Eric the Clown

Gotta love some of the bizarre hyperbole some people have on a stupid kids movie being "the worst blockbuster ever made". Gotta admit, I greatly envy some people if a silly kids movie like that was the worst blockbuster you have ever seen and worthy of a 1/10. Don't know how on earth you can justify something like that.

All art is political. Even the act of being apolitical is political. And TGM is military propaganda, so it is for sure political.

#77 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 518 points, 10 lists "Why spiders? Why couldn't it be 'follow the butterflies'?" Box Office: 879.8M Rotten Tomatoes: 82% Metacritic: 63 Awards: 3 BAFTA Award nominations, 1 Grammy Award nomination, 1 Hugo Award nomination, 1 MTV Movie Award nomination, 6 Saturn Award nominations, 1 Stinkers Bad Movie Award nomination Roger Ebert's Review: "The first movie was the setup, and this one is the payoff. "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" leaves all of the explanations of wizardry behind and plunges quickly into an adventure that's darker and scarier than anything in the first Harry Potter movie. It's also richer: The second in a planned series of seven Potter films is brimming with invention and new ideas, and its Hogwarts School seems to expand and deepen before our very eyes into a world large enough to conceal unguessable secrets." Its Legacy: Established Harry Potter was more than a one trick pony. Introduced Lucius Malfoy and Dobby to the film series. The final Potter film directed by Chris Columbus. Established the darker tone the franchise would be known for. Set the franchise for massive rewards. Gave Jason Isaacs a paycheck. Commentary: We all know and recognize Harry Potter now as an epic movie series that had lasted for a decade and changed millions of lives. But in 2002, Harry Potter was only two movies in. And in a way, Chamber of Secrets was the most important sequel to release out of all these movies and the film that helped give us the long-lasting franchise we have today. Philosopher’s Stone of course had to establish the tone and world and characters, but Chamber of Secrets had to show that this could last for more than one movie. That this was a world and story that could successfully be expanded upon. And while us book readers knew that the story could last long, it could have easily been lost in translation despite Chris Columbus’ return. If this sequel sucked, then what would that mean for the other movies? Would audiences even care? Thankfully, this didn’t happen. Chamber of Secrets was warmly-regarded. Not only because of all the great new characters introduced, expertly performed by Jason Isaacs and Kenneth Branagh, but also the film had better effects, better action, great setpieces, and a warm and powerful performance from Richard Harris, in what would sadly be his final performance, passing away a month before release. And alongside its darker story, though plenty of levity was in there, it showed Harry Potter could be more than a silly kids adventure and showcase the harsher aspects of reality. With Chamber of Secrets being so good, we didn’t get all the great adventures released over the next few years...so maybe that wasn't a good thing. Please donate to the Los Angeles Trans Center. Trans rights are human rights. https://lalgbtcenter.org/social-service-and-housing/transgender/donations-for-trans-community

