Rightwing Composed Of Nutjobs: Film This Past Weekend
And isn't red usually the color associated with the group liberals are more often demonized as: commies? But I guess that's Goldberg for you. posted by DU at 11:46 AM on July 1
Wow. I bet these guys must really pop some vessels when they see Bambi. posted by Thorzdad at 11:47 AM on July 1 [4 favorites]
It was like a 90-minute lecture on the dangers of over consumption, big corporations, and the destruction of the environment. … Much to Disney’s chagrin, I will do my part to avoid future environmental armageddon by boycotting any and all WALL-E merchandise and I hope others join my crusade.
haha! I will protest a message against over-consumption and corporations by boycotting a corporation's products! I have clearly given this a lot of thought! posted by shmegegge at 11:47 AM on July 1 [109 favorites]
In the words of one of the commenters to the New York Times article:
Same thing happened with the Incredibles, except it got the nutty left in a tizzy instead of the nutty right. So it goes I suppose. posted by Jezztek at 11:48 AM on July 1
Wait, you're telling me conservative radio hosts and bloggers are outraged at something? posted by uaudio at 11:50 AM on July 1 [8 favorites]
Is it at all strange that a film with a message of anti-consumerism is marketed with a boatload of toys, gadgets, and bright shiny things for kids to get their parents to buy? posted by Bromius at 11:50 AM on July 1 [2 favorites]
Same thing happened with the Incredibles, except it got the nutty left in a tizzy...
I must have missed this. Link? posted by DU at 11:51 AM on July 1
I got a kick out of this Metacritic user review:
K BASS gave it a 1:
I do not know what movie everyone else saw but the WALL-E I saw with my two children ages 13 and 9, offended me and my kids on so many levels. We felt we had been cheated and lied to. If I would have known how environazi this movie was I would not have gone seen it. Did Al Gore have something to do with this movie? Yes WALL-E was cute, but we as earthings are not that stupid. It was very much saying that we are destroyng the Earth and that all of us are fat lazy slobs!!! How about lets save the unborn children!! posted by Rhaomi at 11:51 AM on July 1 [13 favorites]
This is great news. It'll show Disney and the other producers that right wing windbags crying boycott and shite doesn't effect the bottom-line. posted by dobbs at 11:52 AM on July 1 [7 favorites]
GOLDBERG: You should find some clips from the old cartoon "Captain Planet." It was just relentless propagandizing of children where the villains were all these cartoonish -- literally cartoonish -- corporate CEOs who wanted to destroy the environment. And all that -- the only thing that could save the world was if all the children from all over the world got together and formed this super hero to save the planet.
It was pure environmental propaganda. But you find that kind of thing all over the place.
This kind of reaction is silly and overblown, but I do remember being surprised, during the movie, how straightforward Pixar was about the politics. The captain of the ship even throws out a "stay the course" line at one point, which (though I agree with the viewpoint) felt kind of tacked-on.
I was also wondering, during the movie, if the sedentary over-consuming schlubs that the movie was aimed at would realize that it was aimed at them and get offended. I guess maybe some of them do. posted by gurple at 11:52 AM on July 1
Thank god someone finally figured out how to make a WALL-E post so we can discuss it.
Seriously, it was the most awesome movie I've seen in a long, long time. posted by odinsdream at 11:53 AM on July 1 [16 favorites]
I thought the movie was pretty damn good. And I gave up listening to critics of any kind long ago. Anyone who needs a critic to tell you what you are suppose to like needs to grow the hell up.
One of the best things about the movie? The robot psych ward breakout, and subsequent saving of the day. The misfits (of which Wall-E could be said to be one) save humanity. Yay. posted by edgeways at 11:54 AM on July 1
You know, I saw it as another Pixar movie embracing conservatism, just like The Incredibles, just like Cars, and to a point like Ratatouille.
Of course, in this case it was what I'd call the values of classical conservatism -- hard work, community, taking care of what you've got, the individual triumphing over nature/dictatorship.
It's sad that modern conservatives, so quick to knee-jerk the moment anything that remotely looks environmental appears in front of them, are so blinded by politics they can't even see that this movie sells their old core beliefs so effectively. posted by dw at 11:56 AM on July 1 [36 favorites]
Not surprising, and I think they were ancitipating this a bit. Andrew Stanton going out to downplay the green message in interviews, which I suspect is at Disney's urging, but the proof is in the pudding. It wasn't Disney's marketing department that decided to make a post-apocolyptic children's film.
And the fact that a post-apocolyptic film can get a G rating and be marketed to children says so much about our culture today. posted by Weebot at 11:57 AM on July 1 [1 favorite]
DU: The Incredibles got overanalyzed as a Ayn Rand-ian influenced movie.
Which was as stupid as calling Wall-E an Environazi flim... in other words, really fucking stupid. posted by edgeways at 11:57 AM on July 1 [5 favorites]
Was it really, odinsdream? I was sorta dreading taking the kids to see it, don't know why exactly, but now I am going to enjoy this movie on account of it pisses off annoying fear-mongers. posted by Mister_A at 11:57 AM on July 1
Same thing happened with the Incredibles, except it got the nutty left in a tizzy...
Wait, we're not destroying the earth? We're not fat lazy slobs?
You are, sonic meat machine. We aren't. posted by dobbs at 11:58 AM on July 1
When we finally see the humans, they are corpulent, lazy slobs who move around by robotic deck chairs on a giant space cruiseship.
Whoa, whoa, I dont care what your politics are. That's the dream, man. Just floating around through space like Baron Harkkonen is where we should be headed. Sure, its lazy, but compared to my hard-working hunter-gatherer ancestors so is the 40hr workweek. posted by damn dirty ape at 11:58 AM on July 1 [13 favorites]
I thought the same thing odinsdream... I was happy to see a post about WALL-E just because I wanted to express my pure unadulterated joy for the best movie I've seen in a long time. posted by rooftop secrets at 11:58 AM on July 1 [2 favorites]
I got a kick out of this Metacritic user review:
K BASS gave it a 1:
I do not know what movie everyone else saw but the WALL-E I saw with my two children ages 13 and 9, offended me and my kids on so many levels. We felt we had been cheated and lied to. If I would have known how environazi this movie was I would not have gone seen it. Did Al Gore have something to do with this movie? Yes WALL-E was cute, but we as earthings are not that stupid. It was very much saying that we are destroyng the Earth and that all of us are fat lazy slobs!!! How about lets save the unborn children!!
