Grumpy Strikes Back

[shouldazagged]

Closest I've come to a French flick in many years was Sellers as Clouseau. Preferably "Return Of The Pink Panther". This is because I am an uncultured, semi-civilized oaf.

If you'll excuse my quoting myself from a previous thread, I have to ask if anyone else is ever irritated by other people reacting with vocal, shocked incredulity when you tell them you haven't seen a certain flick, read a particular book, or watched a critically-acclaimed television show.

My sister, a Film Person, is too kind to overtly agree with my conlusion that I am an uncouth boor with the taste of a simian, but her shock when I admitted I've never seen or much wanted to see "Gone With The Wind" was well-nigh fatal for the poor woman. Or so she indicated by tone and expression.

I didn't watch "E.T." until over twenty years after it came out, largely because she and many others expressed the thinly-veiled opinion--very thinly-veiled--that I was essentially flawed and probably un-American because I didn't go to see it in the theater fifteen times, as she actually did. I know one person who saw the damn thing twenty-seven times, paying admission every time.

When I finally saw "E.T." on TV I thought it was very good indeed. Enjoyed it. I just didn't want to be told I was an uncultured slob for not jumping on the bandwagon.

I don't much like bandwagons. Some have taken society in directions in which I don't want to go. Others are merely trivial, but I don't think we need more triviality. Can you say "Lohan"? Or "Kardashian"?

I still have not seen "Titanic". I may one day, or not. But I'm less likely to if people keep telling me that not to do so is a hideous character flaw. As Lyndon Johnson was known to say, "I don't push worth a damn."

Sorry, it's one of my numerous curmudgeon days. Anyone else wish to curmudge for a while?

 

[HalfStack]

Well, I never went to movies on my own except for dates and invitations from friends. I have over 600 DVDs from the pawn shops for movies I never had seen.

How's that for catching up?

 

[diamonback68]

Zagged, I think I'm about your age and I don't push very easy either. I could care less about L and K myself. I have seen Gone With The Wind though. I guess what the really old folks would call US is "set in our ways".

 

[DeadAye]

If you've seen all of the Clint Eastwood flicks (OK - Most) then I believe you're as civilized as I am.
Oh yeah - Be sure to see Easy Rider too

 

[kamloops67]

what? you never seen that...really? whats wrong with you?
put down everything and stare at a box for 2 1/2 hours or until you can come back civilized. cretin. cant believe youve never seen gone with the wind! me either and frankly scarlet WE dont give a damn

 

[Moonman]

I've never seen E.T., never watched an episode of SEINFIELD or McGiver either.

 

[Rintimtin]

I haven't seen Gone With the Wind Either. But I think Clint Eastwood is in it? I am not uncultured, I eat things out of cans, I usually wear sleeves, and I own pants that aren't jeans that's pretty cultured isn't it? And if your not cultured who cares.

 

[Grayfox]

I've never seen all of Gone With The Wind. Seen parts of it from time to time on TV, but never sat through the whole thing. Probably never will see it all and don't really care if I do.
I did see Titanic, but only because the wife wanted to.
My kids were still young when E.T. came out so that was required.

What I want to know is what has happened to comedy? I do enjoy a good laugh, but it seems that most of the so-called comedies these days are nothing more than 2 hours of human stupidity. I see enough of that in daily life, why do people think its funny?

 

[Davwingman]

Sounds like you are an "Old Fart". Me too & proud of it!

 

[COL Jagdog]

I heard that Smith and Wesson is coming out with a "Kardashian" edition -- it has lipstick tubes in the cylinders, you can change the grips to match your dress, and is of absolutely no use to society.

 

[HalfStack]

What I want to know is what has happened to comedy? I do enjoy a good laugh, but it seems that most of the so-called comedies these days are nothing more than 2 hours of human stupidity. I see enough of that in daily life, why do people think its funny?

I don't. It's stupid. I don't find vulgarity funny. Bring back Jackie Gleason, Red Skelton, Lucy, Sid Caesar, Jonathan Winters, etc.

 

[mjr]

I don't. It's stupid. I don't find vulgarity funny. Bring back Jackie Gleason, Red Skelton, Lucy, Sid Caesar, Jonathan Winters, etc.

