Comments on: Theater Releases for February 6th, 2009 http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-february-6th-2009/ The official podcast of MovieZeal.com, where film is always best discussed under the gentle influence of fine wine (as fine as $10 will get you). Each week Evan, Heather, and Luke pick a theme, discuss a theatrical release based on that theme, pop the cork and drink a wine that fits said theme, and finally subject one another to The Gauntlet, where forcing others to watch painful films nets you fabulous prizes. There is not anything else on the internets like it (literally). Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:25:54 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Evan Derrick http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-february-6th-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-44361 Evan Derrick Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:51:33 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1918#comment-44361 A non-fiction book? That explains a lot. A non-fiction book? That explains a lot.

]]> By: Luke Harrington http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-february-6th-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-44358 Luke Harrington Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:40:17 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1918#comment-44358 Yeah guys, I was employing just a hair of hyperbole there. (Notice I said "nearly twenty years" -- a phrase that allowed me plenty of room to backpedal if I got slammed for it.) But what's really weird to me is that it seems like the whole "Baby Boomer" generation of comedians has all had a relatively short shelf life (with the possible exception of Bill Murray, who's arguably survived by becoming a much more serious actor). (In the interest of fairness, I should admit that my generation has yet to produce a single comedian whose popularity likely to survive past his or her 30's.) I'll definitely listen to the podcast, Haiku Girl. Anyone railing against the <i>Pink Panther</i> remakes is a friend of mine. As for <i>HJNTIY</i>, I think Evan's bemusement is a good example of why you shouldn't try to make a nonfictional book into a fictional film. (<i>Fast Food Nation</i>, anyone?). Yeah guys, I was employing just a hair of hyperbole there. (Notice I said “nearly twenty years” — a phrase that allowed me plenty of room to backpedal if I got slammed for it.) But what’s really weird to me is that it seems like the whole “Baby Boomer” generation of comedians has all had a relatively short shelf life (with the possible exception of Bill Murray, who’s arguably survived by becoming a much more serious actor).

(In the interest of fairness, I should admit that my generation has yet to produce a single comedian whose popularity likely to survive past his or her 30’s.)

I’ll definitely listen to the podcast, Haiku Girl. Anyone railing against the Pink Panther remakes is a friend of mine.

As for HJNTIY, I think Evan’s bemusement is a good example of why you shouldn’t try to make a nonfictional book into a fictional film. (Fast Food Nation, anyone?).

]]> By: Evan Derrick http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-february-6th-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-44353 Evan Derrick Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:30:39 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1918#comment-44353 I agree that most of Martin's work of late sticks out like a gangrenous thumb. But he was in <i>Shopgirl</i>, which was quite good (which was also based on a book that he wrote). And didn't he come up with the idea for <i>Traitor</i>, that Don Cheadle/Guy Pierce movie? Not that it was a stunningly original idea, but it was a few good shades more original than <i>The Pink Panther 2</i>. I agree that most of Martin’s work of late sticks out like a gangrenous thumb. But he was in Shopgirl, which was quite good (which was also based on a book that he wrote).

And didn’t he come up with the idea for Traitor, that Don Cheadle/Guy Pierce movie? Not that it was a stunningly original idea, but it was a few good shades more original than The Pink Panther 2.

]]> By: Andrew Wyatt http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-february-6th-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-44205 Andrew Wyatt Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:44:22 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1918#comment-44205 I heartily agree that the Martin <I>Pink Panther</I> films are execrable (as are the <I>Cheaper By the Dozen</I> films), but I have to beg to differ on the claim that Martin "hasn’t made a good movie in nearly twenty years". The man's career has slid in a bad way, but this claim is just hyperbole. Since 1989's <I>Parenthood</I>, which I've always had a soft spot for, Martin has given us a remarkably strong proto-Haggis ensemble drama (<I>Grand Canyon</I>), one thoroughly awesome David Mamet thriller with Martin's best villainous turn since <I>Little Shop of Horrors</I> (<I>The Spanish Prisoner</I>), and one of the best comedies about Los Angeles ever made (<I>L.A. Story</I>). Your point stands with respect to his recent work, though. (<I>Bringing Down the House</I>? Yeesh.) I heartily agree that the Martin Pink Panther films are execrable (as are the Cheaper By the Dozen films), but I have to beg to differ on the claim that Martin “hasn’t made a good movie in nearly twenty years”. The man’s career has slid in a bad way, but this claim is just hyperbole. Since 1989’s Parenthood, which I’ve always had a soft spot for, Martin has given us a remarkably strong proto-Haggis ensemble drama (Grand Canyon), one thoroughly awesome David Mamet thriller with Martin’s best villainous turn since Little Shop of Horrors (The Spanish Prisoner), and one of the best comedies about Los Angeles ever made (L.A. Story). Your point stands with respect to his recent work, though. (Bringing Down the House? Yeesh.)

]]> By: Haiku Girl http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-february-6th-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-44199 Haiku Girl Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:00:40 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1918#comment-44199 I did like Steve Martin in Bowfinger, but your right he's been well past the "Best Before " date for a very long time. I was ranting on this during the after the credits podcast. Peter Sellers Inspector was never a true idiot. Steve Martins Inspector is! I did like Steve Martin in Bowfinger, but your right he’s been well past the “Best Before ” date for a very long time.

I was ranting on this during the after the credits podcast. Peter Sellers Inspector was never a true idiot. Steve Martins Inspector is!

]]> By: Evan Derrick http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-february-6th-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-44146 Evan Derrick Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:48:34 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1918#comment-44146 Ah, Luke's pet peeves explode all over the blogosphere. :) <i>Coraline</i> was written by Neil Gaiman, who is one of my favorite authors. Sadly, his track record when it comes to film is sadly lacking (both films based on his material - <i>Stardust</i> - and stuff he's written himself - <i>Beowulf</i>). I continue to believe that it's not his fault, but it make be a similar case to Stephen King's - his work just does not translate well to the screen. When it sits in your imagination, it's potent, spectacular, and terrifying, but as soon as it's given visual form, it deflates all over the sidewalk like a limp balloon. And while we're harping on pet peeves, what is up with the marketing campaign for <i>He's Just Not That Into You</i>? After watching untold tv ads, I still can't figure out what the film is actually about. And if the film is about relationships in the age of new technology, isn't their ensemble a bit old? Are we really supposed to believe that late 30s something singles are hooking up over MySpace? Seriously, one of the worst marketing campaigns I've seen in a while. Ah, Luke’s pet peeves explode all over the blogosphere. :)

Coraline was written by Neil Gaiman, who is one of my favorite authors. Sadly, his track record when it comes to film is sadly lacking (both films based on his material – Stardust – and stuff he’s written himself – Beowulf). I continue to believe that it’s not his fault, but it make be a similar case to Stephen King’s – his work just does not translate well to the screen. When it sits in your imagination, it’s potent, spectacular, and terrifying, but as soon as it’s given visual form, it deflates all over the sidewalk like a limp balloon.

And while we’re harping on pet peeves, what is up with the marketing campaign for He’s Just Not That Into You? After watching untold tv ads, I still can’t figure out what the film is actually about. And if the film is about relationships in the age of new technology, isn’t their ensemble a bit old? Are we really supposed to believe that late 30s something singles are hooking up over MySpace? Seriously, one of the worst marketing campaigns I’ve seen in a while.

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