Miscellaneous Movie Musings - Page 234

Cadaverous Pallor · 08-22-2007, 09:16 AM

Things seem to be skewing towards "gritty" and away from "enchanting" these days. That Narnia movie certainly went that way. Though I did enjoy it's LotR-ness, it was pretty obvious they made some style choices.

I don't know why they just can't make up something new and not have to put the name Oz on it.

AllyOops! · 08-22-2007, 09:45 AM

Aww! A Women party! Because I was one of those singled out, does this mean I'm invited? Or can I just roll on up and get a to-go bag of Thin Krisps? Pretty please?

I briefly saw the word "Oz" and thought this was a Frank Oz/Jim Henson convo. Oops. My bad. But I will say this- did anybody else love Labyrinth like I did when I was a kid? Boy, I remember seeing David Bowie in all of his wizardly & goblin-y glory and just totally crushing on him. I may have been a little girl, but I thought he was certainly yummy. I think he was the kick-starter to my long fascination and obsession with boys in make-up. Adam Ant, we love thee.

I never did see The Dark Crystal, and I heard that that was way better.

As for Wicked, I have yet to hear anybody say that they disliked it. It must be awesome! I love plays, and I wouldn't mind seeing it, but I'm going to be completely honest, those commercials on TV promoting Wicked irk the living sh*t out of me. So much shrieking. Ugh. Still, I bet I'd love it! Especially the music (sans shrieking, of course)

Boy, talk about a convoluted post. I think I need to just stop.

Gemini Cricket · 08-22-2007, 10:00 AM

Here's my innerSpaceman-style answer to that question:

It's not going to be at my place, but yes! Everyone is invited!

I think Ally should definitely be there.
I also think we all should show up wearing red. Jungle red.

MouseWife · 08-22-2007, 10:04 AM

I loved the 'Labyrinth'!! That is a movie the whole family loved. I think we own it on VHS but not DVD, yet.

And, 'Return to Oz', that is another favorite around here.

Okay, GC, what is up with the red? Jungle red?

Ghoulish Delight · 08-22-2007, 10:07 AM

Both Labyrinth and Dark Crystal are awesome movies. And that's not even a child's filter talking as I never saw either until I was in my 20s.

innerSpaceman · 08-22-2007, 10:43 AM

Ok, I didn't like Wicked. There, I said it.

I enjoyed the production. I dig some of the songs and performances. I love the costumes.

The 2nd act purely sucked. And, boring as the book was, the play simply skipped the most interesting parts.

Also, unlike the book, the play reimagines the Wicked Witch of the West as a poor, misunderstood heroine - thus positing a complete alternate to the Baum creation (and beloved MGM version) ... and making no attempt to have the audience comprehend how charming Elphaba could, in fact, become the Wicked Witch of the West.

To me, this was an unforgivable cop-out. And because the 2nd act was so lackluster, I give Wicked - on the whole - a non-passing grade.

* * * *

I love the idea of a McFarlane OZ ... and I'm only dismayed that he's going to tone it down from his line of fabulously designed characters.

It's been a long time, but I recall the Baum series of books getting rather dark. The article says McFarlane is going for "Harry Potter" dark rather than "Seven" dark ... and I think, the beloved MGM version nothwithstanding, that's the proper tone for OZ.

.

LSPoorEeyorick · 08-22-2007, 10:55 AM

[quiet confirmation of iSm's stance on Wicked]

Gemini Cricket · 08-22-2007, 11:46 AM

Yeah, I was underwhelmed by Wicked when I saw it as well.
I thought some of it was good. I thought the Defying Gravity song was great. But all in all, I was meh about it.
But... I do understand why people love it. I just don't share in the love.

AllyOops! · 08-22-2007, 04:00 PM

I ♥ you guys! You always know how to make this girl feel better!

I have to be honest, and while I know this is unfair on my part, the hoopla surrounding Wicked has soured me. I know it's not right, and I'm not sure why I'm built this way, but when too many people go ga-ga over some product, albeit a movie or book (or play, in this case), I'm inclined to automatically not want to like it. Maybe it's my rebellious streak, but for whatever reason, I just..don't want to be caught up in the hype! It makes absolutely no sense, really. I know that I am being unfairly biased. I might be passing up something that I'd really enjoy! Am I alone? Crazy? Does anybody else find themselves trying to resist something uber popular?

I know people who practically put this play right up there with the Second Coming and it gets a little exhausting. While I don't doubt for a second it's thrilling & entertaining, I just don't..get it. But then again, I've never seen it, so I'm aware I'm totally in the wrong!

innerSpaceman · 08-22-2007, 04:20 PM

One of the reasons I try to get in on things early is to avoid my knee-jerk reaction against their potential popularity. I want to like it for itself, and not for how others like it.

More important, I want to give it a fair shot - and not deduct points for being popular. I tend to deduct popularity points from stuff I've never even seen ... and the cure is to see it before it has a chance to get popular.

