From Resa LaRu Kirkland, America's War Chick, comes this appraisal of Spielberg's lamentable Munich:
Before the first advertisements were playing out before the world, I’d already been tipped off that Spielberg had blown an awesome opportunity with Munich. He had a chance not often seen in Hollywood, a chance to show the world a side of Israel they’re rarely allowed to see: hero.The head’s up came from a source who knew what he was talking about because he is one of them—one of the Hollywood elites without the elitist attitude. Robert J. Avrech has been writing for Hollywood for over 25 years, yet he has managed to remain logical, reasonable, and—horrors!—conservative. He is also an Orthodox Jew, and has a passion for another Jewish story that begs to be told. In spite of being an insider, however, he has yet to get anyone to consider his project on this under-reported yet significant piece of history; one that, had it not happened, would have ended the existence of not just Israel, but eventually the entire world.
Why can’t he get anyone in the inner sanctum to consider it? His words describe it perfectly.
Resa:I just wanted to let you know that I really like your latest article. Your point about how Israel destroyed the Osiris Nuclear Reactor is quite important and has conveniently been forgotten by the mainstream media.
I've been trying to produce a film about this magnificent raid for
years now, but naturally Hollywood has zero interest in such a heroic story.Why?
1. It is pro Israel.
2. Jews are not victims. Hollywood prefers dead Jews in their movies. If not dead, at least guilty, witness Spielberg's latest liberal atrocity: Munich. I have read the script. It is vile and a complete lie.
3. The raid proved that Saddam was hell bent on genocide. Something no one in Hollywood wants to admit.
No, War Chick, my Hollywood compatriots are busy beating the drums about, oh... so called global warming. I'm ashamed to admit that many of these liberals are Jews. And while the Muslim fanatics are promising to murder every Jew and Christian on the planet, they are having conventions in Las Vegas and heroically calling attention to "melting polar icecaps." And who is their scientific expert? Why none other than our modern Madame Curie, Barbra Streisand.
It's enough to make a grown man cry.
After reading this from a man I respect and admire, I watched carefully for the reactions from others about the movie. The reviews rolling in backed up Robert’s impression, and left me aching with disappointment. How could the creator of Schindler’s List have authored such an atrocity? It would seem that Spielberg likes getting rich off of Jews, but only dead Jews, as Robert points out.
Apparently, Spielberg doesn’t get it any better than the PLO. He called Munich his “prayer for peace,” but there will never ever ever be peace when only one side wants it. And make no mistake; the Palestinians only want peace under the condition of Israel’s extinction. How much clearer do they need to make it?Is Spielberg a walking stereotype of a self-hating Jew? Or has he been so thoroughly Politically Castrated that he can’t think straight anymore? I’m betting it’s the second one, because his outrageous effort to put the justifiable hunt for the Black September terrorists on par with the brutal, ruthless, and evil murder of athletes at an event that is supposed to be peaceful and non-political reeks of a man who has completely surrendered his y-chromosome, and with it his common sense.
Aljazeera’s take on the film had many quotes from Spielberg, including these:
"That the only way to fight terrorism is to de-humanize the terrorists by asking no questions about who they are and where they come from.” [We know where they come from and we know who they are, Steven, and so do you.]
"What I believe is, every act of terrorism requires a strong response, but we must also pay attention to the causes." [What causes would those be, Steven? The fact that Israel exists, or the nerve of their athletes getting in the way of the PLO’s “political statement?”]
And the coup de grace from Public Relations agent Laurie Kaussman:
“The film was nuanced especially from an emotional point of view. You get an idea from where the terrorists are coming from."OK, so it’s not just Robert and me, right? These people are either high or clinically insane. So let me fill you in, Spielberg and Co: You don’t need to teach us where the terrorists are coming from, what their reasons are, who they are deep down, what they are feeling, and you especially don’t need to try to convince us that they are “misunderstood.” They come from the bowels of Islam, their reasons are evil, selfish, and mired in a make-believe history and a made-up God, deep down they’re as vile and repugnant as they are on the surface, and they are feeling hate—pure, unadulterated hate. And Steven, must I state the obvious? Do you really believe that if they got their way tomorrow and wiped all of Israel off the map they would spare you? If you do, I take it back; you’re not high, you’re clinically insane.
