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Chicagoans are peeved at the PLL logos too. by Chas · 2001-05-01 13:30 · Score: 2 · on Slashback: Profits, Marks, Secsh

They even had an article up in the Chicago Sun Times about it.

Chas - The one, the only.
THANK GOD!!!

Re:Pages of time by trb · 2001-04-26 07:08 · Score: 3 · on Could We Have Had Cell Phones In The 60s?

Yes, radiotelephones were around for some time. An article at britannica.com reviews the history pretty well. This old wireless phone talk reminds me of the forgotten classic movie The Plot Against Harry (1969) (not Hitchcock's The Trouble with Harry), where Harry was a small time gangster with a phone in his car. Great classic funny movie, check it out.

Re:LOL! CNN's old review of The Matrix by Zach+Baker · 2001-04-05 09:31 · Score: 2 · on Hollywood and Hackers

It's absolutely hilarious that the reviewer was that stupid.

Well, not about Keanu Reeves. He's dead-on there.

Yeah, that's a ridiculously bitter review (even Mr. Cranky didn't get so bent out of shape). But come on, calling him "stupid" because he hated a movie you really liked? On the other hand, Ebert's review touches on many of the same points and is excellently written (as usual).

Shameless offtopic chatter: I saw Josie and the Pussycats last night and as it turns out, it was actually pretty funny (but it's really, really goofy).

Re:Sunstein is wrong by scarhill · 2001-03-20 00:38 · Score: 1 · on Is The Net Revolution Breaking Faith?

I haven't read Sunstein's book, but according to George Will's column last Sunday, he goes further than simply decrying the fragmentation of information:

He would have government use various measures--from "must carry" requirements for broadcasters to mandatory links connecting Web sites to others promoting different views--to manage "the scarce commodity" of the public's attention. Government, he thinks, should actively "promote exposure to materials that people would not have chosen in advance."

If this sounds like a good idea to you, then let's extend it to another area that enjoys First Amendment protection; religion. I think that that membership in a denomination encourages people to (quoting Katz) "eliminate from their screens and minds anything they might not want to see or hear or might disagree with."

So let's do something about it! Require religious organizations to present alternative viewpoints during their services. Wait, that's not enough. What about all those atheists and agnostics who aren't being exposed to any religious viewpoints. The government should mandate that TV, movies and websites include religious indoctrination (in all the different religions, of course).

As others have noted, this is really about the elites that have had effective control of information trying to regain what they've lost.

Excruciatingly Unconvincing by Skynet · 2001-02-03 23:22 · Score: 2 · on The Pledge

While I respect Sean Penn for his bravery with "The Pledge," I found the movie unconvincing and left the theatre with a very sour taste in my mouth.

Many movies today are trying to forge new paths into relaltively untouched areas of movie-making. Strange/different endings, multiple plots that culminate in the end, etc. Many directors are trying now to avoid the cliche "Hollywood Ending." The problem, in my view, with "The Pledge" is it's a blatently obvious attempt to avoid the "Hollywood Ending." In an attempt to produce a movie that might stir up some conversation and controversy among it's patrons, Sean Penn merely produces a movie that loses its cohesion and unravels into its threads at the end.

Reading Roger Ebert's review of the movie helps put some perspective on the movie. Ebert states, "Sean Penn's 'The Pledge' begins as a police story and spirals down into madness" (Suntimes). Ebert rather enjoyed this spiral into madness. I did not. It left me wanting more. It left me rather distressed.

Maybe that is what Penn wanted? I'll tell you one thing, I am definitely interested to see Penn's next movie.

Re:Sex and the Single Vampire by theonetruekeebler · 2001-01-29 01:45 · Score: 2 · on Shadow Of The Vampire

By the way, what's a "sexual premonition"?

