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"Transformers 2" is a horrible experience of unbearable leng

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Jun 23, 2009#1

The Lovely Boehner

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbc ... /906239997

Roger Ebert said:
"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" is a horrible experience of unbearable length, briefly punctuated by three or four amusing moments. One of these involves a dog-like robot humping the leg of the heroine. Such are the meager joys. If you want to save yourself the ticket price, go into the kitchen, cue up a male choir singing the music of hell, and get a kid to start banging pots and pans together. Then close your eyes and use your imagination.

The plot is incomprehensible. The dialog of the Autobots, Deceptibots and Otherbots is meaningless word flap. Their accents are Brooklyese, British and hip-hop, as befits a race from the distant stars. Their appearance looks like junkyard throw-up. They are dumb as a rock. They share the film with human characters who are much more interesting, and that is very faint praise indeed.

The movie has been signed by Michael Bay. This is the same man who directed "The Rock" in 1996. Now he has made "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." Faust made a better deal. This isn't a film so much as a toy tie-in. Children holding a Transformer toy in their hand can invest it with wonder and magic, imagining it doing brave deeds and remaining always their friend. I knew a little boy once who lost his blue toy truck at the movies, and cried as if his heart would break. Such a child might regard "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" with fear and dismay.

The human actors are in a witless sitcom part of the time, and lot of the rest of their time is spent running in slo-mo away from explosions, although--hello!--you can't outrun an explosion. They also make speeches like this one by John Turturro: "Oh, no! The machine is buried in the pyramid! If they turn it on, it will destroy the sun! Not on my watch!" The humans, including lots of U.S. troops, shoot at the Transformers a lot, although never in the history of science fiction has an alien been harmed by gunfire.

There are many great-looking babes in the film, who are made up to a flawless perfection and look just like real women, if you are a junior fanboy whose experience of the gender is limited to lad magazines. The two most inexplicable characters are Ron and Judy Witwicky (Kevin Dunn and Julie White), who are the parents of Shia LaBeouf, who Mephistopheles threw in to sweeten the deal. They take their son away to Princeton, apparently a party school, where Judy eats some pot and goes berserk. Later they swoop down out of the sky on Egypt, for reasons the movie doesn't make crystal clear, so they also can run in slo-mo from explosions.

The battle scenes are bewildering. A Bot makes no visual sense anyway, but two or three tangled up together create an incomprehensible confusion. I find it amusing that creatures that can unfold out of a Camaro and stand four stories high do most of their fighting with...fists. Like I say, dumber than a box of staples. They have tiny little heads, except for Starscream®, who is so ancient he has an aluminum beard.

Aware that this movie opened in England seven hours before Chicago time and the morning papers would be on the streets, after writing the above I looked up the first reviews as a reality check. I was reassured: "Like watching paint dry while getting hit over the head with a frying pan!" (Bradshaw, Guardian); "Sums up everything that is most tedious, crass and despicable about modern Hollywood!" (Tookey, Daily Mail); "A giant, lumbering idiot of a movie!" (Edwards, Daily Mirror). The first American review, however, reported that it "feels destined to be the biggest movie of all time" (Todd Gilchrist, Cinematical). It’s certainly the biggest something of all time.

Roger Ebert remains one of my favorite movie critics ever.

Jun 23, 2009#2

Steven Soderburgin

My favorite line is, "Princeton, apparently a party school"

Jun 23, 2009#3

God DAMN do I love Roger Ebert! He's really the one critic I respect and listen to about movie choices.

Jun 23, 2009#4

Espy

Thats great!
Latino Review just reviewed it and made a similar assessmant:

The 2007 release of Transformers ushered in a new revolution in cinema watching. Audiences have now accepted big, giant, explosive films that are just plain awful to sit through. We're now inundated with the type of thought that, "It's a kid's movie." or,[quote:1a7tyku7] "Just turn off your brain." should be an acceptable way to watch a film. And Hollywood has listened,

bringing out films that make no sense and require zero brainpower from the crowd. It's a shame, and Revenge of the Fallen is perhaps the biggest ingredient in this ongoing recipe of movie shit. "But it's a movie about toys, lighten up!" says the common man. To that line of reasoning, I say "FUCK YOU." I don't care if it's a movie about toys or about toothpicks, you make the movie, then make it as good as you possibly can. Don't just rely on that bullshit to carry the film.

Alright, let me start this damn thing. In the words of my friend Hans, "Shit just got diarrheal!"

There are two twin Autobots called Mudflap and Skids (voiced by Reno Wilson and Tom Kenny). These are the sequel's "ethnic" robots. By ethnic, I mean they're the southern black robots of the film. Why would I say such a thing? Because Michael Bay and his cohorts put in perhaps the most racially offensive stereotyped black characters I've seen in years. The two talk like they're rappers from New Orleans, they have gold front teeth, look like monkeys, and admit that, "they can't read." when asked to decipher symbols only meant for the Primes to be able to read. (Even though Wheelie, one of the tiny Decepticons, knows what language it is.) They also repeatedly call characters "pussies" and talk about busting caps in people's asses, all with that southern crunk drawl. Song of the South comes across as Leave it to Beaver compared to this. I mean, what the hell are these people thinking? What executive from Paramount saw these characters and was ok with it? They're not innocent playful characters that today's youth will 'relate to'. I swear to God at one point, when Bumblebee separates the two when they're fighting, one of them says the 'n' word. It might have been my ears playing tricks on me after being assaulted for an hour, but I wouldn't be surprised. (I need a reader to verify it for me.) They're about as racially offensive as you can get. I'm surprised Bay didn't have the Latino character of Leo run around holding a fucking bean burrito and a piñata.
[/quote:1a7tyku7]

Jun 23, 2009#5

The Lovely Boehner

Jesus christ. I had heard the "black" robots were bad but that is terrible.

Jun 23, 2009#6

Philosopher B.

Yeeeaaahhh ... think I'm-a skip seeing this one in theatres. I'm low on funds anyhoo.

Jun 23, 2009#7

Espy

Charlie Dont Surf said:
Jesus christ. I had heard the "black" robots were bad but that is terrible.

Go read El Guapos whole review. It's brilliant. You will enjoy it. It's head bangingly bad.

Jun 23, 2009#8

Singularity.EXE

I was hoping that this might just be enough fun to make up for the suck, but alas.

Jun 23, 2009#9

Rubicon

I just wanna see Devestator and Soundwave..thats all. The rest, eh it is what it is, giant robots fighting.

Jun 23, 2009#10

HoboNinja

Meh my friends and I are still going to see it at midnight tonight. All my friends loved the first one where as I think it was decent at best and I am not expecting much from this one except lots of neat explosions.

Jun 23, 2009#11

The Lovely Boehner

HoboNinja said:
Meh my friends and I are still going to see it at midnight tonight. All my friends loved the first one where as I think it was decent at best and I am not expecting much from this one except lots of neat explosions.

Mav said:
I just wanna see Devestator and Soundwave..thats all. The rest, eh it is what it is, giant robots fighting.

ladies and gentlemen your halforum starting lineup

Jun 23, 2009#12

sixpackshaker

I might skip the midnight showing then. Who am I kidding, I did not really mean to watch this.

Jun 23, 2009#13

Cat

Ebert rules, if I'm unsure about seeing a movie I'll see if Ebert tears into it before flipping a coin.

Jun 23, 2009#14

Steven Soderburgin

@BreakingNews Noted Halforum poster HoboNinja says of TRANSFORMERS 2: I am not expecting much from this one except lots of neat explosions.

Jun 23, 2009#15

HoboNinja

Dude that's basically what the first one was and that isn't always bad. Sure the plot sucked donkey dick but sometimes it is just fun to watch mindless violence and things make big booms.

Jun 23, 2009#16

But that's why Hollywood keeps making these dog-assed movies! People will still pay to see them because they are dumb and things go BOOM!

Jun 23, 2009#17

sixpackshaker

There is a little point to hang up the brain and enjoy the movie. I did that with the last movie and still spent all my time wondering what the fuck was going on... Especially the fight scenes. The only good fight scene in the last movie was the one done off screen.

Jun 23, 2009#18

Chazwozel

Charlie Dont Surf said:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090623/REVIEWS/906239997

[quote="Roger Ebert":1trl5a77]"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" is a horrible experience of unbearable length, briefly punctuated by three or four amusing moments. One of these involves a dog-like robot humping the leg of the heroine. Such are the meager joys. If you want to save yourself the ticket price, go into the kitchen, cue up a male choir singing the music of *, and get a kid to start banging pots and pans together. Then close your eyes and use your imagination.

The plot is incomprehensible. The dialog of the Autobots, Deceptibots and Otherbots is meaningless word flap. Their accents are Brooklyese, British and hip-hop, as befits a race from the distant stars. Their appearance looks like junkyard throw-up. They are dumb as a rock. They share the film with human characters who are much more interesting, and that is very faint praise indeed.

The movie has been signed by Michael Bay. This is the same man who directed "The Rock" in 1996. Now he has made "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." Faust made a better deal. This isn't a film so much as a toy tie-in. Children holding a Transformer toy in their hand can invest it with wonder and magic, imagining it doing brave deeds and remaining always their friend. I knew a little boy once who lost his blue toy truck at the movies, and cried as if his heart would break. Such a child might regard "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" with fear and dismay.

The human actors are in a witless sitcom part of the time, and lot of the rest of their time is spent running in slo-mo away from explosions, although--hello!--you can't outrun an explosion. They also make speeches like this one by John Turturro: "Oh, no! The machine is buried in the pyramid! If they turn it on, it will destroy the sun! Not on my watch!" The humans, including lots of U.S. troops, shoot at the Transformers a lot, although never in the history of science fiction has an alien been harmed by gunfire.

There are many great-looking babes in the film, who are made up to a flawless perfection and look just like real women, if you are a junior fanboy whose experience of the gender is limited to lad magazines. The two most inexplicable characters are Ron and Judy Witwicky (Kevin Dunn and Julie White), who are the parents of Shia LaBeouf, who Mephistopheles threw in to sweeten the deal. They take their son away to Princeton, apparently a party school, where Judy eats some pot and goes berserk. Later they swoop down out of the sky on Egypt, for reasons the movie doesn't make crystal clear, so they also can run in slo-mo from explosions.

The battle scenes are bewildering. A Bot makes no visual sense anyway, but two or three tangled up together create an incomprehensible confusion. I find it amusing that creatures that can unfold out of a Camaro and stand four stories high do most of their fighting with...fists. Like I say, dumber than a box of staples. They have tiny little heads, except for Starscream®, who is so ancient he has an aluminum beard.

Aware that this movie opened in England seven hours before Chicago time and the morning papers would be on the streets, after writing the above I looked up the first reviews as a reality check. I was reassured: "Like watching paint dry while getting hit over the head with a frying pan!" (Bradshaw, Guardian); "Sums up everything that is most tedious, crass and despicable about modern Hollywood!" (Tookey, Daily Mail); "A giant, lumbering idiot of a movie!" (Edwards, Daily Mirror). The first American review, however, reported that it "feels destined to be the biggest movie of all time" (Todd Gilchrist, Cinematical). It’s certainly the biggest something of all time.

Roger Ebert remains one of my favorite movie critics ever.[/quote:1trl5a77]

Roger Ebert has almost identical taste to movies as myself. I usually always go by his reviews and thus will wait to see Transformers on DvD.

Jun 23, 2009#19

Odie

I will go see it and im sure i will have problems with most if not all the movie. But sometimes you just need to turn off your brain and go "ooooooh shiny".

Also i have learned to take everything with a grain of salt, remember Rodger Ebert was also the same person who recommended seeing Paul Blart: Mall Cop. Which i think was one of the worst movies i have ever seen in my life, and i saw Torque. Ya. Torque... the movie where they joust and fight with bikes as if they were swords.... ugh.

Jun 23, 2009#20

Chummer

Looking at the picture of the "black robots", DANG, the do look like monkeys.

I saw the first one in theaters and was largely disappointed. I'll be skipping this one.

Jun 23, 2009#21

Shannow

Am I the only one reading these reviews and wanting to see this movie even more? I mean, this sounds hilariously awesome!

Jun 23, 2009#22

sixpackshaker

Doing a Google search on the Black Transformers, some one called them Sambots. :rimshot:

Jun 23, 2009#23

DarkAudit

I don't *want* to turn my brain of when watching a movie. The reviews posted here aren't anything unexpected, but they are nonetheless a fun read.

The bar's been lowered so far in Hollywood we're nearing magma, not just bedrock.

Jun 23, 2009#24

A

AgentUp

i watched the first movie last night, it was awful, i skimmed the last 30 minutes of it.

Jun 23, 2009#25

The Lovely Boehner

AgentUp said:
i watched the first movie last night, it was awful, i skimmed the last 30 minutes of it.

You didn't even have to skim it, by that point the movie itself just kind of skims everything that happens.

Jun 23, 2009#26

TheBrew

Ebert did give Star Trek a thumb down, so I am going to take this review with a grain of salt.

Jun 23, 2009#27

Chummer

While Star Trek was pretty fun it did have some glaring problems. Like plot wierdness and those awful product placements.

Jun 23, 2009#28

The Lovely Boehner

TheBrew said:
Ebert did give Star Trek a thumb down, so I am going to take this review with a grain of salt.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbc ... 69997/1023

There isn't a whole lot of negative language in this review?

Jun 23, 2009#29

Alex B.

Awesome reviews. I wasn't going to see it anyway, but it's fun to see it so thoroughly ravaged.

Makes my decision to pick up Hobgoblins 2 today all the more satisfying. :uhhuh:

Jun 23, 2009#30

Rob King

Did anyone else see the irony in the title getting cut off halfway through the word 'length'?

Jun 23, 2009#31

The Lovely Boehner

Rob King said:
Did anyone else see the irony in the title getting cut off halfway through the word 'length'?

I cut down the "revenge of the fallen" bullshit to make that happen :redface:

Jun 23, 2009#32

Rob King

Charlie Dont Surf said:
[quote="Rob King":2vpxea6d]Did anyone else see the irony in the title getting cut off halfway through the word 'length'?

I cut down the "revenge of the fallen" bullshit to make that happen :redface:[/quote:2vpxea6d]

Good show!

/monocle

Jun 23, 2009#33

CynicismKills

Rob King said:
[quote="Charlie Dont Surf":1aczxe6f][quote="Rob King":1aczxe6f]Did anyone else see the irony in the title getting cut off halfway through the word 'length'?

I cut down the "revenge of the fallen" bullshit to make that happen :redface:[/quote:1aczxe6f]

Good show!

/monocle[/quote:1aczxe6f]

I really must stop being so horrified.

Jun 23, 2009#34

B

bhamv2

I'll still be seeing it at the movie theater.

Like all things subjective, I choose not to let other people tell me what movies I am or am not allowed to enjoy.

Jun 23, 2009#35

MindDetective

bhamv2 said:
I choose not to let other people tell me what movies I am or am not allowed to enjoy.

This is hilarious considering nobody did that!

Jun 23, 2009#36

B

bhamv2

MindDetective said:
bhamv2 said:

I choose not to let other people tell me what movies I am or am not allowed to enjoy.

Click to expand...

This is hilarious considering nobody did that!

I know. Not pointing any fingers (or any other body parts) at any one here, just stating an opinion.

Jun 23, 2009#37

ElJuski

Yeah...I'm going to go see this at the theater. My hope is that I can enjoy it for the shitturd that it is, like...I don't know, the thrill that a dude drunk driving must feel, to strap himself into such a bad idea. I'm self-destructive!

Jun 23, 2009#38

Rob King

Literally half the reason I was excited for this movie was for the Avatar trailer I had heard would be attached. Since I've now seen that on Youtube ...

I'll probably still see Transformers. Just not as quickly as I would have otherwise.

Jun 23, 2009#39

Gusto

Jun 23, 2009#40

Bowielee

Eh, still going to see it. But I actually enjoyed the first one, so your mileage may vary.

Jun 23, 2009#41

Frankie Williamson

As someone who grew up loving Transformers and even still picked up the toys when I was older (yeah, I'm a nerd) and can even point out the character that Ebert was talking about with the aluminum beard is Skyfire not Starscream, I still am not going to see this pile of fucking shit. Fuck Michael Bay and his horrible movies. My friends were all, "Man, that was so awesome, you Frank, must've loved it even more!" after seeing the first movie to which the only response that was available to me was, "Did you fucking watch the same movie I did? It was horrible. Someone should let Michael Bay know that when there's a scene and the two choices are to watch Shia LaBeouf look scared in a trench in the middle of the street or watch Optimus Prime and Megatron fight, YOU DON'T FUCKING CHOOSE THE FORMER YOU CUNT."

Jun 23, 2009#42

Cajungal

Alex B. said:
Awesome reviews. I wasn't going to see it anyway, but it's fun to see it so thoroughly ravaged.

Makes my decision to pick up Hobgoblins 2 today all the more satisfying. :uhhuh:

Holy shit, Hobgoblins 2?? I'm alerting Mike Nelson!

Jun 23, 2009#43

Shawn

The first one was bad... but entertaining. That's all i can really expect from a movie like Transformers. "Turn off my brain" and enjoy the explosions and robots that turn into cars or what-have-you. Thinking back to the first film there were so many scenes that just MADE that movie for me. Blackout's intro. The car chase between Bumblebee and Barricade. Skorpinox's fight against the soldiers. The Decepticon role call. The final fight.
In fact I enjoyed the movie so much the first time around I mistook it FOR a good movie. After seeing it again I realized there were some horrible acting, character problems, and gawd awful lines. But whatever. It has a Mtn Dew Machine that turns into a robot.

Jun 23, 2009#44

Frankie Williamson

Really, the car chase scene is one you're citing as being good? They drive in a straight line through a window and then turn...that's it. There's no real action, it just has some guitar riff wailing while two cars drive straight.

Jun 23, 2009#45

drawn_inward

I can't say that I am surprised. What do you expect from Michael Bay? Especially after the stupid hide-and-seek shit from the first movie. Retarded. I just wish the movie would totally bomb, and we wouldn't have to see Bay or Labeouoefee ever again.

Jun 23, 2009#46

Shegokigo

Shannow said:
Am I the only one reading these reviews and wanting to see this movie even more? I mean, this sounds hilariously awesome!

You and everyonelse that went to watch Date/Epic/Dance Movie.

Jun 23, 2009#47

The Lovely Boehner

drawn_inward said:
wish the movie would totally bomb,

I will drink a bottle of whiskey for every dollar under $100 million it makes over this weekend.

-- Tue Jun 23, 2009 5:37 pm --

Shegokigo said:
You and everyonelse that went to watch Date/Epic/Dance Movie.

Nah, everyone else that went to those movies thought it was legitimately hilarious. They're a special type of bad too that is impossible to make fun of.

Jun 23, 2009#48

Shannow

Shegokigo said:
Shannow said:

Am I the only one reading these reviews and wanting to see this movie even more? I mean, this sounds hilariously awesome!

Click to expand...

You and everyonelse that went to watch Date/Epic/Dance Movie.

No, i hated those and did not see them. But the vitriol hat this is garnering is fantastic for a blockbuster. I cannot wait to see it!

Jun 23, 2009#49

Bowielee

I plan on going and having a good time. That's all I ask of the movie. I'm certainly not going in expecting The English Patient.

If I have fun watching it, it was well worth my money.

Jun 23, 2009#50

Steven Soderburgin

Gusto said:

Yo, sup

Bowielee said:
I plan on going and having a good time. That's all I ask of the movie. I'm certainly not going in expecting The English Patient.

What an odd movie to use when making this extremely common and stupid argument.

Jun 23, 2009#51

drawn_inward

Charlie Dont Surf said:
[quote="drawn_inward":1eo7wt4m]wish the movie would totally bomb,

I will drink a bottle of whiskey for every dollar under $100 million it makes over this weekend.
[/quote:1eo7wt4m]

Sadly, it is likely to bust 60-70 on opening night. I don't think it will have a problem making >100. :grrr:

Jun 23, 2009#52

Bowielee

It's TRANSFORMERS, I'm certainly not looking for character development, or hell, even a great plot. I'm looking for giant robots that turn into vehicles that beat the shit out of each other.

To expect anything else is pretty stupid.

Jun 23, 2009#53

Bubble181

Unfortunately, I have to side with the "I'll turn offm y brain and try to enjoy this" crowd.

Yes, there are some awesome action movies (T2 or Alien for example) which combine awesome action scenes with good acting and a decent story. Nowadays, though, I'm happy if I get either one or the other. Most movies lack all of the above. This is a movie where I expect - and accept - the story being crappy, the plot being hole-riddled, and the acting...well, it's LaBoeuf, so, duh. Lots of shiny robots, lots of well-brought explosions (and this, to me, will make or break the movie...and Michael Bay doesn't have a good track record as far as I'm concerned), and nicely photoshopped girls to look at, and it's good eye candy while the mind goes somewhere else. Sad but true.

Jun 23, 2009#54

Steven Soderburgin

Bowielee said:
It's TRANSFORMERS, I'm certainly not looking for character development, or hell, even a great plot. I'm looking for giant robots that turn into vehicles that beat the shit out of each other.

To expect anything else is pretty stupid.

All I expect is competent filmmaking.

Jun 23, 2009#55

Frankie Williamson

Bowielee said:
It's TRANSFORMERS, I'm certainly not looking for character development, or *, even a great plot. I'm looking for giant robots that turn into vehicles that beat the poop out of each other.

To expect anything else is pretty stupid.

That was my main beef with the first movie. That's all I wanted out of it. What I got was a first hour about some cockheaded little prick and how bad his life is because his dad won't buy him an expensive car followed by shitty handicam filmed action that was barely coherent or in some cases, off-fucking-screen. A movie about warring robots where the US AIRFORCE/ARMY almost had a larger Decepticon body count than the Autobots did.

Jun 23, 2009#56

MindDetective

Bowielee said:
To expect anything else is pretty stupid.

Completely disagree. A basic plot and basic character development are NOT much to expect from a movie. Those things are easy to include with large battling robots. There are only two things you have to keep in mind: 1.) Put meaningful words into the characters' mouths and not tripe. 2.) Give them a conflict that isn't ridiculous. Then you've got it! This movie is likely to fail on both counts, which is pretty inexcusable given that those two things are pretty easy to do.

Jun 23, 2009#57

Steven Soderburgin

Bubble181 said:
and the acting...well, it's LaBoeuf, so, duh.

So you expect a charming and charismatic performance despite awful writing, which would be consistent with the rest of his body of work?

lots of well-brought explosions (and this, to me, will make or break the movie...and Michael Bay doesn't have a good track record as far as I'm concerned)

This is actually one thing that Bay is very good at. He can stage an explosion like nobody's business.

Jun 23, 2009#58

Bowielee

Kissinger said:
Bowielee said:

It's TRANSFORMERS, I'm certainly not looking for character development, or *, even a great plot. I'm looking for giant robots that turn into vehicles that beat the poop out of each other.

To expect anything else is pretty stupid.

Click to expand...

All I expect is competent filmmaking.

Consider the source material. If you are trying to tell me that the TV series and animated movie were any more competent than the first Transformers, I have some swampland in Florida that may interest you.

My only problem with the first movie is that there was too much human time on the screen and not enough robots beating the crap out of each other.

Jun 23, 2009#59

Steven Soderburgin

Bowielee said:
Consider the source material. If you are trying to tell me that the TV series and animated movie were any more competent than the first Transformers, I have some swampland in Florida that may interest you.

That's not what I'm telling you at all.

My only problem with the first movie is that there was too much human time on the screen and not enough robots beating the crap out of each other.

The human story in the first hour (approximately) was the most interesting and enjoyable part of the first movie for me, though that is faint praise.

Jun 23, 2009#60

Bowielee

Kissinger said:
Bowielee said:

Consider the source material. If you are trying to tell me that the TV series and animated movie were any more competent than the first Transformers, I have some swampland in Florida that may interest you.

Click to expand...

That's not what I'm telling you at all.

My only problem with the first movie is that there was too much human time on the screen and not enough robots beating the crap out of each other.

Click to expand...

The human story in the first hour (approximately) was the most interesting and enjoyable part of the first movie for me, though that is faint praise.

And that's why I'm going to see the movie this weekend and you're not.

It's all a matter of personal opinion and taste.

What makes me laugh, though, is that half the people who are saying what a crapfest it will be will probably watching it this weekend as well.

If that's not what you want, don't go see it.

Jun 23, 2009#61

MindDetective

Bowielee said:
If that's not what you want, don't go see it.

Will do!

Jun 23, 2009#62

Steven Soderburgin

MindDetective said:
Bowielee said:

If that's not what you want, don't go see it.

Click to expand...

Will do!

Sup not seein it bro

:toocool:

:toocool:

-- Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:04 pm --

This is the face I will be making when I am not watching Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen this weekend:

Jun 23, 2009#63

MindDetective

Word.

Jun 23, 2009#64

Frankie Williamson

I'm just gonna pop in the 86 movie and enjoy it. It at least was fun while being God awful instead of unbearable.

Also it had this song.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QgjwxPZxWo:20okouyt][/youtube:20okouyt]

Jun 23, 2009#65

The Lovely Boehner

I admit, I would think about seeing Transformers 2 if someone offered me $50, straight up.

Jun 23, 2009#66

MindDetective

Charlie Dont Surf said:
I admit, I would think about seeing Transformers 2 if someone offered me $50, straight up.

They wouldn't pay for ticket and concessions? That would still come out to 15 bucks an hour, I guess, not counting the time to get there, parking, etc...

Jun 23, 2009#67

The Lovely Boehner

MindDetective said:
Charlie Dont Surf said:

I admit, I would think about seeing Transformers 2 if someone offered me $50, straight up.

Click to expand...

They wouldn't pay for ticket and concessions? That would still come out to 15 bucks an hour, I guess, not counting the time to get there, parking, etc...

I'm walking distance from a theater (I KNOW WHAT A SURPRISE), and I'd see a matinee and skimp on the concessions and most likely net $41, which is good enough for me. And I'd actually be able to get away with trashing the movie a little more than I do already.

Jun 23, 2009#68

blotsfan

Roger Ebert said:
[The humans, including lots of U.S. troops, shoot at the Transformers a lot, although never in the history of science fiction has an alien been harmed by gunfire.

Jun 23, 2009#69

Troll

The pompous asshats in this thread are a perfect example of why I go to this forum less and less.

Jun 23, 2009#70

Bubble181

blotsfan said:
Roger Ebert said:

[The humans, including lots of U.S. troops, shoot at the Transformers a lot, although never in the history of science fiction has an alien been harmed by gunfire.

Click to expand...

Not a gun, it's a blaster. "real" human weapons, though?

Jun 23, 2009#71

blotsfan

To troll: I don't know if you're an alt or not, but if you really don't like it here, you can always leave.

Bubble181 said:
blotsfan said:

Roger Ebert said:

[The humans, including lots of U.S. troops, shoot at the Transformers a lot, although never in the history of science fiction has an alien been harmed by gunfire.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Not a gun, it's a blaster. "real" human weapons, though?

Jun 23, 2009#72

I

IchigoX

Transformers 2 came out in Japan last Friday. My husband went to see it with some friends and they all hated it.

Pro: Robots were cool.
Cons: Not enough robots. Too much bad human dialog.

Bottom line: If you want to watch this movie just to see some cool explosions, don't. There is way too much crap inbetween the good parts. Just rent the DVD.

Jun 23, 2009#73

The Lovely Boehner

A Troll said:
The pompous asshats in this thread are a perfect example of why I go to this forum less and less.

callow, passive aggressive trolls are the absolute worst kind

Jun 23, 2009#74

CynicismKills

Charlie Dont Surf said:
callow

Shit, I thought that was the only thing in the letter that was complimentary.

Jun 23, 2009#75

Steve

Breaking news: Internet nerds complain about a movie. Film at eleven.

Jun 23, 2009#76

Troll

Charlie Dont Surf said:
[quote="A Troll":hq6vq681]The pompous asshats in this thread are a perfect example of why I go to this forum less and less.

callow, passive aggressive trolls are the absolute worst kind[/quote:hq6vq681]

:eyeroll:

And I'm out folks. Please enjoy the rest of your thread.

Jun 23, 2009#77

GeneralOrder24

Steve said:
Breaking news: Internet nerds complain about a movie. Film at eleven.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QepgKVOVfZ8:7774c7k2][/youtube:7774c7k2]

Jun 23, 2009#78

Krisken

CynicismKills said:
Charlie Dont Surf said:

callow

Click to expand...

poop, I thought that was the only thing in the letter that was complimentary.

Nice, sir, nice.

