Finally. I can't believe it's taken this long. After all these years of denigration and disrespect, after all this time when no one would ever dare praise the press, our one bulwark of freedom against the totalitarian horror of representative democracy.
It's about time the mainstream media had its own propaganda film.
Don't get me wrong: I quite liked The Post. Or, perhaps it's better to say that I quite admired it. It's a very admirable piece of filmmaking, from a very admirable director. If you've ever had any doubt that Steven Spielberg is one of the great filmmakers of all time, all you need to do is watch him turn a story about issuing stock and publishing a newspaper into high-octane drama.
And Spielberg really, really needs us to know just how admirable the whole enterprise is. "The only way to defend the right to publish is to publish," Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) growls, as the camera pushes in on him from below. He looms over the frame, as if embodying The Spirit Of Journalism, a long-forgotten Dickensian ghost here to convince the doubters of the righteousness of the Washington Post‘s mission.
In case you missed the message, we hear it several more times. The only way to defend the right to publish is to publish is to publish is to publish is to … we get it, we get it! In the case of The Post, the publishing in question has to do with the Pentagon Papers, a dossier of documents that the New York Times got its hands on before being ordered to cease publication by the courts. The Washington Post, tired of being scooped in its own backyard by the paper of record, spends much of the movie trying to track down the goods—a move that could put the paper at risk, given the tenuousness of its fiscal situation.
Kay Graham (Meryl Streep), you see, is trying to take the company public. If Bradlee et al publish the Pentagon Papers and incur the government's wrath, the stock sale could be quashed. Graham wants to raise the funds to improve the quality of the paper—to hire more writers, more editors, and more news-breakers. Quality and profitability go hand in hand, you see, a phrase she utters and absurdly seems to believe. It's also a phrase that has been rendered meaningless by the last 20 years of media, as the internet destroyed the print advertising business and the only real boom we've seen has come recently, as a tribal urge to buy subscriptions to stick it to the current occupant of the White House has flooded a few lucky papers with funds.
Spielberg pours on the personal drama. Graham's in a tough spot, torn between her social duties as one of DC's grande dames and her societal responsibilities as the owner of a major newspaper. Is she better off being a traitor to her class or a traitor to her country? To say the outcome is predictable is underselling the matter: If you don't know which way Graham's going to go—either because you're ignorant of history or you're ignorant of how a movie of this sort, one made by dreadfully sincere center-left partisans, has to play out—I don't know how to help you.
I'm pouring on the snark because the earnestness of this movie has given me an allergic reaction of sorts. So I just want to make this absolutely clear: I actually enjoyed The Post! Spielberg keeps the action moving, frames every shot perfectly, moves the camera subtly and confidently when he isn't adopting 1970s-style paranoid thriller zooms. It's fun and funny (Bob Odenkirk and David Cross have supporting parts, giving us the Mr. Show reunion we've long wanted). And it's only occasionally unbearably saccharine, as when a triumphant Streep marches down the steps of the Supreme Court as a klatch of young professional ladies clutch their hands and gaze up at her, so proud that, finally, A Woman Did A Thing.
But, let's be honest, most readers of this site should probably avoid it. You just don't need the sort of agitation this paean to #TheResistance will likely inspire.
#1: rlk To: Deckard (#0)
rlk posted on 2017-12-23 15:28:12 Reply Private Reply
#2: Deckard To: rlk (#1)
Which part and why?
Deckard posted on 2017-12-23 15:29:10 Reply Private Reply
#3: rlk To: Deckard (#2)
I have no intent, or time, to conduct a school for retarded kindergarteners.
rlk posted on 2017-12-23 15:39:46 Reply Private Reply
#4: Deckard To: rlk (#3)
Had you indeed read the article you would have noticed the sarcasm dripping from every paragraph.
And you keep saying what a smart guy you are.
Deckard posted on 2017-12-23 15:44:06 Reply Private Reply
#5: Hondo68 To: rlk (#1)
What do you want, gangsta rap?
Hondo68 posted on 2017-12-23 15:54:58 Reply Private Reply
#6: Liberator To: rlk (#1)
The above sentence from the author sez it all...
Robert, I realize the title is easy to buy. One sentence in and our reflexes kick in. I almost dismissed it as well.
The author engaged in ridicule and sarcasm with respect to yet another historical revisionist Hollywood flick masquerading as entertainment. This one, The Post, stars a bunch of rabid liberals (like Meryl Streep). In roles that glorify a curious Democrat-Leftist media, Nixon once again is their obsession. They are not so much ever about scrutinizing either Clinton or 0bama, are they?
