crash

[Mighty Wingman]

Absolutely (http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/crash/large.html) and by far the best movie I've seen this year. The best movie I expect to see this year.

You know Don Cheadle is going to shine and turn out wonderful performances, it's par for the course, there's no surprise there. But Brendan Frasier and Sandy Bullock ? I mean, who knew they could act ? Once the movie draws you in with it's first few moments you forget you're watching a movie, you forget these are actors playing parts. You believe they are who say they are. The only thing I really had trouble believing is , is racism really this bad in L.A.?

The direction , the acting, the angles and P.O.V's leave so little to complain about, I'm not even going to bother. This movie leaves me questioning myself , questioning society at large and wondering where we go from here. I'm blown away . All I can say is, go see this NOW.

[Droogan_Leader]

I don't know if you've ever seen 13 Conversations about One Thing, but it looks a LOT like it. I will have to check it out.

[Efexeye]

Absolutely (http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/crash/large.html) and by far the best movie I've seen this year. The best movie I expect to see this year.

You know Don Cheadle is going to shine and turn out wonderful performances, it's par for the course, there's no surprise there. But Brendan Frasier and Sandy Bullock ? I mean, who knew they could act ? Once the movie draws you in with it's first few moments you forget you're watching a movie, you forget these are actors playing parts. You believe they are who say they are. The only thing I really had trouble believing is , is racism really this bad in L.A.?

The direction , the acting, the angles and P.O.V's leave so little to complain about, I'm not even going to bother. This movie leaves me questioning myself , questioning society at large and wondering where we go from here. I'm blown away . All I can say is, go see this NOW.

It looks good, like it has a Grand Canyon sort of vibe- was it anything like that? I thought Grand Canyon was GREAT, and I have high hopes for Crash, too.

[karmattack]

It looks good, like it has a Grand Canyon sort of vibe- was it anything like that? I thought Grand Canyon was GREAT, and I have high hopes for Crash, too.Good call.

I saw the trailer for this yesterday afternoon and was totally thrown off by the cast; such a large and seemingly random group of actors. Needless to say, I was interested and now I'm definitely going to check it out. Thanks, Wingman.

[karmattack]

Thanks again for the heads-up, Wingman. My mom and I went to see Crash tonight, and I just got back from it. Holy crap was that a good movie.

[ILovePapaSmurf]

Thanks again for the heads-up, Wingman. My mom and I went to see Crash tonight, and I just got back from it. Holy crap was that a good movie.
I spoke to a representative who was doing press for it and she said she loved. She then said that she wasn't paid to say that, she really loved it. I am going to check it out this weekend. I am looking forward to it.

[Mighty Wingman]

Thanks again for the heads-up, Wingman. My mom and I went to see Crash tonight, and I just got back from it. Holy crap was that a good movie.

I know, right ? That makes nine for nine. (people who I told to go see it and they came back and said basically that) My secret plan of getting you guys to watch good movies is working. What's sad is, this movie is going to get buried in all the episode 3 hype, and right now people who would like this movie more, are saving their big wad for ep III. I don't begrudge that, and I don't expect ep III to be bad, just that comparing the two would be like comparing apples to wristwatches.

The way the stories interconnect. The way a person with good intentions and their heart in the right place can do the wrong thing, and a bad and person that seems hopeless can make the right decision when the moment of truth comes. It’s shows how shallow and stupid people can be interspersing that with these beautiful moments of selflessness and love . The way it takes you from laughter to shock to tears and then back again. I almost cried two or three times. That whole invisible cloak bit, Oh DEAR God.

I was meaning to see “Grand Canyon “ so I could make some comparison. I think Kasdan is a great writer and all, but I just don’t see Mr. Big Chill writing something on this level .

[Mighty Wingman]

It's out on video now and still gets my vote for movie of the year.

Is there something wrong with me ? Or is no one seeing this ?
Both?

I can't believe people could see this movie and have nothing to say about it.

???

[Razorback]

I saw Crash a few weeks ago, and while I was impressed with much of it, some of it was over-the-top and really took something away from my overall experience. I think this movie would have been one of the greats if it had just stayed away from the last shock/twist. I think that was a bit too much.

