BS: movies you're supposed to like

Subject: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Sam L
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 03:04 AM

I hope and trust my own inadequacies of opinion don't bias the thread. What are you supposed to like, but dear lord it doesn't work. Be honest.

   Saw Gangs of New York a minute ago. What was that thing? Why was it lord of the rings for the first 20 minutes? Who was that vampire lestat edward scissorhands thing? And, like Jesus the pervert bowler in big lebowski, why didn't we see more of it? What was this movie? Scorcese has done some big things, and also, cape fear. The guy misses. Good for him, that shows he's real--but what was this frigging thing supposed to be, aside from the obvious?

   I saw The Hours last week. Perfect title. And I love Glass music. But you know, a sillouette of a person filled in with headlight-blinding depression doesn't automatically run deep for me. Sure, I love depression. Death has been as sexy for me as for anyone who is still alive, I'll stand anyone on that. I'm gleefully poisoning myself right now. But while I'm still alive I'd just as soon while away my excruciating time actually getting to know real breathing human beings, instead of looking at cartoons of trumped-up existential depth. I prefer Doonesbury to Bloomsbury, I'm afraid. I'm not afraid of Virginia Wolfe, I just don't give a rat's ass fried in butter, with a dash of lemon basil.

   It's kind of like Traffic. The Benicio Del Torro mexican cop was the only person I cared about in the least, the rest could be abruptly shot in the face, anytime. So what? Except also the kids--sure, you have to care, and you do care: it doesn't count. And I hate baseball, I've had to sit through more baseball than should be legal to subject a moderately innocent child to, but still, his trust that evrybody likes basebal. That was still berry berry good to me.

   I tried again to get with Bladerunner. What? Help! What is this supposed to mean to me? The fake person you love turns out to be real enough for all practical intents and purposes, and Sean Young is cute enough, cute as anybody needs to be--as I typically say of the vast majority of women anyway--and what? It's supposed to take me all that long to get it? Like Henry James's Beast In The Jungle (originally published in the literary magazine DUH!). Why on earth does this silly-ass movie matter to all the intelligent people who seem to like it?

   And a good counterpoint would be junk you like. I thought Broadcast News was much much better than a neat romantic comedy. John Updike didn't like it, because he's a doofus, but he thought Overboard with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell was surprisingly good. And it was.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 05:02 AM

The Shining. I thought that was a really poor story.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 06:04 AM

I didn't know there were any movies you were "supposed to like". Who does the supposing?

The value of reviews is that you identify particular reviewers, and calibrate them with your own tastes. Then you know, for example, that if so-and-so loved a movie, you'd probably hate it, and vice-versa.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Peter T.
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 10:29 AM

Virginia Woolf. I thought The Hours was fine -- better than the book. The music was intrusive and thoughtless.

Most movies I am supposed to like I don't, but I am often surprised at how good the educated public taste can be. Nevertheless, to answer McGrath's question, I think there are movies that are designed so that you are supposed to think they are good, arty, or whatever. Those are the ones to watch out for.

A current example of this is "WhaleRider", which has everything: whales, girl striving for recognition, mysticism, exotic Maori dancers, compelling story line -- but everything about it seems fake. It won all kinds of audience awards, standing ovations, etc. but it seems to me to be manipulative in very obvious ways.

There are films you are not supposed to like, and which are clearly obvious trash, but grab you. Terminator 2, which is full of hideous things that on an ordinary day I would flee from, car crashes, stupid violence, etc., is an amazing film. Sometimes there is a very fine line, hard to make out. "Sleepless in Seattle" is complete trash, but works perfectly; a very similar film, "You've Got Mail" which even has the same people in it, and made a ton of money, is dreary. Everyone in it is unlikeable.

There are some films that even with their manipulative obviousness still work. Dances With Wolves is a good example. It is a complete fantasy, ridiculously manipulative, but it is a wonderful film.

Who knows? The gods of cinema are fickle.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 10:37 AM

Almost all movies about Vietnam, from "The Green Berets" through "Apocalypse Now" and beyond and including "Born on the 4th of July." I exclude "Hamburger Hill" (try watching it immediately after "Porkchop Hill" sometime!).

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 10:51 AM

I thought "Analyze That" was amazingly funny but should have turned out junk.

And "About Schmidt"-- Nicholson actually ACTING, like when he was a younger actor and not the self-caracature he's usually hired to deliver these days.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Sam L
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 11:41 AM

Well there's the Woody Allen line Have you seen Ghandi? No but I love it!

   And there is a formulation one sees often in some arty movies. There's a group of straightlaced repressed people. They're afraid to live. Into this comes a wildcard character, stirs things up. Sets someone free. I don't always object to formula per se, but of itself, without some fresh observation, it won't always grab me. Sometimes a few key scenes just seem actually wrong, and it loses you.

   I don't know about Dances With Wolves Peter. I agree with all the reasons you say it shouldn't work, but it frustrated me. Black Robe makes a good antidote to my problems with it.

   I liked Adaptation in many respects, it was audacious and conveyed a lot of truth about creative striving, but somehow its clever telling lacked the feel of resolution.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Peter T.
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 12:48 PM

Oh don't mind me, I am just a sucker for beautiful white adopted Sioux women who just happen to have lost their husband 3 minutes ago, and now need to relearn their English, overcome their kidnap trauma, and connect with the only sensitive white man for 1000 miles in any direction. Just a thing I have.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 02:14 PM

Watership Down. Ten minutes into it I was ready to go run over a bunny. Don't know why. It just irritated the hell out of me.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 05:48 PM

I interpret "supposed" here as meaning that liking certain films is supposed to be part of a particular desirable lifestyle.

I got the impression Watership Down was a film you were "supposed" not to like. I loved it.

But then the music I love isn't the sort that people are supposed to like in 2003.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: LadyJean
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 05:54 PM

I suppose the problem is the movie critics. They give raves to films like "The Piano", which I thought rather pointless.
Now here's a question for you. If Katherine Hepburn were a young actress today, would she be making movies. Hollywood seems to be allergic to strong, intelligent women. We've gone from "Adams Rib" to "Legally Blonde 2"!

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: RangerSteve
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 07:47 PM

Almost every film I've ever seen that was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival has been a disappointment. They strike me as pointless, plotless and boring. I'm varied in my tastes: Harvey, True Lies, Amalie, The Music Man, Spiderman, My Fair Lady, Terminator I and II, Waking Ned Devine, Total Recall, Misery, Being John Malkovich - all great movies, but if it doesn't sing, wiggle or explode, I ain't watching it. And Sundance FF movies don't do either, they just lie there.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: mack/misophist
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 09:51 PM

The explanation for all this is that movies are a natrually flawed art form, when they aspire to art at all. Books are where it's at. How can an outside image be any better thaqn the movie in your head?

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: DonMeixner
Date: 04 Jul 03 - 11:59 PM

I'm the wrong person to let into this discussion. I can suspend disbelief so easily and I am entertained fairly easily. With the exception of "Tess" which I thought was the longest Technicolor yawn I ever sat and slept through.


But then I liked WaterWorld and The Postman so what do I know.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: McMusic
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 12:19 AM

Chariots Of fire. The hoopla! The awards! The ads! The soundtrack! The snooze! Long and boring.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: McMusic
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 12:20 AM

P.S. Actually found the Postman better than it was given credit for.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Sam L
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 12:38 AM

Well all I mean by it McGrath is that people with whom one shares many other affinities of taste and interests are always recommending this movie and that. You begin to feel you are missing something.
   
People I know have been recommending Bladerunner to me for maybe twenty years. But the only science fiction I've ever really liked was Journey To the Center of the Earth, and later, Italo Calvino's Cosmicomics.

I'm trying to remember what sang, wiggled, or 'sploded in Being John Malkovitch. Maybe one's expectations of a plausible story exploded in fun. But I take the gist. A lot of sundance picks seem ponderous to me too.

   Not all critics liked the piano. I remember one that said it was the silliest movie about a woman and a piano he'd ever seen, and he proceeded to list several. There was also a prophetic oscar prediction based on the odd fact that every woman ever nominated for a non-speaking role had won. Hm.

   Don't mind me either Peter, I have the same thing, but Stands With A Fist just wasn't quite the kidnap-traumatized adopted and recently widowed beautiful Sioux woman I was looking for. She projects something cold and a little smug, somehow. Maybe I should write a personals ad, see how many fish in the sea fall into that general category. I enjoy romantic evenings dancing around a cozy fire, long walks, things like that.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: GUEST,pdc
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 12:48 AM

Misophist said:

"The explanation for all this is that movies are a naturally flawed art form, when they aspire to art at all. Books are where it's at. How can an outside image be any better thaqn the movie in your head?"

I agree wholeheartedly -- with one exception. I once spent two wonderful days re-reading Edith Wharton's Age of Innocence, then rented the film the evening of the second day. It's one of the few films that actually was faithful to the book, depicted the story magnificently, and even enhanced it with stunning visuals and great cinematography. The secret may have been that they used a voiceover (Joanne Woodward) with Wharton's actual words taken from the book. I wish they could make more films of that calibre from good books.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Mudlark
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 02:40 AM

I was disappointed by A Mighty Wind and long ago quit even trying out blockbusters like The Titanic. Movies that I feel I shouldn't like but do: all Bruce Willis action films (I hate action films), Waterworld (and it was looong, too!) The Three Amigos (I was the only one in the theater laughing uncontrollably) and one of my alltime favorites, Tapeheads.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Angiemac
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 04:45 AM

Hello everyone, I enjoyed reading all of the comments, they were far more entertaining that some films I've been subjected to, however for some reason I can usually find some merit in every film I watch( even if it is the scenery). As a genre, I don't enjoy watching films with animals being accredited with human personalities and therefore being trained, persuaded or beaten to behave so.On the whole there's not much I wouldn't watch and the only films I can say were ( in my opinion) guff would be Gone with the wind and Eraserhead. The latter actually made me feel like blowing chunks.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 06:54 AM

I love films as an art form, and am rarely disappointed by a film I see, because I rarely go along to see a film that other people want to pressure me into seeing (because they want to see it), and because I don't view films as mere entertainment. For me, a good film is as satisfying as a good book, a good album, a good sculpture, etc.

That said, I don't often go to commercial Hollywood films. I enjoy a lot of foreign films, and American independent films. I'm not usually looking to be entertained by most films, though I do sometimes go to commercial Hollywood films for that purpose in summer, to escape the heat. But movie popcorn sucks so bad in the cineplexes now, you can't even say the popcorn was better than the film anymore.

I thought 'Being John Malkovich' was exceedingly tedious. Ditto for 'The Piano' only with the latter, I would add that it was dire as well.

I agree with PeterT about 'Dances With Wolves'. I attribute it to an enjoyable couple of hours with the beautiful Black Hills scenery, and the Lakota and other native actors in the film. The cinematography in that film was, IMO, stunning. The film was only about an hour too long, which is something I often say about 90 to 120 minute Hollywood releases.

I find the action movie genre not only boring and about as stupid as anything I've ever encountered in the world of 'entertainment'. I also find them to be a pathetic commentary on how our society continues to be addicted to and dominated by male violence and machismo.

I see most films now on DVD at home, because it is easier to see the types of films I most enjoy. One Hollywood commerical film I recently saw on television again was 'Moonstruck'. It was a nice ensemble romantic comedy. Very entertaining, except for Nick Cage, who I thought over acted badly.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Mooh
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 07:25 AM

Don't know about "supposed to"...but I don't watch movies repeatedly, with very few exceptions, those being Rob Roy, Last of the Mohicans, and various Robin Hood tales (I'm a sucker for the story). Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong century.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 08:08 AM

But watching films at home on a small screen - they're all small compared to a cinema - just isn't the same. It's a bit like like listening to music over the telephone.

Agreed that virtually all films that get generally released tend to be rubbish. And the art films that get the most kudos often tend to be rubbish as well. Very sad.

In between those two categories there are still a lot of great films being made, if you can ever get to see them. And an amazing back catalogue, which aren't of course normally available to us to see in cinemas.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 09:03 AM

Digital technology and large screens make for an amazingly satisfying film experience. Not as satisfying as the big screen, but much more satisfying than any other technology substitutes (ie tv reruns with commercials, or videocassettes with regular tv). And once you've invested in the technology, the cost of renting the DVD (which can be watched by a lot of people at once) versus the cost of a night out at the cinema, is pretty considerable over time, when you love films and watch them a lot.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Peter T.
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 09:05 AM

Another thing missing these days is that almost nobody ever sees a really beautiful black and white movie in a movie theatre. The last one that had a major release was Manhattan (a very, very, beautiful movie). It is a pity: the light in a fine black and white film is like nothing else. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 02:20 PM

And once you've invested in the technology...

