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Moriarty's Rumblings From The Lab #8RE: SUPERSTAR, Coppola & MGM & SUPERNOVA, DETROIT ROCK CITY, IRON GIANT...

Will all the rumblings be numbered? by TheMalcontent	Aug 12th, 1999 01:01:07 AM
In any case, I'm the first poster. The Evil Genius schtick has whiskers on it.
Hitchcock by Kiwi-1	Aug 12th, 1999 01:27:46 AM
Psycho is a brilliant movie, and I adore it. But it's not Hitchcock. Hitchcock was a maker of masterful thrillers. Psycho was a horror. A very skilled horror, a brilliant example of subtle manipulation that Hitchcock could do so well. And I would put it at number 2, easily, but Vertigo is the definitive Hitchcock. A pure thriller, stylish, considered, and giving a rare insight into the mind of Hitchcock. And should have been at number 1. That Rear Window wasn't recognised is criminal. I wasn't expecting Rope to be recognised, although that is a film that is woefully underrated in my opinion. As for Marnie, I was glad that one made the list. It's his last masterpiece, although some will debate that, and cie The Birds. But Frenzy? It's an okay film, but...
Fight Club by Fernando	Aug 12th, 1999 01:41:42 AM
Please man, don't give away the scenes of the movie Fight Club.I hope that when you get to write down about this movie you don't fuck us up telling the whole thing just to show off and make sure to everybody that you really saw the movie before everybody.
Albert Brooks (The Muse) by Anakin Rocks	Aug 12th, 1999 02:28:02 AM
Gotta put in my vote for THE MUSE, written and directed by ALBERT BROOKS, which will be in theaters at the end of the month (during those "dog days"). In my opinion, ALBERT BROOKS is an underrated treasure. He has written such gems as "Lost in America" and "Mother" and offers charming, fun, and heart felt comedy. I am looking forward to THE MUSE quite a bit. - John
RIPTIDE by Anakin Rocks	Aug 12th, 1999 02:30:25 AM
RIPTIDE is a book written by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, the authors who wrote THE RELIC (a book which was QUITE a bit of fun & MUCH better than the movie). RIPTIDE is my least favorite of their books, but for a good, not too serious but thrilling, read I suggest MOUNT DRAGON or THUNDERHEAD. - John
Rear Window's ending and Rope by Darth Fart	Aug 12th, 1999 02:37:24 AM
RW's ending is an anti climax, the killer moves so slowly to get Stewart who uses his flash to disorientate him ? Why doesn't the killer move faster. It killed the film for me. Anyone agree ? Disagree ? Rope is so underrated, I love this film, love it to bits. This must be in Hitch's top 10, it must!!!!!
2 things...... by gaveltogavel	Aug 12th, 1999 02:45:27 AM
First of all, I agree with Anakin Rocks. I'm looking forward to The Muse as well. Will I be there opening day? I doubt it. But I WILL be there opening weekend. I've loved Brooks ever since I saw Lost In America as a wee lad. I like all his movies. I even liked The Scout(really, I did). Second.... oh what was I gonna say........ uhhhh.... hmmmm.... alright, i'll continue this in a moment, I gotta reread moriarty's report to remember what number 2 is.
OH YEAH... NOW I REMEMBER! by gaveltogavel	Aug 12th, 1999 02:53:12 AM
Sorry, I've had a few drinks tonite. So on with the show. Concerning the Hitchcock thing.... I know I'm in the minority of one, but, I always loved Rope. The Jimmy Stewart Hitchcock films have always been numero uno in my book, but Rope takes the cake. Simple, not overbearing, based on a play so the whole movie pretty much takes place in one room. But, hell, my dad rented this movie for me one day when I was sick (6 years old) and I've loved it ever since. Infinitely more watchable than Frenzy (which I abhor) in my opinion. Also concerning the Hitchcock poll(which I've seen the results of), I would've rated North by Northwest and The Byrds MUCH higher. The trailer for The Byrds ALONE shoulda given it at LEAST a #2 in the poll. Just my opinion.....
The Iron Giant by lorett5351	Aug 12th, 1999 03:46:47 AM
I've had just about enough of the whining about the failure of "The Iron Giant" to connect with the audience. The "artist" and some of the writers here make it seem like there was some kind of a conspiracy on the part of WB's, the studio that invested upward of 50 mil into this pic, to sink it. Now, why the heck would they do that?? The reasons the movie bombed are simple. Even though it's cuddly and cute, it a:) has nothing to offer to little girls (the only girl is a non-descript mom -- come on!); b:) the cold war setting is confusing and dull for all children, boys and girls; c:) it's not edgy enough for teenagers; and d:) it's too conventional and tame for grown-ups... well, let's face it, adults don't go to movies like that without kids. The critics loved this move because it's inoffensive and has some messages to deliver... "Guns Kill" "You can choose what you are"... ooh... how can the audiences not appreciate the depth! And how can the critics ignore the uncanny and annoying similarities to "E.T." (This movie "chose" to be a rip-off.) Hey, I don't mean to be too tough on this trifle of a flick... In the summer of inanity, it should be commended for its relaxed pace, warmth, and subtle humor... But it's just not original enough! And the constant whining of its creators is just plain silly and childish...
