Comments on: Comments on 19678

Post number 19678

Macboy — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 17:40:35 -0800

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is still in theatres three months after its release. After seeing it last night I understand the hype and great word of mouth it continues to receive. Will Hollywood wake up and take notice?

By: Stan Chin

Stan Chin — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 17:59:55 -0800

What hype and great word of mouth? Why wouldn't Hollywood take notice? Take notice about what? Didn't they make the movie? I'm confused. By the way, I saw Ghostbusters again, it's still pretty good.

By: brittney

brittney — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 18:03:05 -0800

Two of the producers of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (that co-stars an N*Sync member) are Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson. That is as Hollywood as they come.

By: raaka

raaka — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 18:05:15 -0800

Without Hollywood you wouldn't have seen this movie. Playtone (Tom Hanks' production company) and an HBO subsidiary produced it. With the massive returns it garnered, they're sure as hell going to release more feel-good formula movies, as if That Thing You Do and Band of Brothers hadn't put the US over-budget on treacle. Your wish is granted.

By: brittney

brittney — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 18:14:05 -0800

Movie Works Out Exactly As Audience Hoped ALTOONA, PA—Moviegoers at Clearview Cinema's 9:30 p.m. showing of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" expressed delight Saturday, when the romantic comedy worked out exactly as they had hoped. "It was heartwarming enough to see the two young lovers get married after all they'd been through," said Janet Garlin, exiting the multiplex. "But to see the bride reconcile her feelings toward her crazy family? That was like a special bonus." Garlin said she hadn't been this satisfied by a movie's ending since the last movie she saw. (via The Onion.)

By: liam

liam — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 18:15:37 -0800

This interview with the head of the film's distribution company, and this NYTimes piece on its unexpected success give some background.

By: Macboy

Macboy — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 18:18:20 -0800

Okay, Okay - what I mean is this movie is has a family theme, no sex or violence and little advertising. It is still playing strong.

By: rift2001

rift2001 — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 18:23:08 -0800

I think what Macboy meant by asking if Hollywood would wake up and take notice is more along the lines that people want to see good, original movies. This movie offers an insight into a culture that many who see the movie, i.e. the people who aren't from a Greek family, never see. It is this dynamic that has made this movie so successful and gave it such a long life in the theater. The success of this movie proves that there is a large audience who doesn't want to spend their seven dollars on shit like 'XXX'. They want movies with more substance, not just with a lot of explosions and almost naked women. I also hope that the success of this movie causes Hollywood to stop making shit and start making movies that are meaningful. Unless you find movies revolving around explosions and lame one liners meaningful, in which case you probably weren't in line to go see My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I'm sure this is the reason that Tom Hanks produced this, because he realized it was spectacular and not the same old garbage that Hollywood keeps recycling over and over again.

By: Stan Chin

Stan Chin — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 18:37:54 -0800

'XXX' has grossed $123 Million in 4 weeks, and I thought it was a great popcorn flick. I dig explosions, and I really like naked women. Yes, I agree, massive advertising helped, but wow, that was a fun movie. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (MBFGW), has been really impressive. Grossing $80 million, over 20 weeks, in HALF the theaters that XXX has. It even beat out XXX over Labor Day Weekend. I also appreciate good movies like MBFGW, I'll have to go see it. Now, keeping in mind that I have not seen it, I'm going to blindly make this statement: Hollywood majorly releases plenty of movies that are original and pretty good. People usually just don't go see them. It's a fluke that its doing so well. I remember many instances when I walked out of a theater in the last year and thought to myself, "Why hasn't anybody else seen this movie yet?"

By: quin

quin — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 18:40:31 -0800

One can only hope that it's sequel My Big Fat Greek Anniversary does not overshadow the sure to be sublime genius that will be Glitter 2: Electric Bugaboo.

By: MrBaliHai

MrBaliHai — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 18:41:56 -0800

The bumbling milquetoast fiance played by John Corbett was without a doubt, the blandest hunk that I've seen in a long time. My wife and I were both rooting for the obnoxious Greek parents to scare him off or better yet, kill him, bake him up in a giant spanakopita and serve it to unsuspecting guests at their restaurant!

By: mr_crash_davis

mr_crash_davis — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 18:46:59 -0800

I'd pay a few bucks to see My Big, Fat Greek Wedding Night, but I don't think that's what Macboy is really getting at.

