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    <title>Mr. Deeds's Recent Activity - Spout</title>
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      <title>Film:Mr. Deeds</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/films/Mr_Deeds/205729/default.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<table width='100%' style='font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><tr><td><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t63886uzvrj.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' /></td>
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<strong>Title:</strong> Mr. Deeds<br/>
<strong>Year:</strong> 2002<br/>
<strong>Director:</strong> Steven Brill<br/>
<strong>Plot:</strong> One of <a href="/players/P____84082/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Frank Capra</a>'s best-loved stories gets a modernized and wildly slapstick reinterpretation in this romantic comedy starring <a href="/players/P____62990/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Adam Sandler</a>. When Preston Blake (<a href="/players/P____57703/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Harve Presnell</a>), a remarkably wealthy media magnate, dies with neither a wife nor children, the question on the lips of most of his associates is who will inherit the estate. The surprising answer turns out to be Longfellow Deeds (<a href="/players/P____62990/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Adam Sandler</a>), a cheerful but half-bright proprietor of a small-town pizzeria, as well as part-time greeting card poet, who was a distant relative of Blake. In order to claim his 40-billion-dollar inheritance, Deeds heads to New York City, where Blake's former associates, Chuck Cedar (<a href="/players/P____25621/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Peter Gallagher</a>) and Cecil Anderson (<a href="/players/P_____2927/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Erick Avari</a>), introduce him to the city while trying to figure out how to get their hands on his new fortune. Meanwhile, Mac McGrath (<a href="/players/P____30630/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Jared Harris</a>), the producer of a sleazy tabloid television show, wants to get the inside scoop on Deeds, and comes up with perfect way to get it: he sends beautiful but unscrupulous reporter Babe Bennett (<a href="/players/P____62446/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Winona Ryder</a>) to sweep Deeds off his feet while she's wired for sound. Convincing Deeds that she's from a small town just like himself, Bennett quickly wins his heart, but while his affection is sincere, hers is not. He also displays a curious eagerness to defend her good name with his fists which quickly gets him in trouble. Meanwhile, as Deeds becomes the new laughing stock of New York thanks to Bennett's stories, Deeds decides it's time he did something big with his money, while Cedar and Anderson think they've finally found a way to take control of Deeds' holdings. Mr. Deeds also features supporting performances from <a href="/players/P___114771/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>John Turturro</a>, <a href="/players/P_____9838/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Steve Buscemi</a>, and <a href="/players/P____22767/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Conchata Ferrell</a>. John McEnroe and Rev. Al Sharpton make cameo appearances as themselves. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide<br/>
<strong>Times Tagged:</strong> 13<br/>
<strong>Number of Lists:</strong> 25<br/>
<strong>Number of blog posts:</strong> 2<br/>
<strong>SpoutRating:</strong> 3<br/>
</td></tr></table>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2009 07:11:54 GMT</pubDate><spout:Title>Mr. Deeds</spout:Title><spout:Year>2002</spout:Year><spout:Director>Steven Brill</spout:Director><spout:Plot>One of &lt;a href="/players/P____84082/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Frank Capra&lt;/a&gt;'s best-loved stories gets a modernized and wildly slapstick reinterpretation in this romantic comedy starring &lt;a href="/players/P____62990/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Adam Sandler&lt;/a&gt;. When Preston Blake (&lt;a href="/players/P____57703/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Harve Presnell&lt;/a&gt;), a remarkably wealthy media magnate, dies with neither a wife nor children, the question on the lips of most of his associates is who will inherit the estate. The surprising answer turns out to be Longfellow Deeds (&lt;a href="/players/P____62990/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Adam Sandler&lt;/a&gt;), a cheerful but half-bright proprietor of a small-town pizzeria, as well as part-time greeting card poet, who was a distant relative of Blake. In order to claim his 40-billion-dollar inheritance, Deeds heads to New York City, where Blake's former associates, Chuck Cedar (&lt;a href="/players/P____25621/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Peter Gallagher&lt;/a&gt;) and Cecil Anderson (&lt;a href="/players/P_____2927/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Erick Avari&lt;/a&gt;), introduce him to the city while trying to figure out how to get their hands on his new fortune. Meanwhile, Mac McGrath (&lt;a href="/players/P____30630/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Jared Harris&lt;/a&gt;), the producer of a sleazy tabloid television show, wants to get the inside scoop on Deeds, and comes up with perfect way to get it: he sends beautiful but unscrupulous reporter Babe Bennett (&lt;a href="/players/P____62446/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Winona Ryder&lt;/a&gt;) to sweep Deeds off his feet while she's wired for sound. Convincing Deeds that she's from a small town just like himself, Bennett quickly wins his heart, but while his affection is sincere, hers is not. He also displays a curious eagerness to defend her good name with his fists which quickly gets him in trouble. Meanwhile, as Deeds becomes the new laughing stock of New York thanks to Bennett's stories, Deeds decides it's time he did something big with his money, while Cedar and Anderson think they've finally found a way to take control of Deeds' holdings. Mr. Deeds also features supporting performances from &lt;a href="/players/P___114771/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;John Turturro&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="/players/P_____9838/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Steve Buscemi&lt;/a&gt;, and &lt;a href="/players/P____22767/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Conchata Ferrell&lt;/a&gt;. John McEnroe and Rev. Al Sharpton make cameo appearances as themselves. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide</spout:Plot><spout:TimesTagged>13</spout:TimesTagged><spout:taglevel>Tag Target (&gt;10)</spout:taglevel><spout:Numberoflists>25</spout:Numberoflists><spout:NumberOfBlogPosts>2</spout:NumberOfBlogPosts><spout:SpoutRating>3</spout:SpoutRating><spout:FilmCoverURL>http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t63886uzvrj.jpg</spout:FilmCoverURL><spout:SpoutFilmDetailURL>http://www.spout.com/films/Mr_Deeds/205729/default.aspx</spout:SpoutFilmDetailURL><spout:type>Film</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: 10 Worst Updates of 1930s Classics</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/9/9/34950.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t63886uzvrj.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/9325/default.aspx'>SpoutBlog</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/default.aspx'>SpoutBlog on spout.com</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 9/9/2008 4:01:08 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> 
Anticipating the worst from Diane English’s new remake of The Women is not just typical low expectations regarding remakes in general. My dread is specifically based on dissatisfaction with remakes and updates of films from the 1930s, arguably the best decade in cinema (it is certainly my favorite). While I may recognize and appreciate some favorable redos, such as DePalma’s Scarface (of which I’ve never really been a fan), Mazursky’s Down and Out in Beverly Hills and the multiple repeats from Hitchcock, I am more often disappointed with attempts to recreate ‘30s classics, even when I approach them with already low standards.
Worst, for me, doesn’t necessarily have to do with the quality of the film alone, especially when related to remakes and updates. The titles and versions I’ve selected are hardly the worst in terms of craft or production value — you’ll note there are no Dracula movies on this list — and a few would almost be acceptable if they were more unique or solitary works.


