Nov. 24th, 2004

shadowkat: (Default)
[Sorry, I'm sucking at coming up with good subject titles at the moment.]

Been pondering something ever since I finished reading my flist last night.
Made it back to November 20th. Quite entertaining actually. Two trends on my list: Everyone who saw the Mountain, hated it. But seemed to like Marsters performance more or less. Everyone who saw The Incredibles, enjoyed it, but had serious problems with the themes. Something else stuck out at me as well, besides the two trends. Or maybe my brain just picked up on it, because of a conversation I'd had this Sunday at a friend's baby shower.

The conversation was about television. A woman was informing me that she usually didn't read or watch anything unless someone else recommended it to her. Someone she trusted. She'd missed the first six episodes of Joan of Arcadia, because she had decided, without trying it out first, that it was crap. Then a friend, she trusted, convinced her otherwise, and voila! she's a fan. Same thing happened with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Farscape.

I didn't think much of this conversation until last night, after I'd read my flist.

Two weeks ago I saw the movie "The Incredibles". I was ambivalent about seeing it and hoped the message would not grate on my nerves. I'd read in a Magazine review (Entertainment Weekly), that the director/writer's message seemed to be that "being super is a right and a responsibility". This line grated on me in a way that the reviewer, who adored the film, probably did not anticipate. It felt a little Ayn Randian to me. And I was not sure I could handle the film. Have become increasingly egalitarian as I grow older. So I went to the film with cjlasky with much trepidation. And very low expectations. Was pleasantly surprised. While there were hints of Ayn Rand throughout, I also saw things that counter-acted it. Such as valuing life is a strength not a weakness. And
finding a way to use your strengths in "your own way" not by emulating/copying others or attempting to get their validation by becoming them. As a result, I liked the Incredibles much more than I expected. Then I came online last night, and read several posts condemning the ideaology of the movie - to the extent in which I felt an odd sense of shame for enjoying it. Shame that I had not picked up those same themes. Was I anti-egalitarian because I enjoyed the Incredibles and didn't pick up on the themes? Did it say something about me?
Whose opinion on this is credible anyway?

This brings me to a question I have for anyone who is reading this (assuming of course anyone is):
"How much of your opinion regarding a work of art, book, play, tv show, movie,
or piece of music is influenced by other people?"

Here's a short meme:
1. Name a favorite show that you began watching because someone else
recommended it. How important is that show to you.
2. Name a tv show or book or movie that you persuaded someone else to try.
3. Name an episode of TV show, a movie, or a book - that you changed your mind about after reading a post or review or hearing a friend talk about it.
How did they change your mind? Did you like it and now have mixed feelings?
Did you hate it, and now like it?
4. Do you read reviews before buying a book, DVD, or seeing a movie or tv show?
If so, how do the reviews influence your choice? Or do you tend to veer away from reviews and test it for yourself?
5. Are there any movies or tv shows or books you would never admit to watching or reading, because you fear how others will regard you? (This is a tough question to answer for obvious reasons.)

Here's my answers: My answers to the meme )

Profile

shadowkat: (Default)
shadowkat

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jul. 16th, 2025 04:23 am
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios