No film review today. Instead, I want to know two things. First, what films are you excited about seeing this coming holiday season? Here's a list:
Upcoming Movies. Just don’t pick something stupid or you will be ridiculed. . . mercilessly. Secondly, tell us what you’d like to see more of at the site. Would you like us to post on more days? Do you want more news? More reviews? More stuff? Help us. . . to help you!
Film looking forward to: "Guilt Trip". I want to see if Barbara Streisand's plastic surgeon/photoshop jockey gets top billing or not. (Go ahead with the ridicule, I can take it!)
ReplyDeleteSite suggestion: "Reply" buttons.
I'm up for Skyfall. It may be horrible but I'm always a sucker for James Bond flicks.
ReplyDeleteI saw the teaser for Zero Dark Thirty and it actually looked OK. I am wary however because anyone who has ever been in the military knows it's pronounced Oh Dark Thirty...that and I'm afraid it's a ode to Mr. "Gutsy Call".
Looking forward to The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, with them breaking it into two movies I'm hoping PJ does a better job then he did with LOTR.
ReplyDeleteHe has two movies to tell the story of a smaller book so there should be less need for him to cut characters/scenes and I'm actually excited about the adding in of extra scenes of the storyline that happened during the book but which are only mentioned in passing.
I agree with K, a reply button would be a great improvement to the comment section.
Scott.
I'm looking forward to Wreckit Ralph (its been a while since there has been a kid's movie without the undead), Skyfall (I'm a huge Bond fan), Lincoln (I owe it to the man), The Hobbit (JRR Tolkien isn't one of my favorite fantasy writers, but his books translate to the screen well), Django Unchained (I love the concept) and The Man With the Iron Fists (the last movie I saw was Dredd, I love violent, stupid action movies).
ReplyDeleteRise of the Guardians looks like mush cooked up by a marketing executive, but it doesn't look like it contains anything objectionable, so if my daughters want to see it, I'll take them to it.
I already have plans to see Flight. The concept just grabbed me right away. Seven Psychopaths looks right up my alley, as well. I don't know if it counts as a holiday movie, but Atlas Shrugged: Pt II is also on my list.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to voice dissent on the "reply" button. I find them more confusing than useful.
Something I would like to see are more articles covering classic cinema. Not a lot, but maybe once a month or so. Also, I really enjoy the articles that pick apart movies in a more general sense (e.g. "How Not To Build A Spaceship"). More of those are always welcome.
Skyfall, a definite yes, of course. Playbook, Silver linings a definite yes because it was shot in Haverford Township where I grew up and features the Llanerch Diner. However, I don't go to the theater as a general, preferring to wait and catch them at Cinema Woodward. Still, I saw a pre-order Blu-Ray on Amazon for a film titled Compliance that has gotten great viewer reviews, so I am definitely intrigued. I'm also awaiting my copy of Triangle blu ray which should arrive (can that count?)
ReplyDeleteK, What kind of "reply button"?
ReplyDeletetryanmax, I'll see what I can do. Sadly, those often require inspiration which isn't always on tap. :(
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to Skyfall as well. I like Craig a lot as Bond and even Quantum of Solace has grown on me.
ReplyDeleteJed, I love that -- Cinema Woodward. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't plan on seeing Lincoln. As I mentioned to Scott the other day, it feels "dirty" to have Spielberg involved in a cinematic interpretation of the nation's second "indispensable man". Very similar feeling to Redford's movie about Mary Surratt. Can't help but feel it will be politicized as much as he feels he can get away while liberal critis talk about tingling in their legs.
ReplyDeleteI'm in for SKYFALL, DJANGO UNCHAINED, THE HOBBIT: PART 1, ATLAS SHRUGGED: PART 2 and possibly THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS. Maybe FLIGHT, too, though Washington tends to be better than the movies he's acting in. All these with be watched on disc in a few months, on my plasma; I've given up on movie theaters since QUANTUM OF SOLACE in early '08.
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested in a Lincoln movie, but not Spielberg's take on it, he lost me years ago.
As for suggestions, I'd also like to see you focus on older films (pre-1980s, not just the usual 'AFI 100' classics) every once in a while. I'd love to get your thoughtful take on them, since most blog critics who tackle them seem to come from a fairly hard-line Leftist perspective (DVD Savant, for example).
Ok so when you ask a question like what else should we have I feel obligated to think of something but I am coming up blank. I guess articles that depict the differences between the movies and the films would be good.
ReplyDeleteAs to movies....
I want to go see Cloud Atlas but I am told it will not be very good but I tend find that sometimes I like movies no one else does so.....
But if I see Cloud Atlas and it does suck well I'll know I was warned. It really is a problem and I think I might have to go see it so that I can stop worrying about whether it will be good or not....
Any rate I do need to see Hating Breitbart. Will have to buy that though.
Backthrow and tryanmax, I'll see what I can do about older films. :)
ReplyDeleteJed, It feels wrong to me to have Speilberg involved. Not only his politics, but to me, he's a guy who makes cutsie films, not meaningful films.