10. Return to Oz (1985)
I begin with a film that is not a remake in any form but tone. Yet I still see it as a kind of response to and update of the far more popular classic The Wizard of Oz (1939), which was viewed by some as not faithful enough to the source literature of L. Frank Baum.  It was a bit of a guilty pleasure for me growing up, but I lost regard for the film after suffering through a professor’s defensive screening of it on the last day of a film history course. Sure, it’s truer to Baum and the illustrations of W.W. Denslow and John R. Neill, but as MGM’s beautiful 1939 interpretation shows, it’s better to be imaginative than loyal when translating works between mediums.

9. The Front Page (1974)
Billy Wilder’s version of the Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur play, which was first adapted to film in 1931, is plenty hilarious thanks to stars Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, as well as to a slew of terrific character actors, including Vincent Gardenia, Charles Durning, Austin Pendleton and Dick O’Neill. Also, the film’s homosexual innuendo is an interesting way of acknowledging Howard Hawks’ 1940 gender altering redo, His Girl Friday. I’d definitely choose Wilder’s film over the subsequent big screen version, the 1988 update Switching Channels, but compared to earlier adaptations and to Wilder’s earlier work, the ’74 Front Page is still quite a dissatisfying effort. My biggest problems are with the film’s artificial look, particularly its use of costumes that look more appropriate for a costume party than a period film, the gaudiness of the dialogue, especially the double entendres, and the miscasting of both Carol Burnett and Susan Sarandon (though my annoyance with the women in the film provide further acceptance of the gay undertones).

