Ben Stiller's new movie "Tropic Thunder," which he wrote, directed, produced and stars in, is supposed to be a send-up of actors who will go to any lengths to advance their careers.

But a coalition of disabilities groups believes the comic actor went too far with the film's repeated use of what they call the r-word, or "retard," when referring to the character Simple Jack, whom Stiller portrays in a subplot.

The coalition of 22 groups, including the Special Olympics, the Arc of the United States and the National Down Syndrome Congress, launched a nationwide boycott of the film -- which opens for wide release Wednesday -- at Monday's premiere in Los Angeles. Stars Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black walked down a red carpet past picket signs and protestors.

"This population remains the defenseless butt of jokes all throughout media," said Special Olympics chairman Timothy Shriver, who has not yet seen the movie. "We think it's time to end."

Source......


thoughts?

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My thought is, I think I'd actually watch the friggin' movie before I deemed it offensive.

Another interest group stirring the pot. If you don't like the movie don't watch it.

On another note. Robert Downey does blackface in the movie as well. Time is ticking for Jesse or Al to intervene. I'm actually looking forward to seeing the movie. I'd think it would be great.

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"Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance." - Albert Einstein

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W~

Unpacked my bags, setting up housekeeping...think I'm here to stay.

Does that mean you and I will be going to the movies to see it?

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If she'll cheat *with* you, she'll cheat *on* you. No exceptions!!!

With YOUR work schedule...highly unlikely. That's what ON DEMAND is for.

This whole protest is.....mentally challenged.

from TNJ

so true....

front page of the News Journal Today...

since when has "retarded" been a "bad word"???

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I don't remember there being this much publicity with the Johnny Knoxville movie "The Ringer". He played a special person the whole movie.

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Why wear a bowtie when you can drive one!!!

Hail to the REDSKINS!!!

I haven't seen the movie, but I probably will in a couple of months when it trickles down to Netflix, the po' folk's version of a night at the cinema.

Still, I understand three very important things about it:

1. The people protesting the film, as noted in TNJ, haven't seen it. They're basing their opinions on a clip of the movie and snipets of the film that were circulated online, through email, and word of mouth.

2. The movie is not about a retarded person, nor is it the central to the plot.

3. It's a movie. That's all. Take it or leave it.

I've been thinking about this for a good ten minutes, and I have YET to come up with a movie that some group, somewhere wouldn't be able to protest if they wanted to. Foul language, sex, racist undertones, comedic depictions of poor people or Southerners. The list goes on and on.

I'd like to ask each of the people protesting this film what their favorite movie is. I guarantee you I can find something with the potential to offend.

As Robert Downey, Jr. said, when interviewed about the "controversy" (and I paraphrase), "People are entitled to protest whatever they like and actors are entitled to make whatever movies they like."

Sounds fair to me.

I totally agree... this is the land of free speech, people take offense to every non-PC thing out there.... I have not seen the movie nor was really wanting to see the movie.

Ultimately the protesters just give the movie more publicity.... come on!!

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Christine