Steven Spielberg Endorses Hillary

[wyldwolf]

Influential filmmaker and philanthropist Steven Spielberg today announced that he is officially endorsing Hillary Clinton for President. Spielberg said that he has chosen to endorse Clinton because of her experience and strength.

“I’ve taken the time to familiarize myself with the impressive field of Democratic candidates and am convinced that Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate to lead us from her first day in the White House,” Spielberg said. “Hillary is a strong leader and is respected the world over. As president, she will bring America back together, rebuild our prestige abroad and ensure our protection here at home.”

http://www.hillaryhub.com/

[Tellurian]

1. And Clooney will follow...

Spielberg has one of the most creative, brilliant minds in Hollywood and is cued in to recognize the real thing when he sees and hears it. Brava to Hillary and Spielberg!

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. You mean to say...

He excels at bringing fantasy to realistic life. Giant sharks, kind hearted extraterrestrials, adventuresome archaeologists, dinosaurs brought back to life by science... and now Hillary Clinton.

:hi:

[SaveElmer]

5. Well I guess he decided it was just too hard...

To make it look like a guy with two years in the Senate look experienced!!

:-)

[NewYorkerfromMass]

6. And Biden has 32 years in the Senate

and Dodd has 26. So the point of all this experience is...?

[bigdarryl]

31. No shit he's full of it she doesn't have the most experience.

[SaveElmer]

35. Coming from someone who apparently can't distinguish New Mexico from Texas...

I'll take that as a compliment...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=3311606

Oh btw, read my post again and you will see why your comment is simply foolish!!!

[zulchzulu]

36. Um...you forgot 8 years in Congress...but then again...

...we're talking fantasy here...

[wyldwolf]

51. Obama had 8 years in Congress?

[William769]

70. It was an error in another thread that has since been corrected.

[Ethelk2044]

76. Obama's years of Service Beats

Clinton's years of Service.

[William769]

79. Talk is cheap

But then again I just realized who I responded to.

[rinsd]

59. I think you mean state legislature (nt)

[William769]

73. Ok is that going to stand or are you going to correct it again?

[Ethelk2044]

75. Not Really. He felt sorry for her because most of Hollywood

is back Obama

[Tellurian]

12. Haha! No, what I'm saying is Hillary auditioned for Spielberg ..

All of Spielberg's work has a common thread. The bad vs good... with "goodness" always prevailing in the end. I believe what he sees in Hillary is what I see.. A (man and) woman hard at work to take back a country that has been stolen from us.

"He excels at bringing fantasy to realistic life. Giant sharks, kind hearted extraterrestrials, adventuresome archaeologists, dinosaurs brought back to life by science... and now Hillary Clinton."

Intrinsically, Spielberg projects himself into the themes of his work. Yes, he has an uncanny ability to share his thoughts and ideas visually with an audience. To get us there, essentially, he does his homework, searching out the best people with specific skills to accomplish the end result of his vision. Likewise, he's had a choice of 16 presidential candidates to best fulfill his vision of the credentials necessary for the task of turning this country around and placing it back on track. He's auditioned them all and chose Hillary. To me, that speaks volumes of confidence in her and clarity of vision!

[mckeown1128]

55. Funny yet true

:rofl:

[Totally Committed]

7. Clooney? I pretty much think he's endorsed Obama.

So did Matt Damon, as far as I know.

Spielberg is quite simply misguided.

TC

ETA:

George Clooney Supports Barack Obama...

Excerpt:

He tells Time magazine, "I like Barack Obama a lot. I've spent some time with him. I've actually had the conversation with him saying, 'Look, I'll give you whatever support you need - including staying completely away from you.'

http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2007/06/01/george_clooney_supports_barack_obama_off


...Matt Damon's '08 Presidential Pick

Excerpt:

Damon jumped on the Obama bandwagon as well. “I’m an Obama guy too. I think a lot of the problems in the world would be mitigated if he were the face of our country. I haven’t ever met him or talked to him, but he’s the first person in a long time who I’ve been inspired by,” Damon said.

http://thepolltruth.wordpress.com/2007/06/03/george-clooney-brad-pitt-and-matt-damon%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9908-presidential-picks/


(Spielberg's Dreamworks Partners) Katzenberg and Geffen endorse Obama

Three of the entertainment industry's biggest names—DreamWorks studio founders Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen—planned a private, Beverly Hills fundraiser for the freshman senator from Illinois.

