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ARTICLE SUMMARY

Don't blame violent films for society's woes...

A few weeks ago I predicted there would be a hoo ha over the violence in the new Batman movie.

A JOKE ON THE JOKER!

21.08.08, 9:05pm

Although a well considered article full of thought-provoking ideas, you've got to be wrong about accepting an age 12 permit on this movie. I agree that worse than this surrounds young people, and in my childhood terrifying fairy tales were told to me before I could evaluate them myself, but that does not mean it's ok for the film industry to condone, or even encourage the haunting violence portrayed brilliantly by HL. And even he died in the making of it maybe because it stirred up so much in him?

But you were right from the outset, so good for you and maybe more public input to the age censorship would be a good idea?

• Posted by: Annypurple08 • Report Comment

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VIOLENT FILMS...

11.08.08, 2:24pm

How interesting all these comments are. I find myself agreeing with bits of what everyone says and I am starting to see both sides of the coin, though cannot say i have changed my attitude completely. When Bluenote says violent films "titillate the weak and the copycatters" I do agree.. I just don't think the majority of well-adjusted cinema-goers are so affected. I also agree with another comment about ignorance being at root of most wrongdoing...
Incidentally, I watched the film for a second time over the weekend. It was a 5.30pm screening on Saturday and I didn't see one young person in the audience, all looked over 18. I still enjoyed the film but I found it more frightening the second time. I also found it way too long (like most Hollywood films these days) and over-complicated. What I ended up thinking was 'I'd be surprised if any teen could actually be bothered to sit through this!'
Anyway, I know I appall and exasperate many readers with my views but thank you all for taking the time to read and debate. I learn a lot from it!
Party Crasher

• Posted by: Claudia7 • Report Comment

OF COURSE IT IS!

10.08.08, 10:21pm

Its fools like this that do not help the crisis that is Britain at this tim! Of course they contribute towards social ills, as do thier role models in sport, music, Tv, assisted by the most destructive of all, the politicians and the liberal fools that lead them. Add to the mix an amoral and uneducated m**** whose whole way of life is directed by the very insidious garbage that spews from the TVs every single day, look at the teenage thugs that pervade society now, they didn't appear over night, it is the insidious corrosion of all social barriers, the decline in morals and law enforcement, the PC cretins, etc. So on its own it isn't responsible but added to everything else it most certainly plays its part, so don't be stupid and try to defend the indefensible, be part of the cure not part of the problem.

• Posted by: Kornflake • Report Comment

DON'T BLAME VIOLENT FILMS FOR SOCIETY'S WOES...

10.08.08, 12:00am

Violent fims and video games do have a small part to play, but we have to look at the wider picture and both Labour and Conservatives have ruined society with anti marriage tax and stupid child laws so NO ONE any more can control children, the news spells this out every day and still THEY DON'T LEARN even though they keep trotting out the the mantra we will listen and make sure this does not happen again , the Politicians running this country should all be sacked as the incompetants they are

• Posted by: treehugger • Report Comment

IGNORANCE.

09.08.08, 5:26pm

The breakdown of society is not caused by violent films..weve always had them.
It is caused by ignorance.
Ignorance starting with parents.
Ignorance continuing with bad schooling.
Ignorance causing lack of discipline, and lack of discipline causing ignorance.
And which country has some of the most ignorant teenagers in the world?

• Posted by: stevewo • Report Comment

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SOPHISTICATED COMMENT

09.08.08, 5:08pm

Great analysis in your blog and no wonder you're getting comments. I haven't seen the film but I must do just to check up on your comments.
At my age at least I'm allowed to see it, so I'll judge for myself. However I was brought up on TV westerns when 40 years ago on our screens in the UK it was normal for cowboys to use guns and knives especially if there were a few Injuns to injure. A popular musical at the time based on Romeo and Juliet called West End Story was all about street gang fights. I don't remember people complaining then about how NY was becoming too violent as a result. In fact the big apple is a much safer place now. There's plenty of evidence that violent crime has gone down considerably even though "waterboarding" and other torture is openly defended by the US President.
Right then Claudia, I'm off to see the movie and check this out for myself. Sal x

• Posted by: Salokin • Report Comment

FILMS AND SELF-INFLICTED "WOES".

