list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around Team America: World Police on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/Team_America_World_Police/247503/default.aspx Title: Team America: World Police
Year: 2004
Director: Trey Parker
Plot: Directed by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Team America: World Police is a tongue-in-cheek but nonetheless politically biting send-up of the CGI-laden, big-budget action movies that have taken an almost exclusive hold over mainstream box offices, particularly during the summer months. Inspired by the Thunderbirds, a popular 1960s children's series, Team America: World Police uses similarly styled, but significantly more crass, marionette puppets in lieu of computer-generated images to breath life into an elite group of adventurers known as Team America. Their mission: to travel the world, root out its terrorists, and keep evil at bay. Aside from intentionally employing all of the hallmarks of standard action-adventure blockbuster formulas, from a prototypical hero to his communist arch-rival, the film also boasts the occasional musical number. The puppets were created by Norman Tempia along with Charles and Stephen Chiodo, the brothers behind the cult classic Killer Klowns from Outer Space. Team America: World Police is not based on Team America, a 1980s series from Marvel Comics, which followed a patriotic team of racecar drivers. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 15
Number of Lists: 45
Number of blog posts: 4
Number of discussion threads: 3
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:53:35 GMTTeam America: World Police2004Trey ParkerDirected by <a href=/films/203537/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>South Park</a> creators <a href="/players/P____55140/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Trey Parker</a> and <a href="/players/P___231851/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Matt Stone</a>, Team America: World Police is a tongue-in-cheek but nonetheless politically biting send-up of the CGI-laden, big-budget action movies that have taken an almost exclusive hold over mainstream box offices, particularly during the summer months. Inspired by the <a href=/films/227036/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Thunderbirds</a>, a popular 1960s children's series, Team America: World Police uses similarly styled, but significantly more crass, marionette puppets in lieu of computer-generated images to breath life into an elite group of adventurers known as Team America. Their mission: to travel the world, root out its terrorists, and keep evil at bay. Aside from intentionally employing all of the hallmarks of standard action-adventure blockbuster formulas, from a prototypical hero to his communist arch-rival, the film also boasts the occasional musical number. The puppets were created by Norman Tempia along with Charles and Stephen Chiodo, the brothers behind the cult classic <a href=/films/18895/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Killer Klowns from Outer Space</a>. Team America: World Police is not based on Team America, a 1980s series from Marvel Comics, which followed a patriotic team of racecar drivers. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide15Tag Target (>10)45433http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t61812zahqy.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Team_America_World_Police/247503/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/Re_Weekly_Theme_for_October_20_The_Montage/625/36692/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: Risselada
Post To: Weekly Theme
Post Date: 10/27/2008 1:17:52 PM
Body: [quote user="Smooth_J"]I may be alone on this, but I think Team America had a pretty all-encompassing montage...the song is hysterical too. I think it was originally from a South Park episode (Asspen?).[/quote] No you are not alone. That sequence is actually the first thing that popped into my head when I read what the weekly subject would be, but I seem to have forgotten about it by the time I actually got to writing my post. The song is a delight.
]]>Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:17:52 GMTRisseladaWeekly Theme10/27/2008 1:17:52 PM[quote user="Smooth_J"]I may be alone on this, but I think Team America had a pretty all-encompassing montage...the song is hysterical too. I think it was originally from a South Park episode (Asspen?).[/quote] No you are not alone. That sequence is actually the first thing that popped into my head when I read what the weekly subject would be, but I seem to have forgotten about it by the time I actually got to writing my post. The song is a delight. http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/Re_Weekly_Theme_for_October_20_The_Montage/625/36655/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: Smooth_J
Post To: Weekly Theme
Post Date: 10/24/2008 4:23:40 PM
Body: I may be alone on this, but I think Team America had a pretty all-encompassing montage...the song is hysterical too. I think it was originally from a South Park episode (Asspen?). On the subject of Snatch's "quick and rhythmic" cuts, I'm having trouble remembering if Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels had the same type of sequences. And if you include Requiem in there, then Pi should be mentioned as well, since Aronofsky uses essentially the same exact methods as he does in Requiem. Sorry for piggy-backing with these ones, I seem to be drawing a blank... I think Ferris Bueller has a montage, in the art museum, and it's ridiculously cheesy...it's an 80s teen movie, so I guess that's a given. I still find it hard to be skeptical about that movie. (......Always fade out in a montage, if you fade out it seems like more time has passed in a montage...Montage......)
