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From: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com (movies-digest)
To: movies-digest@lists.xmission.com
Subject: movies-digest V2 #138
Reply-To: movies-digest
Sender: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com
Errors-To: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com
Precedence: bulk
movies-digest Wednesday, December 2 1998 Volume 02 : Number 138
[MV] Further to Freddy vs Jason
[MV] REVIEW: HAPPINESS
Re: [MV] Here's the best response I got and the usual rude one. And a movie related question. Amazing, huh?
RE: [MV] Predator Vs Alien (was Freddy VS Jason)
RE: [MV] spoilers and their habitats
RE: [MV] spoilers and their habitats
Re: [MV] Predator Vs Alien (was Freddy VS Jason)
Re: [MV] In Negotiations
Re: [MV] In Negotiations
Re: [MV] In Negotiations
RE: [MV] Very Bad Things about A Bug's Life
RE: [MV] spoilers and their habitats
Re: [MV] Predator Vs Alien (was Freddy VS Jason)
[MV] Help save my wallet
[MV] [REVIEW] American History X
[MV] Coming Contractions, and a Personal Entreaty to Readers
[MV] FAQ re: my personal entreaty
RE: [MV] FAQ re: my personal entreaty
[MV] Hollywood Online Weekly Dispatch
[MV] REVIEW: ELIZABETH
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 01 Dec 1998 00:47:31 -0800
From: Oz <oz@hollywoodbitchslap.com>
Subject: [MV] Further to Freddy vs Jason
Got a chance to talk to Wes Craven today as part of an interview I
did for my website. On the topic of F vs J, he had this to say.
"I'm not prepared to make another Freddy but I have seen the one
script which pits Freddy and Jason together. If there is to be
another film, and I suspect there will be, that will be it. New Line
have been working on the script for a while and I'm sure they'll see
it through. The script I saw wasn't the latest one and it's a good
thing because it wasn't up to scratch. If it were up to me, Freddy
would stay dead, but I don't own him so it's not my call. Whatever
happens, Freddy vs Jason will be senor Freddy's last hurrah."
When the interview is transcribed and ready for release on the site
I'll let the list know.
- -------{{{{OZ}}}}------------------------------------------
[sick of being ripped off at the movies?]
..*HOLLYWOOD BITCHSLAP*.. TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 07:12:44 -0700 (MST)
From: Scott Renshaw <renshaw@inconnect.com>
Subject: [MV] REVIEW: HAPPINESS
HAPPINESS
(Good Machine)
Starring: Jane Adams, Dylan Baker, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Lara Flynn
Boyle, Cynthia Stevenson, Camryn Manheim, Ben Gazarra, Louise Lasser.
Screenplay: Todd Solondz.
Producers: Ted Hope and Christine Vachon.
Director: Todd Solondz.
MPAA Rating: Not Rated (sexual situations, adult themes, profanity).
Running Time: 135 minutes.
Reviewed by Scott Renshaw.
HAPPINESS is almost too difficult to watch -- not because of its
potentially shocking content, but because it's so achingly sad. Lonely
men make obscene phone calls which only seem to make them more frustrated.
Stabs at romance turn into depressing one-night stands. A few moments of
isolated contact quickly vanish in a rage of rejection. The dozen or so
principal characters in Todd Solondz's bleakly funny suburban nightmare
fumble and fail so consistently in their pursuit of happiness you might
suspect it was unattainable.
And, in the sense that some of them define it, it is. HAPPINESS
deals with people whose chances for contentment are thwarted by yearnings
for things they can't have, or have been led to believe they _should_ have
by cultural signals like the shmaltz love ballads that permeate the
soundtrack. Joy (Jane Adams), a single aspiring songwriter, feels she
should have a man and a stable life like her married older sister Trish
(Cynthia Stevenson); Trish, a housewife, feels inferior to sister Helen
(Lara Flynn Boyle), a successful author; Helen, meanwhile, wants a life of
danger to give her writing "authenticity." Helen's lonely, obscene
phone-calling neighbor Allen (Philip Seymour Hoffman) longs for Helen
while considering her inaccessible, even as he becomes the object of
similar feelings from even lonelier neighbor Kristina (Camryn Manheim).
Solondz fills his world with people who want what they haven't got, never
realizing how much it could cost them.
Nowhere is that more evident than in HAPPINESS' trickiest character,
Trish's husband Bill (Dylan Baker). A successful therapist, Bill also
happens to be a pedophile who has unnervingly frank sexual discussions
with his 11-year-old son Billy (Rufus Read) and molests Billy's classmates
during sleepovers. Baker gives Bill so many layers that he always seems
human even through his predatory calculation. His attempt to cajole
Billy's young friend into eating a drugged sandwich is as pathetic as it
is creepy, his parental concern as genuine as it is tainted. Solondz is
never merely interested in the sensationalistic but trite notion that the
monsters who turn up in headlines are our neighbors. He wants us to see
the misery of a monster who knows that he's causing pain but can't stop
himself because causing it at least for a moment eases his own.
It's even more unsettling that Solondz sets Bill at one far end of
a continuum of pain selfishly inflicted in the desperate search for
fulfillment. Allen humiliates women he calls in an attempt to feel
significant; the sisters' father (Ben Gazzara) abandons his wife in search
of something even another woman can't provide; Joy dumps a boyfriend (a
scathing cameo by Jon Lovitz) who may be a sensitive guy. There are no
grand enlightenments in HAPPINESS, which may make it seem that Solondz is
simply reveling in the characters' degradation. The fact is they're
merely deeply flawed, some making small steps towards defining their own
happiness, others too immersed in external definitions to be ready for
those small steps.
