Hollywood Road

After all, it is impossible for public opinion to be completely biased towards those who criticize Murphy. The development of Hollywood movies has created a community of interests headed by six major companies. The Catholic Church can imagine directly interfering in Hollywood like the previous world. Easy thing.

If the Catholic Church reproduces the moral censorship of Hollywood in the last century, it is undoubtedly very inconsistent with the interests of this community of interests. This is also an important reason why many media proactively defended Murphy or blamed him when he was attacked.

However, Hollywood has entangled interests and complicated interpersonal relationships. There are many people who have good relationships with Murphy, and many people do not like him.

Many of the latter have seen the opportunity now, and jumped out and stepped on a few feet.

Especially the "Dark City" seems to be cursed, and various accidents frequently occur.

On a weekend at the end of July, when "Dark City" was shown in a large theater in Guadalajara, Mexico's second largest city, the theater suddenly caught fire. Due to the timely arrival of firefighters, more than 800 viewers were evacuated in time. Fortunately, the local area The fire department reported that there were no casualties.

But this is not over yet.

In the afternoon, the Los Angeles police confirmed that they had arrested a man with a gun and knives in the theater and found a large quantity of weapons and ammunition in his residence.

According to the announcement issued by the Los Angeles police, they were reminded by a theater manager at that time and found the abnormal man. During the interrogation, they found a "Glock" pistol containing bullets and two bullets in the military bag he was carrying. A large magazine full of bullets and 4 knives.

This incident once again pushed "Dark City" to the forefront.

According to the news from Robert’s lawyer, the Los Angeles police examined the man’s background information and confirmed that he belonged to a very avid Murphy fan through some comments and pictures he posted on social platforms. The man became the number one suspect in the Hollywood Chinese Theater shooting case and the park murder case.

Even if the man strongly denies that these things are related to him.

"He has no evidence of his absence." Bill Rossis said to Murphy on the phone. "When the shooting at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood happened, he said he was alone at home, and the police found a large number of them in his home. Some of the posters of the colorful magic ball and the magician were marked with a red'X' on them."

Murphy was somewhat relieved when the suspect was caught. If the crazy imitator of the magician continues to commit crimes, maybe under huge social public opinion and religious pressure, Hollywood may really be interfered by outside forces.

But as the incident came to light, movie discussions about Hollywood have once again become the subject of crazy media hype.

Driven by the various forces with their own intentions, the media once again put the topic of "whether the movie should be reviewed to give birth to violence" on the table. Just like Robert Downey Jr. said before, this is not the first time for people. Crimes committed because of movies or imitating movies: criminal groups imitated "Italian Mission" to commit crimes, American young John Hinckley assassinated Judy Foster for Reagan, "Born Murderer" brought admirers to imitators...

Up to now, tragedies are no longer mere murders, attacks and explosions, but challenge the public order by creating public chaos. This ideological anti-civilization and anarchy tendency is ready to emerge. Under the display of Hollywood's spectacle violence, imitating the violence on the screen has become a kind of escalating normality. Then, are the many elements involved in the narrative-media, communication, audience, and epistemology, all to blame?

The most intense discussion is whether the film should be held responsible for violent crimes.

"In today's mass communication, violence is often entertained, flooded, and aestheticized, although there is still not enough evidence to prove that the violent scenes in movies or TV are related to violent tendencies."

Not only Murphy will find experts, Catholics will also do it. Dr. Michael Wernner, a well-known psychiatrist in the United States, said in an interview, "But it is certain that a person is ready to commit a crime and is watching These movies may be influenced by the movie and push the criminal sentiment to a critical point, leading to the commission of atrocities.

Not only experts, but some Hollywood insiders who had conflicts with Murphy before, also stepped forward.

In an interview, Harvey Weinstein said very seriously: Movie people should sit down and review the impact of violence in Hollywood movies on people, and Murphy Stanton's role in it!

The famous movie star Leonardo DiCaprio supports this view: "Our current movies are surrounded by blood and violence. Hollywood and some directors like Murphy Stanton should pay for it."

