By David Poland poland@moviecitynews.com
Great Docs This Weekend
Over the holiday weekend, The Sundance Channel is offering up some fairly rare and truly magnificent documentaries. Watch, tape or Tivo, but try not to miss them…
On Friday…
The Other Final – Johan Kramer’s remarkably humane and joyous documentary takes us behind the scenes as the two lowest ranked FIFA members, Bhutan and Montserrat, prepare to have their own match a day before the World Cup final. I saw the picture at the Bermuda International Film Festival and have been blathering on about it ever since… though I have seen it on very, very few festival schedules. It’s a feel good doc, but in surprising and challenging ways.
The Game Of Their Lives – This is a bit more straight forward. Daniel Gordon tells the story of North Korea’s trip to the semi-finals – a first – of the World Cup. Fascinating, especially for those of us who do not see football as a national obsession.
And on Sunday…
Whole – Melody Gilbert offers us this doc on a subject that few people have ever even considered, much less looked at in such detail… people who want to have amputations to “complete themselves,” in very much the same way people want sex changes or plastic surgery. It really doesn’t seem like a winner from the outside, but seeing the film at the LAFF two years ago had a really powerful effect on me. We must remember the complexities of the human mind in order to continue to appreciate the complexity of the many who think so differently than you or I might.
Also over the weekend, really worth your time and a bit more accessible in recent years… Amargosa, The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam, Hoover Street Revival and the fabulously insane Dear Fidel: Marita’s Story.
Completely off topic, but Life Aquatic has 50% at rottentomatoes. Does anyone think this movie is going to be a hit?
Barry –
Couldn’t you find a more appropriate page to post this question, like one of the early box-office prediction boards?
Having said that, my guess would be that at this point Life Aquatic is dead in the water. The reviews have been mostly disappointed to negative, word of mouth that I’ve heard has been nothing but bad, and a lot of loyal Wes Anderson fans seem to be the ones who most vocally are slamming it. Here in Los Angeles I don’t see any new marketing for the film, so my presumption is that the studio has pretty much given up on it.
I don’t think Wes Anderson will ever have a “hit”. He doesn’t make movies like that. They’re just not that accessible to mass audiences.
apparently Disney was mistaken, because they probably spent a good $80 mill between production and marketing. $80 mill needs to be a “hit”.
Disney didn’t spend 80 mill on Life Aquatic. That is ludicrous. The budget was 25 mill. A pretty steep difference.
Jake –
Per boxofficemojo.com, the production budget for Life Aquatic was $50 million. Factor in the costs of prints and marketing, and $80 million seems about right.
Again, please stop posting uninformed, flagrantly wrong facts as if they are the gospel truth.
Happy holidays, everyone!
It is listed at 25 million. Maybe you should check your sources Pep before you go running your mouth off. Jerk.
NO, YOU NEED TO CHECK MY SOURCE! THE PRODUCTION BUDGET IS LISTED VIVIDLY FOR ALL TO SEE AS $50 MILLION ON THE WEBSITE I’VE ALREADY CITED ABOVE. Furthermore, the number 25 million does not appear anywhere on the page. Take a look:
http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=lifeaquatic.htm
I’m really curious as to why anyone here needs to so brazenly (and viciously) lie. How pathetic is that?
It seems to be the same problem over and over again: that these shameless fools cannot be bothered to actually read or fact-check anything before taking advantage of the opportunity presented here to jump in and spew.
The budget is 30 million for Life. The lies you keep posting are sad. You should know better.
Merry Xmas you angry fucks. And Mojo has it right, Aquatic’s production budget was $50 million. Which was greenlit because Tenenbaums did quite well. As far as these $25 mill. numbers, they are about as legit as Sideways $15 mill. I’m not going to say “Plant”, but anyone that tells you $25 mill on Aquatic is probably on the Di$ney payroll.
Thanks, Martin (I think). For anyone else who wants to know what this is all about, see my previous postings and click on the link I provided above.
Anyone else here think that Mark, Jake and Blue Stealer are all one and the same person? I mean, no three people could be in such vehement, insane denial when there’s such conclusive proof laid out in front of them for the whole world to see. Gotta be working for the Bush administration.
Maybe you cannot handle the fact that people disagree with you. We are all the same. The world is out to get you.
Mark –
Thanks for the tip. But I think I handle disagreements just fine. I’ve even publicly conceded on this website when I think someone here has proven me wrong. You ought to try that some time. Especially when the proof is conclusive, beyond dispute, and right under your nose.
