Factors & Triggers

I frequent a discussion area called 'The Chamber Room: http://pub16.ezboard.com/bthecrowchamberoom. It is run by tWISTEd sPINe. While there, the subject of how, even though we all seem to have the same interests as Crow fans, in general, we all view movies quite differently. So it started me thinking. Through observing people and experience (a cop out word for being older) I have stumbled upon some factors and triggers that may possibly cause this difference in opinion. Now, by no means is this scientific or THE explanation. I make no claims to having the answers. This is just my attempt to dissect the issue.

Factors

Expectations - Whether we know it or want to admit it, we all go into a movie with certain expectations of how it will be. Expectations are influenced by outside factors such as early reviews of the movie, word of mouth or, if it is based on a book or novel, exposure to the original story. This is also called perceptions, a trigger, which is discussed below. We build a picture in our minds about the film. Many times, we weave a mental image that the movie can't live up to. An example is "Star Wars: Episode I". Many built it up as an almost "out of body" experience. It was going to be the Holy Grail of all movies. But, in all the hoopla, they forgot that the movie was made to entertain the youngest of viewers, like its predecessors, and many of those people felt let down. It turned out this was just entertainment and not a life altering experience. Imagine that.

Needs - The needs we have, probably more so than the other factors, determine how we enjoy a movie. We have needs, within the make-up of our personality, that have to be satisfied. If these needs are not met, the movie is a failure. If you're a person that goes to movies for the sheer pleasure of just getting out and escaping reality, you have very simple needs. On the other side, there are people who go into movies yearning to have certain emotional and visual needs met. An example of this is, if you're a person that is into music and high tech imagery, your needs are going to be different from someone who mostly reads books and has little interest in music and today's high-tech world.

Age - Our age is going to affect our opinion of a movie. If we watch a movie that has many specific cultural references throughout, it is only natural that most persons outside that experience range will not like the movie. If a move is dominated by teenage characters more than likely someone 40 and above will probably not like it and vice versa.

Interests - This helps to fuel our "needs" factor. It stands to reason that if you see a movie that has nothing in it which is of interest to you, it will fail to grab your attention. If I am someone who can not stand classical music and time period pieces, I need to stay away from a movie like "Amadeus". There has to be something in the movie that interests you. Otherwise, you might as well save your money and go rent "The Crow" again.

Environment/Background - What I mean by environment is the state of how things are around us. Our professional, educational, and cultural background feeds opinion. We view the world based on our surroundings. Our environment fuels our attitude toward everything, both negatively and positively. Someone who is affiliated with law enforcement may take exception to "The Crow: Salvation" because it casts a negative shadow on law enforcement. Their environment and background in law enforcement directly influences their opinion of a movie that is negative toward their profession. This is the case for many of us. Movies that are negative toward a certain aspect of our environment or background tend to cause us to form different opinions from others that are not targeted in the movie. Music is the same way. Ice T caused a major outcry in the late 80's when he wrote the song "Cop Killer". It was his expression of the constant harassment that he and others of his community were getting from police. It appealed to fans that felt the same frustration. Of course, it did not go over well with law enforcement agencies. You had the fans that lauded it as gutsy, truthful. On the other side, police officers saw it as an attack on them and called for it to be taken off the CD. Background and environment played a huge part in all of that.

Triggers

Perceptions/Assumptions - All of the factors above are fed by our perceptions and assumptions. These perceptions and assumptions, I will call triggers. False assumptions can be the death of a movie. It creates a false perception of a movie, even before we see it. I will use the example of all the false assumptions going around about "The Crow: Lazarus". There is so much speculation based on false assumptions. No detail has been given about the movie, yet many fans are screaming afoul based on assumptions they are making. They perceive that the movie will be a homeboy ghetto rap fest. Yet, there is no indication that this movie will be anything but a continuing chapter in the look at love and death. Yes, the race of the person is different. The music will be a bit different (however, I think fans will be surprised by how few rap songs will end up on the soundtrack), but the core essence of The Crow movies, love, death and revenge, will be there.

As I said in the beginning, this is by no means a scientific report nor THE word on how we all form our opinions about movies. But I think it does cover the basic elements that go into the opinion forming process. Next time you are discussing a movie with someone and their opinion is very much different from yours, look at the factors above. See how those may have played into their opinion. Definitely check out the triggers. The human mind is an intricate piece of work. It is fun trying to figure it out.

On a personal note, I would like to publicly thank those who sent me email in regard to my articles on death. I spoke about some very personal experiences and your words of encouragement were greatly appreciated. Though I have responded personally to your emails, I felt compelled to publicly thank each of you that responded. Thanks.

Take care,

LLcruize