People News
Mel Gibson apocalyptic for USA's future
By Stone Martindale Sep 26, 2006, 18:15 GMT
AUSTIN,TX- Actor Mel Gibson has emerged to public life to promote his upcoming movie "Apocalypto," as well as to vent some harsh criticism of the war in Iraq, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Caught railing against Jews during a Malibu arrest for driving drunk, the actor made an appearance on Friday at Fantastic Fest, an event in Austin, Texas, that celebrates new science fiction, horror and fantasy films.
Gibson presented a work-in-progress screening of his Mayan adventure tale, and fielded questions from the audience. The Reporter states about one-third of the full house gave him a standing ovation for the film Apocalypto.
Gibson said, "The precursors to a civilization that's going under are the same, time and time again," illustrating similarities between Mayan civilization on the brink of collapse and America's present military quagmire. "What's human sacrifice," he asked, "if not sending guys off to Iraq for no reason?"
Gibson appeared with actor Rudy Youngblood, an Austin native, and Gibson said he plans to make further trims in the film, which ran more than two hours. The film is still being worked on in post production, and has layers of special effects and sound work still to be added.
"Ain't It Cool News" founder and producer Harry Knowles orchestrated Gibson's appearance at the festival.
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Older Talkback
page: 1
Mel lives in the USA, were freedom of speech still exists, to some extent. Jewish film makers have said some pretty stupid things too (Mel Brooks 'all Germans' remark comes to mind). So what, both have made good movies.
Maybe it's just something about being named 'Mel'? ;)
When did it become a law we have to give any credance to what an actor and/or actress thinks or says? They are larger versions of children who play make believe for a living. Scholars? Visionaries? No.
Hmmm, people like 'theodore' must belong to the fascist right-wing christian republicans who over the past 6 years have come to believe that theirs is the only voice...and anyone who disagrees with them is the enemy. I wish your parents had spent some money on better education. There is always hope.
Gibson has a good point, history repeats itself over and over. If you look at where we are now as a nation, economically, militarilly, socially, and compare it to how past civilisations met their demise, we are following that same path again. We must be careful to learn from our history and not do the same thing less we will suffer this same fate. Are we right in doing what we're doing? Who's to say. History is written by the victors of the day. The artist exists to reflect these things, to ask the unmentionable question, and tailor the tale for mass consumption so that we all may understand a little better. Looking forward to this film.
Mel Gibson went crazy a long time ago...
he just needs to do his little acting gigs and stay out of politics and religion, he's a MOVIE icon, not anyone who will convince America to put down the guns.
...the truth hurts, don't it?
Deport someone who speaks his mind?!
Must be another mouth-breathing re-thuglican talking...perhaps if the resident of the white house would speak the truth to his subjects (formally known as citizens), then his poll numbers might inch up over 40% again.
'fascist right-wing christian republicans' What is this? I thought those were the cursewords being slung at Mel! I hope that comment was not a demonstration of the open-mindedness that I assume 'Air1' thinks s/he represents.
I'm still curious how it is that the world lost the plot over Mel's drunken remarks and essentially forgot about Naveed Afzal Haq. Don't recognize the name? This is the guy who shot up the Seattle synagogue about the same time as Mel's comments: killing one, wounding five.
Is the lesson:
A) The semantics of anti-semitism are more important then actions
B) If you are ever murdered make sure it was someone famous that did it or no one will care or remember
C) One person's drunken, offensive name-calling is totally different then another person's soberminded, socially consious name calling
D) All of the above
It's nice to see Mel back in the public eye. Mel like every one else in a world of free speach has as much right as the next guy to express his feelings.I for one admire a man who has gone through what the went through and comes out a better person for it. I am a recovering alcoholic of 17yrs and unless you've been there you don't know how hard it is to stay sober today when everything you watch on T.V. or you go to watch at a stadium or arena involving sports etc.evolves around drinking,whether it's a beer or other alcoholic beverage.According to today's society you can't play a sport or go hunting or drive a certain vehicle without having a drink after it's over.So for Mel to come out a return to his status as an actor and director my hat's off to him and I wish him nothing but the best.
Number one on my list of useless human sacrifice is my 6 year old nephew who died because of a drunk driver, Mel should be careful what altar he bows to.
Theodore, it's too bad that's it's culturally acceptable for people like you to slam Christians, and for absolutely no reason, I might add. To me, you come across as prejudiced (and ignorant) as some big fat white dude from Alabama, circa 1950, 'talkin bout da color'ds'. Have a lovely day.
1 - You can't deport Mel, he's an American. Born here. Where would one deport him, and how?
2 - sure, any idiot can say any idiotic thing they'd like, here. That's part of our gig.
3 - Interesting test: go to any muslim nation and try to speak out against the government, let's see how far that goes.
4 - Screw Mel. And, while we're at it, screw Danny Glover, too. We've got an anti-semite one on side, and then a Chavez sympathizer on the other. Both of 'em have something against America ... AND .. Lethal Weapon 4 really, really sucked ass.
My apologies; I meant to direct my comments to air1.
.. oh, and:
5 - if someone slams Christians and speaks poorly of the Pope, they are simply expressing their views. If one slams Islam, somehow that's hate speech.
Why is it that Christianity is seen as a disease and Islam is seen as some sort of higher level of consciousness?
When was the last time a Christian or Jew:
- strapped a bomb on their chest and detonated it in a mall?
- flew airplanes into buildings, purposefully?
- killed someone over a reglious cartoon?
... just asking.
