<><> MEDIA CIRCUS<><>

Million Dollar Baby "has become one of the very few films to be released in UK cinemas without subtitles or audio description, says the Crippled Monkey Weblog of BBC's OUCH website. CM's blogger says he learned this from "email update from yourlocalcinema.com." (From the 28/02/05 entry at Crippled Monkey Weblog.)

The Oscars, Suicide Movies, Clint Eastwood & the ADA Viewers can watch Clint Eastwood perform at the May 2000 Congressional hearing -- and see his Mission Ranch resort access problems -- in CasaGlozier's new edited 10-minute film clip. Viewers are also treated to Rep. Mark Foley talking about lawsuits, and fellow House members speaking out for or against the ADA Notification Act. This is a LARGE QuickTime file -- 10MG. PLAY MOVIE. Clint Eastwood's movie Million Dollar Baby swept this year's Academy Awards, winning for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director and, finally, Best Picture. Alejandro Amenabar's The Sea Inside was voted Best Foreign Film. Both films romanticize the 'better dead than disabled' myth, say reviewers in articles on Ragged Edge Online. Alejandro Amenábar's The Sea Inside is the real-life story of Ramon Sampedro's crusade to get others to help him end his life. Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby ends with young boxer Maggie, now paralyzed, getting Frankie's help in ending her life. Read Steve Drake's review of Million Dollar Baby Read Art Blaser's review of The Sea Inside Disability rights groups have condemned both movies as 'crip snuff' films. But Eastwood's movie has drawn the most criticism -- Sea, a foreign film, is in limited release -- and Eastwood's troubled history with disability rights has made him a target of protest. The National Spinal Cord Injury Association issued a press release calling the movie a "vendetta. (Read the NSCIA release.) Not Dead Yet has mounted a "Million Dollar Bigot" protest campaign. Visit the Not Dead Yet website. ABOUT THIS BOOK The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, The Denver Post are just a few of the media outlets reporting on the controversy. Some websites and blogs have gotten into the act as well. Here are a few links to stories. Groups Criticize 'Baby'... - New York Times (registration req'd) Why 'Million Dollar Baby' infuriates ... - Chicago Tribune 'Million Dollar Baby' plot twist draws controversy - Austin American Statesman Film Critics at Center of Controversy... - Editor & Publisher Disabled vs. Eastwood, Round two - Denver Post People with Disabilities Attack MDB - diversityinc.com Eastwood Film Draws Criticism and Support - Seattle Times Disabled stumble over film's plot twists - Suburban Chicago News Beating up Baby - Slate Dubious Conclusions The Chicago Reader Oscars Reflect America's Rightward Shift beyondchron.com Advocates for disabled upset... Chicago Tribune Disabled groups condemn Eastwood euthanasia film Daily Telegraph Piss on Pity": Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar" Snuff Film dissidentvoice.org Visit the Not Dead Yet page for updated news links in coming weeks. In Media Circus: Clint Eastwood and Opportunism details the actor/director's 2000 fight to roll back ADA protections, but we provide film clips as well -- courtesy of CasaGlozier Productions. Viewers can watch Clint Eastwood perform at the May 2000 Congressional hearing -- and see for themselves his Mission Ranch resort access problems -- in CasaGlozier's new edited film clip, Eastwood at The Hearing. Viewers are also treated to Rep. Mark Foley talking about lawsuits, and fellow House members speaking out for or against the ADA Notification Act. This is a LARGE QuickTime file -- 10MG. View movie. Ragged Edge editor Mary Johnson says the reason the two Oscar contenders are dangerous is because there's not enough out there to counter them. Read We Need to Talk. An earlier Media Circus entry by Johnson looks at the "killing us kindly" topic in the movies. Read Killing Us Kindly. And for a REALLY in-depth look at Clint Eastwood's fight against the ADA, go to makethemgoaway.com to read excerpts from Make Them Go Away: Clint Eastwood, Christopher Reeve and The Case Against Disability Rights -- you can order the book there as well. Posted February 3, 2005, with updates.

ABOUT US   |   E-MAIL EDITOR   |   HOME