Jun 23, 2009#79

Steve

Considering the source material who in the world expects this to be The Crying Game? You all can rent Chariots of Fire this weekend and weep with joy but the Transformers is nothing more than giant robots kicking the shit out of each other. That's all I want to see. I could care less if the story is secondary. I'm not paying to see Shia perform his heart out. I'm not paying to examine Megan Fox's thumb on the big screen so I can run back to the internet and profess to all my basement dwelling buddies I wouldn't give her the time of day. I'm paying for the last 45 minutes of the movie which is one giant fight scene with dozens of robots.
A Troll, I've got your back on this one.

-- Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:25 pm --

GeneralOrder24 said:
Steve said:

Breaking news: Internet nerds complain about a movie. Film at eleven.

Click to expand...

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QepgKVOVfZ8:486i2egf][/youtube:486i2egf]

Kevin Smith is awesome. I haven't seen that before but that was classic. Protesting his own movie. And I can't believe the local news didn't spend 30 minutes asking him questions. When will that local rag get another chance to corner him.

Jun 23, 2009#80

The Lovely Boehner

As much as I loathe the "what are you expecting, (classic critically and/or oscar-winning movie)?" argument, ya'll are coming up with some really odd/curious choices for that blank. English Patient? Crying Game? Chariots of Fire?

Jun 23, 2009#81

Frankie Williamson

Steve said:
Considering the source material who in the world expects this to be The Crying Game? You all can rent Chariots of Fire this weekend and weep with joy but the Transformers is nothing more than giant robots kicking the poop out of each other. That's all I want to see. I could care less if the story is secondary. I'm not paying to see Shia perform his heart out. I'm not paying to examine Megan Fox's thumb on the big screen so I can run back to the internet and profess to all my basement dwelling buddies I wouldn't give her the time of day. I'm paying for the last 45 minutes of the movie which is one giant fight scene with dozens of robots.
A Troll, I've got your back on this one.

-- Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:25 pm --

GeneralOrder24 said:

Steve said:

Breaking news: Internet nerds complain about a movie. Film at eleven.

Click to expand...

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QepgKVOVfZ8:3t3vqf9r][/youtube:3t3vqf9r]

Click to expand...

Kevin Smith is awesome. I haven't seen that before but that was classic. Protesting his own movie. And I can't believe the local news didn't spend 30 minutes asking him questions. When will that local rag get another chance to corner him.

And that's the biggest problem, you're there to see the action...of which as in the first one, there is minimal that isn't a closeup of people running away from the blurry background relegated robots.

Jun 23, 2009#82

Gadzooks

i heard there were more pulled back shots. Did the Internet lie to me? or did you just pull that out of your transformers hating butt

Jun 23, 2009#83

Charlie Dont Surf said:
As much as I loathe the "what are you expecting, (classic critically and/or oscar-winning movie)?" argument, ya'll are coming up with some really odd/curious choices for that blank. English Patient? Crying Game? Chariots of Fire?

How about this?

It's a two plus hour live action adaptation of an 80s half hour animated toy commercial? Honestly, to expect any kind of decent plot or even ANY kind of character development is setting the bar too high.

The first movie could have been entertaining, if they had cut out all the stuff with the hackers and the desert guys. Admittedly, doing so would lose the scenes with Scorpinok and most of Frenzy, but if they'd just focused on the kid and Bumblebee, it would've been a much tighter plot and overall movie. I mean, once the giant fight downtown at the end of the first movie starts up, all the development with the hackers and the soldiers meant pretty much diddly squat.

Jun 23, 2009#84

Espy

In some ways, I think "Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen" is the movie that fanboys have been slowly but surely placing down payments on for the last 20 years of pop cinema. When I hear people complain that it's overstuffed and indulgent and excessive, I am sort of amazed that they feel the need to point that out. OF COURSE IT IS. That's what Hollywood believes you want. Thanks to the way we've rewarded the lowest common denominator wrapped in the shiniest package, summer after summer after summer, and the way we seem to constantly demand that sequels turn everything up louder, make everything longer, and fill the frame with moremoreMORE, Michael Bay stands astride Hollywood like the perfectly evolved Modern Action Director.

From Drew at HitFix.
The reviews at RT are TERRIBLE, it's sinking below 25 as of tonight. Might rise, but so far it's being called a turd at best and horribly racist at worst.

I think I'm actually going to see it. It's sounding SO BAD that I might need to get drunk and do this.
It's been compared to BATMAN and ROBIN, but WORSE. :aaahhh:

Jun 23, 2009#85

Steven Soderburgin

Steve said:
Breaking news: Internet nerds complain about a movie. Film at eleven.

Nerds complain because it wasn't exactly like their nostalgia-filtered memories from their childhood. I'm complaining because it's a poorly made film.

I'm talking about the first movie, here. I don't plan on seeing the second one, but most reviews support this view of it anyway.

A Troll said:
:eyeroll:

And I'm out folks. Please enjoy the rest of your thread.

What will become of this thread without the insightful comments of A Troll?

Steve said:
Considering the source material who in the world expects this to be The Crying Game?

Here's why this is a completely retarded argument: no one is saying they expect or even want Transformers to aspire to high art. There are plenty of legitimately great movies that aren't high art and don't try to be: Die Hard, Jurassic Park, Them!, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Thing, Evil Dead II. These are great movies. What they have and what Transformers lacks is tight scripting, imaginative direction, interesting characters. That is to say, they are extremely well-made films that provide unique experiences. No one wants Citizen Kane every time, and it's stupid to imply that. It is moronic and ridiculous.

Essentially, just because a film does not aspire to be high art does not excuse mediocrity.

-- Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:34 pm --

ThatNickGuy said:
It's a two plus hour live action adaptation of an 80s half hour animated toy commercial? Honestly, to expect any kind of decent plot or even ANY kind of character development is setting the bar too high.

I don't think expecting a film to not insult my intelligence by rewarding stupidity is setting the bar too high, tbqh

Jun 23, 2009#86

TheBrew

Charlie Dont Surf said:
TheBrew said:

Ebert did give Star Trek a thumb down, so I am going to take this review with a grain of salt.

Click to expand...

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbc ... 69997/1023

There isn't a whole lot of negative language in this review?

Ultimately, he gave it one thumbs down and his big complaint was a little inane.

Jun 23, 2009#87

Steven Soderburgin

TheBrew said:
Ultimately, he gave it one thumbs down and his big complaint was a little inane.

What I got from his review is that he liked the movie, but was sort of grumpy about liking it. I don't find his complaint to be inaccurate.

Jun 23, 2009#88

Cajungal

Kissinger said:
ThatNickGuy said:

It's a two plus hour live action adaptation of an 80s half hour animated toy commercial? Honestly, to expect any kind of decent plot or even ANY kind of character development is setting the bar too high.

Click to expand...

I don't think expecting a film to not insult my intelligence by rewarding stupidity is setting the bar too high, tbqh

:\ I wouldn't use "expect." I'd say "hope." There are people in every career who are either bad at what they do or take on work that is probably not suited for them, and film is no exception. We can hope that a director who's not suited to do a certain project won't disappoint... but to expect them not to do poorly might be asking a bit too much. It doesn't mean he's not competent at other things--but maybe not this project.

Me, I'm not expecting OR hoping anything in regards to this movie. I was never really into Transformers then, so I feel I don't have a reason to go. If there seemed to be a reason besides "I watched that when I was a kid!" I'd definitely try it out.... maybe not too eagerly after that first one though.

Jun 24, 2009#89

Frankie Williamson

Kissinger said:
Nerds complain because it wasn't exactly like their nostalgia-filtered memories from their childhood.

No one in this thread that I've noticed hated it for not being that shitty cartoon we watched as kids. No one cares that it isn't.

Jun 24, 2009#90

Cajungal

I'd like to add, actually, that we SHOULD be able to expect people to do their job well without seeming unrealistic. But, ya know, imperfect world and all that. I won't stop anyone from making the expectations they want to make. But yeah...

Jun 24, 2009#91

Steven Soderburgin

Cajungal said:
I'd like to add, actually, that we SHOULD be able to expect people to do their job well without seeming unrealistic. But, ya know, imperfect world and all that. I won't stop anyone from making the expectations they want to make. But yeah...

I was going to respond to your post with this, but for the most part I agree with what you're saying.

-- Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:05 pm --

Frankie said:
No one in this thread that I've noticed hated it for not being that shitty cartoon we watched as kids. No one cares that it isn't.

I'd be willing to bet that most people who are vehemently defending the first film would take issue with calling the cartoon "shitty."

But this is a point I'm not really interested in arguing too strongly about because what you responded to was just me being flippant.

Jun 24, 2009#92

Frankie Williamson

Kissinger said:
Cajungal said:

I'd like to add, actually, that we SHOULD be able to expect people to do their job well without seeming unrealistic. But, ya know, imperfect world and all that. I won't stop anyone from making the expectations they want to make. But yeah...

Click to expand...

I was going to respond to your post with this, but for the most part I agree with what you're saying.

-- Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:05 pm --

Frankie said:

No one in this thread that I've noticed hated it for not being that shitty cartoon we watched as kids. No one cares that it isn't.

Click to expand...

I'd be willing to bet that most people who are vehemently defending the first film would take issue with calling the cartoon "shitty."

But this is a point I'm not really interested in arguing too strongly about because what you responded to was just me being flippant.

Heh, don't get me wrong, I loved the cartoon as a kid and it still holds a soft spot in my heart. Hell, I collected the toys into my adulthood (where my current nomadic circumstances meant I gave the collection to some kids) but even I can admit that the 80's cartoon was bad, like most 80's toy commercial cartoons.

Jun 24, 2009#93

Shegokigo

ThatNickGuy said:
It's a two plus hour live action adaptation of an 80s half hour animated toy commercial? Honestly, to expect any kind of decent plot or even ANY kind of character development is setting the bar too high.

I don't think people are upset at lack of plot or character developtment. I think they're upset at lack of Transformers vs Human scenes and terrible "action shots" where you can't tell what the hell is going on in the scene.

Jun 24, 2009#94

Cajungal

It sure is fun, though, to go back and watch stuff that we thought was cool as kids. It's almost shocking how ridiculous it is. 'Makes me realize that kids' TV isn't getting worse... I just know it sucks before the kids do.

Jun 24, 2009#95

Shegokigo

Cajungal said:
It sure is fun, though, to go back and watch stuff that we thought was cool as kids. It's almost shocking how ridiculous it is. 'Makes me realize that kids' TV isn't getting worse... I just know it sucks before the kids do.

No, it's getting worse.

Jun 24, 2009#96

Steven Soderburgin

Shegokigo said:
No, it's getting worse.

Honestly, modern children's television is far better than what you and I had as kids. The past 5-10 years has seen some really remarkable kids shows.

Jun 24, 2009#97

Shegokigo

Kissinger said:
Honestly, modern children's television is far better than what you and I had as kids. The past 5-10 years has seen some really remarkable kids shows.

I disagree on all levels, then again I didn't watch alot of my kids shows as most others did as I was exposed to alot of anime.

Jun 24, 2009#98

Calleja

I just saw it.

And I liked it.

It's stupid, inane, insulting, sometimes even dizzying... but man was I laughing. Either Michael Bay is really one of the most dense people on Earth, or he's a fracking genius and put one over the critics. I mean, there times when the self-parodying reached levels that couldn't have been anything but deliberate.

In some way, I hope this is Bay's criticism of modern Hollywood.

In reality, I know it's the eye-candy blockbuster empty film of the year. We've been rewarding these for years... and, make no mistake, no matter what the critics say.. it's gonna make a killing. I went on opening day on a fracking Tuesday and the theater was packed. TUESDAY.

I'm probably not gonna ever see it again, but I'm glad I did see it. I don't feel like I wasted my two hours, this is... this is something you just have to see. Even if just to learn what the world is coming to.

Jun 24, 2009#99

Shegokigo

Calleja said:
I'm probably not gonna ever see it again, but I'm glad I did see it. I don't feel like I wasted my two hours, this is... this is something you just have to see. Even if just to learn what the world is coming to.

I will, on Netflix, for free. That's exactly what it deserves from me.

Jun 24, 2009#100

Calleja

Eh, I paid the 4 USD for my ticket and don't regret it. I've paid more for coffee.

Jun 24, 2009#101

Cajungal

I'll be honest, I don't watch enough kid's shows right now to know how i really feel about it. I've seen really crappy and really great--just like I did when I was younger. The youth culture is changing, too, and so certain things are starting to escape us. DAMN KIDS!

Jun 24, 2009#102

Twitch

When I go to watch Jurassic Park I don't go for the social commentary. There is no deep soul searching in that movie. I did not learn a valuable lesson other than how not to hunt raptors. I went in to Jurassic Park expecting Dinosaurs to rip the shit out of stuff. I got Dinosaurs ripping the shit out of shit and one of my favorite movies of all time. JP did not make me think but I had a damn good time watching an excellent piece of film, this is not offered by Transformers. Does this make me an elitist dick?

Jun 24, 2009#103

Cajungal

Twitch said:
When I go to watch Jurassic Park I don't go for the social commentary. There is no deep soul searching in that movie. I did not learn a valuable lesson other than how not to hunt raptors. I went in to Jurassic Park expecting Dinosaurs to rip the shit out of stuff. I got Dinosaurs ripping the shit out of shit and one of my favorite movies of all time. JP did not make me think but I had a damn good time watching an excellent piece of film, this is not offered by Transformers. Does this make me an elitist dick?

Dude. DUDE. The very poignant lesson is to always travel with a neurotic vegetarian computer nerd, because you never know when she'll be able to save you from a dinosaur attack by hacking into a corny 90s computer system.

Jun 24, 2009#104

Twitch

Cajungal said:
Twitch said:

When I go to watch Jurassic Park I don't go for the social commentary. There is no deep soul searching in that movie. I did not learn a valuable lesson other than how not to hunt raptors. I went in to Jurassic Park expecting Dinosaurs to rip the shit out of stuff. I got Dinosaurs ripping the shit out of shit and one of my favorite movies of all time. JP did not make me think but I had a damn good time watching an excellent piece of film, this is not offered by Transformers. Does this make me an elitist dick?

Click to expand...

Dude. DUDE. The very poignant lesson is to always travel with a neurotic vegetarian computer nerd, because you never know when she'll be able to save you from a dinosaur attack by hacking into a corny 90s computer system.

I always thought it was interesting that in the book the girl is a useless bag of meat and in the movie they switch the two kids...

Jun 24, 2009#105

Cajungal

They were BOTH kind of useless until the very end.

Jun 24, 2009#106

Twitch

Cajungal said:
They were BOTH kind of useless until the very end.

But the formula was

Girl freaks out
Boy calms girl
Dr. forges ahead
Girl freaks out
Boy calms girl
Dr. forges ahead
MULDOOOOOOOON
Girl freaks out
computer trouble
Boy fixes
MULDOOOOOOOON
Book ends.

Jun 24, 2009#107

Calleja

You forgot the T-Rex, dude.

Jun 24, 2009#108

Frankie Williamson

Am I nuts or did Ian Malcolm die in the first book?

I swear to God remember him dying when I read it as a kid and then getting into arguments with people about his death.

Jun 24, 2009#109

Twitch

Malcolm dies but returns in Lost World.

Jun 24, 2009#110

The Lovely Boehner

Yo, Pirates of the Caribbean was based on a goddamn theme park ride and was 20x the movie either Transformers was, who the fuck cares what it's based on.

Jun 24, 2009#111

filmfanatic

Hey guys. Just got back from the midnight screening of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Personally, I definitely enjoyed it. I liked the first film and I felt that this one lived up to my expectations (not high, mind you, but still made it). It offered precisely what I wanted to see in a Transformers film: giant alien robots beating the crap out of each other.

The plot wasn't great, but would you go to a Transformers film for the plot? This was a really fun example of how enjoyable a summer blockbuster can be. Though I would not put it on the same level as Star Trek, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this film.

Jun 24, 2009#112

CynicismKills

Fight scenes were awesome, I could even follow them. No shaky-cam, no "hey let's watch Shia run while Optimus goes against 3 bots at once" or anything. Plot was dumb, there is [spoiler:1ownklvd]literally a deus ex machina I am not lying this is literal.[/spoiler:1ownklvd] The twin Autobots were retarded and totally useless, [spoiler:1ownklvd]Jetfire was a crotchety old man which was also stupid.[/spoiler:1ownklvd]

All in all the fight scenes are the best part, maybe wait till it hits the cheap theaters.

Jun 24, 2009#113

Shawn

I'm going to see it tomorrow.
Confirmation from Film and Cyn that it's a popcorn movie makes me think that I'm not bound to be too disappointed. I'm seeing the movie to see giant robots beat the crap out of each other.
It also helps that there is a bar in the theater, so I may take a drink in with me for maximum enjoyment.

Jun 24, 2009#114

@Li3n

Sure, go see it, make it a financial successful film... what could possibly go wrong: http://www.cracked.com/blog/hollywood-i ... he-gobots/

Jun 24, 2009#115

Shawn

@Li3n said:
Sure, go see it, make it a financial successful film... what could possibly go wrong: http://www.cracked.com/blog/hollywood-i ... he-gobots/

Stupid movies are going to be made no matter what we do. There is always going to plenty of people who will go to ever film with "movie" in the title even if they hated all the ones before it. Plenty of people who will see someone fart in a trailer and decide that's going to be their movie of the summer. Bad movies will never cease to be.

If Transformers entertains me I will WANT them to make more movies. I will WANT them to make Gobots the movie. And when that one comes out I'll judge it by the trailer just as I have the Transformers movies. If any of them are worth seeing again I'll hand over my money a second time. If it's interpreted as "I like stupid explosion movies, make another please" so be it.

It's Hollywood. I know that no matter how many stupid explosion movies they make, there will be plenty of "good" films as well.

Jun 24, 2009#116

Shegokigo

Shawnacy said:
It's Hollywood. I know that no matter how many stupid explosion movies they make, there will be plenty of "good" films as well.

A movie based on the future of your line of thinking Shawnacy.

Jun 24, 2009#117

Shawn

Shegokigo said:
Shawnacy said:

It's Hollywood. I know that no matter how many stupid explosion movies they make, there will be plenty of "good" films as well.

Click to expand...

A movie based on the future of your line of thinking Shawnacy.

Ironic that it's actually quite a dumb film that's still fun to watch?
The concept of Idiocracy is flawed in many ways. I'm interested to see how a society of people with idiot IQs managed to come up with the technology that supports them so they can continue to be idiots.

Jun 24, 2009#118

@Li3n

Stupid movies are going to be made no matter what we do. There is always going to plenty of people who will go to ever film with "movie" in the title even if they hated all the ones before it. Plenty of people who will see someone fart in a trailer and decide that's going to be their movie of the summer. Bad movies will never cease to be.

Oh yeah... they'll always be someone like you... unless i manage to take over the world... then i'll just be using you people as alternate fuel... man, i need to get started on that already... but then i'll have even less time for videogames... :aaahhh:

Jun 24, 2009#119

Krisken

What I'm finding amusing (and it's probably only me) is the level of vitriol people are showing for a movie they won't see. This isn't some slippery slope where the fate of the human race hangs in the balance.

Stupid movies making money isn't the cause of stupidity. Idiocracy wasn't even saying that.

I feel a little sad for those of you who can't enjoy a bad movie every so often. If only to laugh at the sheer ludicrousness of it.

Jun 24, 2009#120

@Li3n

Krisken said:
Stupid movies making money isn't the cause of stupidity.

Stupidity is the cause of bad movies... pay attention pls.

And DISCUSSING BAD MOVIES IS SERIOUS BUSINESS!!!

Jun 24, 2009#121

Shawn

@Li3n said:
Stupid movies are going to be made no matter what we do. There is always going to plenty of people who will go to ever film with "movie" in the title even if they hated all the ones before it. Plenty of people who will see someone fart in a trailer and decide that's going to be their movie of the summer. Bad movies will never cease to be.

Click to expand...

Oh yeah... they'll always be someone like you... unless i manage to take over the world... then i'll just be using you people as alternate fuel... man, i need to get started on that already... but then i'll have even less time for videogames... :aaahhh:

Indeed. We need to get you headed in the right direction towards your Global Leader position. I'm sure people are very excited about your "Burn alive anyone who bought a Transformers 2 ticket" platform. But oh my... is that a new Mario Bros coming out? Shame you won't have time for that. I was even going to let you play Mario.

Jun 24, 2009#122

Krisken

@Li3n said:
Krisken said:

Stupid movies making money isn't the cause of stupidity.

Click to expand...

Stupidity is the cause of bad movies... pay attention pls.

And DISCUSSING BAD MOVIES IS SERIOUS BUSINESS!!!

That's why my friends and I have a Bad Movie night. Nothing like home brew MST3K.

Jun 24, 2009#123

@Li3n

Shawnacy said:
I was even going to let you play Mario.

I like Luigi better anyhow... you know he's the brains behind the operation.

Also, being elected?! That would just make me feel dirty... using a death ray would be less embarrassing then that.

Jun 24, 2009#124

Shawn

@Li3n said:
Shawnacy said:

I was even going to let you play Mario.

Click to expand...

I like Luigi better anyhow... you know he's the brains behind the operation.

Also, being elected?! That would just make me feel dirty... using a death ray would be less embarrassing then that.

In my opinion anyone who can threaten the world into fearful obedience deserves to be in control.

Jun 24, 2009#125

@Li3n

Shawnacy said:
In my opinion anyone who can threaten the world into fearful obedience deserves to be in control.

You're gonna have to do way more boot-licking then that to make up for liking the Transformer movie... but it's a good start.

Jun 24, 2009#126

Shawn

@Li3n said:
Shawnacy said:

In my opinion anyone who can threaten the world into fearful obedience deserves to be in control.

Click to expand...

You're gonna have to do way more boot-licking then that to make up for liking the Transformer movie... but it's a good start.

And you're going to have to do a lot to prove to me you deserve the world.
Preferring Luigi over Mario is NOT a good start. :tongue:

Jun 24, 2009#127

Kitty Sinatra

On the side topic: I enjoy watching and reading Ebert's reviews, but his tastes simply do not match up enough with mine to warrant actually listen to his conclusion on any particular flick. Dude didn't like 300.

Jun 24, 2009#128

Koko

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen...

Just got back from the midnight premire.
Needless to say, I've lost quite a bit of faith in cinema.
:puke:

Jun 24, 2009#129

@Li3n

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen...

It's the thread right after this one... sheesh.

Jun 24, 2009#130

B

bhamv2

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen...

This thread is now about orange juice.

Jun 24, 2009#131

@Li3n

Shawnacy said:
And you're going to have to do a lot to prove to me you deserve the world.

I think i'll start with an iron maiden and work my way up from there... when you're convinced you can let me know by being silent for 30 seconds... :twisted:

Shawnacy said:
Preferring Luigi over Mario is NOT a good start. :tongue:

Green >> Red !

Jun 24, 2009#132

@Li3n

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen...

Classy...

Jun 24, 2009#133

Shawn

@Li3n said:
Shawnacy said:

And you're going to have to do a lot to prove to me you deserve the world.

Click to expand...

I think i'll start with an iron maiden and work my way up from there... when you're convinced you can let me know by being silent for 30 seconds...

Shawnacy said:

Preferring Luigi over Mario is NOT a good start. :tongue:

Click to expand...

Green >> Red !

The only time Luigi gets his own game he runs around with a flashlight as he screams and dashes around in a panic.
You really prefer that over heroic and competent Mario?

Jun 24, 2009#134

@Li3n

Shawnacy said:
The only time Luigi gets his own game he runs around with a flashlight as he screams and dashes around in a panic.
You really prefer that over heroic and competent Mario?

Falling for such a transparent attempt at obfuscation? How disappointing...

Jun 24, 2009#135

Shawn

@Li3n said:
Shawnacy said:

The only time Luigi gets his own game he runs around with a flashlight as he screams and dashes around in a panic.
You really prefer that over heroic and competent Mario?

Click to expand...

Falling for such a transparent attempt at obfuscation? How disappointing...

*Gasp* Of course! :aaahhh:

Jun 24, 2009#136

@Li3n

also, you where wrong: http://www.mariowiki.com/Mario_is_Missing!

Jun 24, 2009#137

Krisken

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen...

Koko said:
Just got back from the midnight premire.
Needless to say, I've lost quite a bit of faith in cinema.

So someone should have said to you:

Koko, beware. ?

Jun 24, 2009#138

cvgurau

Without reading the last 4 pages of posts, I'll just say that I dug it.

I went to see a movie about giant fucking robots fighting. I saw giant fucking robots fighting. Thus, I was satisfied.

Jun 24, 2009#139

@Li3n

And if they had left out anything else i'm sure it would have been a better movie (as it was with the 1st one).

Jun 24, 2009#140

DarkAudit

"I'm gonna go see it anyway. Who cares if it's shit."

FUCK YOU. Fuck all y'all. YOU are the reason Hollywood is drowning us in a pile of excrement. You idiots are encouraging this and more of the same. You are the people who curse Uwe Boll's name, yet still line up and let him defecate on you for 100 minutes.

YOU are the reason Land of the Lost and Bewitched turned into Just Another Fucking Will Ferrell Movie.

Jun 24, 2009#141

fade

"Popcorn movie" and "poor directing meets total lack of plot" are NOT synonymous.

Jun 24, 2009#142

sixpackshaker

I just hope Public Enemies will be a good movie. There needs to be some big movie redemption this summer.

Jun 24, 2009#143

Bowielee

DarkAudit said:
"I'm gonna go see it anyway. Who cares if it's poop."

smurf YOU. smurf all y'all. YOU are the reason Hollywood is drowning us in a pile of excrement. You idiots are encouraging this and more of the same. You are the people who curse Uwe Boll's name, yet still line up and let him defecate on you for 100 minutes.

YOU are the reason Land of the Lost and Bewitched turned into Just Another smurfing Will Ferrell Movie.

I'm going to see it because the first one entertained me, as I'm thinking the second one will entertain me. In other words, I don't think it was shit, and just because you have a concensus here that you didn't like it doesn't change my personal opinion. The job of movies is to entertain me, if it has done so, it is a good movie.

That makes a movie good to me. If I leave the theater and don't feel like my money has just been stolen, then yes, I do want more of the same because I LIKED it.

Jun 24, 2009#144

DarkAudit

Bowielee said:
DarkAudit said:

"I'm gonna go see it anyway. Who cares if it's poop."

smurf YOU. smurf all y'all. YOU are the reason Hollywood is drowning us in a pile of excrement. You idiots are encouraging this and more of the same. You are the people who curse Uwe Boll's name, yet still line up and let him defecate on you for 100 minutes.

YOU are the reason Land of the Lost and Bewitched turned into Just Another smurfing Will Ferrell Movie.

Click to expand...

I'm going to see it because the first one entertained me, as I'm thinking the second one will entertain me. In other words, I don't think it was shit, and just because you have a concensus here that you didn't like it doesn't change my personal opinion. The job of movies is to entertain me, if it has done so, it is a good movie.

That makes a movie good to me. If I leave the theater and don't feel like my money has just been stolen, then yes, I do want more of the same because I LIKED it.

That's your prerogative. And not the same as some of the other posts that are of the "seeing it just to spite the forum" type.

I admit to not seeing the first. I was excited about it, right up until the news leaked that the robots were more of an afterthought. The "more of the same, but worse" quality of the second one, combined with blistering reviews from the *geek* sites, make me want to run far away from the sequel.

Jun 24, 2009#145

edzepp

I just saw it and I enjoyed it. Whenever they play the original Transformers movie on those TV screens in video stores I always stop to watch. Why? Because it's fun. I'm not going to pretend that it's some masterpiece of the form or that it isn't flawed, but dammit I just have so much fun watching these movies. And Transformers 2 was definitely fun. Whether or not Michael Bay is a hack is irrelevant. He is what he is. I have accepted this. And once again he has richly entertained me. Does that make me a drooling, lowest-common-denominator simpleton with no taste? Whatever. It's a movie. See it or don't.

I think I shed a single tear when Optimus Prime [spoiler:1e3vo4xv]combines with Jetfire at the end[/spoiler:1e3vo4xv]. So awesome.

Jun 24, 2009#146

Shegokigo

Shawnacy said:
The concept of Idiocracy is flawed in many ways. I'm interested to see how a society of people with idiot IQs managed to come up with the technology that supports them so they can continue to be idiots.

Obviously you didn't watch the movie. It's stated quite clearly that any technology that was there were remnants of when intelligence was still abound and the only machines left were operated by having been taught how to by the previous generation, though as each generation got dumber, each machine fell further and further into ruination. So yeah.

