Thursday, August 14, 2008

Update Tropic Thunder Openning

I just did a search to see how Tropic Thunder did at the box office. It opened quite a bit lower than expected. Check this out deadline hollywood daily. We'll have to wait and see but maybe, just maybe, more people listened to us than we expected. Or maybe there are more of us than we can imagine.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

What a wonderful dream... to have this movie bomb!!! I'm so proud of those who are coming together and standing up for what's right!!!

Gaina said...

I tell you what I find interesting, people are discussing the r-word and why people might be offended by it. Anything that sparks discussion and contemplation can't be bad.

You know, in a very round-about way, Mr Stiller and Co may actually have done the 'awareness' movement a favour! Ha, now wouldn't that be sweet?

Alex said...

I can tell you the news is spreading! This is a headline, roughly translated, from a big Swedish newspaper:

Storm of protests against Stiller's new movie, Disabled rage against Hollywood stars - "They ridicule us, the r-word is uttered 15 times!"

Sherry C said...

Dave, thanks for speaking out, your a amazing advocate. I started reading your blog as I'm raising a beautiful little girl that is working really hard to do the simple things like play, walk and talk. I'm sure there are many things i can learn from you so I'll be a regular reader. Thanks so much for caring and sharing.

David said...

It does seem that our voices are being heard.

Have you seen the beautiful video made by ARC of Virginia? I posted it on my blog - http://growingupwithadisability.blogspot.com/2008/08/people-with-intellectual-disabilities.html
I think you'll like it, too.

Tom said...

Hi Dave, Sorry you had to put up with the previous post's comments. Ouch!

I'm one of the contributors for 5minutesforspecialneeds as well and have been lurking on your site for some time. Should have spoken up with a hello, I suppose, so "hello."

Anyway, I have a son with DS and went to see Tropic Thunder last night. I want to be able to support the boycott but just can't, and have just started to formulate my thoughts on the matter. Thought you might be interested.

Thanks for a lot of the things you have done for people like my son. Cheers and see you online.

lina said...

ok, I've been reading everyday - as usual, and haven't had time to comment. But just wanted to let you know that I was like some - and didn't know what you were even talking about when you first wrote about this topic - then started to google and look into it and was shocked. Yes shocked - that it's still perceived to be ok to use this language in this way. I did at one time think Ben Stiller was funny - but this movie topic really does offend me on so many levels.
I have to tell you, that I saw a clip of the opening night - with the red carpet and was so proud of the activitist there protesting this movie.
I can only do my small part - I've talked to my kids about not seeing the movie - explaining to them how hurtful this movie and language is, I'll talk to my friends...I won't see the movie. But thanks Dave for doing your part - and starting this huge - HUGE movement.
Power to you!

Deb said...

Last night I had the opportunity to see Tropic Thunder for free, in an empty theater, off the books. I thought, hey--this way I can see it and judge for myself, but I'm not contributing to its success at all. I would love to post my personal opinion of whether it was offensive, but I fell asleep through most of it! Couldn't have been that funny or good of a movie after all.

Anonymous said...

I work for an agency that serves around 850 Individuals and employs around 700 staff... We had a staff meeting yesterday (actually we have 4 so everyone can attend).. and at the last one of the day (we were discussing the difference in treatment from yesteryear to today and how much work we still have to do) a person served made the statement that if anyone thought things had changed they haven't been paying attention to what's playing at the movie house. He explained why he was upset about the movie Tropic Thunder and why he thought we all should be... I agreed... and gave him what Words Hit cards that I had on hand(I'm waiting for my order) I told him and all that were there not to give up.. I am very proud of our staff and our persons served for using their voices and expressing that this is offensive!!.. Thanks Dave for your blog.. I enjoy it every day..

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/14/AR2008081402331.html?sid=ST2008081503088&s_pos=]A Movie, A Word, and My Family's Battle[/url]

I'm pretty sure you already know this, but there is an article coming out in the Sunday Washington Post about the use of this word in the movie. It is written by a mother who's daughter margaret has Down syndrome.

Anonymous said...

Robert Downey Jr. cracks me up... he's got a knack for not taking himself too seriously