Posted by Bruce The Shark at 4.61.47.88 on August 18, 2001 at 05:31:11:
This is a sad day.
I just have been reading on the Yahoo! movies news site about the parents of children with Immune Disorders trying to BLOCK the release of this film.
First, let me say that an evil part of me hopes they succeed..just to help Kevin rake in more $$$$. But that is so wrong.
The point is, I have seen the protests of many groups now that are getting more and more active in trying to literally 'wipe out' movies, specifically comedies, when ANYONE, or any group, MIGHT get offended.
The odd thing is, I have noticed a trend...
It is called "Never go after the Big Fish".
Bubble Boy may be Disney, may be funny..or NOT....but the 'stars' are relative unknowns. It isn't a comedy with Adam Sandler or Jim Carrey.
Where were these people when the Bubble Boy episode of 'Seinfeld' aired?
Busy, apparently.
Gay jokes in American Pie 2?
Big picture...NO COMMENTS.
Jay and Silent Bob? Medium pic, GLAAD gets mad.
Stigmata? REALLY damn offensive to any Catholic...
Not a peep(Looked like a 'Big' release..kinda...)
Dogma?
Say hello to protests....
The TWO points I am trying to make are this...
Number one, if people are going to protest films, music, etc....do it fair..across the board..NOT selectivly.
Number Two...Take a joke.
I read the stories about these kids with this 'Bubble Boy' disease and it saddens me. The reality is this...we live in a country where we HOPEFULLY have some free speech left. Part of that is the ability to make jokes about whatever we choose. Nobody HAS to laugh.
The film "Bubble Boy" isn't MEAN to people with this disease..in fact, it humanizes them..shows a guy with feelings, needs, etc.
I am 95% sure we can find a small group of people to offend with EVERY movie. Do we shelve every movie that MIGHT be offensive to a group?
I also noticed that the word "Donations" was used in the article....again, coinciding with what kevin went through, it seems certain special interest groups feel they are OWED a 'donation' if a movie they find offensive is made.
This is extortion. And sad, because while I would normally applaud any studio,actor or Director who wanted to give of themselves to a good cause, now I will always wonder if it isn't basically a pay-off.
If I want to make a film that goofs on guys with no lower arms, just those little hand-stump things with tiny fingers joing a basketball team..it would be in POOR taste..but isn't it my right to film it?
And yeah, there are 5 guys out there who could make a stink.
To those who want to shutter bubble Boy, or J&SBSB, I would take a line from the comedian Carlos Mencia...(sp??)
TAKE A JOKE,AMERICA!