How Controversial Movies Changed Cinema

[@babscabs1987]

I saw an interview with Scorsese where he was answering questions about the controversial subject matter in The Wolf of Wall Street, he said you guys asked me the same questions when Goodfellas came out and now you fucking love that movie.

[@MegaWarriors24]

What’s controversial in it

[@babscabs1987]

@@MegaWarriors24 seggs, drugs, little people tossing.

[@Johnconno]

Mr Scorsese doesn't swear.

[@tedtawk2783]

Movies nowadays don’t take many risks, they put sex or violence in it but nothing that will actually stir up anything worth talking about

[@TS-qr3rk]

wait are you telling me that very young girls saying curse words isnt the absolute height of art and subversion?

[@DilPickle-jv4dh]

So rape and grotesque and deplorable behavior is worth talking about? You gain nothing from any of that

[@9cross]

They don't even kiss in movies anymore.

[@You-Tube-n5k]

Admittedly, I can't think of too much else. There's obviously some stuff, but considering movies have a lot of depictions of controversial topics nowadays, it's hard to think of many more that would be considered "risky" that hasn't already been done to an extent.

[@OrgaNik_Music]

The big studios have stopped taking any risks and just put out mass-produced content. Some boundary pushing maverick indie filmmakers might exist, but their works get shoved into a streaming service somewhere with a thousand other films and don't generate any controversy since barely anyone even knows they're there.

[@DIDPC]

This is exactly why, although not the best film, The Substance was a breath of fresh air and really pushed the boundaries and had a compelling story with it. It was not just pointless disgust and politically correct. It made a point and it made it hard. I came out of the cinema feeling like I had experienced something new, and it’s rare these days to feel something at all from films. It was a solid 7.5/10, and meant something.

[@LoneCloudHopper]

Love how well-rounded you are. Telling the truth while considering different perspectives respectfully.

[@SemiSmartCucumber]

Hey man I hate to ask this so suddenly but can you give me your credit card info

[@heaventohades]

i think poor things is the most recent movie that i've seen that felt kind of uncomfortable but exploring a boundary with full intention

[@JediJuniper92]

I love that movie!!

[@Vitaphone]

Kinds of kindness for some reason, triggered something in me that made me feel uneasy through the film, like a frog in a pan slowly, turning up the heat, I found myself feeling more and more ill, I couldn’t really pin it to a specific scene or moment, but I know that once I finish the second chapter in that film, I felt queasy. Eventually, I’ll go back and watch the third chapter, and I’m absolutely glad it exist, even if I did feel ill after watching it . I think there’s actually plenty of directors finding distribution under A24 and neon that are pushing boundaries, but I will agree that mainstream studios seem to have lost interest partnering with directors, pushing the envelope.

[@mort-bq1nl]

I was going to talk about the same thing! yorgos lanthimos's movies i think test the boundaries!

[@MoggieLou]

I walked out of Fight Club smiling, thinking, "damn, i cant believe a mainstream movie did that."

[@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs]

"My God! I haven't been fucked like that since grade school!" -Marla Singer, 1999

[@WestSideGorilla1980]

​@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs the original line was "I want to have your abortion" and since the actress is a brit she didn't understand the grade school reference at first😊

[@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs]

@@WestSideGorilla1980 yes but there are other accounts that say pearl clutching execs at Fox wanted it changed lol

[@benjaminprietop]

Great video! I'd say "The Substance" is a recent boundary pushing film, it's been quite successful despite its gross imagery, I think mostly because it has an actual message, instead of being violent for violence's sake, like, for example: "Terrifier". I guess my only true boundary with this type of films is the way in which some things on the screen are achieved, for example, I've never wanted to watch "Last Tango in Paris" since I've known of what Maria Schneider was put through in the set, because I wouldn't want to support something like that and honestly, it makes the movie look more exploitative than anything else.

