Miscellaneous Movie Musings the Sequel [Archive]

Gemini Cricket

11-15-2009, 04:04 PM

I'm not sure how I feel about the 10 nominees thing. It'll be neat to see because it's different but I kinda feel like it waters down the award a bit, makes it less special. But I sure am curious to see what is going to be nominated.

Here are some of my predictions for nominees for Best Pic:
Precious
Up
Nine
Inglorious
The Road
The Soloist

Predictions for acting noms:
Streep in Julie and Julia
Daniel Day Lewis in Nine
Swank in Amelia
Sharlto Copley in District 9
Gabourey Sidibe in Precious
Christoph Waltz in Basterds
Mo'nique in Precious
Audrey Tatou in Coco Before Chanel
Downey and Foxx in The Soloist

I predict Up will get a Best Pic nom and it will cause a ruckus in the media. Not sure it will win, tho.

And, as always, I predict some film everyone loves will be snubbed.
:D

flippyshark

11-15-2009, 04:23 PM

Here are some of my predictions for nominees for Best Pic:
Precious
Up
Nine
Inglorious
The Road
The Soloist

Which Nine? The musical or the animated stitch-punk epic?

Is The Road out yet? Anytime soon? I liked the book, but I could think of a thousand ways to ruin it cinematically.

alphabassettgrrl

11-15-2009, 04:26 PM

Late to the party, but we just saw Up.

Cute. I laughed. I like Carl. And the rules of the dog pack. :)

Alex

11-15-2009, 04:32 PM

I don't think 10 nominees waters down the final award. What I'm interested in seeing if it actually brings more mainstream successes into the limelight (not necessarily a terrible thing) or just more art house fare (also not a terrible thing but not good for ratings).

I'd be very much in support if it were used as a way to kill some other categories. Hold earlier voting on Feature Documentary, Feature Animation, and Foreign Language Film and announce those winners at the overall nominee announcement with each guaranteed one of the 10 Best Picture nomination slots.

innerSpaceman

11-15-2009, 05:37 PM

Somewhat conversely, I'd be happiest if they eliminated Best Animated Feature and let those compete like the regular movies they are with everything else ... under the assumption that one or two will usually nab one of the increased Best Picture nom slots.

Alex

11-15-2009, 06:18 PM

Yeah, hopefully that would be the case. I've heard talk that if even with 10 slots Up still doesn't get a Best Picture nom that they will eliminate Feature Animation (assuming they keep 10 BP slots) to force the issue.

LSPoorEeyorick

11-15-2009, 06:50 PM

The awards prediction community is split on whether Up deserves a slot or not. (I think it does, personally.)

Precious was indeed quite good. Extremely effective with character and emotional storytelling - but there were directing choices that I thought didn't match the quality of the rest of the film. The fantasy sequences didn't always work for me, but I see why he used them. I think MoNique is a lock for supporting, and Sidibe is also quite possible.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox was good, but overrated by critics. I was expecting more. I really did enjoy the animation, and the bordering-on-adult humor, but there was something that didn't totally jive with me. Loved the musical Robin Hood reference, since that Disney flick was a favorite in my youth.

I won't make predix on Oscar contenders without seeing the films, and at this point, of the major contenders (as noted by the awards watching communities, not based on my taste) I've only seen:
* An Education
* (500) Days of Summer
* Julie & Julia
* Precious
* Up
* District 9
* The Informant!

Terribly out of our usual loop for not having yet seen The Hurt Locker, The Cove, Bright Star, The Road, and A Serious Man. Films that are not out yet that we'll need to see include Up in the Air, The Lovely Bones, Nine, and A Single Man.

Gemini Cricket

11-15-2009, 07:36 PM

Which Nine? The musical or the animated stitch-punk epic?

The musical.
:)

katiesue

11-15-2009, 08:34 PM

We just watched UP - awesome on BluRay and I hadn't seen. Very good movie.

Now Transformers II - which I know bites but I'm sure it's pretty in BluRay as well.

Gemini Cricket

11-15-2009, 11:07 PM

There's nothing cuter than the young Carl at the beginning of Up. HUGE glasses. So cute. :)

lashbear

11-15-2009, 11:19 PM

I'm probably the last one here to see it, but I really enjoyed "Spirited Away." I've now greatly enjoyed the two Miyazaki movies I've seen, the other being "Ponyo." I thought that the otherworldly premises to both movies had a huge "Huh?" quality, but it did not matter.
Make sure you see "Howls Moving Castle" and "Totoro". :snap:

Gemini Cricket

11-16-2009, 12:50 AM

I just watched Dug's Special Mission on the Up DVD.
It's pretty good. The ending is neat.
:)

LSPoorEeyorick

11-16-2009, 08:07 AM

Which Nine? The musical or the animated stitch-punk epic?

The musical is Nine, the stitchpunk is 9.

Alex

11-16-2009, 11:26 AM

Someone tell GD the other thread is closed so he doesn't keep posting there with his moderator powers!

Anyway, I was very much interested in seeing Pirate Radio but the reviews have mostly put me off. However, I'm hearing that the version released earlier this year in the UK (under the title The Boat that Rocked) was significantly better.

It's unlikely but if anybody has seen/sees both I'd like feedback on that.

Ghoulish Delight

11-16-2009, 11:28 AM

D'oh! That's what I get for relying on Firefox's smart address bar to bring threads up.

Ghoulish Delight

11-16-2009, 11:28 AM

R2D2 in Star Trek (http://gizmodo.com/5405276/r2+d2-finally-discovered-in-star-trek) (yes, Trek).

Snowflake

11-16-2009, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by CoasterMatt
I can't wait to see Black Dynamite!

Originally Posted by Flippyshark
That is such pitch-perfect parody, I had to go look it up to make sure it was a new movie. And, if anything, it looks much cheaper than even the cheapest 70s blacksploitation. (There appear to be about three locations and a limited number of camera setups throughout the trailer.) The narration made me laugh - I hope the movie can follow suit.

Okay, I saw this at the Bevery Center this last weekend,

wait for it

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was perfectly done, often hilarious and moved as quickly as a bad 70's tv episode. And I thought, I will bet mousepod and flippyshark would love this movie.

flippyshark

11-16-2009, 05:44 PM

Yay! Can't wait!

innerSpaceman

11-16-2009, 05:59 PM

I didn't exactly hate 2012, but there wasn't all that much to recommend it.

It would make a great double bill with George Pal's When Worlds Collide, of which it was basically a remake. It had that same sensibility, too. In other words, too earnest by half. Except for some scenes with Woody Harrelson's crazy radio host character, the movie was not tongue-in-cheek enough. It didn't need to be farcical, but a touch more self-awareness in a movie this earnest about the end of the world would have made it work better in our post-1953 world of cinema.

I think it only works in the context of a remake of that George Pal film, so a good double bill is possible -- if you've got several hours to spare. 2012 was so long, I felt it was going to be 2012 when we left the theater.

The destruction of Los Angeles, as seen extensively in the latest trailer, is the most fun segment. Followed by the fantastic eruption of, well, most of Yellowstone National Park. Other than those, the film was surprisingly short on fun world destruction scenes. That surprised me. I don't exactly want my $15 back ... but I was expecting something more funpocalyptical.

Deebs

11-16-2009, 06:16 PM

iSm, what did you think of John Cusack's performance?

innerSpaceman

11-16-2009, 06:20 PM

Eh, he was alright. I think he was kinda phoning it in a bit though. He's pretty likable no matter what, but ....

... when they milked the possibility of his character's death at the end of the movie ... I wouldn't have been upset had they really killed him off.

Deebs

11-16-2009, 06:27 PM

Hah, I couldn't help but read the spoiler.

Gemini Cricket

11-16-2009, 06:31 PM

I wonder how big the box office is going to be for the opening of New Moon. I have a feeling it's going to be huge. No interest really in seeing it, tho.

innerSpaceman

11-16-2009, 07:30 PM

I just wanna see the scene with the shirtless he-wolves in the woods.

Actually, the trailer looked pretty cool. I enjoyed it more than I did the entire first movie. I HATE that girl, and the whole thing was vapid. I might rent the sequel later ... just to skip to the werewolf clan parts, ya know, where they just hang out in the forest without their shirts on for, apparently, no reason.

SzczerbiakManiac

11-16-2009, 07:53 PM

Do they need a reason to take their shirts off?

I say "no!"

innerSpaceman

11-16-2009, 08:57 PM

Well, i guess they have to be prepared to transform into werewolves at any moment ... no need to rip those trendy Abercrombie shirts in the process.

Andrew

11-17-2009, 10:40 AM

I didn't care enough about Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant to want to pay to see it in the theater, but I do like John C. Reilly so I downloaded a pretty poor-quality cam version and we watched it on the plane.

Verdict: Solid miss. There's really no particular reason for this movie to exist.

lashbear

11-17-2009, 04:24 PM

The destruction of Los Angeles, as seen extensively in the latest trailer, is the most fun segment. Followed by the fantastic eruption of, well, most of Yellowstone National Park. Other than those, the film was surprisingly short on fun world destruction scenes. That surprised me. I don't exactly want my $15 back ... but I was expecting something more funpocalyptical.
I hope Sydney got a few seconds of airtime... We're worth destroying, too, ya know ! :D

Gemini Cricket

11-18-2009, 10:46 AM

You Can't Run Away From It - Terrible 1956 musical remake of It Happened One Night. June Allyson (she was also in a terrible musical remake of The Women, too) and Jack Lemmon star in this film. I couldn't get through it. Stopped watching after a half hour. Bleh!

innerSpaceman

11-18-2009, 12:16 PM

Lash, I think there was some mention of Australia, but nary a blip shown of its destruction, sorry. The destruction of Rio, so heavily featured in billboards here in L.A., was shown only in crap-quality news video in the movie. Very disappointing.

I've been told different parts of the county got different trailers accentuating their local areas of decimation. Was it only coincidence that, here in L.A., the trailer showed almost the entire destruction of L.A., the best part of the movie? Or are there completely other versions of the film out there for other parts of the world? Does John Cusack live in Hong Kong in some of them, and he has to get to Canada to be saved???

Alex

11-18-2009, 01:26 PM

It is a well known fact of movie reality that the destruction of the world rarely extends south of the equator. For surely it is a myth that people actually live down there.

I consider it a great leap forward for globalism that apparently Rio de Janeiro was granted inclusion.

innerSpaceman

11-18-2009, 01:32 PM

In fact, it was only a part of the earth south of the equator that was spared apocalyptical destruction in 2012. I fully expect the rumored sequel (ugh), 2013, to reveal that some people survived in that portion of Africa. Shenanigans to ensue when the billionaires from the rest of the world (plus, ya know, John Cusack's family) try to colonize the area.

mousepod

11-18-2009, 01:33 PM

Hey, the bugs blew up Buenos Aires in Starship Troopers.

Alex

11-18-2009, 01:37 PM

But that's only because Heinlein hated Mexicans! (and they didn't destroy the whole world and Heinlein didn't hate Mexicans though he did hate Democrats but only after he married Virginia).

On the Beach is another exception that reinforces the rule (Australia lasts longer but is also eventually destroyed).

Gemini Cricket

11-20-2009, 02:17 AM

Not that any of the fans care, but New Moon is at 27%/all critics, 37%/Top Critics on rottentomatoes.com. It's still going to be huuuuuge.
Ugh.

