CRAPPY MOVIES They are everywhere. What’s a moviegoer to do? “That movie sucked.” No one wishes to spout out these words following a visit to their local theater, especially after dealing out $8.50 for admission. But, in some cases there is nothing else to say. What are the ingredients behind a disappointing film? Is it the lack of a cohesive story or an absence of emotional attachment to the main characters? Perhaps, the acting just isn’t up to par, or maybe the excess amount of cheese is getting to you. Any one of these causes may account for a shoddy cinematic experience. The fact is that people will always find problems in films. It is part of our nature to examine and critique everything. When studied, even the films of highest stature in America’s cinematic history are sure to be plagued with a few problems here and there. Our job, as viewers, is to not let these issues ruin a movie for us, for if we nitpicked about everything, there would be no good movies. Still, not every issue can be swept aside. Another part of the movie experience is watching trailers (previews). Trailers are a mixed bag. Some people like them and others don’t. They are at the beginning of every film, usually adding another 10 to 20 minutes to the running time. I happen to enjoy these pocket-sized snips of things to come. However, sometimes they present too much information. The objective of a trailer is to seize your senses. If the trailer is successful, you essentially have already spent your $8.50; you are going to see that film no matter what. Comedy trailers are obviously going to show the funniest scenes from the movie. This brings up a question: Why go see a comedy flick after already witnessing the highlights of the given movie? By the time you sit on the reclining theater seats, you have become immune to the “hilarious” scenes. They have been played out to death in the TV spots and trailers ahead of other movies recently watched. This isn’t only an issue with comedy trailers. The developers of trailers, as a whole, need to limit the content that makes it into the finished products. We are losing the feeling of surprise because of these bloated trailers. Surprise will no longer be associated with movie-going if things keep running this course. Speaking of surprise, let’s focus our attention on the twist-ending genre. One of the most well-known films that falls in this category is “The Sixth Sense.” “The Sixth Sense” re-launched the thrill audiences can get out of first-rate surprise endings. Since its release, many other films have come out trying to bank on the success that “The Sixth Sense” achieved. Some of these movies include additional films made by the director of “The Sixth Sense” himself, M. Night Shyamalan. But most of his movies haven’t been able to catch the magic that “The Sixth Sense” brought. Remember “The Village?” Ugh. Just like trailers, movies seem to be giving away too much as well. Films with twist endings, and giving away too much-they just don’t go together. Take Christopher Nolan’s “The Prestige”. This movie is filled with countless twists and turns leading to the ultimate surprise climax; disappointingly, when the ending surfaces there is no sense of surprise. Nolan is a great director with mesmerizing films like “Memento” and “Batman Begins” under his belt, but he has scattered an onslaught of hints throughout “The Prestige,” ultimately devouring the power its finale could have had. Go see the movie, though. What it does right makes up for its problems. To fully enjoy your movie-going experience, show up a little late so you miss most of the trailers (unless you like them). Don’t think too much while watching the movie, and act surprised at the end. Now, about those stupid, pre-movie commercials….
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