Iron Giant by Vidar	Aug 12th, 1999 04:09:04 AM
I went and saw Iron Giant for my birthday. My wife and daughter took me out. I thought that it would be good, and I loved it. My wife didn't think that she would like it and she did("an 8 or a 9"). She also said that she thought that it was as good as an animated movie could be (I know bad statement). And my daughter, who by the way is obviously a girl liked it to. So whos to say it has nothing to offer little girls. And by the way isn't it kinda sexist or somrthing to say that anyway. I mean not all girls love barbie as much as you do.
Two Items by TheMiqque	Aug 12th, 1999 04:25:05 AM
First; Moriarty, I just recently discovered AICN, and I compliment you on your work and find I agree with your point of view. (And after the boozing comments, maybe certain people will lighten up about one night, old Scotch, and diet Dr, Pepper. Hey, I LIKE fizz.) 2nd: Absolutely rabid on the point of recutting or otherwise screwing around with films. Isn't this what the Ministry of Truth did? Hmmm? The wonderful "Batman" serial of 1943 (starring Lewis Wilson and Douglas Croft, Directed by Lambert Hillyer) is available in two parts from Goodtimes video and re-copyrighted by Columbia Pictures. Volume Two (Chapters 8-15) is readily available. Volume One is mysteriously rare. Why? One voiceover. "This is Chinatown, where the yellow devils live." This was the height of WWII, our own citizens were interred in California deserts for being of Asian descent; and these PC asswipes want to "protect" our youth from an ugly truth. I say expose it! If it was a bad thing to say, so be it. If exposed as fact, we have the opportunity to deal with it and move on. Should "All Quiet On the Western Front" have the final sequence cut so it is not so disturbing? Should the statue of David be made to wear BVD's? Crap. I'd rather live in an uncomfortable reality that be bashed by it from ambush (if you get my drift.) Ranting,
More On Hitchcock List by Kiwi-1	Aug 12th, 1999 05:31:13 AM
It's good to know some others agree with me about Rope. Now, regarding Rear Window's ending. I never thought about it before, but you're right, he does move slowly. I haven't managed to see it in a while, and my memory may be wrong and I may have forgotten something, but my thoughts are that the neighbour (Raymond Burr) is not a killer. He killed his wife, not in a premeditated way, but perhas in frustration at this invalid woman who keeps bossing him. He is not a cold blooded killer. But now, he has to kill James Stewart with pre-meditation. And his slowness may be just a sign of an internal struggle, where he has to force himself to take each step to do something he really doesn't want to do. Just a thought, and if there is anything I have forgotten that negates what I have said, please tell me. Also, I forget who mentioned Strangers On A Train, but no, that wasn't in the list either. The full list was 1. Psycho (1960), 2. Vertigo (1958), 3. Notorious (1946), 4. Birds, The (1963), 5. North by Northwest (1959), 6. Shadow of a Doubt (1943), 7. Foreign Correspondent (1940), 8. Frenzy (1972), 9. Lady Vanishes, The (1938), 10. Marnie (1964).
Hitchcock List - Part III by Kiwi-1	Aug 12th, 1999 05:36:39 AM
I knew there was something else I thought was wierd about that list. Martin Scorsese voted for Psycho. Why is that wierd? Well, I have seen interviews, read articles, (he wrote a foreword to a book about the making of Vertigo) in which he gives the impression that it is Vertigo that is his favourite Hitchcock. I've never heard him talk about Psycho. So why the sudden switch?
Of RIPTIDE And Rifkin by mrbeaks	Aug 12th, 1999 06:06:37 AM
Blast! I was hoping for a second that Attansio was writing a big screen adaptation of the RIPTIDE T.V. show. It would be nice to see Thom Bray returning to Murray Bozinsky, the role that made him the $20 million superstar he is today. That will continue to be my wish. Adam Rifkin..... I remember when, after being ballyhooed by Film Threat as a cult classic for all time, I rented THE DARK BACKWARD. I've been regretting that day ever since. I was so sickened by its awfulness that I jokingly called Chris Gore, editor-in-chief of Film Threat, to complain. The joke, however, turned serious when Gore actually took my call, and we argued over Rifkin's merits as a writer/director for nearly an hour. My ammo at the time consisted of his hack work on THE NUTTY NUT (which was released under a different moniker,) and the aforementioned. Gore kept maintaining that Rifkin was talented, and that I'd eat my words. A few years later, when THE CHASE was unceremoniously dumped into the 'plexes, I finally felt vindicated, and was sure that was the last I would ever hear of the guy. Imagine my horror, then, when, two years ago, I discovered that Rifkin was one of Dreamworks most valued writers. I will admit I found MOUSEHUNT tolerable, but, should I truly enjoy DETROIT ROCK CITY, it will be a hard pill to swallow. Just proof, I guess, that there's hope for all of us struggling writers.
