Schoolio's Movie Corner

[Somewhat Damaged]

On the subject of female writers, I realize it was an adaptation but what did people here think of Sarah Polley's Away From Her? For a while there, it was my second favorite film of the year behind Zodiac.

[luckyface]

Batman Begins was not good enough to support this hype.

Seriously? That movie was tremendous. Easily the best Batman movie. Well, outside of Batman & Robin, of course.

[wmgaretjax]

Seriously? That movie was tremendous. Easily the best Batman movie. Well, outside of Batman & Robin, of course.

"the best Batman movie" isn't saying much... it was good, but pots is right, all this hype is pretty ridiculous.

[schoolofruckus]

i saw Margot at the Wedding. I really think Baumbach has a lot of potential, and his films have shown a great upward trajectory. I really enjoyed the film, even though it is very flawed. It's a brutal, dark film with some great acting (only weak link being Jack Black who is inconsistent). It is not a pleasant film, but the characters are completely believable in their viciousness. The handheld camera suited the film well, and the arc of the film is near perfect. It definitely followed Baumbach's previous films thematically and in style, although it's a little less silly in it's quirk and a little more refined in it's character development. I recommend it, although it's not a date movie, and not something you need to storm the theater to see.

My lady friend wanted to see Juno instead of Atonement... And I fucking hated it. Gabe was spot on, nothing more needs to be said.

Did your lady friend like it?

The ironic thing is that, unless she doesn't care for drama in any way, shape, or form, she would almost certainly have loved Atonement more.

[Yablonowitz]

Batman Begins was not good enough to support this hype.

Praise Jesus for you, Pot. I forgive all your previous transgressions.

[thelastgreatman]

Seriously? That movie was tremendous. Easily the best Batman movie. Well, outside of Batman & Robin, of course.

Are you fucking kidding me? If there's anyone who doesn't recognize that the original Batman is at least three times as good as any of the sequels I will fight you at Coachella.

[luckyface]

Are you fucking kidding me? If there's anyone who doesn't recognize that the original Batman is at least three times as good as any of the sequels I will fight you at Coachella.

Let's fight, then. I love the original Batman (and Batman Returns for that), but Batman Begins was fucking awesome, in my humble opinion. If Katie Holmes wasn't in it, it would have been perfect.

[thelastgreatman]

... so are we fighting or what, 'cause that didn't sound like acquisence to me.

[Yablonowitz]

Are you fucking kidding me? If there's anyone who doesn't recognize that the original Batman is at least three times as good as any of the sequels I will fight you at Coachella.

I hate all the fucking comic book hero movies. EVERY ONE OF THEM. So, we will fight, but I'm going to kill you from behind because I know a dealer like you will be packing heat. You'll die Soprano style. Won't even feel a thing.

[thelastgreatman]

Dude, if you don't love that movie if for no other reason that the ultimate of Jack Nicholson caricatures, you have no soul. And therefore you will always lose when fighting against a corrupted soul.

[luckyface]

... so are we fighting or what, 'cause that didn't sound like acquisence to me.

I said let's fight at the beginning, so yes.

[thelastgreatman]

Oh you did. I didn't see that. Alright, I'll gonna go house on both you tasteless queerbait. I'm of a mind to make some mookie.

[menikmati]

Sorry Randy, I prefer Batman Forever and Batman Begins over the 1989 Batman.

[thelastgreatman]

Sorry for what I'm going to do to all your faces. =)

[schoolofruckus]

I like Batman and Batman Begins both. I'm not sure which one I like more; some days it's one, some days it's the other. Randy, you can half-fight me at Coachella if you feel like dying.

I wouldn't say they "deserve" the hype. But seeing as how movies that do deserve it never get that kind of viral marketing, and the revitalized Batman series is one of the best kinds of tentpole/franchise movies out right now, the constant teasing doesn't bother me.

I mean, could you see 17 different teaser posters/clips being released throughout the year for Where the Wild Things Are? Not that they shouldn't, but they won't.

[thelastgreatman]

I'm surrounded by assholes. Looks like everybody in this thread is going to be uglier than usual come May.

[miscorrections]

I wouldn't pick a fight with Ransom 1.

[thelastgreatman]

Why? They can neither fight nor rap. I would win both battles.

[suprefan]

For the first franchise I will rank accordingly. My next ranking will come next year.

Batman > Batman Forever > Batman Returns > Batman and Robin





Randy, nice sig, just saw that.

[thelastgreatman]

You have no business in this thread, get the fuck out.

[suprefan]

Uh huh..... Gabe likes me btw and it is his thread. So.............











I'll stay







Can we agree one one thing? Batman > Superman?

[wmgaretjax]

Did your lady friend like it?

The ironic thing is that, unless she doesn't care for drama in any way, shape, or form, she would almost certainly have loved Atonement more.

no, she hated it as well. she apologized for not taking my suggestion too. alas...

I hate the original Batman because of Michael Keaton. I'll fight you over Michael Keaton Randy. And I'll win. There is an anger that rises in me that makes me stronger than any man when it comes to Keaton.

[thelastgreatman]

You're a fucking idiot, Jared. Michael Keaton was great back then.

And Supre, Gabe likes you? Seriously? Gabe is this true? How can that possibly be true? Nobody fucking likes you.

[wmgaretjax]

You're a fucking idiot, Jared. Michael Keaton was great back then.

And Supre, Gabe likes you? Seriously? Gabe is this true? How can that possibly be true? Nobody fucking likes you.

shut the fuck up and go enjoy Mr. Mom you fucking monkey.

[C DUB YA]

Michael Keaton - no hero of mine

[full on idle]

Original Batman was great because of Batdance.

I like Superman better.

[schoolofruckus]

Jared.

http://www.bigfanboy.com/pages/interviews/michaelkeaton/keaton-beetlejuice.jpg

[thelastgreatman]

Thank you, Gabe.

[wmgaretjax]

Jared.


never seen it.

[thelastgreatman]

Tell me something, Supre, do you usually have trouble distinguishing between when people actually like you and when they just don't want to be rude to you to your face. Fortunately, I have no problem with this, so pay attention:

No one on this board likes you except maybe the people you hung out with after Daft Punk LA, and even then I think they were just trying to be humane. I assure you of this. Even I am like 10 times more liked than you and I'm an intolerable asshole, so think about what that means for you.

Now leave this thread, please. We were safe from you here. Thank you.

[thelastgreatman]

never seen it.

WHAT THE FUCK? Dude... how can you ever talk about movies ever?

[wmgaretjax]

WHAT THE FUCK? Dude... how can you ever talk about movies ever?

I guess I can't...

I'll netflix it.

[Tylerdurden31]

I'm currently in the process of watching Blade Runner for the first time...yes...the first time. If I were 15...maybe this would be acceptable. Me...I'm 26....stupid bastard.


Batman Begins wins...

Batman > Batman Returns > Batman Forever > Batman & Robin > Suprefan

[schoolofruckus]

Mike, which version are you watching?

The "Final Cut" comes out on Tuesday on DVD. It's the best one yet in my opinion.

[Tylerdurden31]

Mike, which version are you watching?

The "Final Cut" comes out on Tuesday on DVD. It's the best one yet in my opinion.

i think it was an advance of that....DVD...what's that?

