MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > There's a real stigma attached to watchi...

There's a real stigma attached to watching old movies or tv shows

posted 6 years ago by AngularTurnip (3338)
40 replies | jump to latest

Whenever I bring up an old movie or TV show people will invariably say something like "that was before my time" or "I'm not that old." People don't watch old media and feel the need to distance themselves from those that do. Old books, in my experience, are a different story. You bring up an old book and people will say "I haven't read it" and leave it that. There's almost a begrudging respect for those that read old works. But there's no respect reserved for those that watch old media ... only a need to make that person feel old and out of date.

[–] VIDEOSTOREVANDAL (313) 6 years ago

HANG OUT WITH OLDER PEOPLE.

[–] AngularTurnip (3338) 6 years ago

I do. Old and young alike act say the same thing.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

[deleted]

[–] AngularTurnip (3338) 6 years ago

But at least there's a community for the newer stuff. There's no community for the older stuff.

[–] BillHicksFan (10716) 6 years ago

Its up to us to spread great movies, and eventually people will notice a trend, and avoid bullshit... I try to upload links of great movies on YouTube and any forms of spoon-feeding for the cause.... Same with music.

[–] AngularTurnip (3338) 6 years ago

True.

[–] BillHicksFan (10716) 6 years ago

respond with "sex was before my time, too"

[–] AngularTurnip (3338) 6 years ago

I'll have to remember that.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I don't get it either. So it was made before "my time" so what? It was put on film for a reason to be watched at anytime.

I love old films. I think they have a lot more substance and style than modern films which are by and large really boring and sameish.

[–] AngularTurnip (3338) 6 years ago

I watch the new for a quick fix. I watch the old to think.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

What I love about old films is the subtext. Take Waterloo Bridge for example, prostitution is never mentioned. We never see the woman having sex with a man but we know that is what she has been doing.

If that were remade they would have her standing on street corners and explicit scenes so you there would be no mystery or nuance at all.

Same goes with a lot of films. You have to watch and listen.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

good analysis

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I grew up in the 90's and my favorite movie of all time is from the 60's.

[–] BillHicksFan (10716) 6 years ago

I was born in the 80s, and 99% of what I love was made before I was born.

The stigma should be with those who just take in all the new SHIT without looking at the pile of SHIT.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Well, it's their loss, better just enjoy what you like and let them consume their garbage.

[–] BillHicksFan (10716) 6 years ago

I want them to enjoy, and slowly change the world... Or at least having a common aesthetic. Impossible to talk with someone about something if they have no idea what it is. Part of a reason I come on message boards is to open new avenues for others. Everyone, including myself, used to watch crap at 15, and thought by the end, "That was good" and then play basketball and forget about it forever.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I admire you for trying at least. As you say it usually comes with age though. Your cultural taste is refined so to speak.

[–] BillHicksFan (10716) 6 years ago

Thanks. I'd like to point out that by 17, when I got my driver's license, my movie tastes took off... I would blindly pick movies without even reading them, and then if I found something great, I'd check movies by that same director (or same actor, like Brando). The wider the variety, the more self-awareness. But it keeps going. Every time I see a movie (especially a good one), its further education.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (21718) 6 years ago

Ask them if they feel the same about older music compared to current. That should tell you everything.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I tried to turn my son onto some of the classics - it didn't work for the most part.

[–] Knish (1721) 6 years ago

Haha do you watch old movies for the respect? Wtf do you care what people think.

[–] AngularTurnip (3338) 6 years ago

I don't. I just wish more people out there watched old media. Much of it is really quite good ... provided you can get past the fact that much of it doesn't reflect the current zeitgeist (a major hurdle for modern audiences).

[–] BillHicksFan (10716) 6 years ago

That's a benefit - getting the zeitgeist of a particular time and place in history.. I respect learning.

[–] samoanjoes (58601) 6 years ago

Might as well throw away all the history books books then. Why stop there? I say toss the Mona Lisa out too.