Posted on 02/13/2015 6:58:23 AM PST by Kaslin
The electricity fairly crackles.
Millions of supposedly self-respecting women are poised to breeze into movie theaters this weekend to immerse themselves in the filth that is “50 Shades of Grey.”
If there is anything more depressing than that, it is the playful clucking of media anticipation, taking the tone that this is just a fun fantasy ride, just a flight of fancy, two hours of escape.
It is more than that. It is evidence of a damaged society, a nation that thinks it is just swell to celebrate the story of a predatory billionaire punk who victimizes a tragically vulnerable woman for his own sick entertainment.
I can hear the condescending cackles of the oh-so-knowing cultural mainstream, many with Fandango receipts already in hand, poised to mock any who dare to suggest this is cultural rot. But “50 Shades” is a far cry in substance and intent from the occasional edgy book or film that contains sexual or violent passages along the path of an otherwise meritorious plot.
Is there one consumer of the E.L. James book or the Samantha Taylor-Johnson film who can say with a straight face that either would have made a peep in the marketplace without prurient content?
The lascivious appeal is what drove the book sales, and it will drive the opening weekend of box office receipts, charmingly timed for Valentine’s Day. Because what complements Valentine’s Day like a twisted story of an abusive relationship?
Even more disheartening than the smuttiness of this exercise are the poisonous messages it offers about sex. Count off the lessons from a film to be consumed by proud American women this weekend:
— Soulless sadism is hot;
—If the sadist is attractive and wealthy, his violent appetites will be met with approval;
—Such self-absorbed victimizers can force themselves on young, innocent women, and it is kind of awesome;
—Women should tolerate such sexual violence, even find a way to develop a taste for it. After all, maybe you can change him.
Movies filled with tawdry sex will come and go, their worst sins amounting to mere mindless devotion to graphic visuals. This is far worse. This is an attack on virtuous manhood and a celebration of bad choices by women.
And the pathetic thing is, the liberated throngs knocking back a few Pinots in their pre-film tailgate parties neither know nor care.
So enjoy, ladies. Thrill to the imagery of Christian Grey as he beats a college-age girl for his jollies. Imagine yourselves in the pumps of Anastasia Steele as she endures his abuse.
Plenty of movies contain portrayals of perversity, but usually it is in a negative light. it is the particularly noxious works that hold it up as something cool, enjoyable to witness and perhaps even to be emulated.
Maybe this is just an extension of the catnip value of all those vampire movies, ravenously consumed by women drawn to the take-charge romanticism of the undead. In 2015, having Edward and Jacob fight over you in the woods no longer suffices.
Now the taste is for a harder fix. This weekend’s “50 Shades” target audience and any self-respecting (or woman-respecting) men unwise enough to accompany them are rewarding a low cultural exploit that will appeal to our basest appetites.
The film’s defenders will corral armies of straw men— that people have a right to make such movies and to see them, neither of which is at issue. The debate is over the societal merit of this onscreen garbage. I look forward to hearing the attempts to praise it.
My great-grandmom employed an unwed mother when no-one else would because of the stigma attached. Her family wouldn’t take her back and the other options of prostitution or starvation have been the reality for many women.
Standards are crashing through the floor all over the place. Look at the tech sector exuberance leading up to Black Friday. Look at our politicians. Two words for you, Kim Kardashian. I mean come on, how much of our economic instability is caused by some flavor-of-the-day bending the ear of some elite who passes the news?
We have far bigger problems than the sorry state of chic lit. The good news is ALL of this stuff spells opportunity for those willing to do a better job and compete.
I don’t think anybody is calling it high art or saying it has literary value. Even the fans say it’s trash, it’s just trash they enjoy. Nobody is pretending it’s anything. It’s all very upfront about being bad fanfic, just extremely popular bad fanfic.
FYI, Fifty shades will bring in about $50-60M domestic revenue this weekend.....”American Sniper” brought in $92M domestic revenue in its first weekend in full release. “Fifty Shades” revenue will drop like an lead anchor thrown into the ocean within one week.......it surprised even me....who predicted about a four week strong run....it ain’t gonna happen. This flick is getting bad mouthed....it goes nowhere!!! Obama’s “sick” “Hollywood” Obamabots have failed once again!!!
“We have far bigger problems than the sorry state of chic lit. “
Yes.
But it does illustrate that there is a problem.
As for Kim Kardashian, she’s famous mainly for dating “famous” people, her gargantuan butt, and sex tapes.
These sorts of sexual themes have existed going back into antiquity, and as long as the adults involved are consenting with each other, then if they want to "play rough", that's there business.
If it doesn't suit you, don't consume it.
There are, in fact, movies which are magnitudes more vile than any of the tame stuff depicted in this film.
If you want to discuss depravity, then some of the films already mentioned far exceed 50 Shades. Movies like The Devil's Rejects, the Hostel series, and countless other self-indulgent "torture porn" titles make 50 Shades look like a Disney film, I'm sure.
What passes for "art" nowadays is really astounding. But I wouldn't ban any of it. True Freedom has many challenging and annoying side effects, but that doesn't mean we should settle for anything less...
I venture to say that the same women who have salivated over this book/trilogy and are lined up to see the movie are the same ones screaming and warning the world about the abusive culture enjoyed by frat boys in colleges that are raping innocent young women.
If you see a third man with them...stop them and invite them to lunch, then ask the third man after the first 2 have gone on ahead if he will spare America if he finds at least a few thousand worthy and righteous people in her!
(I’m afraid I see the same two men....)
Prostitutes with a heart of gold have been a fictional staple long before movies.
Pretty sure you’re the first one here to mention banning anything. “True freedom,” as you call it includes the ability to call crass garbage what it is.
(I’m looking at YOU, Dune)
SciFi channel(not sissy syfy) did a really good job with Dune and Children of Dune. Very graphically violent though!
Speaking of Kardashian's big ass, here ya go:
“Prostitutes with a heart of gold have been a fictional staple long before movies.”
Rahab the harlot helped the Israelite spies get out of Jericho. Perhaps the fictional legends of kind hearted prostitutes started with her. Rahab is mentioned as part of the Genealogy of Jesus in Matthew.
Lol, she doubled down on it.
First of all, I’m impressed that Mark didn’t digress once from the topic. Sad that it takes sexual bondage to keep him on track.
I wouldn’t read the book when some female buddies were telling me to, because 1) it is baaaadly written and 2) I am not turned on by being trapped or struck. Sorry boys.
Even asking didn’t do any good as almost none were to be found. Same situation now as not enough outrage at the absolute & total evil of the Democrat Party, Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Schumer, the Clintons, Jimmy Carter, Luis Gutierrez, and many, many more. These people have NO fear of God whatsoever. The writing is indeed appearing upon the wall.
Good copy. :)
This and the disgusting ad for a 50 shades of grey teddy bear, complete with handcuffs. Geez.
Be my guest.
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