The Empty Ecstasy of Entertainment Escapism

11 responses to “The Empty Ecstasy of Entertainment Escapism”

1. Bryan Magana

   May 10, 2012

   Hmm… Much to consider here. Having not seen the movie I can’t be sure, but I think your argument only holds when the movie is a mindless one. That is, after all, the theme of your post. However, I think Kenny’s guest post is one example of how we can redeem the pleasures of cinema, by watching with discernment and finding universal, even biblical themes throughout:
   http://www.thetwocities.com/culture/entertainment/god-art-the-oscars-guest-post/

   I could say more, but I’ll wait to hear from others. Thanks for sharing your concerns, Tanner.

   Reply
   1. Tanner Gish

      May 11, 2012

      Thanks for commenting, Bryan!

      This will probably take a lot of the sizzle out of the voice of my post, but I can say this without blinking an eye: I agree with you/Kenny. You are right- the beef discussed above is with content-less movies that stir our souls and bodies to nothing but mindless vegetation.

      Along these lines, I’ll also toss in a response to an anticipated objection here: I think there is a distinction that can be made between “false rest” or “empty rest” and “true/genuine rest.” And I would contend that one movie might fall into one category or the other. I would also contend that, more or less, a given movie objectively falls into one category or another (i.e. what is a substantive and soul-searching movie for one is action-porn for another). There might be some degree to which a movies categorization might depend on the viewer, and more so on the intentions of the viewer, but I would say, that just as we can with fair confidence declare some art “bad” and some “good/ beautiful,” the same can be said about a movie. It’s a translucent line, but I believe there is one.

      P.S. More on “false rest” versus “true rest” to come in future posts…

      Reply
2. Justin Gum

   May 11, 2012

   I think the main issue I have is simply the fact that cinema as a whole could easily be equivocated to escapism. The very nature of cinema is being able to control certain events and turn that into narrative. And thus, this could EASILY apply to literature. Going down that train of thought would invalidate my forthcoming argument, but the most important thing to take from this is that cinema is a form of exercise in imagination.

   It could easily be argued that as children of God, we have the attributes of creativity. While it may not be always salient to the viewer, the level of subconscious immersion is evident to how well the artist did in executing the piece. Going to see a film, however, is what you seem to have the problem with.

   Mindless escapism can be applied to many films, but with terms, there needs to be its definitions. What dictates mindless escapism? And can you apply that film as a blanket to all viewers? Without invalidating your points made, because they are true, I think the main concern is where your points are being directed at. They need to be directed at films that fulfill the definition of mindless escapism. I would probably say that mindless escapism needs to fulfill these things:

   1. No redemptive nature to the content or characters
   2. Art was intentionally made to exploit thoughtlessness
   3. There are no provocations for contemplation
   4. There are no underlying arcs to consider (no background to recall)
   5. There no important thematic, structural, or literary thoughtfulness.
   6. Its existence is a lousy excuse to make a quick buck.

   I’m not dictating what is and what isn’t, but that is what I see in a thoughtless film… like Transformers… or Underworld…. etc.

   Other than that, like what Bryan mentioned about the other article, the responsibility of the person’s spiritual formation lies SOLELY on the person’s reflection, contemplation, and keen discernment on the film. If such a person lacks the attributes I talked about and has no level of discernment, thinking about what was involved, then your points would come with much more power.

   Having seen The Avengers, I can attest that it’s certainly not as deep as the other films that led up to it, but you need to consider the sources for it. Their characters have already been developed and the main focus was to continue their humanness while working together. Sure, it was enjoying, being able to see all these characters quip with one another in the battlefield, but there wasn’t anything gratuitous. I am writing a piece for myself and others to read about that specific idea of gratuitousness and I think the attributes of what I talked about earlier fit into that category. It’s only when it becomes gratuitous that I feel it becomes morally expensive (both on the spirit and of the mind) and I feel that’s a much more important point than to establish escapism, which is a highly equivocated term for film and the imagination in general, as a spiritually detrimental object.

