TWO I PROBABLY WON'T WATCH, ONE I WILL

[indianasmith]

Looking at what's coming out in theaters over the next few weeks, I spotted one film I think I'll like and two I think I'll avoid.

AN AMERICAN CAROL just looks funny to me.  I don't particularly like Michael Moore, and any movie that features him getting slapped around by Bill O'Reilly AND General Patton simply can't be all bad.  Give the bashing we righties frequently take at the hands of Hollywood, it will be fun to see a movie where we are put in the driver's seat.  That being said, I hope we don't blow it.  There are few things worse than a political satire that ISN'T funny.  I'll post a review Friday or Saturday for this one.

Oliver Stone's W is one I will probably avoid.  Stone's world view is not only far to the left of mine, but he is so conspiratorial and over-the-top I have enjoyed very few of his films . . . . and also, I generally make it a practice not to watch or read works made about political figures while those folks are still in office.  They are nearly always either puff pieces or slash jobs.  It generally takes about 20 years for objective review of a presidency to take place.  Stone' two-hour Bush-bashing celebration will delight those who already hate our President, but I imagine in two years it will be about as well-remembered as his movie about Nixon.

Then there is Bill Maher's RELIGULOUS.  If I like an actor or actress, I can put aside my opinion of their politics.  I can enjoy movies with stars like Alec Baldwin, Tim Robbins, or Susan Sarandon even though I think their politics are downright nutty.  But Bill Maher is one of those guys that just sets my teeth on edge and always has.  His well-documented contempt for all religions insures that this film will be nothing but a cinematic slap in the face to all people of faith, rendered in his typical sneering, obnoxious manner.  I'd rather have a root canal.

Any of you guys planning on going to see these three films?  What are your expectations going in?

[Jack]

No I'm not planning on seeing any of these.  Nor am I planning on seeing just about anything else Hollywood has to offer.  The blatant political propaganda that Hollywood inserts into just about everything they make really turns my stomach.  The day that characters started acting in a politically correct manner was the last day that any of them even vaguely resembled any sort of believable human being.  In my opinion the only difference between Hollywood celebrities and guests of the Jerry Springer show is nose jobs, boob jobs, liposuction and a few acting classes.  I have no interest in the ignorant, childish rantings of Jerry's guests, nor do I have any in that of Hollywood celeb's.  The simple fact that they almost all agree on everything is all the proof one needs that there's no thinking going on whatsoever.  Politics is something important, so we'll open our big mouths on the subject.  There, now we're important too!

I'm quite happy with my old movies and my direct to video stuff. 

[Ash]

You don't like Bill Maher? 
Hehe!  I know a lot of people who hate him.

Fortunately, I'm not one of them.  I usually try to watch his show every Friday night and when I do, I almost always end up agreeing with most of what he says.

I definitely plan to see Religulous. 

[AnubisVonMojo]

Indy watching W or Religulous is about as likely as me watching Jesus Camp again. The Surgeon General says that watching movies you know will make your blood boil aren't good for the heart... plus they give you wrinkles.

[CheezeFlixz]

We're going to go see An American Carol but the other two, nah ... I agree with Indy's on those two. I'm sick of these anti-American, anti-Patriot, anti-military films from the ultra left.

[peter johnson]

I usually end up watching things on DVD that I avoided years ago in the theatres --
Like, I avoided "Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle" as nothing I'd read about it made me want to see it.  I rented it for .99 last month and I gotta say the wife and I are stilllaughing about some of the gags!
I can laugh at political humor from either side of the aisle, as long as it's done well.  I'm a card-carrying Libertarian Party member, but the bumper sticker on my car is for Palin . . . Michael Palin!! (Silly Party candidate -- go to michaelpalinforpresident.com). 
Fringe anything and extreme points of view always fascinate me -- I'm also a Fortean -- so I expect I'll be seeing "Religulous" at some point down the line.  I probably won't see "W", not because I dislike Oliver Stone -- I'm neutral about him/still think "The Hand", with Michael Caine, is his best picture -- but because we're living "W" as we speak, and I want this one to end . . .
peter johnson/denny crane

[inframan]

You guys think Bush is a conservative   

I kind of want to see W, looks funny, but the only other Stone movie I saw was the Doors, man that was BORING. So I'm still holding a grudge.

