Harrison Ford blasts US Iraq policy

[lukpac]

I did not state, or imply, that Ford's political opinions were "anti-Bush".

No, you didn't. You said they were "anti-US". Which really isn't the case.

Nor did I state, or imply, that US citizens "...should be expected to say only nice things about their country while abroad."

Then what did you say? You said he was out of line. For what? Supporting his movie? Stating his political views?

I hope it was worth it, and he got some ticket buyers for that DOG of a movie, he was shilling for.

Question, Mikey. Have you seen said "dog of a movie"?

[mikenycLI]

I did not state, or imply, that Ford's political opinions were "anti-Bush".

No, you didn't. You said they were "anti-US". Which really isn't the case.

If it "...really isn't the case", then why did you make it the case, by stating it yourself ?

Nor did I state, or imply, that US citizens "...should be expected to say only nice things about their country while abroad."

Then what did you say? You said he was out of line. For what? Supporting his movie? Stating his political views?

The statement I made is clear in it's meaning, and doesn't need further clarification by me.

I hope it was worth it, and he got some ticket buyers for that DOG of a movie, he was shilling for.

Question, Mikey. Have you seen said "dog of a movie"?

It is my personal feeling, a person is NOT required, to experience something, to have, and state an opinion, about it. You may feel to the contrary. I don't see ANY connection, of how, NOT, experiencing something, lessens, the veracity of the opinion holder, in declining to experience something, distasteful to them. If you would compensate me, to see his film, I would be happy to view it...if it's still in theaters.

Apparently, I am not alone in my feelings, about "Hollywood Homicide". According to boxofficemojo.com , to date, the film has grossed, only, $30,013,346, in 2,840 theaters, since it's release on June 13, 2003.

In any event, I have no intention of patronizing Mr. Ford's film endeavors, in the future, including his home video releases. I liked him better, before he "got smart".

This is not a big sacrifice for me, because Mr. Ford's films, of late, have been of such a sub-standard entertainment quality, that they don't appeal to me, to even, remotely, consider patronizing them.

Again, I am not alone, of this opinion about his failing film career. Perhaps he is "testing the waters", and we will see Mr. Ford, seeking public office. He would fit in perfectly, and he already has the Rap for it.

[lukpac]

If it "...really isn't the case", then why did you make it the case, by stating it yourself ?

Now I'm just lost. You're the one who said Ford's comments were anti-US. I've claimed they aren't.

The statement I made is clear in it's meaning, and doesn't need further clarification by me.

It wouldn't be the current topic of conversation if it were clear!

It is my personal feeling, a person is NOT required, to experience something, to have, and state an opinion, about it. You may feel to the contrary. I don't see ANY connection, of how, NOT, experiencing something, lessens, the veracity of the opinion holder, in declining to experience something, distasteful to them.

[First, of all, I haven't seen the movie. I don't know if it is any good or not. On the other hand, I don't know if it is at all bad or not, either. And, not that they are by any means the last word on things, but Ebert and Roeper gave it two thumbs up.]

I'm sorry, but that simply makes no sense. How do you know it is distasteful if you haven't seen it? It's like saying "I know I won't like that movie, therefore I know it sucks." Of course, you can replace "movie" with just about anything else.

It's like a little kid saying "I hate Chinese food" even though he's never touched it.

As far as quality vs. box office gross goes, I fail to see how the two are intrinsically linked. Plenty of terrible movies have made boatloads of money, while plenty of classics tanked in the theatre. Reservoir Dogs didn't even gross $3 million in the theatres. Yet many people feel it is a classic. 2 Fast 2 Furious grossed over $50 million in its first weekend, eventually racking up over $126M. Can anyone here argue that it is more than 42 times the movie of Reservoir Dogs? Or even a better movie, period?

[mikenycLI]

Well, Luke, people DON'T have to "make sense", about their opinions about things. Sometimes, it's something that just, IS, and we have to accept that, as inadequate an explanation, as it may seem, to you.

I feel we have both, established, that we differ in our opinion about Mr. Ford's statement, and we have reached that point, of diminishing returns, so to speak.

It's devolving into confusion.

[Rspaight]

Well, Luke, people DON'T have to "make sense", about their opinions about things. Sometimes, it's something that just, IS, and we have to accept that, as inadequate an explanation, as it may seem, to you.

That's an interesting comment, considering you've just spent the better part of two pages trying to deconstruct Harrison Ford's statement of opinion and whether it was "out of line." Maybe his opinion just IS, and we have to accept that.

That aside, though, I don't see the big deal. Why hasn't he been shouting his anti-administration (not "anti-US") views from the rooftops? I see a couple possible reasons.

1) No one's asked since the time frame of Luke's article. I haven't been slavishly following the promotional interviews for Hollywood Homicide, so I can't speak definitively on this one, but in order for your thesis to make sense, there'd have to be an exchange similar to the following lurking around somewhere:

PLUGAWAY: Wow, Mr. Ford, that new odd-couple-buddy-LA-cop-car-chase movie of yours sure sounds like a breath of fresh air. Can't wait to see it. By the way, what's your take on this whole icky Iraq thing?

FORD: I have an opinion on that, but I don't think you'd like it. So I'm gonna be an evasive coward and duck that question.

PLUGAWAY: Fair enough! That's Hollywood Homicide, coming soon to a megaplex near you!

I don't feel like trawling the Net for that exchange, but if you can dig it up, let me know.

2) If the topic didn't come up beyond the issue covered in Luke's article, he didn't particularly feel like being Dixie Chicked. Why bring that on yourself?

