Jeremy wrote:
] For moviegoers, dark films raise a basic question: Why
] subject yourself to death, devastation and anguish when you
] can see "Elf" instead?
]
] The essential problem may be as simple -- and as complicated
] -- as the economic structure of the movie business itself.
]
]
]
] I'll try the straightforward approach: forget "Elf" and go see
] "21 Grams."

Basically, this is a situation where art imitates life. To answer their question, yes, I would rather see Elf for much the same reason in normal society. Perhaps if I ran in an artsy circle, I would care about my movie-watching affecting my social capital. Instead, I view it as the same way as real life: If I walk into a conversation where people are joking around, discussing happy changes in life, etc, I don't roll up and say, "Hey, did you hear about that child-molesting serial killer guy? He really killed some kids." People don't want that to ruin their conversation/day. That's how I feel about the movie selection. I'll see Elf, because I am looking for ENTERTAINMENT. If I want reality, I will continue reading the 238947 news sources I consult.

To summarize: escapism. Who wants to spend their free time depressed?

RE: How to Spread the Word When the Word Is 'Grim'