tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post6963763262177963863..comments2024-03-17T02:20:03.772-05:00Comments on Riding With The Top Down: Nerd. . . the new hotness?Kathleen Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13561028604927993773noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-31651932691095617792009-01-26T19:08:00.000-06:002009-01-26T19:08:00.000-06:00I think people just need to laugh and forget about...I think people just need to laugh and forget about the economic troubles for a couple of hours.Estellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04199693275287344161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-9875131944939872542009-01-26T18:09:00.000-06:002009-01-26T18:09:00.000-06:00That's probably it, Helen. that's what I'm tappin...That's probably it, Helen. that's what I'm tapping in to. . . comfortable nerd maturity. But I see so man more "normal" kids shown in films than there used to be. Even in movies like Juno. . . the oddballs may feel out of it at times, but they still have a sense of who they are. And we audiences love them!<BR/><BR/>Kylie, you're so right with the Adam Sandler flicks. . . they're regularly panned, but pull in the bucks.<BR/><BR/>Flip, I'm not especially taken with Mr. Pitt either. Just don't get all the hype. But I will admit there were a few shots in the movie "Troy" (which he bulked up for) that left me a little, um, warm.<BR/><BR/>Kathie, I think it may be the age factor for me, too. Hotties are usually about my sons' ages. Ewwww.<BR/><BR/>And Michele, thanks for the heads-up on Frost Nixon. I DO remember all that happening and I'd love to see how they portray it. That's one I'll have to catch.<BR/> <BR/>And Helen, I guess-- from the frequence of beefcake photos we managed to squeeze into our blogs, we're not really tired of hotties. Maybe we just want to graze at the great buffet of manliness. . . a little nerd and some quirky to spice up life.Betina Krahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11379124690406269848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-65007559541993229992009-01-26T17:44:00.000-06:002009-01-26T17:44:00.000-06:00No hottie fatigue for me, Betina, but I do more th...No hottie fatigue for me, Betina, but I do more than ever see the appeal of nerds.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, I don't think it's any easier for kids today, despite the apparent better acceptance of nerds. I hope, though, all us nerdy adults feel more comfortable!!Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-5036818348151757102009-01-26T14:54:00.000-06:002009-01-26T14:54:00.000-06:00I just saw Frost/Nixon yesterday. (Blogged about ...I just saw Frost/Nixon yesterday. (Blogged about it today at Dusted.)<BR/><BR/>This is not a movie I would have ever gone to watch had it not starred one of my fav actors, Michael Sheen. I'm just not into politics.<BR/><BR/>I was fascinated. I never really understood the Nixon thing because I was around 10 at the time. Just knew my dad didn't like the dude. So to see the movie explained some of that for me. I was impressed with both Langella and Michael Sheen. Amazing performances. The first thing I did when I got home was Google the Frost/Nixon interviews (the real ones) and watched for an hour. The movie got it right.Michele Haufhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12255612473985897103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-54183976170545375162009-01-26T14:08:00.000-06:002009-01-26T14:08:00.000-06:00Had to check the Oscar nominees. I haven't seen a...Had to check the Oscar nominees. I haven't seen any to the best pic noms: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"<BR/>"Frost/Nixon"<BR/>"Milk"<BR/>"The Reader"<BR/>"Slumdog Millionaire"<BR/><BR/>I want to see all of them. Also "Doubt" because I love MStreep and PSHoffman. I'll probably save most of them for dvd, though. They all hit at once, didn't they? One thing I've heard about Benjamin Button is that there's a big chunk devoted to visual feasting on BPitt.Kathleen Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13561028604927993773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-12503709566060570912009-01-26T13:43:00.000-06:002009-01-26T13:43:00.000-06:00I thought maybe hottie fatigue was a function of b...I thought maybe hottie fatigue was a function of being a woman and realizing that the hotties are mostly my sons' ages. I'm with flip on the pretty boys. Not a real turn-on for me unless they have real talent. And then it's the talent.