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posted 11.28.00 Subject: You're freaking me out I stumbled upon your site this week and browsed several reviews. To my amazement, we felt the same way about The Klumps, about X-Men and about Alien. If you end up hating Coyote Ugly (which I haven't seen but the trailer alone convinces me it will be insulting and insipid) the streak will continue. It's a pleasure to find someone who is able to write so well about movies. I look forward to enjoying the rest of your site. It's enough to give me faith in the future of the World Wide Web.
posted 11.28.00 The list of Frequently Asked Questions and your responses was a great read. I am very impressed with your site period. You may say, "Awww, shucks!" but I am serious. Many of the questions asked were things I was curious about, and others were just humourous to see what people requested from you. I e-mailed you once before, concerning your intent on reviewing Dead Poets Society. And to be earnest, I was surprised to receive an e-mail from you. And that e-mail I sent was not pretty, I have no idea why, but I typed it and just sent it and it was riddled with spelling errors. Hell, maybe I was nervous. What I guess this e-mail is being sent for is just in praise of you and your site, and to actually state that even though you do not know it, you are somewhat of an inspiration to me. An inspiration as a writer that is. I can note where your's has really improved, and the thought occurs to me, "Get rid of the tv and stop whining to yourself about not having enough time to write, and write goddam it." So I have. Thank you for your unwitting inspiration, and if you are interested I will send you an personal essay that you might enjoy, "How 'It's a Wonderful Life' ruined my life." Ehh, that may not be the title, but you get the gist. Thanks, and keep up the good work. The Flick Filosopher responds: I can't imagine why anyone would be nervous writing to me, unless they felt they had to praise Julia Roberts. I'm just a gal with a computer -- no reason to be scared. :->
posted 11.28.00 Just read through your new FAQ page and thoroughly enjoyed it. You have one hell of a sense of humor. Keep up the good work.
posted 11.28.00 While perusing your site's reviews (most of which are quite good by the way) I came across you lamenting that the movie in question (I cannot for the life of me remember what movie review it was) would do quite well because the public doesn't care what critics think anymore. Well, I perhaps have an idea as to why this is so. Critics in general seem to have a very hard time simply watching a movie to just have fun with it. No debate on camera angles, or scientific implausibility, just fun. I know that you will immediately bring to bear your good reviews of X-Men and The Mummy as a defense to this charge, and those are valid. However, lets take Scary Movie for example. I know that on a base level, the gags in this movie are not in the least bit humorous. What had me falling out of my chair in laughter is how it illustrated just how stupid the Scream movies (and others of their kind) are. In the Scream movies, a murder occurs, and when the main characters arrive there is no blood, no body, and also no explanation on how the killer achieved this in the few minutes between the murder and their arrival. In Scary Movie, you see the killer, in his costume, with a mop and a bucket of water behind the main characters anxiously scrubbing the blood off the floor and pulling the body out of the way. On its own, not very funny. If you have seen the other Scream movies, hilarious. Pitch Black (I know I am bringing up old reviews, but bear with me)is also a good example. One major roblem you seemed to have with this movie is that the creatures did not have anything to eat besides wayward humans. The film provided an explanation for this, both in the stripped skeletons all over the planet, and the scene where the creatures begin eating each other to sustain themselves. Not the best explanation in the world, but if you just sit back and watch the movie without thinking about the cinematography class you took in college it will suffice and keep you watching. In closing, perhaps if more reviewers would stop analyzing scientific plausibility and camera angle majesty and would start just watching for fun, perhaps the public would begin to pay attention to what critics say again. The Flick Filosopher responds: I wish you could recall where I lamented that people don't listen to critics anymore, because I searched my site and I can't find it, and that doesn't sound like something I would have said. I doubt if people ever listened to critics. Obviously, you are aware that I am capable of appreciating fun movies -- we simply seem to differ on what constitutes "fun." Scary Movie was not fun for me precisely because I have seen the Scream movies. Scream is already a parody of slasher movies -- the fact that Ghostface does his killing