>snip

Spielberg, for example, ... has not made an endorsement. Katzenberg and Geffen are backing Obama.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8NDP5M80&show_article=1

[Tellurian]

14. Many in Hollywood have given Obama the benefit of the doubt...

However, what I'm seeing and hearing they are slowly disengaging themselves from Obama. During the celebration of the Ocean's 13 Premiere, one of the interviewers asked him about his supporting Obama. Where Clooney was very vocal and enthusiastic about supporting Obama when he announced. Clooney more or less shyed away from a straight answer saying: It's better if Obama doesn't see me, might help his campaign..I took it to mean, he is backing away.

[Totally Committed]

17. He actually says in the articles I linked that he doesn't want to hurt Obama...

that his presense and support hurt his own father's campaign in Kentucky. He said that actors getting too close to a candidate's campaign can be more of a hindrence than a help... or, words to that effect.

TC

[Tellurian]

25. Yes, I was close enough..doncha think?

What do you expect Clooney to say...I'm dumping Obama and looking elsewhere? Clooney has no reason to hurt Obama's campaign, at the same time, he's reconsidered the reason he was supporting him. Otherwise, he would have taken the opportunity during all the hoopla with Ocean's 13 to reinforce his choice, giving Obama a boost, not shrewdly backing away from it.

Clooney's making a graceful exit and the rest will follow.

[Ethelk2044]

77. Clooney has stated he will support Obama in anyway

He wants. It that means him staying away from him in order not to hurt him he would. He will do whatever Obama Needs him to do to help with the campaign.

[zulchzulu]

37. Did you pull this opinion out of your arse?

What have you got about Hollywood and Obama...care to share some actual evidence?

[Tellurian]

54. Why? Do you need someone to read the thread for you?

[Tellurian]

15. In the beginning there was Obama....Now, not so much...

[Ethelk2044]

80. We will see Obama will win the Primary

[Tellurian]

94. Oh good...for the time being read this..

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/video/35.aspx

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3316428

[ShortnFiery]

19. I always suspected that George Clooney is a man who can't be bought off.

:loveya: Yes, Clooney's one of the very rare treasured gems sparkling among the cubic zirconia within the cesspool called "Hollywood." ;)

[Ethelk2044]

81. Thank GoD!

[ronnykmarshall]

91. Uh, some of us LIVE in that "cesspool"

sounds like some shit that would be posted .... you know know where.

[venable]

9. spielberg may have vast commercial success

but quite a few filmmakers consider him a little boy with very adolescent tastes and incredibly expensive toys, and unlimited budgets, to bring them to life.

Nobody doubts his success, how could they? But many filmmakers, and critics, think of him as the lowest rung of film art as 'art'.

Not that this matters vis a vis his endorsement, but 'most creative, brilliant minds in Hollywood' might be more accurately described as 'most commercial success' in the film business.

A story from the late Robert Altman (a real film artist): "When I make a long camera move, I plan it out vaguely, then set the actors in motion, and the camera in motion, and then we see what happens. There will be mistakes, but they will be natural and human. If it is all orchestrated so minutely that there are no mistakes, then you just end up with.....(pause).....Spielberg"

This is paraphrased from Altman, all but the last word.

[Tellurian]

20. Yes, jealousy is everywhere, even in that business..

When Spielberg first started out all the great directors and film industry people he had worked for were more than happy to extend him a hand and give him a leg up. All were happy for him when his (first) movies were a great success and he was lauded as the new kid on the block made good. As time went on, Spielberg continued to seek their advise on projects he was unsure of how to project, it was then the 'green eyed monster' surfaced, his peers began to shun him and left him out in the cold. (IOW...the honeymoon is over, kid. Figure it out for yourself.)

"Nobody doubts his success, how could they? But many filmmakers, and critics, think of him as the lowest rung of film art as 'art'"

And the only thing I would add are the awards and accolades Spielberg has received over the years turn those unflattering remarks on their ear.

from the OP:

"Spielberg is a principal partner of DreamWorks Studios, responsible for some of the most honored films in recent years, including three consecutive Best Picture Academy Award® winners: “American Beauty,” “Gladiator,” and “A Beautiful Mind” (the latter two co-productions with Universal).

