Disqus - Latest Comments for The_Baron

Re: TFT 105 – AVATAR with Glenn Kenny and Armond White

The_Baron — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:05:59 -0000

I almost forgot about the bonding thing. I'm surprised they didn't "link in" to each other when making cat-smurf love. I guess the point wasn't necessarily "sharing a bond" with nature, but exerting dominance over your environment. Didn't they say something about "what you feel, they feel" at one point in reference to the link? That's an arrogant human trait, personifying human characteristics into animals and assuming that it makes you a more sensitive, empathetical creature because of it. Just because I think my cat (named Lindsay Lohan) got lonely and ran away doesn't mean she actually "feels" a connection with me and was emotionally distraught of my inattention to petting her dirty hide. The Na'Vi were enslaving creatures for their own benefit. That's not "tree-hugging", that's just how it goes in nature sometime.

Re: TFT 105 – AVATAR with Glenn Kenny and Armond White

The_Baron — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:57:20 -0000

Just listened to the first half of the episode and something Gareth said got me so worked up that I had to stop and write.

First, let me preface this by saying that I am morally opposed to war and guns and I strongly dislike real violence. That said, Gareth, the truth of the matter is that in most cases, order can only be achieved by violence. Any nation's border became that way through bloodshed. Dynasties that last 1000 years were formed through war and violence. Villages and tribes ensure their safety through the use of extreme force. While people like you and I may prefer peace, we live in it only under the threat of extreme violence to any enemy that tries to oppose us. Apart from the final conflict between the Na'Vi and the encroaching humans, violence is hinted at with the first rider of that big dino-bird "uniting the tribes". I guarantee they didn't see that fierce beast and think "Wow. What a pretty dino-bird! Okay, your fashion-sense in aerial mounts is what is has inspired me to join peacefully together with you."

***WARNING: Minor Spoiler below, but not a movie-ruining one***
Avatar truly disappointed me from a story perspective, and thus, overall, as a movie. Yeah, it looked great, but that's not enough for me. That's probably why I can't find Megan Fox attractive. She looks great, but there's no substantively keen wit to go along with the package. I'm sick and tired of the "savage people" with the "hearts of gold" who teach the white man to live as they do, subverting him to their side and inadvertantly creating in him a messiah for their people. The story would be far more interesting as a tragedy than a comedy (which is basically what it was by the end). Maybe they could make it to be like an Aztec/Conquistador theme where the savage people see the white people as their gods, ensuring their doom. Also, what was with the "unobtainium"? The highest concentration was below the tree inhabited by the cat-smurf people? Did anyone stop to think that maybe it was just cat-smurf poop? I mean, our cat does her business and buries it, so why wouldn't they? Lastly, this was a tribe of warriors and hunters, right? Yet, you never see them eating and there was only one hunted animal the entire movie. The rest of the time, the tribe's warriors just seem to walk around a lot.

The story was so terrible that I didn't care about the special effects of the movie. Maybe it was truly ground-breaking from a technology perspective, but illusions are useless if you can't sell to the audience that they're real. In my opinion, I think this movie was just too big for Cameron, or for anyone. I think we need to evolve to a style of film-making where there's an extra director for every $100 million spent. One can work with the story and actors, putting the kind of precise detail that Cameron devoted to the visual aspect. The other director works only with the visual aspect, weaving it into the story-line so that you're keeping pace with what's been created instead of overreaching and surpassing it. That's what happened here. But, I'm not a director and I don't understand the hierarchy involved with film-making, so maybe that all exists and they just did a poor job of execution.

Re: TFT 100 – An Interview with Ben Foster on ‘The Messenger’ / ‘The Box’ / Our Favourite Films of the Past 100 Episodes

The_Baron — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:28:21 -0000

I can say that I wasn't a fan of his performance in The Grand, but that could be blamed on poor script writing and lack of character development.

Re: TFT 96 – Where the Wild Things Are / 5 Ways to Make Your Film Better / Let’s Get Lost

The_Baron — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:57:19 -0000

Sort of like "The Son of Man" except with a critic instead of an unknown businessman?

Re: TFT 96 – Where the Wild Things Are / 5 Ways to Make Your Film Better / Let’s Get Lost

The_Baron — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:56:05 -0000

Actually, when Gareth dislikes a movie, it becomes a 10 minute soliloquy on the fall of mankind and the end of cinema as we know it. If you don't believe me, go back and listen to the Transformers 2 episode. Holy crapbutt, it was amazing!

By the way, Professor Dr. Higgins, when are you going to attach a picture to that moniker of yours?

Re: Mental Illness and the Movies

The_Baron — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:28:55 -0000

Hey, dudes. Searched the most recent posts and didn't see a mention of Paranormal Activity. Is there a chance there will be a review for this movie?

Re: TFT 95 – The Invention of Lying / Zombieland Reconsidered / Wolf

The_Baron — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:40:56 -0000

Dear Jett,

While I thought you were fundamentally wrong about Zombieland and Gareth's child-like wonder and amusement at the movie had me taken aback for a moment or two, I don't think you should be judged solely on the merit of a single podcast episode. That guy was a douchebag.

The thing about it is that you two make an extraordinary pair when it comes to movie reviews. I absolutely loved Inglourious Basterds, but the depth and perspective you showed when reviewing that movie brought my fondness for it to nigh euphoric heights. Point is, I usually find myself agreeing with your views about movies and they result in a greater appreciation for film in general. Keep up the good work and, unmentionable buckets aside, don't let a couple of bad reviews keep you down.

Re: TFT Suspended Due to the Economic Crisis

The_Baron — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:33:32 -0000

Too bad the economy blew their budget on holding Jett Loe's luggage for a year. Seems ironic, really.

Re: The Film Talk – Part 36 – Burn After Reading / Vicky Christina Barcelona

The_Baron — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:44:12 -0000

While that may be the case (Brad Pitt can be hilarious), I think what annoyed me about his role in this is that he was using the same kind of high-pitch whine that Mark Wahlberg was using in The Happening. Also, some of his "words of encouragement" came off more as patronizing rather than good-natured schmuck when talking to Frances McDormand's character. I thought it created kind of a confusing character build.

Re: TFT T-Shirts Arrived!

The_Baron — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:01:50 -0000

The Evil Baron!

Re: The Film Talk - Part 35 - Man on Wire / Solaris / Solaris

The_Baron — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:15:47 -0000

Though it's a bit late for The Mummy 3 reviews, here's a great synopsis of the film. (warning: this link leads to a guy who does not say family-friendly things, but is utterly hilarious)

http://www.speterdavis.com/...

Re: The Film Talk - Part 35 - Man on Wire / Solaris / Solaris

The_Baron — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:22:51 -0000

Homeland Security Inspector #1488