John Rambo just blew (up) my mind...

The systematic desensatization of American minds... case in point: John Rambo.

I'm going to share a little story. Months ago I saw what would appear to be a trailer on youtube.

Wait, random thought: isn't it amusing that we still call previews trailers even when they now fall BEFORE a film? And even when they appeared AFTER the feature, they are still BEFORE the movie they are promoting is released, technically making it a preview.

Another random thought: isn't it amusing that we still refer to films as movies when the idea of a motion picture isn't new anymore? Movie was slang for motion pictures back when it was new (one would say "movie" as opposed to "motion picture" or a standard, non-moving picture).

Last random thought: isn't it amusing how we still refer to motion pictures as films when a good deal of current films aren't shot on film at all, but are shot digitally? Seeing as we (Americans) are obsessed with time-management and shortening everything (just look at current internet slang... or mmorpg communication), I suggest we (the collective members of the film and film enthusiast communities) come up with a shorter term for digital films, like "diggies" or "this is so pointless".

Anyway...

I happen upon a trailer of what would appear to be one of those spoof movies, this time spoofing war films. Only it wasn't a comedy (though to discredit it as a "spoof" may be pushing it...), it was really a fourth Rambo film. And it really showed an aging Stalone blowing people up.

Wait, another random thought: doesn't it strike anyone else as funny that Stalone, apparently struck with the same lack of new ideas as the rest of Hollywood, has decided to reinvigorate his "career" by simply repraising the same characters that put him on the map... in the same way that makes those movies hockie and cheesey? I'm just throwing this out there BUT I think it's safe to assume the next great Stalone achievement is either going to be Cobra 2 or, well, Rocky the Return. But seriously, Stalone is nothing but a character actor. Look at his complete filmography, he plays the same character in every movie, just changes up the name and wardrobe.

Ok, back to the point...

So I have to watch the trailer again because I was kind of in disbelief. Not only does the trailer show an ungodly amount of violence, it also showed that there could never possibly be a plot worth making the film for. What idea could one possibly get across with John Rambo, Rambo 4?

Tonight I did the unthinkable. I watched John Rambo.

Don't worry, I didn't waste my money seeing it in theatres. Instead I did what any other free American would do and watched a bootleg copy.

Alright, last random thought, I promise: I find it hilarious at how the film and record industries are fighting bootlegs and pirates. A word to any possible production company and/or record company execs that may stumble upon this: If you actually put out a decent product, you wouldn't have to worry if people are going to pay for it because they will. But when you release crap like John Rambo and T.I. vs T.I.P., what do you expect to happen? Do you expect your average, middle class American to spend their money (which decreases in value by the hour) on crap? No. They are going to spend their money on Citizen Kane and prostitutes. When was the last time you heard of someone selling bootleg copies of Citizen Kane, possibly one of the best films of all time? Exactly.

Back on topic. As I expected, the film didn't supply much plot. Activists are traveling to hostile territory to spread drugs and the word of god to people who only want to escape the hell they have to live in. They ask John Rambo for help. He immediately says no to navigating a river but we (the viewer) know that he will come around when the girly says a bunch of completely meaningless words in that cute way that women often say completely meaningless things (i.e.: I got these new shoes, how does my hair look, I love you, etc.). I, as a first time viewer of John Rambo, was thrown for a complete curve when the activists ended up being attacked and kidnapped. Seriously. I never saw it coming.

So mercenaries are hired to find them. Of course. Possibly the most real aspect of the film. Not that mercenaries would save activists, but the idea that mercenaries exist (Blackwater) and that they are frequently used. All manor of carnage, chaos, and senseless violence ensue. Rambo saves the girl, who will never be the same again (let's be real honest here: blonde. American. Hot. There is no way she was not raped repeatedly and not so pyschologically traumatized that she could ever live a normal life again. That and let's not forget to mention that Rambo ripped out a man's throat in front of her. Did I happen to mention she is completely against violence?).

Anyway, that was the entire movie. Body parts, blood, subtitles (most of which were completely pointless), bad acting, and lack of coherent thought.

And yet, this is the kind of thing they show us. This is what is put out there for us to enjoy as entertainment. I'm not against simulated violence at all, but is there really a need for John Rambo to have even been filmed? No. The world is so full of violence, wouldn't you think that people (Americans) were sick of it? Of course not. Violence has once again become just another tree on the road as you drive past.

But why? Why, in a world so violent, do we find entertainment in ultra violence? Because we aren't faced with it every day. People get shot. It happens. But we don't have to deal with wars here. We make the wars, but they are fought far, far away. I hate the phrase "post- 9/11 world", but let's take a look at it for a second. After 9/11, violence became taboo again. Hell, the Spiderman teaser had to stop being shown because it featured a web between the World Trade Center. But as the memory fades and our narcisism sets back in, we forget about the real violence. We forget about the real people dying over seas every day. We forget about OUR TROOPS dying over seas. We state our opinion, that we are for or against it, and then we buy some clothes, eat some McDonald's, then fuck our secretaries. Everything is just so... out of sight, out of mind.

We have turned war and violence into a safe thing: entertainment. We have let our selves become numb to the REAL world.

Here's an idea: let's put John Rambo in Iraq. Fuck 'Nam, let's throw him Iraq. Seriously. If he single handedly took out an entire army, why can't he just settle the Iraq "problem"? It would only take him two days. Why don't they do that? Maybe because THAT'S NOT THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS.

The systematic desensatization of American minds... promoting consumerism and fear (when "unthinkable" violence is done here) since 9/11. I think the Guiliani campaign proved it: Americans are no longer afraid. Next time something happens, we (Americans) are going to be crippled and so willing to hand over all of our rights and freedoms for the promise of safety that we will regress into a police state. Or maybe that's the natural progression of democracies. History seems to show this.

Think I'm crazy? Then why is it that, despite there being no publically released threats to the security of our country and people, next month security officers armed with FULLY AUTOMATIC WEAPONS and "bomb sniffing" dogs will be in every subway station in NYC? It's for our safety, I'm sure.

Or possibly the systematic desensatization of American minds... to the presence of military/para-military forces on our streets and in our cities.

I'm not saying I subscribe to any of those beliefs, all I can provide are the facts. But there are certainly possibilities out there that extend beyond all rational thought... possibilities so "crazy" that it's actually a scary state of affairs to even think about. Do your research, I've done mine. It's my duty as a citizen to research and know what's going on with my country and the world. It's easy for many to be so absorbed into spending money and "reality" tv, but that will just make it all the more shocking when the unthinkable happens.

It never hurts to be educated in what is happening. It never hurts to prepare for the unthinkable, just in case.