
252. Gee whiz, how will I ever extricate myself from that onslaught of 6th grade logic?
:eyes:
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 05:46 PM
Response to Reply #252
281. By borrowing some 7th grade logic.
By week three or so you should begin to feel comfortable wielding it.
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Scout Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:35 PM
Response to Reply #180
216. you keep saying "see" like there is something apparent in your posts
that we aren't seeing.

But i think you are the only one who thinks there is much of anything there....
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PVnRT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:40 PM
Response to Reply #180
220. Yeah, like those whiny blacks who got tired of "n****r"
How dare they dumb down the language :eyes:
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Scout Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:41 PM
Response to Reply #220
223. no, they reduced the "linguistic variety," they didn't dumb it down n/t
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:21 PM
Response to Reply #223
254. LOL! You don't even grasp the magnificent irony in that comment.
Nobody could make this shit up.
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 03:04 PM
Response to Reply #220
266. They didn't dumb it down, they just reserved it for their own exclusive use.
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 03:04 PM by isentropic
That's a fact whether you like it or not.
:D
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Guaranteed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 07:16 PM
Response to Reply #35
290. Hey, idiot- YOU DON'T MAKE FUN OF THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED.
Pretty simple concept. And it doesn't matter what word you use.


It's called being a decent fucking human being.
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Quantess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-16-08 03:51 AM
Response to Reply #35
326. Yes, I'm sick of knee-jerk reactions.
Like yours, for example.
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Scout Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:33 AM
Response to Original message
36. thanks, but i wasn't going to see it anyway ... can't stand Ben Stiller n/t
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El Pinko Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:34 AM
Response to Original message
38. If you shun the movie, you have to shun DU as well...
Various versions of "tard" are uttered all the time around here.

Not saying I support it, or the stuff in the movie, but just as I don't judge DU on that alone, I won't judge the film based on a couple of lines alone.

Besides, the very concept of "you shouldn't see this work of art because group X doesn't approve of it" has never sat well with me.
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Dreamer Tatum Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:56 AM
Response to Reply #38
79. Thank you. See my point above. nt
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:03 PM
Response to Reply #38
95. "Retard" is against DU rules, as per Skinner
I alert on every single instance that I personally see of the word and it's variations. It has no place here, no more so than any other slur. Words do hurt, words do incite, and words do affect teh society in which we live -- both good and bad.
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:08 PM
Response to Reply #95
101. That is true.
Imagine just how many people would be calling this thread "retarded" if it weren't for that rule.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:34 PM
Response to Reply #38
130. Does DU market itself by pandering to bigotry?
The main problem isn't that bigoted language may occur, but that they've used it as a marketing tool.
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ScreamingMeemie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:19 PM
Response to Reply #38
250. and they are removed, and the poster is admonished, and one
sincerely hopes they come to a realization that even "uttering" that type of stuff is wrong.
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mitchum Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:34 AM
Response to Original message
40. Been Stiller has been a hack for quite awhile now, but I have no objection to the movie
it appears that when the characters in the movie use the words "retard" or "retarded" as casual pejoratives, it is intended to show just how callous and self-centered they are. It reflects on them, not on those with mental retardation.

I am a special ed teacher, and yes, the word is banned in my room, but all cases are not the same.
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AllentownJake Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:36 AM
Response to Original message
43. and the counter to that opinion
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/12/miller.film.tropic/index.html

My brother is autistic. I've been involved in the special olympics from the age of 12-18 when we were both living at home.

I haven't seen the movie but I think the joke they were trying to make is actors taking on roles of mentally challenged people to win awards. Rain Man, What's eating Gilbert Grape, Forest Gump etc. From what I've read its mocking Ben Stiller's character for doing a bad movie with terrible stereotypes to attempt to get an award. The potrayal in the movie within a movie is called by critics as awful and offensive. They probably could have went without the word Retarded but it was part of the satire.

I'll wait till the movie comes out on DVD than I'll offer an opinion of it.
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Growler Donating Member (896 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-16-08 01:42 AM
Response to Reply #43
320. I saw this movie tonight..
... and you are exactly right in your assessment of this scene.
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underseasurveyor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:37 AM
Response to Original message
47. Jeez what about Mel Brooks and Blazing Saddles?
Lots of N word use in that movie. Plus numerous other ethnic slurs and stereo-types. If that movie were made in todays world would you refuse to see it?
Blazing Saddles is genius.

