It's Lucas' product so the way I see it he can do whatever damn well he pleases with it...even if I don't like it. It's something called freedom. So it makes him a jerk to exercise this on HIS product? This is the person who gave us Star Wars. I'd much rather prefer having a Star Wars that gets a CGI tweak than having no Star Wars at all to get upset about. And if he goes too far, I stop buying. Simple as that.

I get what you are saying. But I have to greatly caution that merely grabbing the reigns and letting the old things go will be like building your building blocks with no foundation. I can't help but observe that diving into the new high-tech things is what is getting us further into our situations.
I can't help but see the "singularity" depleting our culture in certain ways. It's not the culprit but it's not something I think we should rush and give into just yet. They tell us in classes it's still way too new. And already, I see that it has completely taken away from us. My generation can't function or think without something electronic in their hands. Also, it's taking away the meaning of privacy and value to things. The high-tech's only contribution to film has been that it's sped up the process. That simple. With this fast-paced environment, it's now about dishing out the most films you can which all lack in substance. (of course not all movies but majority) High tech gets society only so far. We've gone so far out that we have nothing to support ourselves with. I believe just returning to the basics and learn again. Ask any art student if they think the "new" direction is better than the "old."
"the mediums themselves will become passé, like theatre and painting today.."
Oh and also, painting and theater are not passe at all in the art world but alive and an essential part! For example, painting. It is extremely practiced/demanded for artists to know. The reason they are not seen a lot is because they are very few who CAN do it well. (thank you new age crap)
That is my shared opinion. Thanks for the article. =)

Just flip the places of the Muslim characters with the "Americans" and replace the victims with Jewish people. Only they probably would come after them with something more frightening than a hockey stick.
Really hollywood, how stupid do they take Americans for? No way can they get enough people to demand something. Younger people feel bad about themselves already, they no longer want to waste time on things that make them feel worse.

Okay seriously, they are on a channel that has Comedy as its first name! These two 'news' guys share a channel with South Park, stand up, and cartoons for crying out loud!!
And they are coming after us with THAT as their basis for knowing better than the American people? Sit down, my mother was a nurse who saved lives, what did these two losers do that made them better than that? Or a construction worker who did hard labor, or a soldier who fights? Pitiful.

The movie was a breath of fresh air from the Hollywood trash movies that I've been subjected to all these years. It was brave, meaningful, raw and creative in many ways. In my opinion it deserved so much instead of the awful movie themes that were Avatar and Hurt Locker. And the director himself is a man I respect for turning down being recruited into Hollywood's ranks and using their movie stars. I can't wait to see more work from this man!

The fact that you faced the same treatment in a "liberal" state, shows exactly the point this guy is trying to make. What has Lady Gaga truly offered to the gay community? Pretty words, That's all. If it were true that her music is changing the world and contributing, then why do you still face the same treatment??
It's a false image that has made you believe she is 'doing' something.' When in the end, as the same with this Hollywood of today, it comes down to themselves and money-making. These Hollywood folk don't care who they have to manipulate to get their money or who they hurt. And it kills me when I see these people living it large when us normal folk are suffering these 'messages' they pass on to us that feed our generation's selfishness.
Don't be fooled by her image. I know because I'm studying in the entertainment industry and we are told it's all about money. To give people what sells. You are the victim of clever scriptwriters, fashion designers, and producers.
Also, Gaga's fans who you claim accepted her words of wisdom, are the biggest and ugliest hypocrites in the world. Most of the Gaga fans I've met turn around and victimize others. And has Gaga down anything that changes this? Nope, she is still on the stage singing to these hypocrites, making people like you believe she's doing something when all she accomplishes is getting a paycheck.
She is nothing revolutionary. If it were, you'd see some changes where you go. But all I see in her 'followers' are mean-spirited people who are so narcissistic that they "say they care about gay people" only to make themselves feel important/special, to feed their confidence. But when it comes down to actually 'doing something' hard, they aren't exactly good friends to the gays.
You are looking in the wrong place for help to cope with your situation. I really urge you to reconsider using 'pop music industry' as something to pacify your problems when you should be really focusing on yourself and your inner strength. The pop music industry is only in it for themselves. They no longer care about the people anymore. I don't like it either. Society today is so screwed up by this narcissistic generation. It is these people that are making life harder for you and me.

Wasn't Mr. King involved in drugs once upon a time too? I remember reading that somewhere in his memoir. And many in the writing world don't look at him and not think, 'crazy' or 'nutty.' Even his fellow writers don't really take him seriously much anymore. Just ignore him.

I would just like to point out that Nora Ephron's attempt to bad-mouth non-liberals is hilarious. Because the author of the book, (whom the movie was based on) Julie Powell, is one of the most disgusting of women I've ever attempted reading. Look at the reviews on Amazon for Julie Powell's book to get an idea of what I'm saying. And to try and poke a finger at non-liberals calling them the bad guys when the supposed heroine of the story is a sick-minded woman. Quite audacious, Nora.

Who, or what the movie character looks like doesn't matter as much to me. Yes, I agree that there should be believability to it. I would not believe something if they had stuck Topher Grace in the lead. Or any pretty boys, which they didn't for this film.
What I believe Brody brought to the role was a balance between acting, charisma and realism. When you look at it, even our own military soldiers cannot pull off the image of the iconic muscle-heads listed above. But that doesn't mean these men are any less capable. A man isn't measured by strength alone, but also intelligence, and spirit. I was pulled in by the story, and the fact that Brody was not Arnold. It made me wonder how in the world he was going to beat the thing.
Yes, I do enjoy having a charismatic rugged macho man starring in the lead role for a climatic standoff. And Predator was a joy for what it was. But Predator after the first movie had expanded through the comics, books, and art. I'm happy they didn't drive Predators into the direction of being just a mere creation to making another movie idol. I wanted a sci-fi story that offers an interesting universe, characters, and alien race.
And I think Brody as well as normal-looking men bring variety. Do not overlook the appeal of the average joes for the hero roles. That's just my opinion.