UP (Pixar, 2009)

[Morris Schæffer]

Poster:

http://cdn-www.mania.com/content_pics/45561_large.jpg

If a thread already exists, please merge.

[Skitch]

Lol...only Pixar could make me anticipate a film based soley on a silly poster and a word.

[Boner M]

Wonder how it'll fare against...

http://www.granadamovieposters.com/photos/upFrenchcheck.JPG

[EyesWideOpen]

I didn't realize Katie Holmes's breasts were so big.

[Raiders]

Could be interesting, but the next Pixar project I really am looking forward to is Stanton's John Carter of Mars. I don't think that's coming until after this, Toy Story 3 and Cars 2, the latter two of which interest me very little at the current moment.

[Watashi]

http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/uptrailer2top-440x247.jpg

New Trailer (http://www.themoviebox.net/movies/2009/STUVWXYZ/Up/trailer.php)

Pixar meets Miyazaki meets Herzog?

In-fucking-deed.

[Sven]

I can't believe Ed Asner is still alive.

[Raiders]

Looks... good. I like Pixar's one-film-a-year thing. I just wish their next two weren't sequels.

[Sven]

Pixar meets Miyazaki meets Herzog?

What's the Herzog angle?

[number8]

I'm way more excited for this than I was for Wall-E.

[number8]

What's the Herzog angle?

They didn't show it in the teaser, but the film has a certain fetish with nature that you later see when the house lands on the "forgotten land." Got a Wild Blue Yonder, Lessons of Darkness vibe to it.

[Sven]

They didn't show it in the teaser, but the film has a certain fetish with nature that you later see when the house lands on the "forgotten land." Got a Wild Blue Yonder, Lessons of Darkness vibe to it.

Whoa.

[Sxottlan]

This looks beautiful.

[Morris Schæffer]

Not sure yet, but it's definitely encouraging.

[dreamdead]

I too am encouraged. The colors alone look gorgeous. Hopefully the story is worth telling.

[Amnesiac]

Looks to be one beautiful looking film. Some really astounding images in that trailer.

But, yeah, hopefully the story will match the promise of strong visuals. Pixar rarely makes an 'ugly' looking film (and this one really doesn't look like an exception to that axiom)... but they do (sometimes) craft a lackluster story.

[MadMan]

Those picture looks don't work.

And the teaser was good stuff. Hopefully its a promise of some greatness to come. I don't know anyone who doesn't have full faith in Pixar at this point.

[Morris Schæffer]

And the teaser was good stuff. Hopefully its a promise of some greatness to come. I don't know anyone who doesn't have full faith in Pixar at this point.

You know me dontcha? I didn't think Wall-E was supoib all across the board.

[Grouchy]

Can't see the pictures.

[Amnesiac]

Sorry about the non-functional pictures.

Just click here (http://pixarblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/up-pictures-from-comic-con.html) and here (http://images.allmoviephoto.com/2009_Up/2009_up_001.jpg) instead.

[Spinal]

Can't say that the trailer really fills me with excitement.

[MadMan]

You know me dontcha? I didn't think Wall-E was supoib all across the board.That's only one film, though.

[Grouchy]

Man, after seeing the pictures and that incredible trailer, I'm fucking floored.

It's not possible to improve as fast and as assuredly as Pixar.

[KK2.0]

well, perfect teaser.

already scores a positive for not using antropomorphic animals or machines

[Wryan]

Great design on the scout. Looks like a winner so far. Hope it's good.

[SirNewt]

well, perfect teaser.

already scores a positive for not using antropomorphic animals or machines

This trailer was pure greatness. And I too would be pleased if computer generated anthropomorphic animals bit the dust. They must have a pretty fantastic union.

[KK2.0]

Ok, they've done some great stories with antropomorphic characters, but let's move on, right?


oh, and now i`ve noticed: "In digital 3D" weeeeee

[SirNewt]

Ok, they've done some great stories with antropomorphic characters, but let's move on, right?




I'm thinking, "yeah, we get it, you can convincingly make anything act like it's a person, yeesh."

[Sycophant]

How 'bout a moratorium on SHITTY talking animal characters?

'Cause I still like the good ones.

[number8]

How 'bout a moratorium on SHITTY talking animal characters?

'Cause I still like the good ones.

This thread doesn't deserve to smell Mel Blanc's shit.

[Sycophant]

This thread doesn't deserve to smell Mel Blanc's shit.
Man... this feels personal. I'm... hurt.

[Philosophe_rouge]

That teaser put a smile on my face :D

[Saya]

New pic:

http://i40.tinypic.com/2ufra8n.jpg

[Ezee E]

Saw the trailer for the first time a while ago.

This is the most excited I've been for any Pixar movie.

[MadMan]

I love the last bit of the trailer. "Can you let me in?" "NO!" *Slams door* :)

And the picture stills showcased so far for this are great.

[Amnesiac]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/01/upimage.jpg

Another new pic.

[Wryan]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/01/upimage.jpg

Another new pic.

That's so ridiculous it makes me cry-smile.

[Amnesiac]

Some more info from Cinematical (http://www.cinematical.com/2009/02/07/cinematical-previews-pixars-up/):



Here are a few highlights from the Doctor/Rivera Q&A:

They see Carl as a cross between Spencer Tracy, Walter Matthau and your grandfather.
This is the first time in Pixar's history that this much footage has been assembled together this early.
They've been working on Up for five years.
John Ratzenberger once again voices a character (he's voiced a character in every Pixar film), and this time he's playing a construction worker.
For Up, Docter was inspired by the films of Hayao Miyazaki, as well the Muppets and old Disney movies like Dumbo and Peter Pan. And while there are definite parallels to The Wizard of Oz, they've actually gone out of their way to not make it too much like that film.
Up will be the first Pixar film projected in Disney Digital 3D.
As far as a Monsters Inc. sequel goes, they'll only make one if they can "come up with a story that needs to be told."
The running time for Up will be a little over 87 minutes.

[MadMan]

Some more info from Cinematical (http://www.cinematical.com/2009/02/07/cinematical-previews-pixars-up/):All of that is fantastic sounding to me.

Especially this:


They see Carl as a cross between Spencer Tracy, Walter Matthau and your grandfather.

[Dukefrukem]

New pic:

http://i40.tinypic.com/2ufra8n.jpg

can we make that into a banner?

[Amnesiac]

can we make that into a banner?

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww46/Amnesiac7/up_banner2.jpg

Although, I'm a bit more partial to this one...

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww46/Amnesiac7/up.jpg

[Dukefrukem]

they're both great

[lovejuice]

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww46/Amnesiac7/up_banner2.jpg
Although, I'm a bit more partial to this one...
http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww46/Amnesiac7/up.jpg

if we're going with the first one, i prefer that we crop the picture a bit higher. don't want the poor guy's head to be chop off.

[[ETM]]

On the contrary, I think Amnesiac cropped it just right. If moved up, it would crop badly at the bottom, losing background detail, most of the kid, and the walking cane in the old man's hand.

[[ETM]]

;136964']On the contrary, I think Amnesiac cropped it just right. If moved up, it would crop badly at the bottom, losing background detail, most of the kid, and the walking cane in the old man's hand.

On second thought, Content Aware Resizing is the best thing ever:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/sf_anime/titleimage.jpg

[Amnesiac]

;137006']On second thought, Content Aware Resizing is the best thing ever:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/sf_anime/titleimage.jpg

Nicely done.

