#40: Starship Troopers: Nazis, Propaganda, and Michael Bay

Hollywood blockbuster action movies are about beloved protagonists, the overcoming of evil, and plenty of explosions. But sometimes they're about the existential reality that each of us barely teeters on the line of fascism. Yes, that is right. General Snobbery wishes you to know, you might be a fascist!

Jake Busey, Son of Gary

Starship Troopers is the film today! Sean and Matt venture back to 1997 once again to explore what is their favorite #emerging topic: how do action films directed by non-Americans differ from those directed by Americans? Have you ever considered this question? "Do you want to know more?" Then press the play button, you filthy little fascist!

They were just attractive, vibrant youths who wanted adventure and wanted to serve their government. That is where our story opens! Johnny Rico was one of these young men, played by Casper "the friendly" Van Dien. We follow Johnny, along with his friends Carmen, Dizzy, Carl, and Byron Hadley as they serve their government, become citizens, and kill Bugs! And o yea, they also become fascists!

Doogie Howser the Nazi

At the surface, Starship Troopers is a typical, cheesy sci-fi movie about humans with guns and gross aliens with goo. The comedic writing is not only typically timed, it's totally predictable. In short, there is nothing new or good about this movie. Until you realize director Paul Verhoeven did that on purpose, making a brilliantly tight satire with a pigment, and scary, message. The meassage - war makes fascists of us all! Paul Verhoeven is Dutch, just like Ævart.

If you wish to know more about how fascism emerges in everyday life, watch Starship Troopers. You might also consider reading some Heidegger, because that man was actually a Nazi.

Join Sean and Matt as they continue the dasein of high-budget Hollywood and continue discovering what exactly it means to live toward explosion.

Also, Jake Busey.

#35: Remembering the Titan Players

Culture is fraught with factions, unable to come together. We see today, the dismay from a fragmented society and we dream to come together, like a team, and dwell together as True Snobs. What if we could unite our Left Side to our Strong Side?

This is what it looked like when racism ended. 

Do you Remember the Titans? Sean and Matt do. A paramount film from the year 2000. A bold biographic about a team that overcomes adversity and racism, all in one scene. Won't you join Sean and Matt as they discover the major theme of the movie, racism is bad.

Set in 1971, RTT, follows a football team during their first year of racial integration. A team whose success depends on their ability to dispel their culturally indoctrinated values of racial segregation. Can they do it? It's a Disney movie, so yes!

And Coach Boone (Denzel) is the one to do it. With his high performance expectations and moral fortitude, Coach Boone must break these boys of the yoke of hate they bear. With remarkable ability, he does it! Except for a hard-browed racist named Ray. Ray is mean and remains a racist. But Gerry (pronounced Gary) Bertier is a good boy and kicks the racist Ray off the team. 

They also remember coach Yoast, a man whose name is screamed several times, and whose name rhymes with toast. Wow! Coach Yoast is selfless and does what he needs for his team to survive, including replacing Alan (Gosling) with Petey (Scrubs). 

RTT will teach you so many things, including the fact that racism is bad and winning football games is good.

An angry dad screams, "Yoast!"

Always, Sean and Matt seek to show you how a Snob enjoys every character from every film, including those who are predictable and those who are racist. Characters make films and if #you wish to be a Snob, well won't you Snob with us!

YOAST!

#34: Mr. Roland Emmerich, Hear Our Plea!

Dear Mr. Roland Emmerich, 

Mr. Roland Emmerich, the Master of Visions, Contemplating the Cosmos

Good day to you! We send you great joy and light from General Snobbery Podcast! 

As you know, we are great fans of your work. In fact, we have made it quite plain to our listeners that Independence Day: Resurgence is the definitive film of our podcast. Thus, we recorded this episode for you, Mr. Emmerich, that we might bring a shred of joy to your life in repayment for all the joy you have brought ours. 

We are well aware of your busyness, and we are most grateful for your continual creativity (and for your gifts!). Yet should you find a few spare moments whilst driving, flying, or perhaps lounging in the ole tub after a long and productive day, we sure hope you pop on this episode that we have recorded for you. While our pronunciation of the German words in our introduction may be flawed, know that we attempted these words in an effort to show our love and appreciation for all you do. 

We need not say more here, but know that in this episode, there lies a proposition. We hope that you consider it. Should you find joy and/or delight at the thought of entertaining this proposition, you know how to contact us. 

Thank you, Mr. Emmerich, for all that you have brought us and the world. Regardless of your response, know that we have great respect for you and eagerly anticipate what future projects you will bring to be. 

With love, joy, and gratitude,

Matt and Sean
General Snobbery Podcast

INTRO LYRICS

Roland E. it’s G. Snobbery
Coming at you from dimensions only YOU can see
With your warlord visions and your creativity
Giving people images of universal majesty 

Our torschlusspanik has arisen in our dreams
That if we don’t act soon, opportunity will leave
So we beseech of you on humble bended knee
You might listen to this episode recorded for thee

We await in space of gemütlichkeit
and invite you to join us in our seeking of the light
that the fight for understanding and an openness of mind
May possess and progress all of humankind 

For your fingerspitzengefühl inspires
Makes our luftschloss feel as real as our desires
So Master Emmerich hear now our plea
To unite with the forces of Eternal Snobbery! 
 

TRANSLATION OF GERMAN WORDS

Torschlusspanik - fear that time is running out to achieve life goals
Luftschloss - unrealistic desire, like airy castle
Gemütlichkeit - space of warmth and friendliness
Fingerspitzengefuhl - empathy with things and people