By: dogwelder

dogwelder — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 18:48:13 -0800

The Onion article is perfect.

By: larry_darrell

larry_darrell — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 18:56:02 -0800

No pies were harmed in the making of this movie.

By: t r a c y

t r a c y — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 19:06:28 -0800

Two of the producers of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (that co-stars an N*Sync member) are Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson. That is as Hollywood as they come. yah true, but the woman who wrote it (based on her stage play of the same name) and stars in it is from winnipeg, manitoba. which is pretty much as non hollywood as they come... yet jam packed full of great but mostly undiscovered talent so it's really exciting that MBFGW is being received so well. wheee! i <3 winterpeg

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 19:11:10 -0800

Mmmmmm. Spanakopita. Yum.

By: Kafkaesque

Kafkaesque — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 19:21:12 -0800

Hollywood majorly releases plenty of movies that are original and pretty good. Maybe a couple. It's hard to find them amongst all the chaff though. Hollywood's about the bottom line, plain and simple, and the average moviegoer in America wants to fork out their cash to see True Lies or American Pie. That just means the average moviegoer doesn't want to think a whole lot at the movies, and is there purely for escapism. Sometimes I want escapism, but I like to use my little bitty brain on occasion too.

By: Hildago

Hildago — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 19:32:42 -0800

MetaTalk thread on this post.

By: semmi

semmi — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 19:40:14 -0800

I just can't believe the Greek anti-defamation league hasn't hit on them yet.

By: Macboy

Macboy — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 19:42:46 -0800

WOW - what makes what I want to post and discuss not that important Hildago? Sorry I'll work on better front page material next time. "Push a guy down the stairs" or "World Summit Has Official Toilet Paper" have me rivited...

By: yalestar

yalestar — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 19:44:46 -0800

Saccharine and predictable as MBFGW may have been, I found it particularly refreshing that the characters had a certain unpolished, raw quality about them. Except for that overly cheesy, bottom-lip-biting meta-hunk John Corbett, that is. That role might have been better suited for a less blatantly dreamy, more self-effacing guy, someone with a neo-Cusackian flair, perchance. And hopefully that's the last time I ever use the phrase "neo-Cusackian."

By: yalestar

yalestar — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 19:46:14 -0800

...and I found myself thankful for every minute that SCTV alum Andrea Martin was onscreen, too.

By: Stan Chin

Stan Chin — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 19:54:18 -0800

I've personally found that there has not been a capable Cusack caliber romantic lead since... well, Cusack. And even he has lost his flair recently with Serendipity and America's sweetheart. The lover loser thing fades after you hit 30. Oh where, where is the new generation of Cusack? Or at the very least, a Patrick Dempsey? I'm afraid we will not see the second coming of Cusack for awhile. But I hold steady vigil.

By: Macboy

Macboy — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 19:57:46 -0800

I don't think you'll see another Cusack, especially after he is president

By: Dzolali

Dzolali — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 20:41:16 -0800

The movie was fun and all, but even if it was original in who it was about and what ethicity the family was, it was still completely predictable and sticky sweet. I don't understand what all the fuss is about.

By: kate_fairfax

kate_fairfax — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 20:51:47 -0800

rift2001: some people actually don't want meaning in a movie; and like movies like XXX precisely because there is no meaning. I don't like movies with meaning for the same reason I didn't like English class in high school. I don't want to think. I just want to be entertained. (That said, I have been planning to go see Greek Wedding, simply because of the underground hype it's been getting).

By: birdherder

birdherder — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 21:17:34 -0800

I am constantly blown away when I see a movie I love and read the comments on imdb and people saying that the movie made no sense and they hated it. I like the non-formulaic, guy-loses-girl-or-dies. vs. some of the 'feel good' movies at the multiplex. I read a comment about clerks a few years ago where the person hated it because it was in black & white and didn't seem polished enough for her taste.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 21:57:47 -0800

The bumbling milquetoast fiance played by John Corbett was without a doubt, the blandest hunk that I've seen in a long time. Really?? That's a drag cos when Corbett played Chris in the Morning on Northern Exposure, I thought he was tool cool for school, man.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 22:07:53 -0800

um that would be "too cool.." not "tool cool" which would mean god knows what..

