Has Ron seen The Dark Knight yet?

[boken-a]

I've been away from my XM for a couple of weeks. Has "popcorn" Ronnie B seen Dark Knight? Did he enjoy it or was his review cooler than thou per usual?

[RAAMONE]

yes

[IMSlacker]

I believe he gave it 9 popcorn buckets out of 10.

[ozzie]

http://www.standardconcessionsupply.com/t/paragon_85_oz.jpghttp://www.standardconcessionsupply.com/t/paragon_85_oz.jpghttp://www.standardconcessionsupply.com/t/paragon_85_oz.jpghttp://www.standardconcessionsupply.com/t/paragon_85_oz.jpghttp://www.standardconcessionsupply.com/t/paragon_85_oz.jpg
http://www.standardconcessionsupply.com/t/paragon_85_oz.jpghttp://www.standardconcessionsupply.com/t/paragon_85_oz.jpghttp://www.standardconcessionsupply.com/t/paragon_85_oz.jpghttp://www.standardconcessionsupply.com/t/paragon_85_oz.jpg

9 Popcorn Buckets

[foodcourtdruide]

I've been away from my XM for a couple of weeks. Has "popcorn" Ronnie B seen Dark Knight? Did he enjoy it or was his review cooler than thou per usual?

Just because he doesn't like the same movies you do, he's "cooler than thou"?

[Knowledged_one]

Just because he doesn't like the same movies you do, he's "cooler than thou"?

another guy who deifies a man and thinks hes a god

(not you foodcourt)

[boken-a]

Just because he doesn't like the same movies you do, he's "cooler than thou"?

No. I love the man. All I'm saying is, at times, he can be a bit of a Bedford Avenue hipster windbag. You know, going out of his way to show how "above" everything he is. Maybe it's just an act, but once in awhile I wish the man would crack and admit to enjoying something that isn't just playing at the IFC or Cinema Village.

[donnie_darko]

i agree, i get it, if a movie is popular you won't like it ron...we all get it.

he did go as far as to say that heath did a good job, and also something along the lines of the movie being one of the first superhero movies to almost be a good movie.

I wouldn't worry too much about ron's opinion in movies, i mean he watches big brother for christs sake.

[RAAMONE]

i agree, i get it, if a movie is popular you won't like it ron...we all get it.

he did go as far as to say that heath did a good job, and also something along the lines of the movie being one of the first superhero movies to almost be a good movie.

I wouldn't worry too much about ron's opinion in movies, i mean he watches big brother for christs sake.

and i am wondering if he is gonna lie and say he enjoyed all of seth rogans movies...since they are all hilarious yet are "popcorn movies"

[NewYorkDragons80]

Maybe it's just an act, but once in awhile I wish the man would crack and admit to enjoying something that isn't just playing at the IFC or Cinema Village.
I'm with you, and I think it is partly an act. In terms of comedic value, I'll take too cool for school over an open mind any day of the week. It does get frustrating when he trashes something you enjoy, but it's funny in the long run.

[boken-a]

I'm with you, and I think it is partly an act. In terms of comedic value, I'll take too cool for school over an open mind any day of the week. It does get frustrating when he trashes something you enjoy, but it's funny in the long run.

Hey, listen, anytime Ron waxes poetic on a subject I'm gonna be laughing my yambag off. It's when he casually dismisses something he probably hasn't even experienced just because a whole lot of people like it at the same time. That's when I'm like "C'mon, man, get over yourself." :annoyed:

[mikeyboy]

I'm with you, and I think it is partly an act. In terms of comedic value, I'll take too cool for school over an open mind any day of the week. It does get frustrating when he trashes something you enjoy, but it's funny in the long run.

I don't know. I don't think it's an act. Personally, I think most of the so-called summer blockbusters are dogshit, and if I ever end up seeing them, it's usually on cable. That's not to say that there aren't occasionally good movies that fall into that genre, but I really don't enjoy most of them. Am I being "too cool for the room"? Hardly. Am I a liar because I have no interest in seeing the likes of "Transformers"? No. I'm just being honest. I love how people think you aren't being honest with your tastes if you say you don't like certain things that are popular. It happens with music too. Maybe you can just accept that people like what they like.