   Reply
   1. Tanner Gish

      May 12, 2012

      Thanks Justin! I appreciate the time you invested to share your evaluation of the topic. I agree with points 1-6, and I would also agree that if there is a continuum of bad films, or of “provoking philosphy” to “brain-numbing,” the Transformers films, Live Free or Die Hard 2, The Expendibles, and and probably most Steven Segal movies are closer to bringing the watcher to being brain dead than The Avengers.
      And, as touched on somewhat in my response to Bryan, I would agree- the viewers responsiblity is KEY. In fact, discussion this topic in weeks prior with some friends, we agreed on this point: you have the choice to watch something apologetically, devotionally, reflectively, or in a cathartic manner.

      But I like the fact that you bring this up, because I feel this is what touches on the heart of my question- my point is not to black label films. By hope is to inspire us to remember that our days are numbered, our time is precious. We live in a culture driven and saturated, I think even FAR beyond what we are aware, with pleasure-seeking and self-gratification. How responsible are we truly with our time? How sincerely do we steward life, and specifically, the life abundant, we have in Christ?
      It the biblical paradigm is what controls our desires and our investment of our time, versus an “American Christian” one… I think we might invest it much more differently. And, I would contend… many would maybe think twice about deciding to watch such films. Perhaps even films like The Avengers.

      Reply
      1. Justin Gum

         May 12, 2012

         Okay, I can see what you’re getting at and I think any serious Christian would consider such things. At the same time, I think there also needs to be a line drawn to what is morally permissible and morally obligatory, a wonderful separation my ethics course taught me.

         How morally detrimental is it going to see a film for the sake of pure unwinding and even exercising spiritual growth through contemplation? I remember you made note of true rest and false rest, but I could easily argue that watching and enjoying cinema with a small level of thought provocation could in fact become truly restful. While God definitely has our days numbered, I’m probably more inclined to believe that the issue relatively harmless. Maybe it’s how I grew up, but if the world ended while watching a movie, I highly doubt God will judge me on how I died, but how I lived for Him.

         Reply
3. Sean

   May 11, 2012

   Any form of entertainment or art is only ‘escapism’ and ‘mindless’ if the consumer allows it to be so. That goes for the highbrow and the low. All stories can ultimately be turned back to the gospel because its story is woven into the fabric of this entire universe.

   Reply
   1. Tanner Gish

      May 12, 2012

      Sean, thank you for your great point. If I could refer to my response above to Justin’s post (don’t worry, it wasn’t there before yours, it chronologically came later 😉 ), you and I can take solace in seeing that we agree with each other on the central and pivotal point “what does the consumer do with his time”… and in the more specific context of our discussion on film, how that individual uses his time when he or she is watching. But, I share a strong conviction that many, likely most, aren’t “thinking” in such films (and sadly, those who fall in this category, are almost certainly not perusing a blog like this). And secondly… is seeing one more explosions and action movie going to provide the same benefit as apologetically and reflectively watching, say, Schindler’s List, The Shawshank Redemption, Hotel Rwanda, or maybe American History X (hopefully my selection reveals the kind of thinking and reflecting I think is more worthwhile and has more cultural traction than others). And then again, are these the most beneficial things we should be doing?

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4. Dani

   May 11, 2012

   Your post is very thought provoking. I think, however that it fails to really take into count the most important thing about the entertainment industry, that it often reflects and influences culture. Films like the Avengers and books like the Hunger Games are contact points with the culture. If we as Christians are called into the world we need to have points of contact. If almost everyone you meet has let’s say, seen the Avengers movie and you as a Christian have not because you were in your room praying, you now loose that point of contact. If people and culture are being influenced by these forms of entertainment then to understand people to some degree is to understand their culture and these forms of entertainment. I think one does have to be aware of what mind-less activities they are participating in but I also believe understanding such movies or at least having a shared experience with those that are our neighbors are where we can begin to find commonality. I also think something can be said about our culture that is obsessed with superheroes and the savior mentality. Why is everyone so drawn to it? Could there be some glimpse of truth within this film? It seems that everyone wants a hero and to be saved…and we as Christians know the true Savior and could be the ones to speak into the lives of the searching by maybe the point of contact of the Avengers film.

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   1. 

      John Anthony Dunne

      May 11, 2012

      I agree. We have a cultural mandate to engage what’s “popular.”

