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A Couple Of Readers Disagree On David Mamet’s REDBELT!

I love karate and Mamet by The-Warrior	Apr 21st, 2008 05:36:09 AM
See you in Hell.
I really wnat to see this.... by travis-dane	Apr 21st, 2008 05:41:18 AM
and Spartan was good....Kilmer punching the drug ho' Bell in the gut is funky.
Spartan is fuckin hardcore, man. by Knuckleduster	Apr 21st, 2008 06:00:06 AM
Loved it. And I'm definitely watching this. Two reasons: Mamet and Elswit.
the first guy claims to be a Mamet fan but hated Spartan by newc0253	Apr 21st, 2008 06:01:04 AM
i, otoh, am a Mamet fan who thought Spartan was great. so i really don't need to read any further thanks.
p.s. why does Uncapie write like such a frakking PLANT? by newc0253	Apr 21st, 2008 06:05:40 AM
i know he's been around AICN for a while but, seriously dude, using phrases like 'the audience will not be disappointed', 'you feel the punches and the hits' and 'its well worth your time'? I'm a fan of Mamet's stuff but reading this kind of gushy prose makes me think i'm getting shilled, and not in a good way.
Second review is totally plant-astic by Lost Jarv	Apr 21st, 2008 06:05:53 AM
seriously, who other than marketing whores use phrases like: "Mamet writes and directs another of his trademark intricate plots" and that wasn't even the worst one. The whole fucking "review" reads like a press release.
heh. Only joking by Lost Jarv	Apr 21st, 2008 06:07:02 AM
Although it did read very, very planty. How's that job application to Fox marketing coming on for you Uncapie? Is this your PLANT audition?
If you hated Spartan... by Sledge Hammer	Apr 21st, 2008 06:10:54 AM
...then I don't trust your review, simple as that.
Plenty of Mamet fans felt by Nabster	Apr 21st, 2008 06:45:51 AM

Plenty of Mamet fans felt Spartan by Nabster	Apr 21st, 2008 06:46:50 AM
was not the success it should have been. I personally loved the film, especially the first time I saw it. On a second viewing my enthusiasm abated slightly.
Spartan was superb, I'm gunning for Redbelt by KillaKane	Apr 21st, 2008 06:50:18 AM
I love Mamet's dialogue and conaluted plotting, I've never been dissappointed with any of his work so far, and I'm looking forward to Red belt.
I hear you Sledgehammer. by SID 8.0	Apr 21st, 2008 07:28:56 AM
Hard to trust the opinion of someone who didn't like Spartan. That's why when I talk to someone about movies I ask what they thought of Armageddon. Like it or love it then I don't take their advice about any movie period. Redbelt looks good and I will definetly check it out.
"The audience will not be disappointed." by Aquatarkusman	Apr 21st, 2008 07:58:32 AM
Who's he trying to convince, us or himself?
Spartan was pretty damn good by Laserhead	Apr 21st, 2008 08:04:22 AM
like a well-written, feature-length version of '24'. Moriarty-- give us a Redbelt review; didn't you say you'd seen it?
Why Do People Despise Spartan? by cowboyone	Apr 21st, 2008 08:32:36 AM
I'm a huge Mamet-o-phile and I thought Spartan was great! ... Now the Unit, that's another story.
Why do Mamets movies by Series7	Apr 21st, 2008 08:41:51 AM
Have the B-Movie, Friday Night Sci-Fi movie of the week look to them? Is it because he uses digital or something? Like I remember Heist and at the end when he drives of and scraps the poles it look so cheesy. I think I would be into Mamet more if his movies look like they weren't DTV movies. Also I hope Tim Allen does more dark stuff. I could see him being a semi decent bad guy, not as good as the other Alan (Rickman) but like a good weasly sort of manipulator. Who at the end is about to get his ass kicked and trying to reason with the guy about to kick his ass. FUCK what arnold movie am I thinking of, I want to say Running Man, but there are better examples.
My boss is so cool that when he goes to sleep... by Osmosis Jones	Apr 21st, 2008 09:01:31 AM
...sheep count HIM.