It's interesting to me that when a celebrity makes a political statement (especially a lefty one), people get all outraged because "we don't want to hear their opinions." (A celebrity pushing the administration line or mealy-mouthed "support the troops" blather, on the other hand, seems to be OK.) However, if they *don't* speak their minds loudly and repeatedly until asked directly, then they're cowards.

Sorry, Mike, but it sounds to me like you're trying real hard to find something to be ticked off about in this case, when there's just not a whole lot there. I certainly can't tell you not to be ticked off about it, since you obviously are, but I can't find a reason to join you.

Ryan

[mikenycLI]

Ryan,

I think it comes down to me having a contrary opinion, to the...ahem...
majority here, so far, and you and Luke just not willing to accept the fact someone disagrees with you.

I feel, that it is YOU, that is not willing to accept my arguments. That's ok, and I can live with that.

I'm going to spare everyone, here, recapping how I feel, AGAIN, and as far as I'm concerned, we all agree...to disagree...Ok ?

[Rspaight]

Fine with me. Han Solo's moral integrity isn't something I feel I need to go to the mat on.

Ryan

[Ron]

Ryan, maybe one day should be become great pals and share really personal stuff, I think I'd like you to return to this moment and recall this thread and explain to me why you felt compelled to waste so much time on it. Then again, why did I waste so much time reading it? Or writing this post? Or bothering to punctuate my sentences properly?

[Rspaight]

Ah, who can explain the motivations of the human heart? Or spleen, for that matter?

In any event, though, you got a deal.

Ryan

PS - I thought we were already great pals.

[mikenycLI]

Why is this man, NOT talking, again ?

Why is he being quoted, again, and not saying anything ? Why is THIS a news story ?

Why does this man's public statements, currently, fascinate me ?

Ladies and Gentlemen...the most AMAZING vetriloquist act, in the WHOLE WORLD...Mr. Harrison Ford !

I couldn't resist this one...forgive me ! Courtesy of yahoonews.com...



Tuesday September 2, 03:00 AM

Harrison Ford Says He's Not a Big Film Lover


Harrison Ford but their relationship has elicited mostly terse "no comments" from Ford.

Flockhart, 38, moved into Ford's Los Angeles home with her 2-year-old son Liam earlier this year.

Ford separated from his second wife, screenwriter Melissa Mathison, in 2001. His first marriage ended in divorce in 1979.

In Berlin, Ford said he was sad to hear of the death of tough-guy actor Charles Bronson (news), a veteran of more than 60 films. But he said he did not know much about Bronson.

"I'm not a big movie fan so I don't go often to the movies," Ford said. "The films he was most well-known for were not really my cup of tea."


http://au.news.yahoo.com/030901/11/lilg.html

[lukpac]

Why does this man's public statements, currently, fascinate me ?

I thinik that's the question we've all been asking...

FWIW, here's the whole story. Yahoo AU screwed it up:

Harrison Ford Says He's Not a Big Film Lover
Mon September 1, 2003 11:17 AM ET
By Juliane Keck

BERLIN (Reuters) - Harrison Ford said Monday he's not a big movie fan and doesn't like going to the movies much.

But the Hollywood hero said what really annoys him are lies about his private life that he says are printed in tabloid newspapers and celebrity magazines around the world.

"I don't answer questions about my private life," Ford told Reuters in Berlin, where he was promoting his latest film "Hollywood Homicide."

"The celebrity press that abounds in every country around the world today is not truthful about people's private lives," the famously tight-lipped American actor added.

"But it's not my job to sit here and correct what's incorrect. That just gives it a second life. So I leave it alone and concentrate on the mission I'm here on."

Even though "Hollywood Homicide" and his previous film, a Russian submarine drama "K-19:The Widowmaker," were box-office disappointments, Ford has starred in four of the 10 top-grossing movies made -- "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back," "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Return of the Jedi."

Ford said he would start shooting a fourth Indiana Jones film next year. But he declined to reveal any details about it other than to say that Steven Spielberg will direct it.

"I promise you he'll be 15 years older," Ford, 61, said of the Indiana Jones character who last appeared on the screen in "Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade" in 1989.

"There's no intention of trying to stay in the same period of time. Other than that I can't really tell you anything about the story."

Ford and American actress Calista Flockhart have been the subject of tabloid gossip since they hooked up at the January 2002 Golden Globe awards but their relationship has elicited mostly terse "no comments" from Ford.

Flockhart, 38, moved into Ford's Los Angeles home with her 2-year-old son Liam earlier this year.

Ford separated from his second wife, screenwriter Melissa Mathison, in 2001. His first marriage ended in divorce in 1979.

In Berlin, Ford said he was sad to hear of the death of tough-guy actor Charles Bronson, a veteran of more than 60 films. But he said he did not know much about Bronson.

"I'm not a big movie fan so I don't go often to the movies," Ford said. "The films he was most well-known for were not really my cup of tea."

[mikenycLI]

Well, thanks for the filling in of the information left out of the yahoo story, but his comments on Bronson don't "come off" too good, and shouldn't have been included in the story.

Guess the press flak he had on this junket, was off getting a drink, or something, during this interview. Probably it was his "manager" of the previous story on him.

"I'm not a big movie fan so I don't go often to the movies..". Hmmmmmmmmm.

[Ron]

PS - I thought we were already great pals.

You're right. We are. And I feel your hurt. Please feel my shame. I *meant* to say "when we become even greater pals than we are now."

[Rspaight]

Please feel my shame.

Ewwwww.

Ryan

[Ron]

*I* feel my shame. It feels quite good. I'm feeling it now. And after I push the "submit" button, I'm gonna feel it in earnest.