By: lotsofno

lotsofno — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 22:12:33 -0800

pfftt.. when will hollywood take notice of Diamond Men, starring none other than former New Kids on the Block member, Donnie Wahlberg... You'd think it'd be a horrible indie film, but you couldn't be wronger... ever..

By: MiguelCardoso

MiguelCardoso — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 22:22:24 -0800

not "tool cool" which would mean god knows what.. Jonmc: Right on! No more penalties for dead fish!

By: Witty

Witty — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 01:49:21 -0800

I went to see the flick because my girlfriend wanted to see it. I laughed quite a bit, I'll admit, which is rare these days (for me). For a feel good movie, as someone put it, MBFGW seemed to be non-stop action to me. Those characters never took a break. I found any sort of predictability to be a non-factor. The story was refreshing and simple. I think it's worth checking out.

By: Macboy

Macboy — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 05:00:45 -0800

Hildago, please kiss my ass and get a life. Dull links do make for good discussion...

By: dg

dg — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 05:07:52 -0800

Yeah, but dull links are still dull links.

By: MrBaliHai

MrBaliHai — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 05:57:01 -0800

jonmc: Corbett used to bug me on Northern Exposure too. I thought the Chris character was a vapid, irritating weenie. Obviously, YMMV.

By: crunchland

crunchland — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 07:29:01 -0800

So it's a new day, macboy. Another chance to write another front page post. What other movies did you like?

By: Macboy

Macboy — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 08:22:03 -0800

Crunchland - Have you seen the new Tom Green movie yet?

By: matteo

matteo — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 09:35:04 -0800

Moonstruck with Greek actors what's so original?

By: Macboy

Macboy — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 10:33:47 -0800

"I'm gonna call you on that one, Witty. Here's the point again: Crafting a front page post that's nothing more than a link to a movie's IMDB page is about as lame a post as anyone can possibly make. It doesn't matter what movie it is, or what fascinating question the poster poses in the text of the post. Not taking a minute to find a single interesting link to give to the community aside from a movie's IMDB page is basically an "Aw, who gives a shit" to everyone here." Mediareport - move along. If it offended you, turn it off, read another link. Geez If I knew this put everyone's panties in a wad I wouldn't have posted. sigh

By: Satapher

Satapher — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 12:15:55 -0800

who the hell wants more escapist crap? people only liked it because it was 100% predictable, like your damn john grisham, nora roberts, james patterson and other genre writers. give me interpretive art or give me death. i guess im really in the wrong country for that.

By: Stan Chin

Stan Chin — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 12:22:49 -0800

who the hell wants more escapist crap? Everybody else.

By: Kafkaesque

Kafkaesque — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 12:38:24 -0800

who the hell wants more escapist crap? Everybody else. Please stop speaking for everyone, Stan. I get it that you are trying to "be an ass" in this thread, as you said in MeTa. Anyway, I agree with Satapher.

By: Stan Chin

Stan Chin — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 12:46:04 -0800

Sorry, I meant, "everybody else who makes up the majority of the movie-viewing public, thus the popularity and gross revenue of escapist crap, who coincidentally make up a large portion of the audience for John Grisham and Tom Clancy, and that's not a bad thing because interpretive art house flicks are usually really bad in my opinion."

By: Kafkaesque

Kafkaesque — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 12:55:09 -0800

OK then. You can have your escapist crap. I just wish there were a bit more accessibility to intelligent film. Example: I live in Orange County, CA. There are literally thousands of screens, every mall is teeming with them. Number of screens showing art house movies: 10, tops. I also believe a lot more people would like art house cinema if they were even aware of its existence. But there you go. Just as there are "writerly" and "readerly" books, there are films in which the audience is not just an empty vessel or passive observer and is called upon to be an active part of the film experience. Not everyone likes that I guess.

By: Kafkaesque

Kafkaesque — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 12:56:00 -0800

Not that this has anything to do with the movie in the post, which I haven't seen and frankly doesn't interest me much.

By: kindall

kindall — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 13:27:56 -0800

There are literally thousands of screens, every mall is teeming with them. Number of screens showing art house movies: 10, tops. Wow, you live in an where ten screens are dedicated to showing the kind of movies you like, and you're complaining? I'd think that just one within a reasonable distance would be plenty to satisfy your craving for meaning.

By: Kafkaesque

Kafkaesque — Wed, 04 Sep 2002 14:03:03 -0800

Hmm. You have a point there kindall.