I think we’ve all avoided a movie at one time or another. Sometimes we don’t see a movie because we’re “not in the mood,” which often means that we don’t want to ruin a good mood by watching a sad or serious movie. Other times we avoid movies because the subject matter hits too close to home—a character reminds us of ourselves, or a plot relates too closely to a trauma in our life. Obviously movies can effect our moods and mental states, so it seems logical that we choose to avoid certain movies because we suspect they’ll make us sad, unhappy, or even frightened.
I generally avoid scary and gory movies. Some people like to be scared, but I’m really really not one of them. I’m prone to nightmares, and I’m also a very empathetic person, so horror movies and I don’t get along. I watched Silence of the Lambs in high school and had nightmares for weeks, and I’m pretty sure I used a nightlight for awhile after seeing Se7en (for the same class, come to think of it). I’m older (and hopefully wiser) now, but I still largely avoid horror movies, because I know they will agitate and upset me.
The problem is that avoiding movies because I think they’ll bother me means I’m costing myself possible enjoyment and enrichment. I’m not challenging myself. It’s logical to avoid feeling emotions you don’t like, but challenging yourself to see a movie out of your comfort zone can be a rewarding experience. There’s something to be said for forcing yourself to see movies that make you uneasy. I dreaded seeing Melancholia, and while it wasn’t a particularly positive experience (you can hear all about it on LAMBcast #98), I’m still kind of glad I saw it; though it was hard to watch, it made me think about some really difficult things, like mortality, love, family, and so on. (Lars von Trier: that guy knows how to party, amirite?) At the time I was pissed that von Trier made me cry in a movie theater, and I often argue that his films are manipulative, but with some introspection and time I can also appreciate that Melancholia made me feel and think some really difficult things. He might not be my favorite director, but I have to admit that von Trier made me look at the world and myself in new ways, and it’s for this reason that I’m actually glad I suffered through what I once referred to as a “masochistic” movie.
Like Melancholia, I was apprehensive about Black Swan. I’ve watched most of Darren Aronofsky’s movies, and they’ve always haunted me afterward. Requiem for a Dream, in particular, provided such a visceral portrayal of drug addiction that some of its images seemed to root themselves in my brain for an uncomfortable period of time. Just thinking about one particular scene gives me what can only be described using the clinical term heebie-jeebies. Aronofsky’s movies have this paralyzingly profound way of making the viewer feel like they are the main character, and unfortunately almost all of his main characters go crazy. Watching an Aronofsky film 
isn’t a particularly pleasant experience, like say, watching a movie musical. And it’s because of the challenging nature of his films–their utter brutal nature, the unhinged mental states of his characters, the terrifying visual tricks and moments of horror–that I avoided seeing Black Swan until (yes, I admit it) yesterday.
While watching Black Swan last night, I realized that the reason I had avoided it was the very reason I shouldn’t have avoided it. Aronofsky’s films are a challenge not only to the viewer, but to the film form itself. With Black Swan (as with his other films), Aronofsky created a film experience that made me identify so wholly with the main character that I felt like I was going crazy along with her. I felt like I was inside Nina’s head, watching her/me lose her/our mind. It’s a subjectivity that I consider unparalleled in contemporary cinema, and that’s why it’s so damn unsettling. Because nobody can make you feel so completely, chaotically wrecked as Aronofsky.
I didn’t have nightmares about the movie last night, but Black Swan was the first thing I thought about when I woke up. And I thought about it on the train to work, and while at work, and then I came home and I thought about it while writing this editorial. It wasn’t easy to watch (I even covered my eyes at one point), but I’m glad that I challenged myself to see a film that scared me. It was an enriching experience and a risk well worth taking. I was certainly unsettled by Black Swan, but I’ve realized that being unsettled can be a great thing. I’m not going to run out and rent Human Centipede any time soon, but I think I’ll keep pushing my own boundaries and watching films that challenge me. He may have been a creepy jerk, but Nina’s artistic director was right about one thing: “The only person standing in your way is you.”
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Great article, and I applaud the challenge. That’s how we grow as movie-watchers.
For me, the biggest challenge is and has been musicals. Around a year ago, I finally watched Singin’ in the Rain. Aaaaand… I liked it. I genuinely liked it. So then I watched The Producers. I loved it. Then I started thinking about it. I went bananas for the Muppets, and every Mel Brooks film has at least a few musical numbers (I love Mel Brooks). The reality is that I’ve liked quite a few musicals.
As you say, I won’t rush out and rent the musical equivalent of Human Centipede, but now I can say that I’m willing to give more musicals a chance. It’s just another way I can get enjoyment from movies.
