|
|  | | | | Has America Embraced Its 'Jackass' Within? | | | | | found on The Times Union
written by timnet, edited by John (Plastic) [ read unedited ]
posted Mon 11 Nov 5:16pm | | | | |
 |
The world happens to need jackasses, so long as it can understand the very fine line between a jackass and the more common ass.
"So argues columnist Hank Stuever, who goes against the flow in arguing that the success of Jackass: The Movie is not the end of the world as we know it," timnet writes. "While most pop culture critics and reviewers scratch their heads, wring their hands or empty their innards in the face of the film's success, Stuever argues that it's 'possible to love a man who will get into a stinking portable toilet and have it turned upside down while he's inside it just to see what happens.' He cites the Jackass antiheroes as perhaps the last manifestations of the punk ethic, commenting on the nature of society and providing a kind of cathartic joy for audiences.
| |
| | "He even has kind words for the kind of strange family values Jackass communicates:
Phil and April Margera always manage to get past any rage at their jackass offspring. Even in pain, Phil cannot suppress his laughter and delight in his son. Phil has said that he thinks the jackasses the nicest boys in the world.
Is it possible that the standard critics and reviewers missed the boat and Jackass is a relatively harmless, and healthy, form of entertainment? Or are commentators right when they theorize that its box-office heft points to something darker and more troubling in our society?"
|
| | |
[ more plastic... ] |
| | | | | | | 1. Dark and Troubled | | | | by hammurderer |  | | | at Mon 11 Nov 5:23pm | score of 2 clever | | | | | | |
Yeah, I can't believe how screwed society is when our favourite movie is about a bunch of guys engaging in hilarious antics. I remember back when I was a kid, and the favourite play was about a guy who killed his father, married his mother, and then gouged his own eyes out. Now there's a role model!
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | 20. Re: Dark and Troubled | | | | by My name is Mudd |  | | | at Tue 12 Nov 9:16am | score of 1.5 intriguing | | in reply to comment 1 | | | | | |
I remember back when I was a kid, and the favourite play was about a guy who killed his father, married his mother, and then gouged his own eyes out. Now there's a role model!
Your play sounds terrible!!! What kind of role model are we giving our children? If this sort of "entertainment" catches on it will be only a matter of time before the family structure is destroyed!!! What is next? Brothers killing brothers?
Short then is the time which every man lives, and small is the nook of the Earth wherein he dwells.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | 43. This would be the alternate universe | | | | by axeon | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 11:59pm | score of 1.5 interesting | | in reply to comment 1 | | | | | |
Yeah, I can't believe how screwed society is when our favourite movie is about a bunch of guys engaging in hilarious antics. I remember back when I was a kid, and the favourite play was about a guy who killed his father, married his mother, and then gouged his own eyes out. Now there's a role model!
... where kids clamor to see historically accurate renditions of Oedipus Rex, rush home to argue about their favorite Shakespeare play, rap in iambic pentameter and make $100 million summer blockbusters out of classical Greek productions, while Jackass is shown in classrooms nationwide to a captive audience of bored students. Yeah, verily...
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | | | 3. Re: Darwinism and Jackass | | | | by Anonymous Idiot | | | | at Mon 11 Nov 5:47pm | score of 1 succinct | | in reply to comment 2 | | | | | |
actually, doesn't the fact that they can take as much damage as they do, get up and laugh about it, kinda proves they're tuff fuckers and worthy to pass on their genes?
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | 5. Re: Darwinism and Jackass | | | | by AikenDrumGotWired | | | | at Mon 11 Nov 6:52pm | score of 2.5 astute | | in reply to comment 2 | | | | | |
You may argue that there are "jackass genes" that are passed on to a subset of the population, however I must counter propose that those genes are in virtually every male human born, and arise strongly in the age range of 11-22 years. Only social pressure and one's awakening to the fact that one is not invincible quells the drive to be a jackass in most by the end of that age range.
- When you create something that is idiot-proof, Nature comes along and invents a better idiot.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | 8. Re: Darwinism and Jackass | | | | by Mimolette | | | | at Mon 11 Nov 9:19pm | score of 2 scholarly | | in reply to comment 2 | | | | | |
Wouldn't the survival and propagation of 'jackass genes' disprove Darwin? Honestly, shouldn't these people be dying and/or not mating, for the sake of the species?