That'd be a comedy zombie movie, wouldn't it? I don't think I'd go....

 

[feralmerril]

I never watched movies until after I left home. I did see a few "free shows" grade "C" old movies in the late 1940s that a old crippled guy would set up in a vacant lot on some summer nights once a week. They would pass the hat for him. I havent been to many in a movie house. Just watch em for free on tv.

 

[BearBio]

On the other hand, many people today have not seen the classics. I mean movies like "High Noon" (We were going to show that today to some friends but cancelled due to illness).
Many of the film noir with Bogart like the Maltese Falcon or The Big Sleep. Or "Shane"

Even movies like Casablana. We had friends over one Halloween because most of them had never seen "Arsenic and Old Lace".

 

[sophie]

I have never watched "E.T." also and never cared to. I watched pieces of it and didn't keep me interested. As far as going to the movies, I don't go much. Last time I remember going to the movies was "Open Range". Give me a good cowboy movie anytime and I am happy. I was just watching "The Proffessionals" last night. I watch a lot of them over and over and would rather do that than watch the trash on primetime that the television studios put out there to watch. As far as comedy goes I can't find anything on TV that is comedy like it used to be. Most of it is vulgar, insulting, insinuating and downright not funny. I would rather be right here on the forum reading what you guys write. Sometimes this forum is real funny when the guys get wound up.

________
James

 

[arch stanton]

Well speaking of Titanic, you ain't missin much. The boat sinks.

 

[A10]

I love movies, and try to see one every couple weeks. I don't really care if anyone else sees or likes what I see, and I don't spend a lot of time talking about them unless someone asks. I'm sure lots of folks would think me uncouth for my tastes, but they can go pound sand......

 

[shouldazagged]

I heard that Smith and Wesson is coming out with a "Kardashian" edition -- it has lipstick tubes in the cylinders, you can change the grips to match your dress, and is of absolutely no use to society.

Nice. Talk about pointless allocation of perfectly good space. Even more appalling to me are the shows like "Jersey Shore" and "Real Housewives Of Any Damn Burg". Do people watch that sewage to feel superior? Same with movies like "The Hangover" or "Dumb And Dumber".

Yes, I've seen many of the old black-and-white classics like "The Maltese Falcon", "Gaslight", "Citizen Kane" and "The Informer". Nobody ever tried to browbeat me into seeing them, though I was more susceptible to persuasion and guilt trips when I was younger. Age took care of that and made me the mean, nasty *** I am today.

 

[jaykellogg]

Regarding comedy, when a comedian resorts to vulgarity it is a sign of laziness. That is, it is easier to do comedy with a foul mouth than to do comedy for the whole family. Red Skelton was a "clean" comedian. I have Sirius XM in my car (on trial) and I listened to the comedy channels and the humor, or what passes for it, is pretty blue.

If you want a recommendation for a movie to watch, go see "Zero dark thirty". I felt sorry for the folks involved with the film because it was snubbed at the awards. OTOH, I actually like the fact that the libs got their lacy panties in a wad over this film. BTW, I wouldn't call it a chick flick.

 

[mwtdvm]

I also don't go to the movies...

For some reason, I get bored and my mind wanders, Even on TV...... Commercials also get my goat..

As far as a waste of time, watch Pink Flamingos. A cult classic and I am sure I do not want to be a member of that cult

 

[mjr]

Well speaking of Titanic, you ain't missin much. The boat sinks.

Darn it, arch, you're supposed to announce "Spoilers Ahead" if your post is gonna give away the plot.

 

[Kanewpadle]

This seems to be a reoccurring problem here and elsewhere.

Some younger people need to realize that when an older person speaks, they should shut up and listen.

And when a younger person speaks, older people should realize that while they are wiser and more experienced that it doesn't necessarily mean they are smarter.

And I've noticed lately that some are very quick to bash others or offer a smart *** comment before they know all the facts.

While we all have a bad day once in a while, practicing a little patience and common sense will help keep things civil.

 

[zoom6zoom]

I heard that Smith and Wesson is coming out with a "Kardashian" edition -- it has lipstick tubes in the cylinders, you can change the grips to match your dress, and is of absolutely no use to society.

and made mostly of plastic... especially the frame.

