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Eye-Spy, Max Caddyshack and the Muffin Man love on CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!
Hey folks, Harry here with a trio of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN reviews for ya. Moriarty is working up his review right now, and he says that it's Steven's best since... well, I'm not gonna cock block his review, but he likes it very very much. This holiday season is something to love, if you're not a Trek fan! Here ya go... By the way, we all have to hate Eye-Spy here... Not only did he see CATCH ME IF YOU CAN first, but he's also seeing one of the most beautiful famous redheaded girls in the world. The bastard! Here ya go...
Harry-
Eye-Spy here, shaking out my trench coat to serve you up a heap of figgy pudding in a short but sweet review of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, with further holiday givings landing beneath the gilded boughs of my Chanukah Bush in the form of a follow-up Q&A with Mr. Spielberg himself, dropping tidbits of his upcoming schedule including "a little film" with Tom Hanks and the other low-budget, sure to be shot on MINI-DV PAL, teensy-weensy little project known as "Indy 4".
I read the excellent script for this film about a year ago and was very excited to see what would become of it. I am always first in-line at a Spielberg film. I had an early birthday party trip to ET, Jaws kept me out of the swimming pool for a summer (because, as we all know, sharks do have the magic powers to swim up out of the drain in the deep end!), I know Raiders by heart, etc... You get the drift. His latest films have taken a turn since he made Schindler. Some have said for the worse. I say for the adult. It's a long conversation, but I knew going into this that I was going to see a film by a different director than the one who made the films mentioned above. I liked/didn't love Minority Report. Still don't get A.I. (not for lack of trying!). And now we've got Catch Me If You Can. Where does it fall in the canon of films listed above?
As I know you have a special place in your great heart for crafty title sequences, let me start by saying that the opening creds of this film will keep your yule log firm and bright through the holiday season. In my humble opinion, these are the best titles I have seen in recent memory. A tip of the cap to the great Saul Bass, with a their own unique flavor. Truly a treat.
The film opens with Frank Abagnale jr. (DiCaprio) being extradited from France back to the US by Carl Hanratty (Hanks). "Giving away the end" as it were, is Spielberg/Jeff Nathansan's way of saying that yes, this is a chase film, but it is not about a chase, it is about the people involved in the chase. It is about what drives them to run and what drives them to follow. Most importantly (and successfully!) it is about the relationship formed between the two while chase goes on.
I'm not one for spoilers or giving away the plot (especially since they're both the same thing!) and I'll assume that everyone's seen the trailers. Suffice to say that DiCaprio turns in a charming, endearing, multi-layered performance that I feel is his best since Gilbert Grape. He's smooth, heartbroken, charming and does a great job of taking a larger-than-life character with balls the size of cantaloupes, and letting us see through the cracks to the lonely, often terrified kid inside who is only trying to live up the failed dreams of his father (played in a home run performance by Christopher Walken, finally in a role that plays against type to great effect!!!).
Hanks delivers his usual layered performance, and for the second film in a row plays against type in a reserved, small-moment performance that I found I enjoyed more than his role in Road To Perdition, simply because he's playing a much more human, accessible character. The rest of the cast are well cast and played, especially the lovely Nathalie Baye as Frank's mother, and Brian Howe and Frank John Hughes as Hanks' Laurel and Hardy-look-alike sidekicks.
Catch Me If You Can is the funniest Spielberg film to date. The humor is light and comes with a wink offered to the audience as a coconspirator. The bulk of the humor derives from the people who fall unwittingly into Abignale's net. We're in on the jokes because we're in on the scams. I won't give away the Jennifer Garner scene, but it's perfectly written by Nathanson.
What didn't I like??? There's not a whole lot to pooh-pooh. It's didn't knock my knickers off like ET and RAIDERS, but it's not that kind of film. It's one of those: "If I didn't know this was a true story, I'd never have believed it." kind of deals that's just plain fun. I wager that critics will shine to it and that there will be several nominations for the cast (Walken!!!!).
Now, onto the Q&A...
Spielberg really comes across as a humble, gentle man who simply loves everything about making movies. As to his future plans, he offered that he's working on a project that he's "not ready to talk about in public" but that should shoot this summer. After that, he and Tom Hanks have been talking about a "small film" they would make together next fall, followed in 2004 by our favorite whip-cracking archaeologist, for a release in 2005 (confirming Moriarty's earlier post - and yes, Darabont is sequestered away writing the script as we speak).
Sean Connery does have a small part in the story, though it remains to be seen if they can get him to commit for a price. He wouldn't go into plot but did let slip that it takes place in the 1950's because, "Let's face it. Harrison Ford is no spring chicken."