[@rinkooo6006]

while watching this I thought of The Substance too, I’m surprised at how popular it’s been for how “out there” the concept is and the body horror elements. but then again the terrifier films (2 and 3) made a lot of money and gained popularity through word of mouth and social media

[@heroismexplained8197]

One day I'll make one... love your content man! Keep up the incredible work.

[@PatrickWDunne]

Crazy that Peeping Tom was so controversial when it came out when Psycho was a huge hit

[@ShesEvil]

I remember being 16 or so watching Pyscho and obviously saw the ending a mile off, still one of my favourite films, but I watched Peeping Tom last year and I was actually surprised with the film, even after knowing the context to it.

[@justinrocks8724]

Not really

[@Onlybadtakes2589]

I had a classmate who went into a deep dive on extreme cinema and hosted watch parties. It was kinda like a dare type of thing to see who can stomach it. It was all for a project for a introduction course to film. What separated the "good" and "bad" films for me was the purpose of the extreme content. Felt like most of the films I watched was solely to shock or insult the audience "look how far we're willing to go with the story or visuals!" Watched like 8 different movies, only sat through 2 of em once I realize if there was a point or not in the graphic content. The other 6 films were just notable on how gross it can get and I wasn't into sitting through a movie to see how gross out it can get.

[@NuMetalfan1996]

I think the movie Poor Things was the closest we’ve gotten to a movie pushing boundaries today. That’s been the most recent movie that has actually taken a risk

[@JediJuniper92]

Have you seen The Substance? I feel it absolutely fits this category as well ❤

[@matheus5230]

What about Tár?

@@JediJuniper92I also think it’s better than Poor Things, though I like this one as well.

[@yoanastoyanova]

@@matheus5230 how are either Tar or Poor Things controversial? they show controversial decisions by the characters, but that's merely true to life. the films themselves are pretty straightlaced IMO

[@trw1782]

Almost nothing controversial about those movies. They are unorthodox for sure; but that is not the same

[@ajtaylor8750]

When it comes to the word "controversial," I believe it's started to take on a new meaning in modern day cinema. When Joker came out in 2019, the news outlet had a field day deeming that the film would incite violence from the incel community, but if anything something like "Taxi Driver" is much more likely to do that and is much more of a controversial film. Maybe it's because we're in much more sensitive times, but a lot of the things viewed as "pushing boundaries" aren't really doing anything outside of getting people to talk about on Twitter for a few days.

[@uggerrugger5]

Difference is imo Joker was just nasty snuff. Whereas Taxi Driver had some level of nuance.

[@antithoughtpolice7497]

​​​@@uggerrugger5They're literally the same exact movie, and I think that's why it's important Robert Dinero is in both. Lonely men, with no direction, werewolf, no matter the times. I mean, Taxi Driver has Iris, a child hooker...

[@OrgaNik_Music]

The whole Joker "controversy" seems very manufactured in hindsight. It didn't really do anything that hadn't been done before.

[@maylabrown4584]

"Incel Community" is irrelevant rhetoric fr fr

[@bigcheese2128]

@@maylabrown4584is it though?

[@gmaxx5478]

Personally speaking, I think controversial media is kind of like the old fingers and thumbs analogy, in the sense that all revolutionary movies can lead to controversy, but not all controversial movies can lead to revolution If I had to identify a difference between the two, I think it ultimately comes down to Intent, not merely in regards to messaging, but also when it comes to craft A Clockwork Orange, Psycho, or even The Life of Brian had a distinct purpose In their construction, whether it be examining the foundations of our society, exploring the psychology of its characters or drawing attention to the absurd present within religious practice(In addition to the many otherthings explored in these movies) Whereas movies that exist solely for the purpose of being gross, revolting, shocking, or any other synonym for offensive, are often rendered meaningless in the face of time, due to the lack of meaningful content Of course any movie, or work of art for that matter, Is capable of making a splash, regardless of its critical merit. The only real difference is how far that splash will ripple

[@jamesbok8385]

But that there is where the distinction between splatter film and Transgressive films kind of comes into play... SALO, arguably one of the cruelest movies ever made, is 100% a satire of fascist Italy as well as the modern world...

