Burn After Reading

I do tend to have an opinion on movies, mainly if I find them of value or as in this case - of very little value. I define value as something that provides more than just entertainment for the sake of 90 minutes. In this case, I agree with you, I'd like to see some of those "stars" in more meaty roles where their acting skills are used. I tend to like movies that have a story to tell and the actors exercise their skills beyond what they may have done in the past. This movie seemed to fall in the category of "we have some bills to pay." The actors were just hamming it to get a paycheck, the directors were just putting out a movie that has some names in it to make some money, the script writers had an alimony or house payment to make so they wrote trash, the people that worked (and I use that word liberally) had to buy gas and feed their families. Ultimately, they made a movie suckers like me were led to believe might be worthwhile, but it wasn't. In fact, it was a terrible story about stupid people doing stupid things for and as a joke. The joke is really on the audience who, like me, gave them the money they seek for a dismal and stupid piece of movie making. But, hey, you may just enjoy it.

I am unsure about the 'desensitizing' aspect of your retort. Mainly because it does seem to me that it is something that isn't happening so much as it has already happened. The idea that some kids "hate to go to school" because there are so many bullies, got me to thinking about my reaction to the flick and your comment. It does seem that kids see movies like this and react by laughing at very serious and deadly things much the same way they react when the bully or taunt others. Instead of saying, "Stop that." Or interceding to prevent bullying behaviour laughing and going along are the things kids and people do. I have to be honest here, I felt like yelling out in the movie house at people with, "What's so funny about that!" But I didn't. I took out my frustration by writing here. The thing is, movies like that and its predecessor "Country for Old Men" get accolades that feel are unmerited and do nothing to lift the spirit. All they do is leave the impression that violence, bullying and being mean to our fellow human beings is nothing with which to be very concerned about and worse is something at which we should feel comfortable laughing. I am not amused.