Looking at my DVD library, I’ve pretty much come to terms with my tastes: drama, intrigue, and witty relationship comedy. Action just doesn’t do it for me. And horror *definitely* doesn’t do it for me.

Case: [Minority Report](http://imdb.com/title/tt0181689/). For an “action” movie, we’ve only three major action sequences, and all of them border on the ridiculous. A runaway jetpack that grills hamburgers? A factory that builds a car with Tom Cruise alive and kicking inside it? A “flush the tank” lever that no one knew about until the moment a hero needed a quick getaway?

I like the movie, but it’s for the Anne Lively mystery and the John–Lara–Burgess dynamic. (plus the philosophical questions about precognition and prosecution for intent.)

### Guys and Romantic Comedy

What I’m coming to here is a general commentary about gender tastes. As an almost-twenty straight male, I should want to watch a [mindless action movie](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0295701/). But nine times out of ten I’d really rather see something like [Legally Blonde](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250494/) or [A Knight's Tale](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0183790/). Both are funny, sweet without being syrupy, and star many gorgeous people.

Is that a statement about what I find meaningful and satisfying? Old people watch soaps because they wish they had more drama in their lives, right? And guys watch action movies because solving problems at gunpoint is *so cool*.

Action films (in my limited experience) seem to be fueled by attitude and motivated primarily by revenge. Based on the trailer, it appears that the premise of [Firewall](http://imdb.com/title/tt0408345/) is “OMG you stole my identity and stole my family and now I’m going to *kill* you!”

### Passion

Really what I’m talking about is passion. A revengeful hero is still filled with passion. The destruction of property and injury to bystanders is apparently justified on the grounds that all ends well.

It’s just that… vengeance and desperation aren’t the only passionate emotions. And no, I’m not just talking about that “love conquers all” crap.

Of all the relationships in Veronica Mars, it’s the [love of Keith for his daughter](http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=3119154&view=findpost&p=3970412) that is the most powerful thing bearing her up. Of the relationships in the Firefly ‘verse, it’s Simon’s absolute devotion to his sister that defines his character. (and even *prevents* him pursuing a romantic relationship with the very willing Kaylee.)

It’s really the passion that I’m attracted to. An action movie is passion at its gun-toting hippest. A chick flick is the opposite; it’s like [emotional pornography](http://www.realfeel.freeuk.com/shopinternational.htm), the laying bare of things the rest of society says guys should keep bottled up.

In the end, of course, there’s still more bad apples than good ones in any genre. This isn’t about rushing to the cinema to see [garbage](http://imdb.com/title/tt0297037/). It’s about giving the good stuff a chance, even if the genre is contaminated by angst and character inconsistency masquerading as true passion.

Mike

← Earlier Later → Posted at 10:21 pm to Film, Soapbox, TV.