list Rick's Recent Activity - Spout http://www.spout.com/ Rick's Recent Activity - Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg Rick's Recent Activity - Spout http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 Spout Group:Spout Customer Care - Get answers to your questions here! http://www.spout.com/groups/Spout_Customer_Care/420/default.aspx Group Name: Spout Customer Care - Get answers to your questions here!
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Have a general question? Need help with some thing on the site? Have a bug you would like to report? Well then, you have come to the right place. No matter what you are having trouble with, we would like to help you find a solution. And maybe, through your own experience with the site, you will want to help other users too. That's what communities are all about. 


Created: 8/1/2007
Number of Members: 79
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]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:47:00 GMTSpout Customer CareWed, 01 Aug 2007 09:06:04 GMT790513Group Spout Group:HORROR MOVIES 101 - FOR ALL WHO LOVE HORROR MOVIES http://www.spout.com/groups/HORROR_MOVIES_101/222/default.aspx Group Name: HORROR MOVIES 101 - FOR ALL WHO LOVE HORROR MOVIES
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:53:17 GMTHORROR MOVIES 101Sun, 17 Dec 2006 01:20:09 GMT41462333Group Spout Group:foureyedmonsters - Talk to Susan & Arin about the movie and those addictive podcasts. http://www.spout.com/groups/foureyedmonsters/338/endorsed.aspx Group Name: foureyedmonsters - Talk to Susan & Arin about the movie and those addictive podcasts.
Created: 6/4/2007
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Number of discussion posts: 56
]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:42:31 GMTfoureyedmonstersMon, 04 Jun 2007 15:28:43 GMT322056Group Spout Group:Weekly Theme - "Fighting off boredom with the Iron Fist of Variety" http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/625/default.aspx Group Name: Weekly Theme - "Fighting off boredom with the Iron Fist of Variety"
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]]>Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:20:23 GMTWeekly ThemeMon, 30 Jun 2008 15:13:45 GMT5212701Group Spout Group:Spout Mavens - Spout's best movie reviewers. Membership is limited. http://www.spout.com/groups/Spout_Mavens/366/default.aspx Group Name: Spout Mavens - Spout's best movie reviewers. Membership is limited.
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A group of Spout's best reviewers.
Read the requirements.


Created: 6/20/2007
Number of Members: 36
Number of Lists: 9
Number of discussion posts: 451
]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:10:52 GMTSpout MavensWed, 20 Jun 2007 10:13:29 GMT369451Group Spout Group:missing a film - we'll help you find a film http://www.spout.com/groups/missing_a_film/263/default.aspx Group Name: missing a film - we'll help you find a film
Created: 3/5/2007
Number of Members: 131
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]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:30:05 GMTmissing a filmMon, 05 Mar 2007 16:37:43 GMT1311234Group Spout Group:Friends of Foreign Flicks - Discussions of all films not American. http://www.spout.com/groups/Friends_of_Foreign_Flicks/591/default.aspx Group Name: Friends of Foreign Flicks - Discussions of all films not American.
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At some point you just want more than what's right in front of you.


Created: 4/24/2008
Number of Members: 30
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]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:05:26 GMTFriends of Foreign FlicksThu, 24 Apr 2008 11:44:11 GMT30192Group Spout Group:The Documentary - A place to talk about the much overlooked genre of the Documentary. http://www.spout.com/groups/The_Documentary/79/default.aspx Group Name: The Documentary - A place to talk about the much overlooked genre of the Documentary.
Created: 4/2/2006
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]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:05:39 GMTThe DocumentarySun, 02 Apr 2006 00:58:55 GMT49453Group Spout Group:Sound on Sight - Podcasts, movie reviews, interviews, news and more. http://www.spout.com/groups/Sound_on_Sight/529/default.aspx Group Name: Sound on Sight - Podcasts, movie reviews, interviews, news and more.
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Sound on Sight proudly brings you two podcasts each week. Voted best podcast in 2008, these hard working hosts cover everything from mainstream Hollywood films to noir, horror, science fiction, cult cinema, documentary film making and more. Look out for a new show added every Tuesday and Thursday morning.

http://www.soundonsight.org/

 

 


Created: 1/6/2008
Number of Members: 104
Number of discussion posts: 150
]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:03:03 GMTSound on SightSun, 06 Jan 2008 21:24:34 GMT1040150Group Spout Group:Worst Movie Ever - The Group is dedicated to uncovering the bombs, so you don't have too. http://www.spout.com/groups/Worst_Movie_Ever/104/default.aspx Group Name: Worst Movie Ever - The Group is dedicated to uncovering the bombs, so you don't have too.
