Your Rules for Movie-Going

[Cato]

Recently my wife wondered about seeing a movie that had Sam Elliott.



I said: "I think there's a rule that any movie with Sam Elliott can't be half bad."

The original rule goes back many decades: "Any movie with Jack Elam can't be half bad."



That evolved into a similar rule: "Any movie with Warren Oates can't be half bad."



Since then, I have created similar rules for Steve Buscemi, Steve Zahn, and others.

So I was wondering: what are your rules for movies?  Which actors/directors/etc. create similar rules for going or staying away?

[Karl Henning]

Recently my wife wondered about seeing a movie that had Sam Elliott.



I said: "I think there's a rule that any movie with Sam Elliott can't be half bad."

The story seems to be that the Coen Bros. asked Sam Elliott to do several takes of this last cue, and after a while the exasperated actor pleaded to the effect of, Can you tell me what you're after that I'm not doing yet?  And they told him he got it cold on the first take, but they just liked hearing him read the soliloquy . . . .

http://www.youtube.com/v/EsKoxi12jbI

[Mirror Image]

My only rule for going to the movies is to not go to the movies. The movies are overpriced as are the concession stands that are housed in the theaters. By watching movies at home (on my 55" Samsung LED television and through my Sony blu-ray player), I don't have to deal with the annoyance of people and can proudly avoid the inflated prices charged by the theaters.

[Ken B]

Alistair Sim.

[Todd]

So I was wondering: what are your rules for movies?  Which actors/directors/etc. create similar rules for going or staying away?

The only people currently working that will make me trek out to a movie theater to see their work more or less irrespective of what the movie is about are Christopher Nolan, Darren Aronofsky, and Alfonso Cuaron.  Maybe David Fincher.  Puny TV screens cannot compete with eighty foot monster movie screens, and all three directors always generate compelling imagery, and, for me, that is the primary attraction of movies.  Even when their movies aren't that great overall, the visuals impress.  If acting and dialogue are the main concerns, then plays are perhaps better.  When it comes to the existing catalog of films available for home viewing, the only name I can think of is Stanley Kubrick, and I've seen everything from him that I want to see - that is, from Killer's Kiss forward.

[Cato]

My only rule for going to the movies is to not go to the movies. The movies are overpriced as are the concession stands that are housed in the theaters. By watching movies at home (on my 55" Samsung LED television and through my Sony blu-ray player), I don't have to deal with the annoyance of people and can proudly avoid the inflated prices charged by the theaters.

Here in Ohio we have the phenomenon of "Dollar movies" i.e. the prices are c. $1.50 - $2.50 (depending on the day), which is not bad for the BIG screen.  The movies are "second-run" i.e. they have been out for 2 months or more.   Audiences at the movies we choose are (almost always) well-behaved, and at times we actually lower the average age of the audience!   0:)

Agreed that the concession prices are ridiculous.  Occasionally we might buy a small popcorn, since the place depends on the concessions for most of its income. 

The only people currently working that will make me trek out to a movie theater to see their work more or less irrespective of what the movie is about are Christopher Nolan, Darren Aronofsky, and Alfonso Cuaron.  Maybe David Fincher.  Puny TV screens cannot compete with eighty foot monster movie screens, and all three directors always generate compelling imagery, and, for me, that is the primary attraction of movies.  Even when their movies aren't that great overall, the visuals impress.  If acting and dialogue are the main concerns, then plays are perhaps better.  When it comes to the existing catalog of films available for home viewing, the only name I can think of is Stanley Kubrick, and I've seen everything from him that I want to see - that is, from Killer's Kiss forward.

Dustin Hoffman recently gave his opinion that movies today, in general, are el stinko profundo.

Any interest  in Wes Anderson?  We were charmed by Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

[Mirror Image]

Here in Ohio we have the phenomenon of "Dollar movies" i.e. the prices are c. $1.50 - $2.50 (depending on the day), which is not bad for the BIG screen.  The movies are "second-run" i.e. they have been out for 2 months or more.   Audiences at the movies we choose are (almost always) well-behaved, and at times we actually lower the average age of the audience!   0:)

We used to have several dollar theaters where I live, but they have all disappeared. When I was a teenager, this was a great and affordable way to see a lot of movies.

[Todd]

Dustin Hoffman recently gave his opinion that movies today, in general, are el stinko profundo.

He sounds like a grumpy old man, and since he takes paycheck jobs in films like the Focker and Kung Fu Panda flicks, he's part of the problem.  (And what about Ishtar?)  Whenever I read such a lament from someone so famous, and so rich, I wonder why he or she doesn't use some of his or her own money to bankroll a promising talent. 