I get what the film makers are trying to say, but I think they tried to say it in one too many ways. Still, a very good movie with some excellent performances.

[Zens7s]

I saw Crash a few weeks ago, and while I was impressed with much of it, some of it was over-the-top and really took something away from my overall experience. I think this movie would have been one of the greats if it had just stayed away from the last shock/twist. I think that was a bit too much.

I get what the film makers are trying to say, but I think they tried to say it in one too many ways. Still, a very good movie with some excellent performances.
I watched Crash on Monday night. I was terribly impressed with it, but I did not find the shock/twist to be over the top. In fact, I thought it made the film all the more striking.

..............spoiler alert.................

When Ryan Phillpe's character shoots the brother it takes away the easy hero he was becoming and made him human. No one in this movie is without prejudice and wrongdoing. No one is also without redeeming qualities, as majority of us are. A typical film would have taken the feel good road and left him as the "person to aspire to". Instead it made him human and made my heart break because he was true and flawed.

Obviously the nature of the movie is a fable where all these people intersect in a dramatic way in a very short period of time and it is not realistic. However, I don't think fables are supposed to be. Everyday we make choices that affect those around us. Even the most minor of things that pass ordinary notice can change someone else for a lifetime, and often we will never know our roles in these events.

As I said, I watched it on Monday night. On Sunday the good ol' local Methodists had a sermon that reminded me so much of this film. The point of the sermon was that every one of us has an equal capacity for good or evil, no matter how "good we have been so far". It's a choice every day to wake up and choose to go down certain paths. He called it "the man in the mirror", because if you forget to start really looking at yourself you can easily not realize who you have become. You also stop seeing what affect that has on others.

When I was watching Crash's climatic scene it struck me that this is what happened to each one of these people. Everyone has the capacity to make very bad choices and at any time can turn around and make the right ones....and vice versa. Sometimes we have the ability to make our own "divine intervention" by simple choices - like the daughter buying blanks for the gun. We also have the ability to cause misery for a lifetime, just by believing we are above prejudice and fear.

[Razorback]

..............spoiler alert.................

When Ryan Phillpe's character shoots the brother it takes away the easy hero he was becoming and made him human. No one in this movie is without prejudice and wrongdoing. No one is also without redeeming qualities, as majority of us are. A typical film would have taken the feel good road and left him as the "person to aspire to". Instead it made him human and made my heart break because he was true and flawed.

SPOILER ALERT

Here is my problem with it, the guy had shown himself to be someone who does not overreact (unlike his partner). Now, if you want to set up the scene so that he ends up shooting the kid then go with the idea that he thinks the kid has a weapon but don't make it so that he starts an angry exhange with him that leads to the kid then wanting to pull out his "weapon" (if he has one, which of course he doesn't). This is where the scene lost me. Why would he elevate the moment if he thinks the guy has a gun? A trained law officer would try to calm the situation, not explode it out of control. I didn't buy it. It felt forced into the movie.

I can go out on a limb for the rest of the movie... even if it asks the audience to buy into all these things tying together... but I have a hard time with the last bit because it asks me to discount the previously established disposition of the character. I think it also ends the movie on a heavy handed note. Yes, good and bad are points of view and everyone is capable of something heroic or something very wrong, but not everyone in the movie NEEDS to do something good and bad for that message to ring true.

As I said, I think the movie is very well done and the performances are great. So let's not turn this into "You said you hated Two Towers" (that the Tolkien geekboys screamed at me for over a year) just because I gave it a B+ instead of an A+. ;)

[DarthMaulRat]

I've been hearing a lot about Crash since it came out this summer. I'll have to put it on my weekend rental schedule, that is, if I ever get around to renting movies on weekends again.