How fitting that her name ends with ass. Ha ha. posted by Mr_Zero at 11:59 AM on July 1
Actually, it is posited that our hunter-gatherer ancestors spent around 20 or 25 hours per week "working", but I agree with your larger point re: cruising around like Baron Harkonnen. posted by Mister_A at 12:00 PM on July 1 [5 favorites]
Disney must get on it's knees on a weekly basis and thank the powers that be that they got attached to Pixar before someone else did... seriously. I don't think Disney has much internal pull with Pixar at tis point. posted by edgeways at 12:01 PM on July 1
Mister_A: yes. It's fantastic. The only problem I had with it was the fact that they interspersed live-action with rendered people. I would have preferred a Sky Captain approach where live actors were embedded into the CGI, since the rest of it was really, really well done. Pixar just hasn't figured out people yet.
But, yes, the rest of it is awesome. I actually wouldn't classify it as much of a kid's movie, though, since it's perfectly enjoyable to a range of ages - it doesn't hold anything back as far as I'm concerned.
I would have loved (and hated) to end it differently and infuriate every single audience that sees it, though. posted by odinsdream at 12:02 PM on July 1
It's sad that modern conservatives ... are so blinded by politics they can't even see that this movie sells their old core beliefs so effectively.
Emphasis mine. Indeed, it's doubly odd that conservatives even have "old" beliefs that they have apparently discarded (doesn't conservatism mean you don't change?), and that they can't even recognize these beliefs now that they've come around the other side.
The Incredibles was seen by some as espousing the Objectivist values of Ayn Rand.
That's pretty funny, although it's kind of a false equivalence to compare this one guy I (nobody?) has ever heard of with all these Big Name Conservatives. Or maybe that was just a single example. posted by DU at 12:02 PM on July 1
Also, while I'm thinking of it, here's a very amusing Daily Show interview with author Jonah Goldberg, whose book Liberal Fascism inspired the National Review commenter in the last link in the FPP. posted by Rhaomi at 12:03 PM on July 1 [4 favorites]
How fitting that her name ends with ass.
Hey now! I know several people whose asses are the smartest part of them. Don't be dissin' the ass! posted by dobbs at 12:04 PM on July 1
Hey! Look at us! We are special because we hate something that everyone else loves! *Waves arms futilely* posted by Hollow at 12:04 PM on July 1 [3 favorites]
DUI must have missed this. Link?
You seriously don't remember all the hemming and hawing over it's supposed role as an objectivist manifesto? Seems like I couldn't read a review of it in any of my usual progressive minded news sources without Ayn Rand's name coming up repeatedly. While some people simply brought up the similarities in a neutral manner (or even positive among some libertarians) naturally, delivering a message even vaguely similar to Rand's was seen as quite a profoundly negative thing among certain hard-left elements.
I suppose if you want a link, Google Incredibles+Rand. posted by Jezztek at 12:05 PM on July 1
Chiming in to echo odinsdream & rooftop secrets -- WALL-E (at least the first half) was one of the finest things I've ever seen in a movie theater. It's astoundingly, jaw-droppingly, amazingly good.
I saw it in a theater packed with kids, many of whom were growing mighty restless about 40 minutes in. They perked up when the movie started zooming about in space and getting all twinkly and explodey, but the adults I watched it with were transfixed, especially by the almost silent first part.
There is an uncomfortable moment in the movie when they introduce the remaining humans: fat, blubbery tubs leaned back in recliners and sipping supersized soft drinks -- this was uncomfortable because I was leaned back in my seat resting my tub of popcorn on my belly and sipping a supersized soft drink. posted by BitterOldPunk at 12:06 PM on July 1 [15 favorites]
How do you get the Internet in your hermitage in the middle of the wilderness where you live a perfectly sustainable lifestyle by cultivating edible fungus and berries, dobbs? posted by sonic meat machine at 12:08 PM on July 1 [5 favorites]
When we finally see the humans, they are corpulent, lazy slobs who move around by robotic deck chairs on a giant space cruiseship.
To an extent the film lets them off the hook for this, suggesting that much of this is the result of bone loss from generations of living in a microgravity environment. There is plenty of empirical support for this in real life. (On the other hand, the film makes a number of mistakes in this area -- for one thing, it's clear that they do have gravity on board the ship and that furthermore it seems for a number of reasons to be comparable to Earth gravity. And there's what appears to be at least one massive plot blunder w.r.t. gravity on the ship...) posted by George_Spiggott at 12:08 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
Actually, I would agree with dw that I sort of pinned it along with The Incredibles and Ratatouille is part of an old-guard conservatism that seems to be a Pixar hallmark. Fans of Burke or Wendell Berry will find a lot to like in Wall-E.
An Objectivist acquaintance of mine who loved The Incredibles was really disappointed with Wall-E, I guess because while it's nice that Pixar embraces individualism how dare they imply there is anything wrong with our hallowed corporations, like implying they threaten humanity or destroy our individualism. Or worse- imply that humans might not be able to make up for destroying the planet.
That's not really conservatism per-se, that's just stubborn corporation-worship. posted by melissam at 12:09 PM on July 1 [3 favorites]
So, it would seem clear what the solution is. Those unhappy with the pro-environment message of the movie need to found their own studio, develop cutting edge animation technology, and film the pro-consumption, save-the-unborn-children film that they are apparently aching for. posted by never used baby shoes at 12:10 PM on July 1 [3 favorites]
dw...yeah it's amazing how distorted the notions of 'liberal' and 'conservative' have become, and how they differ in meaning in an academic setting vs a colloquial one. As far as I can tell, 'conservative' is really just referring to the conservation of the post-war God-fearing right-wing American pie-in-the-sky suburban lifestyle instead of anything relating to a classically conservative outlook of financial, cultural and political sustainability. This 'neo-con' attitude, unsuprisingly, doesn't like any change and, as a result, has gone to great lengths to polarize 'conservative' and 'liberal' to the point where 'liberal' has become a derrogatory term for practically anything. The use of symbols and these manipulations of classical notions contains an element of fascism. Ironically, from an academic perspective, all Americans fall under the 'liberal democrat' category. posted by jimmythefish at 12:12 PM on July 1 [5 favorites]
But I am curious as to why our Wall•E was the only one left. Did he try and fix up his buddies when they went kaput? Did they screw themselves over by staying outside in the superstorms? I mean, he's been cannibalizing them for spare parts. Is it just not his directive? Man I need some closure on this. posted by cowbellemoo at 12:14 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
Use of the color red?
As in the color of the Fascist Republican Party?
