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Harry celebrates the awesome flick that is MONSTER HOUSE for AICN'S 10th ANNIVERSARY FLICK!!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
My very favorite film that I’ve seen, thus far, this summer is MONSTER HOUSE.
Why?
Well, there’s several reasons. For one – it’s just about the only original film that I’ve seen this summer. Every thing else is pretty much a remake, a sequel or a formulaic retread. Having said that, I’ve enjoyed some of those remakes, sequels and formulaic retreads… but it’s left me wanting something… something I didn’t know I wanted.
This is the 10th Anniversary of AICN this summer and I have really been looking hard for the film that I wanted to sort of say… THIS. THIS is the film that I’d like to introduce people to on this dubious anniversary. So, I’ve taken a look at a lot of what the summer had to offer and MONSTER HOUSE is the winner.
One: It’s a first time director that has just knocked it clear out of the park.
Two: It’s an advanced geeky flick made utilizing crazy technology.
Three: It isn’t filled with the biggest, most marketable stars.
Four: It reminds me of the best of 80s cinema, which was the decade of Geek Cinema.
Five: It’s a film that looking at the trailers – you’ve no idea what you’re getting yourself into.
When I saw this film, the day before I saw CARS – I have to say – I was curious. MONSTER HOUSE’s trailers have been interesting, but what the hell was a “Monster House” and how would they make the premise play as a film? I like the colors and I thought the character design reminded me of some of Richard Corben’s or William Stout’s work. But that plump kid on the porch ringing the doorbell – he seemed retarded. And I wasn’t sure if this was anything other than a bunch of needless computer graphics.
My worries were absolutely found less. Gil Kenan has directed a performance capture film that is filled with soul. Contrary to POLAR EXPRESS – where the eyes and faces simply lacked the wonder of expression that makes animation such a wondrous medium… here – they didn’t go exact human replicas – instead they went for caricatures… and they work, fabulously.
Because this story and these characters are so strong that you forget you’re watching something animated, you’re simply enthralled with the story-telling and the characters.
Ok… let’s get to the meat and potatoes of this tale.
First off – This film doesn’t start off with a “Monster House” – though… it kinda does. You see, the house, right across the street from our main character DJ, is “THAT” house on the street with “THAT” old man that terrorizes any kids on the block that set foot on his lawn. He’s that crotchety ol sonuvabitch that would steal your basketball, just for it being on his grass. It’s that house that you crossed the street to avoid walking close to it. And everyone, but your parents know about it. Your babysitter’s boyfriend (who isn’t supposed to be at the house, but is… tormenting you) knows.
DJ and his friend Chowder (the plump one) are that age when you still perhaps believed in shit that just wasn’t very likely… but you investigated it, you explored the possibilities that it could be, but the common sense of the world told you. “Kid, you’re full of shit!”
There are stories about old “Nebbercracker” and his wife that used to live in “THE” house. Nebbercracker is the cantankerous ol fuck that scares kids. Word has it, he killed and ate his wife. That he was a cannibal. That people and things have disappeared into the house that have never again been seen.
Well, one day. The day before Halloween in fact, DJ and Chowder are playing Basketball. DJ’s mom and Dad have taken off for some Dentistry conference. DJ’s telling Chowder about the tricycle incident that morning… and they’re goofing off safely – across the street from… Nebbercracker and his evil house of horrors… when the Basketball… the one that Chowder had forked over serious bucks for, bounces away and into… “Nebbercracker’s Yard.” To the horror of both kids. It’s odd that Nebbercracker didn’t come rushing out to snatch the ball. So DJ decides to work up the nerve – and he runs for the ball… only to be caught by the crazy ass scary fucking old fart. Nebbercracker goes fucking nuts and suddenly – he’s died of a heart attack.
This isn’t handled funny. It’s handled… well, with the weight that an old man dying in front of you cursing at you would feel. It’s horrible. The ambulance hauls off his body, and the boys are left looking at the house thinking… What have we done?
Chowder heads home and the Babysitter (who fucking rules) shows up. I really can’t put into words how great this Babysitter is. How she arrives – sweet as hell thinking that one or the other parental unit may still be in the house, but when it is evident that she’s alone with the brat – she sets down the ground rules and demonstrates why and how she is the boss. DJ heads up stairs and… well, he looks at the house. He crashes out. No Evil House shit has happened, then his phone rings – but he hears the feedback of the house on the line and he begins to realize… the house… across… the street… that nobody living lives at… is calling him. Freaky. Spooky, but nothing gigantic yet.
