I can't remember the last movie we saw at a cinema, but it must be around two years ago. Today, my wife and went to see the 25th and latest Bond film, No Time to Die. Don't worry, I am not going to give away anything here, nor am I going to spend much time on the movie at all. I liked it, my wife liked it, but I have heard there are that a lot of people have mixed feelings about it.
In fact, my father-in-law was saying that he heard a about a reporter who walked out in the opening scene because she felt that a car chase scene was too long. You might say, "Hey, that's a spoiler" - but is it? My point being that after 24 previous films, we should all pretty much know what to expect from a bond film, unless we have never seen one before. Which gets onto my next point.
I don't know if it is a point, but the original books were written in the early 50s, the first movie release was in the early 60s and it has endured through and is entering into its eighth decade, which is remarkable. However, it seems that these days, people expect everything to fit into their own little current view of the world, where all of the social causes and moves in culture are reflected in every piece of current material that could be consumed by anyone. Every film and show has to be a running commentary on whatever is in the news today.
The problem with this is, it is self-serving and limiting the potential of artistic expression, as well as whitewashing the past out of existence, which is probably why, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes.
However, I think the Bond character has changed a lot in the recent iteration with Daniel Craig and is reflective of the modern man. The early womanizing ways of the Connery 007 are largely pushed into the background and when they do arise, it is as a way to take Bond's mind away from his past, to get distance. The current Bond is trying his best to do the right thing, but is largely broken and suffering, struggling to find his place in a world that is no longer his. In many ways, Bond is a caricature of how many men may feel in today's world, wanting to be the hero, but knowing that the other side of his coin is filled with demons of the past, many no fault of his own - He was just doing what needed to be done at the time and because of it, he is forever walking with a target on his back.
Bond doesn't get the luxury of whitewashing his past, as it is with him always and he must constantly look over his shoulder as that past is ever-chasing to catch up. Each moment of his existence is haunted by what has come before and each time he finds a slice of happiness, it is tainted and shadowed and lives in a world where he must constantly worry if his mistakes are being repeated or, his successes will be met with vengeance. No matter what he tries, the past is with him.
I think as a society these days, we have forgotten about timelines and progression, where we say we want to move on into a better future, but when it suits us, we are all too happy to dredge up the past. Just look at how ten year old tweets these days are brought up in the media to crucify someone, by applying the rules of today without the vision of the time in which they were written, nor the context. It is a rewriting of history without the visibility on what those times were like. Sure, they might look dated in juxtaposition with today, but this is how time moves, this is how change happens.
What this has done is made everyone wary of offending anyone, otherwise they will be raked over hot coals until their carcasses are seared with the anger of people who have never come close to experiencing the levels of hardship and resilience of the past. Now, everyone is a victim on the search for someone to blame for the shitty feelings they have about themselves, as if their emotional state is the responsibility of others, even those they do not know and, those who create for a different audience.
Like the reporter, they will get up and walk out of a cinema in disgust, but never recognize that they chose to sit there in the first place, they bought the ticket. They will damn well write about it for money, fame, likes, stars, hearts and whatever else attention that their self-inflicted victimization can reflect as the fault of others, though - as if their opinion matters. It is very much like the people who dislike Hive, yet cannot seem to find the logout button, so they keep posting in the hope for reward.
Victims, looking to capitalize on their victimhood.
Does this make them victims, or are they self-serving, dishonest, untrustworthy and morally corrupt individuals?
Yet, here is Bond, often a victim of circumstances beyond his control yet, emotionally and physically broken from the past and yet, when there is a job to be done, he does it to the best of his ability, unapologetically.
And perhaps this is what people these days dislike about Bond - he doesn't apologize for who he is, he doesn't care what others think of him, he doesn't bow down to the pressure of public opinion or social convention - he does what he thinks he needs to do, in a way that he believes is the best way to do it. It doesn't always work out, but tomorrow, he will approach the day in the same way - no matter the pain it causes himself.
When I sit down to watch a movie, I want to be able to suspend my disbelief, experience the unlikely and escape into a world that I do not live. I don't want the petty squabbles of immediate culture to invade the screen - as there is enough coverage of that in the real world as it is. Yet, when people spend all their time playing victim, it is no wonder that all they experience is victimization - even when they are the ones buying the ticket.
People are so afraid of social death, they have, No Time to Live.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
How about the new dune movie, have you seen that?
I haven't yet - but I haven't seen the first! :D
I think one of the ways people can learn to avoid fear of social death, is to relearn how to be inclusive toward people thoughts and ideas, not divisive of them. There is no need to make everything about one side or another. There is enough divisiveness in the real world, the walking world, the world of wars and the world of fear. Inclusive does not mean agreeing, on Hive we have he means to ignore that which we do not like. We also have the ability to down vote, that we do not want to see. I would like to see a return to the original intent of the down vote and that was to protect Hive. The old stated reasons of Spam, Plagiarism, Reward Dispute and Abuse. to often now the down vote is used to create divisiveness. If people do not like Hive then they do need to go elsewhere, down voting of anti-Hive rhetoric is needed.
