So I have been reading a lot lately about how "The Dark Knight" is the Best movie ever made and how it alludes to George W and our post 9/11 world. Then there is the side that says "Its just a movie, relax!" and I wonder what side I am on.

It doesnt take much thought.

There is no such thing as "just" a movie/book/song/whatever. Pop culture is candy for the brain sure but every once in awhile it has moments of pure brilliance that take your breath away or make you cry or just make you sit there going "damn that was awesome." Just because its pop doesnt make it bad.

Take "The Dark Knight" for example. Sure its a Batman flick and sure its "THE" summer blockbuster but its also an amazingly wonderful film. It's themes run deep, its point is powerful and all of that can be ignored if you so choose so you can enjoy it for what it is, a comic book action movie (and for anyone who says that comic books arent books, you've obviously never read one)thats full of lots of explosions and lots of excitement.

I am definetly on the side that TDK is one of the best movies of the year (best movie ever, well thats a harder question to answer) but the reasons for that are different for every person. I love the acting (and yes, Heath Ledger is amazing but so is Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Micheal Caine..everyone involved), I find the dialogue engaging, funny and smart, the action scenes are exciting and everything else about the movie is total brilliance. Sure there are weak points, but what movie doesnt have them? I think to dismiss this as pop culture trash is to dismiss it too quickly. I think to dismiss ANYTHING as pop culture trash is no good. Why do we find it so easy to dismiss the popular media? Why do critics of pop culture say things like, read a classic piece of literature instead of reading the latest Danielle Steele (or whoever is popular at the time). Why do we feel the need to be smart instead of fun? Why cant we be both?

I guess what I am trying to say is that this constant pop culture snobbery is annoying and in poor taste. There is nothing wrong with submerging yourself in some decent pop culture for awhile, having fun and learning something all at the same time. Life is way too short to keep yourself 100% submerged in "classics" and "smart" media. Every once in awhile stop taking yourself (and I include myself in this) so seriously (haha "Why So Serious?") and ENJOY the life you have!