The Rocky Horror Picture Show : I don't get it

I don't get it

Hey everyone, I'm just wondering about this movie. I've watched it a few times, and I really like the music and the acting, but I feel like I'm missing something. The way other people talk about this show, it makes it sound so big and amazing, but when I watch it I feel like I've not understood the joke. Can someone explain to me why you all love it so much? I'd really like to know, but it seems like the kind of show I should enjoy!



Do not order the Skip's Scramble.

Re: I don't get it

It WAS big. Now it' a chunk of 70's-80's nostalgia for those who participated in the phenomenon. As a movie itself, it's a cute musical with good music and a comically (alternatively) sexualized send-up of 1950's "B" sci-fi movies.

And so much is lost with the home video experience.

Watching it today can never compare to the experience of seeing it in the theaters in the late 70's. And if you haven's done that, then you can never be "in on the joke" because you really HAD to be there.



**WARNING: MY POSTS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS**
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Re: I don't get it

It depends, I don't know the age of the OP but after the original fans who had a theater experience I'm not sure how the average viewer sees RHPS nowadays. First off the movie scene is like future shock, with budgets, effects, home video, etc. In the late 70's we were thrilled to get a bootleg VHS of RHPS from Japan! Otherwise you just didn't see movies at home on demand.

Later on when it was out on home video and my midnight-going had settled down I was surprised to find out I really enjoy RHPS at home. I was alway in costume, has toast and newspapers, etc, but kind of like "Grease" was a great home video wath I found Rocky to be one also. It is kind of nice to NOT have all of the distractions we had for years, the only way to watch it for a long time.

I know some people say it doesn't stand on it's own but we all differ. Maybe the OP's expectations were puffed up by someone. Maybe a simple explanation of the history that led to the cult craze and that it's still a great musical produced onstage worldwide, and they would just enjoy it.

Re: I don't get it

Blue_Eyes_James: You make some good points.

But, I think there is a difference between the following two scenarios:

(1) Seeing it live in the theater and then later watching it again as a DVD at home. (That seems to be what you did.)

versus

(2) Never seeing it live in the theater and then only watching it as a DVD at home. (That seems to be what the original poster did, I am guessing.)

So, those are two very different experiences.

In other words, you can really appreciate the film when you watch it as a DVD at home, but only if you have had the theater experience with the film prior.

If you never had the theater experience with this film first, there is no way that one can truly "appreciate" what the film is all about.

It's not about sitting down, watching a 2-hour film, and seeing the plot unfold. Rather, it's about sitting down in a room with other people, watching the 2-hour film, and seeing the plot unfold.


Re: I don't get it

Joseph, your response is right on. It's all about the experience, stepping into another subculture for a couple of hours. I find the movie, um, uninvolving, on its own.

Re: I don't get it

It's reputation is PURE myth at this point in time.
Originally, it was panned, then slowly celebrated for being arguably the worst movie ever made, and then over the years since it's been GLORIFIED by PC people that (rather insist and) believe that EVERYTHING is acceptable (particularly anything sexual-related), and so you have an ultimately unique ... giant heap of $%^ that should have polarizing audiences but in reality has one very devoted cult audience (ever-growing somehow), and then is safely ignored by the majority.

The movie is basically untouchable, except by freaks and ESPECIALLY the psychotically PC. It, OF COURSE, is pure garbage, and the closest thing to excrement on screen, and yet it's STILL celebrated, so it's safe to say that it is (apparently) a phenomenon.

That's about it.

(Good question!)

Re: I don't get it

I guess you told us!

Re: I don't get it

Pink Flamingos is closer to pure excrement on-screen. Literally.

Re: I don't get it

I remind myself I'm putting money into 20th Century Fox-Fox News- Republican National Committee so, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Now ask me how I really feel, I'm just here for the comments.

Re: I don't get it

It's not a film for everyone. It's absurdities will either ring with you or they won't. You like the music, which is half the battle though.

https://zitzelfilm.wordpress.com

Re: I don't get it


It's not about sitting down, watching a 2-hour film, and seeing the plot unfold. Rather, it's about sitting down in a room with other people, watching the 2-hour film, and seeing the plot unfold.


You have to add the...

'sitting down in a room with other people who shout " @SSH01e!" at the
screen and throw toasted bread around the theater,
and who whip toilet paper over your head when that guy says, " GREAT SCOTT!".


Yah, you gotta be there.



Pffft, my suspension of disbelief has higher standards than that.

Re: I don't get it

First time I saw it, I hated it. I didn't like the weirdo stuff, didn't like the sex stuff, didn't think it was well done, didn't think it was even interesting. I thought it sucked, I hated it.

Buuut, as time went on, somehow the movie grew on me. It has poor production values. It's mostly dumb. It has a lot of weird sex stuff and freaky people in it. Buuut, it is fun to watch. There is another level, if you look for it. And also, if you open your mind, it's pretty funny. And if you see it in a theater, with people, it's just fun to watch and participate in.

It's not for everyone. But it doesn't have to be. But clearly it appeals to people, and has continued to appeal to people for 40 years. Hard to argue with that.

Re: I don't get it

DO NOT watch this movie on DVD/TV by yourself or with others who have never seen it.

It is meant to be viewed with an audience that has seen it many many times. The funny lines people say are hilarious!

It's like watching a live version of Mystery Science Theater 3000 with a bunch of homo sex stuff.

If you've never seen Mystery Science Theater 3000 check that out on video first to understand the type of humor in RHPS

Re: I don't get it

The lines that fans scream out are hilarious. And they keep changing.

Re: I don't get it

I dig this film because it's a glorious celebration of to-hell-with-it individuality and being true to your own freaky self.

Yes, this is really me.
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