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Enlarge textLooks like the honeymoon is over... the Brits are up in arms over a gift presented by the Obamas to Gordon Brown: A DVD box set.
- 7 Comments | Join the discussion
A selection of 25 classic American films (as chosen by the American Film Institute) is an unorthodox gift choice from one head of state to another. But these here are crazy times and clearly, the Obamas are taking penny pinching to new extremes. Either that, or they think Brown needs some couch time with the classics (the list includes seminal titles such as The Grapes of Wrath, Vertigo, Star Wars and On the Waterfront).
Anyway, the gesture has caused a ruckus in the Old Dart, not least because the Browns’ reciprocal offerings were more far more lavish, and included an ornamental pen holder made from the timber of a Victorian anti-slave ship that has a direct connection to the wood of the Oval Office desk. Compared to that, the DVD box set looks like the presidential equivalent of a gift voucher – or “a pair of socks”, in the eyes of a snarky Daily Mail (which seems to have forgotten that it's the thought that counts).
It does beg the question though: What films should President Obama put in a box set to Kevin Rudd? In light of the repercussions of that phone call with Obama's predecessor, perhaps How to Lose Friends and Alienate People wouldn't go astray...
Post your suggestions via comment below.
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Comments (7)
DVd's for Gordon
Seriously, the man is so beige in personality, i would be handing him Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Rent dvd, Man from Snowy River, Philadelphia, On Golden Pond, Pay it forward, Angels of America, Ghost, Muriel's Wedding, There's something about Mary and the Gilmore Girls - series 1-7
16 Apr 2009 23:24 AEST
From: wa
DVd's for Gordon
Seriously, the man is so beige in personality, i would be handing him Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Rent dvd, Man from Snowy River, Philadelphia, On Golden Pond, Pay it forward, Angels of America, Ghost, Muriel's Wedding, There's something about Mary and the Gilmore Girls - series 1-7
14 Mar 2009 20:04 AEST
From: Fremantle
Given recent headlines...
'Police Academy' and 'High Road to China' (assumng Obama is up on state politics, too), or.... George Clooney's 'The Perfect S...storm', or.... 'Malcolm', or.... Given his frequenting of NYC finest establishments - 'Head Of State' and 'Showgirls'. Maybe 'Other Peoples Money'... Help me out here, people!
13 Mar 2009 9:30 AEST
From: Brisbane
You're both right
That's corerct Jay but actually, Michelle Obama is a descendent of slaves. The point was noted in many articles around inauguration time.
12 Mar 2009 21:06 AEST
From: Perth
Correction
Anthony. Obama is not a descendant of slaves. His father is a Luo from western Kenya.
12 Mar 2009 11:26 AEST
From: Canberra
Good film for Kevin Rudd
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0461796/
12 Mar 2009 7:52 AEST
From: Sydney
Gift to Gordon Brown from Obama
The gift should have been the film 'Rob Roy' or 'Braveheart' to remind Gordon Brown of his Scottish roots. Maybe throw in the book 'The Highlanders' to jolt his memory on the the ruthless English and their disgusting history of property theft, murder and discrimination against the Scottish people. Slavery was practised utilising the Scots - a striking similarity with the African slaves in the Americas and Obamas ancestry.
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16 Apr 2009 23:24 AEST
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From: wa