tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post3394032108524028355..comments2024-03-05T21:05:36.848-05:00Comments on CommentaramaFilms: Guilty Pleasures: The ScottDS EditionAndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-69417518833902444712012-01-17T18:28:52.655-05:002012-01-17T18:28:52.655-05:00tryanmax -
Yeah, Congo is my ultimate "When...tryanmax - <br /><br />Yeah, <i>Congo</i> is my ultimate "When it comes on TV, I need to watch it" movie. I like it a lot and I can't explain it - it's just so goofy and ridiculous at times and doesn't take itself too seriously (or seriously, period).<br /><br /><i>Brain Donors</i> is worth seeking out. It's very stupid at times but the jokes come at a mile a minute and I think you'll laugh. It's rated PG but there is a LOT of sexual innuendo. I saw it as a kid and I know for a fact some lines went over my head.<br /><br />Re: <i>Alien 3</i>, I had only seen bits and pieces of the theatrical cut so my first experience with the complete film was, in fact, the extended cut, which you can get on Blu-Ray and 2-disc DVD. It's not perfect and David Fincher declined the opportunity to participate (he has disowned the film) but it's still a fascinating glimpse at what could've been.<br /><br />Re: <i>Drop Dead Gorgeous</i>, I could see the media using footage of the film in 2008 when discussing Sarah Palin. I mean, you've got beauty pageants, folksy small-town shenanigans, accents... maybe it's just me but when I saw the film last year (it had been years since I'd last seen it), my first reaction was, "I'm surprised no one turned this film into a Palin Internet meme!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-76908944927958965482012-01-17T17:50:44.382-05:002012-01-17T17:50:44.382-05:00Scott, doing a little back-reading and I landed on...Scott, doing a little back-reading and I landed on this article. My thoughts:<br /><br /><i>Congo</i> - Really? That? Sorry, I just had to. But it still surprises me. I love Michael Crichton’s books, but very few of them have adapted to film well. This is not one of them. <br /><br /><i>Dick Tracy</i> - I am with you all the way on this one. This is another one of those fond drive-in theater memories. I remember being dazzled by the vivid color and makeup effects, frankly, I still am. It’s kind of a spiritual predecessor to <i>Sin City</i>.<br /><br /><i>Brain Donors</i> - I’ll have to look for this one, having recently become a fan of the Marx Bros. (Thanks to all the new digital sub-channels!) <br /><br /><i>Alien 3</i> - Okay, I’m convinced to go find the extended cut. Though you’ve now made me wary of admitting that I didn’t think the theatrical release all that bad. Better than <i>Resurrection</i> by a fair piece. <br /><br /><i>Drop Dead Gorgeous</i> - Good, simple fun! Though I’m not quite making the late-2008 connection.tryanmaxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09881154741574720094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-73238583975151829822011-06-04T18:51:41.812-04:002011-06-04T18:51:41.812-04:00Thanks, Ben!
Alien 3 isn't a favorite for mos...Thanks, Ben!<br /><br /><i>Alien 3</i> isn't a favorite for most people. If you still find it worth watching when it's on TV, you should check out the extended cut that was put together in 2003.<br /><br />I need to see <i>Big Trouble in Little China</i> again. It's been waaaay too long!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-35734935624608222792011-06-04T12:54:11.720-04:002011-06-04T12:54:11.720-04:00Excellent post, Scott!
I've seen most of thes...Excellent post, Scott!<br /><br />I've seen most of these flicks and I liked Congo, Executive Decision and Trapped In Paradise (very funny!).<br /><br />I only saw saw Joe vs Volcano once and wasn't impressed but I'm willing to give it another go and check out the others.<br /><br />As for Alien 3, not my favorite Alien flick but I still watch it when it's on (unless Big Trouble In Little China is on). :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-20241463762483279142011-06-02T06:51:31.337-04:002011-06-02T06:51:31.337-04:00Thanks, Joel.
Veronica Mars has been on my radar ...Thanks, Joel.<br /><br /><i>Veronica Mars</i> has been on my radar for a while. I hope it stays on Netflix for a long time. The <i>Mars</i> producers later did a show that aired on Starz called <i>Party Down</i>. It only aired for two seasons of 10 episodes each but I'm a fan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-89222923806248125482011-06-02T00:33:38.320-04:002011-06-02T00:33:38.320-04:00Interesting list Scott.
