Hollywood has been, nearly since inception, a way for America to showcase and treat its own historical traumas. The movie industry never wait too much before they surf on terrible events and make them subjects for films. No taboos are allowed. And the American people rush to see them just like a big therapeutic session as if they were long gone.
Think of all the westerns of John Huston or Sam Peckinpah, the uncountable movies on the second world war (which is still a hot matter: watch upcoming Valkyrie) which were very popular at the time and then the Vietnam War (Full Metal Jacket is a must just like Platoon or the Deer Hunter) the Gulf War (Three Kings and i absolutely recommend Syriana)
Here are a series of recent good movies that surf on that trend:
September 11: United93 is probably the best movie on the matter and was made only a few years after the terrible events. You can also watch Oliver Stone's Word Trade Center but i do not recommend this. It stinks ketchup and popcorn too much
Afghanistan/Taliban: Charlie Wilson's War is probably the most notable movie, But i would recommend to see the Kite Runner which as a movie is more touching. Recently there was also Lion for Lambs with a great casting (Cruise, Redford, Streep) but a poor story
War in Iraq: I recently saw 2 good movies on the subject in very different styles. The Kingdom is an action movie which is well done and well executed. But the most touching is certainly In The valley of Elah by master Paul Haggis (Behind Crash and Million Dollar Baby) with the story of this father inquiring on the disappearance of his son.
Do you see more? What is the next big trauma hollywood is going to transform in a Movie?
Most of the movies you mentioned were big flops at the box office.
On Sunday, Feb. 24, the Academy Awards telecast earned its lowest audience rating on record, plummeting 21 percent from last year.
Americans are rejecting the Hate America message of Hollywood loudly and clearly!
Posted by: Steve | 03 March 2008 at 10:59 AM
i don t care of the box office. i care about what i like Steve...
Posted by: Ouriel Ohayon | 03 March 2008 at 05:57 PM
I could recomment "3 kings" about Afghanistan (or was it Kuwait?).
As to the next trauma for Hollywood, I could very well imagine a George W. film :)
The guy who made "Supersize me!" is now making a film where he's trying to track down Osama Bin Laden...
Posted by: modifoo | 03 March 2008 at 06:19 PM
And obviously you like Anti-American films.
Although "Three Kings" wasn't anti-American. Nor was "United 93". Very good films and I believe both did well in the Box Office.
Most of the other films you mentioned (at least not including some of the Vietnam movies of the 1970s and 1980s) were box office flops.
Hollywood risks further alienation and lost of revenue as long as it goes along this hate America path.
I see you didn't list "Munich" among your list of favorite films. Not surprising.
Posted by: Steve | 03 March 2008 at 10:20 PM
Munich is not in that list cause i has nothing to do with the subject of this post....And i DID like munich. Try again...
Posted by: Ouriel Ohayon | 04 March 2008 at 01:41 AM
Doesn't surprise me that you liked Munich. You seem to be one of those self hating Jews.
Posted by: Steve | 04 March 2008 at 05:05 AM
Steve , don't be too harsh on him.
He isn't Bobby Fischer (yet).
Fischer was the best chess player that ever lived on this planet.
He was also an American Jew , an admirer of Hitler , a fanatical antisemite , an America hater and a believer in conspiracy theories.
Posted by: john | 04 March 2008 at 02:08 PM
some commenters of this blog have the poorest sense of irony i have ever seen
Posted by: Ouriel Ohayon | 04 March 2008 at 08:46 PM