[Zens7s]

SPOILER ALERT
As I said, I think the movie is very well done and the performances are great. So let's not turn this into "You said you hated Two Towers" (that the Tolkien geekboys screamed at me for over a year) just because I gave it a B+ instead of an A+. ;)

I can see where you are coming from. I just had a different reaction. And besides silly, did I ever yell at you for for hating any movie? We both were fellow comrades in Kill Bill Part 1 meh-ness :)

[Razorback]

I can see where you are coming from. I just had a different reaction. And besides silly, did I ever yell at you for for hating any movie? We both were fellow comrades in Kill Bill Part 1 meh-ness :)

Word... though, I have learned to like that movie a lot more now that I can watch the two movies together. :)

[Mighty Wingman]

***************Continuing spoilers !!!!!*****************

SPOILER ALERT

Here is my problem with it, the guy had shown himself to be someone who does not overreact (unlike his partner). Now, if you want to set up the scene so that he ends up shooting the kid then go with the idea that he thinks the kid has a weapon but don't make it so that he starts an angry exhange with him that leads to the kid then wanting to pull out his "weapon" (if he has one, which of course he doesn't). This is where the scene lost me. Why would he elevate the moment if he thinks the guy has a gun? A trained law officer would try to calm the situation, not explode it out of control. I didn't buy it. It felt forced into the movie.
I hafta disagree , it felt very accidental, he did overreact, but think about how his day had gone. From flatulence problems to a near Rodney King experience. He was stressed and acted in the moment without using his head. And all that stuff Zens said too.
This from the guy who loved "Closer", explain to me how anyone would trade Natalie Portman for Julia Roberts. Talk about plot points feeling forced....

I can go out on a limb for the rest of the movie... even if it asks the audience to buy into all these things tying together...
You understand the concept of six-degrees of seperation, yes?
but I have a hard time with the last bit because it asks me to discount the previously established disposition of the character. I think it also ends the movie on a heavy handed note. Yes, good and bad are points of view and everyone is capable of something heroic or something very wrong, but not everyone in the movie NEEDS to do something good and bad for that message to ring true.
Maybe Haggis put a little too much effort into hammering that one home. But the Locksmith , in the course of the movie never wronged anyone.

As I said, I think the movie is very well done and the performances are great.
Good boy .

So let's not turn this into "You said you hated Two Towers" (that the Tolkien geekboys screamed at me for over a year) just because I gave it a B+ instead of an A+. ;)

You hated The Two Towers ? You know nothing about movies. Book purists, Please.

[Razorback]

This from the guy who loved "Closer", explain to me how anyone would trade Natalie Portman for Julia Roberts.

Oh please... I would bet my kidney that we both know guys who have done dumber things. :) Hell, we may be those guys.

You understand the concept of six-degrees of seperation, yes?

What does this even have to do with my comment?

[Zens7s]

Oh please... I would bet my kidney that we both know guys who have done dumber things. :) Hell, we may be those guys.


Agreed. I thought that point in Closer was one of the more realistic parts. Julia, regardless of her looks compared with Portman, was the "difficult" woman to obtain. Therefore the stupid and typical male agenda was to pursue her...instead of Portman's character. Portman may have been more beautiful, and rough around the edges, but she didn't have the same taboos surrounding her. She was not a married woman, and not so self assured that she obviously didn't NEED a man. Her opposition just wanted to fuck, control, and possess them at will. In reality these women pitted against each other would have a similar result.

Even when Portman's character tries so hard to have an edge (ie -stripping, etc.), it feels false and forced. Like a part she is trying to play because she believes that is what will keep her lover. In the end she becomes herself without the pretense, and gives him up for good.

[Mighty Wingman]

Oh please... I would bet my kidney that we both know guys who have done dumber things. :) Hell, we may be those guys.
Admittedly, I've done my fair share of stupid things in relationships, but I've never , and would never , dump someone who adores me, for a married woman.
Especially not a Natalie for a Julia.
Is Hugh Grant your relationship counselor ?


What does this even have to do with my comment?
The connections aren't hard to believe.
We are ALL connected. The decisions we make have ramifications that affect everyone else even if , in the smallest way.

[Razorback]

Admittedly, I've done my fair share of stupid things in relationships, but I've never , and would never , dump someone who adores me, for a married woman.
Especially not a Natalie for a Julia.

You seem to have missed the point of the movie. The guy wants what he can't have.

