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So late it doesn't even matter...Napolean Dynamite

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Eminem

goddamit, Griese!
Man, talk about a great movie. At the end, this gave me a feeling I only get with my favorite movies.
It was fuckin' hilarious, but it had many moments where all the laughter died and you realize exactly what you're laughing at...and it makes you sad. Everyone can relate.
The first movie in a while that made me go from loud laughter to depression in a matter of seconds. You gotta feel sorry for him, though he doesn't make you want to.

I've heard about it here for ages and only watched it tonight when one of my friends brought it over. Again, what a great movie. Gives me an "Almost Famous"-esque vibe, which is a good thing.
GAWD, you have to be a FRIGGIN' IDIOT to not realize what a good movie this is(because I couldn't possibly not include a by now cliched reference to the movie).
 

Matlock

Banned
This is where, you know, I read over the initial post and keep my trap shut because he actually gave a reason for liking it other than "OH SO INDICATIVE OF LIFE" or some hipster bullshit like that.
 

Memles

Member
Comparing this film to Almost Famous is pure, unadulterated bullshit. They are such different films I don't even know where to start.
 

Eminem

goddamit, Griese!
Memles said:
Comparing this film to Almost Famous is pure, unadulterated bullshit. They are such different films I don't even know where to start.

I would tend to agree, as Almost Famous is undoubtedly the better film....but they give off the same type of vibe, to me at least.
But no doubt AF is a better movie. It's just not that cut and dry.
 

Memles

Member
Eminem said:
I would tend to agree, as Almost Famous is undoubtedly the better film....but they give off the same type of vibe, to me at least.
But no doubt AF is a better movie. It's just not that cut and dry.

Although I agree on your assessment on which one is superior (By far, in my case), the comparison doesn't stand up. Mainly because one has characters that are real, while the other has caricatures that are one-dimensional. I can't get the same feeling from those two situations, I'm afraid.
 

Eminem

goddamit, Griese!
I can see where you're coming from. But as far as toying with your emotions, I could compare them since they both did the same to me.
Again, AF does it much better(and it is in my top 3 favorite movies of all-time btw), but ND is still a good movie.

And I got the same feeling with it that I got when AF ended.


I mean
when Penny OD'd and got saved..that whole scene
reminded me a bit why the movie was so good. ND gave me the same feeling.

But hey, it's probably just me. We wouldn't watch Almost Famous for a comedy, but we'd sure as hell watch Napolean Dynamite.
 

Willco

Hollywood Square
I just finished watching Napoleon Dynamite. It had its moments, but they were two far in between. Pedro and his cousins should get their own movie, not Napoleon.
 

sefskillz

shitting in the alley outside your window
Eminem said:
Gives me an "Almost Famous"-esque vibe, which is a good thing.
Does not compute. I'll accept Wes Anderson vibe, cause I can kinda see some Wes Anderson minus the subtle humor thing going on with Napolean Dynamite, but Almost famous? that deserves a 'buh?!'
 

bridegur

Member
I think the new movie Jared Hess (director of ND) involves Mexican wrestlers in the 70s. I wonder how that will turn out.
 

Blackie

Member
Matlock said:
...gave a reason for liking it other than "OH SO INDICATIVE OF LIFE" or some hipster bullshit like that.

I've never heard anyone justify why they liked the movie with a line like that. That sounds way too retarded for anyone to say.
 

Seth C

Member
Were the first fifty threads about this shitty movie not enough? Hell, the last one was on the front page just a few days ago. Just fucking resurrect it. We don't car enough for you to deserve your own thread. :)
 

lexi

Banned
I hate this movie with a passion. It blows my mind that not a single joke could have been put in, even by mistake.
 

ToxicAdam

Member
I think alot of the ND hate comes from the fact that it is an "Mtv-type movie" ... which breeds a sort of underlying contempt in alot of movie watchers (me included).

What bothers me about this movie is it borrows its attitude from Ghost World, some themes from Welcome to the Dollhouse ... then adds a layer of early 90's background. It all seems very contrived and forced.

I think that's why people got rankled when you compared it to a movie like "Almost Famous" .. a movie that came directly from the writer's heart and soul ... and this movie comes from a corporate vision of a "indie teenage movie".

But whatever. If you enjoyed it, thats awesome ..
 
ToxicAdam said:
I think that's why people got rankled when you compared it to a movie like "Almost Famous" .. a movie that came directly from the writer's heart and soul ... and this movie comes from a corporate vision of a "indie teenage movie".

You SO know nothing.
 

Iceman

Member
What a refreshing movie. It's like a stage performance with a bland set designed to keep your focus on a bunch of loveable losers. The jokes come all the time, almost in rythmn. The movie doesn't take itself seriously and with the hundreds of movies that come out each year you'd complain about this one movie standing out as a parade of silly characters in silly situations with silly lines?

