How many times have you watched DMS?

[TCD]

I've now watched this film six times It's one of my all time favourites and i just cant get bored of watching it! I will easily watch it another six more times

[Gareth]

I'd say going on 20 od, must of shown it to at least 10 people,

seen this is england at least 30 times

[TCD]

garethbowler said:

I'd say going on 20 od, must of shown it to at least 10 people,

seen this is england at least 30 times

That's impressive mate! I don't think i'll ever get bored of watching it

[GR]

I'm impressed with the both of you!

I've watched DMS (when I first got it on DVD in June) and TIE (on the big screen in September and on DVD last month) only twice each so far, and I've watched the DMS DVD commentary once.

They're both excellent films, but they sure stay with you afterwards!

Maybe one of these weekends I should have a marathon of those two, plus ARFRB and 24-7...

[Gareth]

yeah you can't beat a meadows marathon, I've only managed all of them in one day once

[bickle]

I've probably watched it about 10 or 12 times. I watched it 3 times in the first 24 hours of buying it!

[Fintan]

I had to watch it second time on Film 4 as the first showing subtitled stopped midway after a showing of an advert!
the DVD does not contain subtitles

[RydCook]

I'd say about... 5 times. Not that many i know! I like to spread out my viewings though.

[anonlytwin]

been studying it for a year and half for me phd... easily about 30 or 40 times now... still laugh throughout though

[carolyn]

fgaughan said:

I had to watch it second time on Film 4 as the first showing subtitled stopped midway after a showing of an advert!
the DVD does not contain subtitles

Why aren't subtitles a standard option, I would have thought that the film companies would have covered this, it's ridiculous as it excludes so many people. Couldn't technology be set up where we just select subtitles if they are required? Have you contacted film companies about this or the BBC?

Carolyn x

[carolyn]

I've probably watched this film properly about five/six times but I have also had it on as background sound as well. Strange, I was listening to the soundtrack on Sunday and thought I am due another viewing. I lent by DVD to someone who I know and they joked that they thought it was part of somebody's porn collection. "Dead Man's Shoes" - geddit? I thought it was funny anyway.

Carolyn x

[carolyn]

anonlytwin said:

been studying it for a year and half for me phd... easily about 30 or 40 times now... still laugh throughout though

I think this film is just packed with social messages. I bet it's really interesting to study. From what angle are you coming - filming or social issues?

What got me was whether we would be swept up with the group even though everybody knows that it is wrong. Especially with drugs involved.

It's interesting what you say about laughing at the film. The first couple of times that I watched it I didn't laugh or even smile at the characters involved. However, as you watch it more you can, strangely, start to like a couple of the characters. How weird is this and does this support the theory that the more we see violence/nastiness, the more acceptable it becomes?

I'd be interested to read your thesis. When will it be finished?

Carolyn x

[anonlytwin]

carolyn said:

anonlytwin said:

been studying it for a year and half for me phd... easily about 30 or 40 times now... still laugh throughout though

I think this film is just packed with social messages. I bet it's really interesting to study. From what angle are you coming - filming or social issues?
What got me was whether we would be swept up with the group even though everybody knows that it is wrong. Especially with drugs involved.
It's interesting what you say about laughing at the film. The first couple of times that I watched it I didn't laugh or even smile at the characters involved. However, as you watch it more you can, strangely, start to like a couple of the characters. How weird is this and does this support the theory that the more we see violence/nastiness, the more acceptable it becomes?

well, i'm studying it as part of a thesis that is attempting to define the way in which social realism has changed over the years, since the british new wave. so its a discussion of social realist style and subject matter... my argument with regard to dms and shane in general is that its/his use of laughter (even in moments of horror, brutality etc) forges a heightened sense of realism... it also discusses what you've said about the likability of alot of the characters even though they are the 'bad guys'... life isn't always about good/bad/right/wrong its more complicated than that and laughter in his films embraces this.... its changed about a million times thus far though, so it will probably change a million times again before it is finished

[carolyn]

anonlytwin said:

well, i'm studying it as part of a thesis that is attempting to define the way in which social realism has changed over the years, since the british new wave. so its a discussion of social realist style and subject matter... my argument with regard to dms and shane in general is that its/his use of laughter (even in moments of horror, brutality etc) forges a heightened sense of realism... it also discusses what you've said about the likability of alot of the characters even though they are the 'bad guys'... life isn't always about good/bad/right/wrong its more complicated than that and laughter in his films embraces this.... its changed about a million times thus far though, so it will probably change a million times again before it is finished

I don't understand what you mean by "social realism". I think I have an idea about what you mean about laughter and violence. Would you suggest that the humour accompanying the violence suggests that it was really meant and wasn't a big deal at all. Also, that it wasn't a big deal to the person carrying out the violence. I was more interested in DMS because of persuasion and group behaviour and how we could get swept along with a group. This happens all the time in a lesser way, in offices and social groups in general. It is always easier to go along with a group than stand against them. I have recently left a job and had a colleague where it seemed that you had to go along with her entirely or you were well and truely out of the social group. I felt the effect of this and even though I didn't want to go along with everything it is still upsetting when you feel pushed out. Weird eh?

[anonlytwin]

yeah the ideas of belonging/recognition/community/camaraderie are all involved in the discussion... but nope, the humour does not detract from the violence, if anything- for me- it makes it even more immediate and realistic