The question dying to be asked is this: Would he rather Israel had done nothing for this gross, unprovoked, ultimate wicked attack of innocent athletes? You know, I think he would. Given Islam’s “peaceful” history, does anyone doubt they wouldn’t have done it again? Oh wait—they HAVE done it again…and again… and again. But I’ll tell you this: those particular terrorists didn’t do it again. They were stopped, and in that respect, Israel was successful, and we owe them a debt of gratitude. They saved us back then from those particular bastards, just as they would go on to be the only nation with the courage to stop Saddam in his nuclear tracks while the UN did a lot of hand-wringing, letter-writing, sanction-threatening, and well…a lot of nothing. Israel saved us from a nuclear Iraq, from 10 wretched Palestinians who were stopped from killing again, and yet in the twisted mind of Hollywood, they’re the problem. How many times has the PLO compensated an “oops!” victim in one of their kill ‘em all strikes? Zero. Yet when Israel accidentally kills one, they do all they can to make amends, as was the case with the Munich aftermath.
Spielberg wasted an opportunity, because Israel was justified in doing what they did, and he blew the beauty of a story well lived. Did it take its toll on the men who avenged the innocent? YES! That is the price that all warriors pay so the rest of us don’t have to, and make no mistake: they were -— and are -— at war with an enemy who wanted them and their families dead, an enemy who will attack in the most safe and innocent of places, an enemy who turns civilians into combatants, and an enemy who will never, ever stop. That’s never, Steven, not even after they view that travesty of a film. They may like the way you portrayed them, but they don’t like you, and if they ever have the chance, they will make that crystal clear…or should I say pitch Black?
Golda Meier once said (paraphrase) “We can forgive them for killing us; what we can’t forgive is them turning our sons into killers.” Israel has never fired a weapon to try to wipe Islam from the map, but they have been forced repeatedly to fire weapons to keep Islam from doing so to them, and I’m damned sick of this “get Israel” mentality of Hollywood and the MSM. Israel has no problem with live and let live; it is Islam that has never heard of such a thing. The problem in this equation isn’t Israel, it isn’t America, it isn’t Christianity, it’s Islam, it’s the Palestinians, it’s Osama, it’s Saddam, it’s Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq. They are the ones who will never ever stop. Perhaps it’s time for a little “if we can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” mentality. Perhaps it’s time to take a page from the lesson book of the PLO and wipe them out. Sound crazy? YES! Now maybe you’re getting it!
That is why Robert’s project of the most significant moment that never was is ignored. Saddam didn’t get a chance to level his nuclear holocaust, which he most surely would have done, and all because Israel stood tall. The project is ignored because once again, Israel did the right thing. Once again, the world was spared because of a courageous Jew or two. It is ignored because Spielberg and Hollywood can’t stand a strong Jew, a victorious Jew, a savior Jew.
Thank God they’re not in charge of anything other than make believe.
Keep the faith, Robert…you already have the courage.
Message to Hollywood: Only a very small minority of Americans will pay to see a liberal propaganda movie (especially a liberal propaganda movie about the Middle East). Both Kingdom of Heaven and Munich tanked despite the formidable track record of the director.
Americans will go to see liberal movies. Brokeback Mountain will make a healthy profit because it had a small production budget and isn’t a propaganda movie. Clooney’s recent movies tilt heavily towards propaganda. Good Night, Good Luck pulled back 30 million dollars from a 7 million production budget but Syriana has yet to recover the 50 million it cost to make.
Boycot it
A number of Leftists and those ignorant of islam will see the movie. Chat up your friends and perhaps distribute a few flyers. Success or failure of any movie is judged by the box office.
Can't wait for the sequel:
"Munich II: the AfterLife"
In which the 10 PLO terrorist murderers hunted down and killed by the Mossad are interviewed in Paradise (ala another Spielberg flop film re-make about the dead speaking... whose title I thankfully forget...) bu a Spielberg look-alike.
SCENE. CLOUDY VISTAS OF MUSLIM HEAVEN. 72 scantily-clad mixed-color lovelies, with pullover sweaters with big "V" 's, over their uplifting bosoms (for Virgins) loll around behind the TERRORIST on cotton couches.
TERRORIST #1: I've really got to thank the Mossad for this! I was never really sure about the 732 virigins, and all. But, Israeli assassins, and now Mr. Spielberg, I just want to say: thank you! The babes are smokin'!
SPIELBERG-CLONE: And you were always for peace, right?
TERRORIST #1: Hey, I'm getting more than a 'piece' in Paradise! But, seriously, yes. We wanted Israel to revert to its original status, a dhimmi province under an Islamic Caliphate, subject to our rule. (gives gangsta' rapper "W" hand-sign) Shariah rules!
SPIELBERG CLONE: But the Jews would have been allowed to love, right?
TERRORIST #1: Sure, sure. With the little marks of their second-class status, of course. Wide yellow sashes. No riding horses. No repairing synagogues. The usual.
SPIELBERG CLONE: Which is a far cry from the "extermination" we always hear about that the newly-elected members PLO and so-called Islamic radicals are said to want for the Jews.
TERRORST #1: (hugs two cuties) Exactly! It's that bad Jew-run press which gets us this bum rap!
