Author Topic: Post US Election Transition Culture  (Read 26872 times)

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Offline Squidward von Squidderson

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Re: Post US Election Transition Culture
« Reply #675 on: March 08, 2021, 09:48:32 pm »
Yeah. It seemed to glorify his violence. Some people mistakenly held the film up as a demonstration of how society is crumbling, missing the point entirely. So not tone deaf but more like clumsy storytelling.

I think it portrayed him as a pathetic loser who is wrapped up in conspiracy theories and blames everyone else for his miseries.   It’s more relevant today than it was in the 90s. 

It did treat some of the violence in a comedic way, with the happy-meal cutoff that sets him off, the hair trigger gun and accidental bazooka firing...   but if it didn’t lighten it up a little, it would have been a dreadfully dreary film.

I get that it’s not for everyone...  but just because one finds dark humour distasteful should not take away from the film itself.   It was a a good film...   but not for everyone. 
« Last Edit: March 08, 2021, 09:59:05 pm by the_squid »
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Offline Queefer Sutherland

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Re: Post US Election Transition Culture
« Reply #676 on: March 08, 2021, 09:57:29 pm »
I thought that film was about a guy who goes postal.

Tried to watch it a few years ago but it was a real downer so i shut it off.  Same reason I won't bother watching Joker.

Offline Squidward von Squidderson

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Re: Post US Election Transition Culture
« Reply #677 on: March 08, 2021, 10:00:23 pm »
I thought that film was about a guy who goes postal.

Tried to watch it a few years ago but it was a real downer so i shut it off.  Same reason I won't bother watching Joker.

Because it wasn’t for you, it must have been a terrible film that downplayed the violence and was misogynistic and racist, right? 

(Sarcasm...   that seems to be the thinking of some who don’t like the movie)
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Offline cybercoma

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Re: Post US Election Transition Culture
« Reply #678 on: March 09, 2021, 10:04:11 am »
I think it portrayed him as a pathetic loser who is wrapped up in conspiracy theories and blames everyone else for his miseries.   It’s more relevant today than it was in the 90s. 

It did treat some of the violence in a comedic way, with the happy-meal cutoff that sets him off, the hair trigger gun and accidental bazooka firing...   but if it didn’t lighten it up a little, it would have been a dreadfully dreary film.

I get that it’s not for everyone...  but just because one finds dark humour distasteful should not take away from the film itself.   It was a a good film...   but not for everyone.
Ohnits a great film but you hit the nail on the head with the problems.

Offline Black Dog

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Re: Post US Election Transition Culture
« Reply #679 on: March 09, 2021, 10:12:48 am »
I think it portrayed him as a pathetic loser who is wrapped up in conspiracy theories and blames everyone else for his miseries.   It’s more relevant today than it was in the 90s. 

It did treat some of the violence in a comedic way, with the happy-meal cutoff that sets him off, the hair trigger gun and accidental bazooka firing...   but if it didn’t lighten it up a little, it would have been a dreadfully dreary film.

I get that it’s not for everyone...  but just because one finds dark humour distasteful should not take away from the film itself.   It was a a good film...   but not for everyone.

It's one of those movies like Fight Club that unfortunately represents the thing its trying to satirize so well that it ends up glorifying it.
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Offline cybercoma

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Re: Post US Election Transition Culture
« Reply #680 on: March 09, 2021, 12:30:40 pm »
Black Dog’s got it. It’s an excellent film. Starship Troopers had a similar problem. People took it seriously when it’s satirizing war.

Offline Squidward von Squidderson

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Re: Post US Election Transition Culture
« Reply #681 on: March 09, 2021, 12:55:48 pm »
Black Dog’s got it. It’s an excellent film. Starship Troopers had a similar problem. People took it seriously when it’s satirizing war.

I don’t think you can blame the film because some people may see it in a twisted way as supporting their position, or worse, use it to justify their terrible beliefs/behaviour.

There are people who are going to say  “Yeah...  Michael Douglas’ character had it all right”!   You’re criticizing the film and its creator because a whack-a-doodle might sympathize with the character that it is satirizing.  Personally, that’s not the way I would look at the film.  Luckily, it’s just our opinions and I’m free to enjoy it and you’re free to turn the channel.

Offline Queefer Sutherland

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Re: Post US Election Transition Culture
« Reply #682 on: March 09, 2021, 03:16:38 pm »
Because it wasn’t for you, it must have been a terrible film that downplayed the violence and was misogynistic and racist, right? 

(Sarcasm...   that seems to be the thinking of some who don’t like the movie)

Can't really comment on the movie since I didn't finish it.  My reason for not finishing it was "do i want to watch a disturbing movie about a man who goes postal in this 2 hour window i have for some relaxing entertainment?".  Since at that time my answer was no, I turned on Family Guy.

The plot sounds like a disturbingly accurate description of people who get frustrated with life's troubles and go crazy.  We see that on the news with school shootings and whatnot.  I think when you add guns to the male propensity for violence when frustrations boil over you get a dangerous combo, which is why i'm not a fan of guns.
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Offline Black Dog

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Re: Post US Election Transition Culture
« Reply #683 on: March 09, 2021, 03:29:39 pm »
I don’t think you can blame the film because some people may see it in a twisted way as supporting their position, or worse, use it to justify their terrible beliefs/behaviour.

There are people who are going to say  “Yeah...  Michael Douglas’ character had it all right”!   You’re criticizing the film and its creator because a whack-a-doodle might sympathize with the character that it is satirizing. Personally, that’s not the way I would look at the film.  Luckily, it’s just our opinions and I’m free to enjoy it and you’re free to turn the channel.

If the film makes it easy to be sympathetic to the character by putting him in relatable situations and having him react in ways we've probably secretly wanted to at one point or another or by showing him reacting in horror to a Nazi spewing racist slurs, then yeah I think you can criticize them for failing to make the point clear enough. it's a fine line and it's not that I think the movie is bad for that reason, it's just not going to land the way it's supposed to for everyone.
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guest18

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Re: Post US Election Transition Culture
« Reply #684 on: March 11, 2021, 07:09:53 am »
On a  completely off-topic, barely related note, I remember having my very young mind blown seeing Michael Douglas on the Streets of San Francisco, the Mike Douglas Show , and old My Three Sons episodes (pre-Ernie) where Rob and Chip Douglas' older brother was named Mike.
Perhaps I watched too much TV as a lad.
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Offline Michael Hardner

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Re: Post US Election Transition Culture
« Reply #685 on: March 11, 2021, 12:29:36 pm »
Pretty rare back then for someone to jump from TV to movies, although it happened more frequently after him.

Kevin Bacon was on General Hospital or somesuch as I recall... you really are stigmatized when you do soap operas.