Discount brothel, Hollywood movies and money

It is almost funny how industries work. The way that problems from the top, based on executive decisions, are often blamed on people far lower on the chain. This is never more evident than in Hollywood. Recently there has been a rating of some of the top stars in the entertainment industry, focused on movie actors. It seems that the question of the value, or salary, of these entertainers is in question. Mr. Jim Carey, Ms. Nichole Kidman and others are now thought to be too expensive, because their movies have had too little return. The moderate (very relative) success and outright failure of several movies in the last few years are making the $15+ million salaries seem overinflated. That is so ridiculous I think. Mr. Carey, as an example, is no less an accomplished comedian or comedic actor, without regard to the movies he has been in lately. Perhaps the quality of the movies picked by the studios to be made are a factor. I think the guy who green lighted the remake of the Stepford Wives, or Bewitched, Dukes of Hazzard, the Honeymooners, and others could be at fault. Perhaps the writers who failed to note any glimmer of the qualities that made the original versions of these movies and television shows, have some responsibility.

I mean every actor can perform less than at their best in any particular movie. That’s human nature. Of course if you are dealing with a movie that is subpar, its hard to get Oscar caliber acting. Or do you think Mr. Tom Arnold deserves an Oscar for his work in Soul Plane? Or Cedric the Entertainer for the above mentioned Honeymooners? Or anyone in Ultraviolet? The point being that with the slew of horrendous movies that have been poured out of Hollywood, regurgitated and devoid of substance, it’s not the fault of the actors. Moviegoers just happen to have better taste than Hollywood’s current lowest common denominator craze. Give virtually any actor a quality item to work with and it will do well. Even in a mediocre script the movie can rise due to the acting, like Mr. Denzel Washington in John Q as an example. Perhaps the salaries are too high, but don’t blame substandard movies failing to make large gross incomes as their fault. Mr. George Clooney was as good in Good Night and Good Luck as most any other film he has done, if not better, and it wasn’t because of his salary. Nor did anyone see it because of his discounted salary, rather the quality of the overall film.

On a related note, a recent book discusses how screwed up the process of finding a new television program is. Desperate Networks discusses the various hits and misses that executives and networks engage in while trying to present the often worst choices for programming. Favorites such as CSI, American Idol and Survivor (why they continue to do well I have no idea) were barely able to make it. At least in this case the actors are not being blamed with the failures. But the introduction of new media outlets seems to compel even worse decisions as networks throw more trash at the screens hoping a little will stick. I can’t wait til some exec realizes that the average American has more intelligence and a longer memory span than a goldfish.

Of course there is the fact that in Hollywood some things do change. Once one thing hits you can be sure there will be sequels and lots of copies as everyone rushes forward to cash in on the new fad. In this case its not so much a fad but religion. The success of Passions of the Christ is fueling a new trend in movies, to cater to the many religious citizens of this nation and the world. On the face of this I look forward to these movies and expect many of them to be successful. Hopefully there will be more than the above mentioned failures, more than a rush to get the money quickly.

I don’t care about the religious aspects these movies may contain, I just like quality movies. But there is a potential problem that Hollywood should also be aware of. Religious fervor can and in some cases does lead to fanaticism. A fanatic is capable of anything, including acts of terrorism. I would hope that future movies do not fuel propaganda. And I fear the mockery knock off movies can make of any religion. If people think things are bad now, dissension based on religion within the nation will be far worse. I say again that I look forward to Hollywood placing some thought in these matters before they look at the profit projections.

At some point this year I will go back and count all the lives lost due to rappers. I mean this in reference to the artists and not the music genre. As I’ve said before, I do not understand how these entertainers can draw such violence. From brawls in airports, to murders in nightclubs, and now a shootout on the road in moving vehicles. Whether or not the individual rapper caused the event, or had any justification, violence is rampant in the industry. Why is this the case? Why is rap exponentially more violent than rock or metal or any other music genre. Why is it that rap hip hop seems to attract bullets like a magnet. What is inherently wrong, in the performers and/or the genre that this is the case? And why is it that fans of this genre find the wanton violence a symbol of success? How many must die, or suffer violence before something changes? And the comment that this is just what the music is about rings false. Rap has been more, and can be. It can be positive and has been. It can tell a story and convey a message without the violence or bloodshed we see today. Would anyone want to make a bet on how many will die directly attributably to rap hip hop entertainers this year?

But lastly a bit of hope for the untried and timid out there. Yes, for those who are too geeky, thin, fat, with out confidence or experience there is hope. While you may have to travel to German to get help, you can find it at a brothel (where it is legal) and you will get a discount. Kind of like a house of love 101, this brothel can take care of the special needs of a virgin, or those not familiar with a brothel. Talk about great advertising. First timers, of all respects, can expect to be rewarded with discounts to regular costs. I can’t wait to hear of a price war erupting over this. That a free market economy at work. Well the airlines may get a boost from spring break trip to Germany instead of Florida. And for those who are a bit older, rest assured you can book a flight too as its reported that many clients are in their 40's.

The things you find in the news.

This is what I think, what do you think?