<BR/><BR/>I do think the Oscars should give a best comedy/musical award the way Golden Globe does. I've always thought RWA should go that way, too, rather than some of the more thematic categories.Kathleen Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13561028604927993773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-12622662903790342712009-01-26T13:41:00.000-06:002009-01-26T13:41:00.000-06:00In defense of the Oscar nominees...I have been ver...In defense of the Oscar nominees...I have been very very busy and haven't seen as many movies as I normally do in a year. At least not at the theater. (Netflix is a revolving door around here.)<BR/><BR/>But, still, I have zero desire to pay real money to see any of the Oscar nods for Best Pic.<BR/><BR/>I'm a sad spectator to too many real-life dramas to want to see anything depressing on screen.<BR/><BR/>I adore a good nerd movie. Of course Vicki Lewis Thompson has done quite well with her Nerds series!Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-4358452088498390522009-01-26T13:36:00.000-06:002009-01-26T13:36:00.000-06:00I'm not a fan of funny movies that rely too much o...I'm not a fan of funny movies that rely too much on slapstick. I don't like movies where teenage guys do gross things. The trailer for Mall Cop looked kind of fun, though no way would I pay theater prices for it.<BR/><BR/>I've seen Slumdog Millionaire (loved it) and there's others I want to see, but the dh is having a bad back spell. Hope he gets more comfortable soon, because we enjoy going together.Christie Ridgwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17036552271272402052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-41849887158203270282009-01-26T13:33:00.000-06:002009-01-26T13:33:00.000-06:00I think M. hit the nail on the head with the cross...I think M. hit the nail on the head with the cross-over audience theory, which is probably true for many of the comedies like this. Slapstick is probably way high on the popularity scale for humor. Satire (my personal fave) not so popular. <BR/><BR/>This kind of movie is usually a rental for me. We watched "Swing Vote" this weekend. It's the redneck buffoon character, but there's an interesting theme and lots of laughs. Costner seems to shine in this kind of role.<BR/><BR/>The use of the word "elite" has changed a lot in recent years. Interesting. <BR/><BR/>It's true that blockbusters aren't usually the award winners. Sometimes they are. Titanic. Dances With Wolves. Also true that many actors feel they do their best work in the smaller budget movies, and the only reward might turn out to be a golden statue from peers and posthumously getting hailed as a genius. Robert Redford says (in a really interesting 2-hr bio special that pops up on cable now and then) that he pays the bills by starring in the big movies so he can produce and direct the script he loves. <BR/><BR/>Some carryover to our business, I'm sure. It can be an art, but for most of us it has to be a business, lest we be driven to chop an ear off. For supper.Kathleen Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13561028604927993773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-27320132291896102992009-01-26T12:23:00.000-06:002009-01-26T12:23:00.000-06:00Hi Betina, Very fun post. I haven't yet seen the ...Hi Betina, <BR/>Very fun post. I haven't yet seen the nominated movies, or Mall Cop yet, but as Keri said, I'll take a funny, good time movie any day. I don't see the dark ones or slasher. I love a good romance, or just plain good story. Something about laughing though is wonderful...<BR/><BR/>THANKS!Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03643680606890422072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-40555271646501906902009-01-26T12:22:00.001-06:002009-01-26T12:22:00.001-06:00I have never been attracted to pretty men. I don't...I have never been attracted to pretty men. I don't find Brad Pitt hot. (HE might be a very nice person) I like the rugged type much more. As for a guy like Kevin James, I prefer intelligence, humor, compassion, and strength over a six pack any day.fliphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16778574048526674171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-2099663283968969172009-01-26T12:22:00.000-06:002009-01-26T12:22:00.000-06:00I don't see that this is any different than at any...I don't see that this is any different than at any other time of history. Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler consistently nab number 1 and 2 spots. Stupid comedy seems to sell. My kids love it but they preface they're remarks to me by saying, 'you won't like it because it has stupid humor'. The only exception, ever, was Chris Farley movies because he cracked me up.