A sad experience - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

alatar · 12-03-2007, 09:43 PM

First, there's no going back...

That said, for those of you with different experiences when you've rewatched the movies, are you controlling for environmental variables? When you first saw them, were you at the cineplex with a bunch of friends, on a date, or, like me and the Mrs., spending a few rare hours without having to watch the kids? Did you get dressed up, have a soda, go out afterwards and discuss it ad nauseam? And then, when you've rewatched them, was it late night on your 12" computer monitor while you were hungry and studying?

Before passing judgment, run the correct control experiment, and see if the rewatching is truly what has changed.

Lush · 12-04-2007, 05:22 AM

I know what you mean, SoNo.

Relationships ebb and flow, and our relationships with artistic material are no different in that regard.

I was actually quite surprised when, upon re-watching "The Return of the King" with my brother, I found that I had liked it more than I did before. When I saw the final film in the theaters, I found myself unmoved by large chunks of it and wrote it off as mostly a disappointment. The scene at the Grey Havens had particularly irritated me - I thought it could have been done a whole lot better.

I can't pinpoint what it was that made me respond to it in a very different way when I watched it later. Was it because I was in the company of a child, and was seeing at least some of it through his eyes? Was it because I was picking up on a completely different vibe from the source material itself (considering how multi-faceted it is)? Was I simply in a better mood? Who knows?

The important thing is, your thoughts and emotions have not remained static.

Meneltarmacil · 12-08-2007, 10:16 PM

Well, after watching the series again after a long time (FOTR and TTT as-released, and the ROTK EE), I can't say that I was disappointed by anything (with the possible exceptions of Denethor's disgusting eating scene, Sam's "Share the load," and the detour to Osgiliath, in that order) but that's all. Sure, Peter Jackson's LOTR wasn't a perfect translation of the books, but the truth is, it didn't have to be. I enjoyed it regardless.

Now, as for how my feelings toward the movies have changed, I find that I'm less bothered by them now than I was before, mainly because when I was watching them in theaters, I kept wondering, "Oh no, is he going to ruin the next scene or will it be OK?" Now I don't have to worry about it.

12-16-2007, 03:23 AM

Can't say that I can relate to your experiences, Son of Numenor. I always thought that the movies were flawless masterpieces and they were my favourites for a long time. But I haven't seen them in a while. So, once I do (should probably be some time next January) I'll get back to you on that one. I'm intrigued, because in the span of time since I last watched the films, I have become quite a harsh movie critic myself, looking at everything from acting to editing.

Lalwendë · 12-16-2007, 05:40 AM

Remembering something from my A Level Economics lessons (which is surprising seeing as I hated the subject) it's just what they call The Law Of Diminishing Returns. For example, you fancy some chocolate cake and would happily chew off your own arm to get some so you scoff a monster sized piece. It was gooood, so you scoff another monster sized piece, that was good too, not as good, but still good. Then you have another monster sized piece and it was alright. Then you see there's one slice left and you think you may as well eat it (what? are you bulimic or something?) rather than stuff it back in the cake tin and it was....well, it made you feel a bit sick, actually...

You get this with just about anything enjoyable unfortunately. And films suffer it more than books as you are passively watching someone else's 'head pictures' whereas with a book you've got to actively work at it to get the 'head pictures' and there is at least an outside chance they might be different each time...

12-17-2007, 03:40 PM

I'm not sure, Lalwende. I think you're thinking of something else. Sure, if you watched the Lord of the Rings again and again and again and again, or read a book again and again or any book or movie or ate too much food, of course you'd get sick. But I was under the impression that Son of Numenor meant he found flaws in the film that he didn't see before. I don't know if the differences I'm trying to communicate make sense, or what SoN was really saying, but that's just my opinion.

Lalwendë · 12-18-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithol

I'm not sure, Lalwende. I think you're thinking of something else. Sure, if you watched the Lord of the Rings again and again and again and again, or read a book again and again or any book or movie or ate too much food, of course you'd get sick. But I was under the impression that Son of Numenor meant he found flaws in the film that he didn't see before. I don't know if the differences I'm trying to communicate make sense, or what SoN was really saying, but that's just my opinion.

