Props to Scott for letting me know that Carrington Vanston is at it again with a wonderful essay on the stupidity of Jack Valenti.
In fact, the only thing that’s ever made me want to pirate movies more than that annoying must-sit-through-it-again FBI Warning was the pre-show PSA by stunt man Manny “don’t call me Jack” Perry. The gall of running that ad before cinema audiences — who are by definition people who have just paid for a movie, and therefore the one group that we can be absolutely certain isn’t the ad’s supposed target audience — was not just satirical but insulting. I’m sure Manny’s IMDB listing page took a digital pounding as people across the continent compiled their own to-download lists.
What a maroon.
Yours truly,
Mr. X
…don’t know jack…
Valenti is a perfect example of someone who was not able to adapt to the changing times.
It’s kind of sad, really. The MPAA rating system he devised did a lot to free up movies in the free-speech sense. But instead of being remembered for that good work, he’ll be remembered as a moronic cheerleader for greedy assholes.
I don’t know, I think there’s a point at which we all have to ask ourselves if we can go to work and still respect ourselves in the morning. The statements that Valenti have made would be enough for me to not like myself very much, since they’re so over the top.
On the other hand, I think that all parties should have the best advocacy possible. Valenti’s problem is choosing to be an advocate for an essentially indefensible position.
Tough break, but I’d imagine that he’s well compensated for taking the lumps.
Yours truly,
Mr. X
…let Badnarik debate…