Krisken said:
What I'm finding amusing (and it's probably only me) is the level of vitriol people are showing for a movie they won't see. This isn't some slippery slope where the fate of the human race hangs in the balance.

I think you're reading way too much into, the vitriol is that a movie about big fighting robots turned into a blurry mash of metal and teen angst drama. That's it, not whatever you're taking it as.

Krisken said:
Stupid movies making money isn't the cause of stupidity. Idiocracy wasn't even saying that.

I was referring to what was on TV/Movies during Idiocracy, if you remember. I'll pass on "OW MY BALLS XII" because people like to see shit explode vs good cinema. :eek:

rly:

Krisken said:
I feel a little sad for those of you who can't enjoy a bad movie every so often. If only to laugh at the sheer ludicrousness of it.

Nothing wrong with enjoying a bad movie, when it's supposed to be a bad movie. When it's supposed to be a huge blockbuster action extraveganza? Yeah, takes a different meaning on all together.

fade said:
"Popcorn movie" and "poor directing meets total lack of plot" are NOT synonymous.

Should be the title of this thread, seriously.

Jun 24, 2009#147

Chummer

Idiocracy's version of cinema was great: A bare ass farting for 90 minutes.

God, Idiocracy is the most true movie ever.

Jun 24, 2009#148

MindDetective

Chummer said:
Idiocracy's version of cinema was great: A bare a** farting for 90 minutes.

God, Idiocracy is the most true movie ever.

Hey, I just went to that expecting a bare ass farting and that's what I got. Not everything has to be "Date Movie", okay?

Jun 24, 2009#149

I don't know, man. Sometimes you just want to stare at an ass on the big screen for two hours without the farting sounds, you know? I mean, did the silent movie, Charlie Chapped Ass, teach us nothing?

Jun 24, 2009#150

Cog

Now everybody who liked this movie is an idiot?

Jun 24, 2009#151

Shannow

@Li3n said:
And DISCUSSING BAD MOVIES IS SERIOUS BUSINESS!!!

What the fuck is the internet!?

Jun 24, 2009#152

ElJuski

Chummer said:
God, Idiocracy is the most true movie ever.

No, no its really not, as much as we all want to be hip and cynical about the human race. Mike Judge went at the satire and potential comedy with a sledgehammer.

Jun 24, 2009#153

Shegokigo

ElJuski said:
Chummer said:

God, Idiocracy is the most true movie ever.

Click to expand...

No, no its really not, as much as we all want to be hip and cynical about the human race. Mike Judge went at the satire and potential comedy with a sledgehammer.

I dunno Juski... this doesn't seem far from our future:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRuNxHqwazs:2f0qgiuv][/youtube:2f0qgiuv]
(Yes I realize it isn't the Brawndo version but I much prefer these)

Jun 24, 2009#154

ElJuski

Oh, I'm not denying the *potential* for how stupid the human race can be. And I DO think that one day we'll get "Ow My Balls". But...I don't know; Idiocracy hit too hard and too, well, dumb, really, for me to stand behind it. It felt like a really bitter "This is for nerds to watch and say Fuck the Jocks!" kind of movie.

My concession: I absolutely love the beginning of the movie, and I love the whole "It's what plants crave" bit.

Jun 24, 2009#155

The Lovely Boehner

Gruebeard said:
On the side topic: I enjoy watching and reading Ebert's reviews, but his tastes simply do not match up enough with mine to warrant actually listen to his conclusion on any particular flick. Dude didn't like 300.

300 was trash, but we had that thread already. Tastes or or no tastes lining up, Ebert is unquestionably a great reviewer even if you don't agree with him 100% of the time(I don't!).

-- Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:28 am --

sixpackshaker said:
I just hope Public Enemies will be a good movie. There needs to be some big movie redemption this summer.

It will be. It's being directed by a fantastic director with an IQ above an 8th grader. It has actual real actors in it, too. And there is absolutely no toy marketing tie-in!

Jun 24, 2009#156

The Lovely Boehner

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen...

dude probably has me on ignore. now he sees what happens when you don't listen to me. :toocool: :toocool:

Jun 24, 2009#157

Chummer

ElJuski said:
Chummer said:

God, Idiocracy is the most true movie ever.

Click to expand...

No, no its really not, as much as we all want to be hip and cynical about the human race. Mike Judge went at the satire and potential comedy with a sledgehammer.

Yes, really. Look around osmetime. Look at all the shit thats ranked high on tv. Stupid ass reality shows. Crap with Paris Hilton.

Wii games for the dumb sale more than anything. jeeze they are even making games that play themselves if you find them to hard.

Peopel eat mroe fast food than anything because a smiling clown talks funny to you.

"It's got what plants need!" "Electrolytes!"

high grossing movies that seriously are just bare asses farting on a screen for 90 minutes. Transformers 2 is this. Im not saying all cinema has to be The Godfather but its sad to see that now-a-days movies that show robots pissing on peopel make more than a film that makes you actually think.

it all comes down to pleasing the lowest common denominator in society. The Wal-Mart trailer trash generation. I actually saw a weather report where they stopped to explain what the fucking percentages meant to the audiance.

The world is overrun with idiots. And the peopel who makes the money know they need to maek sure thier products are available and understood by those idiots.

The majority of people are sheep.

I hate to sound cynical. And hoep the future does head more towards some sort of idealized Star Trek society but i highly doubt it.

Do I think everyone will become idiots? No. But I do think there will eventually be 2 distinct classes/types of people. As in an even bigger gap than there is now. The smart who lead the dumb. Those living in the towers whuile the little-better-than-slaves go about thier mindless aimless jobs.

Basicly like the Idiocracy movie but with actual smart people living in the background.

Jun 24, 2009#158

Shegokigo

Also Juski, you can't deny that the dumb and inbred are breeding in much larger numbers than the intelligent and well educated.

Oh and Chummer, I love your post, but the multitude of grammical errors is kinda defeating your own point, unless you're using yourself as example. :tongue:

Jun 24, 2009#159

Espy

MindDetective said:
Chummer said:

Idiocracy's version of cinema was great: A bare a** farting for 90 minutes.

God, Idiocracy is the most true movie ever.

Click to expand...

Hey, I just went to that expecting a bare a** farting and that's what I got. Not everything has to be "Date Movie", okay?

Now look everyone. Calm down. You aren't an idiot for watching Transformers, I myself have decided to go see it since it looks SO bad. Everyone has different tastes and thats fine.

I think the thing that is different about this, and what might be upsetting some people is the following: Many of us like "bad" movies. We watch them, we laugh at them, etc. The catch is, is that *most* of those bad movies? Lower budgets, often non-professional actors, or often stupid german writers who can't write english dialogue, etc. Things that mean *BAD* movie right off the bat.
Transformers has the following at it's disposal:
1) One of the worlds foremost action directors. Like him or not, he is.
2) A easy comic book/tv show mythology to give it direction.
3) 200 MILLION dollars (think about that, just for a second, thats enough money to... probably feed a few African nations) to play with
4) Some of the best VFX houses in the world working with them
5) A reasonably solid cast.
6) One pretty solid writer and one not so solid writer. 1 out of 2 ain't that bad.

Thats a lot of good stuff going for it.
So when instead we get:
1) A poor action movie, where the action is hard to follow, everything is convoluted and the camera never sits still long enough for you to see what's happening.
2) According to many, no plot whatsoever.
3) Well, they spent that 200 mill. Thats for sure.
4) The VFX aren't poorly done... just overly done so that the robots look the same and are super busy. Poor art direction. For the money they could have done better.
5) Horrible acting.
6) See #2
, well people get upset when something that should be so easy to pull off, a giant popcorn flick, turns into drivel. We don't get upset when Uwe Boll shits out a movie, because he has nothing going for him, he has no way to put out a GOOD movie. So why get upset?
Does that make sense?

Jun 24, 2009#160

HoboNinja

Was better than the first one.

The first Transformers I would call decent at best where as this one actually gets a good in my opinion. It was actually very enjoyable to watch and if people like Charlie Dont Surf with their movie critic superiority complex can't accept that some people like different fucking movies then they are the idiots. By the way, 300 was fucking awesome!

Jun 24, 2009#161

Chummer

Shegokigo said:
Also Juski, you can't deny that the dumb and inbred are breeding in much larger numbers than the intelligent and well educated.

Oh and Chummer, I love your post, but the multitude of grammical errors is kinda defeating your own point, unless you're using yourself as example. :tongue:

Never said I could spell worth a shit or not make typos.

Jun 24, 2009#162

The Lovely Boehner

HoboNinja said:
Charlie Dont Surf with their movie critic superiority complex can't accept that some people like different fucking movies then they are the idiots. By the way, 300 was fucking awesome!

I definitely accept that people like different fucking movies, trust me. This thread was just trying to help people not get burned. The buzz and even the stupid moronic movie bloggers that sucked 300's pulsating cock like it was gonna spit out $100 bills were all saying that this one sucked after praising the first one. My boy Ebert from the first post gave the first one three stars! Even the not hoity-toity critics that loved Transformers 1 were trashing this one. That's what I was trying to get across.

Jun 24, 2009#163

ElJuski

Chummer said:
Shegokigo said:

Also Juski, you can't deny that the dumb and inbred are breeding in much larger numbers than the intelligent and well educated.

Oh and Chummer, I love your post, but the multitude of grammical errors is kinda defeating your own point, unless you're using yourself as example. :tongue:

Click to expand...

Never said I could spell worth a shit or not make typos.

Well, I don't have any statistics handy, but I can only imagine. We all deal with stupid people all the time. The bar can be set REAL low. I mean, take for instance, the boyfriend who "accidnetally" choke slammed a 2-year old too hard when they were rough housing (???). Now the local paper is talking about a dead 2 year old and a moronic boyfriend in custody. People can be hella dumb.

But, somehow, I'm actually optimistic. Forgiving, maybe? There's a lot of good out there, and a lot of smart people. It's not just dumbasses and intellectuphiles. I find it dubious that, just because there is a solid MTV generation, we're all going to sit and watch an ass on the screen for an hour and a half.

-- Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:52 am --

Charlie Dont Surf said:
HoboNinja said:

Charlie Dont Surf with their movie critic superiority complex can't accept that some people like different fucking movies then they are the idiots. By the way, 300 was fucking awesome!

Click to expand...

I definitely accept that people like different fucking movies, trust me. This thread was just trying to help people not get burned. The buzz and even the stupid moronic movie bloggers that sucked 300's pulsating cock like it was gonna spit out $100 bills were all saying that this one sucked after praising the first one. My boy Ebert from the first post gave the first one three stars! Even the not hoity-toity critics that loved Transformers 1 were trashing this one. That's what I was trying to get across.

god whatever charlie why you gotta keep up your schtick all the time god

Jun 24, 2009#164

Shegokigo

Charlie Dont Surf said:
That's what I was trying to get across.

Considering your usual style of posts, I thought you had gotten the point across very well with no real insults to be read.

Jun 24, 2009#165

sixpackshaker

I need to go into Houston and take some of my African American friends to see this, just so they can yell "THAT'S RACIST" when the two crunk autobots start talking.

Jun 24, 2009#166

Espy

Here's a nice bit on the racist crap in the film, from the idiot over at AICN, but even a broken clock is right twice a day:

The film will make a mint, undeservedly so. Steven Spielberg should be embarrassed to have his name on shoddy storywork like this. Shame on you Steven. Kids will be lining up for this - and they'll be met with dog fucking, cussing, racial stereotypes and more. I seriously wonder if Spielberg was thinking of Mudflap & Skids as he watched the inauguration of Barack Obama - because he'd read the script at that point, he knew what his name was bringing, and yet he still had the gall to attend.

The filmmakers, studio and toymakers behind this film should be ashamed. To spend this type of money to bring this sort of hurtful and repugnant work to screen - it is an insult to every DREAM that so many have WORKed for, for years.

Jun 24, 2009#167

JCM

Funnily how I went to the first Transformers movie expecting a good robot beat ´em up and got almost nothing but shaky shots, and I was forced into the cinema by a mate to watch "Teminator: Salvation", and it ended up being eeverything transformers could be.

Jun 24, 2009#168

Chazwozel

JCM said:
Funnily how I went to the first Transformers movie expecting a good robot beat ´em up and got almost nothing but shaky shots, and I was forced into the cinema by a mate to watch "Teminator: Salvation", and it ended up being eeverything transformers could be.

Terminator sucked ass.

Jun 24, 2009#169

JCM

I agree, but it did work as a "good robot beat ´em up", as I said.

Jun 24, 2009#170

Shegokigo

sixpackshaker said:
I need to go into Houston and take some of my African American friends to see this, just so they can yell "THAT'S RACIST" when the two crunk autobots start talking.

Chazwozel said:
JCM said:

Funnily how I went to the first Transformers movie expecting a good robot beat ´em up and got almost nothing but shaky shots, and I was forced into the cinema by a mate to watch "Teminator: Salvation", and it ended up being eeverything transformers could be.

Click to expand...

Terminator sucked ass.

JCM said:
I agree, but it did work as a "good robot beat ´em up", as I said.

Wait what? :bush: :rcain: :Leyla:

:shock:

Jun 24, 2009#171

Shannow

I agree with both Chaz and JCM on this. terminator was terrible. The cgi and robot sequences were superb, but the movie itself was terrible.

Jun 24, 2009#172

Cajungal

I kind of wish they'd play Christian Bale's screaming during the credits.

Jun 24, 2009#173

Espy

I liked TS for a decent popcorn flick (I probably won't watch it again mind you, it wasn't a "good" film, just a decent summer watch). It had solid action, a decent plot, all the things I want in Transformers but won't get.

Jun 24, 2009#174

Steven Soderburgin

Terminator Salvation was pretty poorly shot and any good that was there was mercilessly destroyed in the editing. The plot is also completely terrible. However, I wouldn't say it's aggressively bad, just mindless and stupid. Not really worth anyone's time or attention.

Transformers is aggressively bad.

Also, not related, but my favorite defense of really terrible movies like Transformers (other than "I wanted robots fighting and I got robots fighting!") is "just turn your brain off" because it implies that you have to be stupid in order to enjoy the movie and that is being claimed as an asset.

On the "I wanted robots fighting and I got robots fighting," that's such a bad way to defend any movie. You might as well say "I wanted flashing colors for at least 90 minutes and that's exactly what I got, so I wasn't disappointed!" What did the movie actually do well? If you found the action scenes truly exciting and entertaining, then just say so.

No one has the conviction to try to actually defend their taste. It's fine if you liked the movie! Seriously, that's fine, the same things don't appeal to us, but if we're going to have a discussion, you need to participate in the discussion and don't just dismiss any dissenting opinion by saying, "All I wanted robots fighting and that's what I got, so I wasn't disappointed."

It seems to me that saying "I wasn't disappointed" is very weak praise.

Jun 24, 2009#175

@Li3n

Nope, here's what a good popcorn TS film would be = 5 min introduction, 90 min giant robots kicking eachother in the face, credits...

Shannow said:
@Li3n said:

And DISCUSSING BAD MOVIES IS SERIOUS BUSINESS!!!

Click to expand...

What the fuck is the internet!?

THIS.IS.THE.INTERNET.

would kick you down a well, but there are none around... pls find nearest well and throw yourself in, 10x.

"just turn your brain off" because it implies that you have to be stupid in order to enjoy the movie and that is being claimed as an asset.

Wait, isn't that's what we've been saying all along?!

Jun 24, 2009#176

Shegokigo

Cajungal said:
I kind of wish they'd play Christian Bale's screaming during the credits.

Hell, during the intro! :rofl:

Jun 24, 2009#177

sixpackshaker

Hanging up the brain when it comes to Sci-Fi physics is one thing, but to be insulted with bad acting, story, special effects (well spfx that is too fast to notice wtf is going on), editing and directing, and racism is completely different things.

Jun 24, 2009#178

Troll

Kissinger said:
It's fine if you liked the movie! Seriously, that's fine, the same things don't appeal to us, but if we're going to have a discussion, you need to participate in the discussion and don't just dismiss any dissenting opinion by saying, "All I wanted robots fighting and that's what I got, so I wasn't disappointed."

There's no discussion here. Many have tried, such as Espy and (eventually) CDS. Too many other assholes come into this thread and start declaring everyone who disagrees with them stupid, or tells them to fuck off. *That* is what I complained about at the beginning of the thread, and it hasn't stopped. I understand your point - I even agree with it to a point - but you can't honestly expect people to offer a serious defenses of a movie while others are raining down insults on them.

Jun 24, 2009#179

Krisken

A Troll said:
...but you can't honestly expect people to offer a serious defenses of a movie while others are raining down insults on them.

I'm pretty much done posting an opinion on anything for just this reason.

Jun 24, 2009#180

DarkAudit

The people who gleefully put down their money time after time to go watch shit, when they know damn well that it's shit? Damn right they're going to catch hell for it. There's a point where "mindless fun" turned into "too fucking stupid for words". And too many people continue to lap that up. I'll say it again, it's because of those people, because of YOU, that Hollywood is a steaming pile of hotspur these days. If Transformers 3 was 95 minutes of Optimus humping a washing machine and nothing else, many of you would still pay a premium to see it at the first midnight showing.

Jun 24, 2009#181

Steven Soderburgin

DarkAudit said:
I'll say it again, it's because of those people, because of YOU, that Hollywood is a steaming pile of hotspur these days.

Nah, if Hollywood is a steaming pile of hotspur (a claim with which I don't entirely agree), it's because of marketing and not the victims of marketing. Those people play their part, certainly, but so much attention is paid to opening weekend box office that the quest to get that box office can sacrifice everything else.

The biggest movies of today are basically B-movies with A-budgets and that is because of marketing.

Jun 24, 2009#182

Chummer

Just because people like it doesn't make the film "not a pile of shit".

I like plenty of bad films but I'm not so into my own opinion that I believe the films are actually quality films.

Jun 24, 2009#183

Krisken

DarkAudit said:
The people who gleefully put down their money time after time to go watch poop, when they know damn well that it's poop? Damn right they're going to catch * for it. There's a point where "mindless fun" turned into "too smurfing stupid for words". And too many people continue to lap that up. I'll say it again, it's because of those people, because of YOU, that Hollywood is a steaming pile of hotspur these days. If Transformers 3 was 95 minutes of Optimus humping a washing machine and nothing else, many of you would still pay a premium to see it at the first midnight showing.

Yes, but you're arguing with an opinion. No one is telling you that you should see it, and no one is pretending it is something it isn't. There comes a point where people stop sounding like knowledgeable critics and start sounding like intolerant zealots.

One mans crap is another mans castle.

Jun 24, 2009#184

DarkAudit

When reviews start coming in from the corners of the internet that should be seriously gung-ho about this movie, and even they are going "fuck this fucking piece of shit film", you'd think that people would take the hint.

But no, there's a strong sense of defiance here. Shit be damned they're going. So the movie makes more money than it deserves to and just serves to encourage the studios to pump out more of the same.

Am I intolerant of the people who crank this out, AND the audiences that continue to lap it up?

DAMN RIGHT I AM!!

:eek:

Jun 24, 2009#185

Gusto

Man I don't think I can even enjoy robots anymore.

Gimme some goddamned Beast Wars.

Jun 24, 2009#186

Shannow

Dinobot....MAXIMIZE!!!

Jun 24, 2009#187

sixpackshaker

Now if some one would do a good Robotech/Macross movie...

Jun 24, 2009#188

@Li3n

Krisken said:
and no one is pretending it is something it isn't.

Oh yes they are...

They could at least have the decency to pirate it...

Jun 24, 2009#189

GeneralOrder24

OK, here's my honest to god review of transfomers

First five minutes: AUTOBOTS! FIGHT!
next hour: Boy and girl shitty relationship drama, zany parents, Zany autobots, the absulote pussification of the decepticons, except soundwave, who along with MAD Cat will GET GADGET NEXT TIME!
next 45 minutes: occasional tranformers mixed with boy girl shitty relationship drama, THE JESUS arrives and makes it tolerable.
rest of movie: SUPER FUN ACTION TIME peppered with groanworth shitty boy girl relationship drama, zany autobots, and zany parents.

Jun 24, 2009#190

EsteBeatDown

Kissinger said:
No one has the conviction to try to actually defend their taste. It's fine if you liked the movie! Seriously, that's fine, the same things don't appeal to us, but if we're going to have a discussion, you need to participate in the discussion and don't just dismiss any dissenting opinion by saying, "All I wanted robots fighting and that's what I got, so I wasn't disappointed."

It seems to me that saying "I wasn't disappointed" is very weak praise.

Why are we still having this argument if you are okay with people having their own taste in movies? Seems like you're okay with it, so long as they agree with yours.

Jun 24, 2009#191

Lally

Everyone has a right to like what they like, but I have to say I totally identify with DarkAudit's rage at/intolerance of those who support the stupid movie industry. Even though I know it's not going to help, I still get frustrated when stupid and/or poorly made movies do well.

Jun 24, 2009#192

Shawn

How does one determine what films are "poorly made?". Is it a lack of decent acting? Is it a poorly written script? Is it the overuse of special effects? I'm sure if you ask anyone at Industrial Light and Magic why they churned out a piece of crap like Transformers 2, they probably will want to punch you in the mouth.

Believe it or not there are movies out there that are so stupid, so dumb, and so awful that most audiences agree. When films like "Date Movie" or "Meet the Spartans" came out they were #1 for one week... then they dropped to like #8.

I'm about to see Transformers 2 in an hour or so. I'm not expecting Citizen Kane. I'm expecting a huge budget episode of Tranformers from the 1980s. Has anyone watched the show? It's a half hour toy commercial. If you walk into Tranformers 2 expecting art, how come I'm the "idiot" for going because I want to see giant robots and explosions?

I know there are good films out there. And I understand why we want to see more of them. I also have good news for you. There will always be "good" films. Just because the studios are encouraged to put out big budget explosion films, doesn't mean we won't see any more artsy films. Writers and Directors have just as much desire to make a decent film as we do seeing one. They want to be creative. They WANT to make a film that makes them stand out. Just because Michael Bay has stuck to explosions, doesn't mean directors like Tim Burton are going to follow suit because that's where the money is.

You guys want to see a good movie? Find your local indie theater. Check out those titles. I guarantee the special effects won't BE the film, so it's entirely up to the script to pull the film through. If you want a recent suggestion, go see "Moon". The special effects consist of models. Honest to gawd "I put this together with my hands" models. When that film is out on DVD, I'm picking it up. Because I like "good" movies too.

But by gawd I'm seeing Tranformers 2 today. And I'm going to cheer when something blows up and a racist robot does something racist.

Jun 24, 2009#193

The Lovely Boehner

Shawnacy said:
And I'm going to cheer when ...a racist robot does something racist.

Yo I can tell you where you can find some awesome minstrel shows too

Jun 24, 2009#194

Cajungal

Charlie Dont Surf said:
Shawnacy said:

And I'm going to cheer when ...a racist robot does something racist.

Click to expand...

Yo I can tell you where you can find some awesome minstrel shows too

I'm going to go ahead and assume he means laugh in an "Oh good lord, that's wrong and terrible" kind of way and not a "this will be a fun story to tell at the cross-burning" kind of way.

Jun 24, 2009#195

Shawn

Charlie Dont Surf said:
Shawnacy said:

And I'm going to cheer when ...a racist robot does something racist.

Click to expand...

Yo I can tell you where you can find some awesome minstrel shows too

I see "Puppet Up" live every two months or so.
Last week there were meth-head bunnies butt humping each other.
I'm good.

I have a very broad sense of humor. I can laugh at things. Can you?

Jun 24, 2009#196

The Lovely Boehner

Shawnacy said:
Charlie Dont Surf said:

Shawnacy said:

And I'm going to cheer when ...a racist robot does something racist.

Click to expand...

Yo I can tell you where you can find some awesome minstrel shows too

Click to expand...

I see "Puppet Up" live every two months or so.
Last week there were meth-head bunnies butt humping each other.
I'm good.

I have a very broad sense of humor. I can laugh at things. Can you?

I love racist jokes and can laugh at holocaust gags and whatever the fuck. But I find it less funny when the stuff like in Transformers and Jeff Dunham is earnestly stupid and racist.

Jun 24, 2009#197

Steven Soderburgin

Shawnacy said:
How does one determine what films are "poorly made?". Is it a lack of decent acting? Is it a poorly written script? Is it the overuse of special effects? I'm sure if you ask anyone at Industrial Light and Magic why they churned out a piece of crap like Transformers 2, they probably will want to punch you in the mouth.

Believe it or not there are movies out there that are so stupid, so dumb, and so awful that most audiences agree. When films like "Date Movie" or "Meet the Spartans" came out they were #1 for one week... then they dropped to like #8.

I'm about to see Transformers 2 in an hour or so. I'm not expecting Citizen Kane. I'm expecting a huge budget episode of Tranformers from the 1980s. Has anyone watched the show? It's a half hour toy commercial. If you walk into Tranformers 2 expecting art, how come I'm the "idiot" for going because I want to see giant robots and explosions?

I know there are good films out there. And I understand why we want to see more of them. I also have good news for you. There will always be "good" films. Just because the studios are encouraged to put out big budget explosion films, doesn't mean we won't see any more artsy films. Writers and Directors have just as much desire to make a decent film as we do seeing one. They want to be creative. They WANT to make a film that makes them stand out. Just because Michael Bay has stuck to explosions, doesn't mean directors like Tim Burton are going to follow suit because that's where the money is.

You guys want to see a good movie? Find your local indie theater. Check out those titles. I guarantee the special effects won't BE the film, so it's entirely up to the script to pull the film through. If you want a recent suggestion, go see "Moon". The special effects consist of models. Honest to gawd "I put this together with my hands" models. When that film is out on DVD, I'm picking it up. Because I like "good" movies too.

But by gawd I'm seeing Tranformers 2 today. And I'm going to cheer when something blows up and a racist robot does something racist.

Bread and circuses

Jun 24, 2009#198

The Lovely Boehner

http://io9.com/5301898/michael-bay-fina ... -art-movie

Here's another review

Jun 24, 2009#199

MindDetective

I had a sudden urge to post this awesome commercial:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiHsxQJ9ZOo:8n5fryyb][/youtube:8n5fryyb]

Jun 24, 2009#200

ElJuski

Gusto said:
Man I don't think I can even enjoy robots anymore.

Jun 24, 2009#201

Kitty Sinatra

There's still fembots.

Jun 24, 2009#202

BananaHands

Way to bring 'Blackface' into the future. With robots!

Jun 24, 2009#203

Cajungal

O.O Good lord, seriously?

Jun 24, 2009#204

BananaHands

Cajungal said:
O.O Good lord, seriously?

There are two big-eared twin robots who are bumbling buffoons. One even has a gold tooth.

Jun 24, 2009#205

The Lovely Boehner

BananaHands said:
Cajungal said:

O.O Good lord, seriously?

Click to expand...

There are two big-eared twin robots who are bumbling buffoons. One even has a gold tooth.

Also, they can't read.

Jun 24, 2009#206

Espy

Charlie Dont Surf said:
BananaHands said:

Cajungal said:

O.O Good lord, seriously?

Click to expand...

There are two big-eared twin robots who are bumbling buffoons. One even has a gold tooth.

Click to expand...

Also, they can't read.

See? That's MmmmBay throwing some really relevant social commentary in there.
Don't you feel bad for criticizing him now?

Jun 24, 2009#207

ElJuski

Charlie Dont Surf said:
BananaHands said:

Cajungal said:

O.O Good lord, seriously?

Click to expand...

There are two big-eared twin robots who are bumbling buffoons. One even has a gold tooth.

Click to expand...

Also, they can't read.

Don't forget their big dopey ears and their TOTALLY GHETTO WHACK MANNERISMS! I'm surprised that, during the scene at the deli one of them didn't pick up some watermelon.

AND PEOPLE ARE NOT OFFENDED BY THIS

Jun 24, 2009#208

Cajungal

WOW.

My boyfriend's seeing it tonight with his brother. I literally cannot wait to hear what he has to say about that. :rofl:

Jun 24, 2009#209

Espy

ElJuski said:
AND PEOPLE ARE NOT OFFENDED BY THIS

Thats what's kind of blowing my mind about it.

No one who has seen it it bothered by it?
One of the kids who works for me saw it last night and he had no idea what I was talking about when I explained why this was racist. He didn't get why them looking like monkey's was racist either.
Kids today.

Jun 24, 2009#210

Cajungal

See... I was thinking, "there's no way it can be as bad as everyone is saying."

Apparently it is.

Dang. So glad I didn't have to go!

