Re: OT: art and language and THE DAVINCI CODE

Quoting "Mark J. Reed" <markjreed@...>:

> On Mon, Jun 02, 2003 at 11:00:35PM +0200, Andreas Johansson wrote:
> > The Matrix may very possibly have the worst plot of any movie I've
> seen. "The
> > thinking person's SF movie"? Armagedon (sp?) makes more sense ...
>
> Now, now, that's pure hyperbole. :)
>
> Yes, at the heart of the Matrix is the horribly incorrect belief
> that humans are net energy producers.  Once you accept that,
> I suppose it's not much more of a stretch to accept that
> we produce energy better if we believe we're living
> our normal lives - thus  justifying the machines' creation of
> the Matrix, with all complications thereunto appertaining, rather
> than just, say, lobotomizing everyone at birth.  Or, as
> suggested over in PVP's "Mootrix", just using cows instead,
> who are much less likely to cause trouble by rebelling and wouldn't
> require anywhere near as sophisticated a reality. :)
>
> But beyond that it's not chock full of stupid things at every turn
> like
> "Armageddon" was.  I mean, shoulder-mounted jets to push you down
> into the ground to make up for weak gravity??  Oy gevalt.  And
> I can think of far worse plots even than "Armageddon"; "The Matrix"
> can't hold a candle to, oh, say, "Highlander II: The Quickening" . . .
As I see it, Armageddon is an OK idea poorly executed, The Matrix a really bad
one executed well. Overall, I like the Matrix better, but on the specific
issue of plots, I rate Armageddon higher.

> > I long ago reached the conclusion that movies are a poor medium for
> > storytelling.
>
> You've been watching the wrong movies, then.  There are some really
> great examples of cinematic storytelling out there.
I've seen precious few of those ...

> > Perhaps they should better simply concentrate on action and sex
> > scenes instead and leave the plot bit to TV series.
>
> Well the first part is what they seem to be doing, and it's a bad
> thing,
> not to be encouraged.  The second part is just so wrong it makes my
> head hurt.  :)  TV series are not generally known for plot.
No, but I don't see 'em, so I won't be taking offense at poor plots there.

There probably should have been a smiley after the last paragraphs of my
previous mail.

                                                                 Andreas