[Ebrey]

There were actually a few kernels of ideas in the axe's David Lynch thread, even if they were outnumbered 10:1 by crap. I think we could have a good discussion about it.

Someone in that thread said that films that are not demanding are demeaning, which I strongly disagree with. I rarely find any films demanding, narratively (though they might be emotionally draining). If the plot is confusing, I assume that I am not meant to understand it to give it a dream-like quality or other effect. The movie Syriana, for example, was far too complex to be understood in one viewing to give the viewer a feeling for how complicated the Mideast is. I have no interest in piecing together the plot of confusing movies.

Trying to piece together a story from nonsensical imagery is less satisfying than simply writing my own story. Most adults would rather draw a picture than complete a "connect the dots" diagram, and the more annoying art films are "connect the dots" narratives.

There are times when I care about the characters enough to try to understand the symbolism of a dream sequence, for instance. But caring about the characters requires clear, powerful character development to have already happened. Films rarely have enough time to include clear character development and oblique dream sequences, though TV does: the Sopranos does a great job of it. I've come to think that TV can be experimental far more effectively than film, which is why it's a shame that movies generally take more chances.

Let's continue the interesting discussion that was going on, without the hatin'.

[Ebrey]

[Ebrey]