Solondz's one real mis-step -- aside from the unnecessarily long
running time -- involves a murder/rape sub-plot which launches HAPPINESS
into an unnecessarily surreal direction. The film doesn't need the cheap
laughs from references to cut up body parts in freezer bags, not when it
offers edgy humor that's so much more uncomfortably genuine. A key scene
in HAPPINESS finds Billy sharing concerns with his father that he's not
"normal" because he may not be maturing sexually as fast as his peers.
It's brutally ironic that he's asking for advice on normalcy from a man
who may be nobody's paradigm of normalcy, but at least he's receiving
reassurance that he's not alone in his confusion. The paralyzing pursuit
of "normalcy" is what makes so many of the people in HAPPINESS so
unhappy. Solondz turns what could have been a freak show into a
reassurance that we, too, are not alone in being something other than
"normal."
On the Renshaw scale of 0 to 10 happy endings: 9.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
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http://www.inconnect.com/~renshaw/
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 98 08:34:53 PST
From: Wade Snider <wsnider@brazoselectric.com>
Subject: Re: [MV] Here's the best response I got and the usual rude one. And a movie related question. Amazing, huh?
- --- On Fri, 27 Nov 98 03:55:01 PST Rebecca Bezant <sunybruk@infoblvd.net> wrote:
>And for the movie question, I have been curious ever since the Academy
>Awardsback.in spring when I heard that actor J. T. Walsh died. What exactly did
>he die from? >I never could find anything else about it.
After ignoring the ramble about whatever, I think Walsh died of a heart attack or
something similar. It was big news back in March? maybe February... I think he had
had a bypass surgery previously, and had experienced some heart problems. He was
not that old either.. like 46 or 47 ? not sure....
Wade
- --------------------------------------------------------
W. Snider
If man evolved from apes, why do we still have apes?
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 08:39:40 -0700
From: jkrudy <jkrudy@micron.com>
Subject: RE: [MV] Predator Vs Alien (was Freddy VS Jason)
The game was aptly named "Planet of the Damned" and involved a 3 way gore
fest between humans, Aliens, and Predators.
James K. Rudy
- -----Original Message-----
From: Lillian Lepinath [mailto:lepinatl@topaz.cqu.edu.au]
Sent: Thursday, November 26, 1998 5:24 PM
To: movies@lists.xmission.com
Subject: [MV] Predator Vs Alien (was Freddy VS Jason)
> Now all I want is Spiderman and Predator
>Vs Alien( there is bound to be a decent story in there but it would
>probably have to include humans as I can't see a studio backing it
>without them).
>Garrett
>
Garrett,
Wasn't there an Atari Jaguar game along the lines of Predator Vs Alien? If
I remember correctly, there were humans involved, but usually only as
fodder... I think there were a few scenario's where the player was human
and had the fun of attacking both Predator and Alien... but don't quote me
on that, since I've never played the actual game and have only seen it in
action once or twice. I do remember, however, the game's atmosphere was
brilliant.
But, as for a movie, I agree, I don't see how there could be a film with
does not include a character which is human or has human-like qualities...
that's not exactly right, it could be done in some way (and I would like to
see a film along those lines), but probably not with studio backing, as
you've said.
Does anyone think that a Pred. vs A. film could be done where neither are
affiliated to humans in anyway? Right now, I can only see a story line
where one is token 'good', allied to humans for some just cause... like
rescuing some colony or saving the planet etc etc etc... just a thought.
Comments?
Teck
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 09:01:47 -0700
From: jkrudy <jkrudy@micron.com>
Subject: RE: [MV] spoilers and their habitats
Having not seen the movie in question, but having already been told to stay
for the end credits by several people on this list, I was a little upset by
what I would consider a spoiler. I totally agree with Oz on this one.
"That's all I have to say about that." --Forrest Gump
James K. Rudy
- -----Original Message-----
From: Oz [mailto:oz@hollywoodbitchslap.com]
Sent: Monday, November 30, 1998 11:01 AM
To: movies@lists.xmission.com
Subject: Re: [MV] spoilers and their habitats
At the risk of flogging Trigger long after he's turned to glue (and
this will be my last word on the topic since my point has been made
a lot)...
Dude. When you saw the movie, you were *surprised* at what the end
credits contained. You then spoiled that surprise for others. That
is a spoiler. Whether or not it was integral to the story, whether
it contained the secret to who is the ant world's Keyser Soze, or
whether it was just a happy little joke, you spoiled.
What you could have said instead...
"Don't leave before the credits."
"The credits are the funniest part of the film"
"There's a surprise at the end, don't leave early."
Now I'm not going to go into your insults. Hopefully this mail will
prevent other people from making the same mistake that you did. I
know you're not an idiot, you just resembled one for a minute.
Jason Cormier wrote:
>
> I hardly find myself "educated" by you at all buddy. I think you need a
> Valium for taking this way too seriously...As I said before - half of the
- -SNIP-
End of thread. Back to important things.
- -------{{{{OZ}}}}------------------------------------------
[sick of being ripped off at the movies?]
