Question of the Day #14: Irrational Entertainment?
TV's Mr. Neil Permalink
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Sometimes when I watch TV, I find myself picking and choosing which irrational plot devices I allow myself to buy and which ones I don't. For example, I don't object to talking cartoon animals, but I can't stand spontaneous Disney singing.
To what degree are you able to immerse yourself in the movie universe, and why do you except certain irrational story devices over others? Why do you suppose we make these exceptions?
As always, feel free to comment.
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Ah, suspension of disbelief. It is different for everyone I have ever talked to about this subject. I agree with boelf, once you establish your conventions, don't throw them out the window. I've been a sci-fi buff all my life, but I couldn't stand Star Trek TNG for that very reason. Then there was the deus ex-machina "Q"! All he needed was a pink Tutu and a wand!
Writing yourself out of dire predicaments is what is known as the "bullet-proof vest". From the kid's game that goes,
"Bang! I shot you! Fall Down!"
"No you didn't 'cuz I'm wearing a bullet-proof vest!"
This tends to annoy me far more than talking trees and the like. Another thing that pisses me off is the action hero dodging the machine gun fire. The whole point of a machine gun is that it's hard to miss when you are spraying bullets like water from a fire hose. I like to count how many times he would be dead in real life. Then there is the "pretty picture". This happens when the director (Speilberg does this a lot) can't resist that pretty piece of cinematography that reminds you that you're watching a movie.
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