Still – he calls Chowder – to meet at an ol construction site they call the “Danger Zone” DJ tells Chowder about… “The Call” and Chowder is all, “You’re crazy, imagining things” and so on. Now that Nebbercracker is dead – Chowder isn’t ‘fraid of some empty ol house. This leads us to the scene that doesn’t work in the trailer. But now – in context with the film… it plays very creepy. Chowder is goofing off – doing an impression of ghostly Nebbercracker. He’s all carefree and brave. He rings that doorbell – and HELL opens up.
Chowder makes it back out to the street. And he and DJ are looking at the for-real MONSTER HOUSE and DJ is telling Chowder that they have to get somebody to believe them because – the next night is HALLOWEEN and kids looking for TRICK OR TREATS would be doomed. Chowder is like, “Nobody will go to that house, it’s Nebbercracker’s house” That’s when the door opens to the house… and Chowder’s basketball bounces in an inviting COME HERE light. Chowder states, “It’s going to be a slaughter!”
Basically – that’s the set up. From here you get the girl involved and you meet a character that is their Yoda… named SKULL. Skull is played by Jon Heder… in what I consider a fucking awesome role. He’s just classic. He’s a geek god that has traveled to many arcades and comic conventions and has learned a great many things. In SECRET OF NIMH – he would be THE GREAT OWL. In STAR WARS – he would be YODA. In JASON & THE ARGONAUTS – he would be Phineas. His temple is a Pizza delivery place – his throne – a stand up arcade game. He speaks… as an all-knowing geek god would. And as a child, you would be wise to listen.
The film is just fucking great. The kids are just flat out real. DJ and Chowder ARE best friends. Jenny is THAT girl that you first got a crush on and wanted to kiss. The Babysitter is THAT babysitter that would have her boyfriend loser wannabe rock-star over that would torment you. The adults don’t believe you, the way adults don’t believe you when you start talking about shit like a Monster House.
The film is out-right SCARY. It has that feeling of those classic 80s kids films like GOONIES, EXPLORERS and STAND BY ME. I swear there’s a scene where the little girl says, “Let’s cut the bullshit!” I have to see it again to check that out.
This genuinely feels like the movie you kinda wish Tim Burton would make, if he wasn’t so distracted with being “weird”. It has that earnest suburban adventure feel of films like BACK TO THE FUTURE and E.T. It’s that wonder-time of youth – and I absolutely loved every second of it.
How much does SONY believe in it? Well – they’ll be screening it all over the country early. But after a good deal of begging – I got SONY to allow me to have the exclusive premieres of the film in DIGITAL 3D in 5 cities across the Country this JULY 10th as our celebration of the 10th Anniversary of AICN.
Which 5 cities? AUSTIN (which will have the stops pulled out), Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Minneapolis-St.Paul.
More details will be coming, but folks – this film is pure gold. I got to see 20 minutes of it in 3D before approving this as being the 10th ANNIVERSARY AICN FILM EVENT – and holy shit was it awesome. It looks fucking amazing. But hopefully – a great deal of you will be seeing it soon.
As for taking your kids. This movie IS scary, but it's scary the way Disney's Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland or Disneyworld is. It's not a HORROR film, so much as it is a THRILLING FILM for all ages. As I said - every character in this film has a soul and is played with a very warm heart and a richness of detail that I haven't seen laid into characters in an animated film since THE IRON GIANT or THE INCREDIBLES. And I mean that with absolute seriousness. This is a fantastic film.
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Don't want to see it. They think it looks scary. Too bad.
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FUCK YEAH!
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...third
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How can we get tickets to the screenings. I'm pumped up!
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...my shitfest of a review will be overshadowed by Harry's. Shame I'm about 350 miles away from the closest of the special screenings though.
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Or just in Imax, or just theaters with digital screens? I haven't seen anything in the trailers promoting this as 3D. I would love to see it in that medium. Any way you could provide some more info on it? Anyway, I thought this thing looked like a possible sleeper from the trailer. Very Goonies. Hope it's great. My three movie to see this summer are Superman, Pirates and Monster House.
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Jun 25, 2006 5:20:18 PM CDT
but can it compete with the masterpiece that was click?
by windowlicker74
btw, has Moriarty already been fired yet for lashing out at a superior? He was right though. I didn't even bother to read this review.
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Harry. You don't know a good movie from a bad one anymore........you have become unreliable.
You have failed. -
Gonna have to work... grumble... let me see what I can do to get off... This sounds awesome.