I am now watching a seri...Interesting list Scott. <br /><br />I am now watching a series which I feel is a guilty pleasure. Veronica Mars. It is on NetFlix. <br /><br />Fight Club is both terrifying and pleasing. I see the post-modern angst of young men. I didn't like that the character went all out and became PC and bunny-fuzzy at the end. I would have preferred that he missed and killed the "nice" side of himself instead of the evil side.Joel Farnhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15856960977033430002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-57861160894618334122011-06-01T23:27:42.200-04:002011-06-01T23:27:42.200-04:00That's why I said Speed 2 is "borderline....That's why I said <i>Speed 2</i> is "borderline." :-) It's not a good movie by any means but I don't think it's an abomination either. And I think Jan de Bont is a perfectly capable action director who should be better known than, say, McG or Brett Ratner. (If anything, he'll be remembered for the first <i>Speed</i>.)<br /><br />Roger Ebert's review put it best: <i>"I also chortled a few moments later, when the villain pulled out a piece of equipment labeled FIBER OPTIC CONVERTER in letters so large they could be read across the room. Doesn't mean much, but it sure looks good. And I will long treasure a moment when a computer asks Geiger, 'Time to initiate?' and he types in, 'Now.'"</i><br /><br />We'll save the <i>Police Academy</i> discussion for another time, faaaaar in the future. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-83060516956704506402011-06-01T23:20:37.160-04:002011-06-01T23:20:37.160-04:00Now you're scaring me Scott! LOL!
Commando an...Now you're scaring me Scott! LOL!<br /><br /><i>Commando</i> and <i>Weekend at Bernie's</i>, definitely. <i>Star Trek V</i>, ok, not a problem. I prefer <i>Police Academy I and II</i>. But <i>Speed 2</i>??AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-90260012159682964092011-06-01T22:52:09.623-04:002011-06-01T22:52:09.623-04:00Speaking of average movies, since I don't have...Speaking of average movies, since I don't have enough material to warrant a second guilty pleasures article (and I think two between us is enough for now!), allow me to list some additional guilty pleasures:<br /><br />-<i>Commando</i><br />-<i>Dragnet</i> (see above)<br />-<i>Weekend at Bernie's</i><br />-<i>Weekend at Bernie's II</i><br />-<i>Police Academy 3</i> (I realize that implying one <i>PA</i> film is better than another one is damning with faint praise but I just enjoy this one... by contrast, the first film has dated horribly)<br />-<i>Star Trek V</i> (I have a feeling this one will come up again)<br />-<i>The Stupids</i> (this one is borderline but there is a bizarre internal logic at work in this film and Tom Arnold gets to sing "I'm My Own Grandpa")<br />-<i>Speed 2</i> (also borderline but I never thought it was as bad as the critics said it was)<br />-<i>Ernest Goes to Jail</i> (having grown up watching the adventures of Ernest P. Worrell, this is my favorite of those films)<br /><br />So... did I lose all your respect or am I simply half-way there? :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-55247034415055063542011-06-01T22:33:00.106-04:002011-06-01T22:33:00.106-04:00Scott, I'd take the 80s films over the comedie...Scott, I'd take the 80s films over the comedies of today as well -- and I include Aptow in that. To me, his stuff is just ultra bland and largely depressing -- and I find myself hoping for the characters' deaths.<br /><br />In fact, when I try to think of the most recent comedy that really held my attention and made me want to watch it again, nothing comes to mind.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-89557356997308336802011-06-01T22:15:14.621-04:002011-06-01T22:15:14.621-04:00What's interesting is that I find many of thos...What's interesting is that I find many of those flat, half-hearted 80s comedies infinitely more watchable than the flat, half-hearted comedies of today.<br /><br />I suppose - and this is just an example - if you put, say, <i>The Hangover</i> or Judd Apatow's popular A-list stuff on one end and those god-awful <i>Epic</i>/<i>Date Movie</i> spoofs at the other end, then what's left in the middle? <i>The Dilemma</i>? <i>No Strings Attached</i>? <i>Paul Blart</i>??<br /><br />I'll take <i>Dragnet</i> over those any day of the week.<br /><br />Of course, this isn't all rose-tinted glasses. The 80s had its share of crap, too!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-13210485776720623242011-06-01T22:06:10.748-04:002011-06-01T22:06:10.748-04:00Scott, Strangely, I think Fight Club is a very dif...Scott, Strangely, I think <i>Fight Club</i> is a very difficult film to watch, but I still think it's brilliant. I think no other film captures the anger of average males at the modern world right now, and it's brilliantly acted with really well done twists that change the meaning of the film.