Profanity in movies
#1
DVD Talk Special Edition
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Profanity in movies
One thing I've noticed these days, unless it's a crime/gangster/cop movie, it's kind of annoying when movies have f words repeated over and over. It doesn't ruin the movie for me at all or anything, it's just kind of annoying. It feels like a gimmick. It also loses its power. In crime/gangster/cop movies, it doesn't feel like a gimmick, and doesn't seem to lose its power.
Am I the only one?
Am I the only one?
#2
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Re: Profanity in movies
Fuck no! I'm right fuckin' with ya!
On a serious note, it is annoying in most movies. I would like to see a mafia movie that doesn't have one whole curse word in the whole flick. I suppose that would be like a fantasy film though.
Cursing is very creatively used in Appetow/Jody Hill productions though.
On a serious note, it is annoying in most movies. I would like to see a mafia movie that doesn't have one whole curse word in the whole flick. I suppose that would be like a fantasy film though.
Cursing is very creatively used in Appetow/Jody Hill productions though.
#3
DVD Talk Special Edition
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Re: Profanity in movies
I like what Bob Clark said on his commentary for Porky's. He originally had a lot more profanity, but he was told by a producer or someone to pull back, and he ended up thinking it worked far better.
#4
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Profanity in movies
Strangely enough, it doesn't bother me so much in movies. Where I get frustrated with excessive language is in stand-up comedy. There are entirely too many comics that don't understand that their craft is predicated on their creative and thoughtful use of language. A well-placed word can send good material over the top, as has been demonstrated by many of the masters. Unfortunately, too many misunderstood the lesson and believe that those words are, themselves, what makes material good.
#5
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Profanity in movies
It depends really, like anything in a story. Some people curse a lot, some don't. I don't think lots of cursing is necessarily a gimmick though.
#6
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Re: Profanity in movies
For example, in District 9 it was used well. Loved that when Wikus used it later in his anger it still sounded odd for him to say it in that manner cuz..well...he isn't a tough guy.
#7
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Profanity in movies
Yep, this. There are people who walk around saying fuck every other word. There are others that might slip up with a darn it when they slam their hand in a door. A movie's language should reflect the way its characters would speak in real life, so some movies will have tons of swearing, others will have none and most will lie somewhere between.
#8
Re: Profanity in movies
Also, remember that movies tend to be about dramatic moments. A character is more likely to use profanity while arguing with their spouse or engaged in a shoot out then they would while clipping their tonenails or sleeping or in any other routine life moment most movies don't focus on.
#10
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Profanity in movies
I could do without it, but as long as it fits and is well written... couldn't imagine some movies without it (goodfellas, etc) What bothers me is when you have one or two F bombs just kinda thrown in there for no real reason, than it sounds forced and stands out.
#13
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Profanity in movies
I think the discussion could go both ways. A lot of movies throw in extra amounts of profanity for shock value while others don't use enough to get lighter ratings. If I was ever going through the events of Paranormal Activity (first that came to mind), I'd fill the swear jar 5 times over. I don't remember either of them using profanity much at all during the film.
#14
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Re: Profanity in movies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbsnSVM1zM
#15
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Re: Profanity in movies
I agree with the group that think it's ok as long as it fits the situation. I will give an example.
I recently watch the Tony Scott movie True Romance again. It has a bunch of cursing and while it is excessive, it doesn't take away from the movie.
I also watched another Tony Scott film The Taking of Pelham 1.2.3. and thought the cursing was outrageous. Travolta especially sounded like a kid in junior high trying to sound tough. While it would be realistic for a hostage taker to use the f word excessively, it just felt out of place and made a poor movie (imo) even worse.
I recently watch the Tony Scott movie True Romance again. It has a bunch of cursing and while it is excessive, it doesn't take away from the movie.
I also watched another Tony Scott film The Taking of Pelham 1.2.3. and thought the cursing was outrageous. Travolta especially sounded like a kid in junior high trying to sound tough. While it would be realistic for a hostage taker to use the f word excessively, it just felt out of place and made a poor movie (imo) even worse.
#16
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Re: Profanity in movies
British Films set in the Blue Collar or Seedy settings often have more "Fucks" then most American films.
#17
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Profanity in movies
I also watched another Tony Scott film The Taking of Pelham 1.2.3. and thought the cursing was outrageous. Travolta especially sounded like a kid in junior high trying to sound tough. While it would be realistic for a hostage taker to use the f word excessively, it just felt out of place and made a poor movie (imo) even worse.
#19
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Re: Profanity in movies
I understand it's realistic, but I think profanity is powerful, and I think it loses its power, if it's used over and over, over the course of an entire runtime. Like I said though, I don't mind it, in crime/gangster/cop movies.
Last edited by Yeti4623; 12-02-09 at 07:56 PM.
#20
Re: Profanity in fucking movies
One thing I've noticed these days, unless it's a crime/gangster/cop movie, it's kind of annoying when movies have f words repeated over and over. It doesn't ruin the movie for me at all or anything, it's just kind of annoying. It feels like a gimmick. It also loses its power. In crime/gangster/cop movies, it doesn't feel like a gimmick, and doesn't seem to lose its power.
Am I the only one?
Am I the only one?
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Profanity in movies
I took my ex-fiance on our first date to see Superman Returns and The Departed double feature at the Drive-In. I expected the language in The Departed to be on par with a Scorcese film but my ex was totally offended. I had to take her home because she didn't want to hear it or do anything else after that.