..*HOLLYWOOD BITCHSLAP*.. TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT
--------------http://www.hollywoodbitchslap.com-------------
[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 98 10:12:05 PST
From: Wade Snider <wsnider@brazoselectric.com>
Subject: RE: [MV] spoilers and their habitats
Where is the list administrator???
This thread has gone on for FAR too long to be conducive or interesting. Should've
gone private a LONG time ago....
Wade
- --- On Mon, 30 Nov 1998 09:01:47 -0700 jkrudy <jkrudy@micron.com> wrote:
Having not seen the movie in question, but having already been told to stay
for the end credits by several people on this list, I was a little upset by
what I would consider a spoiler. I totally agree with Oz on this one.
"That's all I have to say about that." --Forrest Gump
James K. Rudy
- -----Original Message-----
From: Oz [mailto:oz@hollywoodbitchslap.com]
Sent: Monday, November 30, 1998 11:01 AM
To: movies@lists.xmission.com
Subject: Re: [MV] spoilers and their habitats
At the risk of flogging Trigger long after he's turned to glue (and
this will be my last word on the topic since my point has been made
a lot)...
Dude. When you saw the movie, you were *surprised* at what the end
credits contained. You then spoiled that surprise for others. That
is a spoiler. Whether or not it was integral to the story, whether
it contained the secret to who is the ant world's Keyser Soze, or
whether it was just a happy little joke, you spoiled.
What you could have said instead...
"Don't leave before the credits."
"The credits are the funniest part of the film"
"There's a surprise at the end, don't leave early."
Now I'm not going to go into your insults. Hopefully this mail will
prevent other people from making the same mistake that you did. I
know you're not an idiot, you just resembled one for a minute.
Jason Cormier wrote:
>
> I hardly find myself "educated" by you at all buddy. I think you need a
> Valium for taking this way too seriously...As I said before - half of the
- -SNIP-
End of thread. Back to important things.
- -------{{{{OZ}}}}------------------------------------------
[sick of being ripped off at the movies?]
..*HOLLYWOOD BITCHSLAP*.. TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT
--------------http://www.hollywoodbitchslap.com-------------
[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
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- ---------------End of Original Message-----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------
W. Snider
If man evolved from apes, why do we still have apes?
- --------------------------------------------------------
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 15:08:37 -0500
From: ryana@allensysgroup.com (Ryan Allen)
Subject: Re: [MV] Predator Vs Alien (was Freddy VS Jason)
At 19:23 11/26/98 , you wrote:
>Wasn't there an Atari Jaguar game along the lines of Predator Vs Alien?
<snip>
>I do remember, however, the game's atmosphere was brilliant.
Yes there was and it was the critical game needed to secure Atari's
success. Trouble was, it was late to market. And there were three
scenarios, you could be human (hardest), Predator (easiest), or Alien
(medium) and play at those difficultly levels. I still own it (and the
Jag) to this day. I still play it. It was a terrific game. The
reincarnations on other systems (PSX, etc.) aren't as good IMHO.
>Does anyone think that a Pred. vs A. film could be done where neither are
>affiliated to humans in anyway? Right now, I can only see a story line
>where one is token 'good', allied to humans for some just cause... like
>rescuing some colony or saving the planet etc etc etc... just a thought.
I don't know if it's been discussed already (I'm behind in the list) but
the original concept from the comics, books, and "universe" stories that
they are in fact related! The Predator species, hunters by birth, CREATED
the Aliens as the perfect "game." Able to adapt to any environment and
reproduce almost endlessly, the Predators sent the eggs out into the solar
system, than began to hunt them down. If you want evidence of this
connection, watch Predator 2. When Glover enters the ship for the fight at
the end, the camera passes a "trophy" case of skulls. Human AND Alien.
Right there. It all ties in nicely, but the idea was never taken into (at
the time) Alien3.
Hope this helps,
Ryan Allen
Intranet Specialist
Intranet Development Team (IDTeam)
Allen Systems Group
http://www.asg.com
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 15:15:22 -0500
From: ryana@allensysgroup.com (Ryan Allen)
Subject: Re: [MV] In Negotiations
At 00:46 11/29/98 , you wrote:
>First off, to get back on topic, I was wondering if anyone has any comments
>on The Negotiator (recently released on video). I have liked Kevin
>Spacey's work since The Usual Suspects. (One of my all-time favourites.
I agree. Kevin is a fantastic actor, and not to be missed. I caught this
one in the theatres, and while good on video, this is a great "theatre"
movie (as all are, I mean who makes a movie for TV anyway?). It was after
this movie that I noticed in the credits that it was dedicated to J.T.
Walsh. Up until that time, I didn't know he died, and it wasn't until much
later at an awards ceremony that it was mentioned that he died. I too,
have wondered. Anyone know?
My $.02
Ryan
Intranet Specialist
Intranet Development Team (IDTeam)
Allen Systems Group
http://www.asg.com
## Hurricane Season (June 1-Nov. 30) is Here! ##
## Please visit my Personal Page ##
## http://www.gate.net/~airwolf ##
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 98 14:30:20 PST
From: Wade Snider <wsnider@brazoselectric.com>
Subject: Re: [MV] In Negotiations
I thought I had written this earlier today.. but here is what I posted on Walsh..
After ignoring the ramble about whatever, I think Walsh died of a heart attack or
something similar. It was big news back in March? maybe February... I think he had
had a bypass surgery previously, and had experienced some heart problems. He was
not that old either.. like 46 or 47 ? not sure....