Created: 5/5/2006
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]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:43:26 GMTWorst Movie EverFri, 05 May 2006 20:20:45 GMT20010412Group Spout Group:Movie Polls - Vote in weekly polls and discuss http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Polls/657/default.aspx Group Name: Movie Polls - Vote in weekly polls and discuss
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Each week I will post a new poll.  Please vote in the poll and reply to the discussion thread to discuss the question.  Please do not vote more than once.


Created: 11/25/2008
Number of Members: 66
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]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:42:29 GMTMovie PollsTue, 25 Nov 2008 16:54:38 GMT660414Group Spout Group:Zombie Obsession - Zombie Lovers, Unite! http://www.spout.com/groups/Zombie_Obsession/329/default.aspx Group Name: Zombie Obsession - Zombie Lovers, Unite!
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Join us to discuss your favorite or most horrifying Zombie Movies or just your most memorable Zombie Moments.  From Funny to Scary to Gory to Bizarre...

 


Created: 5/28/2007
Number of Members: 104
Number of Lists: 1
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]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:29:56 GMTZombie ObsessionMon, 28 May 2007 02:04:45 GMT1041594Group Spout Group:A World of MSTies - Thank You, Won't We? http://www.spout.com/groups/A_World_of_MSTies/590/default.aspx Group Name: A World of MSTies - Thank You, Won't We?
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Glorify the best show ever (MST3K) with wit, wisdom and downright wackiness!


Created: 4/23/2008
Number of Members: 10
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]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:25:25 GMTA World of MSTiesWed, 23 Apr 2008 20:21:48 GMT10223Group Spout Group:It's a Wonderful Night for Oscar! - Devoted to everything nominated or snubbed by the Academy of Golden Guys http://www.spout.com/groups/It_s_a_Wonderful_Night_for_Oscar/46/default.aspx Group Name: It's a Wonderful Night for Oscar! - Devoted to everything nominated or snubbed by the Academy of Golden Guys
Group Description: Year after year, movie lovers and non movie lovers alike discuss ad nauseum the fate of films nominated for the utmost honor, the Academy Award. Some people watch it for the fashion. Some people watch for the haute couture. Some people watch for their fill of celebrity sightings. If you are a member of this group, you love everything about the Super Bowl of movies, especially the movies themselves! You love to make predictions, guess at the politics, discuss and dissect who should have been nominated and who should have won...or, you're just an avid movie lover that likes to pay attention. Come join the group!
Created: 3/4/2006
Number of Members: 41
Number of Lists: 58
Number of discussion posts: 226
]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:11:33 GMTIt's a Wonderful Night for Oscar!Sat, 04 Mar 2006 15:24:32 GMT4158226Group Spout Group:Movie Marathons http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Marathons/693/default.aspx Group Name: Movie Marathons
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This is a group for members to start and organize movie marathons. Its primary purpose is to get more people exposed to more film. And to watch these films and discuss them as a group.

Anyone can start a marathon and marathons can be organized in many different ways to showcase the films of a director, actor, genre, theme etc...

Check the Guidlines and Suggestions discussion for ideas.


Created: 7/22/2009
Number of Members: 15
Number of discussion posts: 22
]]>Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:33:02 GMTMovie MarathonsWed, 22 Jul 2009 01:35:58 GMT15022Group Spout Group:Movies we do not want to see - Try to convince us to see these movies! http://www.spout.com/groups/Movies_we_do_not_want_to_see/70/default.aspx Group Name: Movies we do not want to see - Try to convince us to see these movies!
Group Description: Want to be a member? Send me a message with a list of at least 5 movies that you do not want to see. There are many movies that I do not want to see. I'm not sure if its right of me to decide never to see a movie without seeing it. You know...like when a kid says they hate mushrooms even though they admit never trying them. So maybe this is a good spot for people to display movies they don't think they want to see, and see if anyone can convince us to try them out.
Created: 3/22/2006
Number of Members: 20
Number of Lists: 3
Number of discussion posts: 190
]]>Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:31:56 GMTMovies we do not want to seeWed, 22 Mar 2006 14:27:50 GMT203190Group Spout Post: Re:No Country for Old Men - a discussion of the ending (spoiler) http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmspotting/Re_No_Country_for_Old_Men_a_discussion_of_the_en/304/23772/1/ShowPost.aspxPost By: Rick
Post To: Filmspotting
Post Date: 1/11/2008 11:27:51 AM
Body: I've actually been meaning to see the film again, because I think the ending is fascinating as well...lots of mystery. If I make it in the next week or so I'll try and chime in again with some thoughts.Thanks for the link to the podcast, very cool stuff.
