My Final Swipe At "Gigli" - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Lizzie McGuire · 08-06-2003, 09:47 PM

oh shut it im just doing my opition about this movie.

Cashodeen · 08-07-2003, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lizzie McGuire

Why everybody making fun of this movie maybe it worst movie or the year i know it come out DVD and VHS in two month just leave this movie alone you thinking I saw this movie i didn't what i heard or this movie I might see it i don't know it and one thing leave Jennifer and Ben alone

You're smart enough to figure out the internet to be posting at a message board. Be smart enough to figure out the PERIOD BUTTON!!!! Oh, and proof reading is also a plus. I don't usually get on people's cases for this stuff (heck I spell stuff wrong all the time), but your posts are nearly impossible to understand.

Janice · 08-07-2003, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cashodeen
You're smart enough to figure out the internet to be posting at a message board. Be smart enough to figure out the PERIOD BUTTON!!!! Oh, and proof reading is also a plus. I don't usually get on people's cases for this stuff (heck I spell stuff wrong all the time), but your posts are nearly impossible to understand.

I agree, and some of you know that a big pet peeve of mine is when someone corrects another's spelling or grammar, but this isn't poor writing skills. It's lazy and inconsiderate....as if, 'You figure it out'.
I skip right by posts like that.

TJL · 08-07-2003, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by brownsocks
wait for jersy girl to come out next summer and bash the hell out of that, but it is Kevin Smith so don't bash it to bad...or silent bob will kick your ass

I have high hopes for Jersey Girl. I am a fan of Smith's work. When he keeps the Jay and Silent Bob antics to a minimum (like in Chasing Amy) he does some really good stuff.

Anyway, that movie won't be out for several months, and by then the entire Gigli mess will have died down, so I expect it to do very well.

dlemond · 08-07-2003, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
I have high hopes for Jersey Girl. I am a fan of Smith's work. When he keeps the Jay and Silent Bob antics to a minimum (like in Chasing Amy) he does some really good stuff.

Anyway, that movie won't be out for several months, and by then the entire Gigli mess will have died down, so I expect it to do very well.

I'm with you on that. I love Chasing Amy.

Jersey Girl will work because Smith can write- and even more so when he is focused on relationships and good witty banter (not angling the slapstick and body function jokes).

I think it will be his most successful film.

Janice · 08-07-2003, 11:30 AM

Roger Ebert gave Gigli 2.5 stars (out of 4)...a half decent review too. Surprising, considering the pounding the movie has taken and its massive crash and burn at the box office.
He found a few good qualities in the movie.

GIGLI
**1/2 (R)
Larry Gigli: Ben Affleck
Ricki: Jennifer Lopez
Brian: Justin Bartha
Det. Jacobellis: Christopher Walken
Louis: Lenny Venito
Mother: Lainie Kazan

Sony Films presents a film written and directed by Martin Brest. Running time: 124 minutes. Rated R (for sexual content, pervasive language and brief, strong violence).

BY ROGER EBERT

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are in love and plan to get married, as you already know unless you are sealed off from all media, in which case you are not reading this review, so put it down. Because they are a famous couple, starring in a movie romance, we expect something conventional and predictable and that is not what we get from "Gigli." The movie tries to do something different, thoughtful, and a little daring with their relationship, and although it doesn't quite work, maybe the movie is worth seeing for some scenes that are really very good.

Consider the matching monologues. They've gotten into an argument over the necessity of the penis, which she, as a lesbian, feels is an inferior device for delivering sexual pleasure. He delivers an extended lecture on the use, necessity and perfect design of the appendage. It is a rather amazing speech, the sort of thing some moviegoers are probably going to want to memorize. Then she responds. She is backlit, dressed in skintight workout clothes, doing yoga, and she continues to stretch and extend and bend and pose as she responds with her speech in praise of the vagina. When she is finished, Reader, the vagina has won, hands down. It is so rare to find dialogue of such originality and wit, so well written, that even though we know the exchange basically involves actors showing off, they do it so well, we let them.

Affleck plays Larry Gigli, rhymes with "Geely," and one wonders, learning that they rejected several earlier titles for the movie, which ones could have been worse than this. He's an errand boy for a tough-talking Los Angeles mobster named Louis (Lenny Venito). Louis wants to do a favor for a New York mob boss, and orders Gigli to kidnap the mentally ******** brother of a federal prosecutor. Gigli does, walking out of a care facility with Brian (Justin Bartha), who has Rain Man's syndrome. He takes him home, there is a knock on the door, and he meets Ricki (Lopez), who is also a mob enforcer. Louis is taking no chances and has assigned both of them to guard the boy.

This is the set-up for an obvious plot that the movie, written by director Martin Brest, wisely avoids. Instead of falling in love and psychically adopting Brian, or (alternate cliche) fighting all the time, Gigli and Ricki get to like each other very, very much, even though she makes it perfectly clear that she is a lesbian. So resolute is the movie in its idea of her character that she doesn't even cave in and have a conversion experience, which is what we're expecting, but remains a lesbian--as indeed, as a good lesbian, she should.