Oh, right... the commies stole red back in the 40s cause Roosevelt appeased them. It took Ronald "Mr. Gorbachev! Give me back my Crayola Crayon!!" Reagan for us to get it back. posted by Parallax.Error at 12:14 PM on July 1
Here's a true story about how awesome Pixar is.
As some of you know, when the trailer first came out, my girlfriend, Courtney, burst into tears at the trailer. She was emabrrassed but somewhat amused by this, as so she made a video of herself watching the trailer on her computer, knowing she would start crying every time that little robot said his own name.
After a few months, she started to get trickles of emails from people at Pixar who said they had seen her video and really appreciated it. It was all sort of under the radar -- mostly code monkeys, and they were sort of circumspect about the subject.
Then she got an email from one of the film's producers, saying they wanted to send her something for Christmas. She received a Crew Jacket at a nice note saying that the folk at Pixar had appreciated the film.
Then, last month, she received another barage of emails from Pixar, again from producers. They were having the wrap party for Wall-E in San Francisco, and wanted to know if we wanted to join them.
They flew my girlfriend out (I paid my own way; we weren't going to ask them to ) and put us up in the Mark Hopkins Intercontinental Hotel, the same one featured in Bullitt, at the top of Nob Hill. We met a few of the people who had contacted my girlfriend, all of whom were very nice, and some of whom she had gotten to be quite good friends with in the past six months. We walked over to a nearby Masonic Temple, which had been elaborately dressed to look like the interior of a spaceship, and then we settled into the the theater with a thousand of the people who had worked on Wall-E, as well as their families.
Before the movie begam the producers and the film's director, Andrew Stanton, came out and gave a very heartfelt speech about the making of the film. They made it abundantly clear that, as far as they were concerned, this film was a collaborative act, and no part of it could have existed without the imagination and labor of the people who made it. They were the real stars of Wall-E, Stanton told them, even if they are never seen on screen.
Then he said this: "Six months ago, when the first trailer for Wall-E came out, we were only halfway done with the film, and we weren't exactly sure how we were going to get it done. We were exhausted. And then, one day, a movie showed up on YouTube showing a girl watching the trailer for Wall-E. And every time she watched it, she would cry on cue. When we saw that, we knew we were on the right track."
Everybody in the theater laughed at this knowingly.
"Well," Andrew Stanton said. "We invited Courtney here tonight."
A gasp went through the theater. I turned and looked at my girlfriend, who was gape-mouthed with astonishment. Andrew Stanton asked her to stand up, and all one-thousand sets of eyes in the theater turned to find her, and thunderous applause broke out. Courtnye stood, and, not knowing what to do, blew kisses to the assembled artists and craftspeople who had made the film.
It was one of the most moving and astounding things she had ever experienced, and I had ever witnessed, and Pixar had done it for no reason other than that her video had touched them and made them optimistic about the film they were making, and they wanted to repay her.
We went to talk to Andrew Stanton afterward. He recognized Courtney at once and embraced her, delighted she had made it. As we talked to him, Brad Bird, the Academy Award-winning director of Ratatouille, interrupted. Stanton introduced us, and Brad Bird offered to take our photos. This is the photo he took.
For the rest of the evening, at the wrap party, people from Pixar came up to Courtney and talked to her excitedly, thrilled that she had been invited. The next day, one of the Pixar employees Courtney had befriended gave us a tour of the studio. Then we went home, unable to believe our experience.
Pixar has never tried to make use of this story for promotional purposes. They really did it exclusively because they were touched by Courtney's response to their trailer, and because they thought it would be nice, and because they thought it would be a treat to their employees, who, from what I have seen, they treat with enormous respect.
So, you know, screw those who see a pessimistic or partisan message in this film. It's a well-made, well-told story with, in my opinion, the single greatest animated lead character ever put onto film, produced by artists with passion, committment, and the intelligence to create what must stand as the single finest collection of consistently excellent films ever produced by a studio. And they treated my girlfriend really well. If that's not enough to deserve us an an audience, I don't know what is. posted by Astro Zombie at 12:18 PM on July 1 [768 favorites]
These culture critic/culture warrior types are so tedious. It's a movie, damn you! Sit back and enjoy for once. posted by Mister_A at 12:19 PM on July 1
...this movie sells their old core beliefs so effectively.
I walked out of this movie a little dazed myself. I thought that the end message of "it'll all work out as long as we keep inventing great technology with our can-do attitudes!" was the tired Disneyfied answer to multiple global crises. Tommorowland, indeed.
I also thought, if they've gone this far, why don't they go for full-blown Brave New World distopia? Where is new food coming from? How are babies being made (if something like merely holding hands between two behemoths is so radical)? What happens when they realize that because of reduced bone mass, they can merely flop around helplessly (that skeleton diagram didn't look like it would support the weight of anything outside of an aquatic environment.)? posted by ikahime at 12:20 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
It must suck being so far on the right, movie-choice wise. Everything (except violence, especially when it's aimed at brown people) seems to upset them one way or another. Maybe the studios should cut together special versions of movies for them.
I'm thinking in the style that a friend living in Kuwait told me about how theaters there showing western movies re-cut the film whenever there's nudity, kissing, sex, etc that may be found offensive by Muslim standards. They instead cut in B-footage of serene wildlife, rolling hills, picturesque landscapes and the like. When the naughty parts are over, back to the movie. posted by pyrex at 12:23 PM on July 1 [2 favorites]
I loved Wall-E
I loved how his malfunctioning proto-sentience infected other robots. posted by The Power Nap at 12:26 PM on July 1 [4 favorites]
I left the theater happy to no end knowing that an entire generation of kids is going to grow up watching Wall-E over and over again. Maybe there's hope for us yet. posted by the jam at 12:27 PM on July 1
Astro Zombie -- what a great story! posted by ericb at 12:27 PM on July 1
I was really impressed by "Wall-E". The storytelling is probably some of the most sophisticated that they've done at Pixar, which raised one small issue for me: I think it's going to be a while before I'll be able to show this film to my 2.5 year old. The other Pixar movies have worked on so many levels of comprehension that they were accessible and entertaining to just about anyone. This one it seemed to me was working on a level that would bore kids under a certain age and leave them confused. Based on that alone, I'd say this is their riskiest film yet.