]]>Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:27:51 GMTRickFilmspotting1/11/2008 11:27:51 AMI've actually been meaning to see the film again, because I think the ending is fascinating as well...lots of mystery. If I make it in the next week or so I'll try and chime in again with some thoughts.Thanks for the link to the podcast, very cool stuff. Spout Post: Precise, Complex, Beautiful http://www.spout.com/blogs/rick/archive/2007/9/9/19610.aspx Post By: Rick
Post To: Rick's filmBlog
Post Date: 9/9/2007 11:37:37 PM
Body: Absolutely loved this film. What could have been a techno-thriller morality tale is instead an intensely human and complex story. Can't recommend it enough.
]]>Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:37:37 GMTRickRick's filmBlog9/9/2007 11:37:37 PMAbsolutely loved this film. What could have been a techno-thriller morality tale is instead an intensely human and complex story. Can't recommend it enough. Spout Post: Can't Wait http://www.spout.com/blogs/rick/archive/2007/8/2/17057.aspx Post By: Rick
Post To: Rick's filmBlog
Post Date: 8/2/2007 9:48:56 AM
Body: My goodness this looks so bad, it's one of those "can't wait to see what a trainwreck this is!" type of things. Burt Reynolds as the king? A puffy Ray Liota as an over the top bad guy named Gallian? Leelee Sobieski? That dude from Snatch? Cheesy looking special effects and action sequences? Simultaneously trying to cash in by basing it on a video game that I for one have never heard of, and ripping off Lord of the Rings, complete with the helicopter fly-by "heros walking on a mountain ridge" shot? Sweet.
]]>Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:48:56 GMTRickRick's filmBlog8/2/2007 9:48:56 AMMy goodness this looks so bad, it's one of those "can't wait to see what a trainwreck this is!" type of things. Burt Reynolds as the king? A puffy Ray Liota as an over the top bad guy named Gallian? Leelee Sobieski? That dude from Snatch? Cheesy looking special effects and action sequences? Simultaneously trying to cash in by basing it on a video game that I for one have never heard of, and ripping off Lord of the Rings, complete with the helicopter fly-by "heros walking on a mountain ridge" shot? Sweet. Spout Post: Hilarious http://www.spout.com/blogs/rick/archive/2007/4/5/6745.aspx Post By: Rick
Post To: Rick's filmBlog
Post Date: 4/5/2007 8:38:39 AM
Body: First of all, I've never seen this piece of teensploitation.  But come on, how hilarious is it that Sisqo is in this?  Wow, there were a lot of bad movies coming out when I was in high school.  And there's still a lot of bad movies coming out now, featuring pop stars that have no business acting.  But The Thong Song? Super hilarious.
]]>Thu, 05 Apr 2007 12:38:39 GMTRickRick's filmBlog4/5/2007 8:38:39 AMFirst of all, I've never seen this piece of teensploitation.  But come on, how hilarious is it that Sisqo is in this?  Wow, there were a lot of bad movies coming out when I was in high school.  And there's still a lot of bad movies coming out now, featuring pop stars that have no business acting.  But The Thong Song? Super hilarious. Spout Post: You know what? I liked it. http://www.spout.com/blogs/rick/archive/2007/4/5/6744.aspx Post By: Rick
Post To: Rick's filmBlog
Post Date: 4/5/2007 8:35:16 AM
Body: I'll admit it.  I rented and watched this when I was in high school.  And I liked it.  Compared to that several-year stretch of teensploitation trash, this was among the most intelligent.  And who can forget Julia Stiles jumping up on the table and dancing to California Love?  Classic.
]]>Thu, 05 Apr 2007 12:35:16 GMTRickRick's filmBlog4/5/2007 8:35:16 AMI'll admit it.  I rented and watched this when I was in high school.  And I liked it.  Compared to that several-year stretch of teensploitation trash, this was among the most intelligent.  And who can forget Julia Stiles jumping up on the table and dancing to California Love?  Classic. Spout Post: Wonderful http://www.spout.com/blogs/rick/archive/2007/3/24/6473.aspxPost By: Rick
Post To: Rick's filmBlog
Post Date: 3/24/2007 9:58:25 AM
Body: Most of the discussion I followed around TAL's transition to TV dealt with how it would translate into the visual medium.  I guess I wasn't that worried, having what I guess I would call blind faith in the TAL crew as incredible storytellers.  I wasn't disappointed, and can't wait for the rest of the season.