So by all means, please go click on the link that I provided above. Then please, please, please tell me again that I’m wrong about the posted budget. Don’t forget to toss in one more line about how I’m the one who’s a jerk. Please do all of that, I beg you. Because we could all use another enormous laugh at your expense.
Does anyone whine and bitch like you, Pep’s Momma? Just admit you’re wrong. Be a big woman.
HA, HA, HA! YEE HAW! The sucker actually did it again. C’mon, Mark, one more time. Demand that I admit I’m wrong just because you say so. Even when I’ve provided conclusive, irrefutable proof (above) that I’m right. Please, please, please, keep it coming!
The weirdest part of this duel is that I did absolutely nothing to provoke it. In fact, my only prior history with Mark was when I supported him on this website. At one point he was someone who protested the cursing and absence of common courtesy here. I even submitted a posting that supported that position, to which he immediately responded, “The Pepper. The voice of reason. Joy.” Check it out at the very bottom of the following link:
http://davidpoland.typepad.com/thehotblog/2004/12/early_box_offic.html
Did I ever pick a fight with him before? No. Afterwards? No. All I did was cite boxofficemojo.com in response to a budget dispute started by someone else (see above). That’s it. Nothing more. For some twisted reason, that provoked him to relentlessly attack me as a jerk, bitter, a woman – whatever childish shot he could irrationally muster up on the spur of the moment.
I guess I was mistaken to align myself with you, Mark, when you demanded courtesy on this site. Not when you are plainly for all to see (and mock) nothing more than a big f-ing hypocrite. (See, I CAN admit when I’ve been proven wrong!)
But please don’t stop! Not when so many laughs (at you) keep on comin’…
I realize this will likely ignite another furor, but I think Mark’s ongoing hateful remarks make it necessary: What’s with all the misogenistic comments all over this website? Aren’t there any women here? If so, do you feel comfortable identifying yourselves in this hostile, male-dominated environment? Can there be a legitimate dialogue about film without hearing the majority gender’s perspective?
Shut your piehole Peepers, the women here think your a perv and try to avoid all your threads. If you think your such a man try selling your body on the streets for a livin rather than welching off your scumbag parents.
Really the whining and bitching from you, Peppa is pretty funny. I think I speak for well myself when I say I just laugh at your incoherent ramblings as you get off on just starting crap. Keep it up. It adds life to this. But I never met anyone who hates blacks, women, gays, etc like you do.
Mark –
Care to back up that disgusting libelous remark? Care to show a single instance where I’ve made a single defamatory remark anywhere about African-Americans, gay people or women? Please include a link or some other kind of proof. Of course, you won’t be able to because none exists.
What a pathetic little boy you are. What a cursed, hellish future you have to look forward to.
Mr. Poland –
I’m really sorry to say this, but it’s time you took better control over this website. You need to follow some standard blog operating procedures, i.e., getting moderators in here. You need to filter out the filth. Because if you allow a lot of what’s been posted on your site to stand, you may one day find yourself subject to devastating legal liability.
who gave u the right to cry? ur the one who posts obscene comments. if u can’t take the heat, don’t post. really that easy.
Another lie, apparently by the same person. Except for one (arguably well-deserved) “yo mama”-type retort (which I retracted almost immediately), I have NEVER used obscenities on this website. Look all over this page, as well as all of the other blogs from the past several weeks. Again, if you are going to attack my character so viciously, you had better be able to back it up with proof.
Meanwhile, Bicycle Bob, Mark, Mary, Blue Stealer and lord knows how many other aliases used here appear to be coming from the exact same source. They all use yahoo.com e-mail addresses, which don’t require any proof of identity when you sign up for them. And they have repeatedly posted here some of the same stock phrases amongst themselves (e.g., referring to someone here as “the voice of reason”).
Some of you may dismiss this as my simply needing a thicker skin. But the harassment has not just been on this blog. I’ve also started to get nasty e-mail from these aliases. If that continues, law enforcement may need to be contacted because these posters appear to be unhinged.
TO DAVID POLAND:
As a matter of law, it would be the height of foolishness for you not to make changes to, and strictly enforce, the posting requirements for your site. You simply cannot allow anyone and everyone to post manifestly libelous statements here, then just leave them up as if it’s not your responsibility.
Suppose I had a house with a huge exposed outer wall. Let’s say someone spray-painted all over that wall, “DAVID POLAND IS A CHILD MOLESTER. HE’S MOLESTED AT LEAST A DOZEN CHILDREN ALL OVER THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.” Do you think that I, the innocent homeowner, would have no obligation to remove this maliciously libelous (I assume) remark from my wall? Or do you think I could just leave it up and say, “I didn’t put it there. Not my problem”?