But that's quite a lot of investment. What I wish was that there were places where you could go along with your own DVD and watch with a couple of friends on really good systems for a reasonable fee.

Though I imagine that'd probably run up against the kind of legal problems that get in the way of us using the techology we've got imaginatively.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 02:39 PM

Upon immature reflection, I think that films (and anything else) that is self-consciously "Art" fall flat. I can see enough ennui by looking around, thanks, and if you're lost in the mean neighborhoods of the uncaring big city why not go somewhere else?

But then again, the last time I went out to a movie it was to see Harry Potter 2.

I would like to see "Gods and Generals" though -- when does it come out on tape or DVD?

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Peter T.
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 03:03 PM

"Gods and Generals" got the worst reviews of any movie I didn't see this year -- which is saying a lot! You sure? One reviewer said that the movie was so bad it was likely to end Civil War re-enactments all by itself.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: GUEST,pdc
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 03:08 PM

Every now and then you get a story or a book that just begs to be made into a movie, and which is as good as the original story -- in particular I thought The Shawshank Redemption was well done.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 04:14 PM

"Art" should imply that the person who makes it is doing the versy best they can to get across some truth about the world, or share some way of appreciating it. It's what any kind of creative or performing artist is trying to do.

For some reason it's got tied in with an obsession about novelty and originality and impressing some kind of elite. And those are things that have nothing to do with it at all really.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Sam L
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 07:43 PM

I don't favor political movies or art with a point, but there's something to be said for the idea that beauty is a by-product of other activity. Sometimes having a point seems to distract people from being self-importantly arty. But then, sometimes not.

   Peter T I forgot that Manhattan was in black and white. Woody Allen movies blurr together for me--wasn't that the one that the Hemingway girl (they blurr together also, Muriel?) was so good in? And Wallace Shawn played Diane Keaton's devastating, ex, Jeremy? Been awhile.

   
   I don't think I've ever managed to convince anyone to see The Stone Boy, an unexpectedly good movie that nobody ever liked. It doesn't sound good, so I won't try.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 05 Jul 03 - 08:55 PM

THELMA AND LOUISE!!!

I had heard this was a movie about two strong, sassy, smart, daring women. I thought they were just about two of the stupidest bitches I ever did see.

And most of you already know how I feel about The Piano.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 12:02 AM

Peter T., I didn't read any reviews of "Gods and Generals" but I did read the book. All I really know about it is that the movie is supposed to be really long and that there is an intermission. Besides, I really do prefer to make up my own mind, not simply accept what a reviewer says.

Back in 1991 or so I was on a committee to decide what were the "Notable Books" of the year. There was one book I thoroughly enjoyed and thought it was outstanding -- and I gave it the only vote it got; I got the "you don't know squat about good books" look from other members of the committee. No, I'm not going to mention titles or organizations, but all but one of the books they finally listed as "Notable" I found "arty".

I don't object at all to good art, or even poor art done honestly. I object to ANY art form that takes itself sooooooooooooo seriously that it no longer has internal structure and discipline or a sense of fun.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 01:28 AM

I agree with Peter T. about "Dances With Wolves" and "Terminator II"...both tremendously effective movies, despite objections one might have to the basic premises of one or the other of them.

Interestingly enough, I almost always like Arnold Schwarzenneger films, even though I don't like other action films of the same general type. Why? Because I like him for whatever reason. Same deal goes for Clint Eastwood, most of the time.

One's affection for a particular actor/actress can completely override the subject matter of the film itself...and that is why Hollywood places such value on stars, naturally. It works for me with Arnold, Clint, and Winona Ryder (although I will still not put up with Adam Sandler in order to see Winona).

I liked Watership Down too, by the way. It was quite faithful to the book, and I loved the book, so there you go.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 10:11 AM

A couple of women I know went along to Thelma and Louise. "How did you like it?" "Fell asleep through most of it."