[@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs]

The difference between The Exorcist and The Human Centipede

[@danielmontgomery7657]

Pink Flamingos 100% was made just to be shocking, but it still is revolutionary in my eyes.

[@victorhsluiz]

Gaspar Noé is the first that comes to mind in terms of having success in creating great pieces of art while continuously trying to push boundaries. The level of emotional impact that most of his movies had on me was not only welcomed, but it's something I crave for.

[@fireinthesky2333]

He's trash. His films are trash.

[@SpotCam]

this was such a great video man, love your essays

[@JustanObservation]

Cheers man, hope you’re doing well

[@mrgreentea4938]

Beautiful editing, really smooth presentation

[@veragrig8645]

Probably David Fincher. He is not my favorite, but he has been taking creative risks since the Fight Club and stood true to his art regardless of criticism, while still managing to tell captivating stories.

[@NuMetalfan1996]

Not just movies but music and TV as well. Controversy creates buzz and cash if you play it right. Nothing is pushing boundaries anymore. And there is a difference between being edgy for the sake of it and actually having something to say.

[@therealCrazyJake]

Life of Bryan wasn’t even poking fun at Christianity, it was placing a character in the comedic situation of being falsely mistaken for the Messiah, due to his proximity to the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ. Monty Python wasn’t mocking the biblical story of Christ at all, but that didn’t stop religious zealots who didn’t know what it was about from getting mad.

[@curtisowen3233]

Yeah, well, up until relatively recently vast numbers of Christians were as sensitive about their faith being poked at as Muslims often are today about their faith. It takes time to normalize these frankly mild chides for people who think they have the creator of the universe on their side, and who is easy offended.

[@sammartina8574]

I am reminded of how I still haven't seen the 2023 remake of The Toxic Avenger with Peter Dinklage. I wish someone would have the nuts to put that up online.

[@tardistrailers]

Surprised "A Serbian Film" wasn't mentioned. One of the few movies of this century still widely considered controversial.

[@lukedoyle2770]

I didn’t find any actual meat on those bones. Seemed edgy for edgy’s sake with nothing to say

[@Tonzoffun0420]

​@lukedoyle2770 it was an allegory for how the Serbian government treats its people.

[@TahmTheBest]

It didn’t change anything. It’s just a weird movie

[@motor4X4kombat]

@@Tonzoffun0420 and joker 2 is an allegory about people who workship a batman villain... just because you are meta dosn't mean you have to be an atention whore

[@tedthecommenter5364]

@@Tonzoffun0420 That's just nonsense made up by it's untalented director with nothing to say honestly

[@dunnowy123]

I have conflicted feelings on this. Arguably, today we're MORE sensitive than in the late 1960s/1970s, when there was a prevailing sense of sexual and cultural revolution that challenged so many norms, both on and off screen. I'm not going to pretend most people were on board with this, but there was definitely a desire to do things that people never thought they'd see put to screen. Nowadays, people feel like we've already seen the "bad stuff" put to screen, so there's no need to depict it anymore. A movie like Pink Flamingos or 120 Days in Sodom would NEVER get wide releases.

[@Gordon.Pinkerton]

Pink Flamingos didn't get a wide release til a decade after it was made and Salo never got a wide release, and was in fact banned in a lot of places. Probably not the best two examples to use here

[@dunnowy123]

@@Gordon.Pinkerton Fair enough, looking back at it, streaming probably allows for more opportunities to push the boundary...but they've gotten so big they'll never really do that lol

[@Andrew-Antioch-Kim]

Eric Bischoff "controversy creates cash"

[@everia_games]

Such good shit

[@ChesterLurman]

agred

[@hellboy.ww_]

stopped what I'm doing cos the goat dropped

[@mclovinpo]

Stop glazing bruh I find one of y’all on every niche KZbin channel

[@hellboy.ww_]

@@mclovinpo ...