I'm on it Moriarity by GodBear	Aug 12th, 1999 06:27:19 AM
I finally saw Iron Giant yesterday afer trying to get everyone and his mother to see it with me. I went by myself. I don't know what in god's name anyone is talking about saying it doesn't appeal to this group or that one. The movie is almost perfect. I went home, got my girlfriend and saw the movie again at 9. It's sad to see a movie where everyone is cheering at the end of the movie but there are only 10 people in the theatre. If this movie was playing to full theatres the places would be going crazy. I vow that however annoying I have to be, everyone I know will see this film. I'm calling radio stations. They've been promoting crappy movies too long. And of course it's a lot like ET, but so what. I think it's better. And the moral "Guns kill" is a lot better than the morals you get from all the other movies out these days. Namely, none. And really the real moral is more like, you choose who you want to be and in this day and age I think we could all use a little of that. Plus, it's funny as hell.
Rear Window by Bran	Aug 12th, 1999 07:25:55 AM
The killer's approach in Rear Window is appropriately slow because it establishes the tone of the final scene and remains true to the alternate world that Hitch has created throughout. The whole movie is a detailed insight into Jimmy Stewart's mind: one critic has argued that the windows across the street play out the different scenarios of marriage and love that Scottie imagines when considering his own choice to get married. In effect, the whole movie is a sort of dream-sequence, complete with the theme of not being able to run away(wheelchair). Nightmares are always as torturous as possible. Can you imagine an incredible suspensful buildup of the whole movie, culminated by the killer's two second run across the room? No, there must be tension, apprehension and calculation on the part of the killer that allows Stewart to really drown in fear. As far as believability, every Hitchcock movie requires you to be sucked in and forget about reality--his movies are the true example of what is good about suspension of disbelief. They are all an alternate world where strange things can and do play out, because our minds always experience things differently (sometimes subtly, sometimes not) than the reality of the world actually presents them. But, if you are looking for "realistic" reason why Burr doesn't rush across the room, it could be because he is alone, in the dark, with a man in a wheelchair. There is no need to rush--instead, he should take his time to make sure he does it exactly right. And, it makes more sense if he exercises this control, shows Stewart who is the boss after he has been caught by a man in a wheelchair. That impulse to kill is the last, sickly effort of someone who has lost all sight of what is right in the world because he is so caught up in seizing or regaining some sense of "control." Burr now advances slowly just to drill it in to Stewart to try to show that he is still in charge, compared to this crippled man. All in all, it's my opinion that, once again, Hitchcock's endless wrestling and attention to detail make this ending, at least upon a little closer inspection, the ONLY possible right ending (which is what the countless number of directors who attempt to remake Hitch's films will never, ever understand, and why it is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to make a satisfying remake. Anyone ever seen The Lady Vanishes with Eliot Gould and Melanie Griffith? Laughable. The only remake that doesn't deserve to be destroyed is van Sant's, because it is as close to an exact remake as possible, though it too seems to be quite lifeless in comparison.)
Thanks for depressing me! by Crickers	Aug 12th, 1999 07:26:52 AM
Hey Moriarty, thanks for leaving me in a deep depression regarding the movies coming out from now until October. What will I do with my free time? Oh well, there's always the second run theatres, where I can catch the great summer movies over and over again. But let's not give up hope for The Iron Giant just yet. Yes, it had a dismal opening weekend. But the audiences gave it an "A" rating. Remember that There's Something About Mary and Scream also opened low and were two of the biggest hits the years they opened. And if it doesn't do well, so what? At least you had the chance to see it. Right?
Excellent point, Sickdogralph by r_dimitri22	Aug 12th, 1999 07:27:49 AM
The trailer for The Birds is brilliant! Hitchcock knew how to make trailers. Why can't more trailers today be like that one? Those Fight Club trailers Moriarty mentioned earlier sounded seriously cool and in that spirit, but I guess we'll never see them. Other recent favorite trailers of mine were Godzilla (too bad they had to release the movie) and Face/Off. I hate spoilers. Since the bad trailers so overwhelmingly outnumber the good, I have almost resolved to give them up entirely (i.e., always bring a pair of earplugs and cover my eyes).
Zemeckis & Roger Rabbit DVD by Sean Orca	Aug 12th, 1999 07:36:07 AM
Yesterday DVDFILE.COM posted a good editorial (rant) on the whole Roger Rabbit mess. The author said he had contacted Zemeckis' office and that they had not been informed by Buena Vista that a DVD was even coming out! Check it out at http://www.dvdfile.com/disc/cr usade/1999/august_11.htm.
