Remember when Wayne LaPierre responded to the mass-shooting in Newtown, Connecticut by putting America’s love for violent movies and video games on trial?
Well, last week, The Gun Lobby, not to be tied to any semblance of self awareness, published their not-long-awaited cultural findings in the form of a Top Ten List of “Coolest Gun Movies,” brought to us from the NRA’s “flagship publication,” American Rifleman.
American Rifleman explains their methodology and mental disorder:
Firearm enthusiasts are quick to point out the inaccuracies in Hollywood films featuring firearms. Can you blame us? Some of these movies, though, have affected our next gun purchase or made us think about situations for which we should be prepared. Many of these movies also take us back to simpler times, when dreaming of saving the day got us through that oh-so boring class.
And the winners are, via TPM:
1. Red Dawn
2. The Terminator
3. The Alamo
4. Die Hard
5. The Godfather
6. Zombieland
7. The Matrix
8. The Delta Force
9. The Road Warrior
10. Tremors
Red Dawn is #1. Now, that’s gun-nut-certified!
Sure, that’s an obvious one. Every gun fetishist’s dream come true! A dream that fails to account for the mass pants-crapping they would all experience if they ever had to relinquish the comforts of their government protections to confront an actual invading army not named “The Census Bureau.”
But it’s American Rifleman‘s take on “The Godfather” that pulls back the curtain to reveal a dark and disturbing cognitive dissonance:
“The Godfather” also introduced other phrases that continue to permeate American culture such as “go to the mattresses” and “sleeps with the fishes.” While not rip-roaring with action, this film affected millions in many different ways with its cinematography, plot and underlying themes, such as how with determination anyone can become powerful, even if that power is of the criminal nature. Who has not dreamed of having the power and respect of Michael Corleone? That he built his empire through violence is only that much more alluring.
Next time Wayne LaPierre gives another post-mass-shooting speech asking the question, “Isn’t fantasizing about killing people as a way to get your kicks really the filthiest form of pornography?” You can go ahead and shout, “Wolverines!“
Gun nuts and their Hollywood fantasies.