As a side note, I'd also like to mention that "Presto" is fantastic. posted by wabbittwax at 12:27 PM on July 1
Great story, A. Zombie, and Courtney is absolutely adorable, you lucky undead you. posted by fleetmouse at 12:28 PM on July 1
Astro Zombie just told one of the greatest stories in metafilter history. Sidebar it. Now. I'm all choked up over here, and I'm usually too busy feeling superior to people over the internet to bother getting emotional about anything. posted by shmegegge at 12:28 PM on July 1 [7 favorites]
Whoa, whoa, I dont care what your politics are. That's the dream, man.
Only if robotic deck chairs that haul my walrus-like bulk about also have the BJ machines (fellatotrons?) from THX 1138 (re-fucked-with edition).
And only if they implant farcaster portals inside my colon and urethra so I can just go whenever I please, no mess. Well, mess somewhere else, but I don't care about somewhere else. posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 12:31 PM on July 1
Astro Zombie, that story was awesome and so much in the spirit of the film... thanks for sharing. posted by rooftop secrets at 12:31 PM on July 1
This movie is excellent, if offends right-wing mouth breathers, so much the better. posted by doctor_negative at 12:35 PM on July 1
I would think that the Right would embrace the ideas in WALL-E, I mean, it pretty clearly shows that the problems with the environment are no big deal, because we will be able to build giant space ships and just blast out of here when things get rough.
At least, this is the argument I'm going to use if any of my co-workers use words like 'Environazi' when talking about it.
As to the film itself, I spent most of it alternating between a big, stupid grin on my face and tears in my eyes (the theater was dusty... yeah. That's what it was.) It was amazing, and I'll say without hesitation, one of the best things I've seen in a long time. posted by quin at 12:38 PM on July 1
and film the pro-consumption, save-the-unborn-children film that they are apparently aching for.
After eading the wingnuts response to Wall-E, I'm on my way to the next matinee! posted by birdhaus at 12:41 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
Well I'm going to tune this thread out because I want to go see the movie and I've already learned too much (robots, Harkonnenism, etc).
So long! See you in the duck thread! posted by Mister_A at 12:41 PM on July 1
Man, I really really loved Wall•E. My girlfriend fears of a future like the one depicted so it was a bit unnerving for her, but it was just so endearing anyway... Anyway, to me, it was less about the environment and more about corporate control.
How beautiful was pixar's version of space? posted by Brainy at 12:41 PM on July 1
And this has been gnawing at me:
K BASS : I do not know what movie everyone else saw but the WALL-E I saw with my two children ages 13 and 9, offended me and my kids on so many levels. We felt we had been cheated and lied to.
I somehow doubt that any kids in that age group would have been 'offended' by it. I suspect that either K BASS is full of shit, or those are some seriously fucked up children. posted by quin at 12:43 PM on July 1 [2 favorites]
here's a very amusing Daily Show interview with author Jonah Goldberg
Oh man that was nuts. He's just willfully obtuse about language. posted by cowbellemoo at 12:45 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
It's weird and sad, but for some reason I didn't enjoy WALL-E very much. I don't know why-- I wanted to love it. I'm a huge fan of Pixar's past work, and my politics are as liberal and green as they come, but the movie just didn't move me. Maybe trying to identify with faceless, voiceless robots hits the limits of my empathy. On the other hand, maybe my suspension of disbelief was broken by trying to figure out where WALL-E and EVE got their personalities and emotions from, because they were obviously sentient despite being constructs. For that matter, it could well have been the juxtaposition of real live-action footage with the cartoon humans that bugged me.
Whatever the cause, WALL-E isn't one of my favorite movies, unlike most of the rest of Pixar's library. I feel guilty about this. posted by Faint of Butt at 12:46 PM on July 1
Disney must get on it's knees on a weekly basis and thank the powers that be that they got attached to Pixar before someone else did...
As you probably know, it's more than "attached." In January 2006, Disney acquired Pixar, thereby making Steve Jobs the largest individual Disney shareholder with 7% (followed by Micahel Eisner's 1.7% and Roy Disney's 1%) and a seat on Disney's board of directors.
I don't think Disney has much internal pull with Pixar at tis point.
As has been reported, Pixar maintains its own culture, etc. and Disney has been wise to let Pixar flourish and evolve on its own, since its creative output has always been profitable. posted by ericb at 12:47 PM on July 1
The movie was completely outstanding. I went to see it with my 7 year old boy, and the first five minutes had me choked up and looking over at him in apology for having put him into a world where the premise was plausible.
The entire theater cried aloud in shock at what seemed to happen to the cockroach. To THE COCKROACH.
Everyone at Pixar should be immensely proud of what they do. Astro Zombie's story, as fantastic as it is, comes as no surprise, and why should it? We've learned time and time again that these guys are for real, that they're somehow more connected than most everyone else to the core of what makes us, and stories, work; that it shows in the way they treat others just naturally seems correct. posted by felix at 12:49 PM on July 1 [2 favorites]
I saw this last night. Spectacular movie, with some astonishingly real emotion in it.
I will say, minor gripe, that Wall-E's head design owes rather too much to Johnny 5, but what can you do. posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 12:52 PM on July 1
That was awesome, Astro Zombie. I was gulping air to keep from crying myself. posted by cowbellemoo at 12:56 PM on July 1
Guess what watching Courtney watch Wall-E made me do?!
So, you know, screw those who see a pessimistic or partisan message in this film. It's a well-made, well-told story with, in my opinion, the single greatest animated lead character ever put onto film, produced by artists with passion, committment, and the intelligence to create what must stand as the single finest collection of consistently excellent films ever produced by a studio.
Yeah, well, I agree with you. I thought the story was weaker than Ratatouille, personally, but it's a character movie. And the Pixar folks are pretty awesome, knowing one of them personally and a few others indirectly.
If they had treated your girlfriend poorly, I would have had words with my peeps and we would have sent them a clownfish wrapped in newspaper. posted by dw at 12:57 PM on July 1
It’s absolutely excellent, and rather surprisingly a good little SF tale as well. I'm not surprised that the one dissenting view on Rotten Tomatoes criticizes it for being too dark and cynical: It is quite dark, but in a very good way. posted by Artw at 12:58 PM on July 1
Yay! Sidebar!