A Merry Happy to all.
Eye-Spy
PS. As always, our favorite redhead girl says to send you her best. She just finished a lead in an indie San Francisco flick called "Happily Even After" with Jason Behr and Marina Black. I had her home for 4 days before she took off again to shoot a pilot in Vancouver. It's tough dating the perfect woman, but I love her to death. Happy Holidays from both of us!!!Harry here, I'm ecstatic at these reviews... Seeing a Spielberg film full of life and vitality instead of artificiality is something I'm very keen on. Give the man his own brand of Havanas I say!
Hi Harry & co.
Never had a review posted, but still a big fan of your legendary site.
I saw Catch Me If You Can last night that was followed by a satellite Q & A session with Spielberg himself.
The film is a great departure for Spielberg in terms of style. This is an interesting story that could have been mundane in the hands of someone else, but in his hands, Leo Di Caprio is a revelation (I bet his acting in this is better than GONY). At one point he impersonates Bond in Goldfinger and boy, does he do a great job. His persuer Tom Hanks is as ever reliable. likeable and puts in a fun, subtle performance.
The real revelation in this film is Christopher Walken, who plays Leo's suffering dad. He just plays a dad, not a gangster or a FatBoy Slim video dancer, just a father. Chris is brilliant and I hope he gets recognition for this. Much respect goes to the performances of supporting actors Martin Sheen and Jennifer Garner as a high class hooker who gets swindled.
The film is refreshing because Spielberg is not working with ILM, Stan Winston or Michael Lanteri.
It is pure nuts and bolts, acting and location work. The title credits are amazing and evoke Saul Bass a la "Man with the Golden Arm." John Williams jazzy score is a welcome change.
It is a great cat and mouse style film based on an incredible story.
If this film is not recognised at the Oscars etc it doesn't matter, because it shows a film maker still willing to take risks when he doesn't have to, but still having the gift for entertaining a mass audience.
At the Q & A session, Spielberg mentioned that he looked at various Tony Curtis/Rock Hudson 1960's films and his own 8mm/16mm films for inspiration to evoke that era.
He talked about always wanting to use film as opposed to digital to make his movies.
He mentioned how he rates Sodebergh, particularly Traffic.
If you post this, please call me Max Caddyshack.And the Muffin Man, yes, The Muffin Man, oh no, Yup, the Muffin Man... Where's a glass of milk to drown the bastard in? Looks like CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is golden, eh? Here ya go...
Hi Harry!
Caught a screening of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN in London last night.
It's 2 hours and twenty minutes of sheer joy. Everyone involved seems to be
on best form for this chase/caper movie especially Christopher Walken.
In a Q & A by satellite link up after the screening Spielberg told us Walken
wanted to play a 'normal' character and tone down his infamous histrionic
acting style.
Walken turns in a performance that should guarantee a nomination nod next
Feb.
The film strikes the right balance between the light, frothy feel of classic
60's caper movies with some intense drama and sense of loss.
The production design is gorgeous with the period lovingly recreated in
every detail. But one of the highlights of the film is the title sequence.
It's a fantastic homage to the animated title sequences of the 60's by Saul
Bass, Maurice Binder and dePatie Freleng
Amongst the many 'homage' moments of the movie watch out for the hilarious
James Bond/ Connery skit.
Spielberg, Hanks, DiCaprio & Walken have given us a really enjoyable
Christmas present. Between this movie, GANGS, Two Towers and CHICAGO we
truly are being spoilt this Christmas.
Call me the Muffin Man
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+ Expand All
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You can cut the irony with a groin-aimed laser on that one.
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I have always enjoyed Christopher Walkens presence in any film, even if it is a continuation of his "histrionic" method style of acting. But the fact his that regardless of how that variation on his style is presented (most notably, "The Funeral", where I found he was incredible)he does not display a great deal of range. Just because he may do something completely different from his persona does not necessarily mean he is a great actor worthy of an Oscar. But then again, I cannot think of too many actors who are.
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I love Speilberg and have great hope for this one. MR was pointless and poorly developed; AI was interesting though not great . . . etc. S hasn't done much good work lately. Maybe this will mark his comeback (and yes, I did say comeback!) Meanwhile (pant,pant) LOTR less than a week away!!
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The way I read the sentece, I believe it was Speilberg saying Ford was too old.
