Schoolio's Movie Corner

[sbessiso]

thats right boy, you go and support Madonna

[whynotsmile99]

ashes of time is playing in a few theaters in LA so don't stress about missing it at LACMA. im going to try and see it in Pasadena this weekend. I haven't seen it before, so looking forward to seeing it for the first tiem on the big screen

[rage patton]

thats right boy, you go and support Madonna

Apparently it's actually supposed to be pretty damn good. Better than her last album anyways.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[sbessiso]

Fuck you, "Hard Candy" rox

[Cdubby]

Cdubby's recommendation for this month kids is........


Very Bad Things starring Christian Slater and Cameron Diaz. A heart warming tale of five friends who go to Vegas, order a hooker, do lots of blow, and accidentally kill her. Things just get more wacky and crazy as the story unfolds!!! "Savagely Funny" says Dennis Dermody from Paper Magazine. Do yourself a favor and rent/buy this gem today!

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/6305353549.01.LZZZZZZZ.gif

[Jenniehoo]

That's a terrible movie.

[wmgaretjax]

I watched Hitchcock's Spellbound last night. One of my favorites by him. Up there with Notorious...

[Cdubby]

That's a terrible movie.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/cdubby/gtfo.gif

[Jenniehoo]

Sorry, dude. I didn't think it was good.

[Cdubby]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/cdubby/gtfo2.gif

[KungFuJoe]

ashes of time is playing in a few theaters in LA so don't stress about missing it at LACMA. im going to try and see it in Pasadena this weekend. I haven't seen it before, so looking forward to seeing it for the first tiem on the big screen

wasn't stressing, but it took them a little while to post the theaters it would be playing at in L.A. Thought it might've only been a NY release. I'm glad to see it's getting released tomorrow & will probably hit it up at the Sunset 5 sometime this weekend. I had a terrible VHS copy of this a while back & watch it a few times, but could never get entirely into it 1) because the video quality was terrible 2)the story was hard to follow, especially with hard to read subtitles. I'm pretty psyched this is getting a good release. A couple of my friends have already seen it at a couple of different screenings & loved it. Can't wait.

[Jenniehoo]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/cdubby/gtfo2.gif

It's a varying opinion. It's healthy.

[Cdubby]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/cdubby/nigga.gif

[Jenniehoo]

OK cool - I'll take that as a makeup. Is that a coffin he's coming out of? Whatever - we made up.

[Cdubby]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/cdubby/dunno.gif

[KungFuJoe]

OK Film geeks! tis the season. The AFI Fest Schedule is up & so far what I'm seeing on the lineup looks great.

Would you spend $25 to sit thru 262 minutes of Sodebergh's newest "CHE"?? I think I might. Got to decide before it sells out though.

Already purchased tickets for Kitano's "Achilles and the Tortoise".

got to keep browsing the rest ....

http://filmguide.afifest.com/tixSYS/2008/filmguide/title/detail/


edit - adding to my list the matinee screening of "The Good, The Bad & the Weird" & "Tokyo!"

going to have to miss "The Wrestler"

[kreutz2112]

hi hoo! um I watched Requium for a Dream for the first time and thought it was pretty good. Also, that new Clint Eastwood movie looks like it has potential.

[wmgaretjax]

Would you spend $25 to sit thru 262 minutes of Sodebergh's newest "CHE"?? I think I might. Got to decide before it sells out though.
"

My friend said it was awful. She saw it at Cannes. She's kind of a Che buff too. I wouldn't miss "The Wrestler" if you can manage it....

[KungFuJoe]

^thanks for the tip. I'll pass on CHE then. I'm not even the biggest Soderbergh fan, but I'm intrigued to see this one. However, I'll save the cash as I'm sure there's a good chance for the same cut to screen in L.A. before this year ends.

Same goes for The Wrestler. I definately want to see it, but its screening doesn't fit with my work schedule & I don't want to drop 25 bucks on it. Slumdog Millionaire also fits in this category.

Guess I'll have to stick with my asian pics & find some other hidden gems, like I feel "Tokyo!" might be. Has anyone heard about this one? This triptych of shorts hover in a state of surrealism that might feel natural only in Tokyo, as auteurs Michel Gondry, Leos Carax and Bong Joon-ho transform elements of the mundane to tantalizing visual aphorisms.

[higgybaby23]

wasn't stressing, but it took them a little while to post the theaters it would be playing at in L.A. Thought it might've only been a NY release. I'm glad to see it's getting released tomorrow & will probably hit it up at the Sunset 5 sometime this weekend. I had a terrible VHS copy of this a while back & watch it a few times, but could never get entirely into it 1) because the video quality was terrible 2)the story was hard to follow, especially with hard to read subtitles. I'm pretty psyched this is getting a good release. A couple of my friends have already seen it at a couple of different screenings & loved it. Can't wait.

I could watch the first 10 minutes of Ashes over and over again. I understand what you are saying by the story being somewhat confusing. It took me a couple of viewings to sort it all out, and even then it is probaly just my opinion of what the plot is. W.K.Wai tends to remind me of a Chinese David Lynch, in that he loves an open ending and subjective plot. Hopefully the redux helps clarify some of the more confusing plot points.

[wmgaretjax]

I'm not a fan of Ed Zwick, but his latest has Jamie Bell. I'm a sucker for Jamie Bell.

[KungFuJoe]

fuck yeah I'm getting tickets to this! I loved A Bittersweet Life & this looks like a ton of fun.

imgdpz_0m-8

[KungFuJoe]

Forget Twilight. Let The Right One In looks to be the vampire movie to check out this fall. http://www.apple.com/trailers/magnolia/lettherightonein/

saw the trailer when I went to see Ashes of Time Redux today. Although I saw the original I couldn't tell you the difference. It was like seeing the movie for the first time, which all in all had some beautiful moments. Story wasn't the greatest.

[RotationSlimWang]

Shouldn't there be like actually good movies (true numbers counting less than five despite 50 releases posing as these beasts) coming out soon already? When does Oscar season kick up?

[sbessiso]

We just got into October, the dog days will soon be behind. Shit man, I havent been to a movie since "Dark Knight"

[SoulDischarge]

We just got into October, the dog days will soon be behind. Shit man, I havent been to a movie since "Dark Knight"

Likewise. Fuckers can go drown themselves in Tom Cruise's semen for unleashing Beverly Hills Chihuahua on us.

[KungFuJoe]

Shouldn't there be like actually good movies (true numbers counting less than five despite 50 releases posing as these beasts) coming out soon already? When does Oscar season kick up?

there should be, but this year sucks. That's why it's all about foreign cinema right now. Synedoche, New York is probably the only American release I'm truly looking foward to.

[wmgaretjax]

there should be, but this year sucks. That's why it's all about foreign cinema right now. Synedoche, New York is probably the only American release I'm truly looking foward to.

That Fincher movie looks like it might be good. But yeah,. Synecdoche, NY is about it.

[whynotsmile99]

you guys gotta dig a little deeper. theres other intersting stuff coming out by the years end.

The Wrestler--Aronofsky

quantum of solace

Revolutionary Road--Sam Mendes


bunch more I forgot. Those along with the new Fincher and Synnecdoche are what i'm looking forward to the most for American releases.

it's the foreign films i'm really looking forward to. Anyone going to buy a pass or go a few days to the AFI festival held at the Arclight? it's a really well done festival, good mix of films, especially a great deal of foreign. I won a $350 pass to it a few years back

http://www.afi.com/onscreen/afifest/2008/

[KungFuJoe]

oh yes. The Fincher film does look pretty good & I forgot about The Wrestler. perhaps I may need to look a tiny bit deeper, but that does not escape the fact that this has been a pretty shit year.

Also, I posted my thoughts on AFI a page back. I'm definately going to see Achilles and the Tortoise, The Good The Bad The Weird & Tokyo!. I believe some of these screenings are also taking place at the Grauman's Chines 6 this year.

[iv3rdawG]

Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Come on people. That's my most anticipated film of the year, easily.

[KungFuJoe]

ok. I am looking foward to Zack & Miri as well as Quantum of Solace. It has been a decent year for comedy & action films.

[wmgaretjax]

Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Come on people. That's my most anticipated film of the year, easily.

Yikes...


I hardly think the new Bond film is digging deeper. I'm waiting to see a trailer for The Wrestler before I expect anything. Aronofsky's last film was so melodramatic and bogged down that I don't have a whole lot of faith in him.

As far as Mendes goes, his new one looks so ridiculously heavy handed that I burst out laughing the middle of the trailer. I'm sure Deakins photography will be gorgeous, but I'm not excited for it at all. I really hope I'm wrong though...

[iv3rdawG]

Yikes...

:rolleyes

Sorry, but no other film coming out this year comes even close to my anticipation for it.

[rage patton]

In the events of the last couple days I forgot to talk about Filth and Wisdom. I loved it. I actually went in the movie expecting to be mildly entertaining by Eugene Hutz, and this is it. I enjoyed it WAY more than I thought I would.
The movie focus' around several characters stories and about how in each good person, there is a bit of bad. As Eugene Hutz said "If you live you life as a Saint, you are eventually going to see filth as an oasis in a desert. But if you live your life in the gutter, you are eventually going to find widom."
Anyways, the movie certainly isn't going to win any Oscars, but it is certainly worth the watch. The movie was full of great story telling and characters and was very funny, wity and cleaver. Who know Madonna was capable of such a thing.

[wmgaretjax]

:rolleyes

Sorry, but no other film coming out this year comes even close to my anticipation for it.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Kevin Smith (normally for the first 1/2 of his movies), but there's more to life than dick jokes my friend.

[mountmccabe]

I just saw Happy-Go-Lucky, Mike Leigh's new film. It was funny and cute and sweet. It had a very authentic feel and the characters felt very full. Mike Leigh was there for the showing and talked for about an hour afterward.

This was a sort of after-thing for the Scottsdale International Film Festival which I didn't hear about and therefore missed. I was looking at the schedule and the one that jumped out at me was Aleksander, Sokurov's latest. Fuck.

[wmgaretjax]

I just saw Happy-Go-Lucky, Mike Leigh's new film. It was funny and cute and sweet. It had a very authentic feel and the characters felt very full. Mike Leigh was there for the showing and talked for about an hour afterward.

This was a sort of after-thing for the Scottsdale International Film Festival which I didn't hear about and therefore missed. I was looking at the schedule and the one that jumped out at me was Aleksander, Sokurov's latest. Fuck.

