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"The most striking thing about the new Batman movie...is its emphasis on sado-masochism as the animating element in American culture these days," writes James Howard Kunstler in his "Clusterfuck Nation" column. "It must appeal to the many angry people in our land who want to hurt others, even while they themselves feel deserving of the grossest punishments. In other words, the picture reflects the extreme depravity of the current American sensibility. Seeing it all laid out there must be very validating to the emotionally confused audience, and hence pleasurable, in all its painfulness.
There is finally "the derivation of all this sadomasochistic nihilism out of a comic book," he concludes. "How appropriate, since we have become a cartoon of a society living on a cartoon of a North American landscape, that the deepest source of our mythos comes from cartoons. We're so far gone that real human emotion is beyond us. We're too far gone -- and even without shame -- to care how this odious movie portrays us to the rest of the world. It is already making a fortune out there."
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on August 4, 2008 at 9:20 AM
comment #1
Mr. Gittes says ...
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Posted by Mr. Gittes at August 4, 2008 10:08 AM
comment #2
High Chaparral says ...
The fact that the film has inspired such an article says a lot. I can't remember anyone asking what Pirates Of The Caribbean said about America.
And why have so many taken the Joker's supposed origin story as gospel? It's made utterly clear in the film that he makes up a new story for each occasion. Just smacks of someone who was too busy writing their reaction in their head to pay attention to what was actually going on.
Posted by High Chaparral at August 4, 2008 10:10 AM
comment #3
Edward says ...
Maybe we're reading too much into DK, it is a movie after all. However, movies do reflect society and things are pretty bleak right now. Our economy is faltering, people are out of work, losing their homes. We're mired in a war that never should have been fought.
There's another comic book movie out there which bookends DK quite nicely, I think, and that's Hellboy II. What a wonderful, fun, life affirming film. It's a beautiful fairy tale with a positive outlook. Hellboy II is one of the best films of the year and I can't wait to see what Del Torro does with The Hobbit.
Posted by Edward at August 4, 2008 10:12 AM
comment #4
frankbooth says ...
Did you see Hellboy 2, Edward?
There are two separate instances of individuals dooming all of humanity to satisfy their own desires.
I liked it, but I'm not sure I'd use the phrase "life-affirming." There's a weird Objectivist streak to it, now that I think about it.
On the other hand, it's funny and has really cool monsters and sets.
Posted by frankbooth at August 4, 2008 10:28 AM
comment #5
Abbey Normal says ...
I don't understand why people think the movie is overly dark. It's just serious about exploring the struggle and duality that exists between chaos and control in a modern context. There's nothing new about that idea...It's been with us since the dawn of man, for Christ's sake.
Posted by Abbey Normal at August 4, 2008 10:29 AM
comment #6
Teacher's Pets says ...
Ditto to Chaparral: Half the complaints I've heard about this movie result from people not paying any attention to the actual movie.
Yeah, the fact that everybody is talking about this movie, its meaning, and the meaning of its success is an indication of its value and importance, but I think the best, most valuable thing about the film is that for most, the meaning they take from it is heavily dependent on what they bring to it.
Someone as invested in an apocalyptic view of the world as Kunstler seems to be (based on his most recent posts) sees further evidence of depravity and destitution, while I saw in the ferry sequence an affirmation of basic human goodness: it doesn't always work, and can be broken, but can also hold up in the worst circumstances...so it's better than the alternative.
Posted by Teacher's Pets at August 4, 2008 10:33 AM
comment #7
Gaydos says ...
For the record, I'd like to know what "Pirates of the Caribbean" said about America. Rumor has it that beyond "AAARGH! MATEY!" "BLIMEY" and "SHIVER ME TIMBERS" they were strangely silent on the subject.
Posted by Gaydos at August 4, 2008 10:43 AM
comment #8
BurmaShave says ...
Don't think he actually saw the movie.
Posted by BurmaShave at August 4, 2008 11:01 AM
comment #9
Balthazar says ...
Kunstler should almost certainly stay away from film criticism, but I usually find him to be spot-on about economic, energy, food and living-arrangement crises barreling toward our country -- and most peoples' overwhelming desire to keep on their blinders and not admit the trouble we're in. "It's all good."
Posted by Balthazar at August 4, 2008 11:43 AM
comment #10
Josh says ...
kunstler didnt actually watch the movie
Posted by Josh at August 4, 2008 12:00 PM
comment #11
Balthazar says ...
Just wait til Kunstler reviews Pineapple Express!
Posted by Balthazar at August 4, 2008 12:10 PM
comment #12
LYT says ...
I thought Batman and Robin was the S&M Batman.
Posted by LYT at August 4, 2008 12:16 PM
comment #13
Edward says ...
frankbooth, I did see Hellboy II. Two of the characters quitting their "jobs" to go and start a family, is pretty life affirming to me. Maybe the next film, if there is one, will deal with the potential end of mankind.
Posted by Edward at August 4, 2008 12:29 PM
comment #14
Michael says ...
Next week Kunstler will be decrying the third film in the most recent Batman series, and writing the definitive tome on Obama's second term.
Posted by Michael at August 4, 2008 1:13 PM
comment #15
Ogami Itto says ...
Wow, what a cranky old cunt. Apparently it's not just fanboys who need to get laid.
Posted by Ogami Itto at August 4, 2008 6:52 PM
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