[drjoek]

No. I love the man. All I'm saying is, at times, he can be a bit of a Bedford Avenue hipster windbag. You know, going out of his way to show how "above" everything he is. Maybe it's just an act, but once in awhile I wish the man would crack and admit to enjoying something that isn't just playing at the IFC or Cinema Village.

Like Ronnie B would ever be caught in Brooklyn. I doubt he even knows where Brooklyn is

[foodcourtdruide]

i agree, i get it, if a movie is popular you won't like it ron...we all get it.

he did go as far as to say that heath did a good job, and also something along the lines of the movie being one of the first superhero movies to almost be a good movie.

I wouldn't worry too much about ron's opinion in movies, i mean he watches big brother for christs sake.

Ron doesn't dislike all popular movies. He raves about the Matrix.

[foodcourtdruide]

I don't know. I don't think it's an act. Personally, I think most of the so-called summer blockbusters are dogshit, and if I ever end up seeing them, it's usually on cable. That's not to say that there aren't occasionally good movies that fall into that genre, but I really don't enjoy most of them. Am I being "too cool for the room"? Hardly. Am I a liar because I have no interest in seeing the likes of "Transformers"? No. I'm just being honest. I love how people think you aren't being honest with your tastes if you say you don't like certain things that are popular. It happens with music too. Maybe you can just accept that people like what they like.

I agree on your dogshit comment. I can't tell you how many fucking people told me to see Transformers and how AWFUL that movie was.

Also, I was so excited for Cloverfield and it may have been the biggest piece of shit plot and story I've ever witnessed.

I think Ron is pretty fair about movies, he didn't bash Dark Knight, but he didn't scream about it being the best film since Godfather II (as some people here have). I agree with him. I liked Dark Knight a lot and Heath Ledger gave a great performance. It had some issues, but I'd say overall it was really good. Am I too cool for the room just because I'm not saying it's the best movie ever ever ever made?

[bigtim666]

. Am I being "too cool for the room"? .

absolutely no chance of that happening

[Dougie Brootal]

absolutely no chance of that happening

LOTD!:lol:

[boken-a]

I don't know. I don't think it's an act. Personally, I think most of the so-called summer blockbusters are dogshit, and if I ever end up seeing them, it's usually on cable. That's not to say that there aren't occasionally good movies that fall into that genre, but I really don't enjoy most of them. Am I being "too cool for the room"? Hardly. Am I a liar because I have no interest in seeing the likes of "Transformers"? No. I'm just being honest. I love how people think you aren't being honest with your tastes if you say you don't like certain things that are popular. It happens with music too. Maybe you can just accept that people like what they like.

It's one thing to genuinely dislike something. That's just having a preference. It's quite another to throw a blanket over all that is popular just to maintain some sort of image. I agree that I don't have to see a film like Transformers to know I'll hate it. That doesn't mean it's "dogshit", it just isn't my cup o' tea.

Pineapple Express and Tropic Thunder look like my cup o' tea, and they are going to be blockbusters. Guaranteed. They may also be well crafted films. It's possible to have both. Unfortunately the Ron's of the world will dismiss them as art based wholly on ticket sales and popularity.

People have every right to go though life contrarians if they so desire. Just stop lugging that friggin' soapbox around with you. It's gotta be getting heavy by now.

[Freakshow]

Ronnie references Starship Troopers on a weekly basis. He seems to have genuinely enjoyed that film, so that pretty much goes in the face of your theory that he only likes IFC arthouse films.

[drjoek]

Ron talked about "Tenacious D and the pick of what the fuck difference does it make..."as if it were by Fellinni too. Ron sees everything and has an opinion thats what I listen for.

[boken-a]

C'mon, Starship Troopers defies categorization. It's so bad it's pure bliss. Like Showgirls. Ronnie would have to be lacking a pulse not appreciate that film for what it is. Sorry, bad example, try again.

And no more Matrix and Big Brother's either. Old hat.

[foodcourtdruide]

C'mon, Starship Troopers defies categorization. It's so bad it's pure bliss. Like Showgirls. Ronnie would have to be lacking a pulse not appreciate that film for what it is. Sorry, bad example, try again.

And no more Matrix and Big Brother's either. Old hat.

Why is it old hat? The Matrix was a blockbuster he enjoyed. What movie did Ron hurt your feelings by not liking?

[boken-a]

Why is it old hat? The Matrix was a blockbuster he enjoyed. What movie did Ron hurt your feelings by not liking?

