|
Johnny Walker posted:I do enjoy the movie reviews. Are they being moved to Wednesday permanently? Nah, this week was a fluke, the SA uploader wasn't working over the weekend. Hopefully everything should be back to normal this week.
|
#
¿
Sep 2, 2010 04:05
|
|
|
|
| # ¿ May 15, 2024 17:24 |
|
|
Also regarding "Legally Sane" (Don't scroll if you don't want everything ruined.) He's a character created by Professor Clumsy
|
|
#
¿
Sep 2, 2010 04:07
|
|
|
Portable Staplefrog posted:There is something about Current Releases that seems to go against the philosophy of the rest of the site. I'd actually like to hear more about this idea. Do other people feel this way? What exactly is it that make it seem out of place with the rest of the site? Off-hand, I'm guessing it's that the Current Release page is (somewhat) straightforward, but I don't think you can even say that when this week's ends with Jay Dub telling a (assumedly fictional) director's assistant "MAKE BETTER HORROR MOVIES rear end in a top hat!" Feedback here is really appreciated, especially for me, as the new guy. I try to keep a pretty steady balance of serious-commentary to joke, and as such I've kind of evolved my own style for writing these. The three of us are guys who know our movies pretty well, and I at least have to remind myself that SA is first and foremost a Comedy site, but that doesn't mean we can't do legit commentary. I think we manage to keep the balance for the most part, and Jay Dub's review this week is hilarious. (Seriously, read it if you haven't.)
|
|
#
¿
Sep 3, 2010 01:38
|
|
|
ProfessorClumsy posted:Wandering the internet... *For the Ghost that Surfs!
|
|
#
¿
Sep 12, 2010 14:40
|
|
|
I can throw together a review of Get Low, another festival circuit favorite from this year if we ever need one. I really enjoyed that film, and would like to write on it.
|
|
#
¿
Sep 13, 2010 04:47
|
|
|
I thought he did his signature move during his fight with Stallone? Maybe I'm remembering it wrong.
|
|
#
¿
Oct 1, 2010 07:57
|
|
|
Provolone posted:Why no review of 'It's Kind of a Funny Story'? You guys are the only critics I trust anymore so I need your help deciding if it's worth heading out to one of the limited release theaters. No one got assigned it this week, that's all. However, I saw it anyway, and I thought it was pretty good. Zach Galifinakis does David Bowie, so that should be your ticket right there.
|
|
#
¿
Oct 14, 2010 07:24
|
|
|
So, I'm writing one of my professors to see if I can count the Current Releases writing gig as internship credit. I need to pick 2-4 of my reviews to send him as writing samples. I haven't done a whole lot, so it's kind of easy, but does anyone have any suggestions which ones I should pick?
|
|
#
¿
Nov 9, 2010 02:04
|
|
|
It's cool, the other CR writers helped me out. I'm actually probably going to see Skyline now on Clumsy's review. I wound up agreeing with him on Devil, so I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
|
|
#
¿
Nov 15, 2010 19:51
|
|
|
We regret to inform you this week that due to Clumsy's To make up for this, we bring you a special treat: A message from the future from Donovan Laird, a look into the mind and personalities of insanity with Montague "Legally Sane" Smythe, and a straightforward, probably mediocre review from Martin R. "Vargo" Schneider.
|
|
#
¿
Nov 21, 2010 08:04
|
|
|
I'm the public face of Current Releases. I know everything.
|
|
#
¿
Nov 21, 2010 21:29
|
|
|
Cyrai posted:I just wanted to say I've started taking you guys as my primary movie critics. So far you haven't steered me wrong, but I haven't gotten around to seeing a movie in a while. I enjoy reading the reviews either way I love hearing this. Also, since I wrote my whole Harry Potter review already and didn't say it: Dobby is the Jar Jar Binks of the Harry Potter universe. EDIT: "Dobby (at one point the Jar Jar Binks of the Harry Potter World) steals the show" Jeff Bayer, Scorecard Review. "FUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKK."-Vargo. Vargo fucked around with this message at 00:15 on Nov 23, 2010 |
|
#
¿
Nov 23, 2010 00:10
|
|
|
^^^I think this is a good idea.^^^ Special behind-the-scenes at Current Releases: I was supposed to have this week's Minority Report for Narnia, but apparently ProfessorClumsy felt it would be funnier to make fun of a probably retarded man instead.
|
|
#
¿
Dec 12, 2010 08:16
|
|
|
I'd like to take this moment to say that I hate Jay Dub. Seriously, man. I thought I had written a pretty good, fairly funny review, and then you blow me out of the water with one of the best things this site has ever seen. . Dick. Hilarious Dick.
|
|
#
¿
Dec 19, 2010 08:30
|
|
|
CowOnCrack posted:This one: I... I don't... wha?
|
|
#
¿
Dec 23, 2010 02:23
|
|
|
Just wanted to let you all know that because of the holiday weekend, Current Releases will be posted on Wednesday this week. Jay Dub got True Grit, while ProfessorClumsy and I got shafted with Little Fockers and Gulliver's Travels, respectively.
