Forrest Gump picks Obama as his new first mate on the shrimpin' boat
Posted 1 year 45 weeks ago byTom Hanks' genius has been to avoid the sirens' call of political activism.
When Hollywood hotshots use the Oscar ceremony to take crude pot shots at the war and at George W. Bush, Hanks retains his dignity and gives non-ideological, unqualified tributes to the troops.
When other Hollywood biggies scramble to the Huffington Post to post screeds against Republicans, Hanks keeps his keyboard quiet.
When other movie stars run to Obama like kids to an ice cream truck, Hanks ... well, now he joins the mad dash and takes a big risk: Alienating half of his audience.
I, for one, am not surprised by Forrest Gumps' endorsement of Lt. Barry. A McCain endorsement would have been much more surprising -- and daring in hard-left La-La Land. But I'm struck by some aspects of the video above.
- The opening, and the setting, looks like a kidnap-victim video -- though one where the victim had the good fortune to be nabbed by wealthy Malibu residents and chained to the desk in a handsome study.
- If you're going to joke that celebrity endorsements are silly, Tom, then why did you bother? Or were you just being cheekily disarming. Sorry, didn't work. Get rewrite on the horn.
- Hanks says that "history will be made this election, no matter who is president-elect." Well, that's one way to look at it, if you think the Democratic primary is our actual presidential election. As Kyle Smith notes, (from where I nabbed this video): "Since John McCain is going to win, I’m not sure what history he is talking about. First ever white male war hero to win? Or is he talking about the first Arizonan?" (Heh).
- Obama, says Hanks, will unite Americans, like FDR, JFK, Truman "and even Ronald Reagan when they ran for the job." Ha! Is he serious? Reagan? Do you seriously expect us to buy that insincere attempt at bipartisan love by tossing the beloved Republican president on your list? I don't recall Hollywood calling Reagan a uniter when they were warning he'd blow up the whole world just for fun. Please.
Tom, what we didn't know about your politics -- or, rather, what we didn't know about what you don't k now about politics -- was a blessing now soiled. (Sigh)
Thoughts
I didn't mean that I
Submitted on May 6th, 2008 by John 2000I didn't mean that I accepted his thoughts. Let me put it this way: he certainly has had many more convincing roles and deliveries in his great movies.
... a man of his obvious skills could certainly have been more convincing had he not been reading his delivery.
... lol, if you look real closely at the reflection in his left eye
anyway, looks like no big surprises in Ind. and NC ... on we go.
An obvious mockery?
Submitted on May 6th, 2008 by Jim LakelyI'm not sure I follow what your son is saying about this video. A 75 percent chance that Hanks was just kidding and doesn't endorse Obama?
Fat chance, considering he's donated more to Obama's campaign than Hillary's campaign, according to OpenSecrets.org.
My current generation son
Submitted on May 6th, 2008 by John 2000My current generation son had an immediate take on the video. He said it was an obvious mockery by an accomplished actor.
I pressed him for a weighting factor on his take ... and he replied 75% chance.
I have learned not to ignore his take on things ...
Is this guy another friend of Oboma ?
Submitted on May 6th, 2008 by Anonymous.
Birds of a feather
Submitted on May 6th, 2008 by AnonymousI wonder how Barach H. Oboma is going to explain his friends remark about our flag.
Strange Bed Fellows
Submitted on May 6th, 2008 by AnonymousIt going to be tough for Barack H. Oboma to try to explain his friends disdain for the United States Flag which is honored by most citizens of the United States and adorned on fallen warriors caskets.
He definitely did a quick
Submitted on May 6th, 2008 by John 2000He definitely did a quick flip-off when he held the paper up, think?
He did seem peeved about having to provide the message.
Re: Cross imagery
Submitted on May 6th, 2008 by JoelAnti-Christ? I thought that was supposed to be Obama?
Re: Cross imagery
Submitted on May 6th, 2008 by Jim LakelyIt's an upside down cross. Does that mean Hanks is the anti-Christ?
