November 22, 2005
THE REFORMATION WILL BE TELEVISED:
Arab shows decry Islamists (Heba Kandil, November 22, 2005, REUTERS NEWS AGENCY)
"Al Tareeq Al-Waer" ("The Rugged Path") and "Al-Hur Al-Ayn" ("The Beautiful Maidens") were aired during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, a time of peak viewing in the Middle East.
Both shows deal with intransigent interpretations of Islam, such as the one espoused by Saudi-born al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, and the social problems that push some to extremism.
Ali al-Ahmed, head of Abu Dhabi TV, which produced "The Rugged Path," said extremists had the loudest voice today, so it was vital to give moderates a channel to air their views.
"This is everybody's problem, and as Arabs we have to talk about it. We can't consider it as just a passing phenomenon that will quietly end after some time," he said.
We still eagerly await the first Western drama to show Irish terrorists in a negative light.
Posted by Orrin Judd at November 22, 2005 6:52 AM
Patriot Games (1992) starring Harrison Ford
Plot Outline: When CIA Analyst Jack Ryan interferes with an IRA assassination, a renegade faction targets him and his family for revenge.
Posted by: Brandon at November 22, 2005 7:39 AMEveryone roots for Sean Bean.
Posted by: oj at November 22, 2005 7:49 AM"This far and no farther": The final episode of (classic) Columbo, "The Conspirators."
Posted by: Brian (MN) at November 22, 2005 8:36 AMIn Patriot Games the bad guy was in an ultra-violent splinter group. They 'real' IRA representative was played by Richard Harris as a nice guy you'd go drinking with.
Posted by: Gideon at November 22, 2005 8:42 AMGideon:
Nah - he was a pompous mouthpiece. But Richard Harris made him seem (sort of) decent.
I still remember laughing about Tom Clancy's complaints in the WSJ about the movie putting reefs in Chesepeake Bay. What did he expect when he sold to Hollywood?
Posted by: jim hamlen at November 22, 2005 10:42 AMClancy complains bitterly about every movie made from his books. Then he sells the rights to the next one.
Posted by: Bob Hawkins at November 22, 2005 11:47 AM
The Devil's Own with Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt isn't warm and worshipfull of the IRA or it's US supporters.
Posted by: Patrick H at November 22, 2005 12:35 PM"A Prayer for the Dying" with Mickey Rourke, Liam Neeson and Bob Hoskins.
Posted by: jefferson park at November 22, 2005 1:00 PMThe Informer -- late '30s drama, don't have time to look up the specifics on IMDB.
Posted by: Mike Morley at November 22, 2005 4:00 PMRecall what happens to The Informer
Posted by: oj at November 22, 2005 5:27 PM