If you're referring to Katz's passage that

Film scholars have long pointed out the sexual premonitions and suggestions in the vampire myth, the warnings about sex and sexual liberation. Vampires are mostly portrayed as powerful men who steal past locked doors and barred windows to ravish helpless and beautiful women asleep in nightgowns in their beds. The Victorians were terrified of venereal disease in much the same way we fear AIDS.

I think Katz was interpreting this passage from Roger Ebert's review of Nosferatu .

The Victorians feared venereal disease the way we fear AIDS, and vampirism may be a metaphor; the predator vampire lives without a mate, stalking his victims or seducing them with promises of bliss--like a rapist, or a pickup artist. The cure for vampirism is obviously not a stake through the heart, but nuclear families and bourgeois values.

The Victorians pretty much mastered the art of sexual repression, particularly in women. They even believed that syphilis was caused by sexual excess, not sexually transmitted infection. So yeah, Stoker probably sublimated the sex urge into a lust for blood. The analogy would have appealed to Victorians. So of course their Dracula is a hideous monster--the idea of a woman being attracted to this symbol of sexual urge was as unthinkable as a woman being attracted to a lobster. However, once a woman has been bitten (e.g. deflowered), she becomes full of blood lust (sexual urges), and can no longer see what the audience sees--that the source of her desires is a revolting, dangerous, socially unacceptable creature.

--

Re:It's "worse thAn" by wfaulk · 2001-01-22 10:28 · Score: 1 · on Global Warming Worse Than Thought

Totally offtopic
It seems like they're intentionally screwing up their English usage today.

But related
I've got this theory that Roger Ebert intentionally puts an incorrect minor plot point in each of his movie reviews, just to see who'll catch it. I used to think that he was just careless, or saw too many movies to remember each correctly, but I've seen way too many instances of it to think that it's not intentional.

I told you it was offtopic.

Roger Ebert's review... by budcub · 2001-01-07 00:37 · Score: 1 · on "Traffic"

Roger Ebert gave it 4 stars (****), meaning he thinks you should see it, whether you like this kind of movie or not. Ebert is the only critic that I ever see eye-to-eye on. He's an excellent writer, IMHO. Click here to read his online review.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/ebert1/traff05f.h tm l

Re:It's just getting worse... by Garg0y1e · 2001-01-03 04:31 · Score: 1 · on Is The U.S. No Longer The Choice For Freedom?

It's not totally the fault of the people voting. Much fault lies with the "National Convention" 2 party system. 2 powerful parties keep supporting lame front-men as primary candidates, whilst even a recognizable "third Party" candidate has trouble getting on the ballot.

If we're going to vote better we need better choices on the ballot.

Re:Betamax, still alive in studios (and Rochester) by Stephen+Samuel · 2000-12-18 15:15 · Score: 1 · on Ten Technologies That Shouldn't Have Died?

Boogie nights isn't porn. It's about porn (at the start of the video era).
`ø,,ø`ø,,ø!

Bohemian Rhapsody parody (Floridian Rhapsody) by sunking7 · 2000-11-27 15:45 · Score: 1 · on Florida Election Votes Certified

Oh this is hilarious! You must read the whole thing...

My favorite lines:

Bush:
I'm just a rich boy, I need no sympathy...

Gore:
I see a little silhouetto of a chad...

Rock on politicos :)
-sk7

Re:The problem with critics by Schwarzchild · 2000-11-12 06:49 · Score: 1 · on "Red Planet": Stay Here

I can sum the review up in one sentence: it suffers from the usual problem with critics, subjective myopia

That's exactly why I usually don't listen to critics. I generally read reviews only to get more information about what the movie is about or to see more clips of the movie before I actually decide to see it. Also while a reviewer saying a movie is crap may not influence me...a reviewer saying a movie is excellent will likely influence me more to see it.

I liked Mars Attacks! though it is a bit weak.

I really disliked the Matrix (thought it had no plot just a bunch of mindless action and one cool quote "free your mind") and didn't understand why everyone else thought it was brilliant?!? I really was surprised to hear people comparing the Matrix to Blade Runner which IMHO is the best sci-fi drama out there (2001: A Space Odyssey is a close 2nd).

