posted on January 25, 2001 12:30:25 PM new
One of the perks of early retirement was going to movie matinees and enjoying reduced prices and choice seating. My husband gave up going to the movies long ago and I really don't mind going alone. However, during my "year of the funk" I did not take in one movie.
But, yesterday, I got my rear in gear and decided it was time to again enjoy one of life's little pleasures.
But, which movie? I narrowed it down to "The Pledge" or "Traffic". Went to MSN's Entertainment site to see the reviews. The reviews were not in depth, but by a point system. And, this one received good points. Not knowing what it was about, I decided to take in "Traffic" this week.
HATED IT!!!!
I saw it as nothing more than a documentary on the war on drugs and its effect on those involved, whether they be users, pushers or those fighting the war. I thought, "this will be a movie with no ending". Unless I missed it on the evening news and all of the greedy people in the world have been wiped out, I believe this war is still ongoing.
Messages! Messages! Messages! I don't want messages. I just want to be entertained. I want to escape. I want to cry, or laugh, or cover my eyes at scary stuff.
So, this reviewer not only gives "Traffic" 2 thumbs down, but also 8 fingers and 10 toes down.
On the bright side, though. This was my first time in a theater with stadium seating.
How cool is that?
posted on January 25, 2001 12:43:29 PM new
Hi Femme! We have a theater here with stadium seating, and I agree, it's great. We don't go to many movies, but we do prefer going to that particular theater when we do go.
I'd like to see Castaway, or 13 Days right now. Not sure when we'll get the chance. We rent more to watch at home than we go out to see.
posted on January 25, 2001 12:45:34 PM new
Good for you for getting out to the movies! Sorry Traffic wasn't what you'd hoped.
I like seeing movies by myself, too, because the experience is all mine, with no one else to worry about or to color my perception of the movie. I was once in a theater where out of about a dozen people in attendance, all but two were sitting alone. I think it had something to do with the type of movie -- I don't remember the name of it, but Gary Oldman was Beethoven (?) and it was good.
posted on January 25, 2001 01:02:56 PM new
Yes, "Castaway" and "13 Days" were considered also. I just wasn't in the mood for Tom Hanks yesterday.
I did see a funny trailer for a movie with Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner (not one of my favorites) where they each play Elvis impersonators. Don't recall the name and I'm sure we saw all the funny parts in the trailer.
posted on January 25, 2001 01:33:49 PM new
I have a live in movie reviewer! My 18 year old son is a true movie buff who started working at a local theater a year ago. He has started "building up" the movie reels when a new one comes in and then gets to preview it on the job. He has never really steered us wrong with a movie. He liked "Castaway" alot and doesn't seem too interested in "Traffic"... just from what he's heard through the grapevine. femme, I think the one you are thinking of is something like "Road to Graceland" or something along those lines. It sounded good, but then again, I LOVE Kevin Costner! I watched "the Postman" twice last week! I even liked "Waterworld"!!
posted on January 25, 2001 02:42:32 PM new
We just saw "Finding Forrester" and both loved it.
A little sad in the end but really a feel good movie. Castaways was good too.
posted on January 25, 2001 02:57:21 PM new
femme- i too saw Traffic. i thought it was too long. yes it was almost like a documentary but there was some excellent acting. Benecio del Toro, who won the Golden Globe award for best supporting actor the other night, was excellent. I was also somewhat pleased with Catherine Zeta-Jones' performance.
posted on January 25, 2001 04:55:42 PM new
i was pleasantly surprised that she showed some acting ability but somehow i don't think she will ever be a Streep or even a Julia Roberts.
posted on January 25, 2001 06:08:51 PM new
Great timing, femme.
For various personal/family reasons we haven't gone out to many movies for a while, mainly just rentals, but we're going away for the weekend and were trying to decide which movie we wanted to see while we were going wild in the big city.
We've tentatively chosen "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" from the reviews. If anyone here has seen it, I would be interested in your impression.
posted on January 25, 2001 06:57:45 PM new
A lot of people I know have seen & liked "O Brother Where Art Thou". I myself am debating whether to see it or not (or wait until it comes out on video)-- I am *not* a George Clooney fan. As an actor he shows a big resemblence to a block of wood. You can only go so far with cute mannerisms, and then you need to learn how to *act.*
posted on January 25, 2001 07:36:38 PM new
Thanks! It's great to get some opinions, and definitely know not to bother with Traffic, even when it goes rental.
posted on January 25, 2001 07:54:12 PM new
Saw "O Brother" this afternoon and laughed till I almost wet my pants. Clooney is wonderful - Holly Hunter is as daffy as ever - reminds me of her "Raising Arizona" character - Goodman is wonderful and very funny - I loved the movie so much, I plan to see it again and again. I haven't felt that entertained in a long long time.
You will love it.
noteye
A sad Texan once commented "I Wish it would rain, not so much for myself, I have seen rain before. But, for my 10 year old son."
posted on January 25, 2001 08:12:41 PM new
I went to the movies with my daughter a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to see Oh Brother - she wanted to see Mel Gibson's What Woman Want. She won the coin toss.
It wasn't as good as I'd expected. It was funny but if I had it to do over again I'd wait and watch it on video at home.
posted on January 25, 2001 09:20:18 PM new
Sorry MyBidness, but I really loved What Women Want. Sure, it was absurd, but beyond that I saw a kind of early 60s humor, when being politically correct didn't exist, and the two sexes could actually enjoy being different without having to be embarrased by it. It reminded me a lot of the Rock Hudson & Doris Day flicks with a fresh makeover. I think it was by far the best comedy Gibson has ever done. Then again, maybe it appeals more to men than women.
posted on January 25, 2001 10:57:08 PM newlswanson Sorry, I missed your post. Yes - it was a good movie and I'm a huge Mel Gibson fan. I think I haven't forgiven them for giving the Divine Bette such a tiny part. I kept waiting for her to show up again and she never did.
And it was fun to think about what would happen in real life if we really could read each others minds.
posted on January 25, 2001 11:13:15 PM new
I think part of Midler's role ended up on the editing room floor! Like you, I wondered when she'd show up again--it's obvious from the earlier scene that she should.
I went to see this film last weekend with a friend who wanted to see it. I am a Gibson fan, but for some reason this film didn't "excite" me enough to go when it opened. Must say, I ended up enjoying it a great deal. I think Iswanson hit the nail on the head--this film is very reminescent of the romance comedies of the late 50's & early 60's.
posted on January 28, 2001 08:27:25 PM new
If the new Bush administration were to choose a theme movie, Oh Brother.... would be the perfect one with its early rural Southern setting and religious and political motifs. The movie is very funny, very clever. Literally hundreds of wonderful lines and scenes.
I also couldn't help noticing that krs would almost be a typecast for the character role of Ulysses.
spacing edit
[ edited by Antiquary on Jan 28, 2001 08:29 PM ]
posted on January 29, 2001 11:37:12 PM new
I'm still trying to get to see Oh Brother. I went to the movies again tonight but got outvoted... drat.
But, we saw "Save the Last Dance." It was a great movie... I'm still assimilating so I'm not sure how to describe it except that it was a wonderful inspiring story about young people meeting challenges and going after their dreams... funny, sad and some truly awesome dancing.