8. The Distinguished Gentleman (1992)
This loose and uncredited reworking of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) could have been a worthy update had it included more laughs and more of a bite. The concept of placing a small-time con man in the big-time con of politics is ripe for good comedy and satire, plus it makes me think of the respectable crook/crooked respectability angle of Lubitsch’s Trouble in Paradise. Too bad the script was unsatisfactory (not surprising given it came partly from the screenwriter behind Leonard Part 6) and star Eddie Murphy was at the awkward moment of his career when he somehow lost his usual talent for comedy.

7. Flash Gordon (1980)
I have to admit that I do actually love this movie. Well, to be fair, I only really love Queen’s score, Brian Blessed’s voice and Max Von Sydow’s makeup. The rest I just like. Anyway, despite my guilty pleasure in watching the thing on television throughout my childhood, it’s neither a good movie nor a successful update. It doesn’t really do the ‘30s Flash Gordon serials justice by being either a big-budget improvement or a tonally and narratively faithful throwback (comparatively, Star Wars succeeded at doing both).

6. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
Disney’s idea to animate Victor Hugo’s novel was of questionable taste, but the studio’s need to so closely imitate William Dieterle’s 1939 adaptation was of questionable creative judgment. When I watch Disney’s Robin Hood, I’m not reminded of how much better Michael Curtiz’s 1938 version is; similarly, I’m able to appreciate the animated Beauty and the Beast and Alice and Wonderland without thinking of previous adaptations. Especially given the controversial lewdness and the simplification of the story, Disney’s version of Hunchback seems an insult to the source novel, Dieterle’s film and Charles Laughton’s characterization.

5. Meet Joe Black (1998)
I’m a hypocrite to criticize anyone’s inability to be concise, but a three-hour remake of a 78-minute film (1934’s Death Takes a Holiday) displays a level of excess that even my meandering can’t compare to. Don’t get me wrong, though; I’m no hater of long films. But if you can make a long story short, it’s preferred that you do so.

4. The Mummy (1999)
There’s no problem with reimagining a classic horror film as a blockbuster action movie, but taking something so iconically frightening as Boris Karloff’s Imhotep (in the ‘32 version) and updating the look with laughably cartoonish CGI is unfortunate. I know I’m on the other side of the fence from the moviegoers who made this a hit, but I would have actually enjoyed it more if the villain were depicted as a guy wrapped in bandages.

3. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)
Of course, CG may have been better than this. In fact, the only thing worse than Robert De Niro as the Creature would have been a hand-drawn animated Frankenberry in the role.

2. King Kong (2005)
Technically, the 1976 remake with Jeff Bridges is a worse film, but that version at least took some interesting liberties in updating the 1933 classic. Peter Jackson’s intention seemed to be only to faithfully recreate the original with better special effects. And given the fact that many of the CG sequences are embarrassingly awful, I have to say this film was a more monumental failure in terms of purpose and promise. Jackson gave me yet another reason for questioning the point of filmmakers remaking their favorite films.

1. Mr. Deeds (2002)
Other than the minor way in which this comedy updates the conservative message of Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), there is really no reason for Capra’s film to have been remade, especially with such broad, immature comedy from Adam Sandler. While the original Mr. Deeds completely speaks to and of its time, this includes no topicality, no compelling historical or contemporary relevancy and no lasting cultural significance. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:01:08 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>SpoutBlog</spout:postby><spout:postto>SpoutBlog on spout.com</spout:postto><spout:postdate>9/9/2008 4:01:08 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>
Anticipating the worst from Diane English’s new remake of The Women is not just typical low expectations regarding remakes in general. My dread is specifically based on dissatisfaction with remakes and updates of films from the 1930s, arguably the best decade in cinema (it is certainly my favorite). While I may recognize and appreciate some favorable redos, such as DePalma’s Scarface (of which I’ve never really been a fan), Mazursky’s Down and Out in Beverly Hills and the multiple repeats from Hitchcock, I am more often disappointed with attempts to recreate ‘30s classics, even when I approach them with already low standards.
Worst, for me, doesn’t necessarily have to do with the quality of the film alone, especially when related to remakes and updates. The titles and versions I’ve selected are hardly the worst in terms of craft or production value — you’ll note there are no Dracula movies on this list — and a few would almost be acceptable if they were more unique or solitary works.