[@herpderptheshep]

I'm kind of surprised we got through a video about boundary-pushing cinema without discussing Network

[@Djboi89]

This is why I appreciate terrifer 3 so much it was made in a morden climate yet decided to push the boundaries

[@Rapgod3hoursclean]

Seeing clockwork orange in the thumbnail made me IMMEDIATELY click on this video

[@MagusMarquillin]

Sounds rather pavlovian.

[@carlcjjohnson8694]

4:01 has there ever been a film of the magnitude of these ones that critique other religions like Judaism or Islam?

[@hollyroxanne7498]

I saw “The Substance” in cinemas recently, i loved it, it felt new and boundary pushing (:

[@alanmckenna5608]

I am ashamed to say that "Banned in Ireland" is the running gag here. I did my Leaving Cert history project on film censorship in Ireland. What a babied culture we were.

[@Jlahandle]

Loved Eyes Wide Shut. I saw it at the theatre when it first came out. The slow burn of tension and fear was very original and chilling . I was on the edge of my seat most of the time.

[@nklin6]

The curse is the only show in recent times I've seen that wasnt afraid to take risks

[@ShesEvil]

my favourite term nowadays is "glorifying". oh its glorifying this or that. it does depend on the film, whether it actually is. even with 50 shades (which I never seen, so can't comment on) "oh its glorifying unhealthy / even abusive relationships", but you're talking about the subject because you interpreted it that way, so isn't it good that you are making conversation about it

[@antithoughtpolice7497]

I think the only movie actually doing it right is Midsommar. We first saw the movie and felt the catharsis so strongly, we rooted for the cult. Then we sat on it for a while, and realized how evil the cult is. THEN we realize our dear protagonist is in a lose-lose situation. The real world isn't necessarily better than the cult. All the serial killer dramas, though? Tasteless, and won't age as well as Midsommar. Or better than 50 Shades, bleh, is Secretary. The Secretary isn't a basic virgin like Ana, she's a complex, flawed person missing something, and happy to participate in the relationship.

[@T2theG123]

I love your takes on these types of subjects

[@ohnoourtableitsbroken6527]

Lard von trier is definitely one of those directors that loves to shock for the sake of it, the house that jack built in my grown age fucked me up, felt genuinely Ill and disturbed by the end of it. Also the substance seriously grossed me out, had to hold the wall and breathe when we exited the theatre, but I do respect the message behind the film

[@CooksFSH]

Thank you for another wonderful essay! I think cinema is a unique artwork that transports us to different worlds and experiences. It's an art form that should be pushing the boundaries and take people pit of their perspective and existence.

[@fortunatomartino8549]

Fair and balanced. Great post

[@kamarihowell8814]

Kids by Larry Clark is a prime example of a movie that was too controversial, nut also a movie that is highly influential, even if it is traumatizing. It actually represents a day in the life in the 90s where party feral kids in NYC. It actually captured a niche or aesthetic only NYC kids can relate to, whether you lived in the 90s as a street kid or a current 20's underground party goer. It makes you cringe and count your blessings, but it has a strong message and is necessary watch to any filmlover interesed in this video. :}

[@erinnadia0409]

His movie Ken Park and Bully traumatised me 😅

[@oldmanmartin7066]

Love the father ted scene being shoved in. The passion of Saint tibulous is one of the greatest episodes of tv ever made

[@jackrosevear]

brilliant work as always mate!

[@crystalpowell8619]

I have never seen the Silence of the Lambs because Anthony Hopkins was so good that I knew it would affect me (not a horror movie lover). That doesn’t mean that I think the film should not have been made.

[@TheGnolla]

The last time I felt any kind of revulsion was when I watched the Black Mirror episode with the pig. I want to thank you for this video essay. It is well thought out and the points are very well argued. Kudos. 😊

[@Katie37291]

I’ll give a shoutout to Yorgos Lanthimos here. While most would likely point to Poor Things or Kinds of Kindness (I don’t disagree), his most controversial work to me is Dogtooth. That was certainly boundary pushing

[@jonathanmelia]

People have always been getting upset, but about different things. John Cleese showed Life of Brian recently to a group of American students, and they found it offensive, but not because of its attitude to religion. They deemed it transphobic, because of the scene when Reg announces he wants to be a woman (which is played for laughs).