Wade
- --- On Mon, 30 Nov 1998 15:15:22 -0500 Ryan Allen <ryana@allensysgroup.com> wrote:
At 00:46 11/29/98 , you wrote:
>First off, to get back on topic, I was wondering if anyone has any comments
>on The Negotiator (recently released on video). I have liked Kevin
>Spacey's work since The Usual Suspects. (One of my all-time favourites.
I agree. Kevin is a fantastic actor, and not to be missed. I caught this
one in the theatres, and while good on video, this is a great "theatre"
movie (as all are, I mean who makes a movie for TV anyway?). It was after
this movie that I noticed in the credits that it was dedicated to J.T.
Walsh. Up until that time, I didn't know he died, and it wasn't until much
later at an awards ceremony that it was mentioned that he died. I too,
have wondered. Anyone know?
My $.02
Ryan
Intranet Specialist
Intranet Development Team (IDTeam)
Allen Systems Group
http://www.asg.com
## Hurricane Season (June 1-Nov. 30) is Here! ##
## Please visit my Personal Page ##
## http://www.gate.net/~airwolf ##
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- ---------------End of Original Message-----------------
- --------------------------------------------------------
W. Snider
If man evolved from apes, why do we still have apes?
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 98 14:28:59 PST
From: Wade Snider <wsnider@brazoselectric.com>
Subject: Re: [MV] In Negotiations
I wasn't as enthusiastic about the negotiator. It was a good movie, but I didn't
think it was that great. Jackson was superb. No doubt. Spacey was good, too, but he
had a lot smaller role than many people going into it realize. But the movie is
exactly what I remember one critic calling it - "style over story" It is fast paced
and great, but it is not very original as far as cop/hostage/thrillers go. It is
better when Spacey enters the story, but a lot of the plot is not very strong.
It is filled with obligatory cliches and predictable points.... ie Jackson's wife,
the actions of the TV crew, the actions of the cops against Jackson, and on..
That's not that I'm saying the movie is bad. It's not. It's good. The acting is
great. The interaction between Jackson and Spacey is fantastic. It is like a plain
old police movie but made better with the good acting by Jackson & Spacey and the
great direction by F Gary Grey. Fantastic style and direction. Pretty decent
dialogue as well as a good knowledge of hostage and negotiator procedures..
Wade
- --- On Sun, 29 Nov 98 03:01:56 PST Rebecca Bezant <sunybruk@infoblvd.net> wrote:
> 'The Negotiator,' I believe is the best hostage movie I have ever seen. Not
>only does it have two of my few favorites actors Sam Jackson and Kevin Spacey, but
>the outcome of the ending is as well totally different than what I have expected
>it like in other hostage movies. I dont really want to say anymore about the
>ending, I don't want get yelled at for spoiling, but the start of the movie is
>where one of the best hostage negotiators is framed for the murder of his best
>friend and so he goes and takes four people hostage at the city's Internal Affairs
>so he can find the killer and why he was framed. If anyone doesnt feel like they
>have time for sitting through movies with a length of 138 minutes, you better
>make time time, or you will miss one heck of a great movie.
Tim
- ----------
>> First off, to get back on topic, I was wondering if anyone has any comments
>> on The Negotiator (recently released on video). I have liked Kevin
>> Spacey's work since The Usual Suspects. (One of my all-time favourites.
>> If you have not seen it, go. Now. You will not be disappointed) I
>> thought both he and Samuel L Jackson played great characters. Very strong,
>> and kept you guessing. There have been many suspense movies released
>> lately. They all could have taken lessons from this film (which I don't
>> even consider of that genre) on how to keep the audience on the edge of
>> their seats.
>>
>> --Mel
- --------------------------------------------------------
W. Snider
If man evolved from apes, why do we still have apes?
- --------------------------------------------------------
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 12:35:01 -0800
From: "Romero, Leticia" <lromero@saonet.ucla.edu>
Subject: RE: [MV] Very Bad Things about A Bug's Life
yeah Jason!!!
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Oz [SMTP:oz@hollywoodbitchslap.com]
> Sent: Saturday, November 28, 1998 11:35 PM
> To: movies@lists.xmission.com
> Subject: Re: [MV] Very Bad Things about A Bug's Life
>
> > Jason Cormier wrote:
> > The funniest part is after the movie ends and
> > they show us *SNIP* (*SNIP*? But this is animation!!! Very
> > funny!)
>
> Thanks for the spoiler, Jason.
> Try to consider people who haven't seen the movie.
>
> -------{{{{OZ}}}}------------------------------------------
> [sick of being ripped off at the movies?]
> ..*HOLLYWOOD BITCHSLAP*.. TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT
> ------------ http://www.hollywoodbitchslap.com ------------
>
> [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
> [ movies (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 13:09:53 -0800
From: "Romero, Leticia" <lromero@saonet.ucla.edu>
Subject: RE: [MV] spoilers and their habitats
Jason, a spoiler can also be something that is enjoyable, an inside joke if
you will, that other film lovers would want to see on their own, without
expecting it... that's why EVERYONE who's seen A Bug's Life have only
mentioned SEEING the end credits, and not WHY....