      Reply
   2. Tanner Gish

      May 12, 2012

      Dani! Welcome to the Cities! Don’t forget to take your application for citizenship as you peruse the streets and vistas.

      Thanks for your great point, I needed to be said: I would agree that “connection” is important for relationships, and that relationships are important for the Gospel. I would even bring up Col 4:5-6 ” Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Many interpreters read speech “seasoned with grace” or “gracious” as a phrase that in the first century, was synonymous with “winsome” speech. Paul is quite aware the social aptitudes along with the wisdom of the spirit produces great ministry impact. But again, in this very verse, we see also an element of care that Paul places in choosing his words carefully because he is compelled to “mak[e] best use of the time.”
      I wholeheartedly agree Dani- the Christian needs to be not only aware of his culture, but also able to speak into it, against it, or alongside it, depending on the message, and the context. And especially because of where we lie in history today, film is a MAJOR medium us cultural thoughts (see some of my reply to Sean above).
      However… I know that I frequently feel the need to check my heart. To check it to make sure that with the time I have, AM I using it to carefully make sure I am “walking in wisdom toward outsiders,” or am I seeking to escape, to let myself dismiss my awareness of the spiritual realities of our universe, and to allow temptations rather than truth enter the crevices of my thinking. My hope is that I can make the full use of my time to always be in active worship and active evangelism, because of what my savior has done for me. And I just wonder… do I NEED to see a movie like this to accomplish this goal? Or, do I really lose ALL touch with my society, by passing up another action flick?
      One professor I had challenged me deeply with this question: what does it mean that “For freedom Christ has set us free?” (Gal 5:1). Is it the freedom associated with Americanism- freedom to do what I please? Freedom to pursue my enjoyment and fulfillment to my hearts desire? Or, is it freedom from the captivity that constrained and limited our lives while we were in the Kingdom of darkness, before being transferred to the kingdom of his beloved son? Is it freedom to do what we could never do before: to worship (Heb 11:6), to serve, to love God as we couldn’t before, and freedom to live life indwelled by the Spirit, because what good news it is that “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom.”

      You may very well be more developed in this journey than I am. But I feel that this is a challenge and a reminder which I still cannot say my day-to-day is steered by. But I feel that wrestling with these convictions, helps me to grow and to process them. I hope that my wrestlings have been helpful for you and your devotional thinking, and for all who have been reading.

      Reply
   3. Caleb Johnson

      May 12, 2012

      Dani makes a good point. Cultural engagement is another consideration at play when we’re talking about whether or not Christian’s should watch a particular film. It’s important that Christian’s have a voice in the marketplace of ideas, and when a film such as The Avengers has the attention of the culture, Christians need to have a response. This doesn’t mean every Christian needs to see the film; there are certainly other points of contact a believer can make with his unbelieving neighbors. However, it is to say that a seemingly mindless film can’t simply be written off as something every prudent Christian should avoid.

      I think there’s still another consideration at play here in this discussion. Some films are simply artistically bad. Some are well executed, but mindless. But some have far more dangerous effects on the soul. What about films that glorify sinful lifestyles in the name of entertainment (the recent Project X or any of the American Pie spin-offs come to mind)? This is much different from films that merely portray sinful lifestyles but have a larger, possibly redeeming, theme in view (for instance, the life of a white supremacist in American History X, a film you mentioned above, Tanner.) More than just being non-edifying, certain films can be spiritually destructive. When that’s the case, I think the Christian can look for another point of contact with the culture they live in and intentionally avoid the movie.

      To your main point though, I’m totally on board. All of the objections people have offered in the comments (so far) have been legitimate ones. But honestly, most Christians who go to see a film like this are going so strictly for entertainment. Since that’s the case, your point is well taken.

      And to piggy-back on what you said in the beginning of the article, from a critical standpoint, I agree that the film is mindless action. Transformers was the first film I thought to compare it to (the Battleship trailor was the second. Are they serious?) Frankly I’m shocked it’s gotten such good reviews. I’ll be deeply offended if anyone compares The Avengers to Christopher Nolan’s Batman series.

      Reply