"Don't Look Up:" absolute best satire in years! Scorching

136.37.101.134

Posted on December 26, 2021 at 09:38:00

tinear
Audiophile

Posts: 65782
Location: Kansas City, KS
Joined: April 9, 2006

performances by Streep and Hill--- if anything, they were underdone in today's world. DiCaprio was good for most of it, though he went deeply out of character to channel some Pacino-like outbursts. An excellent cast, clever writing--- what more do you want?

If you think it wasn't very true to life, consider the story is an allegory for global warming. Obviously, the "frog in gradually heating water" nature of global warming doesn't lend itself to drama--- not cinematically. Nor, tragically, in the real world.

Mark Rylance's Musk-like character portrayal gets my early Oscar nod for BSA.

Blanchett, Lawrence--- good. Chamalet? What the heck was he doing w/such a tiny cameo???

(I'm posting this here 'cause no one looks at old threads, apparently).

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RE:Hollywood's MASSIVE Self-Own

eldragano

06:52:14 01/08/22

Under those circumstances . . .

Billy Wonka

13:37:30 01/05/22

2

Impossible to keep a celestial event a secret

Road Warrior

06:42:03 01/06/22

...

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RE:Hollywood's MASSIVE Self-Own

eldragano

06:52:14 01/08/22

Under those circumstances . . .

Billy Wonka

13:37:30 01/05/22

2

Impossible to keep a celestial event a secret

Road Warrior

06:42:03 01/06/22

I missed the point of the movie . . .

Billy Wonka

13:29:26 01/31/22

Review. . .

Chris from Lafayette

14:25:40 12/28/21

26

It's a very dark comedy

Analog Scott

08:43:33 01/01/22

3

Well. . . enjoy - but "brilliance" was not the first word that came to my mind [nt] ;-)

Chris from Lafayette

02:10:58 01/02/22

art is subjective nt

Analog Scott

13:40:57 01/02/22

"So spot on"

geoffkait

12:53:22 01/01/22

Of course it's a comedy. Not all are Mel Brooks'-like

tinear

07:32:09 12/29/21

15

(You're easily amused) ;-)

Chris from Lafayette

11:43:27 12/29/21

14

RE: (You're easily amused) ;-)

RGA

19:13:23 12/29/21

13

Yeah - I just read that review - thanks for the link

Chris from Lafayette

01:14:55 12/30/21

12

Unrestrained and Unapologetic.

oldmkvi

10:35:25 12/30/21

11

And nothing wrong with that! [nt] ;-)

Chris from Lafayette

12:23:04 12/30/21

10

err, " Not that there's anything wrong with that...."

oldmkvi

17:07:26 12/31/21

9

You won't believe this. . .

Chris from Lafayette

01:06:51 01/01/22

8

RE: You won't believe this. . .

RGA

19:52:48 01/01/22

6

RE: You won't believe this. . .

geoffkait

13:56:42 01/03/22

5

RE: You won't believe this. . .

RGA

21:23:10 01/04/22

4

RE: You won't believe this. . .

geoffkait

06:24:51 01/05/22

RE: You won't believe this. . .

RV817

22:50:36 01/04/22

2

RE: You won't believe this. . .

RGA

04:42:19 01/05/22

RE: You won't believe this. . .

RV817

14:59:04 01/05/22

You haven't missed much, it is the show about NOTHING!

TWB

10:02:34 01/01/22

The movie was in dire need of better editing

RGA

20:43:14 12/28/21

5

That appears to be the bane of the industry. Hey, at least it clocked under 3 hours... nt

tinear

13:14:52 12/29/21

Try some Opera. Puts things in perspective. nt

oldmkvi

17:31:56 12/31/21

You left out Melanie Lynskey in your "heart and soul" list //nt

MaxwellP

06:21:28 12/29/21

Exactly - the run time was 2 hours and 20 minutes

Chris from Lafayette

01:40:08 12/29/21

RE: Exactly - the run time was 2 hours and 20 minutes

pbarach

12:08:25 12/31/21

Global warming.... fifty years of 'THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN'

mbnx01

10:18:50 12/28/21

9

actually it has happened

Analog Scott

10:19:10 01/01/22

I don't think this was as much of a film about the reticence of some to accept Global warming as fact as