IIRC, Darwin never said that evolution would produce progressively better animals, merely different ones. He did say that there was a force of natural selection at work which would tend to remove evolutionary paths that prevent replication of the species. Essentially he said that species will diverge to become physiologically or morphologically different, but may not necessarily be an 'improvement'.
What you seem to be thinking of is Herbert Spencer's Principles of Biology, in which he penned the phrase 'survival of the fittest'. It was he who said that evolution would tend to produce 'fitter' animals. This of course led to the rise of Social 'Darwinism' in the late 19th century, which eventually led to Racialism, and eugenics.
It seems, then, that it would be safe to say that 'jackass genes' strengthen Darwin's theory, since these genes represent a morphological or physiological difference which occurred naturally, regardless of whether they benefit the individuals or the species.
Please excuse me for my protractedness.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | 18. Re: Darwinism and Jackass | | | | by Remus Shepherd | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 9:14am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 2 | | | | | |
You realize that Darwin has been working against the human race for a while, now. Stupid people are more likely to forget contraceptives and condoms when they have sex, and are thus more likely to have offspring. By Darwin's logic, the human race is getting dumber. Jackass might be a symptom of this...I doubt it's widespread enough to be a direct cause.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | 28. Re: Darwinism and Jackass | | | | by Minivet | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 1:21pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 18 | | | | | |
Stupid people are more likely to forget contraceptives and condoms when they have sex, and are thus more likely to have offspring. By Darwin's logic, the human race is getting dumber.
This is a very basic misinterpretation of Darwinism when applied to humans: the notion that humans' best reproductive strategy is to have as many children as possible.
If that were the optimum strategy, everyone would do it -- dumb, smart, good genes, mediocre genes -- and it wouldn't be a matter of discussion. Unfortunately, thinking it is leads to a number of simplistic predictions: Catholics will overrun the world (not true), homosexuals will disappear from the race (also not true), and yours.
Let me quote from this page, since it's a better explanation:
Why don't all animals follow the rabbit strategy? Because increased parental investment is often a better strategy than increased fertility.
This error-- the notion that populations with high birth rates will outreproduce those that use birth control-- undermines Niven & Pournelle's The Mote in God's Eye as well. Reality, as usual, is more complicated. High birth rates almost invariably correlate with high death rates... and with some shocking attitudes toward human life.
Read Marvin Harris on what happened before effective birth control. Executive summary: untrammeled reproduction was never a good strategy, except for populating new territories. What people have always done, as opposed to what Lynch and Niven think they should do, is control their fertility, by hook or by crook-- to the point of widespread infanticide, if safe abortion is not possible.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | 33. Re: Darwinism and Jackass | | | | by JDillinger | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 2:02pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 2 | | | | | |
Honestly, shouldn't these people be dying and/or not mating, for the sake of the species?
Well, considering the number of times Johnny Knoxville has been whacked in the balls, I don't think he'll be having kids anytime soon...
-JD
--- "Every letter started broken hearted/ And ended way too soon." - The Wrens ---
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | | | 6. Teenage Dream Job | | | | by Freethis |  | | | at Mon 11 Nov 6:55pm | score of 3 brilliant | | | | | | |
I used to hate jackass, now these guys are heros in my book. Their teenage dream jobs, being professional skateboarders, playing in a band, and being movie stars have made them fabulously wealthy many times over. This is a group of guys that has been together since they were kids, still together, doing the same crazy things they were back then.
Sappy as it sounds, I think this is cathartic for so many people because these butane huffing suburban kids grew up to keep their childhood promises of always sticking together and looking out for each other. Probably a lot like the promises I made my friends as a kid. The were rich already from skateboarding, music, and Bam Magera's jackass style skate videos (Camp Kill Yourself). MTV just widened their audience, made others in the group rich, and provided the resources for wide scale mayhem.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | 7. Honesty | | | | by thinmac |  | | | at Mon 11 Nov 8:29pm | score of 4 brilliant | | | | | | |
On my offensive pop culture meter, jackass has a really low value, mostly because of it's honesty.
