en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/606054 Comments by Catoii http://bigjournalism.com/dloesch/2012/02/29/romney-camp-blames-confusing-blunt-amendment-answer-on-confusing-question/#IDComment304994240 The question was very confusingly stated. (Because the media are intent on pushing the notion that the Blunt amendment would "ban" contraception, when that's not the issue at all.) "Allowing employers to ban contraception" is a lot broader than what the Blunt amendment addresses. Nobody in the race is asking for this -- the right of employers to ban contraception presumably could mean allowing employers to prevent workers from using contraception even if they buy it with their own money. Seems to me that Romney heard the phrase "ban the provision of female contraception" and answered in opposition to that. If Romney indeed opposes the Blunt amendment, why would he say later that he does not? Why this insistence that what he said in one interview (among hundreds) trumps his later clarification? It's gotcha journalism, which the right usually deplores. You can argue that this shows Romney is imperfect, even that he is gaffe-prone. But that's about all this error (possibly) demonstrates. Or are you really trying to argue that Romney is secretly opposed to religious liberty and made a Freudian slip in an interview, and we should ignore his subsequent clarification as an ingenuous attempt to mask the truth? In the end, the people who hate Romney (like the author of this post) are going to point to this as yet another reason not to support him. The rest of us (including undecideds like myself) will ignore this issue for the tiny molehill it is. Thu, 1 Mar 2012 00:04:53 +0000 http://bigjournalism.com/dloesch/2012/02/29/romney-camp-blames-confusing-blunt-amendment-answer-on-confusing-question/#IDComment304994240 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bshapiro/2012/02/28/calling-all-hollywood-wikileakers/#IDComment304102024 How the studios screw over net-point back-enders is by deducting "costs" before getting to net profit. And how they define "costs" is not how any other human on Earth defines them. At the same time, they usually report a smaller budget than in reality to the trades so that their movies will look more profitable to the public than they really are. Here's an idea: How about Congress pass a law that requires movie studios to define deductible costs as the budget they report to the trades. In other words, if they want to deduct a humongous amount, they have to publicly announce that as their budget. Hey, Hollywood wants to regulate the heck out of Wall Street and the oil companies; let's give them a taste of their own medicine. Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:48:51 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bshapiro/2012/02/28/calling-all-hollywood-wikileakers/#IDComment304102024 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2012/02/27/spotted-at-the-oscars-movie-stars-desperate-to-avoid-talking-politics/#IDComment303900855 By far the most intelligent response was by Angelina Jolie. Note to publicists: Every celebrity should memorize it (or variants for different situations). Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:47:44 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2012/02/27/spotted-at-the-oscars-movie-stars-desperate-to-avoid-talking-politics/#IDComment303900855 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bshapiro/2012/02/27/next-year-sacha-baron-cohen-should-host-the-oscars/#IDComment303114595 Gratified that Christopher Plummer finally snagged an Oscar. He also delivered the classiest, most memorable acceptance speech of the night. However -- It's interesting that after a distinguished 60-year career, Plummer had to play a gay man to win. Actors, take note: playing a gay man is the surest ticket to an Oscar these days, a surer thing even than playing an invalid. Since 2005, gay characters have been awarded two Best Actor Oscars, and been nominated thrice, while Best Supporting has been awarded to gay characters once, with two additional nominations. (On the distaff side, lesbian or bi characters have been nominated for Best Actress five times since 2005, and three times for Best Supporting, with one win.) Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course ;) Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:47:40 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bshapiro/2012/02/27/next-year-sacha-baron-cohen-should-host-the-oscars/#IDComment303114595 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jfrazier/2012/02/26/predictions-for-an-out-of-touch-oscar-night/#IDComment302317438 This was undoubtedly a bad year for the movies (funny how frequently one can say that in the past decade or so). And yet there were two movies aimed straight at social conservatives. They weren't shoot-em-ups nor did they have non-stop action. But they were two of the more conservative movies to be made in years. 