Why Cant We Have Fun Anymore?

[project 86]

I have been thinking bout this for some time now and that is there have been a lot of movie fans on the internet that i feel are too stuck up.It seems like a lot of people just cant have fun at the movies anymore when it comes to going to the movies.With flicks like Crank/upcoming Gamer/ we cant people just sit back relax and have fun enjoying the spectacle that is upon you of course these are not gonna be 10/10 movies but they just look like pure fun.This is a huge reason why in my opinion we don't have action stars anymore.

[Reigh Kaufman]

I have been thinking bout this for some time now and that is there have been a lot of movie fans on the internet that i feel are too stuck up.It seems like a lot of people just cant have fun at the movies anymore when it comes to going to the movies.With flicks like Crank/upcoming Gamer/ we cant people just sit back relax and have fun enjoying the spectacle that is upon you of course these are not gonna be 10/10 movies but they just look like pure fun.This is a huge reason why in my opinion we don't have action stars anymore.

I have fun watching Antonioni.

Who do I blame for the lack of intelligent, provocative cinema?

[project 86]

^ there is room for both in my opinion i am not talking about uwe boll trash stuff like fast and furious etc.

[LordSimen]

I'm not sure I'd fully tag this as the reason we don't have any classic actions stars anymore, I'd actually probably blame something like The Matrix which made people demand more (both in terms of spectacle and thematic content) these days. I suppose that can also be traced back to people not being able to just have fun anymore, but then again- Michael Bay's still doin' his thing and doing well, so obviously some people can still have fun. ;)

[Cop No. 633]

This is a huge reason why in my opinion we don't have action stars anymore.

Because stuck up internet movie fans make the possible action stars feel guilty or "unloved" so they quit their attempt to become the next major action star?

Maybe you should explain that one again.

The last time I checked, Star Trek and Wolverine made bank at the box office. Hugh Jackman is a legitimate action star. I suppose you can say Chris Pine or Zachary Quinto are new action stars on the rise if they keep it up.

Just because Statham's last flick didn't score big doesn't mean internet movie buffs made it fail. It probably has more to do with Crank 2 being like the 5th or 6th Statham movie where he does the exact same thing. Maybe people are tired of it?

I just don't get this accusation that because we don't enjoy Crank and company, we're hate enjoying things. I enjoy my own films. So does Reigh. I can enjoy popcorn films, but they're mostly of the past because they actually cared about characters. I still think Big Trouble in Little China is one of the most entertaining movies. It's not that I hate action films or popcorn flicks, it's just that the ones made today don't interest me.

[echo_bravo]

Agreed with the rant. I dont care what someguy said in his rant (which was good by the way) BUT I love Tits and Gore in my films. It makes for an enjoyable film!

[someguy]

It looks like a lot of people didn't understand my rant, I actually agree with this one though and it looks like the poster agrees with me too since he said they aren't 10/10 movies.

I enjoy Crank, Michael Bay's movies, Star Trek, etc. but some people don't find them as entertaining. There was another rant here where someone called Crank 2 offensive and racist which I got a kick out of since it seems like such a waste of time to attack a movie like Crank 2 with those accusations. I don't have a problem with people enjoying very fun light movies, my problem is with people who hail them as cinematic masterpieces (but that's for the other thread).

Also I want to say that it's really unfair for me to lump Star Trek in the same group as Crank and Michael Bay so don't think that I'm equating them. I was just listing examples of fun movies that aim to entertain only.

[echo_bravo]

It looks like a lot of people didn't understand my rant, I actually agree with this one though and it looks like the poster agrees with me too since he said they aren't 10/10 movies.

I enjoy Crank, Michael Bay's movies, Star Trek, etc. but some people don't find them as entertaining. There was another rant here where someone called Crank 2 offensive and racist which I got a kick out of since it seems like such a waste of time to attack a movie like Crank 2 with those accusations. I don't have a problem with people enjoying very fun light movies, my problem is with people who hail them as cinematic masterpieces (but that's for the other thread).

Also I want to say that it's really unfair for me to lump Star Trek in the same group as Crank and Michael Bay so don't think that I'm equating them. I was just listing examples of fun movies that aim to entertain only.

Nah man, I am just giving you a hard time. Your rant was right on point actually for the most part. I just thought of mentioning your rant cause THIS rant made me think of it.

