Foo - How Good Are You With Violence?

Joe and I went and saw Pans Labyrinth tonight. It was very interesting on many levels, but there is one problem I had throughout. It was the disturbing amount of violence that bothered me, that always seems to get to me in any movie. I seriously have a hard time watching it, even to the point of hiding my face when it comes up. I think I am in the minority when it comes to how sensitive I am. I know that its fictional and I know that its just a movie, but I still end up curled up in a fetal position, plugging my ears and covering my eyes when disgusting acts of deplorable violence comes up. Sometimes I look around the theatre, and I see everyone else, watching the movie, without even blinking an eye.

Am I the only one that has a hard time with this? Is our society so desensitized to violence that it doesn't bother the majority of people to sit through a movie like Saw 3 or Hostel? Do people even think twice about it? I have a hard time even watching it, let alone find entertainment value in it. Pans Labyrinth was amazing in many ways, but I know that I missed a lot in that movie, because I couldn't bring myself to witness the more disturbing parts.

I know I am a wimp, but its not something I feel to bad about. I am just curious if I'm the only one.

Please forgive typos. This puter is having issues with apostrophes. :p

I'm desensitized to it. Unless it's real. Then I'm squeamish.

I can handle violence. Not that I like it, but I've seen a lot when I was training.

Movie or TV violence doesn't bother me. I'm also a big boxing and MMA fan and that doesn't bother me. Seeing and hearing about senseless violence on the news and things like that does bother me.

I can handle violence.

In real life or just in movies?

Am I the only one that has a hard time with this? Is our society so desensitized to violence that it doesn't bother the majority of people to sit through a movie like Saw 3 or Hostel? Do people even think twice about it?

I don't mind a bit of violence in my movies. I mean, stuff like Saw 3 or Hostel might be a little over the top, but I don't have any trouble with some blood and gore.

I don't think our society has been desensitized. I think this is the way civilized humans have always been. From the massive gladiatorial games of ancient Rome, to public beheadings and hangings of the middle ages. I think violence and death is something that most people want and need (even at a subconscious level) to witness. And because we've become so, ummm...humane?...in modern times, television and movies are the only place we will ever get our dose of death.

That's my theory anyway. :rolleyes:

Depends on the context. If it's HBO level, The Wire, or Deadwood, it does not bother me. Some of the current slasher movies, The Saw series for example, it's more than I care to see.
The evening news about the war, strangely it's more than I can handle and I've become desensitized.

I don't mind a bit of violence in my movies. I mean, stuff like Saw 3 or Hostel might be a little over the top, but I don't have any trouble with some blood and gore.

I don't think our society has been desensitized. I think this is the way civilized humans have always been. From the massive gladiatorial games of ancient Rome, to public beheadings and hangings of the middle ages. I think violence and death is something that most people want and need (even at a subconscious level) to witness. And because we've become so, ummm...humane?...in modern times, television and movies are the only place we will ever get our dose of death.

That's my theory anyway. :rolleyes:

That is an interesting theory. Violence is definitely no stranger to modern civilization. I do agree that some people want and even need it. Is this just fulfilling some instinctual hunter/gatherer urge to go out and collect food? I think it runs a bit more deep than that. I am just not sure why I have such a hard time with it and so many others don't.

I don't watch movies that the main theme is gore and violence and the plot is just an excuse to make the film. That said, how much I can take has to do with the size of the screen. At the theater, I tend to become one with the movie, almost to the point of being a bystander and have a pretty low tolerance. The same flick playing on the smaller TV wouldn't bother me nearly as much.

It's funny, I have little or no problem with the real stuff and only get squeamish about some of the over-the-top stuff such as the high points in the Saw movies. I can't deal with needles on TV but I had no problem with having a two foot long piece of wood pounded through my hand. Other than the obvious, that is.

I don't have a big issue with realistic, non-gratuitous violence.

For example, I'm not bothered the graphic nature of movies such as Saving Private Ryan (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120815/) or Schindler's List (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108052/).

But I quickly grow weary of movies that seem to show violence simply for the sake of having violence.

In real life or just in movies?

Real life. When I was training with the PD, I had seen a lot of it. Especially the after effects. Now I understand how cops get "hardened" by the things they have to go through. We were often put in the middle of things (domestic violence) and had to intervene. It helped a lot that I am female for the woman was able to trust me when it came to cooperating. Or the children. Victims of horrible abuse. We often carried stuffed animals as a "lovey" for the children to comfort them. They would take them home and hopefully feel a tiny bit better.

The worst was having to deal with someone who commited suicide right in front of you with a shotgun.

I don't have a big issue with realistic, non-gratuitous violence.

For example, I'm not bothered the graphic nature of movies such as Saving Private Ryan (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120815/) or Schindler's List (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108052/).

But I quickly grow weary of movies that seem to show violence simply for the sake of having violence.


same here.