An American Carol, looked like it was made by those guys that make those reference movies like Epic Movie but then I saw Dennis Hopper in the preview so I know it can't be that bad. Might be funny since its Chris Farley's brother, I haven't seen him before but if he's anywhere near as funny as his bro, should be good.

[Justy]

I certainly agree with the sentiment here. Oliver Stone and Bill Maher are both garbage in my estimation. Although I did like Nixon, you know full well W is going to be nothing but a slamfest. I saw the trailer when I saw Tropic Thunder. I just wanted to retch. I don't agree with Bush on everything and he certainly is not a Reagan conservative, but he doesn't deserve all the negativity. Bill Maher is just trash, not a second thought there.

Hollywood has make a huge economic mistake by alienating half the country. If they would just keep their mouths shut and politics to themselves they would be making so much more money. I can seperate most actors from the politics they profess to be (for many of them I'm sure it's an act just to get invited to the parties - others are total fruit loops).

As for an American Carol, I think that I will check that out. It looks pretty good.

[HarlotBug3]

Well here's something you don't see every day: righties bringing attention to the opposition rather than trying to make us believe it doesn't exist.

[CheezeFlixz]

Well here's something you don't see every day: righties bringing attention to the opposition rather than trying to make us believe it doesn't exist.

What? We (Righties) point out the opposition constantly, trouble you lefties don't listen until to late.

[Underbelly]

Here we go. I nice forum about movies turns into a political piece of crap. While I have no problem discussing politics, even though it totally pointless since everyone is always right (right as in opposite of wrong), this is not the place.

[Dave M]

I think I'll watch An American Carol, although the trailer looks incredibly bad. I WANT it to be good, and I figure society still owes that guy from how much funnier Airplaine! was than it needed to be. The movie can't be as un-funny as the trailer, the trailer has to have been cut by liberals or something, right? I mean, there's only one joke in the trailer. I know the movie's got to at least be better than that in terms of joke quantity.

Maher: What is the deal with (something instinctively obvious to humans who have souls)? I just don't GET that, will someone explain it to me?

Audience: (Assumes no one could actually be this autistic/sociopathic/obtuse without being completely catatonic, so the question must be rhretorical) Well, it's not FUNNY-funny, but it can be interpreted as a dig at people who are different than me, so I'll applaud and/or cheer.

Maher: No one will explain all this stuff that I don't get about being hu-man, and they aren't really laughing much at the observational comedy angle either, but they appear to be agreeing with something implicit in my Data-esque cry for help. I must be some kind of Socrates-like gadfly character. I'd better parlay my devastating Asberger's/ not funny/ garden variety cretinism combo into a career in stand-up philosopy.

Maher: Religious people are very bad poo-poo heads.

Audience: (Strokes chin) If only society could fully appreciate the wisdom of such sages!

[Rev. Powell]

I enjoy generic political satires like DR. STRANGELOVE or WAG THE DOG that make fun of politicians in general but don't come from a narrow partisan viewpoint.  I don't tend to like political movies that are too partisan, whether they come from the right or the left, because they usually have an element of preaching to the choir and often put getting their message through above making an entertaining movie.

That said, it looks like I'll be seeing AN AMERICAN CAROL, despite not being impressed by the TV spots or trailer, because my father wants to drag me to it.

[Sister Grace]

It will probably be awhile before I go to the movies or rent anything, funds are kinda tight since relocating (Rent and Deposits!! woe is me!!!) and my netflix account is on hold until probably next month. However, Choke is playing here in Indian Harbor this weekend and I want to go so bad...

I really don't have any desire to see W or An American Carol. W just doesn't appeal to me and as far as An American Carol, I've just been in a funk about comedies lately...