Well, it's possible I just have the dumb.
Book: Captain, you mind if I say grace? Mal: Only if you say it out loud.
'Serenity'
Buffista Movies 6: lies and videotape
A place to talk about movies--old and new, good and bad, high art and high cheese. It's the place to place your kittens on the award winners, gossip about upcoming fims and discuss DVD releases and extras. Spoiler policy: White font all plot-related discussion until a movie's been in wide release two weeks, and keep the major HSQ in white font until two weeks after the video/DVD release.
brenda m - Dec 01, 2007 6:01:50 am PST #2477 of 10000
If you're going through hell/keep on going/don't slow down/keep your fear from showing/you might be gone/'fore the devil even knows you're there
Dana - Dec 01, 2007 6:02:39 am PST #2478 of 10000
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.
Oh, I vote we blame Sci-Fi.
Tom Scola - Dec 01, 2007 6:03:56 am PST #2479 of 10000
Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.
I believe that The Abyss would have been a far better film if they had cut the alien subplot altogether and made it a straight thriller.
Cashmere - Dec 01, 2007 7:16:38 am PST #2480 of 10000
Now tagless for your comfort.
I agree with Scola.
I just watched Notting Hill. I really think the scene with Bill Withers' "Aint No Sunshine" is, without a doubt, one of the best uses of a piece of music in a movie scene EVER.
Sean K - Dec 01, 2007 7:25:25 am PST #2481 of 10000
You can't leave me to my own devices; my devices are Nap and Eat. -Zenkitty
Actually, it is better when you watch Cameron's original cut, which is almost 40 minutes longer, and hasn't had the alien subplot cut in half.
Specifically, it's the end half that's missing.
Even without Sci-Fi edits, there's a rather important half hour chunk that's missing from the movie, and it does make a big difference when you see it put back in.
Nutty - Dec 01, 2007 8:16:59 am PST #2482 of 10000
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."
I think, though, that the subplot of The Abyss is better than the main plot. If by subplot you mean "Cabin Fever 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" and by main plot you mean "Close Encounters of the Flipper! Kind." Watching an ordinary human go insane and his fellow humans react to it will always be more interesting to me than being preached at by space aliens.
And anyway, even with the 40 minutes missing, it's still way too long a movie. Probably what Jim Cameron should have done is just make two movies.
beekaytee - Dec 01, 2007 10:06:07 am PST #2483 of 10000
Compassionately intolerant
Actually, it is better when you watch Cameron's original cut, which is almost 40 minutes longer, and hasn't had the alien subplot cut in half.
I wanted to love the Abyss when I first saw it, but described it as a really good sandwich on really bad bread. The beginning and end were nonsensical. When I saw the director's cut, it came together in such a satisfying way...my love was requited.
Not to say having two storylines makes for a good movie in this case, but I love it anyway.
Years later, I met the fellow (or, one of the fellows) who invented Big Geek and Little Geek on an airplane. Seriously, it was more fun for me than if I'd met a big star. Then again, I was uncharacteristically starstruck when I met Patch Adams (long before the woeful movie came out). Perhaps I a thing for unsung...sometimes unhummed...heroes.
Theodosia - Dec 01, 2007 10:12:57 am PST #2484 of 10000
'we all walk this earth feeling we are frauds. The trick is to be grateful and hope the caper doesn't end any time soon"
The Abyss was one of the weirder movie-going experiences I've had -- the people I was with thought it was hilariously bad and ended up getting yelled at by other patrons for laughing so much, whereas I could see flaws but still loved a whole lot of it...
Frankenbuddha - Dec 01, 2007 10:16:32 am PST #2485 of 10000
"We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town...Beep! Beep!" - David Bowie, "Fashion"
I liked THE ABYSS - short version (haven't seen the long, and I should) but I felt bad for Michael Biehn. He was great in the role, but it was such a thankless one. Villains should at least know they are.
Kate P. - Dec 01, 2007 12:45:12 pm PST #2486 of 10000
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love
described it as a really good sandwich on really bad bread.
Ha, I love this!