What's the beef with Kevin Costner flicks?

I echo what has been said about Fandango. His best film to date.

Other films he was way above average in:

-Revenge

-No Way Out

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70's TV FOREVER

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what's the beef with Costner flicks?...uh... Costner.


actually , for light viewing, I like many of his otherworld type of flicks..Postman, Waterworld...all good for what they were...blame bad directing for some hokey parts more than acting...robin hood was actually well done all around..great supporting cast...Costner was the weak part of the entire project..but in spite of him..he seems likeable and I tend to give his movies a try.

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Quote:

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Originally posted by jewelstaitefan:

Quote:

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Originally posted by lwaves:
In my opinion:

Waterworld - I was seasick before I saw water.

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Are you trying to say you dislike water so you went to see a movie named Waterworld and this is the sole reason you dislike it, or the Charleton Heston narrative turned you off, or do you have something more substantive to report?

Quote:

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The Postman - Tries to be something it isn't.

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So what do you think it was, and what do you think it tried to be, and how do you think it fell short?

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The Bodyguard - Blurgh. Only became a hit because of that bloody song.

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Are you referring to the 2 decade old Dolly Parton classic?

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Waterworld - I'm not afraid of water and don't get seasick so probably not the most accurate comment but then it was meant to be descriptive of the fact that I felt I had wasted my money (the sick feeling) on this film instead of seeing The Usual Suspects. Costner was still a big cinema draw at the time and that had persuaded us to pick this over the others. The phrase 'It's a Costner movie, it can't be that bad' being uttered.
As for the actual film Costner himself failed to show any kind of acting skill. Dennis Hopper was so OTT it was laughable (in a bad way). It was obvious to me from the start that the little girls tatoo was a map and that she and the woman would eventually break down Costners 'shield'. The other characters were just cliches that had been seen so many many times before.

The Postman - I liked the idea of this, keeping the world going by keeping communication going which gave people hope. It tried to be an epic and thought itself a epic but it wasn't. It tried to be more meaningful than it needed to be. It was a simple message that could have been done well. It ended up being a plodding, mostly boring, overly patriotic story of what should have been a normal man making a difference, instead of a film showing Costner as the American Hero.

Bodyguard - Partons song is a classic, I agree with you. But it wasn't Partons version in the movie. It was Whitney Houstons and over here it seemed to be on the radio incessantly, you just couldn't escape it. All she did differently from the original was sing it as loud as she could in that way that divas do on covers. Fair enough that a lot of people liked it but a portion of those fans would then see the movie bacause if that song, not because of the film itself, helping boost the box office.
As for the film it was a completely by-the-numbers affair which signposted every plot point that was coming along. Totally predictable with bad writing and bad acting (especially Houston).

Is that enough detail for you?



"I don't believe in suicide, but if you'd like to try it it might cheer me up to watch."

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Quote:

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Originally posted by lwaves:

Quote:

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Originally posted by jewelstaitefan:

Quote:

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Originally posted by lwaves:
In my opinion:

Waterworld - I was seasick before I saw water.

---

Are you trying to say you dislike water so you went to see a movie named Waterworld and this is the sole reason you dislike it, or the Charleton Heston narrative turned you off, or do you have something more substantive to report?

Quote:

---

The Postman - Tries to be something it isn't.

---

So what do you think it was, and what do you think it tried to be, and how do you think it fell short?

Quote:

---

The Bodyguard - Blurgh. Only became a hit because of that bloody song.

---

Are you referring to the 2 decade old Dolly Parton classic?

---

Waterworld - I'm not afraid of water and don't get seasick so probably not the most accurate comment but then it was meant to be descriptive of the fact that I felt I had wasted my money (the sick feeling) on this film instead of seeing The Usual Suspects. Costner was still a big cinema draw at the time and that had persuaded us to pick this over the others. The phrase 'It's a Costner movie, it can't be that bad' being uttered.
As for the actual film Costner himself failed to show any kind of acting skill. Dennis Hopper was so OTT it was laughable (in a bad way). It was obvious to me from the start that the little girls tatoo was a map and that she and the woman would eventually break down Costners 'shield'. The other characters were just cliches that had been seen so many many times before.

The Postman - I liked the idea of this, keeping the world going by keeping communication going which gave people hope. It tried to be an epic and thought itself a epic but it wasn't. It tried to be more meaningful than it needed to be. It was a simple message that could have been done well. It ended up being a plodding, mostly boring, overly patriotic story of what should have been a normal man making a difference, instead of a film showing Costner as the American Hero.

