Response to Catherine's Main Blog


            I have never seen the 2017 version of Baywatch, or the original version for that matter, but the scenes in the link were pretty funny.  Movies with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson tend to be either really good or really bad in my opinion.  I also think that it is kind of funny that The Rock plays about the same type of character in every movie he is in.  His role always fits the same basic mold.  I agree with Catherine that the relief and benign violation theories are most applicable here.  The superiority theory is definitely present in the scenes in the YouTube video as well.  The jokes in the first scene fit the relief theory because tension is built by the number of inappropriate things that are said and done along with Ronnie’s anxiety about being stuck and the growing crowd around him.  This tension is of course broken when he jumps forward and breaks the chair to free himself.  My favorite part was how he pathetically crawled away while yelling obscenities at his “worst friend” Dave.  The benign violation theory is also applicable because it works in a very similar way to the relief theory.  The violation comes in the way of the inappropriateness of both scenes, but this violation is safe because of the mood and form of the film.  The film is obviously a comedy and because of this, we know that these actions are intended as jokes and that the characters and scenarios are fictional, so these violations can be thought of as benign.  The superiority theory comes into play in these short clips from the movie because the viewer cannot help but feel superior to both Ronnie and Matt as both characters find themselves in unfortunate and comical situations.  Judging from how funny these scenes were, I may have to watch the full movie when I get the chance.

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 29, 2018 at 7:45 PM

    It is interesting that you mention that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson tends to play the same character. It seems to be true now that I think about it. He always plays the tough guy role. Kind of a "superior" role over everyone else.

    ReplyDelete
  2. carolinekNovember 30, 2018 at 10:46 AM

    I agree that movies Dwayne Johnson are a hit or miss and that he always plays the same strong leader. Sometimes it can get old because it's easy to predict what is going to happen in the movie. Definitely watch the movie!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Shane HerronNovember 30, 2018 at 12:03 PM

    Do you think the fact that it is a parody makes basically anything benign even if it wouldn't be in other contexts?

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Response to Alyssa's Blog

       Vines are, in a way, the simplest form of comedy.   Short, six second clips that do not even allow time to set up a proper joke; they are often almost indescribably funny.   The vine of the little girl falling off the swing and then rolling down the Wii bowling lane is one of my all-time favorites.   The surprise that accompanies the girl’s trip down the lane is probably the best way to describe why most vines are funny.   The unexpectedness, or incongruity, makes them true, goofy works of art.   Richard’s misadventures while attempting to play frisbee golf is another perfect example.   In the first second or two, we see him wind up to make the throw and openly wonder where in the world the video, and indeed frisbee, are going.   We obviously do not have to wait very long for the legendary line.   With both of these vines we also see superiority come into play as we watch a small child tumble helplessly...
Read more

Response to Hill's Main Blog

I absolutely love The Hangover and both of the sequels.   I agree with Hill that they are definitely some of the funniest movies in recent history.   All of the videos in the links were great and have made me want to go back and watch them all again.   These are the scenes that everyone remembers, but even the less popular scenes from the films have so many underrated lines that it is impossible to know them all.   One of my favorite obscure lines from the first movie comes when Chow and his bodyguards ram Phil, Stu, and Alan while they are driving in the Mercedes.   The bodyguards have taken Alan’s purse, which he continues to call a satchel, because they thought that it was Chow’s purse with a lot of money in poker chips in it.   One of the larger guards throws it on the ground and Alan, in the most serious and offended voice possible, says “Hey! There are Skittles in there!”   My family and I quote this line all of the time. ...
Read more