I want to make clear that I am not in any way threatening legal action at this time. I am just trying to help you pave the way for the type of civilized discourse about movies with which I’m sure you want your good name to be associated.
you’re such a baby. cry to mommy. thank god u didn’t call me peper. that i wouldn’t be able to stand.
again if u can’t handle it, don’t POST. its easy, ya jerk
hate to get in the middle of this but pep’s right. i don’t post here alot but someones got to stand up for the guy. as a man of color i can see when there’s a lynching going on. they’ve been tellin nasty lies, lies, lies just cause pep has strong opinions & won’t back down.. he writes the kind of stuff i want to read. kind of like ebert’s show when it used to be good, not like the lying trash talkers here. i’ read this webber all the time and i know pep pisses off people when he doesnt take the lame junk they come up with.he argues damn well and he’s one of the only guys here whose got facts to back up his opins here. i love how he tells these jokers to read, read, read. i also have to add that i’ve seen he’s one of the only guys here who ever admits when hes wrong. after reading his last bit to Poland i figure hes got to be a lawyer. these other guys are just scary losers tagging up the pages. peace be with you pep. these other a-holes can go straight to hell.
I agree with Greg about the outlandish beating PeppersDad is taking here. One thing I might add as a lawyer is that PeppersDad is absolutely right when he says Poland needs to weed out his more rancid contributors on this site. Other respectable blogs and even the free porn sites have learned that you cannot allow access without some kind of I.D. check.
weed out what? he faces nothing besides what he brings on himself then he can’t defend his own comments besides by crying and bitching about it.
no one curses at him. no one uses outlandish comments. he seems to not be able to take comments directed back at him. he shouldn’t post his opinions if he cannot take it. thats what free speech is boys and gals.
Can someone please get this baby his bottle? Going back thru every post you have, you seem to try to incite people at every turn. If you’re going to do that you better be able to take what comes back at you. Maybe you should stop the racist stuff. Would help your cause, Peppers Mom.
I’m also a blog-reading movie lover. I check this one out regularly because I enjoy reading the insights available here from David Poland, Josh Massey, Joe Leydon and a few others, including PeppersDad recently. But where are the women? OK, I guess the blame for that falls on this sister as much as any other. Still, I was really glad to see PeppersDad raise the issue of misogeny on this Web site and am P.O.’d about the barely challenged boys club response he got. Count me in as one of the people who thinks these children deserve a good spanking. (Relax, y’all, you’re not getting any.)
Bicycle Bob and all his ranting pals are on the march against truth. They keep telling Pepper that if he can’t stand the heat to get out of the kitchen. Well, not only has Pepper been standing the heat but he’s been dishing it out with great force. The difference is that for the most part he’s done it with fair observations, concrete evidence and some cutting wit. Quite the contrast from his incoherent opponents who can only defend themselves with trash talk, character assassination and really personal lies.
It’s particularly frightening for me that it’s become virtually impossible to find any outlet where loudmouth bullies aren’t successfully shouting down people of substance. I know the First Amendment gives the right of free speech to everyone-even morons. However… well… how can I put this most delicately… they’re still morons! What’s terrifying is how much we let them take control.
I love that PeppersDad is at least putting up the good fight. Hey Pepper, give me a buzz at my e-mail address if you ever want to talk shop or get together for coffee or something. 🙂
Greg and Gabe –
Nice to come back from a long meeting and at last find some sanity on this site. Thanks so much for your endorsement. It means a ton.
Bicycle Bob –
You continue to have zero credibility. For the gazillionth time, if you’ve got something to contend, you had better be able to back it up with proof. Despite my repeated efforts to point that out to you, you’ve never offered even the most microscopic bit of such proof. That’s because you don’t have any. Because none exists. Every documented fact is consistently against you, so you resort to vile lies, hyperbolic nonsense, and the cheapest of personal vitriole in order to falsely claim victory. That’s what free speech means to you?
Case closed as far as I’m concerned.
Jungle Girl –
Whoa! Just finished my last post and now see yours. Thanks for everything you said!