This lame loser of a propaganda flick is intended to be damage-control for The Post, NY Times, CNN, Pravda, etal. It was written, released, timed, and weaponized in desperation to defend both Hollywood (from the Weinstein spectacle) AND the Media from Donald Trump's charges of "Fake News." So what did Hollywood's Leftists trot out? Yup, the usual tired Nixon-era "scandals" -- this one based on The Pentagon Papers. *yawn*
Theater audiences are supposed to be reminded that the MSM (and especially the Washington Post) still has credibility and the importance of the American people to take them seriously again is their/our obligation. Their message: "We need freedom to ferret out the truth. And like Nixon tried to do, Trump is now attempting to stop us! HELP US!! Waaaah!!!" (Yes yes -- "truth" like "RUSSIA RUSSIA RUSSIA!!" and their fake Pee-PeeGate.)
The author realizes that the Left HATES being ridiculed. So he did it as a critic. This movie is guaranteed to be a Box-Office BOMB. It underscores just how politically biased discredited the MSM is. And how FAKE NEWS from the Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, etal are now etched in stone.
Liberator posted on 2017-12-29 13:41:03 Reply Private Reply
#7: Liberator To: Deckard, rlk (#4)
Robert like most of us is impatient and expecting leftist drivel. The headline was a head-fake...
Good article.
Liberator posted on 2017-12-29 13:42:40 Reply Private Reply
#8: Deckard To: Liberator (#6)
Well, I'm glad someone actually "got it".
Deckard posted on 2017-12-29 15:17:52 Reply Private Reply
#9: tpaine To: Deckard (#0)
Is redundant --- seeing that their parents have indoctrinated them since birth , --- at being both....
Sad to say, but those unfortunate to have been born into the 'upper classes', and those who aspire to be members, --- have somehow found socialism to be politically desirable.
Can anybody tell me why?
Why do these people reject our Constitutional Republic?
tpaine posted on 2017-12-29 23:34:07 Reply Private Reply
#10: tpaine To: Y'ALL (#0)
Is redundant --- seeing that their parents have indoctrinated them since birth , --- at being both....
Sad to say, but those unfortunate to have been born into the 'upper classes', and those who aspire to be members, --- have somehow found socialism to be politically desirable.
Can anybody tell me why?
Why do these people reject our Constitutional Republic?
tpaine posted on 2017-12-29 23:35:43 Reply Private Reply
#11: GrandIsland To: tpaine (#9)
Because they've been WEAKENED as a species. They have been programmed to lack the ability to cope with life and its harsh realities. Death, poverty, others having more, work, responsibility... and so on.
Free health insurance, money distribution, welfare... spreading blame (like drug addiction is a disease)... and so on. Easier to cope. No safe spaces needed.
It's the snowflake way of the future. Best get use to it. After Trumps presidency, we will have only the Commie Sanders types to choose from. Even the Shitlary's aren't socialist enough.
GrandIsland posted on 2017-12-30 00:56:00 Reply Private Reply
#12: tpaine To: GrandIsland, confused again (#11)
I asked the question about the upper classes..
You've answered about why normal people (could) feel that way, -- and I agree, socialism is a symptom of sickness. -- Socialism is a disease of the mind..
The question remains, why are the so-called 'upper classes' affected so completely??
tpaine posted on 2017-12-30 02:26:52 Reply Private Reply
#13: GrandIsland To: tpaine (#12)
All liberalism is made from WEAKNESS. Plenty of weak millionaires
GrandIsland posted on 2017-12-30 09:45:02 Reply Private Reply
#14: Liberator To: tpaine (#10)
Old Money embracing Socialism is an odd phenomena, isn't it?
One reason:
I believe the basis on their apparent Marxist lean is a desire to knock back down the rungs of the wealth ladder those who are attempting to climb up that ladder. The Elites want to remain THE Elites; It's not if the Middle and Upper Middle Class start invading their "turf."
These people hate a Republic because it displaces and disperses their power. They prefer a Monarchy or Caste System.
Liberator posted on 2017-12-30 12:09:02 Reply Private Reply
#15: Liberator To: GrandIsland, tpaine (#13)
Good reasoning and response.
The Olde Rich regard the New Rich with disdain and contempt -- as though earning it through creativity, hard work and sweat is the "dishonorable" way to make a living. The Bush/Kennedy-types -- self-entitled, envious Limousine Liberal hypocrites who reject capitalism -- are THE worst types of people.