<br /><br />To me, all those 80's comedies came up flat and half-hearted. When I look at what they were capable of doing in films like <i>Ghostbusters</i>, <i>Animal House</i>, and a slew of others and then I see these rather plodding comedies that took no chances, I just feel like it wasn't a very good effort. I don't hate these films, I just don't see anything in them that makes me want to go back to them again. By comparison, I can watch <i>Ghostbusters</i> a hundred times a year.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-38142166117060393282011-06-01T21:52:42.425-04:002011-06-01T21:52:42.425-04:00Dragnet could've made this list easily. I thin...<i>Dragnet</i> could've made this list easily. I think it's a riot and I would've loved to be there during the story meetings:<br /><br />"Okay, so it's a movie about the intersection of big government, big religion, and big porn. And there's a cult who call themselves P.A.G.A.N.s. And there's a character whose unofficial title is 'The Virgin.' Etc., etc., etc."<br /><br />It's just one of those silly 80s comedies (like <i>The Money Pit</i>, another one I enjoy) that people still remember. And I wish I could deliver dialogue in Aykroyd's trademark staccato delivery.<br /><br /><i>Fight Club</i> is actually the one Fincher film I don't enjoy as much as the others. It's impressive and visually stunning but I find it kinda difficult to watch at times.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-52043303899510610872011-06-01T21:20:50.967-04:002011-06-01T21:20:50.967-04:00Scott, I did like Bachelor Party, but I'm not ...Scott, I did like <i>Bachelor Party</i>, but I'm not interested in seeing it again. That's the same way I feel about <i>Big</i>, <i>Dragnet</i>, <i>Turner & Hooch</i> and the rest. The first movie of his that I really like rewatching is <i>Apollo 13</i>.<br /><br /><br />Scott & Ed, I like all those films. <i>Fight Club</i> actually impresses the heck out of me. and I've written about <i>The Game</i> -- which I wish I could forget so that I could see it again fresh.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-42183953502703112452011-06-01T19:58:25.932-04:002011-06-01T19:58:25.932-04:00Ed -
That's quite an understatement! He obvi...Ed - <br /><br />That's quite an understatement! He obviously did change his mind.<br /><br /><i>Zodiac</i> is excellent. They did a great job of recreating 1970s San Francisco and Robert Downey Jr. is, as always, excellent. (Though his character disappears for long stretches of time.)<br /><br /><i>The Social Network</i> is very good and Fincher succeeds in making something as arcane as programming look and sound exciting. Is it Best Picture material? I don't know. But it's damn good though I'm sympathetic to the criticism that it's "cold." Jesse Eisenberg was excellent but I'm partial to him since several people have compared me to his <i>Zombieland</i> character.<br /><br />I wanted to like <i>Benjamin Button</i> more than I did. I simply liked it but I wanted to love it, ever since the teaser trailer (the one that used Saint-Saëns' "The Aquarium" on the soundtrack) knocked me on my ass. It looks great, the score is great, the aging FX are great... but I don't think Fincher quite hit it out of the park. Definitely worth watching but not the timeless masterpiece it could've/should've been.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-90149790033674092142011-06-01T19:51:00.399-04:002011-06-01T19:51:00.399-04:00He must have changed his mind because he did some ...He must have changed his mind because he did some great films after that -- "Seven", "Fight Club" and "The Game", and "Panic Room". "Benjamin Button", "Zodiac" and "Social Network" are all supposed to be good too.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122308626703654554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-37684449710362466242011-06-01T19:35:48.809-04:002011-06-01T19:35:48.809-04:00Ed -
Alien 3 was David Fincher's first film ...Ed - <br /><br /><i>Alien 3</i> was David Fincher's first film and he got his start doing commercials and music videos, including Madonna's "Vogue" and Aerosmith's "Janie's Got a Gun" among many others.<br /><br />After making <i>Alien 3</i>, he is reported to have said, "I'd rather get colon cancer than make another movie!" (or words to that effect)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-7083551546650467312011-06-01T19:31:24.210-04:002011-06-01T19:31:24.210-04:00Scott, I've heard it called a music video beca...Scott, I've heard it called a music video because of the way it's shot, though it doesn't have music to it. To me, it's most like a videogame because they get first very close to first person a lot more than in the other films.Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122308626703654554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-41755699643755964202011-06-01T18:37:49.336-04:002011-06-01T18:37:49.336-04:00Ed -
