Movies: Ulterior Motive or Not?

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violakat

violakat

Senior Member
#1
Apr 23, 2014
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#1
Molly's thread on Batman vs Superman made want to create this thread.

We've all heard people say that certain movies seem to have an ulterior motive. And in some cases that's true: aka. "Golden Compass." But, do you think that there might be some truth to these ideas. I know one movie that I've not mentioned yet, that came out a few weeks ago, and is aimed at kids, I do believe has an ulterior motive, and that's "Inside Out." Of course, it could be just coincidental that it came out at the same Bruce decided to become Kate to the World.

But before you jump on me for this, I do have my reasons. And I know other people feel the same on other movies. Anyway, my point is this, has there been a movie that you really felt had an ulterior motive, like a hidden agenda? Why did you feel this way?
 
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Siberian_Khatru

Guest
#2
#2
There's motive in just about everything everyone does. Discussing potential pop culture "ulterior motives" seems like a witch hunt.
 
violakat

violakat

Senior Member
#3
Apr 23, 2014
1,236
21
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#3
Siberian_Khatru said:
There's motive in just about everything everyone does. Discussing potential pop culture "ulterior motives" seems like a witch hunt.
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It can be taken that way. But it's more curious as to why certain people feel that way about certain things. Maybe there is a reason, and maybe there isn't a very good reason. And yes, threads like this will probably bring the few "witch hunters."
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#4
Aug 13, 2014
24,948
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I dunno about movies (I have better things to do) but some video games seem to have an ulterior motive. I remember one certain first-person-shooter that featured as a main villian a guy who lived in an old church and had holes in his hands.

Let the witch hunt... begin!
 
PoetMary

PoetMary

Banned
#5
Nov 25, 2014
942
44
0
#5
violakat said:
Molly's thread on Batman vs Superman made want to create this thread.

We've all heard people say that certain movies seem to have an ulterior motive. And in some cases that's true: aka. "Golden Compass." But, do you think that there might be some truth to these ideas. I know one movie that I've not mentioned yet, that came out a few weeks ago, and is aimed at kids, I do believe has an ulterior motive, and that's "Inside Out." Of course, it could be just coincidental that it came out at the same Bruce decided to become Kate to the World.

But before you jump on me for this, I do have my reasons. And I know other people feel the same on other movies. Anyway, my point is this, has there been a movie that you really felt had an ulterior motive, like a hidden agenda? Why did you feel this way?
Click to expand...

Well, The Golden Compass didn't have a hidden agenda. The writer was an atheist and stated clearly on several occasions that his book was written to reflect his values. I can't speak about the particular movie you referenced because I'm not familiar with the movie.

However, it seems very clear to me that writers, directors, producers, etc. clearly have reasons for telling the stories they choose to tell and the ways they choose to tell these stories.

For example, what about the "agenda" of youth and beauty that clearly pervades so many films and television programs? Most people get that Hollywood will cast a certain "type" to certain roles. The buff handsome guy is the leading man, the portly bearded fellow is the "best friend/wingman." The slim woman with shiny hair is the leading lady, the slightly overweight girl with freckles and frizzy hair is the "best friend."

To me, it's always best to approach media with some critical thinking.
 
P

purgedconscience

Guest
#6
#6
violakat said:
Anyway, my point is this, has there been a movie that you really felt had an ulterior motive, like a hidden agenda? Why did you feel this way?
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The Wizard of Oz.

Dorothy sings of Somewhere over the Rainbow or of heaven as a much desired place to her present situation. Whereas the movie begins in black and white, Dorothy wakes up after being struck on the head to find herself in a place full of color where she is told to Follow the Yellow Brick Road or the golden streets of heaven, not to meet the Messiah, but the Wizard who can help her return home or resurrect or reincarnate. Along the way, she encounters a Scarecrow who needs a brain (Christ renews our minds), a Tin Man who needs a heart (Christ gives us new hearts) and a Cowardly Lion who sorely needs courage (Christ gives us courage). When the four of them finally meet the Wizard, they find out that he is a fraud or just a man without any real power. To me, this is directly mocking Christ and suggesting that He's a fraud. Eventually, Dorothy learns that she always had the power within herself to return home (reincarnation?) and the other three find what they need as well apart from the Wizard or, by implication, apart from Christ. And don't forget that Glynda asked her whether or not she was a good witch.
 
