How Film Became Political

Enjoy watching film? I do. I enjoy the theater. Not just the show on the screen, but everything around it. The soda, the seats, the candy and occasionally my kids. Most of the time I get into the show, so bringing the children isn't always the best idea.

Sometimes I enjoy deep films with meaning and emotion from everything. Other times I just go for the title of the film and let the plot, or lack thereof, develop.

What I don't like about film is when the actors open their mouths AFTER the film has been released. Too often these stars go on big marketing and PR campaigns to get people into the theater. You'll see them on talk shows, advertisements and public speaking circuits. They talk about their film, their favorite parts and how it relates to them.

Then the movie get's into the theater and all of that particular actor's traits you saw while on sale, are gone. They are the real person. They speak their minds and immediately go political. Immediately.

For instance, let's look at Michael Moore. His best films came out during the Bush administration. Normally I'd applaud such great work, but take a look at his filmography as a whole. Notice how he spent his most critical films during republican presidencies? It's 2015 and his last film was in 2009. A little hang over from the Bush era, but still an attack on conservatives. During the Bush years, his longest break was 2 years. Now he shuts up.

Then let's talk about the Oscars. A true case of hypocrisy if there ever was one. You have some of the wealthiest, let's just call them richest, people of cinema on stage collecting awards while wearing expensive clothing that has been borrowed to them. Three days later these titans of stage will be advocating for helping third world countries, promoting their charities and advancing liberal policies.

Honestly, it's kind of sickening to hear. This is why act/ors/resses get so much negative publicity. They portray someone else for the world to see, but then want to be taken seriously. They take money from the strong, the weak, the rich and the poor but don't care that they only serve one side.

Just remember the blabbering idiots when they walk on stage with shit they don't own, and then spend the next two weeks talking about helping people who don't have anything.