One of the industry’s most successful and influential filmmakers, Spielberg has directed, produced, or executive produced some of the top-grossing films of all time, including “Jurassic Park” and “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.” Among his myriad honors, he is a three-time Academy Award® winner, earning two Oscars® for Best Director and Best Picture for “Schindler’s List,” and a third Oscar® for Best Director for “Saving Private Ryan."

[venable]

44. I didn't say he wasn't successful, I said he was not 'creative, brilliant'

So what if the Academy has extended him honors. Not, in my estimation, a high recommendation.

Let's put it this way, Spielberg can't shine the shoes of Kubrick (or Altman, Scorcese, Coppola, Malick, etc)

One makes money, the others make art.

[Tellurian]

58. You're welcome to your opinion..

Directors are like authors is all I can tell you. Each of them are stylized in their own right and I appreciate each and every one of them for the gifts they bring to the table. It's not an either or situation for me.

[venable]

62. I agree. I'm just not as generous as you are regarding directors and writers.

[Tellurian]

68. It's a start, though.. thanks, for your sincerity...

[rinsd]

22. Are you shitting me? Because Speilberg endorses Clinton you felt the need to take him down?

[venable]

38. no, I've never liked Spielberg as a filmmaker - so what?

I'm speaking only of his film making 'art'.

I leave it to a more astute person - Altman - and you saw his apt example in the previous post.

frankly, I don't care much about spielberg, and though I wish he had endorsed my guy Edwards, I'm not exercised over this at all.

[rinsd]

45. LOL

"I leave it to a more astute person - Altman - and you saw his apt example in the previous post."

Apt observation? That statement was from an egomaniac who couldn't stand the competition.

"frankly, I don't care much about spielberg, and though I wish he had endorsed my guy Edwards, I'm not exercised over this at all."

Shocking after all that blustering about art, you have a complete phony as your candidate.

[venable]

49. Your post doesn't make any sense to me.

and you clearly know zip about Altman, one of the more generous of the greats, one of the most beloved by his peers.

anyway, I don't think I 'blustered', nor do I think my guy is a phony.

It would seem to me that the your post is a bit more blustery, but who cares, finally.

[SaveElmer]

23. Yeah...Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Color Purple...

Pappy commercial crap right?


:rofl:

[rinsd]

26. But Altman did Popeye and Dr. T & His Women!

;-)

[venable]

40. please don't ever equate Altman (brilliant) with Spielberg ($$$)

[SaveElmer]

41. Both brilliant...

Brilliance and $$$ are not mutually exclusive...

[venable]

46. w/out getting too deep on this

brilliance and money sometimes do go hand in hand - Scorcese, Kubrick, Altman.


There is a reason that some directors can't stand Spielberg, and it ain't jealousy - it's turning serious films into the cinematic equivalent of 'junior novel' - ie novels written for jr. high and high school kids.


I'm simply saying that from a cinematic, formal POV, he is very lightweight....maybe this accounts for some of his success. He taps into the adolescent mind, or even younger. As a director, he's a little boy.

This view has nothing to do with his endorsement of HRC.

[venable]

39. in my opinion, yes - low-brow commercial (esp. Saving Pvt Ryan)

its not a big deal - I think he's junk.

[rinsd]

43. The Color Purple?

[venable]

47. obviously this is just my opinion

but I thought it was a Hallmark Card.

[rinsd]

48. A Hallmark Card? Did you even see the movie?

[venable]

50. sure did.

[rinsd]

52. I don't think you did.

Can you summarize the plot?

[venable]

63. are you serious?

you think I would lie about that? I'm almost 60 years old, I'm hardly going to come onto an internet message board and make up stories about films I've seen. I'm not quite that bored, yet.

Whoopie is tortured by several men, hooks up with Oprah, discovers some hidden truths having to do with her long lost children, having to do with letters that Danny Glover (an Edwards guy) hid or stole?? or something like that, I think....that's all I remember. this is decades ago. I'm hardly going to revisit it over the years, as I couldn't stand it.

the book was wonderful. the movie took this hard bitten, frank, oppressive life and told this story in what I TAKE to be a saccharine way - shot in gauzy luminous colors and gentle and sweet - a Hallmark Card.

It is Spielbergs particular gift that he takes grim material and makes it taste like candy. that's his gift, and his audience's curse.

give me the book, or another director.