#78 Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 516 points, 8 lists "I hope that was an empty bottle, George! You can't afford to waste good liquor, not on YOUR salary!" Box Office: 33.7M Rotten Tomatoes: 96% Metacritic: 75 Awards: 5 Academy Awards and 8 nominations, 3 BAFTA Awards, 7 Golden Globe Award nominations, 1 Grammy Award nomination, 1 National Board of Review Award, 1 WGA Award Roger Ebert's Review: N/A Its Legacy: Created New Hollywood itself. Helped establish the MPAA film system. Gave Elizabeth Taylor her second Oscar. The first film from iconic theatre director Mike Nichols and far from his last. The first film where its entire credited cast was nominated for acting Oscars. One of only two films to be nominated in every eligible Academy Awards category. Ranked #67 on AFI's 2007 iteration of 100 Years, 100 Movies. Considered one of the greatest, most important film dramas ever made. Submitted into the National Film Registry in 2013. Gave George Segal a paycheck. Commentary: There are films that leave an impact. There are films that leave an influence. But there are only a few films, a few special, unique films, that change the whole industry itself. Films that were unlike anything else that came before, influence and reshape the medium of film itself, and, frankly, giving audiences something they didn’t even know they wanted in the first place. You can only point to a handful of films that have this kind of distinction. And one of those was the beloved classic Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Based on the play written by Edward Albee, Virginia Woolf was already controversial in its original form. The film’s heavy subject matter of infidelity and heavy usage of profanity already turned heads on Broadway. But there was no way that the conservative Hollywood would ever let this happen. We were still in the Hays Code era. Films weren’t allowed to have touchy and controversial subjects. Movies weren’t allowed to have foul language. Movies in the 1960s were all about being big and grand and epic. So having a film take place in a couple locations was not going to fly. There was no way this would ever happen. Well, WB took a gamble, thanks in part to the all-star cast and cheap production budget, and it paid off tremendously. Audiences were enthralled at the story, the dialogue, the acting, and the provocative subject matter. If anything, considering how stodgy and old-fashioned Hollywood movies were thanks to the Hays Code, people were genuinely excited to see a movie that actually focused on real issues that people actually went through. And sure enough, both audiences and Hollywood gave Virginia Woolf the respect it deserved. Not only was it a box office success and an awards darling, being the second film (the first being Cimarron) to get a nomination in every eligible category, but it influenced the trajectory of Hollywood itself. New Hollywood was spawned by this, alongside another Mike Nichols favorite with The Graduate. And sure enough, we saw an incredible era of filmmaking all throughout the 1970s, where the filmmakers took charge, were given carte blanche, and had a chance to tell darker, more dramatic, more timely stories that captured the anxieties and frustrations people had. People didn’t want escapist fare, but movies that reflect reality, which is still and always will be an important thing to have in cinema. We need movies like Virginia Woolf, and while they can’t all be as expertly directed, sharply-written and perfectly cast as this, they can, at the very least, come close.

#79 The Green Mile 512 points, 10 lists "We each owe a death - there are no exceptions - but, oh God, sometimes the Green Mile seems so long." Box Office: 286.8M Rotten Tomatoes: 79% Metacritic: 61 Awards: 4 Academy Award nominations, 1 DGA Award nomination, 1 Golden Globe nomination, 1 MTV Movie Award nomination, 2 People's Choice Awards, 3 Saturn Awards and 2 nominations, 2 SAG Award nominations Roger Ebert's Review: "I have started to suspect that when we talk about "good acting" in the movies, we are really discussing two other things: good casting and the creation of characters we react to strongly. Much of a performance is created in the filmmaking itself, in photography and editing and the emotional cues of music. But an actor must have the technical and emotional mastery to embody a character and evoke him persuasively, and the film must give him a character worth portraying. Tom Hanks is our movie Everyman, and his Paul is able to win our sympathy with his level eyes and calm, decent voice. We get a real sense of his efficient staff, of the vile natures of Percy and Wharton, and of the goodness of Coffey--who is embodied by Duncan in a performance that is both acting and being." Its Legacy: The breakout role of Michael Clarke Duncan. One of the highest-grossing Stephen King adaptations of all time. The second-highest grossing movie of 1999 in Japan and one of the biggest movies in general for 1999. Considered one of the most emotionally touching movies of all time. Criticized by Spike Lee for its Magical Negro stereotypes. Earned James Cromwell a paycheck. Commentary: While we associate Stephen King for his stories diving into terror and fantasy, some of his most famous work come from the world of drama. Which, when you think about it, contains some of the strongest terrors of all. The Green Mile, a dramatic tale about the evils of death row and its senseless killings, is perhaps one of King’s most treasured works. And much of that comes from its Warner Bros. film adaptation. The spiritual successor to the Oscar-nominated Shawshank Redemption, it’s an utterly devastating epic about the wrongfulness of the death penalty, its abuse towards people who don’t deserve it, and how easy it is for some, particularly if you’re Black, to be wrongfully framed and depicted in society. Tom Hanks is of course doing great work, but what most people remember is the heartbreaking performance of the late Michael Clarke Duncan. His breakout role as John Coffey was emotionally stirring and is still talked about long after the film’s 1999 release and the man’s death in 2012. And just like Coffey, Duncan put a spell on viewers for years to come. And with death row still a discussed and debated subject, that will not change any time soon. And while a movie can’t change everything, hopefully this still left an impact for many to try and stop such an evil practice from happening.

