Slog - Comments on Great Bits in Mediocre Movies (Number 1 in a Series) http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o The end credits to Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events:... Copyright 2008 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:36:03 -0800 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:56:06 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by JC Best movie credits I've ever seen, and yes, better than the movie itself. The movie should have been subtitled "Jim Carrey fucks up another movie with his Robin Williams 2.0 antics.

]]> JC http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782590 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782590 Arts Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:48:35 -0800 Comment by dirge If my memory serves, the scenes of Olaf's acting troop lolling around, almost all of which ending up being cut, were also far too good for the film.

]]> dirge http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782610 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782610 Arts Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:05:52 -0800 Comment by Bauhaus Lots of people were truly disappointed in the Lemony Snicket film. It could have been so much more than it was. That happens a lot, I know, and is even more depressing when studios spent so much money on production.

Nice closing credits. Unfortunately, movies rarely get credit for their creative end roll. We're getting so used to the ones that go one forever - listing more than we'd ever want to know about who was involved. A friend jokingly says they list people who drove by the studio while shooting was taking place.

]]> Bauhaus http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782647 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782647 Arts Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:41:40 -0800 Comment by monkey That movie SUCKED harder than Matt Sanchez.

]]> monkey http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782656 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782656 Arts Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:47:11 -0800 Comment by john I love Dan's review of the film:
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=20134

]]> john http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782671 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782671 Arts Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:54:36 -0800 Comment by grumpypants I loved this movie, it is often underrated (see above comments). The production design is brilliant and everyone is well-cast, including the usually annoying Mr. Carrey. As Count Olaf, he is perfect: a narcissistic, hammy, and none-too-bright actor.
The movie inspired me to read the books, which I enjoyed even more thoroughly than the film, (with the exception of the disappointing denouement in the final installment)
@2 you can watch a few deleted scenes of Carrey ad-libbing with the acting troupe on the DVD. It's good for a chuckle, but doesn't outshine the film.
That's not to say it's a perfect film- it is definitely flawed. But highly entertaining nonetheless.

]]> grumpypants http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782783 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782783 Arts Mon, 13 Aug 2007 18:55:28 -0800 Comment by lostboy Wow, talk about bittersweet.  It's maddening when a movie with so many ingredients for greatness is ruined by just 1 or 2 big problems, in this case the rushed feeling of the radically compressed timeline and Carrey's too-recognizable schtick jarring you back to the real world.

That rushed feeling is actually the deadlier of the two problems, I think, very similar to the highlight-reel feeling that makes the shoulda-been-great Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix a wretched disaster.

]]> lostboy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782794 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782794 Arts Mon, 13 Aug 2007 19:19:29 -0800 Comment by lostboy On second thought, "ruined" is too strong.  The film is ok, entertaining to watch, rescued by its many strengths.  It just could have been so much better than it was, with so little change.

]]> lostboy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782796 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782796 Arts Mon, 13 Aug 2007 19:26:33 -0800 Comment by robert
would it not have been great if the entire film was done this way
animation = imagination

]]> robert http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782831 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782831 Arts Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:11:05 -0800 Comment by moviefan Are you taking nominations for your next one? Here's my suggestion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXP_qKMuKhc

]]> moviefan http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782834 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782834 Arts Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:17:36 -0800 Comment by Andrew Wright Moviefan:

Ooh, good choice. I like the cut of your jib. Thanks.

]]> Andrew Wright http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782849 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c782849 Arts Mon, 13 Aug 2007 22:21:41 -0800 Comment by Mickymse Or in a different direction:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrjOWtwUQmU

]]> Mickymse http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c783019 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/great_bits_in_mediocre_movies_number_1_o#c783019 Arts Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:56:06 -0800