gdp's Comments

Big Hollywood : Today's Open Thread

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 13:50:26 +0000

I saw this in a theater when I was too young (5 or 6) to understand any of it and all I remember is being upset (That female assassin, Yikes!). I've seen it a few times since and now love it. George Roy Hill has made some fantastic films.

Big Journalism : Williams: 'Self-Righteous Ideological, Left-Wing Leadership at NPR' Distorted My Comments

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 02:37:50 +0000

It's ridiculous (and monstrously hypocritical) that Juan was fired, his comments reflected on his emotional state, he didn't say anything bigoted nor did he say anything against people who are Muslim. Humans make snap decisions based on experience and visual cues all the time, it's a survival instinct. 9/11 was a traumatic event that left a psychological impact, how does ignoring that help in any way? Something else that really bugs me is how so many on the Left have compared Juan's statements to racial bias, as if having different skin pigment equates to ideology/morals/ethics or threat. Everyone makes decisions about how to present themselves to others. Dress like a thug, dress like a professional, get tattoos, get a bunch of piercings, follow strict religious dress codes... the people around you will make choices just like you have. If I park and see a bunch of "Jersey Shore" types I make a point of locking my car doors. If I park next to a bunch of (any/race) dressed in suits I don't. Am I a bigot or just "not stupid"? He was woefully misrepresented and treated shabbily.

Big Hollywood : Today's Open Thread

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:34:50 +0000

Loved Raiders and Last Crusade, hated Temple Of Doom and Crystal skull. Not that anyone cares of course.

Big Hollywood : Top 25 Greatest Halloween Films: #12 - ‘The Night Stalker’ (1972)

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:29:34 +0000

There actually was a remake in 2005. It was terrible. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460665/

Big Hollywood : Top 25 Greatest Halloween Films: #12 - ‘The Night Stalker’ (1972)

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:23:54 +0000

I didn't see the initial airings of the TV-movies but watched every episode of the series when it first was on. I was 7 years old and despite being scared witless adored every minute. Darren McGavin was awesome in everything he did but will always be Kolchak to me.

Big Hollywood : Top 25 Greatest Halloween Films: #20 — ‘Salem’s Lot’ (1979)

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:39:56 +0000

Am I the only person who remembers Ed Koch interrupting the movie?

Big Hollywood : Top 25 Greatest Halloween Films: #21 — ‘Wolfen’ (1981)

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:31:46 +0000

I always liked this movie, it's not great but it's interesting and atmospheric. And for me anything with Albert Finney is a pleasure. Two For The Road, Looker and The Dresser really hooked me on him. Anyone else notice how similar the score is to Star Trek 2? I like James Horner but good lord, he really overworks his music.

Big Hollywood : To Gin Up Feminist Vote, Roger Ebert Posts Misogynistic Photo

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:35:08 +0000

Ebert's demise is depressing to me. He has always been a solid writer and film critic but ever since he started talking about politics he's reverted to a childish mentality. I sent him an email back in '08 pointing out a factual error (he stated McCain never looked at Obama during a debate) and his response was "We see things differently". WTF? A factual issue easily seen on Youtube is up for interpretation? He might as well have questioned the existence of gravity. I lost all respect for him and think at this point he's just some old guy who is no longer relevant.

Big Journalism : First Week, First Goof: Lawrence O'Donnell Apologizes to Michael Steele for 'Master' Remark

Fri, 8 Oct 2010 04:52:38 +0000

That was one of the most insincere, self-serving and grotesque fake apologies I've ever heard. He kept focusing on one word when it was actually about the entire statement and after that he seemed to be fishing for a followup interview all the while implying Steele was overly sensitive. Why do some people get away with this sort of garbage?

Big Hollywood : Hollywood Feminism: Women Smart, Men Dumb

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:37:39 +0000

I agree with the general point being made but don't think King Of Queens quite fits in there because both spouses were equally flawed.

Big Hollywood : The Astounding Bravery In Condemning the Wacky Pastor

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:54:53 +0000

Probably already said but why did this empty-headed two-bit lunatic get so much press in the first place? If I set fire to a Quran in my yard will the AP show up to document it? Is it that easy to become famous? I hope so because my last attempt at fame failed miserably after Lohan's mom was disappointed in the quality of the Cocaine I had. She said it didn't have that "Paris Hilton odor".

Big Hollywood : Susan Sarandon: 'The Nation Mourned' My Split With Tim Robbins

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:40:49 +0000

It's funny how the writer of the article claims the quotes were taken out of context based solely on the fact the word "dryly" was omitted. A synonym would be "deadpan". That might carry water (ha-ha) for the first portion of the quote but the second part comes across quite straightforward and any competent journalist/interviewer would have made it clear that the subject was joking. However Sarandon intended it the article does not make it sound like a self deprecating remark and Sarandon, if she meant it as a joke, should publicly state that.

Big Hollywood : Leave the Kids Alone: 'Tonight Show' Seats Crude Sarah Palin Hater Next to Her Daughter

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:24:47 +0000

I can only guess but it would seem "Louis CK" either didn't have a father to set him straight or had a very bad one. I generally like wretched, bad-taste humor (and he gets some some decent jokes in here) but there's something curdled about it all because the hatred is based on rather mundane ideological issues. Sarah Palin hasn't done much and hasn't promoted anything that should create this kind of viciousness. I think entertainers today are doing a great disservice to their audience by choosing banal targets. Saying nasty things about Sarah Palin and her children isn't brave. Pointing out the flaws of the U.S. isn't brave. There's no risk in doing that. It's conformity born of cowardice. A masquerade and mockery of what genuine rebels once did.

Big Hollywood : Movies We Like: 'Godzilla, King of the Monsters' (1956)

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:21:31 +0000

Godzilla v the Smog Monster has its merits, the movie is the darkest (and most bizarre) since the original and the Hedora creature is unique and genuinely creepy. It's also pretty stylish and has some of the most disturbing scenes of death & destruction in the series. I put it in the top five of the pre-rebirth entries. Godzilla's Revenge on the other hand was a collection of clips from previous films wrapped in a dull story of an annoying bullied kid fantasizing about Godzilla as some father figure. Yuck!