If you don't want to see it then don't, i mean jeez-la-weez, but does an issue need to be made out of every thing? God we can't even laugh at ourselves any more without the thought-police screaming foul.
It's a movie:eyes:
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Lisa0825 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:06 PM
Response to Reply #47
97. GMTA
I hadn't gotten all thew way through the thread when I replied below. B;azing Saddles is the first thing I thought of when reading the article. Blazing Saddles got high praise in a thread here at DU. I wonder if it would have been the same had it been made today?
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underseasurveyor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:20 PM
Response to Reply #97
109. First thing I thought of too
You and I both know that if Blazing Saddles were made today the out-roar would be deafening, especially here. Blazing Saddles is one of my all time favorite movies. Know it almost word for word:hi:

"'Scuse me while I whip dis out."

:rofl:
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Political Heretic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:45 AM
Response to Original message
60. The last line of the article goes to far.
"How can you help? Ban the R-word. Ban the movie. Take a stand."

Choose not to see something you disagree with? Yes. Ban words, ban movies? Fucking hell no.
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EnviroBat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:41 PM
Response to Reply #60
144. Thank you.
finally someone is making some sense. The faux outrage around here is truly retarded. Gee, what words will the hand-ringing word police "ban" next week?
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robcon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:47 AM
Response to Original message
63. Ridiculous. Who's afraid of the word "retard?"
Puritanism.

ssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhh don't say the word "retard"
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:49 AM
Response to Reply #63
69. .
:eyes:
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:17 PM
Response to Reply #63
107. Oh, just hide and watch...there are a lot of other words waiting in the wings
to be condemned by the WPCC (Whining Political Correctness Cops)...like
stupid
ugly
dumb
idiot
moran (!)
garbage man
etc.
:eyes:
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Runcible Spoon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:16 PM
Response to Reply #107
185. don't forget douchebag!
:rofl:
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:26 PM
Response to Reply #185
201. Believe me, I have tried to!
:D
:rofl:
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PVnRT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:42 PM
Response to Reply #107
225. Oh, you anti-PC warrior, you
Keep fighting the man, you brave rebel. With your help, we can be free to call Italians spics again.
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:10 PM
Response to Reply #225
240. Deleted message
Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
Guaranteed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 07:21 PM
Response to Reply #63
291. It's a purely pejorative word. There is no clinical use for it.
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 07:22 PM by BullGooseLoony
You still see "retarded" around, when people don't say "developmentally disabled," but at least that is typically used in a clinical setting.


"Retard"- as a noun- is a bastardization of the VERB "retard" and a word used solely for putting others down at the expense of developmentally disabled people. It is rude and thoughtless.
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:50 AM
Response to Original message
70. What a dipshit.
Is this a parody of a dipshit?

It's hard to tell sometimes.
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DS1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:50 AM
Response to Original message
71. I won't go see it, but I will watch it
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AlCzervik Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:02 PM
Response to Reply #71
94. will you give us a review?
my summer movie going has been good and terrible.
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DS1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:11 PM
Response to Reply #94
104. heh
sure
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Dogtown Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:55 AM
Response to Original message
77. I believe I'll make up my own mind
on this one.
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underseasurveyor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:52 PM
Response to Reply #77
155. Is that still allowed?
To make up our own minds:evilgrin:
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Dogtown Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:11 PM
Response to Reply #155
181. It's frowned upon
I'll watch my back, JIC.

:patriot:
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underseasurveyor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:19 PM
Response to Reply #181
188. Looking at this thread
I'd say it was more than just frown upon... it's almost illegal:-(
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dysfunctional press Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:56 AM
Response to Original message
80. iwasn't planning on seeing it in the theatre- but i will rent it when it becomes available.
to each his own.
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Lisa0825 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:57 AM
Response to Original message
81. What about Blazing Saddles?
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 11:57 AM by Lisa0825
When I saw it, I was too young to "get" the offensive humor. From what I understand, it was WAY over the top, but when a topic was posted about it here, most folks defended it as comic genius. So what I am wondering is if Tropic Thunder (which I have not seen) could possibly be seen through the same perspective. Again, I have not seen it, and didn't get the full effect of Blazing Saddles due to my age. I am only asking about comparing the two since both went over the top in their attempts at humor.
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theboss Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:01 PM
Response to Reply #81
89. Daggummit....The sheriff is a Ni
He said, "The sheriff is near!"
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underseasurveyor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:23 PM
Response to Reply #89
114. "No dag gummit. I said the sheriff is a ni"
<[[gong>]]
:rofl:
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:57 AM
Response to Original message
82. I was really pissed after I read that -- because I wanted to see it
I LOVE movies like that.