N

NukePooch

Guest
#7
#7
There are a lot of post-apocalyptic movies lately focusing on the class struggles of the poor/oppressed rising up and overthrowing the uber-rich...

One that immediately springs to mind is Elysium, with Matt Damon. Also, Hunger Games, Mad Max: Fury Road, etc....

I wonder how long before it becomes reality?
 
zeroturbulence

zeroturbulence

Senior Member
#8
Aug 2, 2009
24,581
4,269
113
#8
violakat said:
Molly's thread on Batman vs Superman made want to create this thread.

We've all heard people say that certain movies seem to have an ulterior motive. And in some cases that's true: aka. "Golden Compass." But, do you think that there might be some truth to these ideas. I know one movie that I've not mentioned yet, that came out a few weeks ago, and is aimed at kids, I do believe has an ulterior motive, and that's "Inside Out." Of course, it could be just coincidental that it came out at the same Bruce decided to become Kate to the World.

But before you jump on me for this, I do have my reasons. And I know other people feel the same on other movies. Anyway, my point is this, has there been a movie that you really felt had an ulterior motive, like a hidden agenda? Why did you feel this way?
Click to expand...
YES and it made me feel like a fool for wasting my time watching it. District 9 (its not really a sci-fi action flick - which is how they marketed it, its about aliens living among humans). The movie critics loved it though. :p
 
violakat

violakat

Senior Member
#9
Apr 23, 2014
1,236
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#9
So what I noticed about "Inside Out," the little girl was the only one with mixed gender emotions. And like I said, it could have easily have been a coincidence of when it came out, or it could be that Hollywood is trying to subtly change our minds on certain issues. Other then that, I actually liked the movie and thought that it helped people understand a lot of what others deal with, such as bi-polar disorder or Autism, which I could easily see as being something that the people could identify with.
 
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Tintin

Guest
#10
#10
violakat said:
So what I noticed about "Inside Out," the little girl was the only one with mixed gender emotions. And like I said, it could have easily have been a coincidence of when it came out, or it could be that Hollywood is trying to subtly change our minds on certain issues. Other then that, I actually liked the movie and thought that it helped people understand a lot of what others deal with, such as bi-polar disorder or Autism, which I could easily see as being something that the people could identify with.
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I really enjoyed Inside Out. I wouldn't read too much into it. I've read articles where the movie writers chose mixed gender emotions because they felt Anger and Fear were more masculine emotions and Fear and Sadness were more feminine emotions. Disgust ended up being a female more because of the suitability of her voice actor. The fact that no-one else had mixed gender emotions was a little weird, but the focus was the maturing girl. She just struggled with normal blossoming-into-a-teenage-girl issues. I do take to task the scene where one of the mum's emotions saves the Brazilian pilot's memory for later. Otherwise, it was a very appropriate movie.
 
violakat

violakat

Senior Member
#11
Apr 23, 2014
1,236
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#11
Thanks for that tidbit.

Tintin said:
I really enjoyed Inside Out. I wouldn't read too much into it. I've read articles where the movie writers chose mixed gender emotions because they felt Anger and Fear were more masculine emotions and Fear and Sadness were more feminine emotions. Disgust ended up being a female more because of the suitability of her voice actor. The fact that no-one else had mixed gender emotions was a little weird, but the focus was the maturing girl. She just struggled with normal blossoming-into-a-teenage-girl issues. I do take to task the scene where one of the mum's emotions saves the Brazilian pilot's memory for later. Otherwise, it was a very appropriate movie.
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W

wwjd_kilden

Guest
#12
#12
Their agenda is to make money I think

Obviously several movies reflect bad values and anti- Christian thinking, but I doubt it is an agenda, it rather reflects society as it is.
 
