Shut up Penisbreath! -PI?
I'm trying to figure out why this line has been cut from the re-release of E.T.
I love the original E.T., but I'm not a purist. I don't mind it when the original directors add new scenes or touch up the special effects, but it bugs me when they change things out of social sensitivity. Lucas did it with Star Wars where he had Han Solo shoot Greedo only after being fired upon as if young movie goers aren't intelligent enough to recognize self-defense against an imminent threat.
Now Penisbreath is gone. Why? I'm wondering if Geffen (the G in SKG Dreamworks and himself a homosexual) had some influence on Speilberg. Before I get labeled as a homophobic, conspiracy theorist let me go through the obligate, Seinfield-esque, disclaimer and state for the record that there is nothing wrong with homosexuality. But I do believe that there is an effort by some to "cleanse" our language of certain sentiments. The line is used, after all, as an epithet.
I suppose the pressure to omit the line could just as easily come from the psuedo-family values crowd who are terrified that young-ins could be introduced to the notion of having penis on one's breath.
But what everyone is forgetting is that it is simply hilarious to see Elliot call his older brother Penisbreath! Even the mother cracks up in a non-scripted fashion which humanizes the characters instantly and makes the film real.
I love the original E.T., but I'm not a purist. I don't mind it when the original directors add new scenes or touch up the special effects, but it bugs me when they change things out of social sensitivity. Lucas did it with Star Wars where he had Han Solo shoot Greedo only after being fired upon as if young movie goers aren't intelligent enough to recognize self-defense against an imminent threat.
Now Penisbreath is gone. Why? I'm wondering if Geffen (the G in SKG Dreamworks and himself a homosexual) had some influence on Speilberg. Before I get labeled as a homophobic, conspiracy theorist let me go through the obligate, Seinfield-esque, disclaimer and state for the record that there is nothing wrong with homosexuality. But I do believe that there is an effort by some to "cleanse" our language of certain sentiments. The line is used, after all, as an epithet.
I suppose the pressure to omit the line could just as easily come from the psuedo-family values crowd who are terrified that young-ins could be introduced to the notion of having penis on one's breath.
But what everyone is forgetting is that it is simply hilarious to see Elliot call his older brother Penisbreath! Even the mother cracks up in a non-scripted fashion which humanizes the characters instantly and makes the film real.
Comments
You can actually see this scene in the trailer. You know how the kids are speeding towards the cops on their bikes and they suddenly take off into the air?
Well the police officers in that scene were holding shot guns, now they hold walkie talkies!
So if he doesn't say "penis breath" what does he say?
<strong> Did you hear about them air brushing out the police officers shot guns? </strong><hr></blockquote>
Yeah, I almost forgot about that. Also a stupid move. What, are kids supposed to think that the police and the Feds would come after them with nerf guns if they were harboring an alien?
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So if he doesn't say "penis breath" what does he say?</strong><hr></blockquote>
I think he calls him "dick sucker,"
[ 12-10-2001: Message edited by: Nordstrodamus ]</p>
Commercial filmmakers have no balls. They can't stand up to the right and left-wing PC movement.
Spielberg can be pretty gutless sometimes, despite some of his more daring movies. The answer to the original question though, is that in today's society it's quite popular for media types to write in gay characters and such into their sitcoms -- even where such topics have no relevance -- thus it's bound to be equally popular to remove all negative references to homosexuals in remade movies.
Can't let the words "fag" or "homo" or "penis-breath" be heard anymore...because you know, we have to pretend like no one uses them. Pretty soon people in movies are going to talk like politicians on a news show, always editing themselves where in the company of average people they'd say something totally different. Hollywood losers....
We're being deprived of our only natural rights to swear and cuss. Why can't I call an asshole an asshole? Becuase it's derogatory to receptive men.
In America, everyone is entitled to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the right to not be offended by anyone or anything...hurting someone's "feewings" is against the law now. Anyone hears something they are offended by, they should sue immediately if not sooner - that's what I say. Sue! Sue ! Sue!
[ 12-10-2001: Message edited by: Moogs ? ]</p>
It's not only hurting their feelings it's also what we are teaching to our kids. If you want to go see a movie with bad words then do. There are plenty out there. Hell, If you looked hard enough I am sure you could find some anti-gay ones too. But thats not the point. The point is that this is a movie for children and those arn't the ideas that you want a child to be thinking about. They arn't ready to fully comprehend the consequences of calling someone a fag or ***hole. Its kinda like teaching them about global warming and then asking them what they are going to do about it. Until they are older and watch more adult movies with these concepts, they have the right to be protected. But I do think that the shotgun thing is funny
<strong>The Penis-breath thing was one of the funniest lines in the whole movie. You're just sitting there, watching this typical family at the table, then all of a sudden, this little kid (who you'd never expect to know such a term) slings "penis breath" at his brother. Cracked me up back then, still does.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Ya know, Moogs, you won't see any politicians or pastors stepping forward to say something like that even though they know it to be true. It's nice to hear someone else speak against this effort to make everything rated G.
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Spielberg can be pretty gutless sometimes, despite some of his more daring movies.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
I think Speilberg has lost his edge. He started going for critical aclaim and award recognition with Empire of the Sun, Schindler's list, Private Ryan, and production credits and let his fresh, youthful perspective die away. Really good sci-fi is a lot more difficult and profound than these "based on a true story dramas." A.I. was a big let down.
Hey Moogs, ya ever going to return to the cloning thread? I don't even know if you caught my last response.
People these days.
what's wrong with a little
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Be afraid...
Anyway, I just think people are way to freakin sensitive. Yeah it is a movie fit for kids, even in it's original form. You know, you'd think all the PC parents out there would be a little more astute in observing the following factoid: their kids hear bad language on a regular basis on the playgrounds. Anyone remember say, 4th or 5th grade? Vulgarities out the ying-yang!
I tend to subscribe to the George Carlin school of censorship when it comes to "bad" language. Words is words is words (in most cases). Teach your kids on your terms (and not Hollywood's) and it's not such a big deal when they hear said words.
they're talking about taking out all references to Christianity in the books. for those of you who haven't read his works, that was an integral part of his life and writing. i find this to be very disturbing. after the words/movies are redone, the old versions fade away, until you never know what they originally said.
i think the internet is actually your only hope in this case. someone convert their old VHS of E.T. into Divx
-alcimedes
[ 12-11-2001: Message edited by: alcimedes ]
[ 12-11-2001: Message edited by: alcimedes ]</p>
That's some funny stuff guys. And how true...
Now I'm just waiting for the "digitally enhanced" version of The Wizard of Oz to be released where the house doesn't fall on the witch and the "munchkins" are airbrushed taller and sing a different song.
<img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
<strong>It was in there originally, keep it.
People these days.
what's wrong with a little
Nice that you have time to post this crap but can't respond to my last post in "Locking Threads", Jonathan
<img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />
<strong>hmm, reminds me about how Clarke's book rights were bought out (the Narnia or Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe series), by Time Warner perhaps? not sure who bought them, one of three big publisher/media companies left.</strong><hr></blockquote>
You mean C.S. Lewis, right?
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Honestly Jonathan. You are an administrator. First the goatse thing and now this. Stop please; this is a G-rated forum.
my apologies.