Kick-Ass

[Jawa Ex Machina]

I'm saying THE WAY in which things are portrayed can rub people the wrong way.

But this is why it's funny.
Not all good comedy is offensive, but no good comedy is non-offesive to everybody. You have to stretch and bend the rules of what's acceptable.
This is really important for us filmmakers. We HAVE TO be offensive to people, and on purpose too.

I always like paraphrasing Oliver Stone about something he said when he accepted his lifetime achievement award at the Stockholm Film Festival.
He was asked about THE HAND and SEIZURE. He said he hated those films, because they were horror films and he didn't have it in him to do horror.
He said, that in order to make a horror film you have to have it in you to shove a huge nail into the forehead of the viewers, meaning you have to allow yourself to be cruel to them because what you're really supposed to aim at when making horror is putting people through an uncomfortable experience.

I think comedy works the same way. If you don't allow yourself to offend some people, you'll end up serving them unflavored slop.

And when you think about it, the same goes for all kinds of movie making.

But really I don't see Go-go as a valid comparison. She could be 25 years old...Asian women do tend to look quite young, and it was never made clear in the film.

Yeah she's not a valid comparison, I agree. But does age really have anything to do with this?
If your daughter watches Kill Bill or Tomb Raider or whatever, does she not identify with The Bride and Lara Croft because they're older than her? Or if she watches Spider-man, doesn't she identify with him even though he's a guy, or Ninja Turtles because they're teenage half amphibian half human mutaded ninjas?

 

[Jawa Ex Machina]

Look, I'll try to make as clear a comparison as I can. The same reason some people are disturbed by Hit-Girl as a character, because of what she does and says in the movie, is pretty close to the reason people are disturbed by stuff like this--

Ok I'm gonna say this once again.

There is no pornography in KICK-ASS.

Hit Girl is portrayed as a capable, intelligent, resourcefull and righteous person who can take care not only of herself but of the people she cares about.

Beauty pagents are about creating an obsession for looks and shallow ideals in young girls, which is the OPPOSITE of what the Hit Girl character is all about.

I see a connection between beauty pagents and SEX AND THE CITY, but I can't imagine one single kid getting bullemic over KICK-ASS.

Two separate issues.

 

[Batutta]

Sorry, not even close.

I'm not even sure how you can make such a comparison?

MAH

I'm trying to approximate my feelings for others who don't see it the same way. For me they feel pretty close, people celebrating what is clearly not age appropritlate behavior.

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

I'm trying to approximate my feelings for others who don't see it the same way. For me they feel pretty close, people celebrating what is clearly not age appropritlate behavior.

Except this is a MOVIE. Not real life.

I'm sure some freaks loved LOLITA for all the wrong reasons as well.

Taken from Wiki

Due to the MPAA's restrictions at the time, the film toned down the more perverse aspects of the novel, sometimes leaving much to the audience's imagination. The actress who played Lolita, Sue Lyon, was fourteen at the time of filming. Kubrick later commented that, had he realized how severe the censorship limitations were going to be, he probably never would have made the film.

It's a movie. It's not real life like the pictures you are posting. Luckily as adults we can tell the difference.


MAH

 

[Gary Huff]

The same reason some people are disturbed by Hit-Girl as a character, because of what she does and says in the movie

What exactly disturbs you about Hit-Girl uttering a specific collection of noises from her vocal cords?

 

[David Jimerson]

What exactly disturbs you about Hit-Girl uttering a specific collection of noises from her vocal cords?

Rather disingenuous question, isn't it?

 

[Gary Huff]

Not if he's trying to say that people are "disturbed" to hear little kids swear.

 

[Batutta]

Except this is a MOVIE. Not real life.

I'm sure some freaks loved LOLITA for all the wrong reasons as well.

Taken from Wiki
It's a movie. It's not real life like the pictures you are posting. Luckily as adults we can tell the difference.


MAH

But the responses to both things are real. Just as pageant organizers are asking their audience to celebrate their freak show, so are the makers of kickass. They want the audience to cheer Hit Girl on.

 

[Gary Huff]

They want the audience to cheer Hit Girl on.

Of course...but why shouldn't they? What kind of damage is going to occur from a theater audience cheering when Hit Girl takes out the bad guys?

 

[David Jimerson]

Not if he's trying to say that people are "disturbed" to hear little kids swear.

