Movie Discussion.

[crazy raplh]

it depends on the topic. If it is a simple question, then I'll throw out a simpla answer. then if there is explanation, then it shall be done. I guess it just depends

[urgeok]

Originally posted by newb
I did see Napoleon Dynamite and i DID think it was stupid. I don't know why....i usually like stupid...i like the Pet Detective movies...i like the Austin Powers movies......i just couldn't get into Napoleon Dynamite.

I will give it another chance.....my kids love it..........i just don't get it...why...why...why.

i never laughed so hard .. and i still laugh as hard now having seen it about 6 times now.

i like quirky offbeat characters ... doing things that flies in the face of normality ... so it appeals to me.

i can see why it wouldnt be for everyone .. it cant really be compared to Pet Detective .. the humor there is silly but mainstream ..

the humor in Napoleon Dynamite is like a reality shift .. everything is just a bit off ...
it either hits you or not i guess ..

[Juicy Jon]

Donnie Darko is definately worth a watch. Its worth a buy. I would talk more about it but... I'm not going to. Just watch it when you get the time, its really amazing.

[knife_fight]

I didn't like Napolean Dynamite OR Donnie Darko.

I didn't like Napolean Dynamite b/c it just seemed like a cheap knockoff of a Wes Anderson movie. Although I'll admit that there are some parts that make me laugh out loud (there is no denying the humor in someone getting hit in the face with a steak), I thought the jokes were mainly aimed at a semi-hip, yet semi-dull and behind the times, crowd. I really hate to say such negative things about it, b/c my fiance loves it, but it just kinda rubbed me the wrong way, I guess. It's like whoever wrote that movie took Rushmore and dumbed down the humor to make it more obvious so that the Mtv crowd would "get it." I'll leave it at that, unless pressed for more...

I got into a HUGE thing on here about 2 years ago about Donnie Darko. everyone loved it and I thought it was overrated crap, so I was on the losing end of an outnumbered match, an injured dog in a corner, so to speak. I guess the main thing I didn't like about it was that it left WAY too many loose ends. It seemed like it would touch on some random subject briefly, and then move on and never return. I haven't seen the movie in a long time (guessing, I would say 3 years at least), but I do remember this glaring example: There is a scene when he is at his therapist/psychologist/whatever and he's hypnotized and talking about something or other. While he's lying on the couch hypnotized, one hand is in his pants, masturbating furiously. This was a big scene in the movie, and one that was never explained. The guy obviously had some sort of sexual issues, but it never came back to it. It's like they just stuck that scene in there to say, "Wow. this dude is a weirdo!!!!" As though we didn't know that already. Anyway, there were other reasons I didn't like the movie, but that was a big one.

One way I always end up judging movies, is based purely on how they are presented to me. part of the reason I didn't like Donnie Darko was b/c I was in college, learning to think critically, and all I heard from my friends was how intelligent and thought-provoking Donnie Darko was. so I went into it thinking it was gonna be this really cerebral experience. thus, I was disappointed.

Same with Napolean Dynamite. when I saw it, it was still small, and every now and then I hear some slight whisper or murmur about this really funny movie, and how I, personally, would think it was hilarious. but, when I saw it, no dice. sure, there were some great moments, but it definitely didn't live up to the hype. and I can't stand disappointment.

sorry for such a long post...

[Juicy Jon]

But... it does take a good bit of thinking to really understand the movie. I don't see how you could not like it mainly because of a scene like that. Not every scene in a movie has to be explained.


edit: talking about donnie darko

[knife_fight]

Originally posted by Juicy Jon
But... it does take a good bit of thinking to really understand the movie. I don't see how you could not like a movie mainly because of a scene like that. Not every scene in a movie has to be explained.

well, like I said, it wasn't JUST that. and I guarantee you that at least 50% of the people who "understand" that movie just took the dvd's special features at face value.

I'll admit that it does take someone smarter than the average bear to really follow what's going on, but at the same time there are a lot of films that have more going on between the lines than this one. and I also admitted that (probably) most of the reason that I didn't like it was b/c of the way it was presented to me.

and no, not every scene must be explained in a movie, but I believe that if they don't further the plot, or more fully develop a character, then they are pointless. that scene in particular did neither. but as I said, that was far from being the only unnecessary vignette.

and there were other reasons I didn't like it, besides all of the pointless "asides." but usually when I bring them up people get really defensive, so I won't, b/c like that scene, they are unnecessary and are just my meaningless opinion.

I really would rather not get into this again. I know plenty of smart people who like this movie a lot, and hey, that's totally cool. I just didn't like it.

[urgeok]

Originally posted by knife_fight
I guess the main thing I didn't like about it was that it left WAY too many loose ends. It seemed like it would touch on some random subject briefly, and then move on and never return.

for some movies - the ride is more rewarding than the destination ...


for the record, i liked Napoleon Dynamite far more than Donnie Darko ..

I have seen a lot of quirky little films by quirky directors .. but this one appealed to me more and for me - didnt have that air of smugness a lot of other 'hip' movies do ..

i thought it was pretty unhip actually ...

if anyone can show me a scene in another movie as funny and well executed as the button throwing scene .. i'd love to see it :)

[urgeok]

by the way .. as far as the topic goes ... real comments were generated about both movies - apparently some people do get it ..

not all - but some.

[sabersword]

There are other movies I like besides horror but, to be fair, this is a horror forum. I am a big Alien fan, have been senc the begining. Would not mind disscussing si fi. If you like Sound of Music, mabe there are other fourms more suited for that type of film. However, there is a lot to talk about here, so, If everyone fells strongly about wanting to talk about other types of film, fine, I wont make a fuss.

[knife_fight]

Originally posted by urgeok
for some movies - the ride is more rewarding than the destination ...

that's well put, and completely true. I am definitely a fan of "art for art's sake" which leads me to like a lot of things that are nonsensical, merely b/c they appeal to me on some more visceral, rather than cerebral, level. Donnie Darko didn't do that for me, unfortunately. I am just acknowledging that it is not out of the question for me to enjoy and appreciate pointless, um, stuff.