1. The Artist - Richly deserving of a Best Picture win (if it gets it -- and all the smart money says so). It's a throw-back to the classic movies of yore that we pine for. It's also hilarious. And nary a sucker punch to be encountered, not even a sucker poke. (To the author of this post -- the only "shallow bore" around here is your article.) 2. The Tree of Life -- Granted, this is nowhere near the crowd pleaser that The Artist is. It's a long, difficult, expressionistic work that takes effort to follow and comprehend. But so is the Bible. That's a hint as to what the movie is really about. Quite simply, Tree of Life is the most Christian movie to come out of Hollywood since The Passion of the Christ. Not for the ADHD-inclined, for sure. But if you are open to a challenge and ache to have your spirit moved, give it a shot. Here is the key to the movie: The father is the God of the Old Testament, while the mother is the God of the New. Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:18:15 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jfrazier/2012/02/26/predictions-for-an-out-of-touch-oscar-night/#IDComment302317438 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2012/02/23/daily-call-sheet-rabbit-ears-return-depp-is-no-kolchak-spectacular-links/#IDComment300410806 Sorry to say, but Ken Burns' "The War" blew. How someone can make a series about the bloodiest, most world-encompassing conflict ever, BORING, is beyond me. But perhaps Burns should get some kind of award for that dubious accomplishment. For 17 hours (or however long it was), he dwells on the home front and, in particular, "racism." No, not the racism of the Nazis, but that of America. Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:20:14 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2012/02/23/daily-call-sheet-rabbit-ears-return-depp-is-no-kolchak-spectacular-links/#IDComment300410806 http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.72ca66ee1a4afc263528e0bb35442cac.3c1&show_article=1#IDComment300058622 How about by relentlessly promoting class warfare, literally pitting the lower classes against the upper classes? How about by leveraging identity politics, by treating us not as equal Americans but as separate races, ethnic groups and genders, pushing "affirmative action" and other spoils for some, and tearing down others? How about pandering to the basest instincts in interest groups like Latinos, calling for them to "punish" their "enemies"? How about constantly blaming Republicans for all our troubles, and using strawman arguments that totally mischaracterize and demonize his opponents? How about refusing to compromise or even negotiate with the other political side, unless they are foreign enemies calling for death to America? How about unilaterally and single-handedly instituting new laws by executive order, totally bypassing Congress in direct contradiction to our Constitution? How about ramming through a 2700-page trillion-dollar bill that totally transforms 1/6 of our economy, without a single vote from the other side, while abandoning his promise to allow at least 3 days' consideration of bills before being voted on? How about forcing Catholic hospitals and other religious institutions to pay for services that violate their Constitutionally-protected religious freedom -- the first one listed in the Bill of Rights? How about relentlessly bashing the other side for using PAC money, while quietly doing the same? That's just for starters. The day is too short to list them all. Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:02:12 +0000 http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.72ca66ee1a4afc263528e0bb35442cac.3c1&show_article=1#IDComment300058622 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/cftoto/2012/02/23/a-look-back-at-how-hbo-game-changes-history/#IDComment299982993 It's funny to me how left-leaning critics always praise movies/TV shows that have "nuanced" characters who aren't all "black or white," that dwell in the "gray" areas between all-good and all-evil. But when they do a story about people on on the right, it's all bad, baby. No nuances to be found there! Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:57:28 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/cftoto/2012/02/23/a-look-back-at-how-hbo-game-changes-history/#IDComment299982993 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/cftoto/2012/02/23/a-look-back-at-how-hbo-game-changes-history/#IDComment299979326 So why not drop HBO and just rent or buy GoT and BE on DVD/Blu Ray? It's a lot cheaper than paying $10-15/month for years on end. Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:51:11 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/cftoto/2012/02/23/a-look-back-at-how-hbo-game-changes-history/#IDComment299979326 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2012/02/22/exclusive-how-hbo-attempted-to-con-sarah-palin-into-validating-its-game-change-hit-job/#IDComment299585159 The Baltimore Sun review linked to in another Nolte article says that all the best lines were written for Steve Schmidt's character (played by Woody Harrelson in the movie). That's the advantage of being the one who gets the ear of the MSM first -- you get painted as a hero in the best possible light, even if in reality you are a turncoat, backstabbing loser who oversaw a losing campaign. Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:28:20 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2012/02/22/exclusive-how-hbo-attempted-to-con-sarah-palin-into-validating-its-game-change-hit-job/#IDComment299585159 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/lscott/2012/02/16/follow-the-yellow-brick-road-back-to-oz/#IDComment294311101 Sorry, you've got your history wrong. The prosecution, led by Bryant, did win the Scope trial. The prosecution was later overturned on a technicality -- a higher court found on appeal that the fine assessed to Scopes should have been determined by the jury, not the judge. I'm not surprised that you thought Bryant lost the trial, because he lost in the more important court of cultural opinion. Anti-Christian bigots have succeeded so well in demonizing and ridiculing Bryant and his Scopes prosecution that most Americans probably assume he lost. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:15:11 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/lscott/2012/02/16/follow-the-yellow-brick-road-back-to-oz/#IDComment294311101 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/cftoto/2012/02/08/trailer-talk-renners-bourne-reboot-revisits-shady-spy-games/#IDComment287351120 First one was just okay, second two blew. Problem with the series (as films -- apparently the books are less so) is that Bourne is nothing but a whiny b*tch. He has all these amazing abilities, and yet his only goal in life is to be left alone. A true hero seeks something transcendent, or at least tries to help other people in need (and not just his girlfriend). Bourne is a "hero" for the 21st century, a self-centered whiner. I suspect the new Bourne will make corporations the bad guys, since with Obama in the White House, the government is no longer eevil. After all, Obama can slaughter suspected terrorists all day long, and wiretap away to his heart's contentment, without so much as a wimper from the left. Also, remember when unilateral exertion of executive power, or politicization of the Justice Department, were considered bad things? Good times.... Wed, 8 Feb 2012 21:07:19 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/cftoto/2012/02/08/trailer-talk-renners-bourne-reboot-revisits-shady-spy-games/#IDComment287351120 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/hollywoodland/2012/02/07/dwayne-proud-to-be-an-american-johnson-mulls-political-future/#IDComment286612065 I agree The Rock is smarter than your average athlete/actor. But what makes people here suggest he is a political conservative? He spoke at the 2000 RNC convention, but only as part of a visit to both the RNC and DNC conventions. Anyone got any other, more recent evidence? Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:07:10 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/hollywoodland/2012/02/07/dwayne-proud-to-be-an-american-johnson-mulls-political-future/#IDComment286612065 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/hollywoodland/2012/02/06/eastwoods-chrysler-super-bowl-ad-a-nod-to-obama/#IDComment285713176 Poor Clint. He's been suckered by the Hollywood left time and time again. Remember Flags of our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima? And more recently, J. Edgar. He made an anti-American movie written by a gay activist that gave credence to a rumor (totally unsupported by any evidence) that Hoover was gay. He works with the likes of Sean Penn and Matt Damon. You lie with rats, you get rabies. I understand, Clint isn't a doctrinaire conservative, he's more a libertarian. But all the more reason why he shouldn't be taking government bailout money (which is what Chrysler spent to make that ad) to support a dying company that is on life support supplied by U.S. taxpayers. It's overtime for Clint's career, sad to say. He should have quit the business after Gran Torino. Mon, 6 Feb 2012 23:35:27 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/hollywoodland/2012/02/06/eastwoods-chrysler-super-bowl-ad-a-nod-to-obama/#IDComment285713176 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/aleigh/2012/01/31/oscar-favorite-the-artist-a-silent-antidote-to-modern-cynicism/#IDComment280681887 I don't think he says the movie is IN French, but that it's a French movie. It was made by a French production company with a French