Hollywood's idea of "geek" or "ugly".

[Corpse Candle]

This is simple really why is it hollywood seems incapable of representing outsiders in any shade of reality.
It seems the prerequisite for a hollywood "geek" is a pair of NHS glasses (male or female) and a slioghtly unfashionable hair style.
Also the solution to gain popularity and step out of isoulation is to take off your glasses and alter your hair style.
You don't have to give up studying and endanger your education by by getting stoned 24/7 and kicking the kiving shite out of other students to prove your the daddy.

Rose tinted bollocks methinks....

Hollywood also loves to think "ugly" people are evil so the only actors/actress's capable to play roles of "ugly" people are stunningly actractive hollywood types.

I mean am I right or do we all really live in californa after all:p

[Beeblebrox]

Everything in movies and TV is pushed and stylized radically. Stereotypical characters NEED visual cues so that's what you get. Nerds wear glasses. Ugly girls are fat. Etc, etc. It's Hollywood short-hand. It's not right, IMO, but that's why they do it.

The only show I can remember that really captured the geek culture accurately was Freaks and Geeks. That show was almost TOO real.

[bankholdup]

That show was TOO perfect.

[FeverDog420]

And let's not forget Welcome to the Dollhouse.

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by Beeblebrox
The only show I can remember that really captured the geek culture accurately was Freaks and Geeks. That show was almost TOO real.

That's because they got ACTUAL freaks and geeks to star.

They missed out though...Sarah Jessica Amanda Wendy Jamie Parker Bueller Broderick must have been busy that year.

[adamjohnson]

You just wanted to say that name didnt you?....

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by adamjohnson
You just wanted to say that name didnt you?....

Am I that transparent?

It's hilarious you say that. At first, I thought she WAS on that show, and started to say that. Then I remembered she was on Square Pegs, but desperately wanted to keep the name.

Dammit, Adam. You blew my cover.;)

[electriclite]

Originally posted by Corpse Candle

Also the solution to gain popularity and step out of isoulation is to take off your glasses and alter your hair style.

Rose tinted bollocks methinks....




That actually goes as far back as the old 1940s black and whites. I remember these Gal Friday roles where the secretary would come in with her hair in a bun and black horn-rimmed glasses and all she had to do to become sexy in under 30 seconds was take the pin out of her hair and remove the glasses and BLAMMO instant hot girl!


It took me years to get myself to "unbelieve" that notion when I was a kid.:rolleyes: :D

[bankholdup]

I remember they mocked that exact thing in National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1. Nasty, hideous girl with hair in a bun and glasses, who then put her hair down, shook her head, and become Kathy Ireland. Pretty funny.

[Gretchen_Ross]

Originally posted by Corpse Candle

It seems the prerequisite for a hollywood "geek" is a pair of NHS glasses (male or female) and a slioghtly unfashionable hair style.
Also the solution to gain popularity and step out of isoulation is to take off your glasses and alter your hair style.


they actually did a pretty funny riff on this in "not another teen movie" (shut up). when the freddie prinze jr. character is challenged to turn any girl in the school into prom queen, he rejects the siamese twins and albino hippie as "too easy." however, when his friend picks out the rachel leigh cook character, he is horrified and proclaims "no way! just look at her! she's got glasses and, oh my god, a ponytail!!"

[TheJadedGamer]

Originally posted by Gretchen_Ross
they actually did a pretty funny riff on this in "not another teen movie" (shut up).

Hey, I liked Not Another Teen Movie!


Anyway, as someone who has to wear glasses, I feel that it isn't too offense, because I have, in fact, seen boobies and don't want Star Wars anymore.

I mean, there can't even be explosions in space, since there is no oxygen, the ships would implode and get knocked off course. And there also won't be any sound, since in space there is no sound. Goddamn nerds !


I'm just kidding, just ripping something from Bobcat Goldworth (sp?) that I heard on Bob and Tom.