I saw Alekxsander and it was very good.

I'm very excited to see the new Mike Leigh, comes out next week up here.

[HowToDisappear]

Has anyone seen CHOKE?

I'm debating whether we should see it in theatres or wait 'til it's out on DVD.

Also, against my better judgment because I don't like Russell Crowe, we rented 3:10 to Yuma. That was the sorriest, gayest, poorest excuse of a western I've seen in a long time.

[KungFuJoe]

Has anyone seen Choke[I]?

I'm debating whether we should see it in theatres or wait 'til it's out on DVD.

Also, against my better judgment because I don't like Russell Crowe, we rented [I]3:10 to Yuma. That was the sorriest, gayest, poorest excuse of a western I've seen in a long time.

word.

haven't seen Choke. waiting for dvd myself.

[ivankay]

i saw "Rachel Getting Married" last night. i liked it and found the characters to be engaging and a little heart breaking in their sadness and delusion a lot of us put ourselves in. Anne Hathaway is excellent. It is a very musical film and the world these people share is based on the sweet spirit of music. i see the influence of a dogma film called "Celebration" in here (not as dark). That's great and all, but there were occasions when hand held abuse was going on and from my perspective, unnecessary. The movie is not for all, but some of you film nerds might find it interesting and possessing some depth.

[sbessiso]

Likewise. Fuckers can go drown themselves in Tom Cruise's semen for unleashing Beverly Hills Chihuahua on us.

Just in: Number One Movie in America...again!

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Thoughts on Religulous:

Full disclosure: I am a Christian. But I'm going to try to look at this movie on a more unbiased level. I had actually intended to see Rachel Getting Married, but ended up in the wrong theater. I decided to stay because I thought it'd be interesting to watch a documentary whose point of view was at odds with my own; with the election coming up I've been trying to seek out point of views that differ from mine, instead of just coddling myself with people who agree with me. I'd be more than happy to watch a thoughtful documentary from an atheist point of view. Unfortunately, Religulous is not that movie.

Maher claims at the outset that his goal is to find out more about the nature of religion and why people believe in it, but none of the interviews accomplish this. Does Maher have discussions with religious scholars? Does he talk to figures like Desmond Tutu? No. Instead, he grills the guy who plays Jesus at a theme park in Florida, and the congregants of a truck stop chapel. I fail to understand how these tactics are enlightening. Anyone can make religion look bad if their subjects include the leader of a marijuana Church in Amsterdam, especially if the interviewees' comments are mocked by on-screen captions and vintage film clips, few of which are relevant to what's actually being said on screen. A lot of people dislike Michael Moore, but at least his films give the subjects the rope to hang themselves; Religulous is more like Bill Maher ambushing people and strangling them with his bare hands. Watching him make fun of his subjects in the safety of his van, where they can't possibly defend themselves, left a sour taste in my mouth.

Another one of the film's problems is that, for someone who cares this much about religion, Bill Maher is remarkably uninformed. His reading of the Bible is as selective as that of the most unintelligent member of a Baptist church in Alabama. Many contemporary religious scholars reached some of Maher's conclusions long ago, but he ignores this fact; to suggest that theologians are aware of some of the inconsistencies of the Bible but value their faith anyway is to make complex an idea that Maher is dedicated to simplifying. I was baffled to see Maher claiming that the Bible is illegitimate because the gospels were written decades after the events; is this not true of all history books?

I think Maher's trying to make a comment about the dangerous intersection of politics and faith (a worthy subject that will hopefully be explored in better documentaries in the future), but he ignores this idea until the last five minutes of the film. I was gonna give the movie a pass, as much as I could, but then Maher started to rant. Over footage of nuclear explosions and war, Maher declares that for society to progress, all religion must end. He stereotypes all devout believers as deluded, and moderate believers as irresponsible. Yes, in a film about how religion is arrogant and close-minded, Bill Maher's final statement is, you guessed it, arrogant and close-minded. Maher claims that he's promoting doubt, but what can I say? That's bullshit. There's no doubt in this film. There's not a single moment suggesting that a spiritual life is anything other than a waste. Maher is as confident in his beliefs as his subjects, and in this sense he is one of them, a mad preacher for the non-believers. His refusal to acknowledge this irony robs the film of any lingering credibility it may have had. This is an ugly, despicable motion picture.

[humanoid]

Has anyone seen CHOKE?

I'm debating whether we should see it in theatres or wait 'til it's out on DVD.

Also, against my better judgment because I don't like Russell Crowe, we rented 3:10 to Yuma. That was the sorriest, gayest, poorest excuse of a western I've seen in a long time.

I still want to see Choke, because I think Sam Rockwell is awesome, but I think it may wait for Netflix

My dad instilled in me a love of Westerns, and despite my own anti Russel Crowe sentiments, I also gave 3:10 to Yuma a chance. It was pretty fucking boring, and I am still struggling to understand the appeal of Russel Crowe.

[sbessiso]

really? you didn't enjoy the Bale/Crowe 3:10 to Yuma? There was a never a point where I wasnt fully entertained. A lot of it is edge-of-your seat action/tension and the cast is fucking great. ESPECIALLY that dude whos name escapes me at the moment that is Crowe's right-hand man/booty partner. He was insane. I'm sorry you didnt like it though :(

[humanoid]

really? you didn't enjoy the Bale/Crowe 3:10 to Yuma? There was a never a point where I wasnt fully entertained. A lot of it is edge-of-your seat action/tension and the cast is fucking great. ESPECIALLY that dude whos name escapes me at the moment that is Crowe's right-hand man/booty partner. He was insane. I'm sorry you didnt like it though :(

\ I think a lot of it has to do with my anti Russel Crowe bias. Something about him just really bothers me, but I can't exactly put my finger on it. There was some good action in it, and I did enjoy the character you mentioned, he was pretty intense.

I personally have a problem with many big Hollywood actors in movies. Once they become a star, and we know everything about their lives, their kids' names, their hobbies; they become this personality and it is almost impossible for me to watch them in a film and take them seriously as a character. I keep thinking, oh there's Russel Crowe again, or Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, or whoever.

Wait, I just thought of one! I recently saw American Gangster, and I did enjoy that movie.

[RotationSlimWang]

Thoughts on Religulous:

Full disclosure: I am a Christian. But I'm going to try to look at this movie on a more unbiased level. I had actually intended to see Rachel Getting Married, but ended up in the wrong theater. I decided to stay because I thought it'd be interesting to watch a documentary whose point of view was at odds with my own; with the election coming up I've been trying to seek out point of views that differ from mine, instead of just coddling myself with people who agree with me. I'd be more than happy to watch a thoughtful documentary from an atheist point of view. Unfortunately, Religulous is not that movie.

Maher claims at the outset that his goal is to find out more about the nature of religion and why people believe in it, but none of the interviews accomplish this. Does Maher have discussions with religious scholars? Does he talk to figures like Desmond Tutu? No. Instead, he grills the guy who plays Jesus at a theme park in Florida, and the congregants of a truck stop chapel. I fail to understand how these tactics are enlightening. Anyone can make religion look bad if their subjects include the leader of a marijuana Church in Amsterdam, especially if the interviewees' comments are mocked by on-screen captions and vintage film clips, few of which are relevant to what's actually being said on screen. A lot of people dislike Michael Moore, but at least his films give the subjects the rope to hang themselves; Religulous is more like Bill Maher ambushing people and strangling them with his bare hands. Watching him make fun of his subjects in the safety of his van, where they can't possibly defend themselves, left a sour taste in my mouth.

Another one of the film's problems is that, for someone who cares this much about religion, Bill Maher is remarkably uninformed. His reading of the Bible is as selective as that of the most unintelligent member of a Baptist church in Alabama. Many contemporary religious scholars reached some of Maher's conclusions long ago, but he ignores this fact; to suggest that theologians are aware of some of the inconsistencies of the Bible but value their faith anyway is to make complex an idea that Maher is dedicated to simplifying. I was baffled to see Maher claiming that the Bible is illegitimate because the gospels were written decades after the events; is this not true of all history books?

I think Maher's trying to make a comment about the dangerous intersection of politics and faith (a worthy subject that will hopefully be explored in better documentaries in the future), but he ignores this idea until the last five minutes of the film. I was gonna give the movie a pass, as much as I could, but then Maher started to rant. Over footage of nuclear explosions and war, Maher declares that for society to progress, all religion must end. He stereotypes all devout believers as deluded, and moderate believers as irresponsible. Yes, in a film about how religion is arrogant and close-minded, Bill Maher's final statement is, you guessed it, arrogant and close-minded. Maher claims that he's promoting doubt, but what can I say? That's bullshit. There's no doubt in this film. There's not a single moment suggesting that a spiritual life is anything other than a waste. Maher is as confident in his beliefs as his subjects, and in this sense he is one of them, a mad preacher for the non-believers. His refusal to acknowledge this irony robs the film of any lingering credibility it may have had. This is an ugly, despicable motion picture.

I have an interesting take on this movie as a representation of Bill Maher's repetitive ranting about religion. Mind you I haven't seen the movie, but I honestly don't have to.

I like Bill except for the following times: when he's talking about the world trade tower conspiracies, when he's bitching about religion, and when he's trying to tell prepared jokes. He's just not a good actor is the problem there, but his grudge about how stupid religion and religious devotees are, especially given that he never seems to be too far away from delivering a condescending speech about stupid people in a whiny fucking voice AGAIN... and the real problem with it is that no supposedly intelligent person past the age of 15 is allowed to continue to act shocked and outraged that religions are dumb.

ANY REMOTELY INTELLIGENT PERSON SHOULD HAVE ACCEPTED THE REALITY THAT RELIGIONS ARE MOSTLY SILLY AND SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT IT. It was only a couple hundred years ago that some smart people pointed out how ridiculous these books were and started quietly living their own lives. If Bill was as smart as he fucking acts like he should be accustomed to rationalizing having to live in a world of mostly dumb people buying into dumb shit to fill up their lives, and the fact that this mostly dumb shit is really important to the dumb fucks. Since dumb fucks are the vast majority of the world, smart people just shut the fuck up and hang out and try not to openly scoff at mentions of holy books and god wills.

