Miscellaneous Movie Musings - Page 253

Alex · 10-15-2007, 05:44 PM

The Host is a reasonably fun South Korean monster movie masking some interesting commentary on SK culture and government. I found particularly interesting the schizophrenic reliance on, and revulsion at American interference.

Worth checking out.

Snowflake · 10-16-2007, 07:42 PM

It's a real pity The Jazz Singer didn't flop in October of 1927. P.U. what a stinker! I'm sure from the back row of the balcony of the Winter Garden that Al Jolson was a wonder in 1916, in 1927 in extreme close up in a really sappy story, he's not entirely pleasant. And it is rather disconcerting to have all these silent bits and then whenever he opens his mouth to sing, then we get a vocal sound track. I appreciate the history, but I don't need to see this again. Apologies to any Jolie fans out there.

While waiting for the next vitaphonized silent film to start, I've been subjected to several Vitaphone Shorts. Now I know what killed Vaudeville, Vaudeville killed Vaudeville. Eeek, some of these acts were just terrible! I think in this respect, some things are best left to someone's warm and fuzzy old memory. Although I did enjoy Trixie Friganza's "Little Bag O Tricks" except when she pulled out the bull fiddle. The comic recitation was still pretty funny. Interesting person, though, at least it inspired me to look her up!

I guess I'm a bit of a curmudgeon tonight!

Strangler Lewis · 11-04-2007, 06:41 AM

Bee Movie: forced, kind of tedious and with very few genuine laughs. Seinfeld does carry the movie along vocally. Some genuine emotional impact and very pro-New-York-Jew, which may not be a plus unless you are one. Also, a bold statement that forcing your way into a cockpit to wreak havoc on an airplane can still (still?) be the stuff of comedy. Gratuitous zany peril sequences, which are my main complaint about all animated films these days.

Prudence · 11-04-2007, 02:13 PM

30 Days of Night is a complete waste of everyone's time. Do not go.

Cadaverous Pallor · 11-05-2007, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

I guess I'm a bit of a curmudgeon tonight!

Well, I'm glad you posted this, because if you can find certain classics awful, then I feel justified when I find certain classics awful.

On a completely unrelated note - Thanks to our resident archivist, I got to see The Ruling Class for the first time. Peter O'Toole was brilliant in what's basically a double role. I absolutely adore this type of late 60's/early 70's movie making (think Tommy - is there a term for this style?) and highly recommend it. Fantastic dialogue.

Snowflake · 11-05-2007, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Well, I'm glad you posted this, because if you can find certain classics awful, then I feel justified when I find certain classics awful.

On a completely unrelated note - Thanks to our resident archivist, I got to see The Ruling Class for the first time. Peter O'Toole was brilliant in what's basically a double role. I absolutely adore this type of late 60's/early 70's movie making (think Tommy - is there a term for this style?) and highly recommend it. Fantastic dialogue.

Oh, absolutely, just because it's old does not mean it's a classic, nor is it good. Many "classics" can be awful and some just do not age well, no matter how much I love them. Not everything needs to be dipped in bronze and revered as a treasured heirloom. Granted, sometimes I make it sound that way!

Ghoulish Delight · 11-05-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

On a completely unrelated note - Thanks to our resident archivist, I got to see The Ruling Class for the first time. Peter O'Toole was brilliant in what's basically a double role.

How do you know you're God?
Simple. When I pray to Him, I find I am talking to myself.

Alex · 11-05-2007, 10:14 AM

I don't think I've ever run into anybody who really thinks The Jazz Singer is a great movie, just a groundbreaking one.

My recent forays into the multiplex (slow time at work when there is a theater across the street + multiplex across the street from our new apartment = lots of movie action).

Michael Clayton - Can't remember if I already talked about this one but it was good.

