Forrest Gump

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Philosophy Now
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Forrest Gump

Post by Philosophy Now »

Terri Murray reviews a classic satire.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/83/Forrest_Gump
JMD
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Re: Forrest Gump

Post by JMD »

Ok. This is a comment that is more than 10 years after the article was written. But I think that in keeping with Forest's view that's the way this chocolate is.
Thank you for such a clear and insightful article. I have been on this planet for many decades and as I am much closer to the end of my journey than from the beginning, I am looking at Forest as probably the best example of how human beings should act. Life is unfair: absolutely. I experienced this many times. No matter what one does, sometimes the chocolate tastes very bad. Love is beautiful: yes, but only when it's devoid of any self-centered perspective, and how difficult is that! We need to love Jenny when she doesn't love us back. We need to love Jenny whatever the circumstances...
Nature has not just taken Forest's ability to walk straight, what nature has done is also deprive him of an ego. And in losing his ego, he can become anyone: a fisherman, a soldier, an Olympic athlete, and in doing so he embraces others in their essence. There is no ego, so there is no barrier. Whoever comes along is welcomed, any stranger instantly becomes a friend for whom Forest is ready to give his life. I have watched this movie a couple of times. Over the coming years I intend to keep watch it again and hopefully to keep running and appreciate whatever chocolate life gives me.
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attofishpi
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Re: Forrest Gump

Post by attofishpi »

Philosophy Now wrote: Fri Jun 17, 2022 7:05 am Terri Murray reviews a classic satire.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/83/Forrest_Gump
Absolutely nailed it. At one point, I was not so sure, but continued and found it a very impressive 'synopsis' and accurate critique.

However:
"Gump is continually being given accolades by politicos at the White House, the insinuation being that they prefer dumb, compliant Americans, so that they can carry on screwing them over. Yet Forrest’s innocent responses to their public relations stunts render them as foolish as him, because the viewer sees through the hypocrisy of their empty rituals and cynical PR ploys."

I disagree with any comparison to Gump being 'foolish'. Indeed, could wisdom be applied to this man? Perhaps, actually yes. But certainly, he was no fool simply because of his limitations, whereas plenty of 'intelligent' folk can be rendered as such (as above).

I was expecting the word "superficial" to present itself at some point, since for me Gump was continually surrounded by those that were (and of course, Gump was Gump), I don't believe it was in the article, amazing!

We all love that film, well done Terri. :D
Walker
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Re: Forrest Gump

Post by Walker »

Philosophy Now wrote: Fri Jun 17, 2022 7:05 am Terri Murray reviews a classic satire.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/83/Forrest_Gump
Forrest was as strong as Superman, so he had that going for him, which helps. He picked great big Bubba up like a little baby and sprinted out of the jungle while dodging bullets. He worked 24/7 on a shrimp boat, like the Vietnamese immigrants in Louisiana. He ran thousands of miles from Alabama to Monument Valley, and back again. He never gassed-out playing football, and turned into a pit-bull when he defended Ginny from the Black Panthers, even apologizing for breaking up their party. Why was he so strong? Because he was too innately stupid to have either doubts or illusory boundaries that get stuck on intellectual perceptions like a gorilla-glue template.
promethean75
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Re: Forrest Gump

Post by promethean75 »

"Bubba up like a little baby and sprinted out of the jungle while dodging bullets."

Actually he didn't dodge em, because he later said in an interview - and I quote: "Oh, yes sir. Bit me right in the BUTT TOCKS."
Walker
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Re: Forrest Gump

Post by Walker »

promethean75 wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 10:24 pm "Bubba up like a little baby and sprinted out of the jungle while dodging bullets."

Actually he didn't dodge em, because he later said in an interview - and I quote: "Oh, yes sir. Bit me right in the BUTT TOCKS."
He did use a peculiar pronunciation.

Check out the black guy with the shades and black hat. He's the one who pushed Mrs. Gump, then he turns on the shields and no eyes can stay on him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFrczXmP4SE
promethean75
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Re: Forrest Gump

Post by promethean75 »

Hanks is one of the greatest actors of my generation man. Philadelphia, Cast Away, Apollo, Saving Ryan's Privates, The Money Pit, Sully, all of em excellent movies.
promethean75
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Re: Forrest Gump

Post by promethean75 »

Top shelf Tom Hanks right here. https://youtu.be/y3jdZ1NUjWg
Walker
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Re: Forrest Gump

Post by Walker »

promethean75 wrote: Sat Jun 25, 2022 2:42 am Top shelf Tom Hanks right here. https://youtu.be/y3jdZ1NUjWg
He has been busy playing pretend.

Lieutenant Dan had the best answer to yet another brilliant Gump observation.

Gump: You ain’t got no legs Lieutenant Dan.
Lieutenant Dan: Yes, I know that.

The voice and face add more oomph to the words.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jt-bxV1gW0
Walker
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Re: Forrest Gump

Post by Walker »

Integrating Gumpology to describe Tom Hanks:

Mamma always said, a bright man can pretend to be dumb, but it don't work the other way around.
popeye1945
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Re: Forrest Gump

Post by popeye1945 »

"The more one increases one's knowledge, the more one increases one's sorrow." Schopenhauer
Walker
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Re: Forrest Gump

Post by Walker »

Forrest Gump - Black Panther Party
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnpnYAId6dU

“Sorry I had to fight in the middle of your Black Panther Party.”
(but now the Panthers understand Forest, the prototypical dumb American, and they approve)
promethean75
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Re: Forrest Gump

Post by promethean75 »

^°° now the crusty old right-winger is making fun of mental challenged people too.
Walker
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Re: Forrest Gump

Post by Walker »

promethean75 wrote: Tue Oct 24, 2023 7:45 am ^°° now the crusty old right-winger is making fun of mental challenged people too.
Oh heavens no. I wouldn't dream of it.

Gump responded like an American who sees the root of the situation, what's important, and what to do about it.

In a hostile situation, if someone slaps you, and you slap them back, you might get slapped again by that person, especially if he is named Hamas, because that is his history.

If someone slaps you and you kick them in the balls a half dozen times or so, you are less likely to get slapped again by that person.


Wars should not be a generational occupation for the military industrial complex, like Afghanistan is, or rather was before Biden's ignominious withdrawal that told evil, now is the time to act.


Favourite Gump line:
Forest: "But, Lieutenant Dan, you don't have any legs!"
L. Dan: "I know that, Forest."

(Quotes may not be exact.)
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