Have you guys seen this?
POSTED BY: gypsylife
UPDATED: Thursday, February 2, 2006 03:57
VIEWED: 31074
PAGE 6 of 14
Psolaris:
I dunno why Mr. Filthy is anti-SciFi. But, if you read him long enough, you might come to this kind of conclusion. At least I did...
He is into intellectual arthouse films. Go take a long look at the ones he gives "5 fingers" to.
He gave 5 fingers to "Magnolia".
I like flicks about the human condition but "Magnolia"? C'mon already. Original and unique-ish, yes. Tom Cruise can act, he did a superb job as always, BUT the plot is phoney and the story wraps up with a ridiculous gimmick.
It got him a gig with Spielberg though. Cruise is living in "ass-shmooziland", where Caviar is the tunafish for the impoverished. Him and Spielberg are in a universe of their own, out of touch with reality.
It's coming... "Casablanca ~ the remake" starring Cruise, directed by Spielberg. In color. Why not? They bored and whored us with the disgusting remake of the Welles'ian classic, "War of the Worlds" (what a fuckin disaster that was). God I hate Berg and Cruise. Spare all of us the further misery and retire already.
Sorry... I digress... back to Mr. Filthy and his hatred of scifi...
Mr. Filthy needs a dose of his own medicinal criticism. I personally think he should dabble into foreign cinema. He gave a 5 to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". Sorry... I loved the movie too. BUT, the fight scenes weren't all that, the plot was run-of-the-mill. I grew up on badly lip-synch'd "Kung Fu Theatre" and it's nothing new to me.
If he wants to see to absolutely worldshattering superbrilliant piece of arthouse cinema, he should go rent "Amelie". I hate those filthy backstabbing french, but damn if I don't love french women and that stinking movie. Unbelievably brilliant piece of storytelling.
Damn you france!
Anynow, he's anti-SciFi. Some people will always harbor a personal prejudice against scifi. It's alien to them.
Kinda like me and cartoons. You have said you love "Family Guy". Oddly enough, so do I. I wasn't always that way though.
I used to hate cartoons... in fact I've only probably ever seen 3-4 episodes of the Simpsons since I was age 10 (I'm 34 atm). Other than that, some Japanimation ("Animes") and "Heavy Metal". And the Obligatory "Disney" cartoons (pre-1995).
I hated cartoons and didn't want to see them. I was forced to watch "Family Guy" by some friends who would never let up and insisted endlessly. When I finally saw it (the 1st season), it was the funniest shit I'd seen since I was a kid.
When Stewie spoke in the first ep, I laughed so hard I nearly died from gagging (was drinking brewage). I grew up on shows like "All In the Family (Archie Bunker)", "Welcome Back Kotter", "Good Times", and the other 'Norman Lear-ish' type stuff. It's all off limits nowadays in our perfect universe (2 cheers for political correctness).
Serve me up another helping of the Cosby Show. Please gimme more Cop, Doctor, and Lawyer shows. I can never get enough of it. Or gimme some REAL life. Gimme some reality shows. Please. Lemme turn on the 24-hour a day reality channel called MTV (of course, when people know they are being filmed live, this is how they TRULY act).
Art imitates life, or life imitates art, or imitation imitates imitators (and we call it art), etc etc.
XG
No such thing as gravity. The "Earth-that-was" just sucks.
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XG, my friend, you should start your own site with your own blogs (if you haven't already that is). You have a very thought provoking way about you, and to tell you the truth I enjoy reading your posts...even if I don't fully agree with your point of view at times. I have often found it hard to find people in the world that will still respect what I have to say, and listen, even if they don't agree with me. Most of the time folk will get angry if you don't agree with their point of view and they will try and "convert" you to their way of thinking. I find that I become wiser in my travels in life when I listen and respect people thoroughly, learn from their experiences, and think outside my box by hearing a different point of view.
I too grew up with the lip-synched Kung Fu. I loved all of those old movies. Surprises a lot of people when they find out how much I love it. I suppose I don't "look" the type (whatever that type is supposed to "look" like). But tis the truth...I enjoy old Kung Fu! And I'm proud of it!
