gdp's Comments

Big Hollywood : Andrew Breitbart: How Do We Replace the Irreplaceable?

Sun, 4 Mar 2012 19:29:11 +0000

I miss Andrew Breitbart. I recall him talking of how he loved 80's British alternative music while being interviewed on a local radio show when he was here in DC. And I thought that I was the only conservative alive that spent time sitting in the dark listening to "This Charming Man" by The Smiths. Sometimes we conservatives believe the press and doubt ourselves. The message that Andrew Breitbart championed was one of liberty - liberty for all. As long as you embraced that, it didn't matter who you were or where you came from, you were worthy of carrying the torch for the movement. It was this common, uniting ground that made me understand why Andrew Breitbart was the most important conservative of our generation. RIP Andrew Breitbart. You have not died in vain. We continue the fight, as fellow happy warriors.

Big Hollywood : 'The Theatre Bizarre' Review: Horror Anthology Goes for the Jugular

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 13:40:22 +0000

I read this yesterday and actually had a dream last night that I ran into Tom Savini at a bar in Vegas. He was really cool to hang out with - in the dream, that is. Stupid waking up, ruins everything - sigh. Maybe if I force myself back to sleep, we can hit a buffet together at the Tropicana.

Big Hollywood : Actor Ben Gazzara Dies at 81

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 13:26:11 +0000

RIP This is sad. For me he is cemented in my heart as the villain in ROADHOUSE (yes, a contender for best movie ever). First Swayze now Gazzara. Mr. Death - please keep your filthy mitts off of Sam Elliott and Terry Funk for the foreseeable future. Thank you.

Big Hollywood : One-Percenter Justin Long, MoveOn.org Team For Romney Hit

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:57:55 +0000

Justin Long is the guy who starred in Jeepers Creepers which was directed by convicted child molester Victor Salva. Yeah, we should listen to this guy...

Big Hollywood : 'The Grey' Review: Neeson Takes on Wolves, Survival Movie Tropes

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:36:13 +0000

At risk of making excuses for Mr. Neeson, perhaps he got a lot of flack from that part of the world because of Taken and he is just trying to make nice. At least that's what I hope he was really doing.

Big Hollywood : 'The Grey' Review: Neeson Takes on Wolves, Survival Movie Tropes

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:34:07 +0000

Respectfully disagree - this movie really resonated for me emotionally on several levels - from coping with faith, finding salvation, and to the struggles of fatherhood. I was happy that it really wasn't a two dimensional survival film and really allowed for the mostly unknown cast to get their teeth (no pun) into their characters. Don't get me wrong, two dimensional survival films still have a lot going for them. And as for the language, these guys worked on an oil rig in the Arctic, right? I do agree that this did resemble a horror movie throughout much of the second act, but I guess that was fine for me since I love that genre. As far as the ending, I was advised to stay after the credits and there is one last scene I case you missed it - though albeit extremely short for having us wait for such a long period of time.

Big Hollywood : BH Interview: James Badge Dale of 'The Grey' Talks 'The Pacific,' Fassbender's Oscar Snub

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 03:40:36 +0000

Just saw "The Grey" and absolutely loved it. The scene (which Mr. Hanlon nicely stays away from specifics) between Dale and Neeson is emotionally exhausting and powerful. It definitely set the tone for the whole film, and I can't think of any two actors doing it any better. I will keep it with that to avoid spoilers. I can't thank BH enough for taking time out to talk with those actors we love but don't get the press that the run of the mill Hollywood prima donna' s get.

Big Hollywood : Big Movie Flashback: 'Natural Born Killers' (1994)

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:28:18 +0000

Sorry, wasn't a fan of AGS -- Any Given Sunday to me was another exercise in Stone tossing a bunch of self-obsessed, unlikable characters into a story that is hard to care about - even if you are a big fan of the game. The cameos of greats like YA Tittle and Johnny Unitas as coaches was probably the only redeemable thing for me. Well, that and Charlton Heston of course.

Big Hollywood : Big Movie Flashback: 'Natural Born Killers' (1994)

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:12:26 +0000

I think most of us will agree that Oliver Stone has had his share of great films. I don't know if he started to slide in to mediocrity as much as his brand became stale. Looking at his filmography, notice that there is no joy in ANY of his films. You have seen one Stone film you have seen them all, a familiar recipe of self-destruction, cynicism, and nihilism. Nothing wrong with making some films with those elements, but all of them? Even the most seemingly humorless of film makers like Kubrick have some sense of levity (albeit satirical) in their resume (i.e. Dr. Strangelove). NBK may just have been the tipping point when we realized that transcending his own miserable brand was all but impossible for Mr. Stone, and we finally tuned out once and for all.

Big Hollywood : Trailer Talk: 'Moonrise Kingdom' Offers Vintage Anderson Quirk

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:38:06 +0000

I still have a special spot for Bottle Rocket.