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1st - Godhatesyou - if you're refering to CLICK - I was entertained. I came away surprised by how much I enjoyed myself, and I "liked" the film. Had I given it a star rating - which I abhor - but it would've helped you to understand my level of "liking" the film - it would have been a "2 and a half star" like. A film that I went into hoping to not be miserable, and came out entertained enough to say, "Hey, this wasn't that bad, in fact, I liked it." If you can't tell the difference in the review for that film and the review for this film... you might be functionally illiterate. MONSTER HOUSE is absolutely fantastic and is a film that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE. 2nd - Yackbacker - Yes, I giggled. I giggled a lot.
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look, you may think Harry has bad taste but to say he's lost it is completly unfair considering the guy has always had the same taste for movies. For example, he loved Armageddon. Well, there you go... :-)
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any movie that brings a "Goonie" feel to the screen is one worth seeing, thanks Harry!
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Let's see, in the past week I've taken my kids to see "Cars" and "Nacho Libre". In that time I've see trailers for "Ant Bully," "Monster House," "Barnyard," "Rataouille," "Flushed Away," and "Open Season." Aren't they overdoing the CGI animated kids' films a little? Nothing like flooding the market. Your reviews make me think this might be worthwhile. As long as their are no gender-confused bovines in it. Why on Earth does the lead male character in "Barnyard" have an udder? Can anyone tell me?? Please?
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Too many sequels, remakes, etc., but this looks like the genuine thing. Thanks Harry, for promoting it. So often, good films get lost in the crowd of overhyped/overblown dreck of summer releases. This may be too intense for my autistic 6-year-old, but fuck it--I'll see it myself. And I'll probably be the only adult there.
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I'll probably be the only solo adult there, sans kids.
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I need it. Give it to me. I saw it and I think I saw a different film to the rest of the planet. Why is nobody hating (of even moderatly disliking) this boring, cold (though beautiful), eventless flick which features a care fixing a road for literally one hour? I don't normally crave validation (right, guys?) but NOBODY is bagging this tripe. I need somebody to setup a bandwagon. Anybody. Mum? Does anybody feel the same? Hold me, squeeze me, tug on my fur...
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im with you...
except i have not even seen Cars.
NO desire.
i feel it will and is just like you describe.
feels like those damn Amacco commercials (spell?)
think i will just wait til the next Pixar flic.
Besides, never was a fan of Doc Hollywood anyways.
Monster House? will check it out.
and not because of Harry's two cents. -
Don't let the shit-talkers get you down. Here's to ten more giggle-filled years.
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So, he's consistent there.
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Is proper subject/verb agreement. Jesus H. Christ...Get thee to a grammar lesson! Your the head of a major website for Chrissakes. You're the voice of reason! The voice of reason cannot fubar the english language like this!
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Here's to ten years more. I think to celebrate, an IP-based banning of moviemack and every other homophobic mouthbreather that stains this board with their ignorance might be in order, que no?
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...Harry and The Hendersons, Who Framed Rodger Rabbit, heck even *batteries not included and An American Tail. These were the Spielberg/ Amblin produced films that I genuinely LOVED as a kid. And to see Spielberg and Amblin attached to this had me interested from the beginning. I'm definitely there for this one. I just hope the CGI works for the film and the story and not against it. I really do.
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Not to be stupid, but Ebert and Roeper are scheduled to review this film next week--but it doesn't come out till July 21st. You know they must love it to review it that early. I'm on board big time. Thanks for the heads up Harry--and thanks for the Minneapolis nod!
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1. You now have me souped as a mutha to watch this film! Great review! 2. Congrats on 10 years baby! Good stuff! But 3. Why am I going to be out of town on July 10th?! Crap! Would've loved to kick it with the NYC crowd to watch this one! Oh well.
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disturbing.....
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Awesome, the day after CONvergence! Give us more info ASAP, Harry!
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that Rob Schrab, creator of the "Scud The Disposable Assassin" comic and the "Heat Vision & Jack" TV pilot wrote this? Or at least co-wrote this? Am I the only one? Go to robschrab.com to watch the awesome Robot Bastard! And shame on you, Mori for not bringing Monster House 3-D to Boston. Shame, Shame, Shame! Minneapolis / St. Paul, indeed. (Prepare to be bombarded by Wisconsinites in 5...4...3...2...1...)
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Sorry, Mori.
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...is when a kid in a family oriented movie says "shit". Seriously, I remember my uptight mother complaining after countless films such as Beetlejuice and the Goonies about the awful language in family movies nowadays (the 80's). Corey Feldman saying "shit" in the Goonies is the equivalent of Elvis shaking his hips in the 50's.
