Flipside Movie Emporium

matt header · Posted: 12.16.2003 2:08 am Post subject:

I just watched "Gigli" last night, and I have to disagree with you, Danny - I think it truly was terrible. I really wanted to give it a favorable review, considering the swarms of angry critics that slathered it with insults - but now I see that, in my opinion, such slathering was deserved. (Okay, I was mildly amused by some of the speechifying going on - but all hope is lost when climax after climax piles on during that "Baywatch" ending. Insert fingers down throat now.)

beltmann · Posted: 12.16.2003 2:52 am Post subject:

Danny Baldwin · Posted: 12.16.2003 3:50 am Post subject:

Yeah, well, the whole "Baywatch" thing is totally awful, but I do have to agree with Ebert, and would call some of the dialogue interesting, to say the least.
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matt header · Posted: 12.16.2003 4:05 am Post subject:

Danny Baldwin · Posted: 12.16.2003 4:08 am Post subject:

beltmann · Posted: 12.16.2003 4:12 am Post subject:

I'm with you, Matt. Gigli really is one of the worst films of the year.

Here's what Ebert said:

"Consider the matching monologues. They've gotten into an argument over the necessity of the penis, which she, as a lesbian, feels is an inferior device for delivering sexual pleasure. He delivers an extended lecture on the use, necessity and perfect design of the appendage. It is a rather amazing speech, the sort of thing some moviegoers are probably going to want to memorize. Then she responds. She is backlit, dressed in skintight workout clothes, doing yoga, and she continues to stretch and extend and bend and pose as she responds with her speech in praise of the vagina. When she is finished, Reader, the vagina has won, hands down. It is so rare to find dialogue of such originality and wit, so well written, that even though we know the exchange basically involves actors showing off, they do it so well, we let them. "

Normally I trust Ebert's eyes and ears--he has wonderful taste, even if he is too forgiving at times--but in this case I think he must have been woozy from all the gel in Ben Affleck's hair. That scene is a genuine turkey; I found it difficult to watch because I was deeply embarrassed for Lopez and Affleck (two performers I, admittedly, often like).

Eric

Danny Baldwin · Posted: 12.16.2003 4:19 am Post subject:

I couldn't be happier to see Affleck commit suicide. He can destroy anything, but here he was merely going along for the ride.

I enjoy that scene, and do think it's quite clever and creative, but not in the inspired way that Ebert did. Gigili never put me in pain though--that's why I can't say it's abominable.
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beltmann · Posted: 12.16.2003 4:32 am Post subject:

Danny Baldwin · Posted: 12.16.2003 3:02 pm Post subject:

And I dislike all three of these movies.

The only two occassions in which I've liked him is in The Sum of All Fears and Good Will Hunting
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matt header · Posted: 12.16.2003 3:40 pm Post subject:

My favorite Affleck roles consist of him basically inhabiting his yuppie slick-guy image, which would be in "Bounce," "Boiler Room," and "Changing Lanes." I'm not a big fan, but a good friend of his named Matt Damon is, I think, a terrific actor: his performance in "The Talented Mr. Ripley" approaches brilliance.

beltmann · Posted: 12.16.2003 11:17 pm Post subject:

I'm starting to sour on Damon. With each new role, he seems to become more and more self-conscious, as if he's tightening up at the thought that he isn't living up to his hype and potential. I thought he was awful in Gerry, Stuck On You, "SNL," and "Will & Grace." I'm still rooting for him, though--I remember first noticing him in Courage Under Fire, way back in '96, and he has occasionally been very good since then, especially in Ripley and Rounders.

Glad to hear you liked Bounce, Matt. I think it's one of the most underrated movies in recent memory.

Eric

matt header · Posted: 12.17.2003 7:31 pm Post subject:

I was astonished at how much I liked "Bounce" - it had a really easygoing, vibrant energy to it. I haven't seen "Stuck on You," "Gerry," "Will & Grace," or "SNL" (at least the episodes with him on it), and I've heard from other people that his performance in all of those was disappointing. Oh, well. I thought he was surprisingly great in "The Bourne Identity," as well.

Michael Scrutchin · Posted: 12.20.2003 5:54 am Post subject:

It's been over a month since I last posted in this thread, so here's my big list. From November 10 to December 19:

mfritschel · Posted: 12.22.2003 3:30 am Post subject:

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Jackson) A

Bloody Sunday B+

Elephant (Van Sant) A - I loved this movie, I found it extremely well done, an excellent piece of social commentary and terrbily haunting. It had me completely enthralled from the begining and overall was just brillant and tremendously moving.

beltmann · Posted: 12.22.2003 4:00 am Post subject:

12/15 ? 12/21

None this week, but I did revisit Two Towers as a refresher before catching King later this week. It was a second viewing, and my response this time was identical. Some movies you immediately want to see again, and discuss, and tell all your friends about?and this series just isn?t in that category for me. While my head has deep technical appreciation for them, the rest of me is rather unmoved. Despite my critical admiration, they just don?t capture my imagination in a way that, say, Millennium Actress or Shattered Glass or Master and Commander (to name three recent favorites) do. Still, I?m positive I would have been a serious fanboy about 15 years ago. These days, I?m less interested in the clattering swords than I am in the astonishing use of colors?the compositional qualities are, without a doubt, the virtue that resonates with me the most.

Eric