Stan4dSteph

11-20-2009, 08:01 AM

Not that any of the fans care, but New Moon is at 27%/all critics, 37%/Top Critics on rottentomatoes.com. It's still going to be huuuuuge.
Ugh.Ebert gave it one star. I loved the opening line of his review.

alphabassettgrrl

11-20-2009, 07:38 PM

Finally saw March of the Penguins. Good, but I felt bad during some parts of it.

Saw "Gran Torino", too. Interesting.

No interest in New Moon.

Gemini Cricket

11-21-2009, 06:20 PM

About $72.7 mil for New Moon. That's big. Sh!t, I guess we have to go through all this brouhaha again when the next one comes out.
:D

JWBear

11-21-2009, 07:19 PM

We just saw 2012. What a glorious mess! It was boring until all the destruction started; then we just laughed and laughed. The only sad part was:When Sasha the pilot died. He was hot!
Oh... I want one of those arks!

Gemini Cricket

11-21-2009, 07:21 PM

Each time I watch Tom Jones (1963), I love it more and more.
The food scene is so silly, so brilliant.
:)

"It's hard when a woman leaves a man nothing but a memory and a muff."

Chernabog

11-22-2009, 12:01 AM

Today I caught The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie..... woooo didnt realize how scandalous that movie is. Though I can't figure out why all the women speak like drag queens.

Gemini Cricket

11-22-2009, 12:37 AM

Wow. Not that I should be watching it (too emotional for me) but they're playing the gay cowboy movie on Bravo! Awesome!

SzczerbiakManiac

11-23-2009, 02:59 PM

Wow. Not that I should be watching it (too emotional for me) but they're playing the gay cowboy movie on Bravo! Awesome!The one where all they do is eat pudding?

flippyshark

11-23-2009, 03:21 PM

Wow. Not that I should be watching it (too emotional for me) but they're playing the gay cowboy movie on Bravo! Awesome!

Blazing Saddles is on? Damn, I wish I could watch it.

flippyshark

11-23-2009, 03:27 PM

Today I caught The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie..... woooo didnt realize how scandalous that movie is. Though I can't figure out why all the women speak like drag queens.

I was quite surprised by that movie, especially the scene involving young Pamela Franklin having her portrait painted. I hope she was older than she appeared to be. Maggie Smith's performance was predictably amazing, but at the time, I wasn't sure what to make of her character. I guess I was expecting a "Dead poet's Society" type of film, but instead, Miss Brodie was out-of-touch, pro-fascist and reckless in her encouragements to her charges. I may have to revisit with adjusted expectations someday, as I was quite thrown the first time around.

Gemini Cricket

11-25-2009, 12:38 AM

I saw a handful of film lately. Some good stuff.

Elmer Gantry - I have never been a huge fan of Burt Lancaster, but I thought he was perfectly cast in this film. I wonder if they could have made a film like this now, I wonder what the response from the religious right would be...

Carnal Knowledge - I remember seeing some of this film in college but never got a chance to see it all. Surprisingly, it was on TCM uncut as they say. One of my favorite directors is Mike Nichols. He does a terrific job with this film. Not only with direction but with the screenplay as well. I never thought I'd actually say this but Jack Nicholson is actually kinda hot in this movie.

Never Cry Wolf - Cool story, nicely shot, not a lot of dialogue... Loved it.

Topaz - Couldn't get through it all. Hitchcock, yes but boring nonetheless.

Saboteur - Liked it. Robert Cummings again. He kinda played the same character in every movie but he was still pretty good in this one.

The Prisoner of Zenda (1952) - I had heard the name before but never actually saw the film. I liked it, the story is simple but pretty good.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith - Another Hitchcock but a slapstick comedy! I thought it would be funnier than it was but it was okay.

LSPoorEeyorick

11-25-2009, 07:09 AM

I hope she was older than she appeared to be.

She was 19 at the time of filming. I, too, was really thrown by that. They look so incredibly young during those first several scenes. But if you watch to the end, and then go back to watch the beginning, you can see the tricks they use to make them look more youthful than they actually are.

Ghoulish Delight

11-29-2009, 09:53 AM

Fantastic Mr. Fox

What can I say, I'm a sucker for Wes Anderson movies. And this was definitely one of them. I don't know how good of a movie it is, all I know is that it definitely satisfied my Anderson fix and that was good enough for me. If, like me, you can't get enough of stand-offish father figures, neurotic but loyal children, and matching uniforms, FMF won't disappoint. It's not his best, but the novelty of the animation and animal characters added to an otherwise by-the-numbers Wes Anderson movie.

Now I should go read the book.

Not Afraid

11-29-2009, 10:23 AM

I finally saw (as in didn't fall asleep in the first 10 minutes) Fellini's 8 1/2. The world may come to an end now.

Oh, and I loved it. I can't wait to see Nine.

Alex

11-29-2009, 10:24 AM

GD was led astray by his magical moderator powers again (and now NA as well).

On Fantastic Mr. Fox, I had planned to see it this weekend but Lani's decided she wants to see it so now I have to wait until either she can fit it in or she forgets she wanted to see it.

Ghoulish Delight

11-29-2009, 10:27 AM

Explaining Alex's post - I once again let my browser take me to the old thread and posted my FMF post there, and NA followed. Now I've moved the posts here where they belong.

Grrrrr.

Not Afraid

11-29-2009, 10:28 AM

I did nothing. Innocence abounds.

Alex

12-07-2009, 09:11 PM

Saw, A Serious Man, the latest from the Coen Brothers. It has one fantastic performance from the lead (Michael Stuhlberg) but that's about all I liked about it.

I guess it all just went completely over my head. One of those movies where I can feel a point floating around but I'm just not getting it. But if you like the comedy of social discomfort, this may be a good bet for you.

3894

12-09-2009, 07:35 AM

We netflixed the pilot of HBO's version of "The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". OMG, it's wonderful.

Snowflake

12-09-2009, 09:32 AM

We netflixed the pilot of HBO's version of "The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". OMG, it's wonderful.

I watched the entire series and delighted in it, 100%. I can only hope it will continue to a second series, since both the producers passed away last year :-( hard to say.

I watched Julie and Julia last night and found the parts about Julia delightful and the parts about Julie slightly annoying and uninteresting.

While I was conscious of Meryl Streep being Julia, she caught just the right amount of effervescence or joie de vivre that personified my perception of who Julia Child was and is. I loved it.

The most important thing, the film made me hungry and want to cook and cook outside the box, adventurous food. I do not own Mastering the Art of French Cooking, but this almost made me want to buy it.

flippyshark

12-09-2009, 01:15 PM

I watched the entire series and delighted in it, 100%. I can only hope it will continue to a second series, since both the producers passed away last year :-( hard to say.

I watched Julie and Julia last night and found the parts about Julia delightful and the parts about Julie slightly annoying and uninteresting.

While I was conscious of Meryl Streep being Julia, she caught just the right amount of effervescence or joie de vivre that personified my perception of who Julia Child was and is. I loved it.

The most important thing, the film made me hungry and want to cook and cook outside the box, adventurous food. I do not own Mastering the Art of French Cooking, but this almost made me want to buy it.

Completely agree with your assessment of this movie. I liked the Julia parts so much, I'll probably buy it and skip Julie.

Go for it on The Art of French Cooking. The introduction is quite interesting and the whole volume just makes a kitchen look classic.

Snowflake

12-09-2009, 01:36 PM

Completely agree with your assessment of this movie. I liked the Julia parts so much, I'll probably buy it and skip Julie.

Go for it on The Art of French Cooking. The introduction is quite interesting and the whole volume just makes a kitchen look classic.

I may just do that Flippy. It will be worth it to learn the art of pate a choux, but I already have that in the Baking with Julia cookbook.

Of course, my real problem is, I am supposed to be on a diet. :(

flippyshark

12-09-2009, 03:29 PM

*sigh* Me too.

lashbear

12-09-2009, 06:19 PM

pate a choux? easy as falling off a log. It's one of those myths, along with how difficult a souffle is.

Alex

12-10-2009, 07:58 PM

An article I was reading lead me to another interesting blog post about "unoriginality" and Hollywood. And why Hollywood doesn't come up with original ideas.

I think it sheds light on why movie studios aren't so inclined to just sit people down at typewriters and come up with completely original stuff. Based on what we reward, why would they?

The top 40 grossing live action movies from 2000-2009:

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - Sequel, book adaptation (no more original than a TV show adaptation)
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - Sequel
3. The Dark Knight - Sequel, comic book adaptation
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Book adaptation (I didn't realize that the first one was still the highest grossing one)
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End - Sequel
6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Sequel, book adaptation
7. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Sequel, book adaptation
8. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Sequel, book adaptation
9. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Sequel, book adaptation
10. Spider-Man 3 - Sequel, comic book adaptation
11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Sequel, book adaptation
12. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Book adaptation
13. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - Sequel
14. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Sequel, comic book/TV adaptation
15. Spider-Man - Comic book adaptation
16. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Sequel, book adaptation
17. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Sequel
18. Spider-Man 2 - Sequel, comic book adaptation
19. The Da Vinci Code - Book adaptation
20. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - Book adaptation
21. The Matrix Reloaded - Sequel
22. Transformers - TV/comic book adaptation
23. 2012 - Hodgepodge of metacultural ideas but not based on existing property
24. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - Yes, inspired by a ride but that hardly contribued anything beyond some gags so I'll be friendly and call it original.
25. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones - Sequel
26. Hancock - Original
27. The Passion of the Christ - Book adaptation
28. Mamma Mia! - Play adaptation
29. Casino Royale - Remake, sequel, book adaptation
30. War of the Worlds - Book adaptation, remake.
31. Quantum of Solace - Sequel
32. I Am Legend - Book adaptation
33. Iron Man - Comic book adaptation
34. New Moon - Sequel, book adaptation
35. Night at the Museum - Book adaptation
36. King Kong - Remake
37. Mission: Impossible II - Sequel, TV adaptation
38. The Day After Tomorrow - Original
39. Meet the Fockers - Sequel
40. Troy - Very old book adaptation

Cadaverous Pallor

12-10-2009, 09:03 PM

Aren't a large proportion of films book adaptations? When I began work at a public library I was surprised how many films were based on bestsellers (mostly because I don't read much in popular fiction).

It's hard for me to say that taking a new novel (like, say, The Bourne Identity) and making a movie out of it is derivative or somehow worthy of scorn. Making a movie out of an older book may be more lame but I Am Legend is a situation I'd again be ok with, as the original book isn't super-well-known and neither is the first movie adaptation (which I hear is for good reason). There are always exceptions.

Anyway, getting back to your point, you're 100% right. We reward retreads, for obvious reasons.

Alex

12-10-2009, 09:21 PM

I Am Legend was actually the third time it had been made into a movie. And within certain circles it is a very well known book.

I'm not in any way saying that a book adaptation is worthy of scorn (and being an old book no more or less so), simply that adapting a book to screen is no more an act of originality than coming up with a sequel or comic book adaptation or turning a TV show into a movie.

Aren't a large proportion of films book adaptations?

As for this, that's an interesting. I'll look.

