Comments on: Debate rages over use of the word ‘retard’ in ‘Tropic Thunder’ http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/08/15/retard-debate-raging/ Disability News | PatriciaEBauer.com Sat, 10 Jan 2009 03:21:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Cathy Wilde http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/08/15/retard-debate-raging/comment-page-1/#comment-2150 Cathy Wilde Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:33:55 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=2954#comment-2150 Here's some good news - from Defamer: "Attribute it to whatever phenomena you want — the potheads stayed away, the groupies weren't interested, R***dGate '08 — but Tropic Thunder opened softer than planned on Wednesday. Ben Stiller's Hollywood satire pulled in around $7.5 million, prompting observers to downgrade their weekend estimates that should nevertheless keep the film in first place above Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Dark Knight this weekend. The turnout looked that much worse when compared to that of Pineapple Express, which drew more than $12 million last Wednesday — the best midweek, R-rated comedy opening in ages." Hopefully that means we're making a difference! Here’s some good news - from Defamer:

“Attribute it to whatever phenomena you want — the potheads stayed away, the groupies weren’t interested, R***dGate ‘08 — but Tropic Thunder opened softer than planned on Wednesday. Ben Stiller’s Hollywood satire pulled in around $7.5 million, prompting observers to downgrade their weekend estimates that should nevertheless keep the film in first place above Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Dark Knight this weekend. The turnout looked that much worse when compared to that of Pineapple Express, which drew more than $12 million last Wednesday — the best midweek, R-rated comedy opening in ages.”

Hopefully that means we’re making a difference!

]]> By: Cathy Wilde http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/08/15/retard-debate-raging/comment-page-1/#comment-2149 Cathy Wilde Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:27:42 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=2954#comment-2149 As far as the Los Angeles Times piece goes, that writer is WRONG about the NY Times review. Yes, the critic said that the bigger target was Hollywood stars and their egos, but she also notes that the infamous scene is marred by (direct quote) "a grindingly unfunny repetition of the word retard." Maybe the writer should check his sources a little more closely! As far as the Los Angeles Times piece goes, that writer is WRONG about the NY Times review. Yes, the critic said that the bigger target was Hollywood stars and their egos, but she also notes that the infamous scene is marred by (direct quote) “a grindingly unfunny repetition of the word retard.” Maybe the writer should check his sources a little more closely!

]]> By: Mary http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/08/15/retard-debate-raging/comment-page-1/#comment-2136 Mary Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:30:56 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=2954#comment-2136 Mr. Flanigan's piece "Disabilities Just Aren't Funny" was appropriately written as an op- ed opinion essay. This Tropic Thunder debate is about our society and attitudes of casual disrespect to disabled people, not about some actor who thinks he can write or direct comedy. I'd like to see more commentary from people who are not Hollywood insiders or critics. Film critics will not bite the hand that feeds them. Mr. Flanigan’s piece “Disabilities Just Aren’t Funny” was appropriately written as an op- ed opinion essay. This Tropic Thunder debate is about our society and attitudes of casual disrespect to disabled people, not about some actor who thinks he can write or direct comedy. I’d like to see more commentary from people who are not Hollywood insiders or critics. Film critics will not bite the hand that feeds them.

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