Schoolio's Movie Corner

[amyzzz]

what did everyone think of Dod Sno/Deod Snoe/Dead Snow?
forgettable, sadly.

[nbvcide]

Oh, come on. I think you're far and away the most extreme full-retard on the planet, and I'm still talking to you!

thank you. i think i've already stated what i think of your opinions at this point :)

Since you're a professional writer/film critic I'd advise against giving away gems like this for free on a public message board. Any more knee-slappers you're keeping in your back pocket?

not a professional writer nor a film critic. jesus, learn to read.

What are the actual numbers that your group is pulling from the 6.5 million.

hahahahaha, touche. about 1%. although to be fair, each major network rarely pulls in more than about 15% at any given time. but yes, i didn't say it was a major station, i clarified it was a syndicated network. but it IS an Emmy winning one. :)

if you actually sat through that many bad films last year alone, you should probably just kill yourself now.

those bad movies represent about 10% of the films i watched last year... if 10% of the movies YOU watch were bad, would you kill yourself?

I saw The Hangover tonight and there's a scene in that where a dude makes a baby look as though it's jerking itself off, and he talks about its little penis. Surely that's more offensive than seeing a teenager topless?

i don't find either offensive... but i see the person you quoted's point.

[schoolofruckus]

not a professional writer nor a film critic. jesus, learn to read.

those bad movies represent about 10% of the films i watched... if 10% of the movies YOU watch were bad, would you kill yourself?

i don't find either offensive... but i see the previous posters point.

So you write copy for the "film critics" or your little cable station in LA for fucking free? Or do they just withhold your paychecks on the grounds of incoherence?

[wmgaretjax]

those bad movies represent about 10% of the films i watched... if 10% of the movies YOU watch were bad, would you kill yourself?


No no no. Not 10% were bad, 10% were WORSE than The Happening. You aren't even close to the "bad" line yet.

[nbvcide]

So you write copy for the "film critics" or your little cable station in LA for fucking free? Or do they just withhold your paychecks on the grounds of incoherence?

the writings of a professional are or can be made available to the public. writing copy is not the same thing. that isn't even my primary duty. so, no. by definiton i am not a professional writer.


No no no. Not 10% were bad, 10% were WORSE than The Happening. You aren't even close to the "bad" line yet.

true. like i said i could name another 100 movies that were bad. but i don't wanna hear people bitch about which movies weren't that bad, etc.

if people only watch GOOD movies how can they intelligently claim The Happening was the 'worst' movie?
by that line of thinking ANY movie could be the worst movie, if you've only seen better ones.

[schoolofruckus]

No - you said you were "paid to watch these movies" and that you "write all the copy for the critics on your shows". That makes you a professional writer!

[MissingPerson]

I'm enjoying Fargo a lot more this time around than I usually do.

[nbvcide]

No - you said you were "paid to watch these movies" and that you "write all the copy for the critics on your shows". That makes you a professional writer!

yes. i get paid to watch movies. that doesn't make me a professional writer.
yes. i write copy as a secondary job duty for people who host film review shows.

i don't consider myself to be a professional writer. but thank you if you think so.

[nbvcide]

I'm enjoying Fargo a lot more this time around than I usually do.

ya know, i think it's been long enough for me to give that movie another chance...

[schoolofruckus]

true. like i said i could name another 100 movies that were bad. but i don't wanna hear people bitch about which movies weren't that bad, etc.

if people only watch GOOD movies how can they intelligently claim The Happening was the 'worst' movie?
by that line of thinking ANY movie could be the worst movie, if you've only seen better ones.

Because anyone whose parents don't share parents knows that a list is drawn from the writer's personal experience. I skip nearly every movie that looks like it's going to be a waste of my time. The Happening did not appear that way in advance, but it most certainly was.

[schoolofruckus]

yes. i get paid to watch movies. that doesn't make me a professional writer.
yes. i write copy for people who host film review shows.

i don't consider myself to be a professional writer. but thank you if you think so.

Screenwriters and playwrights are all people who are paid to produce prose that is not intended to be consumed on the page. Would you not consider them to be "professional writers"? Were you too busy soaking in From Justin to Kelly to go to job orientation?

[SoulDischarge]

I've never seen The Happening, but it can't be much worse of an experience than reading the last 2 pages of this thread.

[wmgaretjax]

I've never seen The Happening, but it can't be much worse of an experience than reading the last 2 pages of this thread.

ditto.

[nbvcide]

Because anyone whose parents don't share parents knows that a list is drawn from the writer's personal experience. I skip nearly every movie that looks like it's going to be a waste of my time. The Happening did not appear that way in advance, but it most certainly was.

no. i don't think personal experience comes into it, when i comes to bad movies. i think it can be universally accepted that the movies i listed are pieces of shit. but i do agree with the rest of what you said. (that being said, several of the movies i listed did not appear to be a waste of time beforehand, although others did.)

Screenwriters and playwrights are all people who are paid to produce prose that is not intended to be consumed on the page. Would you not consider them to be "professional writers"? Were you too busy soaking in From Justin to Kelly to go to job orientation?

you obviously know nothing about the business if you think a guilded writer is the same thing as a tv station employee whose many job duties include writing copy. my job title doesn't involve writing, even my primary duties don't include writing.

i've operated cameras at work, am i also a professional cinematographer?
i've balanced expense accounts, am i a professional accountant?

if you write a memo at your work, are you a professional writer? you were paid to write the memo? why do you keep insisting i am one, when the person who holds the job keeps telling you he isn't.

[nbvcide]

I've never seen The Happening, but it can't be much worse of an experience than reading the last 2 pages of this thread.

ditto.


agreed.

[wmgaretjax]

agreed.

then shut the fuck up.

[RotationSlimWang]

The Happening sucked shit. If you write copy then you are a copywriter, which is a form of writing as a profession. If that isn't your primary duty then it's not your primary duty and another title probably more aptly describes your overall job. Plenty of people who are professional writers are also talentless, tasteless swine and frequently completely unskilled in the act of writing, that doesn't stop them from being professional writers.

[nbvcide]

If you write copy then you are a copywriter, which is a form of writing as a profession. If that isn't your primary duty then it's not your primary duty and another title probably more aptly describes your overall job.


^this.

[RotationSlimWang]

So what's your job title, furball? How about you just settle the argument already.

[nbvcide]

i've spent the last two pages settling the arguement that i'm not a) a professional writer, nor b) a film critic.
my actual job titles aren't gonna clarify it more than i already have.
drop it.

[RotationSlimWang]

In other words, PA.

[nbvcide]

:) haha, no.. i've done PA work in film before, but no my station doesn't have any production assistants (unless you count employees being taken from their other duties to help out on one thing or another, in which case every one of us could include PA work in our job duties, but def not our titles).

[RotationSlimWang]

Either state your real title or you're a PA. That's how it works.

[nbvcide]

hahaha, ok.

[M Sparks]

yes... that, or working for a syndicated television station .

WTF is a syndicated television station? Television stations sometimes buy syndicated programming from outside studios. They don't syndicate themselves.

I GUESS a superstation is like a syndicated television station. If you stretch the definition to the breaking point.

[M Sparks]

Why would anyone bother to watch Zohan

Because it's on Starz at 8am on a Sunday and your wife is still asleep.

It honestly wasn't anywhere close to the worst movie I've seen lately. John Tuturro at his worst is better than most people at their best.

[nbvcide]

WTF is a syndicated television station? Television stations sometimes buy syndicated programming from outside studios. They don't syndicate themselves.

I GUESS a superstation is like a syndicated television station. If you stretch the definition to the breaking point.

independent stations that air nearly exclusively syndicated programming. non-"in house"network, non-cable. in other words, all over-the-air stations that aren't CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, PBS.. there are stations that are really half&half, ones that broadcast WB/CW or UPN/MyNetwork during their primetime hours..

there are many, many stations that syndicate themselves, but you only see the local affiliate so may be unaware of its source... America One is a great example, being syndicated to over 170 affiliate stations.

[wmgaretjax]

Adventureland was so incredibly mis-marketed. I watched it on my brother's suggestion with only a shitty trailer as my impression of the film... It was actually a damn good little nostalgic teenage romance. The acting was good, the Yo La Tengo soundtrack was fantastic, and it was a genuinely tender film.

I didn't realize until after that it was from the director of Superbad... I would never have watched it if I had known that, but I would have been wrong.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Adventureland was so incredibly mis-marketed. I watched it on my brother's suggestion with only a shitty trailer as my impression of the film... It was actually a damn good little nostalgic teenage romance. The acting was good, the Yo La Tengo soundtrack was fantastic, and it was a genuinely tender film.

I didn't realize until after that it was from the director of Superbad... I would never have watched it if I had known that, but I would have been wrong.

yes, it was definitely mismarketed. 90% of the people that saw it hated it, and 90% of the people that would have loved it were turned away by advertising and skipped it

i liked it a lot; i'm really glad I saw it in the theater

[M Sparks]

independent stations that air nearly exclusively syndicated programming. non-"in house"network, non-cable. in other words, all over-the-air stations that aren't CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, PBS.. there are stations that are really half&half, ones that broadcast WB/CW or UPN/MyNetwork during their primetime hours..

there are many, many stations that syndicate themselves, but you only see the local affiliate so may be unaware of its source... America One is a great example, being syndicated to over 170 affiliate stations.

I'm not trying to pick on you, I've just never heard anyone use the term "Syndicated Television Station". I studied broadcasting in college with an emphasis in management and programming and it never came up. Worked for a station for 5 years (but it was network), and now I freelance advertising production for broadcast and cable inserts. Maybe it's a regional thing? Around here, it would just be called an independent station.

Admittedly, when I was studying programming, CW and My Network didn't exist, and Fox operated just a few days a week. (In fact, my textbook was so old, it talked about bicycle networks.) So there was no need to specify...either you were a network station, or you were independent...which aired mostly syndicated programming by definition. So maybe it's a new term. But if you Google it in quotes, you only get 2 pages of results, and they are mostly a bit...strange.

I would consider America One to be a network (as do they), so that's kind of a bad example. Their feed is available for affiliates 24/7.

So do you work for a true local independent station like KTVK or KCAL? Or do you work for a network or service that provides programming to small stations, like America One?

BTW, I apologize for dragging this out further.

[M Sparks]

Adventureland was so incredibly mis-marketed. I watched it on my brother's suggestion with only a shitty trailer as my impression of the film... It was actually a damn good little nostalgic teenage romance. The acting was good, the Yo La Tengo soundtrack was fantastic, and it was a genuinely tender film.

I didn't realize until after that it was from the director of Superbad... I would never have watched it if I had known that, but I would have been wrong.

Maybe I don't remember the ads, but I went in expecting exactly what I got. Perhaps they had different ads on different types of channels/programming?

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

usually you would use the term "syndicated NETWORK" or something of the ilk. "Station" refers to the BROADCASTER, and not so much the programming

obviously meant to follow sparks' proceeding post

[whynotsmile99]

Adventureland was so incredibly mis-marketed. I watched it on my brother's suggestion with only a shitty trailer as my impression of the film... It was actually a damn good little nostalgic teenage romance. The acting was good, the Yo La Tengo soundtrack was fantastic, and it was a genuinely tender film.

I didn't realize until after that it was from the director of Superbad... I would never have watched it if I had known that, but I would have been wrong.

no love for Superbad?

[wmgaretjax]

no love for Superbad?

like so many comedies these days, i would have loved it as a 30 minute short film... but jesus christ there was so much fucking filler. all of the drama and character development was a mediocre afterthought that simply wasted time. do it right or simply give me the funny bits.

[wmgaretjax]

Maybe I don't remember the ads, but I went in expecting exactly what I got. Perhaps they had different ads on different types of channels/programming?

the ad I saw (online) made it seem like Superbad or another film of it's ilk.

[RotationSlimWang]

See Jared, that's why your taste is a dickhead. You can put up with all the artsy-fartsy crap in the world but you can't acknowledge the simple brilliance of Superbad. And it was. Fuck all y'alls.

[chairmenmeow47]

ok, so i liked the the hurt locker.

*spoilers*




i could have done without the last say, ten minutes though. felt like an army commercial or something. they probably could have cut the whole thing off with him looking for cereal.

i don't know what the fuck he thought was gonna happen at that random guy's house (that he thought had relation to beckam). i was glad that bitch hit him, lol. he was arrogant, stupid and thought he was invincible. just like every army fuck i've met, so at least it was realistic. why the fuck he ever bothered putting on the suit is beyond me. always lifting up the headpiece, christ.

ralph finnes appearance was immediately obvious by his voice. i kinda thought guy pearce was gonna go early cause for some reason i started thinking about drew barrymore & scream right before he died.

it seems like this movie could be taken as a giant commercial for the army, but instead i chose to just watch as some guy who thinks he's invincible made stupid cowboy decisions while at war so i enjoyed it. minus that he looked & acted WAY too much like an ex of mein who served in iraq :p

[real talk]

Adventureland was so incredibly mis-marketed. I watched it on my brother's suggestion with only a shitty trailer as my impression of the film... It was actually a damn good little nostalgic teenage romance. The acting was good, the Yo La Tengo soundtrack was fantastic, and it was a genuinely tender film.

I didn't realize until after that it was from the director of Superbad... I would never have watched it if I had known that, but I would have been wrong.

You are high. Kristin Stewart and the poor man's Michael Cera were embarrassing as actors. The freaks and geeks guy? Ok, he was good. But a good soundtrack does not cover up the cheese of the plot and are you allowed to call something nostalgic when you were in diapers during the time period which the film recalls?

Ps Superbad was typical, forgettable crap but it was okay.

[wmgaretjax]

You are high. Kristin Stewart and the poor man's Michael Cera were embarrassing as actors. The freaks and geeks guy? Ok, he was good. But a good soundtrack does not cover up the cheese of the plot and are you allowed to call something nostalgic when you were in diapers during the time period which the film recalls?


Poor man's michael cera? He's nothing like Michael Cera... Except that he played a slightly awkward fellow. And not nostalgic for the time period, more nostalgic for those kinds of summers.

I was high when I watched it, but I sobered up about half way through.

[Sushov23]

See Jared, that's why your taste is a dickhead. You can put up with all the artsy-fartsy crap in the world but you can't acknowledge the simple brilliance of Superbad. And it was. Fuck all y'alls.

WOW, I finally agree with you on something. hmmmmm.

[JewFace]

Watched Network with a friend tonight. She'd never seen it before. It had to be my 7th or 8th time. It's perhaps my favorite American movie from the 70s and undoubtedly my favorite satire. Chayefsky's screenplay seems to get more biting with subsequent viewings and never fails to be relevant. Definitely was Lumet's high point as a director. And what about Dunaway? It seems like she was the biggest American actress of the 70s. I know she blames Mommy Dearest for the demise of her film career, even though it's legendary (in certain circles.) I really wish she were getting more substantial parts in her later years. She really deserves to have a better end to her career.

What are your favorite satires and/or black comedies?

[SoulDischarge]

I also re-watched a biting satire on the television industry tonight called The Running Man. I can honestly say it was the pinnacle of Richard Dawson's career.

And yeah, Superbad is tolerable, and sometimes even approaches charming, but all in all, it's pretty unspectacular. I'm fucking sick of "bromance" comedies. Also, Jonah Hill is quite possibly the most obnoxious actor working today.