Same thing really. The novelty has worn off so you do notice the flaws more and are less able to tolerate them!

12-03-2007, 09:43 PM	#1
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	First, there's no going back... That said, for those of you with different experiences when you've rewatched the movies, are you controlling for environmental variables? When you first saw them, were you at the cineplex with a bunch of friends, on a date, or, like me and the Mrs., spending a few rare hours without having to watch the kids? Did you get dressed up, have a soda, go out afterwards and discuss it ad nauseam? And then, when you've rewatched them, was it late night on your 12" computer monitor while you were hungry and studying? Before passing judgment, run the correct control experiment, and see if the rewatching is truly what has changed. __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

12-04-2007, 05:22 AM	#2
Lush Fair and Cold Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the big onion Posts: 1,770	I know what you mean, SoNo. Relationships ebb and flow, and our relationships with artistic material are no different in that regard. I was actually quite surprised when, upon re-watching "The Return of the King" with my brother, I found that I had liked it more than I did before. When I saw the final film in the theaters, I found myself unmoved by large chunks of it and wrote it off as mostly a disappointment. The scene at the Grey Havens had particularly irritated me - I thought it could have been done a whole lot better. I can't pinpoint what it was that made me respond to it in a very different way when I watched it later. Was it because I was in the company of a child, and was seeing at least some of it through his eyes? Was it because I was picking up on a completely different vibe from the source material itself (considering how multi-faceted it is)? Was I simply in a better mood? Who knows? The important thing is, your thoughts and emotions have not remained static. __________________ ~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~

12-08-2007, 10:16 PM	#3
Meneltarmacil Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The bottom of the ocean, discussing philosophy with a giant squid Posts: 2,254	Well, after watching the series again after a long time (FOTR and TTT as-released, and the ROTK EE), I can't say that I was disappointed by anything (with the possible exceptions of Denethor's disgusting eating scene, Sam's "Share the load," and the detour to Osgiliath, in that order) but that's all. Sure, Peter Jackson's LOTR wasn't a perfect translation of the books, but the truth is, it didn't have to be. I enjoyed it regardless. Now, as for how my feelings toward the movies have changed, I find that I'm less bothered by them now than I was before, mainly because when I was watching them in theaters, I kept wondering, "Oh no, is he going to ruin the next scene or will it be OK?" Now I don't have to worry about it. __________________ I ♣ baby seals.

12-16-2007, 05:40 AM	#5
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Remembering something from my A Level Economics lessons (which is surprising seeing as I hated the subject) it's just what they call The Law Of Diminishing Returns. For example, you fancy some chocolate cake and would happily chew off your own arm to get some so you scoff a monster sized piece. It was gooood, so you scoff another monster sized piece, that was good too, not as good, but still good. Then you have another monster sized piece and it was alright. Then you see there's one slice left and you think you may as well eat it (what? are you bulimic or something?) rather than stuff it back in the cake tin and it was....well, it made you feel a bit sick, actually... You get this with just about anything enjoyable unfortunately. And films suffer it more than books as you are passively watching someone else's 'head pictures' whereas with a book you've got to actively work at it to get the 'head pictures' and there is at least an outside chance they might be different each time... __________________ Gordon's alive!

12-16-2007, 03:23 AM	#4
Mithol Guest Posts: n/a	Can't say that I can relate to your experiences, Son of Numenor. I always thought that the movies were flawless masterpieces and they were my favourites for a long time. But I haven't seen them in a while. So, once I do (should probably be some time next January) I'll get back to you on that one. I'm intrigued, because in the span of time since I last watched the films, I have become quite a harsh movie critic myself, looking at everything from acting to editing.

12-17-2007, 03:40 PM	#6
Mithol Guest Posts: n/a	I'm not sure, Lalwende. I think you're thinking of something else. Sure, if you watched the Lord of the Rings again and again and again and again, or read a book again and again or any book or movie or ate too much food, of course you'd get sick. But I was under the impression that Son of Numenor meant he found flaws in the film that he didn't see before. I don't know if the differences I'm trying to communicate make sense, or what SoN was really saying, but that's just my opinion.