How did you crop it so well?

[[ETM]]

How did you crop it so well?

As I said, content aware resizing. Adobe included the new technology with Photoshop CS4. Basically, I cropped to what I wanted vertically, then stretched it sideways to the desired size. The software recognizes the important details and scales just the background, so the characters aren't deformed at all.

[[ETM]]

Here's a practical example:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/sf_anime/jarhead_cartel.jpg

And resized a bit:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/sf_anime/jarhead_resize.jpg

[Amnesiac]

;137019']As I said, content aware resizing. Adobe included the new technology with Photoshop CS4.

Yeah, I was kind of just hoping for specifics. :P


;137019']Basically, I cropped to what I wanted vertically, then stretched it sideways to the desired size. The software recognizes the important details and scales just the background, so the characters aren't deformed at all.

That's awesome. I'll have to try it out next time.

[Sycophant]

Great. Now I need CS4.

[D_Davis]

I think this looks really good.

I love the character design of the old man - he looks great. His face is extremely expressive.

[transmogrifier]

Let's have a rest from Pixar banners for a while.

[Raiders]

Let's have a rest from Pixar banners for a while.

We've had only one. Months ago.

[transmogrifier]

We've had only one. Months ago.

Yep. And?

[MadMan]

Yep. And?It was awesome? Yeah....:P

[Wryan]

Yep. And?

Someone with the freewheeling joy of a pure C&H moment as their avatar has some issues if they have a beef with Pixar of all companies.

[transmogrifier]

Someone with the freewheeling joy of a pure C&H moment as their avatar has some issues if they have a beef with Pixar of all companies.

C&H >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pixar

And I have nothing against Pixar. Finding Nemo and Wall-E are excellent. I just feel that we could use the banner to celebrate a more diverse range of cinema.

[Qrazy]

C&H >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pixar

And I have nothing against Pixar. Finding Nemo and Wall-E are excellent. I just feel that we could use the banner to celebrate a more diverse range of cinema.

http://www.tar.hu/filmtortenet/SweetMovie06Choco.jpg

Sweet Movie Banner FTW

[Watashi]

I hope that's pudding...

[megladon8]

Everyone else > trans

Use that banner. It looks great.

[lovejuice]

C&H >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pixar

with you here. comparison is kinda moot though since they are of different mediums.

[Watashi]

Pixar should make a CGI Calvin and Hobbes film.

I kid, I kid. Please don't kill me trans

[transmogrifier]

Everyone else > trans

Use that banner. It looks great.

Even Megan Fox?

[transmogrifier]

Pixar should make a CGI Calvin and Hobbes film.

I kid, I kid. Please don't kill me trans

C&H wouldn't work as a movie. Should never be tried. By anyone. Ever.

[Sycophant]

As swell as I think Up looks, I'd like us to not have a lot of banners for upcoming films.

[megladon8]

As swell as I think Up looks, I'd like us to not have a lot of banners for upcoming films.


:confused:

Why?

[Sycophant]

Basically I don't want this place to look like a hype factory.

[megladon8]

Basically I don't want this place to look like a hype factory.


Who are you not wanting to see this forum as a "hype factory"?

Does anyone really log on here other than the posters? I don't think this place is very well known.

Whatever, it's a moot point.

A nice banner is a nice banner, regardless of the film or when it was released. That image of the grouping of balloons in the sky is really nice.

[Sycophant]

Who are you not wanting to see this forum as a "hype factory"?Me. But whatever. I've made my objection. I agree. It's a pretty banner.

[lovejuice]

Basically I don't want this place to look like a hype factory.

i'm with you though. there is something classy about not using a movie that we anticipate.

[Qrazy]

SWEET MOVIE BANNER F.T.W.

[Kurosawa Fan]

C&H >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pixar


This is fact. It's not even debatable.

[lovejuice]

This is fact. It's not even debatable.

yeah. kinda trivial though since c&h >>>>> most things.

[Watashi]

syco takes this place a bit too seriously.

[Sycophant]

Hey, thanks, Wats.

[Ezee E]

I actually agree with Sycophant on the use of upcoming movies as banners.

[Wryan]

with you here. comparison is kinda moot though since they are of different mediums.

My point was that I feel many of the same ebullient highs reading it as watching them.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I actually agree with Sycophant on the use of upcoming movies as banners.

So do I. In fact, it always kind of bugs me when people make an av for a film they haven't seen yet.

[Watashi]

Yeah, how dare we anticipate movies around here.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Yeah, how dare we anticipate movies around here.

Anticipate away. Just don't act like you know their quality before you see them. That's what bugs me. Don't act like they're the second coming when they won't be released for four months.

[Raiders]

A banner is not indicative of quality. After all, we had a Speed Racer banner.

:twisted:

[MadMan]

syco takes this place a bit too seriously.I've noticed.

[Sycophant]

Hey, guys, if you've got a suggestion for how I can be a better poster 'round here, put them in the suggestion box, 'kay?

[megladon8]

I thought banners were more a choice of a nice image than salivating over a great movie.

I have my doubts about Up!, but I like that banner.

[D_Davis]

I don't know about you guys, but I am greatly anticipating the next banner.

[DavidSeven]

I don't know about you guys, but I am greatly anticipating the next banner.

Done.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/davidseven/Untitled-2.jpg

[D_Davis]

Done.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/davidseven/Untitled-2.jpg

Best. Banner. Ever. I can't freaking wait.

[MadMan]

Hey, guys, if you've got a suggestion for how I can be a better poster 'round here, put them in the suggestion box, 'kay?Eh, only if I feel like it.


Done.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/davidseven/Untitled-2.jpgThat banner is all kinds of win.

[number8]

Oh, the dilemma. I'm invited to a screening of this this weekend, the same night we're planning a surprise birthday party for a friend.

What to do...

[Sycophant]

The solution involves immoral acts, but it must be done.

[megladon8]

Oh, the dilemma. I'm invited to a screening of this this weekend, the same night we're planning a surprise birthday party for a friend.

What to do...


I always forget that movies like this are pretty much done a long, long time before they're released.

But as for the dilemma...I'd choose the party. You can see Up in a couple of months, but this party will only happen once.

[Watashi]

Oh, the dilemma. I'm invited to a screening of this this weekend, the same night we're planning a surprise birthday party for a friend.

What to do...
Easy. Let me see it in place of you.

[Boner M]

Oh, the dilemma. I'm invited to a screening of this this weekend, the same night we're planning a surprise birthday party for a friend.

What to do...
Easy. Make an dummy of yourself with a tape recorder concealed inside, that plays a series of phrases common to your speech.

Meanwhile, you attend the party. No one will suspect a thing!

[Watashi]

Full trailer! (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810014785/video/12354991)

We finally get a look at the villain of the film (voiced by Christopher Plummer).

It looks so awesome.

[Ivan Drago]

"My master made me this collar, so that I may talk--SQUIRREL!"
:pause:
"Hi there!" :lol:

[Amnesiac]

Great trailer. Can't wait to see this.

I wonder if the Forgotten Land (that's what it's called in the film, right?) is going to be full of abnormal, imaginative, fictional creatures. Pixar has a lot of room to get really creative with that setting, so I'm definitely excited.