Here's part of the thank you letter I sent to Pixar:
I really got the sense of Wall-E as having been a creature who has been, for the most part, alone long enough to have developed a very idiosyncratic personality, battling his boredom with a great sense of curiosity, and so a gesture that started as utilitarian -- he clasps his hands to draw garbage into his midsection -- has evolved into something far more complicated. When he is on his own, he often links his fingers nervously, and, as a result of his strange obsession with Hello Dolly, it is the way he attempts to express affection. I noticed that he often grasps hands with others throughout the film -- I believe he shakes hands with John when he first meets him, one of the many moments in which characters are quickly transformed after their contact with Wall-E. It's a very touching gesture, and this attention to telling details is something I have always appreciated about the films of Pixar. It reminded me, in a way, of Violet's uncombed bangs in The Incredibles, which, in a lesser film, would simply have been a design choice, but in this instance reflected Violet's desire to simultaneously hide herself and shield herself from the world -- a particularly nice touch, given that those were her exact superpowers. posted by Astro Zombie at 12:58 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
I suspect that either K BASS is full of shit, or those are some seriously fucked up children.
More likely it went like this:
K BASS: "I can't believe this environzi propoganda! That rich hypocrite Al Gore must be involved somehow! Awful! Just awful! You guys didn't like it, did you?"
Kids: "Um, ...ah, ..(Brain warning: Danger! Danger, Will Robinson! Loaded question alert!) ... hmm ... uh no. Of course not Mom." posted by eye of newt at 1:00 PM on July 1 [3 favorites]
Unbelievably good movie. I'm glad it exists, if only to show others what is creatively possible. Pixar, yet again, has set the bar high. posted by spiderskull at 1:04 PM on July 1
It's sad that modern conservatives, so quick to knee-jerk the moment anything that remotely looks environmental appears in front of them, are so blinded by politics they can't even see that this movie sells their old core beliefs so effectively.
Some modern conservatives. I am pretty conservative. By Metafilter standards, I may as well be a couple of clicks to the right of Gehngis Kahn. But I thought Wall-E was just an entertaining movie. The characters were endearing. The comic relief was terrific. BNL industries reminded me more of Idiocracy than An Inconvenient Truth. My kids loved it. I will probably buy a lot of Wall-E paraphernalia at Christmas this year.
Then again, I think that Georgia O'Keefe portraits are just pretty flowers. So I might be missing the subtext. posted by Slap Factory at 1:06 PM on July 1
I was in love with the movie up to the point where humans entered the picture and the first 'real' dialogue came in. It was so skillful in telling this nearly wordless story that it felt like the spell was broken once it got more conventional. Don't let that stop you from seeing it though, it was sooooo much better than 'Cars'. posted by mattholomew at 1:06 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
I'd like to see what kinda of screenplay the NRO killjoys could come up with. I mean really, if they don't like the movies.....make one they would like.
I saw it saturday and after the movie the kids were humming and sliding all over the theater..gurgling 'WallEEEEEE!'
I good Wall*E robot toy could really sell...no...really? posted by xjudson at 1:07 PM on July 1
Interesting to note that, thanks to overwhelming numbers of favorable viewer ratings, WALL-E is currently up to the #6 movie OF ALL TIME on IMDB. I have not seen it yet (I see few movies in theaters, but this one WILL be an exception).
A Best Animation oscar is a lock, but given the overwhelming responses of the critics (who are almost unanimously going GA-GA over it), I would not be surprised to see it get a Best Picture nomination. I'd make it an odds-on favorite to win a Best Picture Golden Globe, just based upon peoples reactions to it. posted by spock at 1:10 PM on July 1
I just want to chime in that this was a phenomenally good movie. I saw it with my 7-year-old son, and neither of us was bored for a single minute. Pixar's storytelling with images is just incredible. I teared up more than once - over a couple of robots. posted by bashos_frog at 1:10 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
Fat people didn't like it, either.
Well, speaking* as a fat person**, I can't see how this is fat bashing - from what I have read, the film tells it like it is - we overconsume and sit on our asses, we get fat and lose strength (and not just physically).
*disclaimer - have not yet seen film; will do this weekend
** who is, admittedly, a recent convert to cardio + weight training, becoming less fat daily, and losing my fat cred? posted by pointystick at 1:11 PM on July 1
ericb: "As you probably know, it's more than "attached." In January 2006, Disney acquired Pixar, thereby making Steve Jobs the largest individual Disney shareholder with 7%"
Eve was actually designed by Apple’s behind-the-scenes design guru Johnny Ive, the guy responsible for the design of the iPod. Andrew Stanton told Fortune: "I wanted Eve to be high-end technology - no expense spared - and I wanted it to be seamless and for the technology to be sort of hidden and subcutaneous. The more I started describing it, the more I realized I was pretty much describing the Apple playbook for design."
If I were AZ, i'd be telling that story everytime the conversation was remotely related to it, until my friends had it memorized. posted by empath at 1:17 PM on July 1
The apple-ness totally shows with Eve's otherwise hidden indicators that shine through the casing. This is straight from most apple devices right now. posted by odinsdream at 1:17 PM on July 1
Looks like all of those Ayn Rand+Incredibles references are all Objectivist sites or Libertarian references like Reason magazine. Maybe they were wishing it was an Ayn Rand epic? posted by destro at 1:18 PM on July 1
Most people think I am a compulsive liar. Thank God the Web lets me link to photographs. posted by Astro Zombie at 1:18 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
Sorry, EVE just reminds me of Nintendo's R.O.B. every time I see her. Wall-E too now that I come to think of it.. posted by pyrex at 1:22 PM on July 1
I loved this movie. I saw it Saturday with my husband and 5 year old daughter. It was her first movie in the movie theater! She wasn't too impressed and only liked two parts (though she did like it better than watching movies at home). But my husband and I loved it so much that we went and saw it again the next day when she was over at a friend's house.
I had not read nor heard any reviews. The internet was all excited about the trailers and I pshawed all of it. When I saw the "extended peek" that was on TV a few weeks ago, I was confused. I just did not get this Wall-E movie at all. It's a robot! A robot in space! As my daughter said, "Robots are weird."
I'm glad I changed my mind. It really is a great movie. posted by frecklefaerie at 1:31 PM on July 1
Fat people didn't like it, either.
What? I fucking loved it. Furthermore, its depiction of fatness isn't just "lol fatty" -- they give it a context and show how much of a challenge it is for everyone. It's not just a personal fault, corporations and government have been similarly derelict in their responsibilities to encourage health. Disappearing parks, automobile-centricity, misleading food advertising, failed public transit, and failed health care all have contributed to obesity trends. Wall•E at least recognizes that fatness doesn't occur in a vacuum, even if it doesn't give examples of healthy living. ("...we have a jogging track?!") posted by cowbellemoo at 1:34 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
We loved it, and it sparked some pretty active conversation with the housemates ont he way home from the theatre.
Also loved some of the subtle shout outs (like Wall-E's boot noise being the Mac boot sound).
