From: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com (movies-digest) To: movies-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: movies-digest V2 #319 Reply-To: movies-digest Sender: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk movies-digest Saturday, January 27 2001 Volume 02 : Number 319 Re: [MV] The patriot - 2000 RE: [MV] The patriot - 2000 [MV] Gladiator or The patriot ?? [MV] 2000 Blues [MV] A Simple Plan [MV] Hollow man - 2000 [MV] The dog / Hollow man [MV] Perfect Storm - Spoilers [MV] As Depicted In Movies Re: [MV] A Simple Plan Re: [MV] Hollow man - 2000 [MV] Russell Crowe, mini-biography [MV] Saving Grace - 2000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2001 22:05:39 -0500 From: Mel Eperthener Subject: Re: [MV] The patriot - 2000 At 02.49 PM 22/01/2001 -0700, Marc Claude Desbiens wrote: >Mmmmmmmmm ... Mark, could the fact you are from the UK influence your opinion here ?? >I'm just asking because I know of at least to other people who say they hated-hated-hated this movie and they are both from the UK, is it a coincidence >?? One even said she left the theater after 45 minutes cos' she couldn't take it anymore. > Tis funny. The Brits were complaining about the "historical inaccuracies" of this movie. The Daughters of the American Revolution (US historic society - too difficult to explain here) came out and agreed with them. They said that the Redcoats were nowhere near as nice as they were protrayed in the movie:-) > >I suppose Midnight express wasn't a big hit in Turkey, Indiana Jones and the temple of Doom in India ... or Red corner in China for example. I actually sold a copy of this movie to someone whose daughter was studying in China. Had to try to explain to her why it was not a good idea to send it to said daughter. >Why do they have foreign people talking in english in the movies anyway ... even when they talk among themselves, geeeeesh ... come on !! Can't the >director use subtitles for a minute here and there ?? Nope. Americans will not tolerate subtitles. I have even heard complaints about the subtitles in the Star Trek movies. Such a wonderful film as Red Violin went that route, and its popularity was definately damaged by the use of subtitles. >I haven't seen the Seven Samurai, heard it was "ace" though ! Sure you have, just not under that name:-) Having gotten to Hidden Fortress, Seven Samurai is definately on the list, to be watched soon. Regards, - --Mel - --Mel Eperthener president, Gowanna Multi-media Pty http://www.webz.com/gowanna mailto:bcassidy@usaor.net mailto:gowanna@australiamail.com 419 Butler Street PO Box 95184 Pittsburgh, PA 15223-0184 (412) 781-6140 (412) 781-6380 1-888-45-GOWANNA -- TOLL FREE (1-888-454-6926) ____________________________________________ "Wow! So that is what all that extra space on the movie screen is for!" reaction to "Gladiator" ______________________________________________ [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 09:19:44 -0000 From: MARK DAINTY Subject: RE: [MV] The patriot - 2000 I really do not care for the fact that the British were Bastards in this film - each country's history has periods of shame. What I did find utterly detestible about this film was the fact that the pacing was so slow. It is easy to say that I won't like the film because I am british, unfortunately, it is simply not true. I don't care for historical inaccuracies - I loved Braveheart and thoroughly enjoyed U-571, but The Patriot was very dull. On a Kurosawa tip - just finished watching "Kagemusha" - absolute class, a top-rate film. MARK > -----Original Message----- > From: Mel Eperthener [SMTP:bcassidy@usaor.net] > Sent: 24 January 2001 03:06 > To: movies@lists.xmission.com > Subject: Re: [MV] The patriot - 2000 > > At 02.49 PM 22/01/2001 -0700, Marc Claude Desbiens wrote: > >Mmmmmmmmm ... Mark, could the fact you are from the UK influence your > opinion here ?? > > >I'm just asking because I know of at least to other people who say > they > hated-hated-hated this movie and they are both from the UK, is it a > coincidence > >?? One even said she left the theater after 45 minutes cos' she > couldn't > take it anymore. > > > > Tis funny. > > The Brits were complaining about the "historical inaccuracies" of this > movie. The Daughters of the American Revolution (US historic society > - too > difficult to explain here) came out and agreed with them. They said > that > the Redcoats were nowhere near as nice as they were protrayed in the > movie:-) > > > > > >I suppose Midnight express wasn't a big hit in Turkey, Indiana Jones > and > the temple of Doom in India ... or Red corner in China for example. > > I actually sold a copy of this movie to someone whose daughter was > studying > in China. Had to try to explain to her why it was not a good idea to > send > it to said daughter. > > >Why do they have foreign people talking in english in the movies > anyway > ... even when they talk among themselves, geeeeesh ... come on !! > Can't the > >director use subtitles for a minute here and there ?? > > Nope. Americans will not tolerate subtitles. I have even heard > complaints > about the subtitles in the Star Trek movies. Such a wonderful film as > Red > Violin went that route, and its popularity was definately damaged by > the > use of subtitles. > > > >I haven't seen the Seven Samurai, heard it was "ace" though ! > > Sure you have, just not under that name:-) > > Having gotten to Hidden Fortress, Seven Samurai is definately on the > list, > to be watched soon. > > Regards, > > --Mel > > > --Mel Eperthener > president, Gowanna Multi-media Pty http://www.webz.com/gowanna > > mailto:bcassidy@usaor.net > mailto:gowanna@australiamail.com > > 419 Butler Street > PO Box 95184 > Pittsburgh, PA 15223-0184 > (412) 781-6140 (412) 781-6380 > 1-888-45-GOWANNA -- TOLL FREE (1-888-454-6926) > ____________________________________________ > "Wow! So that is what all that extra space on the movie screen