Let's talk about Adam Sandler

©  Franz Richter 2009

So, by now everyone knows that Native Americans walked off the set of Adam Sandler's made for Netflix movie, The Ridiculous Six. It's because of the way Native American women are depicted in the western spoof of  The Magnificent Seven. They have ridiculous names, are dressed stereotypically and not authentically, etc, etc.

I think I'm kind of in the murky middle of the what's right and what's wrong about this situation. Don't get me wrong, I think that Native Americans have got a bad rap and taken a lot of crap for many years. And yes, I agree the stereotypes are tired and should probably just go away.

But here's the thing. They're not going to go away. Stereotypes have been and still are used all the time in film and TV. Women, the gay community, blacks, Asians, Hispanics -  they are all still heavily stereotyped, as well as many other cultural groups. From Birth of a Nation, Gone with the Wind and The Mask of Fu Manchu to 16 Candles, The Simpsons, and every Disney movie on the face of the planet, stereotypes have always been there and will always be there.  Does this make it right? Absolutely not. However, I think there is difference between stereotyping in the real world and stereotyping in the entertainment business, especially when it comes to comedy.

This is what brings me to Adam Sandler. This movie, The Ridiculous Six is not drama, is not a documentary, it's satire. This film is in essence, making fun of the old westerns AND the stereotypes they depicted. This is why I'm not really angry with Sandler. He's making fun of how those westerns used to be and how stereotypical they were. I mean, we're talking about Adam Sandler, here. He's made ridiculous, foul, crude movies since he started. Why are we suddenly expecting more out of him?

I personally am a fan of Sandlers, however, I've not liked every movie he's ever made. And this one doesn't sound good to me at all. By now, everyone should know what to expect from Sandler. Now we all know what to expect from this movie. Just like any fim, if it doesn't appeal to you, don't watch it.

This isn't the first movie made with awful stereotypes, and it surely will not be the last. Like, I said, I don't think it makes it right, but it seems like a futile battle. Let's fight the real racism - gender discrimination, bigotry against the LGBT community and all the minorities who are oppressed. Let's end racial profiling. That is where we should be exhausting our impassioned energy. That's where our outrage should lie, not over some silly movie.

Don't you hate it when...

...you're in the middle of writing a novel you think is different and new and the best thing since white chocolate, and no one will have ever thought up the idea, and then you come across a book (or a movie, or TV show) with the same general premise?

I do. I hate that.

After I wrote the superhero book, out came The Incredibles, Sky High,  and Heroes.

Last year a book came out with the same subject matter  as a book I wrote a few years back.

Then last week I found out there was a middle grade book with the same fantasy theme as one I just started writing!!!

The thing is, even though it's kind of annoying, it doesn't matter. Give two people or five or ten for that matter the same character, same setting, same plot line even and you're still going to get ten different manuscripts. No one will write the same story.

So next time you have that great next big idea, then find out someone's already writing it, don't get discouraged, don't stop, keep going. That other person and you can never write the exact same book. And hey, yours may be better. :)

Desert Island Movies

Here are ten movies I'd like to have with me if stranded on a desert island.  With a TV.  And a DVD player.  And electricity...

Hair This is one of my favorite movies of all time and fills my musical quota (loves me some musicals, so needed at least one on the list).  A tale about free love, hair, and the Vietnam War.

 Heathers A couple 80's movies have to be on the list, and this is probably my favorite.  Teen angst at its best, or maybe its worst. Plus, Christian Slater, Winona Ryder, death, murder, mayhem, how can you go wrong?

Wonder Boys This is my favorite book about writers.  Take one phenom, an established writer with a severe case of writer's bloc, a pregnant mistress, a homo-erotic agent, and a dead dog,  and you're in for some serious laughs.  You don't have to be a writer to appreciate this movie, but it helps.

Fargo Joel Coen.  There is nothing more to say.

The Wizard of Oz They used to play this every Thanksgiving when I was a kid.  Do you remember before VCR's and DVD players how you were at the mercy of the television stations to replay your favorite movies?  HA!!

Shawshank Redemption The BEST Stephen King book (novella, actually) made into a movie by far.  Add Morgan Freeman one of the best actors of all time, and Tim Robbins in his prime.  Love this film.

16 Candles Okay, maybe this is my favorite 80's movie ever.  It never fails to make my LMAO, still.

Serendipity Yes, I must have one sappy love story, and if I'm going to have one, it must star may favorite actor, John Cusack. And it doesn't hurt to costar Jeremy Piven and Kate Beckinsdale.

Say Anything Yep, John Cusack again. 

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory No movie collection would be complete without this.  The original, not the freakish remake Tim Burton did, though normally I love Tim Burton AND Johnny Depp, you know, if it ain't broke...

I could add more, I'm probably forgetting some, but the above are the first ones that popped into my head.

Honorable mentions:

It's a Wonderful Life

Edward scissorhands
Transporter
Hangover
Superbad
Juno
Underworld
Finding Neverland
Grease
Moulin Rouge