en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/521786 Comments by AtticusRex http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/kschlichter/2009/09/02/movies-we-love-zulu/#IDComment32994362 @Kurt: Thank You SIr, for bringing attention to one of the finest and best of '60's cinema! This is right up there with Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Strangelove, Fistful of $'s and In The Heat Of The Night as my top faves of that decade. And also thank you for pointing out the wonderful John Barry score. John Barry provided a great soundtrack of my youth with his stellar Connery Bond scores. Barry is a British Treasure. Now what bugs me about your post? The fact that it reminded me that all we have is a lousy MGM transfer on DVD. At least its widescreen. I owned the Criterion Laser Disc back in the day and I wish they would renew that license and issue a stunning Blu-Ray of this great classic. And your right Kurt, This is not only a 'Man's' film but one of the best 'true stories' ever told. I think the main theme of this story is Honor and Bravery on both sides of the fence. Thu, 3 Sep 2009 11:50:12 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/kschlichter/2009/09/02/movies-we-love-zulu/#IDComment32994362 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/08/26/top-5-if-you-were-a-tcm-guest-programmer/#IDComment32251071 If I were to host a five movie line-up on TCM, these 5 would please me very much to share with other film buffs. 1. Wind & the Lion (The Epic) 2. Prime Cut (The '70's Mob flick) 3. The Stuntman (One of the great Indie films) 4. Winchester '57 (The Noir Western) 5. His Girl Friday (The fastest talking Screwball Comedy ever) Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:52:17 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/08/26/top-5-if-you-were-a-tcm-guest-programmer/#IDComment32251071 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/mrulle/2009/08/22/the-leonard-tarantino-axis-of-pulp-fiction/#IDComment31633395 @Michael S. Rulle Jr.: For me QT hasn't hit a false note yet. He is an undeniable talent. His latest flick is finally the coming together of his Directing abilities finally being on the same level as his writing. Now about Elmore Leonard... His is my favorite writer. I have devoured every book. His westerns kick butt just as much as his crime stories. It's just that sometime in the '60's westerns stopped selling so he traded in the six-gun and horse for an automatic and a car. What he kept though was his ear for dialog. He also has stuck to one other thing... almost all of his novels are about this one simple concept: Bad people doing bad things to even badder people, generally in funny ways. His heroes are always bad and I agree they are always up against more evil folk. It's what makes his stuff so compelling. As for his movies... Hollywood for the most part got his Westerns right. Both 3:10 to Yuma's (But the original one is much closer to the book) the Paul Newman as a Half-breed in Hombre and Valdez is Coming. His crime films though have been spotty at best. Almost all the early ones are terrible, Moonshine War and others. 52 Pick-up though was on the right track. It wasn't until Get Shorty that Hollywood got it right. Then came Out of Sight, which is just about the perfect Elmore Movie translation. Jackie Brown as well was great but QT remade it so it's still a QT movie. Because at the time QT wanted to make his '70's Blackxplotation bit. But please don't mention Be Cool. That was a dreadful film. And don't get me started on The Big Bounce! Elmore is the best at what he does. That said there are two other writers who are chomping at the bit. Their novels are not quite as cool and rocked out and mean as Elmore's but still the dialog and characters have spunk and vitality. They are Carl Haaisen and Tim Dorsey. Carl's best novel is his middle one Striptease. But avoid the movie at all costs. All of Tim's books are great. They all star a absolutely off the wall/charts hero. A Florida history nut who never fails to regale someone about Florida's rich history or stop at every historical marker. The beauty of it is two-fold, his name is Storm Serge and he's a serial killer. Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:30:25 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/mrulle/2009/08/22/the-leonard-tarantino-axis-of-pulp-fiction/#IDComment31633395 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/mrulle/2009/08/22/the-leonard-tarantino-axis-of-pulp-fiction/#IDComment31629546 @ Tublecane: Cuba Libre was a departure for Leonard. It was Historical and not at all set within the 'crime milieu. And like QT EL IS known for his dialog. It is what set's him apart from other writers. Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:13:00 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/mrulle/2009/08/22/the-leonard-tarantino-axis-of-pulp-fiction/#IDComment31629546 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/mrulle/2009/08/22/the-leonard-tarantino-axis-of-pulp-fiction/#IDComment31628969 @Nolotrippen.. Dude or Dudette (Just playing safe) I can't believe you just brought up the whole flowers, unicorn and rainbows stuff. I am soooo disappointed! Ever since 'Ohama' got elected I've been waiting and expecting a Unicorn in everyone's back yard eating rejuvenating flowers underneath a rainbow filled sky. Well I'm still waiting! Daddy wants what was promised! Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:10:38 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/mrulle/2009/08/22/the-leonard-tarantino-axis-of-pulp-fiction/#IDComment31628969 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/08/18/district-9-review/#IDComment31137732 I basically agree on the RR comment. The 1st half was way to meaty and thought provoking for RR though I still love some of RR's 'fun' pictures. You know it's kinda funny but in a way D9 is like Dusk Till Dawn. The 1st half of that was greatness the 2nd half just action filled w/humor but no more smarts though one of the best lines comes from Cheech at the end of the movie. And for my money I'll bet the 1st half is so good because of QT's involvement. I still admire D9. I agree that if they could have kept up the 1st half's promise this would be an instant sci-fi classic. As for the shaky cam... boy you must really hate Paul Greengrass. Keep reviewing, I keep commenting when felt compelled too. Thanks Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:36:38 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/08/18/district-9-review/#IDComment31137732 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/08/18/district-9-review/#IDComment31135047 @John: If you watch this film again you'll see that there are many different variations of Aliens. Usually through color then structure. There are docile and violent ones. Smart ones as well. Christopher though is the lucky one. He has the 'key' to leave the Planet. What really never was fully explained was why the 'key' was jettisoned in the first place. If you watch the very beginning (which I agree the 1st half is best story wise) most is explained. You are correct that the effects work is very seamless. I also liked how the violence played out as well. Never exploited. It felt real. Which was the point of this movie. To create a realistic feel a 'what if?'. I agree that the third act was mostly about action and does set up a sequel though it also holds it's own as a stand-alone. Is it great? No. But then it's one of the best of it's elk in a long time. It also shows you can release a movie without stars and a unknown behind the camera and create great efx work for $30 million. I still can't for the life of me figure how Bay and others need to spend 150-200+ million. But Bay has the #1 movie of the year box-office wise... so he is still encouraged to make empty, hollow spectaculars. I await Neil's next film though. He reminds me of a new Robert Rodriguez. Being original, creative and cost-effective. Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:56:22 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/08/18/district-9-review/#IDComment31135047 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/08/17/movies-we-like-charley-varrick-1973/#IDComment31063904 Ok, late to posting here. @JOHN thank you for bringing up a wonderful film Like Charley Varrick. Of course some of your readers were born either late '70's or '80's and haven't heard of some of the great 60's-'70's cinema out there. With maybe an exception of a very few films he made in the twilight of his career, you can't go wrong with a Matthau film period. From The Fortune Cookie to The Odd Couple, Cactus Flower, Laughing Policeman to his two great '70's actioners Varrick and Taking of Pelham 1 2 3. I am also gald another of your readers here mentioned The Anderson Tapes. Cool film as well... also look out from the same DVD company another cool '70's flick called $Dollars with Warren Beatty, Goldie Hawn and Mr. Goldfinger himself. The 60's & '70's really was another golden era for Hollywood. The 80's? Nope. The '90's got back on track and so far the oughts are 50/50. Don't get me wrong there were still bad movies during the '60's & '70's but the '60's got the Epic right and the '70's got 'Mean' right. Me again... Just posted then read the post above me... gotta say Friends of Eddie Coyle (On Criterion) along with Prime Cut are still more reasons that put the 'hurt, grit & mean' into the '70's. Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:27:05 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/08/17/movies-we-like-charley-varrick-1973/#IDComment31063904 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/smann/2009/05/28/an-alternative-to-war/#IDComment22597283 My 2¢ on BDBerzerker and Schizoid_Mann's comments above me are thus... While The Fatherland was a good HBO movie the book was even better. I know that's an oldie but goodie thing to say but in this case it holds true because of course with books you can delve even deeper into the situation. Robert Harris is the author. He also wrote about breaking the Enigma Code as well. Fri, 29 May 2009 11:17:20 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/smann/2009/05/28/an-alternative-to-war/#IDComment22597283 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjena/2009/05/20/american-idol/#IDComment22002044 After posting