[schoolofruckus]

Forget it. You wouldn't understand.

[iv3rdawG]

Just got back from Atonement. I really enjoyed the first part of the film, the segment all taking place in 1935. The only section of the film I didn't particularly enjoy were the scenes where Robbie was in the Army, besides that one shot when they first arrive at the camp, which was great. Just that little chunk. All of the Briony scenes were wonderful. And that ending, wow. That totally made up for the Robbie segment before. Extremely powerful ending to a brilliant film.

[dorkfish]

*** Spoiler Warning ***

It seems that there is a monster lurking at the end of the book, and Grover pleads with the reader not to go further. Despite Grover's frantic pleas, the pages keep turning. Grover resorts to tying the page down, boarding it up, and building a brick wall, but nothing can stop the omnipotent reader. Finally, the reader discovers that the monster is furry, blue, and lovable - Grover himself. Now the kids are off to a nightmare-free sleep.

[thelastgreatman]

I have to be leaving, but I won't let that come between us.


That's what he says at the end of Lost In Translation. And it would have been pretty much the only good line in that whole movie if they left it in. Oh my god, I hate Sofia Coppola so much more right now.

[full on idle]

Why would you do that?

[miscorrections]

Randy, you're a jackass.

[thelastgreatman]

BECAUSE IT'S ACTUALLY BETTER THAN ANYTHING SHE WROTE IN IT. I'M NOT FUCKING KIDDING.

[thelastgreatman]

This is going to be the only thing I've used myspace or facebook for in months.

[schoolofruckus]

Please post a link here rather than a transcript. That dialogue was never intended to be heard by the audience.

Why is this such a difficult concept?

[thelastgreatman]

What do you expect?

[schoolofruckus]

Compliance.

You could have said "The dialogue that Bill Murray improvised at the end of 'Lost in Translation' is much better than anything that cunt Sofia wrote in it - big fucking surprise. You know, because he's a man." and left it at that. Quoting the line isn't necessary to make your point.

[thelastgreatman]

You expected me to be compliant? Honestly?

[thelastgreatman]

Ask Supre about whether or not that sounds unlikely. I hear you guys are pretty tight.

[schoolofruckus]

Harmony > Randy

[thelastgreatman]

Is that supposed to be the concept of harmony or Harmony Korine?

[schoolofruckus]

*whispers something inaudible, left for audience interpretation*

[thelastgreatman]

Aww... I just got both schooled AND faced.

[PotVsKtl]

It's not right anyway. Watch the clip, that dialogue is off.

[schoolofruckus]

I was going to say - when I heard what the dialogue was the first time, he said more. Unless it was a deliberate attempt by Bill Murray to look like he's saying more than he is, a la the Japanese commercial director.

[thelastgreatman]

It sounds kinda close. They might have thrown a filter on his voice or something to distort it even more.

[suprefan]

So yeah.................. Batman scene anyone? This is why IMAX rules



TwV_SOgvq2s

[menikmati]

looks sweet

[gunfoo]

was that before I Am Legend or something?

[menikmati]

Before the I Am Legend IMAX screenings.

[thelastgreatman]

So yeah.................. Batman scene anyone? This is why IMAX rules



TwV_SOgvq2s

There's absolutely nothing in that trailer to connote anything whatsoever about whether that will be good or not.

Supre, have you read my memo earlier re: no one liking you?

[PotVsKtl]

My Blueberry Nights is disappointing.

[thelastgreatman]

Really? With a title like that I would never have thought.

[Benis23]

There's absolutely nothing in that trailer to connote anything whatsoever about whether that will be good or not.

Supre, have you read my memo earlier re: no one liking you?

I'm glad he posted it - I think the movie looks awesome.

And what's all this about Burton's Batmans being better than the new Christopher Nolan Batmans? Is everyone just nostalgic for 1989? I mean, at the time those movies were great, and Michael Keaton was fine as Batman, but the new ones are taking it to another level.

And Jack Nicholson's Joker was not that great. It was an over-the-top caricature that was really not very similar to the Joker in the comics.

I think all the hype is well deserved. Christopher Nolan directing, Christian Bale as Batman, a new and improved Joker, Maggie Gylenhaal replacing Katie Holmes, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman . . . Summer blockbusters don't get much better in my opinion.

[thelastgreatman]

Oh god, I hate you. I hate you so much. Alright, so that's, what, seven people I'm fighting at Coachella? FINE.

[Benis23]

Oh god, I hate you. I hate you so much. Alright, so that's, what, seven people I'm fighting at Coachella? FINE.

Great. I saw your picture - your skinny ass doesn't have a prayer.

Why do you have such a boner for jack nicholson? He's not smart or subtle - everything is just as over the top as possible. He almost ruined The Departed, and anyone who knows anything about Batman knows that Ledger's Joker will easily surpass Nicholson's.

[thelastgreatman]

Yeah. Cause Heath's a real blockbuster talent just waiting for the opportunity to show his dark side. Right. MUCH better than Jack Nicholson. Seriously, kill yourself.

[DaOneManWonda]

me and jack would do lines between his girlfriends tits back in the day

[suprefan]

Oh god, I hate you. I hate you so much. Alright, so that's, what, seven people I'm fighting at Coachella? FINE.

Cage match dude, IN THE DOME!!!

[schoolofruckus]

My Blueberry Nights is disappointing.

Where did you see it?

[PotVsKtl]

Where did you see it?

On the internets. I don't know where it came from but there's a good quality screener of it. Someone really needed to step in and tell Kar-Wai that Norah Jones can't act for shit.

[schoolofruckus]

It got savaged at Cannes, which is why (I would assume) its release has been delayed.

[Yablonowitz]

The reviews I read of My Blueberry Nights were essentially the same as what Pot said - disappointing. Too bad.

I actually now have to admit to watching that entire trailer (would that be considered a trailer?) and feeling strangely compelled by the filming quality, sound and genuine creepiness. Is it actually going to be filmed like an old 70's movie?

Hmmmmm. Plus...Maggie Gylenhaal is in it? Grrrrr. Don't make me go to another fucking cartoon action hero movie!

The Prestige >> Batman Begins

[dorkfish]

http://atasteforthetheatrical.com/deathtrap/default.htm

[theburiedlife]

Damnit dorkfish i was just about to show em that. Thunder stealer-er!!!

[thelastgreatman]

Superhero movies make or break based on the strength of the villain. No Australian will ever be frightening. That is all.

[prettydirtything]

I watched evan almighty last night... I could detail all the ways in which it was terrible, but anybody who responds to a movie thread prob could have told me to avoid it like botulism

I was not amused, and turned to the internet to register my disgust.

I did not laugh once... seriously.

http://www.westportlibrary.org/teenblog/images/comic-book-guy-13018.jpg

[gunfoo]

Superhero movies make or break based on the strength of the villain. No Australian will ever be frightening. That is all.


Not even Russel Crowe in Romper Stomper?

[Jerm05]

Or Hugh Jackman in Kate and Leopold?

[thelastgreatman]

Without having seen either--no, and no.

[rage patton]

So, I'm pretty much a movie big shot now. I was hanging out with the one and only.... Corbin Blue from High School Musical tonight. Oh yeah!

He's a nice a guy. That is all.

[gunfoo]

Without having seen either--no, and no.


you've never seen Romper Stomper? you should.

