Cibbuano
RubySoho
Morgan Bell
Matt Shea
David O'Connell
Mountain FogMaking lists of 'Movies for Guys' is sadly underwhelming
February 28th 2008 22:04
Regular readers of 20/20 Filmsight will be familiar with the venom I save for movies targeted towards a particular gender. The idea of a movie for 'guys' or 'chicks' is abhorrent to me - after all, if we're really trying to bring equality to the sexes, this seems like the wrong way to pursue it.
In the end, men and women probably sort themselves out... a list of my favourite movies of all time is definitely skewed towards stylized violence and exploitation, but I'd happily add a few romantic comedies to that list as well. "Annie Hall", for one, or "Roman Holiday". I met a girl that worked at the VideoEzy in Paddington that absolutely loved "Oldboy" and recommended it to me.
I suppose what bothers me is that catering to a gender draws a subtle line in the sand, limiting the movies that you're supposed to like. Imagine all the girls are on one side, giggling, wearing dresses and the boys are on the other side, with muscle shirts and backwards baseball caps, saying 'Dude!". Neither side willing to crossover, the boys dismissive of anything with relationships, the girls frowning at anything with car chases.
Usually, I'm exceedingly critical of women that limit themselves to easy 'chick flicks', a term that I despise for all the same reasons... I knew a girl that delighted in gathering several of her girlfriends, and going to see whatever was the flavour of the month. Naturally, the night was more about spending time together, but it irked me that they neglected to see something powerful or unique.
Likewise, I'm rather sneer-minded about men that have the same opinion, enthusiastically lapping up any major action movie that comes in the theatre, even when they know it will be awful.
As a result, when I read this list, "100 Great Movies Every Guy MUST See", I anticipated that I would get stirred up. After reading it, though, I can only shake my head in silent indifference.
The website is one of the rapidly breeding information sites targeted towards men, offering advice on 'Everything a guy needs to be manly'. These sites are usually written by 20-24 year old college kids, past binge drinking age, who are turning their eyes to something fruitful. They love the idea of making a website that offers advice for men but the truth is, they probably know very little about masculinity.
I know because I did exactly the same thing. I'm the result of a failed attempt to seem worldly and mature by writing about things I only understood in the most shallow sense.
The list is worthless, because it's so predictable and most young men have already seen all of these movies. Look at the first ten, for example:
...and the other 90 movies are nothing to get inspired by either. It's all a combination of various action movies and goofy comedies. In no particular order, with the barest commentary and an ill-selected quote.
As far as I can tell, all of the movies are English language, with the majority being big Hollywood movies.
Sure, there are some great movies on the list, and to be honest, I've seen probably 90% of them. Growing up in an English-speaking country, it'd be hard not to.
What's missing, though, are movies that provoke or question what it means to be a man, or offers insight to what lies ahead.
If you wanted to make a list of movies that were symbolic of masculinity, I'd suggest asking JohnDoe at JDMFilmReviews... he's got a much more thorough background, fleshed out over different languages and countries.
If you wanted to make a list of movies that men MUST watch, I'd expect, at the very minimum, for those movies to teach the viewer something about women and relationships.
In fact, I'm going to make that list right now and send it to the writer of the original article. He'll probably be insulted, but I'd like to stress that I'm trying to be insulting - I went through the exact same phase, and I would have written this exact list. However, I think a greater service could be done by making a more thoughtful list.
In the end, men and women probably sort themselves out... a list of my favourite movies of all time is definitely skewed towards stylized violence and exploitation, but I'd happily add a few romantic comedies to that list as well. "Annie Hall", for one, or "Roman Holiday". I met a girl that worked at the VideoEzy in Paddington that absolutely loved "Oldboy" and recommended it to me.
I suppose what bothers me is that catering to a gender draws a subtle line in the sand, limiting the movies that you're supposed to like. Imagine all the girls are on one side, giggling, wearing dresses and the boys are on the other side, with muscle shirts and backwards baseball caps, saying 'Dude!". Neither side willing to crossover, the boys dismissive of anything with relationships, the girls frowning at anything with car chases.
Usually, I'm exceedingly critical of women that limit themselves to easy 'chick flicks', a term that I despise for all the same reasons... I knew a girl that delighted in gathering several of her girlfriends, and going to see whatever was the flavour of the month. Naturally, the night was more about spending time together, but it irked me that they neglected to see something powerful or unique.
Likewise, I'm rather sneer-minded about men that have the same opinion, enthusiastically lapping up any major action movie that comes in the theatre, even when they know it will be awful.
As a result, when I read this list, "100 Great Movies Every Guy MUST See", I anticipated that I would get stirred up. After reading it, though, I can only shake my head in silent indifference.
