James Hirsen
Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006

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THE LEFT COAST REPORT
A Political Look at Hollywood

Headlines (Scroll down for complete stories):
1. Matt Damon Wants Bush Twins to Join the Military
2. Oliver Stone Hit With Castro Film Fine
3. Hollywood Relieved Over New Use of Botox
4. Joy Behar's Conspiracy Proclivity
5. A Ticket to 'Happyness'
 

1. Matt Damon Wants Bush Twins to Join the Military

He hasn't been part of the usual contingent of Hollywood geopolitical experts like Sean Penn, Barbra Streisand, or George Clooney.

But now, apparently buoyed by the midterm election success of the Democrats, Matt Damon has decided to throw some punches of his own at the beleaguered Bush administration.

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On an edition of "Hardball," in a pre-taped segment, Damon urged President Bush to send his two daughters to Iraq.

Following in the wobbly footsteps of senator and former presidential candidate John Kerry, Damon also said that in America "we have a fighting class in our country" where people join the military "for financial reasons."

The Left Coast Report suggests that Damon send out a Hollywood "hooah" to the "fighting class" who help keep his "Bourne Identity" checks rolling in.

2. Oliver Stone Hit With Castro Film Fine

Four years after Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone filmed a documentary on Cuban despot Fidel Castro, the U.S. issued a fine for violating the U.S. embargo to the communist island nation.

Stone produced two works in Castro's prison nation.

First, he shot "Comandante" for HBO. The film could not be aired because even HBO thought it was too soft on the Cuban dictator.

Then Stone shot "Looking for Fidel" and included interviews with employees of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana.

At the San Sebastián Film Festival in Spain, where "Looking for Fidel" was being screened, Stone said, "Castro is one of the wisest men there are; he is a survivor and a Quixote. I admire his revolution, his faith in himself and his honesty."

According to the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control, Stone`s production company, Ixtlan, and four other unidentified individuals were fined $6,322,20 for dealing "in services in which the government of Cuba or a Cuban national has an interest."

3. Hollywood Relieved Over New Use of Botox

According to the American Journal of Gastroenterology, Tinseltown's Botox indulgers may have a new kick in their step thanks to a side benefit of the wrinkle-eliminating toxin.

Dr. Guiseppe Brisinda and his colleagues at University Hospital of Rome, Italy, have discovered that Botox injections relieve, of all things, constipation.

Brisinda told Reuters that "traditional approaches, for example, fiber, laxatives, enemas, biofeedback training and surgery, have shown often conflicting or even disappointing results."

However, through use of ultrasound-guided local injections of Botox, 19 out of 24 sufferers experience constipation relief.

The Left Coast Report points out that although the facial expressions of folks in Hollywood may not be normal, at least their regularity will be.

4. Joy Behar's Conspiracy Proclivity

Folks who recently tuned into ABC's "The View" may have thought the show was a parody, not because of Rosie O'Donnell's insult inclination, but because of Joy Behar's conspiracy contemplation.

Reacting to the news that Sen. Tim Johnson suffers from a brain disorder that required emergency surgery and resulted in him being in critical condition, Behar asked, "Is there such a thing as a man-made stroke?"

The co-host comic added, "In other words, did someone do this to him?"

Behar was referring to power shift that could take place if Johnson were to resign from the Senate or tragically pass away.

The viewing audience knew exactly whom Behar was inquiring about.

Co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck then asked, "Why is everything coming from the liberal perspective a conspiracy?"

Behar got very explicit concerning her opinion of the GOP. "I know what this, that party is capable of," she said.

The Left Coast Report wonders if Behar would benefit from a visit to the previously mentioned Dr. Brisinda.

5. A Ticket to 'Happyness'

In the cinematic tradition of Frank Capra, Will Smith and Italian director Gabriele Muccino are giving filmgoers this year the perfect holiday gift. It arrives in the form of a tender and thoroughly inspiring big-screen presentation called "The Pursuit of Happyness."

People have been hungering for films that lift the spirits while imparting valuable life lessons. "Happyness" does so and in a most exquisite manner.

The movie is No. 1 in the nation and for good reason ($27 million in box office and climbing). It tells the true tale of a dad who despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles perseveres for the love of his son and magnitude of personal determination.

The plotline springs from the life of Chris Gardner who wrote an autobiography of the same title.

For decades now, Hollywood has presented business folks as vile. In a welcome change, this movie takes a fresh approach.

The film's backdrop is San Francisco in the 1980s. Gardner (played by Will Smith) is in a downward spiral, barely making ends meet. Selling medical bone scanners enables him to scrape by for a while.

During one of his many low points, Gardner's wife leaves him, but he refuses to relinquish his 5-year-old boy, Christopher (played by Smith's real-life son Jaden).

In a memorable scene, Gardner interviews for a job at Dean Witter wearing less than suitable attire. Through personal charm and courage, though, he manages to obtain a six-month internship. The position is without pay and holds only a slim possibility that a job offer will follow when completed.

During the internship, Gardner faces homelessness, a condescending boss (played by Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer Simpson) and a car-body collision. Each step of the difficult journey he manages to find his footing and with grace and humor is able to beat back adversity.

In a poignant moment, Gardner tells his son that he should never let anyone tell him that a dream can't be realized. "Protect the dream," he says to his boy. "Then go out and get it."

The Left Coast Report thinks it's good advice for life and a "Happyness" ticket.

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