Movies are gateways to another reality
Whenever we watch movies, the stories within them captivates us. Even a terrible movie can draw us into their story because we're eager at how the ending will be. Have we ever thought of movies though as visions that we could see if certain scenarios or things existed? Movies exist for us for our curiosity to be fulfilled. In other words, movies are like alternate imaginative realities that we get to witness.
I believe that the most popular movies are those that portray very well of that imaginative reality realistically as possible. We see movies that are highly detailed in scenery, like the movie Avatar. It answered the question of how would life be if there were aliens that were "savages" on their planet. How about apocalypse movies with fantasy creatures like zombies? We have Shaun of the Dead to make us laugh at the expense of people getting eaten alive. Survival movies that seem a bit far fetched? Life of Pi brings out that hallucinating feel with animals on a life boat. Ever wondered what it's like being in a candy factory or a whole different world just beyond a closet? They've already made movies like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Narnia! All of these movies are creative possibilities that describe what would probably happen if we were in situations like this.
Susan Sontag's "The Imagination of Disaster" explains how we immerse ourselves in earthquake/tsunami movies because we know its a likely situation that could happen, so it's best to watch it safely than experience it first hand. "Creating the Myth" by Linda Seger says the protagonist is the hero/heroine of their story struggling though the toughest challenges enough to reach their goals. Rita Kempley's "Mystical Black Characters Play Complex Cinematic Role" even talks on how movies place black people as great prominent helpers with magical powers. Basically, an imaginative reality lies beyond inside the movies, and we are lucky to see them.
Susan Sontag's "The Imagination of Disaster" explains how we immerse ourselves in earthquake/tsunami movies because we know its a likely situation that could happen, so it's best to watch it safely than experience it first hand. "Creating the Myth" by Linda Seger says the protagonist is the hero/heroine of their story struggling though the toughest challenges enough to reach their goals. Rita Kempley's "Mystical Black Characters Play Complex Cinematic Role" even talks on how movies place black people as great prominent helpers with magical powers. Basically, an imaginative reality lies beyond inside the movies, and we are lucky to see them.
Patricia, let me start off by saying I love your background and how it correlates with your title, "The Spaces In Between Culture". That was really clever and super cute. Anyway, I enjoyed your post and I definitely agree with you that we as a society are so easily captivated when we watch movies. I know that for myself whenever I watch a movie I watch it be entertained and to have fun passing the time go by. It is definitely a nice way to escape reality and pretend to be a part of something else even though we are just spectating. Whether it be comedy, action or Sci-Fi, we as the audience see them as in your words 'alternate imaginative realities'. I believe that everybody has their own genre to pass their time away and some it may be romantic comedies and others it may be action packed films. Good job in adding multiple sources from "Reading Pop Culture" and way to expand on the various short stories you shared.
ReplyDeleteHi Patricia, great post! Ever since we have been kids movies have always portrayed some type of fantasy. Whether it's the fantasy of being a superhero or finding the perfect marriage, movies will give us a chance to live inside a fantasy. While the stories acted out in Hollywood are certainly entertaining, it's important that we recognize that what is valued in Hollywood, should not always be valued in the real world. Hollywood can over emphasize the importance of certain materialistic qualities known to be affiliated with, "the American dream." It seems that half of the draw of a movie comes from how unique it is, how different it is from everyday life. We are drawn to what is less known, what is not seen on a daily basis. With that being said, we are naturally intrigued by a movie that very different. Part of the reason viewers are so attracted to movies like "The Hangover," is because so they contain so many ridiculous and unrealistic events.
ReplyDeleteHi Patricia, great post! Ever since we have been kids movies have always portrayed some type of fantasy. Whether it's the fantasy of being a superhero or finding the perfect marriage, movies will give us a chance to live inside a fantasy. While the stories acted out in Hollywood are certainly entertaining, it's important that we recognize that what is valued in Hollywood, should not always be valued in the real world. Hollywood can over emphasize the importance of certain materialistic qualities known to be affiliated with, "the American dream." It seems that half of the draw of a movie comes from how unique it is, how different it is from everyday life. We are drawn to what is less known, what is not seen on a daily basis. With that being said, we are naturally intrigued by a movie that very different. Part of the reason viewers are so attracted to movies like "The Hangover," is because so they contain so many ridiculous and unrealistic events.
ReplyDeleteHey Patricia!
ReplyDeleteI first have to say awesome post. I was so much fun to read. Now I feel like I have to rewatch all of those movies! But I very much did enjoy this post. You describe how movies that answer something in real life that are done in such a way that as an audience member we receive the message and the answer without really searching too much. There is a moral to every story is that I'm getting from your post, the ease of attaining that message changes. Even that craziest of movie you can always seem to come out with some lesson. I believe that there are even parodies of horror films like, "Why don't we just get in the running car?" see... all movies sorta. However, in all seriousness, movie go'ers are attracted to the film for the content like action movies, for the thrills and hopefully leave with some better understanding of a real problem.
I agree that movies let us live a reality different than our own. When I watch a movie, I see everything through the eyes of the characters and try to understand the places they are in. I don’t think any other type of media can transport you to a place like film can; you start wondering what you would do in the situation the characters are in and how you would feel in certain places. Like you mentioned, Avatar lets us wonder what we would do on an alien world. This is farfetched from reality but at the same time, it gives you an outlet and lets you wonder and be in this reality that you would never experience in real life. It’s an experience you can’t get from anywhere but the movie.
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