11-19-2010

But I have also argued from the beginning of this book that one cannot legitimately critique or dismiss films (or religions) without first seeking to understand what they are saying, and violent films are no exception to this rule.

Film as Religion; Lyden, John C.

Before launching into his analysis of violent movies portraying religious-esque sacrifice, Lyden first argues that we are not looking at movies from a point of moral judgement, but understanding; and this, he argues, can only be done when we put aside objectivity for subjective understanding. Essentially, we are to use Geertz's thick description, and think from the bottom-up.