I didn't exactly think the head owed a lot to Johnny 5, but more to the relatively limited options available to make a robot neotenic and expressive enough to establish quick rapport, while still providing the engineering to allow for the quick replacement factor they used during the move.
AZ's story so reconfirmed my wish to work at Pixar. It has seemed to me since way back that they have a culture that recognizes that a friendly, nurturing relationship between management and staff can really encourage creativity and productivity, generally from loyalty rather than fear.
Oh, and the magician short was HILARIOUS. posted by Samizdata at 1:36 PM on July 1
odinsdream -- narrative-fu made computer animation of the humans seven hundred years before unnecessary. Back then, they were us; seven hundred years later, humankind changes so radically that they become weird CG-y people. Doing the Sky Captain thing would have borked a pretty cool kludge on Pixar's part, I think. Prosthetics would have cheapened it.
Acknowledging the limitations of the medium you mention by effectively draping the film in a conceit of realism was pretty slick, no? posted by lumensimus at 1:37 PM on July 1
how dare they imply there is anything wrong with our hallowed corporations
I'm picturing a re-done version of Matrix: Reloaded where the humans wake in the fields and fiercely defend their giant metal harvesting overlords. posted by Durn Bronzefist at 1:38 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
I find it slightly amusing that people who have no qualms about talking and thinking rats/cars/toys/fish, get hung up on issues of where did the robots get their personalities and how the hell will these fat bastards procreate and walk around. I tell ya, if FTL is possible than I have no issues with robotic personalities. posted by edgeways at 1:38 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
I saw WALL-e with my two kids. My 6 year old was bored. My 8 year old enjoyed it. I think the first part was very good, but the second it's kind of lame. I think it is a good movie but not the best of Pixar by far. posted by dov3 at 1:43 PM on July 1
I want a screensaver of the scene where Wall-E is flying under Saturn's rings. posted by bashos_frog at 1:46 PM on July 1
I'm yet to see WALL-E, but if it's half the film the critics are going on about I think it'll be another film that i'll love forever. posted by Nik_Doof at 1:49 PM on July 1
Man! I can't believe I forgot to mention Presto, which was proportionally as awesome as WALL•E. posted by odinsdream at 1:50 PM on July 1
Taking a peek at AZ's GF's little film above kinda confirmed something to me. The audio playing on the preview she watches is audio used in Brazil (the movie), there was more then once or twice when my wife and I looked at one another during Wall-E and mouthed "Brazil!".
Wall-E is of course not Brazil, but there are elements of it tucked here and there, which amuses me. posted by edgeways at 1:53 PM on July 1
Excellent movie; so good that I could not get up to pee and was having bladder spasms by the time the credits rolled. posted by seanmpuckett at 1:57 PM on July 1
You know what disturbed the hell out of me?
Wall-E was a damn cannibal!
cowbellemoo:
But I am curious as to why our Wall•E was the only one left. Did he try and fix up his buddies when they went kaput? Did they screw themselves over by staying outside in the superstorms? I mean, he's been cannibalizing them for spare parts. Is it just not his directive? Man I need some closure on this.
It's because Wall-E malfunctioned, and he took apart all of his fellow robots. He's a cannibal! Whole collections of robot parts just so he can maintain himself. Now he has a whole ship full of people and robots to take apart, just so he can live longer.
Yeah, yeah, that's nice and all, AZ, but where was Astro Zombie 3 while all that great stuff was going on? You just left him in the dungeon with some bones, didn't you? posted by languagehat at 2:00 PM on July 1
It's because Wall-E malfunctioned, and he took apart all of his fellow robots. He's a cannibal!
Noooooooo!
Mental note: Keep Wall•E action figures I ordered SEPARATE AT ALL TIMES. posted by cowbellemoo at 2:10 PM on July 1
The linked-to comments from the people who hate this movie have somehow made me like it even more, and if that's wrong, I don't want to be right. posted by kyrademon at 2:15 PM on July 1
Oooh, and anyone else dig the 'evolution of art' thing during the credits? Cave painting > hieroglyphics > Renaissance > Impressionism > Modernisme mosaic > ? posted by cowbellemoo at 2:16 PM on July 1 [6 favorites]
Yeah, cowbellemoo. Pixar is made entirely of win. posted by RakDaddy at 2:18 PM on July 1
What I really wasn't expecting from it was a very 70s Sci-Fi feel - wingnuttery asside the enviromental catastrophe that has taken over the earth isn't global warming but more non-specific, if anything it's a proliferation of trash and pollution, like John Brunners The Sheep Look up. And the generational starship where the original purpose of the mission has long been forgotten is a common 70s SF trope. Which is pretty awesome given that what the competition is offering is some celebrity voices and some song-and-dance acts. posted by Artw at 2:22 PM on July 1
Samizdata : Oh, and the magician short was HILARIOUS.
Artw : Very Portal.
Yes! As I was watching it and being greatly amused, I turned to the wife and said something like "You just know they were playing Portal when they came up with the idea for this." posted by quin at 2:25 PM on July 1
Having just watched Presto, I must say it was lovely. I just knew it was going to be good once I saw the old-skool Disney still-card intro. posted by pyrex at 2:26 PM on July 1
I also I found myself thinking of 2000ad and Dr. Who a lot, as well as various eurocomics. posted by Artw at 2:26 PM on July 1
...oh, and it was kind of Douglas Adamsy as well. posted by Artw at 2:35 PM on July 1
I really loved the film. I went on Friday with the Ms. and our three and five year olds. The kids didn't seem to get that it projected a future, but did understand it's message about waste and consumption. This was almost immediately undermined by Disney as they were given a cheap, plastic Wall-E watch for attending one of the first showings. Of course my first impulse was to take them away from them and file them in my giant collection of interesting crap produced by a culture I'm trying to understand. But instead we let them wear them and now they don't work anymore. They still love them, though and won't take them off. Strange how an experience can attach a person to an inanimate object.
One of my favorite aspects of the film is that it gives me a lesson to point to for my kids growing up in a disposable society. Now when I talk to my older girl about why wasting food is bad, we can use the movie as an example. We talked about our garbage and our garden and recycling. And counter to what she gets in the world, now she has a better understanding as to why we do things differently than other families, like composting, and shopping at thrift stores.
The movie wasn't just about consumption, in my opinion. There was a bit in there about cataloging and sorting too. And quite a bit about curiosity. Organizing and curiosity are of course clearly lefty-pinko predilections.
