Audio Asylum Thread Printer

Get a view of an entire thread on one page

FAQ / News / Events

Films/DVD Asylum

Just saw Windtalkers - what a steaming pile of crap.

144.138.159.40

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Thread: Display Email Next ] [ Films/DVD Asylum ] [ FAQ ]

Man this sucked something bad. I went along to see it because I won some movie tickets for being employee of the month (ha!) and it looked like the least lame of all the other movies on offer.
This movie should be subtitled "how many cliches can we fit into one movie".
I'll give you a basic rundown of the plot. It starts with lots of explosions, followed by lots of explosions, then there is a big crappy battle scene with lots of explosions. It ends with another crap battle scene (also with explosions) with the world's crappiest hero death-scene (amid lots of explosions). All in glorious digital Deafen-O-Rama (tm). My ears were ringing for a week afterwards.
I actually like war movies, if done well, but such movies are few and far between.
Cheers
Doug
PS. I want one of those guns the Americans had in this movie - you know, the ones that you can point in any direction, pull the trigger and 200 Japs die instantly. Impressive.....I'm surprised the Americans took so long to win WWII with such weaponry.

Follow Ups:

I know you won the tickets, but if the subject matter is of interest - cfraser 20:37:08 08/12/02 (0)
there is a good book along somewhat similar lines that I think would have made a much better movie. It is called Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson. I think you would find it amusing, intelligent, and informative, tying together lots of technical fields and things you may have heard. It is one of those stories that combines fact and fiction, you will easily be able to tell which is which. It also ties into the Pearl Harbor facts that many find disturbing, just like they would possibly find the 911 facts disturbing if they were alive in 60 years. It is best for an author to stay out of jail, thus the "fiction" surrounding a lot of known fact that has been presented over the years. I do not know the laws on such things in the U.S., but much of the info is highly dependent on British sources because of their involvement (SE Asia, with U.S.), and I believe 50 years is the basic thing there, so quite a few bits have been strung together here. [Many will hate there is a "romance" involved in the story, but IMO that is a part of life, and apparently war makes it more vital, not having been there myself.]
Nicolas Cage wed Lisa Marie Presley - mikenyc 05:31:33 08/12/02 (0)
nt
Nicolas Cage - mikenyc 01:52:24 08/11/02 (5)
For me, his stand-out performances are "Wild at Heart", "Moonstruck",
"Raising Arizona", "The Rock", "Peggy Sue Got Married", "It Could Happen To You" and "Gone In 60 Seconds".
He's a pretty good actor, with a respectable film career, so far. Not pretentious or, seemingly, overblown with his celebrity. He held his own with Sean Connery, and that's a big accomplishment in itself, for any actor to claim. "Raising Arizona" was a major acting chore, too, in terms of consistency of his comic performance, in the face of actors with supposed minor Coen Bros. Company, co-starring roles, that rivaled his. To be put in a film with so many good actors, with a one-off performance, is hard. Keeping up with Holly Hunter is tough too, as she is a very cerebral actor, of some accomplishment, that fails to show her "acting", actually working...but "the wheels" are constantly grinding there.
I was pretty put off by the seemingly syrupy "The Family Man", at first, but it took a few viewings to "get it", and it's quite a "little" film.
Cage has this winning "look", that he puts on, at some point in ALL of his performances, that is so empathetic, you just want to go out of your way to make any allowances for a sub-standard flaws in the story.
- you would probably like Bringing out the Dead... - Mrs. Piggy 14:21:08 08/11/02 (3)
  I didn't care too much for 8mm.
  mp
  - Bringing out the Dead... - mikenyc 14:27:40 08/11/02 (2)
    That's the Scorcese film.
    It seems similar to "After Hours" and "King of Comedy". I wouldn't like it...not for Cage's performance, but for Scorsese's vision of New York here. To depressing to make an effort to see it, for me. But I will give it a try...if you insist.
    - It is depressing, and gloomy.... - Mrs. Piggy 14:53:02 08/11/02 (1)
      Gritty and real.
      but very well done. It moved me.
      I find I appreciate depressing movies sometimes because they remind
      me to appreciate my life and not take a valuable second of it for granted.
      Also, I find it helps me be more symathetic with others, because I am opening my eyes to something that might be unpleasant and that I haven't experienced, but others have.
      And Scorcese's view of city life is dark and bleak, but many people do view city life like that, and they manage to find pockets of happiness for themselves, so a common underlying theme in these movies is perseverence, and perhaps a bit of stoicism.
      This movie can be compared somewhat to Midnight Cowboy, and notice how happy the two were in their private bungalow. That's the beauty in it that I see.
      mp
      - Re: It is depressing, and gloomy.... - gware 17:26:17 08/11/02 (0)
        
