Thursday, February 03, 2005

Movies to Miss

Just as everyone needs a little prodding along now and then to go see the good movies that are out there, everyone also could benefit from some good advice warning people not to go near certain films out there. So here's a few to steer clear of...indefinitely.

"Vanity Fair"--I thought it would at least work as a rental, but this confused adaptation has nowhere to go, makes us care very little about what's going on and as a friend put it so nicely, "WHY DOESN'T SOMETHING JUST HAPPEN!!!"--I'm all for movies taking their time to unfold but this was just a waste of time and the movie never really unfolded. How sad.

"De-Lovely"--Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd are so sappy and mawky and blah-blah-blah in this biopic of Cole Porter that feels like it was trying to be the next "A Beautiful Mind," except, without the brilliant Paul Bettany and without a story worthy of our praise. I like Cole Porter's music but this movie made it stale and pretentious.

"The Ladykillers"--This was one of those movies that when it was over (and still, to this day) I wanted to kill the makers for making me waste 2 hours of my life watching it. It's bad bad bad bad bad Cohen brothers (usually, they're great...see "Fargo" or "Raising Arizona") but here, it's just all flat humor that is not funny 'slapstick funny' nor is it funny in a 'just funny' way. Tom Hanks...why did you do this? And the worst part is, it tries to turn into a black, "Fargo"-esque comedy by the film's end which couldn't feel more wrong or out of place.

Hope this makes your walking through aisles at Blockbuster a little easier now. Or I hope it eliminates three more movies that can be taken immediately out of your Netflix queue. Good night.

8 comments:

Tara said...

The Ladykillers was one of the funniest and cleverist movies of the year. I don't remember ever disagreeing with you this much before. I feel like I don't even KNOW you anymore....

Lij said...

I'm always so happy when people recognize that Paul Bettany is one of the greatest things about A Beautiful Mind, if not the greatest thing. Thanks!

Also...
Vanity Fair -- Agree
De-Lovely -- Agree
Ladykillers -- Haven't seen it.

Chalupa said...

Haven't seen Vanity Fair or De-Lovely, but couldn't agree with you more on Ladykillers. It's like the whole time I was watching it I was waiting for something to happen, what exactly, I'm not sure. However, I am sure that "it" never happened.

Neville said...

Tara, that breaks my heart to hear you say that. I feel like I know you still but nonetheless, it breaks my heart. Glad you agree with me though Chalupa. Let's send Tara some emails and hope she'll "believe" sooner or later. (I know you hate that Tara, but I must not have a difference in opinion, as you know...:)

Anonymous said...

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Kerry

Anonymous said...

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Kerry

Anonymous said...

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Kerry

Anonymous said...

Hi, Neville,
Good blog. You’ve put lots of thought in here. It looks like we have an interest in common. If you are interested, go see my mobile entertainment related site. It’s totally focussed on the Zen Micro at the moment and is still growing. You may still find something of interest. I recently added a MP3 link page - you would be welcome to post a link to your site there

Kerry