Harp music optional.
hollywood is rotten to the core, panders to the evils of human nature, greed, violence, hatred, laciviousness, lust, and delusions of grandeur. It delights in "pushing the envelope" of our ethics and morals, patting its own back for being so progressive, so inherently right.
You and the rest of the FREEPERS need to get out more often, and see what the Muslims, NAZI's and left are saying on other forums.
They pan this movie as the pan all of Spielbergs productions as Zionist propaganda and "trash".
Spielberg is no hero amongst that portion of the Christian Right that is "antizionist" (antisemitic), they accuse him and all of the Jews of distorting and destroying Christian Values.
I know because Im smack dab in the middle of an argument elsewheres with "conservative" Christians who blame the Jews for infiltration and destruction of our "western Christian Values'.
And these conservative Christians pick no bones about demonizing feminists, homosexuals,"cultural Marxists" (whatever that is, except a euphemism for Jew) and people of color as well, yet they side with the Muslims because they believe the Muslims are victims of the Jews or "the enemy of my enemy is my friend".
Well said Robert!
"What I believe is, every act of terrorism requires a strong response, but we must also pay attention to the causes."
-- Stephen Spielberg, quoted above
Esdrujula Explanation:
Not Cupidity (Spielberg beyond that)
Not Timidity (had he been timid, he wouldn't have wanted even to make such a movie)
Not Rigidity (except insofar as he cannot reconsider his own ignorance, and attempt to rectify it).
Answer: Stupidity.
Nariz:
"I know because Im smack dab in the middle of an argument elsewheres with "conservative" Christians who blame the Jews for infiltration and destruction of our "western Christian Values'."
What planet are you on and who are the "conservative" Christians you've been talking to? I consider myself a conservative Christian and I hold no blame for Jews at all.
Nariz posted:
"And these conservative Christians pick no bones about demonizing feminists, homosexuals,"cultural Marxists" (whatever that is, except a euphemism for Jew) and people of color as well, yet they side with the Muslims because they believe the Muslims are victims of the Jews or "the enemy of my enemy is my friend".
Nariz, you truly must be an idiot or a Muslim sympathizer/propogandist (well, to be the latter I guess you have to be the former as well). I hold no such views at all and I don't know any "conservative Christians" that do. I think you have your titles mixed up. Maybe you should be referring to all those people as "zealots", not of any particular religion.
As far as Munich as a movie goes, It really must be tanking. I say this because it's only gotten $34.9M at the box office while other movies out as long or shorter have done much better - "Rumor Has It" $40.6M, "Hostel" $42.7M, "Dick and Jane" $101.7M, "Cheaper By the Dozen 2" $75.2M.
Hell, even Underworld 2 brought in $27.2M on it's Friday release alone. The point is that I think everyone is right, people just don't care about the leftist propoganda crap.
Another way that I can tell is because I watch for movies on the newsgroups to see how they rank. If a movie is "hot" you can generally find it on the newsgroups within a few days. There has been no postings of Munich, and even more telling, no requests for it to be posted either. As where Hostel was on within 3 days of it's release and people are already gearing up for postings of Underworld 2.
You know the movie sucks when people don't even want it for free! LOL!
שלום
I went back and forth about going to see Munich. When I read a piece by Charles Krauthammer, that did it for me. I won't be seeing that film, for all of the reasons cited here and there.
As far as the box-office receipts, keep in mind that the numbers that are quoted are retail ticket sales, most of which goes to the distributors (theater owners). The distribution agreements usually provide for significant percentages (over 50 percent) to go to the distributor for several weeks, declining gradually in favor of the producers over time. And there probably aren't many commercial tie-ins with this film (No toys at McDonalds, theme-park rides, coloring books, etc.)
If the film flops in the threater, it will probably flop on DVD, too.
Good riddence.
I have not been to the movies since before 2000. After 9/11....and the way the hollywood idiots acted, I refuse to ever go to one again. I read somewhere today online, that hollywood actors are taking cuts in their pay in order to act in some movies. I am feeling very satisfied with this news....and I hope more of them have to take pay cuts in the future.