is > for!" reaction to "Gladiator" > ______________________________________________ > > > [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] > [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 11:57:34 -0500 From: "Marc C. Desbiens" Subject: [MV] Gladiator or The patriot ?? David wrote : Marc, I am a little shocked at Gladiator being only a 3.5 on your list? Did I miss your review? ***** Hi David !! Actually I wrote a review for Gladiator but then just as I was about to send it some problem occured and everything was lost ... grrrrr !! This frustrated me so I didn't write the whole thing again. I think it is a very good film, 3.5/5, close to 4/5. I was just a bit disappointed by the story since I had high expectations. I can't believe you would put Patriot above Gladiator? **** I think they are both very close ... The patriot is a "weak" 4/5, it could easily slip to 3.5/5 and the Gladiator is a "strong" 3.5/5 that could easily go up to 4/5 ... they are **that** close, really ! I was surprised I liked The patriot so much actually since many people were syaing it was bad ... etc. I had a very good time watching it ! I had to watch Gladiator twice. Gladiator is somewhat weak on dialog and script, but on second viewing I really thought the story in it's simplicity combined with incredible visuals was beautiful. **** I should watch it again perhaps. ;-) The action was just outstanding. I thought Commodus was well done and I loved hating that evil bastard. ***** Yes, did you see that scene where Commodus sticks his tongue out as he is watching the gladiators fighting, he was loving it !! But what about the ending ?? I thought the last 15 minutes of the movie were a bit "weaker", with a really strong ending I would have placed it at 4/5 probably. As for Patriot, I couldn't help but play my violin and I almost went blind several times when my eyes rolled backwards into my head. **** Hehe !! Yes, some parts were a bit sentimental, or a lot ... but they worked for me ... even Gibson hugging his lil' daughter ... I was surprised how effective it was in my case ! I couldn't help, but compare the emotionally charged scenes with his girl and then the Bruce in Braveheart with the totally sappy trite scenes in the Patriot. The Church scene in the Patriot was just too much, I just couldn't buy it. **** You didn't buy that they would burn it ?? Regardless, I respect your picks. Hopefully, you will see Requiem for a Dream soon, very powerful. **** Yes, that one looks like a "lock" for my Top 10 of 2000 ... maybe even Top 5 !! ;-) The two movies I am looking forward to are Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Shadow of the Vampire. They supposedly will be playing here next week. - -- David ***** Yes, Crouching Tiger, another good one probably ! I don't really care for vampire films but I'll see that one of course, Dafoe and Malkovich, great cast ! In my list of possible good films I forgot "Wonder boys", should be an excellent one ! Marc ;-) _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 14:25:41 -0500 From: "Marc C. Desbiens" Subject: [MV] 2000 Blues COMPADRE !!! Intriguing article in the paper the other day ... here are the juiciest bits !! Source : La presse, T'was in french so I translated it ! How convenient ! Marc ;-) ====================================================== - - 17 films made 100 M$ or more in the US, same as the previous year. Despite this most people say that 2000 wasn't as good as 1999, less quality films being made. It is hard to predict the results at the Oscars since not a single movie is a clear winner. - - Hollywood was playing it "safe" quite often in 2000. - - Good surprises : Ridley Scott - Gladiator Philip Kaufman - Quills Steven Soderbergh - Erin Brockovich (and Traffic !) Peter Lord and Nick Park - Chicken run - - Films that failed despite famous directors : Brian De Palma - Mission to Mars Mike Nichols - What planet are you from - - 2000 blues ... Adam Sandler's Little Nicky was also a major failure, 35M$ is a bit disappointment considering Sandler's previous films. Arnold Schwarzenegger and The sixth day : 34M$, but no worries, Arnold is very popular at the international box office so it'll make plenty of money ! Sylvester Stallone doesn't have to worry either, Get Carter will make money in foreign countries. 102 Dalmatians : 48M$, The studio expected at least twice as much. The legend of Bagger Vance : 30 M$, Some people were thinking this could be a candidate for the Oscars but they are now silent. Blair witch 2 was also a real loser compared to the original that was such a successful film. - ------------------------------------------------------- Among the stars, the biggest loser of the year has to be John Travolta ... Battlefield Earth was laughable and Lucky numbers was also in and out of theaters quickly. Even among the films that were huge at the box office, quite a few can hardly be considered "quality" films. Gladiator, X-Men, Erin Brockovich, Chicken run and Remember the Titans deserved what they got but what about : The grinch Mission impossible 2 The perfect storm What lies beneath The patriot Gone in 60 seconds Scary movie Charlie's angels Meet the parents Nutty professor 2 Big momma's house ???? There are only 3 "family" films among the 17 that made 100M$ or more at the box office : The grinch, Chicken run and Dinosaur. Comedies and action films were more successful. Wonder boys (Curtis Hanson) and Almost famous (Cameron Crowe) were two quality films that failed to attract moviegoers. Overall, the year was rather disappointing and people now look forward to movies like : - - Gangs of New York - Martin Scorsese - - A.I. - Steven Spielberg - - Planet of the apes - Tim Burton - - Ocean's eleven - Steven Soderbergh Have a fine day ! Marc ;-) - ------------------------------------------------------- "It's hard digging a grave ... when the guy it's for is staring straight at you ... but I kept thinking ... this is it ... when he is gone ... all this will be over ..." Gary Oldman as "Jack" - "Romeo is bleeding" (1993) 4/5 - ------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 05:33:21 -0500 From: "Marc C. Desbiens" Subject: [MV] A Simple Plan <<<<< Spoilers !!!!! >>>>> ***** Marc ;-( (hehe !!) Tom wrote : Hi All, OK, I watched A Simple Plan last night and I couldn't even finish it. This movie was too dumb. I can't believe so many liked it! **** I can't believe someone wouldn't finish such a great movie and call it dumb as well ! 