Road Warrior

10:30:04 12/28/21

7

Comedy is "heavy-handed." Or else, it's light humor. And I think it is

tinear

13:17:35 12/29/21

5

Some of the least heavy handed content occurred at the end, around the dinner table, possibly my favorite part

Road Warrior

16:06:04 12/29/21

3

Well, no matter one's opinions---- it's sure gotten more excitement

tinear

07:49:54 12/31/21

2

For sure and disagreement, such a it is, is about execution, not content

Road Warrior

19:55:23 12/31/21

RE: For sure and disagreement, such a it is, is about execution, not content

tinear

07:42:07 01/01/22

"Either/or"? What about Dr. Strangelove? - a movie that didn't fizzle out at the end [nt] ;-)

Chris from Lafayette

15:19:10 12/29/21

Too much padding in the second half IMHO [nt]

Chris from Lafayette

14:37:29 12/28/21

RE: "Don't Look Up:" absolute best satire in years! Scorching

Billy Wonka

11:06:25 12/27/21

3

I loved him in Bridge of Spies and Big Friendly Giant. nt

oldmkvi

11:30:49 12/27/21

2

So good in Bridge of Spies. Also here. Rest of the cast (except Blanchett and her "cohost"), a paycheck flick^

Road Warrior

06:16:16 12/28/21

He's SUPERB in Waiting for the Barbarians... N/T

musetap

14:55:59 12/27/21

RE: "Don't Look Up:" absolute best satire in years! Scorching, posted on December 27, 2021 at 11:06:25
Billy Wonka Audiophile Posts: 3768 Joined: April 25, 2013 Contributor Since: October 15, 2013	Mark Rylance's Musk-like character portrayal gets my early Oscar nod for BSA. ----- Actually, I think he was channeling the Apple Guy. I found him annoying but necessary.

I loved him in Bridge of Spies and Big Friendly Giant. nt, posted on December 27, 2021 at 11:30:49
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	/

He's SUPERB in Waiting for the Barbarians... N/T, posted on December 27, 2021 at 14:55:59
musetap Audiophile Posts: 31879 Location: San Francisco Joined: July 8, 2003 Contributor Since: January 28, 2004	, "Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure

So good in Bridge of Spies. Also here. Rest of the cast (except Blanchett and her "cohost"), a paycheck flick^, posted on December 28, 2021 at 06:16:16
Road Warrior Audiophile Posts: 21654 Location: Dallas Joined: August 31, 2004	---------------------- "E Burres Stigano?"

Global warming.... fifty years of 'THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN', posted on December 28, 2021 at 10:18:50
mbnx01 Audiophile Posts: 7956 Location: Eagle, Idaho Joined: October 22, 2004	And then it doesn't. 'A lie is halfway around the world before the truth gets its boots on'. -Mark Twain

I don't think this was as much of a film about the reticence of some to accept Global warming as fact as, posted on December 28, 2021 at 10:30:04
Road Warrior Audiophile Posts: 21654 Location: Dallas Joined: August 31, 2004	a critique of a segment of our society who don't trust science and the politicians who cater to them. The film succeeded in conveying that but in far too heavy handed a fashion imho. ---------------------- "E Burres Stigano?"

Review. . . , posted on December 28, 2021 at 14:25:40

Chris from Lafayette
Audiophile

Posts: 26487
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: February 17, 2004
Contributor
Since: February 6, 2012

"The biggest mistake that the new film, "Don't Look Up", makes is to bill itself as a comedy. It isn't really funny at all. Instead it is deadly serious and chilling as it accurately depicts how American society would react to a real, existential crisis.

First, such a crisis would be ignored in favor of celebrity news, then it would be scorned, science would be belittled, millions of people on social media would not believe it even when the establishment accepted it was true and then the corporate-controlled government would find a way to prevent mankind from being saved in favor of making a profit."

More. . .

(Comments are good too, such as "The movie critic for the Wall Street Journal complains that "Don't Look Up" portrays everyone as "nincompoops." I would say that that would make "Don't Look Up" a documentary.") LOL!

https://consortiumnews.com/2021/12/27/dont-look-up-is-no-lau

Too much padding in the second half IMHO [nt], posted on December 28, 2021 at 14:37:29
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26487 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012

The movie was in dire need of better editing, posted on December 28, 2021 at 20:43:14

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

It was long and repetitive and missed opportunities. The repetition then becomes heavy-handed rather than quick-witted satire.