There are those on Hive that would like to see Hive survive, there are many cultures where shunning is actively used, the people do not want the divisiveness to take hold in their community, so people are shunned, and that is what the down votes on anti-Hive are in effect doing, protecting the Community.
I fail to understand why people stay in hive while saying they don't like hive. Yet they stay and publish junk. If I don't like something I don't do it. I do something I like.
There is only one explanation. Money. They do it for money. It is never about the science or non-science, it's always about the money.
They are disingenuous. A word I wanted to use in the post, but it didn't come to me at the time :)
Pretty much all about the money for that type of person. Divide the people and earn from the created mistrust.
The '...do something I like" more people need to understand that concept.
We live in a world that encourages divisiveness for reward - even if the "reward" is stars and hearts.
I am still a fan of, use it as you see fit. I would rather people not be boxed in by it and there is plenty of content that shouldn't be rewarded. Part of the "be the change" in the world is also speaking and acting out against the behavior you want to see less of. Of course, people need to also do what they want to see more of, but that is another discussion.
This is where Hive could excel. We can change that and remove divisiveness and replace it with inclusiveness, but Hive as a Social aspect seems to be becoming part of the rest of the online world by rewarding the divisive nature, (made up drama).
As for votes, use it as you see fit has pretty much always been my philosophy also on Hive. I have tried to point out to new users the benefit of voting on other people verse the self vote especially when their vote is dust level, but always as just a suggestion.
I think it is generally from a small percentage of users, who are here for attention, however they can get it. Some people stir the pot looking for reactions that they can feed off, because they don't have anything original to say themselves.
I hope it always stays a small percentage, but it is getting to where I do not even try to look at the recent feed any longer, and am becoming more reliant on a few people I follow that re-blogs things I sometimes find interesting. I am glad of the people I have found to follow and add so few new followers any more, and a couple of them were unfollowed rather quickly.
Pay for click sites (all other social media pretty much) incentivize the behavior, so it proliferates. Here, it doesn't have to be disincentivized, but it doesn't have to be rewarded.
I am glad there are some large accounts that can do just that dis-incentive them. Eventually one would hope they just go away or change their tune.
Honestly, I disagree with much of what you said, mostly because I believe a lot in context. You gave an example about people on hive, and that I can agree with. But the other things you mentioned, I could agree with or disagree with depending on several factors not directly mentioned.
For example, on the subject of expecting media to expect social causes, obviously not every single thing can be represented as you mentioned
But if writers were left to their artistic expression, without the pressures and opinions of those around them, very little would be represented.
In that instance, if representation brings about societal good, should it be sacrificed on the alter artistic expression? My answer isn't yes or no, it will always be "it depends". What is the cause? What degree of effect does the pressure bring?
Ultimately,I couldn't agree with much of the post for that reason, though I do think the supposed reporte was impatient, but it's her money so whatever.
And ironically, I preferred the movies where Bond where Bond killed and womanised without regret, but hey isn't the whole point of a community the exchange of ideas? What point would there be to be on Hive everyone had the same opinion.
I won't be watching the Bond movie anytime soon, but I will be waiting on your next post.
I mention context as a temper, yet you disagree? :D
This post has nothing to do with critique - it is about critiquing everything through a lens of today, generally whichever lens sill see it in the worst possible light in order to generate "drama points" on social media.
What is a societal good? How is it measured?
I mention context as a temper, yet you disagree? :D
You mentioned the past societal context, I'm referring to the specific context of the act. Let me illustrate with an extreme example, because anything else would be so complicated I'd just say it honestly depends for me.
It's commonly stated on the internet that the allies justified the trial and execution of high ranking officials in Nazi Germany by arguing that some acts are just inherently wrong, such that any man would be aware of this fact, regardless of social context. Obviously, these men were convicted of crimes such as genocide, which is an extreme example, but the point is even though it was seemingly acceptable in the society (which is not to say everyone was okay with it), it was still wrong. So when I say I disagree I mean because I don't have the specific example, I can't say i agree, whereas I've agreed with many of your past posts.
This post has nothing to do with critique - it is about critiquing everything through a lens of today, generally whichever lens sill see it in the worst possible light in order to generate "drama points" on social media.
And I am also saying critiquing things from today's lens may or may not be all right, imo, it depends, because some seemingly new lens have always existed. Obviously, there's a great deal of subjectivity involved.
What is a societal good? How is it measured?