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I will take a look at it. (Although Sky High was because of Schooley/McCorkle already a must-see for me, before it got this great reviews at AICN)
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I agree totally, I don't know anyone else who hated Cars, besides the two guys I dragged to see it after they bugged me about seeing a "stupid kid's movie".
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Does this mean you're finally changing the background for 10th Anniversary? Maybe redesigning the website? nudge nudge wink wink! eh eh!
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In early 97 I typed 'Star Wars Episode I' in what I used for a search engine at the time, 'Altavista'. One of the sites it found was AICN. They had some old 40's plane that was supposed to be the inspiration for an Episode I ship. First shot I ever saw of Episode I.
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Thanks for this site Harry... And all the contributors.... Even though all these jackasses here talk smack, they still come and post everyday.... If that aint love, I don't know what is.... Oh and the funniest thing on this site are George Lucas talkbacks... Please let there be some Lucas news soon!
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AICN still rules - Harry haters - go see Wu's pigs - they can be found in Deadwood. Go on, now. Thank you. Buh-bye.
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But I would just give it a 6/10 and I don't know what other people see in it. Seriously, other (CGI-)Flicks get slammed for less than an uninteresting story and stereotyped characters.
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I haven't seen the movie of course, but the trailer seems totally juvenile....nothing wrong with kids movies, but this one seems to offer nothing for adults with adult brains.
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I'll never forgot that one and he lost a bit of credibility there. I could see liking Armageddon, because it was harmlessly entertaining, but Ep II AOTC was just BAD.
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I saw the trailer for this and actually thought Harry will love this! It looks like a geek fest in the tradition of Goonies 80's movies like House, Monstersquad and Frightnight. The only problem I have now is Harry loved all over it so it can't be very good!
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Why didn't "The Santa Clause" get released during the summer tent-pole season? Oh right, because they are CHRISTMAS themed movies. But wouldn't they have made more money because during the summer people go to the movies more (or something like that)? Releasing a Halloween themed movie (leaves changing colors and all) during July just seems off to me. OPEN SEASON seemed like the better choice to release first from Sony Features Animation. Can any of you "industry insiders" shed some light on this?
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...look at the Monster House poster and zoom on the upstairs window, rotate 90 degress clockwise and flip - you can clearly see the outline of a Metling Owl. Back me up Sherm!
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...you let PetSnakeReggie know.
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..."melting", not "metling".
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what was the first movie reviewed on this site?
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..."Motion Capture." The motion capture works when it's done well (King Kong) and doesn't work when it's done poorly (Polar Express and This). I keep watching that trailer and I think how bad the Animation (if that's what you want to call it) looks in this movie. Hair doesn't move when I'm expecting it too. The character design looks freaky. The attempt at the photo-realistic look kept pulling me out of the trailer. As I sit through the trailers and watch, I keep thinking about how much the motion is unnatural and the design looks freaky. The only design that works are the two cops. They look some what stylized and natural. Keep motion capture for Live Action. Keep animators sans motion capture for animation.
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'geek technology'. Great reasons to declare something awesome. Unless you don't remember The Goonies or Monster Club fondly or if you prefer real actors or anime. I haven't been convinced by motion capture other than some LOTR and some Kong. As per usual I will read Harry's review but will not trust it. Congrats on 10 years though, it is a big acheivment.
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First of all, Harry has credibility because he runs this site that we all come to at least once a day. Just because you disagree with him on the majority of films, which I do, doesn't take away his credibilty. Harry has seen, probably, twice as many films than most ever will, so he does have a point of reference that most of us will not have. I, personally, prefer Moriarty's reviews, but I check out Harry's because he gives reasons for liking and disliking a film, and usually, I can figure out if I will or won't based on that. You all need to get off his back just because you happen to disagree.
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...was the best film he had seen all year up until that point last year. I'll wait to see what the rest of the world says about this one while I go enjoy my awesome remakes and retreads this week.
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Of courst I'll have to borrow my nephew to go so that I don't look like a pervert...you'd be surprised how many dirty looks you get whne you are a chubby, balding 30-something and you got to a matinee of Ice Age by yourself...you'd also be surprised how quickly you get thrown out of that same matinee when you ask one of the single mom's how much they want for their supple young child...sigh
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I didn't know you could say that in a PG flick nowadays.