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jason Cormier [SMTP:movieman@netcom.ca]
> Sent: Sunday, November 29, 1998 4:20 PM
> To: movies@lists.xmission.com
> Subject: Re: [MV] spoilers and their habitats
>
> I hardly find myself "educated" by you at all buddy. I think you need a
> Valium for taking this way too seriously...As I said before - half of the
> theatre left and did not see some funny bits - I wanted to make sure that
> other people who see it - do not leave early. The movie is over...there
> is
> no more surprises left in the movie - no more plot devices left
> untangled...it's over. That is not what a spoiler is. A spoiler ruins
> part
> of the movie for you - like finding out who is related to Luke Skywalker.
> What you are implying is that any knowledge whatsoever about the movie
> before going in is a spoiler - knowing that it's about bug's or that Dave
> Foley does the voice of the main character. If this is the case then I
> would recommend that you never read another review for the rest of your
> life.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Oz <oz@hollywoodbitchslap.com>
> To: movies@lists.xmission.com <movies@lists.xmission.com>
> Date: Saturday, November 28, 1998 7:22 PM
> Subject: Re: [MV] spoilers and their habitats
>
>
> >Jason Cormier wrote:
> >>
> >> Chill out bud...I didn't give anything about the movie away at all.
> >
> >Dude, in evvery review of the movie I've seen (mine included) there
> >has been something akin to "don't leave early, the credits are the
> >best part of the film". Explaining exactly what they contain is a
> >spoiler. Spoilers ruin the surprise for people who haven't seen it
> >yet.
> >
> >Glad to have educated you.
> >
> >-------{{{{OZ}}}}------------------------------------------
> > [sick of being ripped off at the movies?]
> > ..*HOLLYWOOD BITCHSLAP*.. TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT
> >------------- http://www.hollywoodbitchslap.com -----------
> >
> >[ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
> >[ movies (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]
> >
>
>
> [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ]
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------------------------------
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 98 23:23:52 +0000
From: Garrett Winters <gargoyle@iol.ie>
Subject: Re: [MV] Predator Vs Alien (was Freddy VS Jason)
Ryan Allen writes
>I don't know if it's been discussed already (I'm behind in the list) but
>the original concept from the comics, books, and "universe" stories that
>they are in fact related! The Predator species, hunters by birth, CREATED
>the Aliens as the perfect "game." Able to adapt to any environment and
>reproduce almost endlessly, the Predators sent the eggs out into the solar
>system, than began to hunt them down. If you want evidence of this
>connection, watch Predator 2. When Glover enters the ship for the fight at
>the end, the camera passes a "trophy" case of skulls. Human AND Alien.
>Right there. It all ties in nicely, but the idea was never taken into (at
>the time) Alien3.
Good point, I had noticed the skull myself at the time and thought for
sure that Predator3 would have Aliens in it. obviously this hasn't
happened yet. It is a clever idea and does fit in nicely with the
original Alien Vs Predator comic book ( by Dark Horse) and it postulated
a story where a pred ship comes down and deposits these robotic carriers
that just go out and lay eggs on the ground, when the natural fauna
encounter it they become alienized and the hunt is on. the only problem
this time was a human settlement on the particular planet they pick and
all sorts of carnage ensues. I'm not sure if it was also in that
storyline or a later one but a human female becomes a predator ( or is
trying to become one) and faces challenges all her own ( I'm not thinking
about the woman from the second Alien vs Pred comic).
so all in all right there is a workable idea, it doesn't have to be
Earth so you don't have too many people ( and most are just cannon
fodder) and all sorts of alien varieties are possible if varying wildlife
encounter the eggs. I can't recall how it ended but most likely some
humans survive.
Garrett
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Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 15:17:58 +0800 (HKT)
From: Chandler <ja970600@balut.admu.edu.ph>
Subject: [MV] Help save my wallet
Is Disturbing Behavior any good? It's only going to be shown here tomorrow
and I don't know whether or not it's worth watching. Any comments?
- -------
Jayson
- -------
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Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 08:05:00 -0600
From: cHriS <csothman@nwchiro.edu>
Subject: [MV] [REVIEW] American History X
POTENTIAL SPOILER WARNING! Anyone who does not want to know ANYTHING about
this movie (yet who are reading this clearly-labeled review anyway), please
do NOT read any further. Thank you.
On impulse last night I went and saw a late showing of "American History
X," and I liked it so much I had to throw in my two cents about it here on
the list.
For those who don't know, this is a story about a man who tries to save his
younger brother and himself from the hatred he helped spawn from his days
as a racist skinhead. And that's all I'm going to say about the story,
other than it was a GOOD movie. I loved the way this film was shot and
edited (extreme close-ups, slow motion, black & white for flashbacks,
contrasting light and shadow); it really enhanced the intensity of some of
the dramatic scenes. If you're a fan of Ed Norton (Primal Fear, Rounders),
you're going to really like him in this role. He pulls off his character
very well. I thought the script was really well done, primarily because I
thought the dialogue played out very intelligently (especially with Ed
Norton's character). I walked out of the theater both entertained and lost
in thought with the theme of the show.
In a nutshell: I thought "American History X" was an intense, intelligent
film, and hope it gets some recognition from the various awards committees,
not only for Ed Norton's performance (as well as some of the other
actors/actresses), but for the story and overall look of the film, too.
Very well done.
- - cHriS
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Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 07:10:16 -0700 (MST)
From: Scott Renshaw <renshaw@inconnect.com>
Subject: [MV] Coming Contractions, and a Personal Entreaty to Readers
Dear Subscribers,
First, the good news: your friend and humble narrator, in conjunction
with his lovely wife, announces the impending arrival of our first child
in March. All concerned are thrilled and elated.
