Films

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I think mr Pistol's comments just go to demonstrate that the argument was false simply because we all react differently. I am of the age (as I notice many of us here are) that I was a teenager during the VHS age when Mary Whitehouse was banging on about video nasties, I also watched a few but I am still squeemish, I reacted differently, because my brain is wired differently, which means that it's not the film, it is the initial brain wiring that is important.

mr Pistol is desensitised, he is not alone, I am not, I am not alone, everyone else is somewhere in between pretty much (apart from those who are full on serial killery or full on too scared of fictional stories to watch eastenders without thinking they live in the queen vic).

I consider that the "violent films make violent people" argument is hokum, that if you believe such a simplistic answer you stop looking for the real reasons as you have your blame figure and then you can sit back, all smug, no longer having to be confused by your lack of understanding of a complex issue.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I think mr Pistol's comments just go to demonstrate that the argument was false simply because we all react differently. I am of the age (as I notice many of us here are) that I was a teenager during the VHS age when Mary Whitehouse was banging on about video nasties, I also watched a few but I am still squeemish, I reacted differently, because my brain is wired differently, which means that it's not the film, it is the initial brain wiring that is important.

mr Pistol is desensitised, he is not alone, I am not, I am not alone, everyone else is somewhere in between pretty much (apart from those who are full on serial killery or full on too scared of fictional stories to watch eastenders without thinking they live in the queen vic).

I consider that the "violent films make violent people" argument is hokum, that if you believe such a simplistic answer you stop looking for the real reasons as you have your blame figure and then you can sit back, all smug, no longer having to be confused by your lack of understanding of a complex issue.

[Spindles]

Don't think you needed it, I'm agreeing with your perspective entirely, I believe.

[windy_miller]

I am completely desensitised and near enough immune to getting scared by films (which is probably not healthy).

It's probably due being exposed to these sort of films too early and I kind of missed getting scared by films so I went down the route of watching every previously banned/"most disturbing" films but it's not the same.

I realise I may sound a bit serial killy.

Edited September 5, 2012 by windy_miller

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Have you tried "A Serbian Film"? Not seen it myself but someone I know watched it and said it was the most horrific thing he had ever watched. After hearing the plot, I don't think I want to watch it.

[nightcrawler13]

I've seen A Serbian Film, the un-cut one, and it is horrific. I don't think I felt normal emotion for a few days afterwards as I was too desensitised to the real world. It's essentially an ex porn star filled full of bull viagra raping lots of different things

Going to see Anna Karenina on friday, it looks stunning so quite looking forward to that

I watched 50 50 yesterday, after losing my friend to cancer last week and having cancer myself, that film kicked the shit out of me. It is funny and pretty realistic to the entire treatment process, so if someone you know gets diagnosed I'd recommend watching it before treatment starts to help calm nerves and give you an idea of what to expect

[5co77ie]

Anyone seen Samsara ( the new Baraka film?) there were queues out the doors for it at the cinema yesterday.

I'd not heard of it before then.

http://barakasamsara.com/

Is it any good?

[nightcrawler13]

Baraka is incredible, been waiting for this for years

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I don't think I felt normal emotion for a few days afterwards as I was too desensitised to the real world.

[t8yman]

I also saw a serbian film, and remember warning people on here not to bother with it. its abhorrent, and although I have no desire to ever see it again, nor would I recommend it to anyone, I dont find it as distasteful as the August Underground stuff (none of which I have seen- because I know I wouldnt be able to get it out of my head) I watched the baby rape scene through very very squinted eyes, and luckily - dont have that image to contend with every time I close my eyes.

Art is Art, but that was just cheap shock tactics. Having said that, I found Irreversible more troubling, because it wasnt cartoony, over played filth - it was just visceral, real, aggressive, and incredibly well shot.

[Spartacus Mars]

Another film that does the same thing but by going in the other extreme is The Bunny Game. Synopsis: a trucker abducts and tortures a prostitute. Banned in the UK.

It's completely awful to watch because it has a sense of feeling real. Excellently artistically shot, inventive score (various droning synths), it feels like you're part of the trucker's psychotic madness - but he barely touches her. There's some slapping, lots of shouting, but none of the torture would amount to more than a grazed knee or mild bruise. There's some groping, he puts her on a leash, but doesn't proceed to commit rape. Etc. etc.

It's a master-class in filming something utterly horrible and repellent - to the point of being banned - without actually getting any knives or ketchup out...

[AcademicPistol]

Have you tried "A Serbian Film"? Not seen it myself but someone I know watched it and said it was the most horrific thing he had ever watched. After hearing the plot, I don't think I want to watch it.

[AcademicPistol]

I watched the baby rape scene through very very squinted eyes, and luckily - dont have that image to contend with every time I close my eyes.