Hitchcock, Ig and more by Z	Aug 12th, 1999 07:42:24 AM
While I enjoyed vertigo, i would not say it was Hitchcock's best. In fact, it wasn't even Hitchcock's favorite. Yeah it's a personal look into his dark little soul and all that, but it's kind of silly at times and it's hard for me to watch repeatedly (I get a little bored). i'm not saying that I must have non stop action, but Vertigo definitely drags. I think it's dumb that the film Hitchcock himself listed as his favorite American film (he really had at least 2 careers, he made more than 20 films before coming to Hollywood) is not even on the list. That film is Shadow of a Doubt. While I love most Hitchcock's films, i agree with the director, this is an oft overlooked jewel. If you haven't seen it, go rent it. As to the Iron Giant, I couldn't get anyone to go see it with me, so I went by myself. There was a huge line of goobers lined up to see Runaway Bride and Blair Bitch Project (from what I could tell everyone was buying tickets to these, so I assume that is what they were going to see). There were about 7 or maybe 10 people in the theatre. I loved that film, like some other films to come out this summer, this one has been lost amidst the shuffle of overhyped crap. It irks me seriously that a mediocre flick like Tarzan should do gangbusters at the theater, while a good movie like IG shuold whither and die. I know some folks are probably sick of hearing all the hype, but it is one of the few films that is worth it. I personally would not have said anything if the film was doing better. Go see for yourself.
re: Rifkin & The Nutty Nut & Mousehunt by kkrankk	Aug 12th, 1999 07:55:32 AM
The Nutty Nut is a piece of garbage I "had" to watch twice because Tracy Lords can do no wrong and Mousehunt had me on the floor laughing with tears coming out my eyes. Few movies are that funny; Something About Mary got me like that, too. And by the way, I don't care about lists but if you haven't seen Hitchcock's Rope yet --RENT IT TODAY.
MPAA / Parents / Iron Giant -- Parents Don't Care by The Ref	Aug 12th, 1999 09:12:46 AM
You're right, Moriarty... parents don't read, they don't monitor what their kids are watching, they don't care. At least some of them don't. I went to see South Park this past weekend. Afternoon matinee. This woman sitting next to me brought her 6 or 7-year old son to see the movie AND FELL ASLEEP. I wouldn't have had so much of a problem with her bringing her kid if she had some intentions of actually WATCHING the film with him so that they could have a discussion about it with him afterwards. What kind of irresponsible people are out there? Why do I, a 23-year-old unmarried guy who spends his free time playing PlayStation and watching television, feel more capable of raising a child than so many of these idiot cretinous morons that think they can bring a life into this world? This is why kids shoot up their schools. This is why they turn out to be screwed-up adults. It's dunderheaded, incompetent parents like this: the ones that don't read movie reviews, don't watch television with their kids, don't check to see if the kid has been designing a Neo-Nazi web page, don't take an interest in their child's life beyond a superficial level. Stuff like this makes me grateful to my family, who were always interested in my life (without being nosey or overbearing). Peace, I'm outta here.
Speaking of Velvet Goldmine... by Anton_Sirius	Aug 12th, 1999 09:13:27 AM
...(which would have gotten my vote- I had to vote for Litzomania instead! Bad Harry! No soup for you!) is Toni Collette not the best actress on the planet right now? Look at her three big roles- Muriel, VG and now the Sixth Sense. All are brilliant, totally believable performances, and all are totally different. She's outstreeping Streep! And for the record- the Chase is a very, very funny film. A little heavy handed at times, but very subtle in places too. I like it, and I own it. So nyaah nyaah nyaah.
Jimmy Stewart after WW2 by SIMPLETON	Aug 12th, 1999 09:27:25 AM
I agree that Hitchcock pushed Stewart hard and between them they brought out the best work in each other but the contribution of Anthony Mann was also important in all those fantstic Stewart westerns of the late 40s and early 50s (The Naked Spur and The Bend in the River are just brilliant and don't let me start on Winchester '57). Mann also knew that Stewart was a lot more than just the likeable hero of the pre-War era and his contribution towards the darker and deeper Stewart of the later years was equal to that of Hitch.
by quiotxe00	Aug 12th, 1999 09:44:15 AM

MPAA and Teaching Mrs. Tingle by quiotxe00	Aug 12th, 1999 09:52:29 AM
If the MPAA objected to the fact that the spot of the dog licking a wine bottle promoted teen drinking, why did they then allow a spot to run that shows Katie Holme and her boyfriend under covers talking on a bed with Katie Holme covering herself with a sheet, thus implying that they had been have been having sex. Her statement of "I'm going to hell for this," and his snotty reply of "It'll be a party" further enhances this innuendo. So what the hell is it with this mixed message? I mean, it's not like I'm gonna lose sleep over this, but I would just love a little bit if consistency on the part of the MPAA.
