As of late I've become increasingly aware of a certain personality trait I possess. While I can't say whether or not its a universal one we all share, I can say it's not one I run into often. Basically, I often find myself, mostly due to my satirical and ranting nature, going on with people in a joking manner, mocking certain films. Not a rarity in the blogging community by a longshot, I would say. Yet, it has been my experience that people pretty much stick to films that they dislike when dealing with mocking. I don't. I can spend an afternoon tearing apart a Smurf vs. Na'Vi battle on twitter, then cap off the evening with a better, who would be better in bed: Ian McKellen or Dumbledore (for the record, IM all the way).
All the while, I fully enjoy my Harry Potter, LOTR, Smurf tv shows, and a bit of Avatar goes down just fine. I don't mind spending the morning taking sly jabs at Cars then the evening cheering on Lightning McQueen in a high octane race. Why? I suppose I just enjoy making fun of things. It's in my nature to look at something and immediately think of all possible comical associations I can. By the same token, its in my nature to look at that same thing and think whether or not its of any noteworthy quality.
The two aspects of my personality aren't entirely separate, but I don't believe they have to overlap. I can perfectly well make fun of the Hyena laughter from Rashomon, then spend a week debating the conflicting battle between reality and morality the film spins. But I'm also aware that lots of people don't do this, and in turn find it odd. As if somehow me making fun of a film is of equal measure as me stating my disinterest towards it - or worse yet mocking them for enjoying it. I'd like to say right now - it's not. No offense, but when I go into the 'make fun of movies mode' I don't think to myself "well, I better not offend X, he likes this movie."
The reason I don't think that? Simple. Because when I go to make fun of a film, I'm simply making fun of it. I take the piss out of Twilight daily, but I still stand by my original 5/10. Jersey Shore, that show is made to be insulted, but I enjoyed the two episodes I saw (sorry people, two was enough - I have a natural allergic reaction to that much oil). The fine line between insulting a film and insulting people who enjoy it only exists if you define yourself by that association. I love Kurosawa to death, but I don't define myself. If I see someone making fun of Kurosawa, I may just take part. Or I may retire to a corner and weep uncontrollably until I simply lack the water to go on living. It's a toss up at best.
Getting back on track. What I'm trying to say is this: it's OK to make fun of movies without making fun of people who enjoy movies. It's even OK to make fun of your own favorite movies. Yes, you're allowed to re-imagine the awesomeness that would be The Good, The Bad and the Ugly with Tom Cruise, Bob Dylan, and Emilio Estevez instead of Eastwood, Van Cleef, and Wallach. It's your right, and I cheer you for doing it. Because I'm going to be honest and say yes, if you have a favorite movies, odds are I've made fun of it. If I've seen it. But that's not really necessary. Just don't think I'm making fun of you. Trust me, when I am, you'll know it.
8 better thoughts:
I used to possess a lot more sarcasm and snark, so know where you're coming from.
I don't like to make fun of films, but yeah, some films are meant to be made fun of.
You say it, brother. People need to calm down about their sacred movies being made fun of. Deal with it. I can make fun of Singin' in the Rain as much as I want, it will still be my absolute favorite film.
And I won't be offended if someone else doesn't like it. Whatever.
Uh-oh...who'd you piss off?
You make fun of Fletch...and we ain't speakin' no more. That's all I'm saying. :P
@AlexJ used too? where'd you lose it!?
@Lesya Some are meant to be made fun of, but I think all can be made fun of.
@Alex Here here!
@Fletch *quickly deletes tomorrow's blog post*
Ahah I love it when I make some WTF remark about some small of aspect of a movie and immediately get some massive rant from a fan boy.
Back when I reviewed the latest Star Trek movie, I made a remark about one of the extra dying like a retard during the parachute sequence and someone soon posted a nasty comment like I insulted his mother.
I tend to avoid making fun of movies I like, just because once one piece of criticism is out there, it never leaves, and that one flaw can speak octaves louder than all it's praises. For me, anyway.
And that's how one makes things completely about them. Take notes.
@Castor For reference sake, I would probably say that's walking a thin line between caustic and rude... Just like RDJ says "you never go full retard," even when being witty.
@Simon That is true, but then again people are obsessive flaw finders (with respect to massively popular things) so I put little faith in that.
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