What Have You Just Seen... Marks Out of 5

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 29 Dec 2007, 19:27

Oh please, I'd debate the fuck out of you on this topic if your argument and an ounce of rationality to it! But you seem to be stuck in some raving BAN THIS FILTH censorship hungry old fart mode.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 29 Dec 2007, 19:33

Shingster wrote:Oh please, I'd debate the fuck out of you on this topic if your argument and an ounce of rationality to it!

Why is it now that I'm starting to get really oh-so-scared of the mighty Shingster's intellect and world reknowned debating skills?? 8)

But you seem to be stuck in some raving BAN THIS FILTH censorship hungry old fart mode.

Lol, I never said BAN anything! And Mary Whitehouse was a silly old cunt!!

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 29 Dec 2007, 19:40

I know you never said BAN anything, I'm saying you're channelling that state of mind right now. You've got much more in common with Mary Whitehouse than you care to admit, normal well adjusted intelligent human beings do not get into a tizz because the parents in a horror film are seen to be smoking dope whilst their children are in bed. PG rating or not, Poltergeist is not a children's film, it is an adult film.

If you disagree with that, fine. If you think that scene is genuinely outragous, great - whatever floats your boat - but don't delude yourself that your opinion on this is the "common sense" or popular one.

That's been my point right from the start, and it ain't changed a jot since.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 29 Dec 2007, 20:07

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Whitehouse

I have nothing in common with Mary Whitehouse.

Except a mutual love of Aussie soap Neighbours.

But repeat that and I'll kill ya!

I don't think it makes any difference who the target audience for Poltergeist is nor its rating. My point was that it's wrong to show parents smoking dope without consequences. I don't object to scenes showing drug misuse (as Whitehouse would) but the non-judgmental context. By italicizing the word 'intelligent' the implication is that I'm not; because I have certain moral views I'm ill-adjusted? Those are bold and potentially offensive asserions to make. I've never slagged you off even though I disagree with your "it's all good" approach. I don't have a problem with violence or drug use in film. But these are negatives in our society and should be portrayed a such. I don't care about the amount but the underlying message and the message that Poltergeist sends out is "hey, this is pretty normal behaviour". I don't think it is (or at least it shoudn't be...) I suspect that whilst most people admittedly might not consider the matter, if you asked them they would concur that parents smoking dope is irresponsible. I know it's not mandatory for filmmakers to act responsibly in what they portray... but I like it when they do. Reminds me that there are people out there who do give a shit.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 29 Dec 2007, 20:45

It was Poltergeist we were talking about here, not fecking E.T!

Good point Poltergeist is rated R and 15 and thus isn't intended for kids so has no relevance to show a good message to kids anyway

So your original point doesn't even make a lot of sense to start with.

Otherwise

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 29 Dec 2007, 20:54

I know I should be acting all "moddy" about it and I should be telling you girls to knock it off, but I'm having too much fun reading this bullshit.

If I can add my 2 cents, though:
The great thing about a film is that its director is allowed to create his own moral values.
If you're not compatible with the film's moral values, then don't watch the film.

If all movies were responsible, cinema would be pretty boring.
As far as I'm concerned, as long as the director isn't saying out loud "it's OK to smoke dope in front of the kids", then I'm all right with it.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 29 Dec 2007, 21:17

*Agrees with Tom*

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 29 Dec 2007, 22:48

I Am Legend (2007): 1 / 5

The trailer had me fooled for a minute.

But I'm not a fool. This is just a cheap-looking cross between Resident Evil and The Mummy Returns with not many redeeming features.
Sure, Will Smith can act. Sure, he's got a cute dog. Sure, the early scenes with the sweeping shots are quite nice to look at. But there's nothing else.

The CG effects and CG creatures are pretty terrible. Makes you wonder what they've spent their money on.

Oh, and the ending of "I Am Legend" is even worse than the ending of Spielberg's War of the Worlds (hard to imagine, I know).

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 29 Dec 2007, 22:55

Did you have to put the thread back on topic?

Spielberg utterly killed what is one of the best source materials for a film ever. Seeing the Tri-pods on the big screen is wonderful but my god Spielberg didn't half cock it up. Buy the Jeff Wayne CD and look at the artwork. That's how The War of the Worlds should be done!

p.s - I may go and see I Am Legend next week. Unlike you I pay to see my movies 8)

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 30 Dec 2007, 00:13

I Am Legend is not worth paying for!

I would give it 2/5 Will Smith is really good in it.

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 30 Dec 2007, 00:39

grim_tales wrote:It's a Wonderful Life: 5/5

Superb film. Regarded as a classic, .

I also watched it for the first time on Christmas Day (despite owning the dvd for about 5 years!). I also enjoyed it, but only because of the ending. It takes it time to build up the story of George, but I felt it dragged in places. I have a feeling it will fare better on subsequent viewings. Ironically, for a film feted for it's "feel-good" factor, it isn't half depressing (save for the last ten minutes).

The ending makes it what it is.

3.5/5 for me.

Groundhog Day 5/5

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Dec 2007, 00:45

How many times have you seen it Grim? A Million?

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 30 Dec 2007, 01:44

Entourage, Season 1 (4 out of 5)

Lots of pot being smoked. Lots of alcohol consumed. Lots of swear words.
Not recommended for Mark.

