First of all, I did not read 50 Shades of Grey, so please take that into consideration when reading my comments. A relative and some friends did and from their comments, it sounded like the author was out to make a buck and if you want to get rich, you don't have to produce a quality series, just one that shocks people. From other comments, I gather that Grey was obsessed with this woman. We all want to be valued, loved, and desired--that's inherent in the human psyche, but obsessions are not love and if quenched, have a short burn life. And bondage? That's terrifying. Consider this: if the house catches on fire, do you think he's going to take the time to untie her or even cut the bonds? Fires can consume a house much faster than people realize and he might not have time to free her and save himself.
Controlling men are insecure and selfish in the extreme and they are pure hell to live with. That so many women were drawn to read the books in the first place and then went to see the movie, my guess is that there are a lot of bored women with or without mates and the ones with mates are dissatisfied. Or the women are just plain curious. We tend to suffer from curiosity more than our male counterparts, I suspect.
Interesting comments from Nathaniel Givens, but I wonder why anyone is giving credence to this series. I was heartened to read that its tremendous turnout for the first weekend fizzled by the second weekend. Quality books and movies don't fizzle.
Joslyn CookMarch 1, 2015
There may not be sequels after all - both the director and Jamie Dornan have bailed on the project, and EL James is reportedly a complete and total diva demanding the right to write the screenplays for the sequels. I personally believe, given the reportedly atrocious quality of the books, that she's incapable of producing a workable script. Hopefully it will all fall apart shortly.
DennisMarch 1, 2015
When I attend a movie it is for a specific purpose, mainly entertainment. I also know that the story line has been loaded with fiction, perception, experiences and perhaps a smattering of truth. In short I understand that what I see may not be an accurate portrail of fact. So, when I spend 13.00 to see a movie I want to be entertained, not led through a plethora of socially questionable morays trying to sort out what is good, bad, right or wrong. Hence, I saw no value in seeing the movie. I don't need to deal with this to know my values.
Carolyn Hart BennettFebruary 28, 2015
Luckily the box office numbers dropped by 74% after the first weekend--and Jamie Dornan wants out of the next one.
EdFebruary 27, 2015
So as I read this it sounds like you're saying this movie'a attraction, particularly to women, is a reaction to the current political climate of irradiating gender differences? And this is coupled with the fact or argument that socio-biology and cultural biology indicates that despite what the world preaches gender differences exist. When we try and squash these truths it appears in the media in this form, being the only acceptable form that we can politically tolerate. Did I get that right?
Robert StarlingFebruary 27, 2015
Interesting take on the subject. I was a little off-put by the apparent reliance on evolution theory for social explanations, that conflict with LDS beliefs about human origins, but it is thoughtful (as in thought - full).
I guess the bottom line is, where is John Wayne (think "The Quiet Man") when we need him? Hey that's an idea! If you're looking for a dominant but gentle, heroic and loving man, forget the depressing gray world of "50 Shades" and enjoy "The Quiet Man" from the 1950's in glorious Technicolor! Here's the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH4OFXlvzKA
LexaGraemeFebruary 27, 2015
A quibble. You are quoting Dakota Johnson out of context. I read the interview she gave. The two sentences before the one you quoted were, She didn't want her mother, nor her father, to see the movie. After the one you quoted, she said she was kidding.
Looking past that, this was an article with plenty of food for thought. Thank you also for quoting Christina Hoff Sommers. This equity feminist unabashedly declares "Who Stole Feminism?" and "The War Against Boys" should be required reading.
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Debi-Ann WardMarch 1, 2015
First of all, I did not read 50 Shades of Grey, so please take that into consideration when reading my comments. A relative and some friends did and from their comments, it sounded like the author was out to make a buck and if you want to get rich, you don't have to produce a quality series, just one that shocks people. From other comments, I gather that Grey was obsessed with this woman. We all want to be valued, loved, and desired--that's inherent in the human psyche, but obsessions are not love and if quenched, have a short burn life. And bondage? That's terrifying. Consider this: if the house catches on fire, do you think he's going to take the time to untie her or even cut the bonds? Fires can consume a house much faster than people realize and he might not have time to free her and save himself. Controlling men are insecure and selfish in the extreme and they are pure hell to live with. That so many women were drawn to read the books in the first place and then went to see the movie, my guess is that there are a lot of bored women with or without mates and the ones with mates are dissatisfied. Or the women are just plain curious. We tend to suffer from curiosity more than our male counterparts, I suspect. Interesting comments from Nathaniel Givens, but I wonder why anyone is giving credence to this series. I was heartened to read that its tremendous turnout for the first weekend fizzled by the second weekend. Quality books and movies don't fizzle.
Joslyn CookMarch 1, 2015
There may not be sequels after all - both the director and Jamie Dornan have bailed on the project, and EL James is reportedly a complete and total diva demanding the right to write the screenplays for the sequels. I personally believe, given the reportedly atrocious quality of the books, that she's incapable of producing a workable script. Hopefully it will all fall apart shortly.
DennisMarch 1, 2015
When I attend a movie it is for a specific purpose, mainly entertainment. I also know that the story line has been loaded with fiction, perception, experiences and perhaps a smattering of truth. In short I understand that what I see may not be an accurate portrail of fact. So, when I spend 13.00 to see a movie I want to be entertained, not led through a plethora of socially questionable morays trying to sort out what is good, bad, right or wrong. Hence, I saw no value in seeing the movie. I don't need to deal with this to know my values.
Carolyn Hart BennettFebruary 28, 2015
Luckily the box office numbers dropped by 74% after the first weekend--and Jamie Dornan wants out of the next one.
EdFebruary 27, 2015
So as I read this it sounds like you're saying this movie'a attraction, particularly to women, is a reaction to the current political climate of irradiating gender differences? And this is coupled with the fact or argument that socio-biology and cultural biology indicates that despite what the world preaches gender differences exist. When we try and squash these truths it appears in the media in this form, being the only acceptable form that we can politically tolerate. Did I get that right?
Robert StarlingFebruary 27, 2015
Interesting take on the subject. I was a little off-put by the apparent reliance on evolution theory for social explanations, that conflict with LDS beliefs about human origins, but it is thoughtful (as in thought - full). I guess the bottom line is, where is John Wayne (think "The Quiet Man") when we need him? Hey that's an idea! If you're looking for a dominant but gentle, heroic and loving man, forget the depressing gray world of "50 Shades" and enjoy "The Quiet Man" from the 1950's in glorious Technicolor! Here's the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH4OFXlvzKA
LexaGraemeFebruary 27, 2015
A quibble. You are quoting Dakota Johnson out of context. I read the interview she gave. The two sentences before the one you quoted were, She didn't want her mother, nor her father, to see the movie. After the one you quoted, she said she was kidding. Looking past that, this was an article with plenty of food for thought. Thank you also for quoting Christina Hoff Sommers. This equity feminist unabashedly declares "Who Stole Feminism?" and "The War Against Boys" should be required reading.
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