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The Essentials (films) — Page 2

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Originally posted by: ricarleite

As I've said, I think it's good, but not great.


I think you're just bigoted against sharks.

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Originally posted by: Warbler

Its a Mad,Mad,Mad,Mad World


Now this movie has been a mystery to me ever since I first saw it, when I was about 10. I've seen it about 2 more times ever since, and I still don't know if I hate it or love it. Part of me says it's a long, terribly unfunny movie with cheesy, predictable slapstick comedy; the other part of me says it's a classic featuring some of the most brilliant actors/comediants from the early 60s (altough I think Groucho Marx should be on it) and one of the best comedy movies ever made.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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cheesy? predictable? unfunny? unfunny?!? Mad World is one of the best commedies ever!

Yeah, Groucho Marx and the rest of the Marx Brothers would be good for this movie. Also, one other person that should have had atleast a cameo, Bob Hope.

I guess we just have different tastes in commedy.
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Groucho was originally invited to play the part that was later changed to be Sylvester's mother (he would be the father). It would be absolutely hilarious, but unfortunally he had scheduling problems and had to decline the role.

It's not "unfunny" in the "Friends" kinda way (absolutely unlaughable), it's just that the jokes are sometimes "over the top" and too slow paced, leading to nowhere (Sid Ceaser and the fireworks comes to mind). The movie is dated and too long, and the jokes are tossed in between the long "dialogue and driving" scenes. How funny is it to see 5 times the same Sylvester scene, yelling "I'm comming Momma!" with a road being projected behind him? And couldn't they have used the three stooges and Jerry Lewis a little bit more? I mean the stooges were absolutely out of job at that period, they could have been in the final climax scene... And the jokes are not witty and smart like, let's say, Pink Panther (which was produced around the same time).

Besides I always felt bad about Spencer Tracy's character, so it kinda distracted me a little from the comedy.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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I had never heard that (about Groucho and Its a Mad Mad Mad Mad World), and I honestly don't think it would have worked, not with how the film was written.

Groucho is an insulter, a quick wit, and I don't see how, in that particular role, he could have been able to do that. Sure, there are a few times when Milton Berle gets picked on, but you could have everyone referring to Groucho as "Old Bag".

What I don't like about that movie, is the fact that it shows how Hollywood has changed.
You could not do that movie nowadays.

There is no actor in Hollywood that could do the Spencer Tracy role the way he did.
There is no comedy troupe that you could put in the Stooges place to get that same "Oh no!" type reaction.
If there was an effort to remake that movie 100%, there is only one role that I see being filled where the actors are even close:
Jerry Lewis -> Jim Carrey
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So... you would have a 2 second scene of Jim Carrey driving over Culpepper's hat? Fine by me.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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Originally posted by: ricarleite

It's not "unfunny" in the "Friends" kinda way (absolutely unlaughable), it's just that the jokes are sometimes "over the top" and too slow paced, leading to nowhere (Sid Ceaser and the fireworks comes to mind). The movie is dated and too long, and the jokes are tossed in between the long "dialogue and driving" scenes. How funny is it to see 5 times the same Sylvester scene, yelling "I'm comming Momma!" with a road being projected behind him? And couldn't they have used the three stooges and Jerry Lewis a little bit more? I mean the stooges were absolutely out of job at that period, they could have been in the final climax scene... And the jokes are not witty and smart like, let's say, Pink Panther (which was produced around the same time).


I guess we just have different tastes in commedy.

The fireworks scene was very very funny, it didn't need to lead to answer. I agree that this movie is dated. I think they planning a longer scene with the 3 stooges. Tracy was great in the movie. The I'm comming momma scenes I think were slightly different each time, and I thought they good. Who cares about the rode being prjected behind him? I agree with starkilller 100% this movie could not be made today. Comedians like the ones in this movie don't exist today.

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Originally posted by: ricarleite
So... you would have a 2 second scene of Jim Carrey driving over Culpepper's hat? Fine by me.


what's wrong with that? It was a cameo!
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So its concluded that only 2 seconds of that movie could be remade today?
"I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like them myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them during the long winter evenings."
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I agree with almost every single one of Warbler's choices, that is a really great list.
"I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like them myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them during the long winter evenings."
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Absolutely. One of the many things Jim Carrey does well, in my eyes, is facial expressions. Just watch The Mask.
With Carrey at the wheel, going after Culpepper's hat, I can just picture the transition from average driver to demon-possessed madman going after the hat. Then, after hitting it, the look of shear joy at hitting it.
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What I meant was that Jim Carrey could be used in something more than just a 2 second cameo, the same way Jerry Lewis could have a major character in the movie - although maybe his ego wouldn't allow it.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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I don't know why it was only a cameo but that is what it was. Of course it would have been great if Lewis had been a main character. But Lewis only being in a small part does not make this a bad movie.
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What about Fall of the Roman Empire or Lawrence of Arabia? Do you think they could be considered essentials?
"I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like them myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them during the long winter evenings."
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I would definitely include Lawrence of Arabia as an essential.

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.

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Fall of the Roman Empire? its an ok movie but not the level of essential. (imho)


Lawrence of Arabia is certainly essential.
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It is. Very nice movie.

Another essential: Brian DePalma's Carrie.
“Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nazi Reich Marshal Hermann Goering
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Never seen Carrie??

Sissy Spacek. 1976. Girl with telekenetic powers. Among the freakiest movies ever made.
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You didn't really miss much; not among my essentials. If I were to pick an essential horror movie from the 70s, I'd probably go with TCM.

Princess Leia: I happen to like nice men.
Han Solo: I'm a nice man.

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I agree, Carrie IMO isn't really all that great of a movie. But thats just me.
"I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like them myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them during the long winter evenings."
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It is the film in which the young woman is drenched in blood.

Very light hearted and uplifting.

4

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Thats the one.
"I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like them myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them during the long winter evenings."