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Author Topic: Tickled (Warning: Spoilers right away... from, like, the first word)  (Read 1304 times)

MattDrufke

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How is this company allowed to still exist? How can this guy keep doing what he's doing? Why can't people file harassment charges?

This movie, you guys... holy heavens to betsy.

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jdc

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Re: Tickled (Warning: Spoilers right away... from, like, the first word)
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2016, 04:52:42 PM »
This one leaves you wanted to google David D'Amato as soon as the film finished.  Things even get more bizarre after the film is finished

http://thespinoff.co.nz/tv/19-06-2016/malice-through-the-looking-glass-the-subjects-of-tickled-doco-put-in-an-appearance-at-us-screening/

I am not sure what amazes me the most but I still can't quite get over that this whole operation is pretty much just run by one man from an apartment that almost nobody seems to have ever met him.  Yet he has a world wide events going on all pretty much for his own personal consumption and enjoyment it seems. 
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slowpogo

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Re: Tickled (Warning: Spoilers right away... from, like, the first word)
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2016, 05:16:12 PM »
Maybe you guys can explain, because I'm baffled by the reaction...what is so fascinating about one pathetic, gross, fraudulent troll using his money to blackmail people? I resented the movie for leading me down a path that felt like a conspiracy thriller, strange and troubling but also weirdly fun in a way, only to reveal...that guy. He's like one of the gross pimply trolls on South Park brought to life.

Even more than a lot of true crime-based things, Tickled arguably glorifies its villain over all other possible avenues, which I kind of resented it for. It could have been an examination of the legal system that this guy exploited, or of the internet infamy for those who were blackmailed by him, or the trials faced by investigative journalists who go up against powerful interests. I feel like a legitly good documentary uses its subject as a path to explore themes. Tickled does pay lip service to those things, but ultimately, it's not exploring anything other than this one horrible guy. In that sense it's unabashedly lurid, but not in a good way.

And even if you find that content interesting, the filmmaking itself felt pretty pedestrian to me. I don't think it's a bad movie. But felt conned by it and find it exploitative and a cheap thrill.

StarCarly

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Re: Tickled (Warning: Spoilers right away... from, like, the first word)
« Reply #3 on: November 30, 2016, 06:41:34 PM »
I literally just finished watching this so maybe I haven't processed it yet.

I found it fascinating that there's this shadow industry of semi-porn run by a former schoolteacher. It's interesting because it happened to normal people, which means it could happen to us or someone we know. The most compelling part was the thought of what I would do if one of my dirty little secrets was posted on every video site online and then mailed to my grandmother. That's horrifying, and that's what makes David D'amato a monster.
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