quickly, quietly, and with no mess is part of the satire. Scream -- the first one, at least -- does it parodying with wit and style, without the need to hit the audience over the head with its humor. Scary Movie is Scream for morons who need a road map to the jokes and a big red "You Are Here" arrow pointing to the punchlines. I resent that kind of condescension from a movie. Obviously, many people do not. But that does not mean that I have to like it anyway. You've missed the point of my Pitch Black review, as did many people who've written me about it. (Check out some of the reader mail on this movie -- you'll find links to it at the bottom of the review page.) If, as with The Mummy, X-Men, and other inherently scientifically implausible movies, Pitch Black had enthralled me or at least momentarily diverted me with characters I could sympathize with, understand, and root for, I wouldn't have had so much time to pick apart the scientific blunders. Pitch Black is a boring, obvious (ie, unsuspenseful) retread of Aliens, with stupid characters doing stupid things. (Did you miss this part of my review: "it relies entirely on characters doing stupid, illogical things for no reason other than, if they didn't, there'd be no story"?) What's fun about that? I'm not going to apologize for being intelligent and requiring that movies display at least a modicum of intelligence and originality themselves. Joshua Bailey replies: That was a very prompt reply, I was quite surprised. Anyway, I do not think you should apologize for bein intelligent, I am simply saying that sometimes perhaps you should dial it back a little. In your American Pie review for example, at the end you implied that because the other viewers did not gain a significant emotional impact from this movie, they were idiots. People go to see movies to get away from their problems, to have fun and get away from the stress of life (sounds corny I know, apologies). People (in general) do not go to movies to be depressed for a week. Movies are entertainment, not an art form. Now, I apologize if I offended you, as it certainly seems so by your response (though most of your responses seem that way, so perhaps it is simply your personality), however I am simply fielding an idea. Perhaps you should think abotu other people's ideas before getting offended and getting defensive in the future. The Flick Filosopher responds: Are you mistaking me for someone else? I haven't reviewed American Pie. Or did you mean American Beauty? People go to the movies to be entertained, it's true. But that doesn't make movies, or some movies, any less of an art form. And I don't quite see how that excuses people from not understanding American Beauty. If people got up at the end of Schindler's List laughing and joking, would you say that it was just because they were only looking for some fun at the end of a long work week? Or would you suspect that they missed something fundamental about the film? How do you "dial back" your intelligence? Honestly, I'd like to know. Because from what I've seen, ignorance truly is bliss. I'd love to be able to indulge in it sometimes. I'd love to be able to shut my brain down and enjoy every single piece of shit Hollywood spews out. I really would. But I don't know how to do that. Why do you think I'm offended by your "idea"? What makes you feel that I'm being defensive? I have strong opinions, and I state them. You're hardly the first person to accuse me of not knowing when to leave my brain at the door, so it's not as if I haven't thought about your "idea" and just shot from the hip in response to your first letter. Perhaps you're just not used to someone who is able to support a consistent opinion. Joshua Bailey again: Very correct, I apologze, I did mean American Beauty, my mistake. I am not accusing you of anything, I am simply saying that in several reviews by you yourself and others seem to take films less as simple entertainment and more as an art form. I have been visitng you site for quite awhile, and I will continue to do so, however if you would simply tone down the bite of your replies somewhat, especially to something that was not in the least bit negative, things would more thanl likely run smoother in general, and be considered a nicer person (by net geeks such as myself anyway). The Flick Filosopher responds: Hmm, you accuse me of having no sense of fun, but that wasn't meant to be "negative"? I didn't realize things were not running smoothly for me, whatever that means. I'm not a nice person. Why should I want people to think I am? Joshua Bailey again: This is pointless, and I am going to stop replying after this. From what I can tell, you would appear to be the stereotypical touchy feminist who takes everything someone says as offensive. I hope that perhaps in the future you will prove me wrong. Good day. The Flick Filosopher responds: You're the one who's flying off the handle. Just because you think I'm offended doesn't mean I am... and I'm not. Jeez.