[MadMan]

Full trailer! (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810014785/video/12354991)

We finally get a look at the villain of the film (voiced by Christopher Plummer).

It looks so awesome.Amazing trailer. I was laughing at most of the jokes, and the film once again looks just visually stunning. I'm not going to make the mistake I made with Wall-E and miss this one in theaters.

PS: The dog with the voice collar will probably be one of the funniest things about the entire movie.

[KK2.0]

ugh, we need a high quality version!!!

yes, the dog is awesome and super cute :p

[Morris Schæffer]

Don't know what to make of this. It looks colorful, has a potentially cool premise, but I just didn't find any of it funny like most of you. Carl simply takes of on an adventure. Hopefully there's some backstory about why the old geezer would want to do that. This trailer, like the previous one, feels a bit spartan, but I love zeppelins and biplanes so who knows.

[Fezzik]

Hopefully there's some backstory about why the old geezer would want to do that.

Trust me, there is. They showed the opening 20 minutes in storyboard format at Butt Numb a Thon and the consensus is that there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Whether thats an exaggeration or not, I don't know, but the backstory is there, and its strong, imo.

[number8]

Yeah, I love the backstory. I think Disney is reluctant on revealing it in trailers because it's too depressing. But they showed the reason why at Comic Con last year and people were crying.

[number8]

This trailer, like the previous one, feels a bit spartan...

"We will cover the sky with balloons."
"Then we shall chase squirrels under its shade!"

[Amnesiac]

Yeah, I love the backstory. I think Disney is reluctant on revealing it in trailers because it's too depressing. But they showed the reason why at Comic Con last year and people were crying.

It has something to do with...
his wife who passed away, who had dreamed of visiting that Forgotten Land, right?

[number8]

It has something to do with...
his wife who passed away, who had dreamed of visiting that Forgotten Land, right?

Yeah, when they got married Carl promised her a honeymoon to see a legendary Venezuelan waterfall, but as always, life took over and they never went anywhere, never went on a vacation. Then she passed away and their house for dozens of years is going to be demolished for a department store, so to preserve her memory Carl takes the house with him on his adventure to the waterfall. It's his only way to keep his promise to his wife.

[Sven]

Yeah, when they got married Carl promised her a honeymoon to see a legendary Venezuelan waterfall, but as always, life took over and they never went anywhere, never went on a vacation. Then she passed away and their house for dozens of years is going to be demolished for a department store, so to preserve her memory Carl takes the house with him on his adventure to the waterfall. It's his only way to keep his promise to his wife.

Barf-o-rama.

[Raiders]

Barf-o-rama.

:lol:

I trust Pixar to handle it with more grace than that description, but yeah.

[Watashi]

Barf-o-rama.

I liked it better when you left.

[Amnesiac]

I didn't really think that description sounded that outrightly abysmal, personally.

I know this is a forum and it's customary for people to speculate and to express their either slightly assured (that is, however assured one can be when working with a synopsis) or knee-jerk reactions. But, I guess that's fine... speculation is great. Sometimes. But this does makes me think of the synopsis released for Malick's Tree of Life and how everyone jumped all over it, describing it as cloying or having come from someone who writes for Hallmark. But, as always, there is the potential for something quite special...

This just came to mind as once again, in the case of this Up! synopsis, I don't really find myself curling my lips at it like other people. And yes, I'm aware that when people do this, they aren't totally unaware of the potential, but merely judging the synopsis in its own right... but given the complex process that goes into filmmaking, sometimes isolating and judging the synopsis of a film seems kind of trivial.

[KK2.0]

blah blah blah.

look at the dog!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7W9aXibIkrY/SagQChNVUPI/AAAAAAAAADw/3NAWxR0m6yQ/s320/The+Dog+in+UP.jpg

INSTANT TICKET SALE

[transmogrifier]

I know it doesn't mean much coming from me, but the trailer was a little....dull.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I know it doesn't mean much coming from me, but the trailer was a little....dull.

I am in agreement. Still could be a great film, but I remain unmoved (anticipation-wise) by that trailer.

[Morris Schæffer]

Trust me, there is. They showed the opening 20 minutes in storyboard format at Butt Numb a Thon and the consensus is that there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Whether thats an exaggeration or not, I don't know, but the backstory is there, and its strong, imo.

We shall see then Fezzik and number8.

[MadMan]

blah blah blah.

look at the dog!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7W9aXibIkrY/SagQChNVUPI/AAAAAAAAADw/3NAWxR0m6yQ/s320/The+Dog+in+UP.jpg

INSTANT TICKET SALEBut I like the dog :P

[Sycophant]

I will see this, but the trailer deflated my anticipation a bit.

[Spaceman Spiff]

For some reason I'm not too excited about this flick. I really don't like the art design.

The dog is cute though. I laughed at the "squirrel!" bit.

[Wryan]

This is funny. Y'all are mehing on this as I did on Wall-E before that came out. And I enjoyed Wall-E a lot.

[Sycophant]

For clarification, I'm not meh-ing on the film, I'm meh-ing on the trailer.

[Ezee E]

This is opening Cannes.

[Spaceman Spiff]

This is funny. Y'all are mehing on this as I did on Wall-E before that came out. And I enjoyed Wall-E a lot.

I have no idea how anybody could meh Wall-E. That looked amazing since eight o'clock, day one.

[Wryan]

I have no idea how anybody could meh Wall-E. That looked amazing since eight o'clock, day one.

And I just wasn't feeling it since 7 o'clock day one. I thought it looked cute enough and, for the record, said that I predicted it would be just as good as Pixar's usual, but what I was seeing left me decidedly lower than seemingly everyone else.

But then I saw it and fell in love, so it's all good. :P

[Morris Schæffer]

I have no idea how anybody could meh Wall-E. That looked amazing since eight o'clock, day one.

It looks amazing. I'll give it that. But christ, those final 30 minutes! http://planetsmilies.net/vomit-smiley-9529.gif

[lovejuice]

I have no idea how anybody could meh Wall-E. That looked amazing since eight o'clock, day one.
i meh it. although more because i don't like it as much as other pixar's rather than dis-satisfied by the quality of the movie itself.

[number8]

WOAH WOAH WOAH. Apparently in the film's opening montage we find out that the reason Carl doesn't have kids is...

His wife had a miscarriage when they were younger.

:eek: Pixar, you so crazy.

[MadMan]

WOAH WOAH WOAH. Apparently in the film's opening montage we find out that the reason Carl doesn't have kids is...

His wife had a miscarriage when they were younger.

:eek: Pixar, you so crazy.After reading that spoiler and the other one, I actually think its awesome how Pixar is apparently playing up the movie's comedic elements. I imagine that it will be similar to Wall-E in that there will be more to the film than meets the eye. Speaking of that movie, I should finally see it and Cars, just so I have Pixar's filmography covered.

[BuffaloWilder]

After reading that spoiler and the other one, I actually think its awesome how Pixar is apparently playing up the movie's comedic elements. I imagine that it will be similar to Wall-E in that there will be more to the film than meets the eye. Speaking of that movie, I should finally see it and Cars, just so I have Pixar's filmography covered.

You can skip Cars. It's pretty terrible.

[Spinal]

WOAH WOAH WOAH. Apparently in the film's opening montage we find out that the reason Carl doesn't have kids is...

His wife had a miscarriage when they were younger.

:eek: Pixar, you so crazy.

