Comments on: Culture Warrior: Mickey, Sean, and Paul Haggis Progressivism http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php A Website About Movies Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:57:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: LandonPalmer http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-133338 LandonPalmer Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:20:18 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-133338 I don't think it's unsafe to approach the Academy as a unified collective (opinion) of sorts. They are, after all, a highly exclusive organization composed of a specific elite, unified by industry and (for the most part) isolated in one city. Thus, its possible that they have a limited idea of what a good film/performance is or should be. It certainly doesn't help that many Academy members know many of the nominees personally. And lastly, while I believe that a technical filmmaker (an editor or cinematographer) may be able to assess their respective categories with more knowledge and expertise, I believe the bulk of critical film appreciation is highly subjective, therefore legitimizing the opinions of those both inside and outside the industry...seriously, under what criteria can one judge best directing? I don't think it's unsafe to approach the Academy as a unified collective (opinion) of sorts. They are, after all, a highly exclusive organization composed of a specific elite, unified by industry and (for the most part) isolated in one city. Thus, its possible that they have a limited idea of what a good film/performance is or should be. It certainly doesn't help that many Academy members know many of the nominees personally. And lastly, while I believe that a technical filmmaker (an editor or cinematographer) may be able to assess their respective categories with more knowledge and expertise, I believe the bulk of critical film appreciation is highly subjective, therefore legitimizing the opinions of those both inside and outside the industry…seriously, under what criteria can one judge best directing?

]]> By: LandonPalmer http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-220154 LandonPalmer Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:20:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-220154 I don't think it's unsafe to approach the Academy as a unified collective (opinion) of sorts. They are, after all, a highly exclusive organization composed of a specific elite, unified by industry and (for the most part) isolated in one city. Thus, its possible that they have a limited idea of what a good film/performance is or should be. It certainly doesn't help that many Academy members know many of the nominees personally. And lastly, while I believe that a technical filmmaker (an editor or cinematographer) may be able to assess their respective categories with more knowledge and expertise, I believe the bulk of critical film appreciation is highly subjective, therefore legitimizing the opinions of those both inside and outside the industry...seriously, under what criteria can one judge best directing? I don't think it's unsafe to approach the Academy as a unified collective (opinion) of sorts. They are, after all, a highly exclusive organization composed of a specific elite, unified by industry and (for the most part) isolated in one city. Thus, its possible that they have a limited idea of what a good film/performance is or should be. It certainly doesn't help that many Academy members know many of the nominees personally. And lastly, while I believe that a technical filmmaker (an editor or cinematographer) may be able to assess their respective categories with more knowledge and expertise, I believe the bulk of critical film appreciation is highly subjective, therefore legitimizing the opinions of those both inside and outside the industry…seriously, under what criteria can one judge best directing?

]]> By: LandonPalmer http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-133337 LandonPalmer Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:11:26 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-133337 Thank you for your compliments, Kizer Sosay...I hope I'm not misinterpreting what you're saying, but I had no intention with this post of promoting the bandwagon that says Hollywood has a collective overt liberal agenda. I think language like that positions one as just as big as ideologue as they situate Hollywood as being. I do believe that, as Hollywood is an industry, it has over time concocted a system promoting the most basic form of conservative wish fulfillment (not in terms of specific politics, but the most basic form of American ideology). The three act structure, closure, and the inevitable victory of the hero (even in death) are ways in which Hollywood articulates a collective, unified worldview positing itself not necessarily as truth but as an ideal approach to life and events (despite Milk's progressive message, it also belonged to these structures of convention). As Comolli and Narboni illustrate, Hollywood is potentially a more powerful ideological machine than what we traditionally think of as 'propaganda' simply because it articulates its core belief under the guise of entertainment to an audience whose societal, cultural, and narrative expectations are aligned with the assumptions of the films themselves going in. Also, sorry I'm responding to everyone's comments so late. I'll do better in the future. Thank you for your compliments, Kizer Sosay…I hope I'm not misinterpreting what you're saying, but I had no intention with this post of promoting the bandwagon that says Hollywood has a collective overt liberal agenda. I think language like that positions one as just as big as ideologue as they situate Hollywood as being. I do believe that, as Hollywood is an industry, it has over time concocted a system promoting the most basic form of conservative wish fulfillment (not in terms of specific politics, but the most basic form of American ideology). The three act structure, closure, and the inevitable victory of the hero (even in death) are ways in which Hollywood articulates a collective, unified worldview positing itself not necessarily as truth but as an ideal approach to life and events (despite Milk's progressive message, it also belonged to these structures of convention). As Comolli and Narboni illustrate, Hollywood is potentially a more powerful ideological machine than what we traditionally think of as 'propaganda' simply because it articulates its core belief under the guise of entertainment to an audience whose societal, cultural, and narrative expectations are aligned with the assumptions of the films themselves going in.