posted 11.28.00 I just wanted to congratulate you on a winning site, a winning attitude (though attitude it most certainly is, and I like it!), a winning power of observation, and a winning way of writing. Your reviews are little gems - I find that I see many of the same things in films that you do, only you're smart and write 'em all down! Thanks for doing that. I look forward to your take on the movies to come! You really are a talent - I'm glad your site lets you share it with all of us. Your FAQ site was worth the read, too. Thanks again, MaryAnn!
posted 11.28.00 Subject: Had Enough... Hi Flick Chick. I've enjoyed your refreshing aspect on my favorite movies for about three months now, but I can take the angry feminist aspect no longer. I love a different perspective as much as you probably do, but when one's trail comes to the bank of a swamp... We're allowed only so many steps in life and I spent enough time stewing in this particular swamp at school. Can you please recommend the site of a film reviewer who approaches your rapier wit and brilliance without the blond dreadlocks, birkenstocks & "Girls-Kick-Ass" bumper sticker? This is an earnest request; an earnest reply would be greatly appreciated. Best of luck and happy reviewing. Yours in Misogynic Admiration, Chris The Flick Filosopher responds: Wow. Was it something in particular that drove you to madness, or has the gradual buildup of estrogen finally reached saturation point? I'm not sure if there's anyone online who approaches my rapier wit and brilliance. You might try The Film Geek, of course, or Dan and Dan, or Mark Ramsey at MovieJuice. They're all funny and smart, and all of them have penises and presumably requisite levels of testosterone. (Boy, I feel just like Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street, telling people to go to Macy's...) Blond dreadlocks and birkenstocks? Oh no! No one told me there was a dress code for being pissed off at the world! What am I gonna do with all those little white tennis shoes and clean, non-ripped blue jeans in my wardrobe? And must I put a "Girls-Kick-Ass" bumper sticker on my dorky Saturn station wagon? I like my Darwin fish right where it is, and besides, I don't think girls kick ass -- I think most girls are as stupid, irrational, immature, and annoying as most boys are.
posted 11.28.00 First off I just want you to know that your reviews suck! How can you say The Patriot is corny??? You call yourself American?? (And don't be a wiseass and say I'm not American either because only Native-Americans are true Americans) But of course you love Gladiator, one of the worst movies I've seen this year....you want boredom??? I fell asleep during Gladiator....You pan Reindeer Games for bad writing, look at Gladiator!!! I felt it had no emotional drive whatsoever, which The Patriot did! You just tear apart every movie except ones that everyone else likes...you're a front runner! Another thing is I can't believe you sit around taking movies apart with you B.S. theories, your reviews are garbage...do something useful with your life. I love movies too but I'm not sit and type a whole review...I'll discuss it among my friends who enjoy movies. I never liked movie critics, they think they know it all and try to discourage people from seeing a film they might otherwise enjoy! but they never make it to the theater to see it because some moron with a with a computer has given the movie a bad review!! If a movie is bad it's up to the individual person to decide that, not for you to decide it for them! Give it up honey, you're way out of your league...do something you might be better at like watering the garden! While your doing that go out and enjoy a blue sky or a sunset...not the blue screen of your computer! Don't worry I won't be back to read any of your garbage opinions on what you may think is the "perfect" film. When you do find it, let me know! The Flick Filosopher responds: If you don't like movie critics, then why the hell were you wasting your time reading my site? Looks like you need something useful to do, too, honey. MadMike718@aol.com replies: The only reason I was reading your reviews is becuase I came across your site researching The Patriot on the web. Don't worry I won't be back...so while I'M DOING SOMETHING USEFUL you'll still be here writing garbage reviews. You're right though, I did waste valuable time at your web site...but at least I learned now you don't have to have a brain to review movies! Keep up the good work! The Flick Filosopher responds: No brain needed? So you'll be taking a shot at it then? I'll look forward to reading your cogent analyses of movies. Let me know when and where you'll post them. Thanks. MadMike718@aol.com again: Great comeback, you're a swift one! If I had the time to do it maybe but it would never happen. I wouldn't sit around typing