In 3-D! :eek:

[Dead & Messed Up]

You can skip Cars. It's pretty terrible.

Ah, it's cute enough.

[BuffaloWilder]

Ah, it's cute enough.

Well, if that's what you're going in for, I guess. Still, you can only go so far with anthropomorphization.

[MadMan]

You can skip Cars. It's pretty terrible.I keep hearing this. And yet, I imagine I'll still like it. The thought of hating anything Pixar seems rather foreign to me.

[BuffaloWilder]

I keep hearing this. And yet, I imagine I'll still like it. The thought of hating anything Pixar seems rather foreign to me.

http://www.uterwincenter.com/applause/2006/dec06ap/images/Larry2.jpg

Mark Of Quality.

[MadMan]

Still not enough to prevent me from seeing it :P

[Watashi]

http://bitcast-a.bitgravity.com/slashfilm/images/upfinal17small.jpg

I have a feeling that this film will make me weep like a little girl.

[DavidSeven]

So, he married Elastigirl?

[Wryan]

So, he married Elastigirl?

He...married Elastigirl!?

[Fezzik]

..and GOT BUSY!! :)

[number8]

..and GOT BUSY!! :)

:sad:

Read my spoiler.

[Fezzik]

I read it :(


I was just finishing the line started above. I meant no disrespect.

This movie sounds like it could be heartbreaking.

[Dillard]

Up is getting great reviews (http://www.ifc.com/blogs/thedaily/2009/05/cannes-up.php) so far.

[KK2.0]

Oh boy, if my anticipation wasn't high enough already...

[Watashi]

D'Angelo loved it.


77/B+ Gets a little sappy at times, but the story keeps throwing delightful curveballs and the dogs are just pure gold.

[Yxklyx]

So, he married Elastigirl?

No, it's just the same actress. You need separate the actor from the character you know.

[MacGuffin]

D'Angelo loved it.

Or if you would prefer more extensive thoughts, go here (http://www.avclub.com/articles/cannes-09-day-one,27982/?utm_source=homepage_channel_f eed).

[Amnesiac]

http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/zz4896b3db.jpg

[Philosophe_rouge]

D'Angelo loved it.
Hell has frozen over?

[number8]

So I rewatched A Bug's Life today. Loved it more than I ever did before. I believe this movie is severely underrated.

In case anyone's interested, here (http://www.justpressplay.net/movie-reviews/929-dvd-reviews/5384-a-bugs-life.html)'s my review of the Bluray release.

[Henry Gale]

It's amazing how far Pixar has come with their animation in just 11 years. As good as a lot of Bug's Life looks, the Blu-Ray has so much detail that at some points I could see things like different layers on Hopper's back overlapping and looking glitchy. I'd agree though that it's underappreciated, and even if it is one of their weaker movies overall, with them that still works out to being pretty great.

Pixar does an amazing job of making their stuff look as good as it can for that era. Like even for Toy Story, they got just the right look for the animation and I guess they didn't worry about textures and detail so much as making all the characters and environments look as believable as they could at the time. And it holds up. I wonder if the new 3D versions are going to be re-rendered in any way.

There's very few times in their movies I'm taken out of it because something doesn't look right (even though I was basically a kid when I first saw it, Sully in this scene from Monsters, Inc. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak8beUftXFA#t=48s) always looked unfinished to me). But everything I've seen from Up so far looks absolutely flawless.

[Sxottlan]

Yeah, I don't know why I never got A Bug's Life on disc.

The only one I definitely don't want is Cars.

[Watashi]

When's your screening of this, 8?

[number8]

When's your screening of this, 8?

Tuesday. It's gonna be quite an event. With a zeppelin and shit.

[Kurosawa Fan]

So I rewatched A Bug's Life today. Loved it more than I ever did before. I believe this movie is severely underrated.

In case anyone's interested, here (http://www.justpressplay.net/movie-reviews/929-dvd-reviews/5384-a-bugs-life.html)'s my review of the Bluray release.

I still consider this my favorite Pixar film.

[Amnesiac]

I still consider this my favorite Pixar film.

Hm, really? Have you seen all of them?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Hm, really? Have you seen all of them?

All of them. Wall-E gives it a run for its money, but I'm still holding out as of now.

[Amnesiac]

All of them. Wall-E gives it a run for its money, but I'm still holding out as of now.

Interesting. Definitely not the popular vote. Personally, I haven't seen it for many years now so I can't really comment.

[Amnesiac]

http://outnow.ch/Media/Specials/Bilder/2009/Cannes/Diary/up.jpg

Neat.

[Raiders]

Gonzo loved it.

http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/film_review.asp?ID=4318

[trotchky]

Hell has frozen over?

He also loved Wall-E, Monsters Inc., A Bug's Life, Toy Story, and Toy Story 2, and he liked The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, and Ratatouille. So, no, I don't think it has.

Anyhow, Ed Gonzalez just sold me on Up.

[Watashi]

Wow. I didn't know that Tom McCarthy is listed as one of the screenwriters for Up.

[jamaul]

So who else thinks Up's perfect score on RT is going to be sabotaged by Armond White?

[Spun Lepton]

So I rewatched A Bug's Life today. Loved it more than I ever did before. I believe this movie is severely underrated.

This is still one of my favorite Pixar movies.

[number8]

This movie destroyed me. Brutal.

Some of you married fellas might break your wife's hand clutching it tightly while weeping.

[Watashi]

Screw the marriage sap. The dogs! The dogs! How were the dogs?

[number8]

Screw the marriage sap. The dogs! The dogs! How were the dogs?

I was surprised by the dog violence. Some of them fall off a cliff.

[number8]

By the way, I know this is a family film and all, but I'd appreciate it if parents assess their kids' perception first. I have never been in a screening with that many crying kids before. It almost ruined the movie for me, but I tried my best to ignore them (still, a 2nd viewing this weekend is in order). It was almost constant. Everytime the movie gets to a sad scene, this little girl behind me would start bawling and literally demanding to go home.

Listen, parents... I don't care if you're totally enjoying the movie, but if your kid can't take it and is ruining it for everybody else, suck it up, get your priorities straight and take your kid outside until they calm down.

[Watashi]

How were there kids at a press screening?

[number8]

How were there kids at a press screening?

Night time press screenings are always open for public also. We just get reserved rows.

But when it comes to family films, they always reserve extra seats for bigwigs, friends of the studio/publicist or whoevever the fuck to bring eleventy of their kids and their friends. That's what the row behind me was.

It gets ridiculous sometimes, like I remember for Pirates 3, they didn't reserve seats for press because they already closed three rows for VIPs and their kids.

[Fezzik]

This movie destroyed me. Brutal.

Some of you married fellas might break your wife's hand clutching it tightly while weeping.

You scared me with the "Brutal" comment...thought for a second that you hated it.

How would you rate it as a film, overall?

[number8]

How would you rate it as a film, overall?

It's outstanding. Gorgeous visuals (wait til you see how Paradise Falls look--the first time we see it, we understand Carl's astonishment, because it is astonishing), hilarious gags, phenomenal character moments--so subtle, many left unsaid, and yet so emotionally effective. I got teary-eyed just from a shot of Carl sitting next to an empty chair in silence. The direction is just bloody masterful.

10/10.

[Wryan]

Awesome sauce.

[Ezee E]

Watch it in 3D?