5/5, it's in my Top 20 favorites of all times. Maybe I am too picky, but when a movie takes itself very seriously, I expect it be very believable - and this just wasn't. **** Well, it's a movie, not a documentary, it is fictional story ... that doesn't mean it is not good because there is less than a one in a million chance it would happen ... same with "Duel" (1971 ?) for example ... would it happen ?? A truck driver pursuing someone like that for such a long time ?? Not one chance in a million yet the movie still kicks some !! 4.5/5 [SPOILER] Just a warning - I am gonna blow the first 30 mins, so if you haven't seen it, do not continue. :-0 I am almost afraid to trash this film since so many liked it, but here's my problem with the movie: **** Nah, I respect your opinion, I am just perplexed and confused !! ;-) At the beginning these 3 guys find 4.4 million. OK, fine. This could be good. One of the guys [Bill Paxton] wants to do the right thing and call the police. He argues that the money is not theirs and it is stealing and stealing is wrong. His dim-witted brother and his brother's hillbilly friend want to keep it. **** That hillbilly ! Good description, Tom !! After 5 minutes of coaxing by two dimwits, college educated Paxton goes from honest guy to thief. **** Well, can't the two dimwits have some plausible arguments ?? Plus they kind of threaten him in a way, saying it is their money just as much as it is his so why should he decide alone ?? Plus Paxton is intelligent, he **really** wants to do it and keep the money, he just needed a lil' more time to think about it ... how to get away with it ... OK, I can buy that sort of...Paxton claims that if the police get suspiscious, he will burn the money. So far I like Billy Bob's characterization of Jacob and I can sorta buy into this thing - but then, the very next day, Paxton's character goes from upright citizen and moralizer to murderer?! **** Mmmmmm ... maybe he thought he had gone too far already ?? Thinking his brother would be accused of attempted murder obviously ... the whole thing crumbling ... no money, a stiff jail sentence for his brother ... him in big trouble while his wife is oh-so pregnant ... I mean come-on ... is that so unbelievable ?? It was just the story unfolding, going from telling a simple lie to comitting a murder ... then another ... etc. etc. Gimme a break! There was no reason to do that. If the author had Jacob commit the murder all on his own, I could buy it. And I could believe Paxton covering it up to protect his brother. **** Well, that could have worked out better ... I agree with you there ... but the way it is presented in the movie didn't bother me as much as you as I explained right **up there** ! ;-) But when Paxton discovers that the guy is alive, he could've just let things run their course. Jacob would have gotten off with a slap on the wrist for assault and maybe some much needed psychiatric care. ***** You don't really believe that ?? Hitting someone in the head with a metal pipe, if that is not attempted murder, what is ?? Plus you have the whole "Trying to steal 4 million $$$" thing and the dead body in the airplane ... it was quite a mess they created and Paxton was doing his best to try and get everything to fall into place which was extremely complicated. And Paxton could have continued with a life he and his wife made clear at the beginning was a great life. **** Yes, he says that at first but it is clear his wife doesn't agree .. she is bitter and frustrated and he would do anything to please her as well, he steals the money for her too, for his family really, not only for himself. Next Paxton immediately tells his wife that he murdered someone and she "understands", even though the day before she couldn't comprehend even keeping the money "cause it's wrong". **** Well, she changed her opinion about that and once the wheels were in motion it was too late ... they had to deal with the next problem and the next ... etc. etc. It was the fact she was quite greedy and manipulative that made thigns worse actually, suggesting to bring back some of the money and plant it in the plane ... that's when Thornton clubbed the guy with the pipe if I recall ! See, all those events are connected in such a brilliant way !! ;-) Then Paxton's wife discover's that the money was ransom money and this suddenly makes it all alright to her! huh? The day before she was going on and on about how their life is great, they have enough money and stealing is wrong. The next day she finds out that 6 people died over this money and that it does indeed belong to someone else. So that makes it all OK?? ***** She doesn't go on and on that their life is great, she changes her mind within a few hours ... I remember the scene where they are laying in bed, making love with passion ... oops .. that was in another movie ... I mean, laying in bed and discussing the whole issue and changing their mind slowly but surely ... again, they have to think about it unlike the dimwitted brother and hillbilly who are not as "brainy" ... I could kind of believe her wanting to keep the cash had the money been drug money - I mean, you cannot return the money to the drug addicts and the drug lords shouldn't get to keep it (even if that is a rationalization). **** It was found money and when they finally learn exactly where the money came from it is way too late to think of backing out ... This could have been a believable study in what greed can do to a person, but instead the author went too far too fast. Personally I would have really enjoyed it had Paxton's character not murdered anyone and instead was nagged by second thoughts, but was pulled down deeper and deeper as time went on. This would have allowed the audience to relate to him and to feel the tension and care about what happens. **** Yes, I would have liked that too ... would have been more than a drama than a suspense/thriller though ... would make a good film as well ! But as soon as Paxton finished the murder that Jacob started, I suddenly didn't care what happened to these stupid characters - but even worse, I couldn't believe it. **** Oh ... ;-( Didn't you think the actors were fantastic ?? Did you like "Fargo" ?? It's also a 5/5 for me. So I guess some of you are thinking that I am being too critical, but I cannot help it. There was also another scene that was fake and unbelievable, but it was a very minor scene that I could have easily overlooked had the movie been better. I won't bother going into it... :-) Did anyone *not* like this movie? Tom ***** Have a fine day ! Marc ;-) _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 11:01:40 -0800 From: "Marc Claude Desbiens" Subject: [MV] Hollow man - 2000 Alright I saw Hollow man the other night. I thought it was good, nothing spectacular but the movie makes good use of the special effects to create suspense. It stars Kevin Bacon as a scientist working on some secret project for the military, finding a way to make animals (and later human beings !) invisible and also bring them back of course ... (Why is it so difficult to bring them back ?? Because it wouldn't be as much FUN if it was easy !!) I was laughing seeing Bacon typing furiously on his keyboard at home, as if we could believe such complex issues could be dealt with using artsy fancy graphics on a puter. Clicking here-there, sitting back ... This looks so "Hollywood", they want to make sure everyone understands so they have those lil' graphics in there telling you absolutely everything "Click here, please ..." ... like in "The net" with Bullock, remember ?? ;-) Also Elisabeth Shue who is a really great actress as she proved in Leaving Las Vegas, but that was one role ... since then she appears in a lot of roles that are really not as difficult and challenging ... The trigger effect, Palmetto, The saint ... etc. Those are not awful movies but not at the level of LLV for sure ! A few colorful people in the supporting roles which is expected, you need a few weirdos in there to add "color" ... ;-) The film is all special effects so I wasn't expecting a really great story anyway. It's very formulaic and predictable actually, you just have to put your brain in the neutral position by drinking a few pints of delicious imported-from-the-UK beer and enjoy the visuals. The special effects are great and I thought they didn't really have to try and tell a nasty story like that, making the movie more of a "drama" instead of a thriller could have improved it perhaps ... As soon as Bacon becomes invisible himself he of course starts harassing women, fondling one that is sleeping, sexual assault, etc. Like this would be soooooooo great, the first thing you do as you become invisible is harass people in a sexual way ?? Apparently, YES !! I was reminded of "The entity" a 1980's film where a "ghost" attacks a woman in a sexual way as she is sleeping ... Have you seen that one ?? Anyway of course Bacon is paranoid and gets out of control as was expected ... the ending is rather ludicrous and over-the-top too, so it's not a very original film but it looks quite good on screen so I let it slide. There is a nasty scene though where a dog is slammed against a metal cage and killed, I thought that was quite unnecessary. Plus would Josh Brolin really step in that cage with the gorilla near the beginning ?? The wild beast could cruch him like an egg with her powerful hands and he's walking in there and tries to stick a needle in her arm ?? Geeeeeeesh, I call that a DEATHWISH trying to stick a gorilla with a needle with absolutely nothing to protect yourself with !! 3/5 Marc ;-) - - "Look, I am two seconds away from calling the police !!!" - - "They'll never make it in time ... we're in the middle of nowhere ..." Drew Barrymore as "Casey Becker" and Roger L. Jackson as "Ghostface" (voice) Scream (1996) - ------------------------------------------------------------ Apollo Guide: The Best in Movie Reviews, DVD & Home Video Click Here for intelligent reviews online -> http://apolloguide.com [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 21:31:52 -0500 From: "Marc C. Desbiens" Subject: [MV] The dog / Hollow man ****** HOLLOW MAN - SPOILERS !! ******** **** Mmmmmm .. I only mentioned it this time because I thought it was completely unnecessary ... We already know Bacon is EVIL so why have him kill the dog in such a brutal way ?? Would it make him look more AWFUL ?? I mean he just raped a woman 5 minutes before we see him kill the dog !! You see the difference ... Bacon kills people in the lab but he has a reason (a rather bizarre one, he wants to keep them quiet about his EVIL plans and continue his work, etc.) but he had absolutely no reason to kill the dog ... he just walks by and is annoyed because the dog barks at him ... why not continue and leave the room instead of stopping and slamming the dog against the cage ?? It would have been different for example if the dog had attacked him or something like that but this was uncalled for. Marc ;-) ====================================================== >John wrote : Just an observation... > > Why do people get so upset at an animal getting hurt or killed in a movie= > , but > you can kill and torture and maim people and (in the case of Hollow > Man)sexually abuse them and people don't get as upset? > Just curious > > John _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 15:46:45 -0500 From: "Marc C. Desbiens" Subject: [MV] Perfect Storm - Spoilers **** PERFECT STORM, SPOILERS ****** Tom, COMPADRE !! Thanks for your earlier message about those Perfect storm issues, I agree with what you were saying ... appeared to be reasonable explanations !! I was thinking though ... Why didn't Mark Whalberg and George Clooney put on life vests near the end ?? Wouldn't they possibly have had a better chance to survive ?? Why would Whalberg especially not put this on before popping up to the surface ?? Maybe it wouldn't have made a big difference but earlier in the film we see those guys from the helicopter that went down (that was a great scene when the copter goes down, and then how it sinks ... wow ...) and they all have life vests of course ... seems reasonable. I liked the movie overall but his lil' "speech" to his girlfriend while he was there ... you know, just about to die ... I was thinking .. oh come on ... STOP IT !! That was so "Hollywood" ... I would have preferred if they had not included that scene ... Marc _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 16:05:32 -0500 From: "Marc C. Desbiens" Subject: [MV] As Depicted In Movies Thanks Elaine !! That was funny and quite appropriate considering we were discussing that just recently with the computers in Hollow man ... and The net as well ... I am also reminded of that tiny blonde girl saving the day in Jurassic Park, how convenient ! (Well, that was a bubble gum film so I let it slide, the boy getting electrocuted on that fence and then his hair is a-la Don King, hehe !! Obviously material included for the youngsters in the audience !) Marc ;-) - ------------------------------------------------------ Hey Everyone! Someone sent this to me a while back and I thought I'd pass it on. You might find it amusing. Elaine :) - ----------------------------------------------------- COMPUTERS & ELECRONICS (as depicted in movies) ===================================================== = Word processors never display a cursor. =You never have to use the space-bar when typing long sentences. =All monitors display inch-high letters. =High-tech computers, such as those used by NASA, the CIA, or some such governmental institution, will have easy to understand graphical interfaces. =Those that don't, have incredibly powerful text-based command shells that can correctly understand and execute commands typed in plain English. =Corollary: you can gain access to any information you want by simply typing "ACCESS ALL OF THE SECRET FILES" on any keyboard. =Likewise, you can infect a computer with a destructive virus by simply typing "UPLOAD VIRUS" (see Fortress). =All computers are connected. =You can access the information on the villain's desktop computer, even if it's turned off. =Powerful computers beep whenever you press a key or whenever the screen changes. =Some computers also slow down the output on the screen so that it doesn't go faster than you can read. =The *really* advanced ones also emulate the sound of a dot-matrix printer. _See The Hunt For Red October or Alien_ =All computer panels have thousands of volts and flash pots just underneath the surface. =Malfunctions are indicated by a bright flash, a puff of smoke, a shower of sparks, and an explosion that forces you backwards. =Corollary: sending data to a modem/tape drive/printer faster than expected causes it to explode. =People typing away on a computer will turn it off without saving the data. _See the opening credits for The Hunt For Red October_ =A hacker can get into the most sensitive computer in the world before intermission and guess the secret password in two tries. =Any PERMISSION DENIED has an OVERRIDE function (see Demolition Man and countless others). =Complex calculations and loading of huge amounts of data will be accomplished in under three seconds. =Movie modems usually appear to transmit data at the speed of two gigabytes per second. =When the power plant/missile site/whatever overheats, all the control panels will explode, as will the entire building. =If a disk has got encrypted files, you are automatically asked for a password when you try to access it. =No matter what kind of computer disk it is, it'll be readable by any system you put it into. =All application software is usable by all computer platforms. =The more high-tech the equipment, the more buttons it has (Aliens). =However, everyone must have been highly trained, because the buttons aren't labelled. =Most computers, no matter how small, have reality-defying three-dimensional,active animation, photo-realistic graphics capability. =Laptops, for some strange reason, always seem to have amazing real-time video phone capabilities and the performance of a CRAY Supercomputer. =Whenever a character looks at a VDU, the image is so bright that it projects itself onto his/her face (see Alien, 2001, _Jurassic Park!_) _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 22:55:28 -0600 From: "Wade S" Subject: Re: [MV] A Simple Plan >Tom wrote : >Hi All, OK, I watched A Simple Plan last night and I couldn't even finish >it. This >movie was too dumb. I can't believe so many liked it! > >**** I can't believe someone wouldn't finish such a great movie and call it >dumb as well ! 