Any interest  in Wes Anderson?  We were charmed by Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

I detest the parts of the Wes Anderson films I have seen (Rushmore and The Darjeeling Limited), and have no plans on trying to watch any others.  Few filmmakers have such a strong negative impact on me, but Anderson is one.  I suppose I could add him to my movie going rule list.

[Cato]

He sounds like a grumpy old man, and since he takes paycheck jobs in films like the Focker and Kung Fu Panda flicks, he's part of the problem.  (And what about Ishtar?)


I detest the parts of the Wes Anderson films I have seen (Rushmore and The Darjeeling Limited), and have no plans on trying to watch any others.  Few filmmakers have such a strong negative impact on me, but Anderson is one.  I suppose I could add him to my movie going rule list.

Sometimes the paycheck is more necessary than pride! 

Those movies from Wes Anderson I have not seen.  But the two above we found to be fun, bittersweet at times, and even thought-provoking.

[Brahmsian]

Any interest  in Wes Anderson?   The Grand Budapest Hotel.

I loved 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'.   

[Karl Henning]

My only rule for going to the movies is to not go to the movies. The movies are overpriced as are the concession stands that are housed in the theaters. By watching movies at home (on my 55" Samsung LED television and through my Sony blu-ray player), I don't have to deal with the annoyance of people and can proudly avoid the inflated prices charged by the theaters.

I am in broad sympathy with all that . . . still, we had a lovely time watching The King's Speech on the big screen in Arlington.

I loved 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'.   

I need to watch that one yet . . . .

[Rinaldo]

I detest the parts of the Wes Anderson films I have seen (Rushmore and The Darjeeling Limited), and have no plans on trying to watch any others.  Few filmmakers have such a strong negative impact on me, but Anderson is one.  I suppose I could add him to my movie going rule list.

I never finished Rushmore and haven't seen Darjeeling but Life Aquatic is brilliant and I was charmed by both Moonrise Kingdom, Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Grand Budapest Hotel. If you ever feel like giving Anderson one more chance, I'd heartily recommend one of these. Maybe Moonrise, if you're partial to Britten.

The other Anderson who draws me to the theatre is Paul Thomas Anderson - even though I'm on the fence with most of his movies. Along with Jonathan Glazer, these two are the most 'kubrickian' directors of our time.

[Todd]

If you ever feel like giving Anderson one more chance

Two chances is enough.  I'll stick with the other Mr Anderson.  (And no, I don't mean Neo.)

[drogulus]

     Wes Anderson has great gifts to annoy me in the name of art. I acknowledge both the gifts and the annoyance.

     Both Andersons are to some extent Kubrickian though Wes seems permanently locked in to parodistic framing of what was often parodistical in Stan the Man's own films. I go with P.T. for having a kinder gentler Altmanesque element and less fetishistic imagery.

     For some reason I can't get past the first few minutes of Inherent Vice. I choose to blame Anderson for trying to film Pynchon. It's the first PTA film that has flummoxed me at all.

     Whatever Andrew Dominik wants to do next is what I'll want to see, along with what the Spirieg Bros. come up with. Dominik has done Chopper, The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford, and Killing Them Softly, and that's 3 in a row by my reckoning. The Spiriegs have done Daybreakers and Predestination, both quite original.

[Wakefield]

He sounds like a grumpy old man, and since he takes paycheck jobs in films like the Focker and Kung Fu Panda flicks, he's part of the problem.  (And what about Ishtar?)  Whenever I read such a lament from someone so famous, and so rich, I wonder why he or she doesn't use some of his or her own money to bankroll a promising talent. 

I'll say it again--it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!

An unpopular opinion?

[TheGSMoeller]

I loved 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'.   

Ditto. Favorite film of 2014.

[TheGSMoeller]

l don't have rules, I love going to the movies. There are some films that are just meant to be experienced on a big screen, in a darkened theater and shared with others around you. There's something about seeing a film that makes me more emotional in a theater than at home, you get that opportunity to think and talk about it as you walk to your car, then go to get some coffee and ponder it longer. It's more memorable than sitting at home.
Get out of your houses, people!

[Cato]

l don't have rules, I love going to the movies.
Get out of your houses, people!

Sounds like the rule is not to have rules!  0:)

I should mention another rule, similar to my earlier ones: Paul Thomas Anderson movies are DVD only! 

[TheGSMoeller]

Sounds like the rule is not to have rules!  0:)

I should mention another rule, similar to my earlier ones: Paul Thomas Anderson movies are DVD only! 

Reminds me, has anyone seen Inherent Vice? Never made it to the theater near me. I guess I'll have to watch it from home. 

[Brian]

Reminds me, has anyone seen Inherent Vice? Never made it to the theater near me. I guess I'll have to watch it from home. 

Forgive me linking elsewhere, but yes! http://bgreinhart.wordpress.com/2015/02/28/top-ten-2014-movies-i-saw/