Fremwil
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【Friendly heads-up: If you’ve got a fear of giant text walls, just stick to the bold bits—you’ll live. 】
Curious: how many people here actually enjoy this kind of story?
...
...
Let me give you a bit of background on why I’m asking this.
I’ve loved creating things since I was a kid, especially characters and stories, and I’ve always dreamed of making films. But I come from an ordinary background and took a long detour in life. Now, nearing fifty, I still haven’t had the resources to create even my first movie.
Growing up in a stifling household and facing a life full of setbacks shaped who I am today. I live in imagination, think in extremely rational terms, and have a strong aversion to anything fake or insincere. These traits have given me a very specific need when it comes to films, as well as a very personal standard by which I judge them.
You might be wondering why I’m talking so much about movies on a novel forum. It might sound like I’m in the wrong place, but I’m not. The reason I write novels is because I want to eventually turn them into films. In my eyes, a novel is like a movie told in text. So for this post, let’s just treat the words “movie” and “novel” as interchangeable.
I don’t have the money or the means to make a film right now, but writing a novel is something I can do. And I did it. I wrote one.
I should also admit something: I don’t really like reading novels. I’ve probably finished fewer than ten in my entire life. But I absolutely love watching movies, and I’ve seen a lot. Even so, I rarely find any that truly meet the emotional or intellectual standard I’m looking for. That leaves me feeling starved. Isolated. And I can’t help but wonder: if there are others out there like me, then they must be just as hungry.And maybe, they’d enjoy what I’ve written.
That’s why I decided to post this topic. I’d like to find out how many people here might feel the same way.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on my personality, the kinds of films/novels I truly love tend to share a few key qualities:
1. Serious themes
For example, controversial ideas, uncomfortable truths about human nature, or stories that engage with sensitive real-world issues. I’m drawn to works that have something weighty to say.
2. Genuine emotion
The story should feel like something that could happen in real life, as if it's based on true events.
Most modern films feel overly performative. Everything is lit and framed according to aesthetic norms. There’s never bad lighting or off-centered focus. The main characters never zone out or scratch themselves. Their expressions and movements are almost too perfect.
When the performance is too polished, it drains the emotion. Joy, sorrow, and life-or-death choices feel meaningless—because it all looks like people doing their job. Just acting.
3. Intellectual integrity
The setting, the characters’ behavior, and how events influence each other should all hold up to logical and in-depth scrutiny.
I really enjoy science fiction, but most big-budget sci-fi movies today feel fake. The action scenes are often dumb, and things fall apart under basic rational analysis.
Take Iron Man’s armor, for example. No matter how indestructible the suit is, it couldn’t possibly protect a human body inside. High-speed impacts and sudden movements would still cause internal injuries or organ failure due to inertia.
Another common example is when a villain has the hero completely at their mercy, yet wastes time monologuing or showing off—until they inevitably lose. When a story treats the villain as an idiot, it unintentionally insults the hero’s strength and accomplishments as well.
4. Heavy tragedy
The characters have tried their best, and yet their fate is still tragic and unfortunate.
Of course, this one is more subjective. It depends a lot on personal values. If the audience doesn’t relate to the character’s values, then no matter how hard that character struggles, it’s hard to feel moved. Some might even feel annoyed, or think the character got what they deserved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To help everyone better understand what I mean, I want to take the well-known 2003 sci-fi film Hulk and reimagine it according to the type of movie I like. This is just the plot framework.
-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-
Dr. Banner’s character remains the same, and he experiences the same gamma radiation accident. After the accident, he undergoes routine hospital examinations and no significant abnormalities are found, so he continues his usual life and work. However, he notices that during sexual activity he becomes increasingly irritable and hungry. He returns to the doctor. After DNA analysis, the doctor discovers numerous mutations and decides to discuss conducting experiments with Banner.
Eventually, they find that when Banner is agitated, besides craving large amounts of food, he also craves many dangerous elements, such as heavy metals.
Ignoring the doctor’s warnings, Banner secretly experiments by indulging in eating excessively during his mutation episodes and injecting those most desired metals. He finds that his body can rapidly grow extraordinarily strong, and each time he indulges, his potential upper limit increases.