We Own the Night - Not bad but not as good or epic as it should have been. Good acting generally, nicely shot and edited. Opening with a mostly nude Eva Mendes getting finger****ed by Joachin Phoenix was certainly attention getting but supremely gratuitous. I'm also troubled by the re-ascension in quality movies (as opposed to action porn) of the idea that when society won't give justice that it is ok to take it for yourself (oh, by the way, justice is a synonym for murder). I blame the Bush White House and its idiocy of not even be able to clearly say waterboarding is torture (not really, I view them as both symptoms of the same problem but let's get political).

Four Weddings and Funeral - The success of this movie is quality evidence that the world is populated by stupid people. No insult intended to anybody here who likes this movie (even if it is evidence you're stupid, but really, no insult meant (stupidhead)).

Dan in Real Life - Not great but a very pleasant fluffy diversion.

License to Wed - Watched on a plane. Absolutely horrible. The general non-success of this movie is prime evdience that people aren't generally as stupid as they looked after the whole Four Weddings and a Funeral debacle. Good on ya, former stupidheads.

Lars and the Real Girl - Hated it halfway in, but it mostly redeemed itself. Ryan Gosling and Emily Watson are both credits to the screen so it is worth seeing for them.

Things We Lost in the Fire - If you want a two-hour movie watching experience where you spend the whole time in a low grade sniffle go see this movie. I enjoyed it a lot but if you're a cryer you'll need to grab a supply of napkins on your way through the theater lobby. Benicio del Toro gives lie to the P.C. nonsense that smoking doesn't make you look cool. Well, maybe it doesn't but Benicio del Toro certainly makes smoking look cool. I don't support the "any smoking gets an R rating rule" but maybe I would support a "any smoking by del Toro gets an R rating rule." Even though he is a junky and generally pathetic in the movie I still left the theater wanting to stop by a convenience store and pick a brand.

American Gangster - Compelling. Unfortunately it has been billed as a face-off between to of the great actors of our time. But ultimately it is no Pacino/De Niro in Heat (and even that was a disappointment). The Russell Crowe part really could have been cut entirely from the movie without much impact and if it had been played by a no-name actor the same part would barely get billing. The subplots involving Crowe felt like fluff added in to puff the part up into something more significant. But even at 2.5 hours it was very watchable and I was never bored or waiting for them to move on the end. The big drawback is that being based on a true story it has the flaw of real life in that it generally doesn't perfectly fit a narrative arc and so the ending is a bit soft.

Strangler Lewis · 11-05-2007, 04:17 PM

I loved "Four Weddings and a Funeral." Except for the relationship between Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell. And her character. And her acting.

katiesue · 11-05-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

I loved "Four Weddings and a Funeral." Except for the relationship between Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell. And her character. And her acting.

I agree - she really is HORRIBLE yet I still LOVE the film.

