KELLY

There are two movies I am desperately trying to watch and both of them involve graphic violence, blood and death. So, why do I want to watch them? I just told you.

The bad thing is that I know quite a few people who feel the same way. Simply put, no war movie, no gladiator show and no hand-to-hand combat flick which guarantees blood and gore, never flop yet at local cinemas. In fact, they even get held over for an extra few weeks.

Affinity for blood

The long and short of the whole thing is that we seem to have an affinity for blood and seeing it flow. I'm sure we've all been to at least one movie in which someone got decapitated and at least one person in the audience found it funny. How many times have you left a cinema after watching what was supposed to be a spine-tingling horror movie and hear people cussing loudly that they didn't get their money's worth? In truth, some of these horror flicks have weak storylines but, much of the time, people are dissatisfied because we've become so used to the sight of gory murders, it's not scary anymore.

People will stand for hours looking at all the blood exiting a body which has just been introduced to about 40 bullets. News of multiple murders don't hit us with the same impact as let's say, 10 years ago, unless they involve children. On a slightly lighter note, some people don't suffer from an upset stomach if they see a dog (or what's left of one), splattered on the road. The average motorist might wince at the sight, but for the most part, we say 'that had to hurt' and simply move along.

While not being an expert on human behaviour, this seeming prevalence of coldness can't be a good thing. Even the older folks who used to lament when three people were murdered in a year are no longer lamenting the three murdered in a day. Some merely hope they're not next and carry on.

Media

We in the media don't help the matter either. If a 'regular' guy gets gunned down in broad daylight, it is not news. The victim has to be popular or the number of victims hasto be a little greater to get any attention.

The Virginia Tech shooting last week, troubled some because of the number of victims as opposed to the fact that another troubled young man went over the edge. If he had killed let's say one classmate and then himself, would the story have been as shocking? If your answer is no, then you see my point.

Feedback:daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com