Postmodern Dictionary...

Paradox: A paradox is a true statement/statements that leads to a contradiction. A paradox is a criticism of postmodernism. It states that there can be no theories because postmodernism is one and that you have to be rational, to understand the irrational. A paradox contradicts reality.


In Inglorious Basterds Hitler is killed in a fire amongst other Germans by Jews, which wasn't what happened in real life. Realistically Hitler killed himself, therefore the film is a total sham of reality and is a paradox.




Intertexuality: Intertexuality is when one text links to another. When someone takes something from one text and adds it to their text to make another text. So, for example in Kick-ass, they take parts of other superhero films, such as, spider-man and batman to make the film more realistic and open it to a wider audience.

Little things such as Batman also having lost a parent like kick-ass and spider man being just an average teenage boy having to deal with normal life struggles aswel as having to deal with those that come with the costume is also something that is addressed in kick-ass.

Pluralism: simply a belief that there is no one answer to anything. There are two types of pluralism, one being normative pluralism/relativism, which is the acceptance of all narratives, expressions and norms. Knowone knows or is better than others. And the other type being a kind of postmodernism which is pluralist in the sense that it accepts different views. But without denying that somthing is better than other things.

Pastiche: A pastiche in its simplest form is merely an imitation of an existing style. Often it is done in a light hearted way but more ofetn it takes the form of a 'satire'.

Satire: A satire attempts to mock topical issues. This can often mean that its humour and purpose is fleeting as it relies on the audience knowing the issue which is being sent up. A good example comes from kick-ass when he acts like spider-man....this part of the film relies on us to have already watched spider-man and to know whats going on and where its came from.

Stimulation: A stimulation is basically a copy of something that you see and want. For example, the fries from mcdonald's that are pictured in the menu aren't actually the fries you eat...they are just a copy. In Kick-ass the costume that kick-ass see's on the internet isn't the actually costume he gets , it is merely just a copy of it.

Hyperreality: Can no longer extinguish the unreal to the real. When we see high building in blocks all it up at night we automatically think that what we are watching is in America. A bit like kick-ass....it looks like its in America, but actually its set in London. It doesnt want you to notice the difference.