Miscellaneous Movie Musings

innerSpaceman · 12-27-2006, 09:10 PM

Whadaya know? Over the Hedge really is better than its trailers and the current state of animal-laden computer-animated glut films led one to believe.

The Fountain was a fairly interesting film, but I'm wondering which fringe religious group produced it, and how they got Hugh Jackman to star. A neat take on the Fountain of Youth mythos, but kinda slow-mo ... and I'm not surprised it tanked theatrically.

Alex · 12-27-2006, 09:29 PM

Today I watched the 1999 version of That Championship Season. It is actually a remake of the 1982 version which starred Robert Mitchum, Stacy Keach, Bruce Dern, Martin Sheen, and Paul Sorvino.

In this version, Paul Sorvino got promoted into the Mitchum role and then he is joined by Vincent D'Onofrio, Gary Sinise, Tony Shalhoub, and Terry Kinney.

That Championship Season is one of the rare play adaptations that I enjoy even though very little was done expand it cinematically from a one set theatrical experience. I don't know why that is, it just touches on themes that work for me.

Considering it was made for TV it looks pretty good (though maybe it was made for HBO or Showtime, I didn't notice anything that screamed "commercial break").

Sorvino was the weakest link in the first version and is again in this version. If you overlook Sinise and Shalhoub being offered up as Polish brothers everybody else is quite the actor and comports themself well.

So, this is one remake where I think you can watch either version safely (though the former is interesting for a "old man" Robert Mitchum performance). But according to IMDb neither version is very well regarded so I may be alone in enjoying them.

Cadaverous Pallor · 01-25-2007, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Whadaya know? Over the Hedge really is better than its trailers and the current state of animal-laden computer-animated glut films led one to believe.

Agreed. Very well put together. This is our first DreamWorks animated film and I was pleasantly surprised. Far beyond watchable - it was enjoyable. And pretty too!

Alex · 01-25-2007, 11:39 PM

Just finished watching This Film is Not Yet Rated, a documentary about the MPAA and its rating system.

It is somewhat rough in its construction but is an interesting discussion of a force of evil among us (not that I'm taking sides).

Gemini Cricket · 01-26-2007, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Just finished watching This Film is Not Yet Rated, a documentary about the MPAA and its rating system.

It is somewhat rough in its construction but is an interesting discussion of a force of evil among us (not that I'm taking sides).

I just watched this one too. I liked it. Very interesting doco. I recommend it. I hope a lot of people see this one.

I also watched 'Jesus Camp' as well. All I have to say is, "Wow!"
Good stuff. I recommend with one as well. It has to be seen to be believed.

Ghoulish Delight · 01-26-2007, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Agreed. Very well put together.

Yeah, the storyline felt surprisingly non-contrived, and a good mix of gags vs. plot and other humor. My only knock against it was the turtle character. Anthropomorphized out of scale with the rest of the characters, and the running gag of him getting tossed around in ridiculous situations got old quick. I likes me some slapstick, but not when the character of interest is just a passive object being thrown from gag to gag.

Quote:

This is our first DreamWorks animated film and I was pleasantly surprised. Far beyond watchable - it was enjoyable. And pretty too!

I agreed with you last night, but seeing this statement again this morning it suddenly occurred to me...duh, Shrek.

Snowflake · 01-26-2007, 09:39 AM

POTC - Dead Man's Chest
I finally managed to start to watch this thanks to Netflix last night. May I say I was sorely dissapointed in what I've seen so far. Loads of effects, all the familiar faces, but not the least bit engaging for me. In fact, I turned it off right when Davey Jones showed up. I'm going to give it another shot sometime this weekend, but at first glance, visually stunning, but sorely in need of a cohesive script.

Color me grouchy this morning.

12-27-2006, 09:10 PM	#1
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Whadaya know? Over the Hedge really is better than its trailers and the current state of animal-laden computer-animated glut films led one to believe. The Fountain was a fairly interesting film, but I'm wondering which fringe religious group produced it, and how they got Hugh Jackman to star. A neat take on the Fountain of Youth mythos, but kinda slow-mo ... and I'm not surprised it tanked theatrically.
	Submit to Quotes

12-27-2006, 09:29 PM	#2
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Today I watched the 1999 version of That Championship Season. It is actually a remake of the 1982 version which starred Robert Mitchum, Stacy Keach, Bruce Dern, Martin Sheen, and Paul Sorvino. In this version, Paul Sorvino got promoted into the Mitchum role and then he is joined by Vincent D'Onofrio, Gary Sinise, Tony Shalhoub, and Terry Kinney. That Championship Season is one of the rare play adaptations that I enjoy even though very little was done expand it cinematically from a one set theatrical experience. I don't know why that is, it just touches on themes that work for me. Considering it was made for TV it looks pretty good (though maybe it was made for HBO or Showtime, I didn't notice anything that screamed "commercial break"). Sorvino was the weakest link in the first version and is again in this version. If you overlook Sinise and Shalhoub being offered up as Polish brothers everybody else is quite the actor and comports themself well. So, this is one remake where I think you can watch either version safely (though the former is interesting for a "old man" Robert Mitchum performance). But according to IMDb neither version is very well regarded so I may be alone in enjoying them.
	Submit to Quotes

01-25-2007, 11:39 PM	#4
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Just finished watching This Film is Not Yet Rated, a documentary about the MPAA and its rating system. It is somewhat rough in its construction but is an interesting discussion of a force of evil among us (not that I'm taking sides).
	Submit to Quotes

01-26-2007, 09:39 AM	#7
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	POTC - Dead Man's Chest I finally managed to start to watch this thanks to Netflix last night. May I say I was sorely dissapointed in what I've seen so far. Loads of effects, all the familiar faces, but not the least bit engaging for me. In fact, I turned it off right when Davey Jones showed up. I'm going to give it another shot sometime this weekend, but at first glance, visually stunning, but sorely in need of a cohesive script. Color me grouchy this morning. __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
	Submit to Quotes