[roberto73]

Adventureland was so incredibly mis-marketed. I watched it on my brother's suggestion with only a shitty trailer as my impression of the film... It was actually a damn good little nostalgic teenage romance. The acting was good, the Yo La Tengo soundtrack was fantastic, and it was a genuinely tender film.

I didn't realize until after that it was from the director of Superbad... I would never have watched it if I had known that, but I would have been wrong.

I completely agree with your take on Adventureland. I wrote something similar on here shortly after I saw it. On the other hand, I thought Superbad was perfectly fine for what it was. I saw it, I laughed, and it's something I return to when I don't want to think. And, like Superbad or not, Greg Mottola directed several episodes of Arrested Development and Undeclared, which makes him okay in my book.

[RotationSlimWang]

Superbad is one of the more accurate-feeling portrayals of high school I've seen in a long time.

Network is just magnificent. I will never, ever be able to stop laughing at "The Communist Party isn't going to see a dime out of this!"

[higgybaby23]

Checked out Jesus Camp and Timecrimes last night.

Jesus Camp was downright scary. Onward Christian soldiers and such...oh and, I found out Harry Potter is a no good warlock that should be crucified.

Timecrimes was a mind fuck, which is what I usually look for in a film. It reminded me a little of Existenz and should resonate with fans of Cronenberg.

[bobert]

You are high. Kristin Stewart and the poor man's Michael Cera were embarrassing as actors.

Roger Dodger and The Squid and the Whale. If Michael Cera ever does anything in his career that rivals Jesse Eisenberg's work in those two films I'll be amazed.

[real talk]

I hated Roger Dodger. Anyway I didn't mean to imply he wasn't a good child actor, I'm just of the opinion that he took on the styling and affectations of Michael Cera in this movie. Which bothered me. But I don't want to fight.

[bobert]

YourE a poor man's Amyzzzzz

[real talk]

My a poor man's amyzzzz what?

[amyzzz]

Watched Network with a friend tonight. She'd never seen it before. It had to be my 7th or 8th time. It's perhaps my favorite American movie from the 70s and undoubtedly my favorite satire. Chayefsky's screenplay seems to get more biting with subsequent viewings and never fails to be relevant. Definitely was Lumet's high point as a director. And what about Dunaway? It seems like she was the biggest American actress of the 70s. I know she blames Mommy Dearest for the demise of her film career, even though it's legendary (in certain circles.) I really wish she were getting more substantial parts in her later years. She really deserves to have a better end to her career.

What are your favorite satires and/or black comedies?
I LOVE NETWORK! What a great movie, and I agree about Faye Dunaway, although I really liked her in Mommie Dearest too.

[bobert]

My a poor man's amyzzzz what?

I don't want to fight.

[anti-square]

Your a poor man's Amyzzzzz

http://www.lolsauce.com/RandomBS/English%20Mother%20Fucker.jpeg

[wmgaretjax]

And, like Superbad or not, Greg Mottola directed several episodes of Arrested Development and Undeclared, which makes him okay in my book.

Certainly. I never really got into Undeclared, but that was mostly because I knew that it was a dead show and I didn't want my heart broken.

[PotVsKtl]

Poor man's michael cera?

I believe the part was written for Michael Cera.

[SoulDischarge]

Confession time: I don't like Arrested Development.

[PotVsKtl]

I could do with about 75% less of Ron Howard's narration, mostly the interminable recaps every 10 minutes. If you're going to write a TV show with a continuous plot, at some point you have to trust your audience.

[SoulDischarge]

Yeah. That. The reason I don't like most modern mainstream comedy is that there's a general feeling of "Hey look, aren't we funny? This is funny! We're wacky! In case you don't get the joke, we'll shove it down your goddamn throat so you can't help but laugh!" and Arrested Development definitely has some of that going on.

[iv3rdawG]

7XYhSLTgyAY

[wmgaretjax]

I believe the part was written for Michael Cera.

I can't find anything to confirm this, but if it's true, I can't really argue with that.

[SoulDischarge]

Yeah. That's just stupid.

[PotVsKtl]

I can't find anything to confirm this, but if it's true, I can't really argue with that.

No idea where I came up with that but it's in my brain.

[wmgaretjax]

No idea where I came up with that but it's in my brain.

Seems logical enough... Seems also logical that they'd default to that other kid, because he was like a dramatic version of Cera before Cera.

[JewFace]

I LOVE NETWORK! What a great movie, and I agree about Faye Dunaway, although I really liked her in Mommie Dearest too.

Oh, I'm with you, Amyzz. I loved in her Mommie Dearest and not in an ironic way. Watching that film is considered a rite of passage for a good 10% of the population. Classic lines, right? Everyone knows the "no wire hangers!" tirade against her daughter and the "Don't fuck with me, fellas!" knock down given to the Pepsico board of directors. That being said, it was absolutely panned and, I believe, was also not a box office success and she seems to firmly believe that she was no longer taken seriously as a leading lady after the awful reception of that film. Unfortunately, she may be right about that. I think getting fired by Andrew Lloyd Webber in the 90s probably didn't help either.

[roberto73]

John Hughes reportedly died of a heart attack. I sense a weekend film fest in his honor.

http://www.tmz.com/2009/08/06/john-hughes-dies/

[SoulDischarge]

Speaking of camp, this (http://www.avclub.com/articles/nicolas-cagetastic-case-file-143-zandalee,31280/) looks incredible.

[AlecEiffel]

Anybody who is complaining about Superbad didn't see the abortion of a Superbad knockoff College. Seriously one of the very, very worst movies I have ever seen. If you don't like Jonah Hill, you have never encountered College's fake-ass ripoff Jonah Hill. Seriously, just look at these motherfuckers.

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/news/00017256.jpg

[rskapcat]

Um, is that Kevin Covais from American Idol on the left?

[AlecEiffel]

Fake ass McLovin there? Why yes it is Kevin Covais from American Idol. Also, on the right as Fake ass Michael Cera is Nickelodeon's Drake.

[wmgaretjax]

yikes:
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE5750WZ20090806

[amyzzz]

yikes:
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE5750WZ20090806
I want to see a movie made for this. I hope they don't fuck it up.

[nbvcide]

Certainly. I never really got into Undeclared, but that was mostly because I knew that it was a dead show and I didn't want my heart broken.

yeah, Undeclared certainly was no Freaks & Geeks... even if Carla Gallo pwns my heart :pulse

[PotVsKtl]

yikes:
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE5750WZ20090806

The studio has brought on "Apocalypto" scribe Farhad Safinia to write the script

...

[mountmccabe]

I could do with about 75% less of Ron Howard's narration, mostly the interminable recaps every 10 minutes. If you're going to write a TV show with a continuous plot, at some point you have to trust your audience.

That just gave them a chance to do different jokes. Kind of like the In the Next Episode bits at the end that were never actually in the next episode.

[bobert]

The studio has brought on "Apocalypto" scribe Farhad Safinia to write the script
...

Well, at least Mr. Huxley's masterpiece is in safe hands. Perhaps Diablo Cody could try her hand at 1984. Brett Ratner can direct.

[Down Rodeo]

yikes:
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE5750WZ20090806

Yes, but hopefully this will make up for it:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2009710/ridley_scott_to_direct_the_alien_prequel.html

[Down Rodeo]

Definitely was Lumet's high point as a director.

I have yet to see Network....but 12 Angry Men?

[RotationSlimWang]

Network is twice as good as 12 Angry Men.

[Down Rodeo]

Can someone with trustworthy taste back this up?

[wmgaretjax]

Network is twice as good as 12 Angry Men.

I wouldn't say twice as good. They are radically different films, both great in very distinct ways. I think I prefer Network, but not by much.

Doesn't matter because The Pawnbroker is his best film.

[Down Rodeo]

Guess I'll have to check out The Pawnbroker too.

[wmgaretjax]

Guess I'll have to check out The Pawnbroker too.

