Bad Review not from the critics but from a core audience member

[OVERLORD (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

This is not my review (I have yet to see it) but it's what I warned of earlier: <BR> <BR>"Just got back from Eight Legged Freaks. Without giving anything away, <BR>it is basically a movie that can't take itself seriously enough to <BR>actually be good. There are some cool scenes and some potentially cool <BR>scenes, but they are all but lost within the inane comedy scenes that <BR>are just too few and in some cases too unbelieveable. <BR> <BR>If it was a comedy or spoof, fine. However, it is trying to be fun and <BR>entertaining, but comes off forced and contrived. <BR> <BR>Picture taking the Peterson character from Reptilicus and, thinking he <BR>is a comic genius (which they did in Denmark!), making dozens of him <BR>and filling up a town. This then, is the supporting cast. <BR> <BR>Classic films would have one scene, referred to as "comic relief" to <BR>relieve the tension and get you relaxed and unprepared for the next <BR>shock. Eight Legged Freaks is a whole series of comic relief scenes <BR>that overshadow any shocks or creepiness the other scenes might have <BR>generated." <BR> <BR>*reposted from the Alt.Movies.Monster newsgroup*

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

Freakin' whiners. It has everything an excellent B-movie requires. Mark, when you see it, I have no doubt you're going to enjoy everything about it! <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)"> And I think when all is said and done, it will do well!

[Mike]

Remember, Critics are just failed filmmakers or failed writers that are only interested in "Art Films" (non-commercial goop the anal use over-intellectualize each other while pretending to be more brainy than the other guy). Why shouldn't filmmaking and stories be just plan popcorn fun. <BR> <BR>I think it's great that Dean is reminding us that movies (and writing them) should be fun. Yeah, there's the serious financial side, but people still go to movies to escape, enjoy, be scared, and have fun.

[Javier Ariel Garza (Jag)]

Ya know, what's interesting? -- Ebert actually enjoyed this movie. Ya'll know the little nudging that was going on between Dean & Co. and him right? (Ie: Mayor's name in Godzilla etc).. anyhow, I was shocked to see that Ebert enjoyed this flick... <BR> <BR>But hey, I find that most critics don't necessarily reflect my views and tastes and normally ignore their reviews anyway. <BR> <BR>-=JAG!

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

I was amazed to see it get the same amount of stars as MIB II. <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)"> 3 stars. Woohoo! <BR> <BR>And Mike's right. Movies are meant to be fun, entertaining, enjoyable! Scrutinize them to death and that takes all the fun out of 'em. ANY movie could be scrutinized to death. If you have too much time on yer hands. heehee

[IN-BETWEENLORD (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

Keep in mind that the review I posted was not by any kind of newspaper critic or otherwise. It was from an average movie goer, who resides in this movies core audience. <BR> <BR>The thing about the B movies is that they are unintentionally funny. Bad acting, bad writing, bad production values can cause funny moments. In a movie like ELF, the production values are top notch, so no 'accidental funny' there. The acting is on par, as is the writing (haven't seen it so I can't comment fully), so basically, the funny had to be 'added in' which is why I think a bunch of the core audience (ie the monster movie fans who grew up on and enjoyed the old b movies) aren't going to take this to heart as much as hoped for.

[Mike]

B movies, Fungus? I thought you were describing Aussie films up to now. (Well I'm trying my best to drag the Aussie industry screaming into the 21st Century...) <BR> <BR>Hell, I might even find something that Dean would be proud to produce. (Nothing's impossible, just a little more difficult.) <BR> <BR>Don't know if you'll get "Dirty Deeds", John Goodman's new film (you'll probably get it as a MOW), and you'll understand why Russell Crowe and I have the same feelings about the Aussie industry.

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

Hey, ya'll have some awesome music videos out lately. <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)"> With lotsa Aussie hot rods. Vrooom!

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

Crikey, Mikey! Are you from Australia? Near Sydney? Pinjarra? <BR> <BR>Which ones, Sher? Fords, I hope.:-) Or at least Mopar!