I can't recommend this movie enough. See it. And take someone with you. posted by Toekneesan at 2:40 PM on July 1
Yes! As I was watching it and being greatly amused, I turned to the wife and said something like "You just know they were playing Portal when they came up with the idea for this."
You live in Seattle? See it at the Bay on Friday night?
Because that's what the guy behind me said to his wife/GF/whatever. posted by dw at 2:43 PM on July 1
We must protect the children from Environmentalist Propaganda!
That fucking crying Indian is what get's my goat. Jeebus said right in the Holdy Beeble I can throw my trash out the car window! And. As everybody knows Indian tears are deadly poisonous!
Plus it makes my children sad. "Daddy that indian man is crying!" They yell. I tell them "Don't fall for that propaganda. That Indian is faking. He is only trying to lull you into into going out of the car to throw your Mc Happy-meal bag away where he will then shoot you with arrows. Just throw that shit out the window and then roll it up fast. Or a Mexican might get in." posted by tkchrist at 2:43 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
Organizing and curiosity are of course clearly lefty-pinko predilections.
cowbellemoo: "Oooh, and anyone else dig the 'evolution of art' thing during the credits? Cave painting > hieroglyphics > Renaissance > Impressionism > Modernisme mosaic > ?"
Don't forget the 8-bit sprites at the end.
I thought it was a fascinating idea. Like we were seeing a condensed representation of future history. That is, that the state of affairs at the end of the movie (trying not to give too much away here) were considered by later generations of humans to be the founding myths of ancient history, and were rendered as such: first as cave drawings and hieroglyphics by the earliest descendants, then, as things progressed, the art style evolved along the same lines as classical and Renaissance art and eventually into early computer animation.
History repeats itself, basically.
Although now, as I look at that, it's a bit troubling. For anybody who didn't stay all the way to the end of the last reel, there's a little extra bit at the tail end, right before the production code slide. It's simply an image of the Buy n Large corporate logo, accompanied by a brief musical sting.
I wonder... in the context of the scenes portrayed in the credits, do you think that's a hint that history would *fully* repeat itself, and that humanity would eventually lapse back into pollution and sloth? It just seems odd to me that they would have the brand of the corporate goliath be the film's parting image. posted by Rhaomi at 2:46 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
It'll be released in two and a half months here. I can't even fathom what the distribution guys are thinking (even Terminator 3 (!) did well in the summer and, supposedly, summer's when children don't have school and could see the damn movie), but I laughed so much during Ratatouille and the trailer was so endearing that I'll wait till it's shown in theaters. posted by ersatz at 2:48 PM on July 1
I was worried that it was going to be like short circuit which I didn't like and was generally depressing. posted by captaincrouton at 2:51 PM on July 1
Well, they both have robots in. That's about it. posted by Artw at 2:55 PM on July 1
BTW, should I be impressed that the people at the National Review know the word "Malthusian"? posted by Artw at 2:58 PM on July 1
Metafilter: Malthusian fear mongering. posted by turgid dahlia at 2:58 PM on July 1
You live in Seattle? See it at the Bay on Friday night?
Because that's what the guy behind me said to his wife/GF/whatever.
For a minute there I thought I was your mystery commenter, dw, but then I remembered that we saw Wall-E at the Metro instead of the Bay.
Then again, I imagine geeks everywhere were making that kind of comment after Presto. After being primed by Presto, I found the spaceship scenery in Wall-E to be pretty evocative of Portal, too. posted by gurple at 2:59 PM on July 1
Now this makes me really quite mad. Wall-E doesn't start in Australia until September 18th! I swear it's almost like we're in another universe. You'd have thought that they'd release it for (next week's) school holidays or something... WTF Pixar? =(
Otherwise, awesome thread =) posted by cholly at 3:12 PM on July 1
JezzTek: "Same thing happened with the Incredibles, except it got the nutty left in a tizzy instead of the nutty right. So it goes I suppose."
Huh? I'm on the nutty left and The Incredibles is one of my favorite films; currently my favorite animated film. Why would anyone on the nutty left have a problem with The Incredibles? Brad Bird rocks.
I wish Pixar would get around to doing a sequel to Finding Nemo that investigated Dori's past. Now THAT would probably be enough to make me cry my eyes out on a YouTube video. That's a story that my heart wants to see told. posted by ZachsMind at 3:23 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
Then again, I imagine geeks everywhere were making that kind of comment after Presto.
Yeah, I kept expecting the bunny wanting cake and not a carrot. posted by dw at 3:23 PM on July 1
Huh? I'm on the nutty left and The Incredibles is one of my favorite films; currently my favorite animated film. Why would anyone on the nutty left have a problem with The Incredibles? Brad Bird rocks.
I love The Incredibles, but I don't think it fits too well with my worldview. Not so much the Ayn Rand stuff, but the celebration of the nuclear family and traditional gender roles, the fact that they made a nasty villain out of a misfit geeky kid, and especially what happens to Violet's character at the end all kind of turn me off. For a film supposedly about exceptional, unique people, there's a lot of stress on conformity.
Doesn't stop me from watching it over and over, though. posted by gurple at 3:29 PM on July 1 [2 favorites]
You know, I find it especially interesting that it seems Pixar seems to arouse so much discussion from so many directions. I suspect that means they actually spend some time writing... posted by Samizdata at 3:33 PM on July 1
Astro Zombie, I teared up a little just reading your comment. That was just pure win. posted by Caduceus at 3:45 PM on July 1
Incidentally, I thought that the physical resemblance of Wall*E to Johnny 5 was an intentional homage ... I mean, there were little visual references to robots and computers from other sci-fi films throughout. The nod to 2001 was very clear, for example. posted by kyrademon at 4:07 PM on July 1
It was a triumph. I'm making a note here, huge success... posted by Artw at 4:10 PM on July 1
especially what happens to Violet's character at the end
I'd like to hear you expand on this, because I think most people would see Violet's blossoming (so to speak), after seeing how take-charge and commanding her mother could be, as quite the rah-rah, you-go-girl empowerment angle.
After all, the girl goes from someone that would rather turn invisible (both literally and figuratively) than face her fear, to someone who almost demands to be seen (where she prompts the kid at the end for a date -- "I like movies.") posted by Cool Papa Bell at 4:11 PM on July 1
Gurple: "I love The Incredibles, but I don't think it fits too well with my worldview."
...worldview?
"Not so much the Ayn Rand stuff,"
Oh! I see. You might be confused. That wasn't supposed to be Ayn Rand. Edna Mode was inspired by real-life fashion designer Edith Head. =) BTW I can do a not half bad impersonation of Edna Mode upon request.
