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Visions of Obliquity |
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by
The Bastard |
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Why We
Love Stupid Movies: A Study In Mediocrity
OK, so we all know Mr.. Deeds rocked the box office when it opened. Ebert
and Roeper gave the fucking crocodile hunter movie (crikey!) two thumbs up.
Now, Austin Powers: Goldmember just broke new comedic ground with it's huge
opening weekend. Are the masses so easily duped? Maybe I'm just jaded, but
correct me if I'm wrong: Austin Powers is a one-time gag that has been done
three times now, in three consecutive movies. Is no one tired of sleazy Yeah
Baby's and Oh Behave?
I used to wonder why these movies got made, but the answer is obvious:
Because people go see them. But why do people see them? Am I really the only
one who can tell how bad a movie is going to suck by the previews? Is a
scab-eating man with a gold dick really that funny?
The answer to that second question is NO. I waited until after the opening
weekend and used my press pass to get into the theater for free so I could
write about this intelligently...and who knows, I thought. Maybe it will be
funny.
I couldn't have been more wrong. Granted the first minute was kind of funny,
but beyond that there was no real plot, no character development, and gaping
holes in the story. It was, I can comfortably say, one of the worst movies
I've ever seen.
Yet, here we are.
Most people say I'm taking this too seriously, that I shouldn't expect plot
(gasp!) and character development (cringe) from a 'popcorn' movie. This
makes me want to vomit with shame and disgust. A lot of people I've talked
to say they go see movies like this 'too escape'. Escape what? Taste? I love
comedies as much as the next guy but I'm a stickler on one aspect: IT HAS TO
BE FUNNY. The trouble is no one wants to think at the movies anymore, no one
wants to use their imagination or try and find a meaning behind the images
on the screen. Most people want to be spoon-fed entertainment, they want
something familiar, something pre-packaged, something they can sum up in one
too-often repeated line.
Yeah, baby.
Or maybe it's just me... |
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