[Mike]

Will, My base is Melbourne, but I regularly travel about... Perth, Sydney, Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand, Boulder Colorado. <BR> <BR>So... hi from an Internet cafe in New York.

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

Thats quite a lot of travelling. How does your family cope with that? <BR> <BR>I liked your post about Dean reminding us movies can be just plain popcorn fun. The world needs more of that. <BR> <BR>I was glad to see a couple of awesome Aussies in The Patriot, Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger. Mel's right there with you in bringing the Aussie industry into the 21st Century. He has made a substantial gift to the film school there (so I've read) <BR> <BR>Russell Crowe's Gladiator movie is very good, and I think he and Ron Howard (Mayberry RFD :-)deserved the honors they received for A Beautiful Mind.

[Mike]

Actually Mel gave to NIDA which is an actor's school in Sydney where he were taught, that sits behind a University. <BR> <BR>Franzoni is the guy who should get the accolade for Gladiator. A director doing their job (as good as Ron (in this case) brings a great screenplay to the screen. <BR> <BR>Unfortunately, in Australia, most directors are frustrated (really bad) writers who continually interfere with the script, and try to write their own story using the screenplay as a base while filming. <BR> <BR>Development in Australia, seems to be the writing of the script itself, way before producers and directors, key cast searches come in. Weird!! <BR> <BR>Australia's best directors, such as Mike Rhymer, Dr George Miller (Road Warrior), and George Miller (Hallmark's Noah's Ark - we've got two just to confuse people), and such go to Hollywood to learn to direct... and people wonder why they don't come back.

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

Thats why I admire Roland Emmerich..he's a great writer *and* director. Dean Devlin is a great writer and I'm looking forward to the time if and when he decides to direct.

[Javier Ariel Garza (Jag)]

Hear hear -- I long for the day I see -- <BR>"Directed by: Dean Devlin" <BR> <BR>-=JAG!

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

It'll appear on....oh, never mind. heehee With Mikey's superb help, someday, we'll get to see it yet. ;-)

[Mike]

Will, you forgot about Dean's other accomplishments along with Writer... <BR> <BR>Actor, producer, Miscellaneous Crew Member, 2nd Unit Director... <BR> <BR>See, he has directed!! (I've never heard the term "splitting hairs")

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

mentor. <IMG SRC="http://www.electric-ent.com/bbs/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)">

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

Motion passes, Jag! <BR> <BR>Mike, Dean's about as accomplished as anyone could hope to be and to back up a bit, there's Australia's Mel Gibson too. Be sure to check out this Sunday's Parade Magazine. It'll be a keeper! <BR>You could probably find that term somewhere in the IF Magazine. There's something for everyone in there. <BR> <BR>Right on Sheri!!! Now to MAKE time to see Moon 44, which is still unopened, as of yet. Don't slam me too hard, I just need the right uninterrupted time to enjoy it.

[IN-BETWEENLORD (F_U_N_G_U_S)]

You're worried about Sheri slamming you for not seeing it yet, at least you bought it! She brought it during the gathering and I fell asleep halfway through it. She probably didn't slam me then though, because I doubt the other people in the room wanted to see blood ;Þ

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

You mean giant sea squid innards? Ewwww!!!! heeheee <BR> <BR>Will, I'll forgive you if you forgive Jag's impasse over The Patriot. heeheehee <BR> <BR>(whups, did I let Jaggy's secret out? *giggle*)

[Will Finch (Shetan)]

1st Jumping Spider with Leon voice: Eat the thumper <BR>2nd Jumping Spider with Mel voice: Yes, thumper makes a fine meal

[Sheri Gordon (Sheri)]

*giggle* <BR> <BR>I can just see it now....The Patriotic Eight Legged Freaks.... <BR> <BR>British soldiers on one side, jumpers on the other. ATTAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!! <BR> <BR>It's a slaughter!!!!! ;-)