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Grex > Agora35 > #20: Movies, movies, movies, movies, movies, movies, movies | |
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| 25 new of 323 responses total. |
brighn
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response 250 of 323:
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Nov 22 03:25 UTC 2000 |
241> Exactly. I find that Ebert picks movies I like about 90% of the time,
and we differ in predictable ways.
Scott> Two words: Toxic Avenger. Not any of the sequels, which vary in
adequacy, but the first one. SEMINAL Troma. It IS Troma.
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janc
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response 251 of 323:
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Nov 22 06:41 UTC 2000 |
My Christopher Potter algorithm, while I still read the Ann Arbor News, was
more complex. If he panned a movie for being boring and overly talky, then
yes, go out and see it - it's probably an intelligent film. If he panned a
movie for begin stupid and obnoxious, then skip it, by all means - if it's
too stupid for CP, then I want nothing to do with it. Often if he liked a
film it would be because it had lots of movie-insider stuff that he could
catch and feel superior about - cameos, references to other films, etc. That
stuff never did much for me, so I deduct points from his rating if he starts
talking about that kind of stuff. Otherwise, if he likes a film it is
probably some perfectly adequate blockbuster kind of thing, worth seeing if
not necessarily worth getting high expectations about.
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senna
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response 252 of 323:
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Nov 22 07:01 UTC 2000 |
I generally side with Ebert's picks, as well. I can't watch him on
television, but I appreciate his written views. They seem to come from the
perspective of a man who isn't afraid to enjoy a movie just because it isn't
oscar-worthy.
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jerryr
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response 253 of 323:
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Nov 22 12:17 UTC 2000 |
i have been using christopher potter as a litmus test for years. if he pans
a movie i run out to see it. i have never been disappointed.
spinal tap is among my favorite movies. i loved the ruttles.
i saw "charlie's angels" the other day. goofy, silly, lame, but oh so
entertaining.
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tpryan
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response 254 of 323:
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Nov 22 17:04 UTC 2000 |
One of the things I would rate a movie on is the "movie-ness" of
it. That is, say Addam Sandler's 'Little Nicky'. It looks to be another
of the 5 minute Saturday Night Live skits extended to movie length. It
would probably also entertain you as well on the little screen as the
big screen. Now, something like 'Being John Mackovich' has a lot of
"Movie-ness", as it seems to be it's own unit. I don't know how to
put it into words well, but I seem to be able to spot a difference.
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brighn
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response 255 of 323:
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Nov 22 17:42 UTC 2000 |
#252> I have a similar algorithm for Susan Stark (Freep? News?): If it's
mindrot or a chick flick, go the opposite of what she says. If it's
intelligent, go with what she says. Some other nuances to it, but that's the
gist.
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mary
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response 256 of 323:
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Nov 23 05:04 UTC 2000 |
I miss Gene Siskel.
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scott
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response 257 of 323:
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Nov 26 23:44 UTC 2000 |
"Strange Brew". An obscure movie from 1983 starring the SCTV charaters "Bob
and Doug McKenzie". Probably an important influence on "Beavis and Butthead",
the plot features two dimwitted Canadian brothers who spend their time
drinking beer, eating donuts and back bacon, and in general acting like
quarrelsome 8 year olds. There's a "Hamlet" inspired plot involving a beer
brewery and a plot to take over the world via drugged beer at Octoberfest,
but it's mostly an excuse for more beer jokes.
Highly recommended.
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ric
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response 258 of 323:
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Nov 27 02:10 UTC 2000 |
That's a classic, and not at all obscure!
I watched two movies today, for lack of anything better to do...
"Being John Malkovich" - interesting, good, and very very bizarre. Once
again, I like *EVERYTHING* that John Cusack stars in.
"Rushmore" - mildly entertaining flick about a 15 year old kid attending
Rushmore Academy who befriends a steel tycoon and then they both fall in love
with a first grade teacher. The steel tycoon is Bill Murray. This isn't
really a comedy though. It's more of a light-hearted drama I guess. At any
rate, it was interesting enough so that I didn't feel like the time was
wasted, though I'm glad I didn't see it in the theater.
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edina
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response 259 of 323:
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Nov 27 16:55 UTC 2000 |
Saw "Meet the Parents" - I am now madly in love with Ben Stiller.
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jerryr
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response 260 of 323:
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Nov 27 18:06 UTC 2000 |
my favorite j. cusack flick is "the grifters" it's also my favorite annette
benning flick as well.
