Politics is cultural. Even what you consider "liberal" and "conservative" will depend on your culture. Where do you think politics comes from if not the underlying culture?

Caring about how female characters are portrayed in film is not inherently political. Presumably, both conservative and liberal could care about that. The opinions on what a "good" portrayal is (and its degree of importance) will differ, but the topic itself is not by its nature political. You appear to believe that…

Where did I say any art is "analogous to the Holocaust"? I was talking about The Profanation of the Host. A late medieval painting depicting the murder of a Jewish family.

Of course it's important. Why do you think advertisers pour millions (billions maybe?) into it? Why do you think governments engage in propaganda through entertainment? I mean, entertainment has been recognized as vitally important and influential for millennia. Never heard of "bread and circuses"?

But that's rather different than a beautifully painted painting depicting a Jewish family being burned alive right? Why would a critic be obligated to turn off his brain when viewing art?

I guess it would depend. If, as I said, the goal of a novel was to portray a grand romance, if the actual romance was repugnant, it would detract from the novel, yes? If a painting was technically amazing but also pandering or revolting propaganda, it might sour my appreciation for the painting. The Profanation of…

It would depend what you meant by "great" though. Do you mean a technical marvel? Brilliantly sophisticated given the era? Philosophically challenging? Prettier than the other paintings in the room?

That's true. I think the Fifth Element had a more nuanced view. Especially as it was trying to capture the idea of love in a pure form.

With respect to Passengers? Well, if a movie intended to show a romance as deeply moving and passionate and instead presented one that was gross and manipulative, it failed in what it was trying to accomplish. That's an easy one.

You just arbitrarily decided that some things are "politics" and some things aren't. That's convenient for you, but not really a valid take on others' criticism.

So your argument is that "humanity" is rife with infantile women romancing doofuses/everymen?

I'm confused by the notion that a film's philosophy could have nothing to do with the "quality" of the film. It might not be the only consideration but it surely is one of the considerations. Especially when it informs characterization.

That's not really the point though. Not all of it anyway. If the audience for this trope is big enough to be pandered to, it says something about society (or at least the sci-fi audience) in general.

Sure. But Dora is not a child in the book. It's an affectation.

The trope is pretty old. It was fashionable for Regency debutants to use babytalk. And Dickens: "Call me Child-Wife." *shudders*

Austen knew this already right?

There's an obvious difference between acknowledging something about humanity and accepting it unquestioningly as entertainment.

Come now! The Middle Ages and Renaissance were filled with Latin enthusiasts!

In my experience, outlet malls are always in isolated, out of the way places. To take advantage of low rents and to guarantee that they provide no competition with the main stores.

There were "small" euthanasia facilities in Germany that killed "only" thousands. People went in. They didn't come out. Dachau, Bergen-Belsen and Buchenwald were all in Germany. As one soldier put it, the smell alone was unmistakeable and carried for miles. People knew. One Jewish tank commander explained that he…