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In Reply to: BwaaHAAAAAAAA! posted by Troy on December 23, 2003 at 13:06:02:
. . . my true biblical colors, here's the post I made on this film yesterday:
Follow Ups:
Glad to see that your agenda isn't religious conversion; that gets you points in my book. Still, your problem with the films & Tolkien in general is vindictive in nature and comes off sounding like a personal insult to those who like the series. I'd recommend a bit more tact instead of outright condescension, that is unless you like pickin' fights you can't win.
I'm not being condescending. You just don't like what I have to say. Perhaps you're being sensitive.There is no winner or loser, merely 2 differing viewpoints.
It does come across as condescending when you insult the informed opinions of others, even if you do it indirectly. Allow me this hypothetical scenario: If Troy says "I like this film series and agree with the general concensus that these are masterpieces for the ages" and then Audiophilander comes along and says "...the stories are predictable and lightweight children's fare" then I've either intentionally or inadvertantly insulted the viewer's tastes.See what I mean?
In other words, it's one thing to be critical based on reasonable criteria which assesses a film's merit based on personal criteria (i.e., pacing, plot, character interpretation, effects, etc.), but entirely another to be judgmental in a way that ridicules those that enjoy the films (i.e., calling the series "...lightweight children's fare").
It does come across as condescending when you insult the informed opinions of others, even if you do it indirectly. Allow me this hypothetical scenario: If Troy says "I like this film series and agree with the general concensus that these are masterpieces for the ages" and then Audiophilander comes along and says "...the stories are predictable and lightweight children's fare" then I've either intentionally or inadvertantly insulted the viewer's tastes.See what I mean?
No, I honestly don't.
Well first of all, the general consensus be damned. The general consensus is that Thomas Kincade (the painter) is a genius. How right is THAT?
Secondly, you're welcome to voice your opinion here just as much as I am. Why do you think my opinion isn't as informed as yours? Isn't that just as condescending? You're welcome to call me a moron for having my opinion. Your words will not hurt me as mine seems to have hurt you.
Take a look around you. If you want to play on BBs and have strong opinions either way, you better grow yourself a thicker skin, or you will get hurt often. You take MY opinion far too personally.
In other words, it's one thing to be critical based on reasonable criteria which assesses a film's merit based on personal criteria (i.e., pacing, plot, character interpretation, effects, etc.), but entirely another to be judgmental in a way that ridicules those that enjoy the films (i.e., calling the series "...lightweight children's fare").
Go back and read all my posts in this thread. I've explained in detail about why I feel this way about these movies. I've been just as judgemental about this movie as you have. I've made plenty of comments on pacing, plot and FX. It seems you can't get past that first blush of "Childrens fare". Your eyes just glaze over in anger and all you see is red.
You can call me a troll for saying "childrens fare", that I did it to goad you, but that's just not the case at all. If I was a troll, I'd have handled my responses differently than I have, goading you even further. I won't apologize for calling these stories childrens fare because that's how I feel about them. But I am sorry that you have over-reacted so strongly.
Relax, bub, relax.
Holiday cheer,
Troy
I never refered to you as a troll, but if that's what is on your mind, then there's probably a reason for it. :o)> > > "Why do you think my opinion isn't as informed as yours?" < < <
Because, on this subject it apparently is nowhere near as informed as mine, at least based upon what you've posted thus far; I don't have enough information about opinons you may have on other subjects to make a blanket statement that your opinions are ALL uninformed.
> > > "Isn't that just as condescending?" < < <
That WOULD be a good point, had you not demonstrated that your opinion on the Ring trilogy lacked substance in the prior post! Furthermore, it's certainly LESS condescending. FYI, my comment was based on evidence which YOU provided; your's was an opinion borne of personal dislike. Intentionally or not, refering to these works as "children's fare" was a dig at everyone who admires JRR Tolkien and Peter Jackson's interpretation of the Ring trilogy.
