Miscellaneous Movie Musings - Page 487

flippyshark · 09-30-2009, 08:31 PM

Gosh, guess I have to shamefacedly admit that I actually like the movie Hair. It's very eighties and has its flaws, but I think a lot of the performances and numbers are tremendously energetic and most of the songs have terrific arrangements (by the original composer Galt MacDermott, if I recall correctly.) I would certainly never prefer it over a good production of the show, but I can't say I haven't gotten a charge from much of it.

I would love to see the current revival. I have several cast albums, including the groundbreaking original cast, but my favorite thus far may be the Australian 90s revival. Haven't yet checked out the new Broadway cast, but I am certain to purchase sooner or later.

Gemini Cricket · 09-30-2009, 08:35 PM

I mean, don't get me wrong, seeing Treat Williams is a treat and I must admit that I had a crush on John Savage as a kid but still the flying pregnant Beverly D'Angelo in a wedding dress was just too much.

Ghoulish Delight · 09-30-2009, 09:39 PM

I was so high when I saw it I really cannot tell you what I thought of it. I spent the whole time trying to figure out if I was watching a strangely poorly executed musical, a devastatingly brilliant parody of poorly executed musicals, or a poorly executed parody of poorly executed musicals. One of these days I'll have to watch it sober and figure it out.

flippyshark · 10-01-2009, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

I mean, don't get me wrong, seeing Treat Williams is a treat and I must admit that I had a crush on John Savage as a kid but still the flying pregnant Beverly D'Angelo in a wedding dress was just too much.

You have certainly identified the worst scene in the movie.

If you wish to give it a sober re-visit, you can do so for free on hulu.

Gemini Cricket · 10-01-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flippyshark

You have certainly identified the worst scene in the movie.

If you wish to give it a sober re-visit, you can do so for free on hulu.

Yep. I blame hulu for my viewing yesterday.

Gemini Cricket · 10-01-2009, 06:43 PM

Hmmm. Zombieland's rt ratings keep going up. I have to see this flick!

innerSpaceman · 10-01-2009, 07:53 PM

Probably gonna see it this weekend. It will get me in the mood for the Zombie Walk on the 17th!

flippyshark · 10-04-2009, 10:37 PM

I just got back from a screening of the latest "viral" indie horror event pic Paranormal Activity. Paramount has been releasing this slowly to college towns, and now it's starting to leak out into a wider release. Anyway, it's Blair Witch all over again, but this time, it's a mock-verite about a young couple in a haunted house scenario, video-taping their bedroom while they sleep at night. Needless to say, they capture images of those things that in the night do go bump.

Anyhow, there is massive hype around this film, and I saw it with a full house which, just as in the ad campaign, jumped and screamed and shouted "omigod" at all the right times.

Me? Well, I guess I'm just jaded. I admired a few scenes, I thought the main actress did a terrific job seeming natural and ordinary. I wasn't scared and I will have not the slightest problem getting to sleep. Your mileage may vary.

It's much longer than it should be. I found one scene very creepy, and the ending made me grin with shadenfreude like Uncle Fester in a famous Charles Addams cartoon panel.

two almost spoilery points:

Spoiler:

So, well, I'm glad I went on a crowded night, but for my money, not the soul-shattering experience I had vainly hoped it might be.

katiesue · 10-05-2009, 09:19 AM

We saw Toy Story & Toy Story 2 in 3D. So much fun. And the short trailer for Toy Story 3 looks awesome.

The trailer for whatever the Jim Carey Scrooge thing looks creepy. I thought for a sec it was live action but it's animated by the Polar Express people. And they all look creepy.

flippyshark · 10-05-2009, 09:31 AM

Yes, Robert Zemeckis has become the undisputed king of the Uncanny Valley. Dead eyes, oh, all of the dead eyes.

This Christmas Carol looks like cut-scenes from a video game, and I'm sorry to see the Disney name on it. With the way Pixar proudly boasts of (rightly) animating the hard way, it's a shame to see us putting out something that, no matter how much effort may have been put into it, comes off looking like it cut corners. This looks awful.

