Classic Rant #867 (December 19, 2012): Toning It Down

I am happy to say that Hollywood is reacting, in a positive way, to the Connecticut school tragedy.

Hollywood often glamorizes violence, and let's face it, the viewing public usually eats it up like they east their breakfast cereal.

But this time, the horror of this tragedy has made Hollywood look inside itself, and two big movie premieres of films that would be considered ultra-violent in any context have been toned down.

Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" with Jamie Foxx and Leonardo DiCaprio had its red carpet event completely canceled, and the premiere was actually only relegated to viewing by cast and crew, with no outside media coverage.The film will debut in theaters on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, "Jack Reacher," the new action/adventure film starring Tom Cruise, had its premiere last Saturday postponed. Instead, the film, which prominently features a sniper, will screen the film today in Pittsburgh, Pa., for fans, sans the red carpet.

For once, I think Hollywood is doing the right thing.

Movies and television shows often glorify violence, and thus, makes guns almost seem as much part of these characters as their wallets are.

In reverence for those who lost their lives in Connecticut, these films have had toned down premieres, and that is a good thing.

It is also wonderful public relations.

Can you imagine if these films opened now, just days after this massacre?

I don't think too many people who spend their hard-earned dollars on this stuff, right after the real thing happened last week.

These dulled premieres give people a little time to take a deep breath, breathe a little, and take in the air.

People will continue to view violent films, because that is part of our movie landscape, and has been for about 100 years.

We, as a society, love these types of movies, and a real tragedy like this isn't going to stop that love from happening.

But not now.

I have one question about such films that I would ask Hollywood that really has nothing to do with the subject of my Rant today, but kind of does:

Why are such violent films making their debuts during the holiday season anyway?

What do these films have to do with the serenity that we are supposed to feel during this joyous season?

That, I guess, is another question for another time, but it is one that has to be answered at some juncture.

Why do we want to see shoot'em ups during this season?

I don't get it, but at least Hollywood did this time around.