Also, sorry I'm responding to everyone's comments so late. I'll do better in the future.

]]> By: LandonPalmer http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-220153 LandonPalmer Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:11:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-220153 Thank you for your compliments, Kizer Sosay...I hope I'm not misinterpreting what you're saying, but I had no intention with this post of promoting the bandwagon that says Hollywood has a collective overt liberal agenda. I think language like that positions one as just as big as ideologue as they situate Hollywood as being. I do believe that, as Hollywood is an industry, it has over time concocted a system promoting the most basic form of conservative wish fulfillment (not in terms of specific politics, but the most basic form of American ideology). The three act structure, closure, and the inevitable victory of the hero (even in death) are ways in which Hollywood articulates a collective, unified worldview positing itself not necessarily as truth but as an ideal approach to life and events (despite Milk's progressive message, it also belonged to these structures of convention). As Comolli and Narboni illustrate, Hollywood is potentially a more powerful ideological machine than what we traditionally think of as 'propaganda' simply because it articulates its core belief under the guise of entertainment to an audience whose societal, cultural, and narrative expectations are aligned with the assumptions of the films themselves going in. Also, sorry I'm responding to everyone's comments so late. I'll do better in the future. Thank you for your compliments, Kizer Sosay…I hope I'm not misinterpreting what you're saying, but I had no intention with this post of promoting the bandwagon that says Hollywood has a collective overt liberal agenda. I think language like that positions one as just as big as ideologue as they situate Hollywood as being. I do believe that, as Hollywood is an industry, it has over time concocted a system promoting the most basic form of conservative wish fulfillment (not in terms of specific politics, but the most basic form of American ideology). The three act structure, closure, and the inevitable victory of the hero (even in death) are ways in which Hollywood articulates a collective, unified worldview positing itself not necessarily as truth but as an ideal approach to life and events (despite Milk's progressive message, it also belonged to these structures of convention). As Comolli and Narboni illustrate, Hollywood is potentially a more powerful ideological machine than what we traditionally think of as 'propaganda' simply because it articulates its core belief under the guise of entertainment to an audience whose societal, cultural, and narrative expectations are aligned with the assumptions of the films themselves going in.

Also, sorry I'm responding to everyone's comments so late. I'll do better in the future.

]]> By: LandonPalmer http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-133334 LandonPalmer Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:00:05 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-133334 Are you getting nostalgic for some vague era before subtext existed? Are you getting nostalgic for some vague era before subtext existed?

]]> By: LandonPalmer http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-220152 LandonPalmer Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:00:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-220152 Are you getting nostalgic for some vague era before subtext existed? Are you getting nostalgic for some vague era before subtext existed?

]]> By: LandonPalmer http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-133333 LandonPalmer Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:59:29 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-133333 Totally agree Chris. 'Che' portrayed Ernesto Guevara as neither a heartless murderer nor an idealized revolutionary, but objectively chronicled a man of many contradictions. I don't think it's any secret why a film like that wouldn't be honored at the Oscars though (but, then again, 'Reds' was pretty highly celebrated a few decades ago). Totally agree Chris. 'Che' portrayed Ernesto Guevara as neither a heartless murderer nor an idealized revolutionary, but objectively chronicled a man of many contradictions. I don't think it's any secret why a film like that wouldn't be honored at the Oscars though (but, then again, 'Reds' was pretty highly celebrated a few decades ago).