[Scarface98.9]

It does suck how they never really give the concept of a geek or an ugly person fair treatment. Even in movies where the geeks/nerds win, like Can't Hardly Wait, they're still degraded as being nothing more than caricatures. Though it doesn't help that CHW was a really shitty movie to begin with

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by TheJadedGamer
Anyway, as someone who has to wear glasses, I feel that it isn't too offense,

Glasses are DEAD SEXY, JG. Don't forget it.

[Annie Hall]

Hollywood's problem is that they don't see the beauty in variety.

Look at the "hot" young celebrities at the mo'...

http://www.sportshollywood.com/images/getoverit/kirsten.jpg

http://britney_spears.galeon.com/spears.jpg

http://www.azreporter.com/celebrity/images/starring/jstiles.jpg

Not to say that they may not serve their purpose...but...Hollywood is filled with cookie cutter after cliche after clone. The geeks, outsiders and other "rejects" have the good fortune of being played by the likes of...

http://images.allposters.com/images/71/039_38187.jpg

http://www.writetoaceleb.com/celebinfo/natalie_portman/portman.jpg

or

http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/oct/07sec1.jpg
(Maggie Gyllenhaal)

Now, all of these girls are pretty in their own way (besides Dunst)...yet the rejects, geeks, outsiders are played by absolutely stunning chicks...

How about someone normal looking for once? C'mon, the 70s were chock-filled with average joe dudes...it would seem that movies about highschoolers would TRY....just TRY to show an actual transformation from someone who really did look bad to someone who really does look gorgeous. Guess not.

[The TZA]

Kirsten Dunst isn't pretty??

[Annie Hall]

Originally posted by The TZA
Kirsten Dunst isn't pretty??

Ooh, lairdy, don't get me started on Dunst. I happen to think, as far as actors go, she's possibly the worst on earth. Abso-fucking-lutely DREADFUL...she looks like one of those bobble heads that you put in car windows.

[The TZA]

Most young actresses are pretty shitty at acting, I was just talking about being attractive. I'm sure I must have made love to myself at least while watching a Dunst film, she's certainly more attractive than the "glamorous" more conventional beauty symbol. She's the girl next door who comes across as all innocent.... but she's a slut.

[BadCoverVersion]

Quality rant...this pisses me off NO end.

God forbid you sport eye-glasses, overalls and a ponytail 'do in a US high-school...fucks sake, surely you're beaten to a bloody pulp on a daily basis?

You like painting too?

Hopeless. Case.

Ooooooh, I love it when the ugly chick customises ye olde dress, lets down her lank locks and wows everyone at some fucking prom-stylee shindig.

*Cue gasps from all as former ugly bird enters room with most popular boy hanging from delicate lady-arm*

It's definitely a US thang (no offence folks)...you only have to look at recent Brit flicks and you'll soon discover that mere aesthetics don't count for much over here...

The Magdalene Sisters

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0318411/067.jpg

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0318411/032.jpg

Sweet Sixteen

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0313670/martin_compston_300dpi.jpg

All Or Nothing

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0286261/6M-184.jpg

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0286261/770.jpg

Young Adam

http://www.hanwayfilms.com/films/youngadam/ad2.jpg

http://www.hanwayfilms.com/films/youngadam/ad1.jpg

Don't get me wrong...we aint all ugly biffa's, we just tend to prefer our actors a wee bit worn around the edges a la Kathy Burke/Timothy Spall.

Why?

Erm...dunno.

[Corpse Candle]

Kathy Burke has outstanding abilty however I can't see hollywood touching her with a barge pole due to the fact that she isn't this siren like beauty:mad:

They are missing a great talent there....

You see even if the geek character wins the day even if he manages to thwart his enemies his new cool pals are still thinking...
"Oh this guy rocks but he's still not as cool as we are and he is still a geek but he's lucky were his friends".

There is also a culture of films that pretned to promote that only personality counts in the end and it doesn't matter what you look like.

....If I stop claping will all the fairys die.....