the iron giant... by thx12/76	Aug 12th, 1999 10:10:31 AM
oh my god. maybe we should call afi and inform them that by popular demand, the iron giant is now the best film of the last 100 years. are you people kidding me?!? the movie was cute. it had some nice moments. when the giant is flying towards the missle and thinks of being superman, i'll admit i shed a tear. but this is not a GREAT movie. it reminded me of a saturday morning cartoon (the crappy ones of today, not the eighties) with a little more heart to it. there was laugh out loud humor, a really lame cold war back drop, and the villian was just stupid (unless it really is that easy to launch a nuclear missle on a small maine town). it is just amazing to me how the opinion of one popular movie reviewer can so strongly influence the opinions of so many others. just because harry thinks this movie is the greatest thing ever, does that mean it is. is this movie better than toy story? no way. how about beauty and the beast or aladdin, not really even close. maybe it is getting such acclaim because it differs in many ways from the very formulaic structure of recent disney movies, which have been well received and reviewed, but are nothing new. maybe i'm just missing something...
re Roger Rabbit by AIKI	Aug 12th, 1999 10:26:06 AM
Have the studios forgotten the DVD feature that allows parents to choose an "R" or "PG-13" rating? "Ever After" was presented this way and everyone (well, some people anyway) got what they wanted. Why not just release the film as it was originally shown with the option to turn off those "offending" comments or gestures?
Ron Jeremy by CDog	Aug 12th, 1999 10:26:54 AM
A buddy of mine was a bartender at the after-party and told me a funny story about Ron Jeremy. Ron was sitting at a table with a bevy of other porn actresses, enjoying his drink and leaned back in his chair expecting a wall to be behind him. Unfortunately they were in the V.I.P. TENT, and there was no wall to support him, and he fell back in his chair spilling his drink all over himself. Still, that's an easy mistake. The funny part is, it happened TWICE!
A 'heads up' for Moriarty on where the Hitch List came from: by RUOK	Aug 12th, 1999 11:31:39 AM
a panel of top directors assembled by the British Film Institute's "Sight and Sound" magazine has selected 'Psycho' as Hitchcock's greatest work. The panel included Martin Scorsese, Atom Egoyan and Bruce Robinson, each of whom voted for Psycho. Milos Forman, John Carpenter and Baz Luhrmann selected Vertigo.
Couldn't have said it better, Bran by Revelare	Aug 12th, 1999 12:15:35 PM
That was perfectly put, I think. I liked Hitchcock's `Psycho', but I absolutely loathed Van Sant's `Psycho'. He didn't capture the feel in any one of the scenes. That would be like an artist tacking a sheet of tracing paper over the Mona Lisa, and the doing a pencil sketch-trace of it. It's not the same. The images are exact (well, sort of), but the feel wasn't in the picture. 2 years ago, Starz was showing a few Hitchcock films back-to-back, and `Rope' was one of them. I woke up, and saw the film starting as I was dressing, only to realize this was the film I had wanted to see for the longest time. I was furious that I had to leave. I only got to see it up to the point with the brothers talking in the begining, and one walks into the kitchen to put a rope in the drawer. It was confirmed, this was the film I heard about. The film where Hitchcock tried to do as many single take shots as possible. No cuts unless it was absolutely necessary. Damn! I waited to see that film for the longest time, and it hasn't played since. And to throw salt in my open wound, I find out that not only does my video store NOT have this film, but the people working there have never even heard of it!! Now I can't rent at that store again, all because their clerks are ignorant - Long story that ends with `never berate a manager over his lack of taste'. I wish I could see/have seen this film. It's one of 5 Hitchcock films I have yet to see.
The REF by Killer Bee	Aug 12th, 1999 12:41:19 PM
It's easy to criticize other peoples parental abilities when you don't have any children of your own. Still, here's something to ponder: When I went to see the Blair Witch Project there was, in the theater, not one but TWO mothers (sitting at opposite sides so obviously they did not know each other) with two screaming kids. Real babies man. Now I don't think that the movie would warp those kids, since I doubt they could understand what was going on much less were even paying attention to the screen. However I think it's funny when I tell people that I couldn't here what the actors were saying because some damn kids wouldn't stop crying in the theater.
Iron Giant by lorett5351	Aug 12th, 1999 01:23:05 PM
Finally, a voice of dissent. Thank you, THX 12/76... I thought I was crazy... reading this page (and I love this page!) it seemed like everyone just loved Iron Giant to death... Well, not everyone. And although, the movie is decent, all these rave reviews proclaiming it to be better than "E.T." (ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!) and "CASABLANCA"?!?!?... all these pumped up raves fit to be put in the newspaper ads, only made me like the movie less. And the constant complaints of the "artists"... pleeeese... Brad Bird and his collaborators are damn lucky that they had a steady job for several years and that a major studio took a gamble on such a flimsy premise... -- (who the heck IS Iron Giant, where did he come from, and why should we spend hours explaining to our little tykes the intricacies of the Cold War in the 50's...?)... The promotional campaign was just fine, and so was the trailer, given that very little actually happens in this movie. Did we all forget such great animated movies as Little Mermaid, Toy Story, Antz, and (a true forgotten classic) The Last Unicorn? STOP THE WHINING! MOVE ON! Come up with something original, and then maybe you'll have a hit.