[razgriz21]

I enjoyed the Death Race remake mainly for the actual stunts with actual cars as opposed to CGI.

I also enjoyed Transformers and I'm looking forward to the sequel for some Summer pop corn fun on the big screen.

[Le_Big_Mac]

There's always been a division between the "buffs" and the "cinephiles," so I wouldn't say not having fun is something new. On that matter, I think there's some sort of common misconception that people who watch pretentious, artsy, acclaimed movies can only appreciate or force themselves to like these films. Sure there are those who convince themselves that they liked There Will Be Blood more than Transformers, but like Reigh proves, one can enjoy Antonioni or Altman, but in a different way than someone might enjoy Guy Ritchie or Michael Bay. Moreover, I think the ability to find things to like, such as beautiful cinematography or good editing, in movies that don't immediately reward you with laughs, scares, tits, explosions or a "high-octane thrill ride" is reason to believe that your mind is geared to be able to make films yourself.

[Sgizzy316]

There will always be people who will criticize movies and people who like those movies because they don't possess the "delicate genius" of people like the Coen Brothers or what not. Let them keep their noses up for no reason. Everyone has guilty pleasures so just enjoy the movies that you enjoy and laugh at people that care that you like those movies and look down at you for it.

[BigSugar]

Suck the bullshit out of it man, and it's all just opinion. Don't take any guff from those swine who slam you, brother. Trust me when I tell you, at least when it comes to movies, nobody knows a fucking thing.

[JohnLocke2342]

I don't agree with this rant at all because it just doesn't register with me. Why can't people who like oscar-worthy movies not have fun and enjoy Fast and Furious? How about because the former are actually entertaining to them in the way that Fast and Furious is perceived among certain people. People's unique tastes are their own unique tastes, and that's always how it will be.


Last night I watched Doubt and Star Trek. Then I caught the end of the original Transporter and finished Little Children tonight. What does that say about me? Doubt was a fantastic film (I would much rather have seen it in the best picture race over frost/nixon), and I loved Little Children... but I also dug winding down and watching Statham kick all sorts of ass in The Transporter.


I dunno.. if you like the upper echelon of film making then that's cool, and if you enjoy the mindless, average action/comedy flick then so be it. It is, of course, a movie... an art form, and a form of entertainment.

[Badbird]

I new a girl who had a boyfriend that was so stuck up he literally only wanted to watch black and white French films. I'm not kidding. That's taking yourself way too seriously. No surprise, the guy was a hipster dick.


I say why not like both kinds?

Want to know the last two movies I watched?

The 39 Steps and Terminator 3. I was entertained by both.

Is it really that hard to live in both worlds? Why can't we like in a world where people like Star Trek and Star Wars? Chocolate and Vanilla? Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter? Vaginal and Anal sex?

Am I right?

[The Postmaster General]

This reminds me of the "why can't we jerk off in theaters" thread.

[rocknblues81]

There is something that most action movies now are just missing. There is too much CGI and horrible action stars now.

I own the following movies:

Die Hard 1-4
Lethal Weapon 1-3
Rambo
Iron Man
Casino Royale
Air Force One
Assault On Precinct 13
Minority Report
The Professional
Predator 1-2
Batman Begins/TDK
Terminator 1-3
Men in Black
Doomsday
Aliens
Smokin' Aces
Beverly Hills Cop 1-2
True Lies
Dawn of the Dead
Speed
Hot Fuzz
Hostage
Children of Men
Out of Time
Jurassic Park
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Last Man Standing
The Matrix
The Jason Bourne Trilogy


That's just off of the top of my head. I'm sure I have more. I enjoy action, but the movies this decade for the most part just aren't up to snuff.

[Pentangeli]

Totally agree with the o.p. Often I watch films with my film-criticism-goggles on, but sometimes it's good to leave them at home and just try to enjoy a film. Deep Blue Sea isn't a well made film, there were too many plot holes, poor and irrelevant dialogue, and inadequate camera work. But leaving said goggles behind, DBS was a highly enjoyable experience.

[Il_Duce]

I new a girl who had a boyfriend that was so stuck up he literally only wanted to watch black and white French films. I'm not kidding. That's taking yourself way too seriously. No surprise, the guy was a hipster dick.


