Comments on: The Oscars (I Tell You What to Think) http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/ America's favorite blog Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:06:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.11 by: King Kong http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-15217 Sun, 02 Apr 2006 01:42:12 +0000 http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-15217 King Kong was an awesome film. If your love is for High Fantasy, Jungle folklore, sociocultural commentary, tart satirical thrust, or a tragic romance of lost souls, Peter Jacksons KING KONG is a whopper of a great tale. A telling narrative of desperate lives caught up in the desperate times of The Great Depression, this KING KONG showcases what desperation will drive one to do, and the price to be paid for such ventures. Those who thrilled to what Jackson, his co-writers, and his SFX team at WETA achieved in bring THE LORD OF THE RINGS to cinematic life will not be let down here. Those who swear by that classic RKO original starring Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong will have much reason to cheer. The basic innocence of that original has been enhanced by Jackson astutely depicting the corruptive period from which it sprang. The Depression -a cheery Al Jolson at the start of the film notwithstanding- was anything but a good time. Special notice must be paid to Jack Black (whose Carl Denham is less the film warrior of Robert Armstrong , and more the okeydoke peddler), Evan Parke (whose Hayes is a wary figure of tragic wisdom), Adrien Brody (whose Jack Driscoll is a brilliant commentary on the struggle of creative artists amidst commercial booshwah) and Naomi Watts (whose Ann Darrow does the renowned ingénue played by Fay Wray proud, while adding layers of wit and depth all her own) Too, Andy Serkis (who stunned us as Gollum in the RING trilogy) delivers a Chaplin-worthy tour de force of thespian body language as the Great Ape. Between the insightful pantomime of Serkis, and the equally inspired Broadway trouping of Watts, the story is centered not on lust misplaced, but haunted travelers striking a deep, ill-fated bond. Get the 2 disc special edition if you want a deeper look into the art of filmmaking. Whatever you choose, pick up this film, and enjoy its absorbing, enchanted tale. King Kong was an awesome film. If your love is for High Fantasy, Jungle folklore, sociocultural commentary, tart satirical thrust, or a tragic romance of lost souls, Peter Jacksons KING KONG is a whopper of a great tale. A telling narrative of desperate lives caught up in the desperate times of The Great Depression, this KING KONG showcases what desperation will drive one to do, and the price to be paid for such ventures. Those who thrilled to what Jackson, his co-writers, and his SFX team at WETA achieved in bring THE LORD OF THE RINGS to cinematic life will not be let down here. Those who swear by that classic RKO original starring Fay Wray and Robert Armstrong will have much reason to cheer. The basic innocence of that original has been enhanced by Jackson astutely depicting the corruptive period from which it sprang. The Depression -a cheery Al Jolson at the start of the film notwithstanding- was anything but a good time. Special notice must be paid to Jack Black (whose Carl Denham is less the film warrior of Robert Armstrong , and more the okeydoke peddler), Evan Parke (whose Hayes is a wary figure of tragic wisdom), Adrien Brody (whose Jack Driscoll is a brilliant commentary on the struggle of creative artists amidst commercial booshwah) and Naomi Watts (whose Ann Darrow does the renowned ingénue played by Fay Wray proud, while adding layers of wit and depth all her own) Too, Andy Serkis (who stunned us as Gollum in the RING trilogy) delivers a Chaplin-worthy tour de force of thespian body language as the Great Ape. Between the insightful pantomime of Serkis, and the equally inspired Broadway trouping of Watts, the story is centered not on lust misplaced, but haunted travelers striking a deep, ill-fated bond. Get the 2 disc special edition if you want a deeper look into the art of filmmaking. Whatever you choose, pick up this film, and enjoy its absorbing, enchanted tale.

]]> by: ginny http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14747 Mon, 13 Mar 2006 04:50:53 +0000 http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14747 Julia said this: <blockquote>The Crystal Theater in Carbondale, CO used to be perfect. I hope it still is - I haven’t been there in about 10 years, but the town prized it highly.</blockquote> Ah, the Crystal truly is perfect. david and I saw "Best In Show" there on a winter trip to Glenwood Springs, which was just down the road. Before they started, they were piping the local PUBLIC RADIO STATION (how's that for almost staying on topic in this here thread?) over the sound system, which at that moment was broadcasting the Carbondale town council meeting. It was unexpectedly funny, or at least the audience of locals seemed to think so. They have some great and/or funky restaurants there, too. Nice town, Carbondale. Julia said this:

The Crystal Theater in Carbondale, CO used to be perfect. I hope it still is - I haven’t been there in about 10 years, but the town prized it highly.

