Movie snob?

[sandwich]

Has anyone here seen Napolean Dynamite? I had originally planned to see this after reading a review, but I waited about two weeks after it came into theaters, and by then, everyone else had. Twice. And everyone else quoted it incessantly and horribly and told me that I absolutely had to see it because I would, most assuredly love it.

So I refused to see it.

I was in the target audience for Titanic when it came out in theaters. Preteen girls across the nation spent enough money to feed the entire African continent for a month to drool at Leonardo's big time on the screen. I still have only seen a portion of it, and that was against my will.

Does anyone else have the movie snob complex, or the "I saw that before it was big" mentality? It's starting to really get on my nerves, but it's almost become a part of my self-dignity.

[mgb]

I didn't see Napoleon Dynamite right away. It was actually already in the cheap theatres and the reviews for it were mixed. I liked it though.

As for other movies. I'd rather see a foreign movie that something like National Treasure. So my movie tastes are pretty different and there is a chance most people aren't going to see the same movies as me anyways.

Maybe you just need to go to movies earlier so you can be a snob too.

[Serotonin]

My movie snobbery comes not from when I see a movie but simply the types I choose to see, regardless of whether others have seen it or not.

My major preference is arthouse drama, which immediately pegs me as an elitist :p. Last year I liked Garden State, I Heart Huckabees and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I steered clear of Troy, Spiderman 2 etc. Intentionally.

I haven't seen Napoleon Dynamite yet, but I think it struck a chord with a whole lot of uncool nerds who probably like anime and magic: the gathering as well as the arthouse crowd as well.

My friend is a "I saw it before it was big" snob. He is always winning free tickets to the premiere of Bad Education or other films like that. It's important to him that he's in touch with the zeitgeist. For me, time isn't much of an issue. If something's good, it will stay good, and relevant, and the message will not diminish over time. I prefer to see movies/buy albums in my own time rather than stand under the zeitgeist tap being drip-fed everything that's new.

[sandwich]

I liked the trailer for National Treasure, how was it? But foreign films are the epidimy of snob movies. Especially without the dubs. I hate those. It's really lame when people won't watch an amazing movie like Amelie because they don't want to read.

[Serotonin]

You're right, dubs suck ass. I've never been to a dubbed foreign film in a cinema.

[sandwich]

I steered clear of Troy, Spiderman 2 etc. Intentionally.

I refused to see Troy because they cut half the story line out of it. Homer would have weeped to know..



I haven't seen Napoleon Dynamite yet, but I think it struck a chord with a whole lot of uncool nerds who probably like anime and magic: the gathering as well as the arthouse crowd as well.


I don't know, I've been hearing good things mostly from the "poser nerds." (the sort of people who call themselves nerds because they're reading a book) I guess they are uncool, but they aren't nerds, just idiots.

[j4ck]

I refused to see Troy because they cut half the story line out of it. Homer would have weeped to know..

My neighbor "made" me watch Troy. You're right, Homer is spinning in his grave. The Iliad has much more balls than that sorry-ass film. Troy was no more than a multi-million dollar fashion show.


I don't know, I've been hearing good things mostly from the "poser nerds." (the sort of people who call themselves nerds because they're reading a book) I guess they are uncool, but they aren't nerds, just idiots.

Napoleon Dynamite is cool, and I think those who find themselves to be socially awkward find it the most intriguing. Not watching it because other people actually like it sounds like a lame idea.

Anyone seen Russian Ark?

[mgb]

I liked the trailer for National Treasure, how was it? But foreign films are the epidimy of snob movies. Especially without the dubs. I hate those. It's really lame when people won't watch an amazing movie like Amelie because they don't want to read.

I didn't see National Treasure and dubbing is just a bastardization of a movie. The only place it works better is anime.

I like foreign films because a lot of the ideas are off the beaten path, and it's been that way for over 50 years. Stuff like Hero and Spring, Fall, Winter, Summer....and Spring were amazing movies, and conceptually, Hollywood could never come up with them.

There are some great movies from Sweden, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Brazil worth seeing. It's not that I am a snob, Spiderman 2 was amazing, it's just that I see a lot of movies and after a while I get picky.

[mgb]

Anyone seen Russian Ark?

I couldn't sit through it. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood. It was so boring. The concept was really interesting, but that's all the movie was, all concept. The story itself was pretty mediocre.

edit: and if this post doesn't define me as a movie snob, I don't know what will.

[booyalab]

I'm somewhat of a movie snob. I'm going to see sin city, but I hate the hype surrounding it. I saw Napoleon Dynamite before anyone knew what it was, but if I had waited I might not have wanted to.

[j4ck]

I couldn't sit through it. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood. It was so boring. The concept was really interesting, but that's all the movie was, all concept. The story itself was pretty mediocre.

edit: and if this post doesn't define me as a movie snob, I don't know what will.

Hehe. I actually agree with you. I rented the VHS tape sort of "by accident" when I was in the mood to watch something about Cossacks. Like you say, the concept was pretty cool, but the movie itself is a bit dull. Apparently, however, it is something of a landmark film, and I do appreciate the logistics that must have been involved.

[kafkaesque]

I couldn't sit through it. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood. It was so boring. The concept was really interesting, but that's all the movie was, all concept. The story itself was pretty mediocre.

edit: and if this post doesn't define me as a movie snob, I don't know what will.
I am an art snob and I still couldn't sit through Russian Ark. The concept and cinematography were fascinating though. (edit: I think I could sit through and enjoy it if I were in a less restless mood)
It is easy to be a movie snob because there is so much mediocre crap in the theaters.
I have the compulsion to condescend toward a movie if it becomes widely popular, but I check myself on it. Most of the movies I like are obscure, but some of my favorites were big hits. Silence of the Lambs for example or American Beauty.

[SensEye]

I'm kind of the opposite. I condescend towards art movies because it seems no matter how bad they are they always get a free pass from reviewers who rate them "5 stars" simply because they are pretentious art movies. Art movies can be as bad as any other type of movie.

[Edmond Zedo]

I'm somewhat of a movie snob. I'm going to see sin city, but I hate the hype surrounding it.
That's right you are. You can't trust the masses, but you can trust me.


I saw Napoleon Dynamite before anyone knew what it was, but if I had waited I might not have wanted to.
An SJ kid I don't much like hanging around said he really liked it, so I avoided it for months. Then my girl recommended it, so I caved in *hint*. It has its moments.

[mgb]

. Art movies can be as bad as any other type of movie.

That's true, but like say Russian Ark, they might come up with something new, that's worth seeing. In general, most Art Houses can't afford to have a flop, which even "discriminating" movie go-ers can recognize right away.

I'd take something like that over "Are we there yet" any day.

Mind you, some movies that are blockbusters elsewhere only go in the art houses here. Like Bollywood movies. I love Bollywood movies.

[Serotonin]

Russian Ark was so tedious, but it had its moments. The end scene in the ballroom and going out the corridors was to die for though.

[j4ck]

Russian Ark was so tedious, but it had its moments. The end scene in the ballroom and going out the corridors was to die for though.

It is actually a bit ironic that we have ended up discussing Russian Ark in this post. Not that I payed much attention to the dialogue in the movie (I was grading papers at the time), but I think the content of the film addresses the idea of the degradation of art in society.... Personally, I just think it would be a great movie to watch while on shrooms.

[YardGnome]

I'm sooooo cooool! I saw Donnie Darko before everyone, even the director! I'm the Best!

[kuranes]

I'm with Serotonin. I don't care if I'm first to see it. In fact, I'm claustrophobic, and hate opening nights, with kids putting their feet up on the rail behind my seat, people crowding my elbows, etc.

I did catch "Requiem for a Dream" on opening night though, because my friend Geoff LIKES to go to movies before the unwashed masses. We saw "Sideways" and "Nurse Betty" and "Ghost World".

Speaking of "Ghost World" Kafkaesque, did you catch the hilarious scene there of the art teacher explaining artistic motivation and meaning ? We were ROFLOAO

I watch subtitled movies but I wish the letters stood out from the background better on some of these.

I can enjoy some popular movies too. Whether for the special effects or some other attribute. I will usually see them for free, after having paid for a film that was the primary reason for getting into the theater. Then later, having planned my strategy with the schedule, I will go down the multiplex hall to my free movie, or movies.

Most recently seen was a film noir from the 40's. Was considering seeing "The Jacket" if it's still around. Was not going to check out "Sin City" but have changed my mind based on opinions read here and elsewhere. ( "White blood" huh? ) There's some stuff just coming out today that caught my eye when I saw the ads, but I forget what they were now.

K

[YardGnome]

All kidding aside, I used to be quite the movie snob. I'd feel privelaged to have seen a movie before anybody else (i.e. sneak preview or to see some little known art film before someone else for bragging rights). However, after a while of doing this I came to the conclusion that I just wanted to be entertained by a movie.

