I own my own tuxedo, and yet I get no invitation to the party.
T-Bone would like to thank the Academy for snubbing his short film "The Cutlet Makes a Mud Pie" in its nominations for this year's award spectacle. Guess I should have shot the piece in New Zealand, which I've been told is a beautiful country filled with good-hearted people.
I am one of a handful of people who have no desire to see any of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and also could never get into any of the books. Is that a crime, Academy? Is that why you have ignored my body of work (such as 1998's epic "My Chihuahua Bites People on the Ankles and Runs Away")? I'm going back to strictly still photos. It is true I don't watch as many movies as I used to. In fact, I had not seen any of the Best Picture nominees (um, for the past five years), nor have I heard of some of the movies up for honors.
Here's five reasons why movies suck:
1. Most good movies are based on books, and using the library is free. And you're less likely to get candy or popcorn stuck to the bottom of your shoe.
2. Most of today's hit movies are remakes of classics. The new versions are but shadows of their former selves. Libraries often have old movies to check out – why bother with the new crap?
3. Few stories are told that haven't been told before. Now there are more special effects, which sometimes detracts from the storytelling.
4. Few people these days have any manners or common sense. Why go into a large room with a bunch of these types of people and then invite trouble by turning off the lights? My benchmark example of stupidity is when a couple of female high-school classmates took me to a dollar-movie-theater showing of Basic Instinct many years ago. There were young kids running through the aisles during the film; definitely underage kids who have no business there should have sat down and watched all the gratuitous nudity, sex and violence with their full attention.
5. Art used to reflect life; now life tries its best to reflect art and doesn't come close. Entertainment has real value for the diversion, commentary, insight, fun, pretty pictures, education it can provide, etc. But are most movies worth watching? I say no, they aren't. They are flimsy, derivative mere money-making devices. The true art of film has been long lost. Most aren't worth my time.
My cynicism comes from the fact that I can't get the time back I spent watching Weekend at Bernie's or other such cinematic corpses. Dear Hollywood, make better movies, and then maybe I'll not be such a stick in the mud. Dear Uma, loved the dress. There's no business like shoe business.
Take care,
T
Honestly, I tried to watch the first two LOTR movies, but just didn't "get" it. I'm glad to know I'm not the only person on the face of the Earth that wasn't a huge fan.
For the most part I agree with you about movies (and entertainment) these days. I'm not stupid, and I think the people making the decisions tend to treat me that way. They can do anything they darn well please, and I can choose to ignore it. I think it's why I find myself watching the Independent Film Channel and Sundance Channel a lot more lately. They're a little smarter than "The Porn Star Next Door!" sort of crap that's been coming out. :-)
While I am a big fan of the movies, I seldom go to the movies, I like watching them at home... even being a fan, I totally agree with you man!
Have a good one!
Dew
Have to admit to being a Tolkein geek who loved the books and movies but was honestly surprised that the movies were so popular with general public i.e. non book readers. I'm guessing the run of Oscars this year was in recognition of all three movies AND of the massive infusion of cash they provided:)
And this was the first time since we were dating ("Bonnie and Clyde" era) that spouse and I had seen two of the movies nominated--LOTR and Pirates. Not so much that they don't make 'em like they used to but Real Life has a way of taking up movie going time with other things like kids' concerts, plays, recitals etcetcetc.
There is a lot of crap out there these days, but when you find a really really good movie, it's almost worth all the extra money you spent wading through the mire.
As for Lord of the Rings, I don't get it AT ALL, and I don't even think it was done particularly well (amateur, conventional editing "techniques," anyone?). But I will say that the time and money I spent watching those will provide me with years and years of obnoxious criticism and naysaying that will safely offend 90 percent of the population. That's a good deal if you ask me.
I don't go to the movies much anymore, now that the price of a ticket in Manhattan is a whopping $10.25. For not that much more you can see a live Broadway musical!
I'm so glad to hear that someone else didn't like the Lord of the Rings books. I tried several times, and just couldn't get into them. And I read a lot!!
Oh, and if I have a formal party, I'll be sure to invite you and your tuxedo.
Cas
I read the Hobbit and the LOTR triology when I was a senior in high school, thanks to a girl I thought was so cooool. Thank you, Gale. Gale wore deep wine lipstick when everyone else was gooing on a pearly gloss. Her nails were often red, as well. Wore patchouli scented body oils. So, when she recommended Tolien, I was hooked. Have re-read them several times now. To each their own...
I'm a huge fan of Tolkein's work and think Peter Jackson did a great job bringing the story to the Big Screen.
That said, there is a lot of trash being produced at a hefty price. We should redirect all of that cash towards getting the homeless off the streets or educated our children. I digress....
Some "Good Movie" suggestions:
Amelie
Enigma
Gosford Park
In America
Seabiscuit
Yo T...
Have no desire to see the LOTR movies, nor have I read the books.
I just can't get into that Fantasy/sci-fi/stuff... Dune? Never saw it...
I'm with you on movies. Hell, put me in a dark room and force me to be quiet (this doesn't happen often, me being quiet, that is...) and chances are good I'll fall asleep. Fell asleep during Titanic and Men in Black...
Sheesh, I don't even rent movies much. Usually wind up not watching them, returning them late, then paying more in late fees for NOT watching it, than I would have spent buying the movie.
(I almost feel guilty if I sit down to watch a movie. I feel the need to multi-task if I sit my ass down in front of the TV. Must pay bills, do laundry, etc. -- so I don't watch many movies)
I totally agree, in fact cracked up at your comment about "Why go into a room with a bunch of these types of people and turn off the lights?"
People can just be obnoxious -- forget to turn off cell phones, make as much noise as possible by eating/drinking/popping gum, etc... A woman at one of the last movies I saw took off her shoe, and proceeded to scratch and pick at her obviously dry feet... Now *that* was disgusting...
:)
OK, so as not to finish on that note, saw "The Passion" last week. There was not a PEEP in that theater...
I don't think I'd seen any of the nominated movies -- but I like watching the clothes on the award shows...