Bodyguard - Partons song is a classic, I agree with you. But it wasn't Partons version in the movie. It was Whitney Houstons and over here it seemed to be on the radio incessantly, you just couldn't escape it. All she did differently from the original was sing it as loud as she could in that way that divas do on covers. Fair enough that a lot of people liked it but a portion of those fans would then see the movie bacause if that song, not because of the film itself, helping boost the box office.
As for the film it was a completely by-the-numbers affair which signposted every plot point that was coming along. Totally predictable with bad writing and bad acting (especially Houston).

Is that enough detail for you?



"I don't believe in suicide, but if you'd like to try it it might cheer me up to watch."

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Sounds like your complaint about Costner flicks is that Costner flicks are soooo excellent that your level of expectation is so much higher than for any other actor that when the editor, director, writers, or producers create a less-than-spectacular film, you blame Costner. Like Streep or DeNiro never had a dud. Not to mention Gabriel Byrne or Kevin Spacey.
Summarized enough?
Thanks for your explanation, that helps explain the attitudes which caused me to start this thread.

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Originally posted by jewelstaitefan:

Quote:

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Originally posted by chrisisall:


Waterworld was the worst... absolutely puke-able.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Please read the OP and provide specific valid reasons for your claim.

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Costner is a gill man... why exaxctly? No time to evolve another species, no science that advanced yet... oh, and if he's so strong as to survive pressures at the bottom of the sea, why can't he bend some FLIMSY bars or break rusty locks? Speaking of pressure, how'd the girl survive her trip to the bottom? And HOW did Costner pull down a thing with such severe buoyancy?

See Lwaves post for my other reasons.


The laughing Chrisisall

"I only do it to to remind you that I'm right and that deep down, you know I'm right, you want me to be right, you need me to be right." - The Imperial Hero Strikes Back, 2010

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Chrisisall wrote:

Quote:

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Cstner is a gill man... why exaxctly? No time to evolve another species, no science that advanced yet... oh, and if he's so strong as to survive pressures at the bottom of the sea, why can't he bend some FLIMSY bars or break rusty locks? Speaking of pressure, how'd the girl survive her trip to the bottom? And HOW did Costner pull down a thing with such severe buoyancy?

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All good points Big 'C' and not really any way to challenge them - however I find that with certain films if you just give way to it's internal logic you can enjoy them enough.... The Mummy films are like this as are most time travel flicks. I know it doesn't make much sense but on occaisions a poor film can be quite enjoyable - given enough leeway.

That said there are films that just rub you up the wrong way. I dare say this is the case with Waterworld for you, and that's fair. No grumbles from me. I've done the same with many films..... Me I just can't get past hobbits!

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Coster films are, traditionally, somewhat pompous with glacial pacing.

Does that make 'em all bad? Nope. Does it make me stay away from them? Yep.

Making a general statement, when Costner directs, he's a little too in love with himself and with his scenery. Despite the basic Hollywood adage of "less is more," Coster seems to think it's a good idea to do in 10 minutes what normal folk would do in 3. Occassionally, he is right, but more often, he's just taking too long.

Having said that, there are quite a few good Coster movies. Not going through the entire list, I enjoy OPEN RANGE quite a bit (sidenote: his character reminds me of Mal) and was pleasantly surprised by THE POSTMAN (although it is slooooooow).

WATERWORLD is not as bad as people give it credit for, but it's definitely not a good movie (bad acting, predictibly slow, weak and obvious plot... and, yet again, a woman throws herself at Coster for no reason other than that he's Costner).

WYATT EARP isn't bad, either, bu as someone (CiA?) said, after TOMBSTONE, why bother? Yes, I know they're different movies with different purposes, but when you compare the two and see the ENERGY that TOMBSTONE has that's lacking in WYATT EARP, I think it's easy to see some of the flaws in a traditional Costner film.

www.stillflying.net: "Here's how it might have been..."

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Quote:

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Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
The Mummy films are like this

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Yeah, but the Mummy flicks are breakneck popcorn fun, no time to ponder- Waterworld just pushed its nonsense in my face during its slow pace.


The laughing Chrisisall

"I only do it to to remind you that I'm right and that deep down, you know I'm right, you want me to be right, you need me to be right." - The Imperial Hero Strikes Back, 2010

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