Old Hat = those are the two examples run into the ground by the worshippers. And no film in particular. No one hurt my feelings. If you read my posts above you'll see I'm just making an observation on Ron's general attitude towards the mainstream.

Sheesh.

[JustJon]

Ron talked about "Tenacious D and the pick of what the fuck difference does it make..."as if it were by Fellinni too. Ron sees everything and has an opinion thats what I listen for.

I believe Ron's review of the D movie when he saw it on cable was "it was a funny little movie." They actually spent a couple minutes discussing it and how it was cute but just came out at the wrong time.

[Knowledged_one]

C'mon, Starship Troopers defies categorization. It's so bad it's pure bliss. Like Showgirls. Ronnie would have to be lacking a pulse not appreciate that film for what it is. Sorry, bad example, try again.

And no more Matrix and Big Brother's either. Old hat.

kinda like saying yambag

[NewYorkDragons80]

I don't know. I don't think it's an act. Personally, I think most of the so-called summer blockbusters are dogshit, and if I ever end up seeing them, it's usually on cable. That's not to say that there aren't occasionally good movies that fall into that genre, but I really don't enjoy most of them. Am I being "too cool for the room"? Hardly. Am I a liar because I have no interest in seeing the likes of "Transformers"? No. I'm just being honest. I love how people think you aren't being honest with your tastes if you say you don't like certain things that are popular. It happens with music too. Maybe you can just accept that people like what they like.
That's fair, but the "popcorn Ronnie B" was setting up movies to get goofed on. I'm not complaining, because it was a consistently hilarious bit. But all of those movies were marked for a verbal thrashing before anybody screened them. I liked Indiana Jones, but I still found Ron's take to be funny. Like all great comedians, Ron will err on the side of humor over his own personal interests. That means treating a 2 star movie like a flop if it means getting some good lines out there.

[mikeyboy]

Pineapple Express and Tropic Thunder look like my cup o' tea, and they are going to be blockbusters. Guaranteed. They may also be well crafted films. It's possible to have both.

FYI - Tropic Thunder isn't a well-crafted movie, at least not the version that Jon and I saw at a screening last month. It's definitely funny, but the plot is a mess, and really doesn't make a lot of sense. Also, major plot points arise that are just dismissed. If they re-tooled it for release, that will be another story. Some people may say that story is irrelevant in broad comedy, but think back on the most loved comedies of all time, and not even just the "high-browed" stuff, 95% of the time there is a decent story that makes sense propelling the jokes.

[NewYorkDragons80]

Ron "Too cool for school" Bennington was on yesterday saying the Dark Knight was stupid and meant for children. We all knew it was coming and it was only a matter of time. I love Ronnie, but we all know he hates on everything. He does it for laughs and I love him for it, but he hates on everything.

[boonanas]

The thing with Ron, I believe, is that he doesn't like any movie where you have to suspend belief for any amount of time (of course with very few exceptions), which I guess is sort of admirable but I don't think it's why most people go to the cinema. I believe most people go to escape, which usually follows the suspension of belief.

[CofyCrakCocaine]

Those who have a taste for dung get to enjoy more things than he does in the cinema. Face, be happy with it shit-eaters.

[ADF]

My feeling is that Ron doesn't have a "too cool for the room" outlook, but rather a more critical eye than most of us are willing to develop. Generally speaking, it's mental laziness to like most of the popcorn movies. I would posit that Americans are pretty lazy (myself included) and are willing to accept crap like Indiana Jones 4 or Spider-man 3 as watchable. I wouldn't doubt that Ron will watch a bad movie on TBS during a Saturday afternoon when the family is out shopping, but he's not going to pay money to see Fantastic Four 2.

[AKA]

Ron did go on record once saying he liked SUPERMAN RETURNS when it came out, and while it wasn't a "popcorn" movie Ron's favorite film one year was SHAUN OF THE DEAD, which is hardly "high-brow" and both you had to "suspend disbelief." He's also never trashed a Tarrantino film, even the last one - which most of the "too cool for the room" crowd bailed on.

Most of these films these days are dogshit, bottom line - it's depressing at times when you actually want to go check out a good movie. I personally liked IRON MAN, and who knows - maybe so would have Ron if we all hadn't been bombarded with crap after crap.

I'm sure Ron will go see WATCHMEN and if it's good, he'll let people know.