5/5, it's in my Top 20 favorites of all times. Dittos to Marc there, even though i wouldn't put it in my top 20, it's definitely the best movie of 98 to meand one of the top 10 of the 1990's... And Billy Bob was robbed!!!!! James Coburn my ass. > > >Maybe I am too picky, but when a movie takes itself very seriously, I >expect >it be very believable - and this just wasn't. > >**** Well, it's a movie, not a documentary, it is fictional story ... that >doesn't mean it is not good because there is less than a one in a million >chance it would happen ... No joke. How many times have we had the "i just didnt believe it" vs. "it's a piece of fiction" argument? The movie is dark and serious, but if there werent some unusual points to the story, it wouldnt be much of a movie. >[SPOILER] > >At the beginning these 3 guys find 4.4 million. OK, fine. This could be >good. One of the guys [Bill Paxton] wants to do the right thing and call >the >police. He argues that the money is not theirs and it is stealing and >stealing is wrong. His dim-witted brother and his brother's hillbilly >friend >want to keep it. > >**** That hillbilly ! Good description, Tom !! > > >After 5 minutes of coaxing by two dimwits, college educated Paxton goes >from >honest guy to thief. Not exactly 5 minutes... There are a lot of things going on from before they find the money for the rest of the movie. Think about Paxton's character... Good college educated guy, the town loves him, he has a young beautiful wife, seems like everything going for him... but we can see two big things before they find the money. He feels a little like he is destined for something better than his job and he feels inferior to his brother. Think of how the brother and the friend teased Paxton mercilessly and talked down to him before and when they found the money. I got the picture that Paxton felt he had failed by coming back to that little town and that his brother and friend looked down on him too, partly out of jealousy but partly out of the fact that as smart as he is and how great his life is, he must not be that great to still be around them. Gotta watch for the SUBTEXT!!!! It's a story about two brothers, and if you have a brother, especially if your only sibling, then you can read a LOT into the story and characters... >**** Well, can't the two dimwits have some plausible arguments ?? Plus >they >kind of threaten him in a way, saying it is their money just as much as it >is his so why should he decide alone ?? Plus Paxton is intelligent, he >**really** wants to do it and keep the money, he just needed a lil' more >time to think about it ... how to get away with it ... True. i got the impression that he succumbed to a little peer pressure, and then once he bit and started to lie, he rationalized it a little more and more. >OK, I can buy that sort of...Paxton claims that if the police get >suspiscious, he will burn the money. > >So far I like Billy Bob's characterization of Jacob and I can sorta buy >into >this thing - but then, the very next day, Paxton's character goes from >upright citizen and moralizer to murderer?! One thing may be that paxton always had it in him, but that greed and fear pushed out something in him that he had buried away with his regrets and desires. Maybe he wasn't who everyone, including himself, thought he was... >**** Mmmmmm ... maybe he thought he had gone too far already ?? Thinking >his brother would be accused of attempted murder obviously ... the whole >thing crumbling ... no money, a stiff jail sentence for his brother ... him >in big trouble while his wife is oh-so pregnant ... I mean come-on ... is >that so unbelievable ?? It was just the story unfolding, going from >telling >a simple lie to comitting a murder ... then another ... etc. etc. Agreed > > >Gimme a break! There was no reason to do that. If the author had Jacob >commit the murder all on his own, I could buy it. And I could believe >Paxton >covering it up to protect his brother. > But Paxton is the main character, and that normal every day guy releasing some horrible part of himself like that is what makes it so striking. you don't expect it from him, and it is disturbing. >**** Well, that could have worked out better ... I agree with you there ... >but the way it is presented in the movie didn't bother me as much as you as >I explained right **up there** ! ;-) I thought it was ok... > >But when Paxton discovers that the guy is alive, he could've just let >things >run their course. Jacob would have gotten off with a slap on the wrist for >assault and maybe some much needed psychiatric care. >***** You don't really believe that ?? Hitting someone in the head with a >metal pipe, if that is not attempted murder, what is ?? Plus you have the >whole "Trying to steal 4 million $$$" thing and the dead body in the >airplane ... it was quite a mess they created and Paxton was doing his best >to try and get everything to fall into place which was extremely >complicated. Again, Paxton is moving further and further into an area such a character wouldn't be in, and although we can think of the choices we would supposedly make, that character just didnt do what we think he should. thats the point of why it was written.... > >And Paxton could have >continued with a life he and his wife made clear at the beginning was a >great life. > >**** Yes, he says that at first but it is clear his wife doesn't agree .. >she is bitter and frustrated and he would do anything to please her as >well, >he steals the money for her too, for his family really, not only for >himself. Paxton couldn't have really continued on with his life once he felt that he could really keep the money... And look what happened at the movie's end... their lives are just as they would have been had they not found the money (except for brother being dead) but at the end of the movie they are both depressed and resigned. NOT because of the deaths and decit, but because they both STILL WISH THEY HAD BEEN ABLE TO KEEP THE MONEY! > > >Next Paxton immediately tells his wife that he murdered someone and she >"understands", even though the day before she couldn't comprehend even >keeping the money "cause it's wrong". >**** Well, she changed her opinion about that and once the wheels were in >motion it was too late ... they had to deal with the next problem and the >next ... etc. etc. It was the fact she was quite greedy and manipulative >that made thigns worse actually, suggesting to bring back some of the money >and plant it in the plane ... that's when Thornton clubbed the guy with the >pipe if I recall ! See, all those events are connected in such