I HATE that word. I alert on every post that uses it on here. My wife uses it sometimes, but I call her on it every time. It's a habit with her, but I dislike it way more than even her smoking.

Anyone who uses that word and EXCUSES doing so has little compassion for some of the most vulnerable with our communities.
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pansypoo53219 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:01 PM
Response to Original message
91. te language has evolved again. retard has been altered into a
geneal insult against people. stupid people. i have been reading a 1891 set of encyclopedia britannicas. and the terms for the mentally challenged was words like cretin(general population stole that word to) and other words. bush is a retard.
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:41 PM
Response to Reply #91
145. No.
pansypoo5319 is a retard because she can't spell and she doesn't use the correct punctuation.

Right?

:eyes:

It's not an insult, right? I didn't hurt your feelings, right?

And, you are absolutely dead wrong about it being a general insult. It's only that way to people who can't think of anything else but a prejorative against the mentally disabled.
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cwydro Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:22 PM
Response to Reply #145
194. omg!
:rofl:

perfect.
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:07 PM
Response to Reply #91
173. Wrong -- and that's the same reason bigots use to defend saying, "that's so gay!"
Ick.
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RadiationTherapy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:02 PM
Response to Original message
93. Retard is an offensive term to me; I will see this movie. nt
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SteelPenguin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:44 PM
Response to Reply #93
148. Same
I don't use the word because I find it offensive. It's a word that I'd scold and punish my children for using (they aren't even allowed to use the word stupid, or any other non-specific harsh langauge) and I wouldn't accept it being used in context in my house by someone without my correcting them.

I can still watch a character in a movie use it and laugh. Will I laugh at this film? I don't know. I haven't seen it. The context however seems to more be mocking shallow actors rather than the disabled, and does so in an R rated film.

Just because I find something offensive doesn't mean that it can't be used in humor, satire, or art.
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Lisa0825 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:04 PM
Response to Original message
96. Actually after reading this whole threwad, now I want to see it.
I really wasn't planning to see it, but now I want to see first hand if they succeeded in making their point to lampoon Hollywood rather than ridicule others.
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snooper2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:07 PM
Response to Original message
100. Any Movie with Stiller is crap
:puke:

poor poor excuse for an actor
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Scout Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:47 PM
Response to Reply #100
230. can't believe he came from the parents he did
and ended up being such a dick
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That Is Quite Enough Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:20 PM
Response to Original message
111. Too bad. I'm still planning to see it.
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davidnc76 Donating Member (365 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:22 PM
Response to Reply #111
112. Yep! Me 2.
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Tektonik Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:23 PM
Response to Original message
113. Jack Black is in it so I wasn't planning on it anyhow
:puke:
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:25 PM
Response to Original message
116. absolutely right. Thanks. n/t
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TreasonousBastard Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:32 PM
Response to Original message
128. Don't you dare tell me what I should or shouldn't see...
because you read an article that said it might offend you.

I'll decide what I should or shouldn't see, thankyouverymuch, and while I might listen to your concerns, even agree with them, I'm more interested in what the actual movie is about than the opinion of someone who hasn't seen it and is biased against it because of some article or review.

FWIW, I have seen many things I disagreed with at the outset, and often either found out why I disliked them or found out I was wrong in my initial appraisal. Too many times though, I found the potentially offending pieces just more boring bullshit.

(But you don't know until you see it.)
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Midlodemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:34 PM
Response to Reply #128
131. Jesus, dude, calm down.
I was paraphrasing the article's title. Go see it. I don't give a fuck what you do.
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TreasonousBastard Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:49 PM
Response to Reply #131
152. I'm actually very laid back today, and just...
had some time to raise the rant I've been too lazy to do for months. Sorry if you feel singled out, but them's the breaks-- nothing personal, just a random outburst.

Seems every other day I see someone, somewhere, telling me what I should or shouldn't attend, watch, read, or hear. And every one of them is in high dudgeon about some perceived insult, offense, or political thought crime.

(It's almost as bad as those people telling me what I MUST watch for some vague political point being made.)
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:36 PM
Response to Reply #128
140. When you spend your money based on bigoted marketing,
you are a part of the problem.
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:42 PM
Response to Reply #140
146. When you advocate censorship, you're part of the problem.
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PVnRT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:44 PM
Response to Reply #128
228. LOL. I didn't realize midlo could physically stop you from seeing it
Sounds to me that you need to, I don't know, lighten up?

