|
|
Post by thisguy4000 on Dec 18, 2020 3:12:38 GMT
It has a reputation as a feel good Christmas movie that the whole family can enjoy, but should it be considered one? The movie can get pretty dark, and there’s a lot of financial talk that kids are less likely to understand.
To be clear, I’m not taking any stance on this. I’m genuinely asking what other people think.
|
|
|
|
Post by rudeboy on Dec 18, 2020 3:53:15 GMT
I loved it as a kid and my nieces love it today, so a yes from me.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
@Deleted
Posts: 0
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2020 3:57:56 GMT
Don't get me started on It's A Wonderful Life.
You can take a lot of themes away from it and my preferred interpretation is that it is a critique of self-interest on the human level and a damning critique of capitalism on the social level. I think it is one of the best communist movies ever made.
This interpretation often lands me in hot water with people who want to believe in angels.
|
|
Hamplanet
Sophomore
Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs
@timshady
Posts: 167
Likes: 72
 
|
Post by Hamplanet on Dec 18, 2020 4:31:18 GMT
Depends. It can take a while to get used to. I can't imagine too many of the more recent generations having the patience to sit through such an old film with some of the themes you described. But it is a fantastic film, maybe just for older viewers who can gauge it better. Greatest Christmas film imho by far thanks to its story being timeless.
|
|
|
|
Post by twothousandonemark on Dec 18, 2020 6:25:39 GMT
I only ever got into it as an adult. B&W, 2hrs 10mins, rather talky at points... I personally wouldn't say it's a family film. The lead was considering suicide after some time at a bar. I guess not all family movies need to be all ages, I think some teens might get into the movie earlier than others.
|
|
|
|
Post by novastar6 on Dec 18, 2020 6:26:19 GMT
Depends. It can take a while to get used to. I can't imagine too many of the more recent generations having the patience to sit through such an old film with some of the themes you described. But it is a fantastic film, maybe just for older viewers who can gauge it better. Greatest Christmas film imho by far thanks to its story being timeless.
And the strange part is certain Christmas programs want us to believe it's normal for kids to watch them, Home Alone 4 (I know, boo), and even Sesame Street's special, Elmo Saves Christmas. I'll grant you that's where I first heard of it back when I was 7 years old, even though it's shown in everything from Look Who's Talking to Christmas Vacation to Gremlins, but it was many years before I actually got around to watching it. And for the record, I love James Stewart, I love Frank Capra, and when the two worked together they could create amazing things...but this just ain't one of them.
|
|
|
|
Post by drystyx on Dec 18, 2020 18:39:55 GMT
Even though it isn't as socially acceptable in mores as Halloween, Friday 13, and Saw, I think it won't set poor examples for modern day young uns, nor diminish their moral values, too much.
|
|
|
|
Post by Feologild Oakes on Dec 18, 2020 19:17:04 GMT
I thought it was considered a family film already.
And a Christmas movie can still be a family movie..
|
|
|
|
Post by thisguy4000 on Dec 18, 2020 21:33:00 GMT
And a Christmas movie can still be a family movie.. Did anyone ever suggest otherwise?
|
|
|
|
Post by Spitfire926f on Dec 18, 2020 22:24:08 GMT
I think you need to have some years behind you before you can appreciate this film. It's not one I cam see kids getting into. That said, it's one of my favorites in general, not just at Christmas.
I always see The Last Unicorn on "family friendly" streaming lists, and it really isn't a kid movie.
|
|
|
|
Post by vegalyra on Dec 19, 2020 17:39:43 GMT
I enjoyed it as a kid, but then again maybe I was a weird kid. Funny enough, I think one of the first versions I saw was the colorized version on TBS or something back in the mid 1980's. I think there was even a congressional hearing about films being colorized by Ted Turner. I've always thought it was a family film.
|
|
|
|
Post by James on Dec 20, 2020 11:58:26 GMT
I can’t say it is, although maybe it’s good for families with older kids (ages 12+) since at least they may have an understanding of the content more than younger ones.