An Open Letter To Harry Knowles by Crackity Jones2	Aug 12th, 1999 02:09:12 PM
First off, my apologies from deviating from the current talk back discussion of Hitchcock films for Harry Knowles to please read the following. For further info please check yesterday's Detroit Rock City TalkBack, after my post was pulled and banned from Talkback for criticizing Harry's integrity.~~ Gee Harry you sure do like to keep an open forum for the geeks to discuss films but if just one person lashes out and attacks your credibility, you pull their post. I guess then I shouldn't have reprinted your heart felt email you sent my friend telling him how much of a pile of crap he was for attacking your character and integrity when he said on the Lake Placid talk back that you got a $1000 for writing a good review. Boo hoo. My heart really goes out to you. Here are some questions I want you to address Harry, Why didn't you make a statement in the Salon article about the fake internet hype around Blair Witch? Why is it that you love every movie (except films by Jon Peters and Joel Shumacher, who everybody knows suck ass to begin with)? Why indeed do you recommend crap every week to the same hundred geeks or so who monitor your site 24 hours a day? You claim to love movies, so do I, but I do not love crap! And believe me, we are all entitled to an opinion, but I have found that yours has become tainted over the last 2 1/2 years I have been visiting your site. Sure you have everybody on your side, everybody loves the big red-headed fat guy who doesn't allow other people's opinion on his site especially if they are attacking his credibility. Harry, do us all a favor, just admit you are a sell-out. It's like taking off a Band-Aid, it would be quick and painless. But I imagine you are trying to be more like Chris Gore who originally sold out to Larry Flynt and then bought FilmThreat back and you know what, he's doing alright. He can feed his family, has health care, he's just made a business out of his obsession and that's what you need to do with yours. Turn Aint-it-Cool into the ultimate movie site. Get that TV show you want, become the household name you know you don't deserve, and once the lights come up and you have the lowest ratings in the history of cable TV you can blame me for being the selling out you became and being the fame whore you've always wanted to be.~~ P.S. Harry, Two strikes and I am out, come on, have some heart.
iron giant. by mr_punch	Aug 12th, 1999 02:12:30 PM
have you even read the original book? it never explains where the giant came from either. the fact of the matter is that whether or not the iron giant is a "classic" (i believe it is, but that's not relevant), it is better than pretty much every other film out right now, and definitely better than any animated film that has been out in recent memory. and warner brothers is burying it. i went to my local warner bros. store today, waaaaaaay back in the corner of the store they had two iron giant action figures. two. no signs to promote the film. i went into fao shwarz. nothing. if i wanted a star wars action figure, hell, i could take my pick. they had a whole damn wall of them. and as far as the creators "whining," it is an injustice whenever anybody's film isn't given a fair chance, not just this one.
The Muse? by Cassius the Evil	Aug 12th, 1999 02:35:32 PM
I don't know about this movie... I recall seeing a commercial for it and grinning a bit. With my luck, though, that was probably the best part of the movie. Well, maybe I'll go see a matinee...
PSYCHO & SUPERSTAR (oh God, I can't believe I wrote those on th by W. Leach	Aug 12th, 1999 02:36:14 PM
First of all, I have to credit SIGHT & SOUND: PSYCHO is my absolute favorite Hitchcock movie, AND one of my top three favorite movies of all time. And as for FRENZY and MARNIE being "flawed?" FRENZY is one of the Master's greatest thrillers, and MARNIE is an extremely underrated film. Why is it "flawed"? Because of its cheap-looking rear projection and (in some sequences) painted sets? Hitchcock delibrately made the movie in this surreal way to give the audience a glimpse into the heorine's warped mind. Like THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI, the painted sets actually contribute to the story. Plus, actress Tippi Hedren gives one of the best performances of the 1960s as the troubled Marnie. Just watch the scene where she's forced to shoot her beloved horse to see what I mean. Now for the bad news, and the big question of the day: why does Lorne Michaels still churn out half-baked movies based on SNL sketches? CONEHEADS, STUART SAVES HIS FAMILY, and A NIGHT AT THE ROXBURY didn't exactly set the world on fire. SUPERSTAR is more of the same: a sketch that isn't even funny on the show (what is these days?) stretched out to a 90-minute movie. Obviously the producer shows no signs of slowing down: apparently there's a SPROCKETS movie in the works (Huh? That is SO 1991), and the inevitable LADIES' MAN. Who says there's a lack of originality in movie land?
Killer Bee: Parenting / babies by The Ref	Aug 12th, 1999 03:15:25 PM
You mean if I had kids I would be more understanding of the woman who brought her young son to see the almost-NC-17-rated South Park and fell asleep?? I don't think so. I'd have less understanding, I think. Regarding babies (and parents understanding other parents), this couple brought their baby (probably year and a half) to the Sixth Sense last Sunday. Not only did it scream, but to placate it, they brought a MUSIC MAKING TOY! WHICH PLAYED MUSIC!! DURING THE MOVIE!! Another guy finally lost it and yelled "GET YOUR KID OUTTA HERE!" which was echoed by a number of frazzled people. The father (I assume) yelled back "Hey, shut up! Do you have kids?!" To which the annoyed guy yelled back "Yeah, three... and I had the good sense to leave them at home!!" I am not making this up. This happened in the middle of the film. (which was totally great, BTW). I think America in general is slowly losing any sense of class, manners, decency, not just in movie theaters. It's sad.