And they say the "PC crowd" is wound too tight.
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TreasonousBastard Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:58 PM
Response to Reply #228
234. I guess you didn't read my answer to this over...
an hour before you posted.

Me, I find it easier to read than post. Sometimes, by reading, I even find there's no reason to post at all.
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Codeine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:39 PM
Response to Original message
143. I'll go see it twice now.
Fuck the outrage crowd.
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underseasurveyor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:46 PM
Response to Reply #143
151. Hell... take a friend
Fuck that..... grab all your friends and go see it:thumbsup:
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Runcible Spoon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:20 PM
Response to Reply #143
190. and I will download it twice!
Just wanted to piss off the anti-piracy people too. :evilgrin:
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cynatnite Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:44 PM
Response to Original message
149. Of course I'll see it n/t
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ZombieHorde Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:57 PM
Response to Original message
160. I am calling bullshit
Mockery in any form, or for any purpose or directed at anyone, especially those least able to defend themselves, is neither funny nor acceptable. We must work together to bring it to an end.

Bullshit. Mockery is extremely funny.

Ban the R-word. Ban the movie.

Mother fucker.
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:06 PM
Response to Reply #160
169. I take it you include Minstrel Shows in that statement?
No difference.

Midlo is correct.
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:09 PM
Response to Reply #169
176. No difference? Really?
So Tropic Thunder is two hours of actors dressing up and acting like retarded people? Singing songs about how happy they are to be retarded? Cracking jokes about short buses and baseball helmets?

Interesting.
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SteppingRazor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:09 PM
Response to Reply #169
178. There's a vast difference...
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 01:10 PM by SteppingRazor
between making fun of an ethnic group and making fun of ignorant people who make fun of an ethnic group. At this point, given that I only know that the movie uses the word "retard" a bunch of times I don't think I (or anyone else who hasn't seen the film) is in a position to say which this is. I'm not saying Tropic Thunder is necessarily one or the other, but I do think we should give it the benefit of the doubt -- especially given that Stiller's previous work has done a nice job of lampooning people who are indifferent to or ignorant of the mentally handicapped (See: There's Something About Mary)
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LostinVA Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:25 PM
Response to Reply #178
199. But the poster said mockery in entertainment is okay
I don't agree with that, and hope tehy don't, either. I was calling them on THAT statement.
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SteppingRazor Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:41 PM
Response to Reply #199
222. Well, I'm pointing out that mockery is OK...
just not mockery of people for things they can't help (mental state, ethnicity, etc.).

In the example I cited, people are being mocked -- it's just that the subjects of the mockery are being lambasted for their ignorance and prejudices.

So, while I definitely see your point that mocking the handicapped is, you know, pretty lame, I'd also say that not all mockery is unacceptable. It depends on the target.

And, even going beyond that, I think even the "bad" type of mockery can be OK depending on who delivers the joke: For example, is it unacceptable when Chris Rock makes fun of black people, or Jon Stewart makes fun of Jews? I would say no, because self-examination raises it from hatred to humor.

I don't want to make this more complicated than it is (too late, I know), but I'm just saying that the subject is a little more complex than what you're suggesting. That's all.
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ZombieHorde Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:19 PM
Response to Reply #169
251. Minstrel Shows?
I am not sure what you are referring to.

Midlo is correct.

Midlo gave an opinion on her desire to view this film. I believe her when she says that she does not want to see it, therefor I agree, Midlo is correct.
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isentropic Donating Member (344 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:24 PM
Response to Reply #160
256. I want to know why calling someone a "moran" (moron) isn't against da rules.
Hell, it's institutionalized here!
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Romulox Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 12:58 PM
Response to Original message
162. Didn't anyone see "Something About Mary"? It's a VERY similar joke...
The joke is clearly and patently on Pat Healy in this scene, as the heroine he is attempting to impress has a brother with Down Syndrome, and Mary devotes considerable time volunteering to assist developmentally disabled people...




HEALY
I work with retards.

MARY
I beg your pardon?

HEALY
You know...the guys who ride the short bus.

MARY
Isn't that a little politically incorrect?

HEALY
The hell with that. No one's gonna tell me
who I can and can't work with.

MARY
No, I mean

HEALY
--There's this one kid, we call him Mongo
on account of he's a mongoloid. He got out
of his cage once and--

MARY
--He's in a cage?!

HEALY
Well it's more of an enclosure really.

MARY
They keep him confined? That's bullshit!

