WTH Mel??

[Cool-Beans]

Lethal Weapon is on right now (fx). It is hard to watch him without thinking about all this. But maybe that is because it is new.

It gets hard to seperate the celeb from the crap I hear from them.

 

[disneyfan67]

That's fine, but are you going to look at anybody differently if they still chose to watch his movies?

And just for the record, my opinion on this is the same no matter which direction of wacky their views take. For example, I'm not really fond of the extreme flower power stuff Michael Stipe likes to go off on, but I'm still into REM's music, especially the older stuff.

I wouldn't label or look at anyone different because they still choose to watch his films. I was speaking about myself only and I'm all for free choice on most issues.

Even though I'm posting on a internet discussion board, I keep most of my views very private in real life and wouldn't think twice about who likes Mel Gibson or not. I will probably will watch an old film of his, one day down the road on late night cable, (HBO) but I won't ever see him in the same light as I did when he was at his peak in his career. It's kind of a shame when you find out someone you admired for their work turns out to be such a nut job.

 

[cardaway]

I wouldn't label or look at anyone different because they still choose to watch his films. I was speaking about myself only and I'm all for free choice on most issues.

Even though I'm posting on a internet discussion board, I keep most of my views very private in real life and wouldn't think twice about who likes Mel Gibson or not. I will probably will watch an old film of his, one day down the road on late night cable, (HBO) but I won't ever see him in the same light as I did when he was at his peak in his career. It's kind of a shame when you find out someone you admired for their work turns out to be such a nut job.

Thanks for the answer. I was also only speaking for myself, and don't feel any differently about people who stop watching or listening to anything.

I only get upset when they start trying to change things for others. I'm willing to bet there will be people who will call for places to stop carrying at least some of his movies.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

Like anyone didn't already know he was totally crazy-pants?

He's filed under the Tom Cruise category in my mind--actors who are so completely offensive in real life that they are unwatchable on the screen, even though it's a work of fiction.

Ditto!
Let me add him to my personal no-watch list of Tom Cruise, Woody Allen, O.J. Simpson and that French director child rapist (what is his name?). I simply can't get the facts of what they have done in the past to get into any movie they are in. Personal choice.

 

[RadioNate]

For all the people saying "if the report is true"

Here's some more evidence in addition to the fact that TMZ is a pretty reliable entertainment news source.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,206312,00.html

http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_212074221.html

There is also an LA times story that you need to register to read.

 

[Marie17]

Well, I will definitely still watch the movie the "Passion of the Christ" as I thought it was a wonderful movie and Jim Caviezel did a wonderful job portraying Jesus. I don't know if I will watch that new one he has in production (Apocolypto?) - saw the trailer for it at the movie and just didn't get it so I most probably wouldn't see it.

I'm not going to sit here and judge everyone else and their personal beliefs in regard to whether or not I am going to see their movies. Otherwise, I don't think I would be able to watch any movie that was produced in Hollywood. Heck I couldn't even watch "Alice in Wonderland" if I had to assess someone's character before choosing to enjoy a movie. I am sure if I looked and researched just about any movie star I would find something they have done that I didn't agree with or offended me - but I won't.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I wonder how much of a hit his career will really take?

An online poll on CNN asked if people would stop watching Gibson films in light of his behavior and something like 70% of people said no.

As for me, I'm done with him.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I only get upset when they start trying to change things for others. I'm willing to bet there will be people who will call for places to stop carrying at least some of his movies.

So you won't be signing my Boycott Mel petition?

 

[Imzadi]

ya, good for him for stepping up to a wrong he did.

I also feel he put himself out there making Passion and no matter who did it, they were going to be raked over the coals... period, subject God=all kinds of crap. I think he is quite a guy for doing it, knowing the crap that people will make up about the movie, him, his family.. ect... and they did. He has had a tough time since, trying to live life without all the crap from the freaks... so much so he hasn't been out much and I am sure he isn't feeling very good from all that. JMHO

(EDITTED BY ME FOR CLARITY: )

I am NOT saying what he did was right or below is any kind of justification. Don't flame me. This is not how I feel or think. As a therapist, I look for the causes of what makes people do certain things at a certain time. I am only hypothesising on what MEL may have been thinking.