Jun 24, 2009#211

ElJuski

Espy said:
ElJuski said:

AND PEOPLE ARE NOT OFFENDED BY THIS

Click to expand...

Thats what's kind of blowing my mind about it.

No one who has seen it it bothered by it?
One of the kids who works for me saw it last night and he had no idea what I was talking about when I explained why this was racist. He didn't get why them looking like monkey's was racist either.
Kids today.

And what bothers me the most is that only me and BananaHands were laughing at how fucking stupid it all was. Everybody else, on the other hand, thought that the blackobots were hi-fuckin-larious.

Jun 24, 2009#212

DarkAudit

People back in the 40s thought Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs was hi-fuckin-larious, too.

Jun 24, 2009#213

ElJuski

Good thing it's been almost 70 years since the 40s...and Micheal Bay yanked us right back

Jun 24, 2009#214

Cajungal

Ohhhhh goody, there's a clip of them on youtube! I can't wait to watch it when I get home and be in on it.

Jun 24, 2009#215

CynicismKills

They are by far the worst and most useless characters I've seen in any movie in a really long time.

Jun 24, 2009#216

ElJuski

Are you referring to Mudflap and Little Black Sambobot? Or to the protagonist's parents? Or the obnoxious college roomate? Or the handful of "special soldiers" who pointlessly point their guns at giant robots to no avail? :confused:

Jun 24, 2009#217

CynicismKills

ElJuski said:
Are you referring to Mudflap and Little Black Sambobot? Or to the protagonist's parents? Or the obnoxious college roomate? Or the handful of "special soldiers" who pointlessly point their guns at giant robots to no avail?

Mostly the twin Jar-Jars, but yeah, the roomie is a close second.

Jun 24, 2009#218

The Lovely Boehner

You know, for all my rep as a whiny touchy feely so and so, I'm actually much more offended by Bay's direction than the racist characters.

Jun 24, 2009#219

Iaculus

Charlie Dont Surf said:
You know, for all my rep as a whiny touchy feely so and so, I'm actually much more offended by Bay's direction than the racist characters.

But... but... your rep! Dear God, man, think of your rep!

Jun 24, 2009#220

Cajungal

For some reason, don't ask me why, referring to yourself as a "so and so" has made you seem more.... cuddly somehow.

^_^

Jun 24, 2009#221

BananaHands

Well, there was one part I liked. Megan Fox running from explosions in slow motion.

Bouncy-bouncy-bouncy-bouncy :eek:

Jun 24, 2009#222

ElJuski

=3 nom nom nom

*camera starts slowly circling*

Jun 24, 2009#223

Jay

<--- will support Transformers 2 this weekend and I don't have any expectations other than BOOM CRUNCH POW and Shia screaming "WATCH OUT"

Gotta love people being able to form an opinion based from here say. It seems this forum simply cannot have a polite and constructive discussion without people's opinions and tastes being berated by gimmicks and marks.

Jun 24, 2009#224

DarkAudit

SeriousJay said:
<--- will support Transformers 2 this weekend and I don't have any expectations other than BOOM CRUNCH POW and Shia screaming "WATCH OUT"

Gotta love people being able to form an opinion based from here say. It seems this forum simply cannot have a polite and constructive discussion without people's opinions and tastes being berated.

You earned it, kiddo. You want to watch shit, no one is gonna stop ya. But expect to be called a fool for doing so. And worse for encouraging more of the same garbage out of the folks in Hollywood. It's your fault we keep getting the same Will Ferrel movies over and over. It's your fault we get excrement like Date Movie and Meet the Spartans. Oh yeah. You've certainly earned it.

Jun 24, 2009#225

Jay

I'll tell you what, I'll go watch it, then I'll recommend a bunch of other people to go watch it and go watch it again with them. Then... I'll buy the DVD to support them even further. I'll lobby Hollywood to create a 3rd movie. Sign all the online petitions I can find. And when they'll make the 3rd one... possibly with Kevin Smith. I'll do everything I did, again. And love it.

Just for the sake to see you foam at the mouth, smark.

Jun 24, 2009#226

The Lovely Boehner

DarkAudit said:
the same Will Ferrel movies over and over.

Anchorman, Talledega Nights, and Step Brothers rule

Jun 24, 2009#227

The Lovely Boehner

SeriousJay said:
Just for the sake to see you foam at the mouth, smark.

life isn't pro wrestling hth

Jun 24, 2009#228

Gusto

Man I don't know what the big deal is.

Watermelon is delicious.

Jun 25, 2009#229

Steven Soderburgin

ElJuski said:
Mudflap...Little Black Sambobot

-- Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:18 pm --

SeriousJay said:
here say

-- Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:32 pm --

Oh hey, Roger Ebert had more to say:

The day will come when "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" will be studied in film classes and shown at cult film festivals. It will be seen, in retrospect, as marking the end of an era. Of course there will be many more CGI-based action epics, but never again one this bloated, excessive, incomprehensible, long (149 minutes) or expensive (more than $200 million). Like the dinosaurs, the species has grown too big to survive, and will be wiped out in a cataclysmic event, replaced by more compact, durable forms.

Oh, I expect the movie will make a lot of money. It took in $16 million just in its Wednesday midnight opening. Todd Gilchrist, a most reasonable critic at Cinematical, wrote that it feels "destined to be the biggest movie of all time." I don't believe "Titanic" and "The Dark Knight" have much to fear, however, because (1) it has little to no appeal for non-fanboy or female audiences, and (2) many of those who do see it will find they simply cannot endure it. God help anyone viewing it from the front row of a traditional IMAX theater--even from the back row. It may benefit from being seen via DVD, with your "picture" setting dialed down from Vivid to Standard.

The term Assault on the Senses has become a cliché. It would be more accurate to describe the film simply as "painful." The volume is cranked way up, probably on studio instructions, and the sound track consists largely of steel crashing discordantly against steel. Occasionally a Bot voice will roar thunderingly out of the left-side speakers, (1) reminding us of Surround Sound, or (2) reminding the theater to have the guy take another look at those right-side speakers. Beneath that is boilerplate hard-pounding action music, alternating with deep bass voices intoning what sounds like Gregorian chant without the Latin, or maybe even without the words: Just apprehensive sounds, translating as Oh, no! No!

The action scenes can perhaps best be understood as abstract art. The Autobots® and Deceptibots®, which are assembled out of auto parts, make no functional or aesthetic sense. They have evolved into forms too complex to be comprehended. When two or more of the Bots are in battle, it is nearly impossible to distinguish one from the other. You can't comprehend most of what they're doing, except for an occasional fist flying, a built-in missile firing, or the always dependable belching of flames. Occasionally one gets a hole blown through it large enough to drive a truck through, pardon the expression.

You want to talk about incredible? I think it's incredible that any of the tiny flesh-and-blood human beings are still alive at the end of the story. As is conventional in action epics about gigantic monsters, the creatures seem to exist on a sliding scale--always possible in theory, I suppose, for a Bot, but disorienting for the audience. On the one hand, you have Bots large enough to rip the top off the Great Pyramid with its bare hands, and on the other, small enough to fit in the same frame with a human, and this movie is widescreen (2:35: 1). To be sure, a Bot can lean down to talk to a human, as Starscream® is doing in the pic with Shia. But when they're seen standing up there's a problem. Their heads are small to begin with, and the effect of perspective from the human eye-level makes many of them unfortunately look like pin-heads.

I didn't have a stop watch, but it seemed to me the elephantine action scenes were pretty much spaced out evenly through the movie. There was no starting out slow and building up to a big climax. The movie is pretty much all climax. The Autobots® and Deceptibots® must not have read the warning label on their Viagra. At last we see what a four-hour erection looks like.

The action is intercut with human scenes that seem dragged in kicking and screaming from another movie. There are broad sitcom situations and dialog as Shia Lebouef goes off to Princeton, and comic relief from his madcap mother (Julie White), who actually plays the most entertaining character in the movie. Then some romances that cement emotional bonds with the speed of Quick Glue, and are well within the PG-13 guidelines. Kevin Dunn and Miss White, as Mr. and Witwicky, are the only characters allowed the slightest dimension, confirming my suspicion that the most interesting conversation at a high school dance is likely to be had with the chaperones.

As is frequent in CGI action, the younger women are made to behave like he-men with boobs. College girls are able to turn instantly into combat-ready participants, except when they have to be dragged to safety by boys. They can out-run explosions with the best of them. Their hair, after countless explosions and long days in the desert heat, is always perfect enough for a shampoo commercial. I suspect many young lads prefer their women like this--at arm's length, if you see what I mean.

Much of the dialog falls under category of Look out! It's necessary in the editing of a film like this to punctuate the action with reaction shots. You're not really able to cut away to another Bot, because their heads are so tiny and so high up there, who knows what they're thinking? You need humans, who react to a blue screen or to a point in space and shout warnings and commands. Acting in a film like this is a season in hell, plus paycheck.

At well over two and a half hours, the film is unreasonably long. Since it's impossible to imagine a studio applauding the extra length and thus greater expense, the running time can possibly be attributed to the ego of Michael Bay, the director: If it is indeed destined to be the biggest movie of all time, who cares how long it is? I suspect it will be trimmed down to under two hours in some overseas markets, and if it is, the human scenes will be the easiest to cut. Then the luckless foreigners will be left with an unremitting Assault on the Senses.

Michael Bay is obviously under the impression that whatever he was doing deserved a 149-minute canvas to do it on. He likes doing this stuff. One pities the hapless animators, peering at their monitors far into the night, trying to distinguish one Bot's hub cap from another's. What we may see at work here is the paradox of rising expectations and diminishing returns . If the first "Transformers" (2007) ran 144 minutes and grossed over $300 million in North American alone, why not keep expanding?

Same goes for the Bots. In the stills with this blog, I have traced the history of Starscream® from its origin as a children's toy through its evolution in TV animation (1984) and the 2007 movie. It has grown steadily more complex, apparently feeding on larger and larger junk yards. Starscream® is now too much to comprehend, especially in Bay's typical average shot length of not much over one second. It pains me to say this, because the designer of several of the Bots was Josh Nizzi, a fellow Illinois grad from my home town. No doubt he has many other arrows in his quiver.

As for Michael Bay, he is only 44 and I hope he tires of this nonsense and returns to making real movies. He was only 31 when he made "Bad Boys" in 1995, and 32 when he made "The Rock." He had been in TV for years. He was a prodigy, like Steven Spielberg, But Spielberg was 47 when he directed "Schindler's List." Michael Bay seems to be evolving in the wrong direction.

So is the hyperactive blockbuster CGI action genre. If there is one thing everyone in Hollywood thinks they know for sure, it's that the three most important words in movie development are story, story, story. This is not a story: A group of inconsequential human characters watch animation.

The very best films in this genre, like Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" and Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man 2," had compelling characters, depended on strong human performances, told great stories, and skillfully integrated the live-action and the CGI. I've been making a list of my favorite robots, those few that evoked wonder and sympathy and were simple attacks of sound and images. I think of the gentle, loveable "Iron Giant" (1999), by Brad Bird. And the genius of Jon Favreau's "Iron Man" (2008), with its final battle we really got involved in. And I think of another robot whose body was made of junk yard parts. Its name was "WALL-E." That was the 2008 film by Andrew Stanton that some people believe was robbed of a Best Picture nomination by the creation of the animation category.

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" will no doubt gross many millions. There will no doubt be a sequel. But when audiences fell hammered down by a film, they are less likely to fall for another marketing campaign. If Hollywood wants the "Transformers" franchise to endure, maybe they should hire one of those directors. They still know how to make a movie.

Jun 25, 2009#230

Calleja

Harsh.

Jun 25, 2009#231

Bubble181

a) either it's 149 minutes, or it's "well over two and a half hours", or that guy uses different hours than I do.

b) Spiderman 2 as one of the great movies with story and action? :Leyla:

*shudder*

c) Otherwise, ouch.

Jun 25, 2009#232

@Li3n

DarkAudit said:
People back in the 40s thought Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs was hi-fuckin-larious, too.

Oh c'mon, it still totally is...

Jun 25, 2009#233

GeneralOrder24

What happened to wheelie?

Jun 25, 2009#234

ElJuski

Bubble181 said:
a) either it's 149 minutes, or it's "well over two and a half hours", or that guy uses different hours than I do.

b) Spiderman 2 as one of the great movies with story and action? *shudder*

c) Otherwise, ouch.

A) uhm...
1 hour = 60 minutes
2 hours = 120 minutes
2 1/2 hours = 150 minutes

Maybe not "well over", but...good enough.

b) He said in its genre; that is, expansive CGI action fests.

c) I fucking love it when Ebert gets sassy.

Jun 25, 2009#235

Shawn

So I checked it out today.
The harsh reviews it's received are undeserved. I can say that much. There are far worse films out there that deserve the 10 paragraphs of Ebert complaints more than Transformers 2. It was epic and awesome. Stupid? Of course. But still awesome.
If I have complaints it's the following.

1) Movie is too long. If it's going to be an epic explosion, giant robot movie it needs to be no more than 1.5 hours. Too many scenes drug on way too long.
2) Not enough named robots. I don't care if they don't last more than 2 seconds on film, it would have been nice to know more than the 1/9th of the robots named in the movie. The first one I can name all the bots. This one I was like "Wait? Who was that bulldozer guy who totally got owned by Bumblebee? Who was that!?"

The twin bots were a bit annoying but whatever. I've seen worse "black" characters on the Boondocks.
I think my favorite characters in the film were Wheelie and Jetfire. I'm sure I would have also liked Arcee, but she was hardly in the film at all. Speaking of Arcee... is she all the bikes or just the pink one?
Other than that it was worth the money. I'm satisfied. And I think I'll wait for it to come out on DVD before seeing it again.

Jun 25, 2009#236

GeneralOrder24

Shawnacy said:
The twin bots were a bit annoying but whatever. I've seen worse "black" characters on the Boondocks.

Uncle Ruckus!

Shawnacy said:
I think my favorite characters in the film were Wheelie and Jetfire. I'm sure I would have also liked Arcee, but she was hardly in the film at all. Speaking of Arcee... is she all the bikes or just the pink one?

Wheelie, Jetfire, and Soundwave were probably my favorite transformers, with soundwave being the only one of the decepticons that didn't turn out to be abso-floggin-lutley useless.

Jetfire definitley had the line of the movie: [spoiler:136vhmen]My father was the wheel! The first wheel! And do you know what he transformed into? NOTHING! But he did so with honor![/spoiler:136vhmen]

As far as Arcee, from everything I've read, the three bikes share a single conciousness, and are supposedly supposed to be able to form one giant robot.

Jun 25, 2009#237

Shawn

GeneralOrder24 said:
Shawnacy said:

The twin bots were a bit annoying but whatever. I've seen worse "black" characters on the Boondocks.

Click to expand...

Uncle Ruckus!

Shawnacy said:

I think my favorite characters in the film were Wheelie and Jetfire. I'm sure I would have also liked Arcee, but she was hardly in the film at all. Speaking of Arcee... is she all the bikes or just the pink one?

Click to expand...

Wheelie, Jetfire, and Soundwave were probably my favorite transformers, with soundwave being the only one of the decepticons that didn't turn out to be abso-floggin-lutley useless.

Jetfire definitley had the line of the movie: [spoiler:38u7fyzi]My father was the wheel! The first wheel! And do you know what he transformed into? NOTHING! But he did so with honor![/spoiler:38u7fyzi]

As far as Arcee, from everything I've read, the three bikes share a single conciousness, and are supposedly supposed to be able to form one giant robot.

If Jetfire had a father, and Optimus is a descendant of the first Primes it makes me wonder how these guys supposedly breed.
I guess it means it's convenient that Arcee can split herself into three women.

Jun 25, 2009#238

sixpackshaker

Saw the movie. It hit its target demographic, square between the eyes with a 2x4 a dozen times. Not one of the African Americans I sat by seem offended by the Twins. Hell there were HUGE laughs for them.

For a toy ad it sure is not kid friendly.

Cussing that would get an R ten years ago.
Up-skirts. And ass shots.
Half the robots fart. really?
[spoiler:6qoxbdeq]Parental Drug Use - effects were totally off the mark.[/spoiler:6qoxbdeq]
[spoiler:6qoxbdeq]Robot Balls.[/spoiler:6qoxbdeq]
Lots of Humping.

In its favor:
The fights this time were far better.
[spoiler:6qoxbdeq]The military was pretty effective. Also pretty accurate weapons use, no where near as bad as Godzilla[/spoiler:6qoxbdeq]
Up-skirts. And ass shots. :toocool:
Had some funny moments.

Against:
Ivy league school completely inhabited by ass-hats and whores.
Moving every Egyptian ruin by Hundreds of miles and putting them in the same place. (Former Geography teacher, that kinda ticks me off.)
The Parents, the smooth talking, cowardly, hispanic room mate that keeps staying in the fight, and The Twins. Even though all 3 got HUGE laughs from the Audience.

Jun 25, 2009#239

Jun 25, 2009#240

Cajungal

Weeelllll, the fellow wants me to see it. He's taking me this weekend. I'll report back my opinion for those who care to hear it.

Jun 25, 2009#241

The Lovely Boehner

Cajungal said:
Weeelllll, the fellow wants me to see it. He's taking me this weekend. I'll report back my opinion for those who care to hear it.

I'm.....really sorry.

Jun 25, 2009#242

Cajungal

Charlie Dont Surf said:
Cajungal said:

Weeelllll, the fellow wants me to see it. He's taking me this weekend. I'll report back my opinion for those who care to hear it.

Click to expand...

I'm.....really sorry.

Eh, that's ok. He's making me dinner and Saturday we get to do what I wanna do. I'll just MST it in my head. ^_^

Jun 25, 2009#243

Shegokigo

Saddest part about it? I could stomach the bad plot, shallow acting, deformation of my childhood heroes (Megatron/Starscream), what's keeping me the MOST from watching it?

Shia.

Jun 25, 2009#244

Koko

sixpackshaker said:
Parental Drug Use - effects were totally off the mark.

Speaking of which...I'd love to see weed brownies that immediately go into effect...total rubbish.

Jun 25, 2009#245

Bowielee

Shegokigo said:
Saddest part about it? I could stomach the bad plot, shallow acting, deformation of my childhood heroes (Megatron/Starscream), what's keeping me the MOST from watching it?

Shia.

Now there's something we can agree on. I DO hate Shia Lecantact.

Jun 25, 2009#246

Shegokigo

Bowielee said:
Now there's something we can agree on. I DO hate Shia Lecantact.

Dead serious. A movie can redeem itself in my eyes with little moments. The interaction between Starscream and Megatron (the 30seconds of it) in the first film almost completely redeemed the film for me. The Starscream vs F16 fighters? Almost did it. What kept killing it? The camera going to Shia. Turned my stomach everytime.

I mean, I sit here, thinking "I'll go tonight, fuck it, I'll get to see some more Decepticon badasses like Devestator and Soundwave" but then I remember that the film is mostly going to be Shia and I just say "Oh yeah... nevermind".

Jun 25, 2009#247

ElJuski

Shawnacy said:
The twin bots were a bit annoying but whatever. I've seen worse "black" characters on the Boondocks.

Just a question: you realize the concept of satire, right? The Boondocks characters are SUPPOSED to be bad, to point out how the media portrays black culture SERIOUSLY in the media.

Jun 25, 2009#248

Adammon

All of the complaints about the quality of the film aside, the snarking about the 'racist caricatures' of some of the transformers smells of the same 'racist caricature' complaints of Episode One.

Caricatures are meant to be exaggerated - and one of the ways to fake personality in CGI is to use caricatures. I suppose that Mr Bay could have made the gold-toothed bots speak with an English accent and prance about all frilly style however that kind of dissonance would have pulled people right out of the movie.

The complaints about "Little Black Sambobot" speak more about the poster than the movie - especially considering no one under the age of 19 is going to know what the hell you're talking about.

Jun 25, 2009#249

Shegokigo

ElJuski said:
Just a question: you realize the concept of satire, right? The Boondocks characters are SUPPOSED to be bad, to point out how the media portrays black culture SERIOUSLY in the media.

Yeah, taking Boondocks and face value is just

I'm curious to these "stereotype" bots now, I mean, they sound like Jazz x9000.

Jun 25, 2009#250

CynicismKills

Shegokigo said:
ElJuski said:

Just a question: you realize the concept of satire, right? The Boondocks characters are SUPPOSED to be bad, to point out how the media portrays black culture SERIOUSLY in the media.

Click to expand...

Yeah, taking Boondocks and face value is just

I'm curious to these "stereotype" bots now, I mean, they sound like Jazz x9000.

They're the Jar Jars of this movie. Annoying as hell and totally pointless.

Jun 25, 2009#251

DarkAudit

Adammon said:
All of the complaints about the quality of the film aside, the snarking about the 'racist caricatures' of some of the transformers smells of the same 'racist caricature' complaints of Episode One.

Caricatures are meant to be exaggerated - and one of the ways to fake personality in CGI is to use caricatures. I suppose that Mr Bay could have made the gold-toothed bots speak with an English accent and prance about all frilly style however that kind of dissonance would have pulled people right out of the movie.

The complaints about "Little Black Sambobot" speak more about the poster than the movie - especially considering no one under the age of 19 is going to know what the hell you're talking about.

Posts like this make me think Spike Lee was right with "Bamboozled". A minstrel show on TV probably would be a hit, and no one would get why it should be offensive. :eek:

Jun 25, 2009#252

ElJuski

Adammon said:
All of the complaints about the quality of the film aside, the snarking about the 'racist caricatures' of some of the transformers smells of the same 'racist caricature' complaints of Episode One.

Caricatures are meant to be exaggerated - and one of the ways to fake personality in CGI is to use caricatures. I suppose that Mr Bay could have made the gold-toothed bots speak with an English accent and prance about all frilly style however that kind of dissonance would have pulled people right out of the movie.

The complaints about "Little Black Sambobot" speak more about the poster than the movie - especially considering no one under the age of 19 is going to know what the hell you're talking about.

Yeah, it speaks of me as, "I try to be culturally aware and try to not let media conform my opinions about the outside world." The most pathetic thing is accepting these things at face value. There's a difference between a caricature and just horrible characterization. I mean, Jetfire was an old crotchety dude with an english accent. He was a poorly written character. But these guys are so blatantly racist that it just boggles the mind how people are just accepting it. This movie portrays big-eared, gold-toothed black robots who can't read. And people are sitting there and laughing at them.

AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY OF RACIST BLACK PORTRAYALS GO ON WIKIPEDIA OR READ A BOOK. Know your media, know your culture, know your history!

Jun 25, 2009#253

Shegokigo

ElJuski said:
AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY OF RACIST BLACK PORTRAYALS GO ON WIKIPEDIA OR READ A BOOK. Know your media, know your culture, know your history!

Jun 25, 2009#254

Adammon

DarkAudit said:
Posts like this make me think Spike Lee was right with "Bamboozled". A minstrel show on TV probably would be a hit, and no one would get why it should be offensive. i:

How can something 'should be offensive'? Either people are offended by it or not. From what I've seen, the only people offended by the bots are white people. I don't see NAACP jumping up and down, or Reverend Al Sharpton.

I think the issue is that some people want other people to be offended to assuage their guilt over racism in the past.

-- Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:31 pm --

ElJuski said:
This movie portrays big-eared, gold-toothed black robots who can't read. And people are sitting there and laughing at them.

I'm pretty sure the robots are red and green. You've just decided that they're black. Skids is actually voiced by a white guy. (Voiced by Tom Kenny, Spongebob)

Jun 25, 2009#255

DarkAudit

let's try this tack then...

IT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE TOO GODDAMNED STUPID TO KNOW IT'S WRONG, YOU IGNORANT FUCK!

:eek:

Jun 25, 2009#256

Bowielee

So, the interesting question is this.

Are the characters racist because they portray negative stereotypes of the african american culture?

OR

Are the viewers racist for seeing those qualities put together and automatically associating them with african americans?

Jun 25, 2009#257

ElJuski

No, you got me. They are not specifically a black colored car. They just talk like hood rats, have gold teeth, big ears and can't read. I'm sorry that I spent all my life taking in cultural, social, media norms and expectations. Obviously you were on Mars, under a rock, with your eyes closed and fingers jammed into your ears singing, "whooooahhhhhhh the hazzarrrrds of loooooove" while the rest of society watched, and coincidentally, was fed, different tropes, norms, expectations (oh the list goes on and on). So, you're either from the fucking moon, or you're an idiot.

Also: He's voiced by a white guy, it can't be a portrayal of a black dude!

BUT NO, ITS BECAUSE I GOT THAT WHITE GUILT

Jun 25, 2009#258

The Lovely Boehner

The idea that black people have to be offended first before it's an ignorant stereotype is idiotic.

Jun 25, 2009#259

CynicismKills

Bowielee said:
So, the interesting question is this.

Are the characters racist because they portray negative stereotypes of the african american culture?

OR

Are the viewers racist for seeing those qualities put together and automatically associating them with african americans?

Jun 25, 2009#260

Adammon

ElJuski said:
No, you got me. They are not specifically a black colored car. They just talk like hood rats, have gold teeth, big ears and can't read. I'm sorry that I spent all my life taking in cultural, social, media norms and expectations. Obviously you were on Mars, under a rock, with your eyes closed and fingers jammed into your ears singing, "whooooahhhhhhh the hazzarrrrds of loooooove" while the rest of society watched, and coincidentally, was fed, different tropes, norms, expectations (oh the list goes on and on). So, you're either from the smurfing moon, or you're an idiot.

Also: He's voiced by a white guy, it can't be a portrayal of a black dude!

BUT NO, ITS BECAUSE I GOT THAT WHITE GUILT[/quote]

It certainly seems that way - but at least we're agreeing on that.

Jun 25, 2009#261

CynicismKills

ElJuski said:
you're either from the fucking moon

I got this one for you Juski no worries:

MOON PEOPLE :angry:

Jun 25, 2009#262

Cajungal

Adammon said:
ElJuski said:

No, you got me. They are not specifically a black colored car. They just talk like hood rats, have gold teeth, big ears and can't read. I'm sorry that I spent all my life taking in cultural, social, media norms and expectations. Obviously you were on Mars, under a rock, with your eyes closed and fingers jammed into your ears singing, "whooooahhhhhhh the hazzarrrrds of loooooove" while the rest of society watched, and coincidentally, was fed, different tropes, norms, expectations (oh the list goes on and on). So, you're either from the smurfing moon, or you're an idiot.

Also: He's voiced by a white guy, it can't be a portrayal of a black dude!

BUT NO, ITS BECAUSE I GOT THAT WHITE GUILT[/quote]

It certainly seems that way - but at least we're agreeing on that.[/quote]

[size=7]psst! It was sarcasm! You actually don't agree.[/size]

Click to expand...

Jun 25, 2009#263

Adammon

Jun 25, 2009#264

Gusto

This thread is now about racism.
In before lock.

Jun 25, 2009#265

Adammon

Cajungal said:
psst! It was sarcasm! You actually don't agree.

I was countering his sarcasm with my own. I'm not an idiot.

Jun 25, 2009#266

Cajungal

Adammon said:
Cajungal said:

psst! It was sarcasm! You actually don't agree.

Click to expand...

I was countering his sarcasm with my own. I'm not an idiot.

OHHHHH, now I understand!
:whistling:

Jun 25, 2009#267

The Lovely Boehner

Gusto said:
This thread is now about racism.

well then again, so was the movie so it's appropriate

http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/sh ... php?t=5378

according to the man, the legend, the Michael Bay - TF made $60m on its Wednesday opening day. I don't know if that includes the $16m from midnight or not. This could have $200m by the end of the weekend.

Jun 25, 2009#268

DarkAudit said:
let's try this tack then...

IT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE TOO GODDAMNED STUPID TO KNOW IT'S WRONG, YOU IGNORANT FUCK!

i:

And here I thought I was an asshole yesterday.

DA, I used to work with a guy who thought that "The Jerk" was a racist movie because Steve Martin's character was "born a poor black child". Which is total crap because it's just the opposite. I have not (nor will I see) the movie, but the more I read about the characters the more that I realize that the stereotypes are a comedy bit. The two actors went into the studio together to record and the parts were unscripted. The whole thing was ad libbed by two comedians who played off of one another.

I see Juski's views wholeheartedly but I don't think that there was any racial intent - they were just having fun.

Jun 25, 2009#269

I've yet to see the movie, Dave, but from what I understand, it wasn't just the acting/portrayal that's got people up in arms; it's the look of the characters, that look like how black people were drawn in the early 20th century. They looked savage, almost ape-like, with giant monkey-like ears, etc.