a brilliant >way !! ;-) > >Then Paxton's wife discover's that the money was ransom money and this >suddenly makes it all alright to her! huh? The day before she was going on >and on about how their life is great, they have enough money and stealing >is >wrong. The next day she finds out that 6 people died over this money and >that it does indeed belong to someone else. So that makes it all OK?? > >***** She doesn't go on and on that their life is great, she changes her >mind within a few hours ... I remember the scene where they are laying in >bed, making love with passion ... oops .. that was in another movie ... I >mean, laying in bed and discussing the whole issue and changing their mind >slowly but surely ... again, they have to think about it unlike the >dimwitted brother and hillbilly who are not as "brainy" ... The two of them think that they are actually entitled to the money, after all they are young and beginning and are doing all the right and expected things, and the money is from bad people anyway, and don't they deserve it more than idiot brother and drunk buddy? >I could kind of believe her wanting to keep the cash had the money been >drug >money - I mean, you cannot return the money to the drug addicts and the >drug >lords shouldn't get to keep it (even if that is a rationalization). >**** It was found money and when they finally learn exactly where the money >came from it is way too late to think of backing out ... > > >This could have been a believable study in what greed can do to a person, >but instead the author went too far too fast. Personally I would have >really >enjoyed it had Paxton's character not murdered anyone and instead was >nagged >by second thoughts, but was pulled down deeper and deeper as time went on. >This would have allowed the audience to relate to him and to feel the >tension and care about what happens. The movie is only partly about greed...it's also about hiding guilt and shame and Paxton allowing the deceit and lies to build where the greed becomes the rationalization for the spiraling acts of desperation and fear. paxton may be the center of the movie, but Thornton is the movie's moral extreme, and Fonda ends up voicing the extremes of their greed and desire... This is a fabulous movie with superb direction, excellent pacing, great acting, and a pretty good story. Should've gotten a nom for Best Pic, if not the win... Wade - ------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.hollywoodbitchslap.com/ "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not so sure about the first one." --Albert Einstein _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 22:59:03 -0600 From: "Wade S" Subject: Re: [MV] Hollow man - 2000 Oh man, I thought Hollow Man was a big fat stinking turd! The effects were interestnig and then distracting, and the story is just wacked out. The acting was horrid, and I thought that it seemed dumb that a genius becomes invisible and all he thinks to do is relish in acting out his perverse fantasies? >From: "Marc Claude Desbiens" >Reply-To: movies@lists.xmission.com >To: marcdesbiens@apolloguide.com >Subject: [MV] Hollow man - 2000 >Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 11:01:40 -0800 > > >Alright I saw Hollow man the other night. I thought it was good, nothing >spectacular but the movie makes good use of the special effects to create >suspense. > >It stars Kevin Bacon as a scientist working on some secret project for the >military, finding a way to make animals (and later human beings !) >invisible and also bring them back of course ... (Why is it so difficult to >bring them back ?? Because it wouldn't be as much FUN if it was easy !!) > >I was laughing seeing Bacon typing furiously on his keyboard at home, as if >we could believe such complex issues could be dealt with using artsy fancy >graphics on a puter. Clicking here-there, sitting back ... This looks so >"Hollywood", they want to make sure everyone understands so they have those >lil' graphics in there telling you absolutely everything "Click here, >please ..." ... like in "The net" with Bullock, remember ?? ;-) > >Also Elisabeth Shue who is a really great actress as she proved in Leaving >Las Vegas, but that was one role ... since then she appears in a lot of >roles that are really not as difficult and challenging ... The trigger >effect, Palmetto, The saint ... etc. Those are not awful movies but not at >the level of LLV for sure ! A few colorful people in the supporting roles >which is expected, you need a few weirdos in there to add "color" ... ;-) > >The film is all special effects so I wasn't expecting a really great story >anyway. It's very formulaic and predictable actually, you just have to put >your brain in the neutral position by drinking a few pints of delicious >imported-from-the-UK beer and enjoy the visuals. The special effects are >great and I thought they didn't really have to try and tell a nasty story >like that, making the movie more of a "drama" instead of a thriller could >have improved it perhaps ... > >As soon as Bacon becomes invisible himself he of course starts harassing >women, fondling one that is sleeping, sexual assault, etc. >Like this would be soooooooo great, the first thing you do as you become >invisible is harass people in a sexual way ?? Apparently, >YES !! I was reminded of "The entity" a 1980's film where a "ghost" >attacks a woman in a sexual way as she is sleeping ... Have you seen that >one ?? > >Anyway of course Bacon is paranoid and gets out of control as was expected >... the ending is rather ludicrous and over-the-top too, so it's not a very >original film but it looks quite good on screen so I let it slide. > >There is a nasty scene though where a dog is slammed against a metal cage >and killed, I thought that was quite unnecessary. Plus would Josh Brolin >really step in that cage with the gorilla near the beginning ?? The wild >beast could cruch him like an egg with