Posted by Scott Whitlock on January 5, 2006 - 16:45.
link to video here
On January 4, FNC's Special Report with Brit Hume aired a segment that discussed Hollywood’s portrayal of terrorism. The story, airing at 6:38PM, featured a quote from George Clooney, star and producer of "Syriana." The clip appeared to be from the movie’s press junket. Fox News reporter William La Jeunesse stated that "'Syriana' is based on the true story of a CIA operative sent to assassinate Saddam Hussein."
A partial transcript follows:
Special Report
1/4/06
38:00
Brit Hume: "With terrorism in the headlines nearly every day since 9/11, moviemakers have tried to capitalize on the interest of Americans by producing fictional films on the issue. But their portrayals of individual terrorists appear, to at least some critics, to be fictitious in more then one sense."
William La Jeunesse: "The movie Syriana is based on the true story of a CIA operative sent to assassinate Saddam Hussein, an agent's near murder by Palestinian terrorists from Hezbollah. But in the hands of actor/producer George Clooney, the story changes Saddam into an benevolent Arab prince. And Hezbollah saves the agent's life. Americans are shown to be greedy and corrupt, while suicide bombers are presented as freedom fighters."
Clooney: "They are, in a way, the most sympathetic, but I think that's important. Because if you are going to fight a war on terror, which is not a state that you can go and bomb, then you need to understand what it is that creates the people that would do such horrible things, rather then just saying- labeling them as evildoers."
You know, I understand that some people really are just stupid. I also understand the correlation between being really stupid and thinking that you're really, really smart. But holy crap. Shut up, George Clooney. Shut up, shut up, shut up. I can't help but think that if these sympathetic freedom fighters were to bomb the Malibu Starbucks, or perhaps the site of Clooney's new Vegas "giving some of the proceeds to the poor- canonize me!" Hotel and Casino, he might have a slight change of heart.
Hey, Hollywood. You want to know why your box office is tanking like the Titanic? This is why. Yes, ticket prices are insane, the concession stand rapes your wallet, DVDs are more convenient, and 80% of your movies are crap, but a lot of people will overlook these facts, just as they have for years. What they do not so easily overlook are your bunch of kook terrorist-sympathizing celebrities who constantly remind us that they make millions of dollars off their high school degrees and constant America-bashing while the grown-ups are busy keeping dirty bombs off of LA city buses.
Oh, and as someone at Free Republic was kind enough to compile:
George Clooney's recent stellar box office record:
"Syriana (2005) -- FLOP
Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005) -- FLOP (but made some $$ because Clooney comp'ed em)
Ocean's Twelve (2004) -- FLOP (broke even=flop in Hwd)
Intolerable Cruelty (2003) -- MEGA-FLOP
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) -- FLOP
Solaris (2002) -- ISHTAR-LEVEL FLOP
Welcome to Collinwood (2002) -- FLOP!"
This is just a guess, but I believe the days of $20 million a picture are quickly disappearing. As is the last shreds of his dignity. Somehow I doubt he'll miss it.