10. Return to Oz (1985)
I begin with a film that is not a remake in any form but tone. Yet I still see it as a kind of response to and update of the far more popular classic The Wizard of Oz (1939), which was viewed by some as not faithful enough to the source literature of L. Frank Baum.  It was a bit of a guilty pleasure for me growing up, but I lost regard for the film after suffering through a professor’s defensive screening of it on the last day of a film history course. Sure, it’s truer to Baum and the illustrations of W.W. Denslow and John R. Neill, but as MGM’s beautiful 1939 interpretation shows, it’s better to be imaginative than loyal when translating works between mediums.

9. The Front Page (1974)
Billy Wilder’s version of the Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur play, which was first adapted to film in 1931, is plenty hilarious thanks to stars Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, as well as to a slew of terrific character actors, including Vincent Gardenia, Charles Durning, Austin Pendleton and Dick O’Neill. Also, the film’s homosexual innuendo is an interesting way of acknowledging Howard Hawks’ 1940 gender altering redo, His Girl Friday. I’d definitely choose Wilder’s film over the subsequent big screen version, the 1988 update Switching Channels, but compared to earlier adaptations and to Wilder’s earlier work, the ’74 Front Page is still quite a dissatisfying effort. My biggest problems are with the film’s artificial look, particularly its use of costumes that look more appropriate for a costume party than a period film, the gaudiness of the dialogue, especially the double entendres, and the miscasting of both Carol Burnett and Susan Sarandon (though my annoyance with the women in the film provide further acceptance of the gay undertones).

8. The Distinguished Gentleman (1992)
This loose and uncredited reworking of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) could have been a worthy update had it included more laughs and more of a bite. The concept of placing a small-time con man in the big-time con of politics is ripe for good comedy and satire, plus it makes me think of the respectable crook/crooked respectability angle of Lubitsch’s Trouble in Paradise. Too bad the script was unsatisfactory (not surprising given it came partly from the screenwriter behind Leonard Part 6) and star Eddie Murphy was at the awkward moment of his career when he somehow lost his usual talent for comedy.

7. Flash Gordon (1980)
I have to admit that I do actually love this movie. Well, to be fair, I only really love Queen’s score, Brian Blessed’s voice and Max Von Sydow’s makeup. The rest I just like. Anyway, despite my guilty pleasure in watching the thing on television throughout my childhood, it’s neither a good movie nor a successful update. It doesn’t really do the ‘30s Flash Gordon serials justice by being either a big-budget improvement or a tonally and narratively faithful throwback (comparatively, Star Wars succeeded at doing both).

6. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
Disney’s idea to animate Victor Hugo’s novel was of questionable taste, but the studio’s need to so closely imitate William Dieterle’s 1939 adaptation was of questionable creative judgment. When I watch Disney’s Robin Hood, I’m not reminded of how much better Michael Curtiz’s 1938 version is; similarly, I’m able to appreciate the animated Beauty and the Beast and Alice and Wonderland without thinking of previous adaptations. Especially given the controversial lewdness and the simplification of the story, Disney’s version of Hunchback seems an insult to the source novel, Dieterle’s film and Charles Laughton’s characterization.

5. Meet Joe Black (1998)
I’m a hypocrite to criticize anyone’s inability to be concise, but a three-hour remake of a 78-minute film (1934’s Death Takes a Holiday) displays a level of excess that even my meandering can’t compare to. Don’t get me wrong, though; I’m no hater of long films. But if you can make a long story short, it’s preferred that you do so.

4. The Mummy (1999)
There’s no problem with reimagining a classic horror film as a blockbuster action movie, but taking something so iconically frightening as Boris Karloff’s Imhotep (in the ‘32 version) and updating the look with laughably cartoonish CGI is unfortunate. I know I’m on the other side of the fence from the moviegoers who made this a hit, but I would have actually enjoyed it more if the villain were depicted as a guy wrapped in bandages.

3. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994)
Of course, CG may have been better than this. In fact, the only thing worse than Robert De Niro as the Creature would have been a hand-drawn animated Frankenberry in the role.

2. King Kong (2005)
Technically, the 1976 remake with Jeff Bridges is a worse film, but that version at least took some interesting liberties in updating the 1933 classic. Peter Jackson’s intention seemed to be only to faithfully recreate the original with better special effects. And given the fact that many of the CG sequences are embarrassingly awful, I have to say this film was a more monumental failure in terms of purpose and promise. Jackson gave me yet another reason for questioning the point of filmmakers remaking their favorite films.

1. Mr. Deeds (2002)
Other than the minor way in which this comedy updates the conservative message of Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), there is really no reason for Capra’s film to have been remade, especially with such broad, immature comedy from Adam Sandler. While the original Mr. Deeds completely speaks to and of its time, this includes no topicality, no compelling historical or contemporary relevancy and no lasting cultural significance. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: 10 Movies for Republicans</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/9/4/34764.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t63886uzvrj.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/9325/default.aspx'>SpoutBlog</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/default.aspx'>SpoutBlog on spout.com</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 9/4/2008 5:01:10 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> Earlier this week, I recommended 10 movies for Democrats to watch. So, to balance things out and hopefully show a lack of bias, I’ve now selected 10 recommendations for Republicans, too. This was actually the more difficult task, because there are so many classic films that display conservative values — and in the 1980s alone, I think there were about a billion films promoting relatively right-wing lifestyles and ideas. Therefore, I’ve limited my picks to the last two decades, except for one underrated gem that left me with quite an impression as a boy.

The Dark Knight (2008)
Some said Batman is Bush, others said Cheney, but either way this past summer’s superhero blockbuster resonated with certain conservatives who saw the film as something of an argument about — if not apology for — the actions of the current administration. Similarly, this summer’s Hancock and Iron Man have been read as being particularly relative to Republican politics.