The problem is that the institutions the film parodies are already parodies of themselves - the TV morning shows, the Faux News pundits, the anti-science of the administration, the population fixated on pop stars love affairs over things that matter, the people who wear hats to not look up to see the comet coming because their hero president tells them not to look. The scientists trying to placate the viewers by downplaying the end of the world.

I liked parts of it, but I doubt any right-winger has the ability to laugh at themselves (or the ability to take a joke) so in the end, the film isn't going to work on the people it needs to work on.

To be fair to the director - I don't know how you can make a "subtle" satire when the people you are skewering are anything but subtle.

The other problem a lot of films have is the lack of identifiable characters - instead we get cartoon quality characters. The only character, arguably, in the entire movie that had any heart and soul was the skater boy finding his way with his religion. And he was barely in the film. Cate Blanchett playing Laura Ingraham wasn't mean-spirited or racist or evil enough. In other words, Cate was MORE human than the real person! Which is a bit amusing in itself I suppose.

Exactly - the run time was 2 hours and 20 minutes, posted on December 29, 2021 at 01:40:08
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26487 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012	They could have cut 20 minutes and still had enough for an average length release. As I've already mentioned (and like you) I did like parts of it though.

You left out Melanie Lynskey in your "heart and soul" list //nt, posted on December 29, 2021 at 06:21:28
MaxwellP Audiophile Posts: 1623 Location: New York Joined: September 19, 2007	Nt

Of course it's a comedy. Not all are Mel Brooks'-like, posted on December 29, 2021 at 07:32:09

tinear
Audiophile

Posts: 65782
Location: Kansas City, KS
Joined: April 9, 2006

haw-haws, nor need they be so. That said, we found plenty of opportunities for laughter. It's a brilliant allegory told through acerbic satire. Criticism of its artistic merits ring false to me because of the many excellent actors, scorching performances, clever writing, and the vital importance of the targets.

I wonder how many who see it as "half-empty" really have a hard time seeing their own views and actions exposed and eviscerated so cleverly?

No, not Aristophanes, but a wonderful film in that great comedy writer's tradition.

(You're easily amused) ;-), posted on December 29, 2021 at 11:43:27
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26487 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012	I was amused by SOME of it.

That appears to be the bane of the industry. Hey, at least it clocked under 3 hours... nt, posted on December 29, 2021 at 13:14:52
tinear Audiophile Posts: 65782 Location: Kansas City, KS Joined: April 9, 2006	d

Comedy is "heavy-handed." Or else, it's light humor. And I think it is, posted on December 29, 2021 at 13:17:35
tinear Audiophile Posts: 65782 Location: Kansas City, KS Joined: April 9, 2006	obvious that the writer was thinking of global warming and Covid. A light touch about either wouldn't have much weight, punch, sparkle, or zip. I mean, we're talking about issues that are cataclysmic. Not exactly "Young Frankenstein" fare.

"Either/or"? What about Dr. Strangelove? - a movie that didn't fizzle out at the end [nt] ;-), posted on December 29, 2021 at 15:19:10
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26487 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012

Some of the least heavy handed content occurred at the end, around the dinner table, possibly my favorite part, posted on December 29, 2021 at 16:06:04
Road Warrior Audiophile Posts: 21654 Location: Dallas Joined: August 31, 2004	but, I'm easily amused. Still, good first quarter and last quarter, works as a whole, but the middle "50" was silly, imho, et al, i.e., etc.. I say this with more than my share of a pitcher of margaritas coursing thru what's left of my veins ---------------------- "E Burres Stigano?"

RE: (You're easily amused) ;-), posted on December 29, 2021 at 19:13:23

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

I was amused by some of it as well. It's sort of like those skit shows like Monty Python - in a given show - there are some good skits and some that are duds. All in all worth watching but 1/2 the time you sit waiting for the good bit to arrive.

I liked the General trying to get $10 from everyone even though the nuts and water were free. I liked the Ariana Grande bits basically poking fun at the entire pop industry and good on her for making fun of herself along with it and also her song was rather funny as well.

Perlman as the loudmouth Rush Limbaugh/Alex Jones/Sean Hannity rolled into a military lout.

