Mid-year resolutions
William Coleman (Level 5) ~ 7/2/2012 1:01 AM
We are now past mid-year, so I suggest we all make movie viewing resolutions. These are mine for the rest of this year and perhaps years to come:
1. I will never see another super-hero movie.
2. I will never see another movie in which an animal tragically dies.
3. I will never see another movie where bridesmaids get diarrhea.
What are yours?
Reginald McGhee (Level 0) ~ 7/2/2012 1:06 AM
1. I will never watch a movie that has a thin plotline like Billy Madison and Jack and Jill.
2. I will watch movies with stronger characters.
3. I would watch movies with at least a three-star rating. These movies often have the best structure and character development.
Ayal Pinkus (Level 5) ~ 7/2/2012 1:15 AM
I have only one I think:
1. I will commit to watching masterpieces more often and repeatedly to see more, to learn.
The truly great ones, the more I watch them the more I see, the more I learn from them. I have a whole stack of DVDs I really want to revisit.
Tim Westland (Moderator) ~ 7/2/2012 1:34 AM
Hmmm... as with critiques... I learn from both the good and the bad. You never know what a film will bring you until you've seen it. It is that sentiment which prevents me from joining in on this one.
This does not mean I won't exercise some movie-going restraint (not gonna see Magic Mike)... but I'm not going to rule out certain types of movies simply because they are certain types of movies.
Sean Chipman (Level 4) ~ 7/2/2012 9:54 AM
1. I make a resolution to see fifty movies again this year no matter how good or bad they might seem (there are always exceptions).
Shane Harkin (Level 3) ~ 7/2/2012 10:20 AM
Just out of curiosity Tim, why won't you be seeing Magic Mike? I've been hearing good things about it, and the critical response has been very positive.
Chris Keaton (Level 5) ~ 7/2/2012 10:24 AM
He's not into dudes.
Chris Keaton (Level 5) ~ 7/2/2012 10:24 AM
;)
Bill Clar (Level 5) ~ 7/2/2012 10:25 AM
I will watch every movie that falls into a "I will never" category.
Kirk White (Level 5) ~ 7/2/2012 10:34 AM
DC Comics owns the rights to call their characters, "super heroes" so TECHNICALLY you could still see Marvel comic movies...if you so chose, Bill. and you could also see the next Toxic Avenger movie from Troma.
just sayin'
I have to agree with Tim about no preconceived notions: my wife drug me kicking and screaming to see People Like Us ("but, honey, TED is right next door") and it was absolutely fantasic...as in...breath of fresh air, movies they should make more of that don't fall into cookie cutter land, kick in the balls funny and kick in the heart touching (often at the same time).
Shane Harkin (Level 3) ~ 7/2/2012 10:51 AM
@Chris
Neither am I, but a good movie is a good movie. Don't have to be into dudes to be into Soderbergh ;)
Tim Westland (Moderator) ~ 7/2/2012 11:15 AM
@Shane
A fair question.
1. I don't see what people see in Channing Tatum. I've yet to hear a good review about his acting. From what I've seen (not much, admittedly), he just comes across as one more hunky beefcake type with nothing much more to offer. Honestly, in the interviews I've seen, he seems pretty dull witted. I would have the same reaction to a woman in the same situation. Some might say, "But Tim, what about Meghan Fox?". Well... um... er... hahahaha. But seriously, she can actually act. She doesn't have the dull cow eyes issue that Tatum seems to have. Plus... um... she is SO HOT!
Let me offer Chris Hemsworth as an example of the opposite. I've seen the guy in interviews and he comes off as intelligent and charming. And he does seem to have some sort of depth as an actor. So he's not just a good looking guy who works out.
2. Keaton is right... I'm not into dudes (see above). So movies about dudes stripping isn't top of my list.
3. If there were ANY indication that there was some interesting aspect to this film... any at all... I would consider seeing it. Near as I can tell, it's Flash Dance with guys in it... or maybe Showgirls with guys in it. Yes, that's the feeling I get from the previews and from what my daughter said (see below). I saw Showgirls and still feel dirty years later. I don't want to go through that again. And that was made by Verhoeven and Eszterhas... big names with real credentials.
4. My daughter saw it and told me the thing was not good. Plot holes a plenty and lots of stuff that didn't make any sense. Her opinion: the only reason to see it is to see Tatum's body.
As for the critical response... maybe I am missing the boat. But then again, I've seen plenty of situations where critics praise a movie because of who the director is or who the cast are.
I love Soderbergh's work and reputation. He's top drawer. My interpretation is that he made this for the money and that's all. Nothing wrong with that... but it doesn't mean I have to see it.
I saw Moonrise Kingdom instead. What a great film.
Wes Worthing (Level 5) ~ 7/3/2012 9:51 AM
1. I will watch a variety of films and pay attention to the camera movements and angle
choices.
2. I will watch films and then go home and write scripts superior to what I watched.
3. I will watch films to learn the rules of storytelling, and then write a story that
breaks the rules.
David Birch (Level 5) ~ 7/3/2012 10:03 AM
i will check for speling and find my shift key...
Ayal Pinkus (Level 5) ~ 7/3/2012 12:01 PM
Day fit, jew cooled all vase juice soft wear two cheque four owl miss steaks inn righting. Eye no eye dew!
William Coleman (Level 5) ~ 7/4/2012 5:07 PM
I resolve to finish two screenplays I have started. One has 70 pages done and polished, the other has 30 pages.
Tim Westland (Moderator) ~ 7/4/2012 5:49 PM
Now THAT is great resolution! Good luck, sir.
Faith Friese Nelson (Level 5) ~ 7/5/2012 9:02 AM
I'll try to stay active at MP while remaining focused on my novel.