        In Reply to: It is depressing, and gloomy.... posted by Mrs. Piggy on August 11, 2002 at 14:53:02:
        
        No-one does New York better than Scorcese as per NY NY and Taxi Driver, Midnight Cowboy is brilliant too. I did miss "Bringing out the Dead" so I'll check it out, I've seen all the other Cage vehicles you mention and agree they're excellent, thanks for the heads up on "Dead"
        Eric
        Tokyo*
- He's gonna be very good in the upcoming "Adaptation" (nt) - sjb 11:00:26 08/11/02 (0)
  .
  
  "A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it." --George W. Bush, July 26, 2000
sounds like " End Of Days" - Mart 04:33:04 08/10/02 (14)
AKA: start of daze. Arnold really sucks in a drama.
He reminds me of the old joke "How do you keep a moron in suspense?"

... just my 2�
� moderate Mart � �
Planar Asylum
- Nic Cage... - gware 05:07:40 08/10/02 (13)
  Hasn't been in a decent role since "Leaving Las Vegas" and that was a LONG time ago; is it the quality of scripts in general? He doesn't seem washed up...
  Eric
  Tokyo*
  - sad case, really - Mart 05:31:09 08/10/02 (12)
    It took him so long to get upto speed IMHO. I don't think he became a 3D character until "Trapped In Paradise" and/or "Guarding Tess". Before that he was some lost pathetic relentlessly "coming of age" clueless loser. He seemed so contrived. I began wondering why he was still getting parts but he came into his own.
    PS: I did like "Rock" & "Con Air" after "Leaving Los Vegas". Even though those 2 weren't as challenging, I'd prefer owning "Rock" & "Con Air" since I'd like to see them again & again. However, Steve Buscemi & Sean Connery are contributing factors.
    ... just my 2�
    � moderate Mart � �
    Planar Asylum
    - Here is a list of some of his earlier work--shows his depth and ability.... - Mrs. Piggy 09:27:22 08/10/02 (11)
      Birdy (1984)
      Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
      Raising Arizona (1987)
      Vampire's Kiss (1989)
      Wild at Heart (1990)
      Bringing out the Dead (1999)
      mp
      - Re: Here is a list of some of his earlier work--shows his depth and ability.... - KathleenMuVLvr 11:06:52 08/14/02 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Here is a list of some of his earlier work--shows his depth and ability.... posted by Mrs. Piggy on August 10, 2002 at 09:27:22:
        
        What about Leaving Las Vegas?! That was one of his best dramas.
        
        Boy, do I agree with you but I was refering to his earlier work.... - Mrs. Piggy 09:14:46 08/15/02 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Here is a list of some of his earlier work--shows his depth and ability.... posted by KathleenMuVLvr on August 14, 2002 at 11:06:52:
        
        but then I forgot and included Bringing out the Dead (it really touched me, that one!).
        I have included that one and talked about it on another recent post.
        (the one where I affirm my belief that Nicolas Cage IS a an actor who portrays 3D images).
        sorry for the confusion.
        mp
      - "Vampire's Kiss" is a - tinear 00:26:51 08/11/02 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Here is a list of some of his earlier work--shows his depth and ability.... posted by Mrs. Piggy on August 10, 2002 at 09:27:22:
        
        classic (his spiral down nicely presages his future work in ..."Vegas"). But Vic's problem is he talks like he has an IQ of seventy. Perhaps he possesses an intellect of Hawking's magnitude--it doesn't matter. Film is a visual medium...he looks and acts dumb. Big problem with "The Rock?" Nic ain't a believable scientist. His persona is a blue-collar working guy, when he goes beyond...he ain't got the acting chops to portray what nature didn't actually give him. He and Keanu are kind of similar in that respect. Do you believe Reaves had the ego to actually play "Hamlet" in Canada? At least Nic has some modesty.
        
