Totally Over-rated

Re:Re: Am I off?

Risselada — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 22:06:59 GMT

Jymkata:
I must admit that I liked Mon Oncle and even Traffic more than Mr. Hulot's Holiday - both films make fun of that late 50's and 60's atomic age culture of crazy inventions. It's a world that is at least visually fun to visit. I should clarify that I don't hate Tati - I just don't see why respected critics fall all over themselves declaring his films masterpieces. To me, they are minor films.

Jason, I just saw Mon Oncle and I liked it quite a bit. There's something very simple but wonderful about it. It almost felt like Brazil with all of the rediculous gadgets that are more trouble than they are worth and all of that rubber tubing! I don't necessarily think that he should be compared with Chaplin or Keaton. But not because I think he is out of their league, but I think he is playing a different game of sorts. I'm pretty excited to see Playtime now.

Re: Am I off?

Risselada — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:55:11 GMT

Jymkata:
Rizzo,
I have seen Clean Slate or Coup de Torchon and I liked it very much. I think Tavernier is a very notable director, even though Captaine Conan and The Judge and the Assassin were far more difficult for me to follow.
I must admit that I liked Mon Oncle and even Traffic more than Mr. Hulot's Holiday - both films make fun of that late 50's and 60's atomic age culture of crazy inventions. It's a world that is at least visually fun to visit. I should clarify that I don't hate Tati - I just don't see why respected critics fall all over themselves declaring his films masterpieces. To me, they are minor films.
You might get more out of Alphaville than I did, but I found it almost incomprehensible. I missed a lot of the satire and clever references that I've read about in reviews of the film - it just seemed like a stylistic mess. Again, I don't hate Godard, his films contain something of slight interest to me, but I don't really enjoy them. There are so many other great French directors ( like the ones mentioned above) that I just don't want to waste my film-viewing time on Jean Luc's plotless ramblings.

Yeah I see what you are saying. It's not that all of their films are horrible, but you just can't see how people can revere them as much as some of the other fine Frech directors you metioned.

Re: Am I off?

Jymkata — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 13:47:36 GMT

Risselada:
Jymkata:

Jason, I identify with you, although maybe with not as much good reason, as I've only seen one film by each of those two directors. But in the case of Godard it was enough to keep me from looking into any more of his films since then. I thnk I saw Breathless about five years ago, and was highly disappointed. I've been actually trying to figure out which movie of his I'll see next when I finally do, but I'm really not sure still. Alphaville seems to be maybe the best candidate from what I've seen. Obviously you aren't the one to ask though.
As for Tati, I have seen Mr. Hulot's Holiday, and while I thought it was good, I definitely was confused like you how he could compared with Keaten or Chaplin. Well, I think if you are looking to compare then you will be disappointed. But when I looked at the movie as more of a chance to just relax and go for a short little vacation of you own, it seemed to settle better. There's nothing fast paced or even what you would call side-splitting (maybe to some people). I had a few laugh out loud moments though, but I think overall it was just sort of a chuckle and then soaking in the experience. I do have Mon Oncle on my list, and I hope I'll be in the right frame of mind when I see it.
To add to your francophilic list, have you seen much from Bertrand Tavernier? I just saw my first film of his this weekend, Clean Slate. It was notable.

Rizzo,

I have seen Clean Slate or Coup de Torchon and I liked it very much. I think Tavernier is a very notable director, even though Captaine Conan and The Judge and the Assassin were far more difficult for me to follow.

I must admit that I liked Mon Oncle and even Traffic more than Mr. Hulot's Holiday - both films make fun of that late 50's and 60's atomic age culture of crazy inventions. It's a world that is at least visually fun to visit. I should clarify that I don't hate Tati - I just don't see why respected critics fall all over themselves declaring his films masterpieces. To me, they are minor films.

