I think you may be missing the point.

>>> "They can star in anything they want, and it should be shown in theaters. I don't HAVE to see it, and if i don't, then i am not taking away their 'free speech' rights. Just like they don't have to see conservative movies if they don't want. 'Not listening' to someone is not taking away their right to rant and rave." <<<

Agreed, but that isn't the point I was making or a crucial element of the argument we were discussing.

>>> "I haven't condemned the movies they are in, just them as people." <<<

No, actually you went a couple of steps beyond that.

>>> "Studios should release whatever movies they want(within reason of course) and the viewers will decide what they like and dislike." <<<

Agreed, but the decision to see or support a movie shouldn't be made on personal criticism of the actor unless it's the work that's deserving of the criticism; politics should be off-limits or at least set-aside from the work. You publicly expressed the opinion that you wouldn't see Ed Norton's work based on his politics (putting it politely) which amounts to a boycott. See my point?

>>> "But if a movie does poorly, you can't blame the viewer." <<<

Ah, but who assesses why a film does poorly? It may receive limited distribution or just be badly marketed; then again, the movie's subject matter may be too timely or not timely enough; lastly, it may be released at the wrong time or up against a similarly themed film that is better promoted. None of this has anything to do with an actor's political activism.

For anyone to suggest that an actor's politics causes a film to do poorly is a bold, purely subjective assessment, and IMIO, a completely wrong-headed one. There are lots of reasons why movies fail to accrue a big box-office take which have absolutely nothing to do with an actor's political views.

Conversely, by way of example, Mel Gibson is apparently a staunch Conservative with anti-Semitic views who made a small fortune pandering to the church crowd with The Passion. Last year he was the golden boy of the political right; he could do no wrong.

Should the Studio refund everyone's money now that his anti-jewish sentiments are fully out of the closet? Does the fact that so many went to see the Passion mean that this is a nation of anti-Semites? I sincerely hope not. Would I go to see another Mel Gibson movie? Depending on the film, probably, even if I was disgusted by the man's open bigotry.

>>> "Although Martin Sheen probably played himself when he was the crooked unhinged politician in Dead Zone. That part was made to order for him, so I can still easily watch him as 'Greg Stilson'. " <<<

He was much better in West Wing (if only we had a President like that in Office we wouldn't be in the mess we're in now).

AuPh

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - "The Ilusionist" - rico 13:46:57 09/04/06 (21)

It's too bad.... - NuWave 09:38:15 09/07/06 (10)

What the heck difference does their politics make??? Are you... - Audiophilander 11:10:00 09/07/06 (9)

yes, for a select few, i have avoided their recent work. - NuWave 13:48:01 09/07/06 (8)

"Can I at least avoid POLITICAL movies?" - Sure, but The Illusionist isn't a political movie by any stretch. - Audiophilander 00:27:43 09/08/06 (7)

Re: "Can I at least avoid POLITICAL movies?" - Sure, but The Illusionist isn't a political movie by any stretch. - NuWave 09:55:23 09/08/06 (6)

I think you may be missing the point. - Audiophilander 11:18:49 09/08/06 (5)

mess we're in? - NuWave 06:55:10 09/12/06 (4)

This isn't a political forum, but since we're discussing a political film allow me to educate you... - Audiophilander 10:34:26 09/12/06 (3)

Nuwave used to post "Outside"; guess he couldn't stand the heat. - oscar 13:50:28 09/12/06 (0)

i'm sorry but you contradicted yourself within all of your own responses - NuWave 13:43:09 09/12/06 (1)

No contradiction. You just have trouble with complex responses dealing with complicated subjects. - Audiophilander 00:04:58 09/13/06 (0)

Agreed - well done and very enjoyable...(nt) - mkuller 12:02:11 09/05/06 (0)

Re: "The Ilusionist" - ladok 05:35:42 09/05/06 (3)

Yeah, the whole "Usual Suspects" go over everything again at the climax in order to... - Vinylized 08:31:02 09/14/06 (0)

"There is no real chemistry between Norton and Biel..." - You must've been watching a different movie. - Audiophilander 10:34:25 09/05/06 (1)

Same movie, different ways of processing it - Ladok 12:46:54 09/05/06 (0)

Excellent film, with only a few minor problems that stretched credulity. - Audiophilander 23:56:36 09/04/06 (1)

Minor problems? (SPOILER ALERT) - Vinylized 08:44:08 09/14/06 (0)

I agree -- a huge amount of fun - Maxxfell 16:43:05 09/04/06 (0)

I looked at the trailer for the movie...looks very good...I am a huge fan of Edward Norton... - TWB 14:53:56 09/04/06 (1)

Re: Edward Norton... - Jeff Starrs 00:05:02 09/05/06 (0)

Follow Ups

I think you may be missing the point. - Audiophilander 11:18:49 09/08/06 (5)

mess we're in? - NuWave 06:55:10 09/12/06 (4)

This isn't a political forum, but since we're discussing a political film allow me to educate you... - Audiophilander 10:34:26 09/12/06 (3)

Nuwave used to post "Outside"; guess he couldn't stand the heat. - oscar 13:50:28 09/12/06 (0)

i'm sorry but you contradicted yourself within all of your own responses - NuWave 13:43:09 09/12/06 (1)

No contradiction. You just have trouble with complex responses dealing with complicated subjects. - Audiophilander 00:04:58 09/13/06 (0)

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