I think you'll like it. It's got a kind of Bresson edge to it.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

i got Altered Sates and Videodrome in the mail from Netflix yesterday. Haven't seen either of them before. i'm excited...although it should be interesting to see if my girlfriend can sit through either of them

[schoolofruckus]

I wouldn't say twice as good. They are radically different films, both great in very distinct ways. I think I prefer Network, but not by much.

Doesn't matter because The Pawnbroker is his best film.

I agree with all of this except the part where I claim to have seen The Pawnbroker.

[wmgaretjax]

That's a great double feature.

I'll be your girlfriend makes it through Videodrome out of fascination, but drops of Altered States about half way through.

[RotationSlimWang]

I wouldn't say twice as good. They are radically different films, both great in very distinct ways. I think I prefer Network, but not by much.

Doesn't matter because The Pawnbroker is his best film.

You're out of your fucking mind if you don't think Network is a vastly better film than 12 Angry Men. 12 Angry Men is a great piece for what it is--a craftily made and beautifully acted character piece with a nice chunk of social commentary to it.

It is not a massive, brilliantly genius ironic indictment of a wide variety of societal ills that still holds frightening and shocking amounts of relevancy to this very day. Network is.

[SoulDischarge]

That's a great double feature.

I'll be your girlfriend makes it through Videodrome out of fascination, but drops of Altered States about half way through.

I'm placing my bets on the crucifixion fantasy scene.

[whynotsmile99]

So with John Hughes passing...

favorite films or quotes from his films?

My favorites have always been Breakfast Club and Weird Science. Weird Science is one of those movie that by all means should have been bad. Imagine how bad a movie like that would have been if it was made now. I watched it probably a year or two ago and it still holds up, it's really damn funny. Hall and Paxton were great, and Kelly Lebrock was the perfect computer girl. MIght have to throw that on in a few minutes
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Kfipl5BYBqo

Maybe it was a dream, you know, a very weird, bizzare, vivid, erotic, wet, detailed dream. Maybe we have malaria. ...

[schoolofruckus]

Yes, but hopefully this will make up for it:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2009710/ridley_scott_to_direct_the_alien_prequel.html

It won't.


Well, at least Mr. Huxley's masterpiece is in safe hands. Perhaps Diablo Cody could try her hand at 1984. Brett Ratner can direct.

Now THAT would be worse than The Happening.

[humanoid]

Now THAT would be worse than The Happening.

the thought of Diablo Cody/Bret Ratner taking a stab at 1984 just made me shudder

[whynotsmile99]

the thought of Diablo Cody/Bret Ratner taking a stab at 1984 just made me shudder

Michael Cera as Winston

[bobert]

I was thinking Nic Cage, actually. His droopy face would definitely be an asset and he has that look of perpetual defeat.

[JewFace]

'perpetual defeat' -- that's, like, the perfect way to describe Nic Cage's look. Kudos, bobert, kudos!

[MissingPerson]

Not to be completely sacriligious or anything, but as a vision of the future, I think we can all rest assured that whatever dystopia we end up rotting to death in won't be that of 1984.

[MissingPerson]

Also, the first time I typed that I spelled it "sacrilicious".

Bloody television.

[wmgaretjax]

Not to be completely sacriligious or anything, but as a vision of the future, I think we can all rest assured that whatever dystopia we end up rotting to death in won't be that of 1984.

Certainly not. I think most people agree that any tendencies we have towards dystopia share a lot more in common with Brave New World.

[MissingPerson]

Damn, that was my next post.

I was looking for the cartoon and everything.

[wmgaretjax]

Cartoon?

[Alchemy]

When I read Brave New World, I think I cast Edward Norton as Bernard and Clive Owen as Watson. I forgot who I put for the others.

[MissingPerson]

Enormous image here: http://www.recombinantrecords.net/docs/2009-05-Amusing-Ourselves-to-Death.html

But to be honest, I think the main thing that puts the kibosh on 1984 is the internet. If the recent noise from Iran has proven anything, it's that it's impossible to centralise the control of information anymore. Even China can't manage it.

I don't think that automatically means that Huxley wins or anything, it just presents a landscape Orwell couldn't possibly have predicted.

[wmgaretjax]

Nice. That's perfect...

[MissingPerson]

Incidentally, in the unlikely event anybody's missed out on reading 1984, the book that surely makes even Cormac McCarthy go "Holy shit, I need to go and watch Wedding Crashers or some shit right this instant", click here:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/jill_valentine/1984.jpg (http://orwell.ru/library/novels/1984/english/)

[whynotsmile99]

Enormous image here: http://www.recombinantrecords.net/docs/2009-05-Amusing-Ourselves-to-Death.html


wow that is great. going to pass that around

[Courtney]

That's pretty much the essay that everyone in my ninth grade English class was assigned after completing our summer reading. Except our essays did not have entertaining pictures and probably included more SAT vocabulary.

Edit: To clarify, I don't mean that in a disparaging way. I enjoyed the link thoroughly. It just brought back unexpected memories.

[whynotsmile99]

we never read 1984 in high school. I really need to read it. we did do Animal Farm which I loved

[TallGuyCM]

Am I the only one who thinks District 9 looks like a decent popcorn flick? Maybe I'm just a sucker for alien movies, and this one obviously is more than somewhat similar looking to Independence Day with the giant ships over the cities and all.

And it might be terrible. But with the cost of movies these days, there are few that seem to be worth paying the $12 to see on the big screen, but for me this might be one of them.

[AlecEiffel]

Why do you seem so apologetic for thinking District 9 looks cool?

[CuervoPH]

A theater around here is finally getting "Moon" on August 14th. I am planning on seeing that and "District 9" the same day. Point being, I am willing to shell out the $12 on "District 9" also, based on the trailers I've seen.

[TallGuyCM]

Why do you seem so apologetic for thinking District 9 looks cool?

Because for some reason it just reeks of big production-shitty movie.

[MissingPerson]

It reminds me a lot of how much I loved Children of Men.

[TallGuyCM]

Sarcasm? I thought that movie was really good.

[MissingPerson]

No, not sarcasm, just a bit of unnecessarily weird phrasing on my part.

I really liked Children of Men, and it made me kind of sad that V for Vendetta wasn't more like it.

[TallGuyCM]

I don't get too into themes/story developments of movies, what I thought was the most well-done part about Children of Men was that one scene toward the end of uncut action that followed Clive Owen around for like 15 minutes. Superb.

[Alchemy]

I don't get too into themes/story developments of movies, what I thought was the most well-done part about Children of Men was that one scene toward the end of uncut action that followed Clive Owen around for like 15 minutes. Superb.

Indeed. That's one of my favorite scenes in all moviedom.

[wmgaretjax]

Because for some reason it just reeks of big production-shitty movie.

I don't think it looks that way at all...

I'm not sure where the Ind Day stuff comes from besides some minor aesthetic similarities.

Most people that have seen it have had nothing but great things to say...

[RotationSlimWang]

I don't get too into themes/story developments of movies, what I thought was the most well-done part about Children of Men was that one scene toward the end of uncut action that followed Clive Owen around for like 15 minutes. Superb.

All three of the pseudo oners (one-r: a single shot take) in that movie are fucking incredible, but yes especially the last and the first.

[TallGuyCM]

I don't think it looks that way at all...

I'm not sure where the Ind Day stuff comes from besides some minor aesthetic similarities.

Most people that have seen it have had nothing but great things to say...

Good, well I really hope it's good.

Maybe it's the little short sneak-peak commercials, too, that make a point not to show too much. Almost like they're setting you up to be let down. I'll still see this in the theater, and I haven't been to the theater since Oscar season.

[Westy]

Oooohh. My local theater is going to play "A Clockwork Orange".

I haven't been following this thread, but I hope "District 9" is good.