Anyone see Mamet on Bill Maher's show? by Beezbo	Apr 21st, 2008 09:04:57 AM
He was on sometime last year and seemed pretty cool. Maher tried to bait him into saying that mainstream audiences are stupid because they like superhero movies and the like, but Mamet didn't bite. In fact, he said he likes special-effects blockbusters too. It was clearly not the answer that the smug Maher was looking for. I loved it!
Ditto on Spartan by D'Jesus	Apr 21st, 2008 09:35:19 AM
That movie fucking OWNED!!! Where's the girl SLAP, where's the girl SLAP, where's the girl SNAP - BROKEN ARM
newc0253 and Lost Jarv by Uncapie	Apr 21st, 2008 09:53:53 AM
I would love to write press releases for the studios! Can I use you two as references? Though I wouldn't want to work at Fox or Warner Brothers. The people that work there always have scared looks on their faces. As if they're in "Schindler's List" getting ready to be picked off by Ralfe Finnes. I agree with the posters on the board about "Spartan." Its underated by all means. Kilmer's character is like the doomed, film noir private eye who remains true to himself in his search for justice, even though he's going to fail in the end, people around him will be killed and the bad guys win. Its the classic tragic hero. "Heist" is another film that is well thought out and written. "Redbelt" is a good movie though. Its entertaining. The audience I saw it with enjoyed it. The reviewer above has stated his opinion and I can respect that. Is it lazy script? I wouldn't say that. Mamet tried something different and fans of his will be thrown off. Like the Cohen Brothers' movies, Mamet's films don't appeal to everyone. Is it Mamet's best work? No. Some say "Glenn Gary, Glenn Ross" is. Maybe people are pissed off at him because of his "Village Voice" article and have already formed an opinion. Regardless, the man can write; especially dialogue. Mamet keeps you guessing. He makes you think. That's a good thing when there are so many movies out there that after you've left the theater, you wonder what you just saw. For people that want to be screen writers, Mamet's films are excellent teachers. The book he wrote is informative and right out the gate he tells you that he doesn't know how to write a screenplay, but he tells you how to write a story and that's what a film is about.
Oh yeah, that Village Voice article... by tonagan	Apr 21st, 2008 10:39:12 AM
In a nutshell: Mamet: "As you get older, you realize that things aren't always black and white." Reader Response: "FASCIST!!!"
Oh yeah, that Tonagan response by D'Jesus	Apr 21st, 2008 11:02:25 AM
In a nustshell: Tonagan: "FASCIST!!!" Reader Response: "COMMUNIST!!!"
"Can I use you two as references" by Lost Jarv	Apr 21st, 2008 11:26:36 AM
Course you can. Provided you egt me a job doing it as well.
Yeah, that second review? by phool2056	Apr 21st, 2008 11:33:32 AM
I hate being that guy, but if that's not a planted review, I don't know what is.
My brother and his BJJ school saw and early cut... by GrandMuffTarkin	Apr 21st, 2008 11:51:57 AM
And he said it was horrible, like "walk out because its so bad" horrible. And he's a big Mamet fan, not some knuckledragging goon. Still, it was an early cut, but I'm not getting my hopes up for it.
No kidding; Spartan is fucking great. by epitone	Apr 21st, 2008 11:52:14 AM
It's one of the best action thrillers of the past decade bar none.
Sounds good, Lost Jarv. Phool2056... by Uncapie	Apr 21st, 2008 11:52:53 AM
What would I have to gain from it? I'm not employed by Mamet, though I did work on a film of his for three days. If I was talking about Mamet, I would write about Mamet. I am writing about his "film." I enjoyed the movie. The audience enjoyed the movie as well. What I wrote is called a positive review. The other reviewer didn't like it. Its called a negative review. Both sides are presented. See it or don't. Its not like you have to be Stephen Hawking to figure this out.
I enjoyed it by Rizzle78	Apr 21st, 2008 12:19:33 PM
I was at the screening last Thursday as well and I thought it was a solid film. I mean, don't walk in thinking you're going to see Glengarry Glen Ross or anything. It's a fight film. Put it to you this way, if you like "Rocky", see it. If you don't, don't. He's not redefining the genre.