[thelastgreatman]

Russell Crowe is in it? And I should see it?

Nope, wrong. Please take your Japanese animation avatar and get fucked--you're on Team No One.

[Abe Lincoln]

No Australian will ever be frightening. That is all.
http://www.kerryfoxlive.com/Photos/Mel%20Gibson%20Mug%20Shot.jpg

[Jerm05]

there it is. he's got it.

[thelastgreatman]

Just because you're a racist doesn't make you frightening.

[gunfoo]

Russell Crowe is in it? And I should see it?

Nope, wrong. Please take your Japanese animation avatar and get fucked--you're on Team No One.


Just because Russel Crowe is in it does not mean you should dismiss it altogether. It's actually a great film that you may enjoy. Was The Insider such a bad film? but fuck. who am i to make a suggestion? don't see it. like i care.

[thelastgreatman]

Yes. Yes it was. Hence, shut up.

[PotVsKtl]

Romper Stomper is a good movie.

[idrive1life]

Ugh no Atonement, I'm Not There and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly in here yet. So in addition to watching ton of films via 3 at a time BBuster in-store rentals program, I also just re-subscribed & have received/watched few of them from Netflix (*Watch Instantly feature is really cool!*).

Arrrrghh! I don't think that BBuster has Eastern Promises and I just found out that Netflix has it so I immediately watched & mailed back the 1st 3 I received this weekend.

I consider This is England a 2006 film since I'm using the first global/worldwide *including film festivals* theatrical release criteria.

In the future, I'm definitely going to buy the Festival Express, The U.S. vs. John Lennon, L'Enfant (hopefully in Criterion) and This is England DVDs.

[wmgaretjax]

L'Enfant (hopefully in Criterion) and This is England DVDs.

Two stellar films. If you can forgive the terrible music in "This is England."

[kitt kat]

i finished downloading "i'm not there" so we'll see how it is when i get home tonight and watch it.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Funny, I might catch that very film at the Arclight tonight, since I missed the first 15+ minutes the first time I saw it. Is it a screener you downloaded?

[Yablonowitz]

i finished downloading "i'm not there" so we'll see how it is when i get home tonight and watch it.

Hey Ronnie, come here. We have a feminist thief! Do something Ronnie like.

[full on idle]

Who said she's a feminist?

[J~$$$]

Yablo.

[KungFuJoe]

I recently rewatched Olivier Assayass' CLEAN. I enjoyed it much better than I did the first time, but still don't buy Maggie Cheung's character so much. It's not as good as Irma Vep, but still a notch above most films.

Also, an old favorite little gem from the 90's Human Traffic. Fun little british film about a group of friends who go to a rave & do E. If you like movies like Go or Half Baked you'll probably enjoy this one.

I agree on Prestige being greater than Batman Begins. I enjoyed both, but haven't really felt the urge to ever watch Batman Begins again. I'm still looking foward to TDK, even though Ledger's performance looks like it can be annoyingly over the top.

Still need to catch up on some films I've been meaning to rent.

[Yablonowitz]

Who said she's a feminist?

Anyone who would call Judd Apatow a sexist pig has GOT to be a feminist.

THIS IS A JOKE. LET'S JUST FORGET IT.

[sonofhal]

Anyone seen I Am Legend yet? Is it honest to the original? Do the bad guys still look like Passive?

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I haven't seen it, but I know that the ending is completely different.

[sonofhal]

I haven't seen it, but I know that the ending is completely different.

Ah - well that's ruined the ending for me then.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

...Whoops.

[downingthief]

Finally saw No Country on Friday. Rarely has a movie lived up the the glowing reviews as much as this one did. I was simply blown away. Best overall movie I have seen in some time. Performances were top notch, and Anton is right up there with one of the best screen villains of all time.
Can't wait to see it again, because as with most Coen Brothers flicks, you miss some of the nuances of the dialogue.

[roberto73]

Anyone seen I Am Legend yet? Is it honest to the original? Do the bad guys still look like Passive?

The only similarity between the movie and Matheson's novel is that Robert Neville is apparently the last human alive. It's like the filmmakers conducted a science experiment to retell the story with all the good stuff taken out.

[KungFuJoe]

who got munk'd this weekend? 44 million in ticket sales. What the fuck is this world coming to?

[wmgaretjax]

i saw No Country for Old Men again with my dad.

A great movie to see a second time. the continuity is absolutely incredible in almost every respect (down to simple lighting elements). I found myself just waiting in anticipation of that final scene. rarely does a movie captivate me so entirely when watching it twice in such a short window.

[downingthief]

i saw No Country for Old Men again with my dad.

A great movie to see a second time. the continuity is absolutely incredible in almost every respect (down to simple lighting elements). I found myself just waiting in anticipation of that final scene. rarely does a movie captivate me so entirely when watching it twice in such a short window.

Cool, good to hear. That final scene was definitely one that I kept trying to re-visit in my mind as I left the theater. Frustrating part was not knowing it was the end; I left feeling like I had missed something from his speech. Can't wait to see it again.

Going to be tough for me to top that one for best of in 2007, but I plan on seeing as many as I can before years end. Next up will probably be Atonement, or Charlie Wilson.

[idrive1life]

Two stellar films. If you can forgive the terrible music in "This is England."

Jared,

I'm about to watch Factotum and Flannel Pajamas from BBuster. I'm wasting and having hard time now on trying to search & think of what I should rent next.

Would you recommend to me any great or brilliant American indies/foreign films already available in DVD that came out of 2005, 2006 and 2007?

[wmgaretjax]

Would you recommend to me any great or brilliant American indies/foreign films already available in DVD that came out of 2005, 2006 and 2007?

you may have seen many of these:
The Death of Mr. Lazarescu !
Last Days !
Cafe Lumiere
The Holy Girl
Saraband
The Best of Youth !
La Soleil
Gerry (2004) !
Three Times !
Tristam Shandy
Yes (Sally Potter)
Junebug
Palindromes !
The Squid and the Whale !
My Summer of Love
The Intruder !

Exclamation marks next to ones that are personal favorites. This isn't a comprehensive list by any means, just those that popped into my head looking around.

[miscorrections]

I just watched The Squid and the Whale again a few days ago and it is so wonderful.

[schoolofruckus]

Jared, did you see a film called Quiet City that came out this past summer? I heard of it this morning when reading someone's top 10 list, and the description of it was pretty enticing.

“QUIET CITY”
Directed by Aaron Katz


I don’t often respond to films like “Quiet City.” A typical reaction is to recoil or roll my eyes at something that generally rings as pseudo-faux-intelligentsia…so to speak. But director Aaron Katz got me with this, his second feature filmmaking endeavor to date. Producing a work often compared to “Before Sunrise” (I would say “Quiet City” is better), Katz depicts a Brooklyn landscape here that reads like a visual lullaby for anyone respectful of a gorgeous image.


Katz’s little-seen mumblecore installment is a serene effort, one that balances the line between realism and fantasy breathlessly, on the way to becoming a subtextual commentary on connection, comfort and desire. Perhaps leaving itself wide open to criticisms of solipsism, both artistic and philosophical, it nonetheless manages to set an unbroken tone of humanity from start to finish – and all for a budget that never reached $2,000. This is independent cinema at its finest.

