C'mon Hollywood #202 | Movie News

... enough with the holocaust movies!
by Sturdy

Just writing that title makes me feel like I have to start out with the caveat; this is not an anti-Semitic article. This has nothing to do with religion, it has everything to do with Hollywood milking a particular subject matter for all its worth and cramming it down our throats. They do it with remakes, TV shows to movies, sequels and countless other types of movies, it was only a matter of time before they overdid the holocaust films.

I still haven’t seen the reader…

I assume that there was a genuine desire amongst the powers that be in Hollywood to put the events of the holocaust on film so that the event will never be forgotten. I understand that, but I don’t think we’re in danger of ever forgetting about the holocaust. It was one of the most horrific events in the history of the world, so although there’s a risk it won’t be a normal topic of conversation, there’s little chance it will ever be forgotten. If they never made another film about the holocaust, the event will still remain a major part of film lore. Also, is the reason for making so many holocaust films steeped in a desire to preserve the memory, or a desire to make money by capitalizing on a popular subject?

The ultimate holocaust movie

But the biggest problem I have right now with holocaust movies is that they’ve numbed me to the event. I actually visited Anne Frank’s house about 15 years ago and it was a very powerful, excruciatingly painful experience. Movies like SCHINDLER’S LIST and others recaptured that pain and it resonated on film. But with recent holocaust films, I don’t have the same reaction. It’s not that they’re lesser films, it’s that the holocaust doesn’t have the same impact because I’ve seen it recounted and replayed so many times. It’s sad, but I’m actually numb to the events of the holocaust.

Good take on the holocaust.

As it turns out, I actually like most films that deal with the holocaust. The three films last year that dealt with the holocaust were all pretty good and at least they found some new angles on the event. With the few exceptions, most holocaust films are done pretty well and usually have powerful performances. But the novelty of the event has worn off. THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS was an incredibly sad film, but it didn’t hit me as hard because it relied too heavily on the sadness of the holocaust to drive the film. Fifteen years ago, it would have worked, but now audiences are too numb to the tragedy and it fails to evoke the emotions it used to.

Not bad, but it didn’t tug the heartstrings like it tried to

The answer isn’t to never make another holocaust film, the answer is to make fewer and maybe give them a rest for a while. Between the three holocaust films and three WWII films last year, we had six films that either directly or indirectly dealt with the holocaust. Everyone knows that the holocaust was horrible, but we need a break from seeing the event in the theaters.

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16 discussions Expand all

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+1

solo the hut
5:58AM on 04/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

FrogSimmons2 & plissken2013 ...

you both said it right.



everyone knows holocaust movies are a ticket to oscar fame. even kate winslet said it!

FrogSimmons2 & plissken2013 ...

you both said it right.



everyone knows holocaust movies are a ticket to oscar fame. even kate winslet said it!

 

+0

plissken2013
3:12AM on 04/02/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

I'm sick...

and tired about Holocaust movies. And I don't feel sorry for it.

and tired about Holocaust movies. And I don't feel sorry for it.

 

+1

mannnatj
7:23PM on 03/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

I like em

I personally like holocaust movies, i find that time in history fascinating. Plus i think if a filmmaker decides to tackle the subject , they put more care into it as to get it right. A few of my favorite movies are holocaust movies, schindler's list of course, but also the Pianist and a german one i saw recently called the counterfitters.

I personally like holocaust movies, i find that time in history fascinating. Plus i think if a filmmaker decides to tackle the subject , they put more care into it as to get it right. A few of my favorite movies are holocaust movies, schindler's list of course, but also the Pianist and a german one i saw recently called the counterfitters.

 

+1

fat-womanizer
5:45PM on 03/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

I don't see the point,

So what about Revenge movies? Since every Action movie is a revenge movie? That's Bullshit. My concern with the recent holocaust movies is, that they just use them as a background to give their poor storys more depth or fishing for oscars. I am german and for e.g. Valkyrie had very bad critics around here because the holocaust was just instrumentalised to make an action/suspense movie. As long...

So what about Revenge movies? Since every Action movie is a revenge movie? That's Bullshit. My concern with the recent holocaust movies is, that they just use them as a background to give their poor storys more depth or fishing for oscars. I am german and for e.g. Valkyrie had very bad critics around here because the holocaust was just instrumentalised to make an action/suspense movie. As long as they make it right, I don't see the problem.



By the way in germany there are tons of Holocaust movies and we work on the dark side of our history but I wonder why there are so little movies about slavery or indian slaughter in the USA??

C'mon Hollywood bring me some of those.



That being said I didn't like the last logo but I dig this one! And it's not because of the "german shepard" ;o)

[+] Full Comment

 

+0

OKCracker
4:21PM on 03/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

veddhead83

I'm not being uppity. I have an opinion on the logo, get over it.



It's just the first time I've noticed it. Maybe because it stood out more with this article than the others.

I'm not being uppity. I have an opinion on the logo, get over it.



It's just the first time I've noticed it. Maybe because it stood out more with this article than the others.

 

+2

FrogSimmons2
3:26PM on 03/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

GOOD GRIEF

it's fucking ridiculous that we're scared to say anything these days for fear of reprisal. what's going to happen to us if we say what we want?



i for one am tired of fucking world war 2/holocaust movies, and i'm tired of every article that feels the same having to preface it with 'i'm not anti-semitic.'



i'm tired of hearing how jews suffered for my sins. they're...

it's fucking ridiculous that we're scared to say anything these days for fear of reprisal. what's going to happen to us if we say what we want?



i for one am tired of fucking world war 2/holocaust movies, and i'm tired of every article that feels the same having to preface it with 'i'm not anti-semitic.'



i'm tired of hearing how jews suffered for my sins. they're the new jesus. give me a fucking break.



