Hey Rod, been way, way too long but that being said I caught your review (one I've been wanting to review for some time) and figured I'd just chime in and say yes, yes...a really solid film from start to finish. Perhaps one does require a modicum of patience and latitude, given the film does slow down to a crawl at points and often mires in the relevancy of silence - which I'm fine with but can see how that might turn others off - but as you point out with conviction and detail, Dead Poet's accomplishes a great deal of genuine characterization that can only truly be accomplished through a great deal of cinematic bravado. Lets face it, "Gallipoli", "The Year of Living Dangerously", "Witness" and "The Mosquito Coast" are fine films with a natural progression to DP, something of Weir's trademark style of working with his actors from the text to character to story rather than stumbling through the importance of plot mechanics and high concept trappings. I must admit I really like "Fearless", as much for Bridges as anything, and "The Truman Show" has this weird place for me that despite some clunkiness and otherwise awkward cinematic choices, works on levels beyond the sum of its parts just about every time I sit down to watch it. Great coverage Rod, looking forward to getting back on the horse..cheers->
My recent post Concussion (2013)

I think you share a common dilemma Dan regarding the subject matter of the "..over-privileged.." and what can and very often does come across as complaining about problems the everyday bloke would not only gladly entertain but do so with dispatch and a pint and a laugh afterwards. I actually share Rodney's appreciation and praise of this film and recommend you give it another go. What Weir achieves above all else is to actually pierce the bubble of disaffected affluence by rooting the story in well developed and engaging verisimilitude - the sort of quality story world that can at times be almost impossible to create, as though to truly capture the extra-ordinary glow of ordinary lives some kind of alchemical process must be involved whereby talented filmmakers and actors are brought together and in so doing form a special bouillabaisse of charisma, bravado and emotional truthfulness that is frequently copied but rarely achieved with this level of success. Consider watching some other older 'coming of age' tales, like maybe "Taps" w/ another stellar cast of young actors where the performances are so nuanced and rewarding you might just find a new appreciation Dead Poets. Cheers->

Well, hmmmm. I have to admit it has been a few since I watched this one, and as what I'm watching at the time often seeps into the films around them, and as I recall they were all pretty bad, I actually liked this one considerably more than you and the others here.

I'm not a big animated feature aficionado so that is either a hindrance or a benefit (I'm lead to believe in the films favor) so consequently I found some of the elements more refreshing, namely the darker tones and oft remiss pagan themes and inferences. This film stuck out to me, wasn't at all unoriginal, and as far as the story my complaint would be that while it was pretty straightforward to an older audience I would think younger tots might get lost, even confused.

I have always believed that the best art appeals to a broad spectrum, sometimes for the same reason only skewed to your particular palate, and that there are many layers and depths that are available if the viewer is interested in plumbing the well. This is what makes Pixar great and the Simpsons. While I pretty much detest South Park, I've heard from many that they attempt to be topical and relevant, though I would argue they never break the epidermis, hardly prick the stratum corneum enough to brush away the dead cells. But that's me and obviously a great deal of others would say I'm from another planet - which I am, That being said, another thorough review with great points. I'll just have to get at my own review so we can compare notes a bit more deeply. cheers->

Oh, yes..hell yes about Bruce. I mean I think it is less to do with him as it is he's tired of the same type of director approaching him with directions like, "..do what you did in that film only don't smile as much..." I mean that is by far the death of any actor. That's not to say there isn't a whole helluva lot of other things going on in the old boy but I'd wager he needs what all actors need - a director confident enough to make a decision about what they want, adjust all actors the same, with the same ferocity and clarity of mind and action as any other, from the walk on to the seasoned veteran.

Once they see your weakness and uncertainty, they gather round like dire wolves prepared to make a meal of your ineptitude. I've been there, trust me it ain't pretty until you take the reigns back. That being said, check this:
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/07/24/actor-...