[wmgaretjax]

I hadn't heard of it. I saved it to my netflix for once it's released.

[thelastgreatman]

Let's hear suggestions for what movie(s?) my roommate and I should hit on Christmas.

[schoolofruckus]

You need to see There Will Be Blood in spite of your prior aversions to Paul Thomas Anderson's stuff. It comes out the day after, though.

I'm gonna see Sweeney Todd tomorrow night, so if that's good I'll let you know.

[amyzzz]

AVP-R comes out on Christmas.

[idrive1life]

you may have seen many of these:
The Death of Mr. Lazarescu !
Last Days !
Cafe Lumiere
The Holy Girl
Saraband
The Best of Youth !
La Soleil
Gerry (2004) !
Three Times !
Tristam Shandy
Yes (Sally Potter)
Junebug
Palindromes !
The Squid and the Whale !
My Summer of Love
The Intruder !

Exclamation marks next to ones that are personal favorites. This isn't a comprehensive list by any means, just those that popped into my head looking around.

I'm done with Flannel Pajamas (Boourns will like it *Asobi Seksu*, B), Factotum (B-) and even got to see Lilja 4-ever (via netflix watch instantly, A).

Nice! Thanks Jared. Good call on so many "great" ones that I've never got the chance or forgot to watch 2 or 3 years ago.

You know what I'm going to do on my birthday? Take a work day off, go see my doctor for full medical checkup then have a nice lunch & drink fine wine in a fancy Italian restaurant with friends then do something *more special, maybe get laid heh heh* then definitely watch at least 3 of these (5 to 6 hours at least? that's nothing lol).

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu ! (I don't know this one - I guess 2005 was the year I went to gigs instead of movie theaters)
Last Days ! (I always wanted to see this but I keep forgetting it - if I see this in netflix watch instantly, this is what am going to watch next .. but then I can get it in BB once I return FP and Factotum)
Cafe Lumiere
The Holy Girl (I have'nt seen it but for some reason it reminds of Maria Full of Grace by just looking at the picture in imdb)
Saraband (seen it, love it, A/A-)
The Best of Youth ! (Holy cow! This is one of those "great films of 2003" I never got the chance to see too - many thanks for this, this will be second in my list ... now I wish there's more time left tonight)
La Soleil
Gerry (2004) ! (seen it, love it, A)
Three Times ! (I have not seen a Hsiao-hsien Hou film yet so I'll start with this one then CL)
Tristam Shandy (I like this a lot, B+)
Yes (Sally Potter)
Junebug (watched some parts of it in cable? ... I'll definitely revisit)
Palindromes ! (I enjoyed watching this, B+)
The Squid and the Whale ! (watched some parts of it in cable? ... I'll definitely revisit)
My Summer of Love (ahhhh, another how did I miss/forget it?)
The Intruder ! (Maybe it came out in the US theaters 2005 that's why I missed this Denis' film)

[wmgaretjax]

I love Lilya-4-Ever. For a serious shift in Lukas Moodyson, check out "Container(DVD available in PAL2)" or "Together (DVD available)."

[full on idle]

I just watched The Squid and the Whale again a few days ago and it is so wonderful.

Yes! It is.

[wmgaretjax]

I just watched The Squid and the Whale again a few days ago and it is so wonderful.

Noah Baumbach's new film "Margot at the Wedding" is great (better) as well. It contains the same edge without the questionable cariactures that Squid and the Whale had (not that it was a huge problem). It's a little more human, and a little more bitter.

[full on idle]

duly noted

[kitt kat]

halfway through "i'm not there" and it's a bit wacky

[wmgaretjax]

halfway through "i'm not there" and it's a bit wacky

Yeah.. Todd Haynes is just trying to be "weird."

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

I resaw I'm Not There tonight at the Arclight. I liked it more than the first time I saw it, and I thought it was a fascinating film then. I'm still convinced that the Richard Gere segment is the key part of the film, and the Goin' to Acapulco sequence remain the best piece of film I've seen all year (unless you want to count the whole of No Country for Old Men).

[Abe Lincoln]

I wanted to like I'm Not There so much,and I still might,it's just that sometimes it comes to a screeching halt,with the Richard Gere and Heath Ledger segments particularly.The kid is fantastic though,as is Christian Bale,Cate Blanchett,and the person I think captures Dylan most perfectly in this,Ben Whishaw as "Arthur Rimbaud".

[Tylerdurden31]

saw The Mist last night. I enjoyed it. Like most recent Stephen King scary movies, there were plot holes, but the plot holes don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Marcia Gay Harden is a fantastic actress. Thomas Jane actually surprised me a bit. I've only seen him in crap movies before, but he did a pretty good job in this one. I'd recommend it.

[schoolofruckus]

Jared - I picked up the 2-disc Artificial Eye set of Werckmeister Harmonies and Damnation this past weekend. That was the version you recommended, right?

[Yablonowitz]

Noah Baumbach's new film "Margot at the Wedding" is great (better) as well. It contains the same edge without the questionable cariactures that Squid and the Whale had (not that it was a huge problem). It's a little more human, and a little more bitter.

Squid and the Whale was a movie I appreciated the more I thought back on it. A really wonderfully astute flick. The process the older son went through was painfully relatable and really potent when he learns to start thinking for himself. I think I should buy that movie. I'm kind of teary right now thinking about it.

[thelastgreatman]

Who wins--squid or whale?


Squid would fucking house whale, dude. Wait a minute... new sticky poll?

[downingthief]

Too vague...are we talking Giant Squid? And, what kind of whale?

[thelastgreatman]

Giant Squid, Sperm Whale.

[thelastgreatman]

Fucking DUH.

[schoolofruckus]

Squid and the Whale was a movie I appreciated the more I thought back on it. A really wonderfully astute flick. The process the older son went through was painfully relatable and really potent when he learns to start thinking for himself. I think I should buy that movie. I'm kind of teary right now thinking about it.

Quite true. But it doesn't erase the part where the two parents - culturally-savvy intellectuals both - had never heard or heard of "Hey You".

[mountmccabe]

Heard of what?

[schoolofruckus]

Oh, nothing, nothing. But here, listen to this awesome song I wrote....

7MTvWfQCh88

[Yablonowitz]

Quite true. But it doesn't erase the part where the two parents - culturally-savvy intellectuals both - had never heard or heard of "Hey You".

I suspended my disbelief. Didn't bother me. If he'd picked a more obscure, yet equally lonley song, it would have been better. But, didn't really change the point or the dynamics of the story.

[wmgaretjax]

yes gabe. enjoy it.

[thelastgreatman]

So besides There Will Be Blood, is there anything else out that doesn't suck for my Christmas theatre-hopping?

[Yablonowitz]

So besides There Will Be Blood, is there anything else out that doesn't suck for my Christmas theatre-hopping?

Chipmunks. But go undrugged. You'll miss all the innuendos and references.

[full on idle]

I'm Not There, eff the haterz.

Also, if you're going to be in SF go to the Metreon and see Beowulf in IMAX 3D it's great.

[wmgaretjax]

So besides There Will Be Blood, is there anything else out that doesn't suck for my Christmas theatre-hopping?

I'm Not There.

[thelastgreatman]

Pretty sure I'm Not There sucks.