[JewFace]

I finished reading Alan Hollinghurst's The Line of Beauty last week. Decided to check out the BBC Miniseries adaptation today. A near perfect BBC literary adaptation. Very high production values for a television program, excellent screenplay that remained very faithful to the elegant, funny and sometimes sad novel and diverted slightly from it when dramatically necessary, perfectly cast actors, deft direction. Loved it.

[schoolofruckus]

I'm excited for District 9. I signed up for an AICN screening on Tuesday.



I saw Thirst last night, and I've decided it's the last vampire movie I'm going to watch for quite some time. At some point, I'm sure I'll probably give "True Blood" a chance, by virtue of my love for "Six Feet Under" (the remarkable finale of which I finally saw last weekend). But I feel like I've tried hard enough with many different manifestations of movies about vampires that I can say - pretty definitively - that they're not for me. If Park Chan-wook can't tackle the subject without being reduced to making something this overwrought, incoherent, and aesthetically clumsy, I don't think anyone else is pulling it off in a way that appeals to me.

It's a shame, because this film has a pretty solid set-up - a Korean priest volunteers to be a guinea pig for the vaccination of a deadly virus, and ends up becoming a vampire who has to fight his newfound urges towards a sick man's wife. Park is one of the most fascinating moralists in contemporary cinema, and this film doesn't lack his trademark complex, objective viewpoint of the character's choices. There are also a couple really hot sex scenes, although I didn't think there was anything particularly original about this film's likening of cannibalism (so to speak) and libidinal hungers. But around the time when the adulterous housewife learns of the priest's condition, things start to fall apart in a hurry. The performances suddenly crank up to a level of hysteria that Mel Gibson attempted to coach out of the Jewish characters in The Passion of the Christ. The editing - tacky throughout - becomes shockingly awkward; usually I love when Park strategically lifts a key plot point scene in order to change the nature of the story, but here, there was no catching up to the wife's emotional transformation. The music starts throwing haymakers as if it were playing Mike Tyson's Punch-Out with John Williams. The camera movements get increasingly distracting and - for lack of a better word - amateurish.

Maybe I just miss the quiet menace that emanated from every visual and aural splinter of Park's masterpiece, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, or the brilliant balance between tension and bombast that he employed in OldBoy. But between the simplistic (though still technically superb) Lady Vengeance, the first 15 minutes of I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay (which I still haven't been able to force myself to watch the rest of), and Thirst, I really wish Park would pull a Kevin Smith with his next film.

[AlecEiffel]

AICN was supposed to have an SF screening too, but the information never came out. The movie will be in regular release before those clowns get their act together. If it's not in Austin, or occasionally Chicago, those guys just don't give a shit.

[wmgaretjax]

fFDcaTI0cl8

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

that movie looks so fucking amazing

[schoolofruckus]

It really does. Pretty much every movie I had high hopes for this year has been disappointing to one degree or another, but this one just can't fail.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

So i got around to watching Videodrome last night and thought it was absolutely phenomenal. James Wood played it nice and straight, which was perfect for all that happens. It would have been terrible if he played the character like a cartoonish slimeball (which he has since proven to be really good at, and did so a bit more in Against All Odds the year after).

Even as dated as it is, the plot is still totally relevant, and the hallucinations are amazing. I can't wait to go through Croeneberg's whole catalog now (having only seen The Fly, Naked lunch, A history of Violence, and Eastern promises at this point)

My girlfriend was definitely kept interested by the film, but she said it made her feel sick (hahaha)

...so instead of Altered States next, she made me watch P.S. I Love you, which apparently is one of her all time favorite movies. The point of it is to be an emoitonal tear jerker, but the whgole thing is so fucking fake i just found myself staring at the screen for 2 hours waiting for it to be over

[amyzzz]

I recommend eXistenZ, The Brood, and Rabid.

[MissingPerson]

Was a lot less impressed with the second WTWTA trailer. It's lovely, just less "Whoa!" than the first.

That kid is adorable. And I despise children.

[JewFace]

I'm excited for District 9. At some point, I'm sure I'll probably give "True Blood" a chance, by virtue of my love for "Six Feet Under" (the remarkable finale of which I finally saw last weekend).

I'm so glad you mentioned that^. I watched 6FT Under when it first aired on HBO, but was out of town when the series finale aired. I never got to see it. I'm going to have to rent that sucker, because everyone speaks so highly of that final episode. I did think the last season got a bit soapy, but I still need to see what everyone was raving about.

[amyzzz]

I missed the entire last season of Six Feet Under too, and I keep mentioning to Jacob that we should watch it together, but he's not interested, so I still haven't got around to it. We stopped getting cable (and HBO) during that last year.

[PotVsKtl]

Good story Amy.

[JewFace]

Good story Amy.

:rotfl LOLZ!

[SoulDischarge]

I cried like a bitch at the end of Six Feet Under, which is probably the first time I've cried in five years minimum.

[amyzzz]

I knowzzz. I can't helpzzz itzzz.

[schoolofruckus]

I cried like a bitch at the end of Six Feet Under, which is probably the first time I've cried in five years minimum.

Same. The whole next day was also a series of remembering it and trying not to choke up.

[higgybaby23]

I recommend eXistenZ, The Brood, and Rabid.

I second this and would add Shivers aka They Came From Within and Scanners.


I especially enjoyed Shivers as it was shot on a shoestring budget with a bunch of non-actors.

[amyzzz]

I will add those to my list. Thanks, higgy.

[PotVsKtl]

Scanners is almost as bad as the Brood.

[bobert]

I agree. Scanners is a terrible movie, and I'm a big Cronenberg fan.

[Down Rodeo]

Yeah, The Brood was pretty terrible.

[rage patton]

Where The Wild Things Are looks so fucking good I almost cannot believe it.

I am also extremely excited for District 9 next weekend. I haven't been this excited for a movie in a long time.

[amyzzz]

District 9 is next weekend? Holy cow. That Miyazaki movie comes out then too! (with the mermaids or whatever)

[PotVsKtl]

Good description Amy.

[garrett222]

i'm going to see 500 days of summer and the hurt locker tomorrow..i'm pumped. from the looks of it, hurt locker has ensured a best picture nomination...1 of 10.

[SoulDischarge]

I really like The Brood. Scanners could definitely be better, but it's got some great moments.

[iv3rdawG]

Yrhos4-96jM

[clumsy342]

I recommend eXistenZ, The Brood, and Rabid.

good, good, and... good!

EDIT: Well, The Brood is fucking awesome!

[PotVsKtl]

No, The Brood is a terrible, horribly acted low-budget embarrasment with a good concept.

[PotVsKtl]

WYG0sSPVC5A

[Mr.Nipples]

ENGLISH PLEASE!

[garrett222]

anyone see the movie Gigantic? I had some questions...


SPOILER






















Is he a complete psycho? He's getting beat up by an imaginary homeless man...that never get discussed or explained...he's even apparantly shot by him...what's the story.

[rage patton]

Yrhos4-96jM

I really liked that trailer. I had no idea the movie comes out so soon. I figured they would be advertising it like crazy.

[SoulDischarge]

I'm pretty excited for that now. Terry Gilliam and Tom Waits is such a winning combination.

[rage patton]

The parts of the movie featuring Jonny Depp, Colin Ferrel and Jude Law were all shot in Vancouver. I read that one night, Jonny Depp and Tom Waits were spotted having dinner together at a restaurant downtown. I could only imagine what a conversation between the two would consist of.

[Alligator Bogaloo]

District 9 is next weekend? Holy cow. That Miyazaki movie comes out then too! (with the mermaids or whatever)

The new Hiyao Miyazaki film is called Ponyo. I read an article where he said that they went back to complete hand drawn animation for this one. The trailer looks incredible. My personal favorite film of his is Porco Roso.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soHf8jnmQNs

[Alchemy]

I can't wait for Ponyo.