<BR/><BR/>Hollywood sees themselves as representing the best of the best. The Oscars are really more for them than us. They commemorate the movies they want to believe are their most distinctive works. I don't have a problem with that. It's much like fiction--the literary awarded fiction isn't necessarily the most popular.<BR/><BR/>I'll watch all the nominees eventually. I always do. And because I like Kevin James I just might give Mall cop a whirl but only if I can rent it.Kyliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10805120485089703666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-42800083270694403802009-01-26T12:03:00.000-06:002009-01-26T12:03:00.000-06:00And, hey, I notice nobody has seconded my notion o...And, hey, I notice nobody has seconded my notion of "hottie fatigue." Think such a thing exists?Betina Krahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11379124690406269848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-84682477478193036972009-01-26T12:02:00.000-06:002009-01-26T12:02:00.000-06:00Cindy-- your words are manna for my battered soul!...Cindy-- your words are manna for my battered soul! <BR/><BR/>Terry S, I saw "Yes Man," too, and LOVED it! I came out of the theater wanting to say YES to everything and experience life at full throttle! I also liked the portrayal that what sometimes seemes like a bad thing can turn out to be a good thing in the end! A lesson I've really needed reinforced of late. I was on a hopeful upper for days after that movie!<BR/><BR/>Keri and D Twomey, I have gotten pretty jaded about "critics" lately. Usually a B or C movie is one I'll really enjoy; they don't try too hard to be clever and deep. I'm usually suspicious of the "A" movies. . . something is probably pushed to the limit there.<BR/><BR/>And Helen, don't you think that it's a little easier, these days, to be okay with "less than perfect"? Or is that just me? I know kids still feel a lot of pressure to conform, but with nerds and others finding respect and fun and even love. . . maybe the standards are not quite so rigid.Betina Krahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11379124690406269848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-52397867784249128662009-01-26T11:47:00.000-06:002009-01-26T11:47:00.000-06:00Hmm. So much to think about in your post, Betina....Hmm. So much to think about in your post, Betina. <BR/><BR/>Kevin James is sweet and funny and real. And nerds have been on the upswing for years. Starting, I think, with Napoleon Dynamite all those years ago.<BR/><BR/>I think it's very cool.<BR/><BR/>I agree there's a disconnect between Hollywood and real people. But the Oscars have never been good about nominating comedies. And that'll probably never change.Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-7212906066305474932009-01-26T11:29:00.000-06:002009-01-26T11:29:00.000-06:00Generally speaking, I usually enjoy the movies tha...Generally speaking, I usually enjoy the movies that get bad reviews and dislike the ones that get good reviews. Hmm... what does that say about me? I've always wondered, but am much too afraid to figure it out....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-18646801717113837812009-01-26T11:28:00.000-06:002009-01-26T11:28:00.000-06:00I'll take a funny movie any day! I want to see thi...I'll take a funny movie any day! I want to see this one, but I haven't. Will probably be waiting for the chance to rent it. <BR/><BR/>I am personally sick of hearing about the 'it' couple. Wouldn't hurt my feelings none if they went to their French home and stayed there, never to be heard of again. Hello! Hollywood, there are other chicks out there who can do badass. <BR/><BR/>I've never gotten the movie awards show. most of the times the ones nominated I'd never even heard of. So yeah, they way out of touch.Keri Fordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03342480359177235075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-57955348129724685942009-01-26T11:25:00.000-06:002009-01-26T11:25:00.000-06:00I do think there is a disconnect between Hollywood...I do think there is a disconnect between Hollywood and the viewing public. There isn't one of the Oscar contention movies I have any interest in seeing. In fact I saw more in theater movies in the last month than I have in the past year. I liked them both and both were definitely in the category of escapism...Inkheart (love Brendan Fraser) and Yes Man (Jim Carey back in comedic form). <BR/><BR/>I think the new McDonald's latte commercial (2 men in a coffee shop) is brilliant and parallels your thoughts today.