learning from TV and films...?

[joko]

there is a lot said about how violent films promote violence in people ...desensitizing and making people more prone to commit similar acts -
(that is NOT what this question is about though)

my question is, does it have a similar opposite effect?

do the thousands of feel-good endings, the 'moral of the story' tales, the ones where the bad guy gets his comeuppance, the lessons of how love and people mean more than money and possessions etc etc - do they teach us to be better people?
do people change their ways - even a wee bit - after watching a powerful drama that strikes a chord?
do we remember that small bit of emotion the film provoked and use it next time it appropriate

have you ever been influenced in a positive way through watching movies?

if you would say no, do you think it could be somewhat subconscious and thats why you would say no?

we are bombarded with negative and positive messages in films so surely something must 'stick'...?

what do you think?

thanks

[China Doll]

I have clearly retained a lot of information from the David Attenbourough series which I watched avidly as a child. I did also read a fair bit about animals too but old David probably sparked it all off.

[erin-x]

There is a film called Into the Wild which I feel has changed me, even if it is just a slight change. It just makes you think about what you've got and how you live your life, almost. Chris McCandless was right... happiness IS only real when shared :)

[pa___ul3]

I like films that promote 'self', that give a strong message that it's ok to be who you are no matter how weird. Eagle vs Shark is a good example and an ace film too!

[joko]

cheers all,

china i dont mean learning facts and figures and remembering things, i mean change who are are as person

pa_ul, yes i think some have very important messages

erin, that sounds an interesting one.

i suppose i just wonder that, with the bombardment of messaging to do right and be good etc in teenage films, romcoms etc, why a lot of kids seemingly have little idea of how to be a good person, how to behave etc...i would have thought having these messages 'drummed in' some of it would have stuck.

in some even the dodgy characters come good in the end