The website is one of the rapidly breeding information sites targeted towards men, offering advice on 'Everything a guy needs to be manly'. These sites are usually written by 20-24 year old college kids, past binge drinking age, who are turning their eyes to something fruitful. They love the idea of making a website that offers advice for men but the truth is, they probably know very little about masculinity.
I know because I did exactly the same thing. I'm the result of a failed attempt to seem worldly and mature by writing about things I only understood in the most shallow sense.
The list is worthless, because it's so predictable and most young men have already seen all of these movies. Look at the first ten, for example:
"1. Casino Royale (or any other James Bond movie for that matter)
2. Terminator
3. Die Hard
4. The Last Boy Scout
5. Top Gun
6. The Matrix
7. Back To The Future
8. Scarface
9. The Godfather
10. Platoon"
2. Terminator
3. Die Hard
4. The Last Boy Scout
5. Top Gun
6. The Matrix
7. Back To The Future
8. Scarface
9. The Godfather
10. Platoon"
...and the other 90 movies are nothing to get inspired by either. It's all a combination of various action movies and goofy comedies. In no particular order, with the barest commentary and an ill-selected quote.
As far as I can tell, all of the movies are English language, with the majority being big Hollywood movies.
Sure, there are some great movies on the list, and to be honest, I've seen probably 90% of them. Growing up in an English-speaking country, it'd be hard not to.
What's missing, though, are movies that provoke or question what it means to be a man, or offers insight to what lies ahead.
If you wanted to make a list of movies that were symbolic of masculinity, I'd suggest asking JohnDoe at JDMFilmReviews... he's got a much more thorough background, fleshed out over different languages and countries.
If you wanted to make a list of movies that men MUST watch, I'd expect, at the very minimum, for those movies to teach the viewer something about women and relationships.
In fact, I'm going to make that list right now and send it to the writer of the original article. He'll probably be insulted, but I'd like to stress that I'm trying to be insulting - I went through the exact same phase, and I would have written this exact list. However, I think a greater service could be done by making a more thoughtful list.
| 180 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by AmyHuang
Project Job Search
Travel Debate
Travel String
Love Adventures
I think it's just a general - girls like this, boys like this. Just like when you are young, girls are automatically given barbies and boys a toy truck.
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Also, I'm not sure if boys like certain things and girls certain things. When babies are born, parents start inundating them with colours and toys.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
want meat . . . want woman . . . make fire
. . .erruggghh . . . .
MNG
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
One Million Years BC
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Comment by Techno
Geeky Blog
Comment by bellyrose
The curiosity that killed Belly Rose
Think you could make a list for girls in a similar vein?
Really - I sometimes feel like I don't understand guys at all!
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Also, I think, from my experience in regards to chick flicks - once you become an adult, and even before that, it's not so much about socialised gender values - which I agree are omnipresent in our culture, possibly even from before birth - but about embracing an element of feminity.
Of course, if a film is being marketed to a gender in a rather superficial way, it defeats the purpose.
I'm not making my point very well, so will give this example: a woman, who loves to cook for her family, not because it expected of her as a wifely and motherly duty, but because it gives her a sense of achievement, feminine power and provision and care for those she loves.
I love fancy shoes and jewellery, not because I have been brought up to love them, because I haven't, but because I love the way they make me feel. It's the same with many movies, though not necessary the most obvious, as is the case with that list of 100 films for men too.
I think this was the point you were making with mentioning masculinity in film in regard to JD, for no other purpose than enjoyment, not to learn about women. Seem to have taken the long way in saying I think this applies to women too, though these films may be more often than not brushed aside.
Hope this is at least partially coherent. Great post.
Michaelie
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I had a look at the list and your right very shallow with little insight into masculinity, let alone women and relationships.
There are maybe 10 I agree with like Fight Club, Godfather, Bullitt etc but as you said there is no range. I agree that a list of mens films does NOT involve repeating the exact same demographic (young teen boys) 100 times over.
A few I would include just for starters:
Neil LaBute's In The Company of Men
John Cassavettes Husbands
Dylan Kid's Roger Dodger
Jim Jaramusch's Ghost Dog
Luc Besson's Leon the Professional
Terence Malick's Badlands
Gene Sak's The Odd Couple
Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch
Sydney Pollack's Jemimah Johnson
Tennessee Williams A Streetcar named Desire
Stuart Rosenberg's Cool Hand Luke
Barry Levinson's Diner
I had better stop before I get carried away...This would be a really fun list to put together, maybe next week I will do a top 30 or something.
Comment by Jarrah
Back to the Eighties
Thats what we need more of right now.
- Jarrah
Back to the Eighties
www.backtotheeighties.net
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Jarrah, I don't really get what you mean. Would you like to explain?
