Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 26 > Entry
Nobody changes my mind (except one stoned dude)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
My brother and I disagreed about the movie “Little Miss Sunshine.” I really liked the family and their different characters. My brother didn’t care for the movie and did not believe there could really be a family like the one portrayed.
Do you ever let others influence your review?
BARBARA PATE, Lawrenceville
Dear Your Brother Knows Nothing,
Unfortunately, we are all subject to outside influences.
I clearly recall not being too taken with “Star Wars” the first time I was able to see it in 1977. The problem had nothing to do with the film. It had everything to do with the stoned-out-of-his-gourd young gentleman (let’s call him “Goo Goo G’Joob”) who was seated to my immediate right.
The film began, the scripted scroll began to scroll and Mr. G’Joob uttered his first “Wow!”
Not a quick “wow” but something like “wooow,” lasting four seconds.
Every time a space ship appeared: “Wooow!” Each time a light saber ignited: “Wooow!” Every time Darth Vader heavily breathed a word: “Wooow!”
So I didn’t actually appreciate “Star Wars” until “The Empire Strikes Back.”
There are specific critics (well, probably two or three) I trust and if I find I don’t feel about a movie the way they do, I will think long and hard about it.
I’ve been known on several occasions to see a movie a couple of times in order to solidify my thoughts.
But if I really, really love and respect a movie, nobody’s going to change my mind about it.
Not ever.
ALAN
P.S. You get an “Evening” towel and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
It seems like there are a lot of popular movies that just aren’t very good. Some did well at the box office (like “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace”) despite their lack of quality. Others, like the original “Godzilla” (with the ridiculous Raymond Burr inserts) and the “Rocky” sequels (which I personally love but must admit lack orginality and artistic quality), have been seen by seemingly everyone.
What is your pick for the most popular “bad” movie of all time?
EDDIE NOVAK, Beavercreek, Ohio
Dear Poor Pretty Eddie,
What? I only get one?
Eddie, there’s not enough room to list all the popular bad movies.
And, like many people, my selection would depend on my mood.
What would likely top my list is “Forrest Gump.”
My close seconds would include “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “The English Patient,” the first two “Harry Potter” movies, the “Shrek” movies, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” the “Mission: Impossible” movies and the 1990s “Mummy” franchise. Oh, and “Grease.” All that’s just for starters.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Rocky Balboa” cup and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
I have finally seen one of America’s classic films, “The Deer Hunter.” Sadly, I was unimpressed. I felt the movie was too long and had some missing plot points — like who was the real father of Angela’s baby and what the heck was Michael doing in the Russian roulette gambling den after his ordeal? I like a good character development story like the next guy but I think I missed the boat on “Deer Hunter” and “The English Patient.”
MARION WALKER, JR., McDonough
Dear Batting .500,
You are so right. “The English Patient” is awful.
You are so wrong. “The Deer Hunter” is a fine film.
There have been Internet reports in the United Kingdom that director Michael Cimino says on a special edition DVD commentary track that Nick (Christopher Walken) is the father of Angela’s baby. Which not only would explain some of Nick’s actions but adds quite a bit of depth to the friendships being depicted.
And one must realize that in the film, Michael (Robert De Niro) returns to the roulette game to try and get his best friend Nick to mentally wake up and come home.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Harry Potter” T-shirt and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. SMITHEE?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
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