HenHanna
2024-09-25 19:31:55 UTC
Just typing up some random thoughts about violence in movie pictures.
My first thought about it is this: on an intellectual level I don't care
much for stories where violence is the one and only answer to most
problems (the good ones killing the bad ones). This is a pattern that
shows time and again, and goes through many genres, including most of
the hollywood output.
I can watch these flics if i don't take the story to seriously and just
follow the choreography of the fights. Depending on the quality of the
scenes, this can be quite entertaining to me, even.
There are a few rare movies that have both, a good story and a lot of
violence (I would count some of Quentin Taratinos among those).
Quentin Taratinos movies, and especially "Pulp fiction", brings me to
another subject about violence: the way it is depicted in most movies is
that a super hero (or heroine) goes through their enemies like a hot
knife through butter, and 5 min later, they attend a dinner party or
have sex with some random person that is put into the story just for
that purpose (to show that the most potent fighter also gets the most
gorgeous mating partner). Then they walk away and the fight is never
mentioned anymore.
Having been on both ends of IRL violence, I can assure everybody that is
is not how it goes down.
Even in the best case for you, where you go through a fight without so
much as a scratch (yes, this can happen), most people (unless being
stone cold psychos or heavily drunk/drugged), will go through the
aftermath of a fight, which is at the very least to deal with your
adrenaline coming down (which can be nasty if you experience it without
understanding what is actually happening to you).
Usually you also have to get away from the place where the fight
happened, or else be prepared to deal with the police or with potential
comebacks of your opponent or his chums. If you can be identified, you
could go to court. If you did serious damage to your opponent, maybe
permanent damage, this could cost you for the rest of your life. The
chances are very small, but a good punch or kick and the resulting fall
can also take the life of somebody, and in this case there could be
grave consequences for you, depending on circumtances and jurisdiction.
Now I don't claim to have experienced or even seen all of this (and I
have no desire to do so), but I have seen enough to dislike the stories
where all of these elements miss.
So I like some movies with violence, but only if I really buy into it,
and where all sides are shown (like in "Pulp fiction" where Vincent Vega
has to scrub the brain of the guy he accidentally shot from the car
seats).
To be continued.
____________My first thought about it is this: on an intellectual level I don't care
much for stories where violence is the one and only answer to most
problems (the good ones killing the bad ones). This is a pattern that
shows time and again, and goes through many genres, including most of
the hollywood output.
I can watch these flics if i don't take the story to seriously and just
follow the choreography of the fights. Depending on the quality of the
scenes, this can be quite entertaining to me, even.
There are a few rare movies that have both, a good story and a lot of
violence (I would count some of Quentin Taratinos among those).
Quentin Taratinos movies, and especially "Pulp fiction", brings me to
another subject about violence: the way it is depicted in most movies is
that a super hero (or heroine) goes through their enemies like a hot
knife through butter, and 5 min later, they attend a dinner party or
have sex with some random person that is put into the story just for
that purpose (to show that the most potent fighter also gets the most
gorgeous mating partner). Then they walk away and the fight is never
mentioned anymore.
Having been on both ends of IRL violence, I can assure everybody that is
is not how it goes down.
Even in the best case for you, where you go through a fight without so
much as a scratch (yes, this can happen), most people (unless being
stone cold psychos or heavily drunk/drugged), will go through the
aftermath of a fight, which is at the very least to deal with your
adrenaline coming down (which can be nasty if you experience it without
understanding what is actually happening to you).
Usually you also have to get away from the place where the fight
happened, or else be prepared to deal with the police or with potential
comebacks of your opponent or his chums. If you can be identified, you
could go to court. If you did serious damage to your opponent, maybe
permanent damage, this could cost you for the rest of your life. The
chances are very small, but a good punch or kick and the resulting fall
can also take the life of somebody, and in this case there could be
grave consequences for you, depending on circumtances and jurisdiction.
Now I don't claim to have experienced or even seen all of this (and I
have no desire to do so), but I have seen enough to dislike the stories
where all of these elements miss.
So I like some movies with violence, but only if I really buy into it,
and where all sides are shown (like in "Pulp fiction" where Vincent Vega
has to scrub the brain of the guy he accidentally shot from the car
seats).
To be continued.
(re: violence in movies) -- Was [Straw Dogs] ground-breaking? other
notables?
________________
Straw Dogs: A Groundbreaking Exploration of Violence and Masculinity
Straw Dogs (1971), directed by Sam Peckinpah, is indeed considered a
groundbreaking film in terms of its depiction of violence and its
exploration of masculinity. The film's graphic and unflinching portrayal
of violence, particularly in the climactic siege, pushed the boundaries
of what was acceptable in mainstream cinema at the time.
Key Reasons for its Groundbreaking Status:
Graphic Violence: The film's portrayal of violence, including rape and
brutal physical confrontations, was unprecedented for its time. It
challenged audiences' expectations and sparked controversy.
Exploration of Masculinity: The film delves into the complexities of
masculinity and male identity. The protagonist, David Sumner, is a
passive and unassertive man who is forced to confront his own
limitations and fears.
Cultural Commentary: Straw Dogs can be seen as a commentary on social
and cultural issues, including the fear of the Other and the breakdown
of traditional values.
____________
Other Notable Films with Groundbreaking Depictions of Violence:
A Clockwork Orange (1971): Stanley Kubrick's dystopian film explores
themes of violence, free will, and societal control through its shocking
and visually striking imagery.
Taxi Driver (1976): Martin Scorsese's gritty drama offers a disturbing
portrait of a mentally unstable Vietnam veteran who descends into
violence.
I Spit on Your Grave (1978): This controversial film is known for its
extreme and graphic depictions of rape and revenge, making it a landmark
in exploitation cinema.
Natural Born Killers (1994): Oliver Stone's film explores themes of
media violence and the glorification of killers through its stylized and
hyper-violent aesthetic.
These films, along with Straw Dogs, have had a significant impact on the
cinematic landscape and continue to provoke debate and discussion.