<BR/><BR/>Bottomline for me, just about 100% of movies today should be straight to DVD and even then I would pass on 98% of them. I'd rather read.Terry Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15709143995475498601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-7202186050541575422009-01-26T11:23:00.000-06:002009-01-26T11:23:00.000-06:00Betina, I love the way your mind works. Love the ...Betina, I love the way your mind works. Love the post and all of your observations and I think that the answer to all of them is Yes. Specifically, yes I think there's a disconnect between the 'common folk' like us and the Hollywood elite. And yes, we like to laugh. Kevin James is just a laughable, affable sweetie pie who appears to have no pretenses. I think that is much of his appeal. My best laughs still come from The Office. I've know someone like every single one of the Dunder Mifflin staff. It's comedic parody at its very best.Cindy Gerardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13311224531297908704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-77789641549891370802009-01-26T11:02:00.000-06:002009-01-26T11:02:00.000-06:00Okay, Lois (snicker, chortle, cough) you got me wi...Okay, Lois (snicker, chortle, cough) you got me with the "growing up" thing. Maybe a wee bit too optimistic. lol. And I had totally forgotten about the Jackass movie thing. sigh. Can only read so much wisdom into the American movie tastes. I must have a rose-colored hangover from the inauguration.<BR/><BR/>Marilyn, I haven't seen many of the awards nominees either. Which is strange, considering I see at least one movie a week. (Saw 74 last year-- I counted it up last week!) In my defense, most of the nominated ones came out in the last two weeks of 2008, and I honestly didn't have much of an urge to see them. "Benjamin Button" came and went already. They're having to bring it back as an "also running" in our area. I guess I'll have to see it.<BR/><BR/>And Michele, I ADORE the Big Bang Theory. GREAT nerds! And appallingly accurate. My son and daughter-in-law went to Carnegie Mellon U, where nerds are king. . . and the show is like a glimpse of their undergrad dorm life! they're all close to my heart.Betina Krahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11379124690406269848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-8587349536625456642009-01-26T10:47:00.000-06:002009-01-26T10:47:00.000-06:00Hasn't there always been a disconnect between the ...Hasn't there always been a disconnect between the Oscars and what people really want to see though? Remember English Patient. My husband HAD to see it cuz it was up for a bazillion awards. I'm still mad that I paid money for that one. If I want to get depressed I can do it for free. <BR/><BR/>And for all your amazing wisdom, Betina (I mean that sincerely) I'm not sure that making Mall Cop a favorite can possibly mean that America is growing up. Remember Jack Ass the movie? I bout cried when that did well at the box office. On the other hand, watching Marley (of Marley and Me) walk through the window of the car while Wilson held his hind end just about gave me a laughing hernia. I'm a sucker for comedy. Then again, I looooved Benjamin Button. Go figure. <BR/><BR/>I've come to the conclusion that people are too complex (read weird) to figure out.lois greimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05758677401591191607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-30150954814034720012009-01-26T10:37:00.000-06:002009-01-26T10:37:00.000-06:00I loved Kevin James in his TV series (the name com...I loved Kevin James in his TV series (the name completely escapes me though right not). <BR/><BR/>Not sure if nerds are having their revenge or there was just slim pickings for movies this weekend. Underworld opened and I raced to see that one. Also saw Frost/Nixon, and now completely understand all the awards hoopla around that one.<BR/><BR/>As for nerds, my latest fav TV show is THE BIG BANG THEORY. Nerd bonanza! And man is it funny, and smart, and sexy and a very Spock meets Bill Gates kind of way.Michele Haufhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12255612473985897103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-53578332546404814872009-01-26T10:32:00.000-06:002009-01-26T10:32:00.000-06:00Haven't seen any of the Oscar nominees nor Mal...Haven't seen any of the Oscar nominees nor Mallcop yet, but my DH and I have also marvelled at the popularity. We think maybe the genius of this movie is that it straddles adult & kid appeal - our 8 y.o. has repeatedly said he wants to see it. Something about the slapstick and segway in the trailers made it appealling to him. Go figure.M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07498466631016466048noreply@blogger.com