[amyzzz]

saw The Mist last night. I enjoyed it. Like most recent Stephen King scary movies, there were plot holes, but the plot holes don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Marcia Gay Harden is a fantastic actress. Thomas Jane actually surprised me a bit. I've only seen him in crap movies before, but he did a pretty good job in this one. I'd recommend it.
Thanks for the review. I want to check this one out but haven't gotten around to it, and most of the people who post here and way too stuffy to see it.

[wmgaretjax]

Pretty sure I'm Not There sucks.

ok. just rent Die Hard 4 and stay in. watch it thrice.

[miscorrections]

He meant mute the movie and just play Thrice. It's a double-zing at your bad taste.

[fatbastard]

I seen Back to The Future 1, 2, and 3 this weekend. Never seen any of these movies before. The first one was kind of funny, the other two were not so good.

[wmgaretjax]

He meant mute the movie and just play Thrice. It's a double-zing at your bad taste.

i actually meant watch it three times with both of the extra, incredibly insightful commentaries. but that works too.

[miscorrections]

He should put it on in Spanish, mute it, and have the commentary as subtitles. While Thrice-ing.

[full on idle]

That reminds me that I rented this DVD last week called "Live Free or Die" because Blockbuster never has anything good in the store and it has Zooey Deschanel so I just grabbed it. I haven't watched it yet. Has anybody seen it?

[downingthief]

That reminds me that I rented this DVD last week called "Live Free or Die" because Blockbuster never has anything good in the store and it has Zooey Deschanel so I just grabbed it. I haven't watched it yet. Has anybody seen it?

mmmmmmmmm...Zooey...

Sorry, FOI...got distracted. Nope, never seen it.

[thelastgreatman]

ok. just rent Die Hard 4 and stay in. watch it thrice.

He meant mute the movie and just play Thrice. It's a double-zing at your bad taste.

i actually meant watch it three times with both of the extra, incredibly insightful commentaries. but that works too.

He should put it on in Spanish, mute it, and have the commentary as subtitles. While Thrice-ing.

Jared--funny, but any man who hasn't seen Beetlejuice, frankly, cannot speak on anything.

Corinna--Stop pushing me. I've been relatively nice to you considering your repeated attempts to leverage the fact that you're a dumb cunt with no life experience full of firm opinions about everything in the world whether or not you have any basis for them into an attack campaign on me. Need I remind you just how easily I could air some of your dirty laundry if I wanted to? Back the fuck up and leave me alone.

[full on idle]

Jared--funny, but any man who hasn't seen Beetlejuice, frankly, cannot speak on anything.

Corinna--Stop pushing me. I've been relatively nice to you considering your repeated attempts to leverage the fact that you're a dumb cunt with no life experience full of firm opinions about everything in the world whether or not you have any basis for them into an attack campaign on me. Need I remind you just how easily I could air some of your dirty laundry if I wanted to? Back the fuck up and leave me alone.

Hey wang, take it easy. You take what you dish, no? And Miscorrections isn't being any more hostile that Wmgaretx or Yablo or anybody. It seems like you just hate it because she's a lady.

[full on idle]

I seen Back to The Future 1, 2, and 3 this weekend. Never seen any of these movies before. The first one was kind of funny, the other two were not so good.

The last 15 minutes of Back to the Future are about the most stressful minutes in any movie from any era. I can barely take it! Bock!

[KungFuJoe]

Never seen Live Free or Die, but I loved Live Free or Die Hard. It's so unbelievable and over the top, but a shitload of fun. Easily the best pure action movie of the year. I wouldn't mind watching it three times again. haha. I still haven't seen Bourne Ultimatum. So one might argue that it's a better film, but Die Hard 4 has everything I expect in an action film.

[full on idle]

He runs a motorbike into a helicopter!!

[miscorrections]

Randy, I'm not seriously attacking you. Lighten up.

[thelastgreatman]

Hey wang, take it easy. You take what you dish, no? And Miscorrections isn't being any more hostile that Wmgaretx or Yablo or anybody. It seems like you just hate it because she's a lady.

No, Foi. I had no problem with your contribution to the argument yesterday because you were actually pretty reasonable. That little girl though decided she wanted to beef with me and stuck her big fucking nose into every thread I was in to jump up in my shit. And frankly I got a bit tired of the drug stigma yesterday and I'm just not in the mood to be fucked with.

[thelastgreatman]

Go fuck yourself, Corinna. You and all your narrow-minded brethren.

[full on idle]

I think you are overreacting, but I don't want to fight.

[thelastgreatman]

I don't either. I'm tired of it. Hence, let's just nuke the fucking issue and be done with it. Great? Great. Back to movies.

[KungFuJoe]

He runs a motorbike into a helicopter!!

no he doesn't!! it's a fucking car!

[schoolofruckus]

That reminds me that I rented this DVD last week called "Live Free or Die" because Blockbuster never has anything good in the store and it has Zooey Deschanel so I just grabbed it. I haven't watched it yet. Has anybody seen it?

Pot has seen it. He reviewed it and I thought he meant Live Free or Die Hard.

[thelastgreatman]

It has everything to do with me. Now drop it. I don't want to talk about it anymore, and you don't get it and you never will. So let's just stop.

[full on idle]

no he doesn't!! it's a fucking car!

MY BAD I ONLY SAW THE PREVIEW

[full on idle]

Pot has seen it. He reviewed it and I thought he meant Live Free or Die Hard.

Oh, cool. Did he like it?

[amyzzz]

I agree with wang. Hate the drug stigma. Sick of the argument. The closemindedness is depressing.

[schoolofruckus]

Randy, don't even bother with I'm Not There. It won't appeal to you. You should give Atonement a shot. It's a great film of its type. I wouldn't think you would enjoy Diving Bell and the Butterfly either.

[thelastgreatman]

I agree with wang. Hate the drug stigma. Sick of the argument. The closemindedness is depressing.

Way to throw in your two cents to an argument that was over when nobody fucking asked for it, you dizzy bitch. DROP IT

[schoolofruckus]

Oh, cool. Did he like it?

I want to say no. But I don't know for sure. Maybe if you throw a rock at him, he'll tell you.

[amyzzz]

Way to throw in your two cents to an argument that was over when nobody fucking asked for it, you dizzy bitch. DROP IT
You forget that no one ever asks for my opinion anyway. I will stop.


Gabe, what is the general premise of the diving bell and butterfly movie (without spoilers)? Like I said, I didn't really get the trailer.

[KungFuJoe]

MY BAD I ONLY SAW THE PREVIEW


then you don't really no what you're missing. great fun. What good is an action film if they don't do some out of mind unbelievable shit anyways. Sure he drove a car into a helicopter. not so unbelievable, because they really did it! no cgi. Also, all of Cyril Raffeli's gravity defying stunts are 100% real. Got to admire that. Sure the movie got more and more over the top as it progressed.Throwing a car into a helicopter is way more believable than John Mclain escaping the attacks from a fighter jet on a bridge while driving a big rig. It's still a good ride though.

[Yablonowitz]

You're a god damned cunt and you kill old people and suck the weiners of AIDS victims so you can spread it around.


Now don't say another word and drag this conversation on any longer. I've made the DEFINITIVE final response!!!!


L'il Wang - de-dick yourself.

