Thursday, November 20, 2008

Books and Movies

On Monday I blogged about what men like to read (manfiction), then yesterday, I blogged about what teenage boys like to read (action with no preachiness). That got me to thinking about the movies.

Sure, there are a lot of “women’s” movies -- romantic comedies, chick flicks, tear jerkers. But most of the big blockbusters seem, to me, to be movies men like -- action adventure. Take the newest James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. That was non-stop action, with lots of gunplay and impossible stunts -- with a couple of beautiful women thrown in.

Are these types of movies blockbusters because men go to them? Yes. And no. They’re money makers because men go to them and women do as well. On the other hand, most men don’t go to a chick flick willingly -- or easily.

And I think the same thing can be said of books. Men won’t be caught dead in the airport buying a romance novel with a pink cover. But women will pick up a Lee Child book.

What do you think?

12 comments:

  1. I think this extends beyond books, and there's probably some kind of psychological thesis floating around about it. Women can indulge in "cross-gender" hobbies, dress, and even names. We can read thrillers, play football, wear tuxedos and call ourselves Alex when our moms name us Alexandra, and society (for the most part) approves. If a man reads romances, knits, wears dresses and calls himself Kenley because his real name is Ken, we are not so understanding.

    Actually, only the dress-wearing part would concern me...

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  2. I think that although men now wear earrings, they still draw the line on what they can be seen doing in public. My husband loves romantic comedies but he would never be seen reading a pink covered romance novel in public. :)

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  3. Gayle and Jean -- I think you're right.

    If I wanted to go see a romantic comedy, my husband could be talked into going along, but he wouldn't suggest one or go on his own. It's just not what he likes. And he wouldn't read a romance. For one thing, he'd never see it since he heads straight to the mystery/suspense aisles, whether he's in a book store or a store at the airport.

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  4. That's why e-books are so great! Men can read romance on an e-book reader and everybody will think they are reading Richard Stark.

    A lot of what you can get away with in public depends on your size and attitude. Former NFL lineman Roosevelt Grier, who became RFK's bodyguard and tackled Sirhan Sirhan, did needlepoint for fun. I don't think he ever had to apologize for what he did in public.

    I think the men/women differences are mainly around the fringes. My wife and I overlap pretty much in our tastes in books and movies. The differences are which ones make us cry. She will cry over An Affair To Remember and Sabrina (the Audrey Hepburn version) and I'll cry over Field of Dreams and Reservoir Dogs. Seriously, what man doesn't get misty-eyed when Terry Mann (James Earl Jones) goes into the corn, or when Ray Kinsella meets his father's ghost and has a game of catch? Damn, I'm getting weepy just thinking about it.

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  5. I'll cry at Field of Dreams, Mark. Never seen Reservoir Dogs, but I'd probably cry. Shoot, I cry at commercials. I can turn on a show, don't know the characters or what's happening, and cry. I'm turning into a wimpy waterfall, I swear.

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  6. Cool and onversation. Men have SUCH an image to uphold. LOL. Gotta agree with Gayle, women are MUCH more free and comfortable "crossing over"

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  7. Personally I would rather go and see an action movie or read a thriller than I would see or read a romance. Unless of course Keanu Reeves is in it. LOL

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  8. I'm lucky in that my boyfriend (who loves his Utilikilts above most of the rest of his wardrobe - he has the legs for them, so I'm all for it) is one of the few men I've met who will watch just about anything with me. I found Gayle's point about society being more indulgent towards women who "cross-gender" interesting and accurate. It's also interesting that in nature and also in past historical eras, men were the peacocks in their lace trimmed breeches et al...

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  9. D'oh!!! My boyfriend's google account was open when I left that last comment. The one about my boyfriend wearing a kilt. :-)

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  10. Heh. One thing he probably wouldn't appreciate is me posting as him talking about 'his boyfriend.' I think he'd draw the line at that.

    Sorry, honey... :-)

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  11. Oh, Dana, you made me laugh. And I like to laugh much more than cry!

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  12. Dana - man, are you going to get in trouble, leaving comments all over town as your BF! ;-)

    I forgot, in my original comment, to add that, altho my hubby will watch ANY sporting event (and there's never been a sport he hasn't injured himself attempting), I frequently come home on Saturdays to find him watching the Lifetime Movie Channel. We'll just keep that our little secret, yes?

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