Popular movies that are actually trash

> Do not buy into the hype

Jessica Berget
Staff Writer

 

’ma film snob, I admit. They are a great

escape; they tell a story, and these
stories are easy to get lost in. You can also
learn a lot by watching films. They offer
insight into the lives and experiences of
other people, of the human condition,
and can also be an aid in understanding
relationships, or even one’s self.

That being said, a lot of films are
legitimate garbage. Especially the films
that are pumped out every year starring
the same five Caucasian actors in an
attempt to win a meaningless award
(because Hollywood is based on white
supremacy). The truth is, most popular
movies nowadays are cheap recreations
of older films, overly fabricated real-
life stories, or just plain bad, but some
are still regarded as classics in the film
industry. Here are some film “classics”
that do not deserve the hype.

Fight Club (agg99)

Two words: fake deep. The atrocity that
is Fight Club is cleverly disguised as an
existentialist, anti-corporate message,
when in reality, it has about as much
depth as a glass of water. Since when is
a movie about guys beating each other
up in order to rebel against the system

considered a classic film, and not the
fever dream of an angsty teen? This is a
good movie if you don’t watch a lot of
movies, or are impressed very easily.

Avatar (2009)

Does anyone remember the names of
the actors, or even the characters in this
movie? Avatar is an enigma. In 2009,

it was the movie everyone was talking
about, and it still remains one of the
highest grossing films of all time, but

no one can recall anything about it.
Remember earlier, when I said most
movies are cheap recreations of older
movies? Avatar is essentially Pocahontas,
but with blue people, and in 3-D.

The Departed (2006)

This movie is as boring as it is annoying.
Based off of the 2002 Hong Kong crime
film Internal Affairs, The Departed
couples bad acting, confusing sub-plots,
and a lame attempt at symbolism. If it

White girl takes the minutes

> So you wanna be a social justice ally?

Cara Seccafien
Layout Editor

 

began doing social justice work by
accident. When I graduated from

university, I applied to volunteer at
a gallery ran by a collective of artists
with mental health issues, and wound
up getting a job there. I wanted
to be there because I have mental
illnesses, and I felt like there wasn’t a
safe space to discuss this part of my
identity in the academic art world
where | had obtained my degree.

At the beginning, I felt as if
I didn’t deserve to be there. Even
though I now feel like I do belong to
that community, at the time I was
overwhelmed by my differences from
those around me. This is often known
as white, class, or other privilege guilt.

So what do you do with this guilt?
First of all, check that privilege at the
door, and keep your insecure mouth
shut! Don’t let this guilt paralyze you. If
you are receiving anything from a social
justice group—a sense of community,
power, or money—you must give your
most useful self in return. Do not leech
off this community, and do not become
paralyzed by awkward white guilt.
Whatever insecurity or guilt you might
have, work it out in private. This includes
all those milky, milky white tears.

Then, identify what role you do
occupy. At the gallery, I represented a
younger generation. I had useful skills

that I was asked to use for the community

through workshops. I was willing to
work for cheap! I was able to try bizarre
ideas, solve tricky problems, help difficult

people. You must have a reason to be

there, not just for yourself, but for others.

Listen. Learn. Repeat. By listening,
you adopt the vernacular of the
community. Learn and unlearn by
sitting through discomfort. Use your
skills and creativity to serve others,
rather than serve your own ego.

Learn the mandate of the movement,
organization, or group, and let that
drive every action you take. If you don’t
like the mandate, leave. If you stay,
accept criticism. Talk less, listen more.

If you are new to this, you will soon
realize that there is usually a structure in
place that keeps you where you belong.
People have boundaries, and often you
will be told what is appropriate. You
might be asked to the take the minutes,
and you will take them with pride!

Like being at a stranger’s home, you
will respect the rules. Take only what
is offered. Be humble. Ask questions
that you require the answer to, not
ones you have a voyeuristic curiosity
for. Don’t be rude! Take up less space.

You will become a delivery
service for other’s creativity and your
own ideas will further that delivery.
Remember whose voices you are here
to project. You will manifest softness
and humility, even when in leadership
positions. There is nothing wrong with
taking on a key role, but remember
who put you there, why they wanted
you there, and respect their wishes.

If you find you don’t have
enough cultural literacy, take a step
back. You can google basic facts, like
cultural terminology, and historical

  

Image courtesy of 20th Century Fox/still of Fight Club

 

wasnt directed by Martin Scorsese, it
would be seen for what it is: A barely
decent crime thriller that has absolutely
no reason to be two and a half hours
long. Those are two and a half hours

of my life I will never get back.

Inception (2010)

“You just didn’t understand it!” they'll
say. However, I don’t think there was
much to understand. The entire plot

of Inception is pretty much just people
travelling through dreams and a van
falling off a bridge for 45 minutes,
matched with mediocre cinematography
and dazzling (even distracting) visual
effects. “Maybe you need to watch it
again,” they'll respond. “Please no,” I beg.

American Beauty (1999)

There are actually a lot of things I

like about this film. However, the
pretentiousness of the famous plastic
bag floating in the wind scene is not one
of them. American Beauty is shallow, no
doubt about it, but it is enjoyable. Less
enjoyable when you realize how creepy it
can also be, but enjoyable nonetheless.
From Kevin Spacey’s character having
sexual fantasies about his daughter's
high school friend to the classic trope

of the strange, misunderstood teen
stalking and taking pictures of his crush,
this film never has a dull moment.

Image via pixabay.com

events, or read books and blogs about
individual’s experiences. However,
even after years of being an ally, feeling
genuine empathy, and gathering
community and respect, a complete
understanding of someone else’s life
experience will never be obtained.

Learn to laugh at yourself! You will
make mistakes, and you will be teased
and called out, usually simultaneously.
Being teased for being part of the most
ridiculous and privileged race in history
(see: white people dancing) is not abuse.

In light of the recent fascism south
of the border, we all have a role in social
justice more than ever before. However,
finding that role must be done with grace
and care, in addition to showing the
utmost respect toward the people who
fight daily battles for their very existence.