Might just be me. -
What I meant was SpIElberg and sentence...oh well
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The trailers have me interested, these reviews even more so. . .bring it on, Mr. Spielberg! Make my break interesting! (Oh, and Spacehunter...don't bash "Lord of the Rings" if your e-mail contains the phrase "Frodo Lives." That is all.)
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I don't agree with the posters who say the trailer is one of the best in a long time. I really hate the trailer. It makes me NOT want to see the movie. But it's gotten so many great reviews on this sight that I'm beginning to wonder if I'm wrong. I just hate that girl in the trailer who Leo asks out for a steak dinner. I really hate her. And no I don't know her and no I'm not a plant.
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Dec 11, 2002 3:20:38 PM CST
Spielberg, even at his worst, is still a technically gifted dire
by aquafresh
Old Conan, Mad Max= good. Old Indy= bad.I don't know why, but thats just how it sits with me. I think the word "mythic" may have something to do with it.
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heheheee.... "a spring chicken" !!! *lol* ;D did steven say that?? *lol* i say bring it on!! i can`t wait! you americans!!! be happy to have all of this stuff on december! we`ve got to wait till january and february. but that`s no problem as long as those flicks will just kick some ass!!! i just hope i`ll see the same movie eye spy and the others saw!
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But I know exactly what you mean - that fucking Snuggle fabric softener teddy bear - sweet crackers I wanted to eradicate that thing.
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But I can't help it. She's like a splinter in my brain.
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Funny.
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.... DiCaprio CAN'T ACT WORTH PISS!!!! He is famous only because a whole generation of girls get wet at the mere mention of his name. Take the Beach for example: In the book, the main character fucks NO-ONE!!! At all. Ever. BUT, turn that great book into a DiCaprio film, and he MUST shag not one but two people, in a way that does the story no service other than to say "It's against the laws of nature to have Leo not fuck someone.It'll alienate all those girls who moisten themselves at the mere mention of his name." He can't act, he is a face, nothing more. Now, I'll probably still give this film a look, because Hanks is always great, and Spielberg's been on a roll lately, in my humble opinion, but Jesus, that asshole DiCaprio just pisses me off......
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Spielberg takes a Scorsese-type crime movie premise and turns it into Frank Capra schmaltz. Leo isn't REALLY a criminal; he's just a boy from a broken home who wants a daddy to teach him how to be a man. That turns out to be Tom Hanks doing an impersonation of Dan Aykroyd in DRAGNET. Really a lame movie--the kind of sentimental shite that Spielberg- haters usually (inaccurately) attack him for. The Jennifer Garner scene is funny but weird. It suggests Steven has some issues with women that haven't come out in his other work.
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A Speilberg film that takes a "serious" subject and over-simplifies it (so the doofus ticket buyers can feel all intellectual and stuff, MR anyone?) then blows it all to Hell for the sake of a crowd pleasing ending? Say it ain't so!
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TAKE YOUR FUCKING LOTR ATTACKS/PRAISES/VARIOUS BULLSHIT OUT OF THIS TALKBACK! This is a CMIYC Talkback, for fuck's sake! Can't you trolls read? I know it's hard to read aloud with that syphilitic cock stuck in your craw, but try.
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I don't like Leo Di Crapio, but I do know one thing. He CAN act. Cableface, why don't you get out and rent "Marvin's Room," or "This Boy's Life," of "The Basketball Diaries," or "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" and then come back and say he can't act. Don't just accuse someone of being a bad actor just because you don't like them. It just makes you look stupid.
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what was the score like? I haven't heard note one. It is John Williams, after all.
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Okay, Mr. Spielberg, we get the point. You're proud of your most recent foray. You don't need to shove it down our throats, old buddy.
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and it was terrible. I forgot what it was called, but it was terrible. I hope maybe the guy has caught on to using humor by now.
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I was joking around, McLuvin, trying to get your goat. By the way, if you like the steak girl, you are forever dead to me. Just Another Guy, did you mean the movie "Always?"
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Go to www.dreamworks.com/catchthem and you can launch a wee soundtrack player thing. It's a tasty delight, jazzy and stylish from the master of motion picture soundtracks, John Williams. He and Steven Spielberg are sent from Heaven to provide us with flawless entertainment every time, and this film will rule over all others this year. And from what I hear, Catch is looking a strong contender for the Best Picture Oscar.
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Thanks. We've had run ins in the past, but I appreciate the link. Thanks again.
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What's up with the writer of the first review subtlely namedropping that he's Fay Masterson's boyfriend? Who gives a shit? If Harry knows both of you, then you don't need to leave some cryptic "clue" to try and impress AICN readers. How does it feel to know she'd rather have Tom Cruise feeling her tits again than you? Starfucker.
