Poll
Question:
the film or cine's post
Option 1: the film
votes: 2
Option 2: cine's post
votes: 12
Pictures from the Coens' next film:
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Cast: George Clooney, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cedric the Entertainer, Geoffrey Rush, Billy Bob Thornton, Paul Adelstein, Kristin Datillo, Julia Duffy, Edward Herrmann, Stacey Travis.
Premise: A slick Beverly Hills divorce lawyer (Clooney) frames the wife (Zeta-Jones) of a client to get him released from the marriage without a settlement. She vows to get revenge by marrying the attorney, aiming to take him to the cleaners in their own savage divorce, but what she doesn't expect is that she falls in love with him in the process... (Thornton plays a popular soap opera actor whom she hires to pose as a husband; Rush plays the director of the actor's soap opera; Travis plays Rush's wife; Cedric plays a detective working for Clooney's character; Adelstein plays a junior partner at a law firm specializing in divorce cases)
Cool, but this was a plot line in an episode of Ally McBeal :)
Im so bummed out that they pushed the release date back to fall 2003. Now i just have to watch some dog shit until it comes out.
Sounds good, but why do people keep putting Catherine Zeta Jones in movies?
I hear she's pretty good looking.
Quote from: RegularKarateSounds good, but why do people keep putting Catherine Zeta Jones in movies?
Shes easy on the eyes.
Does Clooney to an elevator shot like that in every movie?
looks good to me...anything the Coen Bros. do must be good
TenseandSober, you PT Anderson promo photo using sack of shit...what you know bout Coen Bros always being good. The way I hears it Joel ain't be all that goddamn good when ruttin on his wife, Frances. So why don't you just keep your mouth shut before I shut it the fuck up for you, bitch. I'm out this bitch. I'm gonna holla back for my hizzos. Peace in the goddamn middle east, yurd me?
Quote from: motherfuckerThe way I hears it Joel ain't be all that goddamn good when ruttin on his wife, Frances.
and where did you hear this?
Film Comment
Quote from: motherfuckerTenseandSober, you PT Anderson promo photo using sack of shit...what you know bout Coen Bros always being good. The way I hears it Joel ain't be all that goddamn good when ruttin on his wife, Frances. So why don't you just keep your mouth shut before I shut it the fuck up for you, bitch. I'm out this bitch. I'm gonna holla back for my hizzos. Peace in the goddamn middle east, yurd me?
is this steve martins character from bring down the house ?
I envisioned Ali G making that post.
Quote from: bonanzatazI envisioned Ali G making that post.
ohh thats funny, i swear thats what bugs me about ali g, his hip hop lingo and clothes are way off, to me he reminds me of steve martin in bringing down the house. Just a white guy doing a bad rap parody.
I have seen some rap parodys that are dead on, but this guy is a bore.
but i do like the other guys he plays on his show, like when he plays that arab guy
Da Ali G show is funny as hell. I didn't like the hip hop character that much before, but the show changed my mind completely.
~rougerum
Quote from: The Gold TrumpetDa Ali G show is funny as hell. I didn't like the hip hop character that much before, but the show changed my mind completely.
~rougerum
That is the funniest show I have ever seen in my life. I am now obsessed.
Quote from: Pedro the WombatQuote from: The Gold TrumpetDa Ali G show is funny as hell. I didn't like the hip hop character that much before, but the show changed my mind completely.
~rougerum
That is the funniest show I have ever seen in my life. I am now obsessed.
do you think he is even close as far as his parody of hip hop ?
his questions are funny, but i feel like he is winking the whole time, it takes away from the satire, i want to think that the guy asking the questions is really that out of it that he thinks what he is asking is legit questions, what i see is a guy just acting dumb. so the joke suffers for it. Now i can see how people who dont know anything about rap would find him funny, because they think that what he is doing is a funny impression of what a rapper is like . He is not takeing the piss out of anything, ali g is no different then some wacky sitcom where the uptight white dad has to pretend to be " street" so he can protect his son, its something i could see going down on john ritters new sitcom. At least warren beatty had good coach's in the movie " bullworth". so that is my problem with ali g.
but i do like the guy from Kzahstan, or however the fuck you spell it.
if you ask me spinal tap to me is a example of a parody being perfect.
good grief.
are you guys aware that he has his own movie? did it make it over to the states? you may like it now, but the act will grom pretty thin, very quickly.
Quote from: Butterscotch Jones
but i do like the guy from Kzahstan, or however the fuck you spell it.
this thread is DERAILED
his name is Borat btw.
trailers up linky (http://home.primus.ca/%7Eliam3/video/intolerable_cruelty.mov)
wow, was i excited for this movie. wow, does that trailer blow. it seems like ONE) the coens most mainstream effort and TWO) the least coen-y movie yet. what the hell is up with that trailer? it looks like some weird mainstream crapola. i think its the narrator that ruins it, along with the motown song making it seem like some light mid-ninties julia roberts fluff. but, ummm.... what? i'm sure the movie will be good, but i thought they usually cut their own trailers? they obviously didnt touch that one, brought to you by the terrible folks at NRG. i guess handling universals money means, they market your movie. ugh.
"when a marriage hits the skids. and there's a fortune to protect. miles massey is the best there is."
"now, a man who is used to winning...is about to lose his heart, to a woman. who is ready to bite back."
"intolerable cruelty."
okay i just noticed something after watching the trailer for the umpteenth time, trying to figure out whats wrong. i came up with a few things...
the BIGGEST OF WHICH! being the credits.
screenplay by: Robert Ramsey & Matthew Stone & Joel & Ethan Coen
what the fuck is that all about?
story by: Robert Ramsey & Matthew Stone & John Romano
what the fuck? no wonder it doesnt seem like a coen brothers movie. they didnt hardly write the fucking thing! now what is that all about?!? is there anybody else that realized this, before now? cause i had no idea. uhh, they've never written one of THEIR movies with anybody before (except sam raimi on hudsucker). but what is the reason for this? why are they even making it? what the fuck?
another thing is that with the exception of blood simple and raising arizona (their first two flicks), all the rest of their movies are period pieces. whereas this one is the first in over 15 years that takes place at the time that it was made. something about the periods they dive into really helps the characters they write fit into the perfect surroundings. whereas, there isnt really anything exciting about 2003, so it'll be interesing to see how some coen characters fit into today.
what is going on here?
