My Whole Expanse I Cannot See…

I formulate infinity stored deep inside of me…

Dec 21

Reality vs. Fiction

So, I’m watching Death Race, and while mindless, it’s really rather entertaining. The fast cars, the violence, the over-the-top death and carnage, it’s fun to watch on some bizarre visceral level. I just saw a guy burn to death in his car, another guy impaled by steel beams through his windshield, neither shocked me. It’s all so overblown, to the point hilarity. I can watch almost any crazy violent movie and remain entirely detached. Rob Zombie’s “films,” however, really bother me, but that’s an exception.

Yet, as entertaining as an insanely violent movie may be, I could never watch a real-world Death Race if such a thing existed. Real-world violence is completely different in my head, completely disturbing. I can’t detach from it.

I don’t think liking fictional violence is unhealthy. It’s only unhealthy when a person can’t tell the difference between reality and fiction.

2 comments

2 Comments so far

  1. Rachel December 21st, 2008 10:08 pm

    I love Rob Zombie’s movies. The first time I watched House of 1000 Corpses, I literally felt filthy afterwards. To this day, no matter how many times I watch it, it still makes me uncomfortable. Movies like that rarely come along, and I love it when they do.

  2. Ormolu December 22nd, 2008 12:41 pm

    Quentin Tarantino can die in a fire.

    Oh… wait, you said “Death Race.” I was thinking “Death Proof.”
    Hmm. Well, I still stand by my first statement.