Big Hollywood : Big Movie Flashback: 'The Howling' (1981)

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:20:20 +0000

Did we write our stranglely similar replies at the exact same time? I couldn't of said it better - and didn't... :) Bottin's work is so underrated - the only time it seems dated is some of the stop motion stuff that showed up in Robocop and The Thing. To me, though dated, that stuff still has a sense of endearing charm that looks better than most of the CGI out there today.

Big Hollywood : Big Movie Flashback: 'The Howling' (1981)

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:11:16 +0000

Yes, it reminds of the days when FX people were mostly artists and not computer programmers. Though most people honor the transformation in American Werewolf... (superbly done by the great Rick Baker) as the best, I have to agree with you that I tend to enjoy Rob Bottin's work in The Howling slightly more.

Big Hollywood : Big Movie Flashback: 'The Howling' (1981)

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:58:25 +0000

I am glad youtook time to point out the importance of John Sayles. Like many of the really great directors and writers in the business, they started doing horror movies. Sayles's tonque in cheek style elevated the genre at the time by penning The Howling, Alligator and Piranha. An interview on The Howling DVD shows that Sayles was pretty much writing all of these for hire at the same time to make some cash for other projects. He would go on to write and direct such greats as Matewan and Eight Men Out only a few years later.

Big Hollywood : The Top 10 Conservative Lessons of 'Rocky IV'

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:47:00 +0000

Rocky V did NOT happen. Rocky gave all his wealth to charity and was never brain damaged. You cannot inflict brain damage on a piece of iron. No way. Rocky Balboa (Part VI) did happen. It was great - he lived modestly from not being in Rocky V and giving his wealth away in tribute to Adrian's passing. There was no Tommy Gunn or Union Cane - they were two dudes in a bad dream that Rocky had after his doctor said he had no brain damage. Strangely enough that doctor's name was George Washington Duke, who also appeared in the nightmare as a boxing promoter. All a horrible dream like Patrick Duffy getting run over on the show Dallas.

Big Hollywood : The Top 10 Conservative Lessons of 'Rocky IV'

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:29:42 +0000

No, no. The thanks belongs to you. I have always adored Rocky IV and you have cleverly summarized how it aligns with my personal philosophies so well. Well, minus the robot part, that needs a nudge with the fast forward button. Anyway, anyone who is not inspired to do some pushups (my New Year's resolution also) after viewing the Vince Dicola themed training montage is simply born without a soul. Those who still are without inspiration after the "Hearts on FIre" bookend of the epic training sequence are without humanity. Now, ROCKY, go knock his head off! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIffOq8AuSw&fe...

Big Journalism : Johnny Depp-Gate: The Media Doth Protest Too Little

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:01:45 +0000

All the White House has to do is wait it out. This party is such small potatoes in the grand scheme - a total distraction that the WH probably loves to have suck up the minutes of coverage that could be devoted to more important stuff. What has happened with serious issues that a competent media should hammer the admin on like: Obama admin response to BP Oil diaster Obarma's lack of support for the Green party candiacy in Iran Obamacare's passage in the middle of the night by a Congress who didn't read it Collapse of Afghanistan A foreign policy that is spinning the middle east into chaos The payoffs to campaign supporters via the stimulus The "publicization" of our auto industry Solyndra funding debacle Fast and Furious The lack of enforcment of laws that the Justice Department doesn't agree with The tepid economy Out of control gas prices And so on... Its like none of this happened. The tree falls in the forest and makes no sound.

Big Hollywood : The Top 10 Conservative Lessons of 'Rocky IV'

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:37:06 +0000

The 3 Rs clearly defeated Communism: Rocky, Rambo and Reagan

Big Hollywood : The Top 10 Conservative Lessons of 'Rocky IV'

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:36:03 +0000

This is the best thing I have read in 26 years. That last thing being in 1985, reading the Rocky IV title super gliding over the gleaming USA and Russian gloves in the opening sequence just before colliding in an explosion of shattered plaster - all of us with keen eyes clearly noticing the Russian glove falling downward. Thank you for this awesomeness. Now I have to go, get ripped, and run up a snow capped mountain so I can shout Draaagggoooooo!

Big Hollywood : Top 10 Films of 2011 (Plus One Thrilling 'Mission')

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:17:25 +0000

I saw Martha Marcy May Marlene (whose name did indeed make the ticket buying experience challenging) based on an article on BH (think it was by Mr. Toto) and I was severely let down. I agree that the acting was brilliant, it was just such a tiring slog that it was impossible to enjoy. And at the risk of admitting I am not hip-indy enough (or perhaps too stupid) to enjoy the nuance of ambiguity --- that ending - come on!!! Isn't there a difference between ambiguous and just plain lazy? Such a letdown. I so wanted to like this, and I felt a decent ending might have made MMMM worthwhile if they had they actually wrote one. Sorry, Christian.

Big Journalism : Santorum 'Fact-Checks' CNN on Obama's 'Appeasement'

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 21:00:13 +0000

Santorum absolutely owned this segment. Why aren't we taking a second look at getting behind this guy?