Jun
12
Netflix #29 - Heathers - Suggested by Brett, Dave S., FDot, Mike, and Booboo1
Okay, I don’t blame you people for suggesting it. I’ve heard so many good things about this movie through the years, but just never got around to seeing it for myself. So when a few of you recommended it, I was glad I finally had an excuse to watch it. But, ugh, seriously? What was with this movie? I think I was supposed to watch it while I was still in high school and angsty (although I was never all that angsty, which also explains my hatred of Donnie Darko). The whole movie was horrible people doing horrible things to each other, which is exactly what I said in my review of Crash. And don’t even get me started on Christian Slater. What was with that Jack Nicholson impression he was doing throughout the movie? Is that seriously his voice? Who does he think he’s kidding? There were definitely some funny moments that I appreciated, but overall I was let down.
Netflix #30 - The Savages - Suggested by no one
I loved this movie. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s about a brother and sister played by Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman dealing with their ailing father who is suffering from dementia. Having lived through my grandmother’s prolonged decline while suffering with dementia, I was really able to relate to the varying emotions you feel while interacting with someone suffering from the condition ranging from confusion, sadness, desperation, and a million others. It was a very realistic portrayal, but it also handled it with a great sense of humor that kept you happy throughout. Laura Linney was incredible, and while I’m not crazy about Philip Seymour Hoffman, I guess he was okay too. I definitely recommend this one!
Sex and the City
Yes, yes, I saw this movie. Laugh it up. Me, my sister, and her friends had a girls night out with dinner and a movie. Now I know it’s cool to hate on Sex and the City lately, but I totally loved this movie. And what’s all this talk about the women being whores? There was hardly any sex in it! And if there was, it was with their husbands/boyfriends! Oh the scandal! I thought the movie was on par with the television show with its brilliant blend of drama and comedy. Poughkeepsie’d! And Jennifer Hudson was totally adorable as a new addition. On a semi-related note, did I ever tell you that Mario Catone threw a Burger King bun at my head? Well he did. He played Samuel Byck, the man who attempted to assassinate President Nixon, in the Broadway show Assassins (with Neil Patrick Harris!) and my friend’s friend got us free tickets so they were really close, but kinda off to the side. So when Mario had his big dramatic scene involving a Santa Claus suit and a Burger King burger, he threw the wrapped bun (there was no burger inside) off the stage and hit me on the head. True story.
Keep your recommendations coming!
June 12th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Awww, I liked Heathers. Of course, I saw it a lot closer to high school and not since, but still.
Philip Seymour Hoffman grew up right around here, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen his name without “Fairport native” in front. I didn’t know it was legal to write it that way.
June 12th, 2008 at 6:50 am
I heard a lot about The Savages when it came out — it played at our neighborhood single-screen theater for a while — but never ended up seeing it. At the time I pictured it on par with the “Lars and the Real Girl” type of mix of humor and seriousness, which was appealing. Just never got out to see it. Maybe I’ll have to make a point to now.
And, yeah, Heathers is definitely a mean film, but fun as hell.
And, yes, us guys — even us straight ones — can enjoy a good chick flick. I thought “50 First Dates” was great, I enjoy rewatching “Fools Rush In,” “Legally Blonde” is damn funny, and “Devil Wears Prada” is excellent. Just don’t ask me to sit through “Beaches.” :-/
June 12th, 2008 at 6:54 am
Finally! Some movies that we disagree about! We agree so much it was getting creepy.
Haven’t seen Heathers in a long time but remember thinking it was a wonderful black comedy. You loathed Donnie Darko? Wow. Which version did you see? I absolutely loved the original cut. It was very creepy and mysterious then came together at the end very emotionally. I didn’t care for the “Director’s Cut” or even the deleted scenes because it made the sci-fi element too obvious.
So glad you saw Sex and the City w/o me. I loathe that tv show. Sorry! Just remembered that you aren’t crazy about scary movies, does that mean you’ll pass on The Happening?
Loved your past week’s posts btw. Never heard of Selkies until Elf’s Tale, they are very cool indeed. And you could be a cartoonist as well as brilliant author.
June 12th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Savages is on my queue. I can’t wait to see it! I watched “Charlie Wilson’s War” last night. I really enjoyed it.
June 12th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Michelle: I saw the original cut of Donnie Darko. Maybe it’s something that requires repeat viewing to appreciate?
Also, thank you for bringing up Elf’s Tale! People don’t know that the 6 page version I’m working on is just a second draft. Hopefully now they won’t think I’m a total slacker! Michelle has actually read the whole story folks! And she survived!
And yes, I don’t normally watch scary movies, but I do enjoy them. I also have 1408 from Netflix based on your recommendation, but watched the Savages instead on Monday since I wanted to save 1408 for the weekend when I can stay up late and turn out all the lights and really scare myself! I’m definitely up for seeing The Happening this weekend!
June 12th, 2008 at 8:03 am
You have THE most exciting encounters with semi-famous people! No one ever threw a Burger King bun at my head, famous, semi-famous, infamous, or unknown.
*SIGH*….to have the life of Craiggers.
HUGS…
June 12th, 2008 at 8:04 am
1408 is good stuff. A lot of fun.
And I’m jealous that Michelle got to read Elf’s Tale. (as if life-long friendships should have, like, priority or something…)
Absolutely can’t wait to see The Happening!
June 12th, 2008 at 8:31 am
You weren’t angsty in high school? I don’t think I can relate to you at all, now.
I saw Heathers and thought it was cute but didn’t think it was all that. It seemed a bit surreal to me.
I have heard so many conflicting things about SITC. I don’t know what to think at this point. I’m probably going to pass on it, though.
June 12th, 2008 at 9:09 am
You have to like HEATHERS if only because it introduces “Fuck me gently with a chainsaw” to your vocabulary.