[schoolofruckus]

Diving Bell and the Butterfly is spoiler-proof. It's about a French guy who was the editor of French Elle, and one day he has a bizarre and random stroke that renders him paralyzed in his whole body except for his left eye. He ends up learning to communicate and transcribing his memoirs to a speech therapist. It's more about him unlocking his imagination and dealing with the initial shock of paralysis. It's very experimental - lots of stillness and use of first-person camera perspective. Visually immaculate.

[wmgaretjax]

Jared--funny, but any man who hasn't seen Beetlejuice, frankly, cannot speak on anything.

It's first on my Netflix you asshole! I'm trying OK? I'm gonna watch it. I'm gonna review it. And if I hate it, you better still love me.

[miscorrections]

It was on Bravo twice in a row last night.

[thelastgreatman]

L'il Wang - de-dick yourself.

How would I ever be such a deplorable, reprehensible misogynist without my dick though?

[TomAz]

It's first on my Netflix you asshole! I'm trying OK? I'm gonna watch it. I'm gonna review it. And if I hate it, you better still love me.

Beetlejuice with Michael Keaton? don't get your hopes up. At least it has Geena Davis and Winona Ryder in it.

[miscorrections]

Heyyy, I really like that movie.

[full on idle]

Diving Bell and the Butterfly is spoiler-proof. It's about a French guy who was the editor of French Elle, and one day he has a bizarre and random stroke that renders him paralyzed in his whole body except for his left eye. He ends up learning to communicate and transcribing his memoirs to a speech therapist. It's more about him unlocking his imagination and dealing with the initial shock of paralysis. It's very experimental - lots of stillness and use of first-person camera perspective. Visually immaculate.

I saw this preview! I want to see it. Not as much as Pot wants to see that zany Curry competition movie, though.

[full on idle]

then you don't really no what you're missing. great fun. What good is an action film if they don't do some out of mind unbelievable shit anyways. Sure he drove a car into a helicopter. not so unbelievable, because they really did it! no cgi. Also, all of Cyril Raffeli's gravity defying stunts are 100% real. Got to admire that. Sure the movie got more and more over the top as it progressed.Throwing a car into a helicopter is way more believable than John Mclain escaping the attacks from a fighter jet on a bridge while driving a big rig. It's still a good ride though.

Maybe I will rent it and watch it with my family during the holidays!

[thelastgreatman]

Beetlejuice with Michael Keaton? don't get your hopes up. At least it has Geena Davis and Winona Ryder in it.

Are you being serious in criticizing Keaton's performance in that movie?

[luckyface]

Never seen Live Free or Die, but I loved Live Free or Die Hard. It's so unbelievable and over the top, but a shitload of fun. Easily the best pure action movie of the year. I wouldn't mind watching it three times again. haha. I still haven't seen Bourne Ultimatum. So one might argue that it's a better film, but Die Hard 4 has everything I expect in an action film.

That part where he beats the shit out of that ninja chick in the power plant was so over the top hilarious. That won me over.

[wmgaretjax]

Heyyy, I really like that movie.

that makes sense.

[wmgaretjax]

hobbit (http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2007/12/18/28150-peter-jackson-and-new-line-cinema-join-with-mgm-to-produce-%e2%80%9cthe-hobbit%e2%80%9d/)

[full on idle]

Will you please leave her alone?

[amyzzz]

I'm so happy! Peter Jackson looks svelte in that picture.

[TomAz]

Are you being serious in criticizing Keaton's performance in that movie?

He was better in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Mostly because, his role was smaller, and he wasn't Kenneth Branaugh.

[Yablonowitz]

How would I ever be such a deplorable, reprehensible misogynist without my dick though?

That's more like it.

[thelastgreatman]

He was better in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Mostly because, his role was smaller, and he wasn't Kenneth Branaugh.

You're nuts. Beetlejuice is one of the most original and effective comedic performances ever.

[KungFuJoe]

That part where he beats the shit out of that ninja chick in the power plant was so over the top hilarious. That won me over.

mmm. yeah. love that Maggie Q.

eLiiH-v25Eg

and Cyril Raffaelli. They're what won me over for that flick.

QG61JB1Xttc

[atom heart]

hobbit (http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2007/12/18/28150-peter-jackson-and-new-line-cinema-join-with-mgm-to-produce-%e2%80%9cthe-hobbit%e2%80%9d/)

two films? How much could you possibly stretch The Hobbit? What is he going to do, make one film the journey and make a whole other one for the battle?

[wmgaretjax]

You're nuts. Beetlejuice is one of the most original and effective comedic performances ever.

I think Liar Liar is better.

[thelastgreatman]

You embarass yourself.

[wmgaretjax]

You embarass yourself.

I know... but really, it's a tough pick between Michael Keaton and Jim Carrey. I mean, wasn't "The Mask" just a remake of Beetlejuice. If you ask me... Jim Carrey's performance is far superior. But then again... Keaton was FANTASTIC in Multiplicity. Fuck it. I pick Will Ferrel.

[schoolofruckus]

two films? How much could you possibly stretch The Hobbit? What is he going to do, make one film the journey and make a whole other one for the battle?

Peter Jackson would take great offense at your doubting of his abilities. Did you ever see King Kong??? He doubled the running time of the original movie that he was re-making! In 2010, you're going to get a Hobbit so bloated and overdone, it will fulfill your wildest dreams?

[Yablonowitz]

Peter Jackson would take great offense at your doubting of his abilities. Did you ever see King Kong??? He doubled the running time of the original movie that he was re-making! In 2010, you're going to get a Hobbit so bloated and overdone, it will fulfill your wildest dreams?

Blow me, Gabe. Right now. Peter Jackson is good at what he does. Fuck anyone and everyone who disagrees.

Discussion over. Kthkx. Bye.

[thelastgreatman]

Peter Jackson is good at what he does. He as accurate a conversion of boring twice-as-long-as-they-should-be books about fantasy crap that has no substance as director ever.

[atom heart]

Let's just say that I had no doubt that Peter Jackson could make The Hobbit into two movies. I do, however, doubt that he can make two good Hobbit movies. King Kong was just wayyyy too long. Also, I didn't much like Return of the King. That was drawn out too.

[amyzzz]

It has to be an improvement on the Hobbit cartoon from the 70's with cheezy folk song accompaniment.

[atom heart]

one would hope, Amy, one would hope.

[xXThirdManXx]

57DdviStOFo

[wmgaretjax]

Sweeney Todd was ok.

I have to say it's probably the one broadway musical I can claim an appreciation for. My dad was a big fan of musicals, and I have seen the stage performance with angela lansbury a few times.

Visually it's great. The acting is solid, the singing is mediocre (Johnny Depp, while better than I expected, sounds like he is singing in a Disney cartoon. Carter is awful). The story is executed really well in the beginning, but completely flatlines at the end. I believe this to be as a result of the pacing, Burton drawing certain segments out while completely leaving out others. There are other pacing and story quips, the chemistry between Depp and Carter becomes silly because of some choices, and leaving out the chorus was a big mistake. The alteration of the very end of the movie is also a dumbing down of the experience.

All in all it's worth checking out. Don't expect much beyond the visuals, because like most screen adaptations of musicals, the director tries to get to close.

[wmgaretjax]

fuck this beetlejuice crap. this movie is shit. i'm thirty minutes in and I want to overdose on ipecac.