The script's been around forever. I'm sure all the other credits are just mandated by the WGA. Also, the movie's a remake to begin with (although of what, I'm not sure, since there's only one Intolerable Cruelty on IMDB).
Big Lebowski wasn't period, and Fargo was only barely period.
Over the past four years, "Intolerable Cruelty" has come close to a start several times, and it has been a magnet for A-list elements. Ron Howard and Andrew Bergman are among the directors who developed it. Most recently Jonathan Demme seemed poised to make the film with Hugh Grant and Tea Leoni. Later, he organized a script reading that was to include Will Smith, with whom he has long wanted to work. That reading didn't happen and Demme has departed.
The Coens have a long history with the project as well. They were brought in years ago to rewrite the original script by Robert Ramsey and Matthew Stone. While other versions of the script have been commissioned since, the parties kept returning to the version that has the kind of dark bite a Coen script tends to possess.
The Coens never got more serious than screenwriters, however, because they were committed to directing Brad Pitt in "To the White Sea." When that film fell apart, the producers and the studio moved to lock in the siblings, who had enjoyed working with Clooney and were seeking to do another project with the actor.
Quote from: GhostboyThe script's been around forever. I'm sure all the other credits are just mandated by the WGA. Also, the movie's a remake to begin with (although of what, I'm not sure, since there's only one Intolerable Cruelty on IMDB).
Big Lebowski wasn't period, and Fargo was only barely period.
Big Lebowski took place back in the early nineties-- just about the time of our conflict with Sad'm and the Eye-rackies.
Fargo took place in Minnesota in 1987.
thats a specific time frame other than when it was filmed/released. period. :)
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Okay, I'm squinting real hard here....is it just me, or are the Coen Brothers' names absent from that poster? And is every name other than the cast completely illegible?
Is the trailer up anywhere else yet? Don't see it on Yahoo or Apple...and Cecil's link seems to be broken...
Quote from: GhostboyIs the trailer up anywhere else yet? Don't see it on Yahoo or Apple...and Cecil's link seems to be broken...
Try it now.
Quote from: GhostboyOkay, I'm squinting real hard here....is it just me, or are the Coen Brothers' names absent from that poster? And is every name other than the cast completely illegible?
yeah, you're right. all the other names arent there. its just random made up letters. thats what a lot of test posters look like when studios are trying out like 6 different versions of the poster to see which one tests well, the graphic designers will sometimes skip out on taking the time to put in the actual credits, and just type in random letters under the credits. (or perhaps also to not let people know anything beyond the poster, like they dont want people to know who was involved). mac, is this the final version? or is it possible they havent decided yet? (please let it be NOT this one).
CZJ sure is pretty...
aw
That was indeed a pretty mild trailer...it looks good for a mainstream movie, but underwhelming given the names attached. But there are little Coen-ish touches here and there, though, enought to give their fans confidence that the movie itself will be great (I remember reading a test screening review that claimed it was one of their funniest movies yet). I wish they'd saved Billy Bob's cameo for the movie, though -- it would have been a nice surprise, since I'd forgotten he was even in it.
http://movies.yahoo.com/movies/feature/intolerablecruelty.html
in case somebody needs another link, trailers up at yahoo now.
The trailer was non exciting. Within moments, I knew this was advertising a romantic comedy only. That was fine considering Clooney is great at it. There's just nothing in the trailer that suggests anything actually funny (I was bored during it) or even smart (I kept getting the feeling the actors were trying too hard to be funny). Given the "bring me back to 1950s charm" title cards appearing on the trailer, I am sensing a stylistic return to old comedy only again.
~rougerum
As is the case, I totally disagree. If the movie is as sharp as the trailer this will be the Coens' first $100-million film. Mark my words.
Financially Successful Film != Good Film
Or:
MAN: "He has made some very financially successful American films."
WOODY ALLEN: "That should tell you everything you need to know about him."
Feh.
There's no reason why they can't be both.
But I think between this, The Ladykillers and Fun with... I think they're intentionally dipping their toes in the mainstream waters. Just like Coppola did in the '90s. It's to built up financial credit so they can make a dream project: To the White Sea.
in honor of august 1st, coen brothers day, the quicktime link for the really crappy trailer...
http://www.apple.com/trailers/touchstone/intolerable_cruelty.html
Quote from: mutinycoAs is the case, I totally disagree. If the movie is as sharp as the trailer this will be the Coens' first $100-million film. Mark my words.
I completely agree with mutinyco. The trailer I saw before
American Wedding (don't know if it's the same as the links) had a wonderful charm. I knew there was something different about this movie, and then I saw that the Coens were behind it.
Everything Clooney did and said in the trailer was histerical. I'm looking forward to this. Remember when
Out of Sight came out and it was great, DESPITE Jennifer Lopez. A little Clooney goes a long way. Based on that, I'm not all that worried about Catherine dragging this movie down...
official website is up now...
http://www.intolerablecruelty.com/
just the trailer, a couple photos, and a synopsis.
wow, its also PG-13.
Quote from: themodernage02just the trailer, a couple photos, and a synopsis.
So, it's exactly like this thread. Universal should pay us.
Quote from: MacGuffinQuote from: themodernage02just the trailer, a couple photos, and a synopsis.
So, it's exactly like this thread. Universal should pay us.
its TRUE!
George Clooney's last line in the trailer is great...I guess I didn't catch it watching online, but seeing it on the big screen made it seem a whole lot zippier.
