Replies

>Your stats are about as helpful as JBB's.

Helpful?

[shrugs] This business of God words was just an easy example of something that was easy to put into numbers.

There are any number of interesting creative choices that film makers engage in which raise the same questions.

For instance, in SCREAM (for example) from the very start to the very end there are numerous _background_ shots of SNACK FOODS. Often these shots occur right before or immediately after scenes of INTENSE EMOTION.

Are the film makers taking product placement money for these shots? Are the film makers explicitly linking snack food to the experiential feelings of strong emotions?

These things influence us whether we are conscious of them or not. (In theory, even better if we're not aware of them.) Isn't it better to call attention to such stuff? Isn't that "helpful?"

Mark W.

What's_up_with the _underline_ usage?

Is this some kind of psycho-_subliminal_brain washing?

Help_I've started_doing it _Myself_!

For instance, in SCREAM (for example) from the very start to the very end there are numerous _background_ shots of SNACK FOODS. Often these shots occur right before or immediately after scenes of INTENSE EMOTION.

Fascinating. Many women who eat too much (I was going to say "who have eating disorders", then realized I was being 'PC') also have emotional issues - not being able to deal with anger, or fear, etc. So here are films that teen girls will see that connect an intense feeling of horror and snacking.

I seem to recall that TV dramas used to use a similar structure. You'd be "on the edge of your seat", all caught up in what was happening, then BOOM! - cut to a commercial. I wouldn't be surprised if the movies made for the teen market used the same techniques.

About the use of "God" in these films - if people are depicted as saying, "Oh, my God!" and then getting slaughtered anyway, isn't the underlying message "God can't/won't help you"? Plenty of people calling on him, and He ain't answering, so to speak. Have you contrasted this with movies that have a more "upbeat" message?