Monday Morning Poll: Controversial Films
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy, Fandom, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand, Movie Marketing
One of the greatest things about a controversial film is that it sparks debate. It shocks us. Scares us. Changes us. And helps us to look at the world differently. Be it about war, religion, politics or pop-culture, a good controversy will often lead to a colorful discussion. However, Hollywood doesn't really care about discussion or debate -- to them, controversy equals big box office numbers ... some of the time.
Take, for example, recent films like The Da Vinci Code and United 93. One was controversial for its belief that Jesus Christ was married and fathered a child -- an idea that goes against what many feel is a proven truth. The other was about a horrific event that took place only five years ago, and raised questions over whether or not it was too soon to come out with a commercial film about what actually took place. While The Da Vinci Code took in millions at the box office, United 93 didn't do as well. However, both were engulfed in controversy. What does this tell us? Well, for starters, Jesus will always be Hollywood's number one superstar.
This week's Entertainment Weekly ranks the 25 most controversial films of all time. Not surprisingly, Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ came in at number one. Also on the list are JFK, A Clockwork Orange, Natural Born Killers, Basic Instinct and Fahrenheit 9/11, among others. Some of these films are controversial because of only one or two scenes. I mean, Clockwork is number 2 on the list, mainly because of its one violent scene. Does it belong there? On a list that spans the entire history of film?
So, I ask you: How should we rate controversial films on a list like this? Also, what makes one stand out from the next. Oh, and for fun, what are some of your favorite controversial films of all time?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-12-2006 @ 9:56AM
JT said...
The Passion is not much a controversial film as it is a propaganda piece. Controversial means more to me than a simple depiction of some portions of the bible. What's controversial about the "Passion" is the media coverage and the recuperation by integrists, not the movie itself.
Just my 2 cents...
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6-12-2006 @ 10:42AM
Kevin said...
As far as "A Clockwork Orange," its also not controversial for "mainly its one violent scene." Its controversial because, in the end, we ask if changing a monster like Alex is right -- or at least, how far we want to go in doing something like that. Its controversial, then, due to the underlying meaning of the film.
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6-12-2006 @ 11:05AM
Travon Boykins said...
I'm a little bewildered that a movie like Salo isn't on the list. Then again, it's EW...not exactly the bastion of depth and substance. If that movie ever got re-released in the States, I'm not too sure what the uproar would be...but damn sure there would be one.
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6-12-2006 @ 11:17AM
Christopher Campbell said...
Travon, the film did make the top spot on Time Out's list, which also has other films not included in EW:
http://www.cinematical.com/2006/05/02/time-out-names-most-controversial-films-of-all-time/
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6-12-2006 @ 1:07PM
Alex said...
A film is as controversial as the public's reaction to it dictates. The thing about this list is that it's impossible to quantify level of controversy, only its social relevance, so I would say that Triumph of the Will would have to be at or near the top (and not AFTER The Warriors). If we're taking the vantage point of the US specifically, then Birth of a Nation ought to be right after that. But since there are so many different ways to look at what is more controversial than what, it would help to have the editors really thought about what they were using as criteria. I mean, Aladdin is on the list but Taxi Driver and Midnight Cowboy aren't? I heard a bigger stink being made over the use of the "N-word" in Jackie Brown than the lyrics in Aladdin.
We shouldn't expect the world from EW, but the problem lies in our desire for a definitive satisfying list, which will never happen. It's only frustrating that the more unsatisfying the list is, the better the dialogue sparked by it.
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6-12-2006 @ 1:44PM
Cath said...
Controversial is a loaded term addressing not so much content as context. The most subversive films are almost never controversial because they either get sunk somewhere along the line or are too small release for the usual hotheads to get their dander up. Groups have also gotten sufficiently sophisticated that they know better than to attack a film directly. Better to simply say it's boring or not very good and you will depress box office. A lot of people I know went to The Passion just because "everyone was talking about it" and were really sorry they did.
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6-12-2006 @ 5:49PM
RC of strangeculture said...
Clockwork is not controversial for just one scene...the whole movie is uncomfortable and while the message is interesting, it's controversial in themes (sex, violence, rape, psychological reformation) as well as in images, sexual and violent.
--RC of strangeculture.blogspot.com
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6-13-2006 @ 7:03PM
NYCinephile said...
I was struck by the absence of "Salo" from EW's list, as well. I had always heard it referred to in hushed whispers as "one of the most shocking movies ever made." After renting it, I understood why.
"Controversial" seems very dependent on time and place. I remember the furor over "Clockwork Orange"...but is its imagery more disturbing than that of "Requiem for a Dream", which barely caused a stir?
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