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As the last few weeks of 2001 linger upon us, I had a lot
that I wanted to get off my chest and my mind as well.
To address every issue and topic I would like would be to
right a novel and I don't have the time or space to do so.
This article will be lengthy but not as long as I wish it
to be, and some of it will be edited and lie dormant on the
cutting room floor. Some of the topics will touch on
Hollywood, some won't. Either way, this article will be all
over the board. I have been thinking about so much lately
and most of the thoughts were comprised of what has happened
in this passing year. Before you know it, 2002 will
be upon us and I am more than certain that just about everyone
is ready to usher in the New Year like the birth of a healthy
new born baby. To look forward with hope and in optimism,
but by no means to forget about 2001 and the important
events that took place. Just like that new born baby,
hopefully the new year will breathe new life into those who
are up and walking but feel as though they have died along
with the countless that we have lost this year. 2001
may soon be gone, but to say it will not be forgotten is putting
it more than mildly.
To me, things seem so contradictory in this "new"
world we live in. Since the horrific day that was September
11, 2001, everyone either seems to act is if they were
born again and celebrate and appreciate life, or have
become consumed and is driven by hate. The word changed
as come up countless times, everybody is a "changed"
person. Now, we walk around being nice and saying "Hi"
or opening doors for others. Everyone is walking around
smiling and is in the highest or spirits. You'd think
the whole world is on ecstasy and other happy pills just by
how gracious everyone is being. This new world seems
to be policed to a point that you would think there is no
demographic above the age or 12, even though we hardly live
in a world that is rated PG.
Radio stations have lists longer than Robert Downey Jr.'s
rap sheet of songs that can't be played on the radio because
it could be seen as "offensive" and more depressed
than we already are. Just a minute ago, everyone
was on ecstasy and happy pills, now we are abusing prozac
and are all suffering from the most extreme case of depression.
These mood swings sound like the side effects of acid to me,
but either way, this is no hallucination and will be
more than detrimental to everyone's health. The public
can't hear songs like "New York, New York"
by old blue eyes, and movies are having their release dates
pushed back because we need to edit out every goddamn
shot of the World Trade Center. People don't want any
reminders of the devastating events that have happened and
can't be bogged down with thoughts, feelings, sights, or sounds
that could push them over the edge.
"Sidewalks of New York" had it's release date pushed
back, like many other films, because scenes of the WTC had
to be edited out. It is called "Sidewalks of New
York" right? The WTC may be ruble now, but when
the film was shot it was a tall monument that was a symbol
of America and a hallmark of one of the best cities in the
world, NYC. So, instead of celebrating what once was,
we have to walk on tip toes and edit it from, well. I guess
everything. The "Spiderman" trailer
and poster were both recalled and most likely scrapped because
of shots of, you guessed it, the WTC. Funny how
we can't be shown any images of the WTC in all it's glory
because it might bring us down, but copies of
"Die Hard" are flying off of Blockbuster's shelves.
We like our violence, and that always becomes more and more
apparent.
Figures and statistics show that while lots of uplifting
or family movies are being released, it is the ones with bloodshed
and carnage that are racking in the money. Films like
"K-Pax" and other uplifting gems of cinematic heartfelt
ness did well, but lied in the shadows of more violent
films like "Training Day," "From Hell,"
etc. Why is it that we can't be shown an image ot the
WTC but the public will flock to see a movie about Jack the
Ripper and watch his blood soaked hands cut out women's anatomy?
There is a second string of war films coming out to rival
the ones that came out a couple years ago with "Saving
Private Ryan," "A Thin Red Line," etc.
There will be no less than at least3 or 4 war films out at
once, because that is what people want to see,
movies about war and that have a hero.
I go to Blockbuster and see a warning sticker on the
cover of "Swordfish" telling me I might find
this film offensive since the "events" that took
place on 9/11. The only thing I found offensive
about the film was John Travolta's hideously bad haircut
and his unneeded flavor savor facial hair. The
only other thing more offensive then those two is the fact
that I can get a warning about the film and still choose to
watch it, but get no warning about songs I want to hear
just being taken off of the radio. Songs like "Bleed
American" by a great band called Jimmy Eat World are
on the list solely for the title, even though the song has
nothing at all to do with war, death, any reference to 9/11,
etc. What I can get on the radio is sugary fluff bullshit
like "The Shape of my Heart" by the Backdoor Boys.
This stuff is supposed to make me happy and help me get by?!?!
No, and with the release of their new CD, or beer coaster,
whichever you prefer, titled "The Hits; Chapter 1,"
I am appalled. Chapter 1?? As if there is
more to come. There will be no Chapter 2 my friends
because the story is over, THE END!!
CONTINUED IN NEXT ISSUE!
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