Ghoulish Delight

12-10-2009, 10:02 PM

simply that adapting a book to screen is no more an act of originality than coming up with a sequel or comic book adaptation or turning a TV show into a movie.

Hmm, I disagree.

In some sense, all movies are book adaptations in that they're going from script to screen. Thus, to my mind, the art in movie making lies in the transition from written word to visual medium. So I consider films that don't have a visual world to start from more original than films that are derived from an already-created visual counterpart. Comic book adaptions I suppose fall somewhere in between, though I put them on the more creative side since there's still a pretty big gap from drawing to screen.

All that said, none of it matters if the end result is done well, whether it's entirely original or a sequel or whatever. But in terms of what receives more respect from me, it would be movies where most of the movie-specific components are new and not recycled.

Alex

12-10-2009, 10:11 PM

So, among the top 40 of the decade, 90% were "unoriginal." How does that compare to overall?

So far, there have been 94 live action, non-documentary movies that have earned at least $15 million dollars domestic in 2009. But original are much more common in the top tiers of this list than in the other list (note that this is domestic grosses where the other list was worldwide grosses; worldwide tends to filter out comedies).

Anyway, curiosity sated. Data in the spoiler.

In a nice bit of serendipity, exactly half (47 are original screenplays). There's room for quibbling on some.

1. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Sequel, TV/comic book adaptation
2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Sequel, book adaptation
3. The Hangover - Original
4. New Moon - Sequel, book adaptation
5. Star Trek - Sequel, TV adaptation
6. X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Sequel, TV adaptation
7. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian - Sequel
8. The Proposal - Original
9. Fast and Furious - Sequel
10. 2012 - Original
11. G.I. Joe - The Rise of Cobra - TV/comic book adaptation
12. Paul Blart: Mall Cop - Original
13. Taken - Original
14. Angels & Demons - Sequel, book adaptation
15. The Blind Side - Book adaptation
16. Terminator Salvation - Sequel
17. Inglourious Basterds - Original
18. G-Force - Original
19. A Christmas Carol - Book adaptation
20. District 9 - Original
21. Watchmen - Graphic novel adaptation
22. Paranormal Activity - Original
23. Couples Retreat - Original
24. Public Enemies - Based on historical events (not sure how I would count these)
25. Julie & Julia - Book adaptation
26. He's Just Not That Into You - Book adaptation
27. Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail - Original
28. The Ugly Truth - Original
29. Knowing
30. Hannah Montana The Movie - TV adaptation
31. Where the Wild Things Are - Book adaptation
32. Zombieland - Original
33. Hotel for Dogs - Book adaptation
34. Law Abiding Citizen - Original
35. I Love You, Man - Original
36. Obsessed - Original
37. Race to Witch Mountain - Remake, book adaptation
38. The Final Destination - Sequel
39. The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 - Sequel, book adaptation
40. Friday the 13th - Remake
41. 17 Again - Original
42. The Time Traveler's Wife - Book adaptation
43. Bruno - TV adaptation
44. Bride Wars - Original
45. The Haunting in Connecticut - Not sure how to categorize, based on silly claims of truth.
46. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past - Original take, but obviously inspired by off a book.
47. Funny People - Original
48. Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself - Original
49. My Bloody Valentine 3-D - Remake
50. Land of the Lost - TV adaptation
51. My Sister's Keeper - Book adaptation
52. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans - Sequel
53. Confessions of a Shopaholic - Book adaptation
54. Year One - Original
55. The Unborn - Original
56. Drag Me to Hell - Original
57. Orphan - Original
58. Duplicity - Original
59. Surrogates - Graphic novel adaptation
60. State of Play - BBC mini-series adaptation
61. Notorious - Biopic
62. Precious - Book adaptation
63. The Pink Panther 2 - Sequel
64. Old Dogs - Original
65. All About Steve - Original
66. Halloween II - Sequel, remake
67. The Informant! - Book adaptation
68. The Last House on the Left - Remake
69. (500) Days of Summer - Original
70. Push - Graphic novel adaptation
71. The Soloist - Book adaptation
72. The Men Who Stare at Goats - Book adaptation
73. Ninja Assasin - Original
74. The Stepfather - Remake
75. The Uninvited - Remake of South Korean film
76. Saw VI - Sequel
77. Dance Flick - Original
78. The International - Original
79. The Fourth Kind - Original
80. Observe and Report - Original
81. Fighting - Original
82. Love Happens - Original
83. Fame - Remake
84. Shorts - Original
85. Gamer - Original
86. The Invention of Lying - Original
87. Inkheart - Book adaptation
88. Fired Up - Original
89. New in Town - Original
90. Jennifer's Body - Original
91. Imagine That - Original
92. Adventureland - Original
93. A Perfect Getaway - Original
94. The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hart

Alex

12-10-2009, 10:17 PM

Hmm, I disagree.

In some sense, all movies are book adaptations in that they're going from script to screen. Thus, to my mind, the art in movie making lies in the transition from written word to visual medium.

While it is a valid point, and that is certainly more creative on the part of the director (assuming they didn't write the script) to have to create the visual world out of whole cloth since regardless of adapted script or not they start in the same place.

But I'm thinking more in terms of the creativity of the entire enterprise and in that view, I think your position significantly undervalues the script.

And it is certainly true that original script or not has little correlation to quality. Paul Blart was an original script and The Godfather is an adaptation and The Maltese Falcon was both a book adaptation as well as the third time it had been made into a movie.

Not Afraid

12-10-2009, 10:29 PM

Hmm, I disagree.

In some sense, all movies are book adaptations in that they're going from script to screen. Thus, to my mind, the art in movie making lies in the transition from written word to visual medium. So I consider films that don't have a visual world to start from more original than films that are derived from an already-created visual counterpart. Comic book adaptions I suppose fall somewhere in between, though I put them on the more creative side since there's still a pretty big gap from drawing to screen.

All that said, none of it matters if the end result is done well, whether it's entirely original or a sequel or whatever. But in terms of what receives more respect from me, it would be movies where most of the movie-specific components are new and not recycled.

I disagree that all movies are book adaptations. A script is VERY different from a novel. Personally, I don't read scripts for my lit fix (nor do I see movies for my lit fix - they usually leave much to be desired). With fiction, the author uses ONLY words to create a visual and then it is often non-specific and completely open to the interpretation of the reader. A script usually gives some very specific scene information and blocking in addition to dialog.

I don't have a lot of comic book knowledge, but I can see a shorter path between the two in this case. The writing is not THE most important thing in a comic and is aided quite heavily by illustrations - much in the same way the setting and blocking is provided in a script.

Alex

12-11-2009, 09:59 AM

Ghoulish Delight

12-11-2009, 10:02 AM

I disagree that all movies are book adaptations. A script is VERY different from a novel. Yes, and my intent wasn't to equate the two beyond the superficial commonality of the gap between words and visual. Like you said, a novel doesn't have the visual descriptors that a script does. Which is exactly my point.

Yes, script-writing is also a major creative component, arguably more important than the visual aspect as, with rare exception, a movie with a bad script can't be saved by a good visual translation of that bad script. But part of good script-writing is creating something that's going to translate to screen well. With source material that already exists in movie/picture form, that part of your work is already done for you.

There's a big difference between how a story is told on the page vs. how it's told on screen. That's why I never fell in love with the Harry Potter series of movies, they are too literal a translation from book to movie. When I see a movie adaptation of a book, I don't want a filmed version of a book, no more than I want a filmed version of a play. I want a movie. And I consider the creative effort that goes into that translation a bigger skill than the creative effort that goes into just writing a follow-on script from something that's already in that medium.

Of course, none of this is absolute. If done well, any movie, no matter the source, can be good, creative, and a demonstration of movie-making skill. But as a predictor of movies I will enjoy, book adaptation/original script are on par for me with the others a step below.

cirquelover

12-11-2009, 11:49 AM

My review of The Princess and the Frog (http://www.mouseplanet.com/9087/The_Princess_and_the_Frog). Short version: It's not horrible but it didn't set my world on fire by any stretch of the imagination. Ok start, boring middle, really good end.

Thanks Alex, I always look forward to your reviews! The boy and I hope to see it this weekend if we're not snowed in.

Alex

12-11-2009, 11:55 AM

I should point out that in being mostly indifferent to this one I'm in the critical minority. It's in the low 80s at RottenTomatoes.

SzczerbiakManiac

12-11-2009, 04:31 PM

6 Annoying Things Hollywood Needs to Stop Doing (http://www.mania.com/6-annoying-things-hollywood-needs-to-stop-doing_article_119391.html)

Moonliner

12-11-2009, 06:01 PM

Alex

12-11-2009, 06:05 PM

No, regardless of how much money Avatar makes the list of the top 40 money making movies from 2000-2009 will still only be 40 titles long.

(Yes, I know what you mean.)

Gemini Cricket

12-13-2009, 08:49 PM

Johnny Got His Gun is on TCM right now. To me, it's still one of the most disturbing films I have ever seen.

Snowflake

12-13-2009, 09:13 PM

I watched Up, it was good. Heartwarming, fun and I loved Kevin and Dug.

flippyshark

12-13-2009, 10:25 PM

I was very impressed with, and delighted by, The Princess and the Frog. My expectations were hopeful but not high. But, this is worthy of comparison with the best of Feature Animation's 1990s hot streak, and far better than anything they've produced in the last ten years. Lots of stylistic tips of the hat to past masters, and Eric Goldberg is SO the man! (He animated - triumphantly - the cornet playing alligator Louis, and supervised a nicely stylized musical number near the beginning.) I bet I will rewatch this more than Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast. (Randy Newman's songs are not immediately catchy, but they are pleasing and will stand up to repeat exposure nicely. Sometimes that works better for me. Overexposure to the classic B&B songs have kept me away from that Best Picture nominee for many years now.)

I really want to see a dark ride that includes the nifty voodoo elements from this one!

Deebs

12-13-2009, 11:16 PM

I loved Kevin and Dug.

*Alpha dog voice*
Do not mention Dug to me at this time.

Gemini Cricket

12-14-2009, 01:56 AM

Just a quick note about something.
I just watched the latest Harry Potter on DVD and I must say the score at the beginning of the end credits is quite marvelous. Love it!
Just sayin'.
:)

flippyshark

12-14-2009, 05:41 AM

I slept soundly through Half-Blood Prince, and missed the last 45 minutes completely. Not the movie's fault, though. I'll try again soon.

lashbear

12-14-2009, 06:47 AM

So you only know who a quarter of the half blood prince is.

Alex

12-14-2009, 08:33 AM

I stayed awake through the whole thing but must admit I have absolutely no recollection of who or what the half blood prince refers to in the title.

I'm struggling ot remember any events from the movie at all and all I'm coming up with are:

1. Dumbledore and Harry visit the set of Beowulf (sadly minus naked Angelina Jolie) and

2. Snape's visibly uncomfortable constipation finally gets the better of him and he does something bad.

I guess I better read some recaps to remind myself of the other stuff before I have to see the last 16 hours of movie.

Gemini Cricket

12-14-2009, 01:00 PM

Just a quick note about something.
I just watched the latest Harry Potter on DVD and I must say the score at the beginning of the end credits is quite marvelous. Love it!
Just sayin'.
:)
I found out it's called the 'Weasley Stomp'. Very lively choice for the end credits when the ending was really sad.