]]>Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:23:40 GMTSmooth_JWeekly Theme10/24/2008 4:23:40 PMI may be alone on this, but I think Team America had a pretty all-encompassing montage...the song is hysterical too. I think it was originally from a South Park episode (Asspen?). On the subject of Snatch's "quick and rhythmic" cuts, I'm having trouble remembering if Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels had the same type of sequences. And if you include Requiem in there, then Pi should be mentioned as well, since Aronofsky uses essentially the same exact methods as he does in Requiem. Sorry for piggy-backing with these ones, I seem to be drawing a blank... I think Ferris Bueller has a montage, in the art museum, and it's ridiculously cheesy...it's an 80s teen movie, so I guess that's a given. I still find it hard to be skeptical about that movie. (......Always fade out in a montage, if you fade out it seems like more time has passed in a montage...Montage......) http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/9/11/35022.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 9/11/2008 12:00:32 PM
Body: Due to the unsurprising popularity of our “10 Movies Sold on a Sex Scene” list a few weeks back, I’ve decided to unleash a sequel. However, catering to both Spoutblog’s traffic and the interests of ever-abundant sex-attracted internetters is only half my reason for this follow-up list. I was mainly motivated by the outcome of the release of Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona, a film that also initially inspired the first list. While Vicky was partly sold on the promise of a threesome between Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, it is now fortunately being celebrated, and it will likely be remembered, primarily for Cruz’s performance. Not for the threesome or for the lesbian kiss. Other movies sold on a sex scene, though, are not typically so blessed with accolades. And even some that are recognized with high praise at time of release are often later forgotten as anything but fodder for MrSkin and other followers of onscreen sex and nudity. Obviously this means that most of my selections for the previous list may also qualify here, yet I’ve chosen to ignore some certainly fitting titles, including The Brown Bunny and 9 1/2 Weeks, so as not to repeat myself. Basic Instinct (1992) This was left off the earlier list, though I had originally planned on including it. Now that I’ve decided to do this follow-up, I’m positive that it fits better here. Many people undoubtedly went to see Paul Verhoeven’s erotic thriller more for the eroticism than the thrills, but that can’t be the case for every moviegoer who helped make the film a smash hit. There are plenty of erotic thrillers out there, but only one grossed more than $350 million (Fatal Attraction, which earned more than Basic Instinct domestically, came close). Could it be that the film is actually good? Plenty of respectable critics thought so, including Janet Maslin and Jonathan Rosenbaum, both of whom praised the Hitchcock influence. However, it’s easy to now remember the film primarily for the infamous Sharon Stone upskirt shot, which I deem qualifiable as a sex scene due to the way Stone’s character seems to have sort of psychological intercourse with her interrogators. Last Tango in Paris (1972) Here we have another mostly well-reviewed film that is possibly only still in the public consciousness due to its controversial sex scenes. That isn’t to say the critics and cinephiles don’t still appreciate it for other reasons than its buttery anal sex — it still screens theatrically in revivals and festivals. But ask any random person on the street what they remember, and most are sure to mention the sex scenes before talking of Bertolucci’s direction or Brando’s performance. Havoc (2005) I love the non-fiction work of Barbara Kopple, and I believe it possible that Anne Hathaway indeed gives an Oscar-worthy performance in her latest film, Rachel Getting Married, but neither woman’s talent is fully utilized with this movie, which also features a script written by Oscar-winner Stephen Gaghan. I will always think of this movie as an unfortunate hiccup in the careers of these three individuals, but I will mostly remember it, as will most people, for featuring Hathaway’s first topless sex scenes. A History of Violence (2005) Personally, my first recall is the graphic violence. The second thing I remember — more fondly, in fact — is William Hurt’s cartoonish yet canny performance. The sex scene on the stairs might not even be in the top five things that made Cronenberg’s film memorable for me, but I promise you there are guys who primarily think positively of A History of Violence for that moment. I even know some of them. Fat Girl (2001) Almost as dauntingly memorable as actually waking up to people having sex in the room you’re sleeping in, the infamous scene depicting such an event in Catherine Breillat’s film is likely the first thing you remember. And it probably doesn’t help your memory that the scene is significant enough to have spawned Breillat’s later film Sex is Comedy, which is basically about the difficulty of filming the Fat Girl scene (as seen in the above clip). Talk to Her (2002) With this film, I don’t mind that it’s a sex scene that I