Acted/CG violence - no issue whatsoever.
Real violence - something I really don't like.

Acted/CG violence -- I consider it part of the way to tell a story.

Real violence -- Yecch. Sadly, its something people really need to know about.

Ironically, displays of pointless and savage behaviour, and even moreso, acts of torture that the director and/or scriptwriters somehow feels is necessary just makes me want to get five minutes alone in a room with them.

Sin City and 24 reaaally make me want to **** someone up... :mad:





I don't think our society has been desensitized. I think this is the way civilized humans have always been. From the massive gladiatorial games of ancient Rome, to public beheadings and hangings of the middle ages. I think violence and death is something that most people want and need (even at a subconscious level) to witness. And because we've become so, ummm...humane?...in modern times, television and movies are the only place we will ever get our dose of death.

That's my theory anyway. :rolleyes:


That is an interesting theory. Violence is definitely no stranger to modern civilization. I do agree that some people want and even need it. Is this just fulfilling some instinctual hunter/gatherer urge to go out and collect food? I think it runs a bit more deep than that. I am just not sure why I have such a hard time with it and so many others don't.

It's more that humans have a morbid fascination with the death or maiming of strangers. What is a human's primary urge? To continue the species by the disemination of their genetic material, just like any other animal. Strangers, although of the same species, are competitors to that aim. Their deaths remove them as competitors from the arena. Family members however, except in the case of sociopaths, are of the same stock and such the equation is entirely reversed when we consider their health. Whether or not we want to admit it as humans, there is, at least on a very small level, a measure of satisfaction and relief when withnessing the removal of another stranger from the gene pool.

I can't stand it in any form.

Violence in TV/Media- No ill affect on me whatsoever, in fact I own all of the Saws.

Violence in real life- Still doesn't faze me in the slightest, I have no problem watching somebody get kicked in the mouth at a bush party and I have no problem doing it if I have to. I guess being constantly bullied and always fighting when I was younger has something to do with it. Hell, I'm planning to jump a kid for paint balling the truck I'm driving right now.

Having scooped my favorite teacher's brains off the pavement and yanking a teammate's severed leg from a car-grill, I'd say that violence doesn't faze me too much; it's all a natural part of life. However, I have BIG ISSUES with the way it's glorified in the media.

I see the problem with violence is the artificial and unrealistic way it is portrayed and sanitized in the media. THAT is why we are desensitized to violence, not because of the frequency which it is shown. Violence and the results of injury and death is glorified in such a nice way on TV, movies and games such that it's easily seen as "the best" way to resolve problems and conflicts.

However, there's a huge gap between what you see on TV and what happens in the real world when you get into fights, shootings and car-wrecks. Personally, I'd wish TV to protray violence fully in its real and gory details to show people the REAL story and effects. Show shootings and car-wrecks live on the 8pm news so that people can see the real results; it's not a game where you can reset and life goes back to normal.

It doesn't really bug me when it's kept to a realistic degree. Movies like Saw, House of 1000 corpses, etc. are just violent for the sake of being violent. But when it's realistic like Pan's Labryinth, Saving Private Ryan, Full Metal Jacket, etc. it doesn't bother me; I think it completes the story. However, I can't watch those executions coming from terrorist groups. They make me sick.

depends if it has a message or not. I hated it in movies like Kill Bill. I could see no point to it. Yet, in "Natural Born Killers," I saw merit to it. Stone has said it is one of his favorite movies. Loved the scene when Juliette Lewis was listening to the car radio news reports and the news talked of all the violence in the city / she sort of freaked out.
Of course, Hollywood has a knack of showing the violent act about to be committed and then before the gore, turns the camera away. One gets the picture.

Devils Rejects was a good movie...

it doesnt' really bother me, spend enough time on 4chan and things start to do that, but I don't particularly enjoy watching violent things, just because it's not that entertaining. Give me a good stand up routine anyday.

I love movie violence. I have ever since I was young. I was enthralled to watch and see just how real they could make things look without a cutaway shot. Big props to American Werewolf in London for the transformation scene.

What struck me odd was the American Red Cross First Aid films we saw in health class. I fainted dead away when that compound fracture came on screen. I guess it was the difference between pseudo reality and portrayed reality.Tho the faces of Death Series never bothered me.

Bring on the gore. :D

For those of you that like violence and fisticuffs, go on youtube and search for Kimbo Slice.

Also, Stacey, you ever see a real compound fracture?

For those of you that like violence and fisticuffs, go on youtube and search for Kimbo Slice.

Also, Stacey, you ever see a real compound fracture?
No, thank the baby jeebus, I haven't. I can't even begin to imagine the pain involved! :eek:

I am just curious if I'm the only one.

No you're not.


Violence in real life - Still doesn't faze me in the slightest...I guess being constantly bullied and always fighting when I was younger has something to do with it.

