Gay Guy,
The clip above is "Pure," an action movie montage from professional film editor Jacob Bricca. In his words, it's a "meditation on genre, a commentary on visual cliches, and a celebration of the visceral pleasures of cinema." Sounds a little like master's thesis mumbo jumbo to me, but the final product is worth a look. It is interesting to notice the "predictability of certain images" as he cuts from fifty (or so) modern action films. (link)
Note the swagger, the stride, the sideways glance of the contemporary tough guy. Then watch all hell break loose. Including explosion-propelled jet skis -- and helicopters flying at extremely low altitude. Watch out! Oops, too late.
I won't suggest that these films are for straight guys only, as a previous post on destructoporn identified fans on both sides. But this is obviously also a study in modern masculinity. So, where are the women? Well, few of them are cut in just after the three minute mark. Was it me or were they all screaming in terror? Ugh. I get the trappings of the genre, but that point seems a little dated given how deconstructed that stereotype has become in the post-Buffy age. Especially considering that a few of the clipped films already have great examples of ass-kicking female protagonists.
I guess I get the bigger point. But if Pure is "commentary on the ubiquity and predictability of certain images in contemporary cinema," then why do I fall for these films again and again? The good ones anyway. Speed 2 and the first Matrix film might share a few visual cues, but one is rubbish and the other is art (please tell me you can guess which is which, GG).
Any proven formula will have repetitive elements, right? Who said "All art is derivative"?
For our readers who don't click with the action genre, I have recently become aware of the Mo Movie Measure (or Bechdel Test) which allows some lesbians (and many women in general) to screen films and watch only those that meet the following criteria:
1) there are at least two female characters
2) who talk to each other
3) about something other than a man
Good luck with that. I'm sorry it's so hard. Seriously.
I don't have that many rules. And by the way, action is not the only genre that I dig. But I'm still not ready for the Merchant-and-Ivory-a-thon that GG keeps threatening to put together.
Readers?
--Straight Guy
UPDATE: Almost forgot to mention the Samberg/Ferrell spoof: "Cool Guys Don't Look at Explosions." LINK
19 comments:
The rules are too funny, sadly that creates a very short list of "popular" movies that make the grade. But as Hollywood is a for profit industry and not a socially responsible company, they look for the bottom line. That means SELL, SELL, SELL. Formulas/stereotypes work and SELL! Who is the target audience for most products? 15-45 year-olds. Women have their romantic comedies and men have their action-adventure. Just like politics, if you target a specific audience, you lose constituency. Everyone dishing out $$$ fears it and will block it at all costs for fear of a loss.
I dunno SG, I can't say as I recognized many of those movies...I mean, the Fugitive of course (always a fan of Harrison Ford), but that seemed pretty masculine from what I saw. I doubt their fan base (as Dorn points out) was for gays.
Ah, sad. Gotta love the modern age huh?
Having started to read his commentary about "Pure" it confirms or maybe gives some creedence to the fact that music reflects the sign of the times.
He was inspired by a song by Jesus Lizard which is a band I actually liked and mentioned in one of my posts. He seems to have been nspired by this song and made the video to match this song. I think that's cool!
I recognise most of those movies - but for me the faves are Matrix and Blade!
I don't think my life would have been any less fulfilled if I hadn't seen all of the Diehard movies....but I will admit to wanting Taylor (18) to see them all. I keep telling him they're "classics" and simply must be viewed.
I think you men (notice I did not say you men looooove your violence and this is your way of vicariously living with it w/o landing in the clinker.
Just my 2 cents...
I'm curious to find out what blog system you have been utilizing? I'm eхperiеnсing ѕome small sеcurity problemѕ
ωіth my latеst ѕite and I'd like to find something more safe. Do you have any suggestions?
my blog post - muscle
Τhis is my fiгst timе go to ѕee аt heгe and i am gеnuinеly impгesѕеԁ to read eѵerthing at singlе рlaсe.
Visіt my web blog - healthy. young
Μy brotheг suggеsted I might like thіs blog.
Не was totally right. Thіѕ ρoѕt actually made my dаy.
Үou сan not imaginе just hοw much time
ӏ haԁ spent for this info! Thanks!
Lοοκ into my web blog healthy. young
I don't know whether it's just me or if everybody else encountering issues with your website.
It appears like some of the written text on your posts
are running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this
is happening to them too? This may be a issue with my internet browser because I've had this happen before. Thanks
My blog ... tracker.marinsm.com
Hello! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I'd figured I'd ask.
Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or
vice-versa? My blog discusses a lot of the same topics
as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you're interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Awesome blog by the way!
Look at my weblog - testeronemedicinal Plant
Thiѕ is a topіc which is nеaг tο
my hеart... Take cаre! Exаctly ωheгe are youг сontact detаils though?
Ϲhecκ out my web ρagе
:: www.photomatic.ca
Selecting An Memorable Present Meant for Mum
Also visit my blog ... cyanide
I knew I'd have to put in some work and some effort.
Not only is it rewarding it's not that difficult to do, which is why I like it.
If people are in need of e - Books then, try to prepare e - Books.
Feel free to surf to my page; way to make money
I am sure this article has touched all the internet visitors,
its really really pleasant piece of writing on building up
new webpage.
Review my webpage - edit sound
you're in reality a excellent webmaster. The site loading velocity is incredible.
It kind of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick.
Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you've performed a magnificent process
in this topic!
my web-site: michael kors hamilton quilted
Hoԝdy! Somеone in my Myspacе group shаred this ѡebѕite with us so I
cаme to check it out. I'm definitely loving the information. I'm
bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my fоllowers!
Exceptional Ьlog and terrific design ɑnd style.
Visit my web page :: To get Free Xbox Live Codes Cliсk Here (https://www.agryd.com/profile-690125/info/)
I understand it sounds cheap, but I ran across a beautiful vintage outdoors lantern on a hard rubbish collection over the weekend!
Now I am looking for wrought iron patio chairs to match.
You know precisely what they say, one mans trash is another mans prize!
Feel free to surf to my web site: nests of tables; http://sstforum.org,
Beverly Lerner: Oh boy, you're not an audio
system, as you chair peak have access to other Adobe software as well.
Always remember that there is no better time to benefit from exceptional growth of cloud-computing.
You probably use it every week, and a speaker should never face the corner of a room as perfectly as black.
Here is my homepage; nightlife.dreamy-stars.com []
ңave you ever considered writіng an ebook or guest authoring on other
blogs? I have a blοg based on tɦe same subjects yoou discuss and would love to have you share som stories/information. I know
mmʏ readеrs would vɑlue your work. If you arre even remotely interested, feel free to sennd me an email.
my webloǥ :: why invest In real estate
Hi there it's me, I am also visiting this web page regularly, this website is really nice and the users are genuinely sharing good thoughts.
Also visit my site; somatodrol
Post a Comment