Ah, the Crystal truly is perfect. david and I saw “Best In Show” there on a winter trip to Glenwood Springs, which was just down the road. Before they started, they were piping the local PUBLIC RADIO STATION (how’s that for almost staying on topic in this here thread?) over the sound system, which at that moment was broadcasting the Carbondale town council meeting. It was unexpectedly funny, or at least the audience of locals seemed to think so.

They have some great and/or funky restaurants there, too. Nice town, Carbondale.

]]> by: LAmom http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14735 Sun, 12 Mar 2006 06:08:59 +0000 http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14735 When I saw <i>Crash</i>, I didn't think of it as a movie about racism. I saw it as a movie that used racism as a vehicle to talk about people and to make an entertaining movie. I really liked it. These were <a href="http://lamom.blogs.com/lamom/2005/05/crash.html" rel="nofollow">my thoughts</a> right after I saw it. I have read a lot of comments from people (rather young people, I assume) who talked about the movie being "a real eye-opener." If they actually learned something from it, that's good. Maybe it's the kind of film that's "great for the kids, but adults will enjoy it, too." When I saw Crash, I didn’t think of it as a movie about racism. I saw it as a movie that used racism as a vehicle to talk about people and to make an entertaining movie. I really liked it. These were my thoughts right after I saw it.

I have read a lot of comments from people (rather young people, I assume) who talked about the movie being “a real eye-opener.” If they actually learned something from it, that’s good. Maybe it’s the kind of film that’s “great for the kids, but adults will enjoy it, too.”

]]> by: Gray Lensman http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14720 Sat, 11 Mar 2006 03:22:23 +0000 http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14720 Clooney is great. I now have two movie stars I can admire. Newman is the other. Adults among children. Clooney is great. I now have two movie stars I can admire. Newman is the other. Adults among children.

]]> by: MB http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14701 Fri, 10 Mar 2006 04:40:51 +0000 http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14701 Hey Adam, Thanks for the link to the Arclight. Six years living here and I haven't been yet. Now I'm inspired. And, hey, coming soon...Salma Hayek! Hey Adam,
Thanks for the link to the Arclight. Six years living here and I haven’t been yet. Now I’m inspired. And, hey, coming soon…Salma Hayek!

]]> by: hedera http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14699 Fri, 10 Mar 2006 03:09:28 +0000 http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14699 I'm crushed - I just discovered that my favorite movie experience has been discontinued. Try this: full screen classic movies in a brilliantly restored (after the Loma Prieta earthquake) 30's art deco movie palace, with gilt plaster frescos of naked nymphs and flying horses. NO commercials. A cartoon and newsreel before. Trailers for films 40 years old. A "Wheel of Fortune" game with ticket numbers. A full bar on the mezzanine. And $6 a time! I saw Citizen Kane there, and King Kong (twice), and the Wizard of OZ. This was the Paramount Classic Movies series and it's "on hold" while they try to figure out how to make money. Hell, I'd pay $10 a time for that! I’m crushed - I just discovered that my favorite movie experience has been discontinued. Try this: full screen classic movies in a brilliantly restored (after the Loma Prieta earthquake) 30’s art deco movie palace, with gilt plaster frescos of naked nymphs and flying horses. NO commercials. A cartoon and newsreel before. Trailers for films 40 years old. A “Wheel of Fortune” game with ticket numbers. A full bar on the mezzanine. And $6 a time! I saw Citizen Kane there, and King Kong (twice), and the Wizard of OZ.

This was the Paramount Classic Movies series and it’s “on hold” while they try to figure out how to make money. Hell, I’d pay $10 a time for that!

]]> by: Irina http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14697 Fri, 10 Mar 2006 01:18:56 +0000 http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14697 I couldn't take it for more than 15 minutes. It was painful. It just didn't seem like Jon Stewart's type of humor translated well to the Oscars. Sad. Also pissed, because I had the idea to make a movie about gay cowboys for as long as... well, for as long as I knew what gay is, and what a cowboy is. I should've totally capitalized on that, but didn't. I couldn’t take it for more than 15 minutes. It was painful. It just didn’t seem like Jon Stewart’s type of humor translated well to the Oscars. Sad.

Also pissed, because I had the idea to make a movie about gay cowboys for as long as… well, for as long as I knew what gay is, and what a cowboy is. I should’ve totally capitalized on that, but didn’t.