]]>Sat, 24 Mar 2007 13:58:25 GMTRickRick's filmBlog3/24/2007 9:58:25 AMMost of the discussion I followed around TAL's transition to TV dealt with how it would translate into the visual medium.  I guess I wasn't that worried, having what I guess I would call blind faith in the TAL crew as incredible storytellers.  I wasn't disappointed, and can't wait for the rest of the season. Spout Post: Fantastic http://www.spout.com/blogs/rick/archive/2007/2/13/5421.aspx Post By: Rick
Post To: Rick's filmBlog
Post Date: 2/13/2007 5:32:51 PM
Body: A really great peek at the odd world of sneakers and sneaker culture.  Caught this one at the RES Fest in Chicago last year and enjoyed it very much.  I just ordered it and will give another writeup after watching it again.
]]>Tue, 13 Feb 2007 22:32:51 GMTRickRick's filmBlog2/13/2007 5:32:51 PMA really great peek at the odd world of sneakers and sneaker culture.  Caught this one at the RES Fest in Chicago last year and enjoyed it very much.  I just ordered it and will give another writeup after watching it again. Spout Post: Disappointing http://www.spout.com/blogs/rick/archive/2007/1/31/5177.aspx Post By: Rick
Post To: Rick's filmBlog
Post Date: 1/31/2007 2:47:12 PM
Body: I really loved the first 1/3 of this movie, but it eventually fails.  The performances are great but I thought it was eventually crushed under the weight of the "seriousness" it was trying to achieve.  It simply goes on for too long, and feels extremely out of its own depth.  The obsession with food (preparing, sharing, eating), violence, and sex just comes off as...sophomore year of film school.All that said, I will admit that I loved the (tiny bit cheesy) 70's international locations, the overall historical intrigue, and the "Papa" character. 
]]>Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:47:12 GMTRickRick's filmBlog1/31/2007 2:47:12 PMI really loved the first 1/3 of this movie, but it eventually fails.  The performances are great but I thought it was eventually crushed under the weight of the "seriousness" it was trying to achieve.  It simply goes on for too long, and feels extremely out of its own depth.  The obsession with food (preparing, sharing, eating), violence, and sex just comes off as...sophomore year of film school.All that said, I will admit that I loved the (tiny bit cheesy) 70's international locations, the overall historical intrigue, and the "Papa" character.  Spout Post: Somewhat Overrated http://www.spout.com/blogs/rick/archive/2007/1/31/5172.aspx Post By: Rick
Post To: Rick's filmBlog
Post Date: 1/31/2007 12:55:00 PM
Body: First of all, Iñárritu's film certainly doesn't lack in scope.  While I do think that altogether a bit it's overrated, I very, very much enjoyed the globe-spanning reach of Babel.  The whole "everything is connected!" theme has been (in my opinion) beat to death, but Babel does manage to pull it off somehow.  This is counterbalanced in my opinion by a continuous frustration that I felt with the characters because of the continuous stupid decisions they made, seemingly only to create more dramatic tension.  But despite these plot driven character decisions , I thought that Babel was still somehow grounded in a reality that you seldom see in film.  There's an attention paid to locations and cultures that's far superior to most Hollywood films.  So in all good but not great, mainly due to my frustrations with plot.
]]>Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:55:00 GMTRickRick's filmBlog1/31/2007 12:55:00 PMFirst of all, Iñárritu's film certainly doesn't lack in scope.  While I do think that altogether a bit it's overrated, I very, very much enjoyed the globe-spanning reach of Babel.  The whole "everything is connected!" theme has been (in my opinion) beat to death, but Babel does manage to pull it off somehow.  This is counterbalanced in my opinion by a continuous frustration that I felt with the characters because of the continuous stupid decisions they made, seemingly only to create more dramatic tension.  But despite these plot driven character decisions , I thought that Babel was still somehow grounded in a reality that you seldom see in film.  There's an attention paid to locations and cultures that's far superior to most Hollywood films.  So in all good but not great, mainly due to my frustrations with plot. Spout Post: A Resurrection http://www.spout.com/blogs/rick/archive/2007/1/23/5088.aspx Post By: Rick
Post To: Rick's filmBlog
Post Date: 1/23/2007 1:53:00 PM
Body: So after being called out in comments on my "huh?" post about this film *ahem* : ) I will report that I loved this movie. The trailer had me worried, but that fear clearly misplaced. It's funny how much power a trailer can have in setting expectations. Anyways, I loved the pace of this, the touch of realism that only enhanced its sexy sheen, and Daniel Craig as Bond. He just works on screen, and as much worry and mocking there was before this came out he pulled it off. As somewhat of a connosieur of Bond movies, I was left satisfied. I'm a guy that embraces the kitschy camp of The Spy Who Loved Me while simultaneously reviling the cheesy action camp of Die Another Day. To be sure, Casino Royale certainly has cheese. It's a Bond movie, it's inevitable. But by making Bond just a touch more human, I think they've saved the franchise. If this had been another Die Another Day, I'm not sure I could have gone back for another heaping spoonful. Now hopefully the producers and everyone involved in this take the right lessons to heart and don't return to those days.