Liberator posted on 2017-12-30 12:13:16 Reply Private Reply
#16: Liberator To: GrandIsland (#11)
Won't that pretty much guarantee CW2?
Liberator posted on 2017-12-30 12:14:25 Reply Private Reply
#17: buckeroo To: Liberator (#16)
buckeroo posted on 2017-12-30 12:17:46 Reply Private Reply
#18: GrandIsland To: Liberator (#16)
Our populace has been brainwashed into soft WEAK snowflakes. They've been poisoned with the equality idiology. Since they are our future... we are truly fucked. Game over.
One day, long after I'm dead, the snowflakes will learn the hard way... that humans aren't all equal. We never were. The illusion of "equality" is the cause of socialist rationalization. Equal wealth, health, education... you name it.
As far as a second civil war, I'm down with the idea. I've been hoarding RELOADING supplies just for such occasion. I'll even let you have some if the SHTF... as long as you don't gift any of it to Ba Ba Ba Bucky.
GrandIsland posted on 2017-12-30 12:29:28 Reply Private Reply
#19: GrandIsland To: buckeroo (#17)
Not for you, you tucked tail like a pussy and ran off to a 3rd world chalupa eating shithole.
GrandIsland posted on 2017-12-30 12:30:42 Reply Private Reply
#20: Liberator To: buckeroo (#17)
Liberator posted on 2017-12-30 12:36:25 Reply Private Reply
#21: GrandIsland To: Liberator (#20)
That equals 3 in Ba Ba Ba Bucky's world... and if you ask DickTard, he'll find some YELLA journalism to justify the 3.
GrandIsland posted on 2017-12-30 12:40:23 Reply Private Reply
#22: Deckard To: GrandIsland (#21)
Seems to me that a real man would ping those he is falsely denigrating.
But since you are a former cop, the term "real man" doesn't apply.
Deckard posted on 2017-12-30 12:43:42 Reply Private Reply
#23: Liberator To: GrandIsland, Buckeroo (#18)
I agree. 'Operation: SNOWFLAKE' started in earnest back in the late 60s with the damn hippies...And now has come to fruition as militant atheists, leftists and homos now control school systems (thanks to the NWO-Elite.)
One day, long after I'm dead, the snowflakes will learn the hard way... that humans aren't all equal. We never were. The illusion of "equality" is the cause of socialist rationalization. Equal wealth, health, education... you name it.
Yup. It is with a sense of Schadenfreude AND sadness that I both look forward to it WHILE dreading it at the same time.
As far as a second civil war, I'm down with the idea. I've been hoarding RELOADING supplies just for such occasion. I'll even let you have some if the SHTF... as long as you don't gift any of it to Ba Ba Ba Bucky.
Could be fun...in a weird way. I hope I'm not here when it does go down (and down it will.)
Hard to tell WHAT Bucky would be doing as the bullets are flying through his basement window and the army of nose-pierced green and pink haired freaks and homos are pounding on his door...
Liberator posted on 2017-12-30 12:44:03 Reply Private Reply
#24: Liberator To: Deckard, GrandIsland (#22)
Meh. This hall monitor stuff reeks of FR.
CUT IT OUT. Or I'll suspend both of you. /Sidebar Monitor
Come on -- This is LF where 20 posters are online and reading everything. Not FR where thousands are posting.
Liberator posted on 2017-12-30 12:47:49 Reply Private Reply
#25: buckeroo To: Liberator (#23)
Coward!
buckeroo posted on 2017-12-30 12:54:21 Reply Private Reply
#26: Deckard To: Liberator, GrandIsland (#24)
It's a matter of common courtesy IMHO.
Of course GI believes that showing any courtesy or respect towards others is a sign of weakness.
Deckard posted on 2017-12-30 12:56:08 Reply Private Reply
#27: Deckard To: Liberator, GrandIsland, Buckeroo (#23)
I doubt that those "nose-pierced green and pink haired freaks and homos" will be any threat - they are pretty much all afraid of guns.
Deckard posted on 2017-12-30 12:58:16 Reply Private Reply
#28: GrandIsland To: Deckard (#26)
Nah... not "weakness". Courtesy and respect are EARNED... and since day one, years ago, under all of your agenda ID's, you've never earned that with your general character assassination of all cops and this poster with your rude and yella posts.
GFY, DickTard.
GrandIsland posted on 2017-12-30 13:10:26 Reply Private Reply