ReplyDeleteIndi, I'm leery of Cloud Atlas, but I will eventually see it.
ReplyDeleteSkyfall
ReplyDeleteGI Joe (2013)
Life of Pi sounds intriguing...
oh, and classics would be cool. but even if y'all are talking about something outside my area of knowledge, the discussion's usually pretty interesting anyway...
ReplyDeleteI'll have more later...
ReplyDelete...but in the meantime, the one film I'm really looking forward to is Skyfall. It looks great and I'm very excited.
I also just picked up Universal's Alfred Hitchcock Blu-Ray boxset - unfortunately, while many of the films look great, there are others where the studio obviously took shortcuts. A couple of the films are still in need of major restoration.
As for reviewing older films, I'd love to but I simply feel more comfortable reviewing films I've seen a hundred times (which is why 99% of my reviews are for 80s and 90s films)... films that have more or less "settled" in my brain.
There are certainly a handful of older films that fit this category... the work of the Marx Brothers for instance, but so much has been written about them and their humor and the various attitudes/politics on display in their films that I'd have to work hard to find something unique to talk about.
P.S. Does anyone here share Commentarama articles on Facebook, Twitter, etc.? Should we add more user-friendly sharing features?
ScottDS, the "share to" buttons for twitter and facebook are already at the end of each article. (Unless they weren't before you posted that.)
ReplyDeletetryanmax -
ReplyDeleteI know... but I've seen other websites that incorporate those features a little better (or at least in a more aesthetically-pleasing way). :-)
Scott, That is one problem with some of the older stuff, it's hard to find things that haven't been spoken about. BUT that's never stopped me before! I would particularly like to talk about some of my favorite off-the-beaten-track Hitchcocks.
ReplyDeleteThanks rlaWTX. I think we'll do more classics.
ReplyDeletetryanmax, Those buttons have always been there. We kind of at the mercy of Google in that regard.
gee, thanks, Backthrow (l.o.l.)
ReplyDeleteAndrew -
ReplyDeleteYeah, I forgot, but I'd love for you to look at Topaz which you mentioned a while back. :-)
There are a couple obscure TV shows (from the 2000s) I'd like to review but no one else has heard of them!
And then there are movies like Network that I'd personally love to review but I'm so ill-equipped to discuss them. (In terms of politics and the like.) But that's just me and my inexperience. :-)
Andrew - I "think" what K was referring to with a reply button is similar to what Intense Debate has. Let's say K wanted to reply specifically to a comment made by Tryanmax. If there are a lot of comments in between, Tryanmax might miss it. That, obviously is just what I think he isgetting at.
ReplyDeleteScottDS, obscure TV shows sound like good topics too... or a Jeopardy category... or both...
ReplyDeleteHmmm...changes? I'll have to think about it.
ReplyDeleteI kinda want to go see Skyfall. I'm hearing lots of good word-of-mouth about it, and the previews look pretty awesome. Jed, thanks to my crush on Jennifer Lawrence, I might go see Silver Linings Playbook as well. Not sure.
Google has a reply feature, but it's awful. Let me play around with Intense Debate again. The problem with that was disappearing comments.
ReplyDeleteScott, I would definitely discuss Topaz. That one frustrates me.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of "reply" button?
ReplyDeleteSomething with tiny colorful flowers and perhaps a red heart in the middle with the word (in a fancy script font)"Reply?" next to it.
Or maybe just a Sarah Palin "gunsight" graphic. Take your pick.
I "think" what K was referring to with a reply button is similar to what Intense Debate has
ReplyDeleteOr most other forums. I'm lukewarm on the Intense debate format but it would probably be an improvement. Anything that allows you see see the replies to an original post without scrolling down looking for names in the front.
Andrew: Let me say I appreciate your work on this comment forum and will continue to graffiti it with my blitherings even if it stays in it's current form. That being said, a reply option would likely get more people on board IMO.
K, We can try Intense Debate again. I'll see what I can do. :)
ReplyDeleteUgh... Intense Debate. If there's a way to turn off the comment rating system (thumbs up/down), please use it!
ReplyDeleteI'm just not a fan, plus I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve and couldn't bear to see a low rating for one of my comments. :-)
I'm with ScottDS on the ratings. If there's some way to turn them off .......?
ReplyDeleteThat or everybody promises to vote up every body else's posts. ;)
Wreck it Ralph
ReplyDeleteSkyfall
The Hobbitt pt 1
Would like to see all of these it the theater, but I don't know if I'll find the time. Will definitely see The Hobbitt.
I wish Faceplant had a thumbs down rating. I get real tired of the everything on the web has to be positive nonsense. To me the whole thumbs up/down is pointless.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm concerned Andrew you can keep things the way they are. But there are times I wish Commentarama had a messageboard. But that can bring a whole lot of headaches.
As far as looking forward to something? I'm looking forward to anything coming from Hollywood or entertainment in general. Every time I had had looked forward to something, I ended real disappointed. After this happens 20-30 times one gets real jaded. Better to go watch the old stuff and be happy.