[Matches key quality No.3: requiring intake of substances to increase mass, which aligns with the law of conservation of mass. It also respects the scientific principle that technology development should follow gradual stages.]
Banner uses this mutant ability and one night secretly confronts someone to settle a long-hidden personal grudge.
Having pushed his mutation limits, he refuses the routine medical checks, which worries the doctors and eventually draws FBI involvement. Banner is forced to comply and undergoes detailed diagnosis and evaluation.
From then on, Banner becomes a top-secret subject akin to an alien, disappearing from public view. He is housed in a special residence arranged by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which understands that his DNA represents a potential threat more terrifying than nuclear weapons—a highly classified matter of national security. DHS also begins covert operations to retrieve or destroy any DNA samples Banner may have left in his former life. However, due to advanced media and widespread public curiosity, information leaks out. Many governments worldwide are eager to acquire Banner’s DNA by any means. A former doctor of Banner’s has left the US for Mexico and is believed to have sold DNA samples to the Mexican military for a huge sum, though the Mexican government denies this. It is possible the samples will be sold to Russia, China, Iran, or the original story’s villainous regimes. This could spark a new arms race far exceeding nuclear deterrence. If any nation deploys this technology to its soldiers first, the world order will be fundamentally changed. The CIA has placed the doctor on its highest wanted list.
Banner’s life has drastically changed. He cannot move freely in public. His movements are constantly monitored, and on strong advice from doctors and officials, he must avoid exposure to any stimulating information. Those around him behave cautiously, fearing he might lose control and mutate. He must be careful online as well, because a group called “The First Drop of Green Blood” has formed, with members competing to provoke Banner into mutating. Many people online simply want to watch the chaos unfold. Banner also carries the mission to continually increase his mutation limits. Under strict protocols, he undergoes controlled mutation activation to gradually evolve into a Hulk capable of facing powerful enemies. The process of raising mutation limits is slow and incremental, and safety systems must improve accordingly to prevent loss of control. Regression from mutation is painful and often accompanied by tissue damage, infection, poisoning, and other serious side effects. Banner even feels aversion and fear toward the mutation process.
This artificially controlled life, against his natural instincts, is oppressive and unbearable in the long run. He occasionally sneaks out to mingle in the natural social environment, disguising himself as an ordinary person, going to bars and parties. This behavior exceeds what his doctors tolerate, who report it to higher authorities. DHS is forced to increase pressure and control over Banner. This conflict eventually culminates in a violent outburst. Banner mutates unexpectedly in his restricted residence, losing control of his mind. After consuming large amounts of “specialized food,” he kills several doctors, scientists, guards, and mechanical sentries, breaking out of his cage.
DHS dispatches military forces to capture Banner. The plan is to follow and persuade him to avoid conflict and subdue him once he cools down naturally. However, many unpredictable factors arise during execution. Banner enters the city, rampaging violently, destroying anything he dislikes. Many civilians are killed or injured. Opportunists try to approach him, hoping to obtain bodily secretions, but Banner ruthlessly kills them.
This became the biggest news story of the year — The Hulk Incident.
The next day, the unconscious Banner is captured in the mountains. A large amount of harmful waste from his “mutation regression” is left behind. The police have to seal off and clean the area for an extended period to prevent DNA leakage.
Things become even more complicated. Banner faces severe charges for multiple murders, and the Department of Homeland Security is sued. However, Banner’s special status means normal laws do not apply. Negotiating with him requires great caution, since anger or excessive guilt and sorrow can trigger mutation. The Hulk Incident sparks a media firestorm. The victims’ families receive little justice. Online, a new organization called “Grim Red Light” emerges, consisting of anti-government factions, anti-tech radicals, and justice-obsessed zealots with irrational beliefs, all sworn to assassinate Banner.
[Matches key quality No.1 and No.3. The events involve complex interactions and raise serious, sensitive issues.]
-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-
The full story framework isn’t finished yet, but it already serves well in illustrating the key qualities I mentioned earlier.The original Hulk feels more like a dream imagined by a teenager, whereas my adaptation resembles an actual crisis breaking out in the real world.
