Comments on: As I look at the hundreds of movies I own I realize now I am the victim…yeah right… http://bobsaget.wordpress.com/2007/04/10/as-i-look-at-the-hundreds-of-movies-i-own-i-realize-now-i-am-the-victimyeah-right/ Just another WordPress.com weblog Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:04:59 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: annieeinna http://bobsaget.wordpress.com/2007/04/10/as-i-look-at-the-hundreds-of-movies-i-own-i-realize-now-i-am-the-victimyeah-right/#comment-32 annieeinna Sun, 22 Apr 2007 17:17:57 +0000 http://bobsaget.wordpress.com/2007/04/10/as-i-look-at-the-hundreds-of-movies-i-own-i-realize-now-i-am-the-victimyeah-right/#comment-32 Hey Bob, how are you? As I just stated on Ryans blog, that is all I view movie as aswell. I think they are just mad b/c of what happened to them with the war ( which is understandable ) but I think movies are a real outlet for us at times. I think we get to feel emotions that we usually do not. I can understand where they come from, but they should understand us too! Hey Bob, how are you? As I just stated on Ryans blog, that is all I view movie as aswell. I think they are just mad b/c of what happened to them with the war ( which is understandable ) but I think movies are a real outlet for us at times. I think we get to feel emotions that we usually do not. I can understand where they come from, but they should understand us too!

]]> By: sherrig12 http://bobsaget.wordpress.com/2007/04/10/as-i-look-at-the-hundreds-of-movies-i-own-i-realize-now-i-am-the-victimyeah-right/#comment-31 sherrig12 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 03:45:09 +0000 http://bobsaget.wordpress.com/2007/04/10/as-i-look-at-the-hundreds-of-movies-i-own-i-realize-now-i-am-the-victimyeah-right/#comment-31 Brett, I absolutely agree with you. We are not victims. A victim, as defined by the Oxford dictionary is "a person injured or killed as a result of an event or circumstance" or a "person or thing injured or destroyed in pursuit of an object or gratification of a passion etc." I'm pretty sure that both you and I were not injured, killed or destroyed. I think if H and A were to hear our responses to their criticim right now they would tell us that we are simply a product of the system and cannot therefore see outside of it. To me, this is nothing more than a bunch of BS. I'm not being ignorant, like you I understand that the film industry is in it to make money, but its not the industry that tells us what to watch. The reason we see more and more sequels and third and fourth versions of movies is because we spend our money on them and encourage more. Because we, in terms of the masses, enjoyed the movies. There have been plenty of movies that have been very hyped up and when they come out the amount of money they make is significantly less than what was expected. A great example of this is the use of U Tube. There is not money exchanging hands yet people have become famous for the videos they have made. We choose to watch these, there is no monetary value involved and anyone can make one. This flies in the face of what H and A have said. Brett,
I absolutely agree with you. We are not victims. A victim, as defined by the Oxford dictionary is “a person injured or killed as a result of an event or circumstance” or a “person or thing injured or destroyed in pursuit of an object or gratification of a passion etc.” I’m pretty sure that both you and I were not injured, killed or destroyed. I think if H and A were to hear our responses to their criticim right now they would tell us that we are simply a product of the system and cannot therefore see outside of it. To me, this is nothing more than a bunch of BS. I’m not being ignorant, like you I understand that the film industry is in it to make money, but its not the industry that tells us what to watch. The reason we see more and more sequels and third and fourth versions of movies is because we spend our money on them and encourage more. Because we, in terms of the masses, enjoyed the movies. There have been plenty of movies that have been very hyped up and when they come out the amount of money they make is significantly less than what was expected. A great example of this is the use of U Tube. There is not money exchanging hands yet people have become famous for the videos they have made. We choose to watch these, there is no monetary value involved and anyone can make one. This flies in the face of what H and A have said.

]]> By: atticfox http://bobsaget.wordpress.com/2007/04/10/as-i-look-at-the-hundreds-of-movies-i-own-i-realize-now-i-am-the-victimyeah-right/#comment-29 atticfox Sun, 15 Apr 2007 17:37:12 +0000 http://bobsaget.wordpress.com/2007/04/10/as-i-look-at-the-hundreds-of-movies-i-own-i-realize-now-i-am-the-victimyeah-right/#comment-29 Hey Brett, Hearing you speak of your dislike of cookie cutter movies in class makes me think that you are closer to siding with H&A than you realize. Just as they felt America was complacent and somehow needed to break free from the stranglehold of late-capitalist movie markets, you seem to agree since you say a person's taste in movies determines whether or not you'd be friends with them. (That was an awesome statement, by the way. I'm with you on this one.) Movie taste is telling of intelligence, I think. To watch something mindless and admit that it is mindless is one thing. To herald Legally Blonde as brilliance is quite another. Your dislike of the Academy would make H&A proud too. In visiting Oscars.com, the main focus (according to front page font size) is "all the glamour, all the style." Our obsession with celebrity is disgusting. What about the art for art's sake? That art which is produced as a way to step out of the system of over stylized production for the sake of box office performance is the path to redemption. The film industry does occasionally demonstrate the ability to break from the mold. I find that theater appears to embody a purer element of art for the sake of art rather than to promote the market of overdone plot lines and billion dollar gratuitous effects that in no way enhance the content of many films (like "Gone in 60 Seconds," for instance). Sadly, the participants of Cannes and Telluride don't always become mainstream for the very reason H&A complain about. Where was the hype over the sleeper "An Unfinished Life?" What an amazing film! It cost 30 million to produce and returned a mere pittance of 8.5 million. (Numbers retrieved from BoxOfficeMojo.com.) The industry is very limited in scope and tends to feel threatened by anything that falls outside the box simply because of their need to reclaim the bottom line investment. Such is the nature of movies in the late-capitalist era. - Kim Hey Brett,

Hearing you speak of your dislike of cookie cutter movies in class makes me think that you are closer to siding with H&A than you realize. Just as they felt America was complacent and somehow needed to break free from the stranglehold of late-capitalist movie markets, you seem to agree since you say a person’s taste in movies determines whether or not you’d be friends with them. (That was an awesome statement, by the way. I’m with you on this one.) Movie taste is telling of intelligence, I think. To watch something mindless and admit that it is mindless is one thing. To herald Legally Blonde as brilliance is quite another. Your dislike of the Academy would make H&A proud too. In visiting Oscars.com, the main focus (according to front page font size) is “all the glamour, all the style.” Our obsession with celebrity is disgusting. What about the art for art’s sake?

