Re: Wait a sec . . .

Posted by Victor Khomenko (M) on January 15, 2004 at 15:04:06

In Reply to: Re: Wait a sec . . . posted by Troy on January 15, 2004 at 13:41:18:

***Funny, I did't hear Patrick scream bloody murder over my criticism of some French works - you should take some tips from him.
Feel free to bash bad American movies. LIT is not a bad movie, it's quite good in fact. It's subtlties were obviously lost on you, a man that normally goes out of his way to find subtlty. Vic, you didn't even watch the whole thing!

Sure, I didn't even finish it! It was BORING! I seldom fall asleep in front of the screen.

I'll grant you this: if I were less tired, I might have finished it.

But be fair - I didn't slam that one.

***There you go again. The American industry produces more films of EVERY type than all those countries you listed, combined. There's bound to be a higher percentage of crap.

I don't know the proportion, and you don't know it either... I don't work on percentages. I see a movie - I rate it, that is all. But of course over the time my scale had developed based on many films from all over the place.

***To you, an ideal film is a slice of life story about the locals.

Locals? Who are the locals? Locals to me? Here, in Delaware? In NYC (loved the one last night)? In Paris (loved one a few days back)?

I don't think what you are saying makes any sense. How "local" was Passion in the Desert?

*** Culturally interesting, but ultimately, the human story remains the same whether it's Maoris trying to keep their culture alive or a Hindu family preparing for a wedding. I don't go to the movies purely for a sociology or anthropology lesson. I go to be entertained. Most foreign films don't get the fact that it's entertainment first.

I don't have problem with your view of the movies - that is your business. I expect a bit more of movies, and I rate films based on my expectations. I am not forcing anyone to adapt my views, just suggest what might be interesting... if they go and see it - fine, if not, I don't lose much sleep.

***Don't like American cultural Imperialism, eh? American cultural Imperialism doesn't care what you or I think. It is a mindless juggernaut.

It is... but I really care little what it is. When a good movie comes from America I rate it highly... simple as that. I don't get involved in the cultural wars.

***America is the great melting pot. Every culture bubbles into the stew, flavoring it. We don't care about other cultures as much the rest of the world does because we already have them living with us on the same block.

I don't think this as as true as you are describing. Many Americans are completely oblivious of the world outside their home town - the isolationism is in American veins.

***How many Frenchmen personally know Japanese people and have a sushi bar in the neighborhood? How many Chinese people know Swedes personally? Well, for them, seeing how these cultures live and interact is a new and revelatory thing. For Americans, every day, bud, every day.

Well, to some, yes. But you are mostly talking NYC.

***The best and the brightest from all around the world end up here in every profession for a reason.

I never doubted that. But we should not be arrogant enough to presume that this great country is the best place for everyone.

Like every other country on Earth it also has weak spots. High culture is most definitely one of them.

***The freedom to kick ass. This dynamic allows for a film industry like ours to flourish unlike in any other country.

Well, unfortunately most of it is like fast food industry. Unfortunately we, the Americans, let our formerly advanced movie culture decay in favor of schlock one... I feel very strongly that way.

That doesn't mean good stuff is gone - just that there is less of it, in my view.

***Without the American business to emulate, the rest of the world's movie industries would be at a loss for how to make movies.

Well, I wouldn't be so sure about that. Perhaps you should review the things done in Europe before that.

***Without an American movie industry, there is no foreign movie industry. Americans invented the medium and continue to move it forward.

Consider this. Without any questions there has been tremendously great and positive contribution of the American movie industry to the rest of the world. Granted.

But also granted is another trend... that of corruption. Today more and more films in more and more countries immitate the American money-producing trash. You can see it all over the globe. And this is not something to be mightily proud of.

Anyway, big subject and good foundation of endless discussions.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Need help with Lost in Translation - Victor Khomenko 08:22:59 01/14/04 (53)

No, you don't. You - tinear 06:58:51 01/15/04 (2)

Re: Yeah, nice post... - Jeff Starrs 00:18:43 01/16/04 (0)

Nice post n/t - Troy 08:42:22 01/15/04 (0)

Hey, Choirboy, hotel room = PORNO! Whazzamattawidchu? n - albee33 18:03:18 01/14/04 (2)

Well, he said it cost $10... - rhizomatic 08:34:11 01/15/04 (1)

He-he... man... those are Vegas prices! - Victor Khomenko 10:43:52 01/15/04 (0)

Lost in Translation - Troy 13:27:57 01/14/04 (44)