out movie analyses for people I don't know to read! Interesting idea for someone with no life though. Can't wait to hear your respone...Make them a little longer your crappy reviews! The Flick Filosopher responds: And all this time you were thinking I have no brain! I'm a writer -- I write. How is that a waste of time? Is an artist wasting time when he's painting, if people he doesn't know are going to see the finished work? Do novelists waste their time writing for people they don't know? Did Mel Gibson waste his time acting in The Patriot? Or do you only consider creative acts valuable if they make tons of money? You must have a very dim view of the arts. MadMike718@aol.com once more: Oh you're an artist? Mel Gibson didn't waste his time because he can be seen by his fans. He didn't waste his time because I appreciated every second he was on the screen. Novelists get paid to write books so of course they're not wasting their time. They have a fan base too, people recognize them and appreciate their work. Who are you?? A nobody who criticizes the hell out of movies, you're just words on a screen. All your examples get paid well for their work and higly doubt you get paid well for this trash! The Flick Filosopher responds: So, I was right: you only see creative endeavors as not "wasting time" if the artist makes tons of money at them. No one starts out making tons of money at what they do. Novelists, artists, actors, and other creative people work in obscurity and often poverty until they're lucky enough to have someone recognize their talent or at least their marketability (which are not the same thing). Mel Gibson didn't start off with a worldwide fan base; neither did Stephen King. King, in fact, had his first novel, Carrie, rejected by something like 25 publishers before someone bought it. Was the time he spent writing it and trying to sell it "wasted"? Mel Gibson and Stephen King were "nobodies" at one time, too. You may find it hard to believe, but there are people who appreciate what I'm doing -- you only need to check out my pages of reader mail, all with genuine email addresses, if you care to verify the positive letters. Being rich would be wonderful, of course, but if making pots of money was my only motivation, I certainly wouldn't be a writer. Just out of curiosity, what do you do for a living? MadMike718@aol.com again: Since you've actually been responding to my e-mails I'll tell you about me...I don't do anything for a living yet I'm still a college student but this upcoming year is my last year. I'm a communications major focusing on tv and film with a minor in business. This summer I've been working as an intern at Pfizer(they make drugs and other household items. I know its not for my major but I just wanted to try something other than my old neighborhood job for a summer before I go out to work in the "real world". What do you do for a living besides degrading movies? The Flick Filosopher responds: I suspected as much: you haven't yet dealt with the real world. Once you get out here, you will discover that some things are worth doing for reasons other than money. In fact, you probably already know this. Whatever you do after you graduate, do you imagine you will end up at the top end of the pay scale right away? Will the time you spend learning your business in an entry-level position be "wasted"? Is the internship (which is probably either unpaid or very minimally compensated) you are doing now "wasted"? Of course not: Experiences have value beyond the monetary recompense, don't they? What do I do for a living? Surprise: I'm a writer. But the stuff I write for money is not creatively satisfying: it's promotional copy and junk mail. The writing I find satisfying -- fiction, screenplays, movie reviews -- has not paid off big for me yet... financially, that is. I enjoy it. Other people enjoy it (not as many people as see Mel Gibson's movies, of course, but still a good number of folks). And it does have the potential to pay off, financially, possibly even in a big way, in the future. So how am I "wasting my time"? "Degrading movies"? How many of my reviews have you read? There are plenty glowing reviews to be found at my site. MadMike718@aol.com digs himself in deeper: Well the internship doesn't pay minimally...it pays $640 a week which is the one and only reason I took a job at a pharmaceutical company. True I don't know everything about the real world but I know a fair amount so don't talk down to me just because I'm younger than you. Maybe you don't degrade every movie, but I'm not gonna read every review...the few reviews I read were for films I liked and you panned everyone of them. The Flick Filosopher responds: I wasn't talking down to you. But wait ten years: you'll be amazed how much you didn't even know that you didn't know now. Do you really feel competent