Journeys and Destinations

[thehefner]

There's an old Hollywood axiom that warns, "Movies are about their last twenty minutes," which is pretty much a direct rebuttal to the great writer's mantra, "It's the journey, not the destination."

So, questions, my lovely flisters:

Ever seen a brilliant movie or read an awesome book that was ruined by its shitty ending? For me, it was THE HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG. A magnificently moving tragedy utterly destroyed in the last fifteen minutes by the tacked-on subplot that served to do nothing but be an excuse to force everything to go to shit, because oooh, that's so literary!

Conversely, ever seen/read anything that was made--or even salvaged--by a great ending? Even if the first half or more was tedious, boring, awful, painful, did the ending at least make you forgive the story, if not outright love it? A couple examples of movies with much better second halves that come to mind for me are THE SPANISH PRISONER and KISS OF THE SPIDER-WOMAN. Has this ever happened to you? With what?

Your answers just might make it into the new monologue I'm composing. I'm actually considering maybe trying to do this as a podcast or a multi-part web video, trying to expand my creative horizons. Assuming I can find a sound/video editor to help me out.

Comments

[angrylemur.livejournal.com]

Oh please, like you would have been capable of "eh, it's pretty good". Dude, it's not like I dragged you into this conversation!

And I mean, if you'll recall, Tobocman also draw devil horns on himself. His work is heavy on visual symbolism because using signifiers like that is an effective way of portraying complex concepts in simple yet evocative ways - it's a propaganda tactic, but does that make it propaganda? The goal of propaganda is to tell people what to think, usually through oversimplifying things and obfuscating the truth. Tobocman's work does the opposite - it points out the complexities that are often overlooked by mainstream media sources, and brings attention to the realities of situations that we usually only see one side of - the side with enough money to get their side told.

Also, as to the role of the oppressors being simplified - well, you're right, it's not their story. If you want their story, you can turn on the news. You can see Tobocman's exclusion of it as propaganda - and that's a valid interpretation. But so is the interpretation that Tobocman is a prolific artist with limited resources and he's not interested in using those resources to tell stories that are already ingrained in most peoples' consciousness...es.

Blah. You seem a bit defensive, and that makes me sad, because I'm not trying to start a fight. I'm not even trying to be argumentative. I just honestly like Tobocman's work and I know precious few other people who both a) have ever read a comic of his ever and b) are totes up for in-depth analysis of work just because they think it's NEAT. So when that happens I am like "FUCK YES LET'S GO RIGHT NOW."

I don't mean to be confrontational. Just eager! And perhaps a bit contradictory, because that's how I roll.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Sorry, defensiveness is my general mode these days. Another thing I'm trying to work on. I just knew you liked Tobocman and was worried about an honest answer, considering some disagreements we've had in the past. Also, I am just plain hesitant to really discuss such things and express thoughts when, as you point out, I just don't know. ... Man, I'm being defensive about being defensive.

Also, that mmmmmmmay also have something to do with my emotional state out here in Winnipeg, where I'm in a very special state of being on edge spiked with exhaustion as the final weekend is ramping up.

So yes! No fighting! I like this plan. Especially if it can involve Hawkman comics and pie! By which I mean, I want some pie. But yeah, I totally get your eagerness, and don't wanna be a damper on that! If nothing else, it's interesting for me to hear your insight in the book, as I don't know ANYone else who's read it!

[angrylemur.livejournal.com]

Aw. It's okay. Caaallllllm down, everyone's still friends.

I made some pie earlier this week, but it's all gone now. It wasn't that good, to be honest. I'd never made pie before.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Also, going to bed now, so I'll check back in online tomorrow afternoon or so!