ATTN: New York City Residents
There will be 2 advance screenings of Intolerable Cruelty this weekend Friday and Saturday nite. They will be Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 7:30pm at the Clearview Cinemas on First & 62nd St. At 400 East 62nd Street. If anyone wants to go, but can't get the passes, PM me and I will try to bring a few back and get them to you somehow.
well, i just got back from Intolerable Cruelty the Coens 10th film. it's hard for me to really explain what the hell i thought of it. basically there were parts that were so bizarre, it leads me to believe that this will not be a giant hit, like the stars/producer might suggest, nor the peppy preview. but, it also has moments that are so hollywood, and its not nearly Coen-y enough to really rank this anywhere near their other films.
the good: the opening credits sequence was really really cool, along with the musical choice "suspicious minds". there was also some good simon and garfunkel sprinkled throughout, although i'm not quite sure why. george clooney was good and funny as usual as miles massey. it wasnt an "o brother" performance, but hey. his sidekick was very funny.
the less good: there were some funny moments, but it wasnt nearly as funny as it could have been. i mean, its not that i really have a problem with the coens doing a mainstream thing. but, it lacks their quirkiness, wit, and style, AND isnt as funny. and that, i have a problem with.
this was a good movie. it was one of my favorites of this year, (which as i've complained has sucked the big one. so thats not saying much. if i had to rank this with their other movies, it would be dead last). i'd like to see it again to see what i think, but let me just say, i'm really looking forward to the ladykillers. lets hope they never write from somebody elses script again.
Quote from: GhostboyGeorge Clooney's last line in the trailer is great...I guess I didn't catch it watching online, but seeing it on the big screen made it seem a whole lot zippier.
Is that the "you facinate me" line? cause if it is i really hate that line, i dont know why, but everytime i hear it it just bugs that crap out of me.
I don't like the "You fascinate, me" line either. Clooney's so good when seeming so effortless that in this moment, when he over pronounces a line in a way that feels like he is over acting for parody reasons, it feels wrong. Maybe the line will work in the movie. Who knows.
Most of my problems with this movie is that the Coen brothers look to be approaching the old comedy structure by not taking it serious and maybe parodying it. That doesn't work because the structure has nothing serious in it to really parody. It works best when being completely serious about, meaning just play it straight face because the structure is already movie land material. Making it likable, charming and smart is the way to succeed.
~rougerum
that last line made me laugh for ten minutes. all in his delivery and facial expressions -- reminding me of Mastroianni in his heyday. this will be comedic gold.
Yeah, every time that trailer comes on, that line makes it completely worthwhile. I think it's brilliantly executed.
I was actually in line at a screening for this on Wednesday, but forces beyond my control demanded that I leave before it started. It was painful, but at least it's not too long until the 10th rolls around.
official website is full on...
http://www.intolerablecruelty.com/
wallpapers, screensavers, buddy icons, sound effects and flash galore.
I saw it. It'll be a hit. It's the most commercial the Coen's could go without losing their twisted sensibilities. It's a love story between the 2 most shallow citizens of LA. And that means shallow.
Well, I only saw the trailer last week, and the first thought I had (the first one since two weeks now, but I don't complain) was that maybe, for the first time, this Coen movie will find a large audience (the Clooney-Zeta Jones factor probably)... And also the fact that where I live (Brussels-Belgium-Europe-World), it is presented (?) as an important movie, just as Harry Potter, The Lord Of The Rings or Independance Day (just kidding, everybody knows that Independance Day is not really a movie... what is it exactly ?)
Time will tell, as someone said...
Okay, well... I'm just going to say it. As a longtime admirer of the Coens, I'm trepidatious, because I find the trailer... just... awful. I wholly trust that the Coens will come up with something better than the "sassy" slapstick/conventional romantic-comedy the trailer makes it out to be... please say it's so, fellas!
I'll be first in line opening day, of course. I was looking forward to the idea of this more than the idea of Kill Bill, but now... I'm not so sure.
Charlie Rose appearance:
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2003
"Intolerable Cruelty"
GEORGE CLOONEY, Actor
CATHERINE ZETA-JONES, Actor
ETHAN COEN, Filmmaker
JOEL COEN, Filmmaker
Quote from: mutinycoI saw it. It'll be a hit. It's the most commercial the Coen's could go without losing their twisted sensibilities. It's a love story between the 2 most shallow citizens of LA. And that means shallow.
i disagree. its too weird. it might beat their other movies (not that that's very difficult), but i doubt it'll be any type of smash hit. im guessing 50 mill or less.
Quote from: themodernage02Quote from: mutinycoI saw it. It'll be a hit. It's the most commercial the Coen's could go without losing their twisted sensibilities. It's a love story between the 2 most shallow citizens of LA. And that means shallow.
i disagree. its too weird. it might beat their other movies (not that that's very difficult), but i doubt it'll be any type of smash hit. im guessing 50 mill or less.
I guess the Coens are probably much more concerned about that than I am. I don't care at all about box office as any sort of measure of success, though I am happy when my favorite artists get to have a financial success... I despise the way our culture and media have turned the weekly box office listings into some sort of horse race for people- including people who just don't care about movies at all- to measure "success" by.
My favorite Coen Bros. film-
Barton Fink- did not break any box office records, but it had and continues to have a helluva lot of respect, which is something you can't claim of, say,
The Lost World.
P.S. The word "weird" has lost any descriptive powers it might have- anything not dull is apparently considered "weird" by the homogenized public. I'm interpreting it to mean, here, that it's too unformulaic for this presumably timid public to swallow?
I don't think it's too weird. I think audiences have caught up with the Coens. I don't think box office matters much in the creative world, but I think they're intentionally trying to make some money so they can pursue other projects.
Put it this way: if a couple is going out on a date Friday night, and their choices are between an ultraviolent Tarantino film or a twisted romantic comedy with Clooney and Zeta-Jones, which do you think will win out? In pure box office terms it had broader appeal.
Interview with Clooney and Zeta-Jones at Latino Review (http://www.latinoreview.com/films_2003/universal/intolerablecruelty/george-zeta-interview.html).
What is the difference between "white-hot" and "red-hot"? The trailer talks about the "white-hot" chemistry of Zeta-Jones and Clooney. I've never heard this expression before.. I guess red-hot works because satan is red, and satan is tempting, and sex is tempting, so red-hot works in an erotic fashion. White-hot however just doesn't work. I guess white could be symbolic for angelic, or 'good', which I guess can be kind of a fetish, an angel, nude under white sheets, but in general I don't equate white with sexual. Especially with the subject matter (seems like a forbidden-type love), it should be red-hot.
White-hot? Maybe it refers to their race, but then again when was the last time you saw a native american romantic flick?
A white flame is hotter than a red flame. It's science. Blue is hotter than red too.
Hey, mutinyco, I just had sex with your mother.