Jun 25, 2009#270

BananaHands

ElJuski said:
No, you got me. They are not specifically a black colored car. They just talk like hood rats, have gold teeth, big ears and can't read. I'm sorry that I spent all my life taking in cultural, social, media norms and expectations. Obviously you were on Mars, under a rock, with your eyes closed and fingers jammed into your ears singing, "whooooahhhhhhh the hazzarrrrds of loooooove" while the rest of society watched, and coincidentally, was fed, different tropes, norms, expectations (oh the list goes on and on). So, you're either from the smurfing moon, or you're an idiot.

Also: He's voiced by a white guy, it can't be a portrayal of a black dude!

BUT NO, ITS BECAUSE I GOT THAT WHITE GUILT

Listen to this man. The fact that the American audience will sit there and laugh at blatantly racist characters, claiming that it's not insulting because the guy who did Spongebob voiced them just boggles me. I love how every character swear just for the sake of "Oooh! They said pussy! Oooh! They said bitch! That's cool!". Seriously people, the fact that this movie is being defended just shows how idiotic people have become.

Also, spin the camera around the characters to make a scene intense. Rinse. Repeat.

Fuck you Michael Bay.

DA, I used to work with a guy who thought that "The Jerk" was a racist movie because Steve Martin's character was "born a poor black child". Which is total crap because it's just the opposite. I have not (nor will I see) the movie, but the more I read about the characters the more that I realize that the stereotypes are a comedy bit. The two actors went into the studio together to record and the parts were unscripted. The whole thing was ad libbed by two comedians who played off of one another.

Yeah, but they weren't making a statement about black stereotypes in Transformers. They wanted two buffoons that the audience could laugh at. At one point did these idiots show that they were anything but morons? The part where the one gets angry, screams obscenities and shoots at the big robot for eating him? Or how about when they fight over calling each other pussies and stumble into a secret chamber?

Jun 25, 2009#271

ElJuski

Viewers, as subjective, learning, developing beings, cannot go into communication without their background and expectations behind them. Who you are and what you have seen paints your identification with how you are going to relate with out human beings. Media, as a way of communication, is large enough now where there are broad strokes painted to the masses. Via mass forms of communication--literature, television, music, films, comic books, the internet--have various trends that ebb and flow with the society at large, absorbing what we want to see (and what we think we want to see), assimilating it, and sending it back, where we assimilate it, and broadcast back. It's communication at large and it's completely fucking moronic to believe that there is not a history of this communication which gives us expectations.

So, to even begin scratching the question that you posed, bowie, it's a little of both: our cultural and social history has taught us these racial stereotypes and racial norms. There was a time people accepted these things as truth (some people still do). However, as culture has evolved, we've shed these ancient ideas (hopefully) for better ones. But we still know these ideas have existed. It's naive to think that we are in an age where equality is completely prevalent. Culture is a growing, brooding thing, and there are no stopping points and no abrupt ends. It continues, and we develop with it. So collectively we DO have expectations of what to see and what not to see. And when we see a red flag being aired, it's not because we are inherently racist (or have some bullshit white guilt that A-dogg keeps dicking on about), but because we are seeing something that is consciously regressive of where culture ~should~ be.

And yes, the writers of that movie should have goddamned no better. That whole movie is a lazy slop of film making that takes on the senses and sensibilities of its viewers and sets it on fire. I feel dumber for have watching it, and kind of feel bummed that the bar can be set so low, in 2009, for making the obviously black characters fucking clowns.

Addendum for Dave: Too bad the millions of idiots that go and love this movie won't know that it's goofing around. I can see Kenny being sarcastic about his voice for the character, but that's because I know who he is and where he's coming from. People are absorbing this face value--and, like TNG said, look how they fucking LOOK! At least when they did Jazz, he looked like the rest of the guys (fucking stupid jive talking assbaggery aside). People are watching this, and the sarcasm just isn't there on the screen So...it doesn't really help much for the people that don't know it's "jes goofin"!

@ C_K: I fucken love you man. FUCKEN MOONPEOPLE >: [

Jun 25, 2009#272

Silver Jelly

ThatNickGuy said:
I've yet to see the movie, Dave, but from what I understand, it wasn't just the acting/portrayal that's got people up in arms; it's the look of the characters, that look like how black people were drawn in the early 20th century. They looked savage, almost ape-like, with giant monkey-like ears, etc.

I haven't seen it, but every time I read about this, I think "Maybe they are supposed to depict MONKEYS, as the character in medieval literature. But then I remember you say they speack with stereotypical accents too.

Jun 25, 2009#273

I just wrote a big-assed post and when I submitted I saw responses by Banana & Juski. Deleting what I wrote to concede and agree that not all audiences will be as discerning to parody.

Now I'm REALLY not seeing this movie.

Jun 25, 2009#274

The Lovely Boehner

I'm still pissed at US society/dumb people for ruining Dave Chappelle.

Jun 25, 2009#275

BananaHands said:
Also, spin the camera around the characters to make a scene intense. Rinse. Repeat.

I hate that. I hate the reasoning that filming action scenes like the camera is strapped to the back of a rabid, seizuring dog is meant to look more intense. You know what would be more intense? Writing and filming the scene properly so your piss-poor CGI choreography needs to be covered up by said style of filming. Or, you know, using things like the musical score to make the action more intense.

I mean, it's not like musical scores have EVER properly backed up a movie's action before. *cough cough* STAR WARS *cough, cough*

Jun 25, 2009#276

Bowielee

I was just looking up a possible youtube of this, but all I could find was a video where they spliced over dialogue from Leprchaun in the hood over the actual dialog of a mcdonalds commercial.

I'm not going to see the film until tomorrow, so I can't make any call on this as I haven't seen the characters in action.

I do believe that some people look for racism/sexism/homophobia where there is none, but I could be wrong as I will find out when I see the film tomorrow.

Though, while I was looking for a clip, I found this picture.

Who knew that Micheal Bay was ripped?

Jun 25, 2009#277

@Li3n

Silver Jelly said:
I haven't seen it, but every time I read about this, I think "Maybe they are supposed to depict MONKEYS, as the character in medieval literature. But then I remember you say they speack with stereotypical accents too.

But how else would monkeys speak?!

Jun 25, 2009#278

DarkAudit

Dave, PM incoming.

I'll repeat what I said there for the rest. Being too ignorant or young to know better does not excuse racism. It's still wrong. Waiting for someone to be offended when something is blatantly ham-handedly racist is a cop-out and just as unacceptable.

Jun 25, 2009#279

Silver Jelly

@Li3n said:
[quote="Silver Jelly":1o1ro2l7]
I haven't seen it, but every time I read about this, I think "Maybe they are supposed to depict MONKEYS, as the character in medieval literature. But then I remember you say they speack with stereotypical accents too.

But how else would monkeys speak?![/quote:1o1ro2l7]

Well, maybe they would try to speak like a very educated person but fail miserably in the details? Something like that.

EDIT:

Or

Jun 25, 2009#280

The Lovely Boehner

My breaking news twitter just confirmed the $60.6 million number

Jun 25, 2009#281

ElJuski

Edrondol said:
I just wrote a big-assed post and when I submitted I saw responses by Banana & Juski. Deleting what I wrote to concede and agree that not all audiences will be as discerning to parody.

Now I'm REALLY not seeing this movie.

* hi fives Dave*

I know it doesn't add up to much to random people on the internet, but you can sure as fuck know that I'm not somebody who stuffs racism and sexism into things to make a hullabaloo about it (further reading: me talking about people bitching about the treatment of date rape in Observe and Report, calling people from Japan moon people for their crazy fire-breathing metal babies).

You don't have to be a white knight crusader...you just have to be smart, and decipher the media for yourself--instead of letting it passively encode you, and telling you what YOU should know.

Jun 25, 2009#282

Adammon

ElJuski said:
You don't have to be a white knight crusader...you just have to be smart, and decipher the media for yourself--instead of letting it passively encode you, and telling you what YOU should know.

Instead of being derided and insulted for not knowing 'what I should know', right? :pud:

Jun 25, 2009#283

ElJuski

Adammon said:
ElJuski said:

You don't have to be a white knight crusader...you just have to be smart, and decipher the media for yourself--instead of letting it passively encode you, and telling you what YOU should know.

Click to expand...

Instead of being derided and insulted for not knowing 'what I should know', right?

Well you obviously missed one of the most ham-fisted stereotypes in the most ham-fisted movie of 2009. I don't have any hope for you. No, no; I really think you're just fucking stupid.

Jun 25, 2009#284

Adammon

ElJuski said:
Adammon said:

ElJuski said:

You don't have to be a white knight crusader...you just have to be smart, and decipher the media for yourself--instead of letting it passively encode you, and telling you what YOU should know.

Click to expand...

Instead of being derided and insulted for not knowing 'what I should know', right?

Click to expand...

Well you obviously missed one of the most ham-fisted stereotypes in the most ham-fisted movie of 2009. I don't have any hope for you. No, no; I really think you're just smurfing stupid.

Just making sure we were clear, gotcha. :pud:

Jun 25, 2009#285

fade

ElJuski said:
Adammon said:

All of the complaints about the quality of the film aside, the snarking about the 'racist caricatures' of some of the transformers smells of the same 'racist caricature' complaints of Episode One.

Caricatures are meant to be exaggerated - and one of the ways to fake personality in CGI is to use caricatures. I suppose that Mr Bay could have made the gold-toothed bots speak with an English accent and prance about all frilly style however that kind of dissonance would have pulled people right out of the movie.

The complaints about "Little Black Sambobot" speak more about the poster than the movie - especially considering no one under the age of 19 is going to know what the * you're talking about.

Click to expand...

Yeah, it speaks of me as, "I try to be culturally aware and try to not let media conform my opinions about the outside world." The most pathetic thing is accepting these things at face value. There's a difference between a caricature and just horrible characterization. I mean, Jetfire was an old crotchety dude with an english accent. He was a poorly written character. But these guys are so blatantly racist that it just boggles the mind how people are just accepting it. This movie portrays big-eared, gold-toothed black robots who can't read. And people are sitting there and laughing at them.

AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY OF RACIST BLACK PORTRAYALS GO ON WIKIPEDIA OR READ A BOOK. Know your media, know your culture, know your history!

You know what, nevermind. I had this philosophical argument about racism vs. caricature and the subtle but real differences between, but I have a feeling from trends I've seen on this board, that discussion would go over like a lead balloon, and I'd ironically end up labeled a racism. Suffice it to say I had a similar mental debate about the two when I read this post. First reaction to the bots: "Whoa, that's racist." Second: "Wait, is it? It's a terrible caricature that probably should have been avoided, but does that necessarily imply racism--that these bots were written this way because they're black?"

Jun 25, 2009#286

Adammon

fade said:
You know what, nevermind. I had this philosophical argument about racism vs. caricature and the subtle but real differences between, but I have a feeling from trends I've seen on this board, that discussion would go over like a lead balloon, and I'd ironically end up labeled a racism. Suffice it to say I had a similar mental debate about the two when I read this post. First reaction to the bots: "Whoa, that's racist." Second: "Wait, is it? It's a terrible caricature that probably should have been avoided, but does that necessarily imply racism--that these bots were written this way because they're black?"

Join me my racist brother! :Leyla:

Jun 25, 2009#287

BananaHands

The only problem with these arguments is that we are putting depth into an incredibly shallow and horrible movie.

But still, I'm raging.

Jun 25, 2009#288

fade said:
It's a terrible caricature that probably should have been avoided, but does that necessarily imply racism--that these bots were written this way because they're black?"

I think it might simply because they use negative racial stereotypes that have been used to parody and insult black people for years. It has the effect of reinforcing these stereotypes such as the "crunk" or that the black people look like monkeys and can't read. The more I read about this the more I fall on Juski's side. Yes, the slurs may be off the cuff and the racism unintentional, but the effect is the same as it would be had it been on purpose.

Jun 25, 2009#289

@Li3n

Silver Jelly said:
[quote="@Li3n":3m9q4f6w][quote="Silver Jelly":3m9q4f6w]
I haven't seen it, but every time I read about this, I think "Maybe they are supposed to depict MONKEYS, as the character in medieval literature. But then I remember you say they speack with stereotypical accents too.

But how else would monkeys speak?![/quote:3m9q4f6w]

Well, maybe they would try to speak like a very educated person but fail miserably in the details? Something like that.

EDIT:

Or

[/quote:3m9q4f6w]

Damn you mojo-jojo, for making a response to a rhetorical question actually have merit...

Jun 25, 2009#290

sixpackshaker

Jun 25, 2009#291

ElJuski

Edrondol said:
fade said:

It's a terrible caricature that probably should have been avoided, but does that necessarily imply racism--that these bots were written this way because they're black?"

Click to expand...

I think it might simply because they use negative racial stereotypes that have been used to parody and insult black people for years. It has the effect of reinforcing these stereotypes such as the "crunk" or that the black people look like monkeys and can't read. The more I read about this the more I fall on Juski's side. Yes, the slurs may be off the cuff and the racism unintentional, but the effect is the same as it would be had it been on purpose.

That's the thing. Any educated person (or socially/culturally informed) can be able to perceive what is going on here. Now we take the next step above: what is the intention? The intention was that these characters were made for comedy. And, taken in context with the shallow and vaccuous brain-dead two and a half hour Bay-fest...it's really hard to say that what we're dealing with is satire.

Of course, people CAN, and undoubtedly, people ARE. Because all you need to do is hide behind a flimsy rationalization. Of course, it's not the worst episode of black stereotyping. The Civil Rights movement is half a century ago. But that's the problem, isn't it? The Civil Rights movement was 50 years ago and yet people are bringing their children to see the gold-toothed illiterate MudFlap ghetto slang his way through the silver screen and into their Happy Meal toys.

Jun 25, 2009#292

Espy

Guys, guys, guys.

If everyone laughs at it it's not racist or bad.

Duh.

Jun 25, 2009#293

Krisken

I can't wait until people get this bent out of shape over Jewish or Muslim stereotypes.

Jun 25, 2009#294

Steven Soderburgin

Krisken said:
I can't wait until people get this bent out of shape over Jewish or Muslim stereotypes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbombya

Jun 25, 2009#295

ElJuski

Krisken said:
I can't wait until people get this bent out of shape over Jewish or Muslim stereotypes.

I can't wait until Transformers 3 has Dirkabot, complete with metallic head wrap. Of course, he's the fiery demolitions expert.

Oh, see also: Jeff Dunham.

Jun 25, 2009#296

Shannow

Crunk is bad?

Jun 25, 2009#297

Espy

Shannow said:
Crunk is bad?

Well, Bill Cosby doesn't care for it.

Jun 25, 2009#298

Krisken

Espy said:
Shannow said:

Crunk is bad?

Click to expand...

Well, Bill Cosby doesn't care for it.

And Cosbyness is next to Godliness.

Jun 25, 2009#299

Espy

Krisken said:
Espy said:

Shannow said:

Crunk is bad?

Click to expand...

Well, Bill Cosby doesn't care for it.

Click to expand...

And Cosbyness is next to Godliness.

Damn Straight.

Jun 25, 2009#300

DarkAudit

fade said:
that these bots were written this way because they're black?"

What. The. Fuck? Seriously. What. The. Fuck?
Tell me you did not just say that you really think the robots are black. THEY'RE FUCKING ROBOTS!

Finally, this...
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C45g3YP7JOk:2bncag7n][/youtube:2bncag7n]

By the looks of things we haven't advanced one bit. :eek:

Jun 25, 2009#301

The Lovely Boehner

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5619

Just pimping the sister thread that is designed to hurt kissinger and myself.

Jun 25, 2009#302

Krisken

Charlie Dont Surf said:
http://forum.halforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5619

Just pimping the sister thread that is designed to hurt kissinger and myself.

People don't usually get paid to be a masochist.

Jun 25, 2009#303

sixpackshaker

Krisken said:
Charlie Dont Surf said:

http://forum.halforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5619

Just pimping the sister thread that is designed to hurt kissinger and myself.

Click to expand...

People don't usually get paid to be a masochist.

That needs to go on your signature...

Jun 25, 2009#304

Steven Soderburgin

Krisken said:
People don't usually get paid to be a masochist.

Professional film critics do this regularly, actually.

Case in point, look at how many reviewed Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen.

Jun 25, 2009#305

Shannow

Hititing up happy hour after work, then heading in to see this masterpiece after! Should be the perfect way to see this!

Jun 25, 2009#306

Silver Jelly

@Li3n said:
[quote="Silver Jelly":3frd1lcy][quote="@Li3n":3frd1lcy][quote="Silver Jelly":3frd1lcy]
I haven't seen it, but every time I read about this, I think "Maybe they are supposed to depict MONKEYS, as the character in medieval literature. But then I remember you say they speack with stereotypical accents too.

But how else would monkeys speak?![/quote:3frd1lcy]

Well, maybe they would try to speak like a very educated person but fail miserably in the details? Something like that.

EDIT:

Or

[/quote:3frd1lcy]

Damn you mojo-jojo, for making a response to a rhetorical question actually have merit...[/quote:3frd1lcy]

I love Mojo Jojo and his speech patterns.

Jun 25, 2009#307

Shannow

I jsut got back.

I ...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. To everyone...for everything. All the reviews are right. I'm done tonight. I have nothing to say anymore. I'm sorry.

Jun 25, 2009#308

Gusto

Shannow said:
I jsut got back.

I ...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. To everyone...for everything. All the reviews are right. I'm done tonight. I have nothing to say anymore. I'm sorry.

*reassuring hand-on-the-shoulder*

It's gonna be okay, man. Just let it out.

Jun 25, 2009#309

The Lovely Boehner

Shannow said:
I jsut got back.

I ...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. To everyone...for everything. All the reviews are right. I'm done tonight. I have nothing to say anymore. I'm sorry.

It's okay. It's alright, it's over now.

Jun 25, 2009#310

Steven Soderburgin

Shannow said:
I jsut got back.

I ...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. To everyone...for everything. All the reviews are right. I'm done tonight. I have nothing to say anymore. I'm sorry.

It's okay. It's done. We're here for you. It's going to be okay.

Jun 25, 2009#311

Alucard

Holy fck the nerd rage in this discussion. Were you guys raging on about how shitty George Lucas ruined your memories of star wars with the prequal trilogies?

I'm going to see this film at the drive in tomorrow evening along with abrams star trek.

I don't remember you guys being as pissed about Abrams re invention of the Trek universe by creating a alternate reality.

I still hold my opinion that Abrams Star Trek will be my favorite film this year hoping Public Enemies next weekend replaces that.

I can't imagine how you guys will bitch about the shitty remake that GI Joe got when it comes August time.

I'm just expecting big fucking explosions with shitty action and dialogue.

Jun 25, 2009#312

Chippy

PhantomShadow said:
Holy fck the nerd rage in this discussion. Were you guys raging on about how shitty George Lucas ruined your memories of star wars with the prequal trilogies?

I'm going to see this film at the drive in tomorrow evening along with abrams star trek.

I don't remember you guys being as pissed about Abrams re invention of the Trek universe by creating a alternate reality.

I still hold my opinion that Abrams Star Trek will be my favorite film this year hoping Public Enemies next weekend replaces that.

I can't imagine how you guys will bitch about the shitty remake that GI Joe got when it comes August time.

I'm just expecting big fucking explosions with shitty action and dialogue.

I'm convinced you have ADD.

Jun 25, 2009#313

CynicismKills

PhantomShadow said:
Holy fck the nerd rage in this discussion. Were you guys raging on about how shitty George Lucas ruined your memories of star wars with the prequal trilogies?

I'm going to see this film at the drive in tomorrow evening along with abrams star trek.

I don't remember you guys being as pissed about Abrams re invention of the Trek universe by creating a alternate reality.

I still hold my opinion that Abrams Star Trek will be my favorite film this year hoping Public Enemies next weekend replaces that.

I can't imagine how you guys will bitch about the shitty remake that GI Joe got when it comes August time.

I'm just expecting big fucking explosions with shitty action and dialogue.

The flaw in your argument is the Star Trek movie was good. Most didn't rage at it because it was still a solid film. The TF movie is not, however. People did rage at Episodes 1-3 because they were also bad. In fact the general argument is the same as TF2 in that there's maybe one or two redeemable action scenes, but the overall story and character development is shit/non-existent.

Jun 25, 2009#314

ElJuski

*drapes a warm towel over Shannow; hands him a coffee mug*

I know, man. We're in this...together.

@Chippy: you always show up RIGHT ON TIME, man.

Jun 25, 2009#315

sixpackshaker

PhantomShadow said:
Holy fck the nerd rage in this discussion. Were you guys raging on about how shitty George Lucas ruined your memories of star wars with the prequal trilogies?

I'm going to see this film at the drive in tomorrow evening along with abrams star trek.

I don't remember you guys being as * about Abrams re invention of the Trek universe by creating a alternate reality.

I still hold my opinion that Abrams Star Trek will be my favorite film this year hoping Public Enemies next weekend replaces that.

I can't imagine how you guys will * about the shitty remake that GI Joe got when it comes August time.

I'm just expecting big smurfing explosions with shitty action and dialogue.

Yep, the shitty toy commercial about individualistic people teaming up to fight bad guys is going to be about a bunch of bargain basement Ironmen that look alike fighting missiles in Paris.

Jun 25, 2009#316

Chippy

ElJuski said:
*drapes a warm towel over Shannow; hands him a coffee mug*

I know, man. We're in this...together.

@Chippy: you always show up RIGHT ON TIME, man.

It's what I do.

*Hops on motorcycle. Rides into the distance.*

Jun 25, 2009#317

Cajungal

Just because one re-imagination of an old series is good doesn't mean they all are. I looooved Star Trek, but I wasn't a fan of the first Transformers movie. I can't say anything about the second one, because I haven't seen it (yet

Jun 25, 2009#318

Gusto

PhantomShadow said:
Holy fck the nerd rage in this discussion. Were you guys raging on about how shitty George Lucas ruined your memories of star wars with the prequal trilogies?

I'm going to see this film at the drive in tomorrow evening along with abrams star trek.

I don't remember you guys being as pissed about Abrams re invention of the Trek universe by creating a alternate reality.

I still hold my opinion that Abrams Star Trek will be my favorite film this year hoping Public Enemies next weekend replaces that.

I can't imagine how you guys will bitch about the shitty remake that GI Joe got when it comes August time.

I'm just expecting big fucking explosions with shitty action and dialogue.

I've never seen Star Wars.
I never watched Trek.
I never gave two shits about G.I. Joe or Transformers.

But by all means, keep generalizing.

Jun 25, 2009#319

Frankie Williamson

PhantomShadow said:
Holy fck the nerd rage in this discussion. Were you guys raging on about how shitty George Lucas ruined your memories of star wars with the prequal trilogies?

I'm going to see this film at the drive in tomorrow evening along with abrams star trek.

I don't remember you guys being as * about Abrams re invention of the Trek universe by creating a alternate reality.

I still hold my opinion that Abrams Star Trek will be my favorite film this year hoping Public Enemies next weekend replaces that.

I can't imagine how you guys will * about the shitty remake that GI Joe got when it comes August time.

I'm just expecting big smurfing explosions with shitty action and dialogue.

Man...no one is mad that it isn't the old Transformers. People are mad (internet mad...which equates to casual indifference in actual emotions) that it's fucking awful and on it's way to being the biggest movie ever.

Jun 25, 2009#320

Steven Soderburgin

Chippy said:
I'm convinced you have ADD.

Can I just delete everything I've said in this thread and replace it with this because gat damn

Jun 25, 2009#321

ElJuski

I would hang out with Chippy. And I know he lives in the Chicagoland area AND YET HE DOESNT HANG OUT WITH ME >: (

Jun 26, 2009#322

Chippy

ElJuski said:
I would hang out with Chippy. And I know he lives in the Chicagoland area AND YET HE DOESNT HANG OUT WITH ME >: (

Except I live in NearDetroitLand.

Jun 26, 2009#323

ElJuski

:angry:

Jun 26, 2009#324

Chippy

ElJuski said:
:angry:

WAY TO NOT EVEN KNOW ABOUT ME WE ARE NO LONGER FRIENDS GAARBLE

Jun 26, 2009#325

ElJuski

DUDE ILL TOTALLY BE IN MICHIGAN THOUGH IN JULY LETS HANG THEN

Jun 26, 2009#326

Gusto

ElJuski said:
DUDE ILL TOTALLY BE IN MICHIGAN THOUGH IN JULY LETS HANG THEN

COME TO ONTARIO

Jun 26, 2009#327

Chippy

ElJuski said:
DUDE ILL TOTALLY BE IN MICHIGAN THOUGH IN JULY LETS HANG THEN

FOR WHAT ARE YOU STALKING ME AGHHH

Jun 26, 2009#328

Cog

Let me see if I undertand what is happening here: Some people liked the movie. Others think that those who liked the movie are stupid and/or racist and others are angry because the people (hollywood) who used to entertain them no longer do that... For a totally outsider point of view, I think the ones who liked the movie have different tastes and are happier that the rest. Maybe its because they are stupid or maybe is because they don't take things so seriously.

I am, personally and for the first time, happy because in my city most of "big movies" are dubbed and maybe that will lessen the stereotypical aspect of this movie.

Jun 26, 2009#329

Far

Since I work at a movie theatre I can see whatever I want free of charge. Today I had happened to accidentally go in an hour early (thought I worked at 5, didn't actually start until 6) and decided I'd sit in on an hour or so of Transformers. I really didn't mind the first one, take it or leave it kind of thing, so I was mildly interested in seeing the second and, despite the poor reviews it's been garnering, I decided that this would be a sort of trial run. If the movie could hold my interest for the hour I had to waste then I would go and watch the full thing when I had more time.

I can safely say that even with the ability to see it absolutely free of charge I won't be going to finish watching what I had happened to "miss".

Also despite my initial reaction to the vitriol that was being directed against the Twins, they really CAN be that bad.

Jun 26, 2009#330

@Li3n

Cog said:
For a totally outsider point of view, I think the ones who liked the movie have different tastes and are happier that the rest.

Ignorance is bliss?! How original of you...

Watching and enjoying crappy movies is fine... as long as you buy them out of the bargain bin at your local store... otherwise you're just telling Hollywood we'll watch and crap they put out as long as is has fart jokes...

Jun 26, 2009#331

Shawn

@Li3n said:
Cog said:

For a totally outsider point of view, I think the ones who liked the movie have different tastes and are happier that the rest.

Click to expand...

Ignorance is bliss?! How original of you...

Watching and enjoying crappy movies is fine... as long as you buy them out of the bargain bin at your local store... otherwise you're just telling Hollywood we'll watch and crap they put out as long as is has fart jokes...

The flipside is that with movies like Dark Knight and Up breaking box office records there are plenty of reasons for Hollywood to make Oscar worthy films too. But Hollywood can't spend the time to make nothing but masterpieces as the industry would quickly go bankrupt between films. Especially in today's world where movie piracy is common practice.
Just like clothing, movies have trends and they change as the audiences change. Horror movies are a good example. Gore fests were popular in the late 70s and early 80s. After a loss of interest the movie "Scream" re-energized them for the new millenium and even popularized the "twist" ending. In recent years we've been seeing PG-13 horror films that try to scare without the need for the gore, due to lack of audiences willing to go to R rated films.
Even now I've seen fart movies failing at the box office. Eddie Murphy hasn't made a blockbuster in years. Meet the Spartans was a theatrical flop. Even movies like Year One are substituting fart and poop jokes with more subtle and witty humor. (There is one shit, and one fart joke in Year One. For a Jack Black film that's pretty good).
When giant robots stop being entertaining the audiences will let Hollywood know.

Jun 26, 2009#332

Shannow

PhantomShadow said:
Holy fck the nerd rage in this discussion. Were you guys raging on about how shitty George Lucas ruined your memories of star wars with the prequal trilogies?

I'm going to see this film at the drive in tomorrow evening along with abrams star trek.

I don't remember you guys being as * about Abrams re invention of the Trek universe by creating a alternate reality.

I still hold my opinion that Abrams Star Trek will be my favorite film this year hoping Public Enemies next weekend replaces that.

I can't imagine how you guys will * about the shitty remake that GI Joe got when it comes August time.

I'm just expecting big smurfing explosions with shitty action and dialogue.

I do not know where to go with this post. All I can say is that I pity you. Where the whole Abrams thing in this post came from..I do not know. Most of the people here liked it. Most everyone liked it. it was a good, fun movie. Why bring that up? It has no bearing here whatsoever.

