I like to cry. Usually it's when I see something that really moves me, like seeing someone showing strong emotions, or a story of a hero risking his or her life to save someone. I guess I've gotten good at imagining what other people are feeling, so watching TV or a movie I like to imagine being a character including the emotions and feelings that they are experiencing...
I like your examples from TV and movies because I'm the same way. I imagine what it must feel like to be in a certain situation. The problem is that sometimes people don't just risk their lives, they sacrifice their lives. Sometimes they fight and lose. Sometimes they are just victims. Trying to imagine what it would be like it that situation makes me feel terrible, and really kind of fucks me up.
My cousin is a big fan of The Sopranos, and I was recently explaining to him that although I believe what everyone says about what a great show it is, I can't bear to watch it. In general I don't care for the genre of film/TV that is about organized crime. The more realistic and well done it is, the less likely I am to like it, mainly because I find it very disturbing. I can't wrap my head around the callous disregardf or human life--worse, a code of honor and set of "family values" that promote violence and murder. Even though I know the story is just fiction, I know the world that it depicts is not. I can't imagine living in that world and I don't want to know about it.
This results in me crying often. I like to think of this as an emotional workout and I think it makes me stronger emotionally, or at least more passionate.
That's an interesting perspective. My initial thought was to disagree with you, but on further reflection...hmm...yes, you may be right. I have to admit that letting myself respond emotionally to TV, books, and movies has helped me move away from my former Spockishness.
This might be a good place to mention the following thread, for anyone who missed it:
http://www.lpsg.org/46271-movies-that-make-men-cry.html
Here are my responses to that thread:
http://www.lpsg.org/46271-movies-that-make-men-cry-11.html#post1116301
http://www.lpsg.org/46271-movies-that-make-men-cry-11.html#post1116277
But what really gets me is songs. There are certain songs I just can't listen to because they bring me down so much, unless I'm in a very rare and particular mood where I want to feel that way, and yet feel strong enough to handle it. One that always gets me is Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work."
YouTube - Kate Bush - This Womans Work
Another one is, oddly enough, from the science fiction miniseries,
Children of Dune. In this scene,the hero's wife is dying in childbirth while the traitors who caused her death (they were poisoning her) are executed. (Unfortunately the clips cuts off at the end a bit too abruptly.)
YouTube - Inama Nushif - Children Of Dune
As a final example, I will mention Gary Jules cover of "Mad World" for
Donnie Darko.
YouTube - Gary Jules- Mad World From Donnie Darko