I pity the fool who didn’t turn on Sky Two last night, cause that classic movie was on, Rocky III and really, who doesn’t love Rocky.
Okay, so I actually only watched the last 30 minutes of it. And I was also internetting at the same time, so maybe watching isn’t really the most accurate description. Nevertheless it was on the telly, and I was in the room at the time. Therefore, I watched it.
It isn’t a good film. Not like the first Rocky, or the last one, but you know, there is still something that is just appealing about these films. I’m not sure what.The plucky underdog story maybe? But is that really accurate when Rocky is the world champion? Whatever it is, it makes watching these films enjoyable.
And speaking of Stallone, Rambo: first blood was also on the telly recently. I’d seen it years ago but decided, sure it wouldn’t hurt to take a look. I could always switch over. It wasn’t as good as Rocky, but still, it was watchable. Even with the madness inherent in the plotline.
J.L. was talking about films and how the average person just wants a good story that entertains. And while I agree with most of his post about politics being just another part of life, I think I’d have to disagree with that statement. Sure a good story goes a long way to making a good film. But the average cinema goer is just as capable of appreciating the cinematography or the good acting. And you know, without those other aspects working well I don’t ever think that even a very good story could make a great film.
I’m sorta reminded of one of the morals of Dogville, that not expecting the best from the general population is merely a superiority complex. I don’t mean that everyone has to be a genius, or has to like and enjoy the same things, but just that the whole line of assuming that people just want a “simple” good story means that film makers, or producers more likely, are going to try and cater to the widest audience they can. Which of course leads to the “lowest common denominator” approach to film making. Which I think is a bad thing. Not only does it result in bad films, but it also encourages the viewer to expect bad films. I’m not saying that there isn’t a place for the silly light-hearted fluff pieces that are made. There is, and I’m a fan of some of them, like Bring it on and Demolition Man, but that doesn’t have to be the only sort of film, it shouldn’t be the only sort of film out there. Presuming that a film should only be entertainment is presuming that the average individual can’t appreciate other aspects of a film.
Of course that title is a line from Rocky III
Tags:
Bring It On,
Demolition Man,
Dogville,
expectations,
fictional heroes,
lowest common denominator,
myth,
Rambo,
Rocky,
Rocky III,
Sky Two,
Sylvester Stallone,
telly
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