If you get the DVD, watch the doco about JK Rowling, it's quite good. It is a year in her life as she wrote the final book. I liked her even more after watching it. She talks very openly about her depression. I hope her kid fans that watch it, who struggle with the same don't feel so lonely about it.

Gemini Cricket

12-14-2009, 01:26 PM

3D movie called Larger than Life... limited release... playing here in Honolulu! Dave Matthews Band in 3D! I'm kvelling. Good job Hawaii movie theatres. I. Can't. Wait to see it!
:) :blush:

Scrooge McSam

12-14-2009, 01:47 PM

3D movie called Larger than Life... limited release... playing here in Honolulu! Dave Matthews Band in 3D!

Why have I not heard of this?

Must. See.

Ghoulish Delight

12-14-2009, 03:37 PM

Disney continues its trend towards more diverse princesses (http://www.babelgum.com/4020786/disneys-new-movie-jewish-american-princess-and-the-frog.html)

SzczerbiakManiac

12-14-2009, 05:12 PM

tee hee hee, good one! :)

cirquelover

12-15-2009, 11:51 PM

We saw Princes and the Frog tonight. I enjoyed it quite a bit. The kids in our audience seemed to have a good time and no one semed overly scared. Most of the little ones didn't seem to be scared of the Voodoo stuff and all squelled(sp) at the fireflies.

I had a good time with the boy and know that soon he may not want to go to "kids" movies with me anymore, so I enjoyed it even more.

flippyshark

12-16-2009, 06:42 AM

Soon, like me, you may have to go to such movies alone. Sure, I get the occasional odd look, but ...

Alex

12-16-2009, 09:12 AM

About 80% of the movies I see in the theater I see alone. Never noticed anybody caring in the slightest.

Bornieo: Fully Loaded

12-16-2009, 06:57 PM

Saw Princess and the Frog - Animation was fantastic proving my theory that its an underappreciated art as of late. Everything else was pretty weak. Music was decent but nothing that had me running out to buy the soundtrack or realy remember. The story was different but was really all over - which I'm sure was written by committee and it shows.

Best part was the Firefly - really well done and voiced very well. The scene with them in the swamp was very Disney/Magic which was lacking from the rest of the movie.

Better than Pocahontas in many ways but not quite to the Hercules & Huntchback levels IMHO. Beautful to look at though.

flippyshark

12-16-2009, 08:25 PM

About 80% of the movies I see in the theater I see alone. Never noticed anybody caring in the slightest.

These days, never. But back in my college days, I would often find myself the lone non-parent adult at showings of Disney films, (this was before the big Disney renaissance of the early 90s) and I definitely got suspicious glances from parents wondering why I would possibly choose to be there. I even recall one of them asking me why I was attending "The Fox and the Hound," and I felt silly explaining to them that I was there because I enjoyed animation.

Alex

12-16-2009, 09:03 PM

Well, if you were watching the animated Disney animation films from the '80s in the theater and weren't forced to by a child, I too would be suspicious.

lashbear

12-17-2009, 05:10 AM

Strangler Lewis

12-17-2009, 06:20 AM

These days, never. But back in my college days, I would often find myself the lone non-parent adult at showings of Disney films, (this was before the big Disney renaissance of the early 90s) and I definitely got suspicious glances from parents wondering why I would possibly choose to be there. I even recall one of them asking me why I was attending "The Fox and the Hound," and I felt silly explaining to them that I was there because I enjoyed animation.

I saw "The Fox and the Hound" alone during college in the '80s, but I don't remember it being animated. I think everyone in the theatre was there alone.

Wait. That was "The Foxxx and the Hound."

Cadaverous Pallor

12-17-2009, 09:17 AM

I just saw the trailer for The Sorcerer's Apprentice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZIUUX8XThk&feature=channel)- I didn't even know Disney was filming this.Effects, nice, casting, godawful. Wiseass kid and Nicholas Cage? You couldn't pay me to see this.

Gemini Cricket

12-17-2009, 11:42 AM

Effects, nice, casting, godawful. Wiseass kid and Nicholas Cage? You couldn't pay me to see this.
Indeed.

Disney's trying soooo hard to come up with their own blockbuster series like Harry Potter. I bet they're kicking themselves that they didn't acquire the rights for those books, but I'm glad they didn't.

Here's the Disney description for the movie:

Walt Disney Studios, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Jon Turteltaub, the creators of the National Treasure franchise, present THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE -- an innovative and epic romantic comedy adventure about a sorcerer and his hapless apprentice who are swept into the center of an ancient conflict between good and evil.

Balthazar Blake (NICOLAS CAGE) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (ALFRED MOLINA). Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (JAY BARUCHEL), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé, giving him a crash course in the art and science of magic. Together, these unlikely partners must stop the forces of darkness. It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE. Epic Romantic Comedy Adventure... Uh, yeah.

alphabassettgrrl

12-17-2009, 11:47 AM

Wow- that's certainly un-inspiring to see the Sorcerer's Apprentice. Great potential, but ... no.

Alex

12-17-2009, 11:50 AM

Well, you couldn't pay me to watch the National Treasure movies (actually, I did get paid to watch both but that's the only way I'd be happy about it) and that seems to have worked out ok for Disney.

And on paper Enchanted sounded awful so you never know.

cirquelover

12-17-2009, 04:04 PM

I just watched The Brave One with Jodi Foster. I thought it was a good movie. I loved the little twist at the end. It was cool to see Naveen Andrews in something new, outside of Lost.

Cadaverous Pallor

12-17-2009, 09:50 PM

Crap, I thought that guy looked familiar.

Jay Baruchel (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0059431/) was in Undeclared, the almost-good sitcom follow-up to Freaks and Geeks.

How old is he supposed to be in this movie? He was playing a college freshman in 2001, and he's actually 27 right now, but the trailer made it look like they were trying to pass him off as 17....

3894

12-18-2009, 06:44 AM

"Julie and Julia" - awful except for Stanley Tucci. Meryl Streep did Julia Child as the lumbering village idiot, the spotless sunshine of Julia Child. Amy Adams did not have a lot to work with to make her character likeable or even interesting. Tucci's performance was nuanced, interesting, believeable.

And then there's the film's weird veneration of Julia Child. She did not originate these recipes. She was an excellent cooking teacher. The whole shebang was so Nora Ephron pre-fab you could hear her in the background: I did people finding each other via call-in radio. I did people finding each other via internet chat. Now I'll do people finding themselves via a blog.

Ick, ick, ick. Except for you, Stanley Tucci. You can stay.

mousepod

12-18-2009, 11:32 PM

Loved The Princess and the Frog. I even shed a tear or two. My only nitpick on first viewing was that Dr. Facilier's song was way too close to Oogie Boogie's song in NBC. I guess that Randy Newman is an Elfman fan, too.

Andrew

12-19-2009, 12:58 AM

Primer (2004) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390384/). I'd never heard of it until this xkcd comic (http://www.xkcd.com/657/), did a little reading and decided I wanted to see it. In brief, it's a super-low budget hard science fiction story about a very limited form of time travel.

It takes a lot of attention, and there's a fair amount of Howard Hawks-style fast-talking and talking over each other which makes it very difficult for me to follow (but that's why there's a back button).

I recommend it, especially to engineers, programmers and other geeky types (like me) or anyone with an interest in hard science fiction. If you liked Pi (1998) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138704/) you will like Primer. When you're done, the Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primer_(film)) will help make sense of what you just saw, as will this scholarly deconstruction (http://www.nobleworld.biz/images/Gendler.pdf).

Gemini Cricket

12-22-2009, 09:18 AM

cirquelover

12-22-2009, 12:29 PM

I love Fiddler on the Roof too! I so wanted to see the live version when it came through Portland but sadly it was not to be!

flippyshark

12-22-2009, 01:53 PM

Although it's not a perfect film, Fiddler on the Roof has a special place in my heart. (It's on TCM right now.) It's the first big stage play I did in Hawai'i. Motel the Tailor was the start of me being cast in a ton of character roles.
Love the cast in this film.
:)

Heck, I can't really find fault with Fiddler the movie. (I guess it's missing a couple of numbers from the show, but oh well.) The exceptional cast and authentic location make it pretty timeless. Only the dream sequence feels stagey and artificial, but then, that's what makes it such a highlight in an otherwise naturalistic film. I wish there were more musical adaptations that worked this well.

Edited to add - The last few minutes, in which the movie takes on an almost documentary quality, are really haunting and unforgettable. I doubt anybody would risk such an approach nowadays.

Gemini Cricket

12-22-2009, 03:30 PM

I think the movie is quite slow in places. And the one number that I can think of off the top of my head that they cut from the film was cut from our version of the play as well. It was a kinda clunky song where the town gossips with Yente...

flippyshark

12-22-2009, 03:49 PM

Yeah, it's missing two numbers - "The Rumor" and "Now I Have Everything" Neither is a big loss.

JWBear

12-22-2009, 10:53 PM

I just finished my annual viewing of the George C Scott version of A Christmas Carol.

Chernabog

12-22-2009, 11:55 PM

I just saw the trailer for The Sorcerer's Apprentice (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZIUUX8XThk&feature=channel)- I didn't even know Disney was filming this.

Is it wishful thinking, or did one of the scenes look like a bunch of brooms walking around a flooded cellar? :cool:

Oh dear sweet zombie jesus no. no no no no. no. no. no. no.

I love Jay Baruchel, he's totally adorable.

But this movie looks like the worst of Bruckheimer garbage. And Nicholas Cage? Worst actor ever? I happily went about my day, thinking he was put in jail for tax evasion, but nooooooooooo. Why don't they just laminate a large turd on a stick, and then CGI in some expressions later? It would certainly give a better performance.

CoasterMatt

12-22-2009, 11:59 PM

They just need to have The Shaggs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR9d4ESlpHY) do the soundtrack for The Sorceror's Apprentice, and you'll have one fine film :) :eek:

Alex

12-23-2009, 09:01 PM

Just watched How to Steal a Million, a 1966 caper comedy with Peter O'Toole and Audrey Hepburn. I enjoyed it a lot.

But I want Hepburn's car:

http://www.imcdb.org/images/010/508.jpg

Not Afraid

12-24-2009, 12:06 AM

That's a old convertible Mini, I believe. Too cute!

Alex

12-24-2009, 07:49 AM

No, after research I have found it is a 1965 Autobianchi Eden Roc. Autobianchi was an Italian partnership between Fiat and another company. The inner workings are apparently a Fiat 500 with a new body design.

Apparently only 20,000 or so were made so I'm guessing it would cost me a pretty penny to get one. Somehow the thought of me driving around in a car that looked small around Audrey Hepburn pleases me.

wolfy999

12-24-2009, 08:18 AM

Seven Pounds.....never seemed to get going....boring....knew what was going to happen from the get go.....Hubby fell asleep and didn't miss anything.....thumbs down!

katiesue

12-24-2009, 08:38 AM

Seven Pounds.....never seemed to get going....boring....knew what was going to happen from the get go.....Hubby fell asleep and didn't miss anything.....thumbs down!

We attempted to watch it and got so bored halfway through we turned it off.

Alex

12-24-2009, 09:48 AM

I know Seven Pounds was thoroughly reviled last year but for me it was one of the best movies of 2008. But I recognize I'm almost completely alone in that.

