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Comment by jncfhnb | Hacker News Reader

These two films are completely dissimilar in their ambitions and the distinction between them has nothing to do with the merits of “a classic”

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Snakes on the plane is a classic and I will fight anyone who says otherwise!

Look at Mr. Movie Critic here - next you'll tell me there's no moral lesson in Pulp Fiction?

Hah, true story, I had a college history professor who went on a screed about Pulp Fiction and how it was nihilistic and obscene and that Tarantino would make the world a better place by just offing himself. He said he believed the film and other films in a similar vein made the world a worse place and had literally negative value as a literary work.

It was a wild semester.

And yet: he gave you a differing opinion from the general consensus, and now, however long ago it was, you still think about it. I don't know if this was the professor's intention, but he made you think about the movie more, he made you think either "He has a point because of x, y and z" or "I think he is wrong because of x, y and z", which is a valuable lesson.

One issue with modern films is that people seem to follow or look for the general opinion of them. Lord of the Rings? Good. Morbius? Bad but memeable. Tarantino? Best films ever if you're also into feet. Etc. There doesn't seem to be enough space for a differing opinion or a honest conversation about e.g. films.

It's funny until you remember that the class cost $2,000

Pulp Fiction is nihilistic tho. I like that, nihilism can be fun to watch. But nihilistic it is.

I can’t see nihilism and a Hollywood movie in the same sentence without thinking of the Big Lebowski. Those German guys were the real nihilists! :)

I agree, Tarantino sucks and Pulp Fiction is shlock.

It’s but a great first aid tutorial!

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