I say why not like both kinds?

Want to know the last two movies I watched?

The 39 Steps and Terminator 3. I was entertained by both.

Is it really that hard to live in both worlds? Why can't we like in a world where people like Star Trek and Star Wars? Chocolate and Vanilla? Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter? Vaginal and Anal sex?

Am I right?

Or Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.

But, yeah. I like the following: Terminator 3, X-Men 3, Spiderman 3, Superman Returns, all three Resident Evil movies, and a number of other films that the elite (or just RE video game fanboys) have deemed to be utter shit.

No, I've seen utter shit. I've definitely rented some ridiculously bad movies.

Oh, and note that James Cameron said that T3 was "great". And apparently he doesn't mince words since he bashed Alien 3 when it came out.

[RustyRazor]

I don't find movies "fun" overall anymore because a large assortment of the movies aren't designed to be fun.
They're designed to make money.
That's it.
Maybe it's just me but I can't and won't go see a movie born to this ideal.
I can't just disconnect and "go along for the ride".
Used to be able to, but I just can't anymore.
I go to movies that I want to see now, hoping for the best.
Very rarely disappointed.
Very rarely totally entertained.
Middle ground for me.

[Shinigami]

I think joblo.com has a very unsnotty portion of the moviegoing public. Seldom do I read anybody looking down on another schmoe for liking Transformers, or anybody on the opposite side making fun of another schmoe for preferring "higher minded" films.

Totally agree with the o.p. Often I watch films with my film-criticism-goggles on, but sometimes it's good to leave them at home and just try to enjoy a film. Deep Blue Sea isn't a well made film, there were too many plot holes, poor and irrelevant dialogue, and inadequate camera work. But leaving said goggles behind, DBS was a highly enjoyable experience.

This too. Every now and then you have people who walk into a fluff flick with an inappropriately critical eye, but joblo.com has a good balance of that too. IMO it's important for people to allow themselves to be swept up in the absurdity of movies once in awhile, while at the same time being able to refine their tastes and not be called out as snotty, stuffy. There's lots of room for that healthy gray area of movie fandom.

[poopontheshoes7]

I like what I like and thats how I look at it. I can completely enjoy and love The 49 Blows and The Seventh Seal and turn around and love Transformers and Fast and Furious. I like to be entertained and thats the simple truth. I liked to be challenged by movies. I like movies that make me think. I also like movies that can make me yell "HELL YA" when a giant robot beats the crap out of another or when a car flips over 20 times.


Whats my point? I love movies.

[EZM22]

To me, you can call yourself a movie fan once you're able to tell the difference between a serious, highbrow movie that's meant to make you ponder and think, and a movie that lets you unwind and turn off the brain. There's room for both.

I enjoy all kinds of movies just as long as they're entertaining and tell a good story. If they manage to move me or make me think deeply about other issues, then that's welcome too.

A film critic friend of mine once bashed Freddy vs. Jason for having a "weak plot, zero conflict and underdeveloped characters"; clearly he was looking to find meaning in a movie that's just meant to be a mindless romp with two movie monsters kicking the crap out of each other.

And at the same time, another friend of mine who's casual about movies complained that The Last Samurai was boring because it got slowed down by all that "dull stuff about Japanese history". Clearly he missed the fact that that was the whole point of the film.

Those extremes are what I don't get. Sometimes you can watch a movie to think and reflect, other times you just want to have some fun. And there's nothing wrong with that.

I had an absolute blast with Transformers when it came out; unlike other people I know, I wasn't complaining about the "underdeveloped plot, messy continuity, bad performances, etc." I had fun watching robots destroy everything in their path, and I knew not to ask for anything more.

[drc5145]

I new a girl who had a boyfriend that was so stuck up he literally only wanted to watch black and white French films. I'm not kidding. That's taking yourself way too seriously. No surprise, the guy was a hipster dick.

Now THAT is being a film snob. When you put down other films for not being X director or it's not of a particular genre than you're a snob of sorts.

Like other, There's room for enjoying both. That's one of the best aspects of JoBlo.com, that being in one thread you can discuss the significance and meaning of the starchild in 2001 and to the very next thread, rave about the size and scale of Devastator in Transformers 2.