I'd rather see David Mamet's Redshirt by Reel American Hero	Apr 21st, 2008 12:29:05 PM
About an unfortunate Enterprise crewman spending his last night before going on a mission down to the surface of a planet.
Hey Phool2056 by Bass Bastardson	Apr 21st, 2008 01:49:08 PM
You say "...if that's not a planted review, I don't know what is." Then you clearly DON'T know what is. Uncappie is a regular around these parts, and if you paid some fucking attention or weren't a complete fucking noob you might actually know that. This is why I think people who cry "PLANT!!!" are fucking idiots.
oops by Bass Bastardson	Apr 21st, 2008 01:50:29 PM
I put in an extra P.
Thanks for the props, Bass! by Uncapie	Apr 21st, 2008 03:06:08 PM
The extra "p" was for the props. Much obliged!
Enjoyed it too by InspectorDoppler	Apr 21st, 2008 05:32:10 PM
It's sincere and fun. Not sure how anyone who knows Mamet's work could consider this more mechanistic than his earlier work. It's Mamet, man. He builds all his scripts with a protractor and compass. But if you're into his stuff, this is a good one.
I wrote that first review...... by OblivionRoad	Apr 21st, 2008 05:46:39 PM
Okay, so sure, all Mamet's films are mechanistic, but REDBELT is one broken machine! I shouldn't have even mentioned SPARTAN as everyone got hung up on that. I just didn't like that film much. I think it sucks compared to SPANISH PRISONER or HOUSE OF GAMES, and I hate Val Kilmer (except for his Brando impersonation in that crappy Dr. Moreau movie way back when). Look, REDBELT just totally falls apart. Honestly, I was so psyched going into this film, and to hear Mamet in person, but REDBELT is truly terrible. You could feel the audience energy sag at the end, like the people were bumming out (but again, maybe that was just my interpretation). I thought the film got a tepid response at best, although the crowd did show a lot of love for Mamet himself. REDBELT is just crap--I used the word lazy in my review because the film is so recycled from his other work, and seems like the kind of thing he could churn out in his sleep at this point. The idea of Mamet plus martial arts seemed like an intriguing one to me too, but the movie just doesn't work.
No prob Uncap by Bass Bastardson	Apr 21st, 2008 06:45:52 PM
Honestly, at this point all the PLANT!!! screamers have really begun to annoy the shit out of me. If someone likes a movie and can write reasonably well, and is kind enough not to include spoilers, all these motherfuckers start yelling plant. As though nobody is actually allowed to like a movie, and if they do, they'd better write like a high-school dropout, or somehow they are no longer credible.
How could anyone dislike Spartan? by Lashlarue	Apr 21st, 2008 07:47:28 PM
It's Mamet's second best film! The first would be House of Games.
sheesh, I was joking by Lost Jarv	Apr 22nd, 2008 02:28:23 AM
I've seen uncapie around countless times. That's why I asked if it was an audition,
My reference for Uncapie: by newc0253	Apr 22nd, 2008 03:04:37 AM
Dear Studio Marketing Head, I write in reference to Uncapie's application for the position of on-line marketer (or 'studio plant' as we in the bidness call it). As you may know, Uncapie has been a sometime contributor on AICN for several years now. In that time he has shown himself more than able to write studio ad copy in the guise of an apparently 'normal' individual. In fact, I would go so far to say that his prose is a rollercoaster! A gripping thrill-ride from start to finish, with a shocking twist that you'll never see coming and an ending that you and your friends will be talking about for weeks! He's guaranteed fun for the entire family, the crowd-pleasing hit of the summer! Hire him this weekend, you won't be disappointed! I kid you not, he's better than Cats! Yours faithfully, newc0253 p.s. Uncapie? the cheque better be in the mail, dude.
Spartan Blew by bottombrick	Apr 22nd, 2008 03:54:06 AM
Of course I rented it because Mamet wrote glengary glen ross and thats setting it up to fail in the comparison, but House of Games was pretty interesting despite its low quality
Bass Bastardson is a PLANT! by tonagan	Apr 22nd, 2008 07:51:30 AM
Someone had to say it.

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A Couple Of Readers Disagree On David Mamet’s REDBELT!

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