08-22-2007, 09:16 AM	#2331
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Things seem to be skewing towards "gritty" and away from "enchanting" these days. That Narnia movie certainly went that way. Though I did enjoy it's LotR-ness, it was pretty obvious they made some style choices. I don't know why they just can't make up something new and not have to put the name Oz on it. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
	Submit to Quotes

08-22-2007, 09:45 AM	#2332
AllyOops! It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!!! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Introspection Intersection Posts: 1,207	Aww! A Women party! Because I was one of those singled out, does this mean I'm invited? Or can I just roll on up and get a to-go bag of Thin Krisps? Pretty please? I briefly saw the word "Oz" and thought this was a Frank Oz/Jim Henson convo. Oops. My bad. But I will say this- did anybody else love Labyrinth like I did when I was a kid? Boy, I remember seeing David Bowie in all of his wizardly & goblin-y glory and just totally crushing on him. I may have been a little girl, but I thought he was certainly yummy. I think he was the kick-starter to my long fascination and obsession with boys in make-up. Adam Ant, we love thee. I never did see The Dark Crystal, and I heard that that was way better. As for Wicked, I have yet to hear anybody say that they disliked it. It must be awesome! I love plays, and I wouldn't mind seeing it, but I'm going to be completely honest, those commercials on TV promoting Wicked irk the living sh*t out of me. So much shrieking. Ugh. Still, I bet I'd love it! Especially the music (sans shrieking, of course) Boy, talk about a convoluted post. I think I need to just stop.
	Submit to Quotes

08-22-2007, 10:00 AM	#2333
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Here's my innerSpaceman-style answer to that question: It's not going to be at my place, but yes! Everyone is invited! I think Ally should definitely be there. I also think we all should show up wearing red. Jungle red.
	Submit to Quotes

08-22-2007, 10:04 AM	#2334
MouseWife Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Da' Beach Posts: 2,957	I loved the 'Labyrinth'!! That is a movie the whole family loved. I think we own it on VHS but not DVD, yet. And, 'Return to Oz', that is another favorite around here. Okay, GC, what is up with the red? Jungle red? __________________ Summa' time....when the livins' easy.........
	Submit to Quotes

08-22-2007, 10:07 AM	#2335
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Both Labyrinth and Dark Crystal are awesome movies. And that's not even a child's filter talking as I never saw either until I was in my 20s. __________________ '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

08-22-2007, 10:43 AM	#2336
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Ok, I didn't like Wicked. There, I said it. I enjoyed the production. I dig some of the songs and performances. I love the costumes. The 2nd act purely sucked. And, boring as the book was, the play simply skipped the most interesting parts. Also, unlike the book, the play reimagines the Wicked Witch of the West as a poor, misunderstood heroine - thus positing a complete alternate to the Baum creation (and beloved MGM version) ... and making no attempt to have the audience comprehend how charming Elphaba could, in fact, become the Wicked Witch of the West. To me, this was an unforgivable cop-out. And because the 2nd act was so lackluster, I give Wicked - on the whole - a non-passing grade. * * * * I love the idea of a McFarlane OZ ... and I'm only dismayed that he's going to tone it down from his line of fabulously designed characters. It's been a long time, but I recall the Baum series of books getting rather dark. The article says McFarlane is going for "Harry Potter" dark rather than "Seven" dark ... and I think, the beloved MGM version nothwithstanding, that's the proper tone for OZ. . Last edited by innerSpaceman : 08-22-2007 at 10:59 AM.
	Submit to Quotes

08-22-2007, 10:55 AM	#2337
LSPoorEeyorick scribblin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in the moment Posts: 3,872	[quiet confirmation of iSm's stance on Wicked]
	Submit to Quotes

08-22-2007, 11:46 AM	#2338
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Yeah, I was underwhelmed by Wicked when I saw it as well. I thought some of it was good. I thought the Defying Gravity song was great. But all in all, I was meh about it. But... I do understand why people love it. I just don't share in the love.
	Submit to Quotes

08-22-2007, 04:00 PM	#2339
AllyOops! It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!!! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Introspection Intersection Posts: 1,207	I ♥ you guys! You always know how to make this girl feel better! I have to be honest, and while I know this is unfair on my part, the hoopla surrounding Wicked has soured me. I know it's not right, and I'm not sure why I'm built this way, but when too many people go ga-ga over some product, albeit a movie or book (or play, in this case), I'm inclined to automatically not want to like it. Maybe it's my rebellious streak, but for whatever reason, I just..don't want to be caught up in the hype! It makes absolutely no sense, really. I know that I am being unfairly biased. I might be passing up something that I'd really enjoy! Am I alone? Crazy? Does anybody else find themselves trying to resist something uber popular? I know people who practically put this play right up there with the Second Coming and it gets a little exhausting. While I don't doubt for a second it's thrilling & entertaining, I just don't..get it. But then again, I've never seen it, so I'm aware I'm totally in the wrong!
	Submit to Quotes

08-22-2007, 04:20 PM	#2340
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	One of the reasons I try to get in on things early is to avoid my knee-jerk reaction against their potential popularity. I want to like it for itself, and not for how others like it. More important, I want to give it a fair shot - and not deduct points for being popular. I tend to deduct popularity points from stuff I've never even seen ... and the cure is to see it before it has a chance to get popular.
	Submit to Quotes