I think he started drinking again after the way HE perceived people tried to persecute, crucify, personally attack HIM (not just the movie,) during the making of Passion & after it came out. It was a very deeply personal project. I am frankly not surprised. Perceived personal attacks of that nature would push almost any alcoholic start drinking again.

Most of the criticism HE felt he got was from the Jewish sector calling him anti-Semitic, saying he depicted the Jews as killing Jesus. It's not like the crucifixion of Jesus is a whodunit.

What kind of mind does he have that a rant about "the Jews" would come from his lips at such a time?

If you read the alleged police transcript, when Mel was being arrested, he said, "My life is f*****d... The publicity and record of this arrest will f*** up my life."

One DUI arrest does not make a f****d up life. He may have been linking how his current drinking & his life being f*****d up again started from when the anti-Semitic criticism pushed him over the edge...which led to his drinking that night...which led to his being arrested. So linking all that together, (toss in the very ongoing war in Israel,) in that sloshy, inebriated brain of his, he started ranting about the Jews.

I've never seen an alcoholic take responsibility for their own actions in the moment of a drunken tirade. They are usually feeling very much a victim, out of control of their lives, blaming other people & things in their life at the moment, (which is what started their binge.) If they were able to take responsibility & be positively pro-active towards themselves, they wouldn't take that first drink. Alcoholism isn't a disease of thirst - at least not physical thirst.

Mel has stated in past interviews that he has inner demons he wrestles with & has considered suicide. I had wondered if he is bipolar, as someone else here mentioned. Yes, my prayers do go out to him that he is able to get the help & peace he needs.

 

[amy4bruce]

There have been many celebrities out there who have political opinions that I don't agree with, or who have made nasty, hateful comments that I don't like, including Walt Disney. (Disclaimer: all sources are, at best, second hand, and can be subjected to any amount of salt you'd prefer.) I would like to think that I can rise above this and judge their work solely on its artistic quality.

On the other hand, I prefer not to pay for it, as I don't want my money to get into their hands. (And yes, I'm going to Disneyworld, but Walt is dead, and so can't defend himself against some of the rumors.)

Hmmmmmm. I'll have to think about this some more.

 

[cardaway]

So you won't be signing my Boycott Mel petition?

Actually Robin Hood - Men in Tights was the most anti-Saxon film I have even seen and I would sign any petition to have all copies removed form the planet.

(Truth be told I love the movie and can't wait for it to be released as a single DVD).

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

These are movies, not documentaries.

But if the movies are based on actual events they should at least be factual and should resist creative license just to make the film more glamorous. Titanic showed the first officer taking bribes and shooting passengers, which totally scuppers the statue for him in his hometown for bravery. The film makers realised their mistake and made a donation to the town. Imagine if you were told your grandad or father was a hero, and then some moron in Hollywood paints him to be a villain just because it makes a film better.

Braveheart was utter crap riddled with historical inaccuracies. Some kids might watch this for history assignments and think it's factual when it's not.

Pearl Harbour, Saving Private Ryan and a host of other war films in my opinion besmirch the memory of the people who fought in them.

 

[eclectics]

I wonder how much of a hit his career will really take?

An online poll on CNN asked if people would stop watching Gibson films in light of his behavior and something like 70% of people said no.

As for me, I'm done with him.

I'm sure it's not so much the fans reaction that's worrying him. It would be the producers that might have second thoughts about funding and promoting his future projects. His other comments (not made in a drunken haze) through the years that were anti gay, anti woman, and anti semitic that have been swept under the rug, will probably be dredged up also, not to mention the apparent coverup by the police. Not a good time coming up for old Mel.