Seriously. Try it out as a sigh of exasperation throughout the day. It’s quite cathartic.
June 12th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Umm I saw SATC on opening day. Nothing to laugh about! lol.
As for movies… hmm…
I feel like you’ll have already seen any recommendations I have. But if you haven’t seen them, try:
The Shape of Things
Dancer in the Dark (only if you like Bjork!)
Hard Candy (mmmm Patrick Wilson and the reason I hate Ellen Page)
Once (if you like the music you’ll love the movie; see Academy Award winner, “Falling Slowly” if you haven’t!)
And I saw Gone Baby Gone the other day! It was amazing!
June 12th, 2008 at 10:31 am
So you hate Heathers but loved Sex in the City, you should be held down and spanked with Marissa Tomei’s Oscar.
I’ll be enjoying Wristcutters:A Love Story this weekend, and have added The Savages to my queue, but that will be a couple of weeks before I get to that.
Love the Mario Cantone story, reminde me to tell you my Mel Brooks Anne Bancroft story someday.
I still reccomend that you get an old John Waters flick, just for the fun of it.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Craig, trust your judgment on Donnie Darko (no offense Michelle). I offer as suggestions: Blood Simple and Shallow Grave. (I would also suggest Moon Struck and Clueless, but assume you have seen both. If you are in the mood for a black comedy, War of the Roses is pretty good too.)
Dave S.: You’re right, Legally Blonde is hysterical and Devil Wears Prada was excellent.
June 12th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Shouldn’t you be reviewing My Left Foot today?
June 12th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Heathers must have run up against the Law of Hype. Constant recommendations + years of hearing about how good a film is + finally watching it = an inability to live up to the film you think it’s going to be. I’ve encountered this many times.
I’d still toss out: Camp, 9 to 5, Better off Dead, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels + any others I’ve mentioned in the past.
Or, if you want truly offbeat: I Wanna be a Beauty Queen or the “classic” Wild Women of Wongo.
June 12th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
That has got to be the most honest review of ‘Heathers’ EVER!
I totally agree, by the way, that you have to be in your “angsty” teenage years to relate to such movies.
June 12th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I agree about Heathers. I remember loving it in high school but i watched it about a year ago on tv and I was like, “why did I like this?” to be fair i think the teenage me thought christian slater was super hot.
June 12th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Fun, semi-scary flick: Eight Legged Freaks. Or the classic Arachnaphobia.
June 12th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I like spiders.
June 12th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Arachnophobia was awesome! I forgot all about that movie! I must look for it now.
June 12th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Craig: Slacker!? You are the most unslacker-ish person I know. Between working full time, commuting to the city, going to school AND writing - I don’t know how you do it.
Cool!!! We’ll definitely see the Happening this weekend.
Dave: I do consider myself incredibly privileged to have read Craig’s novels. I can’t wait til he’s published (which will happen) so the rest of the world knows how fantastic his writing is. Oh - wait, you’re reading this site - so you already know!
June 12th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
can i assume that you have seen and loved “steel Magnolias”?
June 12th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I am not ashamed to say I cried like a bitch at Sex and the City. I was so tired and SOOOOOO hungover that my emotions were completely raw. I bawled at everything that happened. There I was drying my eyes with my tiny little, butter-soaked napkin. I was a mess. I definitely reccomend watching the boxed set dvds of the Golden Girls. That’s my rainy day….do nothing….go to dvd.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Sex & The City made me cry and I hated it (and myself) for doing so.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I would second the recommendation to watch a John Waters flick. hahaha I was introduced to them later in life and even though they are quite possibly the most disturbing films ever made, they are also full of hysterical moments.
I recommend Polyester, Pink Flamingos and A Dirty Shame. LOL
June 12th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Rob: No, I’ve never seen Steel Magnolias
June 12th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Yes, I was angst-y in high school but I actually didn’t see Heathers ’till I was in college. I actually still love it. Very quotable:
“My son’s a homosexual, and I love him. I love my dead gay son.”
Come on - hi-LAR-ious.
“Did you hear? School’s canceled today cause Kurt & Ram killed themselves in a repressed, homosexual, suicide pact.”
How can you not like it? Yes, corny, 80’s music, bad clothes/hair. But it’s just great!
June 13th, 2008 at 4:46 am
Savage Grace by Tom Kalin! See it! Amazing.
June 13th, 2008 at 7:08 am
My soon-to-be-ex named our daughter Shelby after a character in “Steel Magnolias.” Which was kinda weird because I grew up in a town called Shelby in western Michigan, *and* it was the name of the high school I went to.
I’ve never seen the movie, though.
June 13th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Considering I was one of the people listed for recommending Heathers, I’m glad the reader response has been favorable despite Craig’s scathing review. This movie is classic! I especially liked Brett’s comments on one of the funniest parts of the movie! I stand by my recommendation and challenge you to see the following movies and dare say something bad about them:
~The Grifters
~Paper Moon
Boo-Ya!
June 13th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Jackie Brown is totally underrated. I caught it again over the weekend and was reminded how great it was.
June 13th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Craigers - in that case you must put “Steel Magnolias” on your list immediately!
June 14th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Ok. Have to agree with you about Heathers, even though the last time I saw it I was angsty and in highschool. I’m intrigued as to the people who loved it for the faux-gay faux-suicide plot as that was the bit that ruined it for me. Much as I know the point was to satirise liberal lip-service acceptance of homosexuality, it still felt like it was laughing at us rather than with us. Maybe it was just too close to the bone when I saw it back then and I should give it another try.
As for recommendations, am with booboo1 on ‘The Grifters’. Also something I saw recently, ‘Gosford Park’, beautifully shot and exquisitely acted by pretty much the entirety of British acting royalty.