A lot of people in the theatrical profession are quite well educated the result of their own research, reading, and educational training. Whether one is a conservative or liberal in fact is rather beside the point. History does tend to repeat itself, many, many times over, ever since the dawn of civilization. View ancient Greek or Roman ruins, contemplate history as you do, sit in contemplation in the Coliseum in Rome, looking below at the arena, and how truly small it is compared with our giant sports complexes. Mel Gibson is an artist like any other, with faults and good points too. He is probably honest, a little too much so. Our Founding Fathers and George Washington would be chuckling. And me? A 'traditional American' WWII infantry vet, with civilian job assignments on three continents and Inside the Beltway - and a participant in Little Theater since 1963. Mel's entitled to express his honest, sober opinion.
I'm interested in the similarities of the different civilizations and how we can possibly learn from prior mistakes. It is obvious that we need to rethink how we develop our own country, let alone one that is on the other side of the planet. We continue to develop isolated communities that creates traffic, a disillusioned sense of community, and an extremely bad habbit of energy use. To think that we are on the right path to eternal utopia is ridiculous. We need to look towards progressive passive energy sources so we can all be independent cultural nations that share this planet. Solar, Hydro, Wind, Geothermal???? Is anyone awake out there? I can't wait to see the movie.
Is something wrong with this guy? Presuming he likes to make movies (or star in them), they have to make a profit if he is to continue doing so.He is drivig his audience away and ruining his career with his crazed opinions. What a dope!
I consider myself a middle of the road person with strong views on much of what is going on today. Mels Gibson's alcohol problems probably contributed to his not so 'PC' behavior, and by the way, I don't believe in 'PC'. I believe you should tell it like it is...to someone's face (of course in a calm manner). I'm sure he feels like an ass and he is paying his dues and hopefully growing because of it. The truth is, many Americans do not belive we should be in Iraq and that it has strengthened Iran and caused other countries to turn against us. What ever the complicated solution will be it is wonderful that people can create a movie that evokes such emotion, this is the whole and entire purpose of movies, to make you FEEL. Appreciate it for what it is and don't let this country turn into a communist society that does not allow differences. Keep your cool and keep your religion out of people's face. You don't have to go to his movie and you can create your own, if you had any talent.
Peace out angry people!
If any one caught the spelling error...well done.
Life's a PEACH enjoy it.
Celebrities are not automatically intelligent. They usually do not have anything of great importance to say, but because they have cameras and microphones stuck in their faces, they often say or do silly things. Then the media leap onto the more outlandish antics to sell their medium. Excessive drinking is not a good excuse, but it is a good reason to act particularly dumb. Always was. Now Mel is not particularly bright, but he obviously has done, or been privy to, a lot of research into the Mayan culture. His reference to the end of the Mayan Calendar, or at least its present great cycle, is being lost in the confusion, and unfortunately, that is what should be receiving the attention. Certainly the U.S., on its present course, is doomed, as is capitalism and consumerism (the opposite of which is NOT communism). As our conciousness increases towards 2012 (or 2011, depending on who one reads) certain truths will become self-evident. This is the information that our friend Mel should be sharing, but that wouldn`t make for good sound bites.
All this support for Mel Gibson is bizarre. Of course he can say whatever he likes. However, we have to hold people responsible for what they say and do. Especially people in the public eye who have influence over every day events.
It's not so much the particluar racial group he picked this time that's important. It's that he sees the world through a dirty, nasty prism.
Isn't it pretty clear he's a scumbag?
lol? I give him kudos. Bravo Mel!!! Just keep your ass at home when you drink, and everything will be gravy.
Generally, I like people--until I read many of their comments, that is.
I am sick and tired of all the whining and bitching from people that do not understand that Freedom of Speech is the right of other people to say things you don't like or agree with. Mel Gibson has the right to say what he likes and even make an ass out of himself when drunk. You have the right not watch his movies and say that you don't like him. But, thats it. Period.
Me personally, I have been a cop for 20 years, and have been called everything in the book, specially by drunks, when they are upset at being arrested.
Queen Latifah on her CD,'Kill d'White People,' said 'Kill the white people; we gonna make them hurt; kill the white people; but buy my record first; ha, ha, ha.' Where is your righteous indignation over that?
Not a problem for you? Could be that you are the racist.
In response to 'Resonant Wind' - Mel actually did say 'I don't mean to be a doomsday guy, but the Mayan calendar does end in 2012, boys and girls. Have fun!'
Mel Gibson is a human bien with serious problem. Drinking and driving. I appreciate his art and his comments.
Mel is a very intelectual man. He is simply portraying the samething that has been told at history class: History repeats itself. What is yesterday is today...whats wrong with that?! Boo-hoo! the is gore, there is people killing another, Oh no, thats blood!.....yeesh! the freakin' society we have became today. Poeple followed by ignorance, not willing to listen to other ideas or thoughts. Just a bunch of people who want to listen to what they want to hear, well guess what? That's life get over it! Will you ignorant people please get of Mel Gibsons back?! He made a mistake, we all make mistakes. we are all human, humans make mistakes, we work by trial-and-error. Don't go telling people your life is perfect because you never committed any mistakes, beacuse there is no such thing as a perfect life. For the war? what can i say? We are led by a retarded man, and a corrputed government. People speak, and claim that this tyranny must be stopped, but instead of complaining how about doing something for once and act. Do you all morons know such thing called: FREEDOM OF SPEECH???!!!!!!!!!! GOD!!!!
hey theodore shut the hell up
page: 1
theodoreSep 26th, 2006 - 19:27:08
Mel Gibson is pretty obviously a low, petty, despicable, smarmy, worm. It's time to deport him.
I'm not making a joke. It's literal. He's undesirable and detrimental to the public good.
I would also suggest that the people who are still willing to support and do business with him, aren't much either.
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