THE PROBLEM WITH KEVIN SMITH

Yep:

So it pains me to have to say that ‘Real Life’ Kevin Smith is anything but “silent” in our sphere of reality. Instead, Smith has become more and more adept at alerting everyone in the industry to the fact that he is one of the most insufferable, irritating, and loudmouthed actors and directors this side of Uwe Boll.

In my mind, Smith just hasn’t handled the fall of his career very well. Rather than focus on rehabilitating his craft, Smith’s neurotic insecurities have gotten the best of him and his need to bare his ass in public is only a symptom of a much larger problem.

There’s a second act in Smith. He just needs to make another “Chasing Amy.” He has it in him, obviously, but there’s no shortcut to a “Chasing Amy.” That kind of genius only comes from inspiration and hard work.

The wretched “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” was a gimmicky shortcut: “I’m going to be Judd Apatow now.” “Cop Out” was a gimmicky shortcut: “I’m going to bring back 80’s style action now.” “Red State” was a gimmicky shortcut: “I’m going trash the Right to earn back that love from the Leftist entertainment media and Hollywood now.”

Smith’s most desperate move was announcing his retirement.

I predict that once Smith removes his head from hindquarters and is able to mature to a point where he realizes he’s his own worst enemy, that will motivate him to get back to the hard work of making his own “Gone Baby Gone.”

Smith is reportedly pretty close with Ben Affleck. They should talk. They have much in common.

‘STARSHIP TROOPERS’ REMAKE IN THE WORKS

You can’t “remake” Doogie Howser in a SS uniform. You can’t remake the tone, the subversive anti-fascist themes, the epic presence of Michael Ironside, or all of that glorious nudity.

You can steal “Starship Troopers” story points but you can’t remake it.

MOVIE STAR DEATH WATCH: TWO BRUCE WILLIS FILMS GOES STRAIGHT TO DVD

And Willis is still one of Hollywood’s few remaining bright spots.

YEAR OF THE HUNK: HOW GEORGE CLOONEY, BRAD PITT COULD SAVE THE OSCARS

I respect The Hollywood Reporter, but this is dumb:

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Every once in a great while, for reasons largely unknowable by mere mortals but which are certainly more likely related to dumb luck or Mercury being in retrograde than to anything driven by economics, Hollywood gets it right. From the recent “Battle: Los Angeles” to “Iron Man” or the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Hollywood does, occasionally, capture the values and spirit that have made America and the west ascendant and free.

They just can’t be counted on to do it on purpose or with any consistency.

But what happens when our elite betters get their hands on a property, an underlying work, champions western values? A project so infused with pro-military, pro-Republican, and pro-civilization ethics and themes that they simply cannot be denied?

The answer is: They turn it into 1997’s farcical, self-hating flop: “Starship Troopers,” which Bill Whittle discusses on this week’s TAKE A MOVIE TO WORK segment at Declaration Entertainment.

In his 1959 novel, Robert Heinlein celebrates the idea of the Republic – a nation where the citizen holds supreme power. Like our Founding Fathers, who call for a Republican – and not a democratic – government in the Constitution, Heinlein sees direct democracy as an untenable form of government where the mob rules, voting themselves more and more power and resources at the expense of the perpetual “other.” (more…)

A fight to the death in an urban hell between US Marines and an implacable, evil foe who murders civilians without a second thought – if only Hollywood had the moral courage to tell that story straight, the story of America’s finest who battled to victory over jihadi degenerates in Fallujah and throughout Iraq and Afghanistan.  But Hollywood can’t tell that story, not without exchanging the real menace our men and women are fighting everyday for a horde of CGI space aliens.  Sadly, the industry lacks the moral courage of the men and women it portrays.

Let’s be clear – Battle: Los Angeles is a terrific action film that makes no bones about its pro-American, pro-military agenda.  And that fact has invited carping from the usual suspects, lefty movie critics who work themselves up into a lather over the portrayal of better men than they will ever be.   

And note that when I use the term “men” here, I include the fighting women of the US armed forces – don’t worry, critics:  Heroines like Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester will protect you . . . just move to the rear with the children and try not to get in the way. 

The fact is that science fiction has long been a tool to comment on the present, including the relationship between our warriors and our society.  Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers was a fascinating depiction of military life as well as what the author saw as a degrading, decaying culture.  The Paul Verhoeven film of the same name, though different in tone, had its own insights into military vulture, including coed showers and a machine gun-packing Doogie Howser.

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Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing a man who has helped bring to life some of my favorite films, series and projects. Captain Dale Dye, USMC (Ret.) has enjoyed an incredible career in Hollywood as an actor, a writer and as the most recognizable military/technical advisor in the industry. He recently worked as the Senior Military Advisor on HBO’s upcoming World War II miniseries “The Pacific” (currently in post-production) and is preparing to direct his first feature, “No Better Place to Die.”

J.R. Head: Thanks so much, Dale, for taking the time to talk with me.

Dale Dye: You’re most welcome. It’s a pleasure to be anywhere talking about the business we love these days. Hopefully, things will loosen up a bit, we’ll all go to work and I won’t have time for this in the near future.

JRH: Well, I’m glad I caught you when I did. First, let me say that I’ve enjoyed so many of the projects you’ve worked on.

DD: That means a lot coming from a guy with a military background. The reason I work so hard at it is to ensure guys like you and millions of others who served get a fair shake from Hollywood. (more…)