[Fezzik]

Armond White hated it. (http://ourtownny.com/?p=3110#more-3110)

I'm shocked. Shocked I tell you. :frustrated:

[jamaul]

Armond White hated it. (http://ourtownny.com/?p=3110#more-3110)

I'm shocked. Shocked I tell you. :frustrated:

After reading the first paragraph, I already want to rip his heart out. It really pains me that this man is paid to merely and obnoxiously, tiredly and purposefully go against the grain, as if he checks critical consensus before he writes; as if he wishes to make assclowns of his peers or stand out because he’s the only one with a FRESH or ROTTON icon next to his blurb. And it suxx that his shit-stink ink is smeared in an actual news magazine, and not a blog; that his ugly mug is allowed into the RT consensus when it's painfully obvious what he's doing. I wish RT would drop him from the crop, that internet users and New York Press readers could petition to get his ass fired.

[Spun Lepton]

Thanks for the warning, 8. Pixar is quite adept at making me bawl like a baby. I'd better bring a roll of paper towels.

[number8]

You know, I actually think Armond White is capable of some really good criticism, and I've seen him make great points before. But every time he spends half his review hating on "critics" and "the media" and acts as if he's not part of it, I just lose interest in reading. It's so tiresome. I get it, you hate your peers. Why are you even Chairman of the NY Film Critics Circle then?

[Sycophant]

I find Armond White's railing against critical and hipster consensus tiresome as well, but I think his reputation as a kneejerk contrarian is as misguided as when our dear Sven had that same reputation around here. Admittedly, I find White's frequent dismissal of animation, particularly, quite obnoxious and ill-conceived.

8's right. I've read some very good criticism from White. I do sometimes find myself wishing he could go one article without devoting a paragraph or two to his crusade.

Also, why the fuck would anyone want to fire him? He writes something negative about something almost everyone else loves, and an entire community of nerds links it, descends on it, blogs it, fumes about it, writes angry letters, and drives ad revenues up.

[jamaul]

Also, why the fuck would anyone want to fire him? He writes something negative about something almost everyone else loves, and an entire community of nerds links it, descends on it, blogs it, fumes about it, writes angry letters, and drives ad revenues up.


This is very true, and sad. My misguided post was trying to point out that maybe, perhaps, critical opinion can actually be based on the opinion of the critic in print, to offer edjucated, well-thought out points, as opposed to reducing criticism to provocateur tactics, aiming the canon at their peers and accusing them of critical groupthink for liking a well-made film that has the support of: a) audiences, b) vast, unprecedented majority of critics, and, c) the peers of the filmmakers themselves.

Therefore, if Mr. White goes against the grain, who notices? Well, ahem, since he's the only one awarding the film a negative review (okay, not the only, but usually the most scathing, i.e., the more embraced the film is, the more vitriol shall be spit), he's going to stand out, to say the least. I wonder if White would have liked Up if he'd received his press notes in error, with a typo saying Steven Spielberg directed it.

[Sven]

Stop taking his dismissals so personally. Rip his heart out? Jesus, what's wrong with you, jamaul? I would recommend getting over yourself.

[Sycophant]

Also, I think Armond White is rather handsome.

[Ezee E]

I wonder if Armond White interviews others at festivals or introduces movies. I'd like to hear him then.

Elvis Mitchell is the only other critic, besides Roger Ebert, that can interest every type of person. Guys like Todd McCarthy only appeal to film geeks. This is while speaking, not in writing.

[jamaul]

Stop taking his dismissals so personally. Rip his heart out? Jesus, what's wrong with you, jamaul? I would recommend getting over yourself.

I don't take them personally at all. I think there are plenty of worthy successors out there that would love to fill White's shoes and write reviews that actually celebrate the medium as opposed to play the role of omnipotent, all-knowing intellectual hack, playin' the hatin' on anything with mass appeal, or a big budget without Spielberg's name attached.

And c'mon, this is a forum for discussion. We use words. Of course I don't want to rip his heart out. Obviously. Jesus, Sven, what's wrong with you? -- you're so sensitive. :P

[Raiders]

My problem with White is I never really feel he convincingly states his POV except maybe on rare occasions. He accepts his own opinions as fact and seems to deride films from there without much care that the average reader will not accept or agree with his POV. He makes interesting, and sometimes valid, observations and then lets them hang there in space. I often find myself intrigued by his thoughts, but left rather unsatisfied with his brevity in issuing them, his time usually equally divided between the film and the critical establishment and consensus regarding said film.

[jamaul]

I wonder if Armond White interviews others at festivals or introduces movies. I'd like to hear him then.

Elvis Mitchell is the only other critic, besides Roger Ebert, that can interest every type of person. Guys like Todd McCarthy only appeal to film geeks. This is while speaking, not in writing.

Ebert's especially interesting to listen to these days.

[Watashi]

All this deflated cinema and Pixarism mischaracterizes what good animation can be, as in Coraline, Monster House, Chicken Little, Teacher’s Pet, The Iron Giant. Up’s aesthetic failure stems from its emotional letdown.

What?

[Duncan]

I wonder if Armond White interviews others at festivals or introduces movies. I'd like to hear him then.

Elvis Mitchell is the only other critic, besides Roger Ebert, that can interest every type of person. Guys like Todd McCarthy only appeal to film geeks. This is while speaking, not in writing.

I saw him introduce Killer of Sheep. He speaks how he writes.
- 5 mins on how Grindhouse was a terrible film, and how grindhouse cinema in general was exploitive and shouldn't be returned to.
- 5 mins on how Killer of Sheep was from the same era as grindhouse films, and how awesome it is.
- 5 mins on how the critical establishment shouldn't call it a "masterpiece" (even though he called it a masterpiece in his own review) but "true." Then he went on to talk about how the critics wouldn't embrace this film like they did Army of Shadows, because Army of Shadows is French and Charles Burnett is a black American. In reality, Killer of Sheep was perhaps even more lauded than Melville's film.

[Pop Trash]

I think a few years ago, White wasn't the parody of himself that he has become today. Film Comment used to include him in the critical consensus page they have (probably because they thought he was an interesting critic) but sometime around 2005 they stopped (probably because they realized he had become such a snore) Now he basically champions all his token fave directors (Spielberg, Wes Anderson, Mike Leigh, Demme, Wong Kar Wai, a few others) and some token Hollywood trash (Max Payne for example) then decries virtually everything else. It just gets boring and predictable.

[Sven]

My problem with White is I never really feel he convincingly states his POV except maybe on rare occasions. He accepts his own opinions as fact and seems to deride films from there without much care that the average reader will not accept or agree with his POV. He makes interesting, and sometimes valid, observations and then lets them hang there in space. I often find myself intrigued by his thoughts, but left rather unsatisfied with his brevity in issuing them, his time usually equally divided between the film and the critical establishment and consensus regarding said film.

I'd recommend reading a lot of his backlog. Also, spend a couple of bucks and buy his book The Resistance. It chronicles pop culture (mostly hip hop, but tons of movies, too) from '84 to '94 Really, if you take his work as a whole unit, his writing and perspective are clear as day. I could really care less about the average reader. I don't find think they are a demographic that should be pampered.

[Sven]

I don't take them personally at all. I think there are plenty of worthy successors out there that would love to fill White's shoes and write reviews that actually celebrate the medium as opposed to play the role of omnipotent, all-knowing intellectual hack, playin' the hatin' on anything with mass appeal, or a big budget without Spielberg's name attached.