> > > "You're welcome to call me a moron..." < < <
You must be kidding; that was never my intent. Besides, the Asylum boards have rules even if you've chosen not to take them seriously; I respect these boards and try to abide by the rules. However, if you still insist on taking a rhetorical flogging from your's truly, then venture over to the Outside Forum and within that Forum's guidelines I'll gladly take the kid gloves off.
> > > "Take a look around you. If you want to play on BBs and have strong opinions either way, you better grow yourself a thicker skin, or you will get hurt often." < < <
BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Seriously Troy, you may THINK that I have "thin skin" but that's just another example of an uninformed opinion clouding your judgment. Folks who know me, know better. ;^D
> > > "Go back and read all my posts in this thread." < < <
So what? I've read them all; once was enough to know where you're coming from and why you're getting nowhere.
> > > "I've explained in detail about why I feel this way about these movies. I've been just as judgmental about this movie as you have." < < <
Apples and oranges. Being judgmental says noting about whether one's views are condescending toward the opinions of others or not; that's a nice change-up, but it's still easy to hit your pitches out of the park.
> > > "I've made plenty of comments on pacing, plot and FX." < < <
I'm fully aware of this, but that wasn't the issue! You just couldn't leave it there; you had to remark on the film in a derogatory manner that went beyond objective criticism, dismissing the film on grounds that were too subjectively personal in nature.
> > > "It seems that you can't get past that first blush of 'Children's fare'." < < <
That's because this is how you summed up the value of the film! Unfortunately, all the other critical points you offered were merely a means to this end. I could argue that there's absolutely nothing wrong with the pacing, plot and FX or I could quibble about minor Directorial choices, the look of certain shots, editing choices, etc., but what is there to gain by ignoring the grand achievement (i.e., the BIG picture) while focusing on minor flaws? YOU, on the other hand, apparently wanted to build your case on loose accusations rather than evidence.
> > > "Relax, bub, relax." < < <
You do likewise, 'chum', and watch out for the sharks when you're using yourself as the bait! ;^)
I never refered to you as a troll, but if that's what is on your mind, then there's probably a reason for it.It's all implied in the way you're responding to my posts.
Seriously Troy, you may THINK that I have "thin skin" but that's just another example of an uninformed opinion clouding your judgment. Folks who know me, know better.
Then stop acting like my words hurt you. As if calling these stories "Childrens Fare" is like telling you your mother wears army boots (or a more poignant anecdote). Why does calling these stories CF bug you so much? Because it's true?
you had to remark on the film in a derogatory manner that went beyond objective criticism, dismissing the film on grounds that were too subjectively personal in nature.
The whole crux of this silly exchange is that you take umbrage with me dismissing the Tolkien stories as "Childrens Fare". What's the big deal? Why does that continue to rile you so? Why do you insist on taking this in such a derrogatory manner? Why so sensitive about it? Plenty of adults read comic books, Harry Potter and Winnie the Pooh too. Heck, enjoy yourself with the Ring flicks, but don't try and make this juvenile fantasy story into something deeper than it is. They are no more philosophically complex than the Star Wars movies.
-> > > "It seems that you can't get past that first blush of 'Children's fare'." < < <-
That's because this is how you summed up the value of the film! Unfortunately, all the other critical points you offered were merely a means to this end.
Yes, that's true. You asked me to validate why I called it childrens fare and I explained that it's ultimately simplistic and obvious lowest common denominator material, ergo, made for children to understand. That is STILL how I sum up this series of movies.
but what is there to gain by ignoring the grand achievement (i.e., the BIG picture) while focusing on minor flaws? YOU, on the other hand, apparently wanted to build your case on loose accusations rather than evidence.
What loose accusations? Do I have to spell out the corny and obvious nature of every scene in the movie for you? As if that's going to change your mind! Why waste both of our time? You liked, no, loved these stories and it pisses you off to have someone like me come along and say that it's corny, pretentious and terribly obvious in it's depiction of human nature and the nature of good and evil.