And then he goes out and makes fun of the idiots and thinks he's even cleverer. This shit is set up like that Jay Leno bit where he goes around town and asks political questions to inbreds and people paid 20 bucks to say the prepared funny answer. There's nothing remotely difficult about making these people look like a big joke--shit, YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO. THEY DO IT THEMSELVES. STOP POINTING AND LAUGHING AT THE RETARDED KIDS, BILL, YOU DICK.

[Backwater]

I had actually intended to see Rachel Getting Married

I stopped reading here.

[Neutral Milk Hotel]

Okay?

[humanoid]

I am looking forward to Synecdoche, NY....I just wish it starred someone other than Philip Seymour Hoffman. He is a very good actor, and I'm sure he'll be fine, but wasn't he in every other movie that came out last year? I'm a little burnt out on him

Admittedly I am also interested in Clint Eastwood's The Changeling...I have always had an interest in movies that depict LA during different time periods, and the story sounds interesting

[ivankay]

I stopped reading here.

i didn't go out of my way to see "Rachel Getting Married"; and looked at the Rocknrolla times and display as i was walking in the lobby to feel secure in my masculinity because i was seeing what might be a full blown "chick flick". i have developed an appreciation of Anne Hathaway's acting and was hopeful Jonathan Demme was going to do something solid. i wasn't against seeing it when the subject of going to a movie came up.

i left satisfied that Demme made a good movie with some flaws. The acting is good. The dialog is personal and comes off as real. The wedding itself is pretty unique and interesting. i believe these people are family and close friends and the attachment to their drama (and tragedy) has the potential to connect with some watching it. Music is used very well. It worked for me as an interesting night at the movies.

[rage patton]

I now no longer want to see Religulous. Thanks for saving me 10 bucks NHM.

[Down Rodeo]

NMH, I couldn't agree with you more on Religulous. As a Christian myself, I was also expecting to be offended at times but was willing to see what Maher had to say. While I found most of the movie funny, it wasn't enlightening or intelligent at all. In fact, it comes off as a propaganda film, plain and simple. The ending was ridiculously stupid and unnecessary, and some of the points Maher made in the movie were horrible. For instance, he compares non-religious people (apparently 16% of the population) to other minority groups such as Jews, blacks and gays, which are all smaller by comparison. He basically says that these other groups get what they want (through legislation or activism or whatever), but atheists get nothing. Not only is that offensive to compare atheists (who believe in this by choice) to blacks or gays (who have no control over who they are), but it's a terrible point in general, since obviously atheists are the only marginalized and discriminated group in American society.

So, yeah, it's a funny movie but that's about it. Maher is preaching humility and doubt, but all he provides is arrogance and condescension. This movie will sway very few people in their beliefs.

[Backwater]

i didn't go out of my way to see "Rachel Getting Married"; and looked at the Rocknrolla times and display as i was walking in the lobby to feel secure in my masculinity because i was seeing what might be a full blown "chick flick". i have developed an appreciation of Anne Hathaway's acting and was hopeful Jonathan Demme was going to do something solid. i wasn't against seeing it when the subject of going to a movie came up.

i left satisfied that Demme made a good movie with some flaws. The acting is good. The dialog is personal and comes off as real. The wedding itself is pretty unique and interesting. i believe these people are family and close friends and the attachment to their drama (and tragedy) has the potential to connect with some watching it. Music is used very well. It worked for me as an interesting night at the movies.


Interesting, that's the first positive review I've heard of it. I heard it was annoying because it was basically just a serious of way too many toasts at a wedding.

For anyone who has seen both, is Religulous as funny as Borat?

[Down Rodeo]

For anyone who has seen both, is Religulous as funny as Borat?

No, I thought Borat was much funnier.

[l337moomoo]

Thoughts on Religulous:

Full disclosure: I am a Christian. But I'm going to try to look at this movie on a more unbiased level. I had actually intended to see Rachel Getting Married, but ended up in the wrong theater. I decided to stay because I thought it'd be interesting to watch a documentary whose point of view was at odds with my own; with the election coming up I've been trying to seek out point of views that differ from mine, instead of just coddling myself with people who agree with me. I'd be more than happy to watch a thoughtful documentary from an atheist point of view. Unfortunately, Religulous is not that movie.

Maher claims at the outset that his goal is to find out more about the nature of religion and why people believe in it, but none of the interviews accomplish this. Does Maher have discussions with religious scholars? Does he talk to figures like Desmond Tutu? No. Instead, he grills the guy who plays Jesus at a theme park in Florida, and the congregants of a truck stop chapel. I fail to understand how these tactics are enlightening. Anyone can make religion look bad if their subjects include the leader of a marijuana Church in Amsterdam, especially if the interviewees' comments are mocked by on-screen captions and vintage film clips, few of which are relevant to what's actually being said on screen. A lot of people dislike Michael Moore, but at least his films give the subjects the rope to hang themselves; Religulous is more like Bill Maher ambushing people and strangling them with his bare hands. Watching him make fun of his subjects in the safety of his van, where they can't possibly defend themselves, left a sour taste in my mouth.

Another one of the film's problems is that, for someone who cares this much about religion, Bill Maher is remarkably uninformed. His reading of the Bible is as selective as that of the most unintelligent member of a Baptist church in Alabama. Many contemporary religious scholars reached some of Maher's conclusions long ago, but he ignores this fact; to suggest that theologians are aware of some of the inconsistencies of the Bible but value their faith anyway is to make complex an idea that Maher is dedicated to simplifying. I was baffled to see Maher claiming that the Bible is illegitimate because the gospels were written decades after the events; is this not true of all history books?

I think Maher's trying to make a comment about the dangerous intersection of politics and faith (a worthy subject that will hopefully be explored in better documentaries in the future), but he ignores this idea until the last five minutes of the film. I was gonna give the movie a pass, as much as I could, but then Maher started to rant. Over footage of nuclear explosions and war, Maher declares that for society to progress, all religion must end. He stereotypes all devout believers as deluded, and moderate believers as irresponsible. Yes, in a film about how religion is arrogant and close-minded, Bill Maher's final statement is, you guessed it, arrogant and close-minded. Maher claims that he's promoting doubt, but what can I say? That's bullshit. There's no doubt in this film. There's not a single moment suggesting that a spiritual life is anything other than a waste. Maher is as confident in his beliefs as his subjects, and in this sense he is one of them, a mad preacher for the non-believers. His refusal to acknowledge this irony robs the film of any lingering credibility it may have had. This is an ugly, despicable motion picture.

I'm an atheist and I saw it the day it came out for my religion major and blah blah blah. I totally agree with you.

Bill Maher just tries to further assert his imaginary greatness over an audience who is used to Christian values. He interviews absolutely no one of credibility when it comes to religion. There may be points that he brings up that are thought-worthy (yet not foreign to anyone who has questioned a higher being) but soon after those points are presented he utilizes his ignorance and lack of intelligence to make him like a protagonist.

I pity those who see this movie and try to base their beliefs off of the bullshit that Maher dug up in this movie.

EDIT- Not to mention the ending was so fucking retarded. The entire film is basically a watered down version of the Zeitgiest movie.

[ivankay]

Interesting, that's the first positive review I've heard of it. I heard it was annoying because it was basically just a serious of way too many toasts at a wedding.

There is a lot of toasting. There's other stuff too. One of the stronger scenes does involve people lifting their glasses.

[RotationSlimWang]

NMH, I couldn't agree with you more on Religulous. As a Christian myself, I was also expecting to be offended at times but was willing to see what Maher had to say. While I found most of the movie funny, it wasn't enlightening or intelligent at all. In fact, it comes off as a propaganda film, plain and simple. The ending was ridiculously stupid and unnecessary, and some of the points Maher made in the movie were horrible. For instance, he compares non-religious people (apparently 16% of the population) to other minority groups such as Jews, blacks and gays, which are all smaller by comparison. He basically says that these other groups get what they want (through legislation or activism or whatever), but atheists get nothing. Not only is that offensive to compare atheists (who believe in this by choice) to blacks or gays (who have no control over who they are), but it's a terrible point in general, since obviously atheists are the only marginalized and discriminated group in American society.

So, yeah, it's a funny movie but that's about it. Maher is preaching humility and doubt, but all he provides is arrogance and condescension. This movie will sway very few people in their beliefs.

I'm not sure you can necessarily dismiss the minority status of non-believers on the ground that it's "by choice." Sorry, but if sexuality is ruled as genetic and out of our control than I could posit perfectly reasonably that we are genetically predisposed towards being disbelievers as well.

The bigger issue, however, is a valid one: what choice is this that we really have? My choice is between a logical conviction that religion is largely pretty silly and a waste of my time--and within that choice I am greeted by the complete lack of representation for these views, in fact I'm constantly faced with the reality that the world is overwhelmingly driven by a collection of poorly edited, poorly written, drastically bastardized and manipulated ancient texts... or what? What's my alternative?

I guess the options are "believe what makes sense and get fucked" or "join one of the teams and buy into some total horseshit." Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

[C DUB YA]

I am very interested in seeing Defiance.

[wmgaretjax]

He interviews absolutely no one of credibility when it comes to religion.

Someone credible on religion huh?

[Down Rodeo]

I'm not sure you can necessarily dismiss the minority status of non-believers on the ground that it's "by choice." Sorry, but if sexuality is ruled as genetic and out of our control than I could posit perfectly reasonably that we are genetically predisposed towards being disbelievers as well.


You see what I mean though, right? You may have a valid point, but it's nonsense to compare non-believers to ethnic minorities or gays. It would be more appropriate to compare them to Communists or another small segment of the population based on beliefs or viewpoints.

By the way, you and Maher seem to take a similar view on religion, which is insulting and not very constructive for an intelligent dialogue on the subject.

[wmgaretjax]

You see what I mean though, right? You may have a valid point, but it's nonsense to compare non-believers to ethnic minorities or gays. It would be more appropriate to compare them to Communists or another small segment of the population based on beliefs or viewpoints.

By the way, you and Maher seem to take a similar view on religion, which is insulting and not very constructive for an intelligent dialogue on the subject.

I'm not sure it's less appropriate. You have to take into account the way that most of this country treats certain kinds of beliefs, cultures, attitudes, lifestyles... Just talk to any old Jane and she'll rant about the gays, atheists, and towel-heads in the same light and as if they are a part of the same monster. It's not far-fetched at all.