Their conversations take on a rather desperate quality, since Gigli feels lust and love, and she feels strong affection. What transpires between them, and whether they ever put their theories about genitalia through a field test, I will not reveal. Meanwhile, Brian behaves like a well-rehearsed Movie ******** Person, does or doesn't do whatever the script requires, and conveniently disappears into his room when he is not needed.

Lopez and Affleck are sweet and appealing in their performances; the buzz said they didn't have chemistry, but the buzz was wrong. What they don't have is conviction. There is no way these two are killers for the mob. They don't have the disposition for it. And consider this: If you had kidnapped the highly recognizable Rain Man brother of a top federal prosecutor, would you drive him all over Los Angeles in a convertible with the top down, and take him to restaurants and malls?

So the crime plot is completely unconvincing. It does, however, open the door for the movie's collection of inspired supporting performances. Christopher Walken, as a cop who knows Gigli, walks into his apartment and does five minutes of Walkenizing and the audience eats up every second. Lainie Kazan, as Gigli's mother, sizes up Ricky instantly, likes her, learns she is a lesbian, chucks her under the chin and says, "But you've been with guys, right?" Then she talks about her own Highly Experimental youth, while solidifying her position as the ethnic mother of choice in modern American movies. And then toward the end, Starkman, the mob boss from New York, arrives, and is played in a cameo by Al Pacino--who makes the journey from extravagant dopiness to chilling intimidation faster and better than anyone else I can think of.

So the movie doesn't work. The ending especially doesn't work, and what's worse, it doesn't work for a long time, because it fails to work for minute after minute, and includes dialogue which is almost entirely unnecessary. But there is good stuff here. Affleck and Lopez create lovely characters, even if they're not the ones they're allegedly playing, and the supporting performances and a lot of the dialogue is wonderful. It's just that there's too much time between the good scenes. Too much repetitive dialogue. Too many soulful looks. Behavior we can't believe. I wonder what would happen if you sweated 15 minutes out of this movie. Maybe it would work. The materials are there.

Copyright © Chicago Sun-Times Inc.

dlemond · 08-07-2003, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice
Roger Ebert gave Gigli 2.5 stars (out of 4)...a half decent review too. Surprising, considering the pounding the movie has taken and its massive crash and burn at the box office.

http://www.suntimes.com/cgi-bin/print.cgi

I read that review.
Ebert can be flakey occasionally, not bashing movies that deserve it for some reason. It used to make me wonder about his agenda at times.

With time and distance maybe he will realize that he was being too kind.

Janice · 08-07-2003, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlemond
I read that review.
Ebert can be flakey at times, not bashing movies that deserve it for some reason. It used to make me wonder about his agenda at times.

With time and distance maybe he will realize that he was being too kind.

Could be, but maybe he wrote what he feels about the movie. He doesn't claim it's a good movie, but rather points out what worked as well as what didn't work in the movie.

dlemond · 08-07-2003, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice
Could be, but maybe he wrote what he feels about the movie. He doesn't claim it's a good movie, but rather points out what worked as well as what didn't work in the movie.

The thing is, how did he give it 2 1/2 stars?

-He said the stars lacked conviction.

-The plot is "completely unconvincing"

-"So the movie doesn't work"

This would merit- in any sane world- no more than 2 stars at the most. And he gives it a half more?

You wonder if he is reviewing the movie or making a personal affection note for himself with this rating.

Janice · 08-07-2003, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlemond
This would merit- in any sane world- no more than 2 stars at the most. And he gives it a half more?

I agree his star rating was a half star over his written review. I think he found some redeeming qualities in the movie that offset the out and out rotten ones.

Lizzie McGuire · 08-07-2003, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cashodeen
You're smart enough to figure out the internet to be posting at a message board. Be smart enough to figure out the PERIOD BUTTON!!!! Oh, and proof reading is also a plus. I don't usually get on people's cases for this stuff (heck I spell stuff wrong all the time), but your posts are nearly impossible to understand.

Oh shut it i can write what i can write and one thing i don't care about my grammer at all and one thing im just hearing bad thing about this movie if you saw this movie if you don't like it keep it to yourself okay, i know it a worst movie of the year maybe i will wacth it maybe i wont.....

Cashodeen · 08-07-2003, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lizzie McGuire

Oh shut it i can write what i can write and one thing i don't care about my grammer at all and one thing im just hearing bad thing about this movie if you saw this movie if you don't like it keep it to yourself okay, i know it a worst movie of the year maybe i will wacth it maybe i wont.....

Let me get this straight: I have to "shut it" but you, Miss Ramble Puss, can say whatever you want???

YOU ARE REALLY OUTER LIMITS!!

Janice · 08-07-2003, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lizzie McGuire
and one thing im just hearing bad thing about this movie if you saw this movie if you don't like it keep it to yourself okay, i know it a worst movie of the year maybe i will wacth it maybe i wont.....

Just in case you missed it the first time.

Lizzie McGuire · 08-07-2003, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cashodeen
Let me get this straight: I have to "shut it" but you, Miss Ramble Puss, can say whatever you want???

YOU ARE REALLY OUTER LIMITS!!

Whatever you said

Lizzie McGuire · 08-07-2003, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice
Just in case you missed it the first time.