primarily recall, because it’s a scene that I think is extremely clever and surprisingly well-executed. No, I’m not referring to the part where Benigno (Javier Camara) rapes the comatose Alicia (Leonor Watling); I mean the black and white dream sequence in which a miniature Fele Martinez completely enters a large, constructed setpiece representing Paz Vega’s vagina. Team America: World Police (2004) There are plenty of side-splitting moments in this movie, but who walked away with anything sticking in their mind as solidly as the overlong sex sequence? The Hunger (1983) I could never remember if I’d seen this film or not when I was a kid. It’s one of those films that even if you haven’t seen the whole thing, you’re probably at least familiar with a specific, iconic scene. Here it’s definitely the lesbian sex scene between Susan Sarandon and Catherine Deneuve. Requiem for a Dream (2000) I wish that the “ass to ass” line wasn’t the most memorable thing about this film. It certainly isn’t my favorite part, just the one part that forcefully sticks out above all others. Hounddog (2007) Though it hasn’t even been released to theaters yet, this 2007 Sundance selection will forever be known and remembered as the Dakota Fanning rape movie. It’s possible that the scene could also be considered a “movie sold on a sex scene,” because some curious moviegoers will go see it, secretly or not, for the infamous and controversial scene. But I don’t want to think of those people who actually want to see a movie because they want to see Dakota Fanning raped, whether for pleasure or intrigue. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:00:32 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com9/11/2008 12:00:32 PM Due to the unsurprising popularity of our “10 Movies Sold on a Sex Scene” list a few weeks back, I’ve decided to unleash a sequel. However, catering to both Spoutblog’s traffic and the interests of ever-abundant sex-attracted internetters is only half my reason for this follow-up list. I was mainly motivated by the outcome of the release of Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona, a film that also initially inspired the first list. While Vicky was partly sold on the promise of a threesome between Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz, it is now fortunately being celebrated, and it will likely be remembered, primarily for Cruz’s performance. Not for the threesome or for the lesbian kiss. Other movies sold on a sex scene, though, are not typically so blessed with accolades. And even some that are recognized with high praise at time of release are often later forgotten as anything but fodder for MrSkin and other followers of onscreen sex and nudity. Obviously this means that most of my selections for the previous list may also qualify here, yet I’ve chosen to ignore some certainly fitting titles, including The Brown Bunny and 9 1/2 Weeks, so as not to repeat myself. Basic Instinct (1992) This was left off the earlier list, though I had originally planned on including it. Now that I’ve decided to do this follow-up, I’m positive that it fits better here. Many people undoubtedly went to see Paul Verhoeven’s erotic thriller more for the eroticism than the thrills, but that can’t be the case for every moviegoer who helped make the film a smash hit. There are plenty of erotic thrillers out there, but only one grossed more than $350 million (Fatal Attraction, which earned more than Basic Instinct domestically, came close). Could it be that the film is actually good? Plenty of respectable critics thought so, including Janet Maslin and Jonathan Rosenbaum, both of whom praised the Hitchcock influence. However, it’s easy to now remember the film primarily for the infamous Sharon Stone upskirt shot, which I deem qualifiable as a sex scene due to the way Stone’s character seems to have sort of psychological intercourse with her interrogators. Last Tango in Paris (1972) Here we have another mostly well-reviewed film that is possibly only still in the public consciousness due to its controversial sex scenes. That isn’t to say the critics and cinephiles don’t still appreciate it for other reasons than its buttery anal sex — it still screens theatrically in revivals and festivals. But ask any random person on the street what they remember, and most are sure to mention the sex scenes before talking of Bertolucci’s direction or Brando’s performance. Havoc (2005) I love the non-fiction work of Barbara Kopple, and I believe it possible that Anne Hathaway indeed gives an Oscar-worthy performance in her latest film, Rachel Getting Married, but neither woman’s talent is fully utilized with this movie, which also features a script written by Oscar-winner Stephen Gaghan. I will always think of this movie as an unfortunate hiccup in the careers of these three individuals, but I will mostly remember it, as will most people, for featuring Hathaway’s first topless sex scenes. A History of Violence (2005) Personally, my first recall is the graphic violence. The second thing I remember — more fondly, in fact — is William Hurt’s cartoonish yet canny performance. The sex scene on the stairs might not even be in the top five things that made Cronenberg’s film memorable for me, but I promise you there are guys who primarily think positively of A History of Violence