|
|
#
¿
Dec 27, 2010 22:55
|
|
|
I would like to make a retraction to this week's article, because I actually looked at the Country Strong soundtrack today, and as it turns out, I don't endorse it at all. It's amazing, because the one character in the film whose whole drive is to shake country-pop commercialism is the one who gets to sing all the songs I enjoyed. The ones which don't appear on the soundtrack, in favor of more country-pop sounds. This movie really did not understand it's own point at all.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 10, 2011 07:26
|
|
|
John Dyne posted:You know, you mention 'The Wrestler' in the review, yet I don't think you guys ever reviewed it. What did you think of it? It doesn't seem like you guys review many movies that you actually enjoy. I actually think The Wrestler pre-dates Current Releases. As far as movies that we enjoy goes, we review what's available to us, and that's kind of a crapshoot. I think so far I've given positive reviews to... Harry Potter, The American, The Town, The Fighter, so there's been a few. What's always a delight to me is getting assigned a movie I expect to hate that I turn out to really enjoy, like Morning Glory, which I loved.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 10, 2011 23:33
|
|
|
Also, to answer your question, I liked The Wrestler a lot. It's a great character study, and Rourke pulls a powerful performance. I also really like how understated Aronofsky's direction was, it felt like after throwing everything out there he could with Requiem for a Dream, he was taking a "Less is more" approach, and just letting Rourke carry the story. I'm always a sucker for films where a character resembles the actor, though. Rourke was playing a man with a lot of vices wanting to feel relevant again, which is what he was doing in real life. His desperation in real life translated into the desperation of the character. Aronofsky did it again in Black Swan recently ewith Natalie Portman, an actress who has been accused often of being unable to play strong and confident roles. Portman is trying to prove herself by playing a dancer trying to prove herself. Both films are an example of the right actor and the right director for the right story, and they're both quite good for that reason.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 10, 2011 23:42
|
|
|
ProfessorClumsy posted:The Wrestler is a great example of a film about itself; insofar as it explores the necessity of escapism in dealing with the banalities of everyday life. As someone who has worked in retail for years, the scenes in which Mickey Rourke deperately tries to bring some joy and excitement to his job behind the deli counter, culminating in his deliberately jabbing his thumb into the meat slicer, is some of the most cathartically enjoyable stuff I have ever seen. Oh, god yes, those scenes were wonderful, and heartbreaking as well, because we feel genuinely happy for him, and it seems like he's genuinely happy for awhile, then it all comes crashing down when someone reminds him of what he used to be. I'd put spoilers there, but hey, why start now?
|
|
#
¿
Jan 10, 2011 23:45
|
|
|
^^Yes.^^Jay Dub posted:I think I might prefer The Wrestler. Then again, that may just be because I watched a lot of WCW wrestling as a kid. I think I prefer Black Swan, but that may only be because I've seen it more recently, and it's much more the kind of film that stays with you. Positive reviews always make me feel overly critical, like I need to find something to nitpick at in order to make this a Something Awful article. It's good logical exercise, though. Makes you stretch your brain. I also gave Secretariat a mostly positive review, come to think of it.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 10, 2011 23:55
|
|
|
ProfessorClumsy posted:Too far, dude. Too far. Not far enough for me.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 13, 2011 02:11
|
|
|
Humbug Scoolbus posted:This column and the A/V Club are my reviews of choice. All others can gently caress off. Hey now, you can't straddle the fence here. You have to choose a side. Us or them. You picked them, didn't you? Everyone always picks them.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 14, 2011 22:01
|
|
|
Humbug Scoolbus posted:Well duh... And so our longstanding rivalry with the AV Club that I did not totally just made up continues!
|
|
#
¿
Jan 15, 2011 04:36
|
|
|
TheBigBudgetSequel posted:Someday, you guys will totally come out on top over Peter Travers. That son of a bitch. That rivalry is not fake in the slightest. I loving hate Peter Travers. This week ProfessorClumsy will tackle The Green Hornet, Jay Dub suffers through The Dilemma, and I get cultural with The King's Speech.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 15, 2011 21:29
|
|
|
Johnny Walker posted:Hey, ProfessorClumsy, just wondering if you saw The Green Hornet in 3D or not and if you think it matters. I haven't gone to see any movies in 3D yet and frankly I'm not sure I like the idea of it being so common now but it is what it is, and I think I might want to see The Green Hornet (thanks for the review, again) so I thought I'd ask. If you go see a movie in 3D, make sure it's one that was actually filmed in 3D. Most of the movies you see in 3D now are added post-production, and it's usually poorly dome, rushed quality that adds nothing to the film. Please note that being "Real 3D" is not an indicator of quality. Also, post-production can be good, if they take a lot of time and care, which most studios don't. A good resource.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 16, 2011 18:26
|
|
|
TheBigBudgetSequel posted:As some of you know, I do the photoshop job on the banner that goes in front of the reviews. 2011, dude. Also, I love the custom banners, but that's because I'm self-serving and it makes me feel special.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 17, 2011 08:48
|
|
|
Jay Dub posted:Kickin' It Old School? I was going to continue this joke, but it required me to go to Jamie Kennedy's IMDB, and holy hell how does this guy have a career?