Quote from: mutinycoPut it this way: if a couple is going out on a date Friday night, and their choices are between an ultraviolent Tarantino film or a twisted romantic comedy with Clooney and Zeta-Jones, which do you think will win out? In pure box office terms it had broader appeal.
sure, opening weekend people will give anything a try. but i dont see this being the type of movie that has that unanimous word of mouth to keep people seeing it week after week. i dont think once the first group sees it, they'll tell their friends its a "must see". when was the last successful twisted romantic comedy anyway?
Quotewhen was the last successful twisted romantic comedy anyway?
Hannibal, I think...
Quote from: RoyalTenenbaumQuotewhen was the last successful twisted romantic comedy anyway?
Hannibal, I think...
'Successful' can be such a subjective term... :|
QuoteRoyalTenenbaum wrote:
Quote:
when was the last successful twisted romantic comedy anyway?
Hannibal, I think...
'Successful' can be such a subjective term...
I was talking about $$$$ successful (although I didn't really dislike Hanniball)
..fore the first time this is a film that evn though has the coen's names attached to it in some way..i have NO interest in seeing this...
Quote from: RoyalTenenbaumQuoteRoyalTenenbaum wrote:
Quote:
when was the last successful twisted romantic comedy anyway?
Hannibal, I think...
'Successful' can be such a subjective term...
I was talking about $$$$ successful (although I didn't really dislike Hanniball)
It totally wasn't a knock on you, man. I mean, if
Cruelty turns out anything like
Hannibal, I won't be happy, no matter how much money it makes...
QuoteIt totally wasn't a knock on you, man. I mean, if Cruelty turns out anything like Hannibal, I won't be happy, no matter how much money it makes...
Oh, I know what you mean. I thought Hannibal was a decent blockbuster kind of movie, but of course we all expect much more from the Coens than Hannibal. In fact, I ony mentioned Hannibal as a joke in the first place. And you know what, unlike NEON MERCURY there, I really think the Coens will put up an amazing film "Coen style" AND make some serious dollars. And that would be great because it would allow the to make some other films like "To The White Sea" which has been their dream project for some years, I believe.
Just got back from "Intolerable Cruelty..."
It was pretty good. It's definately their most mainstream movie. It has that oddball sense of humor the Coens are famous for, but not entirely. Clooney and Jones make the movie worthwhile obviously, because the supporting characters suck.
The dialogue is as always phenomenal, and ol' reliable Roger Deakins is just as good. Great lighting shots in the beginning...
Quote from: RoyalTenenbaum
I [only] mentioned Hannibal as a joke in the first place.
I figured as much. Time to bite the bullet and actually see the movie.
So,
Kill Bill, or
Intolerable Cruelty? Uma, or Clooney? Hmmmmm... maybe both? Don't mind if I do!
Interestingly enough, both Kill Bill and Intolerable Cruelty will be released here on October 31st. I'll be working that friday, so I think I'll catch both movies the next saturday. But if I can't, it's Kill Bill first, for the simple reason that not many people will want to go and see that, because I don't know that many film geeks. Cruelty, on the other hand, seems like a film anybody would watch, mainly because of Clooney and Zeta-Jones and beeing it a romantic comedy and all, so I can watch it when I go to the movies with my friends.
Anyway, unitl the 31st, I'll be waiting impatiently for the movies, but I know they'll be worth it.
Saw it.
As expected, the plot was cliche. Not expected, was how much it followed through on the requirements of the cliche. *Spoiler* Even though the ending didn't solidify love, it did meet romantic comedy standards. Predictable twists were abound and the overly cute and likely plausible ending to fit the genre.
For the Coen brother-esque of the film, it was mainly seen in the performances. Clooney's performances was at once, convincing of charm and yet, muddled in a bad cliche of a performance. He was playing, "Cool and charming, but only pretending to be as life is really is going down" Smiles were larger than life and his reactions brought down to TV sitcom drab. Clooney played too many casual scenes as if he was in a sitcom and some TV relevation was being brought upon him at every corner of the scene. Zeta-Jones played cliche, but got the better cliche: charming, calm and calculated. She did her duty. The chief purpose, the filmmakers really don't believe in the story and along with cliche performances, they throw in jokes of absurdity to remind.
And yet the film is so stock. As a romantic comedy (which it mainly is), its badly written. Every new twist is seen well in advance. Every manuever of character entanglement between Zeta Jones and Clooney was out of date in the 1950s. As Coen brother trickery, it glides past some obvious jokes to lampoon the genre. Lampoon the genre? The genre is so cliche that you can't find a pure romantic comedy now that doesn't make hints of self mockery. And even in attempting to lampoon the genre, the Coens are minimal in effect. Most jokes play off obvious fashion to hinder any laughs. For fans of Coen brothers, brief moments of their odd humor is on display in little tidbits here and there. With this, I think Intolerable Cruelty could have been better served in a series of comic strips in some sunday morning newspaper.
~rougerum
Anyone know what the song is played during the tv commercials for the film? I think it sounds really cool. I'm looking forward to seeing this, the coen's rarely disappoint me.
GT, for once i agree with you. but why, if you dont care for the coens, and are waiting for them to "grow up" or whatever, why do you continue to see their movies? (and on opening day no less.)
It was funny. I really liked Clooney, and also the guy who played his assistant who was hilarious. But you could kinda tell (I think) where the Coens grafted their own material to a previously written script. I don't think it will make the 100 mil a few people have predicted...it's not quite satisfying enough as a romantic comedy (this is coming from someone who adores Notting Hill, so I can tune in to the mainstream sensibilities now and then). I enjoyed it, but this is the only Coen Bros. film that I can't outright recommend.
Nice to see Bruce in there, though. And the singing priest was awesome...did anyone catch the lyrics to his second number way in the background? Something like "I wish I was a Kellogs cornflake..." Brilliant!
I haven't seen it yet... but in ICs defense, Raising Arizona could be viewed as a cliched fish-out-of-water comedy, if you were hellbent on it. It's not nearly as ground-breaking as Lebowski or... um... Lebowski, but it still has an undeniable charm. As far as baby comedies go, Raising Arizona is absolutely the best. Indeed, it's better than most comedies, period. Absolutely and undeniably.