10-15-2007, 05:44 PM	#2521
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	The Host is a reasonably fun South Korean monster movie masking some interesting commentary on SK culture and government. I found particularly interesting the schizophrenic reliance on, and revulsion at American interference. Worth checking out.
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10-16-2007, 07:42 PM	#2522
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	It's a real pity The Jazz Singer didn't flop in October of 1927. P.U. what a stinker! I'm sure from the back row of the balcony of the Winter Garden that Al Jolson was a wonder in 1916, in 1927 in extreme close up in a really sappy story, he's not entirely pleasant. And it is rather disconcerting to have all these silent bits and then whenever he opens his mouth to sing, then we get a vocal sound track. I appreciate the history, but I don't need to see this again. Apologies to any Jolie fans out there. While waiting for the next vitaphonized silent film to start, I've been subjected to several Vitaphone Shorts. Now I know what killed Vaudeville, Vaudeville killed Vaudeville. Eeek, some of these acts were just terrible! I think in this respect, some things are best left to someone's warm and fuzzy old memory. Although I did enjoy Trixie Friganza's "Little Bag O Tricks" except when she pulled out the bull fiddle. The comic recitation was still pretty funny. Interesting person, though, at least it inspired me to look her up! I guess I'm a bit of a curmudgeon tonight! __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde Last edited by Snowflake : 10-16-2007 at 07:47 PM.
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11-04-2007, 06:41 AM	#2523
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	Bee Movie: forced, kind of tedious and with very few genuine laughs. Seinfeld does carry the movie along vocally. Some genuine emotional impact and very pro-New-York-Jew, which may not be a plus unless you are one. Also, a bold statement that forcing your way into a cockpit to wreak havoc on an airplane can still (still?) be the stuff of comedy. Gratuitous zany peril sequences, which are my main complaint about all animated films these days. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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11-04-2007, 02:13 PM	#2524
Prudence Beelzeboobs, Esq. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gavel - I haz it Posts: 6,287	30 Days of Night is a complete waste of everyone's time. Do not go. __________________ traguna macoities tracorum satis de
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11-05-2007, 10:14 AM	#2528
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I don't think I've ever run into anybody who really thinks The Jazz Singer is a great movie, just a groundbreaking one. My recent forays into the multiplex (slow time at work when there is a theater across the street + multiplex across the street from our new apartment = lots of movie action). *Michael Clayton* - Can't remember if I already talked about this one but it was good. *We Own the Night* - Not bad but not as good or epic as it should have been. Good acting generally, nicely shot and edited. Opening with a mostly nude Eva Mendes getting finger**ed by Joachin Phoenix was certainly attention getting but supremely gratuitous. I'm also troubled by the re-ascension in quality movies (as opposed to action porn) of the idea that when society won't give justice that it is ok to take it for yourself (oh, by the way, justice is a synonym for murder). I blame the Bush White House and its idiocy of not even be able to clearly say waterboarding is torture (not really, I view them as both symptoms of the same problem but let's get political). Four Weddings and Funeral - The success of this movie is quality evidence that the world is populated by stupid people. No insult intended to anybody here who likes this movie (even if it is evidence you're stupid, but really, no insult meant (stupidhead)). Dan in Real Life - Not great but a very pleasant fluffy diversion. License to Wed - Watched on a plane. Absolutely horrible. The general non-success of this movie is prime evdience that people aren't generally as stupid as they looked after the whole Four Weddings and a Funeral debacle. Good on ya, former stupidheads. Lars and the Real Girl - Hated it halfway in, but it mostly redeemed itself. Ryan Gosling and Emily Watson are both credits to the screen so it is worth seeing for them. Things We Lost in the Fire - If you want a two-hour movie watching experience where you spend the whole time in a low grade sniffle go see this movie. I enjoyed it a lot but if you're a cryer you'll need to grab a supply of napkins on your way through the theater lobby. Benicio del Toro gives lie to the P.C. nonsense that smoking doesn't make you look cool. Well, maybe it doesn't but Benicio del Toro certainly makes smoking look cool. I don't support the "any smoking gets an R rating rule" but maybe I would support a "any smoking by del Toro gets an R rating rule." Even though he is a junky and generally pathetic in the movie I still left the theater wanting to stop by a convenience store and pick a brand. American Gangster** - Compelling. Unfortunately it has been billed as a face-off between to of the great actors of our time. But ultimately it is no Pacino/De Niro in Heat (and even that was a disappointment). The Russell Crowe part really could have been cut entirely from the movie without much impact and if it had been played by a no-name actor the same part would barely get billing. The subplots involving Crowe felt like fluff added in to puff the part up into something more significant. But even at 2.5 hours it was very watchable and I was never bored or waiting for them to move on the end. The big drawback is that being based on a true story it has the flaw of real life in that it generally doesn't perfectly fit a narrative arc and so the ending is a bit soft.
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11-05-2007, 04:17 PM	#2529
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	I loved "Four Weddings and a Funeral." Except for the relationship between Hugh Grant and Andie MacDowell. And her character. And her acting. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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