|
|
#
¿
Jan 24, 2011 20:03
|
|
|
betaraywil posted:I have yet to disagree with a Current Releases review, and that might be because I'm a goddam sheep, or it might be because you guys do good work. That's cool, because we're pretty well known for going against popular opinion. We've made some unpopular choices.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 25, 2011 05:43
|
|
|
Clamknuckle posted:You seem pretty spot on so far. Even with your gimmick reviews. Eh, I got some poo poo for my negative review of Let Me In (which I still stand by), including "Vargo should never be allowed to review movies ever again." Clumsy tends to get it for defending movies everyone else hates, like Skyline and Devil, the latter of which was so severe our head editor popped in to add a comment.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 25, 2011 07:15
|
|
|
Jay Dub posted:I still stand by my review of Easy A. 80s nostalgia can officially go gently caress itself. (I'm looking at you, Take Me Home Tonight.) That's right, I was trying to come up with a controversial review you've written. I forgot how horribly, horribly wrong you were about Easy A.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 25, 2011 18:13
|
|
|
ProfessorClumsy posted:Either way, this film sounds like it would have been better if it really did star Nicolas Cage. Then he could have made an unholy trilogy of demon-fighting movies, rounded off by next month's Drive Angry. You forgot Ghost Rider, my friend. He actually has made a demon fighting trilogy.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 30, 2011 08:10
|
|
|
ProfessorClumsy posted:Not all in the same year though. I hope they get Ghost Rider 2 out this year, then.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 30, 2011 20:09
|
|
|
Hey guys, the crew has been talking about a podcast, and we may even have a tentative start date, but we're stuck on a name. Any suggestions? Also, this week, ProfessorClumsy goes Spelunking with Sanctum, Jay Dub watches a dude cut his arm off with 127 Hours, and I try to chew my own arm off rather than watch The Roommate.
|
|
#
¿
Feb 3, 2011 02:32
|
|
|
Humbug Scoolbus posted:Something Awfilm? Simple. Clean. I like it.
|
|
#
¿
Feb 3, 2011 08:24
|
|
|
Johnny Walker posted:Vargo, I really liked the review for The Roommate this week. Very entertaining. First thing I thought of when I saw the commercials on TV was "Why are they remaking SWF? Do we need another SWF?" You're thoughts about audience manipulation were interesting ones. I've often accused movies of manipulation rather than actual good filmmaking to make audiences feel something, but it's hard to define where the line is sometimes I think. It's kind of like a "porn: I-know-it-when-I-see-it" thing I guess. I think that's a good metaphor for it. You basically have to define by example. Mufasa dying in the Lion King is not manipulation. You care about the character first, and then he's gone. What the "_______ Movie" guys do is manipulation. Rather than create characters or tell jokes, they basically ask the audience to laugh because they recognize something from another film. I brought up Secretariat in my review specifically because it's a good example of what isn't manipulation. Knowing your audience and making your film for them isn't manipulation, it's a good idea. Catering isn't manipulation, pandering is. And The Roommate panders in the laziest way possible. In a way, it's the other end of the spectrum from "___ Movie," because it basically is hoping that the audience hasn't seen any of the films it takes from. So you make the movie to appeal to the demographic least likely to realize what a hack you are. That is pandering, that is manipulation, and that is the laziest filmmaking. And it's insulting to your audience. Side note: I originally wanted the title of this review to be "Filmmaker Takes Advantage of Preteen Girls."
|
|
#
¿
Feb 6, 2011 19:53
|
|
|
ProfessorClumsy posted:I might put on a production of Romeo and Juliet and have the entire cast dance at the end, even the dead ones, just to keep the kids happy. I'm sure Shakespeare would approve. It's been done. Also, what a lovely upload.
|
|
#
¿
Feb 13, 2011 08:22
|
|
|
In case anyone cares to read them again before the Oscars, here all all the reviews we've done on this year's Best Picture nominees: Inception The Social Network The Fighter The King's Speech True Grit Winter's Bone Toy Story 3 127 Hours It appears we only missed Black Swan and The Kids are Allright. Not bad, all in all. We could give our thoughts on those two here, if anyone cares. Also, which one of you did this?
|
|
#
¿
Feb 22, 2011 00:20
|
|
|
I feel like I should add an addendum to my Oscar Host Speech. I am fully aware of the fact that the Charlie Sheen joke makes no sense. I initially intended to follow it up with a sentence saying something like, "I know that made no sense, It's ahost speech, jokes don't have to." But I forgot, then decided I didn't care. To make amends, this week I make a Charlie Sheen refernce that actually makes sense.
|
|
#
¿
Mar 5, 2011 11:37
|
|
|
|
| # ¿ May 15, 2024 17:24 |
|
|
I think that this week's column should forgo our Forum Handles that we traditionally have and replace them with "circle-jerking human being" Martin R. "Circle-Jerking human being" Schneider.
|
|
#
¿
Mar 7, 2011 20:40
|
|