tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post1405888832310165616..comments2023-08-20T06:16:15.362-05:00Comments on Getafilm: Underrated MOTM: Falling Down (1993)Danielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-62897159620481809722008-09-11T12:30:00.000-05:002008-09-11T12:30:00.000-05:00Nice, Fletch! I've blocked much of the wife storyl...Nice, Fletch! I've blocked much of the wife storylines (both for Duvall and for Douglas) out of my mind, not because they aren't important to the character development of those two, but because they are, like you say, retread pieces that we've seen before.<BR/><BR/>Researching a bit as I was writing this I was surprised to see people referring to it as a great dark comedy, but after watching the Whammyburger scene again I can see why. I wish I could embed that in the comments. Other key scenes are with the Korean shop owner, the neo-Nazi, and the gang members. But apart from those, it's interesting to just watch Douglas prowl around alone, too.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-52153283840518432592008-09-11T11:11:00.000-05:002008-09-11T11:11:00.000-05:00I'm with you, Daniel, and when this pops up on HBO...I'm with you, Daniel, and when this pops up on HBO, to this day I'm stay put and watch it. <BR/><BR/>I've never cared to the ex-wife/daughter melodrama, as I think it played too much like the "abusive husband" storyline seen so many other times, but aside from that and a few other minor quibbles (don't like Rachel Ticotin, hated the scenes with Duvall talking to his needy wife), I've always enjoyed Falling Down.<BR/><BR/>Outside of all of the relevant points you make about LA and the other social commentary aspects, I've found it at times to be hilarious. It doesn't get much better than the Whammyburger scene.Fletchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299302086449086987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-80522629776623694922008-09-10T23:47:00.000-05:002008-09-10T23:47:00.000-05:00Haha, say it like you mean it, Joe!I don't know, I...Haha, say it like you mean it, Joe!<BR/><BR/>I don't know, I remember it being fairly raw, and when I was looking back at some of the clips on YouTube I still thought the dialogue and themes were just harsh as what's coming out these days, even if the violence wasn't as bloody. This may be a subjective issue, but I would consider a fair amount of the scenes upsetting, and <A HREF="http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F0CE0DC113FF935A15751C0A965958260" REL="nofollow">these</A> <A HREF="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE2DD163DF932A15751C0A965958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all" REL="nofollow">two</A> NYT articles from the time confirm that it was considered pretty "nasty" upon its release. Of course, they were in NY and you were in L.A., so maybe you deserve the last word on how accurate things really were at the time, and maybe you're talking about something altogether different anyway. I just think that even if the language and violence are circa-1993, the characters are, so far, timeless.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-20196063588012895712008-09-10T22:24:00.000-05:002008-09-10T22:24:00.000-05:00You said it, Daniel. I don't know of too many film...You said it, Daniel. I don't know of too many film geeks - other than yourself - that have given <EM>Falling Down</EM> much thought since 1993. This is because it's not a good movie. <BR/><BR/>Neither Douglas or Schumacher seem like they want to present anything too upsetting and as a result, don't take this material nearly far enough. Compared with <EM>Fight Club</EM>, this would be fit for broadcast on the Disney Channel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-66557030428462724262008-09-10T14:22:00.000-05:002008-09-10T14:22:00.000-05:00I'm not excusing anything the guy has done since t...I'm not excusing anything the guy has done since this movie, including <I>Batman Forever</I>, but yes, I would say that this is definitely worth a look. Once you swallow the fact that Douglas' character could actually experience a day like this, the whole thing comes together fairly well. If nothing else, I remember it being extremely engaging.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-14869883947835522302008-09-10T14:12:00.000-05:002008-09-10T14:12:00.000-05:00Up until recently, there were a handful of filmmak...Up until recently, there were a handful of filmmakers on my permanent blacklist and I would avoid anything they made. For a long time, Joel Schumacher was a charter member so I gladly skipped this one when it was in theaters.<BR/><BR/>Sounds like maybe now I ought to go back and have a look?Craig Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00924813294666616097noreply@blogger.com