The danger I see in pop culture these days stem from a kind of wolf in sheep's clothing behavior. This is best shown by Britney Spears (as are all things pop, it would seem).
Spears, although she has recently taken the edge off her sugar and spice act, still talks a good line about, for instance, abstinence. She has made a big deal about public statements of her own virginity, and of condoning the virginity of other young unmarried girls. On the other hand, she dresses more provocatively that most women I've seen who are trying to get laid, dances to match, and sings songs entitled 'Hit Me Baby One More Time', and 'I'm a Slave to You'. These behaviors and songs do not put forward an 'abstinence is good' message, and in fact, in my opinion, put forward the polar opposite image that lots and lots and lots of sex is a good thing. Now, I'm not against sex, premarital or otherwise, but the image that Spears portrays is not one of healthy loving loving sex. Neither of these images is a good lesson to teach young girls; rather, the idea of sex as normal and healthy, but something to be done with people you care deeply about and have a longstanding relationship with is a more realistic and sane concept.
The end result of all of this seems to me to be 12 and 13 year old girls dressing and behaving in ways which wouldn't be healthy or appropriate for a 25 year old, and everyone (themselves, parents, anyone) operating under the assumption that it's O.K. because they're acting like Britney the virgin.
After a long detour into Spears land, what does all of this have to do with Jackass? These guys know that the things they are doing are really, really stupid. They tell you, before and after each show, it's really, really stupid. I'm sure that if you went up and asked Johnny Knoxville personally, he'd tell you the same thing. I've never seen anything on their show which would portray the image that people who (for instance) stick objects up their butts or crash BMX bikes into each other are heroic or virtuous. They are who they say they are: a bunch of stupid guys doing stupid things who you don't want to be like when you grow up.
Narrative
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | 9. Entertainment (not art) imitates furniture | | | | by evilhenchdyke |  | | | at Mon 11 Nov 9:48pm | score of 0.5 obnoxious | | | | | | |
Entertainment (not art) imitates furniture (television) imitating life.
For crying out loud! We elected George Bush and a bazillion other Republicans. If that isn't embracing the jackass within, can someone explain to me what it would take? As for the film, cinema is following television, which has been doing stupid things like this for over a decade. One shudders to think about the real life incidents which inspire the television shows which the movie is imitating.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | 10. Warning: Hot coffee may indeed be hot | | | | by Sphacelate | | | | at Mon 11 Nov 11:16pm | score of 1 | | | | | | |
the success of Jackass is really a far cry from
a troubling and dark look into what society has
become. a more scary look into what society is
turning into looks more the ridiculous safety
precautions people actually need, for examples
of what im talking about see here. on the contrary
the people in jackass see the warning and don't
really care, these guys aren't stupid so much as
they don't mind the pain for a good laugh.
somethings never stop being funny, seeing others
in extreme physical pain just happens to be one of them.
the jackass kids know this and they milk it to
make you happy.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | | 11. Mindless entertainment or sociological omen? | | | | by MAYORBOB | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 7:09am | score of 1.5 interesting | | | | | | |
Why is it that every movie, play, book, song, etc, ad nauseam that achieves a modicum of success becomes some sort of sign pointing "to something darker and more troubling in our society"? Why can't it just be taken as a sign that there is a segment of society which has enough disposable income to pay to engage in some form of totally forgettable inconsequence and there are people willing to mass produce the inconsequential product to indulge them?
I have never seen "Jackass" on MTV and have no intention of seeing it in the movies. I will admit to having spent both time and money wasting time viewing stuff like pro wrestling, various Jerry Springer shows, and the like. Does this mean that I have a darker part of my psyche -- something that I don't share with people around me? Of course I do, but watching the stuff I watch or even paying to see "Jackass" is not an indicator of that.
Tending to final details.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | 21. Re: Mindless entertainment or sociological omen? | | | | by Remus Shepherd | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 9:21am | score of 2 interesting | | in reply to comment 11 | | | | | |
Why is it that every movie, play, book, song, etc, ad nauseam that achieves a modicum of success becomes some sort of sign pointing "to something darker and more troubling in our society"? Why can't it just be taken as a sign that there is a segment of society which has enough disposable income to pay to engage in some form of totally forgettable inconsequence and there are people willing to mass produce the inconsequential product to indulge them?
