The Adventures of Cindy Li
Scary Movies and People in Real life
March 26 , 2007
Once upon a time
I was invited to movies like, “I know what you did last summer”, and “Pulp Fiction.” Some of my friends love those movies. One is “campy” and the other is just so over the top plain violent. Why do I find this disturbing? I do not want to be desensitized from violence. I do not find it normal as much as it maybe in the world. Friends in college thought Pulp Fiction was awesome and couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t watch it. I was just not cool, the description of the movie gave me nightmares. I buried my face in the carpet watching it because I found it just that disturbing. I still can’t get the scene where the guy explodes in the car out of my memory. I want a reset button for that. It is NOT OK. It is not OK for me. I know I’m in the minority when I say this but I do not like these movies where we sit there and watch people being killed and or stalked. I just finished reading Kathy Sierra’s post and it is something I have been wondering too. Empty threat just because it is online? NO! Why is violence OK? It isn’t. Do we put too much online? As I am writing this I went through my flickr contacts and considered who really is my friend, people I spent time with face to face. Apologies to those of you who are just contacts now, I mean no offense. I got chills after reading Kathy’s post. I have been shopping for apartments and I created a flickr set and I changed it now to friends view only too. We are adults people and those of you aren’t please grow up. Our words on the internet give us a voice. We want to be heard, we all get that. Jealousy? Anger? Go find a therapist or a close friends to talk to. Do not voice out hate.
Martin Niemöller
First the Nazis came… First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak out for me.
Do not let this go on! Please! We should speak and band together to help each other.
Being anonymous
I received a letter once via the post office in college. The person was telling me how much he cared for me via Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s words that he had combined into one letter. The letter was printed so there was no way I could figure out who it was. The envelope was post marked in Gainesville, FL. Those were my only clues. I never found out who it was from. When I went to UF, it was post the Gainesville murders. My parents were not thrilled. I am an immigrant, oldest daughter, my parents are very protective. I think they will be til I’m married and even then still. Thank God they are. Thank God for my friends that watch out for me.
Friends are great
I have a great circle of friends and I have a filter for them. I make sure that the friends that have my “back” and I have theirs. We watch out for each other. That’s how my social network is. I do my best to be kind and appreciative. In this new world where we are doing online social networking how do we know the people we are friends with are “OK?”
Kathy Sierra my prayers are with you and I hope they catch the person/group that is creating such turmoil and fear. Your post shook me and I hope it makes everyone realize that being mean is NOT OK. We are part of the ecosystem. We are responsible for each other, our actions affect one another. We are supposed to set an example for our friends, family and the kids that haven’t been born yet. Please all of you, be kind to each other, support each other. Please….
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Tue Mar 27, 2007 at 12.27 pm
Sean
I find the trend in ultra-violent movies very disturbing as well. I am never going to watch the “Saw” movies and its growing number of related films. After seeing one of Quentin Tarantino’s earlier movies, I didn’t understand what was supposed to be so great about excessive violence for violence sake.
Another disturbing trend has been treating abuse, rape, incest, and molestation in a trivial and joking manner. It is not at all appropriate and devalues legitimate claims.
Hate filled comments plague YouTube with seemingly little repercussion, even on clips submitted by children.
People need to understand that the right to free speech doesn’t mean that you can say anything you want, that threats are threats, and true anonymity doesn’t exist on the internet.
Be careful out there. We should all be kind to each other and treat each other as we would like to be treated. You’re a great example, Cindy!
Tue Mar 27, 2007 at 02.41 pm
Jeff Lin
Although I do watch the occassional action/violence movie, I keep myself in check by reminding myself it’s a movie. I do agree there are too many movies out there that overdo things. I still love my Disney movies, especially Pixar :).
Although this blog does conjure up images of a camp scene, ice and a kicked in door :P
Tue Mar 27, 2007 at 06.01 pm
David
I too have become dismayed by the prevalence of violence on TV and in the cinema. Sometimes however, violence in film can be justified, if it depicts a historical event that needs to be remembered (A memorable example would be the beach scene from the beginning of Saving Private Ryan, which was widely praised by the soldiers who were there for accurately portraying the reality of war). This does not give directors carte-blanc though, as the recently released 300 proves… far too much blood and gore does not make for comfortable viewing.
I myself have begun to shun films which show excessive and unjustified violence, and have been pursuing more family orientated films. I can highly recommend the output of Japan’s Studio Ghibli to those looking for something to warm the soul, rather than destroy it.
Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 11.36 pm
Bob Henninger
You bring up a very good point. I never realized how desensitized I have become to it. Although, I still recall the bad feelings from when I was a kid and saw part of a Charles Bronson movie, “10 to Midnight” and running from the room crying. I guess since then I have become accustomed to it to some extent. Didn’t think about it too much until I watched “Se7en” and that’s when my wife and I said enough is enough. We’ve been more careful what we put into our heads.
I always make sure I’m careful with what my kids watch—especially with their video games.
Yup, it’s a sad world and it will only get worse as we become more and more morally bankrupt. Stay steady and don’t let your guard down for a minute. Others will only respect you for it in the long run.
Sat Mar 31, 2007 at 09.32 am
Kelli
I agree. I have never been able to watch violence. Some people have teased me about burying my head in a pillow on the bad parts of movies and saying “its just a movie” to which I reply “this stuff does really happen, people are really murdered and I don’t want to watch it”
Sat Apr 7, 2007 at 11.49 am
Amanda
I love horror movies (and Pulp Fiction is one of my favorite movies) and I do not find myself desensitized to violence. The main reason is because I know what I’m watching in the movie is all fake. So if I see someone being “killed” in the movie it would not be the same reaction as if I would see a murder in real life.
Mon May 7, 2007 at 03.04 pm
Luka
I agree with amanda, if you watch killing it doesn’t mean that you should do it… There is a problem with my kids beacuse they are so young, that they can’t see the difference between reality and violent films. I think that violence is only a problem for kids and demented people…
Luka