They say art is a reflection of a culture. Directors and writers would have you believe that the films became more violent because our culture is becoming more violent. They would have you believe that "this" is the reflection. They are wrong. What this trend in movie violence (of such a realistic nature) reflects is:

There are people in our society, with the power to influence our culture,who have set aside the well being of our culture,in order to make a lot of money.

Are directors and writers talented enough to fool the audience without the use of the special effect? Are the financiers of movie projects willing to forego some of the profits they enjoy to take a socially responsible position of wellness of the community first; making money second? Would our most famous actors and actresses be willing to turn down roles in any movies using bloody-death special effects; make it hard for directors and/ or producers to get talented people in movies that use bloody-death effects; make it as hard as it is for them to find talented people willing to do nude scenes?

It is possible for people to be as addicted to making money as any addiction; they would use our culture as their object of addiction. They will be in denial about this addiction, as any addict would be. "There is an elephant standing in the middle of the living room in our culture and its going to be tough to see it."

It is also possible that some of these directors and writers may be using this creative medium to dump their own baggage/ issues on the public. Again, they would use our culture as their objects of addiction in order to feel better. Each person in the industry will need to decide for themselves if they are telling a story free of a hidden agenda or resolving an issue that dumps baggage they own onto the audience.

Here's a short list of action television I remember watching that was void of today's vision of bloody special effects:

• The Wild, Wild West
• Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
• Combat
• Mission Impossible (the television series)
• Johnny Quest
• It Takes a Thief
• The Time Tunnel
• The Outer Limits

next: Bullies on Parade