Because western culture has myths about the end times, when the world will be destroyed by fire, gods, poodles, what have you. In all of these myths, the society in the end times is corrupt, hedonistic, and self-indulgent. So when we see hedonistic and self-indulgent behaviour become mainstream, there's a part of us that is thinking 'Well, this must be the beginning of the end.'
I blame the Romans, for driving themselves lead-crazy before their empire collapsed. Christian teachings deliver a similar message, although I don't know a historical event from which they might have learned the lesson. Cultural memory of ancient disasters and religion have combined to really ruin hedonism's reputation.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | | 12. Torn | | | | by Sir Real | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 7:41am | score of 3.5 compelling | | | | | | |
Ok-
On the one hand, I enjoy Jackass for what it is- an edgier, televised version of all the stupid
s#!t my drunk buddies and I used to do (anyone remember jumping off the roof for the hell of it?)
On the other hand, I refuse to believe it is "the last manifestations of the punk ethic, commenting on the nature of society and providing a kind of cathartic joy for audiences." It's punk inspired, allright, but socially engaged? cathartic? Please.
The joy it inspires is the same joy one gets from America's Funniest Home Videos- laughing at men taking one to the groin. The only social message I can discern is "Buy good insurance".
In summary- you shouldn't need to apply Foucault to EVERYTHING just so you won't feel guilty for enjoying it.
The serpent, meanwhile, Sleeps his meal off in Paradise -Smiling to hear God's querulous calling.- Ted Hughes
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | 46. Rip Torn | | | | by chancaca | | | | at Wed 13 Nov 1:54pm | score of 1.5 astute | | in reply to comment 12 | | | | | |
I refuse to believe it is "the last manifestations of the punk ethic, commenting on the nature of society and providing a kind of cathartic joy for audiences." It's punk inspired, allright, but socially engaged? cathartic? Please.
WTF? Punk Ethic? What is that, some new psychology course now available at the local liberal art college? Define Punk Ethic, and please don't forget to include the major proponents of this ethic who remain actively involved in its promulgation and dissemination.
Punk was just a bunch of bored, pissed-off kids. It then became commodified and legitimized by the mass media to sell TV shows/records/clothes/"lifestyle." Now, punk is buying a Subaru.
Please.
Killing Confusion by Eliminating Options
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | 50. Re: Rip Torn | | | | by Sir Real | | | | at Thu 14 Nov 6:08am | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 46 | | | | | |
I never used the phrase "Punk Ethic"- I did say "punk inspired", a phrase meaning it borrowed from the punk aesthetic (you know what THAT is, don't you?). As for it becoming commercialized, that's not my problem.
That's not to say "Punk Ethic" doesn't have a meaning- I just don't have any duty to educate you. If you're interested in educating yourself, I suggest you attend one of those colleges you're so down on.
The serpent, meanwhile, Sleeps his meal off in Paradise -Smiling to hear God's querulous calling.- Ted Hughes
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | | 13. Bam Margera | | | | by Eli1021 | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 8:07am | score of 1 | | | | | | |
Phil and April Margera always manage to get past any rage at their jackass offspring.
It probably doesn't hurt that he bought them a big-ass house. From what I understand (friends in the skate scene who've known him for a long time) they've been well compensated for their embarrassment.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | | 27. Re: Heh | | | | by ignoblus | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 1:19pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 22 | | | | | |
I always fail to see how dousing yourself in flammable liquid and setting yourself on fire is a good thing. I've heard it makes a good Halloween costume. Really. And then the guy bitched about the EMTs who told him the burns on his face would scar. They were healing pretty well, actually.
It never was that simple, and it still isn't.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | 38. Re: Heh | | | | by jukeboxcharlie | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 3:05pm | score of 1.5 astute | | in reply to comment 22 | | | | | |
Has America Embraced Its 'Jackass' Within?
Well, at least this 15 year old has, apparently.
Let me see if I got this straight... some kid tries to set himself aflame in a stunt that has never appeared in either the Jackass show or the movie...
Tell me- how exactly is this Johnny Knoxville's fault, and not just some kid being stupid?