Now, the bad news: my reviews may have to disappear. Since I hoped to
spend significant time with my new family member in the spring, I planned
to curtail my output at least moderately. My day job was flexible enough
to allow some work-at-home options, so it would not be necessary to
abandon my avocation entirely.
Unfortunately, circumstances have changed. Recently I was laid off from
my day job, a development which throws everything out of whack. I want to
find a position which will allow me the same kind of flexibility, but I
don't have the luxury of waiting several months to find it.
Unless...
I have always been happy to provide readers with film reviews that I
believe are both entertaining and informative, and to do so with only
their appreciation as reward. Now, I have to ask for a bit more. With
the temporary financial support of readers, I will be able to continue.
Without it, I won't. It's just that simple.
This is not a pity party. I don't enjoy calling a "pledge drive" any more
than you enjoy being called. I merely ask you to ask yourselves what
value these reviews have provided you over the months or years you have
been enjoying them. If I saved you and a friend one time from seeing some
studio monstrosity, that may be $15.00. Perhaps you simply enjoy reading
them even if you're not a regular movie-goer. I'm not going to name a
figure for you. I'm asking you to decide what this service is worth to
you, and whether you can help it stick around.
I realize that a number of you already saw fit to provide financial
support back in the spring, and I appreciate every one of you. I also
realize that many readers are from outside the United States, and that
it might be difficult to come up with U.S. funds. If there are other
options available, I'll consider them. I know that there are currently
around 1,000 individuals who receive these reviews directly, and thousands
more who access them via my web site. If only 40%-50% of those
individuals contribute, I can keep afford to wait for the ideal
opportunity and keep these reviews coming.
If you are interested in contributing to this effort, please reply to this
message with a suggested contribution amount. An important note:
** I will collect NO money until I'm sure that it will be enough. **
I respect the idea of charity, but that's not what I'm asking for here. I
want to be able to provide a service for those who support that service.
I will certainly keep every individual on this mailing list if I keep
going, regardless of whether that individual specifically contributed, but
the only way you can be sure there will _be_ a mailing list in the near
future is to be one of those contributors.
As an added incentive, I'll be providing promotional movie stuff for as
many contributors as is humanly possible. Included in the pool of booty
are posters (MEN IN BLACK, CITY OF ANGELS, CLUELESS, others), hats and
T-shirts, videos and soundtrack CDs, press kits with glossies and a
variety of other trinkets.
Again, I'm sorry that this request is necessary. If I didn't believe that
my readers respect what I do, and want to see me continue doing it, I
wouldn't be asking. I thank you in advance for your support, and will
update you on this situation as soon as I gather information from your
responses.
Best regards,
Scott Renshaw
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Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 13:20:52 -0700 (MST)
From: Scott Renshaw <renshaw@inconnect.com>
Subject: [MV] FAQ re: my personal entreaty
I'm already receiving wonderful offers as well as a few questions. I'll
try to answer most of them before others feel the need to ask.
Q: What's an appropriate amount?
A: Trust me, folks, there's no right or wrong answer to this one. This
is more a pledge drive than a subscription fee at this time. I can't tell
you what this service is worth to you, or what you can reasonably afford.
I will appreciate any offer.
Q: Where and when should I send a check?
A: No one is sending anything, not yet. As I said in my earlier message,
I will accept NO money until I'm sure the total pledges will allow me to
continue. I'm not going to take someone's money, then have to tell them
that they won't be able to get what they were trying to help continue.
If and when a "magic number" is reached, I'll let all who pledged know the
details.
Q: Will this be a regular, annual subscription fee?
A: I certainly hope not. I hoped never to ask for financial support from
readers, and I hope I will not have to do so again.
Q: Is there any other way to help besides sending money?
A: Absolutely. Clicking on the sponsor banner on my web site once a day
can help drop a few extra pennies in the kitty. I also receive a
commission from Reel.com rentals/purchases which originate on my site.
I'm gradually adding more links from reviews in my archive to that end.
However, sponsor support will not be sufficient in and of itself.
You can also deluge sites like Film.com or your local newspapers with
outraged messages asking why I'm not employed by them. :-)
Q: How will you decide who gets which movie goodies? Can I claim
something now?
A: Again, we'll sort all that out once I know whether the pledges will be
sufficient. However, I can say that the biggest spenders will get first
shot at the biggest items, which seems only fair.
Q: Can you accept credit cards?
A: Sorry, but no.
Q: What, exactly, will this money be used for?
A: Think of it as a research grant (a nod to one of my earlier
correspondents). I need sufficient time to research job opportunities
which will allow me to continue attending screenings and writing reviews
while still spending time with my family. Yes, it also supports basic
functions of this service -- ISP fees, calls to publicists and the like --
but I'm not accounting for it that distinctly.
Q: So do you know whether it's going to be a boy or a girl?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you think you can get away with teasing us while you're hitting us
up for cash?
A: Sorry. It's a boy.
Thank you again for your support. The responses thus far have been
encouraging, but there's still a long way to go. More information will be
forthcoming by the end of this week.
Regards,
Scott
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Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 16:32:14 -0800
From: "Romero, Leticia" <lromero@saonet.ucla.edu>
Subject: RE: [MV] FAQ re: my personal entreaty
> Q: Will this be a regular, annual subscription fee?