twice here about this non-issue issue I was talking to my daughter about all these and I had a major thought and then slapped myself for not thinking of it sooner.... Sure votes were counted and Kris won.... but the real votes, the ones that really count are the pocketbooks and wallets of America. When the dust settles let's see who actually sells. That's the true measure and vote! Thu, 21 May 2009 19:05:43 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjena/2009/05/20/american-idol/#IDComment22002044 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjena/2009/05/20/american-idol/#IDComment22001633 I;m chiming in again after reading the link above from a Huffposter: He makes claims that Adam lost due to a right-wing conspiracy. Well besides that being pretty silly theory I went ahead and read a bunch of the comments and I was amazed... there are actual peeps who read this thread on Huffington Post that didn't agree with this blogger. I was proud of that fact. Gave me hope. Did America get it right? No if talent is the only primer. Kris is Idol Poster ready. He's safe. But to say Adam lost because he was Gay, wore eyeliner or whatever is BS. You want proof? See exhibit B: Chris Daughtry. He sure as heck isn't gay but he too wasn't safe. I think the only time this doesn't hold was last year when the not as safe David Cook beat the very safe but not as talented Archuleta. But then again what do I know? We have never seen a true breakdown of the votes. And for that matter we actually wouldn't know who placed those votes. But in the end It doesn't matter Jake, It's TV. Thu, 21 May 2009 18:57:00 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjena/2009/05/20/american-idol/#IDComment22001633 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjena/2009/05/20/american-idol/#IDComment21955241 It's actually a good thing Adam didn't win. He would have suffered singing the Idol mandated crap. I remember when Kelly did win, what got her there was her bluesy, throaty, growl. She has not been allowed to use that since. Adam shouldn't be tamed. Chris is a perfect American Idol. He's sweet, Christian and most importantly unthreatening. As for AI being 'fixed'. I buy into the fact these kids have to tryout. That said, remember it's television. To keep you watching the show it needs drama, humor, action and suspense. That has to be manipulated at times. Idol would crash and burn a thousand deaths if it was truly fixed. But it is controlled. That I'll give. It's a product. Sure the show is cheesy. Sure Teenage girls go all "beatles" when it's on. But you know what... the show engages people. Gets people buying music. Introduces other acts to these kids. Look at tonight's star-studded lineup. It played to just about every musical taste. You had hip-hop/rap, soul, rock, pop, country, bluegrass, rock royalty etc. This is the only reality show we watch as a family, though my wife watches "So You Think You Can Dance". I still like me those scripted shows that showcase (IMHO) great writing and acting. Thu, 21 May 2009 04:18:47 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjena/2009/05/20/american-idol/#IDComment21955241 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/05/07/star-trek-flicks-best-to-worst-part-1/#IDComment21002856 With Galaxy Quest it was proven that you can mock something but at the same time praise it. Quest was everything the actual Trek movies wanted to be but fell short. Thu, 7 May 2009 22:53:19 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/05/07/star-trek-flicks-best-to-worst-part-1/#IDComment21002856 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/05/07/star-trek-flicks-best-to-worst-part-1/#IDComment21002076 I agree with Growltiger but I wanted to add my own 2¢... Thank You Sir Nolte for saying what I've been saying since Trek went to the movies. Especially the films dealing with TNG! Except for some of the 'Borg' issues TNG has been boring, boring oh and boring. I've never liked Data. To me he is Jar Jar or even The Ewoks of Star Trek. I admire Patrick Stewart's acting and he is a truly wonderful Professor X (He was born for that role) but as Capt. Picard? Who wants a thinking-man as a Captain. He's always debating the pros-n-cons of any action or reaction. He's Jimmy Carter in Space but with better acting. I also agree that Insurrection looked awful. It's been that way through alot of the Trek movies. It's like Paramount said don't abuse our Discover card on the Production values. Now we have J.J. Abrams. He gets it. His Mission rocked, His Monster flick rocked, Lost truly rocks and Alias wasn't bad except for the network tinkering that disrupted it's storyline. I've been telling anyone who will listen that based on the trailer there has been more thought and expenditure on this reboot then all ten of the previous attempts. Thu, 7 May 2009 22:34:35 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/05/07/star-trek-flicks-best-to-worst-part-1/#IDComment21002076 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bighollywood/2009/05/01/open-thread-x-men-origins-wolverine/#IDComment20485668 Didn't catch that. I guess I always assumed there were 3... my bad. Thank You for putting