No one is bitching because of the fact that TF2 is a remake. It was a god awful movie. Period. Thats what the reviews and people posting here are saying. And it was given 200 million dollars to be made, which, with that kind of money, one could at least reasonably expect mediocrity, not complete shit. No one anywhere "nerd-raged" over the fact that it was not like the cartoon.

GI Joe looks like it will be much the same...a very very bad movie. But hey, its to be expected. Thats all. Hell, it might be hilariously bad, something to laugh at and enjoy due to its horridness. TF2 does not even have that going for it. It was mind bendingly bad. Two of the main robots with the most lines were the two idiotic "black" twins, scenes cut out in the middle of sequences for no reason, we had a 30 minute fight sequence that was Sam trying to get what equated to magic pixie dust on Optimus to ressurect him, Same going to heaven to see robots... all leading to the big Optimus vs megatron and the fallen fight...that last about 45 seconds. Everything was just thrown in there in terrible and horrible ways. I could go on and on with what was wrong with this movie.

And the robots fighting does not save it...not at all. I wanted it to be at least mediocre, i did. If it did that, i would have been extremely happen. but it could not even do that.

But hey, when you get back from TF2, you can sit down and watch Boondock Saints again and marvel at its greatness. Enjoy that.

Jun 26, 2009#333

Cog

@Li3n said:
Cog said:

For a totally outsider point of view, I think the ones who liked the movie have different tastes and are happier that the rest.

Click to expand...

Ignorance is bliss?! How original of you...

Watching and enjoying crappy movies is fine... as long as you buy them out of the bargain bin at your local store... otherwise you're just telling Hollywood we'll watch and crap they put out as long as is has fart jokes...

You are missing my point. The thing is that you are completly furious for something totally outside of your control and don't affect your life in the least.

Jun 26, 2009#334

DarkAudit

Cog said:
@Li3n said:

Cog said:

For a totally outsider point of view, I think the ones who liked the movie have different tastes and are happier that the rest.

Click to expand...

Ignorance is bliss?! How original of you...

Watching and enjoying crappy movies is fine... as long as you buy them out of the bargain bin at your local store... otherwise you're just telling Hollywood we'll watch and crap they put out as long as is has fart jokes...

Click to expand...

You are missing my point. The thing is that you are completly furious for something totally outside of your control and don't affect your life in the least.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrjwaqZfjIY:2veymaen][/youtube:2veymaen]

Jun 26, 2009#335

B

bhamv2

Just got back from Transformers.

I liked it a lot, almost to the point of loving it. Seriously considering going back and seeing it again.

(I'll think of it as making up for all the people who are vehemently opposed to seeing it :tongue: )

Jun 26, 2009#336

Shannow

bhamv2 said:
Just got back from Transformers.

I liked it a lot, almost to the point of loving it. Seriously considering going back and seeing it again.

(I'll think of it as making up for all the people who are vehemently opposed to seeing it :tongue: )

Not surprised at all.

Jun 26, 2009#337

Espy

Cog said:
@Li3n said:

Cog said:

For a totally outsider point of view, I think the ones who liked the movie have different tastes and are happier that the rest.

Click to expand...

Ignorance is bliss?! How original of you...

Watching and enjoying crappy movies is fine... as long as you buy them out of the bargain bin at your local store... otherwise you're just telling Hollywood we'll watch and crap they put out as long as is has fart jokes...

Click to expand...

You are missing my point. The thing is that you are completly furious for something totally outside of your control and don't affect your life in the least.

Yeah, he sure sounds furious, what with all that cussing and caps lock and screaming... oh wait...

And DA? Anyone who posts Dr. Cox gets +5 espy points from me. Congrats. You can buy all kinds of fabulous things with them, like a mustache comb or if you have enough a copy of "Dennis the Menace Strikes Again!" starring CarrotTop! :unibrow:

Jun 26, 2009#338

JCM

Cog said:
Let me see if I undertand what is happening here: Some people liked the movie. Others think that those who liked the movie are stupid and/or racist and others are angry because the people (hollywood) who used to entertain them no longer do that... For a totally outsider point of view, I think the ones who liked the movie have different tastes and are happier that the rest. Maybe its because they are stupid or maybe is because they don't take things so seriously.

I am, personally and for the first time, happy because in my city most of "big movies" are dubbed and maybe that will lessen the stereotypical aspect of this movie.

People who liked the movie´s story pretty much have bad taste, not terrible, but one has to be pretty much immature or a teenager to enjoy the terrible dialogue, blaxploitation and bland caharcters. The action sequences were great, not for me, mind you, but some people are fans of the whole shaky camera fad, so for them, it probably is a good action movie.

For some more woes and opinions, check metacritic
http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/transformers
Or rottentomatoes
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_the_movie/

Its a bad movie, with great action shot with shaky cameras that is not to my taste. Not the worst ever, after all, I´d rather suffer watching both Transformers movies over and over for an entire day than watch this-

Jun 26, 2009#339

Wyrminarrd

Saw the movie last night and found it entertaining. Sure this isn´t a masterpiece but it is still worth seeing IMO though it helped to have seen negative reviews which lowered my over all expectations.

Jun 26, 2009#340

strawman

wow.... just.... wow.

:eek:

i:

-Adam

Jun 26, 2009#341

Cog

JCM said:
People who liked the movie´s story pretty much have bad taste, not terrible, but one has to be pretty much immature or a teenager to enjoy the terrible dialogue, blaxploitation and bland caharcters. The action sequences were great, not for me, mind you, but some people are fans of the whole shaky camera fad, so for them, it probably is a good action movie.

With this I can agree.

Jun 26, 2009#342

ElJuski

Bhamv, may god have mercy on your soul.

Jun 26, 2009#343

Shegokigo

ElJuski said:
Bhamv, may god have mercy on your soul.

God? No, no God.... :zombie:

Jun 26, 2009#344

ElJuski

Ha. Sheg, that was my favorite part of that movie. And possibly the only five minutes of that movie which I thought was worth the watching. BUT THATS A DIFFERENT TALE FOR A DIFFERENT DAY

Jun 26, 2009#345

Shannow

stienman said:
wow.... just.... wow.

i:

-Adam

Hmmm?

Jun 26, 2009#346

ElJuski

I know what a lot of you people are saying: I'm not looking for [glorified movie]. YES, WE KNOW THIS.

MANY OF US ARE JUST LIKE YOU.

Not everything has to be all about brilliance and aesthetic, but there are craft that STILL apply when making ANY genre of film. You can see craft in comedy, action, horror. It's always there; there are people who are masterful at what they do, and there are fucking scrubs. Consider T2 in the later.

Now, barring that, you're thinking: well, it's going to be horrible so I'll drink a few beers and just laugh at it (like I laughed at Rambo 3!) Well you see, what happens is, is that this movie is so godawful terrible that it can't even be saved by ridicule. It's a lmbering, frankenstein abortion of a film that includes some of the worst characters and some of the most incomprehensible fight scenes. (Seriously, I want someone to try and say they actually saw what happened and with which robots it was. Describe in as much detail as possible, I don't want to hear "Optimus laid into a Decepticon."

This movie is a sheer assault on the eye balls and the brain, and is probably the worst movie of 2009 (so far. Oh god, and it's almost only 7 months in).

Jun 26, 2009#347

Shegokigo

ElJuski said:
Ha. Sheg, that was my favorite part of that movie. And possibly the only five minutes of that movie which I thought was worth the watching. BUT THATS A DIFFERENT TALE FOR A DIFFERENT DAY

Really? I kind of enjoyed the whole thing minus the last 5 minutes (basically the way it ends).

Jun 26, 2009#348

Shannow

Thank you, Jusk.

Jun 26, 2009#349

ElJuski

It's just that I personally like the fucking creepy, pervasive mind-fuck vampires over the feral (or sparkly) ones. That's what's more horrifying to me, is that guy telling that girl there is no God, then ravishing her.

I will say that I thought the movie was /entertaining/, but I was kind of hoping for a different set up. And yeah, that ending was absofuckinglutely horrible :angry:

@Shannow: aint no problem sir. I just want to make it clear that all of us (including CDS and, I think, Kissinger?) can appreciate being entertained by bad films. This movie is just way left of that mark.

Jun 26, 2009#350

B

bhamv2

ElJuski said:
Bhamv, may god have mercy on your soul.

I'm sorry for liking a movie you dislike. I'll... I'll try not to do it again in the future. :waah:

*hides in a corner*

Except GI Joe. I am determined to see that movie, and like it too.

Jun 26, 2009#351

Twitch

ElJuski said:
I know what a lot of you people are saying: I'm not looking for [glorified movie]. YES, WE KNOW THIS.

MANY OF US ARE JUST LIKE YOU.

Not everything has to be all about brilliance and aesthetic, but there are craft that STILL apply when making ANY genre of film. You can see craft in comedy, action, horror. It's always there; there are people who are masterful at what they do, and there are fucking scrubs. Consider T2 in the later.

Now, barring that, you're thinking: well, it's going to be horrible so I'll drink a few beers and just laugh at it (like I laughed at Rambo 3!) Well you see, what happens is, is that this movie is so godawful terrible that it can't even be saved by ridicule. It's a lmbering, frankenstein abortion of a film that includes some of the worst characters and some of the most incomprehensible fight scenes. (Seriously, I want someone to try and say they actually saw what happened and with which robots it was. Describe in as much detail as possible, I don't want to hear "Optimus laid into a Decepticon."

This movie is a sheer assault on the eye balls and the brain, and is probably the worst movie of 2009 (so far. Oh god, and it's almost only 7 months in).

I was trying to say something like that with my Jurassic Park quote but I believe you said it better. Danke.

Jun 26, 2009#352

Shegokigo

bhamv2 said:
Except GI Joe. I am determined to see that movie, and like it too.

Yeah, but GI Joe has alot of things going for it:

Sienna Miller as Baroness, Dennis Quiad as Hawk, Ray Park as Snake Eyes, OH YEAH and a movie about GI Joe is actually going to have them in it as main characters and not just cameos in their own movie.

Jun 26, 2009#353

Shannow

Lets be honest, it looks like it will be shit.

Jun 26, 2009#354

Shegokigo

Shannow said:
Lets be honest, it looks like it will be poop.

Movie magic? Nah.

Deliver what I just described? I'm counting on it.

Jun 26, 2009#355

Twitch

So it will deliver those actors in those roles and there will be GI JOE in it? She's got you there Shannow.

Jun 26, 2009#356

Alex B.

GiJoe almost has me up until they introduce the Halo suits. Then it's all downhill. I'll probably skip it.

However, Scarlet is super hot.

Jun 26, 2009#357

Cajungal

Juski hit the nail on the head on page 10.

Although I don't know about being unable to salvage a movie with ridicule... maybe just leave it up to the professionals (rifftrax, mwaha). They did a good job with the first Transformers.

Jun 26, 2009#358

Shannow

Shegokigo said:
Shannow said:

Lets be honest, it looks like it will be poop.

Click to expand...

Movie magic? Nah.

Deliver what I just described? I'm counting on it.

That is the same argument made here for TF2. It has giant robots fighting, what else do you want!?

Jun 26, 2009#359

Steven Soderburgin

"man i don't care that this game had shitty level design, boring fights, and infuriating controls. i wanted a guy with a huge gun blowing up evil aliens and that's what i got" - every halforum poster

"who cares if this book reads like it was written by a fourth grader with a learning disorder? just turn your brain off" - every halforum poster

"this picture of a pile of shit was literally created in mspaint with the spraypaint tool by someone with parkinson's but i liked it anyway. i wasn't expecting monet." - every halforum poster

Jun 26, 2009#360

Shannow

That sums it up Kiss, unforunately.

Jun 26, 2009#361

ElJuski

Damn he's good

Jun 26, 2009#362

Shawn

Sounds like Kiss knows how to make a good Transformers movie seeing how he knows exactly why the current ones are bad.
Can I read the script when you are done?
Feel free to work with Shannow and Juski if you like. Just make sure you share the credit with each other.
/sarcasm

Why do you folks have to insult those with simply different tastes than you? A better sum up is, "some liked it. Some didn't". Am I stupid for enjoying a movie you don't? I can agree the movie has a horrible plot and script. But I can still be entertained by it. "Giant Robots" is just an easy way to sum up why I enjoy it. I could also elaborate and say I enjoyed the special effects, the explosions, the excitement, the action, and the giant robots.

Jun 26, 2009#363

strawman

Kissinger said:
"man i don't care that this game had shitty level design, boring fights, and infuriating controls. i wanted a guy with a huge gun blowing up evil aliens and that's what i got" - every halforum poster

"who cares if this book reads like it was written by a fourth grader with a learning disorder? just turn your brain off" - every halforum poster

"this picture of a pile of poop was literally created in mspaint with the spraypaint tool by someone with parkinson's but i liked it anyway. i wasn't expecting monet." - every halforum poster

I'm sorry, I've been using the avatar that properly belongs to you for far too long, I'll change it posthaste. Here's a copy so you can crop it - I'm certain my version does not meet your approval.

:tongue:

-Adam

Jun 26, 2009#364

sixpackshaker

"I am enjoying an action packed book, but the author left his preposition dangling, so I'll stop reading now."

Jun 26, 2009#365

B

bhamv2

Shawnacy said:
Why do you folks have to insult those with simply different tastes than you? A better sum up is, "some liked it. Some didn't".

That's what I've been pondering. It really makes you guys feel that much superior to put down the people who liked this movie?

Seriously guys, you don't like the Transformers movies. We get it. You don't like it when people defend the Transformers movies too, that's also clear. But do you have to dislike the people defending the movie? The people?

For all the intellectual superiority and maturity you guys feel disliking Transformers would show, are you really being mature and intelligent?

I'm done with this thread. No point clicking into a thread where a small clique of people delight in bullying others based on nothing more than movie preferences.

Jun 26, 2009#366

Krisken

bhamv2 said:
Shawnacy said:

Why do you folks have to insult those with simply different tastes than you? A better sum up is, "some liked it. Some didn't".

Click to expand...

That's what I've been pondering. It really makes you guys feel that much superior to put down the people who liked this movie?

Seriously guys, you don't like the Transformers movies. We get it. You don't like it when people defend the Transformers movies too, that's also clear. But do you have to dislike the people defending the movie? The people?

For all the intellectual superiority and maturity you guys feel disliking Transformers would show, are you really being mature and intelligent?

I'm done with this thread. No point clicking into a thread where a small clique of people delight in bullying others based on nothing more than movie preferences.

Jun 26, 2009#367

Shannow

Shawnacy said:
Sounds like Kiss knows how to make a good Transformers movie seeing how he knows exactly why the current ones are bad.
Can I read the script when you are done?
Feel free to work with Shannow and Juski if you like. Just make sure you share the credit with each other.
/sarcasm

Why do you folks have to insult those with simply different tastes than you? A better sum up is, "some liked it. Some didn't". Am I stupid for enjoying a movie you don't? I can agree the movie has a horrible plot and script. But I can still be entertained by it. "Giant Robots" is just an easy way to sum up why I enjoy it. I could also elaborate and say I enjoyed the special effects, the explosions, the excitement, the action, and the giant robots.

Earlier in thread:

MindDetective said:
Hey, I just went to that expecting a bare ass farting and that's what I got. Not everything has to be "Date Movie", okay?

Jun 26, 2009#368

Adammon

Krisken said:
bhamv2 said:

Shawnacy said:

Why do you folks have to insult those with simply different tastes than you? A better sum up is, "some liked it. Some didn't".

Click to expand...

That's what I've been pondering. It really makes you guys feel that much superior to put down the people who liked this movie?

Seriously guys, you don't like the Transformers movies. We get it. You don't like it when people defend the Transformers movies too, that's also clear. But do you have to dislike the people defending the movie? The people?

For all the intellectual superiority and maturity you guys feel disliking Transformers would show, are you really being mature and intelligent?

I'm done with this thread. No point clicking into a thread where a small clique of people delight in bullying others based on nothing more than movie preferences.

Click to expand...

+1

Jun 26, 2009#369

Shawn

Shannow said:
Shawnacy said:

Sounds like Kiss knows how to make a good Transformers movie seeing how he knows exactly why the current ones are bad.
Can I read the script when you are done?
Feel free to work with Shannow and Juski if you like. Just make sure you share the credit with each other.
/sarcasm

Why do you folks have to insult those with simply different tastes than you? A better sum up is, "some liked it. Some didn't". Am I stupid for enjoying a movie you don't? I can agree the movie has a horrible plot and script. But I can still be entertained by it. "Giant Robots" is just an easy way to sum up why I enjoy it. I could also elaborate and say I enjoyed the special effects, the explosions, the excitement, the action, and the giant robots.

Click to expand...

Earlier in thread:

MindDetective said:

Hey, I just went to that expecting a bare a** farting and that's what I got. Not everything has to be "Date Movie", okay?

Click to expand...

Bit out of context or does that have relevance?

Jun 26, 2009#370

MindDetective

I love this thread.

Jun 26, 2009#371

Shannow

So, I am wrong for pointing out why I did not liek this movie? I even gave a couple specific examples, both in this thread and the other. I can give many more, if that would suit you.

And yes, I jsut wanted to see robots fighting, too.

Jun 26, 2009#372

Shawn

Shannow said:
So, I am wrong for pointing out why I did not liek this movie? I even gave a couple specific examples, both in this thread and the other. I can give many more, if that would suit you.

And yes, I jsut wanted to see robots fighting, too.

Alright. You didn't enjoy it. I recommend not seeing it again or purchasing the DVD.
Buying the toys might be okay. I hear some of them look pretty snazzy.

Jun 26, 2009#373

Troll

Shannow said:
So, I am wrong for pointing out why I did not liek this movie? I even gave a couple specific examples, both in this thread and the other. I can give many more, if that would suit you.

And yes, I jsut wanted to see robots fighting, too.

The problem isn't when people say they didn't like the movie. The problem is when people present that opinion as absolute fact and then insult everyone who disagrees.

Jun 26, 2009#374

Shannow

Shawnacy said:
Shannow said:

Shawnacy said:

Sounds like Kiss knows how to make a good Transformers movie seeing how he knows exactly why the current ones are bad.
Can I read the script when you are done?
Feel free to work with Shannow and Juski if you like. Just make sure you share the credit with each other.
/sarcasm

Why do you folks have to insult those with simply different tastes than you? A better sum up is, "some liked it. Some didn't". Am I stupid for enjoying a movie you don't? I can agree the movie has a horrible plot and script. But I can still be entertained by it. "Giant Robots" is just an easy way to sum up why I enjoy it. I could also elaborate and say I enjoyed the special effects, the explosions, the excitement, the action, and the giant robots.

Click to expand...

Earlier in thread:

MindDetective said:

Hey, I just went to that expecting a bare a** farting and that's what I got. Not everything has to be "Date Movie", okay?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Bit out of context or does that have relevance?

Relevance. Basically it was an extreme (albeit joking) example of the concept of dumbing down of the media, and why its accepted. Thats all.

Jun 26, 2009#375

Shawn

A Troll said:
Shannow said:

So, I am wrong for pointing out why I did not liek this movie? I even gave a couple specific examples, both in this thread and the other. I can give many more, if that would suit you.

And yes, I jsut wanted to see robots fighting, too.

Click to expand...

The problem isn't when people say they didn't like the movie. The problem is when people present that opinion as absolute fact and then insult everyone who disagrees.

The Troll teaches us something.
Anyone feel the walls of reality about to fall down on us right there?

Jun 26, 2009#376

Shannow

Shawnacy said:
Shannow said:

So, I am wrong for pointing out why I did not liek this movie? I even gave a couple specific examples, both in this thread and the other. I can give many more, if that would suit you.

And yes, I jsut wanted to see robots fighting, too.

Click to expand...

Alright. You didn't enjoy it. I recommend not seeing it again or purchasing the DVD.
Buying the toys might be okay. I hear some of them look pretty snazzy.

So no one should post anything on a forum, then? That is what you are saying here.

Jun 26, 2009#377

ElJuski

A small clique of people? Or, a good portion of the forum, who stand behind a fucking majority of critics? There's a good portion of this populace here, and in America and the world wide in general, that felt that Transformers 2 is an offense to the movie-going demographic. I for one feel insulted that they thought I was so stupid to grin and bear it.

Fuck yeah me, Shannow and Kissinger could write a better Transformers movie. The script would be solid, I know that for sure. It wouldn't treat the audience like they were seven years old, and it would still be a badass action flick with giant robots beating the shit out of each other. BUT...you people have already proven that you don't need any of that. You just need a brand name and shit flashing in front of your eyes. Just please don't make another HOLLYWOOD IS KILLING MY CHILDHOOD / HAS NO CREATIVITY threads anymore; more of this shit is coming, from all sides. Hollywood is dancing.

sixpackshaker said:
"I am enjoying an action packed book, but the author left his preposition dangling, so I'll stop reading now."

Well that happens a lot; that's why books have editors. Now, if the whole book was a grammatical mess, and the author tried to talk to me like I was four, and didn't even explain the action scenes all that great...

-- Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:51 pm --

That said, you can have your shitty tastes. Subjective is subjective! Just try and watch some good movies before Hollywood completely crushes anything that has individual artistic merit and methodology.

Jun 26, 2009#378

Shannow

the real problem is, by shelling out money constantly, we all just feed the cycle. And thats why the good big movies are fewer and further between. Thats the other problem with it all.

Jun 26, 2009#379

Shawn

Shannow said:
Shawnacy said:

Shannow said:

So, I am wrong for pointing out why I did not liek this movie? I even gave a couple specific examples, both in this thread and the other. I can give many more, if that would suit you.

And yes, I jsut wanted to see robots fighting, too.

Click to expand...

Alright. You didn't enjoy it. I recommend not seeing it again or purchasing the DVD.
Buying the toys might be okay. I hear some of them look pretty snazzy.

Click to expand...

So no one should post anything on a forum, then? That is what you are saying here.

Am I? *Checks* Not seeing it there.
Hmm. Let me consider if I possibly implied it. No... don't seem to be implying anything like that.
Forums are a great place to post opinions. But that's all they are. Opinions. You don't start arguments about opinions, and you sure as heck don't tell someone their opinion is wrong and they must be stupid to think that way.

Jun 26, 2009#380

Cog

Nope, nobody is angry. What was I thinking?.

Jun 26, 2009#381

Steven Soderburgin

taste is subjective, fine, but if you like the transformers movie, fuck, is there anything you WOULDN'T like?

also this idea that opinions can never be wrong is frankly childish

Jun 26, 2009#382

Shannow

Shawnacy said:
Am I? *Checks* Not seeing it there.
Hmm. Let me consider if I possibly implied it. No... don't seem to be implying anything like that.
Forums are a great place to post opinions. But that's all they are. Opinions. You don't start arguments about opinions, and you sure as heck don't tell someone their opinion is wrong and they must be stupid to think that way.

Yes, but then what do you argue? What do you have discourse about, if not opinions? just we all jsut link news stories and then nothing?

Fact is, arguing opinions, and yes, even the insult hurling, is all part of the fun of an an internet forum. Without it, things would become bland and stale quite quickly.

Take this thread for example. It has gone everywhere, and is one of the most active this board has seen in a while.

Jun 26, 2009#383

Adammon

Shawnacy said:
Am I? *Checks* Not seeing it there.
Hmm. Let me consider if I possibly implied it. No... don't seem to be implying anything like that.
Forums are a great place to post opinions. But that's all they are. Opinions. You don't start arguments about opinions, and you sure as heck don't tell someone their opinion is wrong and they must be stupid to think that way.

*shrug* You're always going to get this douchebags who are so threatened by others opinions that they feel the need to trample on everyone elses. They're easily identifiable in this thread.

Best just to :pud:

and move on.

Jun 26, 2009#384

MindDetective

Adammon said:
Shawnacy said:

Am I? *Checks* Not seeing it there.
Hmm. Let me consider if I possibly implied it. No... don't seem to be implying anything like that.
Forums are a great place to post opinions. But that's all they are. Opinions. You don't start arguments about opinions, and you sure as heck don't tell someone their opinion is wrong and they must be stupid to think that way.

Click to expand...

*shrug* You're always going to get this douchebags who are so threatened by others opinions that they feel the need to trample on everyone elses. They're easily identifiable in this thread.

Best just to and move on.

LOL!

Jun 26, 2009#385

strawman

The trolling going on in this thread?

Epic.

-Adam

Jun 26, 2009#386

DarkAudit

Aww the hell with it...

Jun 26, 2009#387

MindDetective

I don't think it counts as trolling if it is just two sides disagreeing.

Jun 26, 2009#388

Troll

Kissinger said:
also this idea that opinions can never be wrong is frankly childish

So is calling other people names because they like something different.

I'm not saying people shouldn't express opinions. I'm just saying they shouldn't follow up their opinions with something along the lines of "and fuck anyone who thinks otherwise." At least not when we're discussing a movie.

Jun 26, 2009#389

Shannow

Adammon said:
Shawnacy said:

Am I? *Checks* Not seeing it there.
Hmm. Let me consider if I possibly implied it. No... don't seem to be implying anything like that.
Forums are a great place to post opinions. But that's all they are. Opinions. You don't start arguments about opinions, and you sure as heck don't tell someone their opinion is wrong and they must be stupid to think that way.

Click to expand...

*shrug* You're always going to get this douchebags who are so threatened by others opinions that they feel the need to trample on everyone elses. They're easily identifiable in this thread.

Best just to and move on.

Wow...I mean, just wow. I am not even going to touch that little bit of bait right there.

Jun 26, 2009#390

Adammon

A Troll said:
I'm not saying people shouldn't express opinions. I'm just saying they shouldn't follow up their opinions with something along the lines of "and smurf anyone who thinks otherwise." At least not when we're discussing a movie.

And fuck anyone who thinks otherwise!

It's fucking all the way down!

-- Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:06 pm --

Shannow said:
Adammon said:

*shrug* You're always going to get this douchebags who are so threatened by others opinions that they feel the need to trample on everyone elses. They're easily identifiable in this thread.

Best just to and move on.

Click to expand...

Wow...I mean, just wow. I am not even going to touch that little bit of bait right there.

I am a master baiter after all.

Jun 26, 2009#391

DarkAudit

Jun 26, 2009#392

Krisken

Shannow said:
Adammon said:

Shawnacy said:

Am I? *Checks* Not seeing it there.
Hmm. Let me consider if I possibly implied it. No... don't seem to be implying anything like that.
Forums are a great place to post opinions. But that's all they are. Opinions. You don't start arguments about opinions, and you sure as heck don't tell someone their opinion is wrong and they must be stupid to think that way.

Click to expand...

*shrug* You're always going to get this douchebags who are so threatened by others opinions that they feel the need to trample on everyone elses. They're easily identifiable in this thread.

Best just to and move on.

Click to expand...

Wow...I mean, just wow. I am not even going to touch that little bit of bait right there.

And here he says the girls tell him it's a good size.

Jun 26, 2009#393

Shannow

Krisken said:
And here he says the girls tell him it's a good size.

Hahahahahahahahaha

Jun 26, 2009#394

strawman

MindDetective said:
I don't think it counts as trolling if it is just two sides disagreeing.

It's quite apparent that various people on both sides are pushing each other's buttons now - and it's working. There's no real discussion going on, nevermind productive discussion.

And if either side isn't trolling, considering the extreme generalizations being made, well, that's just sad.

-Adam

Jun 26, 2009#395

DarkAudit

stienman said:
MindDetective said:

I don't think it counts as trolling if it is just two sides disagreeing.

Click to expand...

It's quite apparent that various people on both sides are pushing each other's buttons now - and it's working. There's no real discussion going on, nevermind productive discussion.

And if either side isn't trolling, considering the extreme generalizations being made, well, that's just sad.

-Adam

This. It's over really.

Jun 26, 2009#396

Shegokigo

Shannow said:
That is the same argument made here for TF2. It has giant robots fighting, what else do you want!?

No. I watched Transformers 1 for giant robots fighting.

I got 10minutes of it and 2hrs of Shia "acting" like an idiot.

I've stressed these are the reasons I am avoiding Transformers 2.

Kissinger said:
"man i don't care that this game had shitty level design, boring fights, and infuriating controls. i wanted a guy with a huge gun blowing up evil aliens and that's what i got" - every halforum poster

"who cares if this book reads like it was written by a fourth grader with a learning disorder? just turn your brain off" - every halforum poster

"this picture of a pile of poop was literally created in mspaint with the spraypaint tool by someone with parkinson's but i liked it anyway. i wasn't expecting monet." - every halforum poster

EVERY Halforum poster? Really?

You can do MUCH better than that Kissy.