"but the celebration of the nuclear family and traditional gender roles,"
Celebration? Tradition? Just cuz the family happened to have two point five kids?
"the fact that they made a nasty villain out of a misfit geeky kid,"
..I think you're reading a bit too much into--
"and especially what happens to Violet's character at the end all kind of turn me off."
What happened? She told the boy of her dreams when and where they were gonna go out. How could that be a turn off? She knew what she wanted and she got it.
"For a film supposedly about exceptional, unique people, there's a lot of stress on conformity."
There were lotsa pretty colors and explosions and I laughed a lot. Why does everything have to be a socio-political statement? Sometimes a drawing of a cigar is just a drawing of a cigar.
kyrademon: "Incidentally, I thought that the physical resemblance of Wall*E to Johnny 5 was an intentional homage ... I mean, there were little visual references to robots and computers from other sci-fi films throughout. The nod to 2001 was very clear, for example."
As for where he actually got the idea for the look of Wall-E, many have questioned whether it was inspired by E.T. or Short Circuit, but Stanton confirms that it was something else entirely - binoculars. He recalls playing with binoculars at a baseball game and thinking that "you don't need a mouth, you don't need a nose, you get a whole personality just from [them]." That drove the whole rest of the design and the remainder came out of logic. They wanted it to be a roving trash compactor that could hide like a turtle and would have tank treads so he could get over any terrain. "I wanted to see it as a machine first and as a character second."
Stanton did go on to say that Johnny 5 from Short Circuit might have "unconsciously" been inspiration, but it primarily came from binoculars as referenced in that story. He only ever saw Short Circuit once and instead was trying to get a Luxo the Lamp feel. "I wanted to believe that a robot is really there. I wanted to believe he is really a robot and not just a human in a robot shell." posted by Rhaomi at 4:25 PM on July 1
Since I seem to have provoked a strong reaction, I'll explain in particular what I don't like about what happens to Violet's character. True, at the beginning she's limited by her shyness and less confident, and at the end she's able to approach the guy she likes and even take charge when he stumbles. That's great.
But also, at the beginning she's different-looking and -acting, while at the end she's dressing in nice soft purples and doing the same thing with her hair that everyone else does and fitting in. I liked her better before, and I didn't like the conflation of personal confidence with looking and acting like everyone else.
Again, I love the movie. I think the fact that it makes me think about these things at all is a good thing. Critique != hate. posted by gurple at 4:30 PM on July 1 [2 favorites]
If I were going to get irrationally upset I'd go for something creative, like how the robots' genders (if they even have genders) are never officially established, so clearly this is promoting homosexual relationships posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 4:30 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
gurple - so basically she's not a goth? posted by Artw at 4:32 PM on July 1
gurple - so basically she's not a goth?
Yeah, pretty much. posted by gurple at 4:36 PM on July 1
I'd like to point out that I left work early so I could come home and favorite AstroZombie's comment.
You might want to quote that last link from Jonah Goldberg in full:
"I agree with the charges of hypocrisy. I agree that the Malthusian fear mongering was annoying. But I saw WALL-E on Saturday as well. And I thought it was a fascinating and at-times brilliant movie."
I think "annoyed a few conservatives" is, uh, far more accurate than "outraged the radical right." posted by Heminator at 4:48 PM on July 1 [2 favorites]
But also, at the beginning she's different-looking and -acting, while at the end she's dressing in nice soft purples and doing the same thing with her hair that everyone else does and fitting in. I liked her better before, and I didn't like the conflation of personal confidence with looking and acting like everyone else.
I thought the point was Violet was now confident enough that she recognized she was supposed to fit in so her parents didn't get busted as supers. Which earlier she resented. posted by tkchrist at 4:58 PM on July 1
Just the other day I was thinking about the 'Wall E Crying Girl' and tried to find it again on Youtube and failed... I've been sort of avoiding this thread to not be accidentally spoilered, then I saw Astro's post via 'Popular'. Let's just say I wish you could favour something more than once. Say about 4 million times. And Pixar are just so full of win I can hardly parse it. posted by fearfulsymmetry at 4:59 PM on July 1
Great movie. Great story. Great story tellers. This is all a setup for me, because Tivo has recorded some Starz documentary "Inside Pixar", so I'll see you all... a little later!
(And A++++ Astro Zombie WOULD READ AGAIN!) posted by cavalier at 5:07 PM on July 1
I just heard somebody on TV say that WALL-E was "manipulative."
I think it's interesting that when film makers are so successful at soliciting emotions that they are then called "manipulative." I find that odd. Since the point of many good stories IS to be manipulated into a certain feeling. People often hate on Spielberg for this. Frankly it's why I think he can be a genius.
"Daddy that indian man is crying!" They yell. I tell them "Don't fall for that propaganda. That Indian is faking."
And faking in more ways than one! In that ad the actor (Iron Eyes Cody), portraying the Indian, wasn't really Native American. He was Espera de Corti, a son of Antonio de Corti and his wife Francesca Salpietra, immigrants from Sicily. posted by ericb at 5:19 PM on July 1
You, sir, are a clown
Now, there's tolerence for others opinion. posted by brickman at 5:24 PM on July 1
The more I think about it, the more I think the reason cons hate the movie isn't because of the eco-rant or the consumption critique, instead it's the lack of scarcity the movie portrayed. No scarcity=no profit. How utterly inconceivable and against nature.
Frankly, it was a problem I had with the film too. The only possible scenario I could think of was that like like Wall-E, the passengers on the Axiom were made of other ...Axioms? No really. How else do you support that crowd for 700 hundred years? They started with thousands of ships. Now they were down to one. Dum dum dum...They had to go back. posted by Toekneesan at 5:34 PM on July 1
If I were going to get irrationally upset I'd go for something creative, like how the robots' genders (if they even have genders) are never officially established, so clearly this is promoting homosexual relationships
Exactly -- right in league with Jerry Falwell's 1999 claim that Teletubby 'Tinky-Winky' was gay -- and thus "bad for chidren." posted by ericb at 5:36 PM on July 1 [1 favorite]
Violet wasn't goth.
In my experience, goths are pretenders. I'm sure some people in here will be upset with me for saying that. Notice how much I care. Violet wasn't pretending. Viole
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And isn't red usually the color associated with the group liberals are more often demonized as: commies? But I guess that's Goldberg for you.
posted by DU at 11:46 AM on July 1