to make sweeping generalizations about my site when you've read very little of it? MadMike718@aol.com yet again: Ok well maybe I judged your site a little harshly but I don't like reading reviews where the critic tells the person to stay away from the movie. Let a person view it for themselves. They may find the movie enjoyable, not everyone has the same views. Its like me not viewing the rest of your site, it may be good but I don't know that because from what I've read I don't like. Someone that may find a movie like Reindeer Games enjoyable won't get to see it because you've convinced them its not worth viewing. The true movie critic cannot examine a film down to every little word of dialogue. Ones who do that are jealous because they feel their writing is better yet they haven't been givne a ridiculous amount of money for theirs. The Flick Filosopher responds: How I wish I had the power to actually keep people away from shit like Reindeer Games. Are people so weak-willed that a critic telling them to avoid a movie is enough to keep them away? Do you think if I told people to send me money, they'd do that too? Such power.... Are "true movie critics" not supposed to voice an opinion on a movie? MadMike718@aol.com replies: Movie critics think their opinion is the correct one, they're all like that. And yes there are many weak-minded people in this country unfortunately that would trust the review of movie critic. I'm not one of them though, I want to have my own opinion on a movie and not some moron that's paid by a tv station or newspaper to see a movie and review it. The Flick Filosopher responds: Don't all people -- whether they're critics or not -- think their opinions are the correct ones? It's not my fault if people are idiots.
posted 11.28.00 Just a sign that I'm a fan of yours. I don't even watch many movies but still stay on your mailing list. Maybe part of it is that in this day and age it's a little refreshing to see a woman using the word "chick" and "girl". Another part of it, and the absolute big part of it is that you don't come off as a "I know more than any movie producer" reviewer. I think we discussed that aspect via e-mail once, but I thought I'd tell you again that I appreciate that aspect of your work. Keep 'em coming--you are quite appreciated here on the other coast. The Flick Filosopher responds: I like to think of using "chick" and "girl" as "taking back" the words, the way that gays have appropriated "queer" and made it their own. As for not coming off like "I know more than any movie producer"... You should read more of my reviews! :->
posted 11.28.00 Subject: quelques mots d'appréciation it's late and I'm up like an idiot, knowing i should get some sleep but unable to put down reading through your site. Flick Filosopher is the crack cocaine of film reviews sites, you always want more ! i don't know if you'll value my praise, since i share many character traits with the morons you dump on in your hilarious fan mail responses. Okay, so my enlish can be approximative (i'm french canadian), i'm a Harry Knowles fanatic, I love Adam Sandler and most SNL stars past and present (can't wait to see Ladie Man), my favorite movie is Commando... Yet I can't get enough of your reviews, so where does that put me in your book ? Loved your pieces on Ghostbusters, Taxi Driver, X-Men, Darkman (i though i was the only one who adored that one!), Edward Scissorhands and many others. All made me appreciate even more movies I already loved, (especially Ed' Sciz').
posted 11.28.00 Re: Reader mail posted 08.05.00: "...The Jackal....is what i would call EMMY material." I'm surprised you didn't comment on this particular letter-writer's cluelessness as to what types of projects can be nominated for which awards. By the way, I've checked out the reviews at www.blindmoose.com, and quite frankly, they're better than yours. The Flick Filosopher responds: I figured this guy's cluelessness pretty much spoke for itself. Actually, there really is a www.blindmoose.com, though it has nothing to do with movies.
posted 11.28.00 Subject: You are my hero Just stumbled on to your site and I have a few comments. Wow you are definatly my new hero from turning down guys that ask for your pictures to spewing great wit and jokes for movies that you don't like. You give a fabulous female view of movies every where and I am proud to say you are part of our sex. Your site is beautiful and well organized and very nicely done. I hope you keep doing more reviews of movies so that I know which one's to see and which one's I shouldn't
posted 11.28.00
I discovered your webpage a few weeks ago and have been having a blast reading through the archives and the current "reviews" (discussions?). Previous to my finding your site I was thinking of putting some movie reviews in the same vein as yours on my webpage...