(edited for typos)

[rinsd]

64. Oh this is too hilarious.

"Whoopie is tortured by several men, hooks up with Oprah, discovers some hidden truths having to do with her long lost children, having to do with letters that Danny Glover (an Edwards guy) hid or stole?? or something like that, I think....that's all I remember."

Yeah that sounds like a Hallmark Card :eyes:

"It is Spielbergs particular gift that he takes grim material and makes it taste like candy."

Yeah Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan were a hoot.

[venable]

66. look, we differ. why is my view 'hilarious'?

believe me, there is good and sufficient reason for me to have come to the opinions I've got, ie it is not based on nothing. It has to do with the way I've spent my entire adult life. enough said on that.

it would be very easy for me to make fun of your opinion, but it is your opinion so I leave it alone. I began this little conversation by saying that the views I brought up were that of many filmmakers, ie the opinion is informed by something - suffice it to say that the "hallmark' aspect is in the filmic treatment, not in the story. Making misery palatable is not a worthy craft, in my opinion.

I thought I made that very clear, but obviously I failed.


mock all you want, but it's unseemly, especially in this instance (but you'll just have to take my word for that)

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

67. As somebody once said...

Only Steven Spielberg could make a holocaust movie with a happy ending.

[venable]

78. precisely

[ronnykmarshall]

89. What is even funnier ..

is that the previous poster doesn't know shit about the plot of the film.

Why just a few weeks ago Spielberg was a hailed as a hero for throwing a fund raiser for Obama.

Now ..... we'll I think the typical postings speak for themselves.

[ronnykmarshall]

86. I think you need to edit again ..

Whoopie didn't "hook up with Oprah".

Wow! You sure know that movie !!! :eyes:

[LanternWaste]

87. If he hadn't made Schindler's List or Munich

If he hadn't made Schindler's List and/or Munich, I could see a vague validity in that argument. However, it appears to me that Spielberg has both low-brow moments and high-brow moments.

And since many of the same things were said about Leo McCarey and Frank Capra (two of my favorite directors), I think Spielberg's in with some good company-- at least in my opinion.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

27. Spielberg hasn't done anything good in years.

He's one of those guys that did all of his good work when he was young.

[SaveElmer]

28. You are kidding right...

Munich (2005)

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

29. No.

War of the Worlds (2005)

[SaveElmer]

30. I never said Spielberg hasn't made clunkers...but you said he hadn't

DOne anything good in years...a charge made demonstrably false by the movie I cited

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

33. I'd say Munich was competent.

It was an OK movie. Hardly the masterpieces Spielberg made in his early career. He's just phoning it in these days.

[venable]

42. early stuff dumb, later stuff visually interesting due to Kaminsky

the DP he hooked up with beginning, I believe, with Schindler's list - the films now have some visual sophistication, but still - each and every one of them - are commercial pap, only redeemed by the lovely images of Janusz Kaminsky.

Munich was probably his best film - and I attribute that to Kaminsky and Tony Kushner (wrote it).

As a director, he's a very adept child.

[zulchzulu]

32. A little wager?

Do you think Clooney is going to endorse Senator Clinton?

I'll bet a grand on that lil' puppy...

[Tellurian]

60. I'd hate to take your money...

when in post #56 theres evidence like this:

The date of the quote:

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

[ariesgem]

56. Clooney is for Obama.

http://www.hollywood.com/news/Clooney_Welcomes_Obamas_Presidential_Bid/3570488

[ChiciB1]

65. Add Matt Damon To The List For Obama... Came Out The Same Day! n/t

[Ethelk2044]

74. Clooney Came out already in Support of Obama LOL

[jillan]

83. I'm pretty sure Clooney is going to endorse Obama.

[SaveElmer]

2. You beat me too it..now of course...

We will now be told how "yesterday" Spielberg is...

:rofl:

[wyldwolf]

4. well, post #3 almost qualifies for your predictions.

[Alamom]

8. Thanks for posting." He does have a way with words." Excuse me

while I add to the long and constantly growing list of endorsements. :)


Of course, I know they mean nothing.

[TeamJordan23]

10. This is no surprise, I thought he was always endorsing Clinton

nt

[Nedsdag]

11. Wasn't he going to endorse Obama

when Bill called him at the last minute?

Sadly, that'll kill any potential candidacy: the power of the Big Dog.