Greg, Gabe, Jungle Girl, PeppersDad and other folks of good will: Unfortunately, I’ve found that misogyny, vulgarity, homophobia, racism, anti-Semitism, virulent stupidity and just plain bad manners often are par for the course in venues like this, communities where participants are able to vent, kvetch, pontificate and intimidate while hiding behind on-line pseudonyms. It’s terrific to have a place where you can contact people with a common interest (in this case, cinema) and share ideas, energetically debate and challenge faulty logic. Sooner or later, however, someone (or some two or some three people) must spoil the fun by deciding that reasoned discourse, or even respectfully playful joshing, is too namby-pamby, and that the on-line equivalent of screaming in other people’s faces is the surest bet for a quick laugh and cheap thrill. (Who’s knows? It may also compensate for having a tragically small penis.) I think this is why God created private chat rooms.
Having said all that: With all due respect, PeppersDad, I don’t think you’d get very far with a libel lawsuit. Unless, well, you know, your name really IS PeppersDad.
Of course, I’m not a lawyer — I don’t even play one on TV – so I could be wrong.
Peepers your creepin the shit outta me dude. WHen did blogs become breeding grounds for crazy shut-ins?
Is it me or does Pepper’s Mom need to get laid in the worst way? Hey girl its 2004. Lay off the drugs, the soap operas, leave the house, and get some relief. Oy vey.
Ah, PeppersDad, now maybe you see why I said that bicycle bob has zero credibility around here. He’s quite the raving lunatic and he contributes nothing at all to these discussions. He does nothing but insult people. Can he be banned?
i think stella and peper are the same person. both with absolutely nada to say. must go hand in hand
Stella’s Boy –
You’re absolutely right. You have my most sincere, unqualified apology for my prior ignorant reference to a statement bicycle bob made about you. For what it’s worth, back then I didn’t know what the guy was all about. But I sure do now.
I agree bicycle bob should be banned by Mr. Poland because bob (and all his other pseudonyms here) have transformed Mr. Poland’s forum for serious film discussion into an arena for no-holds-barred libel. I, as well as a few other recent posters, have tried here to explain that to Mr. Poland, but have yet to see any kind of response or action on his part. (Which, incidentally, makes Mr. Poland’s wounded reaction to far less defamatory comments about him in the L.A. Times letters section somewhat ironic, to say the least.) I realize that Mr. Poland already has a full plate, and maybe he just doesn’t have time to follow all of the posts once he starts them. But he’s going to have to deal with this out-of-control problem at some point, probably sooner than later.
The accusation that you and I are one and the same person is a textbook example of what a shameless lowlife pig bicycle bob is. Anyone curious may want to take a look at the protracted heated debate you and I had a couple of weeks ago:
http://davidpoland.typepad.com/thehotblog/2004/12/early_box_offic_2.html
Again, my most sincere apologies to you, Stella’s Boy.
Apology accepted PeppersDad. I appreciate it. And I figured you didn’t really know him back then. By the time of our debate I had already encountered him and been insulted by him. But since we’re the same person, I guess right now I’m just writing to myself.
Joe Leydon –
Thanks for yet another beautifully written piece. But just so you know, if I wanted to bring a libel action I most certainly could. In my professional circles there are people who would recognize the moniker PeppersDad and would most certainly recognize my e-mail address. If they were to react negatively to the heinous lies that have been posted about me here, a prima facie case would be firmly established.
If I were bicycle bob I’d pray that doesn’t happen. If he thinks he can’t be tracked down just because he uses a yahoo.com e-mail address, he’s gravely mistaken. Maybe he’ll think about that next time he shoots his mouth off. (Go ahead bob, discuss it with a lawyer. That is, if you’re not ashamed to show him/her your “work” here.)
Hey, lets ban everyone in the world that doesn’t agree with Peppa. Ban them all. I figured you for a racist for not for a Communist. Interesting. I guess it makes sense now. Maybe you should worry about your views and thoughts instead of banning people who disagree with them.
Mark, why do you think it is simply a matter of banning people who disagree with others? Maybe you should worry about you apparent inability to read and comprehend. No one is asking that everyone who disagree with them be banned. Either you haven’t been paying attention or you are obtuse. It has to do with the way bicycle bob (and others) make things up, intentionally take things out of context, insult others for no reason and do everything save for contribute anything to the discussion of movies. Is it really that difficult to understand? Why shouldn’t people be respectful, even if they don’t agree?
Really, Mark/bicycle bob/etc., do you really want to keep increasing the evidence of malice? Especially since you were stupid enough to create brand-new e-mail accounts on AOL for the sole purpose of harassing me? Unlike Yahoo e-mail, AOL requires proof of identity in order to establish an account. And that information can be subpoenaed easily.
Why are you obsessed with me? I think there are worse people to be compared/bizarro than Bobby. If you Stella’d me I may be upset.