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And now for a look at the other Wilson boy in I SPY!

Riddle Me This by beartrap	Sep 6th, 2002 08:52:25 AM
Why do good movies have bad trailers and bad movies have good trailers? (Given that this is a good movie.)
It's gotta be a plant! by PaddyIrishman	Sep 6th, 2002 09:03:19 AM
This reviewer had too many good things to say and didnt point out any of the films flaws...gotta be a plant! I was unfortunate enough to see Showtime and If I Spy is as funny as that, forget it, I'm not going to see another pilling heap of shit. Having said that, I did have some harsh words to say on talkbalk about the Charlies Angels trailer when that came out and that actually turned out to be pretty good. Please, please let Eddie Murphy make a good film like some of his work in the Eighties. Here's hoping!
Wow by brena	Sep 6th, 2002 09:04:51 AM
not only am I first but I'm also excited to hear that this movie is good! Owen and Eddie...can't wait to see them in action...
not first after all by brena	Sep 6th, 2002 09:06:38 AM
:( oh well..
Being an Owen Wilson fan means suffering some bad, bad movies. by Evil Posh	Sep 6th, 2002 09:12:03 AM
So I'm glad to hear this is quite fun. It seems all the mistrust is coming from the apparently horrendous trailer, which I haven't seen yet (I did see Spy Kids 2 and Goldmember, but we had different trailers here in the UK, of course). Maybe it's just me and my esoteric tastes, but Eddie Murphy, Owen Wilson and Famke Jannsen, directed by the man behind 'The Brady Bunch Movie' - how can it fail? Shut up, you.
PLANT by DougPaging	Sep 6th, 2002 09:20:42 AM