]]>Tue, 23 Jan 2007 18:53:00 GMTRickRick's filmBlog1/23/2007 1:53:00 PMSo after being called out in comments on my "huh?" post about this film *ahem* : ) I will report that I loved this movie. The trailer had me worried, but that fear clearly misplaced. It's funny how much power a trailer can have in setting expectations. Anyways, I loved the pace of this, the touch of realism that only enhanced its sexy sheen, and Daniel Craig as Bond. He just works on screen, and as much worry and mocking there was before this came out he pulled it off. As somewhat of a connosieur of Bond movies, I was left satisfied. I'm a guy that embraces the kitschy camp of The Spy Who Loved Me while simultaneously reviling the cheesy action camp of Die Another Day. To be sure, Casino Royale certainly has cheese. It's a Bond movie, it's inevitable. But by making Bond just a touch more human, I think they've saved the franchise. If this had been another Die Another Day, I'm not sure I could have gone back for another heaping spoonful. Now hopefully the producers and everyone involved in this take the right lessons to heart and don't return to those days. Spout Post: Overrated http://www.spout.com/blogs/rick/archive/2007/1/23/5087.aspx Post By: Rick
Post To: Rick's filmBlog
Post Date: 1/23/2007 1:43:00 PM
Body: There, I said it. After hearing a bunch of buzz about this at Sundance last year we went to check it out at one of the later screenings that they hold open for popular films. I was underwhelmed. I think that part of the issue for me was that it smelled very, very much like a Napoleon Dynamite knock off, poorly done, with more meanness. I won't deny that it has funny moments and characters or that it has some heart to it. When it's all put together though it (still) seems to me too much of a "let's cash in on the 'write a story about losers and laugh at them' genre" film.
]]>Tue, 23 Jan 2007 18:43:00 GMTRickRick's filmBlog1/23/2007 1:43:00 PMThere, I said it. After hearing a bunch of buzz about this at Sundance last year we went to check it out at one of the later screenings that they hold open for popular films. I was underwhelmed. I think that part of the issue for me was that it smelled very, very much like a Napoleon Dynamite knock off, poorly done, with more meanness. I won't deny that it has funny moments and characters or that it has some heart to it. When it's all put together though it (still) seems to me too much of a "let's cash in on the 'write a story about losers and laugh at them' genre" film. Spout Post: Huh? http://www.spout.com/blogs/rick/archive/2006/10/31/3475.aspx Post By: Rick
Post To: Rick's filmBlog
Post Date: 10/31/2006 10:18:00 AM
Body: So I thought that Casino Royale was supposed to be a return to a "gritty, realistic James Bond." I watched the trailer and it looked like a whole bunch of somewhat ridiculous and cheesy action. There's nothing wrong with this of course...it's what makes so many of the Bonds so great. But I was looking forward to a real gritty Bond and a turn away from the absolute ridiculousness of Die Another Day. I don't think the producers of Bond could help themselves though. Hopefully I'll be proven wrong.
