I fondly remember my movie-going days, and not just because of the tasty popcorn. I enjoyed two-hour feature films: the action, the special effects, even the — gasp! — chick flicks.
Visiting the theater slowly morphed into a love affair with Netflix, and feature films were a twice-weekly occurrence in our household.
Then I discovered TV. Sure, I always watched television shows, but I mean I really discovered TV. (I blame Keith for being sucked down into this point of no return.) Everything I like about TV now bugs me about feature films. Let me explain.
Last night, as I attempted to watch The Dark Knight with Keith, I was painfully bored. I gave up forty-five minutes into it. I don’t think that was coincidence. By the time forty-five minutes rolls around with TV, I’ve watched a full episode (sans commercials) with a complete beginning, middle and end, character development, action and complex plots. Dexter gives me humor, characterization and dark secrets; Supernatural gives me family ties, demons and the heebie-jeebies (and humor); Leverage gives me a fun ride, clever twists and banter (and humor).
The Dark Knight was still setting up after forty-five minutes. I swear we’d been given about eight pages of script within that time, and I was just not interested. The lack of characterization and the poor casting took its toll on me.
But was this really a fair assessment of The Dark Knight, a movie that has gotten high praise and probably would have interested me in the past? Has TV ruined me for movies? Does my attention span immediately shut off at forty-five minutes now?
To answer all three questions: No, not necessarily, and pretty much.
The verdict is in: I like the payoff of TV better; there’s no gamble. I know when I watch an episode of a show I love, I’ll get satisfaction and feel like that forty-five minutes I invested was time well spent. If I invest over two hours in a feature film and I’m disappointed at the end of it, I’ll want that two hours of my life back. I hate wasting time! Being a little bit older, and being a mom now, leaves me with more to do and I just don’t have the time to waste these days.
Will I ever watch another movie again? Sure I will. I loved the new Indiana Jones movie (even caught that one in the theater), and I’m looking forward to seeing Quantum of Solace. Wait a minute … I’m noticing a pattern here … those movies are series that I’ve loved and I pretty much know what to expect. So maybe if I choose carefully, I’ll be a movie viewer once again.
Is this a common phenomenon? Has this ever happened to you?
Clacked by Debbie McDuffee
on Jan 02, 2009 @ 16:04 EST5EDT
Yes people, I live with this woman. May you all unleash unholy hell upon her lack of taste in movies.
I know what you mean, though. I have adult ADD, so a movie has to be either relatively short and fast-paced or really engaging to keep my attention for two whole hours. Films like Enchanted and the Harry Potter series are great because they’re paced for younger viewers with shorter attention spans, but I lost interest in Juno about half an hour in. (I don’t get out much, obviously.)
Are you familiar with RiffTrax? They’re funny commentary tracks for popular movies written and recorded by former MST3K writer/castmembers Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett. There are tracks for a lot of big-budget action movies and most of the popular franchises (i.e. Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones), including The Dark Knight.
Oh god… I thought I got a short attention span because of the Internet and TV but my reaction to TDK was the exact opposite. It kept going and going and in the end I felt like I just got three movies rolled into one for the price of a single stub. I was so delighted when I saw the screener that I bought a train ticket for me and my brother and went to Berlin, a seven hour train ride, to get to the only IMAX in Germany showing it just to see that movie.
I might’ve agreed with your observation if you wouldn’t have picket the awesomest (yes that’s a word since that movie came out) movie of all time. This movie is more perfect than Star Wars, it’s better than The Godfather and if it were alive, no matter what gender, I would’ve already proposed to it so I could stay with it forever and ever, not just a mere two hours and change.
Funny thing is I can’t even be angry at you for your reaction to TDK. I just feel sad you don’t like it, that you don’t feel the same way. Best movie ever. I’m going to buy a Blu-Ray player just for this movie. And a new TV. This movie is the best thing that happened to cinema in thirty years. If all movies were like this or even only close to it, then I would still go to the cinema to pay the price of a DVD just to endure half an hour of commercials and anti-piracy trailers (god how I hate those).
Again, I feel for you. It’s as if you were the Tin Man. *sigh*
Just saw that I didn’t stay on topic (sorry, best movie ever ;-) ).
What I meant to say is this: TDK was a movie where I was so happy that it kept going. The symptoms you described only resulted in me checking my watch (or better the running time of the screener) just to find out how much I had already seen – first time I checked was about 60 percent through because I thought “Man it will be over soon, too bad” and you can’t believe how deligthed I was that it wasn’t. Time flew by. I didn’t feel the need to turn it off it was so good. I didn’t WANT to go to the bathroom, I HAD TO.