What are you guys talking about? The trailer was terrific. by BigTuna	Sep 6th, 2002 09:42:18 AM
One of the funniest trailers i've seen in a long time. The "It's A Sock"! gag was funny.
gotta be a plant by CaptainWalker	Sep 6th, 2002 09:45:58 AM
Why? Because nobody actually talks like THAT! Who else other than a studio hack uses those caatch phrases so liberally? Please people. Hire better spin control!
"There is one sequence...that had the entire audience grabbing t by Lance Rock	Sep 6th, 2002 10:31:43 AM
No one writes like that. You sorry-ass plant!
They need to bring back Bill Cosby. by rev_skarekroe	Sep 6th, 2002 10:59:52 AM
The plot could be Bill has to fire his Voodoo priestess housekeeper after she tries to put the whammy on him. Or is that too far-fetched? sk
Yeah, Betty Thomas is just like Brett Rattner... by Batutta	Sep 6th, 2002 11:22:00 AM
A soulless studio HACK!
Does anyone really believe this????? by zappaman	Sep 6th, 2002 11:27:30 AM
I often read reviews on this site that make me wonder if it is a plant, but his one is a lock. C'mon, read this review again and see how transparent this is. Don't forget, this is from the same studio that created an imaginary critic to give a favorable review to one of their pieces of crap!!!!
You plant screamers are wrong by WeedyMcSmokey	Sep 6th, 2002 11:33:04 AM
Amateurs. If you've been visiting this site for more than a week you should know Enigma Boy - he's contributed loads of goods before. Take this at face value. It getting to the point that if you even announce that you like a movie, you're labelled a plant - oh and here's another thing - since when do you think that the fucking opinions expressed in these talkbacks - don't act like we're more important than we are. And while the trailer was poor, the "just a sock" joke was brilliant. Plus, I had never even heard of the TV show, so it has the actually alarming chance of appearing as an original work to me.
a sentence magically disappeared from my talkback by WeedyMcSmokey	Sep 6th, 2002 11:37:35 AM
I meant to include that the opinions expressed in these talkbacks aren't that intrinsic to the success of a movie, and the influence of our little site is so overstated here its no longer funny to me. Relax, lets talk about movies and stop worrying if Hollywood (or the FBI - Mako :)) is watching..... Or maybe I'm just lulling you into a false sense of security?
I liked the Hulk Hogan joke better when by hecubus	Sep 6th, 2002 12:01:43 PM
it was "ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US."
Plant, plant, plant, plant, PLANT! by Modern_Achilles	Sep 6th, 2002 12:18:14 PM
There is no such thing as a hilarious Eddie Murphy "comedy". Even "Nutty Professor" was pretty lame in retrospect.
Allright, so I'm no Chaffro, but I'll give it a try: "I by Modern_Achilles	Sep 6th, 2002 12:23:53 PM
"I thought Jackie Chan was in this movie, brother. Wait, aren't you the fat guy from "The Klumps"?"
I spy with my little eye, something beginning with 'P' by Purple Prole	Sep 6th, 2002 12:38:55 PM
Despite it looking so much like a plant that I'm almost tempted to water it, I don't think this review is one. I mean really, what kind of lame-ass subterfuge would saying 'I am not a plant' be? Unless it was a bluff. Anyhow, I haven't seen the trailer for this so I'll have to take all your words that it looks poo. But I do look forward to seeing the film. From what I gather it's a bit in the vein of Charlie's Angels (but with blokes). Start with a cheesy TV show, throw in a McGuffin of a plot, some decent action scenes, comic sequences performed by naturally funny performers, and you can't lose really. Btw, I am not a plant!
One thing: by Christopher3	Sep 6th, 2002 01:31:47 PM
Is or is there not any Jansen nooooooooodity? I would like to ramke Famke.
I shouldn't talk back about my own article, but check this o by Enigma Boy	Sep 6th, 2002 02:06:39 PM
Many of you on the board are labelling me as a plant, except for the couple of you that obviously know I've been writing reviews here for over two years, ever since I attented the GLADIATOR screening in San Francisco. My reviews include WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM?, HEARTBREAKERS, BATTLEFIELD EARTH, ALMOST FAMOUS (which I admittedly did cum all over, seeing it's now my second-favorite movie), WHAT LIES BENEATH, LIFE AS A HOUSE and MOULIN ROUGE (try searching under "Enigma Boy" as well as the titles for those movies, seeing that I've often gotten bunched up with other and equal reviews). These are from a wide variety of studio sources, and not all have been praise. I do often find myself liking films more than disliking, but that's no reason to label me a plant. Yes, I did send in a set report from the Columbia picture SPIDER-MAN, seeing that I was an extra (unpaid, mind you), but as a well-phrased fan. I use terms like "comedic fireballs" because they work at getting attention and working up positive energy, and so they have. So I'm a good writer, so sue me! It happens.
Oh yes, thanks McSmokey for the backup. by Enigma Boy	Sep 6th, 2002 02:14:30 PM
Sheesh. You write a review that actually isn't chock full of spelling errors and ellipses and these fuckers jump all over ya. I haven't seen this many screams of "plant" in a long time. Maybe I should start writing my reviews with a far less professional edge, and maybe they can understand that I am indeed a film geek. Hell, my license plate is "FLMGEEK." Go figure.
One more thing to all you Plant-sayers: by Enigma Boy	Sep 6th, 2002 02:28:12 PM
I feel like I'm being a baby, but for personal integrity, I dare all you guys screaming "Plant" to call me. Putting a phone number up isn't usually the best idea, and it may get erased by the head honchos, but here goes: (310) 258-2677. You may realize it's a college campus........oh yes, and the description of "people grabbing their sides" is actually a very loose reference to Wet Hot American Summer, a damn funny movie, where this literally happens with the character of JJ. I'm gonna shut up now. I've talked more than everyone else on the board nearly.
"Total fucking silence. Two can play at that game, smart guy." by Enigma Boy	Sep 6th, 2002 02:31:41 PM