Oh, and I've linked my review of Looper - which I really liked. (http://rorydean.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/looper-2012/)

Hey Rod, almost agree with your entire review with our differences of opinions far too minute to require needling. I think your line, "..which leaves Retaliation mired in tiresome, noisy inanity that fails to excite in even the smallest way..." is both spot on and nicely put -and- a little slight of hand as I'm sure you'll be the first to admit that the $371M in worldwide profits out of the $130M budget does actually tell us that a great many did indeed find the film exciting, albeit for reasons that you and I would befuddled to guess. I think we are right on with how we feel about story being thrown under the bus for the sake of spectacle here, and CGI is no replacement for actual locations and events and actors being pressured to react to them or get banged up in their malaise, but this is just one example of many big budget concept flicks that live and breathe in the success/failure of situational violence so far removed from proper screenwriting, enticing plot and character development, hell even as you point out the big guns they bring in (Rock) and (WIllis) only modestly elevate the thing ever so slightly above as you describe, "...Asian cinema blended with 80′s trashy B-flicks..." I would dare to suggest this sequel does best the crap catastrophe of the first film, but I would prefer one large can of petrol, one box of Ohio Blue Tip Strike anywhere matches, comfortable lawn chair with requisite cup holder for well blended tequila sunrise sans fruit and umbrella, and one gully with a ridge just so as to observe the ensuing fire down below of these two films in their greatest potential to entertain - a bonfire. Cheers!
My recent post Game of Thrones

Ah, yes. Nice list. As soon as I got to #1, I immediately thought of Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter in Capt. America, unable - as hard as I fought it - to scratch away the image of her leading the charge of the light brigade in high heels, tight skirt and lipstick with a revolver ahead of properly armed and menacing men soldiers attacking someone, likely other men in army garb in charge).. . Ah, Hollywood.

As far as the question if this has/would,or will be coming to theaters any time soon, don't discount the magic..
Btw, just posted a ramble on writing about the movies we hate.
cheers->
My recent post Why Write About The Movies We Hate

Congrats Rodney and best for the New Year! I hope 2013 is the beginning of many great things for you and yours, here and elsewhere. Have to say your first choice or the other choice, or the aforementioned abominable snowman logo is indeed not so good. Glad you revamped or revised or what have you, this one is peaches. cheers!
My recent post Above the Line: End of the Year (2012) Wrap Up

Ha, curious list indeed, like all bold lists to poke the reader in the eye and ask, "what say you?". I can't argue with most of them, though I'd be pretty hard pressed to even approach a list like this, spanning the decades, all the possibilities and the lesser ones, the easy ones. The one that sticks out to me is Babel. I see your points and they make sense enough, even as I disagree, even going so far as to recommend a "miss it" on my blog, Above The Line. Full text here https://rorydean.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/babel-2...

Quick thoughts - yes, Matrix stands the test of time both in terms of technical brilliance and originality, easily a game changer across the board. Shawshank continues to impress with subsequent viewings, the ease with which the story unfolds and the characters invite you in, share conversations like with old friends, the ravages of the prison system, the triumph of the human spirit.

I'll have to ruminate over the others. Good job, cool read, as always.

Nice write up Rod, interesting to see you break it down, sparked all kinds of ideas on the subject, feelings for and against, with and without..also Nostra pointed out another thought (see above) regarding audiences. When I first heard the news I immediately felt woozy to be honest, saddened more than anything, disappointment turning quickly into disbelief. I felt like Lucas sold out. I don't know what I was going to do with it until I noticed your post on FB which gave me the push to put it down, see where we draw our lines in the sand, agreement or...
Looks like we're in the same ballpark on a number of issues but I go ahead and settle on my first gut reaction, looking beyond the surface treatment interviews (as I refer to in my article) and looking for the nuts in the candy bar. There are a number of things that could have made this great, a number of things that would have made it right - at least more palatable to fans, non-fans and the aforementioned fence sitters - and while you can't cater to everyone by catering to any one group in particular, I guess the filmmaker in me returns to the trenches where the real wars are waged, to the struggles and the bandages made from the collective spirit of making films together, elbow to elbow, set lights burning permanent shadows in the back of your eyes, twenty-four hour tape lines and crew calls that make weeks out of days...down there in the muck of it all, the soul and Lucas giving all that away to someone for the sake of a guarantee to "keep things going" just misses the whole point of it all. I don't know, maybe my article makes more sense or just another shot in the dark. Please share, drop by and say hello.
http://rorydean.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/selling-...

cheers->
My recent post Selling Lucasfilm to Disney is like selling Apple to Microsoft.

Ah, an interesting perspective - I hadn't even thought about the casual SW audience or even the disinterested folks. Now that is going to be a really interesting litmus test, will the change bring in people from the fence or prove what they've known all along - galaxies that far away should stay far, far away..
My recent post Selling Lucasfilm to Disney is like selling Apple to Microsoft.