And based on GTs negative conclusions toward this film and others (ahem, 28 Days Later... but please don't start another debate), I tend to believe that I'll enjoy Cruelty very much so.
It's a good movie. I've often said that on those rare occasions when unconventional filmmakers take on essentially commercial material, they often produce great pop. (Unless they're at odds with the pop nature of the material.) They're able to infuse cliche with wit and spark. And I think that's what the Coens did here. The audience I saw it with (critics included) was laughing from beginning to end.
Imagine, for example, that Scorsese didn't direct The Color of Money or Cape Fear...imagine what another director might've done? That edge he provided gave formulaic accessible films a bit of character. Of course MS purists dismiss those films, but from a commercial point of view, they're both a step above the norm.
People have to remember, The Big Lebowski flopped at the box office. It wasn't a success at all. It was the polar opposite of what fans were expecting after Fargo. Only years afterward has it become the phenomenon it is. I don't know that Cruelty will do $100 million domestically, but worldwide it's a sure thing. It'll also do really well on video and cable. This film has legs.
Quote from: themodernage02GT, for once i agree with you. but why, if you dont care for the coens, and are waiting for them to "grow up" or whatever, why do you continue to see their movies? (and on opening day no less.)
The Coen brothers are major figures. If you want to diss them as I have done with every film I saw by them, you gotta have the reason to do so. I actually want to rent every Coen brother movie and watch it to see if I do like it or not. I really want to be able to convey a overall opinion of everything they've done. That's why I plan to rent Barton Fink and O Brother very soon.
~rougerum
Quote from: anakin_eAnyone know what the song is played during the tv commercials for the film? I think it sounds really cool. I'm looking forward to seeing this, the coen's rarely disappoint me.
Gimme Some Lovin' by Steve Winwood, I think. :(
It didn't work for me. I liked Clooney a lot and there were a few jokes that were funny. But the jokes that I laughed at just went on and on. They kept repeating them over and over again and others seemed very desperate.
Highlight: The creative opening titles!
Universal's Intolerable Cruelty and MGM's Good Boy! just about tied for third place with about $13 million each. The final figures will determine which will take third and which takes fourth.
not a very strong opening for a romantic comedy with such huge stars, but if word of mouth is strong it could be a sleeper.
It opened just under Good Boy in 4th. Similar to O Brother, which didn't have much fanfare. I think it'll hover for a while.
My least favorite Coen Bros. film. With some hints of it here and there, over all, their 'quirkiness' was missing. Clooney and Zeta-Jones were great together and their back and forth banter was delivered perfectly, however.
I think it's my least favorite Coen brothers film as well, but it's still better than a large portion of romantic comedies. High points: the credits and the asthma scene (if you've seen it you know the scene I'm thinking of). Low point: I wasn't a fan of Clooney's convention speech.
The beginning didn't really hook me in, but after a while I got to enjoy this movie. They could've done more with the old head of the firm guy. Otherwise, it was consistently funny and George Clooney is really likeable and charming. Lacked a bit of the complexity of earlier Coen movies but it's still got all of the "Looney Tunes" qualities.
Quote from: BonBon85Low point: I wasn't a fan of Clooney's convention speech.
I actually liked that scene as a whole because the movie starts to poke fun at itself. When the audience gets up and slowly starts applauding, Clooney looks really surprised and almost confused as to their integrity. The film knows what he just said was cliche and ridiculous and adds to that by having the convention audience love it. I thought it was a good joke.
Quote from: MacGuffinMy least favorite Coen Bros. film. With some hints of it here and there, over all, their 'quirkiness' was missing. Clooney and Zeta-Jones were great together and their back and forth banter was delivered perfectly, however.
i agree completely.
Quote from: BonBon85I think it's my least favorite Coen brothers film as well, but it's still better than a large portion of romantic comedies. High points: the credits and the asthma scene (if you've seen it you know the scene I'm thinking of). Low point: I wasn't a fan of Clooney's convention speech.
uhh, yep.
I was a little underwhelmed by this film. And just for the record, I am a fan of virtually every other Coen Bros. movie.
Y'all are nuts. This one was funny and accessible. You want bad watch The Hudsucker Proxy.
Quote from: mutinycoYou want bad watch The Hudsucker Proxy.
If you're using the slang definition of "bad" that means good, you're right.
Quote from: Gamblor
I actually liked that scene as a whole because the movie starts to poke fun at itself. When the audience gets up and slowly starts applauding, Clooney looks really surprised and almost confused as to their integrity. The film knows what he just said was cliche and ridiculous and adds to that by having the convention audience love it. I thought it was a good joke.
Yeah, but the same thing was done a whole lot better in 'Down With Love.'
And I think Hudsucker Proxy is really underrated.
I think Hudsucker had great production values, but it's easily the weakest film they've ever done.
I've been reading reviews for intolerable cruelty...after seeing it of course and i think the problem is that in the reviews the film sounds like so much fun...everything sounds incredibly laugh out loud and cynic and dark and great...but seeing the movie I didn't laugh that much...I kept thinking something incredibly funny was going to happen but it didn't really...except for the wheezy joe stuff, which was amazing...
and george clooney is so fucking great...
but people were laughing, I hope it's a success...cause it's a good movie...not great, but good...and it's better to hear people laughing with this than with scary movie...
I thought Intolerable Cruelty was pretty funny, though it's not really the same comedy as the Coen films. This one seemed to betrying a little too hard at being quirky and outrageously funny, but i let that slide since this was their first movie on whcih they collaborated the writing. I actually probably laughed more in this one than in Fargo or Barton Fink--those two movies are much funnier than Intolerable Cruelty, but their humor is much different than that of Intolerable Cruelty. All in all I thought Intolerable Cruelty was a good movie, though right after seeing it I saw Kill Bill was much more impressed with the latter.
Quote from: Chest Rockwellbut i let that slide since this was their first movie on whcih they collaborated the writing.
they co-wrote Hudsucker with Sam Raimi.
Yeah, but Sam Raimi doesn't suck.
Neither does Intolerable Cruelty.
It sucks compared to the Coens other work. And that's because it was written by people who suck.
I wanna know who was responsible for that whole "nail his ass" dialogue. That sucked.
