Monday, October 13, 2008

Which is Sadder...?

...the fact that a movie about a talking chihuahua may end up being the first film to hit $100 million at the box office during the fall movie season...

...or the fact that there is a big opening for a talking chihuahua movie because there is such a depressing disparity of quality filmmaking so far this fall?

Discuss...

6 comments:

Kentucky Rain said...

At the risk of repeating myself from an earlier comment, I go to the movies to be entertained. I really don't want to be intellectually challenged. I spend too much time doing that already. As a result I agree that there aren't as many really good movies out there but there are a few. It is those few that have persuaded me to keep handing my hard earned money to the "popcorn lady." :-)

In closing the fact that the Chihuahua movie is so big at the box office may be reflective of a society that is tired of being forced to ponder weighty, dark issues. The world around us is dark enough with an economic crisis, two wars, and a cranky old man running for president who has nothing nice to say. Gotta go..."W" is calling. More later....

J McKiernan said...

I responded to your comment about "not taking it all too seriously" and just wanting to be entertained on the "Religulous" thread. But I will say again, I get your point, and appreciate it. I take things seriously because I feel like it was in me since I was born. I was born a cinephile...it will never change. I love it like you love dogs, Mike (but I do like dogs, too).

Your theory on Chihuahua may be correct...although the fact that THAT movie will likely crack the $100 million mark and a much more interesting and challenging family film, "City of Ember" won't even make it to $20 million is more likely a sign that a lot of parents are lazy and uninterested, and that kids are continuing to get dumber and dumber.

"Eagle Eye" is a film that fits your theory, Mike. It is probably the most implausible and ridiculous film of the year...but it's well-acted and entertaining. See...I CAN settle down and let myself be entertained...

Kentucky Rain said...

LOL! I am not into "ridiculous" J, just entertaining. I am not entertained by ridiculous and implausible, but then again there was Lord of the Rings, Animal House, AVP, Borat, and dozens more so I might not be completely truthful here. But then again I don't think "ridiculous" fits with these movies; implausible perhaps, but not ridiculous.

I actually went to see City of Ember, but after seeing Bill Murray walk out I elected to move over to the Body of Lies instead. It is not because I don't like Bill Murray but this whole scene just looked "ridiculous". I guess I lasted ten minutes in City of Embers. Should I have stayed for the whole thing?

Vigilante said...

Chihuahuas are disgustingly looking little rodents. My Dobie, Ballou, as she matures, will learn that Chihuahuas taste as much like rats as cats taste like chicken. I can't believe people actually waste time, money etc., just making movies about them. Adolescent or pubescent trash, more than likely....

K McKiernan said...

Um, Animal House? Are you kidding me, Mike. Geez. Go read my latest comment on iKonoclast.

Yes, you should have stayed. I do dislike Murry, but it is a worthwhile movie with a much deeper point than any stupid talking dog movie.

Jason is right. Eagle Eye is really implausible, but really really fun. Go see it if you need to let your brain have a break :)

Does every single movie have to have a deeper meaning or altuistic point? Nope, but more should strive to do more than appease the most stupid among us. Gosh, I sounded like Bill Maher there.

Kentucky Rain said...

Vigil: I once had the pleasure of owning a Chihuahua and they are anything but "disgustingly looking little rodents." They, like all dogs, have distinct personalities that are endemic to the breed, and I find the personality of the Chihuahua quite pleasant, more so, I might add than most Dobermans I have met which is why you don't see a lot of movies about Dobermans. Now German shepherds and movies: well that's a different story:-)

OK K. Maybe not Animal House. It only came to mind because it was on HBO the other day. Regardless I think I made my point. Now this does not mean that I don't enjoy the more cerebral flicks such as Schindler's List, and etc. I do and have an entire collection of movies with an historical bent.

In closing I agree that perhaps more should be done by the industry to challenge those adults among us.