At least it by CoolDan989	Sep 6th, 2002 02:52:47 PM

At least it by CoolDan989	Sep 6th, 2002 02:52:47 PM

At least it's a given this will be more successful than Plut by CoolDan989	Sep 6th, 2002 02:59:52 PM
If it will be well-liked, however, is another story. I dunno, it seems to me that this whole "comic duo" concept has scraped the bottom of the barrel. Sure there have been a few good comic duos, but now it just seems like a desperate attempt for studios to rake in the green. One notable failure was Showtime, the seemingly foolproof Eddie Murphy and Robert DeNiro movie, that tanked at the box office. If Robert DeNiro can't get people to watch more Eddie Murphy movies, Owen Wilson sure as hell can't. But after the Hindenburg caliber disaster Pluto Nash, that was delayed at least 2 years, cost 100 million and only made 5 of it back (and the fact that Eddie Murphy abandoned the movie, and that it got horrible reviews from reviewers and moviegoers doesn't help either) it's a guarantee this is going to make more money and get somewhat more acclaim.
ummm who won? by Kagero	Sep 6th, 2002 03:12:26 PM
I can't tell. Did Enigma Boy win with the devastating chain of 3 posts, or did the talkbackers win by suddenly "ignoring" this thread? SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON!!
Comic book guy, that quote is exactly as it appears in my copy o by Enigma Boy	Sep 6th, 2002 03:16:17 PM
No beef, just needed to say it.
Enigma Boy, doesn't your putting your number up like that gi by Wungolioth	Sep 6th, 2002 03:45:33 PM
I mean, what could be easier now than to have one of their lawyers give you a call to issue you your cease and desist order? Also, I remember some of your earlier reviews, so no plant screaming coming from me.
Yeah, it was kind of a stupid idea. Harry, can you take that ta by Enigma Boy	Sep 6th, 2002 03:50:54 PM
It was a risk, and after mulling over it, yeah, I was a little hot-headed. Thanks for your support.
HEAT VISION AND JACK script online!!! by Cash Bailey	Sep 6th, 2002 05:06:11 PM
Go to simplyscripts.com and you'll find it there. It's fucking hilarious!
Enigma Boy -- Plant or Film Geek? by Mambo	Sep 6th, 2002 06:43:29 PM
As the proud mother of Enigma Boy (and the one paying for his film school tuition), I can attest that: (1) he is not a plant, but was in fact raised by a pack of film-crazed wolves in NorCal) and (2) if his phone number does charge $4.99 per minute for man-on-man talk, you gotta give it to the boy for showing some initiative at earning money (must have been my taking him to Risky Business at a very young age).
Unfortunately, Malcolm McDowell isn't given room to be a ful by Enigma Boy	Sep 6th, 2002 07:29:43 PM
It would be great, yes, but he is only really a catalyst who has some interesting lines. You guys want other problems, other flaws? Eddie Murphy's entourage in the first 20 minutes is lame, and I was glad to see them go. They didn't do so badly so as to ruin the rest of the movie, and they are all but forgotten once they leave the screen, allowing Wilson and Murphy to do their shtick. This helpful?
Put Malcolm McDowell and Steven Berkoff together in a movie as b by Uncapie	Sep 6th, 2002 10:33:07 PM
All I can say is, better have a strong leading man as the hero. Those two would steal the picture with their presence!
My Apologies by CaptainWalker	Sep 7th, 2002 01:30:29 AM
EnigmaBoy, I'm more than willing to admit when I'm wrong. It would indeed seem that you are legit, and perhaps it is indeed possible that a studio was able to hack together an amusing flick from a rehashed old TV series that was cancelled for a REASON! However, If you are indeed a film student, please work to restrain your use of cliche's and catch phrases. Life's too short for bad writing! For gods sake man! Bad writing will set off that bomb in your ribcage!
I use cliches and catchphrases because they work. by Enigma Boy	Sep 7th, 2002 02:10:22 AM
These things are considered as such, cliches and catchphrases, because they are tried and true. If all of these people weren't so intent to scream "plant!" they would realize that these are praiseworthy things. So what if they've been used before? This does not make the writing bad. "Comedic fireballs" is a perfect perfect way to describe many performances by Eddie Murphy, so I use it. I laughed so hard at one point it was painful, which is better phrased as "side-splitting." I heap praise, but it does not matter whether or not these are things you find in professional reviews. Hell, what makes you think I'm not a critic for a local or campus paper? That would make a lot of sense, wouldn't it? Just because it's AICN doesn't mean I have to dumb down my writing style. I admit, we differ on what "bad writing" is, but it's not the fact that one uses cliches, but how they use them.
Fair point Enigma boy by Purple Prole	Sep 7th, 2002 09:39:21 AM
But get yourself some new cliches eh?
Why Why Why by zigmondsrh	Sep 7th, 2002 04:07:00 PM
This guy is an obvious plant.
I called Enigma Boy's phone number last night... by CoolDan989	Sep 7th, 2002 04:52:43 PM
...and guess who answered? The P.R. agency of Columbia Pictures! Ha ha, just kidding...I'm just playing along with you guys' wild "plant" accusations...it's like the modern day Salem Witch Trials on this board! I accuse Enigma Boy of plantcraft, he must be hanged! (lol)
"Get some new cliches." by Enigma Boy	Sep 7th, 2002 06:39:44 PM
A "new cliche" is an oxymoron. Basically, do you want me to create some stupid shit like what Harry does? Something akin to "At one point I laughed so hard that my lungs came out of my mouth and punched my balls." Does that work? Fuck that.
Enigma Boy ..."This does not make the writing bad"... by rap12	Sep 8th, 2002 06:31:37 AM
...actually, it does. Cliches are the first thing any good writer needs to jettison from his prose, along with passive verbs and all the rest. Not criticizing you per se, I know you mean well, but it is precisely the use of hackneyed, trite phrasing that invited your accusations of plant. This is especially if you do write for a college paper. of all things. Journalism does not excuse trite prose. Thanks for the review, anyway.
A new cliche is an oxymoron by Purple Prole	Sep 8th, 2002 10:11:38 AM
Thanks for the grammar lesson Enigma Boy. I knew that already as it happens, and was only paraphrasing Samuel Goldwyn. Geez, why does everyone assume that everything written on these things was meant serious. This is AICN talkback, not blinking '60 minutes'!
Purple Prole, I was making light of the situation. by Enigma Boy	Sep 8th, 2002 06:30:43 PM

