Extreme Cinema

Define 'Extreme'?

After reading through the list started nominating 'extreme' films, I realized it seems we have wildly varied opinions and ideas of what makes a film 'extreme'.  For instance, I am not particularly disturbed by physical violence or sex, but the combination of the two makes me physically ill at times.  Does 'extreme' serve as a synonym for 'disturbing' or 'uncomfortable'?  Is a graphic portrayal even necessary, or does your imagination do the work in some cases?  Curious to hear what everyone has to say... 

Re:Define 'Extreme'?

I think extreme means that if a thing could be measured, it would be measured at a very high degree.  I think if you could categorize a movie by certain adjectives and it would be appropriate to use the adjverb "extremely" to describe the adjective, then it should be considered an extreme movie.

So if a movie was extremely "disturbing" then you might call it extreme.

But what about movies you would call extremely outrageous or extremely colorful or even extremely laconic.  You normally might not think of a cute movie as extreme, but what if it was extremely cute?

Re:Define 'Extreme'?

Risselada:

I think extreme means that if a thing could be measured, it would be measured at a very high degree.  I think if you could categorize a movie by certain adjectives and it would be appropriate to use the adjverb "extremely" to describe the adjective, then it should be considered an extreme movie.

So if a movie was extremely "disturbing" then you might call it extreme.

But what about movies you would call extremely outrageous or extremely colorful or even extremely laconic.  You normally might not think of a cute movie as extreme, but what if it was extremely cute?

   Good point, Rizzo!   By your very litteral deffinition most, if not all, of the Shirley Temple movies would be considered "extreme films" !   Interesting...

   When I think of "extreme films" I tend to think in terms of more disturbing films.   Movies that may have gone a little too far in pushing the envelope on what can be graphically shown on screen.   Movies that make you say  "Did you REALLY need to show me that?".   Practically ALL so-called "gore" or "splatter" films fall into this category as well as movies with disturbing rape scenes (see my other discussion in this group) or movies with otherwise objectionable or disturbing behavior like the incest in  House of Yes  or  The Cement Garden  or a 12 year old Brooke Shields showing off her naked body in  Pretty Baby  for example.   Nekromantik  is just plain disturbing in every sense of the word and is deffinately an "extreme film"... 

                                                                                < GOR >

Re:Define 'Extreme'?

A really good point... I tend to think of 'extreme' a lot like how Dr_Gor defined it.  Basically, if it makes me uncomfortable, I tend to label it 'extreme'.  However, properly defined, extreme really means 'to push the limits of' in any one quantifiable aspect.  Great point with the Shirley Temple films--her obnoxious cuteness does make me uncomfortable.

Risselada:

 

But what about movies you would call extremely outrageous or extremely colorful or even extremely laconic.  You normally might not think of a cute movie as extreme, but what if it was extremely cute?

Re:Define 'Extreme'?

The first definition for "extreme" as an adjective at Dictionary.com is "of a character or kind farthest removed from the ordinary or average"

Maybe any film that surprises you or goes beyond your expectations of what you expect to see would count.

Re:Define 'Extreme'?

Yeah, I guess everyone is going to have their own definition of extreme when it comes right down to it... probably has a lot to do with your comfort levels.

Risselada:

The first definition for "extreme" as an adjective at Dictionary.com is "of a character or kind farthest removed from the ordinary or average"

Maybe any film that surprises you or goes beyond your expectations of what you expect to see would count.

Re:Define 'Extreme'?

Good question.

Normally, when I think extreme, i think in terms of my comfort level being disturbed. Something that pushes me to the -nth degree would be labeled extreme.  Something that is so outrageous, done purely for shock value or for the sake of being labeled 'transgressive' would be called extreme.

On the other hand, according to Risselada defintion, Teletubbies(sp?) could be labeled extreme...and I might even throw most pandering child cartoons into that category ....the cherry on top of  the "so -giggly cute- it's- annoying-enough- to-make -me- wanna-stab -myself- in- the- neck -with- a- pencil" extreme sundae.

But my primary defintiion still stands.

seely:

After reading through the list started nominating 'extreme' films, I realized it seems we have wildly varied opinions and ideas of what makes a film 'extreme'.  For instance, I am not particularly disturbed by physical violence or sex, but the combination of the two makes me physically ill at times.  Does 'extreme' serve as a synonym for 'disturbing' or 'uncomfortable'?  Is a graphic portrayal even necessary, or does your imagination do the work in some cases?  Curious to hear what everyone has to say...