Quote from: MacGuffinI wanna know who was responsible for that whole "nail his ass" dialogue. That sucked.
good job on the spelling of dialogue, and yeah that did get way played out.
Hmmm...finally saw this and I have to say I was pretty disappointed. I mean it was decent...but all the hype, especially comparing it to His Girl Friday really set me up for disappointment. I know His Girl Friday, and you IC are no HGF!
BTW, what was so funny about Weasy Joe? I didn't see one thing funny about him at all. It's like he was written in for the one inhaler gag. As a person who suffers from asthsma I can say that I was personally offended at.....ah just kiddin'.
I don't think it's that people thought the character was funny as much as they did his magnificent exit.
Yeah...um...Mac, don't go telling me IC sucked while using a Reloaded avatar... :)
I thought it was a little less than magnificent...but to each is own. I think it would have been funny if the boss guy would have been flinging spittle from his tube. Of course the play would be that Clooney would not be able to react to it. Now that's comedy.
Quote from: mutinycoYeah...um...Mac, don't go telling me IC sucked while using a Reloaded avatar... :)
Better than that Clearasil pimple cleansing diagram you have.
Actually, it's a diagram of Michael Bay having an orgasm...
Quote from: ShanghaiOrangeIt sucks compared to the Coens other work. And that's because it was written by people who suck.
Suck might be too strong (not to mention nebulous) a word to use for my feelings on it, but I wouldn't disagree too strongly... definitely my least favorite Coen film so far.
I really liked it...not using 'loved'. Liked.
Yeah, the Weasy Joe part wasn't as funny as I thought...the exit was great though :)...
Empire or Total Film said that the 'Baron Kraus von Espy'-scene was the funniest in film history, ever. I don't know about that but I laughed. I can tell you that much.
Clooney, always a joy to watch. Zeta Jones? Hotter than ever.
Anus Africanus...you can't say this didn't crack you up?
saw it last night. a little disappointing i guess, for the coens, but still a good film. clooney was great, as usual: his constant obsession with his teeth, his reaction to wrigley crying at the wedding, "is she armed?", and the tennis scene really cracked me up.
Quote from: BonBon85Low point: I wasn't a fan of Clooney's convention speech.
I actually liked that bit. Yeah, it was over romanticised and it's the sort of scene we've seen far too much of before (the clapping was REALLY corny), but that was what was so great about it. Just when i was thinking: "God, never would have expected that shit from the Coens", we find out that Howard was an actor and Marylin is fucking Miles over, which therefore means the whole speech was meaningless. It's a nice, dark twist and its kind of a "fuck you" to those sorts of films, i thought.
Quote from: mutinycoYeah...um...Mac, don't go telling me IC sucked while using a Reloaded avatar... :)
so true :wink:
Quote from: Brock LandersQuote from: mutinycoYeah...um...Mac, don't go telling me IC sucked while using a Reloaded avatar... :)
so true :wink:
Except I never said "Cruelty" sucked.
Quote from: MacGuffinQuote from: Brock LandersQuote from: mutinycoYeah...um...Mac, don't go telling me IC sucked while using a Reloaded avatar... :)
so true :wink:
Except I never said "Cruelty" sucked.
sorry
I must say I really enjoyed this film. Coen Bros are pretty hit and miss for me and this is a definite hit. Clooney, wow. Every movie of his I see the more I just love the guy, he's the Cary Grant of our generation (I think I am echoing GT's comments on the guy, could have been someone else though). Dialogue, as always for a Coen Bros film, flowed nicely. I wonder how much research is done into each region/niche they are trying to capture when writing a script. The fast dialogue, the slow clapping scene, the improptu kisses...I just felt the same glamour and pishnazz that the Classical Hollywood Films gave, which I think was the point. Probably one of my top 5 movies I have seen, yet this year.
I want to point out that this is not a film I was looking forward to, I just thought I owed my g/f a romantic comedy and this is one I would go see with her.
Yeah, I really enjoyed this flick. I don't understand why so many have shit-talked it recently. It's cute, it's light, but I laughed consistently the whole way through. Clooney's facial gestures are just classic. And Wheezy Joe, at the end, the whole "no go" thing: wonderful.
Also worth mention is the fact that Vegas establishing shots have got woefully boring and/or overblown the last couple years, but they did a really nice, simple one for this. And Deakins, as always, comes through -- Caesars Palace stuff looked great.
Quote from: SoNowThenCaesars Palace stuff looked great.
Reminded me of Ocean's Eleven...Very Danny Ocean at the slots...
Quote from: SoNowThenYeah, I really enjoyed this flick. I don't understand why so many have shit-talked it recently. It's cute, it's light, but I laughed consistently the whole way through.
yeah but how many coen brothers flicks would you say its better than? i liked it, and enjoyed myself. but, would rank it dead last. i dont think anyone here said it sucks, that just seems to be the consensus.
I liked it better than Fargo, Hudsucker, Miller's Crossing, and O Brother.
I liked it better than O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Man Who Wasn't There and Blood Simple.
Quote from: SoNowThenI liked it better than Fargo, Hudsucker, Miller's Crossing, and O Brother.
you are crazy, sir.
Quote from: SHAFTRI liked it better than O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Man Who Wasn't There and Blood Simple.
and so are you.
Quote from: themodernage02Quote from: SoNowThenI liked it better than Fargo, Hudsucker, Miller's Crossing, and O Brother.
you are crazy, sir.
Quote from: SHAFTRI liked it better than O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Man Who Wasn't There and Blood Simple.
and so are you.
or am I so sane that I just blew your mind?
It was better than Hudsucker. That's for sure. Is it front teir Coens? It's no Barton Fink or Miller's Crossing. But it was consistently funny and entertaining. And that's what counted here -- cause that was the intention.
I mean, I love George but what the fucks up with the hair???
http://www.perfectpeople.net/picpage.php3/cpid=35942
No Danny Ocean, that's for sure.
SPOILERS
The first 20 minutes... great. The awkward bedroom scene with the pool boy, and the courtroom scene. That was so beautiful and perfect I wanted to cry.
There should have been more of that stuff.
Too many cliches... the attack dogs, the guy who cries at weddings, the token crazy black guy.