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Dec 11, 2002 8:12:50 PM CST
Steven, Tom, and Leo To Clean Up In Wake Of Peter, Elijah, and V
by jollydwarf
...this "Eye-Spy" submitted a review for, um, Ain't, um, uh It Cool? Um, he's, uh, seeing a starlet? It's uhhh...Fay Masterson? But--review--hot actress girlfriend--but wait--umm--review, girl--AICN--sex--uh, but...no...but...unfair...that's, that's not possib--wait...head hurts--not fair--hold on--(sigh)don't...get...it. (Snaps out of it) What I DO KNOW is that this movie is going to be boffo counterprogramming to TTT. I expect them both to play long and prosper. But a reviewer...pseudonym...redhead...famous girlfriend...wait--my temples...throbbing in pain...can't be...like dividing by zero....
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Dec 11, 2002 8:54:47 PM CST
Sounds like tis is a blast. Also sounds like it's a missed oppor
by blivenator
Well, I'm sure the movie is solid if not better than that. I'm a big fan of Spielberg as well as of the book and would expect nothing less than that. However, it may very well be a missed opportunity because some of the more subtle and insightful elements of the story appear to have either slipped through the cracks or perhaps they came across as too difficult to integrate into the overall design. Of course, I'm going only by the ads which obviously vault up the "fun" factor, as well as these reviews which don't exactly bolster my confidence that they got it right.
Of course, this should be fun, but it should also be deeply disturbing and sad and we know Spielberg is capable of that. The trailer seems to suggest that in an attempt to create legitimate sympathy for Frank, other than simply the vicarious thrill of the scam, Spielberg is trying to make a movie about fathers and sons and the kind of normal relationships Frank has lost out on due to his, ahem, lifestyle. Spielberg has even said as much in interviews. He has said that this is the movie where he examines the whole father son dynamic, as opposed to his usual mother and son fixation.
That's all well and good and I'm sure it's effective, at least as pure sentiment, but it's also disingenuous because in his book Frank gives no indication that he gives a damn about the authentic human relationships he was missing out on. He was having too much fun playing on people's gullibility and banging hot chicks right and left. He gives his parents lip service at one point but there's little sense that these feelings dogged him along the way. And he certainly didn't have a relationship with his pursuer as is shown here, channeling the old Harvey and Susan model in Thelma and Louise.
As I said, this will undoubtedly work as Spielberg is a master at this kind of thing, but it lets Frank and the audience off the hook too easily and allows the film to become a disposable romp with Moral Overtones.
What should have been focused on are the fleeting moments in the book when Frank indicates the feelings of validation he gets from impersonating high profile people. Spielberg could have ran with this and made a whole film just dealing with our image obsessed culture. Also, there is that other notable and glaring failure to consider. As we all know this material takes place in the mid to late 60's, and yet there is no mention in Frank's auto-bio of Vietnam at all. I expect the film to similarly leave this in the dark. That's too bad because here is a great opportunity to address what an image based culture can do. How it plays into and builds colossal egos and monumental self absorption which serves only to deny that any larger reality exists.
Oh, and by the way, whether you want to hear it or not, Danny Boyle's The Beach was absolutely dead on in casting Leo for just that reason. Though he's content to allow it to remain as subtext, Boyle uses his lead to indicate exactly the above ideas. Here was a contemporaray young American male who voluntarily chose to go to southeast Asia. Except he was going for fun and excitement. He had no real knowledge of history or loss and had no real interest in them. They only served to spoil the party. -
This movie is based on a true story, from everything I've read and seen, it seems pretty faithful to the book. Frank Abagnale was a screwed up kid from a broken home, he never committed any violent felonies. He conned banks out of a lot of money, posed as various proffesional types, and eventually got caught, went to prison and realized the error of his ways, and is today an upstanding citizen. Sounds to me like Spielberg told the story the way it happened. Can't wait for this movie.
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Did you really see the movie, or are you just talking out of your asshole? If you did see it, where did you see it? And, if you did see it, you're attacking Spielberg for all the wrong reasons. Besides, how is this storyline bear any resemblance to a Scorsese film? Sounds a bit closer to Butch Cassidy, or a Howard Hawks film.
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The review I (EyeSpy) posted included a PS that Harry mistakenly included in his posting. It was meant to be seen by no one but him. Throw all the shit you want at me or my review, but to take public pot-shots at an innocent bystander (be she someone's girlfriend or not) from behind an anonymous e-mail address speaks volumes about you and the rock you live under. You succeeded in hurting someone's feelings today. Not mine and not Harry's. I hope you feel really good about yourselves.
