keg just saw Hitchhiker's Guide

[keg in kc]

I though the film was kind of...drab. It was not bad, per se, there were some good moments (mostly at the beginning), some nice effects and some good one-liners, but all in all I wasn't particularly impressed. The romance was particularly annoying to me; it just seemed out of place. Forced. Like they had to shove a hollywood formula into an otherwise unconventional film. This is a problem I've been having a lot with films lately, actually: it's like they can't have a movie without some kind of effing love story. But I digress.

I've never read the book(s), so this is a pretty unbiased reaction, at least in that sense. I really wanted to like the film, it looked and sounded like something I'd get into, but it just fell short. For me at least. And it's not a matter of more explosions or flash or any of that crap. I thought what the film was missing was heart. It just seemed too slick, too polished, not enough meat on the bones to really pull me into the story. Sanitized almost.

[Baby Lee]

Hitch is a tough project. It's almost a "you had to be there" book.
And people who aren't familar with the story won't get the humor.
And people who are familar with the story [usually obsessives] will be disappointed that what flowered in their imagination didn't make it to screen.

[keg in kc]

I'm sure my reaction would have been different had I read the book, but I decided to hold off until after I saw the film because I wanted a clean viewing. That's usually the way I do it - film first, book later - because for me the film rarely matches the book. Everything made sense, though, although I guess there were things I could have missed that I won't even realize I missed until I read...

[Baby Lee]

I'm sure my reaction would have been different had I read the book, but I decided to hold off until after I saw the film because I wanted a clean viewing. That's usually the way I do it - film first, book later - because for me the film rarely matches the book. Everything made sense, though, although I guess there were things I could have missed that I won't even realize I missed until I read...
I'd liken the book to a Far Side cartoon. Offbeat and hard to explain, but tickles you to no end.

[Kylo Ren]

It sucked. Sorry.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Interesting... it's been getting pretty good reviews. I was thinking about seeing it this weekend.

[Frazod]

I read Ebert's review today. His take is that unless you're a fan of the books, the movie won't mean much to you. A lot of inside jokes that you won't get otherwise.

I never read the books, so I guess until I do I won't bother with the movie.

[Ultra Peanut]

I though the film was kind of...drab.That's actually what I sort of feared, from some of the early reviews. My enthusiasm for seeing it has waned over the past couple of months to the point where I'm not sure if I'll even bother going to see it or just wait for it to be available through Netflix. I do think the cast seems good, though (especially Freeman and Rockwell, and I've had high hopes for Mos Def), and partly just want to go to experience the thing on the big screen and see how it turns out.

I'd highly suggest reading the book(s), though. You can find the Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide (all of them in one book) for, like, $15.

I read Ebert's review today. His take is that unless you're a fan of the books, the movie won't mean much to you. A lot of inside jokes that you won't get otherwise.Hmm.

Guess I need to check what other fans of the book are saying before I come to my decision.

[wazu]

I saw it. eh. I think I would have liked it more if there hadn't been some guys who were obviously "fans" scream laughing at every joke no matter how lame.

Hint for hardcore "Hitchhiker" fans: the robot isn't that funny.

[Miles]

Hitchhiking is cool, towels are good.

Just got back from seeing it and it was much better than I was expecting. I felt it did a pretty good job of capturing the humor from the book and not making it more mainstream.

The cast was also solid. Rockwell was excellent as usual and I am quickly becoming a fan of Mos Def's acting.

[Hammock Parties]

I have a confession to make: I'm going to feel left out when I watch this movie. I've never read the book apart from the first chapter or so.

I have failed as a nerd.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Is keg turning into Bob Dole with the bit of referring himself in the third person? Fire Me Boy! doesn't like that.

[Miles]

Is keg turning into Bob Dole with the bit of referring himself in the third person? Fire Me Boy! doesn't like that.

"JIM....JIMMY WONT FORGET YOU KRAMER...

JIMMY HOLDS GRUDGES. LET JIMMY GO......"

[alanm]

Hitchhiking is cool, towels are good.

Just got back from seeing it and it was much better than I was expecting. I felt it did a pretty good job of capturing the humor from the book and not making it more mainstream.

The cast was also solid. Rockwell was excellent as usual and I am quickly becoming a fan of Mos Def's acting.
That's good to know because I was going to go see it tomorrow. If it's even remotely close to the book I'll be happy. Hollywood is famous for butchering great books. :cuss: :banghead:

[Rausch]

I've decided to stick with Netflix (thank Gaz) and pretty much given up on going to movies.

[oaklandhater]

Hitchhiking is cool, towels are good.

Just got back from seeing it and it was much better than I was expecting. I felt it did a pretty good job of capturing the humor from the book and not making it more mainstream.

The cast was also solid. Rockwell was excellent as usual and I am quickly becoming a fan of Mos Def's acting.

I think Sam Rockwell Stole the show

[deadbabyseal]

I have a confession to make: I'm going to feel left out when I watch this movie. I've never read the book apart from the first chapter or so.

I have failed as a nerd.
It's more of an 80's nerd thing, don't panic, your nerd membership won't be revoked.