You might get more out of Alphaville than I did, but I found it almost incomprehensible. I missed a lot of the satire and clever references that I've read about in reviews of the film - it just seemed like a stylistic mess. Again, I don't hate Godard, his films contain something of slight interest to me, but I don't really enjoy them. There are so many other great French directors ( like the ones mentioned above) that I just don't want to waste my film-viewing time on Jean Luc's plotless ramblings.

Re: Am I off?

joem18b — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:49:36 GMT

Just listened last week to a podcast segment on Tati and how great he is/was. FilmCouch? Filmspotting? Scene Unseen? All Movie Talk? Can't remember, but I find that I just listen quietly to film criticism about comedy and then move on. For example, I never especially liked Some Like It Hot, which always seems to be #1 on comedy lists, but I like everything Adam Sandler has ever done. Is that so wrong?

Re: Am I off?

Risselada — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 03:20:04 GMT

Jymkata:
I thought I'd add to this thread because it fits even though it doesn't continue the Christmas Story discussion.
I officially give up on two french phenomenons loved by the critics : Godard and Tati. Godard must a matter of preference because I have seen plenty of his work and I remain underwhelmed. I bring Tati up because I just watched Traffic, which has been fawned over by the likes of Ebert and Vincent Canby, and I found it neither funny nor clever. This is the third Tati feature I've seen ( Mon Oncle & Mr. Hulot's Holiday) and I just don't get it. Now, I've come to realize that comedy is a matter of personal taste ( I no longer get upset when people say that Arrested Development or the BBC's The Office is not funny because of this realization), but Canby's claim that this film is hilarious and Tati has taken his place with Keaton and Chaplin is wildly off base to me. Keaton and Chaplin did much more than dress up in a trench coat and smoke a pipe while walking in to trouble.
I should say that in all other ways I am a film francophile - I love Clouzot, Chabrol, Renoir, Melville, Bresson, Ophuls, Polanski, etc., but these two filmmakers have appeared on way too many "best of" lists for my taste.

Jason, I identify with you, although maybe with not as much good reason, as I've only seen one film by each of those two directors. But in the case of Godard it was enough to keep me from looking into any more of his films since then. I thnk I saw Breathless about five years ago, and was highly disappointed. I've been actually trying to figure out which movie of his I'll see next when I finally do, but I'm really not sure still. Alphaville seems to be maybe the best candidate from what I've seen. Obviously you aren't the one to ask though.

As for Tati, I have seen Mr. Hulot's Holiday, and while I thought it was good, I definitely was confused like you how he could compared with Keaten or Chaplin. Well, I think if you are looking to compare then you will be disappointed. But when I looked at the movie as more of a chance to just relax and go for a short little vacation of you own, it seemed to settle better. There's nothing fast paced or even what you would call side-splitting (maybe to some people). I had a few laugh out loud moments though, but I think overall it was just sort of a chuckle and then soaking in the experience. I do have Mon Oncle on my list, and I hope I'll be in the right frame of mind when I see it.

To add to your francophilic list, have you seen much from Bertrand Tavernier? I just saw my first film of his this weekend, Clean Slate. It was notable.

Re: Am I off?

slipofthetongue — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:40:40 GMT

If you're off then so am I. I think A Christmas Story is completely overrated. I can't say it sucks because there are so many funny scenes but as a movie the over the top shtick wears really thin after a while. I think the reason this film resonates is because it reminds so many people of their childhood and so they go gah gah over it and forget that the whole thing is pretty stupid and mediocre.

I can't watch more than a scene at a time because the film actually gives me a headache.

Re: Am I off?

mythman — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:34:12 GMT

... And Scrooged really comes through with Murray's character's enlightenment-scene ... makes me want happy tears, everytime.

Re: Am I off?

mythman — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:29:52 GMT

At first, I thought you were referring to the Charles Dickens story ... Bah, Humbug; etc. ... But then I saw the reference to Ralphie---'Oh yeah!'

It's just like Christmas Carols (which--I think I remember ... I think--was the name of the Dickens story: A Christmas Carol ... but I could be wrong). They're all really cool until you grow accustomed to their source; then they're just interesting-on-occasion ...

