I like things.
That may seem like a strange way to start this off, but its true. Its simple and true. I like things, in fact I love things, and I enjoy this experience.
I like liking things.
Personally never saw the appeal of cynical dissection, of tearing something down and pointing out what does not work. Deconstruction for deconstruction’s sake. I felt this was very prevalent when I was younger. In fact I still feel its rather prevalent, it seems to be how critique is thought of.
So… I don’t have to do it.
I know someone else will speak about the same topics I will speak of, and take this clinical approach, spread it apart and see how it ticks like a pinned frog. Autopsies litter the Internet and that’s ok. I just don’t need that, nor do I want to do that. I feel very strongly that if you point out nothing but the valleys, the peaks are overlooked.
Therefore, I aim to highlight the peaks as the valleys are obvious and we all deserve some nice views.
Now what the fuck does this mean?
Well let me show you an example.
Ghost Rider(s)
The Nicholas Cage Ghost Rider from 2007 is not the best movie. But I think this scene makes it worth it.
Its incredibly simple.
One Last Ride.
But its effectiveness lies in the rule of cool, which is where Ghost Rider operates.
What’s cooler than flaming skeleton that’s a biker? A flaming skeleton cowboy played by Sam Elliot!
This scene has actual weight to it for me as well! Perhaps I just buy the dialogue exchanged at the end, perhaps I’m a sucker for redemption, perhaps I just like Sam Elliot. Whatever the case may be, I enjoy this as a send off. It has weight. It has impact. To me.
I hold fast to the belief that every piece of art has at least a glimmer of a redeeming quality.
Be it a short sweet riff in an otherwise dreadful song, a good line in an awful novel or a beautiful scene in a crap movie. Hell even the best pieces of art have this uneven spread of good. The drum breakdown in In The Air Tonight, the first five minutes of Up or even the background and landscape panels from Bryan Hitch’s work on The Ultimates.
If you focus on the good, the bad is still there, its still as obvious as it once was, but your perception changes. You smile at the perseverance of the good in the face of the bad. As well as the shining examples of the great in the good!
Or at least I do.
I hope this was interesting, and as always…
Thank you for reading
Love the example you use about Ghost Rider not being the best, but although I don't remember much of this movie, I remember this scene and remembering how it was so cool to my younger self. Even in "bad" movies or shows, I find that there are always great moments. One such example that I enjoyed was in the Avengers: Age of Ultron movie that many regard as the worst one, but the scene where everyone is trying to lift Mjolnir and when Captain America budges it a little and Thor's face at that moment was priceless. The other scene from that movie that I loved was the surprise reveal of Vision being able to wield Mjolnir. This is a great perspective to have when critiquing. It's not just about the shortcomings, the valleys... but what is good.... or you just might go through life not enjoying anything at all. Thank you for this uplifting read. Myriad Muser!