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I wondered what the whole red head reference was all about, but it didn't seem like an accident on Harrys part, he included a reference to it in his introduction. I looked up pictures of Fay Masterson, she is hot, that guy is lucky indeed. It probably is weird to see somebody like Tom Cruise fondling your girlfriend, but at the end of the day, she comes home to you, so don't worry about what these folks think, they're just jealous, I know I am.
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I believe the operative phrase here is "Ask my cock." I don't like DiCaprio, but the main reason I accuse him of being a bad actor, is because, surprise, I THINK HE'S A BAD ACTOR. I have yet to see him be convincing in any role. And that's after watching the (hallowed) Basketball Diaries. My opinions are my own, so don't accuse them or me of being stupid when you obviously ain't paying a whole lot of attention. And don't hurt yourself falling off the high horse either.....
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I reckon Spielberg's also had a look at Martin Brest's 1988 underated gem Midnight Run for insperation on a fast paced Comedy/Thriller/Chase type scenario-the Laurel& Hardy feds appear very comparable to Runs Mafia hoods(moron no one and two)and also to the two cops from another Brest movie-Beverly Hills Cop! PS Unless Scorsese takes a leaf out of Spielberg's book ie cast Big Stars in Commercial holiday season box office friendly Movies-Cruise/Minority Report, DiCaprio/Hanks CMIYC, Ford/Indy4 alternating with Big Historical Oscar friendly subjects -Saving Private Ryan, Schindlers List,Lincoln or linbergh biopic will be next, then im afraid Scorsese will be condemned to box office obscurity and zero oscar winner-but hey maybe he doesnt care,I think he does though!
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eat shit and die, fuck monkey. and the next time you tug your substandard wang to doctored nudes of seven of nine, just WISH you had the goods to get close to a hottie like ms masterson. dipshit.
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Define "mistake", Eye-Spy. Harry likes to taunt the orcs and goblins and tittilates himself with clues and vaguaries about high profile friends, hot women he's met, and script drafts that he's got someone digging through trash for. Oh, and he got a couple casting leads by giving a half-giant a dragon egg. Well, not that last one. But anyways, you can't expect him to not drop every little hint that he can to make the sweatshirt-and-shorts-and-sandals crowd hot'n'bothered'n'jealous. And while I don't know if "someone's" feelings were hurt in part because of my goofy post, I do know that I was spoofing the mentality that guys with hot (actress) girlfriends CANNOT be the same people that visit this site. Well, it's like 99.7% true. With all the random vitriol, you gotta believe that, anyway. But if my humor attempt fell short of the crossbar or was shanked way wide right and extracted even a single tear, I'm sorry. But why would Ms. Masterson even visit this site. For most women, it's got to be comparable to what the narrator saw in the bottom of the pit in "The Pit and the Pendulum". "One does not simply click into Aicnor. It is folly. The very bandwidth you use is a poisionous flame and there is an evil there that does not date. Not with ten thousand reviewers could you change this."
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I don't have a problem with people thinking Di Caprio is a bad actor. What I have a problem with is people thinking Di Caprio is a bad actor based solely on "Titanic," "The Beach," and "Romeo & Juliet."
In your post, you never mentioned you had seen his early work.
This is what you sounded like:
"De Niro fucking sucks. He can't act. I've seen 'Ronin,' and 'Showtime,' and 'Analyze That.' He is overrated."
After a comment like that, someone is bound to mention: "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull," "Godfather 2," etc.
Get my point?
On the other hand, what you wrote on your second post ("I have yet to see him convincing in any role...even after watching the Basketball Diaries...") Is a much more mature, albeit erroneous, statement.
In other words, you're still wrong, but you no longer sound like an idiot. Congratulations! You redeemed yourself.
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I have redeemed myself? Who are you exactly? Let me re-iterate; You want to disagree with me, great, that's what this board is for. But you don't have the right to just flat-out call my opinions wrong, and as for that "...you have redeemed yourself" remark, you need to stop being such a condescending little shite. You were the only one who complained about my first post, and I wasn't exactly lying awake at night, worrying that "Dinoguy thinks I look stupid". Get over yourself man, and stop thinking that you're the only person on these boards who knows anything about anything. Then we can talk.
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I would rather see Zombiegeddon myself, lol.
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I'm really glad you don't lose sleep at night, worrying if others think you're stupid. That's a sign of maturity and confidence... You've grown so much in the last few days. I'm so proud of you!!!!
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