|
|
|
|
Post by mikef6 on Dec 20, 2020 15:08:58 GMT
Movie critic and author David Thomson makes a case the It's A Wonderful Life is a film noir.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spitfire926f on Dec 20, 2020 18:49:04 GMT
Don't get me started on It's A Wonderful Life. You can take a lot of themes away from it and my preferred interpretation is that it is a critique of self-interest on the human level and a damning critique of capitalism on the social level. I think it is one of the best communist movies ever made. This interpretation often lands me in hot water with people who want to believe in angels. Your cynicism is noted. Not a movie about socialism. The ending is charity because of how much he did for the community. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
@Deleted
Posts: 0
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2020 20:19:40 GMT
Don't get me started on It's A Wonderful Life. You can take a lot of themes away from it and my preferred interpretation is that it is a critique of self-interest on the human level and a damning critique of capitalism on the social level. I think it is one of the best communist movies ever made. This interpretation often lands me in hot water with people who want to believe in angels. Your cynicism is noted. Not a movie about socialism. The ending is charity because of how much he did for the community. Absolutely about communism (not to be confused with socialism) and there is nothing cynical about that. I think it is a positive message. Look no further than the central antagonist, Mr. Potter, the greedy banker. He is a cautionary tale on the dangers of rampant capitalism. When Bedford Falls becomes Pottersville due to the absence of George, it is depicted as a seedy slum where nobody trusts one another. Everybody is just looking out for themselves and a quick buck. Even Bert and Ernie are corrupted and go from small hometown cops to fascist stooges, much as we see with the police in present day. Greed, and by direct proxy, capitalism is treated as a disease and it is only when George realizes his importance as one working class man whose contributions support society, nay, prevent the decay of larger society, that this disease is cured and the people give up their money and social status to help him and each other. It isn't the greedy, thieving Mr. Potter that wins the day; it's the workers who unite against him. It is, in short, a film about a communist revolution. I have yet to see any argument that competently disproves this take.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spitfire926f on Dec 20, 2020 20:32:00 GMT
Your cynicism is noted. Not a movie about socialism. The ending is charity because of how much he did for the community. Absolutely about communism (not to be confused with socialism) and there is nothing cynical about that. I think it is a positive message. Look no further than the central antagonist, Mr. Potter, the greedy banker. He is a cautionary tale on the dangers of rampant capitalism. When Bedford Falls becomes Pottersville due to the absence of George, it is depicted as a seedy slum where nobody trusts one another. Everybody is just looking out for themselves and a quick buck. Even Bert and Ernie are corrupted and go from small hometown cops to fascist stooges, much as we see with the police in present day. Greed, and by direct proxy, capitalism is treated as a disease and it is only when George realizes his importance as one working class man whose contributions support society, nay, prevent the decay of larger society, that this disease is cured and the people give up their money and social status to help him and each other. It isn't the greedy, thieving Mr. Potter that wins the day; it's the workers who unite against him. It is, in short, a film about a communist revolution. I have yet to see any argument that competently disproves this take. Okay 🙄 |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
@Deleted
Posts: 0
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2020 20:35:20 GMT
Absolutely about communism (not to be confused with socialism) and there is nothing cynical about that. I think it is a positive message. Look no further than the central antagonist, Mr. Potter, the greedy banker. He is a cautionary tale on the dangers of rampant capitalism. When Bedford Falls becomes Pottersville due to the absence of George, it is depicted as a seedy slum where nobody trusts one another. Everybody is just looking out for themselves and a quick buck. Even Bert and Ernie are corrupted and go from small hometown cops to fascist stooges, much as we see with the police in present day. Greed, and by direct proxy, capitalism is treated as a disease and it is only when George realizes his importance as one working class man whose contributions support society, nay, prevent the decay of larger society, that this disease is cured and the people give up their money and social status to help him and each other. It isn't the greedy, thieving Mr. Potter that wins the day; it's the workers who unite against him. It is, in short, a film about a communist revolution. I have yet to see any argument that competently disproves this take. Okay 🙄 Yes, okay, Marylin. That's the theme of the film. Why do you think the FBI went after it?
|
|
