[launche]

Regarding Sofia Coppola,

Watched Marie Antoinette with my wife and we both just didn't get much out of it besides the nice period costumes.

[Wind Chaser]

Just watched Babel last night at a friends place. I didn't like it much at all. I thought it sucked, actually. I found that they were trying to copy the "6 degrees of separation" pattern that the 2004 movie "Crash" did.

It wasn't that bad so as to say it "sucked" and it certainly wasn't Oscar material either.  Movies in general have taken a downward turn.  Of all te 35 movies I saw in the theater last year, only 5 stood out.

[Rob Babcock]

A downturn vs what?  5 good films out of 35 viewed would be pretty good in any year.

[Folsom]

Just watched Babel last night at a friends place. I didn't like it much at all. I thought it sucked, actually. I found that they were trying to copy the "6 degrees of separation" pattern that the 2004 movie "Crash" did.

It wasn't that bad so as to say it "sucked" and it certainly wasn't Oscar material either.  Movies in general have taken a downward turn.  Of all te 35 movies I saw in the theater last year, only 5 stood out.

Yes it was a rip off of crash. They just applied it to comminucation and circumstances. The movie has amazing acting, great cinitragraphy... To bad it sucked. It tried to piss you off as much as possible, humanize and dehumanize different political situations that are currently up for debate... Honestly if you walk away from that movie feeling it was good because it shows all these characteristic of political situaions, humanizing and dehumanizing, you are a fool because you believe that someone else that does not know about how some Iranians(? middle eastern) are ok people, and how ulgy the Mexico border can be, and this movie will help them, you are a FOOOOOOOL. People already know every damn thing in that movie - but guess what they DO NOT CARE; that is the problem. This movie is a way overrated and a huge gloat factor is felt with viewing it... Again some things about the movie were great, but for the most part what a waste of time.

[launche]

Watched "Amores perros" tonight, I enjoyed it.  But what was up with central role dogs played in the movie?  Is this also a theme in his other films (which I have not seen)?  This movie could drive a dog lover nuts.

Brad Pitt is referenced in the film.

[Karnaaj]

thank you

yeah after Katriana the ending of The Day After Tomorrow definitely needs to be completely re-done, but i do appreciate how they tried to stick with some of the most likely scientific theories of the direction in which we are heading unless there are drastic changes made... and the special effects were nice, but yes it did have many flaws... but either way i think it's a 'must see' for the science and special effects.

Spoken like a true liberal.  Global Warming will go down in history as the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on mankind.

[maxwalrath]

that's a nice comment karnaaj...political and condescending all at the same time.  solid work.  (mods remove mine too if ya want)

I can understand not believing 98+% of scientists, but doubting the Pentagon too?  Where's you're assuredness coming from?  I'd like to hear the source for such confidence.

[Wind Chaser]

Global Warming will go down in history as the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on mankind.

Along with cancer, aids, the holocaust, terrorism etc.  Truth is there are no threats. 

[JoshK]

I saw Babel the other night.  I was dissapointed.  I guess I didn't read this thread before hand, but I felt the movie could have really been cool in what it was trying to show, but it didn't pull it off.  Crash was much better for that type of film. 

Babel, didn't make me think at all.  I thought that was what it was going for, but didn't acheive.  You never really felt for any of the characters. 

All in all, it wasn't terrible, it was entertaining for the while you watch it but it isnt something you'll remember or talk about. 

[reddmadder]

Babel a ripoff of Crash?
First of all, when it comes to opinions on film,art, music etc...everyone is entitled to their own.
The only responsibility you have is to back you criticism of the piece in question with an historical knowledge of what you're criticizing  and reference points.
Babel is the 3rd.in a series of films by this director ...the first being "Perros Amores" which was made in the late 90's or early 2000.The idea of interlacing storylines was used in that film as well.as it was in his second American release "21 Grams". One can go back to the film "Grand Canyon" which was a 80-90's film which is really more of the template for "Crash"...same location L.A./similar themes etc.
Interlacing storylines can be found in  Kurosawa as well as other world renewed directors.
IMO,Babel was a film for adults and should have won Best Picture ,if indeed films need to be competitive and you believe there is a Best of anything when it concerns art.

[Karnaaj]

that's a nice comment karnaaj...political and condescending all at the same time.  solid work.  (mods remove mine too if ya want)

I can understand not believing 98+% of scientists, but doubting the Pentagon too?  Where's you're assuredness coming from?  I'd like to hear the source for such confidence.

Provide me with the data that says 98% of scientists believe it to be true. Last time I looked it was more like 35% to 40%.  Nice try though. 

[ctviggen]

How does a thread about a movie, which I believe has nothing to do with global warming, morph into an argument about global warming (or the lack thereof)?

[maxwalrath]

How does a thread about a movie, which I believe has nothing to do with global warming, morph into an argument about global warming (or the lack thereof)?

Great question. 

You can't really give arthur too much credit....

...some of the most likely scientific theories of the direction in which....

Ask Karnajj.

Spoken like a true liberal.  Global Warming will go down in history as the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on mankind.

_______________________________________ _______

Provide me with the data that says 98% of scientists believe it to be true. Last time I looked it was more like 35% to 40%.  Nice try though. 

Before I answer try to answer your question, keep in mind that I want you to provide me with the data that supports "Global Warming will go down in history as the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on mankind"

Karnajj, you are right.  I couldn't find a anything to support exactly 98%.  I was way, way closer to that than the 35-40% you last saw.  This brings up a good point though.  Since you do not believe in the theory, you must not have looked into it in ages.  The 35-40% numbers were true over a decade ago, and you appear uninformed to more current information. 

If you believe the 35-40% figure and toss around the phrase "Spoken like a true liberal", I'm wasting any time I spend on you.  I know Wikipedia is lame, but it has links to other "citable" sources.  And I am lazy.  Here ya go...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intergovernmental_Panel_on_Climate_Change
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_opinion_on_climate_change

[ajzepp]

Finally saw this film a few days ago....while I found it interesting and engaging, I don't think it was by any means a great flim. If you compare it to something like 'Crash', I think it pales in comparison. Crash makes you think about the relationships, about the decisions the characters make, and about the dynamics of racism and bigotry. Babel didn't do that at all for me. Am I really supposed to be all that sympathetic about a young girl who can't get laid while she's in high school?? Give me a break...they tease you with the story line about her mother, but don't really take it anywhere....she's got a bunch of friends with whom she obviously has a great deal of fun....she lives in a very nice apartment with her father...but, God forbid, nobody wants to bang her? Maybe I'm missing the boat with this particular part of the movie, I dunno....but I didn't really find myself thinking about life in a deeper context after it was over.