A big difference seems to be that a lot of people who hated it thought the movie was presenting Will Smith as noble whereas I thought it was presenting derangement taken to logical excess. Plus I thought Rosario Dawson was very good in it.

cirquelover

12-24-2009, 12:06 PM

I have it in my Netflix que, someday I'll get to it.

wolfy999

12-24-2009, 12:10 PM

Thank goodness ours was from Netflix....would have been a waste of money to purchase.

Gemini Cricket

12-24-2009, 01:21 PM

The Alvin and the Chipmunks sequel outsold Avatar on Wednesday.
lol

Alex

12-24-2009, 03:50 PM

That it did, but looking at the numbers I wonder how long that will last, I'm guessing not long (though it'll happen again with Sherlock Holmes). It probably also helps that Chipmunks 2 is half the length of Avatar.

Deeper in the numbers it is somewhat interesting that of all the movies already open yesterday (so not the chipmunks) only Avatar and Up in the Air made more money than on Tuesday and Up in the Air when from a limited release to wide yesterday. It's already defying normal patterns so now to see if it has legs. If it makes it into January strong I have to think it is going to go pretty well.

Gemini Cricket

12-24-2009, 03:55 PM

For the life of me, I don't think I can come up with ten films that should be nominated for Best Pic. Maybe three (so far) and that's it.

Alex

12-24-2009, 04:09 PM

I've only seen 56 2009 releases and that doesn't include much of the year end bait. Those I've seen that I rated a 4 or a 5 in my movie log are:

State of Play
Up
The Hangover
In the Loop
Ponyo
District 9
Inglourious Basterds
The Informant
Zombieland
Precious
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Up in the Air
Avatar

Wouldn't really consider them all Best Picture candidates since some of those are "good for the kind of movie they are" ratings (District 9) or mostly remarkable for a performance or two (In the Loop, Inglourious Basterds).

But so far it has been a decent year at the movies that I've rather liked almost 25% of what I've seen outside the house.

Gemini Cricket

12-26-2009, 12:32 PM

wolfy999

12-26-2009, 04:15 PM

Tried to go to Gardenwalk to see Avatar in 3D IMAX...so did everyone else. Will wait a while to go see it...like after the Holidays. It runs till 01-07 so no problem there.

Off to see Princess and the Frog instead.

Cadaverous Pallor

12-26-2009, 05:05 PM

GardenWalk IMAX is a waste of money, as it is FAKE IMAX. Do not get suckered.
link (http://www.lfexaminer.com/20081016.htm)

We went once. Never again.

Chernabog

12-26-2009, 05:26 PM

Wow, how obnoxious that IMAX is flushing their brand in the toilet.

Gemini Cricket

12-26-2009, 10:20 PM

Hee hee.

wolfy999

12-27-2009, 06:57 AM

So how can you tell the difference of what the theaters have to offer? I would love to see Avatar on a true IMAX screen....where might I find one locally?

Alex

12-27-2009, 07:39 AM

wolfy999

12-27-2009, 07:45 AM

Thanks Alex....Irvine Spectrum is where we'll go then.

Moonliner

12-27-2009, 07:50 AM

Use this map (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=107180273959832942069.00046c093334e7b1fa7fc&ll=37.438202,-110.798031&spn=32.244644,94.246162&source=embed) to find your local IMAX screens.

If you're 2.4 miles from Disneyland then the IMAX screen at the Irvine Spectrum is a true IMAX screen. GardenWalk is not.

While we have a plethora of real (and fake) IMAX theaters in the area, it's a four and a half hour drive to the closest one playing Avatar. I had to settle for a standard multiplex 3D theater. Ba humbug.

Gemini Cricket

12-27-2009, 01:02 PM

Huge weekend numbers!
$75 mil for Avatar
$65 mil for Sherlock
$50 mil for Alvin
$22 mil for It's Complicated

Wow!

Cadaverous Pallor

12-27-2009, 02:35 PM

Use this map (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=107180273959832942069.00046c093334e7b1fa7fc&ll=37.438202,-110.798031&spn=32.244644,94.246162&source=embed) to find your local IMAX screens.That list includes the GardenWalk one, called "CinemaFusion IMAX Anaheim Resort". I wouldn't trust the map.

Andrew

12-27-2009, 04:46 PM

We saw The Princess & the Frog today. Yes, we're late.

I think this is the movie I've been waiting for all year. Wonderful. Loved it. Congratulations to Disney Feature Animation and welcome back.

Ghoulish Delight

12-27-2009, 04:50 PM

That list includes the GardenWalk one, called "CinemaFusion IMAX Anaheim Resort". I wouldn't trust the map.You have to go by the color codes. Yellow bad. Blue good.

Cadaverous Pallor

12-27-2009, 05:22 PM

You have to go by the color codes. Yellow bad. Blue good.*smacks forehead*

flippyshark

12-27-2009, 06:30 PM

Should I feel ashamed that, as I sat in the theater today watching the 3D trailers in front of Avatar, I actually clapped my hands and said 'Yes!" out loud at the prospect of Piranha 3D? Well, I should, but I don't. I'm so completely psyched. I just hope it's as lively an exploitation flick as the trailer makes it out to be. The Joe Dante original is a personal fave, certainly the most entertaining of the Jaws rip-offs that followed in that film's immediate wake.

Ghoulish Delight

12-27-2009, 07:01 PM

haha, that's awesome. we saw that trailer and wndred "Has flippy seen this?"

CoasterMatt

12-27-2009, 07:23 PM

Flippy, if you wander out west, we'll have to have a Jaws/Piranha/Lake Placid filmfest :)

Gemini Cricket

12-27-2009, 09:50 PM

Richard Dreyfuss is in Pirhana 3D.
How sad.
:D

flippyshark

12-27-2009, 10:42 PM

Richard Dreyfuss is in Pirhana 3D.
How sad.
:D

Not sad. Awesome. I'm assuming he has a sense of humor about the whole thing. (I hope.) Anyway, I'm first in line when this opens in April. Now, that's sad.

Cadaverous Pallor

12-27-2009, 10:51 PM

Noticing Dreyfus in the trailer put it over the top for me :D

Gemini Cricket

12-27-2009, 11:40 PM

If it was a parody of 'get out of the water' movies then I'd laugh. But I dunno. It seems kinda crappy.
:D

Alex

12-28-2009, 12:28 AM

While I didn't think Princess and the Frog was any great shakes, it's very disappointing that Chipmunks 2 will probably do significantly better than it (might even pass it before next weekend).

alphabassettgrrl

12-28-2009, 11:09 AM

The masses have no appreciation for the good things but something marketed at them will do well.

Sad.

flippyshark

12-28-2009, 12:36 PM

I'm honestly baffled by the way the marketing of trite crap works so well. Saturation-marketing turns me off, even from good movies sometimes. I know that with family films, a lot of parents simply go with what's showing, because they need something, anything, to take the kids to, but $50 million for a Chipmunks sequel? Yeesh.

A few years ago, I remember Roger Ebert reviewed the awesome kiwi movie Whale Rider, and essentially begged parents to skip the latest Scooby Doo movie or other mass market crap and make a beeline for this movie. (Rightly so. It's fantastic.) I wish there was always such good counter-programming for family audiences as a matter of course. (Even the best Pixar movies seem hyperactive and hollow next to something as warm and uplifting as Whale Rider. Can you tell I loved this movie? If you've missed it, queue it up.)

Gemini Cricket

12-28-2009, 12:49 PM

Whale Rider was amazing. Very powerful.
I loved it.

Strangler Lewis

12-28-2009, 01:19 PM

Over the past few days, my kids have enjoyed repeat viewings of both "Pride and Prejudice" and "Santa Buddies."

"Santa Buddies" gave me the idea for an all animated-dog-mouth version of my favorite Greek tragedy: "Oedipus Rex."

Gemini Cricket

12-28-2009, 01:32 PM

Pride and Prejudice? Which one? The Firth one or the Knightley one or the Greer Garson one?
I love all of them.
:)

alphabassettgrrl

12-28-2009, 04:15 PM

I'm honestly baffled by the way the marketing of trite crap works so well. Saturation-marketing turns me off, even from good movies sometimes.

I'm with you. By the time I've seen a zillion ads for something, I stop wanting to see it. And if it's trite crap, I never want to see it but apparently we're a minority (given how well it sells).

Boo.

JWBear

12-28-2009, 04:17 PM

It's because it works well on children who have their parents wrapped around their fingers.

Strangler Lewis

12-28-2009, 04:51 PM

Pride and Prejudice? Which one? The Firth one or the Knightley one or the Greer Garson one?
I love all of them.
:)

There are two Firth ones if you count "Bridget Jones's Diary." This was the Knightley one.

alphabassettgrrl

12-28-2009, 07:14 PM

So if those parents grow a spine the crap will eventually stop being profitable and we can eventually get some quality stuff?? I mean, it's one thing to dote on your kids, but dude... sometimes...

CoasterMatt

12-28-2009, 07:41 PM

I think I'm gonna watch "Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas" again tonight.

It's possibly my favorite Jim Henson special, and there isn't a single Christmas song in it.

katiesue

12-28-2009, 07:49 PM

Matt - Maddie loved it. And her favorite part is the out-takes.

Alex

12-28-2009, 07:56 PM

Maybe it's just my particular circumstance but I saw way more advertising for Princess and the Frog than I did for Chipmunks 2. I only really saw Chipmunks ads the week before release whereas Princess was seemed to have half the busses in the world plastered a couple months before it opened.

And in this case it isn't picking great vs. crap it is picking unknown mediocre over known crap (since presumably they saw the first one too). I know I'm in teh minority among Disney people for not particuarly caring for it, but among my non-Disney parental coworkers the response to it has been pretty mixed.

I wonder how much more money Princess would have made if it was preceded by the Pixar logo rather than the Walt Disney Pictures logo.

wolfy999

12-29-2009, 07:27 AM

Saw Princess & the Frog Sunday afternoon....cute.

Saw Milk on Sunday evening.....WOW, powerful movie!

Saw the Proposal last night.....cute.

Gemini Cricket

12-30-2009, 02:29 AM

I'm not sure why I'm posting this but it's movie related.
For background noise, I put Little Miss Sunshine in while I was on the laptop. And the scene where Olive goes to comfort Duane on the side of the hill, with the bus in the back ground.... I lost it. I just started bawling. Not sure why. The depression, I guess. It just reminded me of my little sis and me. She used to have them big 'ol glasses and cowboy boots. I guess I'm just a sad little man.
lol!

mousepod

12-30-2009, 09:48 AM

Went to a matinee of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus yesterday. I'm surprised that there's almost zero advertising for the film that is a real return to form for Terry Gilliam after the badly reviewed Tideland and the just plain bad Brothers Grimm. Without giving the plot away (I recommend you go into this movie cold), I was particularly struck by just how good an actor Heath Ledger was. After his death, his role was completed by three of his friends, which actually works for the most part. My one regret was that during a particularly good scene played by one of his peers, all I could think about was that Ledger should have played it. Sad.

Ghoulish Delight

12-30-2009, 09:52 AM

I had heard about the film a while ago, completely forgotten about it, then suddenly in the last couple of weeks started seeing some promos again. I was super excited as it really did look like Gilliam of old.

