"If It Bends, It's Funny. If It Breaks, It's Not Funny."
As much as I love going to the movies, one part of the experience that frequently bums me out (at least when I am out of my usual "art house" safe-haven) is the previews. The dreaded previews. At the multiplex, I often find myself subjected to a barrage of trailers that just serve to remind me what a small percentage of films are really worth our while.
But aside from films that look just plain awful, last weekend I saw previews for two films that look pretty offensive: Albert Brooks' "Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World," and "American Dreamz," which looks like some sort of demented cross between Robert Altman and the Farrelly Brothers. Both of these trailers contained segments that looked extremely racist and anti-Muslim. I just have to ask: is that sh** really necessary? Is this really the time for mocking an entire culture and religion with which we are so deeply and dangerously embroiled? I don't mean to sound like the PC Police. I just think it's kind of unbelievable that there are people in "liberal Hollywood" who fail to understand that humor of this sort is just not appropriate (not to mention not funny.)
posted by Em @ 8:48 AM
5 Comments:
Well, I admit to making snap judgements about these films. But isn't the point of previews, to help us make snap judgements? (i.e. what we want to see, what we don't want to see?)
When the reviews come out, I will be prepared to eat my words, if necessary.
Re: Albert Brooks, I have always been a fan of his. Real Life, Lost in America, Mother...these are all very funny (but disturbed) films. And of course his turn in Broadcast News is one of my all-time favorite performances. I really don't know what is up with him lately, though (other than being Nemo.)
Sorry I missed him on the Daily Show.
Re: Albert Brooks - Is he doing all his promo with oversized sunglasses? What's with that? Did he have the glasses on for his Daily Show appearance?
I miss the way previews used to be - now they give away the whole plot and/or all of the funniest moments.
However, like Dorothy, they are the only time I feel okay about snorting and cracking up with my friends.
I think Apocolypto and Tristan and Isolde are the worst previews I have seen so far. Oh, and I have an incredible hate of the DaVinci Code, so seeing that preview makes me gag...and since it's not coming out for another umpteen months, I think I'll have to endure it many more times.
Any other bad previews?
I saw the DaVinci Code preview also. I guess I am one of the last people on earth who hasn't read the book so I don't really understand the hysteria. But a woman two seats down from me practically was having an orgasm during the preview, she was so excited. I guess the story has evoked some strong feelings, good and bad.
Tom Hanks is looking puffy these days, and what's with the mullet?
And just to flip-flop from my original post, I must confess that I thought the preview for Brokeback Mountain made the movie look pretty ridiculous, but the picture turned out to be quite fine indeed. So you don't ever know.
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