]]> By: LandonPalmer http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-220151 LandonPalmer Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:59:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-220151 Totally agree Chris. 'Che' portrayed Ernesto Guevara as neither a heartless murderer nor an idealized revolutionary, but objectively chronicled a man of many contradictions. I don't think it's any secret why a film like that wouldn't be honored at the Oscars though (but, then again, 'Reds' was pretty highly celebrated a few decades ago). Totally agree Chris. 'Che' portrayed Ernesto Guevara as neither a heartless murderer nor an idealized revolutionary, but objectively chronicled a man of many contradictions. I don't think it's any secret why a film like that wouldn't be honored at the Oscars though (but, then again, 'Reds' was pretty highly celebrated a few decades ago).

]]> By: TDC http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-132857 TDC Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:01:48 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-132857 Very interersting post. I was hoping that Rourke would take it, though Penn's performance was fantastic. But Rouke's act was more like watching a man exorcise his ravaged soul than an act - it will live with me for a long, long time. I'm from the UK, and Rourke was on our biggest chat show over here a few days before the awards and basically said he knew he wouldn't get it cos he'd pissed off so many in the higher echelons of Hollywood that they would never allow it. You have to remember that this guy wasn't even insurable at one point... The lack of Del Toro in the line-up is again questionable - his performance in Che was superb and he deserved to get a nomination. I imagine the politics of the subject played a part in this... TDC Very interersting post. I was hoping that Rourke would take it, though Penn's performance was fantastic. But Rouke's act was more like watching a man exorcise his ravaged soul than an act – it will live with me for a long, long time.

I'm from the UK, and Rourke was on our biggest chat show over here a few days before the awards and basically said he knew he wouldn't get it cos he'd pissed off so many in the higher echelons of Hollywood that they would never allow it. You have to remember that this guy wasn't even insurable at one point…

The lack of Del Toro in the line-up is again questionable – his performance in Che was superb and he deserved to get a nomination. I imagine the politics of the subject played a part in this…

TDC

]]> By: TDC http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-220149 TDC Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:01:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-220149 Very interersting post. I was hoping that Rourke would take it, though Penn's performance was fantastic. But Rouke's act was more like watching a man exorcise his ravaged soul than an act - it will live with me for a long, long time. I'm from the UK, and Rourke was on our biggest chat show over here a few days before the awards and basically said he knew he wouldn't get it cos he'd pissed off so many in the higher echelons of Hollywood that they would never allow it. You have to remember that this guy wasn't even insurable at one point... The lack of Del Toro in the line-up is again questionable - his performance in Che was superb and he deserved to get a nomination. I imagine the politics of the subject played a part in this... TDC Very interersting post. I was hoping that Rourke would take it, though Penn's performance was fantastic. But Rouke's act was more like watching a man exorcise his ravaged soul than an act – it will live with me for a long, long time.

I'm from the UK, and Rourke was on our biggest chat show over here a few days before the awards and basically said he knew he wouldn't get it cos he'd pissed off so many in the higher echelons of Hollywood that they would never allow it. You have to remember that this guy wasn't even insurable at one point…

The lack of Del Toro in the line-up is again questionable – his performance in Che was superb and he deserved to get a nomination. I imagine the politics of the subject played a part in this…

TDC

]]> By: 790 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-132854 790 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:41:55 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-132854 Rourkes performance was anything but one dimensional. Both Penn, and Rourke were amazing. Let's keep in mind the politics going on. Not to mention that there are bigger issues going on in our society. Congrats to the winners, let's move on! Its 2009, the Dark Knight has passed let's get a grip on the new year. Rourkes performance was anything but one dimensional.

Both Penn, and Rourke were amazing.
Let’s keep in mind the politics going on.
Not to mention that there are bigger issues going on in our society.

Congrats to the winners, let’s move on!
Its 2009, the Dark Knight has passed let’s get a grip on the new year.

]]> By: 790 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-220148 790 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:41:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-220148 Rourkes performance was anything but one dimensional. Both Penn, and Rourke were amazing. Let's keep in mind the politics going on. Not to mention that there are bigger issues going on in our society. Congrats to the winners, let's move on! Its 2009, the Dark Knight has passed let's get a grip on the new year. Rourkes performance was anything but one dimensional.