]]> by: Pete IVDL http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14696 Thu, 09 Mar 2006 22:27:53 +0000 http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14696 Yeah,there's nothing quite like the modern movie "experience". We (She Who Must Be Obeyed) and I last went to a Gold Class (Hoyt's Hoity Toit Class) screening of the LOTR episodes. The plush recliner seats were broken (footrests, armrests, and/or headrests), the food was served half an hour latere than we'd requested, the food deliverer came out in the middle of the most complex part of the storyline, then hunched over right in front of me and in a stage whisper told me they had not had any kitchen deliveries that day, so would I care to come out and look at the menu? I received my "snack" 8 minutes before the end of the movie. The cost for two adults for this "Gold Class" experience? AUS$92.00. Undismayed, we recently treated ourselves to the local megaplex's "Directors Lounge" "Experience". Two bottles of cheap red wine ($28), unlimited self-serve popcorn (they had a great big bainmarie full of "hot" "buttered" "popcorn" (oops, I think I strained my left irony there, sorry), unlimited self-serve soft drink (one of those octopus tentacle things where all the drinks go through the same hose), and unlimited coffee and tea (an urn with foam cups and dishes of instant tea and coffee sachets, all stamped "Hoyt's"). Then, the exciting part, we walked past 16 giant machines, each automatically playing movies into the theatres and spooling the film onto metre-wide (3 foot) platens, with digital readouts and everything. You know, I don't remember the movie. Neither does Fran. I do remember going to see "Alien", and "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" and one or two others, where we rolled Jaffas down the aisles, smoked 'em if we had 'em, sitting on those flip-up seats, with at least three hundred people going "oooh" and "aaah" and laughing together and screaming together. I keep telling myself, it wasn't just a dream. Yeah,there’s nothing quite like the modern movie “experience”.

We (She Who Must Be Obeyed) and I last went to a Gold Class (Hoyt’s Hoity Toit Class) screening of the LOTR episodes. The plush recliner seats were broken (footrests, armrests, and/or headrests), the food was served half an hour latere than we’d requested, the food deliverer came out in the middle of the most complex part of the storyline, then hunched over right in front of me and in a stage whisper told me they had not had any kitchen deliveries that day, so would I care to come out and look at the menu? I received my “snack” 8 minutes before the end of the movie.
The cost for two adults for this “Gold Class” experience? AUS$92.00.
Undismayed, we recently treated ourselves to the local megaplex’s “Directors Lounge” “Experience”. Two bottles of cheap red wine ($28), unlimited self-serve popcorn (they had a great big bainmarie full of “hot” “buttered” “popcorn” (oops, I think I strained my left irony there, sorry), unlimited self-serve soft drink (one of those octopus tentacle things where all the drinks go through the same hose), and unlimited coffee and tea (an urn with foam cups and dishes of instant tea and coffee sachets, all stamped “Hoyt’s”). Then, the exciting part, we walked past 16 giant machines, each automatically playing movies into the theatres and spooling the film onto metre-wide (3 foot) platens, with digital readouts and everything.
You know, I don’t remember the movie. Neither does Fran.
I do remember going to see “Alien”, and “The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes” and one or two others, where we rolled Jaffas down the aisles, smoked ‘em if we had ‘em, sitting on those flip-up seats, with at least three hundred people going “oooh” and “aaah” and laughing together and screaming together. I keep telling myself, it wasn’t just a dream.

]]> by: dee http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14679 Wed, 08 Mar 2006 22:43:02 +0000 http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14679 I want to not go to the movies with Siobhan. I want to not go to the movies with Siobhan.

]]> by: Hot Tub Tommy http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14678 Wed, 08 Mar 2006 22:26:40 +0000 http://fanaticalapathy.com/2006/03/06/the-oscars-i-tell-you-what-to-think/#comment-14678 Stephen, the reason I won is pork, pure and simple. When the American people start writing and insist that I do what's right for the country instead of whining about what's right for them and their group, that may change the dynamic. I assure you, that hasn't happened yet and I don't see it happening in the future, either. I'm certainly not holding my breath. As long as I can bring home the roads, bridges, auditoriums, military contracts, and jobs, jobs, jobs, life will be sweet. As it turns out I didn't need the anti-Campbell ad after all, since you cheap ass som'bitches weren't feeling particularly benevolent and I came up short on money. I ain't mad at you, you lil' pissants; not much, anyway. Besides the election's in the not too distant future and you'll have a chance to come through for me then, when I really need it. Stephen, the reason I won is pork, pure and simple. When the American people start writing and insist that I do what’s right for the country instead of whining about what’s right for them and their group, that may change the dynamic. I assure you, that hasn’t happened yet and I don’t see it happening in the future, either. I’m certainly not holding my breath. As long as I can bring home the roads, bridges, auditoriums, military contracts, and jobs, jobs, jobs, life will be sweet.

As it turns out I didn’t need the anti-Campbell ad after all, since you cheap ass som’bitches weren’t feeling particularly benevolent and I came up short on money. I ain’t mad at you, you lil’ pissants; not much, anyway. Besides the election’s in the not too distant future and you’ll have a chance to come through for me then, when I really need it.

]]>