09.08.08, 1:50pm

It is'nt just films and TV programmes is it?. They often titillate the weak and the copycatters, but the main cause of society's ills is quite simply the evil little brains that are so prevelant in this and any country on earth. Peers with flash mouths and tough attitudes are so often more appealing to youngsters as role models than corny old parents. It takes a strong parent with firm values to instill in youngsters that the other way is cheap and stupid , and can and will lead to much grief. The whole history of our species is a crazy mixture of beauty and ugliness, idealism and contempt. It's all very well to isolate the entertainment media as a convenient scapegoat - it can help a little to contain crude content more - but good parenting is of prime importance, and eventually, through genetic engineering, the eradication of stupid and moronic people. Otherwise, it's going to be a never ending, ongoing, wasteful and degrading aspect of human life. It's no wonder travellers from space never land voluntarily, they would despise us. Back to Zog, quick, fellers. Enough is enough.

• Posted by: bluenote • Report Comment

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JOLES1234 I AGREE ABSOLUTELY

09.08.08, 11:26am

We live in a contradictory society that condemns violence yet portrays it to the full within the sphere of "entertainment".
The breakdown of family life often leads to the lack of boundaries within the remaining family unit so children take their lead from peers and cultural entertainment whether this is on television, computer games, or films.

• Posted by: marigold • Report Comment

WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!!!!!

09.08.08, 11:16am

For those who think the rating of 12a for this movie must be stark raving bonkers.So its ok for our young children to see knives being used to kill slowly,of course it has an affect.For gods sake stop showing this film now.Children are dying on our streets because of knives being used ,isnt that some sort of pointer?wake up and stop this violence on screen adding to it.

• Posted by: joles1234 • Report Comment

FILMS AND EMOTIONAL VULTURES.

09.08.08, 10:30am

I suppose it's only natural that someone would run around in verbal circles, waffling on about the obvious and concise conceptuals - eventually returning to the exact same and precise analysis as the origonal. Such is the nature of the female of the species.

• Posted by: bluenote • Report Comment

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FAIRYTALES WERE OFTEN BASED ON AN EMBELLISHED TRUTH

09.08.08, 8:33am

And yes they were used to educate children about stranger danger and the need to stay close to home and family. Sometimes, though, even families came under scrutiny and children also learned that even a mother, or in fairytales usually a step mother, may not necessarily be the childs best friend.
So many aspects of human nature were woven within the words of a fairytale and children learned to love the hero and hate the villain.
So are films such as Batman todays fairytales ?
I dont think so.
They are far too graphic and realistic and Batman is certainly not an embellished true story. It is pure fiction from the writers pen set free to provide shock, horror, and gratuitous violence to an audience that lives in a world full of control.
Its purpose is to provide entertainment to the darkest side of the human soul.
I would compare such films to the fights in the Colloseum in Rome where bloodshed and death was the norm, involving criminals, prostituites, and animals.
We have "moved on" since then and no longer use living people but the bloodlust and sex is now recreated on the screen for our "entertainment".
Some will certainly be affected and want to emulate on screen behaviour but unfortunately the film industry will block every move toward cencorship.

• Posted by: marigold • Report Comment

SORRY DARLIN' BUT YOU ARE WAY OUT OF ORDER.

08.08.08, 7:40pm

I wish people like Ms. Goulder really could understand what influences impressionable kids and indeed many adults before writing such tosh. I t can even be very counter-productive in getting the wrong people off the hook in helping to make the unacceptable acceptable. I made it my business to get peoples opinions about disturbing films and TV programmes, the replies confirmed my own feelings, that men, women particularly and kids were affected very much by sexual content and violence. Also. many killers have admitted to being influenced by movies and TV. I do not wish to appear sexist, but only when one has the total confidence of a woman do you get the full truth, and too often on subjects like this, their opinions are way off track. I expect a lot of flack from this missive of mine - and in the immortal words of MR. Butler, quite frankly my dear(s), I don't give a damn.

• Posted by: bluenote • Report Comment

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