To me, it's something that betters the life of at least part of the population without trampling on the rights of orders. This is still a subjective definition tbh, because at one point a man had a right to kill another man if he was sufficiently dishonoured
The measurement, well, that's much harder. In fact, with small acts like representation in film, it's almost impossible to mention. The bigger picture ultimately is whether representation leads to acceptance, less bigotry (represented by lower rates of hate crimes for instances). To make it clear, I'm not necessarily talking about a James Bond movie rn.
I'm sorry for the wall of text. Honestly, I don't know how to make it shorter.
But, wouldn't this leave you in the middle, non-committal? Taking a position of disagreement is taking a position without context, isn't it?
This is an issue, because people claim "their rights" on anything these days. Anything that makes them feel bad, means their rights have been trampled. Do you see what the post is about now? Everyone can make themselves a victim.
But, wouldn't this leave you in the middle, non-committal? Taking a position of disagreement is taking a position without context, isn't it?
Yes, you have a point there. But you have to consider the fact that in the absence of a guarantee, disagreement comes easier. I think so at least.
Anything that makes them feel bad, means their rights have been trampled
That's exactly why I mentioned context. Ultimately, it boils down to what each person believes is a right or not. Depending on what I have in mind,I could completely agree or disagree with everything you said. But because it's safer to not agree without definitive examples. Noncommittal is the safe option.
Some people make ridiculous demands, but a lot of demands people consider ridiculous, I am fine with.
Everyone can make themselves a victim.
The truth is often, you often can't change others,only yourself, which is why "pulling yourself by your bootstraps is often the best option, but that doesn't make you less of a victim
This sounds like John Wick.
John Wick is the poor man's Bond ;)
I miss Sean Connery already. Who doesn't?
If you don't like it, leave. Platforms are built with teamwork. Be part of the solution, not a problem.
Heck yes!
I have had several - back to back shifts this week, making life uber busy, so much so that I haven't commented on anyone's post for days... and probably a day more than that. Apologies!
I feel bad in the busy weeks - because I write to parse it, but don't always have time to comment well! I try to catch up, but fail sometimes :)
Hope your Sunday is relaxing at least!
You are one prolific writer and commenter. There is no walk of shame for you. See how hard you are on yourself? Just saying. So far, Sunday was breakfast in bed, followed by a walk through the woods, a foot massage, then a hot bath.
I am good for at least a month!
Sounds like a perfect day - What I would give to get a foot massage! :D
It is the ultimate in terms of ahhhhhhhh!
Give one, you just may get one back. ;)
Through watching your post thumbnail and title, i noticed it still not a good time to die 😁 because james bond never born to die but immortal .A Ninja of hollywood , A Serpentine Spy of world cinema who love to solve mistry and history with its spy gadgets and technique . I am not big fan of james bond but i love the way he used to have martini cocktail shaken not stir..
I am still not watched this new release but since the imdb rated 7.6/10 ,thinking to go to theatre to watch daniel craig .
Anyways today i think you also have a skill of critics who can rate the movie in more detailed graph .
Hope you enjoyed watching with your wife ..
not everyone is a fan of Bond, because I think it requires taking it all with a grain of salt. A lot of people these days want "reality" even if what they think is reality is not even close to possible.
You can always wait for it to be released somewhere else. Going to the movies is crazy expensive here at least. It was 40€ for the tickets, 14€ for the parking. Popcorn was 9€ and we had a quick "cheap" meal for 35€ - crazy.....
Huh? for some strange reason now I feel a bit alluded to in this paragraph. Are you perhaps trying to call me Bond? James 'Cranky Gandalf' Bond?
Nah, I don't think so. Bond changes as he needs to for the environment he is operating in. Stubbornly flexible, not inflexibly stubborn. :)
Hahahaha good one! Need to add that phrase to my notepad.
It's been an age since we went to the cinema too. The new bond movie was a great choice for the pictures. I'm looking forward to seeing this one, Daniel Craig's last Bond movie. He's done well to be fair... Only Seán Connery has been a better Bond in my opinion.
Sean Connery was great, as he had the funny-asshole down pat :)
I hope you enjoy it - let me know what you think.
🤣🤣 definitely... He was a good actor too, not too cheesy, similar to Daniel Craig.
I'll let you know what I think, once I've seen it 👍
😁
I enjoyed the film, I thought it was great. Part of that was the amazing production values. I loved it. I had a chat about it afterwards with the friend I saw it with: we thought Bond was of his time and that was okay because it was a story. Then we went and had a meal. Perfect Friday evening.
I think the depth of this bond has been far better, but still retained some of the cheesiness :) It will be interesting to see where it goes from here, but I am rally hoping that they don't get "woke" on it.
I know that this movie had been postponed for a long time due to Covid-19. I have never watched it yet. What I see from the comments is that for the duration of themovie, it makes you leave this world.