We Were Soldiers (2002)
At first it was shocking to me that John McCain’s pick for best Vietnam movie is this overly dramatic disappointment from director Randall Wallace, which stars Mel Gibson. Then I realized that it’s one of the few Vietnam movies without a completely negative slant on the conflict. In fact, it portrays an official U.S. victory, making it somewhat optimistic compared to technically better films like Platoon and Apocalypse Now.
Primary Colors (1998)
This veiled depiction of Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign is hardly one-sided, and it’s certainly not intended to be a political attack in the way Oliver Stone’s upcoming W. is, but it’s the perhaps the closest thing Republicans have to a parallel to W., Nixon, Dick and other lampoons of GOP presidents.
Commando (1985)
Here it is, the one recommendation produced prior to the mid-90s, and with good reason. When I was a kid, this movie made me think guns and other weaponry were the coolest things in the world. I had the Commando action figure, which made G.I. Joe look like a total wimp, and I celebrated such accessories as the Bowie knife and the rocket launcher. While plenty of films from the ’80s feature lots of arms, and many of these movies are about rogue missions of vengeance and/or rescue, for some reason it was this specific movie that resonated most. Between my love for this and Red Dawn, I’m shocked that I didn’t grow up to be a member of either the NRA or the GOP.
Juno (2007)
This is an obvious choice due to all the Juno/Juneau jokes that came with the Bristol Palin baby news, but despite its relevancy to current events, the movie was already somewhat embraced by conservatives who saw Juno’s decision not to have an abortion as a slighty pro-life statement.
Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
Another movie that the Palin clan reminds me of is this loose remake and its sequel, as well as the similarly remade giant-family comedy Yours, Mine and Ours. The worlds these films exist in have apparently never heard of abortion or birth control of any kind.
Independence Day (1996)
I doubt that in such a worldwide alien attack that the U.S. will have the best method of response, but anyway, this nationalistic sci-fi movie is a perfect fantasy for Republicans who think counter-offensive measures are as easy as destroying all known elements of an enemy’s connecting cell structure and then calling it certain victory. I always wonder how long it takes after the credits roll for another organization of ships, all with better operating systems, to arrive and successfully destory us all.
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
I understand the intention of co-writer/director Roland Emmerich (who also made Independence Day) was to portray the possible effects of global warming, but the resulting plot is so ridiculously exaggerated that to me it hurt the cause more than helped it. For Republicans who don’t believe in global warming or think it’s not as drastic as some make it out to be, this is appreciable as just another fantastic disaster movie with stunning effects and a mindless story. If you’d rather see a disaster movie that’s the gospel truth — literally — check out Left Behind: The Movie instead.
Mr. Deeds (2002)
The Democrat list features Frank Capra’s original, so I thought it fair to give Republicans the crappy remake. Aside from meaning it as allegory for how far Republican ideals have fallen, I also intend the selection as recognition of Adam Sandler’s political influence (see Eric Kohn’s argument on the matter). I don’t want to spoil the ending, which comes off as Capra by way of Reagan (who of course was a fan), but I will say its rather unfortunate how Deeds spends his money in this version.
Death of a President (2006)
Maybe you don’t like the idea of seeing your leader assassinated, but just think how the Bush haters feel when they see the consequences of his death. This is your movie, Republicans, because regardless of the reveal at the end, the faux documentary can still be used to support arguments in favor of the PATRIOT act and other such post-9/11 conservative agendas.
 Originally posted on:SpoutBlog<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:01:10 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>SpoutBlog</spout:postby><spout:postto>SpoutBlog on spout.com</spout:postto><spout:postdate>9/4/2008 5:01:10 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>Earlier this week, I recommended 10 movies for Democrats to watch. So, to balance things out and hopefully show a lack of bias, I’ve now selected 10 recommendations for Republicans, too. This was actually the more difficult task, because there are so many classic films that display conservative values — and in the 1980s alone, I think there were about a billion films promoting relatively right-wing lifestyles and ideas. Therefore, I’ve limited my picks to the last two decades, except for one underrated gem that left me with quite an impression as a boy.

The Dark Knight (2008)
Some said Batman is Bush, others said Cheney, but either way this past summer’s superhero blockbuster resonated with certain conservatives who saw the film as something of an argument about — if not apology for — the actions of the current administration. Similarly, this summer’s Hancock and Iron Man have been read as being particularly relative to Republican politics.

