What does it mean for movies or TV shows to “hold up”?

[Alex]

Taking a day off because it's snowing, so I'm sitting on my couch eating soup and watching Austin Powers. I'm interested to see if it holds up.

Tommy’s post, above, from the “what movies are you watching?” thread sparked a thought. What does it mean for an old movie (or television show, for that matter) to “hold up?” Do we primarily judge whether its visuals still look as if they would be in vogue today? Do we look to prescient socio-political messaging? Do we look for once-anachronistic images that are now commonplace? Help me understand, RM.

Let’s consign only the visual arts to this thread, in the name of thread integrity. Music should be discussed separately.

[tree_]

Taking a day off because it's snowing, so I'm sitting on my couch eating soup and watching Austin Powers. I'm interested to see if it holds up.

Tommy’s post, above, from the “what movies are you watching?” thread sparked a thought. What does it mean for an old movie (or television show, for that matter) to “hold up?” Do we primarily judge whether its visuals still look as if they would be in vogue today? Do we look to prescient socio-political messaging? Do we look for once-anachronistic images that are now commonplace? Help me understand, RM.

Let’s consign only the visual arts to this thread, in the name of thread integrity. Music should be discussed separately.

I think this mostly only applies to comedy, for me. Comedy often works because it feels novel, or because it is pushing a boundary. Once the boundary has shifted, or because people have worn out the "catch phrases", or scenes or moments have been discussed or mimicked or mocked in other movies enough times, the comedy may no longer feel as relevant or impactful.

[Ensign9]

Comedy's the easiest to measure. Does it make you laugh?

[Alex]

Taking a day off because it's snowing, so I'm sitting on my couch eating soup and watching Austin Powers. I'm interested to see if it holds up.

Tommy’s post, above, from the “what movies are you watching?” thread sparked a thought. What does it mean for an old movie (or television show, for that matter) to “hold up?” Do we primarily judge whether its visuals still look as if they would be in vogue today? Do we look to prescient socio-political messaging? Do we look for once-anachronistic images that are now commonplace? Help me understand, RM.

Let’s consign only the visual arts to this thread, in the name of thread integrity. Music should be discussed separately.

I think this mostly only applies to comedy, for me. Comedy often works because it feels novel, or because it is pushing a boundary. Once the boundary has shifted, or because people have worn out the "catch phrases", or scenes or moments have been discussed or mimicked or mocked in other movies enough times, the comedy may no longer feel as relevant or impactful.

Interesting. Does that mean physical comedy has a timeless quality, since it is divorced from connotation? Indeed, does a fart live longer than mere words?

[tree_]

Taking a day off because it's snowing, so I'm sitting on my couch eating soup and watching Austin Powers. I'm interested to see if it holds up.

Tommy’s post, above, from the “what movies are you watching?” thread sparked a thought. What does it mean for an old movie (or television show, for that matter) to “hold up?” Do we primarily judge whether its visuals still look as if they would be in vogue today? Do we look to prescient socio-political messaging? Do we look for once-anachronistic images that are now commonplace? Help me understand, RM.

Let’s consign only the visual arts to this thread, in the name of thread integrity. Music should be discussed separately.

I think this mostly only applies to comedy, for me. Comedy often works because it feels novel, or because it is pushing a boundary. Once the boundary has shifted, or because people have worn out the "catch phrases", or scenes or moments have been discussed or mimicked or mocked in other movies enough times, the comedy may no longer feel as relevant or impactful.

Interesting. Does that mean physical comedy has a timeless quality, since it is divorced from connotation? Indeed, does a fart live longer than mere words?

you're darn tootin'

[spike]

Does the Alex account “hold up”?

[Alex]

Does the Alex account “hold up”?

Off-topic I’m trying to encourage RM to deepen its collective understanding of aesthetics. Serious posts only.

[Bi_3]

Is about The Matrix?

[Alex]

Is about The Matrix?

Is not