Geoffrey Rush's character was great ("I am just a poor boy and my story's seldom told"). Let's not forget the singing marriage chaplain, and of course HEINZ THE BARON KRAUSS VON ESPIE. That was great.
Quote from: Jeremy BlackmanToo many cliches... the attack dogs, the guy who cries at weddings, the token crazy black guy.
Though cliches, I thought it was a part of the whole screwball genre...but yeah, black crazy guy is too much of modern cliche.
Better executed cliches than most movies have...
Cliches are good if they're done well...I totally believe in that.
Quote from: kotteCliches are good if they're done well...I totally believe in that.
What exactly do you mean by "done well"... For a cliche to be done well (from my perspective) it would have to be creative and original, in which case it would cease to be a cliche and would become parody.
Quote from: Jeremy BlackmanQuote from: kotteCliches are good if they're done well...I totally believe in that.
What exactly do you mean by "done well"... For a cliche to be done well (from my perspective) it would have to be creative and original, in which case it would cease to be a cliche and would become parody.
I was just reading this post and to be frank...I don't know. I think confused genre with cliche...:?
Finally saw it today, after a series of forced delayings and.... fuck, I'm very disappointed by it. It has some funny moments, a great performance by Clooney Zeta-Jones and some of the supporting cast, but all in all..... didn't convince me. Not a bad film, but a bad Coen brothers film. And that's a shame... :(
Quote from: RoyalTenenbaumFinally saw it today, after a series of forced delayings and.... fuck, I'm very disappointed by it. It has some funny moments, a great performance by Clooney Zeta-Jones and some of the supporting cast, but all in all..... didn't convince me. Not a bad film, but a bad Coen brothers film. And that's a shame... :(
It's nothing else but a light comedy...shouldn't expect too much of it. But their name places the expectations a bit high.
Like someone here said (don't remember who) I think they're doing mainstream films to later get to make 'to the white sea'. I hope this is true.
Quote from: kotteIt's nothing else but a light comedy...shouldn't expect too much of it. But their name places the expectations a bit high.
Like someone here said (don't remember who) I think they're doing mainstream films to later get to make 'to the white sea'. I hope this is true.
No doubt you're right about everything you said. Their names place expectations too high (and that's good, because it means they're amazing) and I definatelly think there's a reason for them to do a film like this, for that producer and with some of the scenes that are in it (which, I bet, were in the first draft of the script written by those other guys). One funny thing though: myleast favorite Coen films are this and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", both starring Clooney. And what's weird is that I think he's great in both films. He just makes me laugh...
Anyway, the movie doesn't afect their reputation for me. I'm just waiting for Ladykillers and for them to be able to do "To The White Sea".
On February 10th, Universal Studios Home Video will release the latest from the Coen Brothers, Intolerable Cruelty. The disc will be available in separate 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and full screen editions, each with Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 tracks, multiple featurettes, trailers and more to be announced. Retail is $26.95.
just saw this. great opening sequence, then the whole movie starts to suck except for some funny parts. it picks up in the last act a little and you see more of the coens trademark, but still not good enough a pick up.
its an ok movie.
its a good romantic comedy (but it works on the lowest level of romantic comedys). i was hoping this to be better. it seemed that the creativity (big lebowski for instance) of the coens seemed to lack in this movie or was it they were just trying to force this blockbuster genre and try to turn it around?
As time has gone by...i think this movie may play out better on repeat viewings...upon first time i hated it...i walked out completely disappointed. Catherine Zeta Jones hasn't made a cool movie since she showed up in high fidelity.
Quote from: zerocool41Catherine Zeta Jones hasn't made a cool movie since she showed up in high fidelity.
I wouldn't call it a 'cool' movie, but her performance in "Traffic" is pretty powerful.
"Wheezy Joe, it's a no-go. Tell him."
"No go."
"No go, Wheezy Joe."
I'm probably the only one in the world who thought that was hilarious, right?
I'll tell you something which has just occurred to me, what with all the discussion of how they tried to expland the rom-com formula - I think the biggest problem is the supporting characters. Billy Bob excepted, they're all rather weak.
It was that "No go, Wheezy Joe" quote that made me think of this - suddenly George Clooney's best friend becomes an active character, but he's so bland, just like the typical *best friend* in any other romantic comedy. This film is just not quirky enough. Obviously they were concentrating more on trying to turn a profit here, but I think it would have worked far more interesting if more of the characters were more interesting.
And Catherine Zeta Jones sucks period.
Quote from: SleeplessAnd Catherine Zeta Jones sucks period.
:shock: She's a lesbian vampire?!?
yes, and she's sired Michael Douglas. How else would he still be alive?
I can't wait to see this again on DVD. It did feel like a watered down Coen movie but I really enjoyed it. I think the absurdity of the Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack choices makes up a great deal of it for me. The pirest walking down the isle with the guitar singing 'April Come She Will' just kills me. I'm sure I missed quite a few jokes first time round, too.
Disapointed as it looks like there wont even be a Coen interview on the DVD.
Universal's Intolerable Cruelty streets on February 10th with an anamorphic transfer (1.85:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Surround sound, a making-of featurette, a wardrobe featurette, outtakes, "Rex Rexroth's Home Movies," and trailers. Retail is $26.98.
yeah, i re-watched this movie for the first time since it came out and before i thought that it was good, but their worst film. but when i watched it yesterday, i think i hated it. like, its terrible all around. a few mild laughs and a terrible story just awfully done. i was planning to get it, just to have ALL the coen bros. movies, but its truly unwatchable.
Quote from: themodernage02yeah, i re-watched this movie for the first time since it came out and before i thought that it was good, but their worst film. but when i watched it yesterday, i think i hated it. like, its terrible all around. a few mild laughs and a terrible story just awfully done. i was planning to get it, just to have ALL the coen bros. movies, but its truly unwatchable.
Come on!!! You're being to harsh. It's commercial, maybe too commercial. Even the Coens thought so...but unwatchable? Jeezes...
Quote from: kotteEven the Coens thought so
they did?
no i really just didnt like the film at all. and i like george clooney, but it wasnt even good in a mainstream way. i just didnt like it at all, even if it were not the coens work.
Quote from: themodernage02Quote from: kotteEven the Coens thought so
they did?
no i really just didnt like the film at all. and i like george clooney, but it wasnt even good in a mainstream way. i just didnt like it at all, even if it were not the coens work.