for that moment. I even know some of them. Fat Girl (2001) Almost as dauntingly memorable as actually waking up to people having sex in the room you’re sleeping in, the infamous scene depicting such an event in Catherine Breillat’s film is likely the first thing you remember. And it probably doesn’t help your memory that the scene is significant enough to have spawned Breillat’s later film Sex is Comedy, which is basically about the difficulty of filming the Fat Girl scene (as seen in the above clip). Talk to Her (2002) With this film, I don’t mind that it’s a sex scene that I primarily recall, because it’s a scene that I think is extremely clever and surprisingly well-executed. No, I’m not referring to the part where Benigno (Javier Camara) rapes the comatose Alicia (Leonor Watling); I mean the black and white dream sequence in which a miniature Fele Martinez completely enters a large, constructed setpiece representing Paz Vega’s vagina. Team America: World Police (2004) There are plenty of side-splitting moments in this movie, but who walked away with anything sticking in their mind as solidly as the overlong sex sequence? The Hunger (1983) I could never remember if I’d seen this film or not when I was a kid. It’s one of those films that even if you haven’t seen the whole thing, you’re probably at least familiar with a specific, iconic scene. Here it’s definitely the lesbian sex scene between Susan Sarandon and Catherine Deneuve. Requiem for a Dream (2000) I wish that the “ass to ass” line wasn’t the most memorable thing about this film. It certainly isn’t my favorite part, just the one part that forcefully sticks out above all others. Hounddog (2007) Though it hasn’t even been released to theaters yet, this 2007 Sundance selection will forever be known and remembered as the Dakota Fanning rape movie. It’s possible that the scene could also be considered a “movie sold on a sex scene,” because some curious moviegoers will go see it, secretly or not, for the infamous and controversial scene. But I don’t want to think of those people who actually want to see a movie because they want to see Dakota Fanning raped, whether for pleasure or intrigue. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/blogs/cinemarian/archive/2008/5/12/28618.aspx Post By: CinemaRian
Post To: CinemaRian Blog
Post Date: 5/12/2008 11:51:18 AM
Body: The first time I saw Team America, I knew it was a great comedy, but I was distracted by some of its content. Was it wrong to have a musical number called "Everyone Has AIDS"? Watching the film again, its shock value has gone, which leaves only its satire, which makes it even funnier. This is the greatest American political satire since Dr. Strangelove. In addition to being a statement on the American political mindset, circa 2004, it is also a parody on bad action films, as well as obscure 60's puppet sci-fi like Thunderbirds. That may seem like an odd combination, but everything fits together to form a holistic experience. Shot entirely with oddly lifelike puppets, the movie's impressive screenplay (written by Parker, Stone and Pam Brady) is a perfectly structured pastiche of action films. If slightly re-written and filmed live action, it could easily be a vehicle for Michael Bay. The epic follow the adventures of Team America, an elite commando group who defend the country against the terrorists that are trying to take over the world. Having learned that a major attack is eminent, the group's leader, Spottswoode (voice of Daran Norris) recruits actor Gary Johnston (Parker) to join the group and spy on the terrorists. Little do they know that the plot is actually being masterminded by North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il II (also Parker), who allies himself with the Film Actors Guild (do the acronym), a group of celebrity pacifists lead by Alec Baldwin (Maurice LaMarche) who is, according to Gary, "the greatest actor, ever". On paper, this might not sound like much more than a weird Saturday Night Live sketch, but man, this movie is funny. If you've ever had to sit through an interminably stupid action movie, you'll appreciate how Parker and Stone tick of every possible cliché, from the scene that demonstrates just how bad-ass the villain really is, to veteran group member who hates the newbie with no motivation, to the false victory, to the insipid speeches about the theme of the movie to, well, the get everything, right down the visual style. If the movie was only a parody of a movie genre, it would still be successful, but the movie has a strong and cogent political commentary on America's perception of the rest of the world, and the jingoism that resulted in a post 9/11 world. Every other culture is presented as a collection of stereotypes. The hilarious prologue, set in Paris, shows the Franceland of American mythology, disrupted by unmotivated Arab terrorists who seem to say only three words: "durga", "Mohammed" and "Jihad". Although they mean well, Team America is oblivious to the collateral damage they cause and doesn't understand why anyone could dislike them, even though they are essentially incompetent. The movie is also deeply funny from beginning to end and is particularly hilarious when featuring song parodies. I particularly like "Freedom Isn't Free" a reference to jingoistic country crap like "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" and "Only a Woman", a parody of the Diane Warren power ballads that graced way to many films in the late nineties. So Team America ends up being one of the greatest comedies of the decade and something more. Despite all the seemingly thousands of ..aries made to show the wrongs of the Bush administration, this one presents the best argument, and the most entertaining, and certainly the most funny. It's a perfect encapsulation of a time when American political discourse was reduced to the level of a bad action movie Team America: World Police (2004)
