It Isn't...
A silly-slapstick movie may raise the spirit of someone living in depression. An action-adventure movie may be a two-hour escape for that someone who just absolutely needs a vacation. A martial-arts or fantasy movie may be the perfect thing for those dreamers with unrealized/unrecognized potentials. In other words, different movies serve different purposes.
It’s safe to say that people prefer, want, and need different types of movies due to different reasons. As such, there can not be a perfect movie. It’s similar to asking 2 people, one who generally listens to country music and the other prefers rap, what is the best song in the world.
Even if the movie is solely designed to uplift the viewer’s mood for that moment, it may be a “better movie” for that viewer than one that will alter their views of the Spanish Inquisition. Likewise, a movie that is unpleasant could be just what the viewer needs to endure.
I also don’t think that just any movie can be great. I think most people have a level where bad acting just gets in the way of movie. To some, there are only so many foul words that a movie can contain before they are mentally/emotionally shut off from the movie all together. We all have these boundaries that as long as they are not breached, the movie is tolerable.
A good movie, however, is subjective to the viewer’s short and long-term needs, expectations, etc. Or course there is preference. A specific person may prefer a movie over another and that is perfectly normal. Denigrating a movie for its lack of something as subjective as initial entertainment value, however, may be a tad short sighted.
This can be experience when people get together and discuss a movie. A lot of the time, at least one person learns to appreciate a movie more after having heard another explain/defend their reasons for liking it. The movie just got “better” even though the movie itself actually has not changed; just the person’s view of it has altered do to external information or a different vantage point.
To me, a good movie brings personal change whether that will be immediate or gradual, momentary or enduring. A wee little man can make a wheel for entertainment, but when it sparked something in the ironsmith it became much more. Essentially, it changed a specific few who came in contact with it. And some acted upon those changes. The change may affect how a person views themself or how they look at their surroundings. It is also totally up to them, the one experiencing, as to whether the quialities are recognized, accepted, and action is taken.
Therefore, I don’t believe that anyone should be quick to tell someone that they should like a movie or dislike a movie… unless it becomes a question of character and morale. If I tell you that I enjoyed American History X solely for the violence and prejudice contents, then you should be worried. If I said that I enjoyed Hotel Rwanda because it ultimately made me care a little more for those around me, and that the movie reminded me that I must protect that which is important to me, then it could be considered a good movie… even though it is not a pleasure to watch and I may not watch it again.
In less eloquent words I agree with you, Shonnie, that a movie doesn’t have to be fun or entertaining to watch. I would still like to read your definition of the word entertaining to fully understand your view, Dre.
I do agree with you, Dre, on the monotony of some movie trends. A topic can only be driven into the ground so much and still remain palatable. I won’t be so ready to pick up another movie about the holocaust… but I will watch Fateless someday.
I didn’t enjoy Munich as much as I thought I would. There’s the problem. My expectation for the movie got in the way. I won’t make any judgments on the movie until I see it again though.
I did enjoy Million Dollar Baby, however. I actually enjoyed it more than the rest of the group I watch the movie with.
Two Last things:
It’s safe to say that people prefer, want, and need different types of movies due to different reasons. As such, there can not be a perfect movie. It’s similar to asking 2 people, one who generally listens to country music and the other prefers rap, what is the best song in the world.
Even if the movie is solely designed to uplift the viewer’s mood for that moment, it may be a “better movie” for that viewer than one that will alter their views of the Spanish Inquisition. Likewise, a movie that is unpleasant could be just what the viewer needs to endure.
I also don’t think that just any movie can be great. I think most people have a level where bad acting just gets in the way of movie. To some, there are only so many foul words that a movie can contain before they are mentally/emotionally shut off from the movie all together. We all have these boundaries that as long as they are not breached, the movie is tolerable.
A good movie, however, is subjective to the viewer’s short and long-term needs, expectations, etc. Or course there is preference. A specific person may prefer a movie over another and that is perfectly normal. Denigrating a movie for its lack of something as subjective as initial entertainment value, however, may be a tad short sighted.
This can be experience when people get together and discuss a movie. A lot of the time, at least one person learns to appreciate a movie more after having heard another explain/defend their reasons for liking it. The movie just got “better” even though the movie itself actually has not changed; just the person’s view of it has altered do to external information or a different vantage point.
To me, a good movie brings personal change whether that will be immediate or gradual, momentary or enduring. A wee little man can make a wheel for entertainment, but when it sparked something in the ironsmith it became much more. Essentially, it changed a specific few who came in contact with it. And some acted upon those changes. The change may affect how a person views themself or how they look at their surroundings. It is also totally up to them, the one experiencing, as to whether the quialities are recognized, accepted, and action is taken.
Therefore, I don’t believe that anyone should be quick to tell someone that they should like a movie or dislike a movie… unless it becomes a question of character and morale. If I tell you that I enjoyed American History X solely for the violence and prejudice contents, then you should be worried. If I said that I enjoyed Hotel Rwanda because it ultimately made me care a little more for those around me, and that the movie reminded me that I must protect that which is important to me, then it could be considered a good movie… even though it is not a pleasure to watch and I may not watch it again.
In less eloquent words I agree with you, Shonnie, that a movie doesn’t have to be fun or entertaining to watch. I would still like to read your definition of the word entertaining to fully understand your view, Dre.
I do agree with you, Dre, on the monotony of some movie trends. A topic can only be driven into the ground so much and still remain palatable. I won’t be so ready to pick up another movie about the holocaust… but I will watch Fateless someday.
I didn’t enjoy Munich as much as I thought I would. There’s the problem. My expectation for the movie got in the way. I won’t make any judgments on the movie until I see it again though.
I did enjoy Million Dollar Baby, however. I actually enjoyed it more than the rest of the group I watch the movie with.
Two Last things:
- What is the deal with Three 6 Mafia winning with that song.
- Drinking anything while on the toilet is a bit weird, Dre.
posted by Nguyen | 7:48 PM
2 Comments:
I'll agree with the drinking on the toilet bit being quite weird. Also, I know there is a medium..which you portray well. Thanks.
everyone knows that "Friends in Low Places" is the best country song and that "Rapper's Delight" is the best Rap song.
I really liked your post, I'll be the weak link of this blog-sight.
Post a Comment
<< Home