This is topic OSC's Hamlet 2 review in forum Discussions About Orson Scott Card at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by mimsies (Member # 7418) on :
 
I thought that was an interesting review. Hamlet 2 was filmed in New Mexico, and my mom was an extra in a cafeteria scene (you wouldn't have seen her as anything but a blob in the background).

She refuses to go see it. Even on set she knew it would be a painfully stupid movie. I am sorry I didn't warn you before you spent your money on it.

It was filmed at a place called West Mesa High School. It is a very poor school. Most of the teenaged extras were students there, and most planned on donating their paychecks back to the school. They also hated the movie after being on set, and were embarrassed at the thought that people who see the movie might think that students at the school really behave like the characters in the movie.

My mom said all the kids (the extras that is) were really sweet and pleasant (at least the ones at her table). She gave them Social Studies work (New Mexico, Southwest, and Native American History) and they actually did it and planned on handing it in to their appropriate teachers when the school week started (filming was on a weekend).

It brought back memories to me of substitute teaching in the Native American Studies Class at the same school. They were really good kids.

I guess I'm babbling. I just found the review interesting because of the family connection to the movie. It seems that it WAS as stupid as my mom thought it would be!

edits applied

[ September 16, 2008, 12:48 PM: Message edited by: mimsies ]
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
So they didn't get their loot back?
 
Posted by Shanna (Member # 7900) on :
 
I sadly agree with most of OSC's review (this is a very unusual occurrence.) I saw it while in Georgia after evacuating for Gustav, so if there was ever a girl who needed a laugh it was me.

I had a few private giggle during the first half. The teacher, while being incredible dim, was still more self-aware the high school and college theater teachers I've known. My college roommate who had done theater her whole life recommended it to me. I'm sure she saw caricatures of many of her friends and enemies in the movie.

The play itself was the best part and if they included a full-length version of the musical on the dvd, I would buy it without hesitation.
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
I haven't seen it before. I don't like most comedies. But the Rock Me Sexy Jesus song makes me giggle for some reason.

Hot chocolate with water. ew.
 
Posted by mimsies (Member # 7418) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Synesthesia:
So they didn't get their loot back?

Do you mean the kids didn't get their paychecks? I'm guessing they did, but somehow donated it to their high school. If that's not what you meant, I can't answer that question!
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by mimsies:
quote:
Originally posted by Synesthesia:
So they didn't get their loot back?

Do you mean the kids didn't get their paychecks? I'm guessing they did, but somehow donated it to their high school. If that's not what you meant, I can't answer that question!
Well, I meant did the Cards get their loot back? I'd hate to pay full price for a movie and lose my loot.
Which is why I mostly watch good movies like S in the C, Wall-E and Dark Knight.
But it's nice of them to donate their money to their school.
 
Posted by Clandestineguitarplayer (Member # 11571) on :
 
I really agree with the review... That was the most stupid movie in the world and If I were smart I wouldnt waste a penny on something so stupid ever again. It was the lamest, most revoltingly blasphemous piece of crap I have ever laid eyes upon... I wish it would explode... I think the writers should all be put to sleep for that... Completely unfunny at all times, I am usually pretty generous with my laughter but I just did not get what they were going for, and they definitely spend all their budget bribing for those reviews... It was definitely not the next Napoleon Dynomite... Dementedly Stupid....... [Mad]
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
Hmm
Guess I won't see it then.
But I've seen stupider.

Like Failure to Launch ><
 
Posted by TL (Member # 8124) on :
 
Pam Brady, the writer of this movie, has a very distinctive sense of humor -- fairly mean-spirited and filled with off-the-wall non-sequitors. I wouldn't go so far as to say that she herself is stupid. I sort of imagine her to be quite smart, but the comedies she writes are very... odd.

If you've seen Hot Rod, you have a pretty good idea of what to expect from her.

So far, I've had fun with her movies, and I had fun watching Hamlet 2. I liked it, but I'm conflicted about whether or not I want to call it good. I certainly have no problem with people who hate the movies she writes. I think I'm out on a limb for liking them.