Both Penn, and Rourke were amazing.
Let’s keep in mind the politics going on.
Not to mention that there are bigger issues going on in our society.

Congrats to the winners, let’s move on!
Its 2009, the Dark Knight has passed let’s get a grip on the new year.

]]> By: D.O. http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-132821 D.O. Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:08:36 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-132821 Landon, just wanna say your article really articulates so many of my thoughts about these Oscars. Especially how sad it is that DLB's speech, which I thought was one of the most touching and beautiful Oscar acceptances ever, seems to have been lost in the mix. I didn't even want him to win, but was so glad he did after hearing him. Anyway, great post. That's all. Landon, just wanna say your article really articulates so many of my thoughts about these Oscars. Especially how sad it is that DLB's speech, which I thought was one of the most touching and beautiful Oscar acceptances ever, seems to have been lost in the mix. I didn't even want him to win, but was so glad he did after hearing him. Anyway, great post. That's all.

]]> By: D.O. http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-220147 D.O. Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:08:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-220147 Landon, just wanna say your article really articulates so many of my thoughts about these Oscars. Especially how sad it is that DLB's speech, which I thought was one of the most touching and beautiful Oscar acceptances ever, seems to have been lost in the mix. I didn't even want him to win, but was so glad he did after hearing him. Anyway, great post. That's all. Landon, just wanna say your article really articulates so many of my thoughts about these Oscars. Especially how sad it is that DLB's speech, which I thought was one of the most touching and beautiful Oscar acceptances ever, seems to have been lost in the mix. I didn't even want him to win, but was so glad he did after hearing him. Anyway, great post. That's all.

]]> By: walkwithsteveearl http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-132797 walkwithsteveearl Sun, 01 Mar 2009 22:28:20 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-132797 walkwithjesus is a tool. FAIL walkwithjesus is a tool. FAIL

]]> By: walkwithsteveearl http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-220146 walkwithsteveearl Sun, 01 Mar 2009 22:28:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-220146 walkwithjesus is a tool. FAIL walkwithjesus is a tool. FAIL

]]> By: curt http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-132771 curt Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:27:43 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-132771 great fucking post great fucking post

]]> By: curt http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-220145 curt Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:27:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-220145 great fucking post great fucking post

]]> By: walkwithjesus http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-132757 walkwithjesus Sun, 01 Mar 2009 11:57:11 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-132757 Or maybe they just thought Penn was the suprior actor this year?! Which tbh wouldn't be hard to believe- the range that man has is incredibly, all you have to do is compare his two oscar roles[Mystic River and Milk] . He sinked into the skin of Harvey Milk, and made it his own. Rourke gave a glossy, but overall one-dimensional preformance tbh mirrored his own life a bit too much. Or maybe they just thought Penn was the suprior actor this year?!
Which tbh wouldn't be hard to believe- the range that man has is incredibly, all you have to do is compare his two oscar roles[Mystic River and Milk] . He sinked into the skin of Harvey Milk, and made it his own. Rourke gave a glossy, but overall one-dimensional preformance tbh mirrored his own life a bit too much.

]]> By: walkwithjesus http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/culture-warrior-mickey-sean-and-paul-haggis-progressivism.php/comment-page-1#comment-220144 walkwithjesus Sun, 01 Mar 2009 11:57:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=34580#comment-220144 Or maybe they just thought Penn was the suprior actor this year?! Which tbh wouldn't be hard to believe- the range that man has is incredibly, all you have to do is compare his two oscar roles[Mystic River and Milk] . He sinked into the skin of Harvey Milk, and made it his own. Rourke gave a glossy, but overall one-dimensional preformance tbh mirrored his own life a bit too much. Or maybe they just thought Penn was the suprior actor this year?!
Which tbh wouldn't be hard to believe- the range that man has is incredibly, all you have to do is compare his two oscar roles[Mystic River and Milk] . He sinked into the skin of Harvey Milk, and made it his own. Rourke gave a glossy, but overall one-dimensional preformance tbh mirrored his own life a bit too much.

]]>