You're the first person to describe Ali...Ed - <br /><br />You're the first person to describe <i>Alien 3</i> as a videogame but I suppose all the <i>Alien</i> films have that first-person shooter quality. Most fans of the <i>Alien</i> films have another word to describe the film: torture. :-)<br /><br />As for <i>Congo</i>, I always tune in when it airs on TV. I'm hoping it's released on Blu-Ray one of these days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-75628344447894187882011-06-01T18:36:09.094-04:002011-06-01T18:36:09.094-04:00Hmmm... Bev's comment seems to have disappeare...Hmmm... Bev's comment seems to have disappeared. I didn't know <i>Tomatoes</i> was a student film either.<br /><br />Andrew - <br /><br />Re: Hanks, can I assume you're not a fan of <i>Bachelor Party</i>? :-)<br /><br />I'm definitely not a doctor! The joke actually took me a few minutes to get.<br /><br />"Shortcut!"<br />"Yes, Indy?"<br />"No, shortCUT!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-64076559968560131402011-06-01T18:16:51.459-04:002011-06-01T18:16:51.459-04:00Scott, I've seen "Congo" far too muc...Scott, I've seen "Congo" far too much in my life! Lol! I like "Alien 3" too, though I can't tell you why exactly. It's like a video game, but a fun one. It reminds me a lot of a more serious "Doom".Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122308626703654554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-85797893722723957442011-06-01T17:54:23.927-04:002011-06-01T17:54:23.927-04:00Bev, I had no idea Tomatoes was a student film! T...Bev, I had no idea <i>Tomatoes</i> was a student film! That's amazing as they managed to create a true cult classic.<br /><br />By the way, my favorite line in that one comes from the song the GI is singing, "we gave 'em Alabama and they gave it right back...." LOL!<br /><br /><br />T-Rav, Dr. ScottDS, I like that! It has a real Dr. Evil ring to it!AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-75140374161088315802011-06-01T17:44:44.834-04:002011-06-01T17:44:44.834-04:00You call him Dr. ScottDS, Andrew! (Probably not a ...You call him Dr. ScottDS, Andrew! (Probably not a doctor but it was all I could think of for a comeback.)T-Ravhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10861218035729479354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-44971358357051023392011-06-01T17:17:42.729-04:002011-06-01T17:17:42.729-04:00Scott, I just saw that he mentioned us. That'...Scott, I just saw that he mentioned us. That's very nice of him! And thanks for e-mailing him.<br /><br /><i>Tomatoes</i> and <i>Death Race 2000</i> are truly stupid 1970s movies. <i>Tomatoes</i> is a bit like an early form of the <i>Naked Gun</i> movies, only much more primitive, a heck of a lot cheaper, and really poorly done. But somehow it's just campy enough to be enjoyable.<br /><br /><i>Death Race</i> takes itself more seriously, but it's still totally campy. And you can't beat Carradine as Frankestein and Stallone as Machine Gun Joe. It's captivating... somehow.<br /><br />A lot of people do like <i>Volcano</i> and huge numbers of people love Tom Hanks in that time period. I just never took to him for some reason -- at least until he dropped the comedies, then I really began to like him.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-23930980065797206162011-06-01T17:08:56.121-04:002011-06-01T17:08:56.121-04:00Andrew -
You'll be happy to know Christian T...Andrew - <br /><br />You'll be happy to know Christian Toto mentioned this site in his most recent post. Just a generic blurb but, considering I just e-mailed him about it on Saturday, he does fast work!<br /><br />See my reply to Jed re: Executive Decision.<br /><br />A friend of mine just recommended Attack of the Killer Tomatoes... I haven't seen that, nor have I seen Death Race 2000. I'll add 'em to the list.<br /><br />Kentucky Fried Movie is... okay. As you'll soon find out, the DVD commentary is a riot from start to finish. John Landis and Robert K. Weiss also worked on a similar film in the 80s titled Amazon Women on the Moon. It, too, is simply okay.<br /><br />As for Joe vs. the Volcano, what can I say? It fell through the cracks where it waited for someone like my friend to come along and recommend it to me. And for that, I'm eternally grateful. (Long story.)<br /><br />(I'm in the Apple Store - no time for italics!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com