 

[amy4bruce]

But if the movies are based on actual events they should at least be factual and should resist creative license just to make the film more glamorous. Titanic showed the first officer taking bribes and shooting passengers, which totally scuppers the statue for him in his hometown for bravery. The film makers realised their mistake and made a donation to the town. Imagine if you were told your grandad or father was a hero, and then some moron in Hollywood paints him to be a villain just because it makes a film better.

Braveheart was utter crap riddled with historical inaccuracies. Some kids might watch this for history assignments and think it's factual when it's not.

Pearl Harbour, Saving Private Ryan and a host of other war films in my opinion besmirch the memory of the people who fought in them.

Hollywood has NEVER made any claims to historical accuracy (at least, any claims that can be substantiated) and always puts the story ahead of the truth. That's the way it is. Anyone who tries to use a move as a "history assignment" learns that immediately.

You may not like it, but it isn't going to change anytime soon.

We're a bit off topic here, aren't we?

 

[DawnCt1]

I am not a Mel Gibson fan. Seen only 2 of his movies. The Passion being one of them and I thought it was a good movie. I didn't think it was anti semetic.

.

I agree, I didn't see the movie as anti Semetic either. I haven't gotton to the end of this thread but I find it interesting that more people are outraged at his drunken rant rather than the fact that he was driving drunk and instead of insulting someone, he could have killed them.

 

[WhoopyPie]

But if the movies are based on actual events they should at least be factual and should resist creative license just to make the film more glamorous. Titanic showed the first officer taking bribes and shooting passengers, which totally scuppers the statue for him in his hometown for bravery. The film makers realised their mistake and made a donation to the town. Imagine if you were told your grandad or father was a hero, and then some moron in Hollywood paints him to be a villain just because it makes a film better.

Braveheart was utter crap riddled with historical inaccuracies. Some kids might watch this for history assignments and think it's factual when it's not.

Pearl Harbour, Saving Private Ryan and a host of other war films in my opinion besmirch the memory of the people who fought in them.

Ok, fess up, how many went to Dictionary.com and looked up that word?

Seriously, unless it says documentary, I take any and every movie as pure entertainment. I don't look for historical facts.

 

[MorganLeFey]

I used to be a Mel Gibson fan. until the Passion of the Christ. Gibson didn't stick exclusively to the Bible for his source information, he also used medieval sources that were inaccurate and tainted by anti-Semitism. and with this latest tirade...now I can't watch previous favorites like Lethal Weapon without the extraneous thoughts about who Gibson really is, so I'm not likely to see any new offerings by Gibson.

I used to be a Michael Jackson fan. I knew all the words to many Jackson Five songs...not to mention Thriller. these days I look at him and think "freak" and I just don't want to listen to his music.

and Woody Allen...I could quote lines from Love and Death verbatim. I actually appeared in college productions of two of his plays. I haven't been to a Woody Allen movie since the whole Soon Yi thing....

if you're thinking more about the actor than his art, and what you're thinking isn't good, maybe you should avoid the art featuring that actor.

but I certainly wouldn't stop anyone else from seeing his performances. after all, I am sure there are people who dislike Barbra Streisand and George Clooney for their politics....

 

[poohandwendy]

Ok, fess up, how many went to Dictionary.com and looked up that word?

LOL, I knew the meaning...it's a good word.

 

[DancingBear]

I also think he started drinking again after the way people tried to crucify HIM during the making of Passion & after it came out. It was his most personal project. I am frankly not surprised. That would push almost any alcoholic start drinking again.

Most of the criticism he got was from the Jewish sector calling him anti-semetic

Right. Mel's relapse into acoholism, his driving while drunk, endangering others, mistreatment of police officers and anti-Semitic ravings are all also the fault of the Jews.

C'mon. I'm sure the tons 'o money Mel made on Passion, and accolades of many, many, many fans, helped him to cope with the criticism.

 

[cats7494]

From CNN.com-- "Actor Mel Gibson enters rehab following his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, his spokesman confirms."