That art which is produced as a way to step out of the system of over stylized production for the sake of box office performance is the path to redemption. The film industry does occasionally demonstrate the ability to break from the mold. I find that theater appears to embody a purer element of art for the sake of art rather than to promote the market of overdone plot lines and billion dollar gratuitous effects that in no way enhance the content of many films (like “Gone in 60 Seconds,” for instance).

Sadly, the participants of Cannes and Telluride don’t always become mainstream for the very reason H&A complain about. Where was the hype over the sleeper “An Unfinished Life?” What an amazing film! It cost 30 million to produce and returned a mere pittance of 8.5 million. (Numbers retrieved from BoxOfficeMojo.com.) The industry is very limited in scope and tends to feel threatened by anything that falls outside the box simply because of their need to reclaim the bottom line investment. Such is the nature of movies in the late-capitalist era.

- Kim

]]> By: Ryan http://bobsaget.wordpress.com/2007/04/10/as-i-look-at-the-hundreds-of-movies-i-own-i-realize-now-i-am-the-victimyeah-right/#comment-25 Ryan Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:00:20 +0000 http://bobsaget.wordpress.com/2007/04/10/as-i-look-at-the-hundreds-of-movies-i-own-i-realize-now-i-am-the-victimyeah-right/#comment-25 Well Bret As it is mandated by law, we agree with each other. I too felt that using the word victim to describe movie-goers seemed a bit outrageous. Movies are movies, and either I choose not to see an alterior motive behind movies, or there just isn't one there. And maybe movies are becoming tedious and seemingly the same thing over again, but that's just because we have exhausted almost every original idea out there. Simpsons did it, may be a universal symbol that we've gone as far as we can go. But that's not a bad thing. I am looking so forward to Die Hard 4 and Spiderman 3, it doesnt matter that they're a continuation. These are stories and characters that we have become invested in and care about. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, I don't feel like a victim when watching a movie. Well Bret
As it is mandated by law, we agree with each other. I too felt that using the word victim to describe movie-goers seemed a bit outrageous. Movies are movies, and either I choose not to see an alterior motive behind movies, or there just isn’t one there. And maybe movies are becoming tedious and seemingly the same thing over again, but that’s just because we have exhausted almost every original idea out there. Simpsons did it, may be a universal symbol that we’ve gone as far as we can go. But that’s not a bad thing. I am looking so forward to Die Hard 4 and Spiderman 3, it doesnt matter that they’re a continuation. These are stories and characters that we have become invested in and care about. So I guess what I’m trying to say is, I don’t feel like a victim when watching a movie.

]]> By: carawhalen http://bobsaget.wordpress.com/2007/04/10/as-i-look-at-the-hundreds-of-movies-i-own-i-realize-now-i-am-the-victimyeah-right/#comment-24 carawhalen Tue, 10 Apr 2007 21:27:27 +0000 http://bobsaget.wordpress.com/2007/04/10/as-i-look-at-the-hundreds-of-movies-i-own-i-realize-now-i-am-the-victimyeah-right/#comment-24 I can see where you feel that Horkheimer and Adorno have too much time on their hands!! However, even though we have new movies coming out aren't they just repeating the same ideas or themes that have already been done, yet just presenting them in a slightly different manner? I also can understand where you feel that Adorno and Horkheimer stating that people who watch movies to be victims is a bit much, yet I feel that they call these people such to help solely to gain leverage in explaining their views. There are many views that were expressed throughout their work that could easily be debated. The factor of expression is definitely a main concern. Are new movies simply things that are being reproduced in a new manner or is a movie a completely new creation? I find it great that you have been filming and acting since you were younger, and thus should give you great passion when arguing this topic. Also the quote that you discussed, “the culture industry remains the entertainment business. Its influence over the consumers is established by entertainment” This just shows how the media has such power over the consumers, which would reinforce their idea...right? I'm looking forward to class tomorrow to see what everyone else feels. You had a great blog and brought forth a lot of wonderful supporting points to your argument! Good Job!! I can see where you feel that Horkheimer and Adorno have too much time on their hands!! However, even though we have new movies coming out aren’t they just repeating the same ideas or themes that have already been done, yet just presenting them in a slightly different manner? I also can understand where you feel that Adorno and Horkheimer stating that people who watch movies to be victims is a bit much, yet I feel that they call these people such to help solely to gain leverage in explaining their views. There are many views that were expressed throughout their work that could easily be debated. The factor of expression is definitely a main concern. Are new movies simply things that are being reproduced in a new manner or is a movie a completely new creation? I find it great that you have been filming and acting since you were younger, and thus should give you great passion when arguing this topic. Also the quote that you discussed, “the culture industry remains the entertainment business. Its influence over the consumers is established by entertainment” This just shows how the media has such power over the consumers, which would reinforce their idea…right? I’m looking forward to class tomorrow to see what everyone else feels. You had a great blog and brought forth a lot of wonderful supporting points to your argument! Good Job!!

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