THX and Lorett -- Sorta Spoilers by Sakla	Aug 12th, 1999 03:56:48 PM
Now you know how I felt with BLAIR WITCH. I loved IG though. I took my 4 year old to see it. He loved it. He didn't clue into the Cold War thing at all. We played at home afterward where he was the IG shooting laserbeams from his eyes. Then he's stop and say, "I am not a gun". A week later, he looks at me and in a deep voice says "Superman." So, he didn't get the Cold War part. He got the important part. And yeah, I shed a tear too Lorett. My question is, what impacted you more: Little Mermaid or IG? For me IG -- if Little Mermaid is considered a classic (one where the message seemed to be "don't be yourself") then I'll argue to the end IG should be too. BTW: I have a talent for sarcasm. I worked hard not to be aggresive so don't take this as an attack, just friendly discussion.
Egads by Z	Aug 12th, 1999 04:15:57 PM
That's cool, not everyone likes everything Thx and retta, but please don't give away the movie for those who aint't seen IG yet. and I agree with saklas, Disney movies have really strange messages. beauty and the beast's moral: "all he needs is a good woman and he'll stop being the violent, ugly and abusive beast" which by the way is a total distortion of the original story. in the original, the young girl, the "beauty" is vain and judegmental, she judges and condemns the beast because of his foul looks. the beast is kind, and in the end, she comes to love him, reguardless of his ugly looks. the whole "don't judge a book by it's cover" thing. what was the question?
also agree with TheRef by DiscoBean	Aug 12th, 1999 05:20:58 PM
couldnt agree with TheRef more, I hate all this Cellphone shit in the theatres, every frickin movie I go to, someone gets a page, or a call, or has a screamin kid, or snores, Check this out, I got a great story for you guys. Im inthe teatre, opening night of the Phantom Menace, and im just waitin and im hyped, like s many of us were, (if we only knew then what we knew now huh?) anyhow, im waitin there, and my girlfriend just happens to know the theatre manager, (who was a real idiot by the way, his name is Rob and he's a scremin freak who sucks balls) anyhow he is talkin to my girlfriend and me about his experience with an earlier screening of the film, blash blah blah, and fuin tells us "you know Darth Maul dies at the end right?"....NO I didnt Fiin know that, you A#$%. It was one of those times that you wish murder was legal, you know what im sayin, even the damn theatre managers suck, I hate the theatres, espescially the jac asses who like to lean over the seat and talk to you while the movie is goin on, man o man, they are screwin it up for everyone, glad to know that im not the only one getting annoyed with theatre patron and administrators, Well, thats it for my ranting and raving for the day......
* FEAR ATTRACTS THE ATTENTION SEEKERS * by Powerslave	Aug 12th, 1999 05:26:26 PM
"The Iron Giant" is dead. There, I've said it. No amount of raving will save it. Nearly everyone on this site has been extremely enthusiastic towards the movie, and I admire that, but it'll take a lot more than that to save IG. It can't be done. It's time to move on to other things. There was no conspiracy between Warner Brothers, AICN whipping boy Jack Valenti, or anyone else. The movie just failed. Why can't you fanboys understand that? Forget it. It's over. Harry, your enthusiasm for IG was good at first, you seemed sincere, and you still do, but it got way out of hand: now it seems like rabid boosterism, and it's getting tired. Speaking of getting tired: Moriarty, lose the "evil genius" schtick. That's all it is:schtick. It was sort of amusing the first time, but now it's staler than a box of week-old doughnuts. Also, is there anyone in Hollywood you actually like? You seem so bitter sometimes. I don't know why, but I'll bet Jack Valenti and the MPAA are to blame.
DWD: No One's Gonna Read This Post Because It's All The Way At T by DwDunphy	Aug 12th, 1999 05:30:04 PM
...The reason 'Rear Window' is not on SIGHT & SOUND's list is because it's not on video. Not currently, anyway. Universal had it out on tape many moons ago, but I don't believe it's been re-released within this passed decade. Shame too, really. When all this Hitchcock reverie came up, I was hoping the numerous companies would finally get the movies out on widescreen DVD. So far, all Universal has done is repackage the two movies that are already out on DVD (Psycho & Vertigo) and repack the tapes, which were repacked about four years previous to this. It's really a shame that these movies have been left to languish in dropout/vid noise hell.