There aren't any changes I would just demand. Personally, I think things work pretty well the way they are. Theoretically, it would be nice if we could have more than one or two posts per day, but having written just once a week for a few weeks now, it's kind of exhausting. Besides, the audience is still small enough it doesn't matter.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would rather not have IntenseDebate, unless it's sure to be an improvement in some way.
"Theoretically, it would be nice if we could have more than one or two posts per day" I have thought this, but I realize that those intrepid souls who are doing the writing have "regular lives" as well - so, I gladly accept what I can have!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of y'all who research, write, and post great articles for the rest of us to read, comment on, argue with and enjoy!!!
OH - and happy weekend to all Commentaramans as well!
(OOPS - I dropped my Oxford comma - I HATE it when I do that!!!!)
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit
ReplyDeletealso Red Dawn
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see Lone Survivor next year. Even though it's a tragic story in the vein of Black Hawk Down.
ReplyDeleteA friend flew to New Mexico this week in an AH-64 to participate in the filming.
Andrew - what about Disquis - the comments thingy that the "Bigs" use?
ReplyDeleteBev, That's a possibility, but I'm really not thrilled with them.
ReplyDelete(FYI, They apparently cancelled the marathon.)
I'm looking forward to The Hobbit as well. I just re-read it a couple weeks ago in fact. :)
ReplyDeleteOn more articles, I'd love to have more articles, but the time it takes is a killer. I need a clone... or two.
rlaWTX, We keep all the dropped Oxford commas in a lost and found box. You're welcome to see if you can find yours?! ;)
ReplyDeleteOutlaw, I haven't heard anything about Lone Survivor. I hope it's good. :)
Max, I've debated the merits of a message board and my fear would be that it ends up never getting used.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm not a huge fan of the Disquis thing. That's why I rarely comment at Breitbart anymore.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, Lone Survivor is being directed by Peter Berg, starring Mark Walberg, Eric Bana and Taylor Kitsch it's the true story of a group of Navy SEALs in Afghanistan who were cut off and all killed except one, Marcus Luttrell.
ReplyDeleteThe group leader was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during these events.
If there was ever a story about the current conflict that needed to be told it's this one. I hope they do it justice.
Andrew - I saw they cancelled the marathon. Smart move.
ReplyDeleteOH, and rlaWTX and Andrew - Haven't you heard that Oxford dropped their comma? Maybe that's why we have so many in the lost and found!
SKYFALL: An awesome trailer and a great song. Hopefully it will be back to form for James Bond.
ReplyDeleteTHE HOBBIT: The Lord of the Rings trilogy was great, so I'll be back for Peter's next Tolkien adaptation.
I'm really looking forward to SKYFALL.
Here is Adele's "Skyfall"
LINK
Kinda reminds me of the old Shirley Bassey songs such as "Goldfinger" but a bit more moody.
I don't mind taking Bond dark, as long as they do it well.
I also got the 50th Anniversary DVD Collection so I might watch a few this weekend.
Bond: "Everybody needs a hobby."
Villain: "So what's yours?"
Bond: "Resurrection."
Kit, I do really like that Adele song.
ReplyDeleteI'm kinda looking forward to Skyfall.
"I'm kinda looking forward to Skyfall."
ReplyDeleteI know.
The trailer did a good job washing the sour taste left in my mouth by QUANTUM OF SOLACE.
Tryanmax, I agree with you on the 'reply' button. At least when there is a reply, I know who it is for at a glance, and don't have to sift through everything to find out what is going on. Sometimes my patience is just too short.
ReplyDeleteOutlaw - I have been anxiously awaiting Lone Survivor. Peter Berg did the t.v. show Friday Night Lights which was one of the best t.v. shows ever. Taylor Kitsch had a major role in that show as Tim Riggins, and stars as Marcus Lutrell, the only survivor of the operation in Afghanistan. Although hardly a great actor, he can be effective in the right roleBerg, also did the film The Kingdom, and while they dabbled a little bit in moral relativism, it was still very powerful. In fact, it brings up one of the most difficult moral questions faced by our troops. The Seals involved were attempting to do surveillance on a major Taliban sympathizer and were discovered inadvertently by a young child. The team was faced with the moral dilimma of whether to kill him to avoid detection.I would recommend the book to all who follow Commentarama.
ReplyDeleteSaw the Man with the Iron Fists. Incredibly over the top. A lot of fun fight scenes and strong performances. RZA was the weakest actor in the film (he is to Iron Fist what Mark Hamill was to Star Wars) but five other actors got more screen time so his one note performance didn't hurt the film much.
ReplyDeleteTN Jed, I made the mistake of reading Lone Survivor while I was deployed, and ended up sitting in my room crying like a baby while reading the description of the team getting wiped out one member after another.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very powerful book.
I have yet to see Argo... looking forward to it. Also Lincoln and The Hobbit, Skyfall and Django. It seems pretty slim pickings.
ReplyDeleteJack Reacher looks good. I've not read the books so I'm not averse to Tom Cruise playing the role as many readers/fans seem to be.