]]>Mon, 12 May 2008 15:51:18 GMTCinemaRianCinemaRian Blog5/12/2008 11:51:18 AMThe first time I saw Team America, I knew it was a great comedy, but I was distracted by some of its content. Was it wrong to have a musical number called "Everyone Has AIDS"? Watching the film again, its shock value has gone, which leaves only its satire, which makes it even funnier. This is the greatest American political satire since Dr. Strangelove. In addition to being a statement on the American political mindset, circa 2004, it is also a parody on bad action films, as well as obscure 60's puppet sci-fi like Thunderbirds. That may seem like an odd combination, but everything fits together to form a holistic experience. Shot entirely with oddly lifelike puppets, the movie's impressive screenplay (written by Parker, Stone and Pam Brady) is a perfectly structured pastiche of action films. If slightly re-written and filmed live action, it could easily be a vehicle for Michael Bay. The epic follow the adventures of Team America, an elite commando group who defend the country against the terrorists that are trying to take over the world. Having learned that a major attack is eminent, the group's leader, Spottswoode (voice of Daran Norris) recruits actor Gary Johnston (Parker) to join the group and spy on the terrorists. Little do they know that the plot is actually being masterminded by North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il II (also Parker), who allies himself with the Film Actors Guild (do the acronym), a group of celebrity pacifists lead by Alec Baldwin (Maurice LaMarche) who is, according to Gary, "the greatest actor, ever". On paper, this might not sound like much more than a weird Saturday Night Live sketch, but man, this movie is funny. If you've ever had to sit through an interminably stupid action movie, you'll appreciate how Parker and Stone tick of every possible clich&eacute;, from the scene that demonstrates just how bad-ass the villain really is, to veteran group member who hates the newbie with no motivation, to the false victory, to the insipid speeches about the theme of the movie to, well, the get everything, right down the visual style. If the movie was only a parody of a movie genre, it would still be successful, but the movie has a strong and cogent political commentary on America's perception of the rest of the world, and the jingoism that resulted in a post 9/11 world. Every other culture is presented as a collection of stereotypes. The hilarious prologue, set in Paris, shows the Franceland of American mythology, disrupted by unmotivated Arab terrorists who seem to say only three words: "durga", "Mohammed" and "Jihad". Although they mean well, Team America is oblivious to the collateral damage they cause and doesn't understand why anyone could dislike them, even though they are essentially incompetent. The movie is also deeply funny from beginning to end and is particularly hilarious when featuring song parodies. I particularly like "Freedom Isn't Free" a reference to jingoistic country crap like "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" and "Only a Woman", a parody of the Diane Warren power ballads that graced way to many films in the late nineties. So Team America ends up being one of the greatest comedies of the decade and something more. Despite all the seemingly thousands of ..aries made to show the wrongs of the Bush administration, this one presents the best argument, and the most entertaining, and certainly the most funny. It's a perfect encapsulation of a time when American political discourse was reduced to the level of a bad action movie Team America: World Police (2004) http://www.spout.com/blogs/blue8joyce/archive/2007/11/13/21670.aspx Post By: blue8joyce
Post To: blue8joyce Blog
Post Date: 11/13/2007 7:29:34 PM
Body: I was standing outside of the movie theater staring at the marquee debating on what other movie to watch other than Team America (which all my friends were there to see).  I did not want to watch the puppet movie, but nothing else was appealing.  Inside the theater, with Icee in hand and my roommate next to me, the sight of the Eiffel Tower being destroyed sent me into a fit.  I was slapping my roommate's leg and banging my head against hers.  During the musical numbers I was singing along.  Between the sex and the puking my ass had to get up just so I could turn around and pound the seat.  Halfway through the movie I wanted the soundtrack.  By the end of the movie I was oligated to own it once it came out on dvd.  Team America is the one film in my collect that I've replaced once, but if I ever have to replace it again because a friend's neglect to return it, that will be the end of me lending my movies.