It's like a prolonged FUNNY SNL skit. Pay your respects and get out.
 

Smidget

Member
lockii said:
I hate this movie with a passion. It blows my mind that not a single joke could have been put in, even by mistake.

It just hurt to be watching this movie...and it felt like 3 years long.
 

Memles

Member
Iceman said:
The movie doesn't take itself seriously and with the hundreds of movies that come out each year you'd complain about this one movie standing out as a parade of stupid characters in stupid situations with stupid lines?

Fixed. Look, this is one film that the people who hate it are going to continue to hate it. There will be no "OMG, you're wrong, go back and watch it!" kind of thing here because that simply won't work. If you people really enjoyed the film, all the power you. Godspeed.

Just stop acting like somebody not liking it is against your religion. Because, I believe that even those who like it should be able to see how its simple characters, a complete lack of a plot, and the fact that no characters change and instead just remains caricatures for an hour and a half could turn some people against the film.
 

Iceman

Member
And stop acting like this movie is supposed to owe you something. You didn't like it, tough.

Look, there's an enormous ND hate thread elsewhere on this board. There should be one that actually focuses on the good aspects of the movie. Sideways* and Aviator are better movies more deserving of our time and consideration? Glad you feel that way but take it to an Oscar thread.

I couldn't stop laughing with this movie and so I think it deserves some appreciation.

I wonder what you guys consider Dumb and Dumber to be? Some kind of sage reflection on the foibles of humanity logic particularly when confronted by the powerful concepts of love and money? Or is it a couple of stupid guys that do a lot of stupid things? Either way (the answer if obviously the latter btw) it's likely the funniest movie many people have ever seen.


*BTW, I thought Sideways was hilarious but also too pretentious and "middelaged" for my tastes. The aviator I haven't seen yet. I'm sure its great but another piece on a flawed and troubled genius is not exactly compelling me to go to the theaters. I actually have a hankering for a true hero story. Where the heck have they gone?
 
D

Deleted member 1159

Unconfirmed Member
ToxicAdam said:
I think alot of the ND hate comes from the fact that it is an "Mtv-type movie" ... which breeds a sort of underlying contempt in alot of movie watchers (me included).

I think that's why people got rankled when you compared it to a movie like "Almost Famous" .. a movie that came directly from the writer's heart and soul ... and this movie comes from a corporate vision of a "indie teenage movie".

Hah, are you joking? When's the last PG rated MTV movie that came out? You know what kind of budget they were working with? Do you know anything about how it was made, or who made it?

I won't go ahead and call ND the best movie ever, but I thought it was pretty enjoyable to watch, and definitely not anything like the MTV norm. It's a love it or hate it movie for sure, but I don't think you can go blaming THE MAN for you not liking it.
 

Memles

Member
Iceman said:
And stop acting like this movie is supposed to owe you something. You didn't like it, tough.

Owe me something? It wasn't supposed to owe me something, it was supposed to entertain and failed for me.

I found Dumb and Dumber...unfunny. I find most of these oddball "Oh look, these characters do stupid things, laugh!" comedies to be mostly idiotic with some moments of laughter (In the case of ND, the dancing). I went into Napoleon Dynamite expecting something, and ended up with nothing. So sue me for not enjoying myself as much as you did.

Someone compared it to Wes Anderson films above, but I think even that is pushing it. The humour may be there, but the characters aren't so fucking one-dimensional.

Look, don't think I go around telling people the movie isn't funny, or that their opinion is wrong. I know it's not. I know all sorts of people who found this movie hysterical and I totally see why they would do so. I simply don't think it's a good enough film for me to look past the fact that I didn't find its particular brand of humour that damn funny.
 
Hey, I'm at school right now and we are unable to play anything audibly over our laptops, as the other law students are all pissy about noise being in a library and all, but I have an argument with a friend. Please tell me that I'm right. The song at the end of the movie when Napoleon and the girl are playing tetherball, that's The Promise by When in Rome, right? Thanks.
 

Meier

Member
ToxicAdam said:
I think alot of the ND hate comes from the fact that it is an "Mtv-type movie" ... which breeds a sort of underlying contempt in alot of movie watchers (me included).

I think that's why people got rankled when you compared it to a movie like "Almost Famous" .. a movie that came directly from the writer's heart and soul ... and this movie comes from a corporate vision of a "indie teenage movie".

But whatever. If you enjoyed it, thats awesome ..

Wtf dude MTV had NOTHING to do with this movie's production. It was entirely independent and they and Fox Searchlight bought the rights to release it at Sundance. That's it. It's not an MTV movie, just like Better Luck Tomorrow was not an MTV movie -- and yes, it's absolutely hilarious.