First, the film sucked. My but hurt sitting through this three hour mish-mash of politically correct nonsense. Spielberg's prayer was intact: to offend nobody. But in the process, he probably offended everybody. I will cast no judgments. Both sides have their valid points. Can't we all get along? These are the themes of the movie. Funny, why wasn't that same razor-like impartiality applied towards Oscar Schindler or ET for that matter. Weren't there good Nazis too. and maybe those scientific experts in ET had their good points as well. The answer is obvious. There is right and wrong, good and evil. Not just in world war II, not just in the death camps, not just on the beaches of Omaha, but right here and now. Good and evil still exist. I'm sure Spielberg is not a self-hating Jew, but the screenwriter Tony Kushner(by his own words)is. I sat through lots of bad movies in my day, but Munich and Angels in America tells me that Kushner should stick to playwriting . . . but I digress. Sadly, it's not just bad from a moral standpoint. Munich failed from editing as well. So many scenes were superfluous. The scene of the Israeli and Palestinian hit teams spending the night in that safe house . . . don't get me started again! I guess my point is if you feel a topic is too fraught with moral or political mines that you can't tell a good story. Don't. Stick to Schindler's List or ET or the great Saving Private Ryan. Maybe time has passed so that political counterarguements inherent in these projects no longer matter. Sadly, when Hollywood tackles an edgy topic, they always choose the wrong side. Whatever happened to the Hollywood that made Gone With The Wind or Rear Window? Don't get me started, it's passed my bedtime.
Just as I was about to log off, I noted a Yahoo news piece on Spielberg fighting back at his critics.
"Munich was blasted by some US Jewish commentators who accused Spielberg of equating the Israeli assassins with the Palestinian militants.
Spielberg dismissed the charges as "nonsense".
"These critics are acting as if we were all missing a moral compass. Of course it is a horrible, abominable crime when people are taken hostage and killed like in Munich," he said.
"But it does not excuse the act when you ask what the motives of the perpetrators were and show that they were also individuals with families and a history.... Understanding does not mean forgiving. Understanding does not mean being soft, it is a courageous and strong stance."
What a load of crap. Look at this bull about 'understanding being courageous and being a strong stance. So where is the understanding of why Germany produced Hitler? Or why America attacked Germany and killed loads of Nazis on the beaches of France on D Day? Didn't see the poets 'understanding' on the screen for the Nazis in Schindler's List? We see psychopaths and we see sadistic brutes. Where are the terms of the WW I 'peace treaty' explored? Didn't Germany suffer defeat and economic disaster after world war II. Are not these the 'ROOT CAUSES' of the conflict. Like the 'ROOT CAUSES' of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? My point is not that Spielberg is wrong to show the Americans as the good guys in D Day or that the Nazis were brutes in Krakow in Schindler's List. My point is he was right. There was no need to show the root causes of that conflict. But to worhip at the leftist altar, you need to be 'above' the trivial details in life . . . like the barbaric murders of Jews on German soil. BELIEVE ME the root causes of 'lack of a homeland' were hit in Munich. No oversite there, was there?
I guess black-and white stories are ok for dead jews, aliens and cartoon characters like Indiana Jones, but for Israelis to strike back . . . well that's so primative, all we need is love and understanding of the root causes of the conflict. Militiant Islam. Not important. I've lost what little respect I had for him.
"But it does not excuse the act when you ask what the motives of the perpetrators were and show that they were also individuals with families and a history"
Let's focus on this phrase. Didn't Hitler have a wife? His ulcers must have been acting up after D Day? How about his dog? How about Bin Laden. Doesn't he need to be understood, his motives debated. And doesn't his second in command have his good points. You know the one with the pray burns on his forhead. Isn't he a doctor? Like me! I help people, so does he. Right? Doesn't he have a family and a history. Oh, sure those jumpers on 911, hurtling to their deaths, but we need to understand their motives and their families and their history . . . and what a lovable history it is.
Am I losing it, or is Spielberg a mental defective? I'd like to see his address to the nation after 911.
"My fellow Americans. We have suffered much, but we need to understand our perpetrators have families too. We need to listen. To understand their perversion of a great religion. Bin Laden has a lovely and large family. Ther're good people, just misguided. They have a family and a history."
Ok, end of Steve's speech. You can put the barf bags down now. What he's saying is so patently disgusting and stupid it boggles my mind. I guess the Israelis who did the Munich jobs just haven't evolved to your enlightened perspective. Why can't we all just get along??
It would be charitable to say the movie Munich sucked. Just a grothesque caricature that Spielberg's mind has become. His previous movie 'War of the worlds" also was a poorly directed effort.
I am not a jew but it doesn't need much to recognize that such dhimmi movies facilitate Islamic terror. It disempowers the people who are fighting terror. But then again the Islamists have a very powerful media lobby. Even a WWE character was axed because the islamist deemed it as anti-islamic. Wonder what it will take to break this islamic control over mass media.
It's rather bizarre, when you think about it. I mean Speilberg has dedicated so much time and money to foster remembrance of the Jews murdered by nazi Germany, but when it comes to the moslems who actively abetted the nazis, and who have been unambiguous about their desire to "finish the job hitler started", Speilberg thinks we need to understand and empathize with them. He is, or was, an intelligent man. He should stop hanging with the likes of Kushner. Profound stupidity is apparently highly contagious.
God Bless Israel.
God Bless the Mossad.