Left_Wing_Fox Asks Some Interesting Questions

When I became more interested in political blogs and began reading them on a regular basis, I was shocked to learn to the movie “300,” which I really like, was considered something of a joke in liberal circles. I’ve never quite gotten a handle on why. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that it has a sizable conservative fan base (something else I didn’t know anything about).

I bring this up because our own Left_Wing_Fox asks some very thought-provoking questions in my last thread about “The Incredibles.”

I think there might be a purity issue complicating things. Is it important if the media we enjoy match our image of ourselves as good people? Are boycotts the necessary way to eliminate negative messages from our culture? Are we exposed to peer pressure to dislike things because of the negative elements? Do we need to opinions of others to validate our tastes?

Honestly, it never occurred to me to stop liking “300.” (Because it’s great-looking, really…amazing-looking. It looks like it was filmed on a soundstage– it’s simultaneously old-fashioned and modernly comic-booky. Because it’s a straightforward tale of very kooky-brave people standing up for themselves. Because it’s just fun. Because I loved the imagery of the Oracle flailing around in the moonlight.) But I’ll be honest: finding out it was considered something of a joke in some circles did give me pause. But then I hit “play” again. I don’t let other people pick what gives me pleasure (no matter where they are on the political spectrum)–I pick these things for myself.

UPDATE: In the comments…

“I generally enjoy bspencer’s writing here, but I actually debated if this post was meant as an April Fool’s trolling sort of thing. Perhaps it was, but taking it at face value this entry reads like it was written by a bright but totally naive 14 y/o, who doesn’t yet have any comprehension of symbolism or metaphor.”

“Again, that’s fine, but that makes you–genuinely no offense intended–an uninformed viewer, and probably in the minority. Doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy 300. But characterizing it as a tale of kooky wunderkinder fighting The Man is incorrect and ignorant.”

I haven’t seen “300” in years. It’s entirely possible that I could rewatch it now and find it troubling. The first time I watched “Avatar” I was so bowled over by the special effects and just the feel of the film of that I didn’t recognize it had its share of troubling aspects. The film was personal to me because interstellar travel, the prospect of finding alien life is something of an obsession of mine. Similarly, the look of “300” felt spectacularly personal. To be frank, it reminded me of my art. So what I took away from the film was not “Iranians suck” but “I want to immerse myself in that sepia-toned world.”

I expected to take a little ribbing for liking “300.” Didn’t expect this.