And c'mon, this is a forum for discussion. We use words. Of course I don't want to rip his heart out. Obviously. Jesus, Sven, what's wrong with you? -- you're so sensitive. :P

Forgive me. Perhaps you haven't been as immersed in the White-hate around here to the point where it has become a monotonous shrill. Plus, when someone says they want to tear someone's heart out, message board or not, that person needs to take a chill pill (it also suggests a level of personal investment, so please, get your story straight).

[Duncan]

My problem with him isn't that he's a reactionary or contrarian, it's that I genuinely don't feel like we are experiencing the same reality. I think he's a genuinely paranoid guy who writes about stuff that might not actually be there, and if it is there, it's not as sinister as he thinks it is. Witness: "Pixar rules pop media like nothing since mid-20th century General Motors held sway as the preeminent American corporation (and the bane of grassroots individualism)." Since when is GM the bane of grassroots individualism? What is he even talking about? What is grassroots individualism? How does it differ from normal individualism? Is it possible for a studio that makes one film a year to rule pop media? I literally have no idea what he's talking about. And then: "Every Pixar film—including the new Up, gushed over by Cannes Film Festival shills—is greeted with nearly patriotic fervor." A film is gushed over by critics at a French film festival, probably the most international collection of films and critics in the world, and the fervor is "patriotic"? How does that even begin to make sense? Continuing with the first paragraph: "This absurdity clarifies contemporary news media’s unprincipled collusion with Hollywood capitalism." What is "Hollywood capitalism"? How does it differ from normal capitalism? What collusion is he referring to? It seems to me that 95% of blockbusters get very average reviews. How is the alleged collusion by "contemporary news media" different than whatever old-timey news media used to do? Again, I honestly don't know what the guy is talking about.

Maybe I'm saying the same thing Raiders did. He never convincingly states his point of view. The reason for that, I think, is that his POV is a perversely paranoid one. He's living off in conspiracy theory land.

edit: anyway, I don't know why I wrote that. I've been having a frustrating day, I guess, and I too find the White hate monotonous and shrill.

[Sycophant]

Thing I have learned that I don't like as much as most people #32: Hyperbolic, graphic (especially sexual) violent imagery for the sake of comedy or effect or something.

[Sven]

edit: anyway, I don't know why I wrote that. I've been having a frustrating day, I guess, and I too find the White hate monotonous and shrill.

Word. I think I could reasonably respond to each of the statements you questioned, but I think I'm going to let this one go for now. I'm not going to say I think he's perfect, but I find it so baffling that so many people want this clearly interesting man's resignation. Don't like him? Don't read him. Don't ruin it for the rest of us that can mine his writing for ideas that very few mainstream critics even attempt.

[Raiders]

I'd recommend reading a lot of his backlog. Also, spend a couple of bucks and buy his book The Resistance. It chronicles pop culture (mostly hip hop, but tons of movies, too) from '84 to '94 Really, if you take his work as a whole unit, his writing and perspective are clear as day.

It's a personal preference then; not to have to read through his entire ouevre to understand a single review. I want the review to be self-explanatory. I have no doubt that reading books on the man would elucidate me, but it doesn't make his reviews on the whole any more satisfying.


I could really care less about the average reader. I don't find think they are a demographic that should be pampered.

I don't think published reviews should be only for "the enlightened." In others words, don't speak in condescending half thoughts. If you're going to take on "the man," give me something more to chew on. And yes, I'm talking about each review.

[Sven]

It's a personal preference then; not to have to read through his entire ouevre to understand a single review. I want the review to be self-explanatory. I have no doubt that reading books on the man would elucidate me, but it doesn't make his reviews on the whole any more satisfying.

Still, it's a good book, and it is a document of a time when he was much more "reasonably tempered."


I don't think published reviews should be only for "the enlightened." In others words, don't speak in condescending half thoughts. If you're going to take on "the man," give me something more to chew on. And yes, I'm talking about each review.

"Enlightened" is your word, not his or mine. And stop trying to dictate what should and should not be published. Unless you are a fascist. In which case, by all means.

[jamaul]

I think Armond White would be so much more fun and easy to take seriously if he would do video clips where he rapped his reviews.

[Sven]

I think Armond White would be so much more fun and easy to take seriously if he would do video clips where he rapped his reviews.

I'm wondering if this is racist. I'm also wondering whether or not, if it IS racist, I should be offended.

My guesses are yes and no.

[number8]

I'm wondering if this is racist. I'm also wondering whether or not, if it IS racist, I should be offended.

My guesses are yes and no.


Why is it racist? White loves hip hop, and he makes oblique references to rap music in movie reviews often. Might as well combine the two.

[jamaul]

I'm wondering if this is racist. I'm also wondering whether or not, if it IS racist, I should be offended.

My guesses are yes and no.

What??

How dare you? I think you are racist for thinking I am racist. :evil:

[Pop Trash]

What??

How dare you? I think you are racist for thinking I am racist. :evil:

This makes little sense.

[jamaul]

This makes little sense.

I was merely trying to point out that there was a medium of self-expression out there that celebrates player hating much more than film criticism and that White could cross over to a broader demographic. I wasn't even taking into account that White was black, in fact, I didn't even know White was black until very recently when I was scanning the RT blurbs and realized that he was a person of color, when I had assumed all along, because of my inherent naivete that he was in fact white because of his name. Anyway, I think for Mr. Sven to immediately jump on the fact that I merely threw out that White should rap his beefs as opposed to putting them in print because, I'm guessing, White is Black and, what? -- rap is predominantly a black medium. I mean, c'mon, that in and of itself is racist. Isn't it? I mean, if it's not, if everyone will agree that it isn't, I'll stop being offended.

[Ezee E]

Ebert's especially interesting to listen to these days.
Burn dude. Burn.

Neg rep worthy even.

[Sven]

Whoops. I did neglect the fact that I'd mentioned that one of White's focuses in The Resistance was hip-hop. I thought you, jamaul, were simply dropping that joke as a non-sequitur, because White is black. And jokes that rely on racially descriptive zingers like that, well... it's easy to assume racist (or maybe "racial") intent. Also, keep in mind that I was just guessing.

However, suggesting that rap being assumed as a predominantly black medium is a racist assumption is absolutely incorrect. Can you name me ten POPULAR black rappers? Easy. Now name me ten POPULAR white ones.

This discussion is so much more fun than Pixar ego-stoking.

[jamaul]

Burn dude. Burn.

Neg rep worthy even.

Whoa, again, I think my words are being misconstrued. Have you listened to Ebert lately? I was pointing out that Ebert's verbal demeanor has in fact changed of late (obviously), but the times I have heard him talk through his computer have been extremely inspiring. I think Ebert has been, for me, one of the most inspiring individuals in many years: watching him overcome his obstacles and continue to celebrate the medium he loves is very, very touching. When I saw him speak in a video clip, it showed that the man had so much courage -- whether I agree with him or not, his opinion is one I value just as much as anyone's. Not to mention the way he uses body language to communicate, it's just -- flabbergasting. I've been reading him for ten years, I've listened to every one of his commentaries. I hold the man in very high regard.

[jamaul]

However, suggesting that rap being assumed as a predominantly black medium is a racist assumption is absolutely incorrect. Can you name me ten POPULAR black rappers? Easy. Now name me ten POPULAR white ones.