And there is no such thing as an intelligent discussion on religion with someone who actually believes in it. I grew up in a Christian household, and you can have plenty of interesting and smart discussions about the Bible and it's history, even it's cultural implications... but the minute it turns to discussion of it as an organized belief system... intelligence goes out the window.

[chairmenmeow47]

i watched rosemary's baby for the first time over the weekend, thanks to our newly added "on demand" service. holy fucking shit! it's official, i'm having an abortion if my husband ever fucks me while i'm sleeping.

[wmgaretjax]

i watched rosemary's baby for the first time over the weekend, thanks to our newly added "on demand" service. holy fucking shit! it's official, i'm having an abortion if my husband ever fucks me while i'm sleeping.

Such a good movie.

[downingthief]

I'm not sure it's less appropriate. You have to take into account the way that most of this country treats certain kinds of beliefs, cultures, attitudes, lifestyles... Just talk to any old Jane and she'll rant about the gays, atheists, and towel-heads in the same light and as if they are a part of the same monster. It's not far-fetched at all.

And there is no such thing as an intelligent discussion on religion with someone who actually believes in it. I grew up in a Christian household, and you can have plenty of interesting and smart discussions about the Bible and it's history, even it's cultural implications... but the minute it turns to discussion of it as an organized belief system... intelligence goes out the window.

I can agree with everything you said, except for what is in bold. I grew up going to a Lutheran church, and some of the most intelligent, enlightening discussions on religion I have ever had came with two pastors I had. Both men were strong in their faith, yet also admitted there were times when even they had questions, and even doubts. They encouraged questions and discussion.

As for Maher, I am a fan. But, I do agree with Randy that some of his rants on Religion are a bit much. I haven't seen the movie. Not sure if I will see it in the theaters, but I imagine I will check it out via rental.

[RotationSlimWang]

You see what I mean though, right? You may have a valid point, but it's nonsense to compare non-believers to ethnic minorities or gays. It would be more appropriate to compare them to Communists or another small segment of the population based on beliefs or viewpoints.

By the way, you and Maher seem to take a similar view on religion, which is insulting and not very constructive for an intelligent dialogue on the subject.

This is cute. So in other words non-believers should stop complaining about marginalization despite the tremendous amount of douchebaggery done in the name of religion (which we have to suffer through too, y'know), and also we're the ones who are not being constructive when trying to assert our position.

Hey, here's an idea for ya--YOU fuckers could make a choice too. You could either (a) choose to actually consider why you retain membership to these doctrines past communion or (b) choose to recognize that you cunts throw your religious edicts around left and right (not you specifically, of course) and try to demand that the laws of man applied to EVERYONE regardless of their faith should be considerate of your little club's fabricated principles.

The difference between Maher's stance and mine is that I couldn't give a flying fuck that there's so much idiotic dogma still prevalent in the world--I expect it. But when you fucking Christ-lovers start throwing around indignant reactions... well, go fuck yourselves. Your stupid old book CONTROLS THE ENTIRE WESTERN FUCKING WORLD, DICK.

If we have to swallow our disbelief that this dumb shit is still such a huge factor in our lives every single day then you might wanna step up and swallow the half-assed cracks of a shitty standup comedian. Especially since you're the ones who are fucking nuts. Bill's just immature.

[wmgaretjax]

Both men were strong in their faith, yet also admitted there were times when even they had questions, and even doubts. They encouraged questions and discussion.


I was being hyperbolic... I'm just not sure any of these conversations are helpful to anyone other than the individual (generally young adult) looking for answers to indoctrination. The reality is that a discussion of this sort doesn't help address the nature of how destructive religion has been in our culture and other about the world. In my mind, religion deserves the kind of hostility that you see with Maher. He may not be the best at it (a half dozen others come to mind), but most religion does not deserve the sensitivity that some here seem to be calling out for.

Fuck your indignant reaction (not you downingthief, anyone). It's pathetic.

[RotationSlimWang]

Maher isn't fucking up because he's not presenting enough of a serious, investigative look at religion. It's far from necessary to actually point out the respects in which you're all nuts, not to mention completely useless 'cause you're only going to be preaching to a minority choir and tilting at the immovable windmills of religious conviction, neither of which are worth half a fuck.

He's fucking up because it's a poor attempt at satire. Making jokes out of a Jesus amusement park is dropping a nuke in a barrel of fish, it's just not that funny. Now what I would have done, just off the top of my head, is go down to that God Hates Fags church and make THEM funny. That's at least a little bit of a challenge.

"What I'd like to do is a word association game--now we all know God hates fags, right? Okay, well I'm going to name a series of other things God made and I want you all to tell me how you think God feels about them. If I said "thunder," for example, you'll respond by filling in the blank for "God blanks thunder." Okay? Let's start.

1. Mexicans.

2. Rabbits--and remember, they're known fornicators.

3. Butterflies, super pretty ones.

4. Fags?"

Already I'm funnier and cleverer.

[bmack86]

Jesus loves me this I know, because the Bible tells me so.

[SoulDischarge]

I like Bill Maher and am agnostic, but I don't think his methods are all that effective. Despite the fact that he does end up sounding like a pompous ass a lot of times, it is kind of cathartic to see someone rail against the religious with the same fervor that they use towards unbelievers. It's not the most intelligent or sympathetic way to go about things, but it does appeal to my sense of spite that's built up from years of watching cruel & stupid religious people do cruel & stupid things based on cruel & stupid dogmas. I'll probably catch Religulous on DVD. I'm not going to go out of my way to see soemthing that's probably not all that enlightening.

[RotationSlimWang]

Jesus is made up. Seriously. He's a throwback to older, primitive religions and the mythologies of their most powerful gods.

Tell me something, Christians--suppose, and I know this will never happen (nor would any of you believe it if it did), but suppose that they discovered proof that Jesus Christ never really existed and the entire New Testament was just a marketing ploy. Would that have any actual impact on your faith? Be realistic.

[TommyboyUNM]

Working with all these damn Christers in my office makes me wanna see Religulous. Maybe this weekend.

And Randy....


If we have to swallow our disbelief that this dumb shit is still such a huge factor in our lives every single day then you might wanna step up and swallow the half-assed cracks of a shitty standup comedian. Especially since you're the ones who are fucking nuts. Bill's just immature.


AMEN!

[downingthief]

I was being hyperbolic... I'm just not sure any of these conversations are helpful to anyone other than the individual (generally young adult) looking for answers to indoctrination. The reality is that a discussion of this sort doesn't help address the nature of how destructive religion has been in our culture and other about the world. In my mind, religion deserves the kind of hostility that you see with Maher. He may not be the best at it (a half dozen others come to mind), but most religion does not deserve the sensitivity that some here seem to be calling out for.

Fuck your indignant reaction (not you downingthief, anyone). It's pathetic.

I get that. My wife has similar views. She is very spirtual, but is hard lined against "organized religion". I can understand that. As noted, immense destruction throughout history has been directly caused by organized religion. I was lucky enough to be in a Church that, for lack of a better term, was very "liberal". We encouraged all walks to join, did countless hours of charity work, sponsored numerous families from other countries, etc. One of my pastors sat on local boards for gay/lesbian rights, immigrant rights, etc. He came down emphatically against Bush and Iraq (in sermons). Obviously, that is on a small scale. My point being that my experience was a healthy one. My perception is different because of that.

[SoulDischarge]

Also, Maher would gain a bit more credibility if he stopped blaming wars etc on religion. The world would not necessarily be a better place without religion, just a different one.

[TommyboyUNM]

Why do most "spiritual" people think they are so much above religious people? I applaud that there is little to no dogma associated with you guys, but the fundamentals are pretty close to another. If you're spiritual, there is a good chance that you still believe in something super-natural and a little ridiculous. You may be slightly more rational than most religious people, but not by as much as you think.

[wmgaretjax]

Yeah, but at least most strictly spiritual people don't get together frequently and organize together. I like my stupid people to be loners.

[TomAz]

Spiritual people are just antisocial religious people. They each belong to their church of one member.

[TommyboyUNM]

Yeah, but at least most strictly spiritual people don't get together frequently and organize together. I like my stupid people to be loners.


I completely agree. That's why I hold spirituality in higher regard than religion.

[RotationSlimWang]

Also, Maher would gain a bit more credibility if he stopped blaming wars etc on religion. The world would not necessarily be a better place without religion, just a different one.

You act like there's not even a little validity to it. And most of the time I like to argue that it really is all irrelevant, that religion is just another excuse humanity finds to justify their instinctive survival instinct conflicts... but at the same time the fact is that religion is the most prevalent excuse for the dumbest fucking conflicts. Giant systems designed to hoard and control power through pretending to possess the true nature of the divine and whipping people into whatever frenzy you want with it... well, that's pretty fucking evil.

Why do most "spiritual" people think they are so much above religious people? I applaud that there is little to no dogma associated with you guys, but the fundamentals are pretty close to another. If you're spiritual, there is a good chance that you still believe in something super-natural and a little ridiculous. You may be slightly more rational than most religious people, but not by as much as you think.

I disagree, actually. That there is a supernatural element to existence (it's not actually supernatural by the way, it's completely natural) is absolutely reasonable.

Now deciding to form your relationship with that part of life based on the words of books rewritten hundreds of times by fucking Stone Age assholes, on the other hand...

Here's why spiritual people still consider religious people dumb: we recognize how silly it is to think that we have any remotely definite clue as to what "God" is. Assigning qualities to God is where all the major religions immediately jump the track into retardation.

[TomAz]

There's a lot of condescending smarmy arrogance in this thread lately, and not very much actual thought. I'm surprised no one's posted a picture of the flying spaghetti monster and proclaimed themselves geniuses.

[SoulDischarge]

Of course religion plays a part in destructive human behavior, but it's just a tool. Take away religion, people are still fucked up. Bill Maher oversimplifies when he says that religion is responsible for the majority of human strife.

[RotationSlimWang]

Spiritual people are just antisocial religious people. They each belong to their church of one member.

Personally I think avoiding taking the responsibility of having to form your own opinion about God and the like is one of the biggest crimes of organized religion. If 5 billion people weren't all goosestepping along with one of four packs and actually had to determine what the answers are for them not only would it bring a lot more character and maturity to the world--it would make us 5 billion times closer to actually uncovering some real answers.

[RotationSlimWang]

Of course religion plays a part in destructive human behavior, but it's just a tool. Take away religion, people are still fucked up. Bill Maher oversimplifies when he says that religion is responsible for the majority of human strife.