I haven't seen Red Planet but intend to since I like the way it looks and hey Roger Ebert gave it 3 out of 4 stars.

Roger Ebert on "Grave of the Fireflies" by Rimbo · 2000-07-19 05:54 · Score: 1 · on Princess Mononoke Delayed.. To Add Japanese!

He put it in his list of the greatest movies of all time.

Ebert isn't god, but at least he knows good animation when he sees it. Occasionally.

Re:45 minutes cut? by Anonymous Coward · 2000-07-16 23:21 · Score: 1 · on Slashdot Meets X-Men

According to Ebert, . . .

Please link to your source. This review by Roger Ebert doesn't mention anything about it. From reading the review, it sounds like Ebert wasn't paying too close attention as several facts seem to be worng in the review (the UN was on Ellis Island itself, not a nearby island, Wolverine's 'power' is the blades coming out of his hands, and Wolverine being the 'top-ranking superhero'.)

Though there apears to be someone claiming to be 'Roger Ebert' that has posted what seems to be inside information on the film (see this script summary) to X-Men fan sites. From the great interest and knowledge of the subject, I don't think this is the same Roger Ebert.

The Joy of Film by skeller · 2000-07-01 02:01 · Score: 5 · on Movies Online?

Aside from the numerous responses regarding the theater being a social experience (very true -- I tend to see about a movie a week, and always with other people), there is the fact that digital technology is still not up to the par that actual projected film is. I'll grant that it's catching up, but even the very best DVD is only trying to mimic how the real thing looks.

Additionally, there are new technologies in film that supposedly increase the way it looks dramatically. Maxivision, a system that is projected at 48 frames per second as opposed to the standard 24 may be a major boon to traditional film. Not only do you maintain the richness of color and depth of film, but you get a much sharper picture (particularly of moving objects) as well. Roger Ebert has written pretty extensively about this technology -- you can find one of his articles (not credited) at http://www.cameraguild.co m/news/techno/film_v_digital.htm

Digital recording and projection will have their uses; digital is substantially cheaper than film, and is already becoming a huge boon to independant filmmakers. Movies that are essentially all digital anyway (Star Wars, any sort of big budget Sci-Fi / Action movie) will also see improvements from never having to touch celluloid.

The one other topic I'd like to touch on is the fact that so many people seem to be jumping at the idea of on demand movies from the internet as a great way to replace Blockbuster -- what happened to wanting to actually own movies? Did we learn nothing from the DIVX fiasco? Then again I'd love to have a whole archive of movies that I could watch when I wanted to... there are some obscure movies that are essentially impossible to track down without paying insanely high prices, and if the internet could get me a way to see them cheaply, I'd be all for it.

Re:Ridiculous Review/Hopeless Comparison with Shaf by mattpohlman · 2000-06-19 00:21 · Score: 1 · on Review: 'Titan A.E.'

Also noticed that Katz pans Titan because it is derivative, but somehow doesn't address the same issue when he says Shaft was "more fun."

If I want a film review, I check out Ebert's website here, because when a movie is picked or panned, I like to know the reasons. I like to learn new things about the film under review, and about film history. I don't like long-winded versions of "good movie!" or "bad movie!"

I only read this "story" to check out the Katz-bashing. Got what I was looking for!

Re:...but Reviewers are Paid to Complain by marlowe23 · 2000-06-18 23:15 · Score: 1 · on Review: 'Titan A.E.'

Actually, Roger Ebert gave Titan A.E. three and a half stars. He loved it. So did I. Katz's ramblings about the story being too generic and familiar is off the mark. It is generic and familiar, but space opera always has been, since the 1950s -- to me, that's part of the draw. If you're going to see an (American) animated movie for the intricate plot and devious twists, you're really barking up the wrong tree. If you just want to be entertained with a good space adventure on a Saturday afternoon, it's hard to do better.