Now, as I mentioned at the beginning—what I’m really curious about is: How many people here would actually enjoy this kind of story the way I do?
Curious: how many people here actually enjoy this kind of story?
...
...
Let me give you a bit of background on why I’m asking this.
I’ve loved creating things since I was a kid, especially characters and stories, and I’ve always dreamed of making films. But I come from an ordinary background and took a long detour in life. Now, nearing fifty, I still haven’t had the resources to create even my first movie.
Growing up in a stifling household and facing a life full of setbacks shaped who I am today. I live in imagination, think in extremely rational terms, and have a strong aversion to anything fake or insincere. These traits have given me a very specific need when it comes to films, as well as a very personal standard by which I judge them.
You might be wondering why I’m talking so much about movies on a novel forum. It might sound like I’m in the wrong place, but I’m not. The reason I write novels is because I want to eventually turn them into films. In my eyes, a novel is like a movie told in text. So for this post, let’s just treat the words “movie” and “novel” as interchangeable.
I don’t have the money or the means to make a film right now, but writing a novel is something I can do. And I did it. I wrote one.
I should also admit something: I don’t really like reading novels. I’ve probably finished fewer than ten in my entire life. But I absolutely love watching movies, and I’ve seen a lot. Even so, I rarely find any that truly meet the emotional or intellectual standard I’m looking for. That leaves me feeling starved. Isolated. And I can’t help but wonder: if there are others out there like me, then they must be just as hungry.And maybe, they’d enjoy what I’ve written.
That’s why I decided to post this topic. I’d like to find out how many people here might feel the same way.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on my personality, the kinds of films/novels I truly love tend to share a few key qualities:
1. Serious themes
For example, controversial ideas, uncomfortable truths about human nature, or stories that engage with sensitive real-world issues. I’m drawn to works that have something weighty to say.
2. Genuine emotion
The story should feel like something that could happen in real life, as if it's based on true events.
Most modern films feel overly performative. Everything is lit and framed according to aesthetic norms. There’s never bad lighting or off-centered focus. The main characters never zone out or scratch themselves. Their expressions and movements are almost too perfect.
When the performance is too polished, it drains the emotion. Joy, sorrow, and life-or-death choices feel meaningless—because it all looks like people doing their job. Just acting.
3. Intellectual integrity
The setting, the characters’ behavior, and how events influence each other should all hold up to logical and in-depth scrutiny.
I really enjoy science fiction, but most big-budget sci-fi movies today feel fake. The action scenes are often dumb, and things fall apart under basic rational analysis.
Take Iron Man’s armor, for example. No matter how indestructible the suit is, it couldn’t possibly protect a human body inside. High-speed impacts and sudden movements would still cause internal injuries or organ failure due to inertia.
Another common example is when a villain has the hero completely at their mercy, yet wastes time monologuing or showing off—until they inevitably lose. When a story treats the villain as an idiot, it unintentionally insults the hero’s strength and accomplishments as well.
4. Heavy tragedy
The characters have tried their best, and yet their fate is still tragic and unfortunate.
Of course, this one is more subjective. It depends a lot on personal values. If the audience doesn’t relate to the character’s values, then no matter how hard that character struggles, it’s hard to feel moved. Some might even feel annoyed, or think the character got what they deserved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To help everyone better understand what I mean, I want to take the well-known 2003 sci-fi film Hulk and reimagine it according to the type of movie I like. This is just the plot framework.
-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-
Dr. Banner’s character remains the same, and he experiences the same gamma radiation accident. After the accident, he undergoes routine hospital examinations and no significant abnormalities are found, so he continues his usual life and work. However, he notices that during sexual activity he becomes increasingly irritable and hungry. He returns to the doctor. After DNA analysis, the doctor discovers numerous mutations and decides to discuss conducting experiments with Banner.
Eventually, they find that when Banner is agitated, besides craving large amounts of food, he also craves many dangerous elements, such as heavy metals.
Ignoring the doctor’s warnings, Banner secretly experiments by indulging in eating excessively during his mutation episodes and injecting those most desired metals. He finds that his body can rapidly grow extraordinarily strong, and each time he indulges, his potential upper limit increases.