Agreed, but at the same time it's hard to say that taking away the single biggest excuse of humanity would really have zero effect on our ability to rationalize away our misdeeds. None of us know what things would be like without religion.

I might point out though that as societies drifted away from fierce adherence to religious lifestyles we saw an awful lot of unprecedented human decency and acceptance bloom.

[TomAz]

Personally I think avoiding taking the responsibility of having to form your own opinion about God and the like is one of the biggest crimes of organized religion. If 5 billion people weren't all goosestepping along with one of four packs and actually had to determine what the answers are for them not only would it bring a lot more character and maturity to the world--it would make us 5 billion times closer to actually uncovering some real answers.

I don't think you understand organized religion if that's how you think it works.

[TomAz]

I might point out though that as societies drifted away from fierce adherence to religious lifestyles we saw an awful lot of unprecedented human decency and acceptance bloom.

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/09_03/stalinDM2109_468x551.jpg

[chairmenmeow47]

Personally I think avoiding taking the responsibility of having to form your own opinion about God and the like is one of the biggest crimes of organized religion. If 5 billion people weren't all goosestepping along with one of four packs and actually had to determine what the answers are for them not only would it bring a lot more character and maturity to the world--it would make us 5 billion times closer to actually uncovering some real answers.

word, word, WORD! or if they would at least look at their beliefs as BELIEFS and not FACT. one of the reason spiritual people tend to be less annoying than the organized religion folks is that they can actually have a philosophical question about the big questions religion tries to answer without getting preachy or defensive about it. i have religious and spiritual friends who can talk to me about their beliefs and explain them without simply saying "the bible says so" or something like that and i think that's the attitude people should take about the big questions. it's pretty arrogant to be so smug as to act like you have all the answers (whether it's catholocism or atheism) that people have been trying to find for centuries.

[RotationSlimWang]

... if I think that's how what works? Add a fucking clause or something Tom, c'mon--give me something that, you know, actually states a point instead of just "you don't get this." I don't have the foggiest idea what you think I don't get.

[RotationSlimWang]

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/09_03/stalinDM2109_468x551.jpg

http://downwiththeinternet.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/hitler.jpg

[TommyboyUNM]

I disagree, actually. That there is a supernatural element to existence (it's not actually supernatural by the way, it's completely natural) is absolutely reasonable.

Now deciding to form your relationship with that part of life based on the words of books rewritten hundreds of times by fucking Stone Age assholes, on the other hand...

Here's why spiritual people still consider religious people dumb: we recognize how silly it is to think that we have any remotely definite clue as to what "God" is. Assigning qualities to God is where all the major religions immediately jump the track into retardation.


It's impossible to prove that there isn't some sort of "supernatural" thing going on. It's my opinion that there isn't, but I respect spiritual people more than religious people. I just think a lot of spiritual people need to check themselves first when they start slamming religious people because a lot of the fundamentals are similar. Almost all of the spiritual people I know believe in an afterlife or something similar. That's where they lose me. But, hey, that's just me. Though, the criticisms that spiritual people have about religion are more than valid.

For me, spirituality is something that comes from within. It's more of a self-awareness and clarity thing than anything else. It has nothing to do with a man in the sky or even an energy.

[RotationSlimWang]

http://nicedeb.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/palin-in-the-car.jpg

[TomAz]

... if I think that's how what works? Add a fucking clause or something Tom, c'mon--give me something that, you know, actually states a point instead of just "you don't get this." I don't have the foggiest idea what you think I don't get.

4 packs? are you serious?

you think people don't form their own opinions?

do you actually know any religious people or have you formed these opinions based on tv?

[chairmenmeow47]

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/09_03/stalinDM2109_468x551.jpg

http://downwiththeinternet.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/hitler.jpg

http://ivy.aholic.us/gallery/d/674225-1/Chairman+Meow.jpg?g2_GALLERYSID=43253f99ccbd63aefb 2293d2f51d4411

[SoulDischarge]

Well, what I said was "The world would not necessarily be a better place without religion, just a different one." There would be an effect, but it's not a given that people would act more benevolently towards one another. Just as many people would have the attitude "I got mine, so who gives a fuck if you got yrs?" And of course, there will always be religion, so this is just a hypothetical argument. Not allowing religion to affect policy in the slightest is a much more important matter than trying to eliminate religion.

[bmack86]

Movies, Tom. This is the Movie corner, so obviously it would have been movies.

[SoulDischarge]

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/09_03/stalinDM2109_468x551.jpg

http://downwiththeinternet.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/hitler.jpg

http://ivy.aholic.us/gallery/d/674225-1/Chairman+Meow.jpg?g2_GALLERYSID=43253f99ccbd63aefb 2293d2f51d4411

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44158000/jpg/_44158445_madonna_warnerbros.jpg

[SoulDischarge]

So. Should we be talking about The Silence or something?

[RotationSlimWang]

It's impossible to prove that there isn't some sort of "supernatural" thing going on. It's my opinion that there isn't, but I respect spiritual people more than religious people. I just think a lot of spiritual people need to check themselves first when they start slamming religious people because a lot of the fundamentals are similar. Almost all of the spiritual people I know believe in an afterlife or something similar. That's where they lose me. But, hey, that's just me. Though, the criticisms that spiritual people have about religion are more than valid.

For me, spirituality is something that comes from within. It's more of a self-awareness and clarity thing than anything else. It has nothing to do with a man in the sky or even an energy.

Afterlife exists, friend. Not in a form we could remotely understand from here, but believe it. I only say that cause I've experienced it, otherwise I wouldn't have an opinion. That's the principle difference between religion and spirituality to me. Well that and the fact that no vague spirituality has ever tried to conscript the rest of the world into adhering to their laws.

Having a set of principles that you base your concept of how to live morally and ethically is essential to decent humanity. But there's nothing more disgusting than how religion can manage to turn morality and humanity into the need to make sure OTHERS are moral.

[TomAz]

Movies, Tom. This is the Movie corner, so obviously it would have been movies.

d'oh. my bad.

[RotationSlimWang]

4 packs? are you serious?

you think people don't form their own opinions?

do you actually know any religious people or have you formed these opinions based on tv?

Most people don't form their own opinions, Tom. If you think otherwise, allow me to retort simply with this:

5lEyrk5ZsQw

[wmgaretjax]

It goes without saying.

[TommyboyUNM]

Afterlife exists, friend. Not in a form we could remotely understand from here, but believe it. I only say that cause I've experienced it, otherwise I wouldn't have an opinion. That's the principle difference between religion and spirituality to me. Well that and the fact that no vague spirituality has ever tried to conscript the rest of the world into adhering to their laws.

Having a set of principles that you base your concept of how to live morally and ethically is essential to decent humanity. But there's nothing more disgusting than how religion can manage to turn morality and humanity into the need to make sure OTHERS are moral.


Agree to disagree about the afterlife, though it's clearly just my opinion. But you're an example of what I like about spiritual people. The ability to actually have a discussion about your beliefs instead of just saying "It's in the Bible" or "Because Jesus said so." I think Ivy pointed that out earlier.

[RotationSlimWang]

Seriously. And don't come back here with a half-assed argument about how even within organized religion people pick and choose what parts to believe thereby exercising judgment and forming their own opinions. Sorry, but no--just cause most Catholics finally realized they could just decide not to think premarital sex, contraception, and abortion are mortal sins doesn't make them free-thinking. It just makes them slightly less than goddamn brain dead.

[TomAz]

the irony here of course is that in criticizing religion for forming and enforcing moral codes, you are imposing your own moral code on them.

[wmgaretjax]

What a ridiculous retort...

[thestripe]

Yikes...


I'm waiting to see a trailer for The Wrestler before I expect anything. Aronofsky's last film was so melodramatic and bogged down that I don't have a whole lot of faith in him.

I agree, but am hoping that The Wrestler is going to bounce back from that.

[TommyboyUNM]

the irony here of course is that in criticizing religion for forming and enforcing moral codes, you are imposing your own moral code on them.


I think it's safe to say that the religions forming and enforcing moral codes have more power than the people who criticize those religions. Religion has a far more powerful voice so I just don't think that's a fair comparison. And too many people actually want to legislate their beliefs. That's where it gets a little scary, as well.

[TomAz]

What a ridiculous retort...

You're big on condescending pompousness and small on contributing anything of substance.

I think it's safe to say that the religions forming and enforcing moral codes have more power than the people who criticize those religions. Religion has a far more powerful voice so I just don't think that's a fair comparison. And too many people actually want to legislate their beliefs. That's where it gets a little scary, as well.

Right. Different people have different beliefs and in a democracy the more popular beliefs tend to win. I don't think there's anything scary about wanting to legislate beliefs; what else is there to legislate? I mean a law that says murder is illegal is a just legislating the belief that murder is wrong. It's just a matter of where you draw the line. The alternative is anarchy, and I don't think that's what you're proposing.

What you really are saying is that it is scary people are legislating their beliefs and not yours.

[TommyboyUNM]

Right. Different people have different beliefs and in a democracy the more popular beliefs tend to win. I don't think there's anything scary about wanting to legislate beliefs; what else is there to legislate? I mean a law that says murder is illegal is a just legislating the belief that murder is wrong. It's just a matter of where you draw the line. The alternative is anarchy, and I don't think that's what you're proposing.

What you really are saying is that it is scary people are legislating their beliefs and not yours.


I don't think things like murder and stealing fall into that category. Those are general human decency things.

I know gay marriage is a wedge issue or whatever, but that shows me how ridiculous some of these people are. That is proposed legislation based on religious beliefs. There's a reason why Bush was pandering to the born-agains in 2004. Doesn't sound like Obama/Biden is a whole lot better in that regard, either.

[thestripe]

You're big on condescending pompousness and small on contributing anything of substance.



Right. Different people have different beliefs and in a democracy the more popular beliefs tend to win. I don't think there's anything scary about wanting to legislate beliefs; what else is there to legislate? I mean a law that says murder is illegal is a just legislating the belief that murder is wrong. It's just a matter of where you draw the line. The alternative is anarchy, and I don't think that's what you're proposing.

What you really are saying is that it is scary people are legislating their beliefs and not yours.


Yeah the main parts of religion or the parts that matter should all be renamed "No duh".