Yeah...I read an interview with them, why they hesitated doing it.
It is the work of the Coens and it is very commercial...but I agree, it's their worst. I don't know if I wanna use the word 'worst'...it's their least interesting movie.
I try to get all of the films of my favorite directors...but just like I don't have Burton's Planet Of The Apes, I probably will never own this one. It just feels inconsequential. I didn't not enjoy it, but I have no desire to ever see it again, really.
true grit
Watched this again this weekend. I dunno what's wrong with you guys, this is a hilarious movie. Clooney is the man.
Quote from: ®edlumI can't wait to see this again on DVD. It did feel like a watered down Coen movie but I really enjoyed it. I think the absurdity of the Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack choices makes up a great deal of it for me. The pirest walking down the isle with the guitar singing 'April Come She Will' just kills me. I'm sure I missed quite a few jokes first time round, too.
Disapointed as it looks like there wont even be a Coen interview on the DVD.
No shit! April Come She Will is in this? To hell with my former fear of dissapointment. Coens and S&G. Why the hell isn't this on DVD in Norway...
Finally saw this. I thought it was just as inspired as Lebowski, but it's a different kind of humor. I loved it. Clooney carried it all the way for me, and I credit the Coen Bros. for letting that happen.
Incidentally, I think Fargo is the least interesting of the Coen films, along with The Man Who Wasn't Blah Blah.
whoa, someone just talked trash about fargo.
Yes, he took a break from Xixax for a little over 3 weeks and in the span of one hour has denounced Fargo and supported Mallrats.
Quote from: markums2kI think Fargo is the least interesting of the Coen films.
Agreed
Quote from: markums2kFinally saw this. I thought it was just as inspired as Lebowski, but it's a different kind of humor. I loved it. Clooney carried it all the way for me, and I credit the Coen Bros. for letting that happen.
Incidentally, I think Fargo is the least interesting of the Coen films, along with The Man Who Wasn't Blah Blah.
Now that's just siiiiiiiick. I can't stand Intolerable Cruelty.
Quote from: ElPandaRoyalQuote from: markums2kFinally saw this. I thought it was just as inspired as Lebowski, but it's a different kind of humor. I loved it. Clooney carried it all the way for me, and I credit the Coen Bros. for letting that happen.
Incidentally, I think Fargo is the least interesting of the Coen films, along with The Man Who Wasn't Blah Blah.
Now that's just siiiiiiiick. I can't stand Intolerable Cruelty.
finally, someone talking sense. this movie was awful. granted, i laughing at the train part, but it was terrible. and fargo is sooo good, their best.
Quote from: El DuderinoQuote from: ElPandaRoyalQuote from: markums2kFinally saw this. I thought it was just as inspired as Lebowski, but it's a different kind of humor. I loved it. Clooney carried it all the way for me, and I credit the Coen Bros. for letting that happen.
Incidentally, I think Fargo is the least interesting of the Coen films, along with The Man Who Wasn't Blah Blah.
Now that's just siiiiiiiick. I can't stand Intolerable Cruelty.
finally, someone talking sense. this movie was awful. granted, i laughing at the train part, but it was terrible. and fargo is sooo good, they're best.
It's funny how my dislike for this movie just keeps on growing. I rank Lebowski as one of the best comedies ever and they are so much better than this... sorry brothers, but I'm only saying this 'cause I know you can do much more.
part of me is glad i missed this movie.
Quote from: bonanzatazpart of me is glad i missed this movie.
well, ALL of you should be.
life is too short to watch mostly terrible movies 5 times to try to find redeeming qualities.
Quote from: flagpolespecialif you really believe lifes too short don't ever watch magnolia again
Quote from: themodernage02life is too short to watch mostly terrible movies 5 times
Quotecoen films always grow on me. i usually enjoy them more the 3rd 4th and 5th time.
Polish a turd and all you have is a polished turd. Only Coen brothers' movie I've seen that lends itself to a second viewing is The Big Lebowski. Life may be long, but it's still finite. You can only spend so much time watching movies, so you may as well spend it watching good ones instead of searching for turd-covered gold.
Quote from: ono.Polish a turd and all you have is a polished turd.
Who invented that phrase anyway? Whoever it was must've been pretty embarrassed.
This thread should've ended a LONG time ago
I think it actually did.
yes i think it ended 5 months ago
but i think it was revived from a poster here
who felt he should praise the film even though
most of us
hated it as he can see.
but he felt he should say something because he watched it 5 times
too many.
that was beautiful :-D
I liked it
The film or Cine's post?
cine's poetry
Yeah, it actually made me re-read flag's post to check for rhymes.
Don't want to add more gas to the fire, but one time I was in the chat with flagpolespecial, and he said 'I really hate the Blacks and Jews.'
I don't believe you.
I think you did want to add gas.
Quote from: Withnail & GarfunkelThe film or Cine's post?
the film.
cine's post.
cine's cruelty
Quote from: Fernandocine's cruelty
highly tolerable.
cine's post.
Not the rhyme one.
The one before about being embarrassed..!!
Gotdamn! That puppy is so cute!! Also, motherfuckers post in the beginning of this thread has to be nominated for goat in the xixax awards for two years ago. Also, I haven't seen intolerably cruelty, any good?
Quote from: flagpolespeciali think this film is definetly one to own if your a coens fan.
Reading flags' post on page 11 got me to wanting to get this movie.
I think it's only 9 bucks now.
It is my least favorite of the Coens.
But that just means it's out of my overall top 20.
It is the only one I do not absolutely love & own.
But the moments mentioned and memories of that old wheezer guy got me interested again.
So, off to Best Buy again..!!
I don't care what anyone says....I love this movie, alot. I've seen it multiple times. While the plot is cliched (what were you expecting), and the actors here were too pretty for the some elements of the story...I really really love it. It reminds me of 'arsenic and old lace' and 'bringing up baby'. Better than leatherheads in many respects and there are sequences here that make me giggle my ass off. George always brings the goods, no matter what, but here (as well as 'burn after reading' and 'leatherheads') you can really see the cary grant in him, just screaming out. Awwww, such memories of seeing this for the first time. Mmmmm.