[thelastgreatman]

Just keep watching, bozo.

[schoolofruckus]

I also tried to watch Sweeney Todd tonight. Unfortunately I was really fucking tired and was missing large and critical portions of the movie, and decided I would be better off just bailing and watching it some other time. I was digging it quite a bit, though. It was probably my favorite Johnny Depp performance since Hunter - which isn't saying much because I've been very unhappy with a lot of his recent work, but I was really enjoying him here. Musically, I actually thought Depp sounded terrific, and Carter's singing wasn't vocally impressive, but it seemed like it worked for the character. There were a lot of things here that could have bothered me, but didn't for some reason. Maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention. I liked the fact that the musical numbers didn't all have to erupt into a dance number.

[wmgaretjax]

I liked the fact that the musical numbers didn't all have to erupt into a dance number.

which is definitely true to the musical.

you should check out the DVD they have of the big run that it had on Broadway with Lansbury. It'd provide some context for comparison.

[schoolofruckus]

Good call.

I'm disappointed to hear the ending fucks it all up. It sounds like I was liking it more than you maybe were, but if my dreams of a successful Burton/Depp comeback get dashed by a lame finale, I'm going to be a saaaaaaad panda (thanks to Amy for bringing that one back earlier).

[thelastgreatman]

Jared if you honestly couldn't make it through Beetlejuice after all the snail-paced garbage you devour hungrily I'm going to unload a high-powered hose of pig shit all over your next art installation.

[roberto73]

Jared if you honestly couldn't make it through Beetlejuice after all the snail-paced garbage you devour hungrily I'm going to unload a high-powered hose of pig shit all over your next art installation.

It makes sense that he wouldn't like it, Randy. It was designed to be seen by more people than the director and his immediate family.

[thelastgreatman]

Hahaha, oh, that's a face. Mmm hmm.

[TomAz]

fuck this beetlejuice crap. this movie is shit. i'm thirty minutes in and I want to overdose on ipecac.

don't say I didnt' warn you.

[thelastgreatman]

But no, seriously, I'd like to talk about Beetlejuice for a minute. Since I grew up with that flick (came out when I was fucking six) it never occurred to me how incredibly original and divergent from EVERYTHING else that storyline is until I was dating a girl who had never seen it before and I made her watch it.

She was intoxicated in some form while we were watching it and could not follow the plot at all, so I had to keep explaining it to her. And that story is fucking nuts if you actually try to break it down in words. "Okay, so that married couple died, and as their afterlife they're trapped in their house--if they go outside it's all sand and those big worms and shit try to eat them. But they loved their house and its rustic home-yness, so when these NY assholes move in and start turning it into some avant garde art bullshit (maybe that's why Jared hates it? He sympathizes with the Deitz's) they decide they have to learn how to haunt the new people who live there. But, um, it's hard to be a ghost. So they summon Beetlejuice, who used to be a regular ghost but now is some kind of... um, renegade. He used to work for Juno, their, um... afterlife case worker. So they finally succeed in scaring the new people in the house, but because they're such NY assholes they only see the ghosts as an opportunity to make money. Jesus Christ, this is fucking twisted."

[TomAz]

in other words, typical 80s hollywood coke-fuled bullshit.

next, why don't you explain "honey I shrunk the kids" to us.

[thelastgreatman]

Typical? Please, do tell me about a movie you find similar to Beetlejuice. Like in any fucking way at all.

[TomAz]

Honey I Shrunk The Kids.

[thelastgreatman]

Right, how's that?

[TomAz]

they both star comic actors who are usually more annoying than funny

they both get into zany antics when their plans go awry

they were both 80s hits

and.. umm.. they both suck


edit oh and also they both have a plot about as deep as a kiddie pool

[thelastgreatman]

You really nailed them thematically there. Alright, I give, you win.

[TomAz]

ghosts trapped in their own house? kids shrunk to bug size? yes they're both briefly amusing ideas that die on the vine of a full length movie plot. over-reaching, over-acted, and about as intelligent as a brokendoll post.

[thelastgreatman]

Okay dude, whatever.

[schoolofruckus]

Tom.

I understand not liking Beetlejuice - not thinking it's funny, being irritated by this or that part of it, whatever. But dismissing it the way you are is just wrong. Randy's right - story-wise, it was pretty original. It's not like it was the first horror- or supernaturally-driven comedy to come around, but there's a very real degree of inspiration and imagination that went into it. And from a visual standpoint it was fucking insane. It's easy to take Tim Burton for granted now after he's made some god-awful films over the past few years, but Beetlejuice was his second film (after Pee-Wee's Big Adventure) and the first one were his unique vision really hit the screen.

Like Randy, I grew up with it - which may make me unable to see its flaws. But I also know I wouldn't even want to be able to see them.

Also - for a family film, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is well above-average. Will I ever be driven to watch it again without kids? Of course not. But there's more striving-for-originality in that film than there is in 95% of anything that is marketed to children.

[wmgaretjax]

I'm with Tom for the most part. I finished the movie. And I would watch it with a younger brother or sister, or a kid. I chuckled a few times, and the story is moderately unique for a family movie. Keaton is annoying as shit. The story is twisted, I'll give you that, but it doesn't match the same unnerving ability that Pee-Wee utilized in a similar manner. Yes, it's a weird movie, but to no real avail.

[thelastgreatman]

I've never really thought of it as a kids' movie at all.

[wmgaretjax]

I've never really thought of it as a kids' movie at all.

that's the only way I could imagine ever watching it again. but it was marketed to kids, and then they made a cartoon out of it (right? or am I dreaming that up?).

EDIT: there are definitely things in there intended for adults. it's the same kind of technique a lot of the Pixar movies use, throwing in more mature humore to keep parents interested. only with Beetlejuice, it's shit that is pretty fucked up when you sit back and think about it.

[thelastgreatman]

The cartoon was for kids, sure. I think the movie's appeal was pretty broad. I mean, in theory Pee Wee's Big Adventure is a kids' movie too, but when you watch it is it really written for kids? Just because it has broad appeal doesn't make it a kids' movie. I don't think kids could possibly understand a great deal of the subject matter of Beetlejuice. The fact that they find Keaton amusing and it's full of fun stuff to look at is a different matter.

[wmgaretjax]

yeah, but I do think Pee-Wee did it better. i remember being pretty freaked by that movie when I was a kid, talk about a twisted main character when you start to look under the surface.

I'm excited to see the new "Blade Runner" cut. Also on my counter are "All the Real Girls" and "12:08 Bucharest."

[thelastgreatman]

You didn't find Beetlejuice freaky at all? The fucking seance at the end is disturbing, sorry. Not to mention Juno's slit throat.

[wmgaretjax]

You didn't find Beetlejuice freaky at all? The fucking seance at the end is disturbing, sorry. Not to mention Juno's slit throat.

I would have as a kid for sure. I think it would have been more immediate though, whereas some of the undercurrent of Pee-Wee seeps under your skin, you'll never watch the TV show the same way.

[thelastgreatman]

Right, but that's not even remotely an analogy. You can't objectively compare the two movies now as an adult, separate from Pee-Wee's TV show tie-in? I agree about Big Adventure being fucking creepy, but I've also noticed what an incredible amount of the content of that movie was completely lost on me as a child. Ditto with Beetlejuice.