So happy to hear it's good, but it seems we won't be seeing this one until DVD as it's only in limited release (ArcLight Hollywood, and AMC Santa Monica). :(

Gemini Cricket

12-30-2009, 11:50 AM

What a great line-up to end the year! TCM's movie list for New Year's Eve is:

The Man Who Knew Too Much
Marnie
Shadow of a Doubt
Psycho
Vertigo
Rear Window
and 5 of the Thin Man movies.

:)

Cadaverous Pallor

12-30-2009, 12:02 PM

GC - you're such a sweet softie.

Bornieo: Fully Loaded

12-30-2009, 12:48 PM

Gemini Cricket

12-30-2009, 01:03 PM

GC - you're such a sweet softie.
I know it.
:D

Sometimes I'll pop in a sad movie (or any movie that will be emotional for me) just so I can get a good cry out of it. One of my therapists in the past said it was me reminding myself that I'm alive. I think she was right.
:)

Snowflake

12-30-2009, 01:59 PM

What a great line-up to end the year! TCM's movie list for New Year's Eve is:

The Man Who Knew Too Much
Marnie
Shadow of a Doubt
Psycho
Vertigo
Rear Window
and 5 of the Thin Man movies.

:)

That is a great lineup!

flippyshark

12-30-2009, 02:57 PM

Aw NINE last night - A couple really good performances and some well done dramatic moments but it was a bit of a mess storywise - Daniel Day-Lewis was horrible in this with a really fake accent. The music/songs were all over the place and confusing mostly due to the actors trying to use accents in the songs.

Have you seen Fellini's 8 1/2? Narrative is decidedly a secondary consideration in that classic, so that may carry over into the musical adaptation as well. I've never seen NINE on stage, but the movie looks colorful enough from the trailer. It's really a lost cause trying to make a film based on such an iconic film (and B'way play) and try to come up with something distinctive, so my expectations for this are muted.

Alex

12-30-2009, 03:29 PM

Sherlock Holmes wasn't horrible (and I'm not bothered by the buffed up Holmes as it isn't nearly so present in the movie as in the trailers; and the books do refer to Holmes being a quite accomplished pugilist in a time when there was no such thing as boxing gloves) but it was too long and not very interesting in terms of the central mystery. An awful lot of time was spent setting up the sequel.

A Single Man - I was simultaneously bored by the movie and captivated by Colin Firth's performance.

Ghoulish Delight

12-30-2009, 10:48 PM

So I've resolved to attempt to keep track of my movie watching, with personal ratings and notes. I hate that I can never remember what I've seen, and even when I have seen something I can't remember what I thought about it. I'm not sure if this will be different than the numerous attempts I've made in the past to do this, but perhaps Google docs and the fact that I can access it from anywhere thanks to my magic phone will help.

I also just went back and, with the help of this thread, other threads on the board, and our Netflix viewing history, I've reconstructed as well as I could my viewing habits from 2009.

28 movies viewed, 8 of them in theaters (that's really high for us). Discounting Harold & Maude, which we just watched tonight but have seen a few times before and gets a 10 from me, the movie I rated the highest was 1974's The Conversation. What a brilliant piece of film making. The worst was Burn After Reading

Among new movies, The Hangover edged Avatar, with Watchmen being my least favorite (not by much).

Alex

12-30-2009, 11:06 PM

Logging is good.

Want to see the list of 1,316 movies I've seen since January 1, 2002?

Movies seen this year: 177. 57 of them 2009 releases.
Lowest rated (1 out of 5): Perfect Stranger, Battlefield Earth, Fast & Furious, Max Payne, Living Hell, Silent Hill, Krull, This Girl's Life, Xanadu, Sex and Breakfast, The Proposal, Godzilla (the Matthew Broderick one), Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Highest rated (5 out of 5): You Can't Take It With You, Up, The Shawshank Redemption, Avatar, Up in the Air, Precious.

Bold are 2009 movies.

flippyshark

12-30-2009, 11:29 PM

Just watched The Hangover, and it is a heck of a lot of fun. Heather Graham's character was underused, I thought. I especially enjoyed Ken Cheong as Mr. Chow. At first, I thought I was going to hate Zack Galifianakis' character, but he did a wonderful job here.

Gn2Dlnd

12-31-2009, 12:33 AM

How is it Alex, with so many movies that you legitimately had to see this year, that you decided to watch Battlefield Earth? I still can't get that stink out of my head.

Alex

12-31-2009, 07:50 AM

Curiosity. I actually quite enjoy the book where most people say they hate it (though surprisingly often it seems to be simply because L. Ron Hubbard wrote it and not for anything in the book itself) so I've always wondered if the movie really was horrible or if the same prejudice was maybe involved.

It was available for streaming from Netfilx so one afternoon I watched it.

Gemini Cricket

12-31-2009, 09:56 AM

Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

Spoiler. Don't read if ya don't wanna know stuff.

It's interesting to watch this movie again when you know what the outcome is. The wholesome Uncle Charlie at the beginning of the film is quite a villain. Some of the looks he gives his niece early on are creepy.

"Sing at the table and you'll marry a crazy husband." lol!

One of Hitchcock's better ones.
Joseph Cotton. He wasn't the best looking actor, but there is something quite likable about him. Great casting choice by Hitchcock.

Oh, I also sat through Marnie again and still find it dull.

cirquelover

12-31-2009, 10:41 AM

Andrew

12-31-2009, 10:43 AM

I liked the book Battlefield Earth. If it has any of Hubbard's later insanity in it, he hid it well.

The movie was just horrible.

Alex

12-31-2009, 10:49 AM

Oh, there's a fair bit of his silliness in it (particularly anti-psychiatry) but that doesn't necessarily make for bad fiction.

ETA: I know Hubbard denied his silliness was in there, I just don't agree with him, though it may not have been intentional

alphabassettgrrl

12-31-2009, 03:28 PM

We finally watched Harry Potter and the half blood prince. You know, I was kind of meh about the whole thing. I think it's just been too long since this whole thing started and I really don't care at this point how it all ends. Although Luna has grown on me and I actualy liked her more.

I thought exactly those same things! First one- cool! Crazy! Love it! But the longer it goes on, the more my enthusiasm wanes. I hardly even remembered reading the book, and I haven't read the last one at all. I hardly even care.

But I love Luna.

Strangler Lewis

12-31-2009, 04:52 PM

I put Shawshank in the oddities bucket with Michael Clayton. Good performances and something that resembled good writing, but with a huge bullsh*t factor that I just could not overcome.

Gemini Cricket

12-31-2009, 06:11 PM

I know I'm supposed to love Vertigo and I've tried. But after watching it again today, I think I'm in the category of 'don't like' now. I don't know. It's hard to describe but although there are some interesting shots in it, the movie drags. I don't find Stewart or Novak to be likable.

SL ~ I don't know. I love The Shawshank Redemption. I think it's well made.

Alex

12-31-2009, 06:13 PM

I'm mostly with you on Vertigo. I like the first 40 minutes or so but then it just starts to bore me. But I try to avoid saying that out loud.

Ghoulish Delight

12-31-2009, 08:55 PM

I appreciate Vertigo, but don't love it.

I really really like Shawshank, but am utterly baffled as to how it remains the #1 rated movie on imdb. I mean, it's just not THAT remarkable to me.

Cadaverous Pallor

01-01-2010, 10:51 PM

I had read Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption several times before seeing the movie so I could not believe Tim Robbins as the small, mousy character in the story. And who reads a Stephen King story and thinks, we need to make this more sappy?

Tref

01-02-2010, 12:21 AM

I'm mostly with you on Vertigo. I like the first 40 minutes or so but then it just starts to bore me. But I try to avoid saying that out loud.

I know I'm supposed to love Vertigo and I've tried. But after watching it again today, I think I'm in the category of 'don't like' now.

Wow, I could not disagree more. For me, Vertigo is not only Hitchcock's most accomplished movie, but one of the truly great, great films ever produced. Like, The Big Lebowski, Vertigo is best given a second, third or even a fourth viewing. Vertigo is as complex a movie as I have seen; multi-layered, menacing, dark, unearthly and a bit twisted. (Its closest cousin would be Lynch's Mulholland Dr., which shares many of its dream-like scenes) In fact, San Francisco could very well be a stand in for the Serling's Twilight Zone for all its absurdities, hypnotizing colors, weird art and dream-like parks, rooming houses, florists and the like. I admit, it took me, at least, three viewings before the film really hit me hard. I had my doubts about the film at first, but something always brought me back to the movie, again and again. And each time I saw the movie, more was revealed to me. You begin putting all the little pieces together, things you may have disregarded the second or third go-around. And the final scene still haunts me -- Stewart alone on the balcony. He conquered his fears and solved the puzzle but it cost him --- everything. Devastating and brilliant. But hey, that is just my opinion. Whatcanyoudo?

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z1/Tref_foto/Vertigo02.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z1/Tref_foto/Vertigopic4.jpg

flippyshark

01-02-2010, 09:20 AM

I found Vertigo slow going on first watch, but the ending hit me hard and drove me to watch it again. It really does reward repeat viewing, as Tref asserts above.

Back in the early 80s, I worked as a projectionist, and Universal did a theatrical re-release of Rear Window, Rope, Vertigo and The Trouble With Harry. We showed all four, and I fell in love with all of them over the course of the month or so we had them. Vertigo was indeed the toughest sell, and Harry was the surprise that no one had heard of and everybody loved.

We were also provided with a long trailer promoting all four films, narrated by Jimmy Stewart. I kept that trailer for years, adding it to an eclectic reel of odds and ends that I would show to friends after hours. Among other things, it included old snack bar ads, promos for Dallas Community Colleges, a ten minute chunk of The Big Doll House, the Star Spangled Banner, trailers for horrible children's films from Mexico, and more. We called it the Midnight Matinee. I assume it got destroyed along with the theater in about 98 or so.

Which reminds me - if you want to see the best trailer compilation ever, check out 42nd Street Forever 5: Alamo Drafthouse Forever. (www.amazon.com/42nd-Street-Forever-Alamo-Drafthouse/dp/B002E2QH0Y) It made me want to move to Austin.

Alex

01-02-2010, 09:37 AM

mousepod

01-02-2010, 09:43 AM

Saw The Hurt Locker last night. A good movie, but I'm not sure why all the "best movie" buzz. While I felt that Bigelow did a very good job of bringing the "reality of war" (I put it in quotes because, having never been to war, I can only imagine) to the screen, but there was still something clichéd about the characterizations to me, no matter how well acted they might have been. Also, I found the plot surprisingly predictable, even taking into account the nature of the built-in suspense inherent in a story about soldiers who dispose of unexploded bombs for a living.

I was sadly correct in my instant prediction that two interesting minor characters were introduced as bomb fodder.

Not a bad movie at all, and very watchable (though Heather did get sick from the shaky-cam effect - be warned, GD), but at the end I was seriously considering a near-future screening of the old British TV series "Danger:UXB".

Gemini Cricket

01-02-2010, 11:50 AM

Some movies I disparage those who disagree with me, the correct opinion is just so obvious.

But Vertigo isn't one of them. I'm fine with people loving it, but it just doesn't connect with me, and it isn't for lack of viewing. Over the years I've seen it at least a half-dozen times and I'm pretty sure I get what there is to get, I'm just not interested by it.
Same here.

