Too much violence from Hollywood? Try a little Shakespeare

Dear Dann: Hi! I'm a mom of two adolescent boys, and I'm wondering if you notice, like I have, that the percentage of violent movies coming out this last year is increasing! I am chilled to see how much of the content is "chilling" and "gory," and I'm wondering if you are chilled, too. I've noticed that the Time Out! insert is increasingly focused on violence, no doubt because that's what's increasingly coming out of Hollywood.

I've also noticed that in our local Blockbuster (which has closed recently) the shelves were filled overwhelmingly with violent movies and violence mixed with sex and torture-themed movies. They've always been around, but now it seems that one after another is filled with it. Is it starting to get you depressed and anxious for the future of this country like it is me?

And, finally, here's the actual fact-based question: Is it possible to research the rising percentage of violent movies from a source that you trust, or do you monitor it in some way? - Allison Wahlberg

Dear Allison: You ask very good and prudent questions.

Violent movies don't make me depressed and anxious for the future of this country any more than William Shakespeare's "Titus Andronicus" made 16th-century Englishmen depressed and anxious for the future of theirs.

If you'll recall, the Bard's tale tells about a young woman who is raped, then her tongue is cut out and her hands chopped off so she can't squeal on her attackers. This is the same play in which the queen unknowingly eats a pie made of her two murdered sons.

Hollywood has nothing on the Bard.

I have learned over time that the amount or percentage of violent movies doesn't mean much. Levels of violence in mainstream films tend to ebb and flow in cycles the same as when gluts of sappy romances or pirate movies come and go at the box office.

We don't really need less violence in movies, Allison. We need better quality violence.

We need storytellers who can employ this dramatic device (violence) effectively and appropriately, given the subject and style of a film.

Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg are masters at handling violence in their movies, be it the PG-rated "Jaws" or the hard R-rated "Goodfellas." George Romero used graphic violence to horrifically artful ends in the unrated "Night of the Living Dead." Sam Raimi turned ultra-graphic violence into freaky black comedy in the "Evil Dead" movies.

However, Allison, many filmmakers don't know how to properly employ or stage violent scenes, and wind up with stupid, inane motion pictures that use violence to keep audiences awake or frame the violent acts so that they have no meaning beyond sadistic titillation.

Yes, Time out! occasionally runs photos suggesting violent acts. I select most of the photos in the movie section, and I choose photos that most accurately represent the personality and content of each film. So, if a movie possesses a lot of violence or mayhem, I try to select a photo that relates this so parents and patrons have an accurate idea of what to expect. I hope this addresses your concerns. - Dann

Teen Screen winners!Thirteen movie shorts finalists have been selected to be shown at the 2010 Screen Test Student Fest at 8 p.m. today at the Schaumburg Prairie Arts Center, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Several judges (including your favorite local movie critic) selected the finalists, ranging from inventive animated fun ("Glue Blues") to a serious examination of rape culture ("Our Hidden Culture"). Student filmmakers range from grades 5 through 12.Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students. Go to ci.schaumburg.il.us/pca for tickets and information.'Lightkeepers' Where?Dear Dann: I recently read an article about the movie "Lightkeepers." It was supposed to be released last month. It stars Richard Dreyfuss and Blythe Danner. Is it going to be available on the big screen or is it a direct-to-DVD? I found a trailer for it on Hulu.com. but no other information. - Earl SternfeldDear Earl: According to Terra Potts of New Films International, "Lightkeepers" will not be released in the Chicago area, but it will eventually come to DVD. She advises checking thelightkeepersmovie.com for DVD release dates. - DannHeadline too gruesomeDann: I wanted to voice my disgust in the headline on the front page of Sunday's paper (April 18). I felt that "Body severed in half" is too gruesome for readers of all ages to view. - Nick TroyNick: It's always a tricky thing for a headline writer to accurately summarize a story in only four words. I think the headline is blunt, but appropriate, given the savage nature of the crime story I wrote for news that day. If the headline is too gruesome for all readers, does that suggest the story's content is too gruesome as well? Should the Daily Herald not cover events involving killing and dismemberment?Alas, we must. And headlines should accurately reflect those stories without sensationalizing their subjects more than their gruesome natures already do. - DannIt's 'Mother' at AHFSSouth Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho's fourth movie "Mother" will be shown by the After Hours Film Society at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Tivoli Theater, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. General admission costs $9. The gripping drama involves a Korean mother who fights for her young, developmentally disabled son, accused of killing a young girl. Rated R for drug use, language, sexual situations, violence. 129 minutes. Go to afterhoursfilmsociety.com for details.AMC theater ads back!Some of you noticed that the AMC theater ads were gone from the Time out! section last week. Not to worry. The AMC ads are returning to Time out! Even I go to the AMC South Barrington upon occasion to pick up a stray movie or two.