I really saw that thing

08-06-2003, 09:47 PM	#16
Lizzie McGuire John Cena and Edge are fine Forum Regular Join Date: May 11, 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 731	oh shut it im just doing my opition about this movie.
	__________________ Edge take Bubbles away I Hilary Duff Bubbles Edge Love Lita John Cena and Edge Rules

08-07-2003, 11:30 AM	#21
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Roger Ebert gave Gigli 2.5 stars (out of 4)...a half decent review too. Surprising, considering the pounding the movie has taken and its massive crash and burn at the box office. He found a few good qualities in the movie. GIGLI 1/2 (R) Larry Gigli: Ben Affleck Ricki: Jennifer Lopez Brian: Justin Bartha Det. Jacobellis: Christopher Walken Louis: Lenny Venito Mother: Lainie Kazan Sony Films presents a film written and directed by Martin Brest. Running time: 124 minutes. Rated R (for sexual content, pervasive language and brief, strong violence). BY ROGER EBERT Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are in love and plan to get married, as you already know unless you are sealed off from all media, in which case you are not reading this review, so put it down. Because they are a famous couple, starring in a movie romance, we expect something conventional and predictable and that is not what we get from "Gigli." The movie tries to do something different, thoughtful, and a little daring with their relationship, and although it doesn't quite work, maybe the movie is worth seeing for some scenes that are really very good. Consider the matching monologues. They've gotten into an argument over the necessity of the penis, which she, as a lesbian, feels is an inferior device for delivering sexual pleasure. He delivers an extended lecture on the use, necessity and perfect design of the appendage. It is a rather amazing speech, the sort of thing some moviegoers are probably going to want to memorize. Then she responds. She is backlit, dressed in skintight workout clothes, doing yoga, and she continues to stretch and extend and bend and pose as she responds with her speech in praise of the vagina. When she is finished, Reader, the vagina has won, hands down. It is so rare to find dialogue of such originality and wit, so well written, that even though we know the exchange basically involves actors showing off, they do it so well, we let them. Affleck plays Larry Gigli, rhymes with "Geely," and one wonders, learning that they rejected several earlier titles for the movie, which ones could have been worse than this. He's an errand boy for a tough-talking Los Angeles mobster named Louis (Lenny Venito). Louis wants to do a favor for a New York mob boss, and orders Gigli to kidnap the mentally **** brother of a federal prosecutor. Gigli does, walking out of a care facility with Brian (Justin Bartha), who has Rain Man's syndrome. He takes him home, there is a knock on the door, and he meets Ricki (Lopez), who is also a mob enforcer. Louis is taking no chances and has assigned both of them to guard the boy. This is the set-up for an obvious plot that the movie, written by director Martin Brest, wisely avoids. Instead of falling in love and psychically adopting Brian, or (alternate cliche) fighting all the time, Gigli and Ricki get to like each other very, very much, even though she makes it perfectly clear that she is a lesbian. So resolute is the movie in its idea of her character that she doesn't even cave in and have a conversion experience, which is what we're expecting, but remains a lesbian--as indeed, as a good lesbian, she should. Their conversations take on a rather desperate quality, since Gigli feels lust and love, and she feels strong affection. What transpires between them, and whether they ever put their theories about genitalia through a field test, I will not reveal. Meanwhile, Brian behaves like a well-rehearsed Movie ****** Person, does or doesn't do whatever the script requires, and conveniently disappears into his room when he is not needed. Lopez and Affleck are sweet and appealing in their performances; the buzz said they didn't have chemistry, but the buzz was wrong. What they don't have is conviction. There is no way these two are killers for the mob. They don't have the disposition for it. And consider this: If you had kidnapped the highly recognizable Rain Man brother of a top federal prosecutor, would you drive him all over Los Angeles in a convertible with the top down, and take him to restaurants and malls? So the crime plot is completely unconvincing. It does, however, open the door for the movie's collection of inspired supporting performances. Christopher Walken, as a cop who knows Gigli, walks into his apartment and does five minutes of Walkenizing and the audience eats up every second. Lainie Kazan, as Gigli's mother, sizes up Ricky instantly, likes her, learns she is a lesbian, chucks her under the chin and says, "But you've been with guys, right?" Then she talks about her own Highly Experimental youth, while solidifying her position as the ethnic mother of choice in modern American movies. And then toward the end, Starkman, the mob boss from New York, arrives, and is played in a cameo by Al Pacino--who makes the journey from extravagant dopiness to chilling intimidation faster and better than anyone else I can think of. So the movie doesn't work. The ending especially doesn't work, and what's worse, it doesn't work for a long time, because it fails to work for minute after minute, and includes dialogue which is almost entirely unnecessary. But there is good stuff here. Affleck and Lopez create lovely characters, even if they're not the ones they're allegedly playing, and the supporting performances and a lot of the dialogue is wonderful. It's just that there's too much time between the good scenes. Too much repetitive dialogue. Too many soulful looks. Behavior we can't believe. I wonder what would happen if you sweated 15 minutes out of this movie. Maybe it would work. The materials are there. Copyright © Chicago Sun-Times Inc.