Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by jamesgarvin (A) on April 01, 2005 at 06:50:41

In Reply to: Re: Superb entertainment but it fails the greatness test: posted by Victor Khomenko on March 31, 2005 at 16:12:50:

Is there anything I would refuse to watch? As opposed to try to avoid watching? Well, I suspect that if someone had a movie of adult having graphic sex with young girls or boys, I would refuse to watch. Or if someone had a movie of a live killing.

But then, the subject matter would prevent from ever watching those films. On the other hand, if I, or anyone else watched a film, I must assume that the subject matter did NOT prevent me or them from watching. I certainly have watched films for which I did not agree with the subject matter, or it made me uncomfortable, particularly if the film was political. However, once I watched the film, I did not decide whether it was good or bad based upon whether I liked or enjoyed the subject matter.

I am not arguing about someone refusing to watch a movie because of the subject matter. But rather, someone watching a movie despite the subject matter, then making a conclusion as to it's merits based upon whether they enjoy the subject matter. There is a vast difference. Just as there is great art work, great music, and great photographs that depict unpleasant subjects, there are great films which do the same, The Godfather among them. When you go to an art museum, do you disqualify paintings and photographs as being great because of the subject? Then why do so with film?