 

[JFootin]

I never went to a movie theater as a kid, and have been to only a handful of movies in my adult life. But I've seen lots of movies on TV. Back in high school, there was tremendous pressure to go see "Billy Jack" and you weren't cool unless you did. I didn't and have still never seen it. (Apparently, it is deemed not acceptable for TV.) Recently, there was a huge push to see "Les Miserables." I never was interested in a super long movie or play with the word 'miserable' in the title. But out of curiosity, I Googled "cliff notes for les mi..." and it popped to the top of the list, so I was one of thousands who had done so. Shoot, just the cliff notes were a BOOK! Tales of unending woe, kind deeds returned with evil, blah blah blah. No. I will NEVER sit through that, even free at home on TV!

 

[shouldazagged]

and made mostly of plastic... especially the frame.

Well put!

 

[Taurus627]

If you'll excuse my quoting myself from a previous thread, I have to ask if anyone else is ever irritated by other people reacting with vocal, shocked incredulity when you tell them you haven't seen a certain flick, read a particular book, or watched a critically-acclaimed television show.

My sister, a Film Person, is too kind to overtly agree with my conlusion that I am an uncouth boor with the taste of a simian, but her shock when I admitted I've never seen or much wanted to see "Gone With The Wind" was well-nigh fatal for the poor woman. Or so she indicated by tone and expression.

I didn't watch "E.T." until over twenty years after it came out, largely because she and many others expressed the thinly-veiled opinion--very thinly-veiled--that I was essentially flawed and probably un-American because I didn't go to see it in the theater fifteen times, as she actually did. I know one person who saw the damn thing twenty-seven times, paying admission every time.

When I finally saw "E.T." on TV I thought it was very good indeed. Enjoyed it. I just didn't want to be told I was an uncultured slob for not jumping on the bandwagon.

I don't much like bandwagons. Some have taken society in directions in which I don't want to go. Others are merely trivial, but I don't think we need more triviality. Can you say "Lohan"? Or "Kardashian"?

I still have not seen "Titanic". I may one day, or not. But I'm less likely to if people keep telling me that not to do so is a hideous character flaw. As Lyndon Johnson was known to say, "I don't push worth a damn."

Sorry, it's one of my numerous curmudgeon days. Anyone else wish to curmudge for a while?

I dated a lady for a while that was like that. Constantly running me down because I didn't watch a certain TV show, like her kind of music or, like you stated, see a particular movie. It finally came to a head when she found out that I have never seen an episode of American Idol and FREAKED. The constant barrage of insults finally pushed me over the edge, I not so politely told her to get her backside out of my house(nothing physical) and not to come back until she learned to respect someone regardless of their taste in entertainment.
Haven't seen her since!!

 

[shouldazagged]

And I've noticed lately that some are very quick to bash others or offer a smart *** comment before they know all the facts.

QUOTE]

Funny, I don't think I've seen that happen in this thread. Lots of humor (some of it hyperbolic, as much humor is), but nothing truly nasty.

Sorry you perceived it that way.

 

[Kanewpadle]

And I've noticed lately that some are very quick to bash others or offer a smart *** comment before they know all the facts.

QUOTE]

Funny, I don't think I've seen that happen in this thread. Lots of humor (some of it hyperbolic, as much humor is), but nothing truly nasty.

Sorry you perceived it that way.

No sir. It was just a general statement. Not directed at you but at others who don't share your views. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I don't waste my money going to movies. Have more interesting things to spend it on. Like guns,food,gasoline,beer & other more important things to enjoy life. Hollywood doesn't need any more money, they have enough.

 

[LVSteve]

For years in school I was the only kid who had never seen The Battle of Britain. Even the girls shook there heads about that. That is one film I would love to see on the big screen as I think it still has some of the best combat flying sequences ever made.

In a similar vein it really frosts me when I ask if somebody has seen a particular movie and they immediately say "Who was in it?" Too many folk have been sucked in to the stardom thing that they seem incapable of watching or remembering a film for its plot, photography or anything else. As a result many great films get forgotten because they don't highlight the popular kids.