By NYC2AZ
Hollywood has a problem. First, some context. I am not claiming, as some have, that Hollywood movies are somehow responsible for violence. What I am going to attempt to convey is how many outspoken anti-gun proponents among the Hollywood elite tend to believe they have influence over the unwashed masses until accusations of negative influence arise. After a number of violent murders in the past, we tend to hear individuals in Hollywood criticize “lax gun laws,” the NRA, and pro-gun politicians for not “doing something” to curb the violence . . .
When people in the pro-gun community point out the violent movies made by such anti-gun proponents as Harvey Weinstein or the likes of Matt Damon, Hollywood and the media brush off the argument as an attack on art and freedom of expression. I actually tend to agree with that defense, but I don’t really think they truly believe that statement. Oh, the irony.
When “message movies” are released into theaters, critics flood their reviews with claims such as “powerful,” “eye-opening,” “influential,” and “truly important” to describe the reviewed film. Of course not all critically acclaimed films are violent, but eight out of the last 14 Best Picture winners meet the violence criteria.
During promotional tour interviews about their films, actors and actresses tend to discuss the “depth” and “seriousness” of their roles. They espouse their world views and how they try to channel those convictions through their characters in order to convey them to the audience. Essentially, they are admitting their attempt to sway the intended audience and they seem to believe they have that power. These same celebrities film public service announcements to use their fame for “the greater good.”
But if these people think they have that much sway over the public, why do they only acknowledge a perceived positive influence and not a perceived negative one? Is it part of being surrounded with people constantly heaping praise upon them? Is it that many of them are insecure and need to participate in “hashtag politics” to make themselves feel more relevant? Could it be that they’ve never been told they’re wrong…about anything? Perhaps it’s due to peer pressure and the fear of never finding work in such a cut-throat industry if they don’t espouse the “right” messages.
Most likely it’s a mixture of all of the above that lead Hollywood types into the political fray without admitting their own hypocrisy. It’s not necessarily a problem with us, it’s a problem with themselves.