I have heard of Amelie, but I don't know what the story is about, nor who is in it. The title sounds familiar however. I think now I'm gonna go on the search for it at my local video store and see if they've got it. Can't wait to see it.
Psolaris
"Ten percent of nuthin' is...let me do the math here...nuthin' into nuthin'...carry the nuthin'"
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I don't know if I'm supposed to be complimented by that "blog" shit, but no, I don't write a blog. Nor would I ever. Frankly, that feels like a limp lefthand slap to the face. Not feeling very complimented.
I didn't even know what a blog was up until recently. New catchphrase of the year for people who talk for the sake of hearing themselves talk. They babble on endlessly in a thread where nobody can respond.
In the old and ancient days of yore, we had a name for people like that. We called them authors. And their "blog", we called them books.
Thanks be to the beard of Zeus, such absurd days are behind us. It will save me the trouble of having to don my shield and armor, mount my unicorn, and teleport around all 5 dimensions of the universe killing cyborg aliens with my raygun. These blog-Borgs must be stopped!
btw... I can't explain Amelie. It is a movie that is too artsy to be explained. You just have to see it. It's in my absolute top 10 films ever, along with star wars, raiders of the lost ark, conan the barbarian, excalibur, ishtar... wait a minute! WTF?
XG
No such thing as gravity. The "Earth-that-was" just sucks.
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See...that's what I'm talking about. Your writing is unique! I did mean that as a compliment. I just happen to think you're a talented writer. Apologies if the blog thing didn't come across in a good way. I did mean it in a good way. 
Psolaris
"Ten percent of nuthin' is...let me do the math here...nuthin' into nuthin'...carry the nuthin'"
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Hey there Psolaris, you should definitely check out Amelie! but please watch the subtitled version, you lose the ambience when its dubbed. Its shows France through rose-tinted glasses (surprising amount of computer giggery-pokery used to get rid of graffiti etc). Its what the French do best, quirky characters and locations, if you've seen and enjoyed 'Delicatessen' then you know what I mean. But as usual as much as I love it, some people hate it …. Its the way of the world.
I am totally with you on the ‘respect’ thing, I hate it when people aren't passionate about film and I love debating as long as the other person isn’t totally dismissive of my views.
I love a huge range of genre, so much that I confuse myself sometimes, the only one I tend not to gel well with is Westerns, which is why I was a bit put off by the theme tune of Firefly (I felt there was less emphasis in the film) but all my fears were quashed as soon as I started watching. I am currently half way through the series, myself and my mate had a marathon before Christmas and I promised I wouldn't watch anymore until he came to stay again, man ... its hard not to, the DVD's are calling to me, but I must be strong. I saw the film first, I am just wondering if River actually kicks any ass like she does in the film (that was a rhetorical question so don’t tell me).
With the outcome of the film (having now attached myself to the characters I can't believe that JW did that), I have unfortunately resigned myself to the fact that the series won’t continue, I have mixed feelings with each episode I watch, I dread the last one, but then how can it ever be the same. Should it stay as one of those shortlived TV gems (My So Called Life springs to mind) . I know that resurrection is one of JW’s favourite problem solvers but it could be pushing it slightly …… but hey if Dallas can pull off the Bobby shower scene .... sort of?
another great short lived series was The Critic (cartoon) check it out if you can.p.s
galaxy-ripple
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Psolaris:
No offense taken. I'm fakishly flattered in a very unrealistic sort of way. You were more fun when you were in a fighting mood.
As to what Mr. Galaxyripple says (not to be confused with the very 1/2 ass plot gimmick Mr. Universe from Serenity)...
Ya. Watch the subtitled version of "Amelie". I had no clue they made a dubbed version, but once you see the movie you'll see the narrator of "Amelie" makes the film. It's a fookin asslicking act of worthlessness to profit that they would dubb that film. Blasphemy to the last.
Doesn't surprise me. That moneyhungry whore Ted Turner wanted to colorize the B&W portion of "The Wizard Of Oz". Why not whore art? Think of the money we can make!
