I am not here to debate whether this is Hollywood's fault, a gun-control issue, a rogue /b/tard going psycho or what. I am here to point out what has gone down over the last few days.
I am talking about the internet groundswell to get Christian Bale to visit the victims, his response, and then the internet's reaction to it.
As the shock subsided, social media sites saw a 'call to action' to petition Christian Bale to visit the victims as Batman:
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| This photo received 170,000 'likes' in under 24 hours |
While the intention was sincere, the thought of him dressing up as Batman seemed more of a publicity stunt to me. It'd be too commercial, too cheezy.
...and for ME to say 'too cheezy' it's gotta be hella cheezy...
...as discreetly as a box-office celeb can, of course...
Naturally, people wanted their pictures taken with the star, and of course those pictures were posted on Facebook. Those pictures were shared and shared until they reached news sources.
Now, on the Tuesday night news, every station is heralding the class and support from Christian Bale, and how he is helping lift the spirits of the victims.
...but wait... the internet hasn't spoken yet...
"Why didn't he dress up as Batman?"
"Shameless publicity stunt. Look at him posing for the cameras..."
"Is he doing this for the victims, or is he doing this because the movie didn't meet box office projections?"
"Hollywood whoring at its finest."
And more, with colorful language and spelling/grammar errors galore...
The internet can say "Give me 5 dollars" and you react by giving it 5 dollars. It will come right back to you and say "bitch, if that were so easy for you, why didn't you give me 10?"
I say bravo for Christian Bale for visiting these victims. The police and first-responders are the heroes for minimizing this tragedy as much as they could, but a simple visit by Batman can bring a smile to a lot of faces.
Even if it is just shaking hands, signing autographs, and showing that he cares. They came to the movies to see him, and now he's showing his support by visiting them. Well done, Batman.
But, as the title states, you can't please all of the internet all of the time. Hate on, haters!
23 witty retorts:
I saw that Facebook petition and did wonder why he would want to visit in costume. I was really pleased to see he did visit but not dressed up. That really would have been silly.
It was such a terrible terrible thing to happen. And yes, it doesn't matter what, some one some where will hate on it
I'm in complete agreement. I applaud Bale for making the visit. Haters need to just shut up & go get another hobby.
Well said. This stuff makes me crazy. No matter what kind of good someone does, there are always people who try to find the negative. Always. I don't know what it is about human nature that makes people do that, but it's pathetic.
Very well said. I couldn't agree more.
I think in times of sorrow like this people loose their rational behavior! Maybe just maybe we could find some normality in a human being feeling badly for injured human beings. Last I checked I bet he gets dressed and uses the bathroom like the rest of us.
I would visit the victims, and I am sure they would appreciate the kind thoughts and prayers, but no news media will say anything.
When Diana died didn't people who had never met her or seen her other than on television place flowers at make shift memorials?
Really people leave the man alone! He did something kind and didn't make a spectacle of his arrival which in my opinion is pretty fucking awesome!
I love your take on this Brandon. It's sad but true that even with the best of intentions, someone or lots of people even on the interwebs will have something snarky to say from the safety and convenience of their own safe space. Go Figure! I think it's great that he made the visits, as low key as possible is a bonus. Class act in my opinion.
And, way before the Internet, it was, "Damned if you do, damned if you don't."
Hell, even Bart Simpson knew that.
I was happy to hear he had visited the victims. He will be forever tied to this tragedy due to it happening at his movie. The timing here stinks for the naysayers, but honestly I would find it wrong if he didn't take pictures. Afterall, that is what the people would want, and that is why he was there - to cheer them up.
I agree the first responders and the doctors are the heroes, but sometimes it is nice to see someone from Hollywood be a bit human. I applaud him. And I am really glad he didn't dress as Batman. Seriously, that would have been uncomfortable for him and just a bit creepy after the whole shooting thing.
People love to criticize - plain and simple. I think it was good of him to go. I'm GLAD he DIDN'T go as Batman - holy fuck - wouldn't that trigger a bit of PTSD in some? Christ almighty! Could you imagine?!
I think it's very nice of him to give up his time. It seems like a decent thing to do, but it's not something he HAD to do.
The fact that he wasn't dressed up as Batman doesn't matter. I doubt he'd have been able to get his hands on the real costume from the film anyway. That would probably belong to the movie studio.
The fact that Christian Bale showed up like he did, discretely without the press knowing, truly was done with great class. He also chose to go with flowers (which I have never seen any Hollywood star do before)to the memorial site.
It's true haters are gonna hate. It's their lot in life to do so. They have nothing else to do but make someone else's life miserable.It's up to us to make these wonderful people who care, feel they have done the right thing and that we are very proud of them.
I couldn't agree more. Someone always has something negative to say no matter how nice something is. I agree with Lady Estrogen as well. Showing up as Batman could be traumatic for some. I think what he did, whether urged by PR, the media or his conscience, it was the right thing to do. I'm sure it was greatly appreciated by those he visited.
What I think is amazing about the whole situation is attention that has been directed at Bale. Bale had absolutely nothing to do with the tragedy in the first place, other than the wacko choosing the opening of a movie Bale stared in for wacko's homicidal rampage. Despite that obvious fact, the super star acted and showed his support to the recovering. Bravo!
Couldn't agree more. And I agree with Lady Estrogen, showing up as Batman could have been traumatic for some. I think what he did, whether urged by PR, the media or his conscience, it was the right thing to do.
I've seen friends joining pages and unliking pages because of everything that has gone on and on and on. Terrible awful thing that happened up there and my thoughts are still with those who lost. Very awesome of Bale to visit, dressed as batman or not.
I wish there had not even been this kind of social media campaign because he strikes me as the kind of actor/person who would have made this visit on his own.
Oddly, do you know what I have been wondering about...I wonder if Heath Ledger was alive what he would be feeling about all of this. He was quoted saying something along the lines of getting into the character of the Joker sent him to a terribly dark place that even after filming he hadn't come out of.
I'm not blaming any actor for any of this, or any film maker, game maker, etc., I am just curious at the psychology behind it all.
Indeed, the internet is the best and the dumbest we have to offer. I think Bale should go back now and take pictures in the bat suit with the victims. How long before somebody takes to Twitter with "Glad to see somebody cares about this tragedy. Apparently Michael Keaton's too busy. #washedup"
*slow clap*
Bravo.
I would love for Christian Bale to visit me because I've watched about ten minutes of every movie he has ever been in. Okay, Just American Psycho.
There's always got to be someone with a problem. He should have dressed up like Superman and thrown them all for a loop.
Blondie McBaffled is spot on when she points out that the criticism should not be at Bale who had nothing to do with this terrible attack. Why aren't they having a go at the idiot that caused this?
Exactly! I wish I could have said it that well.
Shit like that makes me not want to get on the internet.
I'm glad that the blogging community is much more supportive, overall.
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