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Peter T.
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 10:20 AM

Yes, Manhattan was with Mariel Hemingway. The Wallace Shawn character (the humunculus) was from Annie Hall.

I thought "Thelma and Louise" was a very manipulative film, completely implausible. I was completely appalled that something so violent and crummy was taken up as some kind of feminist statement, essentially girls being as miserable as boys, blowing things up on the open road. This is progress?
   
The person I have never been able to figure out why people like is Michael Douglas. He seems to me to have no talent, overexerts himself to no point, and is like some stuffed doll. Like an anglo saxon Ricardo Montalban (I prefer Ricardo Montalban). I have never seen him do anything remotely interesting in a film (he practically ruined Basic Instinct just by being in it).

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Ely
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 10:57 AM

"Gods and Generals" was annoying and sappy--if you want a Civil War movie, go rent "Glory" and be done with it.

I hated "American Beauty"--how was that Oscar material? I know Americans are famous for their soulless materialism but are we really supposed to believe that this exaggerated example represents us?

I didn't see the point of "the Piano", either. I mostly watched it for the costumes (I'll watch nearly anything for the costumes). I attempted to watch "Gangs of New York" last night, for Daniel Day-Lewis's sake, but I hate Leonardo Di Caprio and Cameron Diaz and lost interest after about 10 minutes. I got bored during "Dances With Wolves", too. It doesn't take much action to entertain me and I STILL thought it was dull. Kevin Costner always gives me the impression that he's playing himself and the rest of the movie must conform to him.

My mother made me watch that Disney movie about mustangs ("Spirit"?). I'm WAY too old for Disney. I love horses and can't stand to see them drawn so poorly. They destroyed a locomotive (I love trains, too).

And I don't like "Clockwork Orange".

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Peter T.
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 11:54 AM

Has anyone here ever seen a good movie about South Africa? Every one of the films I have seen ("Biko", etc.) has been full of "nobility" and "suffering" and you can hardly wait to get out of the theatre. I would love to see one about the long troubles there that was on the same level as J.M. Coetzee's Disgrace or most of Nadine Gordimer. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 12:16 PM

It's a long time since I saw the 1951 film "Cry the Beloved Country", but I seem to remember it was pretty good. There's a more recent cversion from 1995 which I've never seen.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: SINSULL
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 01:30 PM

Master Harold and The Boys, a Broadway play, was made into a movie about South Africa. Not great but worth seeing.

The Jewel In The Crown was a brilliant movie makeover of the trilogy. Read the books and saw the series at the same time trying to stay one chapter ahead. Not theatre but TV.

I loved "The Piano" and also loved "The Apostle". Robert Duvall can do no wrong. But I have never been able to see a Godfather movie from beginning to end. And I fell asleep during Batman. But I also fell asleep during Phantom when it played on Broadway. Trainspotting disgusted me; I just don't get the humor in neglected babies and shooting dogs in the butt.

I prefer to go to the movies alone so that I can get up and leave if I am bored. Sorry for the babble.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 01:58 PM

... "the Piano", either. I mostly watched it for the costumes"

Of course there was that bit without the costume as well...

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Mooh
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 05:03 PM

One film I think is magnificent is Black Robe. Anyone I know who has seen it finds it depressing, but I appreciate seeing a representation of some semblance of failure on the part of white culture in the attempt to dominate the indiginous peoples of North America. Hollywood has ruined this history for many people. Again, one of the few I'll watch again.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: artbrooks
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 06:38 PM

I don't know about "supposed to like," but I saw "Bend It Like Beckham" this afternoon, and thought it was excellent.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Sam L
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 07:38 PM

Mooh, me too. I mentioned Black Robe as an antidote to Dances with Wolves. Another thing it describes nicely is how hard it is for people to understand each other. The story takes the people and their differences more seriously.

   I thought the Piano was very good cinematography, loved Anna Paquin and still do. She's also very good in Fly Away Home. The Piano story let me down, but it's always nice to see Holly Hunter naked; good acting is sexy, and she can act.