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
I hate chick flicks. The "‘boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, something bad happens and they seem doomed, but then it all comes together in the end and they are happy and in love forever’ thing. I hate the inevitable, dramatic, heart stirring speech that absolutely has to have that one tag line, that one catch phrase sentence that ties the whole movie together and will be the sole thing it is remembered for, if at all. "You Complete Me!" for example. Well f* that! I also hate it when the character pours his or her heart out, cue the soft piano music in the background to create some more ambience…and there we go. This scene is set for Kleenex’s secret evil marketing plan. Give me some fast cars and crap that blows up and smart dialogue....
Mis
Comment by Damo
Something scary
or
lotsa killings.
Arrrhhh!
It is all about being entertained.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
mine would have these in it...
Red River
Withnail and I
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
A Man For All Seasons
Angels With Dirty Faces
for me, they all deal with the traditional and stereotypical facets of masculinity in classic, sometimes subversive, memorable and timeless ways.
Comment by Anonymous
I hate stereotyping of any kind, right with ya!
In fact, my second favourite genre (after films based on true stories and biography ) is Action adventure and just to let you know that there are about six of my all time favourite films here in this guys list.
The Matrix for me was an all time classic/epic and I must have watched the entire trilogy about 10 times already. Not to Mention the brilliance of the prequel Batman Begins...staples of my’ re-run’ nights, along with *swoon* Casino Royale whoosh, right up there on the most brilliant movie making at its absolute best, and certainly put the ompf back into Bond for me... after what seemed like years of b-grade material without any guts or grit to offer dedicated fans.
Die Hard, Beverly Hills Cop, Back to the Future, The Oceans Series, 48 hours, Highlander, Braveheart, A Few Good Men, Dog Day Afternoon, (aaa-ooo-eee) *swoon* Swordfish and Face Off, Ronin and Indiana Jones, Blow and True Lies; the Lethal Weapon, Bourne and Under Siege Franchises; Road house, Gone in 60 Seconds, Con Air...
A Knights Tale and Speed, wow something else certainly not just for guys to have all the fun with..positively awesome films that I can (and do) watch again and again ... very happily!
I would probably add the ConstantGardener and Blood Diamond (as well as JD’s Cool Hand Luke) as ‘guy-films’ that have kept me riveted to the screen with total interest and appreciation.
No I’m afraid Justaguything has it completely wrong in my text book too ... but then again, he’d probably say I must be gay anyway (or at the very least, bi) , just for wanting to watch them, over and over again.
However, I can only speak for myself and observation of my own gender would have me agreeing with Amy in-part, that during the initial stages of a relationship at the college age, when she is still trying to impress her new beau, *chuckle* a woman would still watch four hours of these ‘guy’ films with more equanimity perhaps, than her partner will engage (and enjoy), four hours of Jane Austin
Perhaps I should go and leave this comment on his site?
Lilla ...
I cannot leave comments on my login for some strange reason and so am forced to slink about the halls of anonyminity for a while - sorry for the low point score ... I am waiting on admin to 'fix.'
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Yes Luke! I agree that's the idea - and that goes for femininity too! And open to any gender, embraced more often by one because of some kindred feeling, maybe.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
luke, flame on, you massive homosexual. Early Brando is almost frightening, and Steve McQueen is ultra-cool.
JD, down with Toshiro. Where did he get a face like that?
Lilla, thanks for your long comment. Yes, women are pretty good at sitting through their boyfriend's favourites. I've had to sit through some awful movies, too, though.
Mis, explosions, eh?
Comment by AmyHuang
Project Job Search
Travel Debate
Travel String
Love Adventures
Rarely do any of my male friends are even willing to put the DVD in the player!
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Darcy gets introduced to a girl, declares her as ugly, then spends the rest of the novel trying to win her affection back. It's definitely something worth learning, the art of apology.
I never saw the recent adaptation, though. I don't like that director, though, and I don't like Keira Knightley, so I'll spare myself. Knightely is supposed to be too ugly? Is that how it works? That's an asinine way to make a movie.
There have been worse, too: "Bride and Prejudice", a tepid Bollywood remake of the concept. Blah!
The only movie that did a reasonable job of using the premise would be "Bridget Jones' Diary" - a movie that should disgust me, but won me over with witty writing and sincerity.
Comment by Anonymous
From someone that is laid back enough to let phrases such as chick flick slide.
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
you advise us to ignore the word 'MUST' in the title of the post, but that's exaclty the point. If it was a list of 100 movies that men love, well, that's fine.
But to insinuate that these are the 100 movies that you MUST watch... that's not only insulting, but setting a low standard for men. I suggest we aim a little higher.
I'm not really offended - I read lists like this every other week. I just think that men that love film have a whole world of cinema to explore.