For that reason I can now pretty much enjoy any genre of movie. For instance if watching a cheesey horror movie I will watch it with that expectation... It's a cheesey horror movie, nothing more. That way I won't be dissapointed when it isn't an academy award winning piece of material. Taking this philosophy has allowed me to enjoy many more movies I otherwise wouldn't have enjoyed in the past when I was a bit more snobbish as to what I would watch.The snob mindset can really hinder the moviegoing experience...

[kuranes]

Totally agree. In fact, I can enjoy a cheesy movie for its cheesiness. Not just one that's been approved by Snob Central either, such as "Plan 9 From Outer Space" or a movie CREATED to be ridiculous such as "The Attack of the Killer tomatoes". I did see one movie recently that was purposely made to be cheesey which was GREAT. I'll have to dig up the exact title when I get off this site and can get the browser back on this computer. It's worth ordering if you can't see it in a theater now, which is not likely. It had a rather limited run. K

[kuranes]

Continued - It was called "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" or "TLSOC Canyon". The movie perfectly reconstructs the absurdity of one of those early 50's movies, but still shows the enjoyment the people who made it had for those films when they were younger. I've joined "the cult" attached to it. ( Not really, but I did screw around for a while with the Yahoo SIG for it. ) K adavra

[kafkaesque]

Speaking of "Ghost World" Kafkaesque, did you catch the hilarious scene there of the art teacher explaining artistic motivation and meaning ? We were ROFLOAO



:rofl:
*catches breath and wipes away tear*
Thanks for reminding me of that. I loved that movie. I can almost say that I lived it.
Highly recommended; the art school scenes are hilarious and ridiculous but hardly an exaggeration.

Student: (describing her "found object sculpture")

It's a tampon in a teacup...

I guess I see the teacup as a symbol
for womanhood, because of tea parties
in the olden days, but instead of
tea I was trying to kind of confront
people with this... like...um.....

Teacher: (giddily)
This shocking image of repressed femininity!

Student:
Right, exactly!

[YardGnome]

Continued - It was called "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" or "TLSOC Canyon". The movie perfectly reconstructs the absurdity of one of those early 50's movies, but still shows the enjoyment the people who made it had for those films when they were younger. I've joined "the cult" attached to it. ( Not really, but I did screw around for a while with the Yahoo SIG for it. ) K adavra

Cool, I'll have to check it out.

As far as cheesey movies go the other night I found myself enjoying the classic "MISSING IN ACTION 2" starring Chuck Norris. There is one part in particular where his captives try tortyuring or killing him by hanging him upside down in a tree and then putting a bag over his head with a large river rat in it.

There is a bit of a struggle and then his body goes limp and blood starts bleeding through the bag. When they take the bag off his head they find a dead rat in Chuck Norris's mouth... The sheer absurdity of it just makes it AWESOME...

[kuranes]

Reminds me of the notorious G. Gordon Liddy purposely stepping on the body of a dead rat every time he would jog by in his morning exercise run in prison. Some guys that were trying to mess with him had put it there in his path on purpose and this was his way of showing he was tougher than they were etc. K

[booyalab]

that sounds like something I would do.

[MacGuffin]

Cool, I'll have to check it out.

As far as cheesey movies go the other night I found myself enjoying the classic "MISSING IN ACTION 2" starring Chuck Norris. There is one part in particular where his captives try tortyuring or killing him by hanging him upside down in a tree and then putting a bag over his head with a large river rat in it.

There is a bit of a struggle and then his body goes limp and blood starts bleeding through the bag. When they take the bag off his head they find a dead rat in Chuck Norris's mouth... The sheer absurdity of it just makes it AWESOME...
Lesson? Don't fuck with Chuck Norris.

I don't need to see a movie first to enjoy it. I can see them years after they were popular and enjoy them.

[cathmc]

This post will certainly date me, but the thread reminded me of two strong movie experiences of the late 80s.
1. Ghost: Everyone I mean EVERYONE *LOVED* this movie. I have never hated a movie so much in my life. Simplistic, melodramatic drivel. But at the time, to say you thought 'Ghost' was a piece of crap was akin to saying you liked to drown puppy dogs. (Someone mentioned Titanic - this is probably a similar phenomenon - HOW could you NOT like TITANIC you heartless FREAK?) This developed in me a sort of perverse pride in my movie snobbery. I recently caught Ghost on TV and hated it so much it was kind of fun to watch it and hate it. It got worse with time.
2. Sex, Lies and Videotape: saw this in a second-run theater and expected to be disappointed because the hype was huge, everyone I knew LOVED it, etc. In fact, it did not disappoint, I still think it's one of the best movies I've ever seen. So I can judge a movie on its own terms in spite of superhype.
My pride in movie snobbery has mellowed as I've gotten older. Though it WAS fun to tell people I thought Titanic was, well, simplistic melodramatic drivel.