[@ignatiusjackson235]

Wow, dude. Modern kids are such regressive pussies.

[@paigebarnum7848]

The Exorcist still scares me till this day.

[@robertfcasas]

This essay is awesome. It also seems confined to cinema up to the late seventies, with references to later, more contemporary works that have been influenced by it. And though it is true that the public has become widely desensitized to graphic content in film, there are still avenues by which modern filmmaking is still challenging the form of cinema, but in more conceptual and technical ways rather than with pure shock value. Watch David Fincher, Yorgos Lanthimos, Lars von Trier, Alex Garland, Spike Jonze, Daniels, Jane Shoenbrun, Robert Eggers, David Cronenberg, Bong Joon-ho, The Safdie Bros, Ari Aster, Chloe Zhao, Denis Villeneuve, Makoto Shinkai, etc. Basically, anyone doing their own weird thing.

[@ashleyhall6464]

was everything banned in ireland lmao

[@JustanObservation]

They were “down with this sort of thing”

[@LoneCloudHopper]

@@JustanObservation Father Ted reference. Love it.

[@admiral229]

Love the video…as always. One disagreement about theaters and advertisers not trying to “tame everything down”. Given that there’s like 20 minutes of ads before a film (not previews…ads) these days, I think advertisers may have more say in theater content than you’re arguing in your closing statement.

[@JediJuniper92]

Personally I feel like The Substance is the closest we have gotten to something truly unique and discussion-worthy in ages. I feel similarly about Poor Things, although I don’t feel it reaches the heights that Substance does. Edit: I made this comment before scrolling through previous comments and am so happy to see others feel the same way!

[@theorderofthebees7308]

I just want to say keep up the good work !!!🎉🏆

[@turbobobbins]

I watched the Exorcist when I was 10 years old out of pure innocent curiosity. That was a mistake. I used to dread night time for 2 years. However, now I can appreciate the film and it is still in my top 10 movies OAT.

[@JeffreyDeCristofaro]

If a movie ain't controversial, forget it! I'm sick of Hollywood playing it safe, especially with all the controversial stuff they allow to happen off-screen. Playing it safe is the most offensive... it should be taboo!

[@RockySamson]

There’s a film I’ve wanted to make my entire life that, in my mind, pushes a considerable boundary addressing an idea people often find uncomfortable to confront, especially if they’re of certain religious or lifestyle persuasions. The ideas that move the needle forward in a meaningful way do still exist, it’s just a matter of who’s giving the modern creatives that chance to make them reality, if they’re unable to do so themselves. Controversy, in the modern sense, is no longer about excess, but about pushing uncomfortable disquieting truths and notions that perhaps something we collectively recognize in modern society is, or isn’t, ok.

[@Dunderslag]

I remember when I first saw "Zardoz" that I was completely unable to predict the outcome of the movie and it intrigued me immediately. Such merits are very hard to find today. Maybe "Zardoz" was not such an outstanding movie after all, but for one evening it was perfect for me. Today, at least as far as I can judge it, movies move within a very narrow corridor of things allowed to show, which makes them utterly boring, driven by political messages or ideologies. And I now longer feel the fascination I had ten or twenty years ago about movies. I used to have the feeling that I absolutely had to see this or that movie. Today, I only have the feeling of disgust or repulsion, but not because the offer is so controversial, but because it is so predictable, so ridiculous or so banal.

[@Jules2439.5]

Yay I love your videos! We’ve been fed 🙌🏻

[@bobbirahmirres3638]

I know its not fine cinema but a good example of modern movies not pushing boundaries can be see in Mean Girls and the newer Mean Girls musical. The newer version cut so much of the previous version in attempt to remain PC and keep all characters likeable. There were no mean girls in the second.

