Watchability: 0
It's a comedy of manners but Katharine Hepburn's character is so annoying and Cary Grant is so unbelievable as a bumbling scientist that Bringing Up Baby is just an exercise in frustration. No need to catch this flick even for historic purposes--both leads have much better films to choose.
Family Guy: 0
Relevance: 0
Read the trivia on imdb.com for entertaining tidbits on this one. It's too difficult to watch the movie itself which is the exact opposite of our preference for comedies! Katharine Hepburn looks older than she's supposed to be and her character is so rude that we can't overcome it and even if we did, there isn't much else to enjoy with a near lack of plot furthered only by an escaped pet leopard and Cary Grant's character being held hostage.
The good news is, it's only a little over an hour and a half long! So, it's crap but it's quick crap!
If you're really craving comedy of manners, snuggle up to a good episode of Frasier instead.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Movie #82A: Giant
Watchability: 3
This is a good movie to catch on network tv on a Sunday while you do chores--its beautiful scenes and actors make a nice background since the sound is so muddled most of the dialogue is indistinguishable.
Family Guy: 1
Only because of the numerous Liz Taylor references does this get a ranking.
Relevance: 1
Why does it take nearly three and a half hours for a movie about nothing when Seinfeld proved it could be done in 25 minutes???
Many scenes are reminiscent of a play that was recorded rather than a creation for the big screen and the sound is horribly uneven and overcomes the dialogue pretty much every time a character speaks. Giant portrays the topics of racism, sexism and classism without delving too deeply into any of them during the life span of a married couple and their Texas ranch hand turned oil tycoon.
This is yet another example of "appreciate it for what it is and when it was made" rather than a lasting commentary on society and/or film-making.
This is a good movie to catch on network tv on a Sunday while you do chores--its beautiful scenes and actors make a nice background since the sound is so muddled most of the dialogue is indistinguishable.
Family Guy: 1
Only because of the numerous Liz Taylor references does this get a ranking.
Relevance: 1
Why does it take nearly three and a half hours for a movie about nothing when Seinfeld proved it could be done in 25 minutes???
Many scenes are reminiscent of a play that was recorded rather than a creation for the big screen and the sound is horribly uneven and overcomes the dialogue pretty much every time a character speaks. Giant portrays the topics of racism, sexism and classism without delving too deeply into any of them during the life span of a married couple and their Texas ranch hand turned oil tycoon.
This is yet another example of "appreciate it for what it is and when it was made" rather than a lasting commentary on society and/or film-making.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Bottom "10" Overview
So, the main thing we've learned about movies pretty quickly from this exercise is that we have a somewhat unique reaction to them. We review and research most of the ones we watch and so far they have been critically acclaimed and praised by average viewers as well. However, we cannot understand why most of them would be included on a list of the TOP 100 movies of all time that was created in 1997. Perhaps the confusion lies with our interpretation of "top" as "greatest" and/or "most entertaining" while the accepted definition seems to mean "with the biggest names" or "best for its time" or "most controversial."
Our challenge to anyone following or just reading this blog is to continue posting your opinions of these movies (we love comments!) but also give justification if you believe they belong on the list when we don't. By the end of this exercise we really would like to better understand the criteria that gets some of these movies we deem horrible on a "top" list.
Here are the ones that we'd include in our top 100:
91B SOPHIE'S CHOICE
Our challenge to anyone following or just reading this blog is to continue posting your opinions of these movies (we love comments!) but also give justification if you believe they belong on the list when we don't. By the end of this exercise we really would like to better understand the criteria that gets some of these movies we deem horrible on a "top" list.
Here are the ones that we'd include in our top 100:
91B SOPHIE'S CHOICE
92A A PLACE IN THE SUN
92B GOODFELLAS
94 PULP FICTION
99B TOY STORY
These are on the fence for being included:
96 DO THE RIGHT THING
90B SWING TIME
93 THE FRENCH CONNECTION
99B TOY STORY
These are on the fence for being included:
96 DO THE RIGHT THING
97 BLADE RUNNER
98 YANKEE DOODLE DANDY
These we would never include:
90A THE JAZZ SINGER
91A MY FAIR LADY
99A GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER
100 BEN-HUR
If we were willing to actually acknowledge this as a "movie" we would include it in the WORST MOVIES OF ALL TIME list:
95 THE LAST PICTURE SHOW
We cannot believe why it would even be considered for any list pertaining to anything positive. It is absolute drivel and the basest, most tragic piece of production we have ever witnessed.
If we were willing to actually acknowledge this as a "movie" we would include it in the WORST MOVIES OF ALL TIME list:
95 THE LAST PICTURE SHOW
We cannot believe why it would even be considered for any list pertaining to anything positive. It is absolute drivel and the basest, most tragic piece of production we have ever witnessed.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Movie #97B: Blade Runner
Watchability: 1
If you like sci-fi and want to witness Harrison Ford's worst acting ever, this is one to watch once. The idea of the film noir voice-over style was a good one, but, thanks to Ford, or the writing, or whatever, it didn't work.
Family Guy: 4
In The King Is Dead Family Guy episode, the backdrop of the stage set and Peter's narration placing the events of the play in the year 2019 refer to Blade Runner.
On another episode of Family Guy, the character Death carries a picture of Edward James Olmos and Olmos' ass in his wallet.
Relevance: 1
It's the 80's prediction of present-day: that Asians will have taken over everything, there will be no sun and 80's hair and makeup will be all the rage. Ford's voice-overs are terrible and there are conjectures as to why--trivia and flubs are the best part about this movie.
The idea that man-made creations like the replicants could develop feelings is strong and one that has been imitated and recreated numerous times but if you want a great Ridley Scott sci-fi, watch Alien. The acting is better, the story is better, the special effects are better; it's just a better movie.
Why would this movie be added to the top 100 in 2007? What are the qualities about its dated outlook, poor acting and predictable plot that make it worthy of consideration?
If you like sci-fi and want to witness Harrison Ford's worst acting ever, this is one to watch once. The idea of the film noir voice-over style was a good one, but, thanks to Ford, or the writing, or whatever, it didn't work.
Family Guy: 4
In The King Is Dead Family Guy episode, the backdrop of the stage set and Peter's narration placing the events of the play in the year 2019 refer to Blade Runner.
On another episode of Family Guy, the character Death carries a picture of Edward James Olmos and Olmos' ass in his wallet.
Relevance: 1
It's the 80's prediction of present-day: that Asians will have taken over everything, there will be no sun and 80's hair and makeup will be all the rage. Ford's voice-overs are terrible and there are conjectures as to why--trivia and flubs are the best part about this movie.
The idea that man-made creations like the replicants could develop feelings is strong and one that has been imitated and recreated numerous times but if you want a great Ridley Scott sci-fi, watch Alien. The acting is better, the story is better, the special effects are better; it's just a better movie.
Why would this movie be added to the top 100 in 2007? What are the qualities about its dated outlook, poor acting and predictable plot that make it worthy of consideration?
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