I've never seen a schmoe put another one down for liking either types of films and justly so. What's sad though is that there are lots of people in the general public that will be a snob of sorts. By which I mean ignore a certain type of film because it doesn't meet one's certain criteria.

[dellamorte dellamore]

I do seem snobbish at times but really i'm just being a wiseguy when i tear into a film like Twilight . I honestly don't begrudge someone for thinking it's the height of cinema .

I'm so diverse , i can sit back and become engrossed in La Dolce Vita and the next day have a rip watching Hell of the Living Dead .

I'll be amazed at a work of art like The Sacrifice then pop in Pieces for a laugh riot .

I get just as much entertainment value from " great " films as i do mindless trash , because to me it's all a singular experience and how you respond to what you are watching is personal.

Criticizing a film is fine , it's part of the experience for me , there are times i will appreciate a z movie more because i know the person who made it didn't have as much talent or resources to create their vision but they found a way anyway . At times that's a more satisfying watch for me .


No matter , i'll watch anything from low budget horror to the latest merchant ivory production , from obscure French films to the latest b buster .

Sometimes it's not so much entertainment as it is a window into another world , no matter how dark and depressing that world may be .

[Abbie Normal]

I have been thinking bout this for some time now and that is there have been a lot of movie fans on the internet that i feel are too stuck up.It seems like a lot of people just cant have fun at the movies anymore when it comes to going to the movies.With flicks like Crank/upcoming Gamer/ we cant people just sit back relax and have fun enjoying the spectacle that is upon you of course these are not gonna be 10/10 movies but they just look like pure fun.This is a huge reason why in my opinion we don't have action stars anymore.

I mostly agree with you. There really are just a few pure haters here. Most are not stuck up, but many have an attitude.

[Natty]

I think with things like Crank 2 people may have been offended by some of the stuff that happened in the movie.

I don't feel that people who give action movies and the like low scores 'don't have fun', but that they get pleasure or enjoyment out of a movie by appreciating the filmmaking techniques or relating to the story and characters it just depends on taste really and you can't deny that in terms of filmmaking techniques the oscar stuff is better than the summer stuff (with TDK and WALL-E last year though we may be experiencing a change).

I like to think I can appreciate both kinds of films and I do enjoy watching both kinds of films.

[ArtFactoryRadio]

If the replies on this thread are anywhere close to an accurate reflection of public opinion, then it sounds like people are plenty willing to have fun as long as it's done well. For example, it sounds like the people here can totally enjoy something like The Transporter, because it's good ridiculous fun, but they feel insulted when they sit through something like the Fantastic Four.

I also know that the kind of people who come to this website tend to have broad tastes, though. So maybe the original rant is based on other experiences outside of this website.

I am also of the opinion that popcorn films are a blast, but I also enjoy great cinema. Two of my favorite films from last year were Doubt and Wanted.

[rocknblues81]

I new a girl who had a boyfriend that was so stuck up he literally only wanted to watch black and white French films. I'm not kidding. That's taking yourself way too seriously. No surprise, the guy was a hipster dick.


I say why not like both kinds?

Want to know the last two movies I watched?

The 39 Steps and Terminator 3. I was entertained by both.

Is it really that hard to live in both worlds? Why can't we like in a world where people like Star Trek and Star Wars? Chocolate and Vanilla? Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter? Vaginal and Anal sex?

Am I right?

That's the kind you find on boards like rottentomatoes.

[Heisenberg]

I'm sick of this sort of thing, Like for example Transformers. People are continuing to take the piss out of it because the script was lacking.

Hello? It's a film about giant fighting robots from out of space, not a shakespeare play. It's like 'get over yourself' Enjoy the film for what it is or don't. Don't try to compare it to other movies that are totally different in what they wanted to achieve.

[g1ng3rsnap9ed]

I don't think that we can't have fun at the movies anymore. If we couldn't than how did Crank manage to warrant a sequel?

But in all seriousness I believe that we no longer have any major action stars because a lot of them perform cgi "stunts" (*Ahem!) in comparison to the yesteryear's actually performed stunts. Just my guess tho...

[blknge89]

This has been an incredible decade and this is in the movies including, the 2nd half more so. I've had lots of fun at the movies, I do not however have any comment on the action star dilenma, I don't see what's going on there.