Oh, dear.
Did anybody notice the subliminal cross imagery?
Submitted on May 6th, 2008 by The Big KlosowskiIt's over his right shoulder (your left).
he he
Whoa ...
Submitted on May 6th, 2008 by John 2000nice work.
Good point, John
Submitted on May 5th, 2008 by Jim LakelyGood point. Let's just post the pic here for posterity.
Nice friend of Obama, that guy.
Wonder how he feels ...
Submitted on May 5th, 2008 by John 2000about 'bama buddy Doktor Ayres' triumphal pose tramping on the American flag? Great photo, eh? Guess he should have had that one one his wall.
Stupid is as stupid does..
Submitted on May 5th, 2008 by Minuteman CAI don't mean to knock on the talent of anyone who attempts a career of acting, but my point is that I have never personally voted out of identifying with a celebrity, nor will I. That being said, Heston has made some of my favorite quotes regarding politcal correctness, etc.
I just think that the candidates remaining in '08 are a sad representation of what we need in a Presidential Candidate at this time. Obama, in particular, is less about any real contributions made in his joke of a political career, than the hype surrounding a well-spoken black candidate.
After twenty years of awful residents at 1600 Pennsylvania ave, is it too much to ask for President we can be proud of? Don't blame, I voted for Ron Paul, even after I saw him in the debates.
Re: Looking at the real message
Submitted on May 5th, 2008 by Jim LakelyIndeed. My wife immediately noticed the 9/11 ruins flag-raising photo over his other shoulder.
My wife, by the way, was cynical about it -- thinking it was a plant to flout his patriotism.
Re: Dude
Submitted on May 5th, 2008 by Jim LakelySeriously, dude. Republican Hollywood stars of the uncloseted variety are rare -- though less rare thanks to "9/11 conservatives" such as Dennis Miller.
We've also got the following in the stable, among others (according to my old friend and colleague Joe Curl at The Washington Times):
Kelsey Grammer
Patricia Heaton
Mel Gibson ("sugar tits": funny. Jew-baiting: unforgivable)
Adam Sandler (contributed to Rudy G.)
Robert Duvall (endorsed Rudy)
Bo Derek (ok, a has-been. But she was killer in "Tommy Boy")
Tom Selleck
Charlton Heston (the late great)
John "Mr. Peterman" O'Hurley
Gary Sinise (Apollo 13 co-star w/Hanks)
Ben Stein
Kevin Costner (rumored)
Teri Hatcher (rumored)
Joel Surnow ("24" creator and producer)
And, finally, Chuck Norris.
Mess with Chuck, get the fist.
You've been warned.
Not a bad cast. I've seen worse liberal actors fill out a Lifetime "Movie of the Week.:
Dude, where's my celebrity to cling on..?
Submitted on May 5th, 2008 by Minuteman CADude, since when do most of us really care about Hollywood endorsements? That would impress me as much as an Oprah endorsement. Oh! Didn't she endorse somebody. Can't remember who. Well, it's just as well now that it is becoming circulated that she also is a proud (psuedo-politically correct moment) "ex"-member of the Wright flock.
And who could forget her wonderful quote regarding the amazing accomplishments of Hussein? "He's BRILLIANT!"
The truth is that I agree completely with the notion that it would be detrimental to any Hollywood career if an A-list person were to break ranks with the Worker's Party,..Oh I mean Democratic Party. Excuse me, I keep forgetting that Hollywood hasn't formally adopted Communism yet.
Live from behind enemy lines in the Southern California High Desert..
Looking at the real message
Submitted on May 5th, 2008 by John 2000I find the sinking ship in the background somewhat prophetic.
Dude
Submitted on May 5th, 2008 by JoelYou're just jealous because you've only got Ron Silver to parade around at the conventions.
Oh, and Arnold. Can't forget Arnold. But since most Republicans don't think he's a Republican, you probably can't count him, can you?
All I can do is hope and pray that Tom Cruise announces that he's a Republican. You ... can have him.