I also was bullied as a youth in Seattle before I got my size (6-4, 210 lbs.). It definitely mars a person's psyche. But interestingly, it had the opposite effect on me. Notwithstanding the fact that I took up extensive martial arts training to learn how to defend myself, I to this day deplore violence, and have had to use it only as a last, and I mean last resort.


I am just not sure why I have such a hard time with it and so many others don't.

I question the honesty of those who have no problem with violence, or those who say that they don't. Just whistling-in-the-dark and wannabe toughguy-ism. I've yet to meet anyone who actually digs getting hurt. If you don't think so, walk up to someone and tell them you're going to conduct an experiment in pain by hitting them on the nose. Ball up your fist, draw back, and act like you're seriously going to punch them. They will flinch/cover up, trust me. They magically become "sensitive." :D

Those who claim violence to others is no big deal, well I pity them. Smacks of selfishness and apathy. Just what we need more of today, eh?

Also, Stacey, you ever see a real compound fracture?

I have.

The problem I have with violence on TV/movies is that some people have trouble seperating fact from fiction. See it on TV, do it in real life.

I detest violence in any form. That doesn't mean it isn't available if I need to defend myself or family or friend, but I don't have to like it.

As to violence on TV and movies....frankly, I enjoy the old movies because what violence that there is is so stylized and sanitized that it isn't really violence.

doesnt bother me much, dont wish it on anyone mind you...I always wish for a non violent solution...but life is tricky and sometimes its all people listen too. personally I like to stay out of it unless its necessary ;)

I won't watch anything except cheesy violence (for example, True Lies) - nothing particularly graphic. I do like cheesy horror movies to mock. Nothing realistic.

where's the "i only do it when my wife deserves it" option?



i'm just joking. domestic violence is no laughing matter and is a terribly insidious disease affecting our society!

It's one thing watching on tv but when you see and smell it it is another. Most can't handle the real thing and I would assume probably 90% here would be the same.

I don't mind it in movies, but in real life I don't think I would deal with it terribly well. Not really sure, though. The other night, my parents (in town for a visit) and I walked into a full-on fight quite by accident. My mom was freaking out, but I was more freaked out by the way my mom was freaking out than by the fight itself. I remember thinking that the sound of one guy punching another was really odd -- not at all like I expected.

There was a movie that bothered me so much I was upset about it. Roy something?? I can't remember the title.

There was a **** scene in the movie that was sooo sad. Pretty disgusting scene that has managed to stay with me many years later. :(

I'm not keen on violence in movies, and I am even more averse in real life. In 99.99999% of life situations, it is completely uncalled for. That said, I can tolerate it in some movies - action thrillers, where the violence is not the point of the movie. I absolutely refuse to watch any "horror" movies. Refuse! (That's a nice dual purpose word for this situation.) :)

No Nightmares, no Chuckie, no Steven King, no Chainsaws... none of that crap for me thanks.

I often wonder what the world would be like if the popular fascination with violence was replaced with popular fascination with sexual hedonism. Because, really, I'd rather watch some nubile, oiled-up young women have a tickle fight than any of the bull**** shock horror movies that have been shat out lately.

EDIT: Does spanking and biting count as violence?

From an entertainment standpoint its ok up to a point. Really bad stuff in movies takes an effort for me to watch though.

In real life though, violence = failure.

There was a movie that bothered me so much I was upset about it. Roy something?? I can't remember the title.

There was a **** scene in the movie that was sooo sad. Pretty disgusting scene that has managed to stay with me many years later. :(

Probably 'Rob Roy', and that was pretty disturbing.

I find myself getting increasingly upset by violence. I think being upset comes from being cognizant of real-life consequences, and being able to empathize. I even get freaked out watching 'House' these days.

But Matrix style super-fighting? Awww yeah.

I'm desensitized to it. Unless it's real. Then I'm squeamish.

More or less the same. I grew up on gore horror. Nothing on tv grosses me out unless it is actually real.

To this day I still love horrors. Thrillers are 99% of the time ghey. Horrible films with predictable plots and subplots pretending to be intelligent horrors without the gore. Either put the gore in or call yourself a drama. As I will tell my kid and as I tell my fiance

TV = fantasy
Real life hurts.

to bad she won't listen and will likely turn my future kid into a *****.

movies can't really shake a stick at some of the things i've seen at work, plus I know it's fake anyway, so I can brush it off that way.

I am myself a fan of horror/gore flicks, but I do find our eagerness to harm each other offensive in of itself.

My stance towards fighting has and always will be to never start anything, but if it's unavoidable then I will fight until it ends one way or the other.

I really do think our problem is people wanting to be violent. There is no glory in this, just shame...but these fools are either too self-deluded or just plain stupid to realize it. Shame in acting like an animal and not the human being they are.