I watch so much TV that it should be considered an addiction and honestly this is just a bad movie to pick to proove your point. It’s just that this movie, if not liked, simply turns you away pretty fast. You either love it wholeheartedly or you walk out (ok it’s not as bad as “Batman & Robin”, the only movie I ever walked out of, I guess), but when you read the comments on IMDb you soon enough find out that there are a certain kind of people who simply don’t like this kind of movie, and I guess you fit into that category. Again, that’s a little bit sad, but I think that’s a phenomenon that could more easily be discribed as superhero-movie-phobia or something rather than a short attention span or being ruined by TV, especially because for me, TDK is the best example of filling a movie with not only one single simple payoff, but a couple of them. It’s no wonder they released the bank robbing on the Blu-Ray for the first installment of this new version of Batman. This first part could be a Batman shortfilm in itself. Later on, like I said, you expect the movie to be over not once but at least three times, and there are so many great bits that make up a whole continuum in itself that leaves you breathless over and over again. The burning of the money. The interrogation. The kidnapping of that chinese money guy from HongKong. The decision whom to save. The revelation of Harvey Dent’s face. The implosion of the hospital. The two boats and the decisions of the prisoners and the regular people. The chase of the prison transport. The final scene and how Batman flees.
This movie is especially catering to the ADD plagued young audience of today. Unfortunately you couldn’t have picked a worse movie for proving your point.
You simply hate Batman. Or this movie.
Try Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakuchi and you’ll see that you won’t stop the movie. Or “My Sassy Girl” (the korean original). Best Romantic Comedy ever. I cry like a baby every time.
Sebastion,
The only thing more unhealthy I’ve seen on the internet is Tim-1’s obsession with Grace Park.
Did I think Dark Knight was awesome? Absolutely! Better than the classics? Not so much.
Though, I think buying a new TV and BluRay player is always an awesome idea. In fact, I have it on BR even though my PS3 is 7 states away.
Sebastian… Sorry for the typo ;)
Don’t sweat the typo :-)
I was going to buy a new TV anyway but had to wait until the Full-HD ones 42″ and above got in the 1000 Euro price range. There are 250 Euro Blu-Ray Players out there now as well so it was all a matter of waiting. I bought a 42″ Plasma for 5000 Euro four years ago and it wasn’t HD ready or anything, I wasn’t going to make that mistake again.
But honestly I think as long as Star Wars isn’t out on BluRay I guess I’m still able to wait a bit longer – and since there are absolutely BS extras on the TDK BluRay. I’m really disappointed about that.
Anyway, I’ve been staring at an ad for a 47″ LCD TV the last two days and I’m really getting the jitters ^^;
Debbie, I agree with you on “The Dark Knight”. Although I liked all the other Batman movies, this one seemed to miss something. Maybe It was because the Batman in this role seemed too melancholy and bureaucratic. It was long on car chases and plot set-up, and short on the explosive drama/action formula so vitally needed in the super-hero genre.
TV is a safe commodity. You pick your favorite shows and then watch weekly as the status quo remains relatively the same. Each week you know Dexter won’t be caught, the Supernatural boys will always end up back in their car, and the Leverage gang will have no problems pulling off the heist. TV can be awesome, but it’s safe.
Sure most movies are stinkers, but the amazing ones are worth it. They’ll take you somewhere new and unknown. That’s the joy of movies. You have to sit through all the bad ones to find the one that really speaks to you. That being said, The Dark Knight is a fantastic movie. Go back, set aside the whole 2.5 hours needed, and finish watching.
*POST AUTHOR*
TV being safe — that’s definitely it! I’m guaranteed my 45 minutes of fun. In this busy world, a safe bet is what I’m taking!
In general this is the right assumption. TV is safe.
But “Buffy” never was safe TV. That’s what makes it great. TV is great when it’s not like that. When it has an impact on you.
When I just want to be entertained, I watch comedies.
*POST AUTHOR*
Right, completely right! I don’t mean safe in the sense that everything is happy-go-lucky, I mean safe b/c I know I’m going to be satisfied with what I get from that show at the end of 45 minutes, b/c they’ve never let me down.
I find movies almost wholly unsatisfying these days. That said, I have watched the relatively unwatchable (sans eye candy) PS I Love You four times in the last week. A pretty boy will get me every time.
I liked the Dark Knight, but was was truly dark, and I think you really need to be in that place to view it.
Movies that really drag for me are X-Men movies. All they ever do is set up … there is no real payoff; just another movie to introduce yet another group of mutants with more powers. Hmmm…that’s exactly why I’ve turned off Heroes this season.
I think movies have just been skating on the fact they were movies for the last decade or so…they thought they were the “it” medium, but turns out with the advent of cable series they are seriously lacking. Even Vanity Fair had an article this year about the quality of television vs the quality of movies, and TV came out on top! Imagine.
I thought there was general agreement that the new Indiana Jones was terrible :)
Deb, I agree with you on this point. Dark Knight was overrated and incredibly dull. Ledger was good, but that’s about it. Watch Iron Man – it’s twice the movie Dark Knight is.
