# Insane interpretations that you have seen about media? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 27, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236 "2024-12-27T18:45:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2024, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/21 "2024-12-28T22:29:15Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > theory that McConnoughy is dead the whole time, This is my least favorite movie interpretation of all (with obvious exceptions, like say Jacobs Ladder) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2024, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/22 "2024-12-28T22:32:34Z")
There is a very old theory that it is also about the Gold vs. Silver standard, which was still a hot debate at the time. The support for this isn’t strong. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2024, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/23 "2024-12-28T22:40:28Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > This is my least favorite movie interpretation of all Right? Nolan spends so much capital building themes around the passage of time, everything being in the afterlife would make those themes completely meaningless. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2024, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/24 "2024-12-28T22:51:12Z")
> **[Is The Wizard of Oz a satire of the French Revolution?](https://www.straightdope.com/21341539/is-em-the-wizard-of-oz-em-a-satire-of-the-french-revolution)** ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/25 "2024-12-29T00:07:45Z")
When the Ken Russell film _Tommy_ came out in 1975, religious acquiantances of mine insisted that the message was _JEEBUS!_ There were allusions (messiah, feasts for the poor, etc.) Informing them that PeteTownsend was a fan of (the decidedly-non-Jebus) Asian guru Mehir Baba fell on deaf ears. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/26 "2024-12-29T00:30:22Z")
Correction: _Meher_ Baba. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/27 "2024-12-29T03:35:20Z")
Jesus: Even on his Favorite Table, I could beat his best. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/28 "2024-12-29T03:46:07Z")
A common recent one In the new Wonder Woman movie, it’s a pro-war/anti-pacifism film because the twist is the bad guy is the character who is actively seeking peace between Germany/Britain in World War 1. What they fail to mention is that the reason he wants “peace” is because he wants to do a false flag attack during the supposed armistice in order to cause a new wave of outrage to continue the war. The film isn’t actually saying HEY THIS GUY WHO WANTS PEACE IS THE BAD GUY SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE PEACE IS BAD ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/29 "2024-12-29T04:23:18Z")
> [@F.U.Shakespeare](#): > > Informing them that PeteTownsend was a fan of (the decidedly-non-Jebus) Asian guru Mehir Baba fell on deaf ears. Didn’t Baba claim that he was also Jesus? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/30 "2024-12-29T04:47:14Z")
> [@F.U.Shakespeare](#): > > Informing them that PeteTownsend was a fan of (the decidedly-non-Jebus) Asian guru Mehir Baba fell on deaf ears. These days Pete Townshend’s ears are pretty deaf themselves. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/31 "2024-12-29T05:16:10Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > To actually return to the OP I always thought the “Marcellus Wallace’s soul is in the suitcase in Pulp Fiction” interpretation is the most insane nonsensical one. Personally I think this one is fun but it also doesn’t make any kind of sense. Honey Bunny says “is that what I think it is?” _like he has any idea what a freshly-extracted human soul in a goddamn briefcase is supposed to look like_! Also, if we go with this idea, a human soul can apparently be folded up like laundry (if you want it clean) and carried around just like that. I dunno, I always assumed souls would be more gaseous or liquid in form. Souls are also stunningly beautiful even if they come out of a gangster known for getting medieval on people. ---
**Author:** ![Eric1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3bc359/32.png) [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/32 "2024-12-29T06:14:37Z")
I understand why movie fans sometimes focus on the question of the suitcase. I’ve felt the cast (even more minor like Butch’s significant other or the drug dealer’s SO’s best friend) stood out the most to me. They both had interactions that are normal that I wouldn’t have since _caution_ is a main trait for me. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/33 "2024-12-29T07:24:38Z")
My favorite dumb brief case theory was it was a suitcase nuke which explains the glow. Because a bunch of dudes hanging out in an apartment are just going to steal a briefcase nuke like it’s no big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/34 "2024-12-29T07:30:42Z")
It worked in **Kiss Me, Deadly** … ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/35 "2024-12-29T09:30:54Z")
The song _Brown Eyed Girl_ is about anal sex. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/36 "2024-12-29T12:23:54Z")
The theory that ‘James Bond’ is a codename in the film series. No, it’s not. It’s his real name. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/37 "2024-12-29T13:30:39Z")
In the season 4 episode of The Simpsons “So It’s Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show”—Bart shakes a can of beer so much that explodes in Homer’s face and puts Homer into a coma. Some fans have suggested that Homer has never woken up from the coma and the rest of the series is just a dream of his. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/38 "2024-12-29T13:36:28Z")
There is always this anecdote about a wrong interpretation of a work(credit SciFiSam): > [@What are stories of incidents where someone got the wrong end of the stick?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-stories-of-incidents-where-someone-got-the-wrong-end-of-the-stick/849310/12): > > I wish I could remember the name of the academic. He wrote about his own mistake in some article I read way back in the 90s. > > He had written an entire book based on a mishearing. It was a John Wayne movie, and he thought that Wayne said that the fight between the families was “feudal.” > > So he wrote a whole book about how Westerns presented fights between families, and society in general, as feudal, like in the middle ages. He had some good arguments for it, too, and the book was fairly well-received. > > Years later he realised that John Wayne hadn’t said feudal at all. He’d said _futile_. In the UK that’s pronounced /ˈfjuːtʌɪl/, like fyoo-tie (like Thai food) - ul. It’s not very similar to the American pronunciation at all, so it’s an understandable mishearing, but to write an _entire book_ based on one mishearing is pretty unusual. Wayne’s line was a throwaway comment without nearly as much meaning as the academic assigned to it. He had wondered why nobody else had picked up on it, and now he knew. [https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-stories-of-incidents-where-someone-got-the-wrong-end-of-the-stick/849310/12](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-stories-of-incidents-where-someone-got-the-wrong-end-of-the-stick/849310/12) ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/39 "2024-12-29T13:57:22Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > There is always this anecdote about a wrong interpretation of a work A whole book is a lot worse than this one article!: > [@Star Wars The Acolyte](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-wars-the-acolyte/999056/43): > > Here’s a (unintentionally) funny article about the first episode. A whole piece built around the implications of Jedi Master Moss reporting an “unregistered force user” during the battle. Except what she actually said was “an unidentified force user”… ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2024, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236/40 "2024-12-29T14:43:44Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > _like he has any idea what a freshly-extracted human soul in a goddamn briefcase is supposed to look like_! In a universe where Hitler was killed in a Parisian movie theater, The Tate murders were prevented, and magic ninja assassins exist, it’s quite possible that everyone knows what disembodied souls look like. Look, Tarentino is the one that made the briefcase glow, not the audience. Complain to him. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insane-interpretations-that-you-have-seen-about-media/1012236.md?page=3)