[@kevincoughlin3455]

I think the reason why Peeping Tom disturbed so many people was because it forced you the sympathize with an absolute monster. Psycho did that too, but you didn't realize it until the end of the movie. With Peeping Tom you are fully aware of it from the very beginning.

[@mikeleddyphoto]

Such a good video! Really loved this 😊

[@Bobzination11]

You're right but also Baby Reindeer exists.

[@sconni666]

I grew up watching all these movies repeatedly. It made me a better person.

[@z-rex6068]

Very interesting, thought provoking video. Keep it up 👍🏻😊

[@derekmatzek9551]

My mom told me a story about how when she was little she walked in on her older brother watching the Exorcist during the scene when Regan’s head spun around so maybe they had a point about the home release thing 😅

[@CodestarProductions]

Just An Observation, what is a boundry you think still exists in cinema that needs to be pushed? Is there anything we still haven't seen on screen that's still waiting to be tested?

[@jpdegraaff]

I think 'The substance' and 'Strange Darling' are good contemporary examples of films building on this legacy and pushing boundaries even further. However, due to the fact that backlash has become even more violent for certain topics in the last couple of years, it is also more than ever a life risk for a film maker to make such a film. But I foresee a future generation of film makers picking up on this and start breaking all the new taboos that have been raised in the last couple of years. Just give it some time.

[@JediJuniper92]

Ooohh I’ve heard Strange Darling is good! I adore The Substance

[@SenseiSeagal420]

I'd say Ari Aster, Yorgos Lanthimos and the Safdie brothers are the only filmmakers i've seen really outrage or challenge peoples theater experience. I don't like Eli Roth, but his movie Green Inferno was funny to me because so many people walked out of that theater.

[@markmortimer3009]

Good video and explanation of movie evolution. I guess terrifier is the only movie I can think of pushing boundaries.

[@MarketingMovies1337]

I think writers and directors should look back and do something similar. Like I love comedies like Aeroplane or Naked Gun. You need to push boundaries

[@mirellavasileva2038]

I think Ruben Ostlundt is pushing the boundaries in recent years not only with the topics of his films, but with the fact that his satire is not only about the ridiculousness of the people on the screen, but of us, the viewers.

[@austingreen1274]

Kind of ironic this coming out at the same time as Joker 2.

[@Steve_Zilla]

Great video essay! That's all I can say❤

[@unfiltered8682]

I guess Yorgos Lanthomos takes some risks but he’s nominated for awards so he’s not exactly pushing the tastemakers

[@PrimerCinePodcast]

It’s gonna sound funny, but this made me contemplate why I seriously wished The Rise of Skywalker had been scrapped in production or overhauled, or made non cannon. I know it’s a random example and bizarre even, but it made me think about how even though I’m all against censorship of any kind, even I am biased when it comes to things I care about or consider trashy and that they will empoverish a cultural conversation just by being present, as Just An Observation suggests

[@midnightsightings]

I think Brandon Cronenberg deserves so much praise for doing exactly this with his work and coming up with great ideas that continue pushing the envelope. My favourite movie of his was Infinity Pool; and although I’m not really one to take offence to most movies because I do tend to like the ones that are more controversial, I think the way it was written achieved that in such a brilliant way. Plus, Mia Goth’s performance in that was absolutely mind mending

[@agnem.7884]

love your videos ! would love the deep dive into The Substance :>>> pleaseeee

[@MarcBrewer-u1w]

I saw Life of Brian when it was first released - I had to cross a large angry picket line of protesters to buy a ticket.

[@Transmission_Rory]

_"Banned in Ireland"_ This country may have flaws, but I'm grateful this sentence is never uttered in Modern Ireland.

[@das-apfel]

Great video!