> A: I certainly hope not. I hoped never to ask for financial support from
> readers, and I hope I will not have to do so again.
[Romero, Leticia] are you kidding? You don't know how expensive
diapers and popcorn can be, do you?!!!
Count me in for a sawbuck! ($20!)
Leti Romero
"The World Is Not Enough!"
>
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Date: Wed, 2 Dec 1998 06:13:23 -0800 (PST)
From: dispatch@listserv.hollywood.com (Hollywood Online)
Subject: [MV] Hollywood Online Weekly Dispatch
Hollywood Online Weekly Dispatch
*****************************************************************
Hello movie fans!
Welcome yet again to the Hollywood Online Weekly Dispatch, delivered
FREE OF CHARGE to your e-mail box every week. Instructions for
unsubscribing appear at the bottom.
The Hollywood Online Weekly Dispatch is THE source for detailed news
about the latest movie and video releases, Hollywood events, special
movie site features, exclusive interviews and audio clips. The web's
number one information source for movie soundtrack news, premiere
coverage, and much more.
Will "Bug's" continue to pound "Antz"? Will heads continue to roll at
Universal over a pig and a hunk, or can a "Psycho" save the day? Find
out the answers to these questions and more this week!
****************************************
NEW MOVIES RELEASED THIS WEEK
****************************************
(in alphabetical order)
Movies Opening
December 4, 1998
"Denial"
http://www.hollywood.com/cgi-bin/TARGET/indexmg.cgi?denial
Comedy: Writer Adam Rifkin ("Mousehunt," "Small Soldiers") also directs
this inquiry into the state of monogamy, enacted by three sophisticated
couples.
December 4, 1998 - LA release
"Little Voice"
http://www.hollywood.com/cgi-bin/TARGET/indexmg.cgi?littlevoice
Comedy: Jane Horrocks re-creates her stage role in this adaptation of
Jim Cartwright's play about a girl who can only express herself through
vintage songs. Michael Caine, Ewan McGregor, Brenda Blethyn and Jim
Broadbent also star.
December 4, 1998 - LA/NY release
"Psycho"
http://www.hollywood.com/cgi-bin/TARGET/indexmg.cgi?psycho
Horror: Alfred Hitchcock's horror masterpiece is recreated step for step
by director Gus Van Sant. Vince Vaughn accepts the challenge of
succeeding Anthony Perkins in the legendary role of Norman Bates, a
mentally unstable young man operating the infamous Bates Motel. Anne
Heche substitutes for Janet Leigh as the woman who stops for shelter on
a dark and fateful night.
December 4, 1998 - national release
"Shattered Image"
http://www.hollywood.com/cgi-bin/TARGET/indexmg.cgi?shattered
Drama: William Baldwin and Anne Parillaud star for Portuguese indie
director Raul Ruiz ("Genealogies of a Crime").
December 4, 1998 - limited release
****************************************
SHOWTIMES MOVIE LISTINGS
****************************************
http://showtimes.hollywood.com/
Now that you've seen what's coming out this week, here's the best way
to find out where it's playing in your neighborhood, and when! Plus,
get maps, theater information, and much more -- everything about movies
at Hollywood Online!
****************************************
NEW VIDEOS RELEASED THIS WEEK
****************************************
Videos Released
December 1, 1998
"Almost Heroes"
http://www.hollywood.com/cgi-bin/TARGET/indexmg.cgi?almostheroes
Comedy: They're not exactly Lewis & Clark. But Matthew Perry and the
late Chris Farley are explorers nonetheless, albeit with a few problems
finding the right direction. On a cross-country race to beat the real
Lewis & Clark from the Northwest Territory to the Pacific Ocean, the
dynamic duo manage to stumble into all sorts of wilderness folly.
"The Mask of Zorro"
http://www.hollywood.com/cgi-bin/TARGET/indexmg.cgi?zorromask
Action/Adventure: Antonio Banderas dons the mask and swishes his way
into history as the latest Zorro. Twenty years after the original hero
retired his black sash, the adversary who robbed him of his fortune
returns to terrorize the Mexican countryside. Banderas is the mysterious
drifter who accepts his fate to renew the legend.
****************************************
HOLLYWOOD NEWS
****************************************
HOLLYWOOD ROUNDTABLE
http://www.hollywood.com/news/roundtable/
Weekly columns on a variety of subjects, from underground
film to foreign film to film zeitgeist.
BENEATH THE SURFACE: Parody rebounds in "Tinytanic"
http://www.hollywood.com/news/roundtable/Wednesday/
THE PRESSROOM
http://www.hollywood.com/pressroom
The best premiere coverage, celebrity photos and interviews on the web!
New this week:
* Pretty in Pink
http://www.hollywood.com/pressroom/events/pink/award_pink.html
* Drew Barrymore Interview ("Home Fries" star)
http://www.hollywood.com/pressroom/interviews/dbarrymore2/dbarrymore2.html
****************************************
HOLLYWOOD ONLINE: FEATURES
****************************************
"YOU'VE GOT MAIL" TICKET GIVEAWAY
http://www.hollywood.com/contests/youvegotmail/index.html
Win two FREE movie tickets to see "You've Got Mail."