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Gratz on the 10th anniversary. Can you might arrange a uber special Monster House 3d event in the Netherlands as well Harry? Would be powning. Fantastic to read the film pulls it of the way I hoped it would. After reading that set visit from, Quint I think, a few months a go I am so thrilled to see this. I'm from '86 and still grew up watching films like Gremlins, Back to the Future, Goonies, ET, etc. And with me thousands of others. It marks great filmmaking and it's great that we get to see that kind of entertainment again. Cheers.
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Wait a minute... no it isn't. Goonies isn't scary at all. What do you mean?
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i turn 21 on the 9th...maybe this will be my birthday present to myself.
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Really, from that, this movie looks horrible. Not to mention completely derivitave and unoriginal, we're supposed to get excited about a haunted house? Really? I'm just curious what other movies Harry has seen so far, did he really see Pirates 2 and like this better?
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I am more of an "I Luv Video" or "Encore" kind of guy. "Now that we know who you are... I know who I am - I'm not a mistake! It all makes sense, in the comics you know who the arch villain is going to be? He's the exact opposite of the hero!" ;) Just giving you shit because you used to get all pissy at the Collector's Show when I'd try to (lamely) haggle you down on some schlock 50s/60s horror posters. Happy Anniversary and I'm gonna go see this - sounds fun!
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ya know, this isn't your average haunted house. It's a house that eats cars and shit!
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What...do children read this site?
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"...and it's what the studio agreed to let me show."
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when it was called the BURBS! Seriously though, this looks GREAT and I'm gonna be there on openning night! No, I'm NOT married...
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The ability to tell a bad movie from a good movie from a great movie is just not a talent that Headgeek has or ever will have. FROM HARRY'S ATTACK OF THE CLONES REVIEW "I must say that I feel that this is by far the most entertaining Star Wars film to date". Here is a gag inducing excerpt from that same review: "He attacks Yoda with lightning, Yoda captures it, twirls it around, balls it up and redirects it back at Lee. When I saw this, I screamed like a little girl. I mean it was like Uncle Tony grabbed my pantied ass. I jumped about 12 feet up in the air and squealed. WHAT A THRILL!". And we thought the recent giggling proclamation was annoying. ************* Look Harry, I love your site, and I love that you are such an unabashed movie geek, but you "love" so many movies that are shit that your opinion is impossible to take seriously. Especially when your opinion flip-flops after the general public sees a shit film for what it is: shit. ANOTHER ATTACK OF THE CLONES QUOTE "Jar Jar has a 15 second StepInFetchIt shuffle speak routine he does as he goes to first let Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker into the Amidala
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Fuck, I hated Cars. Fucking Cars talking to each other for an hour and a half in radiator springs bullshit crapfest. Fuck. Crap. Shit. Cars. Shit.
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If you're a talkbaker on AICN with the name "Tall_Boy" this movie aint for you, clearly it is for a hell of a lot of other people who did not expect this movie to be THE INCREDIBLES 2. Now get over it. And go see NACHO LIBRE for the fifth time.
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...with the misunderstanding.
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where the crew face a threat.
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. . . what was the first movie reviewed at this site?
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Do-It-Yourself Harry Knowles Review:
Y'know...I wasn't expecting much from [YOUNG GUNS IV/JUST ONE OF THE GUYS III/NEWSIES 6/ etc. etc.] but....gosh, y'know? I kinda liked it! Heck, scratch that--I kinda LOVED it! -
Considering the turn around for Movies to go to DVD now appears to be about 3 months (not always but a good amount)They will probably release it on DVD around Halloween. Though I agree they should have held off until October to release this film, but it probably would not make as much money like it will being released in the Summer when Kids are out of school and Parents need to find things for them to do.
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Honestly, I thought 'Click' was better than Superman Returns (With the exception, of course, being young Henry Winkler's make-up...it was right up there with the Wayan's alien faces on White Chicks.Creepy.)
Here's hoping it can bring back the nostalgia of those 80's movies I can't bring myself to watch for fear that hey won't hold up. Yes, I mean you, Monster Squad. "Kick him in the nuts! The wolfman doesn't have any nuts!" I'm sure I butchered that line but thats how I remember it, and I'll keep it that way. :)
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I really want to go to this but digital narrows it down a bit, guess that eliminates the Uptown for one.
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Stop letting Dupont queef her way onto the site. You've managed by the way, to make me actually want to go out and see this movie. Anything comparable to Goonies is Gold in my book.
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that Monster House is his favorite movie of the summer so far? Does he take note that it neither had Superman in it nor was it directed by Brian "Jesus" Singer?
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