Why do people like depressing movies?

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
0
I just watched "Better Luck Tomorrow". It wasn't a bad movie I guess, it kinda dragged in some parts, but it was just depressing. Basically it was about how a smart high school kid flushes his future down the toilet. Why spend an evening watching a movie that makes you feel bad? I'd rather spend my time doing something that makes me happy. I dunno, guess I just don't care for that kind of movie. I didn't much like Requiem for a Dream either, despite all the praise it gets.
 

Mookow

Lifer
Apr 24, 2001
10,162
0
0
Originally posted by: notfred
I just watched "Better Luck Tomorrow". It wasn't a bad movie I guess, it kinda dragged in some parts, but it was just depressing. Basically it was about how a smart high school kid flushes his future down the toilet. Why spend an evening watching a movie that makes you feel bad? I'd rather spend my time doing something that makes me happy. I dunno, guess I just don't care for that kind of movie. I didn't much like Requiem for a Dream either, despite all the praise it gets.

Well, sometimes you get sick of the sickly-sweet Hollywood endings... and sometimes you want a movie to reflect that fact that life doesnt always turn out perfectly?
 

AvesPKS

Diamond Member
Apr 21, 2000
4,729
0
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You know, it's kind of funny...You would think that I would rather watch a movie where the people are all messed up so I can say, "Hey, at least I'm better off than those guys." But no, I like to watch the movies where the hero beats the bad guy, gets the girl, and gets the treasure.

I guess it all boils down to escapism.
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
Because some people like watching movies about reality. I'm sure there was a message the movie was trying to convey, and a good story line.
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
It's also about empathizing with the position of the character(s) and understanding the lessons that are to be learned.
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,385
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Originally posted by: notfred
I just watched "Better Luck Tomorrow". It wasn't a bad movie I guess, it kinda dragged in some parts, but it was just depressing. Basically it was about how a smart high school kid flushes his future down the toilet. Why spend an evening watching a movie that makes you feel bad? I'd rather spend my time doing something that makes me happy. I dunno, guess I just don't care for that kind of movie. I didn't much like Requiem for a Dream either, despite all the praise it gets.
You should have double-billed it with Bright Lights, Big City.
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,385
12,868
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Originally posted by: Ameesh
are you kiddinig? this board is full of people who are on prozac, paxil, xanax, etc.
SHhhh!!!!!!

I am off my meds.

:p

 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
movies like other forms of story telling allow you to experience on some level things you wouldn't be able to normally