Talk about lowered standards - Victor Khomenko 14:05:43 01/14/04 (27)

Wrongo-Bongo - Troy 17:21:43 01/14/04 (26)

Re: What foreign films did you see? - patrickU 01:15:48 01/15/04 (12)

"Somewhere we lost our souls." - dennzio 07:46:59 01/15/04 (1)

Re: "Somewhere we lost our souls." - patrickU 08:02:11 01/15/04 (0)

Re: ten films - rico 05:44:52 01/15/04 (9)

Re: ten films - patrickU 05:57:47 01/15/04 (8)

Re: A masterpiece - rico 08:38:06 01/15/04 (7)

Re: A masterpiece - patrickU 08:41:29 01/15/04 (6)

Re: A masterpiece - rico 09:55:55 01/15/04 (5)

Re: A masterpiece / Victor did you see this one? - patrickU 10:07:53 01/15/04 (4)

Re: Lame? - rico 11:32:00 01/15/04 (1)

Re: Lame? - patrickU 12:21:49 01/15/04 (0)

Re: A masterpiece / Victor did you see this one? - Victor Khomenko 10:40:51 01/15/04 (1)

Re: A masterpiece / Victor did you see this one? - patrickU 10:52:35 01/15/04 (0)

I would grant you that American movie industry... - Victor Khomenko 18:24:49 01/14/04 (12)

Wait a sec . . . - Troy 08:40:32 01/15/04 (11)

Re: Wait a sec . . . - patrickU 11:02:35 01/15/04 (4)

Who likes, punishes well? - Troy 13:47:26 01/15/04 (3)

Re: Who likes, punishes well? - patrickU 02:15:23 01/16/04 (2)

Re: Who likes, punishes well? - Troy 07:21:20 01/16/04 (1)

Re: Who likes, punishes well? - patrickU 07:33:22 01/16/04 (0)

Re: Wait a sec . . . - Victor Khomenko 10:56:39 01/15/04 (5)

Re: Wait a sec . . . - Troy 13:41:18 01/15/04 (4)

Re: Wait a sec . . . - patrickU 07:54:46 01/16/04 (0)

Re: Wait a sec . . . - Victor Khomenko 15:04:06 01/15/04 (2)

A bit of clarification and more aggitated gesticualtion - Troy 16:32:42 01/15/04 (1)

I shall leave this final word to you. (nt) - Victor Khomenko 09:09:35 01/16/04 (0)

re: Murray will get an oscar nom - rhizomatic 13:47:20 01/14/04 (13)

Watch it again, guy. Murray's performance/character in - tinear 06:50:07 01/15/04 (2)

Unfair? - rhizomatic 08:32:56 01/15/04 (1)

Sorry, but...did you SEE "Lost?" - tinear 07:37:22 01/17/04 (0)

Re: re: Murray will get an oscar nom - Troy 16:28:24 01/14/04 (9)

Benicio del Toro, Ralph Fiennes, Sean Penn - rhizomatic 08:19:47 01/15/04 (8)

Re: Benicio del Toro, Ralph Fiennes, Sean Penn - Troy 09:07:54 01/15/04 (7)

Re: Benicio del Toro, Ralph Fiennes, Sean Penn - Victor Khomenko 11:33:56 01/15/04 (1)

Re: Benicio del Toro, Ralph Fiennes, Sean Penn - patrickU 12:28:26 01/15/04 (0)

Re: Penn can't do likeable, romantic, comedic? - rico 10:02:20 01/15/04 (2)

Likeable in Sweet and Lowdown? - Troy 12:43:31 01/15/04 (0)

Sweet and Lowdown - rhizomatic 11:10:13 01/15/04 (0)

Yeah, but who isn't typecast, finally? - rhizomatic 09:50:38 01/15/04 (1)

Yep, I agree - Troy 13:01:33 01/15/04 (0)

Re: Lost in Translation - rico 13:34:33 01/14/04 (1)

Agree with your agreement. nt - clarkjohnsen 01:28:50 01/15/04 (0)

Re: Need help with Lost in Translation - rhizomatic 09:22:51 01/14/04 (1)

Thanks! - Victor Khomenko 12:50:15 01/14/04 (0)

Follow Ups

Re: Wait a sec . . . - Victor Khomenko 15:04:06 01/15/04 (2)

A bit of clarification and more aggitated gesticualtion - Troy 16:32:42 01/15/04 (1)

I shall leave this final word to you. (nt) - Victor Khomenko 09:09:35 01/16/04 (0)

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