Quorum Updates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem T-9: 56.06% Awareness Blue Beetle T-25: 28.38% Awareness It Lives Inside T-60: 16.9% Awareness Kraven the Hunter T-74: 24.2% Awareness Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom T-149: 48.06% Awareness Snow White T-242: 35% Awareness Haunted Mansion T-4: 56.7% Awareness Final Awareness: 100% chance of 10M, 89% chance of 20M, 72% chance of 30M, 44% chance of 40M, 33% chance of 50M Known IP Awareness: 100% chance of 40M Talk to Me T-4: 23.04% Awareness Final Awareness: 12% chance of 10M Horror Awareness: 25% chance of 10M The Equalizer 3 T-39: 39.69% Awareness T-30 Awareness: 86% chance of 10M, 59% chance of 20M, 41% chance of 30M Sequel Awareness: 50% chance of 10M Saw X T-67: 33.79% Awareness T-60 Awareness: 94% chance of 10M, 71% chance of 20M, 47% chance of 30M Horror Awareness: 100% chance of 10M, 75% chance of 20M, 50% chance of 30M

We are having a sale, doncha know?

I had the worst day ever at work today and tomorrow is looking to be even worse. So no and no.

Twilight Sparkle is best pony.

The thing about "men are trash" is that the phrase is only relevant to the men who are trash. If you know you're not trash, which means you think women are cooler than everybody else, you ain't part of the problem. I'm not, Timothee isn't, you aren't. We're all good. And Cap can vouch for that.

There is truly nothing more cursed than seeing Zach Galifianakis without facial hair

Also very true.

He's always been famous. In our hearts. ❤️

The message is that women are awesome.

You know darn well there's a difference between a Pixar or Dreamworks movie and a Paw Patrol movie. The former are designed to appeal to all ages. Paw Patrol is for 5 year olds and only 5 year olds. I'm sorry if I sound judgy, but I have concerns if you're in your 20s or 30s and you're watching something that airs daily on Nick Jr. on the big screen, unless your little one is dragging you to it.

Well that's because it was also available to watch at home for free. Almost every WB movie in 2021 had pitiful legs because people it was available for free at home. And Dune had one of the better ones. It also sold well on DVD/Blu-Ray last I checked, which also indicates it got a fanbase. I don't think it will have a 100M+ opening, but I don't see any reason why it can't at least do about 150M.

This isn't gonna work out. Even outside of the whole "when corporations force a meme, it dies" thing, who is going to go out there and look like a creepy pedophile going to see the new Paw Patrol? Nobody, that's who.

Says who?

Was thinking the same thing. Seems like an easy, fun thing to do on Labor Day weekend to boost attendance, and even a few movies. But I feel we would have gotten news on that happening by now. Pity.

No. Because it is a nostalgic toy commercial. It's a good movie, I like it, but part of the reason for its existence was to sell toys and Lego sets. They were being sold at my local Target and Wal-Mart when the movie was coming out. People may not see it in this way, but I do. And there's nothing people will do or say that will make me change my mind. Sorry. 🤷‍♂️

Yes. There's a ton of nostalgic toy commercials out there that I like. The new Little Mermaid was fun, Guardians 3 was cool, Avatar 2 was awesome. Just because I'm cynical over these movies doesn't mean I can't appreciate the ones I like and have fun with.

I think the biggest risk was that I didn't think the self-aware satire stuff would stick. We've seen this stuff with Josie and the Pussycats and the new Dora movie, where you take a property for grade-schoolers, then add in a bunch of satire and tongue-in-cheek aspects that will fly over the kids heads. And all the while, it's hard to make older moviegoers who get the jokes feel self-conscious about seeing something for 6 year old girls. Even Lego Movie was still a PG movie with a lot of silly goofiness in all the trailers. Barbie being a PG-13 made things tougher. So it opening as big as it is when this kind of thing never really panned out...I'm still not sure how they pulled this off tbh, despite me adoring this movie.