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What is the appeal of "depressing" movies?
Posted on 4/23/13 at 12:39 pm
Posted on 4/23/13 at 12:39 pm
I was reading the thread on Perks of Being a Wallflower and THE word that kept surfacing more than any overall was depressing. Quite often followed by "...but I loved it"
So what is the appeal of a movie that evokes depression? I get the adrenaline rush from being scared in a horror flick or in an action flick. I understand the happiness from comedies. Like the giddiness from goofy romantic comedies. But why are you pulled to see a movie that you know (at least anecdotally)will evoke depression?
So what is the appeal of a movie that evokes depression? I get the adrenaline rush from being scared in a horror flick or in an action flick. I understand the happiness from comedies. Like the giddiness from goofy romantic comedies. But why are you pulled to see a movie that you know (at least anecdotally)will evoke depression?
13
Posted on 4/23/13 at 12:41 pm to Tiger inTampa
Well, mostly on how it can reflect the real world and how identifying that can be. There is a harsh reality, and film needs to address this. Developing a bond with a group of characters where things don't really work out for them can be a nice change of pace where the good guys always win in the end.
Posted on 4/23/13 at 12:42 pm to Tiger inTampa
Because there is beauty in every human emotion.
Posted on 4/23/13 at 12:45 pm to Tiger inTampa
sometimes you just don't feel like being cheered up.
Posted on 4/23/13 at 12:45 pm to Scruffy
quote:this
Because there is beauty in every human emotion.
art should move you in some way. some people only want to be happy/excited. others enjoy the full gamut
Posted on 4/23/13 at 12:46 pm to Tiger inTampa
I hate depressing movies. My life is hard enough and I see movies for an escape. It's why I hate WWII and really most modern war movies and serious druggie movies. I'll never forgive the Notebook.
Posted on 4/23/13 at 12:46 pm to Tiger inTampa
Because not everything in life is happy and adrenaline pumping. Art reflects life.
Posted on 4/23/13 at 12:48 pm to Tiger inTampa
I didn't find it really depressing. It was cathartic, but so are a lot of movies.
BTW, watch this movie if you haven't seen it already.
I don't get into depressing movies, like The Help. I'm just not interested in seeing someone's pretty sucky life become suckier.
BTW, watch this movie if you haven't seen it already.
I don't get into depressing movies, like The Help. I'm just not interested in seeing someone's pretty sucky life become suckier.
Posted on 4/23/13 at 12:58 pm to Tiger inTampa
quote:
What is the appeal of "depressing" movies?
Usually the story.
Posted on 4/23/13 at 1:05 pm to constant cough
quote:
Usually the story
Actually, I'd go with more the characters. There are plenty of movies that attempt to be depressing, but fail because you don't give a shite about the characters. The plot may still be pretty good, but without characters to connect to, you won't really give a frick. Revenge of the Sith pops into my head as a film that tries and fails completely.
Posted on 4/23/13 at 1:12 pm to Tiger inTampa
I like dark movies
Dark sci fi or dark adventure is a plus
Aliens
Dark knight
Empire
Blade runner
Dark sci fi or dark adventure is a plus
Aliens
Dark knight
Empire
Blade runner
Posted on 4/23/13 at 1:20 pm to biglego
quote:
My life is hard enough and I see movies for an escape.
It's because of this attitude that I find escapist movies to be genuinely depressing. People are running from their lives to watch some brainless crap, and that's actually legitimately depressing for real people, not fictional ones.
I find Michael Bay movies to be depressing.
Posted on 4/23/13 at 1:23 pm to Tiger inTampa
Catharsis
Posted on 4/23/13 at 1:29 pm to Tiger inTampa
"Depressing" movies are usually more real-to-life than feel good, happy ending-type movies.
ETA: They're more relatable.
ETA: They're more relatable.
This post was edited on 4/23/13 at 1:32 pm
Posted on 4/23/13 at 2:04 pm to Patrick_Bateman
Mystic River was pretty damn depressing, but the story and acting were good.
Edmond was kinda depressing, but there were a lot of little subplots going on, plus I like Macy.
Edmond was kinda depressing, but there were a lot of little subplots going on, plus I like Macy.
Posted on 4/23/13 at 2:10 pm to Tiger inTampa
quote:
So what is the appeal of a movie that evokes depression?
I don't know. To me, Donnie Darko is an incredibly depressing movie. I've only seen it once. While I enjoyed it, I've had no desire to watch it again.
American Beauty is, by in large, a depressing movie. Its starts off telling you Lester is gonna die, and ends with Lester dying, and no real resolution with any of the characters, except for Lester. I've watched it many times and thoroughly enjoy it.
What does that mean? I don't know. Movies can be good if the invoke an emotional response. American Beauty does for me, Donnie Darko does not.
Posted on 4/23/13 at 2:19 pm to DelU249
quote:
I like dark movies
Oh I like dark (in tone) movies that are not necessarily depressing. Those movies you mentioned fall into that for me. I guess I just have a different opinion of entertainment. And i guess that's ok because things like entertainment, beauty, taste are all so subjective it leaves room for all of us.....even the depressed.
Posted on 4/23/13 at 2:37 pm to Tiger inTampa
I'll answer your question by asking another:
What is the appeal of listening to "depressing" music?
I'm sure you've heard depressing songs before. Some are extremely popular. Do you only listen to "Let's Get It Started"?
What is the appeal of listening to "depressing" music?
I'm sure you've heard depressing songs before. Some are extremely popular. Do you only listen to "Let's Get It Started"?
Posted on 4/23/13 at 2:50 pm to LoveThatMoney
quote:
What is the appeal of listening to "depressing" music?
Exactly.
quote:
I'm sure you've heard depressing songs before
Of course. But I don't seek them out for entertainment.
quote:
Some are extremely popular
As are some movies, which is why i posed the question.
quote:
Do you only listen to "Let's Get It Started"?
Nope don't listen to anything in exclusivity. But, I don't listen to Morrisey either. Your point?
Look LoveThat I wasn't bashing, just trying to understand the appeal.
Posted on 4/23/13 at 3:04 pm to Baloo
quote:
It's because of this attitude that I find escapist movies to be genuinely depressing. People are running from their lives to watch some brainless crap, and that's actually legitimately depressing for real people, not fictional ones.
I see what you're saying, although I don't necessarily want a brainless movie. I just don't want a depressing movies.
Looper I found depressing. It was well done by I never want to see it again and I didn't leave the theater thinking what an enjoyable two hours I'd had.
This post was edited on 4/23/13 at 3:06 pm
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