tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440752.post3258163019914715129..comments2023-08-29T08:53:00.970-04:00Comments on i write with pictures: The Trouble with Love IsAmy Butlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01211471429109267230noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440752.post-30328610470439783252008-05-30T13:44:00.000-04:002008-05-30T13:44:00.000-04:00fantastic post....something to think about, consid...fantastic post....something to think about, considering my chronic hopeless romantic condition.<BR/><BR/>and mike, why don't you blog anymore? sad day =/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440752.post-74255274463898965422008-05-30T11:08:00.000-04:002008-05-30T11:08:00.000-04:00Mike,That is false, I think lots of films capture ...Mike,<BR/><BR/>That is false, I think lots of films capture love. I'm just saying that most films don't, or don't do it well. Nobody has a definition of love, but I think it's a combination of choice and feelings - what it is that <I>makes</I> us choose commitment to a person or feel a certain way about them, I think *that* is the real amorphous part. <BR/><BR/>I haven't been a real English major for years, Mr. Maune. The sort of language you're using to try to analyze my post of vague cinema theory will be very unreciprocated. : ) You tend to go a little crazy with the whole post modern thing, in general, too. : P<BR/><BR/>Liza,<BR/><BR/>I haven't seen Lost yet! I'm going to be in slight aggravation all day until I do, too.<BR/><BR/>It's interesting you mention formulas, because a lot of romances follow very strict formulas. Our screenwriting professor gave us a very high percentage of how many romantic comedies have a third act where the two lovers are separated by something, and the tension comes from whether or not they'll be reunited. It's crazy, when you start thinking about it, how true that is. But it works!Amy Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01211471429109267230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440752.post-10723284593588035702008-05-30T07:49:00.000-04:002008-05-30T07:49:00.000-04:00Yea well it may have been a bit over the top but I...Yea well it may have been a bit over the top but I think the point I was trying to make (I was watching Lost at the time I was typing the last post) was that stories about love can be successful if they follow some formulas but that is dependent on what formula they choose (some are over-done -- example, the Pride & Prejudice formula). I know, as a screenwriter, it is probably boring. But as a movie-goer, if a film doesn't follow a well-known archetype I tend to get confused (like with Atonement, I totally agree that I didn't understand how those two fell in love, mainly because the audience doesn't really see it occurring on screen, minus the library scene). While its great to be creative, you really have to think of your audience and realize that not everyone will understand what you were trying to do if you break from a well recognized motif.lroehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11004566690332419761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440752.post-75523982138301376452008-05-29T23:56:00.000-04:002008-05-29T23:56:00.000-04:00Hm. Not exactly what I was looking for.What I mean...Hm. Not exactly what I was looking for.<BR/><BR/>What I mean is that, in typical postmodern fashion, you distinguish contemporary film as deconstructing the concept of love. Your thesis is that modern film never captures accurately this "crazy little thing called love." R.I.P. Freddy Mercury.<BR/><BR/>So my question is why? What concept of love are you contrasting "Hollywood love" with?<BR/><BR/>Now, to be fair, if you turned the question back on me, I'd be hard pressed to give you an intelligible answer. Just something to think about.<BR/><BR/>Oh, do you want a copy of "Melody and Witchcraft" when I print it? I can send it to you. Just need your address.Luciliushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01732844329010532008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440752.post-59523788403755515072008-05-29T23:40:00.000-04:002008-05-29T23:40:00.000-04:00Mike,I'm a cheerful cynic, that's all. : )Liza,Pul...Mike,<BR/><BR/>I'm a cheerful cynic, that's all. : )<BR/><BR/>Liza,<BR/><BR/>Pulling out any connection to the Gospel shuts me down pretty effectively. I'm not convinced, entirely - maybe then it's more an issue of storytelling and craft - but I can respect your opinion. If I watch it again, I'll keep my eye on these things.<BR/><BR/>And it's sweet that you think I actually have some expertise here. : )Amy Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01211471429109267230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440752.post-38549642137391326502008-05-29T21:17:00.000-04:002008-05-29T21:17:00.000-04:00Sorry Amy, I would normally never go against your ...Sorry Amy, I would normally never go against your analysis on movies (since it is technically your expertise) but I have to input my 2 cents on 27 Dresses. <BR/><BR/>Okay, I understand she was in love with her boss and it seems counter-intuitive she would end up in love with some random guy who is also (ironically) writing her sister's wedding story. But the great thing about this movie is that the guy sees something in Jane and actually pursues this relationship with her, even when she is quite clear that she doesn't want a relationship with him. The night at the bar she finally has a moment of vulnerability and then they make love (oh Hollywood). The next day the story hits the press and she feels betrayed and feels like her opinions about the guy were valid and she never should have trusted him. But then after the wreck that his her sister's reception he shows up to apologize but shows Jane how she has grown by finally saying No to everyone who is trying to use her. Then he gives her the blackberry. This isn't just some random present to win back her love. He truly understands her and her needs and replaces her outdated planner with a new blackberry, to make her life easier and to signify her transformation. Then she goes to meet her boss (the one she thinks she loves) and then she realizes he is always using her and she finally can say NO. Then she rushes of to find the man who DOES love her.<BR/><BR/>I know, it's an old motif but the reason it works is because it speaks to the human spirit. This story actually sounds a lot like the Gospels, where God pursues a relationship with us, even when we don't want him. We find every reason we can not to trust him. Then, in a moment of vulnerability and we realize that the things we want aren't the things we need.<BR/><BR/>And this is why I, your reader, most humbly disagree with your assessment of 27 Dresses. It might be a bit over the top, but I still think its a great movie.Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06000465911531207493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6440752.post-34921604101068725312008-05-29T20:51:00.000-04:002008-05-29T20:51:00.000-04:00I just saw "27 Dresses." My sister got it off of p...I just saw "27 Dresses." My sister got it off of pay-per-view. So predictable and formulaic. But accurately labeled "cute."<BR/><BR/>So a misdiagnosis, eh? Pray, tell, what's your philosophy of love?Luciliushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01732844329010532008noreply@blogger.com