RE: Rear Window by Veidt	Aug 12th, 1999 06:00:40 PM
Rear Window is currently undergoing a restoration process and planned theatrical re-release along the lines of Vertigo so this classic isn't being ignored or left to waste. I'd also say that it didn't make the Top Ten just because other films happened to get the votes (I would've liked to have seen Shadow of a Doubt on the Top Ten myself). When the voters include such walking encyclopedias of film like Martin Scorcese, the fact that a film isn't currently on video doesn't really factor into the situation.
You want to see some great films by b26354	Aug 12th, 1999 06:42:26 PM
Check out www.virtualproducer.com
Hitchcock by FinnFionn	Aug 12th, 1999 07:52:37 PM
Hitchcock was a deviant. Hitchcock was a cinema genius. One informs the other. He was the first director I was conscious of, as a director. I was a kid when NBC SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES ran NORTH BY NORTHWEST. It dazzled me. Soon after, I saw THE BIRDS, and though I did not know who made the movie, I could tell it was Hitchcock. His deviancies echoed in me. His artistry impressed me. And I was a very dumb little kid! My top 5 Hitchcocks? In no particular order, NORTH BY NORTHWEST, THE BIRDS, THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH (remake), VERTIGO, and STRANGERS ON A TRAIN.
IG by lorett5351	Aug 12th, 1999 08:46:41 PM
Thank you, Sakla. That's all I ever wanted -- a friendly discussion... Well, I also wanted to derail the banwagon a little, to stamp the stampede a bit, to de-classify the classic a notch. My feeling is, we're being fed so much crap at the movies nowdays that when something semi-decent comes along, we lose all perspective, jump up and salute... Again, I don't want to re-convert the Iron Giant faithful... they loved the movie, and that's great... But to suggest a WB conspiracy, some boogymen trying to muck it for the IG creators... well... you know, it goes like this: (SPOILER) A BUNCH OF ANIMATORS WENT INTO THE WOODS TO MAKE "THE IRON GIANT" AND NO ONE'S HEARD OF THEM OR THEIR MOVIE AGAIN... (ALTHOUGH SOME CUTE FOOTAGE WAS FOUND)... BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID!
Sick and tired.... by -=Baron=-	Aug 12th, 1999 10:30:12 PM
Sick and tired of what? Hearing people talk about IG. I have yet to see the movie and I'm already damn sick of it and people saying it's the best thing since sliced bread. I don't even want to see it anymore... I've become numb to people's suggestions. I think that's happened across the board to everyone, in a way. Like I just got back from seeing Mystery Men. I liked it, honestly I did... my friends who were more exicted than I to see it, didn't like it. Things happen that way. To be honest, I've been coming to AICN for a few months now, but I'd rather read kewl news than opinionated bickering (although I guess I'm not helping much here...). My point: Go see what you want, don't let others infulence you (good or bad), and don't base your opinions on that of a reviewer, a Talkback-er, or a friend. And that's the bottom line.... Baron out.
what, THX 12/76? by Krinkle	Aug 12th, 1999 11:13:19 PM
I was truly amazed to find someone on this message board who thinks that "The Iron Giant" is "not as good as the cartoons we had in the eighties." WAKE UP, ZOMBIE!! Saturday morning cartoons have ALWAYS been crap, and the only reason you like them is because you grew up with them. All the Saturday morning cartoons (except maybe Bakshi's "Mighty Mouse") of the last 25 years have been DOG CRAP, and the same goes for the syndicated afternoon cartoons (the only thing less inspired than the turgid "Inspector Gadget" show was "Masters OF THe Universe!") IRREFUTABLE FACT # 1 : There have been very few really good movies this year: "Existenz", "Eyes Wide Shut", "Blair Witch", "Star Wars", "Election"...but the ABSOLUTE BEST AMERICAN FILM RELEASED SO FAR THIS YEAR IS "THE IRON GIANT" IT'S NOT OVERRATED, IT'S A MASTERPIECE. Trust NOBODY who tells you otherwise. Some people just can't stand animated films regardless, because of the kiddy stigma. These people are idiots who can't see past their nose. IRREFUTABLE FACT # 2 ) PSYCHO is most certainly Hitch's best film, ever...and, beyond that, it's probably the most efficient and perfect film ever made. Sure, I like "American Graffiti" and "The Graduate" a little bit more, but PSYCHO IS FLAWLESS (like "Jaws".) "Vertigo", while terrific, is a bit overrated. Slightly overlong, with an abbreviated finale. After "Psycho" (which is OBVIOUSLY Hitchcock's masterpiece, and certainly more along the lines of grungy indie filmmaking that all you lemmings slobber over), I'd throw in "Rear Window" and "North By Northwest". And, just because we associate Hitch with murder, let's not forget "Rebecca" and "Notorious."
hitchcock's funnest film by droosan	Aug 13th, 1999 12:02:28 AM
I've always been rather fond of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" (with Carole Lombard and Robert Montgomery) myself ... although I'm sure it never even came close to being on the list. ^_^
What did he EAT? by Wolfpack	Aug 22nd, 2006 07:47:59 PM

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