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[Tarbicus]

Toby Maguire was in Ride with the Devil, an American Civil War drama shown here at the weekend. He nearly got into trouble, being called Dutchy and serving for the South as a bushwhacker. Top film.

[Jeroen Pelgrom]

I've allways known the difference between Dutch and Deutsche! I am from a small country as well! I can even tell the difference between both spoken languages, (I'm good at that). I only thought that Rutger Hauer was a German actor, just that.

didn't mean to offend you, sorry for that.

Even in Hollywood that mix things up: ever saw Austin Powers: Goldmember - the master criminal from Holland who speaks with a German accent? (or was that intentional?)

[Praefectusclassis]

I think that's because North-Americans (Canadian Mike Meyers included) generally have no clue what the Dutch accent would sound like and they just made Goldmember speak with a general central European/Germanic accent.

[Tarbicus]

I thought the accent was excellent :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink:

[tlclark]

German and British accents = evil in Hollywoodese.

But just in case you think Hollywood is discriminating against you, here are some other stereotypes in the Hollywood lexicon of accents.

Backwoods/redneck accents = If bad guy (ala Deliverance): evil, crazy and stupid, otherwise just stupid

Brooklyn and NJ Accents = Mobsters or stupid

Western US (Phony cowboyese) = gun-toting hics/morons, so evil AND stupid.

Southern = If the character is smart, Good Ol' boy, corrupt racists or televangelists; otherwise stupid.

Midwestern = stupid, rarely evil (exception: Fargo)

California Surfer/Valley Girl/Hippie = stupid

Any African-american accent = rap star or gang member, so stupid and evil, smarter than southerner, but still henchmen status.

Arabic = evil but not as evil as German or English accent, henchmen status, smarter than southerner, dumber than African American.

African = stupid but in the "What would we do without all you wonderful white people to save us!" way.

Asian = Martial arts movie? Yes: evil No: stupid.

Italian = (see NJ, Brooklyn above - they usually can't tell the difference) Note: Occasionally an Italian slips in as a boy toy, so sexy, but stupid.

Spanish = (See Italian)

Greek = stupid but less sexy than Italians.

French = stupid, perhaps sexy, but definitely weasly and cowardly.

Scandanavian = Vikings? yes: evil; no: stupid.

Any british accent other than oxford/cambridge = cockney (stupid) unless Irish or Scotch, then drunk AND stupid.

Immigrant (anything outside US not already mentioned, but usually Indian store clerk or mexican landscaper) = stupid

Any accent other than nondescipt LA or Manhattan accent = usually stupid but occasionally evil, though usually of a lower "henchmen" status when compared to English and Eastern European German accents.

In fact, you only have two choices in Hollywood if you don't sound exactly like them...evil or stupid, and you got evil! You should feel lucky!!

Personally I'm a mix between the southern/western gun-toting variety of evil and stupid.

Cheers.

[Praefectusclassis]

Hey, I never said I have a NW European accent. I may have some kind, but I'll leave that up to them that know to decide. I don't think it falls in any of those categories.

And I wonder Travis. What accents do the good guys have?

[satsobek]

I think you forgot Russian-- they're usually like the most evil of evil! :twisted:

[Gaius Honorius Felix]

Good guys... I dont know if they have an accent..
Hey, what if you can make yourself sound like many of these accents? Then what are you?

[tlclark]

American newscasters all have the same bland accent. It's the same accent hollywood uses for good people.

Think Brad or Angelina, Matt Damon, etc.

Why that got to be normative I don't know.

[tlclark]

Good guys... I dont know if they have an accent..
Hey, what if you can make yourself sound like many of these accents? Then what are you?

Either stupidly evil or evilishly stupid. Take your pick. :wink:

[FAVENTIANVS]

I've always known the difference between Dutch and Deutsche! I am from a small country as well! I can even tell the difference between both spoken languages, (I'm good at that). I only thought that Rutger Hauer was a German actor, just that.

didn't mean to offend you, sorry for that.

I've never felt offended... it was just a Little explanation... :wink: :roll:

[Primitivus]

I think that's because North-Americans (Canadian Mike Meyers included) generally have no clue what the Dutch accent would sound like and they just made Goldmember speak with a general central European/Germanic accent.

Alas, sadly true...

[Primitivus]

I think you forgot Russian-- they're usually like the most evil of evil!

In American cinema, Russian men sound like soldiers (warriors) or spies. Russian women (I'm happily married, so this is not "flirting")... sound sexy.

[Primitivus]

What accents do the good guys have?

They sound like they're from LA, of course... and not only in terms of their accents, but more importantly to the powers that be, in terms of their secular choices and values.

[Narukami]

What accents do the good guys have?

They sound like they're from LA, of course... and not only in terms of their accents, but more importantly to the powers that be, in terms of their secular choices and values.

:?:

I wonder just who "the powers that be" really are?

Is this some vast media monolith that is deciding for use our cultural values?

And the Good Guys sound like they come from LA...?

Well, yes, I guess Rick from Casablanca sounded like he was from LA.

So too Captain Miller in Saving Pvt. Ryan, although the character is not from LA.

Likewise Han Solo, who is not even from Earth.

Then again Atticus Finch most certainly does not sound like he is from LA.

Nor FBI agent Starling.

Or CIA agent Sam in Ronin.

And are the values, secular or otherwise, expressed by these films and embodied by the protagonists/heroes reflective only of Los Angeles? :?

How about the values promoted in a film like "Searching For Bobby Fisher" -- fair play, hard work, honor and loyalty?

Or those on display in the film "In America" -- inclusion, acceptance, forgiveness and generosity.

Are these not human values?

Are these not values all people, American citizens or otherwise, should aspire to?


I realize of course that this thread was started as an amusing sideline and I certainly do not want to cause any offense or insult, however I do think that it is too easy to blame Hollywood and the "Media" for our ills.

"The fault dear Brutus lies not in our stars, but in ourselves."

I am reminded too of Woody Allen's observation on LA: "Why would I want to live in a city where the only cultural advantage is making a right turn on a red light?"

Why indeed. :wink:

Please forgive the rant and digression -- I will desist.

Narukami