46 comments on Escape from Suburbia: Beyond the American Dream
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46 comments on Escape from Suburbia: Beyond the American Dream
Comments can no longer be added to this story.
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there's a limit to effectiveness i think when the subject is "adjusted" for more popular appeal. Too often it fails both the subject and to appeal. I appreciated the first one, but wouldn't be my first choice for introducing the subject to anybody, too easy to dismiss because of too much bluster and not enough facts. If the facts don't keep their attention, nothing will substitute. A couple days ago, someone posted that they showed the first one to their writing class and that it for the most part came and went for them like the lamest hollywood filler.
On the contrary, as we've discussed on DrumBeat recently, facts alone are not enough, especially for the uninitiated. You've got to hit their emotions too, as much as my geeky self hates to admit that. I saw EOS again last fall after a break of a year, and I was actually impressed. It's a bit too long, but otherwise mostly well done. It is still my first choice for an intro to the subject for the average American. I've seen "imposed by nature" and I think it is less suitable for that purpose. Waiting to see the 2 or 3 new films with the word "crude" in their title (I can't keep them straight in my mind!).
Yes you do, but not the way this film sometimes falls into doing it--that is "jazz" it up a touch, make it pop out, "gotta raise your voice to be heard above the din of popular culture!" No, the emotion comes by staying true to the subject--the emotion will come through naturally, not pasting emotion on so it will go down more comfortably with the masses. I don't want to utterly rip it, it is decent--I just feel the subject deserves better and that a "still, small voice" is the one that will stand out against the din...my 'pinion! I just think its a little off, and that its a shame. We are uncomfortable with emotion in this country--we either get none at all or an exaggerated, reason-blinding caricature.
there's a limit to effectiveness i think when the subject is "adjusted" for more popular appeal. .....like the lamest hollywood filler.
Yes...
The trailers sounds like catastrophe movies, doom and gloom caused by asteroids, dinosaurs, aliens, stupidity, evil, etc. One message in it is typical, tries to frighten the powerless individual, from memory:
You and you alone are responsible for figuring it out (then mention is made of the tooth fairy and Santa who will not be around to help!)
That is standard, be it in old fashioned detective novels, or cata. movies, etc. The viewer or reader is put in the position of spectactor, who should be engaged, thrilled, frightened, admiring, identify with some character, anticipate (figure out) outcomes and actions, etc. And perhaps even ‘put himself’ in another’s shoes - oh I would do this, do that...but in a fantasy world.
These are some of the usual, unstated, procedures of fiction.
Suburbia and peak oil are real life.
Presenting a slick and cynical image of it is parody, puts it on an unreal plane.
Telling people they as individuals are the only ones that can think or act is completely useless, reinforces the idea that people are powerless, because, on the whole, there is nothing they can do. They are locked into the conditions of their lives (work, car, a bedroom for each kid, meds to be paid for, etc.)
Overall, the wrong emotions - dramatic ones; cynicism; hollow laughter at the gargoyle mirror; self-criticism, and despair - are sad and ugly, or self-serving, as in: yeah we are horrible, but we are our kind of horrible!