We Were Soldiers (2002)
At first it was shocking to me that John McCain’s pick for best Vietnam movie is this overly dramatic disappointment from director Randall Wallace, which stars Mel Gibson. Then I realized that it’s one of the few Vietnam movies without a completely negative slant on the conflict. In fact, it portrays an official U.S. victory, making it somewhat optimistic compared to technically better films like Platoon and Apocalypse Now.
Primary Colors (1998)
This veiled depiction of Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign is hardly one-sided, and it’s certainly not intended to be a political attack in the way Oliver Stone’s upcoming W. is, but it’s the perhaps the closest thing Republicans have to a parallel to W., Nixon, Dick and other lampoons of GOP presidents.
Commando (1985)
Here it is, the one recommendation produced prior to the mid-90s, and with good reason. When I was a kid, this movie made me think guns and other weaponry were the coolest things in the world. I had the Commando action figure, which made G.I. Joe look like a total wimp, and I celebrated such accessories as the Bowie knife and the rocket launcher. While plenty of films from the ’80s feature lots of arms, and many of these movies are about rogue missions of vengeance and/or rescue, for some reason it was this specific movie that resonated most. Between my love for this and Red Dawn, I’m shocked that I didn’t grow up to be a member of either the NRA or the GOP.
Juno (2007)
This is an obvious choice due to all the Juno/Juneau jokes that came with the Bristol Palin baby news, but despite its relevancy to current events, the movie was already somewhat embraced by conservatives who saw Juno’s decision not to have an abortion as a slighty pro-life statement.
Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
Another movie that the Palin clan reminds me of is this loose remake and its sequel, as well as the similarly remade giant-family comedy Yours, Mine and Ours. The worlds these films exist in have apparently never heard of abortion or birth control of any kind.
Independence Day (1996)
I doubt that in such a worldwide alien attack that the U.S. will have the best method of response, but anyway, this nationalistic sci-fi movie is a perfect fantasy for Republicans who think counter-offensive measures are as easy as destroying all known elements of an enemy’s connecting cell structure and then calling it certain victory. I always wonder how long it takes after the credits roll for another organization of ships, all with better operating systems, to arrive and successfully destory us all.
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
I understand the intention of co-writer/director Roland Emmerich (who also made Independence Day) was to portray the possible effects of global warming, but the resulting plot is so ridiculously exaggerated that to me it hurt the cause more than helped it. For Republicans who don’t believe in global warming or think it’s not as drastic as some make it out to be, this is appreciable as just another fantastic disaster movie with stunning effects and a mindless story. If you’d rather see a disaster movie that’s the gospel truth — literally — check out Left Behind: The Movie instead.
Mr. Deeds (2002)
The Democrat list features Frank Capra’s original, so I thought it fair to give Republicans the crappy remake. Aside from meaning it as allegory for how far Republican ideals have fallen, I also intend the selection as recognition of Adam Sandler’s political influence (see Eric Kohn’s argument on the matter). I don’t want to spoil the ending, which comes off as Capra by way of Reagan (who of course was a fan), but I will say its rather unfortunate how Deeds spends his money in this version.
Death of a President (2006)
Maybe you don’t like the idea of seeing your leader assassinated, but just think how the Bush haters feel when they see the consequences of his death. This is your movie, Republicans, because regardless of the reveal at the end, the faux documentary can still be used to support arguments in favor of the PATRIOT act and other such post-9/11 conservative agendas.
 Originally posted on:SpoutBlog</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:funny</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/funny/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/funny/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>funny</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 608</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 316</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 941</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:28:29 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>608</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>316</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>941</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:reporter</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/reporter/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/reporter/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>reporter</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 1590</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 22</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 52</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:02:59 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>1590</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>22</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>52</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:SNLAlum</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/SNLAlum/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/SNLAlum/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>SNLAlum</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 71</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 15</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 107</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 23 Jun 2007 07:57:40 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>71</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>15</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>107</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:ragstoriches</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/ragstoriches/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/ragstoriches/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>ragstoriches</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 250</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 13</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 18</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2009 13:02:09 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>250</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>13</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>18</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:SNL-Alum</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/SNL-Alum/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/SNL-Alum/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>SNL-Alum</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 66</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 12</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 78</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:27:19 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>66</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>12</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>78</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:inheritance</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/inheritance/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/inheritance/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>inheritance</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 1331</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 11</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 16</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:07:18 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>1331</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>11</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>16</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:fishoutofwater</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/fishoutofwater/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/fishoutofwater/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>fishoutofwater</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 119</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 6</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 12</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:14:49 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>119</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>6</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>12</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:rags-to-riches</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/rags-to-riches/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/rags-to-riches/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>rags-to-riches</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 4</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 5</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 5</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:23:48 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>4</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>5</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>5</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:Adam-Sandler--funny</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/Adam-Sandler--funny/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/Adam-Sandler--funny/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>Adam-Sandler--funny</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 1</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 1</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 1</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 23 Dec 2005 14:51:21 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>1</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>1</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>1</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:crazy-eyes</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/crazy-eyes/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/crazy-eyes/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>crazy-eyes</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 1</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 1</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 1</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:57:11 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>1</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>1</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>1</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:pizzeria</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/pizzeria/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/pizzeria/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>pizzeria</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 9</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 1</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 1</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:02:01 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>9</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>1</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>1</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:sandler-rocks</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/sandler-rocks/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/sandler-rocks/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>sandler-rocks</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 3</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 1</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 3</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 10 Aug 2006 19:54:59 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>3</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>1</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>3</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:scoop-journalism</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/scoop-journalism/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/scoop-journalism/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>scoop-journalism</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 15</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 0</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 0</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 24 Jul 2006 13:01:20 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>15</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>0</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>0</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:simpleton</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/simpleton/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/simpleton/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>simpleton</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 11</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 0</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 0</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:02:59 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>11</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>0</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>0</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
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