I'd read a striking review of American Beauty and felt let down by the movie, maybe as a result. I imagined a really unusually good movie. The scene where the daughter stands so her boyfriend can grok a look at her dead father--that's incorrect, wrong, it just didn't happen. That among a few other things. And I wonder what writer really thinks he or she can speak with such casually smug omnicience.

Robert Duvall can do very little wrong. But I didn't get Network. Duvall is also the father in the Stone Boy. And he incredibly never hit a wrong note in Tomorrow, a difficult part.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 07:45 PM

The original Star Wars triology. I haven't even bothered to view the latest efforts.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Jul 03 - 12:40 AM

The latest efforts are barely worth viewing. The orginal trilogy was pretty darned good, mainly because it WAS so original. People should know when to quit, when it comes to a good idea, but tell that to the movie industry or Tim Horton's or WalMart or any other profit-oriented monstrosity of that sort.

Black Robe is a very good film, but I still love Dances With Wolves. It is Kevin Kostner's unequaled moment of glory in a career that has seen some pretty poor movies (and a few quite good ones).

I really liked "Heaven And Earth", a Vietnam movie with some real Vietnamese roles in it (which is very rare...usually they're all just about Americans (the only real people in the eyes of Hollywood), and the "gooks" are just there to get shot at, etc...). That's what Indians were for too, in most of the westerns ever made.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Jul 03 - 01:58 AM

Peter, we just watched a new one in Africa, made for tv, called Sleeping Dictionary with Jessica Alba in a much different, more mature role than she had in her tv series Dark Angel. While it was simplistic in its resolution, it was still a good representation of younger generation Englishman going there and rejecting the racism of his elders, It was esp. interesting to see Alba acting such a different part, plus she is so very beautiful.:-)

PBS ran one years ago, with Haley Mills, called Flame Trees of Thika which I thought was good; based on the book by Elspeth Huxley.

BUT, the BEST I've seen about Africa and filmed entirely in Africa was on PBS's "Mystery" and was called Heat of the Sun.

I haven't liked any of the recent ones with Tom Hanks in them which is supposed to be an automatic "must-see." I used to really, really enjoy his films, but not since Forrest Gump. Since then, they are either about a subject matter which doesn't interest me and/or boring. The only one I actually thought I'd try was the one with him on a deserted island. Stupidest, most monotonous, boring thing I've ever fallen alseep during.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Peter T.
Date: 07 Jul 03 - 08:44 AM

The first two Star Wars movies were great -- the third was a disaster. Wookies, I mean really. Shining dead people!

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Jul 03 - 09:16 AM

I've seen "Glory" and thought it outstanding. I also thought that "Gettysburg" was quite good.

I wasn't able to sit through "Braveheart" or "Bruce," though. Unable to willingly suspend disbelief, I guess.

As for humor, I like "Blazing Saddles" and "Robin Hood: Men In Tights" for their satire. I might just have low tastes in comedy, however. "Young Frankenstein" has its moments as well.

Subject: RE: BS: movies you're supposed to like
From: Sam L
Date: 07 Jul 03 - 09:30 AM

Aw. I thought Castaway was all right, even though Helen Hunt creeps me out. My ideal movie to not see would star Michael Douglas and Helen Hunt in a Merchant-Ivory production of a book by E.M. Forster, or any story about English real-estate. But to be fair, Douglas makes a convincing asshole, and I'd still probably see it if Helena Bonham Carter appeared in period non-costume.

   I wish Fight Club had developed her character. The beginning with the support-group voteurism was interesting and funny, but the whole doppleganger thing left me wondering what I had found so interesting. I think they may have exaggerated the theraputic effects of violence, a wee bit. Batman got dragged down by a trumped-up identity issue also. He's Bruce Wayne AND Batman, that's the deal, get over it.

    I remember watching Castaway with my wife and saying If he gets back and she isn't married, I'm turning it off. She was, but then I made my wife sign an agreement that if I'm ever stranded on an island for four years with a volleyball, on my return, re-married or not, I get a little more than a hug.

   I can't say I didn't enjoy Dances With Wolves a bit, but there was all that silly stuff that cheapened it--Costner's character had no family or history--it was kind of like a young-adult time-travel fantasy. Not that there's anything wrong with that, as that, but it had some pretentions and weak moments--the humour especially was pretty tired stuff.