*waits for homeland security to knock on my door*

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+1

veddhead83
3:09PM on 03/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

By the Way

The German Shepherd Logo has been used on several of the new C'Mon Hollywood articles. Try not to be so uppity.

The German Shepherd Logo has been used on several of the new C'Mon Hollywood articles. Try not to be so uppity.

 

+1

veddhead83
3:05PM on 03/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

I Back Sturdy

I totally agree with this article. However, I didnt see a single Holocaust film last year. Actually, I havent seen a Holocaust movie since THE Holocaust movie - Schindler's List was released. I think Hollywood has gone to the well too many times. Hell, even if I am excited to see it, Quentin Taratino is making a Nazi film. Although I'm sure it is one the Academy will overlook. Out of all these...

I totally agree with this article. However, I didnt see a single Holocaust film last year. Actually, I havent seen a Holocaust movie since THE Holocaust movie - Schindler's List was released. I think Hollywood has gone to the well too many times. Hell, even if I am excited to see it, Quentin Taratino is making a Nazi film. Although I'm sure it is one the Academy will overlook. Out of all these Holocaust movies to be made, there are actually two that havent been yet - "Was God On Vacation?" and "Night." I'm not trying to dumb down the Holocaust, but everytime a film is made about it, I push it aside with all of the period pieces that have been made over the years (especially all of Ms. Knightleys). I support this article and the message.

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+0

OKCracker
11:18AM on 03/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Was this the proper article to use the new C'mon Hollywood title card?



A German Shepard with teeth showing and ready to attack?



(It's the first time I've noticed the new logo)



I liked the old logo better anyway.



I'm not trying to be PC. It just struck me as a little odd.

Was this the proper article to use the new C'mon Hollywood title card?



A German Shepard with teeth showing and ready to attack?



(It's the first time I've noticed the new logo)



I liked the old logo better anyway.



I'm not trying to be PC. It just struck me as a little odd.

 

+0

sbunn10
10:54AM on 03/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

The reader managed to look at it in a completely different way. I haven't seen Defiance or Boy/pajamas, but if they are good, then who cares?

The reader managed to look at it in a completely different way. I haven't seen Defiance or Boy/pajamas, but if they are good, then who cares?

 

+0

ArtFactoryRadio
10:29AM on 03/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

I agree with CriticalBill on this one.



There are a lot of subjects that are dealt with considerably more often than the Holocaust, but we are not quite as aware of them because nothing takes prominence in a film's backdrop like the Holocaust. I mean, we even refer to them as "Holocaust films" even if that's not what the story is really about.

So we should just resign...

I agree with CriticalBill on this one.



There are a lot of subjects that are dealt with considerably more often than the Holocaust, but we are not quite as aware of them because nothing takes prominence in a film's backdrop like the Holocaust. I mean, we even refer to them as "Holocaust films" even if that's not what the story is really about.

So we should just resign ourselves to the idea that a good story is a good story, or even better, a great script is a great script no matter what the subject matter is.



Sorry, JoBlo, but this is probably your weakest C'mon Hollywood article.

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+0

CriticalBill6966
9:16AM on 03/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Bottom Line.....

A good story is a good story. As long as it has all the elements of a good film, then it shouldn't matter what events take place. Movies like, Schindler's List, Life is Beautiful, The Gray Zone.....all had this.



Sure the same could be said about sequels, remakes, and superhero movie's but they still have potintal to give the audience a good story.

A good story is a good story. As long as it has all the elements of a good film, then it shouldn't matter what events take place. Movies like, Schindler's List, Life is Beautiful, The Gray Zone.....all had this.



Sure the same could be said about sequels, remakes, and superhero movie's but they still have potintal to give the audience a good story.

 

+0

ANTI
4:39AM on 03/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Meh

I wouldn't categorize The Reader as a Holocaust film per se,but it sure was boring as hell.



and I thought Life is Beautiful was ten times better than Schindler's.

I wouldn't categorize The Reader as a Holocaust film per se,but it sure was boring as hell.



and I thought Life is Beautiful was ten times better than Schindler's.

 

+0

Creasy
3:20AM on 03/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Well, if I ever start making movies I definitely will make a Holocaust movie, since that's the way you go to get an Oscar (or even more). After that I can make real fun movies like Bay does.

Well, if I ever start making movies I definitely will make a Holocaust movie, since that's the way you go to get an Oscar (or even more). After that I can make real fun movies like Bay does.

 

+1

track100
2:15AM on 03/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

oscar bate

Not only did The Reader take up a space in a Best Picture slot, Toyland won the Oscar for Best Short Film. I feel like Holcaust films reap votes from people scared of being called anti-Semitic, but some filmmakers and actors do these pictures to get an Oscar. Back in high school forensic competitions, every kid that wanted a first piece medal would do a dramatic piece about the Holocaust,...

Not only did The Reader take up a space in a Best Picture slot, Toyland won the Oscar for Best Short Film. I feel like Holcaust films reap votes from people scared of being called anti-Semitic, but some filmmakers and actors do these pictures to get an Oscar. Back in high school forensic competitions, every kid that wanted a first piece medal would do a dramatic piece about the Holocaust, because they knew they would win. The same shit is going in Hollywood. No one truly cares about what happened, they just want the gold.

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+0

Burgerking
2:13AM on 03/31/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile

lol

I stopped reading when you said Defiance was a good take on the Holocaust.



Also why tell them to stop making Holocaust movies and then go and say you liked all of the Holocaust movies this year? Huh??

I stopped reading when you said Defiance was a good take on the Holocaust.



Also why tell them to stop making Holocaust movies and then go and say you liked all of the Holocaust movies this year? Huh??