Talk of the Town: Real men do cry — at least at the movies

If you really want to make a man suffer—torture him with some choice activities: make him go shoe shopping, watch the latest "Ellen DeGeneres Show" or make him endure a couple of hours of what my husband calls “chick flicks.”

These chick movies for and about women are usually romantic and lacking the bloody body count and testosterone-laden language so popular in today’s films.

When I say women films, I don’t just mean movies about beautiful women, either, but all women and their issues—something many men don’t usually have the patience for in real life. That’s what sisters are for, right?

A couple of years ago, Men’s Journal selected the “50 Best Guy Movies of All Time,” featuring the 50 most testosterone-fueled flicks ever, “from the politically incorrect mayhem of ‘Dirty Harry’ to the knuckleheaded genius of the Three Stooges.” The magazine’s writers, David Chute and Mark Horowitz, stated their film choices’ appeal:

“Over time, basic criteria emerged. Violence trumps sex, war beats peace, and you better have a very good reason to oppose anything with Steve McQueen in it...great guy movies are distillations of the male experience, reduced to the essentials. For good reason, nearly all of them tend to be about soldiers, athletes, cops, and every kind of loner. They are unapologetically male, and often politically incorrect...guy movies do have a moral, and it’s always straightforward: If you’re a cop or a criminal, a team player or a lone wolf, all that matters is being brave and honorable, no matter the consequences.”

Various actors kept reappearing in these selections: Al Pacino, Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman, Robert DeNiro, and Bill Murray.

But these days, with more sensitive modern-thinking males, it’s not surprising that a recent survey shows today’s men are changing their ways.

Oh joy! Apparently the boys are enjoying films that once only appealed to the female persuasion.

Now before you snicker, let me point out that the study does have some scientific clout backing it up. The research was conducted by Kansas State University psychology professor Richard Harris, who discovered that we may be wrong about men being bored stiff or even revolted by sappy movies highlighting the softer side of life.

Using a seven-point scale, Harris asked respondents to rate how much they like a romantic movie and found that while women often rated the flicks a whopping 6 of out 7, men weren’t far behind at an average of 4.8.

And when it came to their favorite scene in the movie, while most women picked the romantic scene (and predicted that their mate would pick the sex scene), surprisingly, the men, too, picked the romantic scene! Perhaps actor/comedian Denis Leary, of “Rescue Me” fame was wrong when he said the average guy only likes “football and porno and books about war.”

But while we grab our tissues and quietly sob at the part where the love-shy jilted woman finds true love once again, men seem to remain stone cold. Or do they?

While I’ve never actually witnessed a man cry during a film, a recent story on MSNBC had folks talking when it claimed that films such as “Dead Poets Society” and “Saving Private Ryan” not only move women to tears, but are sure “to have even the coolest dudes reaching for the Kleenex.”

Other films known to make grown men weep, so they say, include “Titanic,” “The Notebook,” “Field of Dreams,” “Brian’s Song,” and believe it or not, “Gladiator” starring Russell Crowe as Maximus, meanest fighter to grace the Coliseum. His family is murdered and when Maximus dies with his honor intact after violently fighting his way to fame throughout the picture, the lump in male throats is quite understandable.

Actually, I think I did witness my husband almost moved to tears once. He was watching old film clips of New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox games when the Red Sox were behind. You never saw a more emotional man in your life!

Just because it’s 100-plus degrees outside, doesn’t mean you should avoid healthy exercise. Area gyms are pretty busy in the early hours of the day and in the evening when the temperatures are a bit cooler.

Innovative gym equipment is another way to work out without having to battle the desert heat.

Body Start in Sahuarita now boasts a new piece of equipment that was developed to help astronauts improve muscle growth during extended space missions called a Freemotion i.Tonic.

Scientists discovered back in the 1970s that astronauts would lose 40 percent of their muscle volume during long flights. This finding led to research by professors from a number of reputable universities. One professor, Carmelo Bosco, an exercise physiologist from Italy, carried out research into vibration training and, more specifically, whole body vibration. Bosco discovered that even very fit athletes could see a large improvement in their muscle strength characteristics through the use of whole body vibration.

Now, fitness centers like Body Start feature them as part of an exercise regimen.

Body Start owner Chuck Thompson says that many problems, such as injuries and pain, can be combated more effectively and more quickly with the aid of vibration training.

“Vibration training has a direct effect on the circulation, hormones and muscles. These effects have been proven to have a positive effect on strength, flexibility, osteoporosis and metabolism,” Thompson adds. “Training with the FreeMotion i.Tonic stimulates and improves this process. As a result, you’ll increase flexibility, combat osteoporosis and increase metabolism.”

A personal trainer at Body Start will assist those interested in using the machine. Call Thompson for more information at 399-3405.

Save this date! Green Valley Assistance Services will host its 8th Annual Gala: “Developing Dreams and Building Futures,” highlighting Michael Dorn, Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Quail Creek Country Club. An ongoing supporter of GVAS, Dorn is the founder of Dorn Homes and has been a Green Valley home builder and developer for the past 17 years.

The evening’s festivities will include gourmet dining, dancing to the tunes of Titan Valley Warheads, and the opportunity to bid on many exciting live and silent auction items. No need to splurge on a fancy outfit... this year’s event will be a “Gala in Denim,” so it’s time to show off your “Southwest casual” duds.

The gala will have a “Pay It Forward” focus, based on Michael Dorn’s personal philosophy. You may have read the book or seen the movie. Pay It Forward is the concept of one person doing a favor for others, who in turn do favors for others, with the results growing exponentially.

For 26 years, GVAS has paid it forward by providing vital social services to people in need throughout the Greater Green Valley and Sahuarita region. GVAS assists families and people who are financially or physically challenged by offering senior advocacy, referral services, temporary monetary assistance, and in-home volunteer support. With the addition of popular and growing seasonal outreach programs, GVAS continues to build a solid thriving community where all may enjoy basic human dignity and an enhanced quality of life.

rford@gvnews.com