Monday, August 17, 2009
Why I don't love movies sometimes
I just stumbled across this article by Roger Ebert lamenting the state of movies, and I couldn't agree more. I know the 13 year old nitwit with parental unit cash is the common target audience for movies, so crap like Transformers 2 or Star Trek (It did suck - I don't care what you think) get made (over and over again, from the looks of it). I just don't see why it's so hard to actually have a plot in all that CGI craptacular-ness. But his larger point, that America has been dumbed down over time, is also very true. It's scary how many people don't know basic geography or can't do math without a calculator. We have become so used to not thinking for ourselves (yes, I admit I sometimes fall prey to the laziness. But I still say that the Watchmen was pretty compelling, if overly long). I'm working hard to make sure my nephew knows how to think for himself, but even though he's only 8, he's already hooked on computer games and TV for most of his entertainment. We push him to read more and get out from behind the screen, but it's a battle. Anyway, don't go see G.I. Joe. The brain cell you save could be your own. Thanks.
Movies are entertainment. If you feel down they can take you away for a moment or just need to chuckle they have the power to do that. I am not very smart about art...Accept I know when something makes me feel an emotion...excitement, joy, fear. Not sure what the components are that make you feel that way. Not sure if its the script, or the cgi or the actors. But, something in the mix made me feel something. If something doesnt interest me I wont see it.If i think it will take me someplace i have never been that might strike a cord. I might get disappointed.(most cases except for Star Trek which was fantastic no matter what you think)I enjoy movies alot when I think its a shared experience. The entire audience might think the movie is crap but they paid their admission and for 90min or longer they might get something from what they witnessed.
ReplyDeleteKevin - I think you're obviously smart about art. You know what you want and you know how it makes you feel - what else can you ask for? Those are great points about how it makes you feel. I'm sad that you're wrong about Star Trek, but otherwise I agree with you completely.
ReplyDeleteOh alright.I trust that this is what you feel. Keep in mind that all Enchanted had going for it was Amy Adams. The rest of the movie was basic piffle. But, i guess every now and then all we need is a cupcake for dessert instead of the big slice of apple pie.
ReplyDeleteyes, variety is good - though in real life I'll take the cupcake and the pie. for movies, sometimes too much is just too much.
ReplyDeleteThat's why i love you.If i could only have the cupcake and the pie and be a demon on the tennis court like you!
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