The fact is this isn't the truth in the eyes of hollywood geeks and the ugly people ethier don't exsist or if they do they are most deffently there for everyone elses entertainment.

So myself and Peter Beardsly are going to storm Hollywood tomorrow...:p

[The TZA]

I understand what you guys are getting at, and I think it's funny how in Hollywood movies they promote the fact that EVERYONE is gorgeous, BUT..... films like 10 Things I Hate About You or Cruel Intentions or Scream (or basically teeny flicks) would've been pretty shitty if no one was pretty. Yes we can argue that they are shitty anyway, but you know what I'm getting at.

I wouldn't want to rent out a teen comedy flick and instead of seeing Sarah Michelle Gellar teaching Selma Blair how to kiss over lunch in the park, I see Kathy Burke making out with Caroline Quentin. Yuck!

[chinton]

I have a horrible hair style and glasses and I consider myself a geek. Although maybe thats just because I have low self-esteem and self-image:D

[docholiday_13]

I'm a huge nerd.


Wait...what was this topic about?

[The TZA]

Well I'm beautiful and a dragon slayer but I'm still a geek, or I wouldn't be spending every five minutes posting on this Christing website. Man, I'm gonna do a rant about how JoBlo is a class A drug; I seriously think if my town had a powercut for one day I'd go cold turkey.

[electriclite]

Originally posted by Annie Hall
she looks like one of those bobble heads that you put in car windows.



Really? I thought Ann Coulter fit that description far better then Kirsten....... especially when she laughs.


I mean seriously. Talk about "Incoming message from the BIG GIANT HEAD":D :rolleyes: :cool:

[BostonPublicFan]

What I find a little irritating is Hilary Duff's "Lizzie McGuire."

On Lizzie McGuire, the title character is portrayed as almost sort of an outcast just because she is a little klutzy and ditzy.
Yet the look of her is flawless! She has no zits, her hair is all blonde without being dyed, straight teeth, a good figure that's not underweight, and a face that's always looking good wherever she is.

It's not to say that people who don't have what this character has can't be attractive, but the fact that this character looks perfect and she's supposed to be relatable!
I am a high school male, and I still don't know how everyday-normal girls can actually relate to Lizzie. Lizzie McGuire is the type of character that popular girls can relate to. & the fact that her traits is all about looking good, and getting boys.
Is she really supposed to be a role model? I do think Hilary Duff looks attractive, but I don't think she passes as girl-next-door personality type, which is how the media is trying to portray her.

[The TZA]

Yeah she's a slut. They all are.

[The Postmaster General]

I think Revenge of The Nerds was dead-perfect in its portrayal.

[Annie Hall]

Originally posted by BadCoverVersion
Quality rant...this pisses me off NO end.

God forbid you sport eye-glasses, overalls and a ponytail 'do in a US high-school...fucks sake, surely you're beaten to a bloody pulp on a daily basis?

You like painting too?

Hopeless. Case.

Ooooooh, I love it when the ugly chick customises ye olde dress, lets down her lank locks and wows everyone at some fucking prom-stylee shindig.

*Cue gasps from all as former ugly bird enters room with most popular boy hanging from delicate lady-arm*

It's definitely a US thang (no offence folks)...you only have to look at recent Brit flicks and you'll soon discover that mere aesthetics don't count for much over here...
The Magdalene Sisters
Sweet Sixteen
All Or Nothing
Young AdamDon't get me wrong...we aint all ugly biffa's, we just tend to prefer our actors a wee bit worn around the edges a la Kathy Burke/Timothy Spall.

Why?

Erm...dunno.

I tend to agree, but, in all fairness, the films you mentioned are fairly "adult" and not really aimed towards teenagers despite, perhaps, the teenage stars.