[The Nal]

Saw Lawless last night. Really enjoyed it. Great cast, acting was superb, its shot beautifully, music is great and theres some really unique characters in it. Bleak, violent, beautiful and funny. Sometimes all at the same time.

Anyone who enjoyed The Proposition or The Road will love it.

White Light/White Heat bluegrass style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IpojM3PdQk

Edited September 6, 2012 by The Nal

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Saw Lawless last night. Really enjoyed it. Great cast, acting was superb, its shot beautifully, music is great and theres some really unique characters in it. Bleak, violent, beautiful and funny. Sometimes all at the same time.

Anyone who enjoyed The Proposition or The Road will love it.

White Light/White Heat bluegrass style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IpojM3PdQk

[windy_miller]

Anyone seen Samsara ( the new Baraka film?) there were queues out the doors for it at the cinema yesterday.

I'd not heard of it before then.

http://barakasamsara.com/

Is it any good?

[5co77ie]

the Qatsi trilogy by Godfrey Reggio with music by Philip Glass (Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi, and Naqoyqatsi) were influential in Ron Fricke's Baraka which was directed by Ron Fricke who was the cinematographer on Qatsi. It seems Fricke's Baraka is also part of a trilogy with Chronos, and Samsara completing the three.

I have seen four of the films, I watched Koyaanisqatsi over and over for years until the video tape snapped.

Edited September 7, 2012 by 5co77ie

[nightcrawler13]

Edited September 8, 2012 by nightcrawler13

[nightcrawler13]

so Thomas Jane wasn't happy with the Punisher films he made, as he was a big fan and realised the movies were a tad naff....

so him and some friends made a short film, with their own cash, just so some ecent version of the Punisher could exist. It's got Ron Perlman in it, and is awesome, pretty graphic so watch with caution

Edited September 8, 2012 by nightcrawler13

[Spindles]

Cheers for that, well spent 10 mins.

[Purple Monkey]

These days video games are the current scapegoat for societies problems. Always the way.

"Blame the new thing!"

[G-Stud]

I've watched Dirty Laundry a couple of times now, really cracking short film. Portrays The Punisher in the right way

[Spindles]

In that case blame social networ....ah right, yes.

In unrelated film news, Dredd delivered the goods. I want to go on and on about it, but I don't want to because people need to see for themselves. I only saw the first trailer and that is like one teeny tiny scene in the film really, so don't get the impression that it is going to be anything like that. It's the kind of film you could watch a few times just to catch the references to the mega city mythology.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

After avoiding it I have just watched "The Iron Lady" and I am glad I did as it has just enflammed some anger that was recedeing. How can public money be spent on this pile of shit? There was no mention or outlook on the social implications of her policies. It showed about her downfall but did not mention at the same time she committee troops for the Gulf (hope of another Khaki election?). I invoke Godwins Law and who ever was involved in this could probably make Hitler look like an all round nice guy but a little misunderstood. He loved his dog. But seriously why was public money allowed to be spent on this ? I would rather see the money spent on a memorial to Myra Hindley

Edited September 9, 2012 by Rufus Gwertigan

[Spartacus Mars]

Say what you like about Thatcher - that Tory saved perhaps 20 thousand Argentinian lives by ridding the world of an aggressive junta that primarily murdered Argentinians. By contrast, Old Labour would have undoubtedly capitulated to fascism (empowering that junta), and New Labour murdered perhaps a million Semites for reasons nobody is still entirely clear on.

In terms of industry, pro-Union Old Labour guy Callahan tried to create a Germany style forum for business unions. The unions rejected that completely and utterly, instead going on all-out strikes for wage rises as high as 30%, sheer, utter, spiteful madness. Some argue Thatcher killed the unions, in truth she was the executioner of public will. The unions killed themselves.

And the coal miners, what in the hell was Scargill thinking when he decided not to call a ballot? He was thinking he'd lose the vote. The TUC didn't support him, miners prosecuted the NUM, and he left the NUM without a legal basis. Remember the food donations to striking families? The NUM had the funds to pay for their food, but they'd had to hide their assets abroad after the court case.

But if there was one miner in Britain who profited from the strike it was Scargill personally. He was elected to the lifetime head of the NUM, a position he holds to this day along with pay, company car, expense accounts, and all the the benefits and luxuries capitalism affords its elites.

As for public money, she was Britain's first female Prime Minster and the longest serving Prime Minister of the 20th century, so there is the historical aspect, and it made a profit. Public money was not spent but invested and returned - unlike other British-funded films such as Sex Lives of the Potato Men.

I don't blame the Tories for being Tories. That's their job and what they do. They've never really pretended to represent me, a bit of lip service here and there but I've always know they're not on my side. I might as well get angry at a dog for licking it's own nuts.

It's the left and the unions I feel betrayed by.