09-30-2009, 08:31 PM	#4861
flippyshark Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,852	Gosh, guess I have to shamefacedly admit that I actually like the movie Hair. It's very eighties and has its flaws, but I think a lot of the performances and numbers are tremendously energetic and most of the songs have terrific arrangements (by the original composer Galt MacDermott, if I recall correctly.) I would certainly never prefer it over a good production of the show, but I can't say I haven't gotten a charge from much of it. I would love to see the current revival. I have several cast albums, including the groundbreaking original cast, but my favorite thus far may be the Australian 90s revival. Haven't yet checked out the new Broadway cast, but I am certain to purchase sooner or later.
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09-30-2009, 08:35 PM	#4862
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	I mean, don't get me wrong, seeing Treat Williams is a treat and I must admit that I had a crush on John Savage as a kid but still the flying pregnant Beverly D'Angelo in a wedding dress was just too much.
	Submit to Quotes

09-30-2009, 09:39 PM	#4863
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	I was so high when I saw it I really cannot tell you what I thought of it. I spent the whole time trying to figure out if I was watching a strangely poorly executed musical, a devastatingly brilliant parody of poorly executed musicals, or a poorly executed parody of poorly executed musicals. One of these days I'll have to watch it sober and figure it out. __________________ '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
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10-01-2009, 06:43 PM	#4866
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Hmmm. Zombieland's rt ratings keep going up. I have to see this flick!
	Submit to Quotes

10-01-2009, 07:53 PM	#4867
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Probably gonna see it this weekend. It will get me in the mood for the Zombie Walk on the 17th!
	Submit to Quotes

10-04-2009, 10:37 PM	#4868
flippyshark Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,852	I just got back from a screening of the latest "viral" indie horror event pic Paranormal Activity. Paramount has been releasing this slowly to college towns, and now it's starting to leak out into a wider release. Anyway, it's Blair Witch all over again, but this time, it's a mock-verite about a young couple in a haunted house scenario, video-taping their bedroom while they sleep at night. Needless to say, they capture images of those things that in the night do go bump. Anyhow, there is massive hype around this film, and I saw it with a full house which, just as in the ad campaign, jumped and screamed and shouted "omigod" at all the right times. Me? Well, I guess I'm just jaded. I admired a few scenes, I thought the main actress did a terrific job seeming natural and ordinary. I wasn't scared and I will have not the slightest problem getting to sleep. Your mileage may vary. It's much longer than it should be. I found one scene very creepy, and the ending made me grin with shadenfreude like Uncle Fester in a famous Charles Addams cartoon panel. two almost spoilery points: Spoiler: The guy character in this movie is so annoying, I was praying for him to die. I'm afraid he drove this modest story waaaay over into idiot plot territory. The admittedly bravura ending seemed suspiciously less "indie" than the rest of the picture, and sure enough, I come to find out that it is not the original ending, but one cooked up by Spielberg and associates to goose things up a bit. Having learned that, I feel kind of cheated, because I was ready to really admire these first-time filmmakers for pulling it off. But sadly, the current ending despoils their efforts, and includes a bit of unecessary CGI as well. Gads, Hollywood, thou art corrupt and inane. So, well, I'm glad I went on a crowded night, but for my money, not the soul-shattering experience I had vainly hoped it might be.
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10-05-2009, 09:19 AM	#4869
katiesue Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 4,678	We saw Toy Story & Toy Story 2 in 3D. So much fun. And the short trailer for Toy Story 3 looks awesome. The trailer for whatever the Jim Carey Scrooge thing looks creepy. I thought for a sec it was live action but it's animated by the Polar Express people. And they all look creepy. __________________ My life is so exciting I can hardly stand it.
	Submit to Quotes

10-05-2009, 09:31 AM	#4870
flippyshark Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,852	Yes, Robert Zemeckis has become the undisputed king of the Uncanny Valley. Dead eyes, oh, all of the dead eyes. This Christmas Carol looks like cut-scenes from a video game, and I'm sorry to see the Disney name on it. With the way Pixar proudly boasts of (rightly) animating the hard way, it's a shame to see us putting out something that, no matter how much effort may have been put into it, comes off looking like it cut corners. This looks awful.
	Submit to Quotes