I tend to be drawn to distinctive voices, though.
 
Posted by Amka (Member # 690) on :
 
Hi Syn,

Why don't you like Failure to Launch?
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Amka:
Hi Syn,

Why don't you like Failure to Launch?

It along with several other movies like Wedding Crashers bugged me.
They had talented actors, but didn't know how to direct them. There were silly plots like all of the biting animals.
If the parents wanted him out so bad, why did the mother feed him a good breakfast and do his laundry? They should have been like OUT, SHOO, LEAVE THE NEST ALREADY.
Plus why would someone WANT to live with their parents? But other people are not me, so, oh well.
I just didn't like it.
Same with The Family Stone and Wedding Planners, but I did like 40 year old Virgin. It actually didn't have bad values considering that.


Spoiler

he waited until he was married to have sex.
 
Posted by Amka (Member # 690) on :
 
I get that.

Interesting how my personal experiences changed how I saw it.

I felt like the mom was just in the habit, and it didn't occur to her. She did that once it was mentioned to her. I've seen moms that take care of their kids like that. Also, though I was very happy to move out ASAP, my husband grew up in a culture where kids always live with parents until their married and sometimes after depending on housing availability. This is probably more common throughout the world than the way we do it in America.

The parents probably also felt guilty because of his fiance that died, and were themselves stuck in a rut of coddling him because of her death.

But I agree, the animal biting thing was silly. Bird was a funny side plot.

I recall watching, but don't remember Family Stone and Wedding planners, so I must not have liked them. 40 yr old was okay.

One of my favorite romantic comedies is Hitch.
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
Yeah, i like that movie. It was sweet
it had sitcom guys from shows I don't like and they did such a good job.
Emily Dechanel was sort of wasted in FTL though.
 
Posted by Clandestineguitarplayer (Member # 11571) on :
 
I liked Hitch, but I think even though Will Smith is a great actor, people should give him a break for a while... Having him in every movie is starting to get a little old... How many characters can one man play!
 
Posted by T:man (Member # 11614) on :
 
Everyone!

Him as everyone wouldn't be dull for like five days. (thats longer than almost anyone.)
 
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
 
I liked a lot of Hitch, but it reminded me how irritated I get with the trend in many romantic comedies that the man has to go after the woman after the final conflict, often apologizing or making a fool of himself in the process. That particular one was very much a case of "she just made your life a living hell because of her jumping to conclusions; why are you apologizing to her?" Frankly, by that point I wondered why he was bothering.
 
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
 
In general, I've started to notice how much of TV and film creates artificial tension by having the characters unrealistically fail to simply SAY something simple to defuse a situation.

Generic romantic comedy situation: One of the two romantic leads discovers the other in what looks like a compromising situation, but is actually wholly (or mostly) innocent. The caught one starts to explain, but the catcher tells them "Save it" and walks away. At this point, the caught one stands in limp dismay rather than insisting on being heard. Cue wistful music and moping montage.

I've been catching up on the TV show Lost, and they use this device CONSTANTLY. About once an episode someone can defuse a situation by speaking, but is silenced by another character who just doesn't have the patience to hear it, and is then completely mute until somebody gets punched, knocked out, killed, or kidnapped. I think I'm going to start or resurrect a Lost thread to list all the goofy devices they are returning to over and over ad nauseum.
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
That is a lame plot device.
 
Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Synesthesia:

Emily Dechanel was sort of wasted in FTL though.

It wasn't Emily. It was her sister Zooey and I thought she was one of the best parts of the movie.
 
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by solo:
quote:
Originally posted by Synesthesia:

Emily Dechanel was sort of wasted in FTL though.

It wasn't Emily. It was her sister Zooey and I thought she was one of the best parts of the movie.
Oops
Well. they are both smoking hot women.
Damn!
Also, she was better in Bridge to Terabithia.
That whole bird killing thing was not funny.
 


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