This discussion is so much more fun than Pixar ego-stoking.

Okay, I see your point. Sorry for the mishap . . .

And I do agree that this is far more fun, but is it still cool to love Pixar?

[Raiders]

Still, it's a good book, and it is a document of a time when he was much more "reasonably tempered."

I'm interested in it for sure. But I suck at reading books these days.




"Enlightened" is your word, not his or mine. And stop trying to dictate what should and should not be published. Unless you are a fascist. In which case, by all means.

I never tried to dictate what was published. I simply have personal opionions for what I believe published reviews should be. I never said White shouldn't be published and I am not trying to pass any laws on the matter.

[Sven]

I never tried to dictate what was published. I simply have personal opionions for what I believe published reviews should be. I never said White shouldn't be published and I am not trying to pass any laws on the matter.

I don't think it needs to be said that my comment was tongue-in-cheek. But if we're looking for the object of dissent, it is clear to me that deeming any material unfit for publication because of its discursive qualities (as opposed to grammatical or syntactical) is it. I would recommend 1) putting an end to thinking about White's atypical writing in the same terms that you use to read other "reviewers" because their aims are not the same despite having an identical subject and 2) loosen your standards a little, you prude. I would hate to go through life holding everything up to my own expectations.

[Sven]

I'm being remarkably snappy today. I apologize if that's off-putting to anyone. I think it's because I'm stuck at my internship. Combine that with the fact that it's my last day at my internship and you've got one antsy dude.

[number8]

However, suggesting that rap being assumed as a predominantly black medium is a racist assumption is absolutely incorrect. Can you name me ten POPULAR black rappers? Easy. Now name me ten POPULAR white ones.

I'm going to try this.

- Eminem
- Vanilla Ice
- Snow
- House of Pain
- Beastie Boys
- Insane Clown Posse
- Fred Durst
- John Cena
- MC Chris (I can fill the list with Nerdcore rappers alone, but since you asked for popular ones, I'm only naming MC Chris)
- The Streets

[Ivan Drago]

- Snow

A licky boom boom down.

[jamaul]

I'm going to try this.

- Eminem
- Vanilla Ice
- Snow
- House of Pain
- Beastie Boys
- Insane Clown Posse
- Fred Durst
- John Cena
- MC Chris (I can fill the list with Nerdcore rappers alone, but since you asked for popular ones, I'm only naming MC Chris)
- The Streets

Beastie's have been so successful you could pretty much count them as three white rappers. And Em's the most successful rapper of all time, no? I'd measure Em's and the Beastie's best against Jay-Z's, Outkast's, Kanye's any day.

For all you Beastie fans, they got a new record coming out in September. Their last one (with vocals) was released in 2004. And it was pretty damn awesome.

[Dead & Messed Up]

My problem with him isn't that he's a reactionary or contrarian, it's that I genuinely don't feel like we are experiencing the same reality. I think he's a genuinely paranoid guy who writes about stuff that might not actually be there, and if it is there, it's not as sinister as he thinks it is. Witness: "Pixar rules pop media like nothing since mid-20th century General Motors held sway as the preeminent American corporation (and the bane of grassroots individualism)." Since when is GM the bane of grassroots individualism? What is he even talking about? What is grassroots individualism? How does it differ from normal individualism? Is it possible for a studio that makes one film a year to rule pop media? I literally have no idea what he's talking about. And then: "Every Pixar film—including the new Up, gushed over by Cannes Film Festival shills—is greeted with nearly patriotic fervor." A film is gushed over by critics at a French film festival, probably the most international collection of films and critics in the world, and the fervor is "patriotic"? How does that even begin to make sense? Continuing with the first paragraph: "This absurdity clarifies contemporary news media’s unprincipled collusion with Hollywood capitalism." What is "Hollywood capitalism"? How does it differ from normal capitalism? What collusion is he referring to? It seems to me that 95% of blockbusters get very average reviews. How is the alleged collusion by "contemporary news media" different than whatever old-timey news media used to do? Again, I honestly don't know what the guy is talking about.

Maybe I'm saying the same thing Raiders did. He never convincingly states his point of view. The reason for that, I think, is that his POV is a perversely paranoid one. He's living off in conspiracy theory land.

edit: anyway, I don't know why I wrote that. I've been having a frustrating day, I guess, and I too find the White hate monotonous and shrill.

I kinda want to kiss you.

White's reviews frequently strike me as an effort not to illuminate the reader, but rather to obfuscate his points, making his conclusions available to only the most persistent, dogged of readers. This small pool of readers must further be able to take his overwrought suspicion of "cynicism" and "hipsterism" as amusing idiosyncrasies (or, God forbid, warranted world-views).

Reduce that pool even further with those who have grown weary of the unlikely sources of his vitriol (Pixar) and praise (Transporter 3).

Who do you have left? Armond White's mom?

I like a cheeky pot-stirrer as much as the next guy, which is to say: not much. But because White's perspective, experiences, and conclusions are so continually opposite my own, and so frequently bereft of supporting evidence, I find the guy maddening.

[number8]

A licky boom boom down.
Pretty much the only words other than "informer" that's intelligible.

[Sven]

I'm going to try this.

- Eminem
- Vanilla Ice
- Snow
- House of Pain
- Beastie Boys
- Insane Clown Posse
- Fred Durst
- John Cena
- MC Chris (I can fill the list with Nerdcore rappers alone, but since you asked for popular ones, I'm only naming MC Chris)
- The Streets

I didn't say it was impossible, but please. Some of who you named are only cursorily famous at best. The rest only border on rap (does nu-metal really count? I wouldn't think so).

[Boner M]

Armond ca. early 00's and prior > most critics > Armond ca. now >>>>>>>>>>> "OMG HE DIDN'T LIKE (acclaimed film) BUT LIKED (panned film)?! WORST CRITIC EVAH!!!!!"

[Sycophant]

Yes, Boner, yes.

[transmogrifier]

I wonder if it makes any significant comment on modern society that an overly generous movie critic who happens to be a nice guy can be deified as some sort of writing colossus. An inspiration? Really?

[number8]

This isn't my full review of the film, but I wrote something about the screening I attended.

http://www.justpressplay.net/movies/movie-news/5413-qupq-with-pixar-down-with-8.html

[megladon8]

I don't hate Armond White for being a contrarian, I hate him for being a terrible writer who somehow found success with his terrible writing.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I wonder if it makes any significant comment on modern society that an overly generous movie critic who happens to be a nice guy can be deified as some sort of writing colossus. An inspiration? Really?

There was a period when I feel Ebert's film criticism was really something. The late sixties, early seventies especially. Nowadays, I find he still writes with a friendly, witty style more interesting than most (although I also enjoy Manohla Dargis, Michael Phillips, and Mary Ann Johansson). And, for better or worse, he became the face of film criticism with that show of his, where he spoke with authority, intelligence and reverence for the craft.

It's more of an issue of legacy than anything else. As for a film writing colossus? I'd reserve that term for Andre Bazin, although he's more of a film analyst. Maybe Laura Mulvey, too.

[Sycophant]

The extent to which my friends and I are arguing about whether to see this in 3D or not is absurd.

[Spinal]

The extent to which my friends and I are arguing about whether to see this in 3D or not is absurd.

I'm not sure that I understand the non-3D position.