I have watched it repeatedly and... nada. When I was living in the Central Coast and had visited San Francisco a number of times, I got a kick watching it for the locations. But other than that...

I have yet to see The Hurt Locker. But recently as mousepod had said all these best of 2009 nods has me curious about it.

Stan4dSteph

01-02-2010, 04:38 PM

flippyshark

01-02-2010, 05:44 PM

Saw Up In The Air. Liked it a lot. I thought it was a great look at what some of "normal America" is like, which can be rare in movies. Clooney was great. It touched on some things that struck a chord for me personally, left me a bit melancholy.

Just the clips I've heard on NPR made me really sad and depressed, although I am sure Clooney is great in this. I can't quite make myself want to go see it, but I'll probably check it out when I can rent it.

Gemini Cricket

01-03-2010, 11:44 PM

Hee hee.
The box set that I bought long ago that included 3 versions of Close Encounters of the Third Kind comes with a poster sized flow chart of what's in what version and what's been cut etc.
How funny.
:D

flippyshark

01-04-2010, 08:19 AM

Yes, I found that chart amusing as well. I wanted to retitle it "Wow, We've Been Floundering With This Movie, Haven't We?" Still, I'm very glad to have all of that stuff.

Alex

01-04-2010, 08:52 AM

Over the weekend I saw Avatar for a second time. Enjoyed it just as much as the first time. Lani and I both expected that this time we'd spend more time looking around the screen and then afterwards realized we were just as involved as the first time and didn't really do that.

Noticed a few things I'd missed the first time (such as, the so obvious in retrospect) fact that the avatars had five fingers/toes per limb whereas the Na'vi have four. Noticed some throwaway lines early in the movie that are more explanatory once you know what happens later in the movie.

Saw It's Complicated. It is a perfectly pleasant adult romantic comedy. It is always nice to see one not involving 23-year-olds, or 30-year-olds acting like 23-year-olds. Good performances from Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. Though a best actress nom for Meryl Streep (such as the Golden Globe) is really just a reflex habit as it isn't anything transcendent.

Saw The International, a Clive Owen/Naomi Watts suspense thriller from earlier in the year. It was fine, really reminded me in tone of Sidney Pollack's The Interpreter from a few years ago. One problem is that the last act is preceded by an out-of-scale gunfight. It would have been fine in a Bourne movie but the style of the movie as a whole didnt' really support such a spectacle.

Ghoulish Delight

01-04-2010, 10:37 AM

Saw It's Complicated. It is a perfectly pleasant adult romantic comedy. It is always nice to see one not involving 23-year-olds, or 30-year-olds acting like 23-year-olds. Good performances from Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. Though a best actress nom for Meryl Streep (such as the Golden Globe) is really just a reflex habit as it isn't anything transcendent.

I think we'll put this in the Netflix queue. The trailers have made it seem really appealing, glad to hear it lives up to that.

Andrew

01-04-2010, 11:17 AM

The box set that I bought long ago that included 3 versions of Close Encounters of the Third Kind comes with a poster sized flow chart of what's in what version and what's been cut etc.

Yes, I found that chart amusing as well. I wanted to retitle it "Wow, We've Been Floundering With This Movie, Haven't We?" Still, I'm very glad to have all of that stuff.

I'd love to see that flowchart if it's online anywhere.

Gemini Cricket

01-04-2010, 02:51 PM

I'd love to see that flowchart if it's online anywhere.
Well, this is the closest thing I could find. Hard to read, tho.
lol

alphabassettgrrl

01-04-2010, 04:00 PM

Didn't the male NaVi have one more digit than the females? Or was I only seeing the avatar hands?

Alex

01-04-2010, 04:06 PM

So far as I know (having searched around since my second screening), all real Na'vi have four fingers (three and a thumb). All avatars (human-Na'vi hybrids) have five fingers (four and a thumb).

Gemini Cricket

01-04-2010, 05:24 PM

So far as I know (having searched around since my second screening), all real Na'vi have four fingers (three and a thumb). All avatars (human-Na'vi hybrids) have five fingers (four and a thumb).
Real Na'vi? Uh, you know this is a work of fiction don't you?

colon, capital "d"

Gemini Cricket

01-08-2010, 11:31 AM

The Many Faces of Michael Cera (http://www.cracked.com/funny-3759-michael-cera/)
lol!
:D

Ghoulish Delight

01-08-2010, 11:40 AM

The Many Faces of Michael Cera (http://www.cracked.com/funny-3759-michael-cera/)
lol!
:DIt is a fact that I cannot dispute...but damnit it's entertaining every time!

Cadaverous Pallor

01-08-2010, 02:53 PM

The Many Faces of Michael Cera (http://www.cracked.com/funny-3759-michael-cera/)
lol!
:DHeehee. Yet the 14 year old girl in me has a poster of him on her wall.

Gemini Cricket

01-08-2010, 03:05 PM

Heehee. Yet the 14 year old girl in me has a poster of him on her wall.
I can see it now. George Michael Sloan.
:D

Ghoulish Delight

01-08-2010, 04:33 PM

I was named for my grandpa George, and my middle name is Michael.

Gemini Cricket

01-08-2010, 04:38 PM

I was named for my grandpa George, and my middle name is Michael.
That explains it!
:D

So, Greg is like a nickname for George? I didn't know that. Interesting. It's like John and Jack? Cool.

Ghoulish Delight

01-08-2010, 04:46 PM

No, it's not really a nickname. They just went with the first letter.

SzczerbiakManiac

01-12-2010, 03:11 PM

6 Insane Fan Theories That Actually Make Great Movies Better (http://www.cracked.com/article/18367_6-insane-fan-theories-that-actually-make-great-movies-better/)

Andrew

01-12-2010, 03:25 PM

6 Insane Fan Theories That Actually Make Great Movies Better (http://www.cracked.com/article/18367_6-insane-fan-theories-that-actually-make-great-movies-better/)
Well that (and linked pages) just wasted half an hour. ;)

Gemini Cricket

01-12-2010, 04:10 PM

The Great Ziegfeld is a good movie. Great cast. Interesting biopic. But it's freaking 900 hours long. I hate to say it but every time it's on TCM or I pop it into the DVD player I can't help but comment on the movie's length. Toooo long! Also, I have no idea why Luise Rainer won a Best Actress Oscar for her role. Her character was pretty annoying. No idea why she won for The Good Earth either...

Gemini Cricket

01-16-2010, 12:04 PM

Alex

01-16-2010, 12:11 PM

In a slightly related comment the recent The Princess and the Frog has one of the creepiest last lines ever, definitely creepiest for a Disney movie.

flippyshark

01-16-2010, 02:13 PM

The Bad News Bears is just so delightfully wrong. I haven't seen the recent-ish remake. Did it end with all the kids being handed beers as well? I bet not.

I don't remember the last line of The Princess and the Frog, and couldn't find it in a quick search. Can anyone remind me?

Chernabog

01-16-2010, 02:24 PM

I don't remember the last line of The Princess and the Frog, and couldn't find it in a quick search. Can anyone remind me?

"O-ho-ho! Ho did we end up in zis soup?"

Actually, still haven't gotten around to seeing that yet. Yay netflix!

Last week I finally saw The Treasure of the Sierra Madre... wow what an awesome flick!!! I frickin love that old man. I was knee slappin' and toe tappin' right along with him on the sofa. It was making Jim nuts.

And Bogey played quite the looney... can't believe I never watched that one before. Five steenkin badges out of five.

Alex

01-16-2010, 02:41 PM

I don't remember the last line of The Princess and the Frog, and couldn't find it in a quick search. Can anyone remind me?

Charlotte (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2278607/): Who would've thought the prince had a younger brother. How old did you say you were?
Naveen's brother: I'm six and a half.
Charlotte (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2278607/): Well, I waited this long.

Snowflake

01-16-2010, 03:05 PM

You know, TCM just added a lot of 70's films to their rotation. Yes, I still love TCM, but I can't help feeling that they don't belong. I mean, I like The Bad News Bears, Carnal Knowledge and Rollerball but... oh well.

PS - The Bad News Bears has one of the best last lines in a movie.

Well, TCM is trying to attract a younger audience, since it appears to them, 20 somethings won't watch a movie if it's in b/w. Hence the addition of the obnoxious Ben Mankiewitz (or however you spell it) as a host. I realize Ben was added a few years back, nevertheless, adding him removed some of the terrific preservation/restoration/documentary programming.

I do not have an issue with TCM showing modern classics at all, providing they're good films, or in line with a theme they're running. I can always elect not to watch. But, I'd hate to see some of the earlier era films (especially one's they've not shown in a long long time) suffer in the rotation for the newer films. That said, it pains me to see Russell Crowe on the cover of the February Now Playing guide since February is the dreaded Oscar month.

Rollerball has some cheesy charm, John Houseman at his grumbly/gravelly best. It's horribly dated, and probably was in the 1970s when it premiered, too.

As long as TCM runs their films uncut, in the original aspect ratio, I'm good.

But, I would dearly love to see some really creaky old pre-codes and some films they've not run since year 1 or 2 of TCM. I also wish they could get some rights to early (1930's) Paramount films that have not seen the light of day since old TV 36 in San Jose in the late 1960's early 70's. Universal has them and I'd love to see them, so many I've not seen.

Okay..............off the proverbial soapbox now. Jeez, GC, did you hit anerve or what?:D

Gemini Cricket

01-16-2010, 04:18 PM

Snowflake

01-16-2010, 04:38 PM

I'd say they need a TCM Classic Channel and a New Coke TCM Channel.

I'm not too bugged by Ben Mankiewicz (or however you spell his name) because his last name and his lineage is legendary. But, yeah, he's a cocky schmuck.

All he got was the name, he got none of the talent of his illustrious predecessors. Yes, he is a cocky schmuck.

Gemini Cricket

01-16-2010, 04:38 PM

All he got was the name, he got none of the talent of his illustrious predecessors. Yes, he is a cocky schmuck.
Agreed. I like saying "cocky schmuck" out loud. Try it, it's fun.

flippyshark

01-16-2010, 05:09 PM

Treasure of the Sierra Madre is wonderful, and I've found it's a good "starter" classic for younger people wary of anything made before they were born.

Cadaverous Pallor

01-16-2010, 08:07 PM

Speaking of declining standards on cable channels - we happened to watch most of Little Miss Sunshine today on A&E (still one of the best movies of recent memory and among the best films I've ever seen period). The commercials were for A&E's shows, including Paranormal Cops, Dog the Bounty Hunter, Hoarders, Intervention...it's just shocking. Whatever happened to Arts and Entertainment? I'm reminded of a joke in an old Wayne's World sketch - "A&E is the WWII channel". Hmm, not so much anymore.

Gemini Cricket

01-16-2010, 08:17 PM

No one should have to sit through a Dog the Bounty Hunter commercial, much less an episode. Talk about hitting a nerve... I find his show personally insulting. A big idiot not from here trying to talk pidgin. Like Edward Scissorhand's "hands" on a chalkboard.

I can never watch feature films on TV if they're censored and cut up for commercials. I feel so strongly that I want to send GD and CP a DVD copy of that movie so they can enjoy it properly.
:)

Stan4dSteph

01-16-2010, 08:41 PM

I love Hoarders and Intervention.