This is my sig. Here I have a pithy quote, or wry comment.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | 49. Re: Heh | | | | by gonzocanuck | | | | at Wed 13 Nov 4:30pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 38 | | | | | |
Hmm...I don't know what there is to explain. Although it wasn't on the show, it's just an example of what stupid things that people will do to themselves without thinking of the painful consequences stunts can have. To top it off, they videotaped the act hopes of watching it later. It's still a stunt that they planned to sell.
You've got to coax him slow, that's the only way that he'll confess.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | | 23. Just one question... | | | | by Anonymous Idiot | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 10:37am | score of 2 clever | | | | | | |
How is it when we watch Johnny Knoxville doing insane stunts on "Jackass", this is "contributing to the collapse of modern civilization", but when Steve Irwin does the same sort of idiot stunts on "The Crocodile Hunter", it's "educational"?
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | 35. Croc versus Knox | | | | by doogie | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 2:25pm | score of 1.5 astute | | in reply to comment 23 | | | | | |
Uh, Steve Irwin holds the scorpion in his hand, and some guy off-camera is armed with the scorpion venom antidote. Irwin tells the young'uns about the life cycle of the scorpion, what it eats, etc., reminds us that it is dangerous to come near one. Irwin says the word "crikey" a lot, which is amusing to us Americans.
Johnny Knoxville's show has a blanket warning at the beginning that you should "not try this at home". He gets a colonic dressed in a Santa suit. Or, he gets turned upside down in a Port-A-John. He says certain words that we don't know for sure, 'cuz they're bleeped out, which is amusing to us Americans.
Perhaps I am naive in thinking that the former is educational, and the latter is not. Actually, I think both are entertaining (yeh, guilty pleasure), which is probably more the point.
Enjoy it, 'till they tell you it will kill you...
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | | 24. Thus endeth the tale of Jackass | | | | by arnaut | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 11:11am | score of 1 | | | | | | |
The recent horrific burning of the young man who attempted a Jackass-style stunt means, of course, the end of Jackass as we know it. We've seen this before, really: Beavis and Butthead had to tone down their antics (especially the "fire! fire!" jokes) after kids inspired by the show started hurting themselves and others, and from there it was a hop, skip, and a jump to oblivion (though they did get a movie in). Much in the same way, I would venture, Jackass will have to cut down on its outrageousness, which is the whole reason anyone watches it in the first place. I really don't mean to gloat--a boy was burned, after all--but the way things are in America, the future of Jackass is in jeopardy.
Poi s'ascose nel foco che gli affina.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | 25. Re: Thus endeth the tale of Jackass | | | | by cloudofdust | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 12:39pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 24 | | | | | |
Sorry, but you're wrong. I know of at least three cases of guys (and it's always guys) burning themselves doing Jackass-style stunts. One was even featured on Oprah. None of these incidents have put an end to Jackass.
Jackass documents a form of stupidity that has existed for decades if not centuries.
Someone upthread mentioned jumping off the roof. Done it. Setting yourself on fire? Yep, done that too. We used Ronoco lighter fluid and had the good sense (heh) to apply it directly to our skin not to our clothes. Building ramps and flying off them on various wheeled vehicles. Ohh, yeah.
I should mention that we were doing all these things in the mid-`70s before there was a Jackass. Before there was an MTV. Before my town had cable. Before my family had a color TV. I should also mention that one of the neighborhood kids burned his leg pretty badly while setting some model cars on fire. However, since his parents didn't have MTV and Jackass to blame they had to put it down to their own child's reckless irresponsibility.
Yep, I'm so old I remember when people (even adolescents) were responsible for their own actions. Now, where's my walker?
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | 40. Re: Uh, Jackass ended a while back... | | | | by cloudofdust | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 3:39pm | score of 1 | | in reply to comment 32 | | | | | |
The show's been off the air for about a year, anyway.
They are not making new episodes but according to MTV's website they are still airing Jackass.
Next showings are Thurs 11/14 11pm, Sun 11/17 10pm and Sun 11/24 10pm in case someone wants to see what all the hubbub is about without plopping down $10 bucks at the multimegaplex.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | | | | | 26. The decline & fall of decency...Pick out two.... | | | | by sglover910 | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 12:51pm | score of 1 | | | | | | |
I haven't seen it, though I'm a bit intrigued after reading this write-up. But I don't think "Jackass" can hope to match the sophistication and moral instruction of Larry, Moe and Curly. Unless they have a fat guy with a shaved head, of course....