[Courtney]

I'm totally running late on this matter, but the Hawaii International Film Festival has come around again, and I'm once again totally overwhelmed by choices. Anyone hear any good buzz on any of the below? You guys steered me right last year, so I trust you.

CHERRIES
Zhang Jiabei 2007 | New Chinese Cinema

KABEI - OUR MOTHER
Yoji Yamada 2008 | Spotlight on Japan

GONE SHOPPING
Li Lin Wee 2007 | Narrative Feature Competition

THE WRECKING CREW
Denny Tedesco 2008 | American Spectrum

CAPE NO. 7
Wei Te-Sheng 2008 | Narrative Feature Competition

BOSES - VOICES
Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil 2008 | Asian Showcase

THE MERMAID
Anna Melikyan 2007 | European Showcase

SAILFISH
Ema Jin 2008 | New Chinese Cinema

A LITTLE HEART
Thanh Van Nguyen 2007 | Human Rights

NOHO HEWA: THE WRONGFUL OCCUPATION OF HAWAI'I
Anne Keala Kelly 2008 | Documentary Feature Competition

SOMEPLACE ELSE
Kai-duc Luong, Avisheh Mohsenin 2008 | American Immigrant Filmmakers

A CHRISTMAS TALE
Arnaud Desplechin 2008 | European Showcase

HALF - LIFE
Jennifer Phang 2008 | American Spectrum

BRUTUS
Tara Illenberger 2008 | Green Screen

WINGS OF DEFEAT
Risa Morimoto 2007 | American Spectrum

DIRTY HANDS: THE ART AND CRIMES OF DAVID CHOE
Harry Kim 2008 | Documentary Feature Competition

TROUBLE THE WATER
Carl Deal, Tia Lessin 2008 | Human Rights

KANTATA TAKWA
Slamet Rahardjo, Eros Djarot, Gotot Prakosa 1992 | Asian Showcase

SON OF A LION
Benjamin Gilmour 2008 | Asian Showcase

OUT OF COVERAGE
Abdellatif Abdelhamid 2007 | Asian Showcase

SORASOI
Katsuhito Ishii 2008 | Spotlight on Japan

CHOCOLATE
Prachya Pinkaew 2008 | Extreme Asia

THE TRUTH BE TOLD: THE CASES AGAINST SUPINYA KLANGNARONG
Pimpaka Towira 2007 | Documentary Feature Competition

SHOW OF HANDS
Anthony McCarten 2008 | Pacific Panorama

SHIRO'S HEAD
Don Muna, Kel Muna 2008 | Pacific Panorama

THE BETRAYAL
Thavisouk Phrasavath, Ellen Kuras 2008 | Reel Life

THREE MONKEYS
Nuri Bilge Ceylan 2008 | European Showcase

**** PONG PLAYA
Jessica Yu 2007 | American Spectrum

CHANTS OF LOTUS
Lasja, Fatimah T. Rony, Nia Dinata, Upi 2008 | Asian Showcase

RAIN OF THE CHILDREN
Vincent Ward 2008 | Centerpiece, Documentary Feature Competition

A POWERFUL NOISE
Tom Cappello 2008 | Human Rights

NEWCASTLE
Dan Castle 2008 | Surf Cinema

DANCE OF THE DRAGON
John Radel, Max Mannix 2008 | Asian Showcase

OF ALL THE THINGS
Jody Lambert 2008 | Reel Life

SECOND HAND WEDDING
Paul Murphy 2008 | Pacific Panorama

SANTA MESA
Ron Morales 2007 | Family Fest

DEPARTURES
Takita Yojiro 2008 | Spotlight on Japan

THEY KILLED SISTER DOROTHY
Daniel Junge 2008 | Human Rights

DACHIMAWA LEE
Seung-wan Ryoo 2008 | Featured, Spotlight on Korea

PRINCE OF THE HIMALAYAS
Sherwood Hu 2007 | American Immigrant Filmmakers On Profile

BOB MARLEY: EXODUS 77
Anthony Wall 2008 | Featured, Gala Presentation

JAMAICA FOR SALE
Esther Figueroa 2008 | Green Screen

BOOGIE MAN: THE LEE ATWATER STORY
Stefan Forbes 2008 | Politics & Power

LONG STORY SHORT
Christine Choy 2008 | American Immigrant Filmmakers On Profile
plays with...

* TONGZHI IN LOVE - A DOUBLE LIFE | Ruby Yang 2008

TORA-SAN MEETS THE SONGSTRESS AGAIN
1975 | Tora-san Series

WINDS OF SEPTEMBER
Tom Shu-Yu Lin 2008 | Asian Showcase

CHILDREN OF THE DARK
Junji Sakamoto 2008 | Spotlight on Japan

DARLING OF THE MOUNTAINS
Katsuhito Ishii 2008 | Spotlight on Japan

SHOT IN BOMBAY
Liz Mermin 2007 | Spotlight on India

THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS
Mark Herman 2008 | European Showcase

THE KILLING OF A CHINESE COOKIE
Derek Shimoda 2007 | American Spectrum, Featured

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
Tomas Alfredson 2008 | After Dark

CRAWFORD
David Modigliani 2008 | Politics & Power

FLOW - FOR THE LOVE OF WATER
Irena Salina 2008 | Green Screen

TOKYO GORE POLICE
Yoshihiro Nishimura 2008 | Extreme Asia

KUNG FU KID
Issei Oda 2007 | Family Fest

PRESSURE COOKER
Mark Becker, Jennifer Grausman 2008 | Family Fest

ABSURDISTAN
Veit Helmer 2008 | European Showcase

TORA-SAN GOES RELIGIOUS?
Yoji Yamada 1983 | Tora-san Series

URTIN DUU
Hasichaolu 2008 | New Chinese Cinema

PATSY MINK: AHEAD OF THE MAJORITY
Kimberlee Bassford 2008 | Documentary Feature Competition

BOYS OVER FLOWERS THE MOVIE
Yasuharu Ishii 2008 | Spotlight on Japan

FIGHTER
Natasha Arthy 2007 | European Showcase

SUNNY
Jun-ik Lee 2008 | Spotlight on Korea

ORZ BOYZ
Ya-Che Yang 2008 | Family Fest, Featured

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD
Ji-woon Kim 2008 | Closing Night

TOKYO!
Joon-ho Bong, Leos Carax, Michel Gondry 2008 | Featured, Gala Presentation

THE UNWINKING GAZE
Joshua Dugdale 2008 | Human Rights

NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD
Mark Hartley 2008 | After Dark

LISTEN TO ME
Kong Ling Chen, Tan Chen 2008 | New Chinese Cinema

DRONA
Goldie Behl 2008 | Spotlight on India

HEART OF FIRE
Luigi Falomi 2008 | Human Rights

FINDING ALOHA - THE MOVIE
Phil Waller 2008 | Surf Cinema

CYBORG SHE
Jae-young Kwak 2008 | Extreme Asia

[chairmenmeow47]

You're big on condescending pompousness and small on contributing anything of substance.



Right. Different people have different beliefs and in a democracy the more popular beliefs tend to win. I don't think there's anything scary about wanting to legislate beliefs; what else is there to legislate? I mean a law that says murder is illegal is a just legislating the belief that murder is wrong. It's just a matter of where you draw the line. The alternative is anarchy, and I don't think that's what you're proposing.

What you really are saying is that it is scary people are legislating their beliefs and not yours.

there's nothing wrong with legistlating beliefs unless those beliefs infringe on the right of someone else. you're right to murder ends at my right to live. and an athiest's right of disbelief ends at someone else's right to believe. just like your right to believe that gay marriage is sinful ends at my right to spend the rest of my life with whoever the fuck i want. and anyone who wants to argue tax implications should understand that their right to get married doesn't mean they should be given anything special by the government other than legal recognition of their union anyways.

and that's the problem. of course anyone's moral and ethical codes will be a factor in any decision they make. but we shouldn't allow it to infringe on other people's rights to make their own decisions about their life.

[amyzzz]

Spiritual people are just antisocial religious people. They each belong to their church of one member.
I hear that.

[C DUB YA]

Anyone see that Beverly Hills talking dog movie or what?

[amyzzz]

Anyone see that Beverly Hills talking dog movie or what?
I think my kids are gonna go see that today with my mom.

[downingthief]

Anyone see that Beverly Hills talking dog movie or what?

My wife and son went to see it yesterday, and they enjoyed it. Despite the positive review, I am glad I chose to stay home and watch the Cards beat the Cowboys. :)

[SoulDischarge]

I'm calling Children's Services.

[Down Rodeo]

So I saw The New World this weekend, and I really liked it for the most part. I still think Malick loses me at some points, but this was a gorgeous film with some really outstanding sequences in it.

[downingthief]

So I saw The New World this weekend, and I really liked it for the most part. I still think Malick loses me at some points, but this was a gorgeous film with some really outstanding sequences in it.

Crap. I keep forgetting to rent this. Going to NetFlix now...

[bmack86]

I feel like Gorgeous is what Malick does best. His stories aren't always the most complex or driving, but he makes beautiful movies.

[Down Rodeo]

I feel like Gorgeous is what Malick does best. His stories aren't always the most complex or driving, but he makes beautiful movies.

That pretty much sums it up best. I never really got the whole transcendentalist thing either.

[SoulDischarge]

I'd say Badlands is pretty close to a perfect movie.

[wmgaretjax]

Days of Heaven is a perfect movie.

[SoulDischarge]

I still haven't watched that or The Thin Red Line.

[Gonshman]

So I saw The New World this weekend, and I really liked it for the most part. I still think Malick loses me at some points, but this was a gorgeous film with some really outstanding sequences in it.

I was amazed when I heard that he shot the first half with almost all natural light. That's so hard to do, and especially on a studio film where you already don't want dialogue for a majority of the movie.

[bmack86]

Days of Heaven is beautiful. I've seen light like that in real life once, and it was one of the coolest views I've ever seen.

[Gonshman]

In the Mood for Love might be the most beautiful film I've ever seen. Chris Doyle is just incredible, and it's too bad most of his cinematography in the U.S. gets ignored (Paranoid Park, Lady in the Water, etc...)

[RotationSlimWang]

the irony here of course is that in criticizing religion for forming and enforcing moral codes, you are imposing your own moral code on them.

Tom you're just being silly, and frankly it's unbecoming for a man of your age to make such an immature argument. Yeah, sure, I'm imposing my moral code on them. A code that is first and foremost based on the principle that no one should ever have their free will impinged upon for any reason except to preserve the free will and safety of everyone else.