Re: Am I off?

Jymkata — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:46:34 GMT

I thought I'd add to this thread because it fits even though it doesn't continue the Christmas Story discussion.

I officially give up on two french phenomenons loved by the critics : Godard and Tati. Godard must a matter of preference because I have seen plenty of his work and I remain underwhelmed. I bring Tati up because I just watched Traffic, which has been fawned over by the likes of Ebert and Vincent Canby, and I found it neither funny nor clever. This is the third Tati feature I've seen ( Mon Oncle & Mr. Hulot's Holiday) and I just don't get it. Now, I've come to realize that comedy is a matter of personal taste ( I no longer get upset when people say that Arrested Development or the BBC's The Office is not funny because of this realization), but Canby's claim that this film is hilarious and Tati has taken his place with Keaton and Chaplin is wildly off base to me. Keaton and Chaplin did much more than dress up in a trench coat and smoke a pipe while walking in to trouble.

I should say that in all other ways I am a film francophile - I love Clouzot, Chabrol, Renoir, Melville, Bresson, Ophuls, Polanski, etc., but these two filmmakers have appeared on way too many "best of" lists for my taste.

Re: Am I off?

Indie — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 20:19:10 GMT

I just was reminded of it because of Trac-phone.. "you'll run the bill up!" Argh!

Re: Am I off?

Kami — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 19:55:19 GMT

I love A Christmas Story. It is one of those movies that my family just has to watch in order for it to feel like the holidays. Although it is not a masterpiece, it really had some hilarious movies and I think is a film that many can either relate to or enjoy watching together. The characters are also very likeable. I think it is somewhat of a cult-classic and should be. I don’t think it is over-rated at all.

Re: Am I off?

Indie — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 18:46:29 GMT

Scrooged is pretty good. I've seen it so many times but this year it stuck. Carol Cane is great in that part. She just keeps smacking him around.

Re: Am I off?

GoldynGirl — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 02:24:00 GMT

I think A Christmas Story is charming - it takes us back to a more innocent time when getting a BB gun for Christmas was the pinnacle of joy. Having said that, I think after the first few viewings it works better as background material -- something to have on while you eat or open gifts.

My favorite Christmas-themed movie would have to be Scrooged. Bill Murray is great throughout, and Carol Kane is divinely loopy as the Ghost of Christmas Present. I love the line "That bitch hit me with a toaster!"

The ultimate Christmas movie for everybody, whether you love or loathe Christmas.

Re: Am I off?

Indie — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 14:55:03 GMT

lol- you are correct about TNT making it bigger by playing the hell out of it.... and those chincy leg lamps!

Re: Am I off?

pippin06 — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 03:25:23 GMT

Truth be told, Indie, it's really only gained its acclaim in recent years. When it first came out, I don't think it was very successful. But now TNT makes an annual tradition of playing the hell out of it, which may explain the recent explosion in Christmas Story fame. I don't know if it can be called overrated, per se, because it was one of those cult classics until only recently. It may well be overused, though.

Though "you'll shoot your eye out" has become a highly recognizable pop culture reference, whatever you may think of Ralphie and the gang.

Re: Am I off?

MovieGuy — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 23:57:17 GMT

LOL.

Although I do really enjoy this movie, I believe the popularization of it comes from various scenes throughout the movie. I think as a movie in whole you might be right... it's not a master piece. But if you extract from that key lines, or scenes, this is probably what people use as reference that it is a good movie. I bet if you poll half the people who say they love Christmas Story, they'll be able to recite a few key scenes, but probably couldn't even tell you what some of the main plot lines are.

- Chris

Am I off?

Indie — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 21:34:55 GMT

I really hate A Christmas Story...and I can't help it. Is it over-rated by being considered a "classic"? The film has endured a long time and is loved by millions, it is even parodied in television commercials.

What I want for Christmas is for Ralphie to shoot his damn eye out this year.