Miscellaneous Movie Musings - Page 12

Alex · 05-24-2006, 01:00 PM

1) I left out a word. FedEx officially began using the FedEx name in 1994 (though the FDX Co. was the owner of it all until changing that name in 2000). So the name and logos were accurate for 1995.

2) On the Stephen King thing, if it only bothers you if the "author" was paid for the placement, when you see products in a movie do you have to wait until you get home to see if money changed hands before you decide whether it was annoying?

3) Even in low budget movies pretty much everything and everybody involved is only there because money is changing hands. Hardly any of it is not-for-profit, just-for-the-hell-of-it community theater.

4) But it is ok, we can disagree. I just don't understand how or where you draw the line. Does it bother you that pretty much all of the cars in movies are real-world cars and generally identifiable as such? I just watched Last American Hero (one of the only truly good redneck movies to come out of the '70s) and they actually mentioned Ford and Chevy by name. And NASCAR (as does the upcoming Cars). It would have been easy to create a fictional stock car racing circuit but the shorthand is certainly more convenient and effective, even if it was paid for in the case of Cars (and I'm sure permission was at least given for logo use in Last American Hero).

5) There isn't a bit of "rah-rah patriotism" in United 93. It is a barebones attempt at recreating the events of that morning. Causes, reasons, and results aren't mentioned. The movie literally begins with the hijackers leaving their hotel room, ends with the last plane hitting the ground and never wanders into any side discussion. It is one of the most impactful films I've seen in a long time and nothing about it sinks to the quality of a TV movie.

6) I think it didn't do well because most people aren't really interested in seeing the story recreated, no matter how well it is done. For most people older than 15 when 9/11 happened they'll probably never be quite ready but for younger people it will just be an incident in history or a dimly held memory from their childhood. I think the movie will go down as one of the great reportorial pieces of moviemaking ever but it will have to wait for that next generation to do so.

AllyOops! · 05-24-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Back to miscellaneousness...

I thought more people would turn out to see 'United 93'. Especially after it got solid reviews. Too soon?

United 93 was absolutely amazing and I'd recommend everybody view it. I don't believe in "too soon". It's heartwrenching to watch, and believe me, it will take you right back to that day. I thought about it all night. In fact, I had a lot of difficulty sleeping. However, it was no ooh rah salute to patriotism. It played much more like a documentary. No filler story-lines or added faux relationship stories ala' Pearl Harbor & Titanic.

I loved the usage of unknown actors. For me, there was no distraction and you felt as though you were right there on the plane with them. Had Tom Cruise or Bruce Willis stormed the cockpit, I wouldn't have even watched it.

Not Afraid · 05-24-2006, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Back to miscellaneousness...

I thought more people would turn out to see 'United 93'. Especially after it got solid reviews. Too soon?

I'm sure it is a very good movie, but, while I appreciate that some people may want to see an excellent film about the horrors of this event, I really don't want or need to experience it. I guess I've had enough personal tragedy in my own life that I rarely will subject myself willingly to difficult situations. For me, it is a challenge to stay positive and happy (and sober) on my own. I don't need help being depressed or upset.

Sorry, I take care of myyself first and the world is a better - and safer - place for it.

Gemini Cricket · 05-24-2006, 12:23 PM

I see. I haven't seen it. I actually don't know anyone who has. I bought '9/11' a long time ago on DVD. Haven't watched it...

BarTopDancer · 05-24-2006, 01:03 PM

They're releasing one about the towers now. It is starring Nicolas Cage.

Ghoulish Delight · 05-24-2006, 01:04 PM

*shrug* I guess I've just caught the wrong end of the publicity about it.

Even so, a reenactment movie doesn't particularly interest me.

scaeagles · 05-24-2006, 01:05 PM

Alex, couldn't agree more with your numbers 5 and 6. Well said, as usual. Not that 1 through 4 aren't, but I haven't really involved myself in that whole conversation.

Gemini Cricket · 05-24-2006, 03:16 PM

While researching the Sámi for my 'Helmet' commercail, I thought back to the movie 'The Cuckoo'. It's an interesting Finnish film. If you want a quiet random film to rent, rent that one. It's all about the ways people communicate and don't communicate. It's a gem.

Gemini Cricket · 05-24-2006, 06:13 PM

I just got 'Transamerica' in the mail today. We'll be watching it soon.

Not Afraid · 05-24-2006, 06:15 PM

goddamnyouGC. You want me to ruin my new Mac?

05-24-2006, 01:00 PM	#1
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	1) I left out a word. FedEx officially began using the FedEx name in 1994 (though the FDX Co. was the owner of it all until changing that name in 2000). So the name and logos were accurate for 1995. 2) On the Stephen King thing, if it only bothers you if the "author" was paid for the placement, when you see products in a movie do you have to wait until you get home to see if money changed hands before you decide whether it was annoying? 3) Even in low budget movies pretty much everything and everybody involved is only there because money is changing hands. Hardly any of it is not-for-profit, just-for-the-hell-of-it community theater. 4) But it is ok, we can disagree. I just don't understand how or where you draw the line. Does it bother you that pretty much all of the cars in movies are real-world cars and generally identifiable as such? I just watched Last American Hero (one of the only truly good redneck movies to come out of the '70s) and they actually mentioned Ford and Chevy by name. And NASCAR (as does the upcoming Cars). It would have been easy to create a fictional stock car racing circuit but the shorthand is certainly more convenient and effective, even if it was paid for in the case of Cars (and I'm sure permission was at least given for logo use in Last American Hero). 5) There isn't a bit of "rah-rah patriotism" in United 93. It is a barebones attempt at recreating the events of that morning. Causes, reasons, and results aren't mentioned. The movie literally begins with the hijackers leaving their hotel room, ends with the last plane hitting the ground and never wanders into any side discussion. It is one of the most impactful films I've seen in a long time and nothing about it sinks to the quality of a TV movie. 6) I think it didn't do well because most people aren't really interested in seeing the story recreated, no matter how well it is done. For most people older than 15 when 9/11 happened they'll probably never be quite ready but for younger people it will just be an incident in history or a dimly held memory from their childhood. I think the movie will go down as one of the great reportorial pieces of moviemaking ever but it will have to wait for that next generation to do so.
	Submit to Quotes

05-24-2006, 12:23 PM	#4
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	I see. I haven't seen it. I actually don't know anyone who has. I bought '9/11' a long time ago on DVD. Haven't watched it...
	Submit to Quotes

05-24-2006, 01:03 PM	#5
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	They're releasing one about the towers now. It is starring Nicolas Cage. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
	Submit to Quotes

05-24-2006, 01:04 PM	#6
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	shrug I guess I've just caught the wrong end of the publicity about it. Even so, a reenactment movie doesn't particularly interest me. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

05-24-2006, 01:05 PM	#7
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	Alex, couldn't agree more with your numbers 5 and 6. Well said, as usual. Not that 1 through 4 aren't, but I haven't really involved myself in that whole conversation.
	Submit to Quotes

05-24-2006, 03:16 PM	#8
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	While researching the Sámi for my 'Helmet' commercail, I thought back to the movie 'The Cuckoo'. It's an interesting Finnish film. If you want a quiet random film to rent, rent that one. It's all about the ways people communicate and don't communicate. It's a gem.
	Submit to Quotes

05-24-2006, 06:13 PM	#9
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	I just got 'Transamerica' in the mail today. We'll be watching it soon.
	Submit to Quotes

05-24-2006, 06:15 PM	#10
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	goddamnyouGC. You want me to ruin my new Mac?
	Submit to Quotes

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode