Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2013 November 27

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November 27

Guns and the film industry

Anyone who has scrolled through Netflix or iTunes will notice that in virtually every genre category, a gun of some kind appears on a film poster, usually held by a man or a woman. I find this incredibly strange. Can anyone explain this? Since most films have nothing to do with guns, why does a gun appear so regularly in ads for films? Is the gun industry in bed with Hollywood? What is the psychological subtext behind the appearance of guns in so many film posters? Are we being told that guns are the only way to solve our problems? Viriditas (talk) 09:58, 27 November 2013 (UTC)

I find your premise surprising. Can you point us to some examples of posters that show guns where they're not used in the movie? Rojomoke (talk) 11:41, 27 November 2013 (UTC)

No such premise was stated or implied in any way. "Most films have nothing to do with guns" means, in most films, a gun is not a part of the plot or important to the story. Viriditas (talk) 00:56, 28 November 2013 (UTC)

Agreed. As for movies that do involve guns, presumably the audience goes to such movies in part to watch the gunplay, so it makes sense to include that on the poster. Also a gun happens to fit nicely on a poster, versus something intangible, like treason. StuRat (talk) 12:01, 27 November 2013 (UTC)

I don't think "gunplay" has anything to do with it. There is a purposeful intention of placing a gun in a movie poster. Apparently, nobody here knows anything about it. Some books on the subject claim it is has something to do with sex. Viriditas (talk) 00:56, 28 November 2013 (UTC)

Only held by a man or woman? Don't forget Quick Draw McGraw, in which a gun was held by a horse. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 12:15, 27 November 2013 (UTC)

It seems such a premise was implied...unless you meant to imply that Netflix focuses more on movies that involve guns? What is your point? What is your question? I would imagine that most movies that have nothing to do with guns won't use them in their posters. I would be surprised if movies that do involve guns didn't. "Virtually every genre" might include a movie that involves guns...so it would follow that the poster might show one. If you're trying to get to a specific point, get to it instead of being vague about it. --Onorem (talk) 01:44, 28 November 2013 (UTC)

Your epistemic naïveté is charming, much like watching a cute baby dribble or a puppy chase its tail, but this is the reference desk, and if you don't know what I'm talking about then why pray tell are you replying? This subject is covered extensively in the literature and was in the news daily this year alone. Viriditas (talk) 09:39, 28 November 2013 (UTC)

You say "in virtually every genre category, a gun of some kind appears on a film poster". Can you give us an example of a film poster where a gun seems out of place? Like for example The Sound of Music with a Luger being held by Julie Andrews? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 13:35, 28 November 2013 (UTC)

Of course. That's one of her favorite things, isn't it? Clarityfiend (talk) 21:46, 28 November 2013 (UTC)

You say that you notice movies with guns in every category, But you also say that the films with the gun on the poster include gunplay in the story.

That's probably a large part of the purpose right there. To advertise the movie's action. Drama is hard to advertise in a still image, but action and/or murder is easy. APL (talk) 22:44, 2 December 2013 (UTC)

blue cartoon character

Who is this blue cartoon character? and what bird is that behind him? and if you know him, what episode of what cartoon is that? Is it about those birds? http://i39.tinypic.com/25ppvkz.png — Preceding unsigned comment added by 31.209.159.215 (talk) 21:11, 27 November 2013 (UTC)

I don't know the blue cartoon character, but the bird looks like a cassowary. ---Sluzzelin talk 21:22, 27 November 2013 (UTC)

It looks like a crocodile or alligator, but I'm not getting any relevant results by searching for "blue alligator/crocodile". -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 21:46, 27 November 2013 (UTC)

I have a vague recollection of seeing that character, or one somewhat like it, in some educational software. You know, getting kids to understand the realities of Australian wildlife by having a blue crocodile talk to them about it. HiLo48 (talk) 04:18, 28 November 2013 (UTC)

I've seen him too, and it's bugging me now. I think it was on TVOntario. That cassowary is messing up Search by Image. InedibleHulk (talk) 05:36, 28 November 2013 (UTC)

Just in case this helps the search: The original 19th century illustration of the cassowary was published in the 1870s in Cassell's Book of Birds (Thomas Rymer Jones's translation of Alfred Brehm's text). You can view it by clicking this link. ---Sluzzelin talk 12:58, 28 November 2013 (UTC)

From Kratt's Creatures, this is Ttark. I vaguely recall this from years ago. Google him and you'll see plenty more results. Mingmingla (talk) 00:19, 29 November 2013 (UTC)

Yes! That was a great show, I used to watch it in the morning back when I worked the 12-8pm shift. μηδείς (talk) 01:34, 2 December 2013 (UTC)

Does anyone know anything about "Colette" featured on two Sister Bliss records?

I'm trying to find out anything about the Colette who was featured on two Sister Bliss singles back in 1995 - "Cantgetaman, Cantgetajob, (Life's A Bitch)" and "Oh! What A World"

Was she British or American (or something else?) What was her surname? Any other details? Can't find much onlune217.44.231.217 (talk) 21:23, 27 November 2013 (UTC)

Your looking in the worng plece. :) -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 21:39, 27 November 2013 (UTC)

This is she. She appears on quite a few of Rollo Armstrong's recordings in various guises, and the videos - but, I can't find out any more about her. Ghmyrtle (talk) 21:57, 27 November 2013 (UTC)

White Christmas Movie

Your assistance will be greatly appreciated - thank you so much in advance.

I am looking for a piano arrangement of the sheet music for the song Count Your Blessings Instead Sheep that was sung by Bob and Betty in the movie White Christmas. Bob and Betty were played by Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney. I have found sheet music for Bing but not the version that was arranged for him singing with Rosemary Clooney. I need this sheet music and wish to purchase but cannot find it on line. Can you please help me to find a resource or give me an idea for purchase of this sheet music? I will be searching our area for music shops but today they are few and far between. Again, thanks so much for your help. Happy Thanksgiving and an early recognition of Merry Christmas. This is an exciting time of year albeit a stressful one for many. Sincerely, Cindy, Conover, NC — Preceding unsigned comment added by 107.211.72.180 (talk) 21:27, 27 November 2013 (UTC)