HEALY
That's what I said, so I went out and got
him a leash you know, one of those
clothesline runners for the backyard. He's
got plenty of room out there to dig. The
kid's really blossomed. Now I can take him
to ball games, movies--you know, happy
stuff.

MARY
That sounds like fun.

HEALY
Yeah, it's fun for them, but it's heaven
for me.
(getting emotional)
Those goofy bastards are just about the
best thing I have in this crazy old world.
(checks watch)
Ooh, hey, I gotta run.
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EOTE Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:31 PM
Response to Reply #162
207. Perfect example.
I find many of the words used in that scene absolutely repugnant. However, that scene is friggin hilarious. Is it funny because mentally handicapped people are spoken to in such a crude manner? No. It's hilarious because Healy thinks that he could use talk like that to attract a woman to whom the mentally handicapped are very important. And he continually misconstrues where she's placing her outrage. Hilarious scene.
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Starbucks Anarchist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:17 PM
Response to Original message
186. I disagree.
Putting aside the linked article demanding we ban the movie (idiotic on its face), I think the use of the word "retard," while certainly offensive, can possibly be explained within the context of this movie.

For those who don't know, the movie concerns a crew and actors who travel to the jungle and come upon an actual war in the middle of filming.

The movie is a satire of Hollywood and celebrity, particularly Robert Downey, Jr.'s character, an Australian method actor so dimwitted, he undergoes skin-darkening treatments to "get into character." Had this been Al Jolson in "The Jazz Singer," this would be called blackface. The difference here is that Downey's character is clearly being mocked, and not African-Americans.

The "Simple Jack" character, portrayed by Ben Stiller in a previous meta-movie, along with the lines "Go full retard," etc., is a reference to Hollywood's love of mentally/physically challenged heroes as Oscar-worthy -- Forrest Gump, to name a famous example.

Having said that, I can understand at least some of the outcry (aside from calls to ban the movie), considering the history of the word and the fact that it's used repeatedly in the movie. And of course, I don't personally use the word at all in real life.

However, context is always important. People may (rightfully) think the "N word" is offensive on its face, but its simple use in a film does not mean the filmmakers harbor racist thoughts or seek to demean African-Americans. In many movies, it is in fact essential to the plot -- American History X, Mississippi Burning, etc.

In the end, when you take a high-budget film and this particular word, given its history and use, you will undoubtedly cause an uproar. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and look at the context more closely.

This isn't to say that anybody is right or wrong -- just that a one-sided article will not give the full story.
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AlCzervik Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:21 PM
Response to Reply #186
192. Well said.
i'll wait before i see it, i'd like to see some reviews from people that have actually seen it and after my summer movie batting average i'm not taking any chances.

Wall-e
Wanted
Hellboy

all good

the rest, forget about it.
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Starbucks Anarchist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:24 PM
Response to Reply #192
197. It also begs a really big question.
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 01:25 PM by Starbucks Anarchist
Assuming Ben Stiller anticipated the outrage from disability advocates (and I'm sure he did), why would he use that word repeatedly in a movie *solely* to mock them?

It makes no business sense whatsoever, and it wouldn't serve any purpose at all.

EDIT: Rolling Stone gave it 3 1/2 stars out of four, and they're usually on target.
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AlCzervik Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:25 PM
Response to Reply #197
200. that's a good question and you have a really good point.
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Guaranteed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 07:50 PM
Response to Reply #197
299. Raises a really big question. nt
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Robb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:29 PM
Response to Reply #186
204. Thoughtfully put.
A character's language choices are meant to affect the way we feel about the character. Since Shakespeare's time and before.

We're not meant to like the character of "white sheriff who uses racist language." :shrug:
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Starbucks Anarchist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:37 PM
Response to Reply #204
217. That actually reminds me of a Roger Ebert quote.
"It's not what a movie is about -- it is HOW it is about it."

An obvious example is American History X, a film about neo-nazi skinheads, but in the end, an anti-racism polemic.
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PVnRT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:46 PM
Response to Reply #186
229. What I think has set people off
was the use of "retard" in the original promotion of the movie, which was beyond fucking stupid.

Had that not been done, I have a feeling the outcry over this would be much less.
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Starbucks Anarchist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:48 PM
Response to Reply #229
231. I agree.
That shouldn't have been done.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:57 PM
Response to Reply #186
233. I don't see the ambiguity.
If the "n" word were used in the marketing of a comedy in which black people were the punchline, we'd have no problem understanding the issue.

Instead, we rationalize it because we personally aren't offended by it. Of course not. Most of us who have the luxury of being able to spend our idle hours this way are unlikely to be affected by a developmental disability.

