This one made me smile.
Peter Berg, director of the “yes, the really made a Battleship movie” movie, was a little harsh to an Israeli reporter during a press junket. Actually, quite a bit more than a little harsh. He belittled the reporter for being insufficiently bellicose towards Iran and accused him of dodging his required military service. Many in Israel avoid conscription, but Berg was not amused. As the AV Club had it:
“What? Are you a draft dodger?” Berg asks, pressing the reporter on why he’d yet to answer the call of duty so ably fake-performed by heroes like Rihanna, which the reporter laughs off with, “We’re not having this conversation.” “You gotta join the army, motherfucker,” Berg concludes
Berg, of course, is a decorated veteran himself has made some war porn, so he knows all about sacrificing oneself for a noble military cause. Charming guy.
So you’ll for give me for being a little happy that Battleship has prompted Nikki Finke to declare “Bombs Away!” Finke notes that even now-notorious flop John Carter opened stronger at midnight showings. It’s small comfort; the film still did well overseas and Berg’s an established director. But in a world where shameless chickenhawks just keep on winning, I’ll take a little comfort where I can.
(“Holt doesn’t sound Jewish.” Jesus, what a jackass.)