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The Theory of Dichotomy

Alonso Díaz de la Vega

over 3 years ago

At the suggestion of a good friend of mine, I want to share a theory that I came up with some time ago; I call it the Theory of Dichotomy, which dictates that every brilliant or more or less intelligent creation has its parallel stupid version, or vice versa. I discovered this while watching Sam Fuller’s White Dog; I thought to myself, “This is the smart version of Cujo!”. During my research I also discovered the following:

Just to make sure, the aforementioned White Dog (smart) vs. Cujo (stupid)

Let the Right One In (smart) vs. Twilight (stupid)

21 Grams vs. Return to Me (you know the drill)

Raging Bull vs. Rocky (though it’s still a nice film, but there’s no comparison)

The Seventh Seal vs. Meet Joe Black

The Emotional Intelligence vs. The Secret

Any female pop star who shows too much flesh vs. Dita von Teese

As you can see, the Theory of Dichotomy is not exclusive of film but can happen in manifestations of very different areas. If you can contribute any more examples you will be helping a very serious and important scientific project (note the ironic tone, lol).

Jirin

over 3 years ago

Rules of the Game vs Gosford Park (Wait. Which one is the smart one?)

Fanny and Alexander vs The White Ribbon

Nosferatu vs Vampyr

Battlestar Galactica vs Battlestar Galactica

The first 90 minutes of Minority Report vs the ending

The first 16 episodes of The Prisoner vs the last one

Woody Allen vs Larry David

Rafael Paz

over 3 years ago

I suggest to invert the dichotomy of Dita von Teese, ja

Rafael Paz

over 3 years ago

Also you can add:
The forgotten ones vs Nosotros los pobres

Alonso Díaz de la Vega

over 3 years ago

Too true, Rafa, the correct form is:

Dita von Teese vs. Any female pop star who shows too much flesh

KingofP​ain

over 3 years ago

Showgirls (smart) vs. Striptease (stupid)
Roseanne (TV show, stupid) vs. Juno (Movie, retarted)
Every Movie Ever Made vs. Powder (Lord fo Cinematic Idiocy)

KingofP​ain

over 3 years ago

That would be “of” Cinematic Idiocy

Joks

over 3 years ago

how is Showgirls smart? And how is ‘Vampyr’ dumb?

User de Faux-Fuyants

over 3 years ago

The Thin Red Line vs. Saving Private Ryan

ralch

over 3 years ago

Return to Me > (21 Grams + Babel)

deckard croix

over 3 years ago

Fanny and Alexander vs. the White Ribbon? That’s laughable.

Joks

over 3 years ago

The Orphanage vs The Others
The Assassination of Jesse James vs Public Enemies
The Wanderers vs The Lords Of Flatbush
Narc vs Training Day

KingofP​ain

over 3 years ago

“how is Showgirls smart?”

It’s hilarious from start to finish, while Striptease is a groaner. Any movie as ridiculous as Showgirls that generates so much entertainment value is smart in my book.

Robley

over 3 years ago

L’Avventura (stupid) vs Titanic (smart)
The Seventh Seal (stupid) vs Legion (smart)

Joks

over 3 years ago

“It’s hilarious from start to finish, while Striptease is a groaner. Any movie as ridiculous as Showgirls that generates so much entertainment value is smart in my book.”

even if it’s unintentional? hehe. I remember loving ‘Showgirls’ when i assumed it was just a parody of the ‘scene’, as well as ‘American way of life’ , until i read that it wasn’t. damn! still funny though.

KingofP​ain

over 3 years ago

Intentional or unintentional doesn’t matter. Genius can happen by accident every now and again.

Rafael Paz

over 3 years ago

L’Avventura (stupid) vs Titanic (smart)
The Seventh Seal (stupid) vs Legion (smart)

I hope this is a jocke

Rafael Paz

over 3 years ago

“Intentional or unintentional doesn’t matter. Genius can happen by accident every now and again”
just a very few times Kingofpain

(...)

over 3 years ago

Moderated

Jazzalo​ha

about 2 years ago

Amusing thread. I don’t have any to add right now, but I’d be interested in hearing others.

Polaris​DiB

about 2 years ago

Man, I do this all the time, just not with “smart/stupid” or whatever. That is to say, I draw comparisons between things that are in no way intended to be the same thing, to reveal… something.

Woyzeck:

“An insane actor directed by an insane director in a movie about insanity where the character is insane from frame one but only gets progressively more so as the movie continues, which is what the audience is watching it for. Otherwise Woyzeck is nothing like The Shining.”

Starship Troopers:

“What a weird sequel to Men in Black.”

—PolarisDiB