I'm sure that turn of the century chamber of commerce meetings expressed similar concerns about the loss of "linguistic variety" which results from "outrage addicts" telling them not to use pejoratives for black people. After all, I'm sure they weren't offended by it either.

I'm not passing judgment on the movie, I'm passing judgment on its marketing - I will not reward bigotry with my money. The movie itself may be completely benign - it doesn't matter.
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Starbucks Anarchist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:04 PM
Response to Reply #233
236. Like I said slightly upthread, the marketing ploy was dumb.
On that we can agree, but the movie itself has to be seen in order to understand the context. Besides, the article linked in the OP doesn't just attack the marketing, it calls for *banning* the movie.

And I clearly stated that I can understand how the word itself can produce a visceral reaction and that I don't personally use the word in public or private.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:16 PM
Response to Reply #236
246. "Dumb" and "wrong" are not the same things.
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 02:16 PM by lumberjack_jeff
This movie will sell lots of tickets by pandering to bigotry. Browse this thread for myriad examples of DU'ers(!) who intend to see it because the marketing is offensive.

Clearly it wasn't dumb.

And yes, it produces a visceral reaction from me that one couldn't obtain by simply insulting me.
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Starbucks Anarchist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:31 PM
Response to Reply #246
260. It's actually both.
It's dumb from a marketing standpoint to feature the offending word without showing the overall context of the movie, and it's wrong to hope people will see it simply because of the marketing in question and its attendant "riskiness."
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Writer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 04:11 PM
Response to Reply #186
274. ...
:thumbsup:
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Starbucks Anarchist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 05:27 PM
Response to Reply #274
277. Thank ya.
:hi:
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Runcible Spoon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:18 PM
Response to Original message
187. When they came for douche, I remained silent, for I was not a douche...
:rofl:
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:02 PM
Response to Reply #187
235. I'm reminded of the movie "Caddy Shack"
"... and I'm no slouch myself!"
"Don't sell yourself short Judge Smales, you are a tremendous slouch."

;)
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Bolo Boffin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:22 PM
Response to Original message
193. Missing the point - an R-Rated movie making fun of actors looking for Oscars
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/12/miller.film.tropic/index.html
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Runcible Spoon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:24 PM
Response to Reply #193
198. don't you know righteous outrage is more fun?
someone get the smelling salts, this thread has gone done got the vapors!
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Bolo Boffin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:31 PM
Response to Reply #198
209. Are you kidding? I'm a founding member of ROA.
But this movie has emphasized a real pet peeve of mine. I loathe the "going-for-the-Oscar" moment that exploit subjects like this. Using the term "retard" shows just what regard Stiller et al. have for actors that do this.
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Runcible Spoon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:43 PM
Response to Reply #209
227. well that's certainly a horse of a different color!
this movie may and probably does suck, but for very different reasons than the OP is haranguing (OOOOOHHH favorite new word!) on about. :evilgrin:

Let's think of some of the actors who have portrayed handicapped people and gotten Oscars:Daniel Day-Lewis (My Left Foot, Christy Brown)

Non-Oscar but still lauded performance: Leo DiCaprio (What's Eating Gilbert Grape)