I'm seeing it again -- I'm buying the DVD when it comes out -- it's a fun, beautiful film. The Bicycle Thief it isn't, but I didn't go to see The Bicycle Thief. I went to go see a rock em sock em space adventure, and that's what I got.

As a fan from the early 90's... by Silverhammer · 2000-06-01 04:08 · Score: 1 · on Essential Anime

...I'd like to suggest some older shows that have apparently been forgotten under the current blitz of Lain, Slayers, Evangelion, Gundam Wing, etc.

Otaku no Video (Fanboy's Video), available in English from AnimEigo:
This mockumentary is requisite viewing for every fan. Think your anime addiction is just a harmless hobby? Watch as these otakus (fanboys) redefine obsession as they spread the joy of anime and quite literally take over the world. The first time you watch it, it's hilarious. The second time through, it's humiliating; you can't help but see yourself in the none-too-flattering mirror they hold up.

Kimagure Orange Road (Whimsical Orange Road), available in English from AnimEigo:
A charming high school comedy/drama about Kyosuke Kasuga, a teenager stuck in a love triangle between the irrepressably cute Hikaru and the quietly enchanting Madoka. The story takes its time to develop over 48 TV episodes, 8 OAVs, and a full-length series-ending movie, with everything coming together to paint a memorable, almost nostalgic view of growing up in a more innocent time.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, available in English from ADV Films:
From the people who brought you Neon Genesis Evangelion, a romping-good comedy/adventure loosely based on the works of Jules Verne -- or as some would say, set in a Verne-esque world. It is the story of circus acrobat Nadia, her pet lion cub King, her friend Jean the boy-genius, and the band of misfits they gather as they try to escape from a mysterious organization.

Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, available in English from Anime Village:
Almost universally considered by hardcore fans to be the best Gundam series ever; today's Gundam Wing is just a mediocre, angst-saturated rehash in comparison. Four years after the One Year War (UC 0079), the forces of Zeon have regrouped for one last attack on the Earth Federation. This time, however, they have their own prototype heavy weapons Gundam -- complete with an outlawed nuclear warhead...

Koko wa Greenwood (Here is Greenwood), available in English from Software Sculptors:
Kazuya Hasukawa starts the semester late because of ulcers he developed when his own brother stole away his first love. When he finally gets to Greenwood Dormitory, he discovers his roommate looks like a girl, his classmates are sadistic freaks, and the brother he left home to get away from is the school doctor! Aaaauugghhh! Often underrated by fans hyped up on more frenetic shows, this is yet another wacky, charming OAV series about high school life in Japan.

Video Girl Ai, available in English from Viz Communications:
Youta is heartbroken: the girl he secretly loves has confided in him that she has a crush on another boy. Hurt and confused, Youta wanders into a mysterious video store and rents a Video Girl video to help him forget his pain. At first blush it seems like just another "dream-girl come true" contemporary fantasy like Oh! My Goddess, but it quickly descends into a surreal nightmare as the truth behind the video store and its magical Video Girls is revealed.

Giant Robo, available in English from Manga Video:
It's "Johnny Sako and His Giant Robot" retooled for the 90's! It's Big Fire versus the Experts of Justice! It's campy super-spy action kicked up several notches and crammed to the gills with gut-wrenching cliffhangers and positively THUNDEROUS music!

Wings of Honneamise, available in English from Manga Video:
A favorite of mine, this film is nominally about the early days of the space program on an alternate earth. However, it gradually delves into the meanings of and frequent conflicts between war, religion, politics, history, love, celebrity, and heroism. Admittedly not for everyone.

Grave of the Fireflies, available in English from Central Park Media:
No list is complete without this profoundly human film about a brother and sister struggling to survive during the last days of World War II. Words fail me, so I'll just defer to Roger Ebert who has named it one of the Great Movies of all time. Warning: you WILL cry -- it is impossible to not -- so if you insist on remaining a manly-man, you'd better steer clear.