Visuals: Awesome
Acting: Ok
Story: What story?
Rating: C
Obligatory disclaimer: Sat close to the front. Lookin up at the screen didn’t help. Also ate a massive plate of sushi before going to the movie. Probably didn’t facilitate the enjoyment of the movie either.
Krista
Ooh yeah, you never want to sit too close. I got stuck in the front row to watch The Age of Innocence. There were a lot of sweeping panoramic shots — I was thisclose to throwing up from the vertigo.
demimondian
Hey, Michael, I was wondering about the defense of the Fair Tax? Did you get around to it?
And did you ever apologize to I’m John Galt?
Kynn
Cosigned.
cleek
did you take a survey to see how many kids swore off religion on their way out the door ?
Dennis - SGMM
I’m not sticking up for Michael or for the Fair Tax. I do think that the current tax code is an abomination and anything that starts a discussion of it is good for that reason alone. Neither the Fair Tax nor the Flat Tax are the answer but, the byzantine, cumbersome, and easily exploited setup we have now isn’t the answer either.
As for “The Golden Compass,” it’s another example of substituting special effects for an actual script with such old-fashioned devices as character arc and dialog.
ImJohnGalt
I don’t really care (or expect) him to apologize to me, but I would like to see him donate to Fisher House through John Rogers’ site, so that it doubles the donation.
Not exactly confident that I’ll see that happen either, given that he’s not responded to any of my entreaties yet.
Media Glutton
ImJohnGalt, how many “LOL”s can Michael donate? ‘Cause he’s good at those.
Pb
Michael D.: A Short Review
Able To Post On The Front Page: Awesome
Front Page Posts: Ok
Comments: What Comments?
Rating: C
Obligatory disclaimer: Been posting on Balloon Juice for a while. Bitching to John Cole never helps. Also learned a lot of stuff about politics and government before reading Michael D.’s posts. Probably doesn’t facilitate the enjoyment of his posts either.
P.S. Yeah, those 24 hours are way up. Dump this joker already. Hey, even Joe Klein knows how to seriously respond to his readers, even if he’s still totally wrong.
D-Chance.
Golden Compass outgrossed its nearest rival by a more than 3-1 margin.
So Drudge did his weekly link to Box Office Mojo, right? Wrong. Spin time and buried on column 3, fifth link down…
dslak
Knowing a bit about theology doesn’t help, either.
PaulW
I’ve heard most of the kids *aren’t* signing teh atheist confirmation forms in the lobby. They are, however, switching to Unitarianism… hehehehehehehehehhhhhh
Damien
Well since this is turning into a “Let’s bitch about Michael like whiny twats” post I’ve got to get my two cents in. I like the guy, so screw off. You aren’t Balloon Juice’s only readers.
jake
If I were to make a list of bitchiest arguments I have encountered in Blogs, “Well I like, so why don’t you just leave?” Would make the Top 5.
It doesn’t even make sense and suggests Michael D. will crack like a plate if teased.
dslak
I’ve got nothing personal against Michael, but I think Damien should have his coffee before posting.
Michael D.
ImJohnGalt: Once my bank account is verified, I will make that donation, and I offer an apology. It was a snarky comment that I shouldn’t have made.
BTW, this is the 4th donation I’ve made to Fisher House. The others were larger. I’ve been donating to them since CNN did that whhole Warrior One thing.
Johnny Pez
As long as the thread’s been jacked anyway, I’m going to posit a hypothetical for any Bush dead-enders who might be reading:
It’s October 30, 2008, and That Castrating Bitch From Hell is fifteen points ahead of Multiple-Choice Mitt. Bush announces that he has to postpone the election to protect us from The Terrorists. Do you support Bush’s action or oppose it?
Michael D.
Michelle Malkin isn’t running, so your question is moot.
Johnny Pez
No, no, that other castrating bitch from hell. The one who is running.
BIRDZILLA
Looks like the GOLDEN COMPASS may end up as a GOLDEN TURKEY and could end up with a GOLDEN RASPBERRY i hope it loses so much that the author of the book which this junk is based on ends up selling pencils at PICTDELI CIRCUS
Zifnab
I thought it was par for the course in terms of movie-o-logy. The plot was pretty simple: Small children are being kidnapped by super powerful incredibly evil organization intent on doing sinister evil bad horrible evil stuff (in this case, cutting apart a child from his soul) to them for sheer shits and giggles. Heroine must be incredibly awesome and super cool in order to save adorable children by teaming up with large scary men who suffer from anger management issues. Bad guys are gang-rapped by sexy females and a large bear, to the delightment of all. Nicole Kidman gives me wood by dressing in skin-tight transparent clothing. The end.
Delia
I sat in the front row for Gladiator. Went with my daughter, who holds to the theory that if you arrive at the multiplex and they tell you your show is sold out, you just buy tickets for something else on the theory that there are always at least two seats open on the front row. She was right, but watching the Romans and the Germans fight it out that close up was a little overwhelming.
Haven’t seen Golden Compass yet. I’m not turned on by Nicole, so I hope the bear is nice.
ImJohnGalt
Thanks, Michael. I appreciate that.
The Other Steve
Hitman: A Short Review
Visuals: Good, especially the nude scene
Stunts: Awesome
Acting: Good
Story: Surprisingly, not totally predictable.
Rating: B+
If you enjoyed Transporter(also produced by Luc Bresson), this one is a fun action film.
BIRDZILLA
When STAR WARS came out 30 years ago i got to the theater early so i did,nt have to wait in one of those long lines so i got to pay and get a good seat
Pooh
I’m beginning to question my aesthetic tastes, because I 100% agree with Michael’s review. I would have been even happier, though, if they had given me a prebate on the ticket because the movie I was about to watch was kinda crap.
pharniel
I liked it.
I thoguht it could have done with being another 45 miniutes longer to have some character development.
Also, y’know, ending with child sacrifice is just the bestest way ever! c’mon, tearfull reunion with daddy only to have him go all IaIaFthagn’, shank a bitch, then off to the deep ones.
Krista
Merry Christmas, BIRDZILLA. We salute you.
Andrew
Michael D has pretty much my reaction. Saw the movie Saturday with wife and 10 year old daughter – daughter incensed by the ending after we read the book together over the summer.
I’ll never forget my own visceral response, on my own first reading of the book, to the horror of the discovery of the severed child. Changing it in the film from Tony Makarios to Billy Costa was OK – but the characters’ reactions to Billy’s intercision was more like “don’t worry, son, we’ll find your daemon” rather than “oh my God, his head is missing.”
Good movies invoke deep emotional responses, and it hurts to say this, but “The Golden Compass” just didn’t trouble the emotional Richter Scale.
Singularity
Movie’s probably not as good as the book, and I am quite positive that you haven’t read what you’re criticizing, but I can say with absolute certainty that Phil Pullman got paid more money than you will see in your lifetime for the rights to it, regardless of how the film does. And a number one, $26m opening weekend doesn’t bode poorly for any film.