I’ll always admit when I’m wrong. And I might’ve been wrong about Spider Man. Flipping the boycott switch like that. Probably, from what friends are saying. And Project Hail Mary. Truth is I have not seen either of these movies. So I’m just not sure.
But why, EF? Would you try to write about movies you have not seen?
Fair question. I’ve been a little stressed lately, not making the best decisions. It’s enough I think, for a Saturday, to say the state of the world is affecting me negatively.
I wouldn’t give up on this guy though. I go through slumps all the time. I also hit home runs once in a blue moon. Hoping to improve soon. For now I’m just not sure.
EF
Yeah, [strongly] commenting on something you have no first hand experience with, is always a bad idea. 😆
But it takes a person with an integrity to admit he was wrong or at least prematurely pulled the trigger before having all the facts.
I expect you to watch both sometimes in the future and write up a follow up. 😉
Always [strongly], Challenge accepted!😀
I watched the Hail Mary movie even though it’s not my standard genre. My interest was mainly in the cuteness of the alien as I needed some positivity and a little comedy and it worked! Not a box office sensation but definitely better than some of the crap that’s out there. I’m often shocked at the scripts and acting (or direction) that gets out these days. I’m hooked on British shows now because the plots and acting are so natural. 😂😂 anyway… I did not take your opinion personally. I’m sure there’s plenty you admire that I would never watch (can’t stand Uma Thurman or whatever her name is lol). 😂
I’m glad you got what you needed from Project Hail Mary. I can’t believe I attacked it— of all the things I could’ve written about… Natural acting is always a good thing. Haha! Well I’m breaking up with Uma anyways💔🤭
Hahaha 😂 poor Uma. 😎
She meant nothing to me😉
😂😂😂
E.F., I myself have no issue with someone “boycotting” a movie or movies for any reason. I love movies, but there have been several occasions when I have deliberately steered clear of a film for any number of personal reasons. The state of the world affects me as well these days. We’re all pushing through as best we can. I am positive you will connect on your next swing…and hit it out of the park.😊
It can be hard getting reacclimated. You recently jumoed back into the blogosphere too! Haven’t lost your touch IMO. Your Odyssey post encouraged me to see it. And I’m so glad I did, even if I didnt rave about it, it felt amazing just to be back in the place I love l— the theater. It’s encouraging. Thanks for the confidence.
You made my day, E.F. Thank you.
Thanks for the explanation. I was a little concerned about your Spider-Man: Brand New Day post. I just wasn’t sure if I should comment on it.
Believe it or not, I ranked this among my top ten (though I cheated and listed 12) movie nominations back in January of ’19.
I still agree with your editing observation, whether or not it applies to Hail Mary. (I haven’t seen it either.) I mostly watch films while stuck on long flights. Considering the limited options, cinematography that relies on constantly cutting close ups or action sequences will quickly overwhelm me to the point of staring out a window. Compare that to say a fight scene in something like “Couching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. The closest US equivalents are usually some over-the-top, garish slo-mo CGI.
I don’t know your stresses. But I’ve always liked the prayer that goes:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
The Japanese word for that sort of peace is “anshin” (安心). The kanji read literally “safe” and “heart”.
Sincere good wishes to you, and to your family.
This comment brings me, “anshin.”😌 Your Serenity prayer landed with a silver parachute and a soothing chirp, in my time of need. (That’s a Hunger Games reference)… Reminded me I pinned that prayer to my bedroom wall senior year, after reading Vonnegut’s, “Slaughterhouse Five.”
I so greatly value your shared movie-watching experience. Namely that you don’t watch a ton of movies and that the quick editing bothers you… Bugs the hell outta me too!! And you are a good cross section of my “audience” ☺️ hehe. About half my readers don’t like movies… So I have to make something sort of different to entice them. Something more, relaxing, is how I interpret the challenge (I say AS I edit the Apocalypse🙃)☺️
So the bothersome “shot/reverse shot” style filmmaking is ubiquitous. 95% of all movies, dialogue scenes at the minimum. It’s the style I learned at film school. It captures the emotion in each actor’s face (important) while reducing the chances of bad performances, since there’s only one actor on camera at a time and you can cut away as soon as that actor’s performance goes bad (if needed). The problem is it’s so jarring! Our eyes don’t move 180 degrees back and forth every 3 seconds when we’re in conversation with someone in real life😂… One possible remedy is better wide shots. Where both actors are in the frame together interacting. And you make it interesting by having them move around the set. The tradeoff is that you cannot capture the emotion which only the closeup can reveal… I have to mention the film, “Birdman” (2014). Have you seen it? You’ll appreciate that the whole movie plays like one long continuous take. And the astonishing thing is, it almost is. There are cuts but they are very properly disguised. Hitchcock did the same thing in a movie called “Rope” (1948).
THE END
🙏✌️
I think someone “boycotting” a film is always a personal reason. But I think you’ve hit the nail on the head really with how the world – and media – can make us feel jaded or unsure whether to even bother with something. The media hype, rip-it-to-shreds bubble can suck us in if were not careful and before you know it you actually start loathing the mere mention of the thing you were once invested in or just simply enjoyed as a lover of whichever genre is your passion. I have seen Project Hail Mary and enjoyed it, but I didn’t bother until it was on streaming. The new Spider-Man film was always going to be on my radar and one I’d see anyway, but I went in not expecting much tbh and came away from the A screening very impressed with its mature portrayal and how it strived to do something a bit different.
I am also not sure about thg\ese movies…so no comments! 😁
Ooops…please read, ‘these movies’!
The fact that you have the grace to admit you may have been wrong puts you head and shoulders above 99 percent of today’s population. Watch the movies with an open mind and heart then return for a “Round Two.” You may still feel negative, or you may have a change of heart. That being said, nothing wrong with boycotting based on past experience or principles. There’s so much “product” shoved down our throats these days, be selective (and I’ve discovered The Majority is usually – but not always – wrong). Otherwise, you’ll drown yourself in swamp water. Life’s too short as it is.
Actually was inspired in part by our conversation the other day. I was like, maybe I should admit defeat a la Roger Ebert on Jim Carrey, in order to salvage some credit with my fellow movie bloggers / critics, most of who loved the movies I recently bashed. Thanks a ton for the sympathy and encouragement. You get it.
It is human to make mistakes, cross out what you have just written, take a step back, and try to do better. Realizing that you were wrong also means learning what living is all about.
I haven’t read the post you’re referring to here, but only to avoid spoilers since I haven’t seen the movie. May the stressful period pass soon, if it isn’t already gone. 🙏🤗
Charlee: “Oh don’t worry about bashing movies people like! Years ago our Dada posted a pan of something called ‘August Rush’, back before he adopted the not-a-review format, and people who had never commented before or since came out of the woodwork to defend it. But he stands by his statement that it was hot garbage!”
Lulu: “Hot garbage? Stinky too? Maybe I should get a copy of the movie and roll around in it …”
Lolol!… Never saw it, but something about it being that particular movie is sending me😂
I love the “Honest Trailer” for this movie, where the narrator says something to the effect of “While other directors were making predictions about the future, Mike Judge actually went there and filmed it” and then it cuts to a puke-green Reflecting Pool full of recreational vehicles …
Yesssssss! When in doubt, quote Idiocracy. From Mike Judge, the prophet. He would understand what you’re going through! lol
“We got this guy, Not Sure.” Grateful for Mike Judge and you, friend.
Gracias, senor. Same here!
Just saw the movie. Even now, the cinema was pretty busy. Really good film. I wonder how many Spider-Man films there are 🤔
Good to hear that; the feedback helps… And how many of the films crossed paths in No Way Home— that was trippy!