Real life. When I was training with the PD, I had seen a lot of it. Especially the after effects. Now I understand how cops get "hardened" by the things they have to go through. We were often put in the middle of things (domestic violence) and had to intervene. It helped a lot that I am female for the woman was able to trust me when it came to cooperating. Or the children. Victims of horrible abuse. We often carried stuffed animals as a "lovey" for the children to comfort them. They would take them home and hopefully feel a tiny bit better.

The worst was having to deal with someone who commited suicide right in front of you with a shotgun.

You are a lot tougher than I am in that aspect. Violence towards children is something that is the hardest for me to deal with. :(

It's more that humans have a morbid fascination with the death or maiming of strangers. What is a human's primary urge? To continue the species by the disemination of their genetic material, just like any other animal. Strangers, although of the same species, are competitors to that aim. Their deaths remove them as competitors from the arena. Family members however, except in the case of sociopaths, are of the same stock and such the equation is entirely reversed when we consider their health. Whether or not we want to admit it as humans, there is, at least on a very small level, a measure of satisfaction and relief when withnessing the removal of another stranger from the gene pool.


That makes sense to a degree, but personally I think the most primal urge is to continue the species by reproduction rather than elimination of competition. Just how evolved are we if we are constantly solving the majority of our disputes through violent means? I think that mankinds obsession with violence will be its downfall. That and greed.

I was thinking more about this last night, and I think I know one of the main reasons why violence, real or fiction, hits me so hard. I can always see that person as someone who is part of another's family with people who care about them and love them. Sometimes I see myself or someone I love in place of the person who is being hurt and I can't stand the thought of it. I've never had to use violence in real life, and I hope it never comes down to it. I'm sure if I had to protect myself or someone else I would resort to it if needed. I just can't get any entertainment out of it. It hits me way too hard. :(

Joe and I went and saw Pans Labyrinth tonight. It was very interesting on many levels, but there is one problem I had throughout. It was the disturbing amount of violence that bothered me, that always seems to get to me in any movie.


I saw that movie this weekend too and I think the violence was necessary to the film to give an overall sense of the characters. People are/were indeed that violent and those times in Spain were brutal. Also on another level as a modern day fairy tale it was no more violent then a lot of those old ones. BTW I really liked that movie.

I agree with a lot of the opinions here regarding violence. Quentin Tarantino style violence is just plain stupid imo where as the Saving Private Ryan type violence is all together for a different reason. I think that people need to be exposed to the violence of the Holocaust or the Slave Trade for example to really get as close a true sense of what actually happened so that it can never be replicated again.

To expand a little on my thing on violence. I can't handle any violence when it is a strong person picking on a weaker. If it is a show where you have some bully or thug picking on someone, the adrenaline just starts rising in my blood stream.

I guess it is because when I was young, smaller and peaceful I had people pick on me. The cowards decide it was a dumb idea after I started getting bigger and meaner which tells you what kind of people they are.

If two people want to engage in boxing or something it doesn't bother me - it isn't particularly even interesting to me (and I have martial arts training), and it isn't a trigger - however let someone prey on someone else and I nearly come unglued. Someone threatening me doesn't upset me as badly.

I really get into movies when I watch them - so I get very worked up to see it on the screen.

Agreed, i am pretty numbed to gore...to me that's a good thing. When I nearly cleaved off my thumb, I didn't even panic...I just let out an "oh s***" and then held it up around eye level and pushed on the tip of it...when i saw what looked like cleaved bone...I calmly grabbed a clean rag to use as a tourniquet and got a freind to take me to the ER.

Even the triage nurse (who is supposed to be used to this stuff) was flipping out....and I just stayed cool and calm through the whole thing.

I think we need those kinds of abilities at a primal level for survival and that is our real need for desensitization....to handle those "oh s***" moments with a calm and level head, instead of letting panic become our demise. I know if I panicked that day, i would have lost part of my right thumb permanently.

No, thank the baby jeebus, I haven't. I can't even begin to imagine the pain involved! :eek:

Last year in a rugby game I was next to somebody that got tackled and had their Tibia compound fracture, it sounded like a shotgun went off in the field, didn't look to pretty either.

And this September I fell at the skatepark and broke a bone in my hand and in my wrist, doctors said I was lucky not to have a compound fracture in my hand, it was close enough to see quite a bulge where the bone was sticking out.

MY entire life has been one bik violent episode after another.
I guess you could say it fuels me.

I have no problem watching it on TV and Movies. What bothers me is when parents try to bring young, i.e. 7 and under, children into violent movies. I remember going to see "The Devil's Rejects". There was a family in front of us with like 8 children. Everyone in line cheered as the ushers stopped them from going in.

If and when I have children I might let them watch certain types of violence. The types of violent cinema would be Tom and Jerry, some of the old horror movies I grew up watching like "Frankenstien" or my Godzilla movies.