Holy shit there's a lot. I found this website:
http://www.disabilityfilms.co.uk
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Bolo Boffin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:57 PM
Response to Reply #227
232. Cuba Gooding, Senn Penn, the list goes on
You've listed the only two performances I've ever exempted from my peeve.
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Avalux Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:34 PM
Response to Original message
215. Have you ever seen Blazing Saddles?
Same kind of movie, IMHO. It's a parody on all that is Hollywood and pretentious actors and should not be taken so seriously. There's plenty more in this world to become outraged about.
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ColbertWatcher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 09:19 PM
Response to Reply #215
305. Are you comparing this new movie to "Blazing Saddles"? n/t
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Codeine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:37 PM
Response to Original message
218. Satire is so fucking lost on you people.
Bunch of humorless little whiners.
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closeupready Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:18 PM
Response to Reply #218
248. Lost on you, you mean. A word can not be satire.
n/t
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Codeine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 03:25 PM
Response to Reply #248
268. But a word
can certainly be used satirically, and clearly is in this instance.
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closeupready Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 04:16 PM
Response to Reply #268
275. Satire is Oscar Wilde. Calling someone a "retard" is 6th Grade.
So I guess while you're technically correct, I would never characterize pejorative words as "satirical", nor do I find them funny, esp. when people who are being mocked seem to be saying, "this hurts us." w/e.
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depakid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 04:55 PM
Response to Reply #218
276. It really is...
The sad part about it is that the people who are complaining so loudly do a disservice to their own cause.
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ColbertWatcher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 07:24 PM
Response to Reply #276
294. This is the weakest attempt at satire.
The writers didn't even try to create comedy.
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depakid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 09:15 PM
Response to Reply #294
303. I'm sure it's a stupid movie
catering to a low denominator, but there are a lot better ways to get the message across and to create awareness than going writers and producers of the film.
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ColbertWatcher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 09:17 PM
Response to Reply #303
304. By avoiding this movie, people are telling the writer/producers to stop making crappy movies n/t
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d_b Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 01:42 PM
Response to Original message
224. meh
I'm not missing that flick for anything.
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DainBramaged Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:09 PM
Response to Original message
238. The critics are ALLWAYS WRONG, repeat ALLWAYS WRONG.
You can only judge a movie after you've seen it for yourself. They HATED HANCOCK, and it's done how many hundreds of millions? They HATED DUNE. They hated ...............
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closeupready Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:12 PM
Response to Original message
241. I was going to see it, but not after finding out about this.
no, just no.
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negativenihil Donating Member (772 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:22 PM
Response to Original message
255. yawn
I'll be there opening night. can't wait :)
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Dukkha Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:26 PM
Response to Original message
257. the protesters need to retard their anger a bit
i'll wait to see it to pass judgment though the film itself doesn't interest me much anyway
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DS1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:31 PM
Response to Original message
261. So. Are "retard" and its forms totally out of the dictionary now?
I'm asking this as seriously as I can, because I think I'm reading here that "retarded" as in "developmentally retarded" is no longer in use.

What's the replacement?
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MilesColtrane Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:40 PM
Response to Reply #261
262. A person can be retarded, but shortening it and calling them a "retard" is offensive.
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 02:43 PM by MilesColtrane
In similar usage, a person can be a homosexual, but shortening it and calling them a "homo" is offensive.

That is my understanding.

on edit: In case someone doesn't get it, this is not comparing or equating retardation and homosexuality, just the words, and how they can be bastardized into pejorative terms.
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DS1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:41 PM
Response to Reply #262
263. Ok thanks. Also, when I grew up SPed was just as bad or worse
but I'm seeing it used a lot now. Is SPed now okay?
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 05:57 PM
Response to Reply #263
285. Special ed or "sped" has always been okay.
Those who use it as an insult are the ones with the problem.
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lumberjack_jeff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 05:55 PM
Response to Reply #261
283. "retarded" and "mentally retarded" are clinical terms. The acceptable form of "retard" is a verb. nt
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 05:56 PM by lumberjack_jeff
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Quantess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-16-08 02:44 AM
Response to Reply #283
323. Actually, that's outdated.
See my post below.
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Quantess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-16-08 02:41 AM
Response to Reply #261
322. "person with developmental disabilities" is the accepted term.
I've worked professionally with people with developmental disabilities of all ages.

If the individual has mental retardation, then that is a "person with mental retardation". "Mentally retarded" is no longer acceptable.

Emphasis is on the person, and their disabilities are secondary. This point is not to be overlooked. People with disabilities are fed up with having their personhood, their status as a human being, overshadowed by their disability.

For example, "a child with Downs Syndrome" is proper. "Downs Syndrome child" is not. "Billy was born with Downs Syndrome" is acceptable, because it emphasizes that Down Syndrome is not who he is; it's something he has. He's Billy, first of all. Having Downs Syndrome is just one of the ways you can describe him.

BTW... I saw the movie this evening.
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Snarkturian Clone Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 02:45 PM
Response to Original message
264. I originally wasn't going to see it, but now I might. NT
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Hell Hath No Fury Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 03:46 PM
Response to Original message
271. Don't go see "The Last Temptation of Christ"....
it's blasphemus and anti-Christian, don't go see "Basic Instinct" it's anti-gay, don't go see "Shallow Hal" it's anti-large people, and on and on and on. And usually said by people who have never seen the movie, btw. :eyes:

I am a strong believer in artists being allowed full expression to state their point -- I don't believe any word should ever be off limits. And I am a strong believer in context -- context is everything. In this case, it is clear the use of the word "retard" is used to illuminate the character's true nature and not demean someone who has a developmental issue.
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ColbertWatcher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 05:57 PM
Response to Reply #271
284. It's been a long time since a movie was made that might be considered "art" ...
...In fact, I don't think the people who made this particular movie would consider it "art" either.