]]>Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:29:34 GMTblue8joyceblue8joyce Blog11/13/2007 7:29:34 PMI was standing outside of the movie theater staring at the marquee debating on what other movie to watch other than Team America (which all my friends were there to see).  I did not want to watch the puppet movie, but nothing else was appealing.  Inside the theater, with Icee in hand and my roommate next to me, the sight of the Eiffel Tower being destroyed sent me into a fit.  I was slapping my roommate&#39;s leg and banging my head against hers.  During the musical numbers I was singing along.  Between the sex and the puking my ass had to get up just so I could turn around and pound the seat.  Halfway through the movie I wanted the soundtrack.  By the end of the movie I was oligated to own it once it came out on dvd.  Team America is the one film in my collect that I&#39;ve replaced once, but if I ever have to replace it again because a friend&#39;s neglect to return it, that will be the end of me lending my movies. http://www.spout.com/blogs/quint/archive/2007/7/31/16955.aspx Post By: quint
Post To: An inordinate number of peppers
Post Date: 7/31/2007 3:19:00 PM
Body: I watched Ten Canoes over the weekend with my wife. I'd say we found it enjoyable. I was expecting something like an aboriginal Escanaba in Da Moonlight, and there were some fart jokes which was nice. The great mediator: intestinal gas. I thought it was a little tiresome after a while to be reminded of the cultural gaps which were obvious and easily plucked from the surface. The storyteller did a delightful job of burrowing into the narrative, but the filmmaker's attempts to do the same often left me wishing for color. I realized from the credits that he was mimicking the photography style of some particular photographer, but the rich colors of the landscape works so much better than the bleached stark black and white, that I regretted it every time. I know he was trying to provide another touchstone to avoid confusion among the deeply nested stories, but really, the storyteller had it covered. It came off like overkill. It's a delicate balance of course. The aborigines were very interesting. The narrative asides were probably charming to some, but again, they bugged me. I was fascinated by the anthropological insights. I loved the bits about the waiting in your watering hole to be born. The sense of a mythology well integrated with the landscape was very refreshing. It all felt timeless in just the way it aspired to. That worked for me. The story of stolen brides, the obligations of the younger brother, those mythic guiding principles that become practical ethical considerations once internalized (again, I'm a Michigander: Escanaba in Da Moonlight), point the finger directly at what is typically an undertone in Hollywoodland. I just heard a coffee pot review of Live Free or Die Hard that sounded an awful lot like just this sort of mythmaking: Hackers do the biding of disgruntled security consultants. American patriot kicks their asses. Sounds like Team America, but sadly, lacking all satire? Mythmaking goes on all around us. Ten Canoes is not a nostalgia piece, but an object lesson. What do we really aspire to teach with our myths?In Ten Canoes, an older brother is trying to warn away his young brother’s desire for one of his wives. She’s beautiful, sure. But do you really want the headaches of all the older brother’s responsibilities? The lesson seems to be, keep to your place. The younger brother plays the younger brother role. His role is to be available to replace the older brother if necessary. This doesn’t disavow the younger brother’s desire to be the older brother, in fact, it seems to validate those very jealousies. It suggests that he desire, but not actualize. His time will come.What does that mean to Joe American all topped off with technology and terrorism? Perhaps that things are still just as simple as in the ancient ancestor’s time. I don’t know. That seems good enough to me. I liked the film. I particularly like the making of the canoes, very cool.