We have movies with less cookie cutter geeks as well;

Ghost World
http://www.moviemantz.com/review_shots/ghostworld.jpg

Almost Famous
http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2002-01-10/movie_feature-1.jpg

Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
http://i.ivillage.com/womn/photos/jena2_6women.jpg


NONE of these people are at all ugly (but, I think most of the cast of Magdalene Sisters and Sweet Sixteen were good looking in a very unique way) but they're not overly-perfect images of stupidity.

Not to mention, the US's contributions of Steve Buscemi, Richard Dreyfuss and Eugene Levy. We're not all Rock Hudsons or Brad Pitts.

Plus, I do recall a certain British actress getting QUITE the motherload of roles lately...(Bend it Like Beckham, for one); Keira Knightley? Not to be catty, but, I think everyone's a little guilty of being enamored with hot blondes

[Scarface98.9]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around one puzzle about Hollywood teen movies, which is: Where the fuck is the acne? Not every teen out there has perfect skin, and almost everyone gets it

[movieguy1021]

I think what really sucks is how many movies focus on the main, popular high school teen while there's precious few about the majority of the school. The people who don't constantly fuck on weekends, etc. I'm a freshman in high school, and although I may not be a complete loser, I'm far away from being popular, and I think there could be a hell of a movie from my life.

[KcMsterpce]

Originally posted by Annie Hall
Plus, I do recall a certain British actress getting QUITE the motherload of roles lately...(Bend it Like Beckham, for one); Keira Knightley? Not to be catty, but, I think everyone's a little guilty of being enamored with hot blondes

I am not even a little guilty of being enamored with hot blondes. In fact, blondes are last on my list for 'physical features of attraction'. It's a possibility that part of this fact is attributed to my love of asian women, so straight black hair really does it for me.
Not to say that a blonde can't be hot, but if I see a blonde walking around somewhere, I won't care to take much notice of her over someone with long, shiny black hair. YUMMM.

[Annie Hall]

Originally posted by KcMsterpce
I am not even a little guilty of being enamored with hot blondes. In fact, blondes are last on my list for 'physical features of attraction'. It's a possibility that part of this fact is attributed to my love of asian women, so straight black hair really does it for me.
Not to say that a blonde can't be hot, but if I see a blonde walking around somewhere, I won't care to take much notice of her over someone with long, shiny black hair. YUMMM.

No, oh marvelous (MARVELOUS) Kc...I meant movie industries. British, American...sadly, everywhere.

I agree about the shiny black hair (how I used to DREAM for long, shiny black hair)...I was merely saying that regardless of where you are stationed, the movies will be, as long as the culture has em, blondes who are 20 pounds underweight with blue eyes, nice smiles and a glowering look of sex. Keira Knightley, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Britney Spears, Anna Farris...etc. etc. etc. *shrug*...such is life, I s'pose.

[The Postmaster General]

Ugly people just don't audition. It's no one's fault.

[Invincible]

Originally posted by Annie Hall
Ooh, lairdy, don't get me started on Dunst. I happen to think, as far as actors go, she's possibly the worst on earth. Abso-fucking-lutely DREADFUL...she looks like one of those bobble heads that you put in car windows.

Hmmm, that's the female POV... most guys find her attractive.

[LexLuthor]

i like blondes, but i dont like dunst....
this post made me ponder when have i ever seen an overweight love interest in a movie ...
besides shallow hal, where they made it obvious point...but even then had the skinniest person playing her...
same with nutty professor....

but i know, celebrities are eye candy...movies are that as well...
you want pretty people to see....
i dont mind this...but in reality these people arent too interesting..
try playing a chess game with them...you'll see what i mean

[Annie Hall]

Originally posted by Invincible
Hmmm, that's the female POV... most guys find her attractive.

I'm not quite sure when I indicated otherwise :confused:


Lex has a point, the most "overweight" love interest in a long time is the very pretty Martine McCutcheon (don't hurt me BCV) in Love Actually, where they actually made fun of her weight (partially because she really was not overweight at all).

I can't think of the last time there was a flick with a girl who was anything but picture perfect as a romantic interest without making constant "fat" or weight jokes. Would it even be made?