What confuses me the most about this movie (I haven't seen it) is if it's true that the "r-word" is used as many times as the critics are saying, who made the decision to do so?

Was it the "artists" performing on the screen?

Was it the "artist" who wrote the screenplay?

Was it the "artist" who is in charge during the production?

Or, was it the "artists" who greenlit the whole thing?

I always thought movie-making was a collaborative endeavor. Were all these "artists" really so closed-off from the rest of the world that none of them considered the need to "perpetuate the worst stereotypes" to further exclude and isolate "those least able to defend themselves"?

If that was supposed to be mocking the machismo image of action heroes, I believe they failed. Looks like three people: Ben Stiller (who has writing and directing credits for TT), Justin Theroux (who is known more for his acting than writing) and Etan Cohen (who wrote, directed and produced My Wife Is Retarded) are responsible for stretching their collective imaginations to achieve this movie.

One can expect little more than slapstick and tired cliches considering that Stiller, jack Black and Robert Downey, Jr. are starring in this movie. Of the three, I expected more from Downey, but it's been a long time since Chaplin, hasn't it?
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DS1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 05:36 PM
Response to Original message
279. Here's the clip if anyone wants it
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6d6vv_tropic-thunder-nobody-goes-full-ret_shortfilms
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closeupready Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 06:12 PM
Response to Reply #279
289. Just watched it. Flat. Not funny. Not even offensive except if you
think about what is being said and about whom.
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HiFructosePronSyrup Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 07:26 PM
Response to Reply #289
295. You mean people who thought Forrest Gump was a good movie?
Fuck those bastards.
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Quantess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-16-08 03:45 AM
Response to Reply #295
325. Forrest Gump didn't go "full retard".
Dustin Hoffman didn't go "full retard" in Rain Man. They both won Oscars.
But, Sean Penn went "full retard", and he didn't win the Oscar.
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aikoaiko Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 06:05 PM
Response to Original message
286. I'll see it and judge for myself, thank you.
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apocalypsehow Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 06:08 PM
Response to Original message
287. I'm afraid I gave up the practice of not thinking things out for myself a long time ago. Sorry. n/t.
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Guaranteed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 07:24 PM
Response to Reply #287
293. Welp, we're waiting for you to come to the correct conclusion on your own
anytime now. :)
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ColbertWatcher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 07:23 PM
Response to Original message
292. Suggestion: for people who don't want to boycott, please see the movie in the 2nd week. n/t
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Matariki Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 08:04 PM
Response to Original message
301. I like boycotts okay - word, movie and book banning, not so much.
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ColbertWatcher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 09:21 PM
Response to Reply #301
306. Then go see it, but not in the 1st week. Go see it during the 2nd week. n/t
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Matariki Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 08:10 PM
Response to Original message
302. I hadn't heard of it until all this - so I just watched the trailer
Edited on Wed Aug-13-08 08:11 PM by kineta
and it looked funny. so now maybe I'll see it.

Unfortunately that how boycotting books and movies usually works.

on edit: the trailer: http://www.tropicthunder.com/home.html
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HuffleClaw Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-13-08 11:55 PM
Response to Original message
308. very little humour ISN'T at someone's expense
if ya don't find it funny don't watch it.

this 'controversy' is nothing more than FREE PUBLICITY for a B- grade film.
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harun Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-14-08 08:16 AM
Response to Original message
309. I saw this movie last night.
My wife and I found it really funny. Best comedy I have seen this year. Original idea and the fun they are poking at actors is intelligent and not over done. They threw in some really cool action scenes.

Robert Downey Jr. carries the film. He keeps it from becoming a nonsense comedy in my opinion.
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krabigirl Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-14-08 10:16 AM
Response to Original message
313. Wow, offended so easily? Lighten up.
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Quantess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-16-08 02:01 AM
Response to Original message
321. I just saw it this evening.
And yes, some parts of the movie were in poor taste and made me cringe. Some parts of the movie were hilarious.

No, actually most of the movie was in poor taste, crass, filthy subject matter, with a lot of disgusting visuals, but it also had a lot of laughs. The "retard" scenes were insensitive, and really should not have been in the movie. I can see why some people were offended.

But, how about the caricature of Les Grossman, the jewish movie producer? I guess that's okay, since Ben Stiller is Jewish and wrote the script.
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AnnieBW Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-16-08 12:44 PM
Response to Original message
328. Two words
Ben. Stiller.

Need I say any more?
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