Theoldboozer: Movie critics wanted

[Theoldboozer]

Am considering seeing "The Cooler"This flick has gotten good reviews and an Oscar nomination for Baldwin.Worth a look?

[college kid]

Definately worth seeing-- especially for the relationship between Baldwin's and Macy's characters.

> Am considering seeing "The
> Cooler"This flick has gotten good
> reviews and an Oscar nomination for
> Baldwin.Worth a look?

[LVBear584]

It was so bad that I considered asking for my money back. The two hours wasted would have been more enjoyable watching paint dry.

[college kid]

[Parker]

> It was so bad that I considered asking for
> my money back. The two hours wasted would
> have been more enjoyable watching paint dry.

Okay, I think we have established that you did not like it. :-)

Why? Bad acting, implausable plot, unrealistic portrayal of Las Vegas/casinos? All of the above? Something else?

The original poster asked for "movie critics." So, please tell us just what made the film such an unpleasant experience for you.

[LVBear584]

Why? Bad acting, implausable plot, unrealistic portrayal of Las Vegas/casinos? All of the above? Something else?

It was a stupid movie. There wasn't one likeable character. Even the people who were supposed to be the good people were creeps.

The plot was idiotic, the scenes unrealistic, the characters unbelievable.

There was nothing to like about it except that it eventually ended. As I was leaving, I remember thinking, "Why did they even make this movie? What was the point?" It was about as bad as a movie can get, in my opinion. I should have left after the first fifteen minutes or so, like I was going to do. But I stayed, thinking "it's got to get better." It didn't.

[college kid]

then you'll really hate the movie. William H. Macy's character is so depressing and yeah it's not what I thought it would be and yeah-- well, okay, everything LVBear584 said about the movie is basically true. But I still enjoyed it and I still think the relationship between Baldwin and Macy is enough to pay for the movie. Matinee price-- nothing is worth full price these days!

[Sun Runner]

They always do .. no questions asked.

If a movie really sucks, or I feel is seriously mis-represented by the trailers, I'll ask for it back and feel no shame.

[Mookie]

> Am considering seeing "The
> Cooler"This flick has gotten good
> reviews and an Oscar nomination for
> Baldwin.Worth a look?

I saw the movie this past weekend, and I give it a hearty thumbs up. If you are looking for a real-life documentary on casino operations, than look somewhere else. This is a MOVIE. It is about a hapless schmo (Wm. Macy,employed by Baldwin at Baldwin's downtown/old school casino) who brings bad luck to all around him. Especially gamblers at Baldwin's casino. What Baldwin doesn't count on is Macy falling in love with a cocktail waitress. His aura changes. He is happy, and folks start winning.

This movie is funny in a "Fargo" kind of way--dark comedy. Very strong acting performances by Macy and Baldwin. This movie is character driven, not plot driven.

This movie deserves its "R" rating: violence and sexual situations, nudity, Macy's bare ass.

Don't try to pick it apart by saying it's not real. For heaven's sake, when Macy's luck changes, the slot machine he stands next to hits for a million bucks. I call this FICTION, and it makes for a good movie.

Other lesser known but very good movies with gambling themes:
"Hard Eight"
"Croupier"

Mookie

[Hal Jordan]

[miss brown]

Why does everyone think Hard Eight was such a great flick? I was totally disappointed. Now The Hustler, that's a GREAT movie...and The Man With A Golden Arm is also good one, but it's less about gambling.

miss brown

[Hal Jordan]

I agree that The Hustler is a great movie. Hard Eight on the other hand is a much greater movie in the philisophical sense. The amount of symbolism which lies below the plot is extensive. In addition, on a mere plot level, the acting is strong, and the writing is admirable as it maintains a dark cloud of somberness which every so often gives way to sprinkles of humor.

In the end, the movie is so strong because it does not not only rely on gambling as a genre, rather it can stand on its own as a modern film which tells the a tale of retribution and redemption in a new way.

HJ

[miss brown]

Thanks for actually answering my question as to why you thought it was great rather than just taking it in a rhetorical sense. I still disagree though. I did not miss the symbolism and did not think that either the acting or the writing were anything spectacular. I am familiar with Anderson's other movies and am a fan but I feel Hard Eight fell short.

And to suggest Hard Eight greater than The Hustler in any sense floors me....but that's just me.

miss brown