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Hollywood Kisses Off Hillary, Kisses Up to Obama James Hirsen
THE LEFT COAST
REPORT Headlines (Scroll down for complete stories): 1. Lefty Launch of Robert Redford's Sundance Festival Robert Redford recently opened his influential Sundance Film Festival with what else — a political speech. It happened as the actor-director-entrepreneur was introducing the documentary, "Chicago 10," which deals with leaders of the anti-war demonstrations that occurred during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Referring to the war in Iraq, Redford said, "I think we're owed a big, massive apology [from the Bush administration]."
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Also showing at this year's Sundance is "Houndog," a drama that features a rape scene with 12-year-old actress Dakota Fanning, "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib," which obsesses over images of U.S. soldiers torturing detainees at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, and "For the Bible Tells Me So," which purports to show how Christians use the Bible to justify various forms of discrimination. The Left Cost Report thinks Redford owes the public a big, massive apology for continuing to provide a platform for only one side of the political film spectrum. Editor's Note: 2. Gripes Fly at Fox's '24' Fox's hit TV show "24" is getting flack from all over the place thanks to its anti-terrorist themes. Some Homeland Security officials have voiced concerns over the tactics the show's terrorist characters use. They worry that in viewing the program real terrorists will learn how to more effectively carry out attacks on the country.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is complaining for other reasons. It's worried about a potential increase in discrimination against Muslims as a result of the television characterizations. "The program's repeated association of acts of terrorism with Islam will only serve to increase anti-Muslim prejudice in our society," CAIR indicated in a statement. Editor's Note: 3. Al Franken's Senate Run Is No Joke He may not have much of a future in radio, but Al Franken is apparently serious about a Senate run against Minnesota Republican Sen. Norm Coleman. The comic told The Associated Press that he's called all of the Democrats in the Minnesota delegation to seek their political advice. Franken said he was warned by North Star State politicians that "it's unknown how people will respond to a comedian running for the Senate." Franken also said that he needs "to figure out a way to let people know I'm extremely serious about Minnesotans and their lives." Strangely enough, although Franken says he wants to be taken seriously, he quipped, "I didn't call Coleman; I want to mainly touch base and get advice and counsel on certain issues." His attempt at humor was met with the sound of crickets chirping. The Left Coast Report imagines Franken standing in front of his mirror saying, "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, my agent tells me it's the only gig I can get." Editor's Note: 4. Movie Ratings Change Means More Informed Parents The Motion Picture Association of America will make a significant change in the way it rates films.
The new ratings will warn parents when R-rated movies are not suitable for young people, even if accompanied by an adult. The MPAA's new chief, Dan Glickman, who took over for Jack Valenti in 2004, told Variety that the organization had been influenced by the criticisms set forth in the "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" documentary. Glickman is discussing the ratings changes with filmmakers at the Sundance Film Festival. Editor's Note: 5. Hollywood Kisses Off Hillary, Kisses Up to Obama Hollywood heavyweights are standing in line to host fund-raisers and write checks for a Democratic presidential candidate. But much to the chagrin of a certain ex-president, the current toast of Tinseltown is not Hillary Clinton. It's Barack Obama. In fact, the junior senator from New York has received a series of snubs from Hollywood luminaries. Snub 1. David Geffen David Geffen used to be one of the most valuable supporters of Hillary Clinton's hubby, a so-called F.O.B. But apparently the Hollywood music mogul doesn't feel the same enthusiasm for Hillary's budding presidential campaign. "She can't win, and she's an incredibly polarizing figure," Geffen publicly uttered. Although Geffen hasn't said it outright, there are indications that he may throw his support behind Barack Obama. Geffen donated $2,000 to Obama's 2004 senate campaign, according to the Newsmeat Web site. Sources in Tinseltown claim that Geffen and his partner, fellow kingmaker Jeffrey Katzenberg, are going to host a fund-raising event for Obama's presidential campaign within the next several months. Snub 2. Ari Emanuel When Obama traveled to Orange County, California's Saddleback Church in 2006, he attended a "meet and greet" at Ari Emanuel's home. Demi Moore, Moore's husband Ashton Kutcher, Norman Lear, and Christine Lahti were in attendance, according to Time magazine. Emanuel, brother of congressman and famed Clintonista Rahm Emanuel, is the inspiration for Jeremy Piven's Hollywood agent character on the successful HBO show, "Entourage." Ari plans on entertaining some Left Coast cash cows for Obama in February, according to the New York Daily News. Snub 3. Arianna Huffington For years Arianna Huffington has been grousing about Hillary Clinton's "endless triangulation." In a December 2006 Los Angeles Times article titled "Hillary's too vane to be president: It didn't matter much that Sen. Clinton is a fickle leader — until Obama came along," Her Blogness wrote that Clinton is "the quintessential political weather vane." "All at once a surge of enthusiasm and support for Obama is threatening to ruin all of Clinton's perfect plans. She thought she had the momentum, but it's Obama who has the wind at his back," the Hollywood Pied Piper wrote. Snub 4. George Clooney During the summer of 2006, George Clooney called Hillary Clinton "the most polarizing figure in American politics." Clooney also said, according to the Times of London, that he was "frustrated and disappointed" that Clinton and other Democratic leaders had "backed themselves into a corner" over the Iraq war. In October Clooney exuberantly declared, as reported by the Los Angeles Times, that a presidential run by Obama "would be the most electrifying thing to happen to the Democratic Party since Kennedy." Clooney also coughed up a $2,000 check for Obama's 2004 senatorial campaign. Snub 5. Susan Sarandon In March 2006, Susan Sarandon told More magazine, "I find Hillary Clinton to be a great disappointment." "She seems to be a very bright woman. I've met her. But she's lost her progressive following because of her caution and centrist approach. It bothered me when she voted for the war," the actress-activist said. At least Sarandon didn't echo her main squeeze Tim Robbins's sentiments. On an Air America talk radio-show, Robbins suggested that Hillary kiss his posterior. Editor's Note: Editor's Notes:
The Left Coast Report is put together by James L. Hirsen and the staff of NewsMax — The Left Coast Report Archives Get your FREE copy of James Hirsen's new book 'Hollywood Nation' — Click Here Now.
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