Sure it is, because you know why. You know there's a social stigma to it. You know it's naughty language.

In fact, no one would interested in using profanity if there weren't that stigma, otherwise there's no point. If you enjoy it -- and I'm not saying you do or don't -- it's precisely because it's naughty.

 

[Gary Huff]

Well, I agree with your point, David, however the word being used is "disturbed." It's disturbing to hear a kid swear?

 

[David Jimerson]

Well, I agree with your point, David, however the word being used is "disturbed." It's disturbing to hear a kid swear?

That's a different question. But I doubt that really needs to be explained to you, either.

As for profanity in general, I find it . . . lazy.

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

But the responses to both things are real. Just as pageant organizers are asking their audience to celebrate their freak show, so are the makers of kickass. They want the audience to cheer Hit Girl on.

No they are not both real. Supporting little girls being portrayed as young women in a sexual manner is not right. i.e. The little girls strutting around in bikinis in a real beauty pageant.

Cheering on a fictional character trying to come to the aid of a fictional hero in a fictional movie is something all together different.

Hell, I cheer for Dexter and he's a fictional serial killer. Does that now mean I support REAL serial killers?

Come on.


MAH

 

[Batutta]

No they are not both real. Supporting little girls being portrayed as young women in a sexual manner is not right.

And I think showing little girls portrayed as foul mouthed murderers, just for kicks, is not right either. And I'm disturbed that others are getting enjoyment out of it...I'll give an example of a film that shows kids being foul mouthed murderers that I don't have a problem with. City of God. That film was very difficult for me to watch, but I didn't find it objectionable because the subject was dealt with seriously, their actions had very real psychological reasons and moral consequences, and the violence didn't exist for mere entertainment's sake.

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

And I think showing little girls portrayed as foul mouthed murderers, just for kicks, is not right either. And I'm disturbed that others are getting enjoyment out of it...I'll give an example of a film that shows kids being foul mouthed murderers that I don't have a problem with. City of God. That film was very difficult for me to watch, but I didn't find it objectionable because the subject was dealt with seriously, their actions had very real psychological reasons and moral consequences, and the violence didn't exist for mere entertainment's sake.

And yet you still haven't seen Kick-Ass.

My problem is with you comparing a fictional movie to little girls in real life.
That's where you lose me every time.

That and judging a movie you have yet to see.

MAH

 

[Gary Huff]

Ebert's argument is the same one that that's been heard ad infinitum, and yet society continues to putter along with its old boring self.

Don't got see it if you don't like it. Those not encumbered by such will be more than willing to take your seat. But don't pretend to hold the moral high ground over others who don't share in your opinion.

 

[Batutta]

And yet you still haven't seen Kick-Ass.

My problem is with you comparing a fictional movie to little girls in real life.
That's where you lose me every time.
MAH

You can compare people's reactions, because they are both real...If you read all my posts, you'll find I'm more disturbed by OTHER people's reactions to the movie. I keep hearing how people are going crazy over a little girl killing a bunch of people and swearing like a sailor. That disturbs me. Just as it disturbs me that people enjoy child beauty pageants.

 

[Jawa Ex Machina]

And I think showing little girls portrayed as foul mouthed murderers, just for kicks, is not right either. And I'm disturbed that others are getting enjoyment out of it...I'll give an example of a film that shows kids being foul mouthed murderers that I don't have a problem with. City of God. That film was very difficult for me to watch, but I didn't find it objectionable because the subject was dealt with seriously, their actions had very real psychological reasons and moral consequences, and the violence didn't exist for mere entertainment's sake.

But she's not a murderer, she's a killer.
She's Rambo, not The Joker.

 

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

You can compare people's reactions, because they are both real...If you read all my posts, you'll find I'm more disturbed by OTHER people's reactions to the movie. I keep hearing how people are going crazy over a little girl killing a bunch of people and swearing like a sailor. That disturbs me. Just as it disturbs me that people enjoy child beauty pageants.

They are still reactions to something that is NOT real, unlike your beauty pageant comparison. It's not the same thing at all.

I give up. Just call me disturbed. :evil:

MAH

 

[Richard J. Johnson]

I'm not going to get in this, but It's cool that's it's been civil. But I WILL say that those child beauty contest creep me the hell out.

I do want to add that if it were your daughter would you allow her to accept the role?

Assuming that minors would need permission.