The connections aren't hard to believe.

Aaaand... I stated I could buy into them. So what are you arguing? That I should buy into what I buy into?

[FanGirl]

I watched Crash last night. And Lord help me, I agree with Razorback. I know, I know. I don't like typing it anymore than you do reading it, but I was unimpressed. I thought the acting was good and the filmmaking was good, but the over the top racism just pulled me out of it. I didn't really identify with any of the characters at all, which is something I need to like a movie. I liked the locksmith guy and his daughter, but aside from that I didn't really care what happened to anyone else.

It reminded me of Dr. T and the Women where they filled the movie with women extras so you would feel as overwhelmed by women as he did and you walk out of there feeling like you were beaten over the head with the point instead of coming to it on your own.

So filmmaking good, perfomances good, direction good, story and script - meh.

[Zens7s]

It reminded me of Dr. T and the Women where they filled the movie with women extras so you would feel as overwhelmed by women as he did and you walk out of there feeling like you were beaten over the head with the point instead of coming to it on your own.
I have only found a new appreciation for Dr. T and the Women after living in Dallas. Altman's films (the ones I have seen) capture a place and the local culture so accurately. Often this is to his detriment, because it seems like one big inside joke unless you have travelled to the place or live there. Nashville certainly falls into this category, and is also so tied to a time period that it suffers as it ages. If he made a movie about Alaska it could be brilliant, but I bet I would walk out going "whatever."

Dr. T and the Women is disturbing and hilarious to me because I work in the middle of the section of city these women live in (Highland Park). Do they wear excessive and over the top clothes to go to the mall in? Yes. Do they travel in packs and live their lives so bored they would go to a doctor's office just to get attention? Yes. Are they loud, backbiting, drugged or drunked, covered in $20,000 worth of jewlery, and completely detached from reality most of the time? Yes.

I think it is because the men are pretty absent in their lives. The guys are off making fortunes and they are left to spend the paychecks. Completely sad and completely funny to watch.

[freetoaster]

Caught pieces of this tripe fest one late night earlier in the week. It reminded me of this short erotic film:Nothing but Satisfaction (http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/french.php)

[Zens7s]

I am truly shocked and truly pleased to see this win best picture, because I would have put money that it would come in last...regardless of how much I loved it.

[Razorback]

Never has a less deserving movie won for best picture.

[Zens7s]

Never has a less deserving movie won for best picture.
I can't say I disagree. It was pretty suprising...although I didn't care for Brokeback Mountain, once I finally got around to seeing it. This shouldn't have suprised me, because I have yet to like an Ang Lee movie.

[Robbo_the_Hood]

I wasn't too thrilled with Crash winning either. It just didn't do anything for me. I get why people like it and all. Maybe I'm of the mindset that if you win best director and best screenplay (adapated or original) then you automatically have the best movie. But what do I know?

[phit_demon]

Never has a less deserving movie won for best picture.
I have to agree (I feel dirty, I gotta go shower). I really hated Crash, to me it felt completely contrived, and some of the performances were awful (Ms. Bullock...I'm looking right at you).
The only deserving one in my opinion was Good Night And Good Luck

[Zens7s]

The only deserving one in my opinion was Good Night And Good Luck...and speaking of contrived...

[Dave]

I was happy that it won. I really liked it. I was suprised that they cut of the producers acceptance speech. I mean it was the last award of the night. they'll let Reese Witherspoon ramble on and on about nothing, but cut the Bestest Picture chick after the stunning revealation that she is a Bi-sexual Polygimist... Let the lady talk, sheeesh.

[Robbo_the_Hood]

but cut the Bestest Picture chick after the stunning revealation that she is a Bi-sexual Polygimist... Let the lady talk, sheeesh.I heard that too. I wanted to hear so much more after that.

[Zens7s]

Last night when Heath Ledger lost out my boyfriend commented that he was probably thinking to himself "Fuck, I made out with a guy for this?"

I also have to give a nod to Larry McMurtry for keeping it real and wearing a Texas Tuxedo to the Academy Awards.

