Temptations & Ambitions

Many times, we've not been bothered to flip through any books encountered in the bookstore. Or perhaps in the movie, where we wouldn't be able to watch a high speed version of the movie. So, all we could do is to turn the book around and look at the synopsis. Or at the movie guide for some general introduction. And many a times, this had spoiled our anticipation and the element of surprise lying dormant within each book. This is not a blame game, I would say. As we reached adulthood, we may find that we've less than to read, too engrossed in our jobs that every minute became precious. And what more, sometimes that book can cost up to an arm and a leg in developing countries like mine, where a new novel fresh from the printing press can cost up to RM100 (at least 20 meals for a person). This is when we rely on such synopsis to decide which to buy. All we need was a tap on the book and a some chants, such as "Amuse me", "Scare me", "Interest me", etc, and voila! All you need to know is at the back of the book.

But sometimes, that is not the case in movies. A synopsis can be a killer, when you tend to summarize the movie. Try a romantic chick flick. You might end up with similar summary such as:

"Boy meets girl, have some fun or disarray, fell in love, some arguments again, then get back together for a happily ever after."

Or perhaps, an superhero action movie:

"Ordinary guy gets super power, falls in love with a girl, saves the world along with the girl. Happily ever after until he meets the next villain"

I mean, how elaborate can a movie gets? An intellectual piece afterall, may not make its way to the silver screen. They tend to have a somnolent effect, where action films maintains the attention of viewers with their fast-paced actions, translating into money-making formula. And there goes another spoiler when you ask someone "How was the movie?" And I mean rotten spoil. True, it saves you that few bucks out of the tickets if it's bad, but it also takes the liberty out of a good film.Therefore, there's always viewers who would like to shut their eyes and ears before they watch a movie. Verdict unchanged. No higher or lowered expectations.

And how would the movies attract viewers without a trailer or synopsis. (aka demo for computer software)? Even producers are running out of titles to name their movies. Take for example, "Inglourious Basterds", where the title itself attracts people of the same kind had not there been any synopsis or trailers. And the movie "2012" is just a year by itself, being non-spectacular than Malaysia's "2020"(amidst being 8 years earlier, which means Malaysia may not meet its vision by 2020 had 2012 materialize).How would people know if the movie is good or not?

This is where synopsis plays in. How a synopsis is written determines how the plot would play out and interest the potential viewers. An emphasis on certain details and omission of others might play well in the hearts of potential viewers.Of course, sex scenes, hot babes and hunks, famous directors may play well into the factors, but a synopsis is rather important to have a general idea of what we are in for. And one thing for sure, Hollywood movies play on the formula that the shorter the plot, the more time they have for SFX effects, and translate into a cash cow by itself. That is why, I could try writing a summary for the movie "2012".

1st attempt: End of the world according to an expiring Mayan classical calendar
2nd attempts: Mass destruction
3rd attempt: Die-lah....

*Sigh* I think I am just not fit for the job.


*P.S. "2012" is merely a fiction. The classic Maya manage to extrapolate a calendar up to almost 5000+ years and it happens to end in 2012. However, there was no prophecy made, and the apocalypse is just a speculation of the what happens next. Maybe you should try looking at your electronic calendar and see when it ends. Then you might postulate that the manufacturers prophesized an apocalyse as there would be no calendar year after that.