Of course... Whedon couldn't make the crew of Xerenity attack a military base and "spread" the signal. Just had to be Mr. Universe. Oh "Mister Universe" You sexy hacker bastard you. We saw your marriage and we saw your funeral in the film, and we knew you were sacred. Whedon has to kiss lots of ass to advance himself. In an age of absolute military domination, there is always one supergenius guy who owns his own planet, moon, or whatever. Mal just happened to know him, being the renegade Josey Wales of the defeated forces.
I wish Josey Wales had known a "Bill Gates" back in his day. Oh how infinitely more heroic he could have been. Thank god westerns are done and over with.
Sorry, parts of Serenity felt like a throwback to the gimmicky crap that he used in BtVS. Oh what a tribute to great filmmaking that body of work is. More than anything... the comraderie of the crew was lost in the lack of dialogue. Ya I love the story, BUT, this film was a kiss-ass goodbye letter to fans who had hoped he would fight to bring it back. I guess he learned nothing from Lucas.
I could smell the end from the lack of dialogue. So did everyone else, it's just a matter of time till they admit it.
Whedon graduated to bigtime filmmaker. I say there won't be no more "Firefly" but I'm just a troll, what do I know?
XG
No such thing as gravity. The "Earth-that-was" just sucks.
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Quote:
Originally posted by XeroGravity:
Psolaris:
No offense taken. I'm fakishly flattered in a very unrealistic sort of way. You were more fun when you were in a fighting mood.
I'm up for that challenge. I must confess however that words do not come as fluid to me as they do to you, and by God I wish they did. I do love picking that brain of yours. You're a challenge, and I enjoy a good one. There are times where I am not sure you're being serious or if you're words are dripping with irony, but either way, I love trying to figure it out. I will certainly do my best to oblige, and I hope I don't let ya down.
I did not watched BtVS when it was on. I'd seen two episodes and I gave it up. Dont' get me wrong, Joss has a wonderful imagination, but Gellar's acting got on my last nerve. She reminds me of a blonde Wynona Ryder whose vocal inflections and character reactions did not vary from one piece of work to the next. All the same, bland delivery that would rival Ben Stein himself. I'm sure I'll prolly catch flack for saying so, however that's how I feel on the subject. Anyhoo, because I did not watch the series I'm not able to comment on much of the throwbacks that you mention. I'm not doubting you at that, as I'm sure there were a few things that Whedon did use that were reminiscent of BtVS, however I'm not sure I'd use the word gimmick though. In my opinion he's using the knowledge he has with the resources given him to do what he does best. Honestly I didn't find it gimmicky at all, and I'm one to hate gimmicks with a passion. (I guess it was perhaps a good thing that I didn't watch Buffy after all.)
I will indeed watch the subtitled version of Ameile. I have learned in all of my days of watching old dubbed kung-fu movies, and in turn watching them with subtitles if I could find them subtitled, that something was lost in translation with the dubbed versions. I would must prefer watching subtitles if I had my druthers about it.
I'll keep you posted about what I think.
Oh, and what an interesting piece of information you passed on there about Ted Turner wanting to colorize the B&W portion of Wizard of Oz.
That man is not one of my favorite people on this earth, so it doesn't surprise me in the slightest. I'm just glad it didn't happen.Psolaris
"Ten percent of nuthin' is...let me do the math here...nuthin' into nuthin'...carry the nuthin'"
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I'm one of those that was disappointed with Serenity. After listening to the commentary and watching the extras on the DVD, I have to say that Joss made a major mistake in kowtowing to 'momentum'. I'm still going to try to convert the unwashed masses into Browncoats, but using Serenity to do it will not be one of the options in my bag of tricks.
Serenity was an okay movie; didn't suck, but it certainly wasn't spectacular. I told a friend of mine before he went to see the BDM I hadn't seen it yet) that, even though some things will be wrapped up, the door will be open for later development. When he came back, he didn't spoil the movie, but he did say that, based on the BDM, he didn't see how anything could continue. I'm starting to wonder if our devotion to Firefly is putting up blinders to what the BDM really means for our Verse?
If you can survive death, you can probably survive almost anything.
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go watch "Amelie" so I can argue with you. tired of talking up a friggin french film.
PS
I'm sharpening my fangs and reading up on "How to slap a girl and run like hell and still feel all man-like assuming the woman you're slapping isn't in fact a 'transgender' genderbender"
...pamphlet from the Wife-beater's "Book of the month" club.
