Satire Has More Meaning
I think the difference between films like Scary Movie and Borat is that although both could be described with the adjective “ridiculous”, one carries a much stronger underlying meaning. I haven’t even seen Borat, but it seems to have taken over our popular culture by exposing some embarassing truths about certain American ways of life. I don’t usually enjoy crude, poking humour so the “Scary Movies” just don’t do anything for me. The only purpose they serve is to rip the seriousness out of other meaningful productions. They’re not really satire because all they’re doing is trying to make a serious message into a joke. Satire is in many ways a joke, but it also tends to make people feel uncomfortable in a way that makes them change their negative ways.
I really liked your post. I completely agree that if people are offended by the satire, then they will be more likely to do something to change their opinions on the problem posed by the satire. The discomfort level of people watching or hearing the satire measures just how bad the problem is and how much work needs to be done to fix the problems. Satire makes people aware of these problems, which is the first step to fixing them.
Posted December 8, 2006, 4:09 pmi agree with you. I wouldn’t think of Scary Movie as satire at all. Its just a movie poking fun of other movies without trying to send some other message. Satire has a deeper meaning than making people laugh, Its trying to show somthing serious underneath. I don’t think there is anything serious is Scary Movie.
Posted December 11, 2006, 5:12 pm