Hammer on film
No... not really on film.. but about film. I think I missed my calling as a movie critic.
Going to the movies used to be a treat when I was a kid. To my parents credit, I never saw anything above a "G" rating until I was about ten when movies like "Raiders of the lost ark" and "The black hole" came out. Back in those days even B movies had something to offer and were done in a way that was entertaining despite the low budget.
However, starting in the early 90's movies started taking a turn for the craptacular.
Remember these beauties?
Son of the Mask
Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace
Baby Geniuses
Doogal
Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000
If not you're lucky. Now that I have kids, I'm subjected to more than the normal amount of shitty movies. Mostly on DVD. I usually fall asleep during Disney flicks that have lots of singing. That shit is BORING "LA LA LA I'm a princess and everyone is mean to me LA LA LA. Can't they think of something else?
And now, movie makers think with the success of "Shrek" and "Ice Age" that all they have to do is throw a bunch of Korean animation programmers in a room with Robin Williams Whoopie Goldberg, Billy Crystal and a big pile of cocaine and come up with a box office blockbuster. Well maybe they can... bad example.
Usually the wife has to drag me kicking and screaming or (bribe me with a full flask of martini's) to get me to the theater or to watch some DVD she just bought.
Here are a few examples of movies that surprised me by being pretty good.
Little Miss Sunshine
Sin City
40 Year old Virgin
posted by Bill Rowland @ February 25, 2007
18 Comments
18 Comments:
OK Hammer...I'll be the first to throw out the first grenade. Here it is...CREATIVITY IN MOVIES IS DEAD! We have no new ideas. We have to produce movies that are from the old TV Shows and sitcoms. Where are the story lines being written? Video games! Some of those story lines are fantastic.
There is one family movie I would recommend, especially if you are into symbolism. "The Bridge to Terabithia" Excellent movie...well done. The kids aren't going to get it though if they are younger than 9.
Flyinfox_SATX
I like Pixar movies. Bridge to Terabithia was better than most, but the dialogue was weak and one element of the plot line was entirely too depressing for children. Little Miss Sunshine was hysterical.
Here's another grenade. The deadness in our films, and the rest of our popular culture, reflects the deadness of our society. It's over people. The mid 20th century was the peak. It's been a downslide since then. When we turned from decently educated, hard working nation of mostly working class folks to into a nation of maleducated, fat, whining little welfare babies it was over. All we do now is regurgitate the old symbols of past greatness because no one can think of anything new. Everything has been done before. There are a few good things out there, but not much. You know they've made a movie of Underdog? What's left, an H.R. Puff-n-stuff movie?
Hey....I remember Puff-n-stuff....
If Disney would JUST put MY songs into their movies, you wouldn't HATE them, Hammer!! :) It's one of my goals (well, not specifically Disney, but I REALLY want to do a Kids movie soundtrack)
One day......
MUST see Little Miss Sunshine...actually,might watch it tonight!!
And, yes, I agree, Shrek WAS a bad example...it's one of my all-time favourites!!
I mostly only watch movies at home, can't stand going out to watch them. And I'm sure you have seen many more than I have.
When I do watch one, I want to be entertained, so I like comedy. I'm fine with romance also. A comical romance is the best in my book.
But some movies have messages in them that seem to be only for me I guess because when I explain it to someone else they just don't get it.
Oh well, but I went to a great play this afternoon, it was funny as hell even though it is almost a hundred years old. Proving that the human condition has improved a hell of a lot in 100 years. Maybe it's worse in fact.
I am a big movie fan. I like all the Disney films...all the dumb action adventure especially with Nick Cage, Bruce Willis, George Clooney, or Sean Connery...and just about everything George Lucas every had a hand in. Not big on the horror flicks...
but pretty much...I love the movies.
Flyinfox: I agree there are very few movies out there even worth considerig paying 8 bucks for.
kat: I'll have to check it out. Several have said I should see it.
fathairybastard: Yep it's a wasteland. I liked the original underdog, I'm afraid their going to ruin it. Yeah a pufinstuff movie? Hmm how about banana splits?
KB: that would be cool if your songs were in movies. I liked shrek too I was just saying that the studios are lazy and just riding shrek's coat tails.
BBC: I ignore most modern media except for what I pick up here and there. I'm not big on romantic comedies because the men are always such pussies in them.
katherine I'm a fan of bruce willis flicks, 16 blocks was a surprise pleaser.
I had the same reaction to Sin City and 40-Year old Virgin...surprised, in a good way. I'll catch Little Miss Sunshine sometime soon.
I hadn't seen Son of the Mask until it was on HBO recently. The seven-year old thought it was spectacular...me not so much.
I said...."Proving that the human condition has improved a hell of a lot in 100 years."
What I wanted to say, "Proving that the human condition HASN'T improved a hell of a lot in 100 years."
Hey, just because a man can get in touch with his soft side doesn't make him a pussy.
I loved Sin City.. kids turned me onto it...
The Bannana Splits YES!!!!!!!!!
Little Miss is my nexted shipped netflix movie.. Im looking forward to seeing it!
Most of the movies that entertain me are off the wall - the Independent films. One such recent viewing which I had seen before was Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. Uma Thurman as the big thumb girl amidst a bunch of lesbians (not overtly so) that try to save the ranch's wild bird population. It's a very bizarre and entertaining film. Other than that I don't like to go to the movies unless it is to Alamo Drafthouse - food and drinks served in the theatre.
I liked "Little Miss Sunshine" but I didn't think it was that great. I find that there are very few movies that I want to watch over and over again and never get tired of them.
jenafear: I like getting surprised in a good way it doesn't happen often though.
BBC: I hear ya, and you're prolly right.
cheesy: I've got a bananna splits poster on my office wall :)
nomas: That does sound bizarre:). I like seeing movies at our local 18 and up food and booze movie theater, I saw garden state there on a whim. Not bad for another weird flick.
janet: Yep, I picked it becuase it was different... nothing earth shaking but it's surprising when I like anything ;)
Hey, good choices for the ones you like. I am a movie fanatic, myself. I really think you should consider watching The Prestige. That film was a rarity and great, in my opinion. :)
all those movies are great. I loved Little Miss Sunshine soooo much!
I just bought "Little Miss Sunshine" but I haven't watched it yet.
allied: thanks, I'll check it out :)
m: I liked it becuase it was different and unexpected.
pinkangel: I'm sure you'll like it.
I watched it! it was terrific...very different from what I expected though.
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