her powerful hands and he's walking >in there and tries to stick a needle in her arm ?? Geeeeeeesh, I call >that a DEATHWISH trying to stick a gorilla with a needle with absolutely >nothing to protect >yourself with !! > >3/5 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Marc ;-) > >- "Look, I am two seconds away from calling the police !!!" >- "They'll never make it in time ... we're in the middle > of nowhere ..." > >Drew Barrymore as "Casey Becker" and >Roger L. Jackson as "Ghostface" (voice) >Scream (1996) > >------------------------------------------------------------ >Apollo Guide: The Best in Movie Reviews, DVD & Home Video >Click Here for intelligent reviews online -> http://apolloguide.com > > > >[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] >[ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] - ------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.hollywoodbitchslap.com/ "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not so sure about the first one." --Albert Einstein _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2001 01:11:27 -0500 From: "Marc C. Desbiens" Subject: [MV] Russell Crowe, mini-biography Source : Video guide : November 2000. Russell Crowe was born on april 7th, 1964, in Wellington, New Zealand. His family moved to Sydney, Australia, when he was 4 years old. He spent a good deal of time on the sets of various films and television productions where his parents worked as caterers. At age 6, Crowe was cast as an orphan in the TV series "Spyforce", the first of his many small parts as a child actor. His family returned to New Zealand when he was 14. He began performing as a rock singer under the name "Rus Le Roc" and recorded the prophetically titled 1980 single "I want to be like Marlon Brando". He returned to Australia in the early 80's to pursue his acting career, winning a role in a production of the musical "Grease" in 1983. From 1986 to 1988, Crowe starred in a touring production of "The Rocky Horror Picture show". In 1990, "The crossing" marked his first leading role, although his breakthrough came in 1992's "Proof" where he earned an Australia Film Institute Award for "Best Supporting Actor". This, and his role in "Romper Stomper" is what made american filmmakers notice him and soon he was making film overseas : "The quick and the dead", "L.A. Confidential", "The insider" and a few others. He made even more headlines during the summer of 2000, after the huge success of "Gladiator", when he became romantically involved with his "Proof of life" co-star, Meg Ryan. He was mentioned as a contributing factor in her separation from her husband of 9 years, actor Dennis Quaid. When he is not on location, Crowe lives on a 600 acres cattle farm outside Sydney, Australia. Marc ;-) - ------------------------------------------------------- "It's hard digging a grave ... when the guy it's for is staring straight at you ... but I kept thinking ... this is it ... when he is gone ... all this will be over ..." Gary Oldman as "Jack" - "Romeo is bleeding" (1993) 4/5 - ------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2001 12:05:21 -0500 From: "Marc C. Desbiens" Subject: [MV] Saving Grace - 2000 Hi ! I watched this good lil' British comedy last night. 3/5 I thought it was ok but never really "hit the bull's eye". It was entertaining and fun for the most part though, except maybe for the last 15 minutes or so that were a bit too silly for my taste. Brenda Blethyn plays "Grace", a woman in her mid 50's whose husband has just died (We learn early that he fell out of a window and people speculate how this could have happen ... one says he must have been looking for the toilets and turned the WRONG way !) So Grace is left alone to take care of the large house. What she didn't know is that her husband was having an affair and mostly left her a lof of debts. The bank is threatening to sell the house and everything she owns. Of course she has to find a way to make money, and fast !(I liked how she was avoiding talking on the phone with the people from the bank, even escaping through a back door as a guy shows up at her place). She says to a friend who is there at the time : "Tell him I've been kidnapped !" A young man (Craig Ferguson) works for her doing handy work and he is a pot grower but he fails miserably. This gives Grace the idea to make money, she will grow marijuana in her greenhouse to make money. There is also a good side story about the young man and his girlfriend who is pregnant so she doesn't fancy this "pot growing" scheme at all, not wanting her boyfriend to go to jail as she is expecting. Tcheky Karyo has a small part as a nasty drug dealer too. The film was fun to watch, akthough sometimes it looked like a music video as there were plenty of songs heard while we were seeing Grace and company trying to grow the weed and later sell it. This lead to some amusing scenes as nearly everybody in the small village knew about her antics but they "look the other way" because they like Grace and don't want her to lose her home. I didn't really like how the movie ended though, the last 15 minutes or so and there was one of those "One year later" scene where we are presented what they have now become ... not too original. It is not as good as "The full monty" or even "Waking Ned Devine" but if you liked those movies I think you would be likely to enjoy this one as well. The british accents are sometimes a lil' hard to understand but for the most part it was ok. <<<< Ms. Meier should like this one ! ;-) >>>> 3/5 Marc ;-) - ------------------------------------------------------- "It's hard digging a grave ... when the guy it's for is staring straight at you ... but I kept thinking ... this is it ... when he is gone ... all this will be over ..." Gary Oldman as "Jack" - "Romeo is bleeding" (1993) 4/5 - ------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. 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