[@flmlvr]

So many times in my life I always felt like I was born at the wrong place and time. But I'm a movie geek. And I have been since about the age of 11 or so - which would be 1971. As a movie geek, boy was I ever born at the right place and time. I remember just about every movie that really pushed buttons. The one I'm so surprised you did not cover was "Last Tango in Paris". Because I was only 12 or 13 when the movie finally made it to the Los Angeles area. And trust me, there was plenty of press about the movie before it got there. The fact that they were charging an unheard of sum of - I'm not kidding here - $4.50 all seats, only fueled the controversy. And that is just one example. "The Last Temptation of Christ" was the one you had to see to believe. I crossed the picket line to see that movie only to discover that this very film which was condemned and protested was......just a movie. I've since seen it 7 times and is my favorite religious movie. If I'm going straight to hell for watching it, well, so be it. I also read the book - which is required reading in many religious colleges. But the sad truth is that you are right. There is no studio out there that is willing to take risks. If they were to film "Deliverance" now, well, I'm sure the studio would give it the okay - provided that the character are ONLY held at gunpoint and nothing more. I'm sure "The Godfather" could still get made - but only if someone like Tom Cruise were to play Don Corleone. Yep, I long for the days of pushing the envelope. Yes, we got some trash out of it, but boy, the ones that were good have stood the test of time. Great video.

[@thetooginator153]

I think movies aren’t “shocking” or “controversial” anymore because the internet allows any determined person to know virtually everything about a movie an hour after the first screening. I saw “The Blair Witch Project” the morning of its opening and it scared the crap out of me. The internet was new to almost everyone back then, so I didn’t even bother to look for spoilers online. I believe the genius of that movie was the sound, and that there was very little gore.

[@misterfox6094]

Watched "The Texas chainsaw massacre" when I was waaaay to young. unfortunately our public library let anyone with a card rent stuff.... fortunately I wasn't affected too much and I do still like horror movies quite a bit but the movie does still give me chills. Also our teacher in a random film class I took in high school had us watch the movie "elephant" which was wild especially in the early 2000's.

[@maxtubb]

Just curious but have considered getting a Letterboxd account?

[@JustanObservation]

I hadn’t really as I’m pressed for time. Is that just so people can know what I’m watching in advance or what is it?

[@maxtubb]

@@JustanObservation That’s okay I was just wondering because your knowledge on movies is just incredible and your essay videos on Movies and TV shows are some of the best on this platform. I still think your Disney essay video is one of the best videos on this channel.

[@Vitaphone]

@@JustanObservation my personal view is it has gamified watching films in the most positive sense. If you engage with the platform in earnest (some folks use it to just check boxes or appear to watch more films than they do), it has a tinge of dopamine when you watch or rate a film. As a filmmaker and a deep lover of the medium, even I have found myself watching less and less films (a mixture of cynicism toward the industry, the brain rot of social media and knowing how the sausage is made, etc), since getting on Letterboxd I have found myself watching more films.

[@nvm9040]

Psycho still stands as one of the most influential films ever Especially for it’s time but it’s the methods that Hitchcock used to get the audience scared and shocked was masterful

[@shortycareface9678]

I suppose shocking/controversial/ movies will always have a special place in my heart, since my friends and I used to watch them as "rights of passage" back during high school, etc. They were even how one of my current friends and I bonded back then.

[@Mi11imani]

in the previous decade, it would have been Darren Aronofsky's movies for me in modern times. lately, i think, with Tarantino retired, i was only excited about Robert Eggers's movies.

[@FrankOdonnell-ej3hd]

I recall a Clockwork Orange caused a tremendous uproar when it first came out and some critics really liked it while others detested it. I know Kubrick insisted those who thought the film was a celebration or glamorization of violence were missing the point as that wasn’t his intention at all but many didn’t exactly buy his explanations and still don’t till this day. The Exorcist is undoubtedly a masterpiece and holds up remarkably well but I was very surprised it was banned from theaters in the UK for a while. From this video I get the idea that for a long time at least half the movies being made were banned in Ireland for one reason or another haha.⚛️❤

[@KalCounty]

