You never go "full retard"

My review of “Tropic Thunder” is up now. I really dug it; it’s pretty hilarious, especially if you’re a committed Hollywood watcher like myself. No cow is too sacred, no button goes unpushed.

I really can’t emphasize how silly this whole controversy is over the use of the word “retard.” Dirty Harry has the goods on why this is a manufactured controversy. I’ll just note this: I got a phone call from a woman who thought that I was a terrible person for suggesting that people develop a sense of humor, and those who don’t want to should stay away. Apparently, if I was a good and decent member of society, I would call for the boycotting of this film. When I gently asked if she had actually seen the movie she was criticizing, she said “no, and I won’t go see it.” At that point, I stopped paying attention. If you’re unwilling to engage with a controversy in an intellectual fashion, you’re not worth my time–or anyone else’s. And these protests aren’t worth anyone’s time.