I understand the low rotten tomatoes ratings from the major critics - I liked it enough to marginally recommend it **1/2/*****

It needed perhaps to be more Mars Attacks! or Blazing Saddles or it needed to go the other direction and play it more realistic in terms of drama where even a competent administration was bogged down in all the congress/senate lobbying red tape to be ineffectual with stopping the comet. That would have had more resonance than the cartoon administration haplessly flailing in an emergency. It resonates more with an audience when even a competent administration is a slave to all these external pressures/lobby groups and can't get to the work of solving the problem.

David Fear's review seems apt though he is harder on it.

https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/dont-look-

Yeah - I just read that review - thanks for the link, posted on December 30, 2021 at 01:14:55
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26487 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012	David seems a bit on the harsh side. My own reaction lies (possibly somewhat like yours) somewhere between the sourness of David's Rolling Stone review, and tinear's and oldmkvi's more unrestrained enthusiasm here on AA.

Unrestrained and Unapologetic., posted on December 30, 2021 at 10:35:25
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	If that's a Word!

And nothing wrong with that! [nt] ;-), posted on December 30, 2021 at 12:23:04
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26487 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012

Well, no matter one's opinions---- it's sure gotten more excitement, posted on December 31, 2021 at 07:49:54
tinear Audiophile Posts: 65782 Location: Kansas City, KS Joined: April 9, 2006	generated here and in other places than I've seen in some time!

RE: Exactly - the run time was 2 hours and 20 minutes, posted on December 31, 2021 at 12:08:25
pbarach Audiophile Posts: 3308 Location: Ohio Joined: June 22, 2008	I cut an hour and 20 minutes from this movie; when I got tired of waiting for good jokes, I turned it off. For LOL humor these days, I go to Stath Lets Flats and Southside, both on HBO Max.

err, " Not that there's anything wrong with that....", posted on December 31, 2021 at 17:07:26
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	Everything in Life is a Seinfeld Quote!

Try some Opera. Puts things in perspective. nt, posted on December 31, 2021 at 17:31:56
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	.

For sure and disagreement, such a it is, is about execution, not content, posted on December 31, 2021 at 19:55:23
Road Warrior Audiophile Posts: 21654 Location: Dallas Joined: August 31, 2004	Civil discussions on potentially divisive issues 15 years ago on Outside? Don't think so ---------------------- "E Burres Stigano?"

You won't believe this. . . , posted on January 1, 2022 at 01:06:51
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26487 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012	. . . but, my name is Chris and I've never watched Seinfeld. ;-)

RE: For sure and disagreement, such a it is, is about execution, not content, posted on January 1, 2022 at 07:42:07
tinear Audiophile Posts: 65782 Location: Kansas City, KS Joined: April 9, 2006	I'd be lying if I didn't say I missed some of the guys and the give-and-take of the Outside. Some guys just couldn't keep personal out of it. I think, if I remember that far back, that all my offense was in response to a first-strike. I kinda wonder how many "regulars" are still above ground?

It's a very dark comedy, posted on January 1, 2022 at 08:43:33
Analog Scott Audiophile Posts: 9933 Joined: January 8, 2002	makes you laugh and ball your fist at the same time. It's brilliance is that it is so spot on

You haven't missed much, it is the show about NOTHING! , posted on January 1, 2022 at 10:02:34
TWB Audiophile Posts: 7408 Location: Long Beach, California Joined: January 5, 2001	It's overrated AND a bore....

actually it has happened, posted on January 1, 2022 at 10:19:10
Analog Scott Audiophile Posts: 9933 Joined: January 8, 2002	The west coast buring down every year, the east coast and the gulf getting hit by more hurricanes every year. Every year new records in heat. The north pole is half melted. "Global warming?" The "globe" has warmed. It's still getting warmer every year. So it's stillan on going thing.

"So spot on", posted on January 1, 2022 at 12:53:22
geoffkait	I didn't realize you were British. Makes sense now, old chap.

RE: You won't believe this. . . , posted on January 1, 2022 at 19:52:48

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

Seinfeld is a sitcom based on "observational" comedy. Seinfeld is usually compared to George Carlin in this regard. I prefer Carlin as a stand up - by a lot.

Regarding the TV series 'Seinfeld' - I found Seinfeld to be the weakest of the four cast members. Like a lot of TV series, it all depends on which one you see. Some are quite funny, some are quite crappy. Different writers write different episodes.

