Here’s something completely ineffective but is continuously shoved down our throats by marketing wizards: “Inspired by True Events.” Yeah, no shit. Everything is. Now “Based on a True Story” still carries some weight, still gives your film a little oompf, you know? That’s an event that actually happened somewhere at sometime, and when film brings that event to life, it’s like “Oh shit, so THAT’S how that happened!” And that’s neat. That’s a great hook that still works.

But “Inspired by True Events” is empty and meaningless. Anything an artist ever produces is inspired by true events. They have a certain experience, or remember a certain event from a certain time in their life, and whether it’s subconscious or not, it turns the artist’s wheels and shapes how they produce things in the medium of their choosing. Robocop was inspired by true events. Space Chimps was inspired by true events. Every movie ever made was inspired by true events.

So forget it, Hollywood, you’re not fooling me with that shit. Go find some stories.

Posted 9th February, 2012