Ghoulish Delight

01-16-2010, 08:59 PM

I can never watch feature films on TV if they're censored and cut up for commercials. I feel so strongly that I want to send GD and CP a DVD copy of that movie so they can enjoy it properly.
:)
Wouldn't watch it for the first time there, but we saw Little Miss Sunshine in the theaters, so this was just a rewatch to pass a Saturday afternoon.

Alex

01-16-2010, 09:01 PM

Hope you were inspired. You have a few years to get Theo into pageants before it'll be obvious he's the wrong gender.

Alex

01-17-2010, 10:56 AM

Just watched the original 3:10 to Yuma. I liked the remake a couple years ago very much and I like this one very much as well, and in different ways.

I liked this bit of dialogue:

Charlie Prince: Any strangers come in town?
Hotel Proprietor-Bartender: Not since you went to sleep, sir.
Charlie Prince: I might as well go along. She won't come now.
Hotel Proprietor-Bartender: Who was you plannin' to meet?
Charlie Prince: My wife - she ran off with a travelin' man.
Hotel Proprietor-Bartender: She did?
Charlie Prince: That's why I've been sittin' up all night. I figgered he'd bring her here.
Hotel Proprietor-Bartender: Well, whaddaya know? Mine ran off, too. I wonder why they do that.
Charlie Prince: I don't know. I've always treated mine alright - never hit her too hard.

Alex

01-17-2010, 05:22 PM

The Evil Dead was mentioned in another thread but I'll mention it here. I saw it was available by Netflix streaming (though II and Army of Darkness are not). So I watched it since football is boring me.

Did not like it. Which isn't much of a surprise since straight up horror movies have never really done anything for me. I know the humor element is ramped up in the sequels so I'll still eventually give them a shot.

But this one was just boring screaming, splatter, and early '80s makeup effects. For people who can like that I can see why this is such a cult classic, though.

Chernabog

01-17-2010, 05:42 PM

Part II is the best, Alex. It's basically a revisionist history do-over of part 1, but with lots more comedy :)

Alex

01-17-2010, 06:29 PM

Oh, in other news, I'm usually not an idiot about what's happening in a movie.

But it was only in discussion afterward that Lani and I realized that the ending of The Book of Eli had gone completely over my head.

Also, if you think you're interested in seeing it I would recommend avoiding ANY discussion of the movie. There's an obvious movie reference to be made and simply seeing it referenced will immediately spoil the movie.

SzczerbiakManiac

01-19-2010, 01:42 PM

MacGruber red band trailer (http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/01/19/impressive-red-band-trailer-for-will-fortes-macgruber-movie/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+firstshowing+%28FirstShowing.ne t%29&utm_content=Google+Reader) (NSFW)

I gotta say, it actually looks like it might be funny. Assuming they didn't show us all the funny parts in the trailer....

Alex

01-19-2010, 01:47 PM

I love when I see an old movie I'd never even heard of and it just tickles me in all the good ways. That happened yesterday with People Will Talk, a 1951 play adaptation starring Cary Grant and Jeanne Crain. A fantastic follow-up (as in next collaboration, not a sequel or anything) by Mankiewicz and Zanuck to All About Eve. Eve is, of course, far superior but People Will Talk has many of the same elements (adult adults, crisp dialog).

Plus a lot of themes and ideas that resonate well in today's world, and it is nice that the movie does not at all flinch from or condemn Crain's character for being pregnant out of wedlock.

Strangler Lewis

01-19-2010, 02:27 PM

I don't think they put all the funny parts in that trailer.

Saw "A Single Man" yesterday. An odd mix of fashion photography closeups and long conversations with not terribly sharp dialogue. Perhaps that's what life's supposed to be like in the film's view, but it doesn't make for great entertainment. Colin Firth was good though.

Gemini Cricket

01-23-2010, 11:34 AM

These are funny. But I must admit, I like the LOTR quote. That moment makes me all teary.

The 100 Cheesiest Movie Quotes of All Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTiAS7cdsYc)

Strangler Lewis

01-23-2010, 04:47 PM

I played a "Lord of the Rings" pinball machine today. It was oddly heavy and ponderous. I even came to resent the fact that it gave me five balls for my fifty cents.

LSPoorEeyorick

01-24-2010, 05:50 PM

Almost caught up with the Oscar potentials. Three more to go. Up is still my favorite by a long shot. Second year in a row with little that I really loved.

mousepod

01-24-2010, 07:05 PM

Heather and I saw a bunch of the Oscar potentials recently, and the only two that I'd consider watching multiple times are Up and Inglourious Basterds. Still have several to go, though.

Prudence

01-24-2010, 07:25 PM

We finally signed up for Netflix (don't judge!) and streamed some "His Girl Friday". Not sure how I felt about that one, really.

Snowflake

01-24-2010, 08:16 PM

We finally signed up for Netflix (don't judge!) and streamed some "His Girl Friday". Not sure how I felt about that one, really.

Oh, the joy of His Girl Friday is the ease and alacrity of the dialogue of Roz Russell and Cary Grant. One of Howard Hawks best, I think. Really, the film moves like lightening. Great, snappy and very biting dialogue and a message buried in there, too. I love this film.

Gemini Cricket

01-24-2010, 09:49 PM

Oh, the joy of His Girl Friday is the ease and alacrity of the dialogue of Roz Russell and Cary Grant. One of Howard Hawks best, I think. Really, the film moves like lightening. Great, snappy and very biting dialogue and a message buried in there, too. I love this film.
"She's no albino. She was born right here in this country."
:D

flippyshark

01-27-2010, 11:11 PM

In honor of the late Zelda Rubinstein, and because I've been wanting to for a while, I watched Poltergeist again for the first time in quite a while. It had been long enough that I had forgotten how many wonderful little touches there are in this movie. The big scares don't have the impact they used to, but the performances are wonderful, and I had a great time re-encountering some of my favorite things about this film:

- The early scene in which Carol Ann loads up Tweety's cigar box chokes me up every time. And the burial scene soon thereafter is very funny.
- My favorite little moment - Buzz the dog is in the master bedroom barking madly at the spot on the wall, then runs purposefully out of the room, returning moments later with his favorite squeaky toy.
- WTF is with that terrible edit between the kitchen scene and the awkward visit to the neighbors?!?
- Beatrice Straight is just wonderful as the sympathetic and nervous parapsychologist.
- The "midnight snack" scene is gratuitous but sensational. And really, was that guy actually going to fry himself up a steak in someone else's house in the middle of the night? How rude.
- Zelda Rubinstein is brilliant, funny and perfect.
- Emotionally, this movie is over about fifteen minutes before it really ends, but that last reel is still really fun frosting on the cake.
- It's impossible not to think about the early ill fates of Dominique Dunne and Heather O'Rourke. Beyond sad.
- Some rough edges, but this is a wonderful movie.

Ghoulish Delight

01-27-2010, 11:19 PM

Having spent the last several months immersed in the comedy stylings of the likes of Patton Oswald and his fellow Comedy Death Ray crowd, we finally gave in to the repeated mentions of the movie Big Fan and got off our butts...wait, no, got on our butts...to add it to our instant Netflix Queue.

I was sadly a little disappointed. It was mostly a by-the-numbers indy film. Patton certainly delivered a solid performance of his character, there were definitely some priceless moments in there ("I don't like root beer!!!"), and the little bit of a twist at the end kept me guessing. But on the whole it lacked enough substance throughout to rise above the "great idea, adequate execution" level and at points risked losing my interest.

Gemini Cricket

01-28-2010, 01:07 AM

In honor of the late Zelda Rubinstein, and because I've been wanting to for a while, I watched Poltergeist again for the first time in quite a while...

I always imagined that Steve Freeling's boss was the brother of the Mayor of Amity Island.

I love that movie.

I always thought the Steve and Diane were the coolest parents on Earth.

Alex

01-29-2010, 03:36 PM

I may have been too subtle in my review (http://www.mouseplanet.com/9141/When_in_Rome), but I really didn't like When in Rome.

An odd thing is that I really have no problem loving a movie that everybody else hates but I doubt myself when I hate something everybody else loves. Fortunately, it has just a 17% at Rotten Tomatoes and most of the reviews I've looked at are even harder on the movie than I was.

Ghoulish Delight

01-29-2010, 04:57 PM

Everything I've seen about that movie has screamed stupid. Good to hear my instincts were right.

Snowflake

01-29-2010, 04:57 PM

Great review Alex. Really. I'm sure your review was way more entertaining than the film. Saved me $10 (or $14)

Prudence

01-29-2010, 05:18 PM

We finally saw the Hurt Locker. Like everything I see lately, mixed feelings abound.

Moonliner

02-01-2010, 10:15 AM

The Razzie nominations (http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/01/razzie.award.nominations/index.html?hpt=Sbin) are out for this year. Transformers and Land of the Lost are up for top honors.

It looks like Sandra Bullock could be up for a Worst Actress Razzie and Best Actress Oscar this year (different movies). I wonder if that's ever happened before. Not that she stands a chance of winning both. It's sure to be Mega Fox's year at the Razzies.

Alex

02-01-2010, 03:46 PM

Thought of Eddie Murphy with Dreamgirls and Norbit but those were in consecutive years.

Prudence

02-01-2010, 10:10 PM

Now that the Oscars are nearing once again, we're catching up on last year's nominees. (Okay, and we finally signed up for Netflix, which means we're busily cranking through all the things we've ever wanted to watch.)

So, we watched Slumdog Millionaire tonight. Perhaps it's just that other people heard it was so great and were disappointed and that we heard it was awful and were thus delightfully surprised. Regardless, I liked it rather a lot. I liked it's Bollywoodness (someone dies, destiny guides life, one couple ends up together, etc...) I liked that it took place somewhere else. I liked that it didn't have Hollywood stars that I had to spend half the film remembering that they weren't whatever character they played last.

Most of all, I liked the escapism. Maybe it's just this time in my life, but I'm starting to feel comfortable acknowledging that I want and enjoy escapism. Sometimes I feel like the only "real" movies are the downers. Apparently it's not Film unless I ponder the meaninglessness of life as the credits roll.

I didn't really comment on the Hurt Locker except to see that we'd seen it. Why? I could recognize that it was technically well done, but I have no urge to see it again and kind of wish I'd never seen it in the first place. There are big, horrible, sucktastic things going on with my family right now, and I don't want to be reminded of all the other sh!te going on out there, you know? Maybe I'm pathetic, but I have a limited capacity for attempted empathy. If I have to shoulder it all I'm going to end up in the fetal position around a box of Twinkies.

Anyhow, I like escape. I like movies where people are in love at the end. I am in love, and I want to watch movies where people act like I feel. I want to watch first kisses while I snuggle up against my sweetie and remember when. But most of all, when I see credits roll I want to feel like I should go do something positive -- be it seek out adventure, try out for a game show, make an outfit to go with the corset, or just be reminded of the many happinesses in my life.

Maybe other people are different. Maybe nihilism makes others thankful for what they have and invites them to look at how they can make a difference. Me - I feel immobilized. Maybe happy endings are by definition pablum, but they are what make my world turn in a sparkly, twinkly, rave party fashion.

So there.