[Matches key quality No.3: requiring intake of substances to increase mass, which aligns with the law of conservation of mass. It also respects the scientific principle that technology development should follow gradual stages.]
Banner uses this mutant ability and one night secretly confronts someone to settle a long-hidden personal grudge.
Having pushed his mutation limits, he refuses the routine medical checks, which worries the doctors and eventually draws FBI involvement. Banner is forced to comply and undergoes detailed diagnosis and evaluation.
From then on, Banner becomes a top-secret subject akin to an alien, disappearing from public view. He is housed in a special residence arranged by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which understands that his DNA represents a potential threat more terrifying than nuclear weapons—a highly classified matter of national security. DHS also begins covert operations to retrieve or destroy any DNA samples Banner may have left in his former life. However, due to advanced media and widespread public curiosity, information leaks out. Many governments worldwide are eager to acquire Banner’s DNA by any means. A former doctor of Banner’s has left the US for Mexico and is believed to have sold DNA samples to the Mexican military for a huge sum, though the Mexican government denies this. It is possible the samples will be sold to Russia, China, Iran, or the original story’s villainous regimes. This could spark a new arms race far exceeding nuclear deterrence. If any nation deploys this technology to its soldiers first, the world order will be fundamentally changed. The CIA has placed the doctor on its highest wanted list.
Banner’s life has drastically changed. He cannot move freely in public. His movements are constantly monitored, and on strong advice from doctors and officials, he must avoid exposure to any stimulating information. Those around him behave cautiously, fearing he might lose control and mutate. He must be careful online as well, because a group called “The First Drop of Green Blood” has formed, with members competing to provoke Banner into mutating. Many people online simply want to watch the chaos unfold. Banner also carries the mission to continually increase his mutation limits. Under strict protocols, he undergoes controlled mutation activation to gradually evolve into a Hulk capable of facing powerful enemies. The process of raising mutation limits is slow and incremental, and safety systems must improve accordingly to prevent loss of control. Regression from mutation is painful and often accompanied by tissue damage, infection, poisoning, and other serious side effects. Banner even feels aversion and fear toward the mutation process.
This artificially controlled life, against his natural instincts, is oppressive and unbearable in the long run. He occasionally sneaks out to mingle in the natural social environment, disguising himself as an ordinary person, going to bars and parties. This behavior exceeds what his doctors tolerate, who report it to higher authorities. DHS is forced to increase pressure and control over Banner. This conflict eventually culminates in a violent outburst. Banner mutates unexpectedly in his restricted residence, losing control of his mind. After consuming large amounts of “specialized food,” he kills several doctors, scientists, guards, and mechanical sentries, breaking out of his cage.
DHS dispatches military forces to capture Banner. The plan is to follow and persuade him to avoid conflict and subdue him once he cools down naturally. However, many unpredictable factors arise during execution. Banner enters the city, rampaging violently, destroying anything he dislikes. Many civilians are killed or injured. Opportunists try to approach him, hoping to obtain bodily secretions, but Banner ruthlessly kills them.
This became the biggest news story of the year — The Hulk Incident.
The next day, the unconscious Banner is captured in the mountains. A large amount of harmful waste from his “mutation regression” is left behind. The police have to seal off and clean the area for an extended period to prevent DNA leakage.
Things become even more complicated. Banner faces severe charges for multiple murders, and the Department of Homeland Security is sued. However, Banner’s special status means normal laws do not apply. Negotiating with him requires great caution, since anger or excessive guilt and sorrow can trigger mutation. The Hulk Incident sparks a media firestorm. The victims’ families receive little justice. Online, a new organization called “Grim Red Light” emerges, consisting of anti-government factions, anti-tech radicals, and justice-obsessed zealots with irrational beliefs, all sworn to assassinate Banner.
[Matches key quality No.1 and No.3. The events involve complex interactions and raise serious, sensitive issues.]
-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-×-
The full story framework isn’t finished yet, but it already serves well in illustrating the key qualities I mentioned earlier.The original Hulk feels more like a dream imagined by a teenager, whereas my adaptation resembles an actual crisis breaking out in the real world.
Now, as I mentioned at the beginning—what I’m really curious about is: How many people here would actually enjoy this kind of story the way I do?
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