[wmgaretjax]

Yeah. I mean, I didn't hate the movie. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have really liked it as a kid either. I was always really irritated by ghost stories, don't ask me why. I didn't like Ghostbusters either...and that's pretty terrible too I imagine.

[thelastgreatman]

Um... yeah. That's actually punishable by death. Ghostbusters isn't even really about ghosts. I'm surprised you don't find Beetlejuice's extremely odd take on the relationship between the living and the afterlife intriguing, but so be it. You continue to amaze me.

[Down Rodeo]

It seems some people on here have forgotten how to enjoy some movies purely for entertainment value. Not every movie has to have some underlying philosophical meaning. You can't analyze Beetlejuice the same way as L'Avventura, you know?

I think Beetlejuice is still a classic, but maybe it's because I also grew up with it. I also loved The Neverending Story, but that movie probably sucks too.

[full on idle]

"All the Real Girls" is not great. Sorry Gabe.

"Pee Wee's Big Adventure" is great. If you didn't jump in your seat at "TELL EM LARGE MARGE SENT YA!" then you are not a human at all.

[full on idle]

ps The Neverending Story is GREAT.

[Down Rodeo]

ps The Neverending Story is GREAT.

Thanks for backing me up on that.

[thelastgreatman]

I remember Neverending being really entertaining, not sure how I'd react to it now. But I still don't think you can put that in the same league with either Pee-Wee or Beetlejuice. Pure fantasy and fantasy-twisted reality are very different, and fantasy will always be less good as a genre. Not knocking Neverending in particular, just an important distinction I think.

[wmgaretjax]

It seems some people on here have forgotten how to enjoy some movies purely for entertainment value.

Why? because I didn't like Beetlejuice. I'm much more sparing with my appreciation for strictly entertainment movies, true. But Why would I proclaim the glories of The Incredibles, if I didn't appreciate some strictly entertainment based film? Also, there are so many films that are able to be incredibly entertaining in a traditional sense but also artistic masterpieces (Jacques Tati? Marx Brothers? Wes Anderson sometimes?).

I simply tend to focus my time in a different direction, if I had more hours in the day, maybe I would watch more movies like Beetlejuice, but I don't.

The Neverending Story was one of my favorites as a kid, it's been a LONG time since I've seen that one.

And I'm wary of All the Real Girls...

[thinnerair]

AIDS Plus Hitler Equals Comedy

I have a feeling we're going to be seeing something about the bit I inspired Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody to improvise during an interview for Juno. Since Juno tackles teen pregnancy, and Reitman already tackled the smoking lobby, I asked what issue was next. So I really think I deserve credit for inspiring this brilliance.


"You know, I have an AIDS comedy that I'm going to do next year," Reitman began. "The problem is that AIDS wasn't around during the holocaust so I can't make an AIDS holocaust comedy, unless you add time travel. So it's a time travel comedy. It's about a girl with AIDS who goes back in time to fuck Hitler and give him AIDS. That's an awesome idea. Wait, that's my idea!"

Juno screenwriter Cody had the punchline. "It's going to be called Back to the Fuhrer."

Both cracked themselves up at that, rightfully so. "Back to the Fuhrer, that's awesome," said Reitman. "Oh my God."

For more laughs like that, see Juno. Cody added, "I'm not surprised that you came up with that idea. I'm just surprised you unleashed it in this setting."

Even a follow-up about turning hot button issues into comedy developed the act further. "Well look, when I do Back to the Fuhrer, there are going to be no jokes," said Reitman. "We're going to take it fairly seriously. The humor is inherent."

Cody continued, "Because this isn't going to be a trip and fall movie. The comedy is going to be very intelligent."

To bring it all full circle, Reitman concluded, "Yeah, Back to the Fuhrer is very much like Juno. They're kind of long lost siblings, like Diablo and I."

The duo left the interview talking about Back to the Fuhrer, Reitman speculating about actually doing a short of it. You heard it here first.

[PotVsKtl]

I knew my time travelling Hitler sex romp comedy was missing oomph.

[wmgaretjax]

"All the Real Girls..." A decent film. Very beautiful, and there are some great moments of visual poetry. There are also some fantastic scenes. Unfortunately, the film doesn't quite hold itself together. There are moments where the dialogue completely undermines the poetry of the the way the story is told. The brief moments of non-linearity are intriguing and definitely stand out against the segments where we stick with the characters for and extended period of time. While many of the performances are great, both the leads have several moments that detract from the pacing of the piece.

I loved both of the clowns scenes (at the beginning, and again with the mom at the end), but the quirk also failed in scenes like the bowling alley and the car race. The music was phenomenal.

It makes sense given what I've seen of Green so far. A lot of potential, but someone else should write his dialogue and hold him accountable for the performances and pacing.

[full on idle]

It barely had a plot.
There was one scene I thought was moving and it was when they were fighting in his car.
The rest of it I was just like what the fuck did I just sit through?

[wmgaretjax]

It barely had a plot.
There was one scene I thought was moving and it was when they were fighting in his car.
The rest of it I was just like what the fuck did I just sit through?

I thought what plot there was ended up being a little cliche too; the womanizer comes around for an innocent girl and learns the life lessons he should have taken care of a decade prior...and?

[full on idle]

Exactly.

[schoolofruckus]

Well, I think it's awesome. Not perfect - but I don't really require perfection. If the soul of a film works for me, then I forgive a lot of minor missteps as long as they don't disengage me.

[wmgaretjax]

Well, I think it's awesome. Not perfect - but I don't really require perfection. If the soul of a film works for me, then I forgive a lot of minor missteps as long as they don't disengage me.

I guess that for the first half they didn't quite disengage me, but then I realized that I didn't really care about the story or characters that i was trying so hard to take an interest in. Some great sequences though and he is clearly great dealing with kids, because they always seem to be the most compelling in his film, which I find rare. I still think George Washington is his best film.

[keriann]

Anyone seen Charlie Bartlett? I saw the trailer for it and it looked interesting. I think I will rent it unless one of you tell me it's horrible. Also it depends on which one of you says that.

[schoolofruckus]

I remember seeing the trailer and being bothered by the way the main kid talked. So I never saw it. Hopefully someone else will be more helpful.

[mountmccabe]

I just saw Control and now I'm sad. It put me in a mood like after seeing Of Mice And Men on TV like 15 years ago. Except it made me want to hug all the people I love and talk to them.

It had two mis-steps, the woman with epilepsy and ending with the fucking Killers.

[keriann]

What didn't you like about the woman with epilepsy?

[wmgaretjax]

What didn't you like about the woman with epilepsy?

it was a little heavy handed to use a catalyst like that to show us that he was scared... we already should've been able to figure that out from his performance.

[mountmccabe]

What Jared said. It wasn't as bad as having to hear the Killers but it would've been better if it were lighter.

[Somewhat Damaged]

RE: Beetlejuice -- I saw a porno in high school (so about a decade ago) in which one of the segments found a guy done up in Beetlejuice make-up getting it on with some big-titted bimbo. Beetlejuice had a small dick.

With the release of Once on DVD, I've been wanting to watch Before Sunset again, especially since its soundtrack has been playing as I go to sleep the last few nights.