While on this wonderful adventure that we call human life, you'll eventually run into some awkward situations. If we spoke plainly there would be less confusion, but the truth isn't practical most of the time. Who wants to waste a day with pointless confrontations? It's easier to lie and deceive in subtle, or obvious ways.
Just know that there are problems with our passive aggressive policy. One main concern is that it becomes habitual. Dishonesty is crime committed for convenience, and in today's world it's almost trivial. We expect hypocrisy from many people, and we make fun of the neighbors that haven't caught on.
With the trap in plain sight, we still fall into it. There's no shortage of popular, condescending pricks. For some of us it's all about the in-crowd, and everyone outside of it is simply out of luck. We tell ourselves that they'll get the message eventually, and they'll get over it soon enough.
Then the day comes when you meet some scary people, and you want all the distance you can possibly get. They're not getting the message and you don't how to be honest, so you frantically search for an exit route while they laugh behind your back. Things left unsaid are often understood, and a smart aleck can play dumb, just to watch you squirm.
Classic Movie Trailers - The Addams Family (1991)
Of all the genre combinations available, comedy and horror is the most intriguing. They seem to be naturally opposed, but they're pretty effective together. In the context of a horror story, comedy is complimentary. I'd even say that it helps to create better scares.
There's nothing like a good joke, to break from constant tension. They give you a moment to breathe and relax, before you're thrust back into the fire. Additionally, funny moments tend to be disarming. If you really want people terrified, make them laugh before you scare them.
I like to think of it as a rubber band effect. The introduction of the opposing reaction, is stronger because of what came before. I can't think of an example off the top my head, but I've never laughed so hard as when I'd just been scared to death. If a character is frightened instead, they can be very amusing, like Scooby-Doo and Shaggy.
With "The Addams Family" characters, we get all the advantages of our mixed feelings. We're allowed to laugh at them and at others, but the greatest thing they do is help us laugh at ourselves. Imagine meeting Lurch on a dark and cloudy day. Would you scream and run at the sight of him, or would you smile nervously and drift away?
We're apt to act unnaturally and hide it when we're uncomfortable. We don't want to cause a scene and we don't want to be embarrassed. The thing about it is, we're all too revealing. We can laugh about it later but we're prisoners of the moment.
They know it too. Don't be fooled by the ominous stares. They're doing it on purpose and they're loving every minute. When you're talking to your friends about how creepy these guys are, they're laughing at all of you and your obvious fears.
It's pretty interesting when you consider it. Some characters are created solely to be laughed at. With this family we do a fair amount of that, but for the most part, we're chuckling at a mirror. The fact that they're peculiar is a means to an end; their appearance isn't as important as our reaction to them.
You may not have thought of this, but true expressions are very good things. They definitely cause drama but as long as they're honest, that's okay. Sometimes, your first impression is the right one. It may cause a scene if you run and scream, but either way you survive it.
Trailer Here.
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See "The Addams Family" on Netflix!
Next week: "Major League" followed by "Half Baked".
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