I suppose the banishment of imposition is an imposition in itself. You know, if you want to sound like a doddering twat.

Right. Different people have different beliefs and in a democracy the more popular beliefs tend to win. I don't think there's anything scary about wanting to legislate beliefs; what else is there to legislate? I mean a law that says murder is illegal is a just legislating the belief that murder is wrong. It's just a matter of where you draw the line. The alternative is anarchy, and I don't think that's what you're proposing.

What you really are saying is that it is scary people are legislating their beliefs and not yours.

So if Alabama passed a bill to reinstate slavery and repeal all civil rights for non-white persons you'd be fine with it? And don't give me any states' rights sidestepping. And for the record, that "legislating their beliefs and not yours" argument is one of the most annoying pieces of horseshit ever, everyone needs to shut up with that forever. There is nothing whatsoever difficult about discerning between beliefs that protect everyone and beliefs that leverage an agenda under the guise of protecting everyone from their sinful urges.

In a democracy the more popular belief tends to win--gee, thanks so much for enlightening us. But democracy is not a replacement for true moral responsibility and neither is dogma. If man turns over his moral judgment to the edicts of a church then he has ceased to be moral and his faith is a sham. By the same token, a democracy that allows its populous to enact policies that threaten the freedoms of a minority at the behest of an immoral majority loses its soul to retain its democracy.

What good is righteousness if it's wrong, Tom?

[wmgaretjax]

Tom you're just being silly, and frankly it's unbecoming for a man of your age to make such an immature argument. Yeah, sure, I'm imposing my moral code on them. A code that is first and foremost based on the principle that no one should ever have their free will impinged upon for any reason except to preserve the free will and safety of everyone else.

Rabbit hole... I'm not sure it ever deserved a dignified response.

I saw the restored version of The Godfather at the Cinerama in Seattle last night. It was a fucking immaculate print. I hadn't seen the movie in a couple years, and it made me want to go home and watch Part II immediately.

I also watched Battle in Seattle, which wasn't really worth watching. It brought back memories for me, and in many ways it did a good job of representing those couple days, but the melodrama was unforgivable.

I'm going to watch Rosemary's Baby again because of Ivy.

[chairmenmeow47]

i'm glad i can be associated with satan's baby. dating randy is starting to have its downside :p

[wmgaretjax]

i'm glad i can be associated with satan's baby. dating randy is starting to have its downside :p

I'll keep you in my prayers.

[Down Rodeo]

I saw the restored version of The Godfather at the Cinerama in Seattle last night. It was a fucking immaculate print. I hadn't seen the movie in a couple years, and it made me want to go home and watch Part II immediately.


Damn, so jealous.

I also watched Battle in Seattle, which wasn't really worth watching. It brought back memories for me, and in many ways it did a good job of representing those couple days, but the melodrama was unforgivable.

Man, you are not a fan of the melodrama, are you? I think that's the biggest complaint I hear you make about movies.

[Bosco]

I rewatched this last night:

http://www.djfilms.com/ai.gif

is this "should-a-could-a-would-a"? or is it, "it is what it is"?

In short for me: Strong Kubrick-esk start. Momentum buster, middle. Spielberg ending.

[roberto73]

I knew A.I. was in trouble when I realized the most sympathetic character was the robotic bear.

[Down Rodeo]

I saw Rififi last night and it was awesome. The movie centers around a 20+ minute scene of a jewel heist with absolutely no dialogue or music. Highly recommended.

[KungFuJoe]

If anyone in the L.A. area is planning to attend the AFI Fest I suggest you go to the Hollywood & Highland Box Office to get tickets if you're only going to purchase individual ones. They give you a voucher for one free screening. I was happy to find this out yesterday when I purchased tickets for The Good The Bad The Weird & picked up my ticket for Achiles & the Tortoise. I can't wait to see both of these!

used my voucher for the Tokyo! screening. ah cinema.....

[wmgaretjax]

Man, you are not a fan of the melodrama, are you? I think that's the biggest complaint I hear you make about movies.

It's an immediate turn off for me, but there are exceptions. Our culture is just so saturated with it, and it's rarely the appropriate way to approach a theme or story.

Riffifi is a fucking sweet movie, I love the Criterion Collection because you can pick up any movie they put out and know that it'll be worth your time. And a good chunk of the titles are not terribly well known.

[Down Rodeo]

It's an immediate turn off for me, but there are exceptions. Our culture is just so saturated with it, and it's rarely the appropriate way to approach a theme or story.


Name one instance in which you actually liked melodrama in a movie. I'm gonna go ahead and say Magnolia.

[PotVsKtl]

Ran is pretty melodramatic. That fucking jester just won't stop baby crying.

[wmgaretjax]

Ran is pretty melodramatic. That fucking jester just won't stop baby crying.

fuckin shakespeare's fault...

[wmgaretjax]

Name one instance in which you actually liked melodrama in a movie. I'm gonna go ahead and say Magnolia.

Last year's The Assasination of Jesse James was perfect in that regard.

[SoulDischarge]

Melodrama is usually great if it's intentional. It's when it's supposed to be taken seriously that it become cringe worthy.

[RotationSlimWang]

Name one instance in which you actually liked melodrama in a movie. I'm gonna go ahead and say Magnolia.

Ugh. Magnolia is exactly why melodrama is not something you can like. It's not a term designed to ever imply that it's enjoyable.

[mountmccabe]

I'm totally running late on this matter, but the Hawaii International Film Festival has come around again, and I'm once again totally overwhelmed by choices. Anyone hear any good buzz on any of the below? You guys steered me right last year, so I trust you.

CHERRIES
Zhang Jiabei 2007 | New Chinese Cinema

KABEI - OUR MOTHER
Yoji Yamada 2008 | Spotlight on Japan

GONE SHOPPING
Li Lin Wee 2007 | Narrative Feature Competition

THE WRECKING CREW
Denny Tedesco 2008 | American Spectrum

CAPE NO. 7
Wei Te-Sheng 2008 | Narrative Feature Competition

BOSES - VOICES
Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil 2008 | Asian Showcase

THE MERMAID
Anna Melikyan 2007 | European Showcase

SAILFISH
Ema Jin 2008 | New Chinese Cinema

A LITTLE HEART
Thanh Van Nguyen 2007 | Human Rights

NOHO HEWA: THE WRONGFUL OCCUPATION OF HAWAI'I
Anne Keala Kelly 2008 | Documentary Feature Competition

SOMEPLACE ELSE
Kai-duc Luong, Avisheh Mohsenin 2008 | American Immigrant Filmmakers

A CHRISTMAS TALE
Arnaud Desplechin 2008 | European Showcase

HALF - LIFE
Jennifer Phang 2008 | American Spectrum

BRUTUS
Tara Illenberger 2008 | Green Screen

WINGS OF DEFEAT
Risa Morimoto 2007 | American Spectrum

DIRTY HANDS: THE ART AND CRIMES OF DAVID CHOE
Harry Kim 2008 | Documentary Feature Competition

TROUBLE THE WATER
Carl Deal, Tia Lessin 2008 | Human Rights

KANTATA TAKWA
Slamet Rahardjo, Eros Djarot, Gotot Prakosa 1992 | Asian Showcase

SON OF A LION
Benjamin Gilmour 2008 | Asian Showcase

OUT OF COVERAGE
Abdellatif Abdelhamid 2007 | Asian Showcase

SORASOI
Katsuhito Ishii 2008 | Spotlight on Japan

CHOCOLATE
Prachya Pinkaew 2008 | Extreme Asia

THE TRUTH BE TOLD: THE CASES AGAINST SUPINYA KLANGNARONG
Pimpaka Towira 2007 | Documentary Feature Competition

SHOW OF HANDS
Anthony McCarten 2008 | Pacific Panorama

SHIRO'S HEAD
Don Muna, Kel Muna 2008 | Pacific Panorama

THE BETRAYAL
Thavisouk Phrasavath, Ellen Kuras 2008 | Reel Life

THREE MONKEYS
Nuri Bilge Ceylan 2008 | European Showcase

**** PONG PLAYA
Jessica Yu 2007 | American Spectrum

CHANTS OF LOTUS
Lasja, Fatimah T. Rony, Nia Dinata, Upi 2008 | Asian Showcase

RAIN OF THE CHILDREN
Vincent Ward 2008 | Centerpiece, Documentary Feature Competition

A POWERFUL NOISE
Tom Cappello 2008 | Human Rights

NEWCASTLE
Dan Castle 2008 | Surf Cinema

DANCE OF THE DRAGON
John Radel, Max Mannix 2008 | Asian Showcase

OF ALL THE THINGS
Jody Lambert 2008 | Reel Life

SECOND HAND WEDDING
Paul Murphy 2008 | Pacific Panorama

SANTA MESA
Ron Morales 2007 | Family Fest

DEPARTURES
Takita Yojiro 2008 | Spotlight on Japan

THEY KILLED SISTER DOROTHY
Daniel Junge 2008 | Human Rights

DACHIMAWA LEE
Seung-wan Ryoo 2008 | Featured, Spotlight on Korea

PRINCE OF THE HIMALAYAS
Sherwood Hu 2007 | American Immigrant Filmmakers On Profile

BOB MARLEY: EXODUS 77
Anthony Wall 2008 | Featured, Gala Presentation

JAMAICA FOR SALE
Esther Figueroa 2008 | Green Screen

BOOGIE MAN: THE LEE ATWATER STORY
Stefan Forbes 2008 | Politics & Power

LONG STORY SHORT
Christine Choy 2008 | American Immigrant Filmmakers On Profile
plays with...