director/writer and the two leads are French. I think it's fair to call it a French movie. Passion of the Christ is an American movie, even if the actors are speaking Aramaic. Wed, 1 Feb 2012 09:49:05 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/aleigh/2012/01/31/oscar-favorite-the-artist-a-silent-antidote-to-modern-cynicism/#IDComment280681887 http://bigjournalism.com/jjmnolte/2012/01/24/nbcs-brian-williams-intentionally-drains-excitement-out-of-last-nights-debate/#IDComment273497572 There is one thing conspicuously missing from these debates. Think about it -- what are these men running for? They all want to replace someone. Who is that? Let me see, who could that be.... Obama? I don't think there was a SINGLE question from any of the three questioners that mentioned The One by name. Wouldn't an obvious question be something about the guy they are vying to replace? Now, I'm no trained journalist, so maybe I just don't understand these things. But seems to me that one question could be, "What would you do differently than the current occupant of the White House?" Or, say, "Name three policies you would change from the current administration?" Or how about asking them what they think of the president. Here's a question: "Obama -- penny for your thoughts?" Okay, maybe you think that's too "personal" or "mean-spirited." How about asking about the number one issue on Americans' minds? Now, what could that be? Choose from the following: 1. The Terri Schiavo case 2. The space program 3. Sugar subsidies 4. Everglades preservation 5. The economy Not sure what I'd go with there. What do you think the American people care about most on that list? If only there was some scientific way to determine what Americans find most important. Some kind of... poll. Nah! Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:51:00 +0000 http://bigjournalism.com/jjmnolte/2012/01/24/nbcs-brian-williams-intentionally-drains-excitement-out-of-last-nights-debate/#IDComment273497572 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/hollywoodland/2012/01/24/foxnews-com-hypocritical-redford-says-sundance-belongs-to-the-99-percent/#IDComment273377216 Wow. Wowsie wow-wow! I've been to Sundance. Never seen a bigger, more vulgar display of wealth. Multimillionaire celebrities fighting over swag bags worth hundreds of thousands. Stretch Humvees cruising down the main street. Eating sushi off the bodies of naked models. (And that's just at the kid's table.) These guys make Louis XIV's court of Versailles look like a Norman Rockwell painting. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:25:23 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/hollywoodland/2012/01/24/foxnews-com-hypocritical-redford-says-sundance-belongs-to-the-99-percent/#IDComment273377216 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2012/01/19/daily-call-sheet-lucas-digs-heigl-humbled-red-tails-reviews-evil-trailer-and-ultraviolet-a-hit/#IDComment269049725 Sounds to me like the critics resent that someone would make a movie about black fighter pilots (or black anything) that isn't a lugibrious, plodding melodrama that paints blacks as victims rather than heroes. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:50:12 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2012/01/19/daily-call-sheet-lucas-digs-heigl-humbled-red-tails-reviews-evil-trailer-and-ultraviolet-a-hit/#IDComment269049725 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/zleeman/2012/01/19/trailer-talk-the-legend-of-kaspar-hauser-lets-bush-loving-gallo-throw-us-another-curve-ball/#IDComment269037613 I for one could watch 2 hours of that footage. Reminds me of the opening sequence in Herzog's Rescue Dawn (a tragically underrated Vietnam War movie starring Christian Bale, heartily recommended to everyone here). The right needs more quirky artists. Vincent Gallo is my hero. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:30:40 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/zleeman/2012/01/19/trailer-talk-the-legend-of-kaspar-hauser-lets-bush-loving-gallo-throw-us-another-curve-ball/#IDComment269037613 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/ssorbo/2012/01/17/rusted-the-iron-lady-a-misogynistic-historical-fantasy/#IDComment267092613 Did you read the article? She compliments Streep's acting in the very first sentence. We on the right are so starved for attention, that we're sometimes willing to overlook the negatives in any film about one of our heroes. I haven't seen the movie, but I'll take Michael Medved's (equally cautioning) learned opinion, and this writer's, over yours. Btw, I would like to compliment the author of this piece on her writing skill. Well done! Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:49:41 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/ssorbo/2012/01/17/rusted-the-iron-lady-a-misogynistic-historical-fantasy/#IDComment267092613