[schoolofruckus]

Jennie and I watched Monty Python's Life of Brian this afternoon. I had never seen it before. I laughed my ass off.



Great review, Gabe.

[SoulDischarge]

I made a jackass out of myself watching that movie at a party a date took me to once. I was completely wasted and hadn't seen it in awhile so I was amazed by how funny it was and kept trying to quote lines and laughed way too much at it. Dude didn't talk to me for awhile after that.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

The new Hiyao Miyazaki film is called Ponyo. I read an article where he said that they went back to complete hand drawn animation for this one. The trailer looks incredible. My personal favorite film of his is Porco Roso.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soHf8jnmQNs

Rosso is also my favorite! I just rewatched it about 3 weeks...first time with the dub, which sucks. Watched the Nauusicaa dub the week, which was actually pretty good. Got Kiki's Delivery Service waiting here too, but I'll stick with the subtitles (as much as i like phil hartman he's awful in the dub)

[humanoid]

I really enjoyed the trailer for Dr Parnassus, it looks like it could be great...and in Terry Gilliam's hands, the odds are good...

I just watched the latest Star Trek movie, and I thought it was pretty awesome for a summer blockbuster type picture. Don't really care for Star Trek at all, but this was just a pretty damn fun movie.

[chairmenmeow47]

i'm one of five people on the planet who just doesn't get monty python. it's probably because it was introduced to me by people like patrick though, lol.

watched maxed out, loved it. what the solution is, i don't know. the lewis ck bits were my favourite "i'd call my funds grossly insufficient! but yeah, that's a good way to put it!"

[Alchemy]

Monty Python and the Holy Grail has always been my favorite comedy of all time. It's been a long time since I've seen the Life of Brian, but that one is also great.

[SoulDischarge]

Meaning Of Life is one of the darkest comedies out there. I'm a little surprised my mom let me watch it as a kid, but she is a Monty Python fanatic.

[bobert]

Jennie and I watched Monty Python's Life of Brian this afternoon. I had never seen it before. I laughed my ass off.



Great review, Gabe.

Wait til Biggus Dickus hears of this.

[PotVsKtl]

http://www.kreativekorp.com/miscpages/omgwtfbbq/roflcopter.gif

[bobert]

That's a pretty snarky chopper you've got there, Pot.

[schoolofruckus]

I watched a couple good ones yesterday...Tarkovsky's debut Ivan's Childhood, and On the Waterfront.

Ivan's Childhood was a stark war film about a 12 year old Russian orphan who is used to infiltrate German territory in World War II. It was gorgeously shot, and quite a bit more narratively composed than Andrei Rublev and Solyaris. I liked it only slightly less than those two, which are both great.

On the Waterfront was obviously a classic. Brando was great; the contender monologue played better in the film than it does on awards show clip reels, and the film as a whole played a little tougher than I was expecting. The ending was perfect. The score was pretty terrible in that grating Old Hollywood way, and the mix on the Netflix Instant stream was abominably unbalanced; I had to crank the volume to 97% just to be able to hear the dialogue scenes, and then be on guard to turn it down in a hurry anytime the music started up. Apart from that, the movie was ace.


I also saw Funny People on Saturday. I liked it very much. Pretty much all that's been said here already is true. It definitely didn't need to be 2 1/2 hours, but it doesn't suffer much from the length. There are an overabundance of dick jokes - hardly thwarting expectations - that grow old as the film progresses; given the film's introspective nature regarding many other facets of Judd Apatow's life, I feel that there may have been a self-aware reason for them. For me, the ending was the strongest piece of the film.

I was sitting next to an obnoxious, popcorn-scarfing, talk-backing, scream-laughing (and I'm talking a laugh that sounds like Fran Drescher fucked a hyena and then whatever they gave birth to laughed) douche, and I definitely think that impacted my experience. Particularly for the film's first half, which is more outright comedy. I told this animal to shut the fuck up when he was talking at crowded-room volume about the movie, and after he tried to protest in his little alpha way ("What about laughing? Can I laugh?"), I think he got back at me by making sure that awful chortle was cranked to fucking 11.

[M Sparks]

I think I missed some of the Cronenberg talk, but I didn't see Dead Ringers mentioned. Am I wrong in thinking he made that? If he didn't, he should have.

[TallGuyCM]

i'm one of five people on the planet who just doesn't get monty python.

I'm with you on that one. I mean, I get it, I just don't care for the humor. It's not funny to me.

And it reminds me of middle school, and the drama geeks I had to carpool with who would constantly quote it and thought they were superior for doing so.

Just not my bag.

[bobert]

I think I missed some of the Cronenberg talk, but I didn't see Dead Ringers mentioned. Am I wrong in thinking he made that? If he didn't, he should have.

That was Cronenberg - one of his best, IMO.

[PotVsKtl]

WHEN YOU HANG FROM A GIBBET FOR THE SPORT OF YOUR OWN CROWS... WE SHALL HAVE PEACE!!@!#$#

[wmgaretjax]

i had to google that. i would not have guessed what it was from.

[PotVsKtl]

It's more than a little ridiculous how many times I've watched this nonsense. Extended nonsense no less.

[chairmenmeow47]

I watched a couple good ones yesterday...Tarkovsky's debut Ivan's Childhood, and On the Waterfront.

On the Waterfront was obviously a classic. Brando was great; the contender monologue played better in the film than it does on awards show clip reels, and the film as a whole played a little tougher than I was expecting. The ending was perfect. The score was pretty terrible in that grating Old Hollywood way, and the mix on the Netflix Instant stream was abominably unbalanced; I had to crank the volume to 97% just to be able to hear the dialogue scenes, and then be on guard to turn it down in a hurry anytime the music started up. Apart from that, the movie was ace.

so being the film buff that you are, what do you think about the connections between this movie and the director's issues with the mccarthyism/communist party issues? was the director justified in ratting out his film friends?

[sbessiso]

Did anyone see GI JOE? Hows Joseph Gordon-Levitt in it and why do they hide him from the commercials?

[humanoid]

Did anyone see GI JOE? Hows Joseph Gordon-Levitt in it and why do they hide him from the commercials?

he plays a scarred and masked character, maybe you just didn't know it was him

[AlecEiffel]

Did anyone see GI JOE? Hows Joseph Gordon-Levitt in it and why do they hide him from the commercials?

He's barely in it.

I did see it, but I'm not going to bother writing about it when there is already an incredible, accurate review right here: http://outlawvern.com/2009/08/10/gi-joe-the-rise-of-cobra/ (http://outlawvern.com/2009/08/10/gi-joe-the-rise-of-cobra/#more-5555)

This link goes to a spot after a jump from a main page so you have to scroll up a couple paragraphs to get the beginning of the review, sorry.

[schoolofruckus]

so being the film buff that you are, what do you think about the connections between this movie and the director's issues with the mccarthyism/communist party issues? was the director justified in ratting out his film friends?

My knee jerk reaction is that Kazan didn't exactly stand up in favor of the ideals that the film was representing, but I don't know anywhere near enough about his circumstance to offer an official comment.

[Down Rodeo]

In all likelihood, The Hurt Locker is the best American film of the summer.

[TallGuyCM]

Watched Burn After Reading last night, it was pretty funny. The scene where Pitt phones Malkovich is brilliant, and the movie flows really well. But, just like any other Cohen Brothers' movie, the ending felt a bit abrupt, there were more than a few wtf moments, and it took me awhile to really figure out how I felt about the movie as a whole.

[bmack86]

Gabe, have you seen Stalker yet? If not, seek that out. Also, The Mirror. Those are far and away my two favorite Tarkovsky films, for very different reasons. They almost seem like inverses of each other, and both are fantastically involved and convoluted yet simple at the same time.

Life of Brian is such a hilarious movie. I love the sing-along at the end.

[schoolofruckus]

Mirror and Stalker are the next two movies in my half of our Netflix queue, actually.