Similarly, there are many people who stand up for Murphy. Jessica Alba, who has worked with Murphy many times, said that the innocent film "Dark City" was just a baptism of coincidence and tragedy.

Charlize Theron, who is an Oscar-winning actress, also mentioned this aspect in an interview: "Don't blame Murphy and his films. Criminals always grab something at will to justify their twisted behavior."

A related psychiatrist also defended Murphy: "A young man who saw a violent movie and felt cool would kill someone. This is not true. The criminal motive is insufficient. Something must have happened in his life that prompted him to commit a crime. , It’s just that we don’t know yet."

So, should movies be held responsible for violent crimes? Should movies really be blamed like this? This is undoubtedly a very, very complicated social proposition. Violent aesthetics is often inseparable from creation, style and excitement.

This difficult problem, this unbalanced situation, is in fact like all the paradoxes in the world that are difficult to conclude.

Some people view these things from a relatively fair standpoint.

For example, when Steven Spielberg was asked by reporters about his views on these matters, he said, “I can only say that movies are a vehicle for artistic presentation and reflection of people’s hearts. Many directors are more keen to use villains and violence to express their opinions. The view of the world is not wrong, and even has a double reflective meaning: the magician of "Dark City" has resonated with people with his crazy speculation. He has a strong understanding of the crowd, the justice, the system, and the rule. The frantic questioning of the general environment, to a large extent, expresses the resentment and anxiety of the entire era, which has a far-reaching impact, excites and multiplies and imitates. For this reason, Chris Dann’s insistence on justice The maintenance of life is even more valuable. This is another message conveyed by the film. Perhaps some ordinary people aspire to be ruinous and doubtful magicians, but I believe that more people hope to become true nightwalkers."

The "New York Times" has issued a special supplement for this purpose, just like dealing with serious political news, to discuss this topic.

"Usually only after tragic events and the death of innocent civilians, the most important action for the protection of civilization will happen. The real hero is neither a policeman nor a politician, nor is it a fictional movie character, but an ordinary citizen."

"So, whether it's in Columbine, lower Manhattan, or now Aurora, Colorado, or even New Orleans after the flood, it is each of us ordinary people holding each other through the shadow of death. In the deep valley, outside the screen, before the tragedy, through their own actions, they ensured that the magician and the murderer could only achieve temporary victory in this world... And this will be this popular movie and this violent incident. , The most important thing this major tragedy tells people."

Inside the Wave Manor, Murphy put down the Los Angeles Times and asked Gal Gadot, who was sitting across from him slowly drinking tea, "What did Bill call just now?"

"Some latest news about the suspect captured by the Los Angeles police." Gal Gadot put down the tea cup in his hand and said, "The suspect himself argued that he was very scared after seeing the shooting at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood and worried that someone would be there. He was doing imitation crimes in a theater near him, but he wanted to watch a movie. So he made a difficult decision. He brought a Glock pistol and a few knives to the theater, even if someone came. "

She shrugged, "Then he was arrested because he had been alone and could not find any witnesses to prove his innocence."

"Will he be the murderer?" Murphy frowned. "How come I don't feel like it?"

"Think?" Gal Gadot shook his head, "You are not a policeman, and you did not actually participate in the investigation. It feels unreliable."

"Yeah." Murphy nodded. "I hope he is the murderer."

If the murderer is still outside, he may continue to commit the crime, and the pressure on him and the "Dark City" will be even greater.

Although not afraid of pressure, no one wants to stand on the cusp of public opinion.

Moreover, the North American box office of "Dark City" has been severely affected by the development of things up to now. Since the US$700 million mark has been exceeded, the number of daily growth can only be said to be better than nothing.

"In the afternoon, we will go to see Carla." Murphy stood up. "That's it for the box office. Let's discuss things about the awards season."

At the same time, a reporter from Columbia Television rushed to the small office building in the Santa Monica beach area. A producer, with the assistance of church staff, directed the crew members to use pieces of equipment for live broadcasting. Transported to a large conference room in the small building.

Tonight, His Excellency the Archbishop Marquez Costello from the Diocese of Central and Southern California is preparing to accept a TV interview.

For any TV station, this is very important news.