Comments on: Critical tidbits

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:56:16 +0000

"...the coyest eye-fuck you'll ever see in a Disney movie..."

Nice. Don't really watch most of these shows regularly or feel passionately about them, but that amused me.

Hackers is not a good movie.

By: James Somers

James Somers — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:55:14 +0000

Yes, I think I have to agree that the scene is nostalgic and campy. But I will continue to stick up for the idea that the acting is good, too. Objectively good. Their lines are all delivered in this wonderful unique way, and that's what I like about the movie.

By: Chip

Chip — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:19:12 +0000

Tom, I agree with you, and campy nostalgia can be great; I like Hackers too, though my devotion doesn't stretch as far as yours or James' I don't think.

James, I knew that was the point you were trying to make because you've made it to me before, but I disagree with you. The acting here is not good (the definition of "good" I'm using is realistic). Part of the problem, in terms of the scene being realistic, is certainly the dialogue. Part of the problem also lies with the acting. Just to clarify, even though you feel the scene linked to is good independent of nostalgia or camp, do you agree that the scene is in fact both nostalgic and campy?

By: James Somers

James Somers — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:15:09 +0000

I'm afraid that both of you are missing the point---I think my devotion to Hackers is rational. Scenes like the one I linked to are good independent of nostalgia or camp, mostly because these are all legitimately fantastic actors.

By: Tom Church

Tom Church — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:15:04 +0000

Chip, our level of devotion to Hackers is not defensible, nor rational. It's rooted in campy nostalgia.

And I love it.

-TC

By: Chip

Chip — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:23:03 +0000

Of the series you mentioned that I've watched, I tend to agree with you. I agree with you completely on Seinfeld; the characters have an unrelenting ability to not care about other people, and that is one of the best parts of the show. It leads to some of the funniest quips and interactions. This same feature is also, not surprisingly, one of the reasons Curb your Enthusiasm is so great as well. Interestingly, it's also exactly why my dad hates Seinfeld: he can't get past the fact that all the characters are extremely narcissistic.

Regarding Hackers, I know you're not exactly saying this here, but you must realize that the movie, and the scene you've picked out, is campy and nostalgic. I don't think you're being fair with Hackers. You turn an appropriately critical eye toward these other shows but then let Hackers off the hook.

By: James Somers

James Somers — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:08:29 +0000

Fixed it — thanks!

By: bbot

bbot — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:51:20 +0000

http://jsomers.net/blog/jsomers.net/DFW_TV.pdf

Perhaps you meant http://jsomers.net/DFW_TV.pdf?