Badmovies.org Forum

As the question asks, do you people as film fanatics like to analyze film? When viewing a movie, do you tend to look for symbolism or commentary on social classes, dominant ideologies, etc. ?

Well, I certainly do. It helps me appreciate the movie more.

I can understand why people do, but I tend to just take them for what they are.

I tend more analyze a movie more on its aspects; rather than its elements, messages, symbolism, and morals.  As such, I tend to miss those key things which often ends up being the main point to a movie in some cases.  So, I sort of analyze a movie, but in the way you are asking.

I voted yes, because I do enjoy it. However, it depends on the movie and my mood as to whether or not I want to at the time.

Quote from: Flick James on October 14, 2011, 11:22:54 AM
I voted yes, because I do enjoy it. However, it depends on the movie and my mood as to whether or not I want to at the time.

On that note...
If the flick annoys me, I'll start riffing, which is a form of analytical thought...with attitude.

In "Born Losers", Tom Laughlin holds his rifle as though he's compensating for something...

No, symbolism or social commentary in movies tends to be about as subtle as a baseball bat to the face.  I find it doesn't require much analysis on my part to understand.

I do sometimes....depending upon the film. With comedies I will generally just sit back and enjoy them. However,tons of social commentary/symbolism tends to get on my nerves....I'm not too into movies that try to "put me in my place" or label my opinions in comparison to theirs. Probably why I love a good bustin' chops action film. :thumbup:

I wish I could. I can't write to save my life.

Quote from: Jack on October 14, 2011, 12:47:00 PM
No, symbolism or social commentary in movies tends to be about as subtle as a baseball bat to the face.  I find it doesn't require much analysis on my part to understand.

Any maybe I like analyzing baseball bats to the face. You got a problem with that?

:tongueout:

Good movies, bad movies, whatever. I critique everything I watch because I love it. I'm glad someone posted this poll, It's actually a passion of mine. I don't feel as happy as when I sit down and watch a movie with someone and I actually get to comment on it. I tell jokes and bring up plot holes and when I do this around my Dad, he loves it. Dad and I go back and forth making fun of movies like we're on an episode of MST3K. It's the best!  :teddyr:

I like how on the main forum index, this thread at the top means it just says "Do you like to analy..." .  how rude

regarding the question, every conscious thought involves a modicum of analysis so it depends how deeply you mean... in general I like to take films at face value. I see a martian alien ripping the limbs off a teenager as exactly that, and as not a metaphor for the government vs the people or something

I think we all do to a certain extent. I don't always sit down with the idea of picking a film apart. However there are times when I as a bad movie fan, will watch a movie I know is going to be bad for the simple joy of picking it apart. If I have no expectations from a film I will watch it, and whatever happens, happens.

I analyze everything, from the sandwich I'm eating to the last stupid joke I heard.

Analyzing movies is a good thing. Most movies have an overarching viewpoint, and it's often hidden because no filmmaker wants to come off as didactic. Point taken, though, most films are as subtle as a sledgehammer, and those with an agenda are usually the worst movies.

But it's fun when you notice that the words and images collide together to say something greater than is evident on a surface level. I'm not saying every film is as loaded with meaning as a Kubrick film, but it's usually there.

But I'm no elitist. If all a film is saying is zombie/shotgun/face, I'm right on board.

I do analyze movies, but I don't sit there burning my brain while I'm watching the movie and I don't dwell on the movie endlessly after I watch it.  One topic that does run through my mind constantly while I'm watching movies is association with other movies, books, TV shows, etc.  My brain is always popping out stuff like, "This scene is almost a complete copy of a scene in an old episode of COLUMBO" or "This dialogue is almost a complete rip-off of a conversation in SERPICO" or whatever. 

Sort of...

I don't go looking for plot holes, unrealistic events or such.  Usually they have to be pretty blatant for me to even notice them.

However, I'll look to the classic stop motion effects to think about how they were accomplished, and sometimes the imagery of the film.

As a film student: all the freaking time.  But it does actually depend on the movie.  I remember a film composer relaying a story to me once about a film he worked on where the main actor accidentally spilled a glass of milk on the floor.  The director saw it, thought it looked cool, shot it and put it in the movie.  Now he gets film students writing about the symbolism and the greater meaning of the scene, which the composer said is actually "oh what a cool shot, lets just throw it in for the hell of it..."

Quote from: dean on October 17, 2011, 02:54:36 AM
As a film student: all the freaking time.  But it does actually depend on the movie.  I remember a film composer relaying a story to me once about a film he worked on where the main actor accidentally spilled a glass of milk on the floor.  The director saw it, thought it looked cool, shot it and put it in the movie.  Now he gets film students writing about the symbolism and the greater meaning of the scene, which the composer said is actually "oh what a cool shot, lets just throw it in for the hell of it..."

David Lynch has built an entire career on that ethos. Of course, Lynch has a incredible talent for incorporating the "happy accident" into an artform. A true example of Dali's paranoiac-critic. Frank Silva's introduction into Twin Peaks as "Bob" was originally a film-making accident, and it ended up being one of the most important elements of that show.

I don't really anylyze a movie.  I ask questions.  I find a lot of continuity errors or questions why certain things happen.

I make my wife mad sometimes.   :bouncegiggle:

Fun to do.

Later,

John

There are many layers of analysis including scripting, direction, choice of actors, messages and symbolism, homages to other movies, straight ripoffs of other movies, etc.

If I really like a movie I will watch it several times, each time looking for different aspects.  One of my favourite movies is The Mothman Prophecies, which I have watched many times and each time come away with a deeper appreciation of the director's use of angles, pacing, visual composition and visual hints in early scenes that are explained or brought forth in later scenes.

I never directly look for social or political commentary, as if it is there it is usually pretty obvious.  And if it's not obvious, it is probably some artsy commentary about the downfall of the bourgeousie capitalist yada yada bullcrap bullcrap.

Yes, but I usually overlook political commentary unless the movie is trying fiercely to get its point across.

I only do so when I'm reviewing a movie or bringing it up in dicussion with you guys to explain my thoughts on it, but otherwise no.

As an aside, anyone trying to analyse Michael Bay's films are probably wasting brain power that could be used enjoying the big explosions.

I love the video below which basically tell you all that you need to know about his films.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTl9ni8fVFI

yes, usually when I'm watching something for the  2nd time as the first time I view for enjoyment

Sure, who doesn't? Sometimes though I just like to sit back, relax and enjoy too but even then my mind tends to pick up on something and start working whether I want it to or not.

I do both. Sometimes I analyze a movie looking for social commentary or other subtle messages, but I also like to take them for what they are. Some people get a little carried away and over analyze so I try not to do that.

Usually, but if the symbolism is hard to find, it usually has to be manufactured.

Quote from: moltogordo on February 24, 2012, 03:27:57 PM
Usually, but if the symbolism is hard to find, it usually has to be manufactured.

"If you have to ask what it symbolizes, it doesn't."--Roger Ebert.

I answered yes but really more depends on the movie.  I usually don't analyze things that are bad movies but if some scenario is presented that seems odd or out of place I find myself curious as to why it was made and want to know more about it.  I want to know the why often and question things constantly at times.  Well, I can't think of more to add other then some scenarios can be so bizarre you wonder if it was inspired by acid, insanity or a genuine idea to impart something on to the viewer and we should be open to explore that possibility.