]]>Tue, 31 Oct 2006 14:18:00 GMTRickRick's filmBlog10/31/2006 10:18:00 AMSo I thought that Casino Royale was supposed to be a return to a "gritty, realistic James Bond." I watched the trailer and it looked like a whole bunch of somewhat ridiculous and cheesy action. There's nothing wrong with this of course...it's what makes so many of the Bonds so great. But I was looking forward to a real gritty Bond and a turn away from the absolute ridiculousness of Die Another Day. I don't think the producers of Bond could help themselves though. Hopefully I'll be proven wrong. Spout Post: Decadence and Downfall http://www.spout.com/blogs/rick/archive/2006/10/23/3399.aspx Post By: Rick
Post To: Rick's filmBlog
Post Date: 10/23/2006 4:48:00 PM
Body: So I went and saw this over the weekend. I was disappointed. I really like Lost in Translation and the beautiful, melancholy way that Sophia Coppola communicates loneliness and isolation. Marie Antoinette on the other hand is, while beautiful to look at, is almost ponderous in its plotting. Kirsten Dunst is nearly silent for essentially the first half of the film, and even once she begins to speak more says very little of importance. It's clear that Coppola was going for the communication of that lonliness and isolation that she captured so well in LIT, but the thing is that it just doesnt work in the context of a period piece. In this story you have larger than life historical characters, empires clashing, wars being waged...but all that is given is silent shots of Marie Antoinette's face and cheeky montages of shoes and cakes. The entire world that Sophia constructs is like a Faberge Egg--finely crafted, very beautiful to look at, fun to watch...but when it comes down to it very, very small.Focusing intently on a single historical character wrapped up in massive historical events can be very interesting--I would nominate Patton and Elizabeth as interesting historical biographies. It just doesn't work in this film though, because in the end I don't think we know Marie Antoinette any more beyond the shallow, the fake, the decadent. I think these are things that we all know and have known about the idea of the character of Marie Antoinette. Coppola does not enlighten us further. I get it--she ate lots of cake. She said "let them eat cake." What else is there? To default to lonliness and isolation feels like a cop out.Now even though I clearly wasn't a fan of the script or the story there were some things that I liked. Sophia has a way of capturing a giddy sort of champagne buzz somehow present when wandering around at parties, running through fields at dawn, endless funny conversations late at night. I had thought she had captured that beautifully during the karaoke and club outing in Tokyo during Lost in Translation that ended with a muted My Bloody Valentine song playing, as if dull inside your head after a long, exhilarating night out. Marie Antoinette has several moments like this, and I think they translated surprisingly well to the historical setting. The costuming and art direction are pretty stunning as well. And as per usual for Sophia Coppola's films, Marie Antoinette has a great soundtrack--this time of New Wave songs that work shockingly well--much, much better than the self consciousness of A Knight's Tale's adoption of modern rock and roll. One final thought, which was the main thought that I had immediately after seeing this film. For all its costumes, feathers, shoes, cakes, decadence, and overall shallowness, I felt like Marie Antoinette actually came from a very personal place for Sophia Coppola. I don't really have anything to put my finger on specifically from the film, but reflecting on what I've read about Francis Ford Coppola's (Sophia's father's) career's ups and downs, I found myself wondering if Sophia identified with Marie in some small way with the decadence, downfall, and being caught up in forces beyond her control.With that said, I'll just say for the record that I'm more than a tad wary of speculating on public figures that everybody thinks they "know" so much about. Sophia could just have easily have really wanted to make a movie in France, at Versailles, with Kirsten Dunst, any number of things. It's just a thought I had.To wrap it up, this is clearly a mixed review. I gave my rating as being neutral. Marie Antoinette probably isn't a theater movie, probably more like a wait for DVD movie.
]]>Mon, 23 Oct 2006 20:48:00 GMTRickRick's filmBlog10/23/2006 4:48:00 PMSo I went and saw this over the weekend. I was disappointed. I really like Lost in Translation and the beautiful, melancholy way that Sophia Coppola communicates loneliness and isolation. Marie Antoinette on the other hand is, while beautiful to look at, is almost ponderous in its plotting. Kirsten Dunst is nearly silent for essentially the first half of the film, and even once she begins to speak more says very little of importance. It's clear that Coppola was going for the communication of that lonliness and isolation that she captured so well in LIT, but the thing is that it just doesnt work in the context of a period piece. In this story you have larger than life historical characters, empires clashing, wars being waged...but all that is given is silent shots of Marie Antoinette's face and cheeky montages of shoes and cakes. The entire world that Sophia constructs is like a Faberge Egg--finely crafted, very beautiful to look at, fun