Why Do Men LOVE These Movies?
It’s date night and your man is taking you out for dinner and a movie.
That’s great, but dinner is probably going to involve some or all the parts of a cow. Steak, burgers or ribs. And the movie is going to involve warfare, weaponry and blood. Lots of blood. Or maybe you have a less testosterone drive male. That’s not going to change your dinner plans, but you might get off easy with your choice of a Will Ferrell comedy or something in the Sci-Fi or Horror genre.
No, this is not man bashing. I LOVE men (they smell so good). But I would like to better understand your movie choices. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the occasional action movie and when I watched Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, I became a big Kung Fu movie fan. I even like Science Fiction movies. I will be the first in line to see the upcoming X-Men Origins: Wolverine and I am looking forward to what J.J. Abrams (Lost, Mission Impossible III, Alias) will do with the new Star Trek movie. But my question is this: What is it about certain movies that absolutely LOVE.
Scarface
The movie is a simple rags to riches tale of a Cuban boy with a dream. To become a powerful Miami drug lord with a hot blond girlfriend who looks like Michelle Pfieffer. Admittedly, I have never seen the whole movie. Just clips, bits and pieces, but that was more than enough. It breaks my heart to see an actor of Al Pacino’s caliber doing such a horrible Cuban accent.
If you have ever seen an episode of MTV Cribs, then you know that almost without exception, all male Hip/Hop and Rap performers have some sort of “shrine” erected to the movie Scarface. At least once in his life, most men have said to their significant other, “say ‘allo to my little friend“. What is it about Scarface that appeals to men?
The Godfather
Francis Ford Coppola’s classic 1972 film starring Marlon Brando, James Caan and the future star of Scarface, Al Pacino. I really like The Godfather and most of the sequels. GFII was even better than part one. But men don’t just like The Godfather, they don’t just love The Godfather, they have transformed the movie into something a kin to a machine gun-toting oracle.
In the movie “You’ve Got Mail ” Tom Hanks refers to it as the I Ching of movies. “It answers all of life’s questions”. Men seemed to have developed some sort of weird philosophy of life based on lessons learned from watching The Godfather Apparently, there is a deeper hidden wisdom in the words of Don Corleone that we women just don’t understand and that puts this movie based on Mario Puzos’ book on par with Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and Jack Kerouac’s On The Road.
James Bond
James Bond is the ultimate alpha male. He can fight, make love to a woman and topple corrupt governments while drinking the perfect dry martini. And he has a licence to kill. Wouldn’t that be the perfect present? Where I like the suave, handsome and witty Bond, Men seem to prefer a grittier, more action packed Bond. Thus the popularity of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.
I shook up (not stirred) a little bit of a controversy in a recent post about why women like James Bond movie because I liked Pierce Brosnan’s Bond. But according to one reader, Pierce is one of the worse Bonds ever. I will concede to a man’s opinion on this matter. If Anti-Pretty-Boy, Windy and others are correct about the Ian Flemming books (which I read 100 years ago with a flashlight under a blanket, because they were considered racy), then I guess Daniel Craig’s grittier, blonder Bond …ugh…is (choke…gasp) the best …(choke) Bond since Sean Connery. There, I said it! Are you happy now?
Anything by Will Ferrell
Ever since he appeared on screen in green tights in the movie Elf, men have been cracking up at Will Ferrell’s movies. The very mention of Ron Burgundy, Ricky Bobby, Chazz Micheal Micheals brings smiles and squeals of laughter to men’s faces. Maybe Will represents the goofy guy that’s inside of most men that is dying to get out.
I really liked Will Ferrell on Saturday Night Live. As a matter of fact, it hasn’t been funny since he left. As an actor, Will Ferrell is like fresh garlic. Its’ great as a seasoning, but a little goes a long way. He is hilarious in short 5-10 minute sketches or as a character in a movie. But for me, an hour and a half of Will is one clove too many. Someone please tell me…. What is so funny about Talladega Nights and Anchorman?
Well, I am sure I have stepped in the &%@# up to my knees and I am out on a limb with this post. Agree? Disagree? Either way let me hear from you.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Plenty of us chicks like the action flicks too. But what’s up with the absolute fascination ao many guys have for Scarface?
Action Flick Chick’s last blog post..Watchmen (2009)
@Action Flick Chick I like action and sci-fi movies too. I can’t wait for the new Star Trek movie and the Wolverine flicks this summer. But that thing with guys and Scarface is a mystery to me.
I am so happy that for most movies my husband and I have similar taste but there are the big movies we just can’t agree on. Like, I wanted to see Slumdog Millionaire and he refused….
I actually enjoyed most of these movies but I have to agree with you on the point regarding Will Ferrell. I hate hate hate him and I hate all of his movies. I can’t believe they got a budget for them, a producer, or anyone with more than 3 brain cells to rub together to be in the movie.
Not just him but Ben Stiller movies too. Ugh. Just the thought makes my stomach churn.
my gf and i have differing but somewhat overlapping tastes in movies. we both enjoy the classics (casablanca, guys and dolls, citizen kane, any hitchcock …). and there are many modern films we both enjoy (the dark knight, no country for old men, wall-e). but i know what films she won’t like, and she knows what films i won’t like. so we don’t see them together.
and the films you list above (with maybe the exception of ‘all things will ferrell’) are amazing, regardless of the gore or violence. all rate very high on most film critics best movies of all time for a reason.
and pierce was probably the worst bond.
@Brent I agree with you on the critical acclaim of movies like The Godfather. I actually own the Godfather Trilogy box set.
Re: Pierce as James Bond, I seem to be in the minority on that one.
Thanks for providing me with the male perspective.
Hi!
Loved the post and have just written my own entry and linked it. But I have to say, my (English and German) men do not fall into this category! (Thank God!) Or maybe they just never dare(d) to admit it!
Men have always glorified violence. It was the measure of all men since the Epic of Gilgamesh…the seeking of war and conflict to be a hero…and conquering as many virgins, and other men’s wives were all apart of the game.
Quite another thing when a woman does the same…and though that is being explored…women tend to label women who live bold adventures…
I like this bloody post…
Marilyn Campiz
Daegu, South Korea
Well, I’m very married and we learned early on in our relationship that the movies he wanted to watch, which were few and far in between, were none of the ones I would even consider. Now, I plug into my Netflix selections, usually on my computer screen and he enjoys news shows or old, old movies at the same time. He loves shoot-em-ups – sometimes cowboys, sometimes Clint Eastwood. I’m beginning to think that movies are not meant to be watch in mixed crowds. Don’t know that you’ll like my blog at all, but I do have a list of movies running down the right side of my home page – and a whole list of movies I watched in 2008 that is CLEAR DOWN at the bottom of the page. Thanks for sharing!
@ Sunrise Sister I enjoyed your blog and your movie list. It has given me some ideas for future posts.