[ILovePapaSmurf]

My friend Martha swears by 'Crash.' She thought it was a great movie and from what I saw, I was like, eh. So, I was a little upset with the movie winning best picture.... it just wasn't AS good as 'Brokeback' or 'Munich' for a couple of examples. In fact, out of all the movies listed as nominees, this one shouldn't have been included. It just wasn't that good.

And maybe, I am just upset because I had HIGH hopes for 'Brokeback,' but still.. 'Crash' just didn't fit.

The only award, aside from best picture, that won was the 'Best Original Song' choice for 'It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp.' When I first saw Hustle and Flow, I was like, WOAH! Great movie and an awesome soundtrack... and nothing beats blasting that song as your boss walks by. Love it.

[FanGirl]

My Friend Ted came up with the Top 10 reasons Brokeback lost to Crash:

So I was thinking all night.. on why the most critically hailed movie of the year... lost. Here's what I came up with.

10. The Academy wanted to be more in touch with the values of Middle America - like racism and violence.

9. There were 1,642,916 cast members in CRASH... they all voted.

8. Gays are fickle... even we think cowboys are so last year.

7. They were ranch hands... not cowboys - screw this publicity spin machine.

6. Was it really that great of an achievement to fall in love with Jake Gyllenhall... or Heath Leger?

5. 3 words: No...Jack...Pallance

4. It just didn't feel right without the Indian, Carpenter, Cop or Sailor.

3. OMG.. Ryan Phillips is SOOO Cute!

2. There would be no other way to stop all the internet parodies.

1. Most of the Academy members were too busy screwing each other in a tent, that they forgot to vote.

[phit_demon]

...and speaking of contrived...
You think so?? :confused:
I loved it, but then I find it hard to give objective opinions about anything Clooney releated...he's a bit of an obsession of mine.:o

[Razorback]

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN lost because a third of the Academy voters refused to watch it. So, as a way to make themselves feel better about being bigots, they voted for the racism movie.

[Graceful17]

I completely agree... i was disappointed in Crash. Its been done, its also called LIFE! Brokeback Mountain should have won hands down!!!! In fact, did they win any awards the other night?

[ILovePapaSmurf]

I completely agree... i was disappointed in Crash. Its been done, its also called LIFE! Brokeback Mountain should have won hands down!!!! In fact, did they win any awards the other night?

Yeah, it won 'Best Adapted Screenplay,' 'Best Original Score' and 'Best Director.'

Should have won best film...

[Dave]

Wrong O Moose Breath. The correct movie won. Crash also won for best screenplay if you'll remember. Also for best Editing.

[ILovePapaSmurf]

Wrong O Moose Breath. The correct movie won. Crash also won for best screenplay if you'll remember. Also for best Editing.

Wrong-O! They won for best screenplay, yes, BUT Brokeback won for best ADAPTED screen play! In YOUR FACE....

[jjcourtright]

Ooooooooh!

[FanGirl]

Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!

[Dave]

Wrong-O! They won for best screenplay, yes, BUT Brokeback won for best ADAPTED screen play! In YOUR FACE....


Which is why i said "Also" won for best screenplay. And i'll submit to you that original screenplay is better than pilfering, erm, i mean adapting, someone else work to start with

[ILovePapaSmurf]

And I'm sure there are another movies that the writers of 'Crash' were influenced from... or adapted from.

And, I may have read your post wrong. Whatever, you are still wrong, dude!

[FanGirl]

Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!

[Dave]

Oh, Smurfy. I can't stay mad at you.... come over here and lets have a big shirtless hug, and roll around on the couch for a minute.

[FanGirl]

Figh...eww.......

[Razorback]

Dave's opinion is stupid, but only because he is in fact stupid.

(oh, was the fight over?)

[ILovePapaSmurf]

Oh, Smurfy. I can't stay mad at you.... come over here and lets have a big shirtless hug, and roll around on the couch for a minute.

Alright!


Wait... aren't you married?

[Graceful17]

Jeez, its like a soap opera... im going to go make the popcorn for the rest of the show!

[Dave]

Alright!


Wait... aren't you married?

who do you think is going to be making the Pudding for later?