It's naughty fun, and mostly all fluff. A lot of guys sit around and avoid working at anything other than hooking up with hot women and partying. Worth watching for the comedy and the cameos (Producer Mark Wahlberg & Val Kilmer, to name a couple). Kevin Dillon is hilarious as the has-been half-brother Johnny Drama to up-and-coming Vince. Kevin Connolly is growing on me some, but he's a bit too Emilio Estevez for me now, or somebody similar to him.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 30 Dec 2007, 10:02

Brad: Poltergeist was a 'PG' as I've already said... but I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

the68monkey wrote:Lots of pot being smoked. Lots of alcohol consumed. Lots of swear words.
Not recommended for Mark.

I know you were saying that tongue-in-cheek... but lest everyone think I'm a buzzkill my point was about context. Most of my film collection is probably Rated R. So an uptight Conservative I ain't. Now we're hopefully clear.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 30 Dec 2007, 10:34

A million, no no, about 3 times.
Good points Bruce. Maybe it's a slow burner, also why does the evil Mr. Potter never go to jail? The last act especially, as you say is really dark and depressing, I think this makes the ending seem even better

I've got to see Groundhog Day again - I agree with 5/5 for that

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 30 Dec 2007, 10:36

I might go to see I Am Legend too

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 30 Dec 2007, 11:21

I AM LEGEND sounds like more CGI drivel; shame as the potential was there. Is it me or does Will Smith play 'Will Smith' in far too many of his films? His upcoming summer superhero movie, HANCOCK, looks promising...

If the reviews are positive I may go see RAMBO. I think it opens here in February (just after the US). I only mention it because that's the earliest my arse will be plonked in a cinema seat.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 30 Dec 2007, 14:20

Markgway wrote:
If the reviews are positive I may go see RAMBO.

Don't tell Romero you listen to reviews before going to see something.he'll be most upset :twisted: Rambo will get a critical panning,it's obvious.

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 30 Dec 2007, 14:47

Markgway wrote:I AM LEGEND sounds like more CGI drivel; shame as the potential was there. Is it me or does Will Smith play 'Will Smith' in far too many of his films? His upcoming summer superhero movie, HANCOCK, looks promising...

.

Actually, he doesn't as much these days. I don't think he was "Will Smith" in I AM Legend, Pursuit of Happyness, Ali to name 3 of his recent-ish films.

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 30 Dec 2007, 17:28

Yeah, obviously there's always a little "Will Smith" in all his performances, as he's a still a star rather than character actor, but he hasn't played the true "Wiill Smith" persona from the likes of Fresh Prince and ID4 in a long time now.

Markgway wrote:Most of my film collection is probably Rated R. So an uptight Conservative I ain't. Now we're hopefully clear.

I've yet to meet an uptight conservative who were actually aware that they were one!

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 30 Dec 2007, 18:42

Shingster wrote:Yeah, obviously there's always a little "Will Smith" in all his performances, as he's a still a star rather than character actor, but he hasn't played the true "Wiill Smith" persona from the likes of Fresh Prince and ID4 in a long time now.

I, Robot, Bad Boys, Hitch?

I haven't seen Pursuit of Happyness, but it seems to be in the minority in his filmography.

I saw him years back in Six Degrees of Seperation and thought this guy would go on to be a great actor, but he's never really (or rarely) lived up to his potential.

Markgway wrote:I've yet to meet an uptight conservative who were actually aware that they were one!

Would an uptight Conservative tell you to go fuck yourself?

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 30 Dec 2007, 18:46

Don't forget Men in Black, Independence Day etc

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 30 Dec 2007, 18:54

ID4 is Independence Day... but yeah, I forgot Men in Black.

His lazy performance actually was a negative in MIB, though I'm sure it helped the box office enormously.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Dec 2007, 19:04

Will Smith is great as Will Smith does it matter?

Markgway wrote:Brad: Poltergeist was a 'PG' as I've already said... but I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

My mistake. IMDB also lists it's original rating.

PG does mean Parental Guidance. It is still rated 15 in the UK

saltysam wrote:Don't tell Romero you listen to reviews before going to see something.he'll be most upset :twisted: Rambo will get a critical panning,it's obvious.

Except Romero does too he just won't directly admit to it

. I'm sure I'm not alone in reading Romero say "I've heard X about a film and Y said this".

It's impossible to have no preconceived notions before seeing a film.

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 30 Dec 2007, 19:40

Markgway wrote:
Shingster wrote:Yeah, obviously there's always a little "Will Smith" in all his performances, as he's a still a star rather than character actor, but he hasn't played the true "Wiill Smith" persona from the likes of Fresh Prince and ID4 in a long time now.
I, Robot, Bad Boys, Hitch?

I haven't seen Pursuit of Happyness, but it seems to be in the minority in his filmography.

Well Bad Boys II and Men in Black II were 4-5years back now and they were sequels to films Smith made over 10yrs ago at the height of the "Will Jiggy 'wid it' Smith" days, and obviously he's not going to play those roles radically different to how he played them in the original films, so they don't really count.

Hitch i'll give you, but even then he's not particularly in your face any more than any other major film star in a rom-com these days, nor is his performance in I, Robot any different than most Hollywood A-listers would put in.

Of course, aside from being ultra-conservative, you're also the type of grumpy film "fan" who dismisses 99% of films for a variety of preconcieved absurd notions and stereotypes. So I'm not surprised you see Will Smith's name on a credit list and think of just one thing and will not be convinced otherwise!

Markgway wrote:Would an uptight Conservative tell you to go fuck yourself?

Yes, yes they would!