They are in control. And we've allowed it. Who are 'they'? How can we break free from their control or avoid it altogether? And exactly why are they interested in control? Teri Haux endeavors to answer such things in her book, Movie Viewer Extraordinaire.
First, let's all admit that cinema is a big part of American life. Jonathan Culpeper discussed the similarities between British and American English in his book History of English. He made the observation that the two were growing closer, due to improved communications and "the impact of American culture, notably through television and film."
I've been a junkie since I was young, and I fear I'm passing that legacy on to my children. With the advent of Netflix, it has become easier (and less expensive) to watch movies — and even TV. Yes, I ditched my satellite subscription and happily watch TV shows on DVD commercial free, albeit a little late.
However, we don't watch just anything that comes our way. Our family feels it's important to be discriminating; we're not just mentally gobbling up everything put in front of us. That is basically what the book advocates. Watch movies, learn from them, but be discriminating.
According to her, the media is out to get us and the media is controlled by the rich and powerful with socialist agendas. She drags in Communism, Nazism and even the Illuminati — all these groups have used film to launch attacks and promote their own form of domination. Today, the modern disciples of these groups and others are still attempting to control the masses by telling them what morals are acceptable and by creating an atmosphere of fear — fear of increasing violence or just fear of making judgments. Whether that conspiracy exists is left for you to decide, but she may not be far from the truth.
She writes with conviction, even if she gets a little vehement at times and a little too nostalgic regarding the films of yesteryear. She's done a decent analysis of some films. Here again, you'll have to make your own decision as to whether the analysis is a little overboard or not. She is a screenwriter and does have some experience in the media that she's writing about.
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Article comments
1 - xavier
I was flipping through her book on campus today and found myself disgusted. Her research is extremely incorrect, incomplete, and she displays lack of knowledge of content in certain R rated film.
An example is her review of the film Superbad. The plot is a couple of guys who are about to graduate from high school need to get beer for the a party that a girl his hosting. The two protaganists of the film also want to lose their virginity with a different girl that they have individual crushes on.
In her book she says that "they (the boys) loose their virginity at the end with each other." This is completely false and clear evidence that she has not properly researched her material. She is also using fear based tactics.
At the end of the film the boys keep their virginity intact and take the girls on a date at the mall.
Do not read this book!