I watched a violent film on TV the other day. It was titled Roadhouse and was set in the Florida Keys area. The plot was corny and acting average. The outstanding feature was the relentless violence.
The Old Girl watched a violent film on TV yesterday. It was titled The Bee Keeper. The plot was corny and acting average. The outstanding feature was the relentless violence.
In both these fims the violence was glamourised. It was presented in an offhand and flippant way so as to be attractive to viewers - particularly young and impressionable viewers (and of course older and stupid viewers). There was very little aftermath shown and explosions, car crashes, shootings etc were all done 'Hollywood style' with noise, fireworks and the obligatory 'funny' one liners from the 'hero'. Shit! It's no wonder that we have gangs of schoolkids beating each other up, robbing other kids and stomping on their heads. Their understanding of violence is not in the sickening reality of physical and psychological injury, brain damage or death but in the excitement and empowerment it brings.
Richard in his latest post mentioned that his very youg grandson is acting out the violence he sees in films and TV shows but thankfully the parents are aware and are taking steps to limit his viewing of this. Good on them. How many other parents though are aware of what their kids are viewing and what effect it has on them.
I'm sick of this mass produced violence which seems to have become more prevalent nowadays. In the old days - my time - the violence was bloodless with cowboys, Indians and soldiers taking a hit with no visible signgs of the sort of damage that results in death. This, while not being done in a fun way was dangerous in that it wasn't scary. In the 1970s, cinema became more graphic with the likes of Peckinpah, Jodorowsky et al showing violence as scary and sickening. There was no fun or Arnie-type one-liners when someone had their head or limbs blown off. Sadly this is becoming less frequent.
AI Overview
Violence in modern films is pervasive and increasing, with PG-13 movies now containing as much or more violence than R-rated ones, blurring lines between entertainment and reality, raising concerns about desensitization and aggression, yet also serving as a storytelling tool to explore themes like power, trauma, and survival, with some viewers finding catharsis or learning skills in a safe environment, though research highlights negative impacts like increased aggression and decreased empathy, particularly with realistic, consequence-free portrayals.
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