[foodcourtdruide]

Ron "Too cool for school" Bennington was on yesterday saying the Dark Knight was stupid and meant for children. We all knew it was coming and it was only a matter of time. I love Ronnie, but we all know he hates on everything. He does it for laughs and I love him for it, but he hates on everything.

I think his comments on the film were valid and something I always struggle with.

I enjoyed Dark Knight but I don't even know how you can compare an action/comic book movie to films like The Visitor or There Will Be Blood. I don't know how it fits historically compared to films ilke Chinatown or The Godfather.

I've been bashed for this by a co-worker who called me an elitist, but it's the best way I can describe my internal dilemma, so here goes...

I think the notion of "high art" and "low art" come into play regarding The Dark Knight and that's what makes me uneasy about it. To me High Art is a piece of art that has to be looked at critically and with knowledge to be understood and enjoyed, while Low Art is a piece of art that can be enjoyed using your most basic senses. I think all forms of art/entertainment fall into these categories and it's not necessarily a bad thing to enjoy either, but I can understand how one who enjoys the more complex/intricate features of an artform would be peaved when typically Low Art (appeals to simple tastes) pieces are deemed High Art by the masses.

Batman/Comics/Action films are generally (not always) considered Low Art. If we agree (which we may not) that the comic book and action films are typically devices to deliver art that would be considered Low Art, then TDK is a film with Low Art roots that makes an artistic attempt to be High Art (and is often thrown into the High Art realm by people), but still clings to Low Art devices (if we define Low Art as an appeal to our most basic senses) and I think that's where the dilemma is. Film fans who view film from a more critical eye look at the Low Art comic book movie, which uses some Low Art artistic devices trying to invade their High Art world. It makes them uneasy in mentioning the film with films they undoubtedly deem as High Art.

Wow, that was a long post, sorry it's just been on my mind for quite some time and I wanted to write it out. This is just my opinion so don't call me a dipshit.

Here's some more info on high/low art definitions:
http://faculty.frostburg.edu/phil/forum/HighArt.htm

[Aqualad]

I enjoy every stupid blockbuster superhero CGI explosionfest out there, but Transformers was pure shit. Awful awful movie.

[foodcourtdruide]

I enjoy every stupid blockbuster superhero CGI explosionfest out there, but Transformers was pure shit. Awful awful movie.

I enjoy them to a degree too. Sometimes it's nice to shut off my mind and watch a non-stop action movie, but I agree Transformers was TERRIBLE. I don't know how anyone could have enjoyed it.

[CofyCrakCocaine]

I remember in my Philosophy 101 class this one kid who put down an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson stating that since he didn't understand what Emerson was saying right off the bat, that Emerson was a bad writer, an opinion he maintains to this day.

Fast forward 6 years and he's second-in-line for CEO. And he can play a mean set of drums.

So I guess having 'low art' tastes don't make you a bad person all the time. But I'm probably misquoting foodcourt's definitions, for which I apologize in advance.

[foodcourtdruide]

I remember in my Philosophy 101 class this one kid who put down an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson stating that since he didn't understand what Emerson was saying right off the bat, that Emerson was a bad writer, an opinion he maintains to this day.

Fast forward 6 years and he's second-in-line for CEO. And he can play a mean set of drums.

So I guess having 'low art' tastes don't make you a bad person all the time. But I'm probably misquoting foodcourt's definitions, for which I apologize in advance.

I think my co-worker got really defensive because I associated his likes with the term "low art" and he thought it was an insult. It really isn't an insult at all. I don't think there's a person alive that doesn't enjoy some low art, and if there was they'd probably be incredibly boring. In my opinion, it's a pride thing. Some people can't accept that they enjoy entertainment that others consider unsophisticated.

[donnie_darko]

i definitely agree with the scuba suit comments though, but going to a comic book movie and complaining about the believability is fucking asinine.

[Serpico1103]

i definitely agree with the scuba suit comments though, but going to a comic book movie and complaining about the believability is fucking asinine.

I sort of agree. They have to create a world in which what happens is believable.

[ScottFromGA]

at least the X-men, (excluding the last one) did seek to make it more realistic which made the believability factor go way up on the scale.


The Dark Knight had that as well.

[ahhdurr]

yes talks about it all the time ... few more to go.

[epo]

I could have sworn that his full review was in his blog?