Thanks for the comment, John! I’m glad you’re expanding your film viewing; I myself am a huge musicals fan, so if you want some recommendations let me know!
Cheers!
I’d definitely take some recommendations. I might even be willing to re-watch The Sound of Music. Maybe. But no promises.
Humor definitely helps. The way I see it, funny is funny whether people are singing or not. Think of the humor as the piece of cheese that’s wrapped around the medicine (musicals) going down my throat. Whoooo’s a gooood boy.
My favorite classic musicals:
Singin’ in the Rain, Meet Me in St. Louis, The Music Man (not Broderick’s version, Preston’s.), and On the Town.
Non-traditional musicals I love: Bride and Prejudice (a Bollywood-style Pride and Prejudice adaptation), Leading Ladies (streaming on Netflix–it’s only got one lyric-based song, it’s more of a dance movie, with lesbian love interests–totally rad.)
Twitter: nevermindpop
April 10, 2012 1:18 pm
Requiem for a Dream works on a great deal more levels than Black Swan for me. A lot of Black Swan falls apart on repeat viewings.
I dunno… I love Black Swan and think it’s even stronger on further viewings (due to catching more things). That’s not to take away anything from Requiem, which is also great. I just like Black Swan more personally.
I’m not afraid to watch any flick at least once. Hell, I’ve watched Salo, A Serbian Film, and, even worse, 2001: A Space Odyssey (shudder).
Haha, Space Odyssey makes me shudder too. I don’t care if I’m supposed to love it, that shit is weird and boring!
That is correct, Dave.
Philistines! (Joanna, how can you like Brakhage and not 2001? That’s not acceptable to my world-view).
Ok, let me correct my statement. Parts of 2001 are awesome. Hal is awesome. Concept awesome. Obelisk and monkeys? Overrated.
Don’t forget the 30-minute “God has an orgasm and delivers a mutant baby” scene.
I’ll say it again: Philistines! That is the re-emergence of man onto a higher plane of existence, dammit! Gawd, start conforming to my world view!
In all seriousness, it can be pretty dull.
I’ll have to watch Black Swan again to see what you mean, but yes, Requiem is a rich film.
Twitter: agracru
April 11, 2012 7:18 am
I definitely think film lovers should be willing to push their own boundaries for the sake of self improvement, but I tend to take that stance in all realms of life. For my own part, that means forcing myself to watch something like The Human Centipede and its sequel; I’m a fan of gross, exploitative movies, but I have my limits. And yet I still want to explore those limits and go beyond them. I might not like the result at all, but I’d rather try and dislike what I find than not try at all.
yeah, I’m all for pushing boundaries, but I don’t think I’ll ever see Human Centipede. Some things you can’t un-see!
Human Centipede isn’t actually all that disturbing, to be honest. The hype around it is crazier than the movie itself. You actually don’t see all that much of anything. It’s not exploitative at all. The best part of it is the villain, who is just so over-the-top and ridiculous, he’s great.
Twitter: kaiderman
April 14, 2012 8:32 am
Human Centipede is actually pretty tame. But if psychologicals like Silence and Seven screw you up then that will probably put you in the nut house… as would most the movies I watch. I’m kind of like Nick and Jason with my viewing although those two sick fuckers watched A Serbian Film and I banned the review from the site. Somethings just go too far. Love you guys but DAMN!
And I still say Salo was more disturbing/upsetting than A Serbian Film. Not saying Serbian was tame. Just that Salo was worse.
Twitter: kaiderman
April 14, 2012 1:38 pm
I have no interest in either.
If you liked Black Swan and the experience of the movie I recommend seeing Polanski’s Repulsion, it’s very similiar and very good.
I shall put it on the list! I haven’t seen much Polanski as of yet; it’s a big blank spot in my film education!
I shall… disagree with that. I’ve seen both Black Swan and Repulsion, and outside of the themes of paranoia and sexuality, they aren’t similar at all. I actually didn’t care much for Repulsion. I love Black Swan, though.
I tend to think of Black Swan as a mish-mash of The Red Shoes, Repulsion, Persona, and just a dash of Double Life of Veronique. I have no clue whether or not Aronofsky had those films in mind, but I’m reminded of all of them when I watch Black Swan. If it’s any one of those more than the others, I’d say it’s more Red Shoes than anything.
I’m pretty sure he had The Red Shoes and Perfect Blue in mind while creating Black Swan–he even admits completely to Perfect Blue, and there’s a nifty article out there somewhere that does side-by-side comparisons of the two. It’s basically a live-action remake.
These are all getting added to the Queue!