Howlin' Mad: Yep, great song.
 

ToxicAdam

Member
Meier said:
Wtf dude MTV had NOTHING to do with this movie's production. It was entirely independent and they and Fox Searchlight bought the rights to release it at Sundance. That's it. It's not an MTV movie, just like Better Luck Tomorrow was not an MTV movie -- and yes, it's absolutely hilarious.

Howlin' Mad: Yep, great song.


There is a reason why I put quotes around "Mtv-TYPE Movie". Which means .. a movie of rehashed themes, packaged with a quirky soundtrack and characters served to a naive teenage audience.

Even at the end .. I said "If you enjoyed it, that's awesome". Meaning, my internet opinion means jack-squat as to how much you enjoy a movie. So why are you getting all up-in-arms about a stupid movie?
 

sprsk

force push the doodoo rock
Howlin' Mad said:
Hey, I'm at school right now and we are unable to play anything audibly over our laptops, as the other law students are all pissy about noise being in a library and all, but I have an argument with a friend. Please tell me that I'm right. The song at the end of the movie when Napoleon and the girl are playing tetherball, that's The Promise by When in Rome, right? Thanks.

yes it is.
 
I gotta say, I loved the film at first, but I getting rather annoyed by how overrated it's become. Its to the point that I'm sick of hearing it.

And yeah, people need to get off the "it's an MTV film!" Its not folks, do your damn research.
 
FortNinety said:
I gotta say, I loved the film at first, but I getting rather annoyed by how overrated it's become. Its to the point that I'm sick of hearing it.

And yeah, people need to get off the "it's an MTV film!" Its not folks, do your damn research.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374900/combined

Produced by MTV. It's an MTV film!

Almost Famous != Napoleon Dynamite
Almost Famous >>>>>>> Napoleon Dynamite

There, my thread bashing is done.

I like when people say DO YOUR DAMN RESEARCH, or YOU KNOW NOTHING! and then they're proved wrong by a safe source like IMDB. Granted, its budget was only 400 000$, but hey, it's still produced in part by MTV.
 

Meier

Member
No it was not. MTV bought the rights to distribute it, THAT'S IT. They are in effect an executive producer -- aka they ponied up cash to get it distributed. It's just like Super Size Me for instance, an independent production which did well at Sundance and got bought. It happens every year and this year's big deal was for Hustle and Flow which John Singleton paid for himself (a la Mel Gibson with the passion) to make since no studio would fund it.

Again, MTV had absolutely nothing at all to do with this movie beyond attaching their name to it and marketing it (which was primarily done by Fox Searchlight -- thanks for all the freebies guys!).

Edit: In fact, you can see on your own link that MTV Films and Paramount had nothing to do with the project at all until 17 days before its release.
 
Yeah, all the characters were one dimensional in the film, but to me that was part of what was so great. In real life, we only see people other than who we know as close friends or family as one dimensional. For instance, we only 'know' each other on this message board as our one dimensional online selfs. The characters were obvious in the role that they played, just as the people in our lifes are obvious in the roles that they play. We have all looked at someone and thought of them as an ass and only an ass. You don't see all three dimensions of most people's lives looking at it from only your perspective. That's part of what Napoleon got so right IMO, especially in high school. I mean THAT WAS THE POINT OF THE MOVIE! Napoleon was the nerd to everybody and everybody was the bully to Napoleon. But the viewer of the movie saw Napoleon as he really was, as Napoleon knew himself, and as his close friend Pedro saw him.
 

Dante

Member
Ghost World was such a average movie. I really was dissapointed with it after all the praise I saw it was getting on this board, perhaps I went in expecting too much.
 

MIMIC

Banned
To me, this movie had no point. It continued to feel like the movie portrayed the random day of an unusual person, in which the day was devoid of anything worth talking about.

Other than the few times I chuckled, that was one of the worst movies that I have ever had the displeasure of seeing.
 

IJoel

Member
Sign me up with the haters. :p

I saw the movie last night and just didn't get it. The humor was completely lost in me, except for a few scenes. I felt somewhat uncomfortable throughout the movie mainly because it just seemed to look for comedic content in the wrong places.

Edit: Oh, and no comparison with Almost Famous, which was a really good film.
 

MIMIC

Banned
IJoel said:
Sign me up with the haters. :p

I saw the movie last night and just didn't get it. The humor was completely lost in me, except for a few scenes. I felt somewhat uncomfortable throughout the movie mainly because it just seemed to look for comedic content in the wrong places.

Exactly. Sometimes I felt that I just wasn't "getting" the jokes...for whatever reason. After 90% of the scenes, I said to myself, "OK...was I supposed to laugh at that or something?"

I think that the dullness of this movie is on a completely different level. It's just something I don't feel connected to; almost like the movie never TRIED to be funny.
 
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