Weekly Theme

Weekly Theme for November 10: Whatchamacallit, a Deus Ex Machina!

A deus ex machina (lat. IPA: [ˈdeːus eks ˈmaːkʰina], literally "god from a/the machine")^[1] is a god brought on the stage by a mechanical device^[2] or 'an improbable contrivance in a story characterized by a sudden unexpected solution to a seemingly intractable problem'.^[1] Thus, the term "deus ex machina" has come to mean any inferior plot device that expeditiously solves the conflict of a narrative.

In fiction writing, the phrase has been extended to refer to a sudden and unexpected resolution to a seemingly intractable problem in a plotline, or what might be called an "Oh, by the way..." ending.^[1] A deus ex machina is generally undesirable in writing and often implies a lack of skill on the part of the author because it does not pay due regard to the story's internal logic and is often so unlikely that it challenges suspension of disbelief, allowing the author to conclude the story with an unlikely, though more palatable, ending.^[29] A well-known modern example of deus ex machinaoccurs in the Michael Crichton book The Andromeda Strain. The pathogen referred to in the title is suddenly rendered non-lethal by a random mutation which apparently affects every existing virus particle instantaneously.

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This week is all about those films that use some "creative storytelling" to further a plot that might otherwise be stymied. Probably one of the most flagrant uses of a deus ex machina in recent film history has to be in Magnolia (I won't give any spoilers for those who haven't seen the film, so let's just say it involves one of the biblical plagues occurring in the center of Los Angeles). My personal favorites have to be in Shakespeare in Love when Queen Elizabeth suddenly appears to save the day and declare that Gwyneth Paltrow is really a man and Adaptation, the film about writing a film, which pokes fun at Hollywood writers that use D.E.M. in their films.

Has time sorted things to where using a deus ex machina is a good thing? Or was Horace right in thinking it is a moronic device that shows a lack of creativity? Should films avoid it and leave it for television shows like The Simpsons? Let get talkin!

Re:Weekly Theme for November 10: Whatchamacallit, a Deus Ex Machina!

Well, I just have to mention one of the many really bad movies that's used a deus ex machina.

I refer to the horrible M. Night Shyamalan movie "The Happening"...

Yes I do, and it's not very kind-hearted to kick the one who's already floored (theres a typical Swedish expression for you all), but, in this context, I just have to.

 Da plants! Da plants! They are-a killing us! But why? Oh why?

Dead! Now they're dead! Da plants are all dead! And why?

 The Deus Ex Machina factor of this movie is so obvious that I don't have to point it out really. It's driven by nonlogical unexplained events, and the only way for the director to end this nonsense is by...

What? Da plants! Da plants are all dead! And why? They didn't want to attack us humans anymore? Or is it because plants don't have any logical thinking whatsoever, them being plants and all? No, it must be because The Force Of Nature, which started all this, just decided to also end it all.

 Ok, let's end this movie.

(But let's open up the possibility of "The Happening 2 - Revenge Of The Algae!).

Re:Weekly Theme for November 10: Whatchamacallit, a Deus Ex Machina!

This isn't necessarily a great example of the theme, but I've always found it exceedingly interesting that the phrase is used in Donnie Darko.  When Donnie is in the bathroom, about to get his ass kicked, someone else walks in and Seth (who has a 666 in his locker if you look closely) is forced to back down.  At that point, Donnie whispers a barely audible 'deus ex machina'.  It's always been a bit of a confusing point in the film for me, and I suppose that it could simply be that the unexpected entrance of someone else, however I find it interesting the writers specifically referenced 'deus ex machina' instead of simply having Donnie say 'thank god' or something to that effect.  Maybe I'm looking for meaning where there isn't any?

mercurial:

A deus ex machina (lat. IPA: [ˈdeːus eks ˈmaːkʰina], literally "god from a/the machine")^[1] is a god brought on the stage by a mechanical device^[2] or 'an improbable contrivance in a story characterized by a sudden unexpected solution to a seemingly intractable problem'.^[1] Thus, the term "deus ex machina" has come to mean any inferior plot device that expeditiously solves the conflict of a narrative.

In fiction writing, the phrase has been extended to refer to a sudden and unexpected resolution to a seemingly intractable problem in a plotline, or what might be called an "Oh, by the way..." ending.^[1] A deus ex machina is generally undesirable in writing and often implies a lack of skill on the part of the author because it does not pay due regard to the story's internal logic and is often so unlikely that it challenges suspension of disbelief, allowing the author to conclude the story with an unlikely, though more palatable, ending.^[29] A well-known modern example of deus ex machinaoccurs in the Michael Crichton book The Andromeda Strain. The pathogen referred to in the title is suddenly rendered non-lethal by a random mutation which apparently affects every existing virus particle instantaneously.

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

This week is all about those films that use some "creative storytelling" to further a plot that might otherwise be stymied. Probably one of the most flagrant uses of a deus ex machina in recent film history has to be in Magnolia (I won't give any spoilers for those who haven't seen the film, so let's just say it involves one of the biblical plagues occurring in the center of Los Angeles). My personal favorites have to be in Shakespeare in Love when Queen Elizabeth suddenly appears to save the day and declare that Gwyneth Paltrow is really a man and Adaptation, the film about writing a film, which pokes fun at Hollywood writers that use D.E.M. in their films.