me straight on that mistake. Sun, 3 May 2009 16:07:39 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bighollywood/2009/05/01/open-thread-x-men-origins-wolverine/#IDComment20485668 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/egolub/2009/05/02/celebrity-apprentice-donald-trump-absolutely-still-gets-it/#IDComment20481868 SomeChick: Jesse James began as a custom fabracator of motorcycles. Changing their looks as it were. He wold chop, paint, redo the gas tank etc. He built that up into a business so successful it launched a fashion craze from around 1999-2006 (It still continues but it's gone really mainstream). His creation? West Coast Choppers. It inspired the East coasts' Orange County Choppers. Jesse later went to TV with his show Monster Garage which showcased him and his team as they created creative make-overs of anything vehicle with an engine and wheels. He is also married to actress Sandra Bullock and lives in the Hill Country of central Texas (Near Austin). Sun, 3 May 2009 14:23:07 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/egolub/2009/05/02/celebrity-apprentice-donald-trump-absolutely-still-gets-it/#IDComment20481868 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/egolub/2009/05/02/celebrity-apprentice-donald-trump-absolutely-still-gets-it/#IDComment20479002 WHile it's always hard to know if you the viewer is being played on 'CA', The Donald knows that drama and conflict sells. If everyone was enjoined in a love and mutual respect shindig where would the 'drama' come from? You always need drama and conflict. That said... The Rivers duo is a train wreck and has been for years. What they did to themselves physically is ghastly. I understand some who feel they need to improve their looks to stay in shobiz, but really folks it's not natural and it's hard to look at. For me I agree with alot of the posters here that Annie has been one of THE top players. She's smart and 'take-charge' even if she is a bit of a bulldozer over someone else when she is not large and in charge. But for me the best player is Jesse James. I was surprised to see how subdued he is. We already knew he understood marketing and business. As for Brandy, she is beautiful but more to the point she seems to be a team player and a great fundraiser. All important tools of the trade. Clint tries but has lousy people skills. Joan is smart and cunning. I used to love her back in her Carson days. But something has gone wrong with her and her daughter.... well she is ENTITLEMENT to the ninth degree. This is the first season I paid any attention to this show partly to see the train wreak that is Mr. Clay and I was curious about Jesse and to see what he was like apart from his own shows. Rodman on the other hand just plain old bored me to death. Sun, 3 May 2009 12:50:51 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/egolub/2009/05/02/celebrity-apprentice-donald-trump-absolutely-still-gets-it/#IDComment20479002 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bighollywood/2009/05/01/open-thread-x-men-origins-wolverine/#IDComment20399074 Sir HollywoodExit: I didn't know that about Remo Williams. Dang, The producers had the actual rights not only to the whole series but to the title as well?! I mean what producer wouldn't want The Destroyer as their title?! If you don't want it and it's built in audience then don't buy the property. Arrgh! Of course I thought it was pretty comical and hypocritical that alot of critics held sway over The Watchmen by complaining that it was "To Faithful an Adaptation"! There is no making anyone happy I guess. Sat, 2 May 2009 03:12:49 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bighollywood/2009/05/01/open-thread-x-men-origins-wolverine/#IDComment20399074 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bighollywood/2009/05/01/open-thread-x-men-origins-wolverine/#IDComment20387533 Freeman: Bastardizing the source material comment is sooooooooo spot on! It's like the Punisher... 3 times now we've had his Origin story and 3 times they have gotten it all wrong though #3 is the closest but still... Watchmen, Spidey, X-men and of course Sin City and 300 have been the best interpretations because the either stayed close to the source or were the source incarnate. I have never figured out why Producers buy a property, especially ones with built in audiences and then throw away the property's properties?! I mean if you are gonna stray and add revision then do it ala the Batman reboot. Fri, 1 May 2009 22:38:49 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bighollywood/2009/05/01/open-thread-x-men-origins-wolverine/#IDComment20387533 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bighollywood/2009/05/01/open-thread-x-men-origins-wolverine/#IDComment20387336 Dude, Wolvie did walk outta the room. Then he heard a scream and you know.... Your right about the sister act. as for bros well... they were similar. Kind-of. Deadpool was a nifty idea poorly used. I do agree though give Kitsch his own Gambit movie now. Fri, 1 May 2009 22:34:02 +0000 http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bighollywood/2009/05/01/open-thread-x-men-origins-wolverine/#IDComment20387336