[booyalab]

I don't need to see a movie first to enjoy it. I can see them years after they were popular and enjoy them.
It's not about seeing a movie first, it's about being skeptical of popular opinion....especially INSANE popular opinion..."ooh, Napoleon Dynamite the breakfast cereal!"

[SheepDog]

1. Ghost: Everyone I mean EVERYONE *LOVED* this movie. I have never hated a movie so much in my life. Simplistic, melodramatic drivel. But at the time, to say you thought 'Ghost' was a piece of crap was akin to saying you liked to drown puppy dogs. ... I recently caught Ghost on TV and hated it so much it was kind of fun to watch it and hate it. It got worse with time.

I LOVED that movie. I've been using that "spill wine on my shirt" trick for years. I used it on my wife the other day, as a matter of fact.

(for the literal among us, the above comment is ironic.)



More to the point, I have no problem forming my own opinion of movies, regardless of other opinions that I have heard about the movie in advance.

[MacGuffin]

This post will certainly date me, but the thread reminded me of two strong movie experiences of the late 80s.
1. Ghost: Everyone I mean EVERYONE *LOVED* this movie. I have never hated a movie so much in my life. Simplistic, melodramatic drivel. But at the time, to say you thought 'Ghost' was a piece of crap was akin to saying you liked to drown puppy dogs. (Someone mentioned Titanic - this is probably a similar phenomenon - HOW could you NOT like TITANIC you heartless FREAK?) This developed in me a sort of perverse pride in my movie snobbery. I recently caught Ghost on TV and hated it so much it was kind of fun to watch it and hate it. It got worse with time.
2. Sex, Lies and Videotape: saw this in a second-run theater and expected to be disappointed because the hype was huge, everyone I knew LOVED it, etc. In fact, it did not disappoint, I still think it's one of the best movies I've ever seen. So I can judge a movie on its own terms in spite of superhype.
My pride in movie snobbery has mellowed as I've gotten older. Though it WAS fun to tell people I thought Titanic was, well, simplistic melodramatic drivel.
I was actually the opposite, I liked both Hollywood movies for what they were and thought Sex, Lies and Videotape was kinda overrated.

I think everyone forgets what kind of balls it took to make Titanic. "We are going to make a 3 hour film about a catastrophe where nearly everyone dies including the lead romantic interest. Oh, and it costs $200 million. Who wants of piece of this?"

[cathmc]

I think everyone forgets what kind of balls it took to make Titanic. "We are going to make a 3 hour film about a catastrophe where nearly everyone dies including the lead romantic interest. Oh, and it costs $200 million. Who wants of piece of this?"

Absolutely, and Cameron can laugh all the way to the bank and couldn't give a rat's ass if I maintain that his movie was simplistic, melodramatic drivel. (Which I do...)

You may be displaying a highly evolved form of movie snobbery. You are too snobby to like movies obviously targeted to movie snobs.

Now I'm confusing myself.

[MacGuffin]

Now I'm confusing myself.
No, I'm confusing you. I am a Sith Lord.

[mgb]

No, I'm confusing you. I am a Sith Lord.

Your movie tastes are so evolved they've begun devolving. That's hilarious.

[kafkaesque]

I was actually the opposite, I liked both Hollywood movies for what they were and thought Sex, Lies and Videotape was kinda overrated.

I think everyone forgets what kind of balls it took to make Titanic. "We are going to make a 3 hour film about a catastrophe where nearly everyone dies including the lead romantic interest. Oh, and it costs $200 million. Who wants of piece of this?"

Catastrophe based movies had proven to be successful, the tear extracting death of the lead, very calculated. the only gamble was the 3 hour part.

Consider Russian Ark. We are going to make a film about 300 years of Russian history, stage it at the Hermitage, a cast of almost 2000, 3 full orchestras, tons of period costumes from different centuries, and an army of technicians to put the whole thing together in one day. Oh, and the whole film will be shot in one take...no editing.
thats balls.

[MacGuffin]

Your movie tastes are so evolved they've begun devolving. That's hilarious.
White Chicks was awesome!

[mgb]

White Chicks was awesome!

It was no From Justin to Kelly.