posted 11.28.00 I inevitably end up disagreeing with 40% of your reviews, but you DO have one of the most honest (and entertaining) film websites out there. The Sweet Hereafter and The Thin Red Line merit closer inspection though. Regardless, keep up the good work, God The Flick Filosopher responds: Dear God: As an atheist, I don't believe in you, so this email must be a figment of my imagination.
posted 11.28.00 Congratulations on the 3rd Anniversary of your great site! Your talent and the tireless ambition you use in employing that talent (not to mention your sweet snarkiness) is why we, your loyal readers, keep coming back for more and recommending your site to our friends. Keep up the good work!
posted 11.28.00 I feel like a super star after having something I said placed in your "Readers Review of the Flick Filosopher". I had the "I'm officially in awe" comment. That's why I love your site, you're not so full of yourself that you won't take criticism, but you're not so humble that you won't take a good ass kissing. Perfect balance. As always, your site is the light at the end of my entertainment tunnel.
posted 11.28.00 Subject: Are you Alfred E. Newman's sister? Your movie review site loudly and exuberantly shouts "What Me Worry?" you keep writing, I'll keep reading, OK? The Flick Filosopher responds: Ya got yerself a deal.
posted 11.28.00 I recently discovered the site, about a week ago. I had never heard of it before, but a friend emailed me and recommended it to me. At first I wasn't expecting much, when I saw the front page emphasized "girl movie critic." I was expecting a movie review site aimed towards women. But then I read some of the reviews, to see exactly how you would flame Gladiator and Fight Club. Needless to say I was pleasently surprised.. After having read several more of your reviews, I can now confidently say that you are the critic I would trust the most, taking over the top spot formerly held by www.aintitcoolnews.com. The only problem is that you didn't like Rushmore, and I'm not sure I can ever forgive you for that.. The Flick Filosopher responds: Thanks for your nice comments. I'm happy to defy people's expectations by being a gal who digs SF and action movies, and usually slams chick flicks.
posted 11.28.00 I guess the way we will pick what movies to see from now on is to read your reviews, and the ones you hate are the ones we will go see.
posted 11.28.00 I have read some of your reviews and you would seem to be one of the most miserable people alive. Are you really like you seem in your reviews, or is it just a front? Were you abused as a child? Were you born filthy rich to a stuck up, anal, mother? What the heck happened to you? Why do you get so bothered when other people enjoy a few moments of their life watching a movie you don't find entertaining? I find you irrelavent personal slandering of Ben Stiller particulary disturbing. I have seen some movies you intensely disliked and enjoyed them immensely, but you mistakenly think you are more intelligent than me and that I wasted my time seeing the movie even tough I am me and you are you. Heres my review of you ... get a clue, lighten up, and try to be a bit more friendly. Maybe if you try to smile when you write... The Flick Filosopher responds: Let me think about your suggestion for a moment... Nope, I'm not going to lighten up. Mainstream entertainment is a tyranny of the juvenile, the stupid, and the mediocre, and I'm not going to shut up about it. Boy, do I wish I was born filthy rich!
posted 11.28.00 we know you're a woman, enough with the roar. as a film student i find your critiques a little more insipid than you say the writing of meet the parents is. being open minded would help prevent emails like mine in the future. The Flick Filosopher responds: Enough with what roar? If you find my reviews insipid, don't read them. Why would I want to prevent emails like yours? This is the kind of stuff that makes my reader mail pages so much fun.
posted 11.28.00 Just thought I would e-mail, and say how much I enjoy your reviews. Your honesty is refreshing, and I like it when I don't feel like the reviewer says something good or bad, simply because they think it is expected of them, or that they have to always like or hate movies. |
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