to watch...but when it comes down to it very, very small.Focusing intently on a single historical character wrapped up in massive historical events can be very interesting--I would nominate Patton and Elizabeth as interesting historical biographies. It just doesn't work in this film though, because in the end I don't think we know Marie Antoinette any more beyond the shallow, the fake, the decadent. I think these are things that we all know and have known about the idea of the character of Marie Antoinette. Coppola does not enlighten us further. I get it--she ate lots of cake. She said "let them eat cake." What else is there? To default to lonliness and isolation feels like a cop out.Now even though I clearly wasn't a fan of the script or the story there were some things that I liked. Sophia has a way of capturing a giddy sort of champagne buzz somehow present when wandering around at parties, running through fields at dawn, endless funny conversations late at night. I had thought she had captured that beautifully during the karaoke and club outing in Tokyo during Lost in Translation that ended with a muted My Bloody Valentine song playing, as if dull inside your head after a long, exhilarating night out. Marie Antoinette has several moments like this, and I think they translated surprisingly well to the historical setting. The costuming and art direction are pretty stunning as well. And as per usual for Sophia Coppola's films, Marie Antoinette has a great soundtrack--this time of New Wave songs that work shockingly well--much, much better than the self consciousness of A Knight's Tale's adoption of modern rock and roll. One final thought, which was the main thought that I had immediately after seeing this film. For all its costumes, feathers, shoes, cakes, decadence, and overall shallowness, I felt like Marie Antoinette actually came from a very personal place for Sophia Coppola. I don't really have anything to put my finger on specifically from the film, but reflecting on what I've read about Francis Ford Coppola's (Sophia's father's) career's ups and downs, I found myself wondering if Sophia identified with Marie in some small way with the decadence, downfall, and being caught up in forces beyond her control.With that said, I'll just say for the record that I'm more than a tad wary of speculating on public figures that everybody thinks they "know" so much about. Sophia could just have easily have really wanted to make a movie in France, at Versailles, with Kirsten Dunst, any number of things. It's just a thought I had.To wrap it up, this is clearly a mixed review. I gave my rating as being neutral. Marie Antoinette probably isn't a theater movie, probably more like a wait for DVD movie. Spout Post: The Glory of "The Saint" http://www.spout.com/blogs/rick/archive/2006/6/16/1484.aspx Post By: Rick
Post To: Rick's filmBlog
Post Date: 6/16/2006 2:47:00 PM
Body: So I'll admit it. I like this movie. A lot. If you've looked around at the other stuff I've done here on Spout, you know that I like James Bond films. The way I look at it is like this: "The Saint" is a James Bond movie with a big toe (maybe couple more) dipped into the pool of reality. The Saint's gadgets are believable, he can create disguises, he steals stuff. It's just cool. Women don't fall into his arms. He's secret. He's dangerous. He's a loner. He has a really bad fake South African accent. Really bad. But don't let that ruin it for you. So here's a quick driveby of a fraction of the things I like about this movie: *The soundtrack *Black Rangerovers driven fast *Bad Russian accents *"Hit squads" moving with complete impunity throughout major international capitals *Sweet late 90's computer technologies (email! encryption!) *Snuggly english cottages
]]>Fri, 16 Jun 2006 18:47:00 GMTRickRick's filmBlog6/16/2006 2:47:00 PMSo I'll admit it. I like this movie. A lot. If you've looked around at the other stuff I've done here on Spout, you know that I like James Bond films. The way I look at it is like this: "The Saint" is a James Bond movie with a big toe (maybe couple more) dipped into the pool of reality. The Saint's gadgets are believable, he can create disguises, he steals stuff. It's just cool. Women don't fall into his arms. He's secret. He's dangerous. He's a loner. He has a really bad fake South African accent. Really bad. But don't let that ruin it for you. So here's a quick driveby of a fraction of the things I like about this movie: *The soundtrack *Black Rangerovers driven fast *Bad Russian accents *"Hit squads" moving with complete impunity throughout major international capitals *Sweet late 90's computer technologies (email! encryption!) *Snuggly english cottages Spout Post: Re: Can we chat a bit about Bond knockoffs? http://www.spout.com/groups/Bond_Beyond/Re_Can_we_chat_a_bit_about_Bond_knockoffs/10/1326/1/ShowPost.aspxPost By: Rick
Post To: Bond & Beyond
Post Date: 5/31/2006 10:43:34 PM
Body: I would definitely recommend Flint. Cheesy delight. I have yet to check out Casion Royale though...
]]>Thu, 01 Jun 2006 02:43:34 GMTRickBond & Beyond5/31/2006 10:43:34 PMI would definitely recommend Flint. Cheesy delight. I have yet to check out Casion Royale though... Spout Post: Election http://www.spout.com/blogs/rick/archive/2006/5/11/1163.aspx Post By: Rick
Post To: Rick's filmBlog
Post Date: 5/11/2006 12:30:00 PM
Body: Man, this is a good one. Brialliant dark satire. I highly recommend it.