[Sycophant]

I wear glasses. I find trying to wear both my glasses and those 3-D glasses thingies is rather uncomfortable and sometimes distracting.

[MacGuffin]

I'm not sure that I understand the non-3D position.

I don't think I'd like to see it it 3D, since I imagine it would be a balloon coming out at me every five minutes, I'd hate the glasses because I would rather just see the screen directly.

[Watashi]

I don't think you've seen a 3D movie recently.

[number8]

I wear glasses. I find trying to wear both my glasses and those 3-D glasses thingies is rather uncomfortable and sometimes distracting.

Read what I wrote!

[MacGuffin]

I don't think you've seen a 3D movie recently.

Yeah, the last one was probably Honey, I Shrunk the Audience at Disneyland. But how much better could things have gotten since then?

[number8]

Yeah, the last one was probably Honey, I Shrunk the Audience at Disneyland. But how much better could things have gotten since then?

They stopped throwing shit out at you. Nowadays 3D movies are about depth of field. It's like looking at a diorama instead of a flat image.

[MacGuffin]

They stopped throwing shit out at you. Nowadays 3D movies are about depth of field. It's like looking at a diorama instead of a flat image.

Hmm, that sounds ambitious. I may have to check 3D out.

[Sycophant]

Read what I wrote!

Oh, hey cool. Hopefully, they have those glasses at all the screenings and not just at the Castro.

[Spinal]

I wear glasses too. Never really felt like it was a big issue.

[Sycophant]

Considering what other four eyes have been telling me about this, I'm thinking maybe I just have a stupid nose.

[Acapelli]

I wear glasses. I find trying to wear both my glasses and those 3-D glasses thingies is rather uncomfortable and sometimes distracting.
i have seen my bloody valentine and coraline in 3d. my frames are pretty big and i had no problems whatsoever with the 3d glasses

[Sycophant]

Haha, you guys all wear glasses. Losers.

[Spinal]

I do have smallish frames.

[Sycophant]

Haha, you guys all wear glasses. Lobsters.

Fixed.

[Spun Lepton]

4-eyes-4-ever!

Don't make me break out my claws.

[Spun Lepton]

This isn't my full review of the film, but I wrote something about the screening I attended.

http://www.justpressplay.net/movies/movie-news/5413-qupq-with-pixar-down-with-8.html

8, your article made me pine for San Francisco. Man, I miss living there. Excellent article, too, BTW.

[Qrazy]

I'm going to try this.

- Eminem
- Vanilla Ice
- Snow
- House of Pain
- Beastie Boys
- Insane Clown Posse
- Fred Durst
- John Cena
- MC Chris (I can fill the list with Nerdcore rappers alone, but since you asked for popular ones, I'm only naming MC Chris)
- The Streets

Some more (actually good ones):

Atmosphere (Slug)
Aesop Rock
Sage Francis
Ugly Duckling

[Ezee E]

Yeah, Coraline is probably the best use of 3D that I've seen in film. Beowulf was close to that. The others really didn't work for me, and I can hardly remember them as well.

[Ezee E]

Also, wonderful article 8. Might be the best I've read from you.

[Acapelli]

Some more (actually good ones):

Atmosphere (Slug)
Aesop Rock
Sage Francis
Ugly Duckling
eminem is still the only decent choice listed, and he's way past his prime

well i do love the beastie boys, so i'll rescind that statement

[D_Davis]

eminem is still the only decent choice listed, and he's way past his prime


Oh please - Slug is amazing. I absolutely cannot fathom anyone into hip hop not digging the hell out of Slug. That dude's the real deal.

Atmosphere has released hip hop as good as any, better than a lot.

Also add cLOUDDEAD (Dose One, Why?).

Brother Ali - he's albino, so he's super white.

MC 900 Foot Jesus

[number8]

8, your article made me pine for San Francisco. Man, I miss living there. Excellent article, too, BTW.

Yeah. I'm moving to LA in a couple of years, and I imagine I'd be pining for SF very often once I do. I really feel like this is my hometown, regardless of where I was actually born.

Thanks for readins and shit.

[Qrazy]

eminem is still the only decent choice listed, and he's way past his prime

well i do love the beastie boys, so i'll rescind that statement

Eminem sucks. His first two LPs were OK, the rest has been garbage. To be clear by my comment I did not mean that The Beastie Boys weren't good. The Streets also has a few solid tracks.

[ledfloyd]

i'll be watching this in 2d. for a couple reasons. the main one is it's been years since i've seen a 3d movie, and if it annoys me/gives me a headache etc, then it will probably ruin the entire movie for me. i'll check out this new 3d stuff on a film i'm not so excited about. also, the closest theater and the one i like most, isn't showing it in 3d. the one that is is a 30 minute drive and isn't nearly as nice.

[Qrazy]

i'll be watching this in 2d. for a couple reasons. the main one is it's been years since i've seen a 3d movie, and if it annoys me/gives me a headache etc, then it will probably ruin the entire movie for me. i'll check out this new 3d stuff on a film i'm not so excited about. also, the closest theater and the one i like most, isn't showing it in 3d. the one that is is a 30 minute drive and isn't nearly as nice.

Your first reason I don't like. Your second reason is reasonable.

[Spinal]

Even if one didn't like past 3D efforts, I would think that seeing what Pixar does with the technology would be a draw.

[ledfloyd]

Your first reason I don't like. Your second reason is reasonable.
eh, i get headaches easily and have heard complaints about 3d causing headaches. maybe i'll see it in 2d first, then go see it in 3d.

[Acapelli]

Eminem sucks. His first two LPs were OK, the rest has been garbage. To be clear by my comment I did not mean that The Beastie Boys weren't good. The Streets also has a few solid tracks.
i definitely would not disagree with your assessment now. never liked the streets. his flow is just outright terrible, although his beats are pretty great sometimes (sort of my relation with atmosphere, slug is terrible, but the beats are so good)

[Qrazy]

i definitely would not disagree with your assessment now. never liked the streets. his flow is just outright terrible, although his beats are pretty great sometimes (sort of my relation with atmosphere, slug is terrible, but the beats are so good)

Alright I'm with you on The Streets flow. It's not good. I like a few of his songs though (beyond the beats... the melody, everything)... but only like 2 or so off the only album of his I've heard.

Slug has his own flow but yeah it's very different from what some people prefer/look for, however he also has some excellent lyrics. Same thing with Sage Francis...

Sea Lion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BffumeEaYOI&feature=related)
Crack Pipes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4vVH3hBfs4&feature=related)
Inherited Scars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VL0mB8ILeo)

On an unrelated note because he has a Cuban/Colombian background so not white at all... but speaking of flow for anyone who hasn't been exposed yet...

Tonedeff (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1-A41rco24&feature=related)

[transmogrifier]

A Grand Don't Come for Free is a great album.

[Watashi]

Oh wow. number8 wasn't kidding about that opening montage. That absolutely destroyed me.

This movie is so much fun. The structure is so different than any animated film I've seen recently. It's so quirky and free-spirited.

Dug steals the entire show.

I'm seeing it again in 7 hours.

[number8]

Oh wow. number8 wasn't kidding about that opening montage. That absolutely destroyed me.

I think what's so well done about that is that it affects how we see Carl for the rest of the movie. After that montage, anytime during the movie whenever the house gets so much as a scratch, you just want to tear your hair out.