Often times, I will catch myself doing something that I would only have seen in a movie. Certain facial expressions, catch-phrases, mannerisms, all from movies. I know for a fact that the first time I ate after watching the Dark Knight that I licked my lips like the Joker. Its cheesy, odd, and yet I found myself subconsciously mimicking the character (a villain no less) I saw on the big screen. Sometimes I'll even think of how I'm supposed to react in certain emotional situations based on some scene I can recall from a movie.
The dangerous aspect of movies lies in the fictitious and doctored-up storylines and acting (its called 'acting' for a reason) found within almost every single movie. While some movies more closely mirror reality, they almost always alter some portion of the narrative so that the story becomes movie-worthy. If movies were nothing but accurate representations of reality, there would be no problem or worry, but this is not the case.
But like I mentioned before, movies are, for me, the best method of portraying the various troubles and highlights of humanity. And personally, I love movies. I can watch a movie and spend hours discussing the quality of the movie, from the writing, to the movie-sets, to the themes found within the story; but sometimes I wonder if we are creating a false reality for ourselves by bombarding our mind with all these impactful scenes and stories, that for us, are so real, but in *reality* are merely 'fit for hollywood.'
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A agree that movies can be dangerous. I see a close parellel between magazine and advertising photographs of women - airbrushed to make every women appear flawless and with impossible figures - and how movies portray life. Movies can give us an "airbrushed" view of the world and life. Philosophies embodied by movies can be particularly insidious in that if they excite, then they must be right.
ReplyDeleteDo what you feel like all of the time, and everything will work out. There is a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow. Your happy ending is just a magical encounter away. ha. I've found that your happy ending never happens unless you make it happen.
Movies seem to be like many other things in life. You know as well as I do how powerful the mind can be. If someone watches a movie they absorb and maybe 'mimic' what they allow themselves. This is a difficult aspect to explain... When I watch a movie I can't help but tell myself 'It is a movie' 'These are actors/ actresses' 'This is not reality' Therefore, it is rare for a movie to impact me. However, I do have the ability to learn from movies as well. -Into the Wild-
ReplyDeleteBottom line-- Movies can be like many other 'mediums' in life...for the most part you control the experience and what you absorb or learn.
You know better than anyone my love for movies, and I have often thought about the impact they have on me. It surprises (and disappoints) me when I hear myself recommend a movie with the disclaimer note "but just to warn you there is an entire scene that you will want to close your eyes and plug your ears for." Why do I think a movie is amazing or good when I can't even stand to take it in in its entirety? Why do I (we) allow gratuitous scenes to enter my (our) memories only to distract and disillusion myself (us) from reality? I love to watch movies like Megan mentioned (Into The Wild) which compel you to look outside yourself, but so few seem to exist. It is so much easier to pick up the latest blockbuster and let the unrealistic expectations and examples flood your senses.
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