        you'd think Keanu learned his lesson with "Much Ado About Nothing" - Mart 04:47:33 08/11/02 (0)
        
        In Reply to: "Vampire's Kiss" is a posted by tinear on August 11, 2002 at 00:26:51:
        
        However, "Walk In The Clouds" was a surprise. It still wasn't a compelling performance but he didn't stink up the movie & it was a perfect format for him to do so.
        ... just my 2� � moderate Mart � �
        Planar Asylum
      - precisely my point - Mart 14:05:03 08/10/02 (6)
        
        In Reply to: Here is a list of some of his earlier work--shows his depth and ability.... posted by Mrs. Piggy on August 10, 2002 at 09:27:22:
        
        He seemed so "phone it in" on many of those films IMHO. That is whenever he just wasn't completely over his head & came off as some 2D caricature on the material. That's why I was always wondering why he was still getting roles when he did so poorly on those IMHO.
        I admit as to only seeing half those films since the ones I saw were so poor (poor = Raising Arizona). So, I had no compulsion to subject myself through any more.
        as always YMMV
        ... just my 2�
        � moderate Mart � �
        Planar Asylum
        
        But some of the roles he's playing are "2d" caricature characters.... - Mrs. Piggy 17:03:23 08/10/02 (5)
        
        In Reply to: precisely my point posted by mart on August 10, 2002 at 14:05:03:
        
        See Vampires Kiss, or Birdy, or bringing out the dead, then we'll talk.
        Vampires Kiss is about a man who is severely physchologicaly disturbed--he thinks he is a vampire--he seeks treatment, but his life spirals out of control--a real sleeper hit.
        Also Raising Arizona is a classic! His acting was tailor made for that role wether you like the style or content of that comedy or not.
        But I agree he is horrible in action adventure movies--not believable.
        Come on dude, didn't you see Leaving Las Vegas--that was 2d!!???
        That show had such an impact on my brother, he couldn't even talk about it for months, it triggered a minor depression.
        And bringing out the dead-wow, what a film, what a powerful message.
        mp
        
        don't remember seeing BOTD or VKor Birdy - Mart 18:00:26 08/10/02 (4)
        
        In Reply to: But some of the roles he's playing are "2d" caricature characters.... posted by Mrs. Piggy on August 10, 2002 at 17:03:23:
        
        but "Raising Arizona" & "Leaving Los Vegas" were indeed pathetic wastes of time. Talk about "2D caricatures"!!! One would have to be heavy meds to sit through them IME. Although, "Leaving Los Vegas" was hillarious. However, I suspect it was unintended like "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes". I felt bad for Nic having to endure that embarrassment.
        
        ... just my 2� � moderate Mart � �
        Planar Asylum
        
        Maybe the guy just rubs you the wrong way?-nt - Mrs. Piggy 19:51:53 08/10/02 (3)
        
        In Reply to: don't remember seeing BOTD or VKor Birdy posted by mart on August 10, 2002 at 18:00:26:
        
        .
        
        naw, like I said he eventually came into his own after those flops _ <NT> - Mart 22:23:56 08/10/02 (2)
        
        In Reply to: Maybe the guy just rubs you the wrong way?-nt posted by Mrs. Piggy on August 10, 2002 at 19:51:53:
        
        ... just my 2� � moderate Mart � �
        Planar Asylum
        
        I found Guarding Tess to be one of his worst films -nt - Mrs. Piggy 22:36:08 08/10/02 (1)
        
        In Reply to: naw, like I said he eventually came into his own after those flops _ posted by mart on August 10, 2002 at 22:23:56:
        
        .
        
        do you have a problem with 3D characters? - Mart 22:44:05 08/10/02 (0)
        
        In Reply to: I found Guarding Tess to be one of his worst films -nt posted by Mrs. Piggy on August 10, 2002 at 22:36:08:
        
        You seem to admire the his films I find tragically shallow of depth & ludicrously predictable & gratefully forgettable. As always YMMV ...
        ... just my 2� � moderate Mart � �
        Planar Asylum

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

You can not post to an archived thread.