Guest RavishingRickRudo Report post Posted February 24, 2003 I still don't get how "**1/2" is to convey "I loved it" or "It's funny" or "I've seen better, much better". Frankly, it just conveys "Not Bad" - which is the generally accepted meaning of **. And "Not bad" is more of a 'technical' rating - where as Old School was not about being 'good' and 'well made', it was about being 'funny' and 'gut busting'. It involves a different part of your brain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Downhome Report post Posted February 24, 2003 And "Not bad" is more of a 'technical' rating - where as Old School was not about being 'good' and 'well made', it was about being 'funny' and 'gut busting'. It involves a different part of your brain. No, all film can actually be looked at by the same part of the brain. I'm talking structure, character, story, and all of that stuff. A film like Dumb and Dumber can be looked at just as great as something like A Beautiful Mind, as long as you look at it in terms of structure and the such, and do not compare them as genre's. I didn't find Old School "gut busting" either, it was just a pretty good popcorn flick, and nothing more, and in terms of films like that, I've seen much better. You must REALLY love it to be continuing this, heh. I know what you mean though. You checked your brain at the door, sat down, and just watched it and took it for what it was. I did the same, but we are thinking of it in totally different ways. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RavishingRickRudo Report post Posted February 24, 2003 "If you find yourself rating Old School with *'s then I doubt you would have been able to enjoy it in the first place." It's just not the type of movie that should be analyzed. I appreciate the analyzation of film; I do it too - but when it is appropriate. I just see little point in doing it with Old School. Left Brain: Logical Sequential Rational Analytical Objective Looks at parts Right Brain: Random Intuitive Holistic Synthesizing Subjective Looks at wholes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Downhome Report post Posted February 24, 2003 "If you find yourself rating Old School with *'s then I doubt you would have been able to enjoy it in the first place." It's just not the type of movie that should be analyzed. I appreciate the analyzation of film; I do it too - but when it is appropriate. I just see little point in doing it with Old School. Left Brain: Logical Sequential Rational Analytical Objective Looks at parts Right Brain: Random Intuitive Holistic Synthesizing Subjective Looks at wholes I agree, but with the state of mind I personally have with film, I look at them ALL when I watch them. I watch for the structure, I watch story, acting, dialogue, payoff, and all of that. I don't mean to, it's just something that my mind does without me thinking about it, which I can then show forth when I review a film. I've been very kind to Old School so far, lol, so consider what I've said so far to be very nice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RavishingRickRudo Report post Posted February 24, 2003 I watch film the way I watch wrestling. For the first time I just watch to be entertained - I find if I concentrate too much or think hard it ruins the experience. And I don't really know why people would want to do that in the first place. Which is not to say that I don't believe in thinking and analysis, it's just that it should really be reserved for things that deserve or warrant it. Old School doesn't. I don't think it gives that impression at anytime during the film or it's previews. You can watch however you want to watch it, in whatever way you prefer, I just can't imagine why you would want to watch Old School in the first place if you have that tendancy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted February 24, 2003 Oh haysoos...He gave a star rating to a comedy. Why the hell must we blow it way out of proportion? Besides he never said he loved the entire movie. He loved the first 2/3, but didn't care for the last part of it. That would result in someone giving it a 2-3 star rating. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RavishingRickRudo Report post Posted February 24, 2003 I just find it absurd to give Old School a * rating. It doesn't convey anything other than "Hey look, I'm giving it a star rating." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Downhome Report post Posted February 25, 2003 I just find it absurd to give Old School a * rating. It doesn't convey anything other than "Hey look, I'm giving it a star rating." Well you're wrong, just get over it. I tried to explain it better for you, but you seemingly can't understand my not liking it all that much, or something. All I was doing was to try and convey to everyone here about how much I liked it, I wasn't doing it for MY benifit. I'll put it in much simpler terms next time for you all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RavishingRickRudo Report post Posted February 25, 2003 I can't understand this: You:"I loved it though" You:"(my)not liking it all that much" Forgive me for my confusion. Q: How exactly does **1/2 convey anything other than "It wasn't bad"? When saying "it wasn't bad" and then explaining why would be so much better. Simpler, less self-gratifying, terms would be super. Yes. Yes it would. Oh, I'm sorry, it wasn't self-gratification... it was 'consideration for fellow posters'.. *nods* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Downhome Report post Posted February 25, 2003 I can't understand this: You:"I loved it though" You:"(my)not liking it all that much" Forgive me for my confusion. Q: How exactly does **1/2 convey anything other than "It wasn't bad"? When saying "it wasn't bad" and then explaining why would be so much better. Simpler, less self-gratifying, terms would be super. Yes. Yes it would. Oh, I'm sorry, it wasn't self-gratification... it was 'consideration for fellow posters'.. *nods* Ok, good Lord... ...I loved it as a popcorn comedy, although I've seen much better, but I can not think all that highly of it as it's a mess of a film when someone such as myself (student of film) looks at it. While I know it has shortcomings, I can still love it for what it is. As I said, the **1/2 was just to give everyone reading something to go by on my liking it, that is all. Once again, I can't HELP but to analyze any film, even this one, as it's simply my nature to do so seeing how I study the structure, etc... all of the time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mik at Cornell Report post Posted February 25, 2003 I think this is my cue to stop reading this thread. Just kiss and make up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RavishingRickRudo Report post Posted February 25, 2003 So why would you go into the theatre in the first place? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Downhome Report post Posted February 25, 2003 So why would you go into the theatre in the first place? Uh, to watch a movie. Sheesh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RavishingRickRudo Report post Posted February 25, 2003 I just don't see the practicality in going to Old School - a movie you know won't be 'technically sound' or '*****' or anything that resembles 'classic cinema' - and if it doesn't have that you know you just won't enjoy it all that much. Which is why, I again state: "If you find yourself rating Old School with *'s then I doubt you would have been able to enjoy it in the first place." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Downhome Report post Posted March 7, 2003 I just don't see the practicality in going to Old School - a movie you know won't be 'technically sound' or '*****' or anything that resembles 'classic cinema' - and if it doesn't have that you know you just won't enjoy it all that much. Which is why, I again state: "If you find yourself rating Old School with *'s then I doubt you would have been able to enjoy it in the first place." God, even this TYPE of movie, speaking ONLY of this genre, I've seen WAY better. I found this one funny, and I loved it like I like In The Army Now or something, it's just that I've seen BETTER. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest red_file Report post Posted March 7, 2003 I caught Old School last thursday, and I thought it was a pretty good movie, but I kept feeling that there was a really good movie buried under the formulaic comedy. The concept was interesting, and I kinda liked the thematic nature that they appeared to be setting up. Most of the characters were interesting and surprisingly different from comedies similar to this one (I especially enjoyed how they were keeping ahead of the dean because they were really good at working though red tape). Blue was just amazing. And the nod to The Graduate put a smile on my face. And then it just fell apart. I despised the cartwheels that were required to keep Mitch and Nicole apart (though the scene in the diner was a nice payoff for Darcie being underage). The competition, though humorous, was unnecessary, and lacked any real tension. And Will Ferrell might just be the worst actor I've ever seen. I got the same vibe from it that I got from American Pie II, that it would've worked a lot better as a light drama with comedic elements than a comedy with dramatic elements. It seemed set up for some good drama, but shied away from it to get to the comedy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest 5_moves_of_doom Report post Posted March 7, 2003 ::shrug:: Downhome makes sense to me... ...Also, I'm seeing the movie tomorrow. Better be good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