[schoolofruckus]

In all likelihood, The Hurt Locker is the best American film of the summer.

I would personally favor Public Enemies. Both movies were slightly underwhelming to me, even though I liked a lot about each of them.

Whatever. Inglourious Basterds is going to blow them all out of the water in about 8 days.

[PotVsKtl]

Andrei Rublev is the best Tarkovsky, as it is the best film ever made.

Pusher II is incredibly depressing.

[wmgaretjax]

I thought Public Enemies was absolutely wretched. There was nothing to it (like everything Michael Mann does)... Everyone is a watered down caricature and the film was ugly. Seriously, how do you make a film that ugly and visually flawed with that much money. Someone please explain that to me... About an hour in I just stopped caring and wanted to leave.

[bobert]

I was also terribly disappointed by Public Enemies, and I'm a big Michael Mann fan. Considering the talent involved it was almost shocking how forgettable the whole thing was. Miami Vice was downright engrossing campared to that movie.

[schoolofruckus]

I don't disagree with either of your comments, although I did enjoy it somewhat in spite of those flaws.

Overall, it's been a pretty disappointing year for movies. The only film I can say I've really loved so far is Sin Nombre, although I would also salute Three Monkeys, Lorna's Silence, The Limits of Control, and The Girlfriend Experience for being mildly excellent.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

finally watched Altered States last night... fucking INTENSE. i loved it

[AlecEiffel]

I'm going to a screening of District 9 tomorrow, I'll be sure to check in with you guys after.

[PotVsKtl]

I have a friend going to the Alamo Drafthouse screening of Basterds in Austin on Saturday, I'll try to get a report from her.

[AlecEiffel]

I wish we had something that even came close to approximating the Alamo Draft House.

[Down Rodeo]

I'm going to a screening of District 9 tomorrow, I'll be sure to check in with you guys after.

I'll be there at the Metreon with you.

[Down Rodeo]

I thought Public Enemies was absolutely wretched. There was nothing to it (like everything Michael Mann does)... Everyone is a watered down caricature and the film was ugly. Seriously, how do you make a film that ugly and visually flawed with that much money. Someone please explain that to me... About an hour in I just stopped caring and wanted to leave.

Wait...so do you not even like Heat? I can agree with most of what you're saying about Public Enemies, although there was a lot in that film I liked.

Also, I agree with Gabe about Sin Nombre. I enjoyed that film more than any other this year by quite a big margin.

[schoolofruckus]

UGH.



http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/images/column/9909/ameliaposter.jpg

[schoolofruckus]

In other news, let me repeat something I have brought up a couple times in the past...

John Cassavetes' HUSBANDS is finally coming out on DVD next Tuesday 8/18. Seek it out.

[stuporfly]

UGH.



http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/images/column/9909/ameliaposter.jpg

I saw a trailer for this before Julie & Julia, and it made me giggle uncontrollably. Probably not what they were going for.

[BlueDevil50]

julie and julia lol....

[wmgaretjax]

Wait...so do you not even like Heat?

I've never seen it. Mostly because I've hated everything else I've seen by him. And because Val Kilmer is in it.

[tessalasset]

Gabe, I just started True Blood last night and I already like it more than Twilight.

[amyzzz]

You should change your avatar.

[tessalasset]

fucking great idea. i've been meaning to do that lately anyways. it's been a year.

[bobert]

I've never seen it. Mostly because I've hated everything else I've seen by him. And because Val Kilmer is in it.

The Insider was brilliant. No bank robberies, though.

[chairmenmeow47]

god i love heat. DON'T WASTE MY MOTHER FUCKING TIME!!!!!!!!!!

[wmgaretjax]

The Insider was brilliant. No bank robberies, though.

Didn't realize he did that film. It was brilliant. I stand corrected. I will watch Heat.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Heat is absolutely mesmerizing

[schoolofruckus]

Didn't realize he did that film. It was brilliant. I stand corrected. I will watch Heat.

Even though Heat is basically Mann at his most Mann-ishness, I think you would like it. It really is one of the best crime films ever made.

Are you a hater on Last of the Mohicans as well? I can see the complaints towards Collateral, Ali, Vice and Enemies, but unless you're a hardcore fan of the novel, I feel like Mohicans is bulletproof.

[wmgaretjax]

I think that film is pretty mediocre... I wasn't really engaged by it at all. Also, the whole Lewis playing an indian thing was pretty funny.

[garrett222]

Saw happiness again ...great movie. also...the birds rules. best hitchcock inmho

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

I got Withnail & I at home and can't wait to watch it for the first time, but probably won't be able to until Monday. Drats!

Also got Colour Me Kubrick and Dogday Afternoon on the way

[Still-ill]

Saw happiness again ...great movie. also...the birds rules. best hitchcock inmho

ewww... the birds is fucking dated. Even, still... it's not even close to his best. inmho

[RotationSlimWang]

The Insider sucked. Most annoying camera work ever. Michael Mann is a goddamn hack pretending to wear a talented director's skin.

[wmgaretjax]

ewww... the birds is fucking dated. Even, still... it's not even close to his best. inmho

I think the birds is actually probably one of my least favorite hitchcock films.

[Still-ill]

The Insider sucked. Most annoying camera work ever. Michael Mann is a goddamn hack pretending to wear a talented director's skin.

Wow this is weird but... I agree with you.

[PotVsKtl]

We've had the Hitchcock conversation, The Birds is not up there. It's not bad or anything but it's too limited.

[PotVsKtl]

Also, I thoroughly enjoy Collateral.

[RotationSlimWang]

Hitchcock blows. I couldn't get more than halfway through Collateral. And Heat would've been awesome if it was an hour and a half shorter.

[humanoid]

Heat definitely could've been trimmed down a bit, otherwise it's pretty cool ...but I've never seen Collateral. Maybe one day, I'll give it a chance, but truthfully, I am turned off by the dynamic duo of Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

For me, HEAT just fucking flies by. I don't even notice that its 3 hours long while I'm watching it, and I've seen it a LOT. it's got some amazing music choices throughout it too, along with one of Elliot Goldenthal's better scores. Eno's 'force maker' is especially nice

i saw collateral only once, but I remember enjoying it immensely. I like Cruise as a bad guy

[schoolofruckus]

I think that film is pretty mediocre... I wasn't really engaged by it at all. Also, the whole Lewis playing an indian thing was pretty funny.

They made it pretty clear DDL was a white kid who was adopted by Mohicans...just sayin'.

[wmgaretjax]

yeah. I don't think I paid much attention at all.

[wmgaretjax]

watching Dead Ringers for probably the 4th time and this is the first time I've considered it's relationship to A Zed & Two Noughts...

[Derekx]

I am watching Return of the Jedi. And there goes Vader's hand...

[RotationSlimWang]

For me, HEAT just fucking flies by. I don't even notice that its 3 hours long while I'm watching it, and I've seen it a LOT. it's got some amazing music choices throughout it too, along with one of Elliot Goldenthal's better scores. Eno's 'force maker' is especially nice

i saw collateral only once, but I remember enjoying it immensely. I like Cruise as a bad guy

Three and a fucking half hours. Ugh.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

NAH, official running time is 2 hrs 51 minutes

feels like an hour to me!

maybe it's because robert deniro makes me have a boner

[SoulDischarge]

watching Dead Ringers for probably the 4th time and this is the first time I've considered it's relationship to A Zed & Two Noughts...

Yeah. They've always been linked in my mind. They also are both completely fucking brilliant.

[JewFace]

My friend at SPE snuck me in to an employee screening of The White Ribbon. It was astonishingly good. I loved everything about it. It was filmed beautifully. The use of b&w somehow distanced you from the characters and only made things eerier and more unsettling. Uniformly excellent performances; the young child actors are especially good.

