Imperial Rome

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I missed my only shot at seeing Evan Almighty last Tuesday when I blew off the all-media at Mann's Chinese in order to see Danny Boyle's Sunshine, which does indeed fall apart during the final act. If I have nothing better to do this weekend and find myself in a plex where it's showing, I might pop in and watch it.

This would only happen under duress as I am fundamentally, philosophically, psychologically, ethically and religiously opposed to all big-studio, digital-fart tentpole movies that cost over $100 million to make and always get the suckers on opening weekend, no matter how good or bad they're supposed to be. All of the good and hearty souls in Movie America need to grab swords and torches and band together like the renegade gladiators in Spartacus and say "no" to Imperial Rome.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on June 22, 2007 at 3:17 PM

comment #1

Edward says ...

I used to love those tentpole movies, but lately--maybe I'm getting wiser as I near 60--I could care less and have better things to do with my money.

Posted by Edward at June 22, 2007 3:46 PM

comment #2

Breedlove says ...

I just keep getting fooled. I'm convinced that 'Transformers' is gonna be good. I think the special effects look insane. I will go. It will suck.

Posted by Breedlove at June 22, 2007 4:15 PM

comment #3

Craig Kennedy says ...

Jeff, do yourself (and us) a favor and don't bother. Wait, I take that back. If seeing it and getting pissed off and then writing a funny and cleverly worded screed about the horror of it all is invigorating to you, then by all means check it out and I look forward to reading it.

But if it's just going to deaden your soul...seriously, don't bother.

Posted by Craig Kennedy at June 22, 2007 4:38 PM

comment #4

Edward says ...

I guess if I had played with Transformers, I'd be slightly interested. Save your souls, go camping, dancing. Hear live music!

Posted by Edward at June 22, 2007 4:43 PM

comment #5

drbob says ...

There is no bigger Kubrick fan than I, but to cite Spartacus as a rebuke to big studio spectacle seems to be an odd choice. Biblical epics (and the sub-genre of gladiator movies) were the CGI films of their times. Cecil B. DeMille is no different than Michael Bay.

Posted by drbob at June 22, 2007 5:53 PM

comment #6

jeffmcm says ...

I think Cecil B. DeMille actually had a moral compass. He's more comparable to Spielberg.

Re: Wells' problem - surely there are small indie or foreign movies playing that he hasn't seen yet. Or he could rent anything released this year from the Criterion Collection and report back on it.

(I just don't like dancing or live music.)

Posted by jeffmcm at June 22, 2007 6:06 PM

comment #7

cinefan says ...

Evan Almighty has a sparkling 20% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes (Job well done!). Making Steve Carrell unfunny is a difficult thing to accomplish and the film's director should feel very proud.

Posted by cinefan at June 22, 2007 6:29 PM

comment #8

BurmaShave says ...

I can't wait for WANDA ALMIGHTY starring Wanda Sykes where God asks her to do a task for him and she tell him he's trippin' and then he gets mad and puts her through the suffering of Job. Shadyac has lost him mind though, so they'll have to get Mel Gibson to direct.

Posted by BurmaShave at June 23, 2007 3:41 AM

comment #9