]]>Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:19:00 GMTquintAn inordinate number of peppers7/31/2007 3:19:00 PMI watched Ten Canoes over the weekend with my wife. I&#39;d say we found it enjoyable. I was expecting something like an aboriginal Escanaba in Da Moonlight, and there were some fart jokes which was nice. The great mediator: intestinal gas. I thought it was a little tiresome after a while to be reminded of the cultural gaps which were obvious and easily plucked from the surface. The storyteller did a delightful job of burrowing into the narrative, but the filmmaker&#39;s attempts to do the same often left me wishing for color. I realized from the credits that he was mimicking the photography style of some particular photographer, but the rich colors of the landscape works so much better than the bleached stark black and white, that I regretted it every time. I know he was trying to provide another touchstone to avoid confusion among the deeply nested stories, but really, the storyteller had it covered. It came off like overkill. It&#39;s a delicate balance of course. The aborigines were very interesting. The narrative asides were probably charming to some, but again, they bugged me. I was fascinated by the anthropological insights. I loved the bits about the waiting in your watering hole to be born. The sense of a mythology well integrated with the landscape was very refreshing. It all felt timeless in just the way it aspired to. That worked for me. The story of stolen brides, the obligations of the younger brother, those mythic guiding principles that become practical ethical considerations once internalized (again, I&#39;m a Michigander: Escanaba in Da Moonlight), point the finger directly at what is typically an undertone in Hollywoodland. I just heard a coffee pot review of Live Free or Die Hard that sounded an awful lot like just this sort of mythmaking: Hackers do the biding of disgruntled security consultants. American patriot kicks their asses. Sounds like Team America, but sadly, lacking all satire? Mythmaking goes on all around us. Ten Canoes is not a nostalgia piece, but an object lesson. What do we really aspire to teach with our myths?In Ten Canoes, an older brother is trying to warn away his young brother&rsquo;s desire for one of his wives. She&rsquo;s beautiful, sure. But do you really want the headaches of all the older brother&rsquo;s responsibilities? The lesson seems to be, keep to your place. The younger brother plays the younger brother role. His role is to be available to replace the older brother if necessary. This doesn&rsquo;t disavow the younger brother&rsquo;s desire to be the older brother, in fact, it seems to validate those very jealousies. It suggests that he desire, but not actualize. His time will come.What does that mean to Joe American all topped off with technology and terrorism? Perhaps that things are still just as simple as in the ancient ancestor&rsquo;s time. I don&rsquo;t know. That seems good enough to me. I liked the film. I particularly like the making of the canoes, very cool. http://www.spout.com/groups/Spout_Mavens/Re_Ten_Canoes/366/12926/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: quint
Post To: Spout Mavens
Post Date: 7/3/2007 12:42:07 PM
Body: Covet
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]]>Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:38:30 GMT10872531342Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/terrorism/MemberTagFilms.aspxterrorism
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]]>Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:04:22 GMT98149117Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/hero/MemberTagFilms.aspxhero
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]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:55:16 GMT63843141Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/goodvsevil/MemberTagFilms.aspxgoodvsevil
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]]>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:59:12 GMT44917Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/adventurer/MemberTagFilms.aspxadventurer
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]]>Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:02:54 GMT681814Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/mission-quest/MemberTagFilms.aspxmission-quest
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]]>Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:02:49 GMT61569Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/Disturbingly-Hilarious/MemberTagFilms.aspxDisturbingly-Hilarious
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]]>Thu, 08 Feb 2007 04:39:45 GMT7511Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/jawesome/MemberTagFilms.aspxjawesome
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]]>Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:03:02 GMT1135118Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/alec-baldwin/MemberTagFilms.aspxalec-baldwin
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]]>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:11:01 GMT222Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/michael-moore/MemberTagFilms.aspxmichael-moore
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]]>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:10:49 GMT222Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/treyparkermattstone/MemberTagFilms.aspxtreyparkermattstone
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]]>Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:15:19 GMT324Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/jesus-tty-fking-christ/MemberTagFilms.aspxjesus-tty-fking-christ
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]]>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:10:00 GMT111Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/specialforces/MemberTagFilms.aspxspecialforces
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]]>Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:02:38 GMT6811Tag