-> > > "Relax, bub, relax." < < <-
You do likewise, 'chum', and watch out for the sharks when you're using yourself as the bait!
Cute. But there again, you seem to take this as being competitive in some way. Like you can win with me, as if I'm trying to win, myself. As if there is something TO win. I'm just stating my opinions here, however (incorrectly) unfounded you seem to think they are. Each time I call these stories CF and you take it personally only shows that you have some problem with being told that you like CF when there really is nothing wrong with it. Why are you the only one getting so upset about it?
> > > "It's all implied (i.e., Troy-trolling) in the way you're responding to my posts." < < <No, that's just the way you interpret it.
> > > "...stop acting like my words hurt you." < < <
Not ONCE have your words distressed me (i.e., personally) in the slightest; I have no fear of words, your's or anybody else's. Sorry, but if that is your belief then you have an overly elevated image of yourself.
> > > "The whole crux of this silly exchange is that you take umbrage with me dismissing the Tolkien stories as *Children's Fare*." < < <
True enough, because in your zeal to paint both books and films with the drab sophomoric brush of children's fare, you've demeaned literature that is considered by many adults to be on a par with the greatest works of Cervantes, Longfellow, Conrad, et al. I take umbrage, not because it hurts me, but rather because you've chosen to insult all those who, having read Tolkien's books and/or seen Peter Jackson's films, come away enriched by the experience.
You could have avoided this exchange by not having been so unequivocal in your biases. You still persist in lamely lumping Tolkien's works in with Harry Potter, Winnie the Pooh, etc., and then suggesting that it's all juvenile fantasy, but it isn't! You are entitled to your own opinion, of course, but that doesn't make your opinion correct, much less informed.
> > > "...it pisses you off to have someone like me come along and say that it's corny, pretentious and terribly obvious in it's depiction of human nature and the nature of good and evil." < < <
Someone like you? BWAHAHAHA! C'mon Troy, now THAT'S pretentiousness! FTR, I don't find this series of films corny in the slightest and the good/evil depictions are probably more genuine & reflective of human nature than in most films contemporary to the time when Tolkien wrote his epic novels.
> > > "I'm just stating my opinions here, however (incorrectly) unfounded you seem to think they are." < < <
I think, probably correctly, that the opinions you've expressed here are informed by biases.
> > > "Why are you the only one getting so upset about it?" < < <
I'm not upset, and your very mistaken to assume that I am! I'm just a rhetorical poker player who likes to keep the game honest. Others have probably dropped out because they don't see any percentage in staying in. Don't you think it's about time to cash in your chips on this losing hand thread before the weight of the Ring causes you to annoint yourself emporer and comments start rolling in about your new clothes? ;^)
Well, Ph, feel free to keep deluding yourself that Tolkien is as deep and enriching as Conrad and Wagner. Like Lucas's Star Wars stories, Tolkien's are nothing more than simplistic rehashes of traditional and time honored themes. The fact that you call Tolkien's books "Literature" when they are merely pulpy pop-culture entertainment speaks volumes.Not sure why you keyed on the "someone like me" statement as being some egotistical remark . . . It could just as easily been the word "someone" by itself.
If my words have not bothered you, why continue harping on them so much for days and days? To what end? And again, I said these things not as an insult to those that enjoyed the Tolkien stories, it's YOU that chose to take them that way.
You can continue with your weak and unfounded complaints about my being "uninformed", but the reality is that you choose to read much more into the Tolkein stories than is actually there.
Again, with the winning and losing analogies (WRT to the poker comment)! You are the only man on the battlefield. Talk about chasing windmills . . . !
I think that you're still Lost in La Mancha! :o)BTW, I could be mistaken, but one possible reason "we just don't see eye to eye" on RoTK is that after Frodo completed his epic sojourn to Mount Doom your's crumbled! ;^D
Just teasin'!
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