* TONGZHI IN LOVE - A DOUBLE LIFE | Ruby Yang 2008

TORA-SAN MEETS THE SONGSTRESS AGAIN
1975 | Tora-san Series

WINDS OF SEPTEMBER
Tom Shu-Yu Lin 2008 | Asian Showcase

CHILDREN OF THE DARK
Junji Sakamoto 2008 | Spotlight on Japan

DARLING OF THE MOUNTAINS
Katsuhito Ishii 2008 | Spotlight on Japan

SHOT IN BOMBAY
Liz Mermin 2007 | Spotlight on India

THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS
Mark Herman 2008 | European Showcase

THE KILLING OF A CHINESE COOKIE
Derek Shimoda 2007 | American Spectrum, Featured

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
Tomas Alfredson 2008 | After Dark

CRAWFORD
David Modigliani 2008 | Politics & Power

FLOW - FOR THE LOVE OF WATER
Irena Salina 2008 | Green Screen

TOKYO GORE POLICE
Yoshihiro Nishimura 2008 | Extreme Asia

KUNG FU KID
Issei Oda 2007 | Family Fest

PRESSURE COOKER
Mark Becker, Jennifer Grausman 2008 | Family Fest

ABSURDISTAN
Veit Helmer 2008 | European Showcase

TORA-SAN GOES RELIGIOUS?
Yoji Yamada 1983 | Tora-san Series

URTIN DUU
Hasichaolu 2008 | New Chinese Cinema

PATSY MINK: AHEAD OF THE MAJORITY
Kimberlee Bassford 2008 | Documentary Feature Competition

BOYS OVER FLOWERS THE MOVIE
Yasuharu Ishii 2008 | Spotlight on Japan

FIGHTER
Natasha Arthy 2007 | European Showcase

SUNNY
Jun-ik Lee 2008 | Spotlight on Korea

ORZ BOYZ
Ya-Che Yang 2008 | Family Fest, Featured

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD
Ji-woon Kim 2008 | Closing Night

TOKYO!
Joon-ho Bong, Leos Carax, Michel Gondry 2008 | Featured, Gala Presentation

THE UNWINKING GAZE
Joshua Dugdale 2008 | Human Rights

NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD
Mark Hartley 2008 | After Dark

LISTEN TO ME
Kong Ling Chen, Tan Chen 2008 | New Chinese Cinema

DRONA
Goldie Behl 2008 | Spotlight on India

HEART OF FIRE
Luigi Falomi 2008 | Human Rights

FINDING ALOHA - THE MOVIE
Phil Waller 2008 | Surf Cinema

CYBORG SHE
Jae-young Kwak 2008 | Extreme Asia


I must be slipping (or the HIFF is reaching further) because I don't really know anything about any of those films. I have only even heard of a few of the directors but even then I don't really know their work.

Absurdistan and The Good, The Bad and the Weird were both at the Scottsdale IFF but I missed everything there so I can't even comment on those two.

Mark Herman directed Brassed Off which was fairly good and THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS sounds like it could be interesting but that's about all I can say.

Good luck!

[KungFuJoe]

Courtney, go see CHOCOLATE .... unless you don't have any liking for martial arts. It's a fucking blast though. You're so lucky they're screening it there. It's about an autistic girl who learns martial arts from watching movies & decides to collect money from all the mobsters who stole from her mom. The stunts are top notch. Some of which would make even Jackie Chan cringe. I absolutely love this movie. The world will be hearing more from it's star Jeeja Yanin very soon I'm sure.

other than that, The Good The Bad The Weird is supposed to be awesome! it's a Korean film that pays homage to the American Western. Looks fantastic. I've also heard great things about Tokyo Gore Police. I think that is more on a cult stats than the other two though. Either way, if you're looking for a fun night at the movies I'm sure all of these will deliver. If you're looking for a more artistic film with deeper meaning, then I'd have to look into the lineup a bit more.

I also think Let the Right One In looks good. I'd check that out.

edit: I was checking out some more of the lineup & see there are two new Katsuhito Ishii films playing. I've only seen two of his films, The Taste of Tea which I love & Funky Forest the First Contact which has some funny bits, but is way too long & uneven. i believe he was one of the men behind the animated sequence in Kill Bill Vol 1 as well. He's got an interesting & amusing vision, so I'd recommend checking out one of his films there. Either, SORASOI or DARLING OF THE MOUNTAINS.

[Courtney]

Woooo thanks John and KungFuJoe.

Today I saw Dachimawa Lee and part of Sorasoi. Dachimawa Lee is a funny Korean spy parody. Frequently over the top (think Austin Powers but without all the 60s context and with a martial arts twist), a little too fast-moving for subtitles, but not bad. I can definitely see it having huge box office success in Korea.

Sorasoi is a Japanese mockumentary about group of college kids at dance training camp. It's directed by Katsuhito Ishii, and stars the first batch of graduates of his very own acting school. Apparently Ishii has quite the following in Hawaii because he arrived at the screening with actors, entourage and flashing paparazzi in tow. Sadly, there was some sort of flub in converting the film (high def digital to something?) and the projection was fuzzy to the point of being unwatchable.

For the rest of the festival, I'm planning to try to see:
My Darling of the Mountains
Boys Over Flowers
Absurdistan
Tokyo!
Cyborg She
The Good, The Bad & The Weird (if I can stay awake -- it's a late screening so it might require some caffeine!)

I now wish I could see Chocolate, but sadly I missed it because it already screened. But maybe I can sweet-talk my HIFF connection into borrowing the selection committee DVD.

[PotVsKtl]

The Good The Bad and the Etc is directed by Ji-woon Kim. If you miss it you should be shot repeatedly in the gooch.

[wmgaretjax]

The Good The Bad and the Etc is directed by Ji-woon Kim. If you miss it you should be shot repeatedly in the gooch.

Seconded.

[humanoid]

Post your thoughts on Five Easy Pieces once you watch it. I've been thinking about renting it for a while now.

Five Easy Pieces is a great flick, interesting little piece in the puzzle of 70's cinema.

Randy, could you please help me understand what is great about this film? You seem to know more about the art of film making, scripts & related aspects than I do, so maybe you have more of perspective based upon it's historical context than I do. As a simple lover of the art form of films, I didn't enjoy it at all, in fact I almost hated it.

I finally got around to watching it, but I felt more annoyed by it than anything. I felt that Nicholson was overacting horrendously, to me he was campy and cheesy. I felt like there were only two remotely likable characters in the movie, his sister and his later love interest, but beyond that, I was wishing terrible things upon the rest of them. His girlfriend borders on completely retarded(literally) and I kept waiting for him to stop seething, blow up and smack the shit out of her (not that I advocate violence against women, but this one surely deserves it)

I thought that there was very little to the story, mainly Jack in various places being a complete asshole to absolutely everyone he meets. There were several scenes of random dialogue that felt disjointed and completely disconnected from the rest of the film. It felt like it was edited poorly, like there were several integral transition scenes that were left on the cutting room floor.

There were a couple scenes that I enjoyed, like the piano playing on the truck, the famous diner scene, and the very end at the gas station, but overall, I felt it was severely lacking.

I'd be interested to hear any insight that someone may have about some aspect of this film that I may have missed.

[tessalasset]

Can we please talk about Twilight now?

[humanoid]

Can we please talk about Twilight now?

My daughter and my sister have talked about nothing else for the last year!! I better get into it, I promised my daughter we'd go on opening night

[Mr.Nipples]

if anyone sees Sex Drive tonight...ill fucking kill you...


should i watch westworld?

[PotVsKtl]

Can we please talk about Twilight now?

But we're not children.

[amyzzz]

That movie just looks silly, Tessa. Was it good?

[wmgaretjax]

should i watch westworld?

Hell yes. Such a ridiculously awesome western.

[KungFuJoe]

Woooo thanks John and KungFuJoe.

Today I saw Dachimawa Lee and part of Sorasoi. Dachimawa Lee is a funny Korean spy parody. Frequently over the top (think Austin Powers but without all the 60s context and with a martial arts twist), a little too fast-moving for subtitles, but not bad. I can definitely see it having huge box office success in Korea.

Sorasoi is a Japanese mockumentary about group of college kids at dance training camp. It's directed by Katsuhito Ishii, and stars the first batch of graduates of his very own acting school. Apparently Ishii has quite the following in Hawaii because he arrived at the screening with actors, entourage and flashing paparazzi in tow. Sadly, there was some sort of flub in converting the film (high def digital to something?) and the projection was fuzzy to the point of being unwatchable.

For the rest of the festival, I'm planning to try to see:
My Darling of the Mountains
Boys Over Flowers
Absurdistan
Tokyo!
Cyborg She
The Good, The Bad & The Weird (if I can stay awake -- it's a late screening so it might require some caffeine!)

I now wish I could see Chocolate, but sadly I missed it because it already screened. But maybe I can sweet-talk my HIFF connection into borrowing the selection committee DVD.

cool. thanks for the reviews. I'll have to look into Dachimawa Lee. That's too bad about Sorasoi, though it seems like it would've been fun to witness his entourage.

Definately try to load up on the caffeine to catch The Good The Bad & The Weird. And if you really want to watch Chocolate I'm sure you can download it somewhere or you can simply watch it in parts on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCqeAJyQOv0&feature=related.

I look foward to hearing more reviews from the HIFF.

[chairmenmeow47]

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY HOW COULD ANYONE LIKE MAGNOLIA?!?!??!

[humanoid]

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY HOW COULD ANYONE LIKE MAGNOLIA?!?!??!

I have a difficult time understanding this concept as well

[amyzzz]

I liked it ok.

[humanoid]

I just wanted to kill myself when it would never end...I saw it in the theater, and there were about 10 times towards the end of the movie that seemed like the final scene, and everyone started putting on their jackets to leave, only to realize that it was still continuing...many groans were heard throughout the theater

[chairmenmeow47]

I just wanted to kill myself when it would never end...I saw it in the theater, and there were about 10 times towards the end of the movie that seemed like the final scene, and everyone started putting on their jackets to leave, only to realize that it was still continuing...many groans were heard throughout the theater

i like you exponentially more now, lol. i felt the same way. but i've pretty much always hated tom cruise, which didn't help.

[humanoid]

i like you exponentially more now, lol. i felt the same way. but i've pretty much always hated tom cruise, which didn't help.

well I'm honored! I have liked Tom Cruise in maybe one movie, and that's not a very good rate, considering the length of his career

[amyzzz]

I love Tom Cruise, and I hate myself for it.

[SoulDischarge]

That's probably Tom Cruise's best role. Only because he didn't have to stretch too far.

[chairmenmeow47]

I love Tom Cruise, and I hate myself for it.

that's probably why you like his work then, because he's "tom cruise" in every.single.role!!! lol

[amyzzz]

that's probably why you like his work then, because he's "tom cruise" in every.single.role!!! lol
Uhh, not really. I like his acting, I like his charisma. The real Tom Cruise seems rather repugnant.

edit: there's this guy on the British show Torchwood wh