Everybody Loved Them; I Cringed

That's true. These legends are hard to sustain.

If I can just watch a movie and be entertained, neither bored nor horrified, well, I'm OK with that. (Why is that so hard to do?)

"American Beauty" certainly has its dark side, beginning with a sardonic satirical humor that reflected an aspect of life most of us don't want to address. Looking for deep meaning in the film is a project for frustration except, perhaps, if one looks at their own psyche. It could reveal some painful realities even if it is just knowing people at sometime in your life that the film mirrors. If you have never met anyone with these character defects, boy you live a sheltered life.

(And I might say a dull one).

the austin powers movies. most all the people i know *teens and adults* LOVE those movies and i really can't stand them.

finding nemo. one of the most popular movies this year and i was highly dissappointed in it. not nearly as good as other disney films.

rudy. that movie was too slow for me, and i'm not saying i needed a matrix kung fu fight scene, but come on kids you can do better then that!

oh yes... and star wars attack of the clones. highly overrated.

"Star Wars" fans will flock to even the second rate entries but if they'd only find a clue in some past material, like, for instance, Azimov's "Foundation" series as a more intelligent storyline.

I think you won't find many who agree on "Finding Nemo" however -- it had more effective comedy in it than any previous Disney entry including "Alladin." The Pixar animation was state-of-the-art and on the DVD it explained how they were able to come up with the underwater effect with a computer. Really fascinating. There's also a movement in the grass roots of Hollywood professionals and the trades to nominate Ellen Degeneres for the Oscar (it would be a first for a voice-over). Have avoided the "Austin Powers" films and haven't seen "Rudy," which is doing better box office than for kudos from the critics.

BTW, welcome to A2K, innie! This discussion was really more aimed at the Sacred Cows of cinema rather than just current box office hits. I don't understand why "Master and Commander" is just doing lukewarm business at the box office -- it may not make its cost! Of course, it is forgotten that the international release of a film and subsequent DVD release can put it into the black. They were hoping for that with Ahnold's "T3" which also just barely made back its cost (and he's laughing all the way to the bank -- they should have made him take a percentage only as he is now really late in being regarded as box office poison -- well, and now governertorial poison).

American satire doesnt seem to have much of a bite, then.

(Well, thats not true - I remember Todd Solondz' Happiness.)

As for the "painful realities" of those "with these character defects" - perhaps I've seen too many depressing Hungarian movies or something - but to me, the "painful realities" of American Beauty seemed pretty airbrushed into what would just be acceptable and pretty enough for a large audience to buy into. Its "painful"-lite.

(Unlike "Happiness", for example. Wasnt exactly always a joy to watch, that movie, but a darkly sardonic confrontation with the defects of our (fellow-man's) existence it was.)

I hope I never see a darker film than Happiness. I'm glad I saw it because it was so unusual and because the performances were outstanding, but man, was it depressing!

The idea of "American Beauty" was not to be particularly dark or depressing. A lot of people take the film much too seriously -- the effect that one lets their guard down because the characters are approached with a good dose of wry humor makes the sudden, terrorizing revelation at the end more like a devastating providence. It was like it was all mapped out for the Kevin Spacey. If one can't appreciate the concept, they should be able to appreciate the performances in the film. The perceived angst in the film was a cream pie in your face.

The performances were indeed outstanding. Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening (the scene where she was alone in her car, berating and slapping herself, was chilling) were amazing. You've got to give actors credit for being able to grasp such characters, the deep, ugly parts of a person. Kick-ass performances. Both of them.

I agree -- Alan Ball writes for actors, not for directors although the direction of the picture is amazing.

Or maybe "Caine Mutiny."

Kane mutiny?

We're both wrong; it's cane mutiny

That would be the Sugar Rebellion.

truth
Osso, Zulu was great. I was deeply impressed when the Zulu honored the Brits and then withdrew, when they could have won the war. It was a great anthropological romance.
My favorite film for about four decades was On the Waterfront. I saw it seven times, mainly for its "atmosphere." It was a great moving painting.

Bily and Jl, Zulu has long been one of my favorite battle movies. I was impressed by the cool discipline of the English soldiers.

My Roomie can't stop talking about "Out of Africa".
I fall asleep whenever she puts it in...Also "Accidental Tourist" and "Remains of the Day"...but I make her watch my fluffy crap hehehe so I guess we're even.

truth
Out of Africa had the virtue of Merle Streep's acting, but the story--agh! It had the loving of an Ayn Rand essay. Only a macochistic woman would find the withholding personality of the character played by Redfiled attractive.