Article

2005-06-28 -Short Attention Span Theater-

...I had been looking forward to Steven Spielberg's War Of The Worlds, even though it really looked like nothing more than a very big budget remake of Independence Day, which was itself a remake of WOTW. However, in recent days it seems that the film's writer, David Koepp, has made some pretty direct statements that the film is - surprise - an allegory of the US invasion of Iraq...and guess who the Martians are supposed to be. As appears to be the standard MO in these cases, Mr. Koepp made the comments in a foreign magazine, Canada's Rue Morgue, apparently forgetting that in the age of the blog, it's damned tough to keep things quiet and hidden the way it used to. The site linked to below (apparently it's down temporarily, this is a Google cache) has all the details, plus links, and a quote from Mr. Koepp:

And now, as we see American adventure abroad,â he [David Koepp] continues âin my mind itâs certainly back to itâs original meaning, which is that the Martians in our movie represent American military forces invading the Iraqis, and the futility of the occupation of a faraway land is again the subtext.â

You guys think Tom Cruise was acting weird before? Wait till he finds out he's playing Zarqawi...

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2005-06-28 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11136 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Yeah, and Hollyweird is wondering why the box office receipts keep dropping.

Posted by DMFD 2005-06-28 07:03|| 2005-06-28 07:03|| Front Page Top

#2 So much for that. I was considering a rare movie event, mainly because of the title. Nevermind.

Posted by Shipman 2005-06-28 09:33|| 2005-06-28 09:33|| Front Page Top

#3 Spielberg has refused to allow the movie to be screened for reviewers before it's release date. I smell a big giant load about to be dumped on us. Oh, well, I just see these pics for the special effects anyway.

Posted by Steve">Steve 2005-06-28 11:00|| 2005-06-28 11:00|| Front Page Top

#4 The original story was an allegory of imperialism with England on the receaving end. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that the latest version would be much of the same.

My guess is David Koepp has a pretty distorted view of what went on in Iraq before the invasion if he thinks there are any kind of parallels.

Posted by RJ Schwarz 2005-06-28 12:14|| 2005-06-28 12:14|| Front Page Top

#5 I am sick and tired of Hollywood making movie after movie that are anti-Bush, anti-American, anti-military polemics rather than entertainment.
I watched a film from the late '40's on Turner Classic the other night about the war hero Gen. Paul Tibbets, who piloted the Enola Gay which dropped the bomb on Hiroshima.
Tibbets was played by box office star Robert Taylor, too.
It was great..and it even showed the men praying (in Jesus's name, no less) before they set out on the mission!
The idea of Hollywood allowing such a film to be made today is laughable and that is just plain wrong!
If they can't make a movie in favor of our war effort, can't they at least give the Bush-bashing and peacenik crap a rest?

Posted by Jennie Taliaferro">Jennie Taliaferro 2005-06-28 15:15|| http://www.greatestjeneration.com]">[http://www.greatestjeneration.com] 2005-06-28 15:15|| Front Page Top

#6 RJSchwartz - let me edit that for you:

"My guess is David Koepp has a pretty distorted view ~~of what went on in Iraq before the invasion if he thinks there are any kind of parallels~~."

There, that's better. Accuracy is important, you know. ;-p

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2005-06-28 15:17|| 2005-06-28 15:17|| Front Page Top

#7 Jeannie Taliafaro:

If they can't make a movie in favor of our war effort, can't they at least give the Bush-bashing and peacenik crap a rest?

No.

Any more than a dog can refrain from licking its balls.

Which really is an apt description of Hollyweird, nicht wahr?

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2005-06-28 15:20|| 2005-06-28 15:20|| Front Page Top

#8 Too right and too funny, Barbara!
BTW, the film I talked about is called "Above and Beyond" and was made in 1952.
Five stars--check it out!

Posted by Jennie Taliaferro">Jennie Taliaferro 2005-06-28 15:27|| http://www.greatestjeneration.com]">[http://www.greatestjeneration.com] 2005-06-28 15:27|| Front Page Top

#9 ...You know, I wonder what the future holds for what is expected to be THE Christmas movie for this year - Disney's 'The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.' There is absolutely no way that one can take out the Christian sentiments that are the center of the book without turning it into a complete hash - yet, Hollyweird seems to be incapable of depicting Christian thought or morals in anything resembling a reasonable respectful way. Anyone want to bet that all we get is a two-hour ripoff of Lord Of The Rings ?

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2005-06-28 17:20|| 2005-06-28 17:20|| Front Page Top

#10 I heard there was going to be a "War of the Worlds" remake. I was a little excited.

I heard it was a Spielberg film. My excitement faded a bit.

I heard it "starred" Tom ~~Clam~~Cruise. My excitement changed to contempt.

I saw an ad with Tim Robbins prominently featured. My contempt turned to disgust.

I read this, and my disgust turns to loathing.

Thankfully, I have the George Pal version on DVD.

Posted by Robert Crawford">Robert Crawford 2005-06-28 17:57|| http://www.kloognome.com/]">[http://www.kloognome.com/] 2005-06-28 17:57|| Front Page Top

#11 I still say that if we started deporting these jerk offs it would all change real quick. The Hollywood crowd is about whatever is cool or fady look at some of those 10k jeans with holes im them Britnany buys her boyfriend. I have a couple of pairs of those I think I paid 40 dollars for them at Burlington 2yrs ago before a ago I retired them to work clothes. The point after we booted a couple of them they would all step in line and if they didnt Paris used to be the fad cool spot let it once again be that and send all of hollywood thier who cares. At least we wouldnt have to listen to any more how dare you question my patriotism right after declaring a active war a illegal war on false pretence our current pres a liar who by the way was at the time trying to get a bunch of foriegners believe we would stand by them if they would just stand up and fight for themselves. I am sorry but if you are a american you dont go undermine a active war effort you eihter shut the fuck up or you talk at the water cooler not the International TV that is called treason at worst Sedition at best.

Posted by C-Low 2005-06-28 19:29|| 2005-06-28 19:29|| Front Page Top

#12 c'mon - Hollywood produces good and bad, just like any other industry. I'm looking at my DVD's just on my desk, and I see The Patriot, Master and Commander, Gladiator, Open Range, Unforgiven, Wild Bunch, Jeremiah Johnson,...all great flicks, some darker than others. If you can't find a movie to watch you're not really looking

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2005-06-28 20:35|| 2005-06-28 20:35|| Front Page Top

#13 My Name is David - it's on payperview. It was great - that's why it got ignored. It's not an action flick - but whole family, including grandma and annoying liberal relatives will enjoy too.

Posted by 2b 2005-06-28 20:54|| 2005-06-28 20:54|| Front Page Top

#14 And of course, Team America - but don't watch that one with gradma :-)

Posted by 2b 2005-06-28 21:07|| 2005-06-28 21:07|| Front Page Top

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