An argument isn't merely nay-sayings and contradictions! M. Python
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | | 30. don't mind me while I'm being pretentious | | | | by ignoblus | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 1:37pm | score of 1.5 compelling | | | | | | |
I disagree that it's at all punk. More of a working class critique of culture that's always been around - have fun, not like those who insist on reason and decorum. Punk shared this critique, but strikes me as more directed against society. This is more like a vacation from the rules of society.
Now, the fact that a poorly made montage of video-taped antics can become such a blockbuster in theaters (not just video).. That might point to something. It's certainly, in my memory, the most brazen co-opting of this ethic that has reached this level of success.
It never was that simple, and it still isn't.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | 34. Been this way since at least the 3 Stooges | | | | by diggum | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 2:12pm | score of 1 | | | | | | |
and probably hundreds of years before. Everyone loves the jester. We love the guys poking each other in the eyes and getting in pie fights in public. These guys go into their pain and embarrassment willingly and knowingly.
How this is worse than America's Funniest Home Video shows, I do not understand. With those, we're enjoying someone's pain and embarrassment who was not happily willing to have it inflicted upon them. furthermore, watching a kid hit a t-ball bat into their dad's crotch is funny, but you've seen one, you've seen most. the jackass boys took things to either new levels, or started with a new concept altogether.
Crashing into each other with shopping carts or cardboard boxes on skateboards is probably less dangerous overall than a destruction derby with cars and gasoline.
I think the bigger problem is these stupid fucking kids lighting themselves on fire and blaming jackass, or beavis and butthead, or married with children, or whatever those dumbass kids get inspired to copy. Now, if that kid here in seattle had put on a flame retardant suit, and been next to a swimming pool, and allowed himself to be set on fire wearing protective clothing designed for it, then I'd agree he's copying the show. I have NEVER seen the guys on Jackass soak their shirt in rubbing alcohol and set it on fire, or have their friends drive at them and try to jump over the car. That's just stupid.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | 36. Re: Jackass | | | | by AliasMoze | | | | at Tue 12 Nov 2:45pm | score of 1.5 astute | | | | | | |
The standard critics and reviewers think that the cinema is "art", so it's no wonder they "missed the boat" on Jackass. Wonderfully, Jackass demonstrates again what movie-goers want -- entertainment. No story, no message, no pretty photography. There's nothing in it that critics use as a measure of a film's worth. Nevertheless, audiences love it.
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | | 47. How to Enjoy Jackass-the Movie | | | | by chancaca | | | | at Wed 13 Nov 2:02pm | score of 1 | | | | | | |
I bet that 85% of the commentators on this thread have not seen the movie.
I have. I'm 42 years old. And I thank god allmighty that there's something still inside of me that would allow me to sit down and watch this movie and laugh my ass off to the point that my eyes blurred with tears and my head hurt.
Go see it when there will be plenty of people in the audience. Become one with the crowd. Leave your preconceptions about "film" at home and realize that Jackass is just entertainment, not high art. It's slapstick, folks. Cinema verite.
Killing Confusion by Eliminating Options
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
| | | | | | | 52. The Jackassing Of America | | | | by armaxmore | | | | at Sat 16 Nov 10:46pm | score of 1 | | | | | | |
Jackass success isn't based on ethics. Most of the stuff the they is crude, but in a funny way. It based on these 2 ideas.
1. The public loves trainwrecks, and they'll see what happens the wreck takes place.
2. The Genius Of Stupidity. Something, that was mentioned in this Washington City Paper Article. This is what made the The 3 Stooges, Beavis & Butthead and Andy Dick successful.
The world happens to need jackasses, so long as it can understand the very fine line between a jackass and the more common ass.
Unfortunately, the line between being a jackass and a common ass is slowly disappearing. Pardon The Interruption host Tony Kornheiser see the dark side of being a jackass in this column. So For you future Jackasses, I leave with a quote from this from this story about jackass parents:
"If anything goes, it's only a matter of time before everything will be gone."
Talk is Cheap! Free Speech Isn't!
| | | | [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ] | | |
|
| | Member Login | | | |
|