"I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER" SPECIAL FEATURE
Videos, Photos, Fun Stuff - Vote for the Scream Queens!
http://www.hollywood.com/sites/istillknow/
DIGITAL REVOLUTION
http://www.hollywood.com/digital/index.html
You say you want a revolution? No? Well, how about everything you could
want to know about DVDs, laser discs, industry developments, and all the
latest titles?
Pick of the Week:
"The Thing" Special Edition
http://digital.hollywood.com/digital/movies/moviepage/0,1133,121,00.html
*****************************************************************
ADVERTISEMENT
*****************************************************************
NetFlix.com (http://www.netflix.com/default.asp?promoid=15785950)
Looking for that hard-to-find DVD? With over 2,000 titles, NetFlix.com
has what you want. Simply select your rental, receive it within 2-3
business days - watch it as often as you like for a full 7 days! Return
it using the prepaid, pre-addressed return-mailer. No hassles, no long
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*****************************************************************
MOVIE CRITIC
http://www.hollywood.com/critic/index.html
Critics are bugging out -- in a good way -- over "A Bug's Life" and
saying bad things about "Very Bad Things." Check out what they're saying
about the movies opening this week!
MOVIETALK
http://www.hollywood.com/movietalk/
Hear your favorite celebs in their own words, behind the scenes,
unrehearsed, and in glorious RealAudio! This week:
Dave Foley, Randy Newman ("A Bug's Life"); Will Smith ("Enemy of the
State"); Drew Barrymore, Luke Wilson ("Home Fries"); Jeffrey Tambor
("Meet Joe Black"); Jon Favreau, Daniel Stern ("Very Bad Things")
MOVIETUNES
http://www.movietunes.com
MovieTunes at Hollywood Online is the best source for movie music
news and coverage -- audio clips, interviews, art, forums, and more.
Soundtrack of the week:
"Donnie Brasco"
http://www.movietunes.com/soundtracks/1997/brasco/
NEW TRAILERS AT HOLLYWOOD ONLINE:
http://www.hollywood.com/multimedia/index5.html
"Jerry Springer: Ringmaster"
"Star Wars: Episode One"
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Date: Wed, 2 Dec 1998 16:57:53 -0700 (MST)
From: Scott Renshaw <renshaw@inconnect.com>
Subject: [MV] REVIEW: ELIZABETH
ELIZABETH
(Gramercy)
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Joseph Fiennes, Christopher
Eccleston, Richard Attenborough.
Screenplay: Michael Hirst.
Producers: Alison Owen, Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan.
Director: Shekhar Kapur.
MPAA Rating: R (violence, sexual situations, nudity)
Running Time: 124 minutes.
Reviewed by Scott Renshaw.
It's really rather a slick conceit when you stop to think about it --
telling the tale of the early years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I
(Cate Blanchett) with the Virgin Queen turned into Michael Corleone. This
lavish paean to court intrigue begins in 1554, as the ailing Don -- er,
Queen Mary (Kathy Burke) -- faces an uncertain future for her empire.
Dissension between Catholic and Protestant factions breeds internal
conflict; external threats to the near-bankrupt empire loom from both
Spain and France. Caught in the middle is Elizabeth, the Protestant heir
apparent to her childless Catholic half-sister, who faces losing all
semblance of a personal life once she wields responsibility for protecting
the interests of the family -- er, nation.
It's all played as grand opera, with the initially uncertain monarch
surrounded by advisors of every possible motivation. The Duke of Norfolk
(Christopher Eccleston), a Catholic advisor to the late Queen Mary, plots
to join with Mary, Queen of Scots to overthrow Elizabeth. Sir William
(Richard Attenborough), Elizabeth's consigliere, pleads with her to wed
and produce an heir as soon as possible to solidify her rule. Sir Francis
Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) schools the young queen in the necessity of
ruthlessness in the political arena. Even the Pope (John Gielgud) gets
into the act, offering what amounts to a heavenly bounty on the queen's
heretical head. And then there is Lord Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes),
the love of Elizabeth's life who may turn out to be part Kay and part
Fredo.
Screenwriter Michael Hirst and director Shekhar Kapur manage to keep
all these balls in the air quite deftly, moving back and forth between the
machinations of various factions while keeping all the players clearly
defined. Ultimately, however, ELIZABETH is more a well-crafted plot
structure than a great tragic drama. Only occasionally does Kapur allow
us inside the heads of his characters, as he does when Elizabeth shakily
rehearses a crucial speech proposing a uniform Church of England. In
general the players move from this place to that like pieces in a
historical board game, psychology and motivations giving way to who wants
to kill whom. As solid as most of the cast members are, they aren't asked
to do much more than furrow their brows and skulk.
At least it's all quite a spectacle to behold. ELIZABETH slips back
and forth between dark cavernous halls and banner-draped pageantry,
allowing a sharp contrast between the private and public life of the
queen. The radiant Blanchett makes a wonderful Elizabeth, though her
chemistry with Joseph Fiennes isn't nearly as invigorating as it was with
brother Ralph in OSCAR AND LUCINDA. It's a consistently engaging film,
but one which never crosses over into being truly captivating. While
aiming for the epic sweep of a GODFATHER film, the film-makers seem to
have forgotten that Coppola created an epic of relationships, not just
political alliances. ELIZABETH is that rare film that would have been
much better if it had been much longer. If it had offered the chance to
feel the personalities of history as well as watch them, it would have
been an offer you couldn't refuse.
On the Renshaw scale of 0 to 10 GODFATHERS, save the queen: 6.
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