GandalfTheWhite

GandalfTheWhite

Senior Member
#13
Jan 25, 2015
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#13
The movies are used to brainwash us and our children. The effect of the frog in the warm water. We don't realise it but the movies are preparing us for things to come. If I show my mother an X-men movie she gets so uncomfortable... for my boy who is used to Spiderman and Avengers etc there is nothing to it.

My view on this is that we are prepared for some "alien" force... and by alien I don't mean ET but something that will need explanation. If you are use to seeing it in your house on the tele it will be easier to accept it in real life.

This is my opinion :)
 
T

Tintin

Guest
#14
#14
GandalfTheWhite said:
The movies are used to brainwash us and our children. The effect of the frog in the warm water. We don't realise it but the movies are preparing us for things to come. If I show my mother an X-men movie she gets so uncomfortable... for my boy who is used to Spiderman and Avengers etc there is nothing to it.

My view on this is that we are prepared for some "alien" force... and by alien I don't mean ET but something that will need explanation. If you are use to seeing it in your house on the tele it will be easier to accept it in real life.

This is my opinion :)
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You don't just think that's a generational think? I don't know your mum, but she's an older woman and probably not into science-fiction. So naturally, X-Men might make her uncomfortable. My parents used to be uncomfortable with me watching anime. Not because it was animated or anything, but because it was considered violent. And yet they had no problem with me watching live-action movies/TV series with more violence. There could be something to what you said though.
 
GandalfTheWhite

GandalfTheWhite

Senior Member
#15
Jan 25, 2015
9,213
3,188
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#15
Tintin said:
You don't just think that's a generational think? I don't know your mum, but she's an older woman and probably not into science-fiction. So naturally, X-Men might make her uncomfortable. My parents used to be uncomfortable with me watching anime. Not because it was animated or anything, but because it was considered violent. And yet they had no problem with me watching live-action movies/TV series with more violence. There could be something to what you said though.
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I don't know bro but the occult is clear for all to see on all these kiddies channels and it is as if I get more and more uncomfortable with these things as I grow in the Lord :)
 
G

GodIsSalvation

Banned
#16
Dec 18, 2013
6,733
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#16
I don't think they have a hidden agenda, Hollywood is pretty blatant about their stuff. So they just have an agenda, and they don't have ulterior motives, just simply motives, not good ones at that. I think the reason people think it's hidden is they just don't want to accept the way Hollywood really is, even when they put it right before their face all the time. It's no wonder though, most people don't like the truth, but prefer to stay comfortable in their lies.
 
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Siberian_Khatru

Guest
#17
#17
violakat said:
It can be taken that way. But it's more curious as to why certain people feel that way about certain things. Maybe there is a reason, and maybe there isn't a very good reason. And yes, threads like this will probably bring the few "witch hunters."
Click to expand...
I wasn't implying that was your ulterior motive, for what it's worth. :)

I'm skeptical of people, especially people in that scene (pun...). So, ulterior motives? Probably here and there, but I consider it unwise to paint a red X on someone, or even speculate/gossip, because their work has a far reaching influence, let alone because the masses inferred some sort of agenda.
 
J

jaybird88

Guest
#18
#18
the splice movie seemed to have an agenda. creating a human/??? hybrid. very creepy movie. did it turn into an angel/demon at the end? there are lots of very well respected scientist that theink the future of humans is in this genetic manipulation garbage.
 
phil36

phil36

Senior Member
#19
Feb 12, 2009
8,260
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#19
I think they all have a motives and at the root...they feed us what we want!
 
T

Tintin

Guest
#20
#20
GandalfTheWhite said:
I don't know bro but the occult is clear for all to see on all these kiddies channels and it is as if I get more and more uncomfortable with these things as I grow in the Lord :)
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X-Men isn't about the occult. But yes, your right, there's some questionable content on TV, even in kids shows. I just don't think X-Men and similar shows are culprits here.
 
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