Jun 26, 2009#397

Shannow

stienman said:
MindDetective said:

I don't think it counts as trolling if it is just two sides disagreeing.

Click to expand...

It's quite apparent that various people on both sides are pushing each other's buttons now - and it's working. There's no real discussion going on, nevermind productive discussion.

And if either side isn't trolling, considering the extreme generalizations being made, well, that's just sad.

-Adam

You yourself are apart of this, Adam.

Jun 26, 2009#398

MindDetective

stienman said:
MindDetective said:

I don't think it counts as trolling if it is just two sides disagreeing.

Click to expand...

It's quite apparent that various people on both sides are pushing each other's buttons now - and it's working. There's no real discussion going on, nevermind productive discussion.

And if either side isn't trolling, considering the extreme generalizations being made, well, that's just sad.

-Adam

Well, maybe we need a different word for it.

Jun 26, 2009#399

Fun Size

MindDetective said:
stienman said:

MindDetective said:

I don't think it counts as trolling if it is just two sides disagreeing.

Click to expand...

It's quite apparent that various people on both sides are pushing each other's buttons now - and it's working. There's no real discussion going on, nevermind productive discussion.

And if either side isn't trolling, considering the extreme generalizations being made, well, that's just sad.

-Adam

Click to expand...

Well, maybe we need a different word for it.

Angry forum sex.

Jun 26, 2009#400

Shannow

Shegokigo said:
Shannow said:

That is the same argument made here for TF2. It has giant robots fighting, what else do you want!?

Click to expand...

No. I watched Transformers 1 for giant robots fighting.

I got 10minutes of it and 2hrs of Shia "acting" like an idiot.

I've stressed these are the reasons I am avoiding Transformers 2.

Shen you missed my point entirely, there. I was saying that your post about GIJoe and why to see it was like what others were saying as to why to see TF2, thats all. I was comparing the two.

Jun 26, 2009#401

Shegokigo

Shannow said:
Shen you missed my point entirely, there. I was saying that your post about GIJoe and why to see it was like what others were saying as to why to see TF2, thats all. I was comparing the two.

Because I answered it:

My hopes that GI Joe will be better than Transformers was due to the fact that it has better actors, it actually showcases the main characters instead of making them cameos. Oh and isn't being made by Michael Bay. How's that for differences?

Jun 26, 2009#402

DarkAudit

Let's get something clear right now.

TF2 = Team Fortress 2.
T2 = Terminator 2.

Find something else to soil. :tongue:

Jun 26, 2009#403

Shawn

Kissinger said:
taste is subjective, fine, but if you like the transformers movie, smurf, is there anything you WOULDN'T like?

also this idea that opinions can never be wrong is frankly childish

I'm going to call Godwin's on that last comment, cause I know where you are going.
If taste has a right and a wrong it must be based on majority seeing how there will be varying opinions. So if a movie breaks box office records doesn't it seem that the majority of people are enjoying it? I know why you don't enjoy the movie. It lacks substance, charisma, and heart. Or however you would classify those elements into your favorite films. For me I enjoyed Transformers because it was fun and it reminds me of my youth. But even then there must be something more to it because there have been plenty of films, based on my childhood shows/comics, that have failed even to me. And yes there are plenty of films I wouldn't like. Both Fantastic 4 films (which are loaded with flashy "ooh and ah" special effects) are horrible. The Spirit was soooo bad it's loony-toon style couldn't save it. The Friday the 13th remake had absolutely nothing going for it that made it qualify as a decent reboot to the franchise. So yes. I have a long list of "bad" movies that even I won't watch a second time. I also have a good collection of "good" films that I keep around when I want something with a bit of class to it. The Prestige. Triplettes of Bellville. Spirited Away. Descent. Clue. Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Etc.
We all have our own reasons for enjoying the movies the way we do. It all comes down to "entertainment" in a nut shell. Now I'm sorry you feel that my enjoyment of a film like Transformers is going to fuel the end of good movies. I suppose someone should worn Chris Nolan, Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Bryan Singer, Pixar, and whoever else in your mind that still makes good movies that they should retire quickly. Because apparently this world has no place for good movies because of people like me. You can exaggerate the situation all you like. I'm sure eventually you'll quote Jay Sherman and say "if you stop going to bad movies they'll stop making bad movies", completely forgetting that Jay Sherman is voiced by an actor who rarely ever stars in "good" films. If you would like a list of films that are in theaters now, and have gotten great reviews from the majority of critics, I will be happy to oblige. That way you can stay clear of Transformers 2, and send Hollywood the message you want them to receieve.

Jun 26, 2009#404

Shegokigo

Shannow said:
the real problem is, by shelling out money constantly, we all just feed the cycle. And thats why the good big movies are fewer and further between. Thats the other problem with it all.

Till eventually it's all "Ow My Balls XIII" staring Ashton Kutcher III

Jun 26, 2009#405

Shannow

Shegokigo said:
Shannow said:

Shen you missed my point entirely, there. I was saying that your post about GIJoe and why to see it was like what others were saying as to why to see TF2, thats all. I was comparing the two.

Click to expand...

Because I answered it:

My hopes that GI Joe will be better than Transformers was due to the fact that it has better actors, it actually showcases the main characters instead of making them cameos. Oh and isn't being made by Michael Bay. How's that for differences?

No, i see what you were saying there, but it just came off originally as, I am seeing it for this reason, whether its bad movie or not. And that was what a lot of the argument on TF2 was stemming from. That was jsut the way it came across in the opriginal post, so thats why i said that. Sorry.

Jun 26, 2009#406

Shegokigo

Shannow said:
No, i see what you were saying there, but it just came off originally as, I am seeing it for this reason, whether its bad movie or not. And that was what a lot of the argument on TF2 was stemming from. That was jsut the way it came across in the opriginal post, so thats why i said that. Sorry.

Ah gotcha :uhhuh: :thumbsup:

Jun 26, 2009#407

strawman

Shannow said:
stienman said:

MindDetective said:

I don't think it counts as trolling if it is just two sides disagreeing.

Click to expand...

It's quite apparent that various people on both sides are pushing each other's buttons now - and it's working. There's no real discussion going on, nevermind productive discussion.

And if either side isn't trolling, considering the extreme generalizations being made, well, that's just sad.

-Adam

Click to expand...

You yourself are apart of this, Adam.

Well, I've been trying to keep myself apart from this... :tongue:

In truth, had I known the thread was this ... involved I wouldn't have made the offer to watch the movie last night - I see now that it may have played some part in fanning the flames.

On the other hand, if I hadn't done it, I wouldn't have seen the movie last night, and I wouldn't have had such an enjoyable date with my wife. I just got a kick out of playing the southern used car salesman to Kissinger and Charlie Don't Surf's masochists for hire. I was surprised that someone (awesome!) followed through with it, and even more surprised when another awesome person showed willingness to help. How many people can say, "I asked a bunch of people on the internet to pay for my movie ticket, and they did!" The movie was good, but I'll be telling this story long after the movie has faded.

So, all in all, this thread and the events it spawned did a good thing for me.

And for that, I am grateful.

-Adam

Jun 26, 2009#408

Shegokigo

A Troll said:
So is calling other people names because they like something different.

See I don't think that was the case at all, it seemed more like they were seeing someone eat paste saying

"I like paste! Not cause it's tasty or filling, but because it sticks to the side of my mouth!"

and they replied

"Hey dumbass, eating paste is for retards"

Jun 26, 2009#409

DarkAudit

Shegokigo said:
A Troll said:

So is calling other people names because they like something different.

Click to expand...

See I don't think that was the case at all, it seemed more like they were seeing someone eat paste saying "I like paspte! Not cause it's tasty or filling, but because it sticks to the side of my mouth!" and they replied "Hey dumbass, eating paste is for retards"

And that it's their fault all our food is now paste flavor. :tongue:

Jun 26, 2009#410

Shawn

DarkAudit said:
Shegokigo said:

A Troll said:

So is calling other people names because they like something different.

Click to expand...

See I don't think that was the case at all, it seemed more like they were seeing someone eat paste saying "I like paspte! Not cause it's tasty or filling, but because it sticks to the side of my mouth!" and they replied "Hey dumbass, eating paste is for retards"

Click to expand...

And that it's their fault all our food is now paste flavor. :tongue:

"Up" tastes like paste now? I suppose I should go back for a second helping then.

Jun 26, 2009#411

Gusto

Can we agree that this thread as served its purpose? I mean, I'M certainly enjoying it.

Jun 26, 2009#412

Adammon

Gusto said:
Can we agree that this thread as served its purpose? I mean, I'M certainly enjoying it.

I think it would be fair to say that "This Thread" is a horrible experience of unbearable length.

Jun 26, 2009#413

strawman

Gusto said:
Can we agree that this thread as served its purpose? I mean, I'M certainly enjoying it.

-Adam

Jun 26, 2009#414

sixpackshaker

Adammon said:
Gusto said:

Can we agree that this thread as served its purpose? I mean, I'M certainly enjoying it.

Click to expand...

I think it would be fair to say that "This Thread" is a horrible experience of unbearable length.

Yeah, that is what she said.

Jun 26, 2009#415

IronBrig4

I think a lot of defenders are missing the point here. Just because lots of people are buying tickets doesn't mean it's a GOOD movie. Let's use another example of something bad that people like... how about Bud Light? Sure, millions of people buy it. But they drink that piss because it's cheap and therefore gets them trashed for less money. I'm sure nobody LIKES Bud Light.

Transformers 2 is in the same boat. Millions of people will buy tickets because they can switch off their brain and enjoy some puerile Michael Bay entertainment. Doesn't mean it's good.

On a side note, I hear that the Pirates of the Caribbean success has compelled Hollywood to remake the classic 1935 pirate movie Captain Blood. I hope to God they don't let Michael Bay get his hands on it. The passionate yet respectable Errol Flynn/Olivia de Havilland romance will be replaced with Megan Fox's sweaty cleavage, every sinking ship will explode like it was filled with C4, and the black servants will talk in 21st century street slang.

Jun 26, 2009#416

Shegokigo

DarkAudit said:
And that it's their fault all our food is now paste flavor. :tongue:

Wouldn't it be adept thinking to say: Big Food Corporation sells paste at record numbers, therefore, they would make more paste and more paste and more until there was paste everywhere? I mean, since it sells so well, why not?

Jun 26, 2009#417

Shannow

Shegokigo said:
DarkAudit said:

And that it's their fault all our food is now paste flavor. :tongue:

Click to expand...

Wouldn't it be adept thinking to say: Big Food Corporation sells paste at record numbers, therefore, they would make more paste and more paste and more until there was paste everywhere? I mean, since it sells so well, why not?

That and it is easier to shell out than that other, better stuff!

Jun 26, 2009#418

ElJuski

IronBrig4 said:
I think a lot of defenders are missing the point here. Just because lots of people are buying tickets doesn't mean it's a GOOD movie. Let's use another example of something bad that people like... how about Bud Light? Sure, millions of people buy it. But they drink that piss because it's cheap and therefore gets them trashed for less money. I'm sure nobody LIKES Bud Light.

Transformers 2 is in the same boat. Millions of people will buy tickets because they can switch off their brain and enjoy some puerile Michael Bay entertainment. Doesn't mean it's good.

On a side note, I hear that the Pirates of the Caribbean success has compelled Hollywood to remake the classic 1935 pirate movie Captain Blood. I hope to God they don't let Michael Bay get his hands on it. The passionate yet respectable Errol Flynn/Olivia de Havilland romance will be replaced with Megan Fox's sweaty cleavage, every sinking ship will explode like it was filled with C4, and the black servants will talk in 21st century street slang.

More accurately what I am saying is:

I drink Bud Light because its cheap and it gets me drunk. But suddenly, this case of Bud Light starts tasting like the absolute worst Bud Light ever. So bad that I don't want to drink Bud Light anymore.

HOWEVER, people keep BUYING the Bud Light. And the company is making millions off of this shitty Bud Light. So it looks like I won't get my decent Bud Light anytime soon anymore. All shit, all the time!

Jun 26, 2009#419

sixpackshaker

Now you guys are just hitting the "I hate this because it is popular" button.

Jun 26, 2009#420

Shakey

ElJuski said:
IronBrig4 said:

I think a lot of defenders are missing the point here. Just because lots of people are buying tickets doesn't mean it's a GOOD movie. Let's use another example of something bad that people like... how about Bud Light? Sure, millions of people buy it. But they drink that piss because it's cheap and therefore gets them trashed for less money. I'm sure nobody LIKES Bud Light.

Transformers 2 is in the same boat. Millions of people will buy tickets because they can switch off their brain and enjoy some puerile Michael Bay entertainment. Doesn't mean it's good.

On a side note, I hear that the Pirates of the Caribbean success has compelled Hollywood to remake the classic 1935 pirate movie Captain Blood. I hope to God they don't let Michael Bay get his hands on it. The passionate yet respectable Errol Flynn/Olivia de Havilland romance will be replaced with Megan Fox's sweaty cleavage, every sinking ship will explode like it was filled with C4, and the black servants will talk in 21st century street slang.

Click to expand...

More accurately what I am saying is:

I drink Bud Light because its cheap and it gets me drunk. But suddenly, this case of Bud Light starts tasting like the absolute worst Bud Light ever. So bad that I don't want to drink Bud Light anymore.

HOWEVER, people keep BUYING the Bud Light. And the company is making millions off of this shitty Bud Light. So it looks like I won't get my decent Bud Light anytime soon anymore. All shit, all the time!

Except some people ACTUALLY DO LIKE BUD LIGHT. I know it's crazy, but they do. You give them a good beer for free and say "try this, it's what beer should taste like" and they can't even stomach one sip. Call them what ever you want, but they are the majority.

Jun 26, 2009#421

ElJuski

@sixpack: lol wut? I WANTED TO SEE THIS MOVIE AND HAD DECENT EXPECTATIONS FOR IT. This has nothing to do with popularity cojack. I swear to god, I've outlined this argument several times already.

@Shakey: Yeah, I know. I like Bud Light too. And I like Bud Light when it = mindless action movie in the above metaphor.

I also understand that a shitload of people liked Epic Movie, too. That didn't take much thinking, and they keep making more. WONDER WHY

Jun 26, 2009#422

Shannow

sixpackshaker said:
Now you guys are just hitting the "I hate this because it is popular" button.

Wait...what!? Fuck that shit. We hate it because its a bad fucking movie.

Jun 26, 2009#423

Shakey

The majority of people don't go to a movie like this to be amazed by the depth of the characters or the incredible writing. They go there to shut their brain off and watch some stuff blow up. They aren't going to notice or care that the plot sucks and the writing could have been done by a 10 year old.

It's the exact same reason people buy shitty beer. They don't care about the flavor and color of the beer. They grew up drinking Bud Light so they will by instinct go and buy it. It's familiar and tastes good to them. Transformers are familiar to everyone. We grew up with them so we are going to flock to that movie as long as we can shut off our brain and watch some robots.

Yelling and screaming about how stupid people are for going to see it does nothing except give you high blood pressure. Deal with it. People like movies for different reasons than you. Calling them an idiot does nothing to help your cause. It's a freakin movie.

And no, I don't plan to go see it, but I'm not going to have a fit because others liked it.

Jun 26, 2009#424

sixpackshaker

Shannow said:
sixpackshaker said:

Now you guys are just hitting the "I hate this because it is popular" button.

Click to expand...

Wait...what!? smurf that poop. We hate it because its a bad smurfing movie.

I am just defending my 4th choice in beer.

Jun 26, 2009#425

MindDetective

Shakey said:
The majority of people don't go to a movie like this to be amazed by the depth of the characters or the incredible writing.

It doesn't have to be amazing, just respectable. Reasonable dialogue and characterization ain't that hard. I'm not calling people stupid for seeing it. I wish they would demand a little more from the people making these movies, though. It isn't a high demand, really, but people's expectation seem to be so low that they are willing to let very simple components of basic storytelling slide.

Jun 26, 2009#426

DarkAudit

Shakey said:
The majority of people don't go to a movie like this to be amazed by the depth of the characters or the incredible writing. They go there to shut their brain off and watch some stuff blow up. They aren't going to notice or care that the plot sucks and the writing could have been done by a 10 year old.

You keep missing the point. Even for one of those movies, it's bad. And enough is enough. If people feel insulted that others have had enough, too bad. Because enough is enough.

But really gets me is people excusing the blatant racism. "I'm too young to know better." "But it's funny." "kids don't know what Little Black Sambo is" " :pud:

" Seek help. You've got issues that are gonna bite you in the ass down the line. I'll show you this again. There's no difference between this and the two StepinFetchitBots...

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C45g3YP7JOk:22ahsv8o][/youtube:22ahsv8o]

Jun 26, 2009#427

Shannow

What these past two said.

Jun 26, 2009#428

Shegokigo

Shakey said:
Yelling and screaming about how stupid people are for going to see it does nothing except give you high blood pressure. Deal with it. People like movies for different reasons than you. Calling them an idiot does nothing to help your cause. It's a freakin movie.

So basically, never discuss movies on the forum? Gotcha.

Jun 26, 2009#429

DarkAudit

Shegokigo said:
Shakey said:

Yelling and screaming about how stupid people are for going to see it does nothing except give you high blood pressure. Deal with it. People like movies for different reasons than you. Calling them an idiot does nothing to help your cause. It's a freakin movie.

Click to expand...

So basically, never discuss anything on the forum? Gotcha.

FTFY.

Jun 26, 2009#430

Shakey

Shegokigo said:
So basically, never discuss movies on the forum? Gotcha.

Yelling and screaming is not discussing. Discuss all you want, I just don't see the point in the whole "you're an idiot and you're wrong" argument.

DarkAudit said:
You keep missing the point. Even for one of those movies, it's bad. And enough is enough. If people feel insulted that others have had enough, too bad. Because enough is enough.

If it's really enough and you're tired of crap movies, then show them by not going to it. How many people went to it because they wanted to see how bad it was? That doesn't seem counterproductive?

And you seem to have missed the point I was making. Look at the whole Stienman vs Charlie/Kissinger deal. You make a habit of throwing out insults to prove your point and that's what happens. It shouldn't be any surprise that the Charlie/Kissinger thread turned into a flame fest and Stienman went to see a movie.

Jun 26, 2009#431

Philosopher B.

Woo this thread never ends.

Jun 26, 2009#432

Shegokigo

Philosopher B. said:
Woo this thread never ends.

Jun 26, 2009#433

Espy

Maybe it's time to go outside and take a break folks. Or at least step over to another thread for a little while.

Basically some like it and some don't.
Time to move on.

Jun 26, 2009#434

The Lovely Boehner

Don't lock this thread it's awesome

Jun 26, 2009#435

JCM

Shakey said:
ElJuski said:

IronBrig4 said:

I think a lot of defenders are missing the point here. Just because lots of people are buying tickets doesn't mean it's a GOOD movie. Let's use another example of something bad that people like... how about Bud Light? Sure, millions of people buy it. But they drink that piss because it's cheap and therefore gets them trashed for less money. I'm sure nobody LIKES Bud Light.

Transformers 2 is in the same boat. Millions of people will buy tickets because they can switch off their brain and enjoy some puerile Michael Bay entertainment. Doesn't mean it's good.

On a side note, I hear that the Pirates of the Caribbean success has compelled Hollywood to remake the classic 1935 pirate movie Captain Blood. I hope to God they don't let Michael Bay get his hands on it. The passionate yet respectable Errol Flynn/Olivia de Havilland romance will be replaced with Megan Fox's sweaty cleavage, every sinking ship will explode like it was filled with C4, and the black servants will talk in 21st century street slang.

Click to expand...

More accurately what I am saying is:

I drink Bud Light because its cheap and it gets me drunk. But suddenly, this case of Bud Light starts tasting like the absolute worst Bud Light ever. So bad that I don't want to drink Bud Light anymore.

HOWEVER, people keep BUYING the Bud Light. And the company is making millions off of this shitty Bud Light. So it looks like I won't get my decent Bud Light anytime soon anymore. All shit, all the time!

Click to expand...

Except some people ACTUALLY DO LIKE BUD LIGHT. I know it's crazy, but they do. You give them a good beer for free and say "try this, it's what beer should taste like" and they can't even stomach one sip. Call them what ever you want, but they are the majority.

So most people are idiots, and Hollywood films are going to get dumber and dumber until one day every movie is a SFX orgy between robots controlled by nubile women under the control of expressionless Keanu Reeves clones, with the occasional subplot of an akward clone high schooler trying to hit it with a nubile orgy robot controller.

Thank god for TV, foreign movies, and the odd good Hollywood flick that escapes the dumbing down. Yes, Im looking at you, "the wrestler"

Jun 26, 2009#436

Steve

You can lock the thread after my post but what I've got to say must be heard by the masses. Now, I've never hidden the fact that I really enjoyed the first Transformer's movie. And I really was looking forward to Revenge of the Fallen. I turned a deaf ear on those who said it was a big steaming pile of charlie. As much as it pains me to say this, Charlie don't surf was right! It was a horrible movie. Nothing made sense. Characters were horrible. I wanted to come back into this forum and announce "greatest movie ever" but all I got is the realization two and a half hours of my life are forever gone.
From the beginning when a Transformer kills a Decepticon and announces "Damn, I'm good" I knew I in trouble. The twin bots are horrible. Two close ups of dogs humping while the audience laughed with glee. Sam finding a sliver of the cube in his old jacket that activiated kitchen appliances and then realizing the cube sliver is not to be used again in the story. The little robot who stalked Megan Fox was as bad as the bot twins. Mom getting high on pot brownies. Parents kidnapped by Decepticons. Sam's roommate. It just got worse with each passing second. Honest to god, it was so bad I thought Sam would kneel over Optimus Prime's lifeless body and start to cry and his tears would bring back Prime. There was not one thing I enjoyed about this movie.
Charlie, I shall not question your judgement again.

Jun 26, 2009#437

North_Ranger

Hmm... I have to admit I never saw the twin bots as racist - although I must admit that the minstrel shows and the like were a foreign phenomenon hereabouts (although making fun of the Roma is comparable). But I still think people are reading too much into the whole thing: to me, the twinbots sounded like wannabe gangstas, the white kids who think that using such slang will make them cool, along with wearing your pants half-mast and such.

The reading thing? Not racist. If memory serves, one of the twins said the language was ancient Cybertronian or something - in essence a dead language or one that has retained only ceremonial meaning. Kinda like an Autobot version of Latin that only the Primes know because it's part of their heritage. That's why they had to wake up ol' pappy Jetfire to tell them what the symbols mean.

And yes, I did see the movie. I went to see it for two reasons: big robots fighting and Megan Fox. And before you call me a Philistine, talk to my collection of Shakespeare plays and the Middle English version of The Canterbury Tales.

*climbs out of the pit and burns his hipwaders*

Jun 26, 2009#438

Steve

I don't think the twin bots were racists. I think they were just bad additions to the movie. There were a lot of robots and not much character building other than the twin bots dumb lucking their way through a fight like Jar Jar did. I would have rather had four or five Transformers and Decepticons battle than the 30 or so with no real clear picture of the bots due to the camera bouncing around so much. Really, why bring the cube sliver into the movie? It added nothing and did not progress the story at all. What did the room mate bring? They put him in for comic relief? Also put in for comic relief: dogs humping, agent from Sector 7, Sam's parents, twin bots, small decepticon. Do we really need that much comic relief? And what was the purpose of the President's lapdog wanting to shut down the program? You've got giant robots attacking our planet and best you can come up with is get rid of the bots who are fighting for us? Pointless. The first movie was a lot of fun. This one not so much.

Jun 26, 2009#439

ElJuski

North_Ranger said:
Hmm... I have to admit I never saw the twin bots as racist - although I must admit that the minstrel shows and the like were a foreign phenomenon hereabouts (although making fun of the Roma is comparable). But I still think people are reading too much into the whole thing: to me, the twinbots sounded like wannabe gangstas, the white kids who think that using such slang will make them cool, along with wearing your pants half-mast and such.

The reading thing? Not racist. If memory serves, one of the twins said the language was ancient Cybertronian or something - in essence a dead language or one that has retained only ceremonial meaning. Kinda like an Autobot version of Latin that only the Primes know because it's part of their heritage. That's why they had to wake up ol' pappy Jetfire to tell them what the symbols mean.

And yes, I did see the movie. I went to see it for two reasons: big robots fighting and Megan Fox. And before you call me a Philistine, talk to my collection of Shakespeare plays and the Middle English version of The Canterbury Tales.

*climbs out of the pit and burns his hipwaders*

This is what annoys the me the most. I LOVE MINDLESS ACTION MOVIES. I'm not saying there should be a movie about big robots fighting ever because oh my oh dearie what would the neighbors think.

A piece of shit movie is a piece of shit movie, regardless of what genre, director, writers, camera fucking men were on it.

Jun 26, 2009#440

Shawn

DarkAudit said:
Shakey said:

The majority of people don't go to a movie like this to be amazed by the depth of the characters or the incredible writing. They go there to shut their brain off and watch some stuff blow up. They aren't going to notice or care that the plot sucks and the writing could have been done by a 10 year old.

Click to expand...

You keep missing the point. Even for one of those movies, it's bad. And enough is enough. If people feel insulted that others have had enough, too bad. Because enough is enough.

But really gets me is people excusing the blatant racism. "I'm too young to know better." "But it's funny." "kids don't know what Little Black Sambo is" " " Seek help. You've got issues that are gonna bite you in the a** down the line. I'll show you this again. There's no difference between this and the two StepinFetchitBots...

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C45g3YP7JOk:3dox3f3q][/youtube:3dox3f3q]

Now this is way too much. ^
I can't tell if you're serious, or if you really really really just want to call "racism" on a movie just so you have more reasons to claim it's a horrible film.
Skids and Mudflap are what we call "characters". Are you seriously so intolerant of humor that the moment you see a character of a certain race protrayed as anything less than competent that you will yell and scream "RACISM! RACISM! THINK OF THE CHILDREN!". But on the flipside, the two clueless white parents in the movie are perfectly fine and are not there as representatives of the white population. Seriously, you are telling me you've never seen an unintelligent black man before? Have you EVER watched a Wayans Brothers movie? When I hear Mudflap and Skids I'm hearing Marlon Wayans.
Heck, I bet you think this [sub:3dox3f3q]V[/sub:3dox3f3q] character holds onto a can of grape soda the entire movie.

If you don't like a movie, just say you don't like it. Don't be a tool and try to find PC reasons not to like it.

And Juski, I'm disappointed in you. Calling half the forums idiots because they disagree with you. You expect that kind of stuff from Shego. Not you. And even Shego's pulling her punches.

Jun 26, 2009#441

Lally

[sigh]

[bangs head on wall]

Jun 26, 2009#442

ElJuski

Shawnacy, you are five pages late of me calling out the racism of said film. It was an interesting discussion (ha).

Also, half the forum? Seems like a handful of people that are bantering about how this movie is anything more than a turd.

Jun 26, 2009#443

Chippy

ElJuski said:
Also, half the forum?

Half the forum...

Half forum...

Halforum! OH MY GOD IT ALL MAKES SENSE

Jun 26, 2009#444

ElJuski

Chippy said:
ElJuski said:

Also, half the forum?

Click to expand...

Half the forum...

Half forum...

Halforum! OH MY GOD IT ALL MAKES SENSE

:shock:

Jun 26, 2009#445

Shegokigo

Lally said:
[sigh]

[bangs head on wall]

*waits patiently for Lally to knock herself unconsious* :twisted:

Jun 26, 2009#446

Shawn

ElJuski said:
Shawnacy, you are five pages late of me calling out the racism of said film. It was an interesting discussion (ha).

Also, half the forum? Seems like a handful of people that are bantering about how this movie is anything more than a turd.

If I'm five pages late why is Dark still crying racism?
I've count you, Kissinger, Dark Audit, Shego, Charlie, and Shannow as the majority of haters of the film. And most of you are pulling the "Im right, and you're wrong cause yer dumb" argument. And if that's not enough you're all calling the downfall of cinema as we know it because apparently Tranformers 2 proves without a doubt that intellectual and overall "good" movies are not long for this world. Sometimes I wonder if you even put things into perspective at all. I'm looking at a list of movies in theater right now. Of them I can suggest the following as films that have been generally liked by Joe Blow Average and movie critics alike.
The Hangover, Up, Star Trek, Angels and Demons, Drag me to Hell, Moon, The Stoning of Soraya M.
Hollywood has survived blockbuster "budlights" before. I doubt Tranformers 2 is going to make any significant dent in it's structure.