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ashke
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response 261 of 323:
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Nov 27 19:37 UTC 2000 |
my favorites are too many for him, but I would have to go with Say Anything.
However, if hard pressed, I'd go for Better off Dead or Grosse Pointe Blank
oh how I love him...
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ric
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response 262 of 323:
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Nov 28 00:59 UTC 2000 |
I think I've seen "Better Off Dead" more than any of them :)
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mcnally
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response 263 of 323:
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Nov 28 01:03 UTC 2000 |
Definitely a highly quotable classic.
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mooncat
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response 264 of 323:
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Nov 28 13:42 UTC 2000 |
He's definitely a darling. :)
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aruba
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response 265 of 323:
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Nov 28 15:25 UTC 2000 |
I miss Gene Siskel too. My favorite John Cusack movie is "The Sure Thing",
though I admit it seems pretty juvenile now that I'm 15 years older. :)
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ashke
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response 266 of 323:
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Nov 28 15:38 UTC 2000 |
Oh god, I LOVED that movie, with Daphnie Zuniga. I loved learning how to
shotgun beer (or in my case pop)... So many movies, so little John Cusack
to go around in real life!
I loved the Jackbull that his father wrote that he was in on HBO, I believe
it was. Excellent movie. And honest. A nice change.
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mooncat
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response 267 of 323:
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Nov 28 16:48 UTC 2000 |
I think I have that on tape somewhere... John also produced that one
(I think).
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gelinas
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response 268 of 323:
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Dec 9 04:15 UTC 2000 |
On movie reviewers: I cannot read C. Potter's comments. This evening's
"Fast Forward" column is a perfect example of the problem:
"Today and Saturday the State Street Area Assocation will
present a free screening of 1954's wide-screen 'White Christmas,'
It's a tuneful remake of 1942's 'Holiday Inn,'"
Now, if you've seen these movies, you know that the only thing they have
in common is Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas" in an inn.
I find his ignorance of his subject intolerable.
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remmers
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response 269 of 323:
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Dec 9 13:04 UTC 2000 |
(Maltin's Movie & Video Guide describes "White Christmas" as a
"partial reworking of 'Holiday Inn', not half as good.")
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gelinas
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response 270 of 323:
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Dec 10 04:43 UTC 2000 |
I don't see how "White Christmas" can be considered to have anything to do
with "Holiday Inn." See the movies and judge for yourself. I'll grant
that the song introduced in "Holiday Inn" 'inspired' the movie "White
Christmas", but that's about as far it goes.
On another note, "The Emperor's New Groove" is a pleasant diversion.
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gelinas
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response 271 of 323:
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Dec 10 05:47 UTC 2000 |
I also saw "102 Dalmatians" this evening. So that's Geraud Depardeau.
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ric
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response 272 of 323:
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Dec 10 20:39 UTC 2000 |
Watched two DVD's last night
Mission To Mars - yuck. This movie had a few marginal good points.. maybe
25% of the movie was worth watching. Most of it was crap though. Even Tim
Robbins and Gary Sinise couldn't save this story.
American Beauty - excellent movie. Definately not your typical "Oscar" fare..
I really didn't want him to die at the end. Mena Suvari looked really good
naked. :)
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richard
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response 273 of 323:
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Dec 11 03:52 UTC 2000 |
CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON-- This is the new movie from director Ang
Lee (director of The Ice Storm,among others) It is of all things, an
artsy kung fu movie. Its a blend of mysticism, fantasy and kung fu. Chow
Yung Fat plays an aging warrior who has decided to retire to a life of
contemplation and has bestowed his famous magical sword to his protege.
But the sword is stolen, amidst epic battles between him, the female
warrior (michelle yeoh) he loves but cannot marry, her young protege
(another female warrior who spurns her family because she loves a desert
outlaw), the outlaw himself, a villainess .etc It is all about honor,
tradition and the secrets of this sword. The fight scenes in this movie
are incredible, they blow away anything you saw in the Matrix. Plus it has
wonderful direction from director Ang Lee and a beautiful score by cellist
Yo Yo Ma. What more do you need. It is in Mandarin with english
subtitles, but don't let that stop you from seeing this, its really good
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other
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response 274 of 323:
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Dec 11 04:03 UTC 2000 |
I got email today about a promotional appearance Yo made at Costco.
Taking the elitism out of classical music. Love it. :)
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