XG
If "Brokeback Moutain" had been porno about 2 lesbian chicks I'd have been in the front and back of the line endlessly till I was in bankruptcy. kinda hawt!
ok comedy hour is over. when I post again I'll be in a mood to kick someone's ass. could be yours. if I find a mirror, could be mine. although punching mirrors is very "apocalypse now"-ish.
No such thing as gravity. The "Earth-that-was" just sucks.
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PBI and Psolaris (I'm intermingling my responses):
PBI, sorry I missed you post first time around, but I'm replying now after the fact. I just are hard of hearing, and I is ignoramously blind-o-matic.
In the immortal words of Popeye, "I am what I am."
There isn't much to be disappointed about with "Serenity". FF fans wanted the story to have a conclusion and they got one. I'd like to say "we" but who am I to pretensiously include myself among the exlusive group of "browncoats". I take such liberties. "We" generously got a whole friggin movie with all it's big budget craptacular payouts to everyone involved. How 2 hours of screen time can equal a payout of 40 mil dollars is a mystery to me. But hell... King Kong 3rd/4th edition cost 300+ mil after marketing.
So long as the dirty mob of the masses buys enough tickets, coming close to the cost. The creaking investment in the new blonde hottie
Naomi Watts and the everlovable pianoman will pay off in future films.
I wonder how many people heard that magical creaking right before the stock market collapsed in the 30s. Too few apparently. It's the sound of a back breaking. I love the internet, cuz it's the axe chopping into the spine of the last great monopoly.
I think Whedon wanted to put art on the screen, and gently tortured every penny of his budget to squeeze it out while not pissing off anyone (including "browncoats" ~ or so he thought). His balancing act is true fucking art (in an MTV sort of way). Couple movie deals to boot make him all the more artistic. Ahh the gilded net will save our acrobat. Selling one's soul can and almost always is profitable.
PBI... per what you said, the door "ain't" open (yes I used a word unofficially recognized as a word, I said "ain't").
Mal and crew kicked alliance ass. They toppled the government. Exposed the ugly truth about mind-control-experiment gone all wrong. The drug made to pacify aggression had a side-effect (which gave us reavers). And River healed her brain after Kung-fu kicking all their asses. Ohh whoopity-doo and hiphip-hooray and whatnot. So groundbreaking in it's uniqueness.
Great story, but it was told too quickly. It wanted to be Star Wars, but felt like ghetto version of everything else in the film world. Firefly was the opposite. Accidental art. Where timing meets with an idea whose time has come.
I think Whedon produced art by accident with FF. He had timing on his side, yet couldn't turn his work into a franchise in spite of a willing audience who'd have followed him into any battle and off any cliff.
It's ok. It'll translate into a nice chunk of change with "Wonder Woman" and "Goners", even though it'll be the end of his rep as a filmmaker with the people who count. The faupish Lil' Lord Fauntleroys of glitterland in their insulated worlds who sign his paycheck will be pleased, as will his banker. His fanbase will stick a fork in his ass though. Silly Whedon. The dream is over. I wonder when he'll attempt to make a screen version of Buffy. Prolly when his name is becoming forgettable.
I wish Whedon could have taken his movie production budget and made a whole other season of FF. I'd prefer 20-26 hours of FF eps on TV versus a 2+ hour movie, but alas. Not meant to be. I'll pretend to believe it's 2 too many fingers in the pot. Damn you FOX! Damn you! Whedon has to make movies versus TV shows now that it's too late.
Smoke get in my eyes sometime. I could be wrong. It's Hubris. The inevitable pride that brings down empires and pseudo-gods. hollywood smells it, but can't figure out how to turn it around. Filthy Critic is all pumped up about the Peter Lynch masterpiece "Mullholland Drive". You should go watch it. Rent it along with "Amelie". I'd give it his rare 5 fingers like he did. One of the few times I agree with him on a 5 star rating. It's an insight into the world of the l33tz who run the filmmaking industry.
How Lynch manages to survive being so subversive in the employ of his masters is a mystery.
You hear that creaking and cracking sound? It's their backs breakin
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