Comments on: The Shoddily-Conceived Film Festival

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:00:34 +0000

God, what a tough question … I think I’d play Norbit first, because, oh, hell, I have no idea . . .

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:24:30 +0000

The differences between the last two days could not be more insanely huge – or funny. But what would play first – Norbit or The Love Guru?

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:39:02 +0000

You know, Criterion has spoiled me for DVDs … it’s hard for me to buy a “normal” one anymore. There’s so many good Criterions out there.

On the other hand, they’ve been accused of unduly influencing the canon of what is well-regarded simply by making them available. I think that’s right, but what’re you gonna do? Without them, we wouldn’t have the Kurosawas, the Ozu’s nearly as available …

By: Fox

Fox — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:30:45 +0000

I think Rick is right with the Criterion Armageddon being a cash cow. The Rock was a big one for them too in the early days, as well as Chasing Amy, as far as bringing in funds. Which is fine with me as long as they can keep bringing us stuff like ... well, like Rick's post above this one!!!

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:52:49 +0000

Yup. Hope you’ll do it!

By: Pat

Pat — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:06:27 +0000

Rick – I assume you are tagging me for the 12 Movie Meme?

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:56:24 +0000

Luke, I think the Criterion used in this case was a monetary one.

Thanks for the tip on The Fantasticks. I’ll check it out.

By: Luke Harrington

Luke Harrington — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:51:52 +0000

You’ll notice that they never say what Criterion they use when selecting their films (it’s just a single “Criterion”, though — it must be a doozy of one).

I’d also like to add that live singing can work in a movie musical — if you haven’t seen the film version of The Fantasticks, you should. It’s not perfect, but it works a lot better than you’d expect.

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:01:51 +0000

Geez … the first Allen movie you saw was THAT one? So atypical … and you watched more?

“The Love Guru,” I am proud to say, I’ve never seen. “Norbit,” on the other hand, was HBO the other night … oy.

By: Phillip

Phillip — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:19:46 +0000

The whole festival looks like a boatload of fun all except for that last night. Methinks the world may explode with those two put together. Roger Ebert once said that a certain movie he saw “didn’t improve on the sight of a blank screen.” Very apropos here.

I’ve got some love for Everyone Says too. It was the first Allen film I ever saw and I saw it at a very young age, wondering why everyone sounded so weird when they sang. Now I know!

Spurious Comparison Night would be a little slice of heaven.