[keg in kc]

I saw it. eh. I think I would have liked it more if there hadn't been some guys who were obviously "fans" scream laughing at every joke no matter how lame.Yeah, had that in my theater, too. That rates about as high on my list of "things I like when I'm at the movies" as "crying baby" and "big fat guy snoring behind me."

Yes, those are actual experiences.

[Kylo Ren]

I think Sam Rockwell Stole the show He couldn't steal the show. It sucked!

[teedubya]

I dont recommend going to see this movie with a six pack of Loft inside you, and then eating Skittles.

[Hydrae]

I dont recommend going to see this movie with a six pack of Loft inside you, and then eating Skittles.


Taste the rainbow!

[Baby Lee]

Taste the rainbow!
Twice!!

[Ultra Peanut]

I have a confession to make: I'm going to feel left out when I watch this movie. I've never read the book apart from the first chapter or so.

I have failed as a nerd.Philistine.

[Bowser]

Taste the rainbow!

Eeeew!

[Ultra Peanut]

Wow, that response was like the 327 to Boston.

<img src="http://www.amtrek.net/extras/status.jpg" style="width: 332px; height: 219px; border: 0" alt="" />

[Rain Man]

I don't know why I ever even go to science fiction movies. They almost always stink, it seems, and I want so badly for them to be good.

Hitchhiker was just a two-hour exercise in sensory deprivation. Boring. I'd give it a C-, or maybe a D+. The only likeable character in the whole thing was the gal.

[sd4chiefs]

I thought the book was great. I thought the movie was average.

[patteeu]

For those who liked Zooey Deschanel, the gal who played Trillian in Hitchhiker's Guide, she was in a pretty good off-beat, dark comedy called Eulogy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349416/) about a seriously dysfunctional family that get's together for the patriarch's funeral. It's not a great movie, and I didn't laugh nonstop, but I got quite a few good laughs out of it. It's got a lot of recognizable actors/actresses in it including Ray Romano, Hank Azaria, Kelly Preston, Piper Laurie, and Debra Winger among others. It's worth spending a rental fee and a couple of hours on. :thumb:

[dilligaf]

I liked it. I never read the book so I didnt know any thing about it, but I thought it was allright . Not the best movie by any means.
And I thought the robot was funny. That girl was hot. At the first I couldnt fiqure out where I had seen her. Then it hit me, she was the love intrest in Elf also.
I do have to agree that I'm getting tired of every movie having a love story in it. It is getting very lame.

[tk13]

I wanted to get the inside scoop from the real professionals at this stuff, so I spent the entire weekend driving around asking actual hitchhikers what they thought of the movie. Before I could even say a word, every single one of them gave me a thumbs up. Mighty high praise.

[Pants]

For those who liked Zooey Deschanel, the gal who played Trillian in Hitchhiker's Guide, she was in a pretty good off-beat, dark comedy called Eulogy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349416/) about a seriously dysfunctional family that get's together for the patriarch's funeral. It's not a great movie, and I didn't laugh nonstop, but I got quite a few good laughs out of it. It's got a lot of recognizable actors/actresses in it including Ray Romano, Hank Azaria, Kelly Preston, Piper Laurie, and Debra Winger among others. It's worth spending a rental fee and a couple of hours on. :thumb:

Good movie. The lesbo sister is hot and Romano's sons are awesome.

[dilligaf]

For those who liked Zooey Deschanel, the gal who played Trillian in Hitchhiker's Guide, she was in a pretty good off-beat, dark comedy called Eulogy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349416/) about a seriously dysfunctional family that get's together for the patriarch's funeral. It's not a great movie, and I didn't laugh nonstop, but I got quite a few good laughs out of it. It's got a lot of recognizable actors/actresses in it including Ray Romano, Hank Azaria, Kelly Preston, Piper Laurie, and Debra Winger among others. It's worth spending a rental fee and a couple of hours on. :thumb:
That looked good so I got it coming from netflix. I think she is very cute, my latest crush. Thanx.

[Hammock Parties]

I wanted to get the inside scoop from the real professionals at this stuff, so I spent the entire weekend driving around asking actual hitchhikers what they thought of the movie. Before I could even say a word, every single one of them gave me a thumbs up. Mighty high praise.

ROFL

[patteeu]

Good movie. The lesbo sister is hot and Romano's sons are awesome.

Ya, I was gonna mention them, but I left it out for the sake of brevity. They were pieces of work. Haha.

[StcChief]

Cult films are like that. Had to be there, read the books or forget it.

[redbrian]

Finally got a chance to see the Guide today. Purposely did not read or listen to any reviews (especially those found here).

I was a little disappointed at some aspects and liked others.

The thing about the Guide is that every version out there is different and I have heard, read or seen every version.

And the definitive version is still the original radio play (which can be found on tape).

The sound was probably the biggest disappointment starting with the Guides theme song; the version used in the movie just did not have the punch as the original.

Also the overall sound effects was not near as good as that used on the BBC, I was really hopping for a surround sound extravaganza.

It also just missed on the sarcasm and bite that was so evident on the radio play.

[Ultra Peanut]

I wanted to get the inside scoop from the real professionals at this stuff, so I spent the entire weekend driving around asking actual hitchhikers what they thought of the movie. Before I could even say a word, every single one of them gave me a thumbs up. Mighty high praise.Winner and NEW thread champion, tk13!!!!!!