Jun 26, 2009#447

Shegokigo

Shawnacy said:
ElJuski said:

Shawnacy, you are five pages late of me calling out the racism of said film. It was an interesting discussion (ha).

Also, half the forum? Seems like a handful of people that are bantering about how this movie is anything more than a turd.

Click to expand...

If I'm five pages late why is Dark still crying racism?
I've count you, Kissinger, Dark Audit, Shego, Charlie, and Shannow as the majority of haters of the film. And most of you are pulling the "Im right, and you're wrong cause yer dumb" argument. And if that's not enough you're all calling the downfall of cinema as we know it because apparently Tranformers 2 proves without a doubt that intellectual and overall "good" movies are not long for this world. Sometimes I wonder if you even put things into perspective at all. I'm looking at a list of movies in theater right now. Of them I can suggest the following as films that have been generally liked by Joe Blow Average and movie critics alike.
The Hangover, Up, Star Trek, Angels and Demons, Drag me to *, Moon, The Stoning of Soraya M.
Hollywood has survived blockbuster "budlights" before. I doubt Tranformers 2 is going to make any significant dent in it's structure.

Did you just put Star Trek and UP budlights? Seriously?

Also, where did I say I hated this movie exactly? Kinda hard to hate something you haven't seen.

Jun 26, 2009#448

ScytheRexx

Okay I know this is a bad idea, it feels like a bad idea, but I figured I wanted to talk about it. So let's get it out of the way.

Transformers 2 was a fun movie. There, I got that out of the way.

If you go into Transformers 2 expecting cohesion, drama, high-class jokes, or anything of that nature, it would basically be the same as watching Spongebob Squarepants and expecting Gargoyles. Not everything is made for the same person, or the same type of person. That is why we have demographs and genres.

Transformers didn't try to be anything more then a glorified cartoon. It has a plot that was childish, a villain that existed for the pure purpose of dying at the end, reoccurring characters with silly, over the top personalities, threw in some silly jokes for the less then witty, adult jokes for the toilet joke crowd, and for the pyro heads, a lot of explosions. Bay obviously didn't want it to be anything else, and has proved that since most of his movies are glorified cartoons, from Bad Boys to Armageddon. The single real time he attempted to be serious gave us gems like Pearl Harbor, the guy just stepped back and realized he does not do serious very well, that's why he makes all those stupid commercials with mad max koalas and exploding barbeques.

I went into the movie expecting nothing less, and actually, the movie exceeded the expectations I had from the first movie, which in retrospective, was probably worst on the plot scale. The weak plots still didn't stop me from enjoying both movies for what they were. Frankly, and I say this as someone that considers themselves a rather average geek, with a lot of blue collier qualities and a love for movies (Having gone to film school and worked in LA), you guys that trash the "stupid masses" that watch this movie need to step back and realize, that in the end, you are really no better then them. How do I know this? You spend your days complaining in a 13 page thread about how horrible a movie is that you never even watched.

There is only one thing I will agree with here, and that is the twinbots. Bay could have really hit a good place if he never allowed those two into the script. They got too much screen time for serving such a little purpose, just like Jar Jar Binks. I am probably the only person on the planet that enjoyed Star Wars Episode 1, but even I admit that Jar Jar took it down a large notch that never allowed it to recover, and that same thing happened with the twinbots. It would have been better to see someone else, even Arcee, joining them during the majority of the trip. Sadly that didn't happen, but they didn't have enough screentime to "ruin" the movie for me, and for that I am grateful.

Jun 26, 2009#449

BananaHands

Did anyone else notice that apparently there are...

[spoiler:22d7lcym]ROBOT GODS THAT CAN BRING SHIA BACK TO LIFE AFTER ALL MEANS TO RESUSCITATE HIM FAILED!?[/spoiler:22d7lcym]

That was so fucking cheesy. Made me rage.

The dialogue was horrible. The scene where his parents are in Egypt with them and he has to convince his Father to let him go again and again and again... then his mother suddenly (for no reason what-so-ever) has a change of heart and tells him to let Shia go (contrasting how she acted 7/8ths of the movie). But, let's look at this in a different way... he begs and pleads his parents to run away, and when he asks ol' Megan to leave:

"I'm not going without you!" (Build up for another 'emotional' scene...)
"Okay, let's go then. :Leyla:

" (Uh...what?)

And they run off.

Look, you can claim I'm going with popular opinion... You can claim I'm being some sort of elitist... but there is NO SOLID STORY STRUCTURE. The movie acts like this:

Scene with Shia and Megan(resolved)/ROBOTS FIGHTING/Scene with Shia and Megan(resolved)/ROBOTS FIGHTING...etc. etc.

Michael Bay had stuffed this movie with so much irrelivant information and explosions that in the end all he really got was an episodic story line that attempts to tie a love story and robots together. Oh, and when he does tie it together, it's with shitty dialogue or WACKY COMIC RELIEF :tongue: !

"Hey Shia! I'm your roommate! We have a rivalry at first and I own a system of computers that are so far complex that it takes three quirky people to run it, OH! And it's in our Dorm! By the way? Our rivalry? We'll be best buds while I form a homo-erotic relationship with your once enemy in Sector 7!"
"Hey Shia, I'm the little decepticon bot that is so retarded that there is absolutely no reason a decepticon would send me on this mission. In fact, it would have been resolved by sending a huge hulking robot instead of a remote control car. But who cares!? I hump megan fox's leg!"
"Hey, I'm your enemy from Sector 7. But now I work in a meat store with a huge secret lair below! I also wear thongs and make funny little jokes!"

Sorry, that's the movie to me. You guys can like, you guys can hate it. But I'm done with this thread, my $0.02 is in and reading fanboys WHO HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN IT defend it is just giving me a headache.

Oh, and if he wanted to make this a cartoony feel good movie, don't make every transformer swear just for the sake of swearing.

Jun 26, 2009#450

Dieb

ScytheRexx said:
I am probably the only person on the planet that enjoyed Star Wars Episode 1

Way to undercut your whole argument! No one's going to listen to you after you say that

Heh, just kidding, but on a more serious note - I haven't seen either Transformer movie, and I don't intend to. After I paid good money to see "Pearl Harbor", I was never going to let Bay get another dime from me. So I can't say anything about the movie, good or bad. I'd just like to point out that, from what I've read, most people's argument for Transformers is "hey, there's nothing wrong with mindless action movies!" And of course this is true. Sometimes, you just want to see some hot people kicking ass with explosions involved.

But that doesn't mean there aren't bad action movies! There's a difference between "Die Hard" and "Speed Two: Cruise Control", people. Now, again, I haven't seen this film. I have no idea at which end of the spectrum it lies. But can't people admit that a movie can be a dumb action film and be bad?

Jun 26, 2009#451

CynicismKills

BananaHands said:
Did anyone else notice that apparently there are...

[spoiler:1nq520l5]ROBOT GODS THAT CAN BRING SHIA BACK TO LIFE AFTER ALL MEANS TO RESUSCITATE HIM FAILED!?[/spoiler:1nq520l5]

That was so fucking cheesy. Made me rage.

Yeah, I went to Denny's for some late-night breakfast afterward, and mentioned to my friends [spoiler:1nq520l5]"man, that scene felt like such a deus ex machina."[/spoiler:1nq520l5]

Then I thought for a second, and realized.

[spoiler:1nq520l5]THE SCENE IS LITERALLY A DEUS EX MACHINA. WITH GOD MACHINES.[/spoiler:1nq520l5]

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Jun 26, 2009#452

Krisken

Dieb said:
ScytheRexx said:

I am probably the only person on the planet that enjoyed Star Wars Episode 1

Click to expand...

Way to undercut your whole argument! No one's going to listen to you after you say that

Heh, just kidding, but on a more serious note - I haven't seen either Transformer movie, and I don't intend to. After I paid good money to see "Pearl Harbor", I was never going to let Bay get another dime from me. So I can't say anything about the movie, good or bad. I'd just like to point out that, from what I've read, most people's argument for Transformers is "hey, there's nothing wrong with mindless action movies!" And of course this is true. Sometimes, you just want to see some hot people kicking a** with explosions involved.

But that doesn't mean there aren't bad action movies! There's a difference between "Die Hard" and "Speed Two: Cruise Control", people. Now, again, I haven't seen this film. I have no idea at which end of the spectrum it lies. But can't people admit that a movie can be a dumb action film and be bad?

I admit it, absolutely. I won't agree that someone is stupid because they like it though.

Jun 26, 2009#453

ScytheRexx

Krisken said:
I admit it, absolutely. I won't agree that someone is stupid because they like it though.

Pretty much the same for me.

Jun 27, 2009#454

Bowielee

Well, Just got back from seeing it and I have to say that it was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

The only really negative thing I have to say about it is the "black" robots. Yeah, they WERE horribly racist. They comprise all of 10 minutes of screen time, so it didn't lessen my enjoyment of the film overall.

Revenge of the fallen was everything I wanted out of the first movie. You could actually tell what were happening in the action sequences, which comprised a good chunk of the movie.

That's about all I'm gonna say about it.

Jun 27, 2009#455

Shakey

BananaHands said:
Sorry, that's the movie to me. You guys can like, you guys can hate it. But I'm done with this thread, my $0.02 is in and reading fanboys WHO HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN IT defend it is just giving me a headache.

Oh, and if he wanted to make this a cartoony feel good movie, don't make every transformer swear just for the sake of swearing.

So you read the reviews. You saw the first movie. You knew it was going to be a pile of shit. Yet you paid money to go see it just so you could complain about how big the pile of shit really was. Your money went towards proving that no matter how bad the movie is, if there are enough explosions and robots we will pay to see it.

Jun 27, 2009#456

Shannow

I love the argument of "if you expected high cinema, you are wrong!!!"

We were not exopecting high fuckign cinema. What you cant get is that we expected to to be fucking insulkted with the lowest common demoniator of everything. What gets us is your argument of "I wanted big robots fighting!!" Thats fine, but expect a bit more from yourself. It was shit, it was way low brow, and it was made for idiots. yes, i said idiots. I am sorry. I can turn off my brain when i see something I want to, and I tried to here. But when I am bitch slapped by stupidity and bad acting and bad writing and bad direction SCENE AFTER SCENE AFTER SCENE, it gets to be much. And your attitude is why shit like this gets a 200 million dollar budget. That is the greatest insult to common fucking decency of all. Idiocracy was right, and you fall right inot that class.

Jun 27, 2009#457

Shakey

Shannow said:
I love the argument of "if you expected high cinema, you are wrong!!!"

We were not exopecting high fuckign cinema. What you cant get is that we expected to to be fucking insulkted with the lowest common demoniator of everything. What gets us is your argument of "I wanted big robots fighting!!" Thats fine, but expect a bit more from yourself. It was shit, it was way low brow, and it was made for idiots. yes, i said idiots. I am sorry. I can turn off my brain when i see something I want to, and I tried to here. But when I am bitch slapped by stupidity and bad acting and bad writing and bad direction SCENE AFTER SCENE AFTER SCENE, it gets to be much. And your attitude is why shit like this gets a 200 million dollar budget. That is the greatest insult to common fucking decency of all. Idiocracy was right, and you fall right inot that class.

Again, you paid money to see this movie. You knew from reviews it was going to be horrid. You still went. You are as much to blame as those who only wanted KABLAM BOOM POW!

Jun 27, 2009#458

ElJuski

Shakey said:
Shannow said:

I love the argument of "if you expected high cinema, you are wrong!!!"

We were not exopecting high fuckign cinema. What you cant get is that we expected to to be fucking insulkted with the lowest common demoniator of everything. What gets us is your argument of "I wanted big robots fighting!!" Thats fine, but expect a bit more from yourself. It was shit, it was way low brow, and it was made for idiots. yes, i said idiots. I am sorry. I can turn off my brain when i see something I want to, and I tried to here. But when I am bitch slapped by stupidity and bad acting and bad writing and bad direction SCENE AFTER SCENE AFTER SCENE, it gets to be much. And your attitude is why shit like this gets a 200 million dollar budget. That is the greatest insult to common fucking decency of all. Idiocracy was right, and you fall right inot that class.

Click to expand...

Again, you paid money to see this movie. You knew from reviews it was going to be horrid. You still went. You are as much to blame as those who only wanted KABLAM BOOM POW!

For sure I'm part of that 60 million. But the whole experience taught me to never play into that never again.

Also, @ Shawnacy: well yeah there are things right alongside T2 NOW. The ripple effects aren't immediate, son. And no doubt it won't be the apocolypse of cinema next Tuesday. It's just a woeful experience to see a portion of people on this forum and at large simply accept the terrible craftmanship of this film.

But you know what? Its tilting my windmill to suggest that we watch a good action movie or a good comedy instead of the most basic, masturbatory movies I've seen in a long time. Who needs story structure!? Dogs humping is totally funny. So let's just sedate ourselves with more robots humping Megan Fox.

And let's not forget the weekly Twilight read! I hear that book is everything everybody wanted too, unlike all those other boring ass books.

Jun 27, 2009#459

Bowielee

Oh, for the love of christ. You people are acting as if every single movie made prior to this decade were cinematic masterpieces, or even good.

There have always been, and will always be films made to appeal to you frustrated cinematography majors, and those that are made to appeal to a broad audience.

For every Star Wars, there are 20 Ice Pirates.

I'm just going to add that Roger Ebert is a pompus windbag. Those who can, do. Those who can't, become film critics.

Jun 27, 2009#460

The Lovely Boehner

Bowielee said:
I'm just going to add that Roger Ebert is a pompus windbag. Those who can, do. Those who can't, become film critics.

You couldn't be more wrong. Now fuck along.

Jun 27, 2009#461

Shakey

It seems like there is always a whole lot of "don't read/watch this because of X." I wonder how people can expect people to appreciate good art without knowing where to look. If you want the residents of HF to broaden their horizons why not start a book of the month/movie of the week. Pushing people to experience new things seems a whole lot more productive than complaining that they don't.

Jun 27, 2009#462

Ravenpoe

Charlie Dont Surf said:
Bowielee said:

I'm just going to add that Roger Ebert is a pompus windbag. Those who can, do. Those who can't, become film critics.

Click to expand...

You couldn't be more wrong. Now fuck along.

You know, I don't agree with Chuck often (or at least admit to it) but I both agree with this sentiment, and have long hoped that 'now fuck along' would enter the standard lexicon.

Jun 27, 2009#463

Dieb

Ravenpoe said:
Charlie Dont Surf said:

Bowielee said:

I'm just going to add that Roger Ebert is a pompus windbag. Those who can, do. Those who can't, become film critics.

Click to expand...

You couldn't be more wrong. Now smurf along.

Click to expand...

You know, I don't agree with Chuck often (or at least admit to it) but I both agree with this sentiment, and have long hoped that 'now smurf along' would enter the standard lexicon.

Yea, don't mess with Ebert. He's a damn good writer, and not nearly as pompus as other film critics. He gives good reviews to good action/sci-fi/nerdy films. While I hardly agree with him all the time, he's much more open to non-artsy films than 99% of critics.

Jun 27, 2009#464

Espy

Just got back from it.

Quite possibly the worst over 20 million dollar budget movie I have ever seen.

I wasn't expecting high-film. I expected some sort of continuity. I expected a basic amount of plot. I expected no mixture of day/evening shots in the same scene.
No one cared who made this movie.
No one gave a damn.
It was made for the lowest common denominator. It was made for people who seriously just want to laugh at robots who acted "black" and dogs who had humped.
Honestly, I expected it to be bad. I did. It was beyond bad. It made Wolverine look like Shakespeare.
I am concerned that so many kids sat in the audience, learned that it's cool to call others "pussies", and "bitches", but I was even more dismayed that no one was bothered by it. That is was just all "good family fun". That bothers me more than the sloppy, careless filmmaking.
Personally, I think it just represented what our society wants. Which, in my humble opinion, is a constant stream of shit that allows for the least amount of brain activity.

For the record, I know many of you won't agree, and I know there is a raging battle between groups here. I don't think you are stupid if you liked it, I don't think you are an idiot. I think you are just a regular person. Most people will like this film.
So, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
We can just agree to disagree an move on.

Jun 27, 2009#465

Krisken

Espy said:
For the record, I know many of you won't agree, and I know there is a raging battle between groups here. I don't think you are stupid if you liked it, I don't think you are an idiot. I think you are just a regular person. Most people will like this film.
So, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
We can just agree to disagree an move on.

Most adult thing I've seen here so far.

Jun 27, 2009#466

Shakey

Krisken said:
Espy said:

For the record, I know many of you won't agree, and I know there is a raging battle between groups here. I don't think you are stupid if you liked it, I don't think you are an idiot. I think you are just a regular person. Most people will like this film.
So, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
We can just agree to disagree an move on.

Click to expand...

Most adult thing I've seen here so far.

Agreed, and I posted in this thread previously :bush:

Jun 27, 2009#467

Espy

Was it?
Sorry, I forgot to add HOW MUCH I HATE YOU GUYS!!!

Jun 27, 2009#468

Shakey

Fuck you Espy, you not me hooked on cigarettes!

Jun 27, 2009#469

Ravenpoe

Michael Bay said:

Jun 27, 2009#470

Frankie Williamson

SO, tonight I drove into the city to celebrate my buddy's birthday. I get there, I find out that everyone's decided to see Transformers in Imax at West Ed. Awesome. They even had my ticket already. So, I've seen Revenge of the Fallen.

It was singularly the worst movie I've ever seen, dollar for dollar. I had no expectations. None. It managed to torpedo well below my non-existent expectations.

I can't even begin to describe how upset I was being there. I've never actually been insulted by a movie before. This movie was the equivalent of watching someone slap my mother around. That's how I felt being there. If I ever in my many years (hopefully) left on this planet end up being near Michael Bay, I am going to ask him for the 17.50 my friend payed for my ticket.

It's unimaginably terrible.

Jun 27, 2009#471

North_Ranger

And yet somehow... life manages to continue.

I'm still waiting for Inglorious Basterds and Public Enemies this summer.

Jun 27, 2009#472

JCM

Shannow said:
It was shit, it was way low brow, and it was made for idiots. yes, i said idiots. I am sorry. I can turn off my brain when i see something I want to, and I tried to here. But when I am bitch slapped by stupidity and bad acting and bad writing and bad direction SCENE AFTER SCENE AFTER SCENE, it gets to be much. And your attitude is why shit like this gets a 200 million dollar budget. That is the greatest insult to common fucking decency of all. Idiocracy was right, and you fall right inot that class.

This says everything I wanted to say

Jun 27, 2009#473

Shegokigo

North_Ranger said:
I'm still waiting for Inglorious Basterds

^ :uhhuh: :thumbsup:

Jun 27, 2009#474

JCM

Jun 27, 2009#475

Gadzooks

too small

Jun 27, 2009#476

Steve

If I was a Hollywood exec and my sole goal was to make money Michael Bay would be my go to guy.

Jun 27, 2009#477

Shegokigo

Gadzooks said:
too small

Agreed, can't read the text.

Jun 27, 2009#478

JCM

Shegokigo said:
Gadzooks said:

too small

Click to expand...

Agreed, can't read the text.

Forum reduces the img

http://images.dailyfill.com/64049e11f2a ... 7843_o.jpg

Jun 27, 2009#479

Shakey

Click on the green box in the upper left of the image. It expands.

Jun 27, 2009#480

Shannow

Shakey said:
Click on the green box in the upper left of the image. It expands.

Wow, I never knew that. I was always copying and pasting targets into a new tab, which was a pain in the ass. Thanks! :thumbsup:

Jun 27, 2009#481

Shakey

Jun 27, 2009#482

JCM

Shakey said:
Click on the green box in the upper left of the image. It expands.

Thanks

Jun 27, 2009#483

ElJuski

Actually, the recommendation thread is a fantastic idea. I'll get cracking on that after the weekend.

Jun 27, 2009#484

Lally

ElJuski said:
Actually, the recommendation thread is a fantastic idea. I'll get cracking on that after the weekend.

While sounding excellent in theory, somehow I see a "Cultured Halforumites Recommend These Fine Works Of Art To You Base, Transformers-Sequel-Loving Buffoons" thread going over like a lead balloon. And what makes a "fine work of art" is so subjective, I fear that's what it'll turn into, despite anyone's best efforts.

Although setting up a book club with classic books available for free on the public domain (Gutenburg project, daily lit, etc) could be really fun...

Jun 27, 2009#485

Shakey

Lally said:
"Cultured Halforumites Recommend These Fine Works Of Art To You Base, Transformers-Sequel-Loving Buffoons"

If it's put forth like that, then of course it's not going to go over well. We're obviously capable of having a decent discussion on this forum, otherwise this place never would have made it.

Personally I like checking out smaller films that didn't get big releases. There's just so many of them it's easy for a good one to slip past. It doesn't even have to be considered a "fine work of art". Just something that most people might not normally look at. It would of course be nice if it didn't suck donkey balls, but whatever.

Jun 27, 2009#486

Lally

Shakey said:
Lally said:

"Cultured Halforumites Recommend These Fine Works Of Art To You Base, Transformers-Sequel-Loving Buffoons"

Click to expand...

If it's put forth like that, then of course it's not going to go over well. We're obviously capable of having a decent discussion on this forum, otherwise this place never would have made it.

Then I don't understand how it's different from the forum itself. I have always regarded this community as a place where we recommend neat stuff to each other.

Shakey said:
Personally I like checking out smaller films that didn't get big releases. There's just so many of them it's easy for a good one to slip past. It doesn't even have to be considered a "fine work of art". Just something that most people might not normally look at. It would of course be nice if it didn't suck donkey balls, but whatever.

And that's the problem. Who decides that? As this thread shows better than any, there is a great disparity in the opinions on what sucks donkey balls and what doesn't. So, that's why I fear it will turn into a really snarky discussion as everyone tries to recommend things THEY think are awesome.

Jun 27, 2009#487

ElJuski

It don't have to be done pompously. And also, what makes fine art isn't always so subjective; there's plenty of reasons something is aesthetically a masterpiece. You don't have to like something, but you can appreciate something. For instance, Jane Austen. I hate every single one of her works that I read, but no doubt she is one of the biggest fuels to Feminism writing (not to mention her work with Free Indirect Discourse! O__O )

It doesn't have to be what you think is like, AWESOME!, but having a good discussion on artistic merits and aesthetes would be pretty exciting, for once.

Jun 27, 2009#488

Shawn

Lally said:
Shakey said:

Lally said:

"Cultured Halforumites Recommend These Fine Works Of Art To You Base, Transformers-Sequel-Loving Buffoons"

Click to expand...

If it's put forth like that, then of course it's not going to go over well. We're obviously capable of having a decent discussion on this forum, otherwise this place never would have made it.

Click to expand...

Then I don't understand how it's different from the forum itself. I have always regarded this community as a place where we recommend neat stuff to each other.

Shakey said:

Personally I like checking out smaller films that didn't get big releases. There's just so many of them it's easy for a good one to slip past. It doesn't even have to be considered a "fine work of art". Just something that most people might not normally look at. It would of course be nice if it didn't suck donkey balls, but whatever.

Click to expand...

And that's the problem. Who decides that? As this thread shows better than any, there is a great disparity in the opinions on what sucks donkey balls and what doesn't. So, that's why I fear it will turn into a really snarky discussion as everyone tries to recommend things THEY think are awesome.

I've seen the forums manage to have a decent discussion about what they think is awesome. Specially in suggestion threads such as "you tube" threads. Our Tranformers thread just turned out to be one of the bad ones.

Jun 27, 2009#489

Krisken

Shawnacy said:
I've seen the forums manage to have a decent discussion about what they think is awesome. Specially in suggestion threads such as "you tube" threads. Our Tranformers thread just turned out to be one of the bad ones.

Movies, music, religion, and politics. Those seem to be the top four taken by many (myself included often times) to be a "I'm right, you're wrong".

Jun 27, 2009#490

Shakey

Lally said:
And that's the problem. Who decides that? As this thread shows better than any, there is a great disparity in the opinions on what sucks donkey balls and what doesn't. So, that's why I fear it will turn into a really snarky discussion as everyone tries to recommend things THEY think are awesome.

Whoever feels like stepping up to do it. I agree that everyone throwing out recommendations would be a mess. If Juski wants to do it, he can make the suggestions. Toss up a thread "Juski's movie(or book) of the week(or month) - insert title of the movie/book". Discussion hopefully ensues. If it turns in to another pissing contest than let it die.

-- Sat Jun 27, 2009 3:19 pm --

ElJuski said:
It doesn't have to be what you think is like, AWESOME!, but having a good discussion on artistic merits and aesthetes would be pretty exciting, for once.

That's exactly what I was looking for.

Jun 27, 2009#491

Lally

ElJuski said:
It doesn't have to be what you think is like, AWESOME!, but having a good discussion on artistic merits and aesthetes would be pretty exciting, for once.

I do agree with this... that's one of the reasons that the suggestion of a book club really got my mind ticking... something that everyone could participate in versus being handed down recommendations. I was an English/Lit major, so the thing I miss the most from college is reading novels and discussing themes/motifs/techniques/etc. I would love to organize something like that with the forum.

hrrrm... [strokes chin thoughtfully]

Jun 28, 2009#492

Twitch

Did someone say...

BOOK CLUB!?

Jun 28, 2009#493

Cajungal

Hahahaaa I didn't have to go.

Might happen next weekend... then I'll have to discuss it with my bf's brother at the July 4th bbq. He loved it. He also loved Wanted. He also likes Buffy.

We agree on very little.

Jun 28, 2009#494

Shawn

Whenever someone posts a trailer for a decent looking film somewhere in the forum, I get the urge to say something sarcastic and exaggerated along the lines of "This movie can't be as good as it looks. People liked Tranformers 2. Good films will never be made again".
So I'm just going to post it on this thread once and consider it out of my system.

Jun 28, 2009#495

Steve

Lally said:
And that's the problem. Who decides that? As this thread shows better than any, there is a great disparity in the opinions on what sucks donkey balls and what doesn't. So, that's why I fear it will turn into a really snarky discussion as everyone tries to recommend things THEY think are awesome.

This is true. As I left the theater I couldn't tell you the number of conversations being had by movie goers saying how great they thought the movie was. The local news interviewed people who had come from the movie and praised it. I doubt Micheal Bay is going to lose sleep knowing the 1% of the population that lives on the internet and systematically pans everything but the Gargolyes animated series didn't like his movie. He's making the movie for the other 99% of the population that will help it become a billion dollar box office draw. We hate Garfield but Jim Davis has created something that is universally known and enjoyed by millions. We hate Britney Spears but she's topped the charts countless times. We are the minority and the entertainment world doesn't give two flips about us or our opinion which pisses us off so much we must protest by voicing on disgust in the only place where we think a bunch of random strangers actually give two flips about our opinion (in truth they don't.) I didn't like the movie as much as the first one but I've mentioned earlier if I had to invest in a director for a film it would be Micheal Bay.

Jun 28, 2009#496

JCM

Steve said:
Lally said:

And that's the problem. Who decides that? As this thread shows better than any, there is a great disparity in the opinions on what sucks donkey balls and what doesn't. So, that's why I fear it will turn into a really snarky discussion as everyone tries to recommend things THEY think are awesome.

Click to expand...

This is true. As I left the theater I couldn't tell you the number of conversations being had by movie goers saying how great they thought the movie was. The local news interviewed people who had come from the movie and praised it. I doubt Micheal Bay is going to lose sleep knowing the 1% of the population that lives on the internet and systematically pans everything but the Gargolyes animated series didn't like his movie. He's making the movie for the other 99% of the population that will help it become a billion dollar box office draw. We hate Garfield but Jim Davis has created something that is universally known and enjoyed by millions. We hate Britney Spears but she's topped the charts countless times. We are the minority and the entertainment world doesn't give two flips about us or our opinion which pisses us off so much we must protest by voicing on disgust in the only place where we think a bunch of random strangers actually give two flips about our opinion (in truth they don't.) I didn't like the movie as much as the first one but I've mentioned earlier if I had to invest in a director for a film it would be Micheal Bay.

WHERE ARE THINE PARAGRAPHS, YE WALL OF TEXT?

Jun 28, 2009#497

MindDetective

Steve said:
1% of the population that lives on the internet

[Citation needed]

Jun 28, 2009#498

JCM

Twitch said:
Did someone say...

BOOK CLUB!?

I'd love that

Jun 28, 2009#499

Shannow

Domestic total as of June 28 (Estimate): $201,246,000

Jun 28, 2009#500

JCM

In other words, its gonna be profitable, and there might be a sequel, or some good franchises will be handed to Michael Bay's to be exploded, blaxploited and the like.

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