]]>Thu, 11 May 2006 16:30:00 GMTRickRick's filmBlog5/11/2006 12:30:00 PMMan, this is a good one. Brialliant dark satire. I highly recommend it. Spout Member:The_MOW - Mickey Micklon http://www.spout.com/members/148616/default.aspx Identity: The_MOW
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTfire13110Beginner (<10)Sat, 01 Sep 2007 21:48:24 GMTMember Spout Member:Argueta http://www.spout.com/members/91469/default.aspx Identity: Argueta
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTArgueta0Beginner (<10)Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:52:15 GMTMember Film:Funny Games http://www.spout.com/films/Funny_Games/288707/default.aspx Title: Funny Games
Year: 2007
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]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:47:00 GMTFunny Games2007Michael Haneke27Tag Target (>10)241483http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s288707.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Funny_Games/288707/default.aspxFilm Film:The Dark Knight http://www.spout.com/films/The_Dark_Knight/288704/default.aspx Title: The Dark Knight
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:13:34 GMTThe Dark Knight2008Christopher Nolan149Tag Target (>10)98156554http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s288704.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Dark_Knight/288704/default.aspxFilm Film:H2 http://www.spout.com/films/H2/397884/default.aspx Title: H2
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 08:45:58 GMTH22009Rob Zombie111http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s397884.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/H2/397884/default.aspxFilm Film:Eleanor: First Lady of the World http://www.spout.com/films/Eleanor_First_Lady_of_the_World/10331/default.aspx Title: Eleanor: First Lady of the World
Year: 1982
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:47:51 GMTEleanor: First Lady of the World1982John Erman1http://www.spout.com/images/no_image.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Eleanor_First_Lady_of_the_World/10331/default.aspxFilm Film:Black Test Car http://www.spout.com/films/Black_Test_Car/328181/default.aspx Title: Black Test Car
Year: 1962
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]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:01:54 GMTBlack Test Car196224http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u37747stl5z.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Black_Test_Car/328181/default.aspxFilm Film:Dumpster Baby http://www.spout.com/films/Dumpster_Baby/273527/default.aspx Title: Dumpster Baby
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]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:53:10 GMTDumpster BabyJames Bickert1http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t76920jjhow.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Dumpster_Baby/273527/default.aspxFilm Film:Rick http://www.spout.com/films/Rick/235722/default.aspx Title: Rick
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]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:32:48 GMTRick2002Curtiss Clayton1Slightly Tagged (1-5)12http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t51978e8qnf.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Rick/235722/default.aspxFilm Film:Speed Racer http://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer/297765/default.aspx Title: Speed Racer
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]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:21:45 GMTSpeed Racer2008Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski90Tag Target (>10)1641163http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s297765.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer/297765/default.aspxFilm Film:Speed Racer [Anime Series] http://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer_Anime_Series/32330/default.aspx Title: Speed Racer [Anime Series]
Year: 1967
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]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:20:43 GMTSpeed Racer [Anime Series]19671113http://www.spout.com/images/no_image.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer_Anime_Series/32330/default.aspxFilm Film:The Raven http://www.spout.com/films/The_Raven/317289/default.aspx Title: The Raven
Year: 2007
Director: Ulli Lommel
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]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:13:53 GMTThe Raven2007Ulli Lommel21http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u08974fjkcg.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Raven/317289/default.aspxFilm Film:The Ballad of the Sad Cafe http://www.spout.com/films/The_Ballad_of_the_Sad_Cafe/2239/default.aspx Title: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe
Year: 1991
Director: Simon Callow
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]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:25:24 GMTThe Ballad of the Sad Cafe1991Simon Callow22http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t54643em1b1.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Ballad_of_the_Sad_Cafe/2239/default.aspxFilm Film:New York, New York http://www.spout.com/films/New_York_New_York/24524/default.aspx Title: New York, New York
Year: 1977
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]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:22:40 GMTNew York, New York1977Martin Scorsese23Tag Target (>10)125722http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u47828gvtpe.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/New_York_New_York/24524/default.aspxFilm Film:St. Nick http://www.spout.com/films/St_Nick/402616/default.aspx Title: St. Nick
Year: 2009
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]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:01:06 GMTSt. Nick2009David Lowery3Slightly Tagged (1-5)255http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s402616.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/St_Nick/402616/default.aspxFilm Film:We Are the Strange http://www.spout.com/films/We_Are_the_Strange/314016/default.aspx Title: We Are the Strange
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]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:25:52 GMTWe Are the Strange2007M dot Strange334http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s314016.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/We_Are_the_Strange/314016/default.aspxFilm Film:The Sadist http://www.spout.com/films/The_Sadist/29811/default.aspx Title: The Sadist
Year: 1963
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]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:08:29 GMTThe Sadist1963James Landis43http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t27402rl1sl.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Sadist/29811/default.aspxFilm Film:The Alligator People http://www.spout.com/films/The_Alligator_People/50507/default.aspx Title: The Alligator People
Year: 1959
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]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:04:19 GMTThe Alligator People1959Roy Del Ruth212http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t46806zj8ua.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Alligator_People/50507/default.aspxFilm