It is rare to have any TV series where one writer writes all the episodes.

Seinfeld did manage to avoid politics - but all four characters were smarmy and largely unlikeable shallow individuals. Part of the fun though was that they never really won. Bad stuff happening to bad people. Since you don't like any of them they deserved what they got.

This is different from a show like Taxi where even Louis De Palma had a heart buried deep.

I was never a big fan of Seinfeld (I got a few chuckles out of it) but some folks really love that kind of stuff. But then people loved Gilligan's Island (eesh) so who knows.

Comedy is one of those things that are highly personal. My favourite sitcom was Frasier. Yet Cheers was only so so for me.

Actually, I should say my favourites were Fawlty Towers and The Black Adder (after season 1).

Well. . . enjoy - but "brilliance" was not the first word that came to my mind [nt] ;-), posted on January 2, 2022 at 02:10:58
Chris from Lafayette Audiophile Posts: 26487 Location: SF Bay Area Joined: February 17, 2004 Contributor Since: February 6, 2012

art is subjective nt, posted on January 2, 2022 at 13:40:57
Analog Scott Audiophile Posts: 9933 Joined: January 8, 2002	nt

RE: You won't believe this. . . , posted on January 3, 2022 at 13:56:42
geoffkait	You're over intellectualizing it. I bet you're a Friends fan.

RE: You won't believe this. . . , posted on January 4, 2022 at 21:23:10

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

Friends was enjoyable - I think the humour in Seinfeld is generally smarter. Friends was more the "every-person" kind of thing. I liked Friends more a decade or so after it ended. I laughed considerably more at Seinfeld however. Friends to me is a sort of comedic soap opera. I have seen Friends more recently so I may have to go back and rewatch some Seinfeld.

I am not up on most shows since about 2004. I have mostly lived in Asia without a lot of TV for the past 15 years.

I did enjoy a show called Mom with Anna Faris and Allison Janney. Considerably more realistically written women than some shows. But the language and themes most definitely wouldn't be for the Christian Right I suspect.

RE: You won't believe this. . . , posted on January 4, 2022 at 22:50:36
RV817	Allison is one of the more accomplished comedians of the last few decades excellent timing, body language, command of dialogue, the whole package! she rocks! it would be a shame if she never gets to work with Katy Sagal those two in a dramady would be gold!

RE: You won't believe this. . . , posted on January 5, 2022 at 04:42:19

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

The only reason I bothered to watch Mom was because she was superb in The West Wing - a more serious role with some comedy - I believe she won 5 best actress awards (or more) for her work on that show.

This is an impressive scene of acting compared to most of the tripe on television.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3LK-FZdYDI

RE: You won't believe this. . . , posted on January 5, 2022 at 06:24:51
geoffkait	I was kidding, I always felt Friends was a dumbed down copycat of Seinfeld. That doesn't stop me from watching, however. :-)

Under those circumstances . . . , posted on January 5, 2022 at 13:37:30
Billy Wonka Audiophile Posts: 3768 Joined: April 25, 2013 Contributor Since: October 15, 2013	I believe world governments would keep it a secret. There would be no point in hysterical people creating a panic. Revved up folks on tv would not be the way to go.

RE: You won't believe this. . . , posted on January 5, 2022 at 14:59:04
RV817	agreed ... I'm familiar with her body of work she deserves the acclaim afforded to her

Impossible to keep a celestial event a secret, posted on January 6, 2022 at 06:42:03
Road Warrior Audiophile Posts: 21654 Location: Dallas Joined: August 31, 2004	Especially one in our solar system. Too many of them pesky amateur astronomers out there. ---------------------- "E Burres Stigano?"

RE:Hollywood's MASSIVE Self-Own, posted on January 8, 2022 at 06:52:14

eldragano

Reminder: Orange man BAD!

https://youtu.be/tclYM0IebgE

I missed the point of the movie . . . , posted on January 31, 2022 at 13:29:26
Billy Wonka Audiophile Posts: 3768 Joined: April 25, 2013 Contributor Since: October 15, 2013	that is exactly what it was about. The gubment covering and "amateurs" wanting to be known.

Films/DVD Asylum

"Don't Look Up:" absolute best satire in years! Scorching

136.37.101.134