[ShortnFiery]

13. The Power of "The Big Dog" has been semi-neutered by the bad company (Bush Senior) he ...

has chosen to keep over the course of the past eight years.

BFD about Spielberg. Do these *big name* celebrity horse's patooties think that THEY'RE personal stamp of approval means a shit enough to be announced and up for sale? Evidently so. :shrug:

[Totally Committed]

18. I agree with this assessment.

btw -- "The Big Dog" has been semi-neutered -- made me laugh out loud.

Very clever! :rofl:

TC

[Tellurian]

21. Who semi neutered the BIG DOG? YOU?

The Big Dog has a 75% approval rating worldwide.

Maybe you semi-neutered the man closest to you, and "thought" you were neutering the Big Dog!

:rofl:

[mckeown1128]

57. Your post gave me an idea.....

We should cancel the primaries and let big dog pick one of his family members as our next president. :sarcasm:

[truebrit71]

16. The same guy that endorsed the "Gropinator"? Colour me unimpressed...

....

[Cha]

82. Yeah, we were all real happy

when spielberg endorsed fuckin' arnie.. :sarcasm:

[zulchzulu]

24. Congrats to the Clinton team

Now who is Woody Allen going to endorse...or Francis Ford Coppola...or Ron Howard...or David Lynch...

:popcorn:

[zulchzulu]

34. This endorsement brings the possibility of Photoshop fun...

:rofl:

[Tellurian]

61. If Spielberg has endorsed your candidate..

you'd be pulling your hair out if Hillary supporters were mucking up your beloved thread.

We, on the other hand welcome it. If for nothing else, it demonstrates a lack of leadership coming from the top /down to guide the behavior of some of his more vocal supporters.

[ronnykmarshall]

92. AND Spielberg would have been hailed

as one the greatest directors of all time!

[Tellurian]

93. precisely!

Thank You, RKM! :hi:

[David Zephyr]

53. Flawless.

;)

[bvar22]

69. wow....another mega-rich white guy likes Hillary.....

.....:shrug:

[William769]

72. Appearently he's not the only one!

http://www.diversityinc.com/public/1983.cfm

:rofl:

[ronnykmarshall]

90. Like Maya Angelou?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3316516

How would you like your crow cooked?

[blm]

71. Please detail for us what issues she has led on the last 7 years, Mr. Spielberg.

Take your time.

[flpoljunkie]

84. LATimes: "Hillary's people have been very aggressive in dealing the message, "If you aren't with us-

now, we don't care much about what happens with you after the nomination." Parentheses mine.

Top Clinton aides and key local fundraisers talked frequently to the director, urging him to get off the fence and declare his support for Clinton. The recent fundraiser Spielberg co-hosted for Clinton at News Corp. President Peter Chernin's house, which raised more than $800,000, was an indication that the once-frayed lines between the Clinton camp and Spielberg had been strengthened.

<>Spielberg now moves into the Clinton camp with Haim (I'm a one issue guy, and that issue is Israel) Saban and Ron Burkle, who already have declared for her, along with Steve Bing, Quincy Jones and others. George Clooney is an Obama supporter, as are Lawrence Bender, Nicole Avant, Geffen and Katzenberg.

"Steven is a very savvy and smart guy who did the right thing for America," Saban said.

"I think there's a perceptional inevitability to Hillary getting the nomination," Bragman said.

"The smart money is starting to align behind her. Hillary's people have been very aggressive in dealing the message: 'If you aren't with us now, we don't care much about what happens with you after the nomination.' The one thing an important political player in Hollywood never wants to be is irrelevant."

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-cause14jun14,1,3022808.story?track=rss&ctrack=1&cset=true

[wyldwolf]

85. Awesome! Shows what an astute politician she is.

[ronnykmarshall]

88. Speilberg host fund raiser for Obama: OH HAPPY DAY!

Speilberg endorses Hillary: Oh, he's a shitty director. Oh, he's just another rich white guy. Oh, his movies are poo-poo! I've always HATED him!

:eyes:

I can write these typical responces in my sleep.

Jesus Christ ala mode!

[Capn Sunshine]

95. Same guy who endorsed Schwarzenegger over the Democrat in the governors race.

So, not a surprise he's attracted to the right wing of the party.

Plus he'll be good at those "Borg" effects