I think that part of the point of art is to make a statement and make us think about and question how the world and our societies work, and pushing on boundaries is part of that process. So there's very little that I would consider too indecent to allow, when controversial art is often the best art. The one thing I take exception to is art that demonizes or invalidates those that are already marginalized. And even then I'm not sure where to draw the line on when something shouldn't be allowed to exist or whether just personally boycotting and criticising something means I've done all I can to seek justice for the potential damage it does. In terms of the blandness of cinema, I think that we're seeing the effects of late stage capitalism in a lot of industries, including entertainment. With an infinite growth mindset, the people in charge are going to take less and less risks and give us worse and cheaper products to squeeze every last penny out of the process. I've always been a Marvel fan, but even I admit that their movies have gotten blander, the effects worse and cheaper looking, but in terms of making money, they're currently actually in a great place because the risks they took at the beginning of the franchise are still allowing them to coast into massive box office success on that early momentum. As long as it works, they'll keep doing it. But I think we're gonna see a lot of bubbles start to burst in the coming years, cause you can't just charge people more and more money for tasteless slop and expect them to keep showing up forever.

[@geminireviews]

Wish you would have mentioned how controversial Terrifier 1&2 are

[@BthIX]

John Waters' idea of "i have a tiny budget so I have to do something extreme that Hollywood would never do in order to compete with them" is literally the exact same logic Damien Leone would use 45 years later when making Terrifier

i love controversial movies! although, i search for trigger warnings before i watch them. other people should do it too. great analysis. i actually knew about "peeping tom" before this video, and it's a really underrated movie. it's from the killer's POV and it's awesome. i recommend watching it.

[@sirsplintfastthepungent1373]

The problem with Clockwork Orange is that American publishers cut the final chapter of Anthony Burgess' book, which changes the entire message of the film.

[@jameslough6329]

I completely agree with this video. Although I think this is mainly only an issue with western Hollywood movies. Plenty of foreign cinema still pushes boundaries and takes risks. I think the reason Hollywood cinema in particular doesn't take risks any more is because of the incredibly tumultuous political/cultural climate of the west and its influence on media journalism. If your movie dares to offend any political or cultural movement then there is a big risk that your movie will be widely slandered and defamed by false journalists who support that movement. These journalists prioritize pushing agendas and narratives ahead of objective film critique and a large portion of major film critics in Hollywood are unfortunately like this. This has the effect of pushing studios and directors in Hollywood to have their movies conform to politically correct sensibilities, lest their films be relentlessly slandered which can both limit the revenue of a film and create negative brand association. It’s an unfortunate reality of modern filmaking in the west and the main reason I have largely switched to watching foreign film and television.

[@marcellagos1938]

That’s an excellent question! I get offended by really, really bad movies. For example, I love horror films, and we all know that we have to navigate oceans of bad movies and even overlook some of their harsh characteristics to appreciate some goodness behind them. I deal with the threshold of a lousy film until the limit. Still, I get offended when something like Army of the Dead from the tasteless Snyder comes along. So much resources to create something so empty, so bad.

[@jons.105]

The only movie I've ever seen being picketed outside the theater was "The Last Temptation of Christ". My mom said in 1971, "Carnal Knowledge" was banned in the South.

[@HarvestStore]

Great video.

[@fedexdriver13]

The only movies nowadays that disturbed me were the terrifier movies and if you count it human centipede

[@Debutantes]

Imagine this: A streaming service that only shows and produces high-quality controversial movies. Only criteria? The more offensive, the better. Not in order to shock, but to invent.

[@Y-tz7rd]

Let's also not forget Mondo Cane and shocking documentary cinema.

[@dianaflores6041]

What about the substance? That was shocking for sure

[@MusicForHourss]

Sometimes things go wrong. The movie 'Antichrist' fucked up my entire sexual development as I watched it when I was 10 and somehow it just destroyed the concept for me I just saw the title, so memories flooded back in. From 2009

[@robgronotte1]

What went wrong there was a 10 year old being allowed to see the movie. Sorry that happened to you, but it's the fault of your parents, not the filmmakers.

[@tydesturning]

My God… Never watched it but based on the Wikipedia description… I’m sorry. And I hope you’re doing better now :)