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The Worst Movie Year Ever?
Wall Street Journal ^ | July 30, 2010 | Joe Queenan

Posted on 07/30/2010 11:17:42 AM PDT by inflorida

In the new movie "Inception," Leonardo DiCaprio burrows deep into the subconscious of a self-absorbed plutocrat to plant a powerful idea that will change the world. If the technology used in "Inception" were available in real life, Mr. DiCaprio might burrow into the subconscious of Hollywood plutocrats and plant these paradigm-altering ideas: Stop making movies like "Grown Ups," "Sex and the City 2," "Prince of Persia" and anything that positions Jennifer Aniston or John C. Reilly at the top of the marquee. Stop trying to pass off Shia LaBeouf—who looks a bit like the young George W. Bush—as the second coming of Tom Cruise. Stop casting Gerard Butler in roles where he is called upon to emote. And if "Legion" and "Edge of Darkness" and "The Back-up Plan" and "Hot Tub Time Machine" are the best you can do, stop making movies, period. Humanity will thank you for it.

In a millennium that has thus far produced precious few motion pictures in the same class as "The Godfather," "Jurassic Park," "Casablanca," "Gone with the Wind," "My Fair Lady" and "The Matrix," there is a knee-jerk tendency to throw up one's hands and moan that the current year is the worst in the history of motion pictures. But 2010 very possibly is the worst year in the history of motion pictures. Where once there was "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," there is now "Robin Hood," prince of duds. Where once we could look forward to "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "The Last of the Mohicans," we can now look forward to "Dinner for Schmucks" and "The Last Airbender." This time two years ago we were treated to the ingenious, subversive "Iron Man"; this year we have the insipid, uninspired "Iron Man 2."

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: hollywood; inception; moviereview
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To: Vermont Lt

“I walked out of Top Gun when the flight instructor fell in love with the student—because THAT was real....”

Actually, I think it was a psychiatrist who fell in love with the student. Not absolutely sure, though. Anyway, how else are the leads to have hot “Take My Breath Away” sex?


81 posted on 07/31/2010 8:56:51 PM PDT by Tublecane
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To: SnakeDoctor

I was pretty impressed with Inception too.


82 posted on 07/31/2010 9:06:42 PM PDT by Yardstick
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To: Vermont Lt
I walked out of Top Gun when the flight instructor fell in love with the student—because THAT was real....

How real could it have been considering the actress is a lesbo in real life?

83 posted on 07/31/2010 9:14:45 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: Mr. Blond

“Iron Man was subversive in the sense that the hero was a Randian type billionaire industrialist, roles normally reserved for villains a la Green Goblin from Spider-Man.”

I’d say Batman fits the exact same template. Well, not the Randian part, but the industrialist/noblesse oblige part. I forget what Waynecorp (or whatever it’s called) makes, and they portray his father more as a philanthropic humanitarian than a businessman, but still, Batman’s the heir to an industrial empire just like Iron Man.

It is true that superheroes are usually naturally super—either from birth like Superman or by accident like Spiderman. And villains—when they aren’t monsters or military-types—attain power through superior intellect and other artificial means. They’re often industrialists and other sorts of businessmen because obviously there’s a penchant to make businessmen villians in all forms and genres of entertainment (from pulp dectective novels to serious artsy films), but also because they have to buy what comes to supermen from God (or “gamma rays”). Sometimes they get the money from the government, too.

As for the Randian aspect, you’ll find it pretty apparent in “The Incredibles,” of all things. Also to some degree in “Watchmen,” with Rorschach, although he’s mentally ill and ridiculously violent.


84 posted on 07/31/2010 9:18:27 PM PDT by Tublecane
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To: DollyCali

IT STARTS with the TV. If you don’t have a good flat screen TV with good resolution, makes no sense to have Blu Ray. IF you wait for close outs at Best Buy etc. esp with 3D Tvs coming out, (not sure if they’re going to be a passing fad or not other than for games), you can get an affordable, (well under $1000)....TV.

The Blu Ray itself is coming down in price. You want one with wireless capability.

Then for around $10 per month you can have blu ray DVD sent to your door via Netflix.

I like the internet access too.

In short, there is certainly no big hurry to change over...and the longer you wait, the lower the price and the better the resolution....


85 posted on 08/01/2010 4:24:36 AM PDT by nikos1121 (Praying for minus 24 today....at least minus 23...)
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To: Tublecane

Rorschach was Alan Moore’s parody of Objectivists, but the joke’s on him because everyone loves Rorscach. Tony Stark went a step beyond Bruce Wayne by actually being an arms merchant, created during the hippie era/Vietnam War no less. Batman is probably closer to Rorschach than Stark, despite the gadgets. Thanks for the chat!


86 posted on 08/01/2010 2:22:14 PM PDT by Mr. Blond
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To: Tublecane

You are probably right.

I just think its funny because my wife and I sat through “under the Cherry moon” with Prince prior to Top Gun. We were there for free because of a promotion at her radio station.

I dont think I’ve ever heard of the prince movie since. And i have never watched the entire TG movie either.

And I LOVE movies.


87 posted on 08/02/2010 9:59:37 AM PDT by Vermont Lt (I lived in VT for four years. That was enough.)
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