Return of the King

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

Well, I have a hard time understanding why anyone would even like Chicago.

Because you have no movie taste?

Chicago is a fabulous film... how could it NOT win?!

Well like maybe us fans of Rogers and Hart, Lerner and Lowe, and Steven Sondheim, who thought the whole development of the American musical was towards integration of plot, song and character, and then saw this gawdy, overdone throwback to a 1920's style musical.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Chicago is a fabulous film... how could it NOT win?!

Musicals suck donkey balls. Gangs of New York was the better film.

It was a great movie. Much better moviemaking than Star Wars, even though Star Wars is more fun to watch.

Good moviemaking isn't supposed to be fun to watch?

[Arrian]

monkey balls, damnit, monkey balls!

-Arrian

[MrBaggins]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

Pretty much every critics had either Saving Private Ryan or Thin Red Line as their number 1 pick of the year.

Funny thing is that looking back over it, many people, even those hear, believe SIL was a BETTER overall film that SPR. The shock in the beginning was overcome by those who actually took time to watch both films and realize that SIL was wonderfully done, probably better than SPR, which had a fantastic first half-hour and then was a fairly average war movie after that.

I've got both DVD's. I feel by no small measure that SiL is good but is ultimately obvious and has no standout performance. It has an excellent screenplay and script, but thats not the same as it being a great movie. Its... nice. Thats the most praise I can heap on it.

In SPR, Hanks, Sizemore and Goldberg were simply ashonishing, not for just the first scene, but all the way through. The direction, cinematography and sound editing were flawless in SPR. The movie had depth and meaning, and redefined the genre, which had been bereft of any quality for many years hence.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Musicals suck donkey balls. Gangs of New York was the better film.

No it wasn't. Gangs was one of the most overrated films I've ever seen.

Good moviemaking isn't supposed to be fun to watch?

It's supposed to be much more than that. The best moviemaking makes you think or makes you uncomfortable. It isn't always supposed to be 'fun'. Though sometimes that will carry the day.

[MrBaggins]

LOLOLOL... You LIKED Chicago, Imran? LOLOLOL

OK... now I understand why we are having this difference of opinion. You are clearly certifiably insane.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by lord of the mark



Well like maybe us fans of Rogers and Hammerstein, late Rogers and Hart, Lerner and Lowe, and Steven Sondheim, who thought the whole development of the American musical was towards integration of plot, song and character, and then saw this gawdy, overdone throwback to a 1920's style musical.

[Imran Siddiqui]

You LIKED Chicago, Imran?

No... I LOVED Chicago! I didn't think I was going to, but after I saw it (rental) I was totally enamored. I went out and bought the DVD soon after.

Yeah, I guess that is the difference, I know good moviemaking .

[Imran Siddiqui]

redefined the genre

How did SPR 'redefine' the genre? How was it much different from those that came before it? Was it well acted, yes. Was it epic, somewhat. I'll still take 'Bridge over the River Kwai'.

[-Jrabbit]

OK, you guys -- Ned and Imram -- definitely need a new "deserving an Oscar" thread of your own.

Back on topic --

Hilarious bit on Chicago radio this a.m., saying ROTK may have surpassed Top Gun as the all-time gay subtext movie. Great line, but I almost did a spit-take with my coffee... The funny part was, it was mostly hobbit-driven, where previous speculation I've heard tended to be more about those effeminate elves...

Favorite continuity errors --

1. "Frodo, we have to get you something to wear." Sam and (shirtless) Frodo don oversized orc armor. A short time later, the orc gear is gone and -- ta daa -- Frodo's back in his shirt for the climactic finale.

2. The army of men (6,000 iirc) rides horses from Minas Tirith to the final "if we can just distract them Frodo will have a chance" battle at the black gates. The enemy is called out, and surrounds them in great number. But when the battle is joined -- I swear this is true, but I want to go back and check -- The army of men is on foot! ALL 6,000 HORSES ARE GONE!!!
(Oh, that skampish Gandalf... )

[MrBaggins]

In your warped, deluded little world, I'm sure you do like it, and it is good movie making

For the rest of us... or for those of us who've taken our meds, however, its a different story

[Imran Siddiqui]

who thought the whole development of the American musical was towards integration of plot, song and character

Did you not think the musical or the movie didn't integrate plot, song, and character?

[Imran Siddiqui]

For the rest of us... or for those of us who've taken our meds, however, its a different story

I'm sure in your little world where there are no movie awards this is so . But in the real world, Chicago was a critical and comercial trimph and won a majority of the big awards.

And even by your Rottentomatoes measure, Chicago is almost exactly the same average rating as The Pianist in the 'Cream of the Crop' (and blows away Gangs of NY).

[MrBaggins]

Originally posted by -Jrabbit
OK, you guys -- Ned and Imram -- definitely need a new "deserving an Oscar" thread.

Back on topic --

Hilarious bit on Chicago radio this a.m., saying ROTK may have surpassed Top Gun as the all-time gay subtext movie. Great line, but I almost did a spit-take with my coffee... the funny part was, it was mostly hobbit-driven, where previous speculation I've heard tended to be more about thos effeminate elves...

Absolutely agree. I was waiting for them to kiss and fondle one another at the end.

Favorite continuity errors --

1. "Frodo, we have to get you something to wear." Sam and (shirtless) Frodo don oversized orc armor. A short time later, the orc gear is gone and -- ta daa -- Frod's back in his shirt for the climactic finale.

Maybe it was too hot to wear?

Its obviously a Wizard of Oz homage,though.

2. The army of (6,000 iirc) men rides horses from Minas Tirith to the final "if we can just distract them" battle at the black gates. The enemy is called out, and surrounds them in great number. But when the battle is joined -- I swear this is true, but I want to go back and check -- The army of men is on foot. ALL 6,000 HORSES ARE GONE!!! (Oh, that skampish Gandalf... )

I wasn't pondering that. I was busy trying to recall if Frodo magically regrew his ring finger, after having the end of it bitten off by Gollum.

[Sarxis]

Originally posted by MrBaggins
The nominated films will be...

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Cold Mountain
Seabiscuit
Lost in Translation
Mystic River

.

The Last Samurai could make it too, I'd think.