By the way, ignore the “critics” and see Quantum of Solace. Not as good as Casino Royale, but still entertaining.
*POST AUTHOR*
I think “Iron Man” is the next film to grace our NetFlix cue, and I am actually very excited to try this one.
I went through the same exact process! In addition to what you say, when I do see a movie I enjoy… I am sorely disappointed that it’s over. They had the *gall* to make me interested in characters and their stories and then it just ends… but I want more!
The Dark Knight had poor casting?! Did you fast forward through all of Heath Leger and Gary Oldman’s scenes?
Indiana Jones I had to force myself to sit through with the fridge scene, Shia swinging with the monkeys, aliens, and Ray Winestone yelling “Jonsey!” It was nowhere near as good as Dark Knight.
Quantum was entertaining, but no Casino Royale.
*POST AUTHOR*
Heath Ledger was fine, I guess, but I did have some trouble with the puny Oldman being the strong Gordon. Really, though, I don’t care for Bale’s Batman and I couldn’t stand the Rachel Dawes or Two-Face casting.
I loved the fridge scene, but I’m there with you on the swinging with the monkeys. I liked it b/c it had everything you’d expect from an Indiana Jones movie — the snake joke, the whip, the crazy stunts, the crooked smile, etc., you get the point!
The monkey swinging scene. Oh lord. Kill me now. The humanity! Or is it: the primanity!
This movie was originally titled “Indiana Jones and the Saucer Men from Mars.” I should’ve known what I was getting into.
https://www.theraider.net/features/articles/lost_drafts_05.php
The only thought that came to mind as I walked out of the theatre that fateful day was Indiana Jones and the Temple of Suck. Worst swinging on vines since George of the Jungle.
I agree about the Dark Knight – could not wait for it to end. What made it worse was that it was one of the few movies I went out to see this past year. First, it was too dark – Bale was not a Batman I could root for – he was too conflicted and morose. Second, besides Bale I did not like Maggie G in the role – there was no chemistry or fire to make you care about her.
I have found in general however now that I am older that I do not want to spend my time on dark entertainment no matter how good. So for me it’s Chuck instead of The Wire, Life instead of The Shield. I do want to be invested in a show but it has to have strong character development, a continuously developing understandable mythology and a sense of humor. So off to watch Chuck, Supernatural, Life, Burn Notice, Eureka, House etc. I want to catch up on Lost and see if I can follow it. I am looking forward to Dollhouse, Lie to Me, Kings. Let’s see if the new shows can meet my standards for me to get involved (understanding that my criteria are different that others)
Sorry, Debbie, I don’t want to be this person, but I don’t think I can read your columns if you are incapable of giving up only 2.5 hours of your life to watch something as critically acclaimed as The Dark Knight. By tuning out after less than an hour you have robbed yourself one of the year’s best experiences, and even if you end up not liking it, you simply cannot judge anything based on less than one-third of the movie.
Yes, it’s a slow burn, but that’s the complete point, the antithesis to the candy color bullshit of Schumacher’s films and the false seriousness of the Burton films (let’s not even mention Adam West et al). The first act is all set-up for characterizations because it’s the FIRST ACT. That’s what a first act is. And hey, for those that need their action fix, there’s a big sequence about every 30 minutes in that movie.
Please watch the rest of it. Think of it as three episodes of The Wire, Homicide or The Shield or something that you consider great (good or not, it’s completely against the concept of storytelling as an art to simply give up on something merely because it’s dark, commenter above me on this board), as it is art’s duty to provide the entire range of emotions, to open ourselves up to new experiences, to witness something else and entirely new. If you want escapism, go take a vacation, and it it’s cheap thrills you want, go jump on a rollercoaster.
Sorry, Debbie, I’m fine with your write-ups on some shows, but to say that three episodes of Grey’s Anatomy or even Eli Stone (which has lost much of its charm this season) is worth more of your time than what is pretty much the Godfather of action/drama blockbusters is not something I want in a television critic. A writer such as yourself must always be willing to try something different.
*POST AUTHOR*
To quote, apparently, one of your favorite movie characters, “Why so serious?”
Sorry, I couldn’t resist that one! ;-)
It’s just a fun piece with an observation I noticed, and I’m sorry if I offended you by thinking TDK was boring. Perhaps I’ll redeem myself with my opinion of Iron Man, which is on the way to my house as I type…
*POST AUTHOR*
Oh, and I just can’t resist posting this spoof on Batman’s unintelligible voice:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a30inStb9nA
It’s a hoot!
Not one of my favorite movie characters, but thanks, I guess.
Iron Man is a piece of fluff, but a good piece of fluff. But more than anything, you should put TDK back on your queue.
I just equate what you did with watching only 15 minutes of a TV drama’s premiere episode, which is disrespectful to the form. All art is useful in one form or another, and to simply drop it is not fun so much as missing the entire point.