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Quote of the Day
Feb. 21st, 2003 08:41 am
From Roger Ebert's Review of "Gods and Generals"
"Here is a Civil War movie that Trent Lott might enjoy. Less enlightened than "Gone With the Wind," obsessed with military strategy, impartial between South and North, religiously devout, it waits 70 minutes before introducing the first of its two speaking roles for African Americans; "Stonewall" Jackson assures his black cook that the South will free him, and the cook looks cautiously optimistic."
You know, I have a degree in American history, AND I like military history a lot, but I could never get into Michael Shaara's brand of sentimental Civil War heroic drivel. And "Gods and Generals" was written by his son, so does that make it watered down drivel?
But Ebert reserves his true scorn for "The Life of David Gale", a movie he gave zero stars. Now remember that's pretty harsh - he even gave "Rollerball"and "Battlefield Earth" 1/2 a star!
When I saw the trailer for this movie I immediately figured out what would be the plot twist - Kevin Spacey (Mr. Full of himself) has framed himself for the murder to prove how corrupt the system is.
Here are some choice comments from Roger:
"This is a plot, if ever there was one, to illustrate King Lear's complaint, "As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods; They kill us for their sport." I am aware this is the second time in two weeks I have been compelled to quote Lear, but there are times when Eminem simply will not do."
"The secrets of the plot must remain unrevealed by me, so that you can be offended by them yourself, but let it be said this movie is about as corrupt, intellectually bankrupt and morally dishonest as it could possibly be without David Gale actually hiring himself out as a joker at the court of Saddam Hussein."
"The last shot made me want to throw something at the screen--maybe Spacey and Parker."
"Here is a Civil War movie that Trent Lott might enjoy. Less enlightened than "Gone With the Wind," obsessed with military strategy, impartial between South and North, religiously devout, it waits 70 minutes before introducing the first of its two speaking roles for African Americans; "Stonewall" Jackson assures his black cook that the South will free him, and the cook looks cautiously optimistic."
You know, I have a degree in American history, AND I like military history a lot, but I could never get into Michael Shaara's brand of sentimental Civil War heroic drivel. And "Gods and Generals" was written by his son, so does that make it watered down drivel?
But Ebert reserves his true scorn for "The Life of David Gale", a movie he gave zero stars. Now remember that's pretty harsh - he even gave "Rollerball"and "Battlefield Earth" 1/2 a star!
When I saw the trailer for this movie I immediately figured out what would be the plot twist - Kevin Spacey (Mr. Full of himself) has framed himself for the murder to prove how corrupt the system is.
Here are some choice comments from Roger:
"This is a plot, if ever there was one, to illustrate King Lear's complaint, "As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods; They kill us for their sport." I am aware this is the second time in two weeks I have been compelled to quote Lear, but there are times when Eminem simply will not do."
"The secrets of the plot must remain unrevealed by me, so that you can be offended by them yourself, but let it be said this movie is about as corrupt, intellectually bankrupt and morally dishonest as it could possibly be without David Gale actually hiring himself out as a joker at the court of Saddam Hussein."
"The last shot made me want to throw something at the screen--maybe Spacey and Parker."