Has time sorted things to where using a deus ex machina is a good thing? Or was Horace right in thinking it is a moronic device that shows a lack of creativity? Should films avoid it and leave it for television shows like The Simpsons? Let get talkin!

 

Re:Weekly Theme for November 10: Whatchamacallit, a Deus Ex Machina!

mercurial:

A well-known modern example of deus ex machinaoccurs in the Michael Crichton book The Andromeda Strain. The pathogen referred to in the title is suddenly rendered non-lethal by a random mutation which apparently affects every existing virus particle instantaneously. 

Wasn't it also a virus that kills the aliens suddenly in The War of the Worlds?

And the The Wizard of Oz has Dorothy suddenly finding out she could go home all along just by using her slippers.  But since everything is kind of goofy in Oz and there isn't a lot of expectations or logic anyways, I don't know if this really counts.

Re:Weekly Theme for November 10: Whatchamacallit, a Deus Ex Machina!

Risselada:

Wasn't it also a virus that kills the aliens suddenly in The War of the Worlds?

I was thinking of this movie too, but then I read a little article saying that the demise of the aliens by the simplest of organisms was actually apropos. But then again, it could just have been someone trying to make excuses for it.

Re:Weekly Theme for November 10: Whatchamacallit, a Deus Ex Machina!

Another spoofing of the Deus Ex Machina is in Dodgeball at the end when the money is presented in a giant treasure chest that has the phrase Deus Ex Machina printed on the front.

Re:Weekly Theme for November 10: Whatchamacallit, a Deus Ex Machina!

mercurial:

Another spoofing of the Deus Ex Machina is in Dodgeball at the end when the money is presented in a giant treasure chest that has the phrase Deus Ex Machina printed on the front.

Oh yeah, don't forget about Beerfest - When Kevin Heffernan dies........... and oh yeah, forgot to mention, he had a twin brother.

Re:Weekly Theme for November 10: Whatchamacallit, a Deus Ex Machina!

mercurial:

 

Probably one of the most flagrant uses of a deus ex machina in recent film history has to be in Magnolia (I won't give any spoilers for those who haven't seen the film, so let's just say it involves one of the biblical plagues occurring in the center of Los Angeles).

 

Along the same lines as Magnolia, you would have to mention The Hudsucker Proxy.

It's weird, in both of those cases, I actually liked the how the movie turned out. I think that if mechinism used it sooo illogical and far out, it kinda works. I think it's just because it still shows creativity on the part of the screenwriter. Where as in the case of Shakespeare in Love, the mechinism makes it seem like the writer was stuck in a corner and this is a ditch effort to fix it.

Re:Weekly Theme for November 10: Whatchamacallit, a Deus Ex Machina!

I recall the Hudsucker Proxy's amusing use of Deus Ex Machina.

My contribution today would have to be Signs. The alien invasions is conveniently stopped when it is discovered that good old H20 is a corrosive acid for the invaders. (Why would you invade a planet that was 75% water if water can kill you?)

I would potentially reference Independence Day as a film that also utilizes deus ex machina, but that might be slightly more subjective.

Re:Weekly Theme for November 10: Whatchamacallit, a Deus Ex Machina!

Risselada:

mercurial:

A well-known modern example of deus ex machinaoccurs in the Michael Crichton book The Andromeda Strain. The pathogen referred to in the title is suddenly rendered non-lethal by a random mutation which apparently affects every existing virus particle instantaneously. 

Wasn't it also a virus that kills the aliens suddenly in The War of the Worlds?

And the The Wizard of Oz has Dorothy suddenly finding out she could go home all along just by using her slippers.  But since everything is kind of goofy in Oz and there isn't a lot of expectations or logic anyways, I don't know if this really counts.

  Thank you, Rizzo.   I was going to bring up  The War of the Worlds  but you guys beat me to it.   The Wizard of OZ  is another good one.

   Here is my rather lengthy question for you guys..

   I can completely understand your definition of this "duche in the machine" thing and it makes perfect sense to me.   Using a cheap plot device to rescue your main characters and your story?   UNHEARD OF!   I think that this exact thing exists in EVERY single story ever filmed or written or told!   Isn't THAT what makes a good story?   A series of highly unusual but possible events occuring at just the right time to make something extraordinary happen?   So what is the difference between this and that "douche" thing?\

   Secondly, I am (more or less) a writer.   I have been working on the same novel-length story off and on for more than the past few years...   My story is pretty much original but it borrows heavily from films such as  The Texas Chainsaw Massacre  and  The Hills Have Eyes  and  Anthropaphagus  as well as such novels as Jack Ketchum's  "Off Season"  (which I can't believe hasn't been made into a movie yet!)  and  "AMOK"  by George Fox...

   Basically my story revolves around a string of VERY unlikely events all occurring at just the right time to create a "perfect storm", if you will...   I think that basically ALL stories incorporate this to some extent!   So I would really like you to explain to me just what is this "douche machine" of which you speak...

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