Retrospective cringing just means you have an internal moral compass that's well-calibrated.*
I do like Mr. flea's 5-year rule, though.
*(This is also how I've rationalized my extreme trauma reactions to scary/torture porn/horror movies. Or, really, just the descriptions of them, as I truly can't watch them. The descriptions alone are enough to genuinely traumatize me like something actually happened to me. The first time I was dumb enough to Wikipedia the Saw movies, I honestly was upset literally every waking moment for like a month. Not like I was walking around weeping, but even when I was working or reading or whatever, there was a constant tape loop in the back of my head going "[insert scene of insane awfulness] -- HOW COULD SOMEONE DO THAT OH MY GOD WHYWHYWHY?!?" I could. not. stop. thinking about those stupid movies.
No, really. I understand it's not a normal reaction, but you know what? Fuck it. At least I know it means I still recognize bad behavior.)
t edit
That said, when I saw the trailer for the spoof of those movies (was it called Scary Movie?), with the scene of -- I think -- Shaq telling Dr. Phil that he cut off the wrong hand, I laughed for about 5 minutes. Dr. Phil is just inherently funny to me.
t edit again
Oh, hi, welcome to My Issues. I should have led with that.
I seem to have acquired a kitten. From the egg farm.
How exactly did you acquire said kitten?
When my brother was 7 or so he and a friend went on one of those school trips to a pumpkin farm and smuggled home a puppy.
How's that now?
You can even do it online.
Just put in your question and see the answer.
It's like a fancy Magic 8 Ball, but more philosophical.
I dunno. I used the online I Ching to ask "Will I ever be able to deal with horror movies like a normal person?" (Since the topic was on my mind.) And this was my answer:
You are working at cross-purposes with another. The distance between you is very wide. The gap can be closed, however, with no compromise of your integrity. You are not adversaries in this case -- just two persons addressing individual needs. Ask yourself: are these needs mutually exclusive? Is there common ground here? Must there be one winner and one loser? Could you become partners in seeking a solution that would allow for two winners?
Soooooo...I have to find common ground with the director of the Saw movies, is what I'm hearing.
Intriguing.
Ask yourself: are these needs mutually exclusive?
Yes.
Is there common ground here?
No.
Must there be one winner and one loser?
Yes, Saw pwns Teppy's psyche.
Dang!
That's okay. I Ching says you should stay away from Saw movies, and even Saw wikipedia entries. I think this is sound advice.
I personally need to stay away from John Cassavetes movies.
Or, really, just the descriptions of them, as I truly can't watch them. The descriptions alone are enough to genuinely traumatize me like something actually happened to me. The first time I was dumb enough to Wikipedia the Saw movies, I honestly was upset literally every waking moment for like a month
This happened to me when I decided to watch the trailer for The Human Centipede. I was disturbed for a week.
Gah! Tied in the 8th.
The fucking Panda giveth and the Panda taketh away.
Also: Romo! I disapprove of your performance!
You can even do it online.
Bookmarked. We'll see how it goes.
