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a conspiracy of adults to corrupt children

posted 17 years ago by schots
107 replies | jump to latest

For its entire duration I was watching this film with a big frown on my face. This film felt SO WRONG! It may be a testament to how decadent and perverted the American Way has become since the seventies, that it is thought artistic when a nine year old is preparing smack and helping someone shoot up, or place it in such overtly sexual and peadophilic situations. How can her folks let her be in a movie that she is not allowed to see until she is sixteen? Any parent who thinks about this for a moment would agree. Filmmakers shouldn't be allowed to drag someone of this age into this kind of horror, even if it is all fake and make believe, just for the satisfaction of their own egocentrical 'artistic' needs.
I thought I was a big Gilliam fan but obviously I am mistaken. It really is about time he retired, along with the rest of his generation of filmmakers.

[–] mulhollandpsycho 13 years ago

You must not have seen 'Taxi Driver'.

[–] franzkabuki 13 years ago

If Tideland is the OP´s idea of "corruption", then children already are "corrupt". A lot of them, anyway.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] RagingBullwinkle 13 years ago

It really is about time he retired, along with the rest of his generation of filmmakers.

You're argument and your sense of humour are invalid. Seriously, get off the internet.

"For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake." – Alfred Hitchcock

[–] Strazdamonas 13 years ago

I think there is a conspiracy to lower your intelligence becuase you dont seem to have much left.

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All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for enough good men to do nothing.

[–] ralucayr 13 years ago

I think it's time you stop throwing around with stinky morals. The only thing that Gilliam did to piss off so many with Tideland was to point out some very unpleasant truths. There are probably thousands of kids who right now are fixing daddy or mummy's evening hit. There are so many irresponsible parents out there, who behave worse than what you've seen in Tideland. The world sucks and the world hates it when its face gets shoved into a mirror and forced to look at itself - that's what Tideland did. I guess that that's what ticked you off, you got a disturbing glimpse of the world around you and you didn't like it, did you? :D

Jodelle Ferland's parents are probably very proud - that girl is a very promising actress and she took on the part with incredible grace (in my opinion and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one thinking it).

Just because YOU didn't like it, just because YOU found a movie (one that points out some very nasty truths, in all its artistic might) unpleasant, just because YOU felt uncomfortable doesn't mean the movie sucks and it sure as hell doesn't mean that it's time for Terry Gilliam to retire. You're not his doctor.You sound more like one of those soccer moms that really grind my gears.

You're clearly using the words "Gilliam fan" wrong.

-- Tideland was, by far, one of Gilliam's gems. To be honest, I wasn't nuts about Gilliam when I got around to Tideland - I had seen Brazil and I was still somewhat confused, I didn't know whether I should love it or hate it. But then I saw Tideland (and after that I just dug into the rest of his movies) and I was moved. It's not very often that I get to say this, but Tideland is truly a gem, it's beautiful, it's disturbing, it's painful and delightful at the same time. Sure, it can get confusing and it slaps you over the face with some very painful truths, but in the end, it's one hell of a movie and it definitely earned its place in my top ten. :D
If you grew up with a white picket fence, PB&J, Sunny D, cheerleading practice, promise rings, abstinence flyers and a golden retriever, then Tideland is NOT for you. Because Tideland is the twisted story of innocence fighting desperately against decadence, if you stop and think about it.

Peace.

[–] Sparky71870 13 years ago

I can't believe that after more than 4 years people are still bashing the OP. You disagree with him? That's fine, but let it go. He has not commented since his opening post which, as I pointed out, was over 4 years ago. Why can't people just leave well enough alone? I haven't seen the movie so I can't say whether I agree or disagree with him though I am planning on seeing it. But, regardless of whether he's wrong or right, I do think it's time to get off his back and let this thread die.

[–] ENTROPYpro 12 years ago

I think you're right Sparky. Good god, 4 years of this. These guys must have scared the OP off of IMDB. His last post was almost three years ago. Just relentless...

As harsh as these posts can be, I loved reading these arguments about one of my favorite movies ever. Time for a little bump.

OP you should be ashamed! This thread should rather be titled 'A Conspiracy of Adults to Censor the Truth'.

[–] Monknificent 11 years ago

Nope, OP deserves all he gets, and to that end, here come I, another TWO YEARS after your post to rip on him some more! :{ OP, you were wrong on every level and I hope you learned something from this thread.

This thread must never die, like Gilliam's talent and creative endeavours!

[–] lanis_cupus 11 years ago

I think you missed the point--that the OP is long gone and posters are simply talking to themselves now. Not to mention, I haven't seen anyone effectively refute the OP's stance. The best response was the one that contended that children are already corrupt (given the OPs perceptions of such). They probably are, but the question is why?

Anyway, it's an issue that warrants more discussion but (like most issues) never warranted any sort of bashing. My position is simple: When children are involved, air on the side of caution. It's not worth it and there are other ways of expressing challenging ideas.

I enjoyed the film but that doesn't mean it should have been made.

Interestingly, I don't recall anyone attacking the OP's "conspiracy" suggestion, which would seem the most ready target of all.

That's the most you'll ever get out of me Wordman. Ever. -Eddie Wilson

[–] franzkabuki 11 years ago

"The OP is long gone and posters are simply talking to themselves now".

It`s a public message board - just because one poster, even if it`s the OP, has split the scene, don`t mean the others are just muttering to themselves.

"I haven`t seen anyone effectively refute the OP`s stance".

Many have pointed out several ridiculous aspects of the OP. The main argument being that the child actress was never even exposed to some of the foul, dark and kinky things she `appears` to be witnessing or doing, in the first place.

"The best response was the one that contended that children are already corrupt".

That was prefaced by "if Tideland is the OP`s idea of corruption" - meaning that children generally also have a concept and awareness of darker things in life, so that the occasional mildly sinister vibes this child may have gotten while play-acting for Mr Gilliam`s benefit, wouldn`t have come as any kinda shock... and, of course, children of her age are very much able to separate that play-acting from reality. Not to mention that due to the keenly watchful eye of child protection organization(s) as well as her parents, it`s safe to say nothing emotionally damaging happened to that girl on the film set.

"There are other ways of expressing challenging ideas".

How the hell do you make a movie about some traumatic events befalling a little girl without casting a little girl as a lead? Create a CGI figure and toss it on the screen as a protagonist?

"But that doesn`t mean it should have been made".

So now you fancy yourself as some kind of arbiter on which films should or should not be made?

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] lanis_cupus 11 years ago

Arbiter? ...I'm the goddam paterfamilias.

That's the most you'll ever get out of me Wordman. Ever. -Eddie Wilson

[–] mysticwit 12 years ago

There's no conspiracy, and it's not egocentric. It's a fable of a girl who finds beauty despite the most horrendous circumstances through the actions and inactions of the adults around her. It's a very dark fairy tale and while it's extreme, there are those of us who can relate very well to the protagonist.

[–] lanis_cupus 12 years ago

I have been considering watching this movie again, but at this point I agree with the OP. A film can be thought-provoking (or even brilliant) and still be inappropriately made. When the welfare of a child is involved, the ends DO NOT justify the means.

My feeling is...if you have things like this inside you that need to be expressed, put them in a book.

Out THERE?...with the bees...and the hail...and the A-bombs! -Bobby Hill

[–] dlbearcave-2 9 years ago

I honestly can't believe people like you are STILL going on about this movie. Jodelle was a talented and mature young actress who has gotten even better over time (Twilight notwithstanding). I'm relatively sure she would tell you to shove your moral-policing up where it belongs. If you don't like the *beep* movie don't watch it.