Two (insanely) appalling things:
First, this. I don't know what to say except it makes me think that I might not be opposed to assassinations in some instances. (Note: I'm serious here. This article is truly disturbing.)
Second, this. I was most appalled 1) with critics who didn't mention the multiple-levels-beneath-decent glorifyingly dehumanizing violence and 2) that it wasn't NC-17. Or NC-21. Or perhaps NC-117. (Note: I'm also serious here. Do not watch this movie.)
A brief multimedia section featuring three funny (to me) videos:
Here, here, and here.
4.14.2005
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8 comments:
Damn. I knew most of those facts, but wasn't aware of the prevalence of US trafficking, nor of the involvement of Interpol. My heart goes out to people in that article, including the operative. It also reinforces my opinion that cultural change needs to go hand in hand with legal enforcement. These grassroot org's won't succeed without the police to protect them or the people they serve, and law enforcement won't work without public approval for the law. (and THAT is about as right-wing as you'll find me)
On "Sin City," I haven't seen it, but I'm not surprised you reacted that way. I've heard it's an incredibly-made movie. Maybe some people are just better at dissociating real-life from on-screen representations. Or maybe they aren't; if the violence isn't human or anthropomorphic, people aren't interested.
First off, my grammar was really going wild there. Sorry. I like adverbs.
To romanlily: Thanks for reading and commenting. Yay for our blog's popularity. I admit I experience movies very viscerally (and have been known to, say, shed a tear if someone on screen is crying...or playing with their eyeball). On the other hand, I've seen and "enjoyed" many extremely violent movies. This movie is not worth it. It is an affront to all that is good in the world. Saying something is "incredibly-made" doesn't justify making it (or supporting people who do make it). I think that Sin City is probably the most effective comic-book-to-screen adaptation ever and the visuals were surely arresting. But that gets old after a few minutes, especially when--beyond the nearly indescribable violence--the dialogue is laughable and the plot thin.
I'd also add that one of the reasons it was so shocking was that it wasn't divorced from reality enough: If it had all been cartoon violence, I probably could've stomached it. (Though whether I should've been able to stomach it then is another matter altogether.)
In related news (or not), I recommend reading this somewhat raw take on the Boston Marathon by The Sports Guy.
How about this marathon? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/4454315.stm
Re. movie violence: It's funny what gets to people. I have a friend who watches violent movies all the time, but was completely freaked out by "Minority Report," which I really liked. I can handle creepy, funny, or even routine violence (like in The Matrix). But cruelty and manipulation is a no go.
Re. your blog's popularity: thanks for still writing!
Re. sex trafficking article: my boyfriend swears up and down that Interpol does not hire or train assassins, and that I am laughably gullible. But how would he know?
The flatulating Robert Tilton video leaves all of my male friends laughing like demented hyenas and all of my female friends (including my wife)--after laughing at us laughing--shaking their heads in dismay. I wrote to my friend Gary that the clip left me smiling all day. He wrote back that he had been smiling over it two days. Mark S. is making a DVD of Farting Pastor1,2,3, and 4, and wheezes so vociferously with each viewing that the paramedics are standing by on constant alert. So what gives with the gender thing? Are guys just ridiculously childish while girls (especially after puberty) more mature about bodily emissions? Is this one of the great questions of our time? I think so.
By the way, Anonymous above is C-Dawg, but the blog won't accept my password. (Too many farting references, I guess.)
My gut vote was "ridiculously childish," but maybe your socialization is healthier? Women aren't supposed to make bodily noises, so for us it's embarrassing and rude. But it's got to be embarrassing for men, too, otherwise it wouldn't be funny. Anyways, the answer is, we were raised that way. (where "embarrassing & rude" is bad, not funny)
So, if you were on a first date with a woman, and she (let's assume) accidentally let out a big fart, how would you want (not expect) her to react?
Laughter is a fine palliative, along with an apology. If she started punctuating an evangelistic talk with them, however, I would feel justified in responding with loud (or muffled) guffaws.
(grin) fair enough.
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