"There is one sequence, sure to be everyone's favorite..." by ThePoleOfJustice	Sep 8th, 2002 06:45:40 PM
If you don't want to be branded a plant, don't write sentences like these. There are a few other examples, but you get the point. I think people yell PLANT too quickly here, but that don't mean there ain't any. Gimme a break.
Oh yeah, and... by ThePoleOfJustice	Sep 8th, 2002 06:55:25 PM
...I know you're a contributer here, but seriously, no offense, you write EXACTLY like a plant. Like I said before, I do think people jump the gun on the plant thing, but I think you can't really blame 'em with phrases like the ones pointed out here. I mean, for God sakes, I wrote a review for PLUTO NASH that wasn't entirely negative, and even THEN, no one branded me a plant (not seriously, anyway. Lotsa smiley faces on that TB.) "Sure to be everyone's favorite?" Do you talk like that in real life? :)
Technically in real life, I would say "This is gonna be everyone by Enigma Boy	Sep 8th, 2002 09:02:55 PM
but I have the ability to actually craft well-written sentences from my far more scattered brain of thoughts, a big ol' grab bag if you will. More AICN critics should try this, seeing that their reviews are often embarrassingly illogical and amateurish. A good amount (I'm not trying to diss anyone here, but it IS true) of reviewers on the site are all over the place, and they should learn how to focus their thoughts. I admit, my early reviews were like that as well, and when I look back on them, I feel humiliated. That is all, really. I am a writer, and for some reason being good raises suspicions. However, Moriarty, who is an astounding writer and film analyst, has his essays and reviews chock full of cliches, and no one ever thinks to point them out. Many of his jokes are old-fashioned and his comments very much like something I'd find somewhere on ROTTEN TOMATOES, but I like it that way. ..... Oh yeah, and if you see the movie, that specific scene is sure to be your favorite scene. This is not an embellishment. It is true. ...... Now this post makes me sound like a pompous ass. Shit.
Plant my @$$ by alpha	Sep 8th, 2002 09:07:54 PM
Just because the guy writes a review that kind of gushes and has a few cliche's people start labelling him a plant ... why in gods name would a studio bother to do plant like this? There are easier ways to get positive reviews than this and while the hard core audience that goes to a site like this is desired its the general audience of 17 year olds who have never been here that the studios want (thats where the money is). Has anyone actually considered that Enigma Boy might just actually really like the film?
Well, now I have a couple votes. by Enigma Boy	Sep 8th, 2002 09:39:57 PM
Thanks Alpha, although you joined the party a little too late. I'm already in shackles.
murphy+wilson=FUNNY by dreamerchick	Sep 9th, 2002 01:06:53 AM
wilson is great at poking fun at jackie chan but to see him try to keep up with Eddie Murphy will be hilarious I'm sure, I think the trailer is cool though Enigma boy tell us about the baddies.... I heard the guy who did Ali did these fights. So I'm looking forward to it. why do all the guys here have to put down good reviews? that should be a good thing not something to rip apart come on boys.
Ya hear that, boys? A chick. by Enigma Boy	Sep 9th, 2002 02:08:54 AM
Or a guy pretending to be a chick. :) Either way, thank you for the support of another vote in my favor.

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