Apparently Sony Pictures Classics and SPE have a lot of faith in the film. They think it's a shoo-in for a Best Foreign Language Oscar and a Best Director Oscar and actually has a chance at getting a Best Picture nomination now that the field has been expanded to ten nominees. Not that that sort of thing necessarily suggests quality, but there was a lot of excitement in the room about the film's prospects. I wouldn't be so convinced, it's a lovely, but bleak film. I can't imagine the film doing that well in the US. It's certainly not this year's Slumdog.

[wmgaretjax]

good to hear. i'm curious about haneke and black and white.

[mountmccabe]

Are you a hater on Last of the Mohicans as well? I can see the complaints towards Collateral, Ali, Vice and Enemies, but unless you're a hardcore fan of the novel, I feel like Mohicans is bulletproof.

It is a fantastic movie up there on my personal list but I can see why people might consider the story and character developments to be ridiculous and be turned off by that. And by the overblownness of it all. It's so emotional, it's so intense.

If that sort of thing isn't just perfect it can really ruin things.

[downingthief]

I loved Mohicans. One of my personal faves from my College days.

[schoolofruckus]

It is a fantastic movie up there on my personal list but I can see why people might consider the story and character developments to be ridiculous and be turned off by that. And by the overblownness of it all. It's so emotional, it's so intense.

If that sort of thing isn't just perfect it can really ruin things.

And even if it is perfect, it's kind of been established that it's not really Jared's brew most of the time. So I get that.

For me, however, it is one of the best adventure-driven movies around.

[captncrzy]

In case anyone is going to be in New York or in the vicinity:




NewFilmmakers NY




Tuesday, August 11, 2009


Dear Rick:

We are pleased to inform you that NewFilmmakers has selected Somewhat Damaged to be part of our upcoming New York Fall 2009 Series. The complete Fall Schedule is online.

NewFilmmakers gives you the opportunity to promote your film in New York and we encourage you to supplement our promotional efforts with your own publicity and promotion. Much of the audience for our screening will come from your personal efforts with friends, family, and associates.

Please confirm by email that you will be able / not able to screen your film on this date. At that time let us know any corrections that we should make in your listing. Under no circumstances contact Anthology. Their staff is not involved in the programming and operations of NewFilmmakers.

I have attached some useful information about the NewFilmmakers Series. If you will be in New York when your film screens, we hope that you will be able to join us.


Sincerely,

Barney Oldfield
Executive Producer

Post Office Draw 4956
New York NY 10185-4956




The hilarious thing about this is that I submitted my film to this particular "festival" on accident. I meant to submit it to the NewFilmmakers Los Angeles branch but when I was going through the motions online, I didn't realize I'd clicked on the wrong link until I'd already submitted my payment. I figured that was another $20 down the drain. Suffice it to say, I'm amazed I was wrong!

[schoolofruckus]

That's awesome! Congratulations Rick!

[M Sparks]

You go, Rick!

So, I looked at Rotten Tomatoes this morning. District 9 was at 97%, and The Goods was at 0%. I wonder if that is the widest spread ever between two major releases on the same weekend.

I bet The Goods comes up a bit though. Ain't It Cool posted a review that said it will be another Office Space...no one will see it, most people won't understand it, but in 5 years it will be a cult classic. Also compared it to Wet Hot American Summer.

[Bud Luster]

So, I've felt the need to be a bit escapist as of late. Watching movies transport me to another time and place. Rented The Last Emperor and Amadeus last night. They both did the trick, but I need some suggestions on others that may have the same effect...

[amyzzz]

Congratulations, Rick! That's great news!

[Somewhat Damaged]

Thanks, folks!

So who on this board is in New York? I'd be inclined to ask Randy if he'd want to meet up before the screening since I think he'll be back in Jersey by that point, but I'm not sure whether he'd want to bother.

[Down Rodeo]

Are you a hater on Last of the Mohicans as well? I can see the complaints towards Collateral, Ali, Vice and Enemies, but unless you're a hardcore fan of the novel, I feel like Mohicans is bulletproof.

I completely agree with you, Gabe. This is one of those movies that I loved as a child that can never be knocked off its throne. Tombstone is in the same boat for me.

[SDsoldier7]

im looking forward to Where The Wild Things Are movie. looks awesome.

[humanoid]

Apparently, I'm the only kid in the world that never read Where the Wild Things Are


I used to have nightmares about The BFG though, so maybe someone will make that into a movie so I can relive my childhood fears

[PotVsKtl]

http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2006/08/bfg.jpg

?

[rage patton]

So, I looked at Rotten Tomatoes this morning. District 9 was at 97%, and The Goods was at 0%. I wonder if that is the widest spread ever between two major releases on the same weekend.

Everything I have heard about Dictrict 9 has been good so far. Thank god. I've been really looking forward to this movie and I would hate to be disapointed by it.

[amyzzz]

I'll be seeing District 9 this weekend too. And Ponyo.

[Young blood]

http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2006/08/bfg.jpg

?

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c193/mmmmdoughnuts/1249221451716.jpg

[wmgaretjax]

Tombstone is in the same boat for me.

Same for me. Loved it as a kid and it's held it's place well.

[humanoid]

Same for me. Loved it as a kid and it's held it's place well.

I can't even estimate how many times I've seen Tombstone, and it has yet to lose any of it's luster. Such a great film all the way through. Almost all of the scenes with Doc Holliday and Johnny Ringo are unforgettable.

[stinkbutt]

I love Tombstone too but to say it's great all the way through is just dumb.

Case in point

4yfr_Zj1iU4

[AlecEiffel]

My favorite Tombstone scene.

ynKoZD-sFi4

[humanoid]

I love Tombstone too but to say it's great all the way through is just dumb.



well okay, maybe I didn't choose my words carefully enough. There may be some scenes that could've been altered or cut out out (mostly involving Kurt Russel & the chick from China Beach), but it is an overall very entertaining movie that is pretty damn well done containing some great characters that I have watched often and never tire of.

so, not perfect, but I can overlook it's few faults, since the rest of it is pretty great in my opinion.

[chairmenmeow47]

tombstone is perfect. badass from start to finish.

i can't see the videos posted, but i will say i prefer the theatrical version to the deleted scenes version i have on dvd. other than that, i can't think of anything i dislike about that movie. the cast is amazing.

smell that? smells like someone died...

[JewFace]

I've never seen Tombstone. In fact, my experience with Westerns is pretty limited. I think Unforgiven may be the only Western I've seen in its entirety. Any recommendations?

[iv3rdawG]

I think Unforgiven may be the only Western I've seen in its entirety. Any recommendations?

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/2441/goodbaduglyz.jpg

[humanoid]

I've never seen Tombstone. In fact, my experience with Westerns is pretty limited. I think Unforgiven may be the only Western I've seen in its entirety. Any recommendations?


The unfortunate thing with Westerns is that so many of them are littered with bad acting and utter cheesiness that you almost have to view a lot of them with a different set of eyes than many other films. Each decade since the 20's seems to have it's own variation on the western and attempts to infuse elements of various genres. When I was growing up, my dad and uncle were always big fans of Westerns and exposed me to many of them, so I will always have a fondness for the genre, although I am quite familiar with it's limitations as well. I enjoy a lot of them for the scenery and locations as well. My family always took roadtrips all over the western US when I was a kid and explored all these obscure places like western ghost towns and Native American ruins, so I think that partially helped instill this romantic notion of the old wild west in my mind.



some westerns that I really enjoy:


Most Clint westerns are pretty damn fun and badass(for lack of a better term), but some of them are tied to the spaghetti western movement and it's inherent flaws, but are still fun to watch

Unforgiven
High Plains Drifter
Pale Rider
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Tombstone
Silverado (this was the go to movie in my house when growing up, really cool movie)
The Searchers
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
The Wild Bunch
The Naked Spur
The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada
The Missing