Comments on: Movie Review: Stranger Than Fiction

By: Rhapsidiomite

Rhapsidiomite — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 06:13:15 +0000

…hmm…I had realized the first two dealt with the theme of the existence of God. But that wasn’t exactly what I was after. Still.

Now I’m wondering if Adaptation is even in this category. For example, TV’s The Office plays on reality, but not reality within reality. Ah shoot, now I’m all confused.

I’ve had an story idea brewing in my head for quite sometime now that deals with reality within reality that’s all just really drama.

(And my apologies for hijacking this thread and taking it down a new path.)

By: Supergenius

Supergenius — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 18:21:39 +0000

Rhap, of the ones you mention, Adaptation is by far the best. Meryl Streep, Nicolas Cage, Charlie Kaufman — it all came together. At the same time, though, there’s no real level of comparison; Adaptation’s focus is far more on the writing process and creative processes in general than on the nature of existence and God. I’d argue that it just doesn’t belong in your list. Maybe Being John Malkovitch.

By: Rhapsidiomite

Rhapsidiomite — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 10:56:13 +0000

@ Supergenius, #10:

I can imagine Ferrell is extremely charming and cute. For which I must see this one. But does he ever bang on the proscenium? I suppose there are all those moments where he’s shouting up into the oblivion, “who are you,” as seen on the trailer. But what a moment from Carrey. I was stunned, to say the least.

Speaking of plays on plays on reality, how many contemporary versions can we name?

1. Stranger Than Fiction
2. The Truman Show
3. Adaptation
4. …?

It’s a popular theme today. Entertainment Weekly reviewed Borat, saying it took this idea to the extreme. It would be the next iteration of reality TV. Reality shot and edited to appear like something rehearsed: pre-prod, prod, and post-prod. I secretly wonder if Lost is really just a reality show filmed to appear like a TV drama.

By: gabby

gabby — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 18:48:11 +0000

Ah! I loved the Truman Show. Yay!

By: D. Fletcher

D. Fletcher — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 18:22:30 +0000

I’d like to see this one mostly for the cast. Emma Thompson, Queen Latifah, Dustin Hoffman… are reason enough to go to the movie.

I’m happy to see Will Ferrell, too.

By: Supergenius

Supergenius — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 17:11:44 +0000

Rhapsidiomite, good comparison — in fact, that probably is the closest comparison, though STF is far more charming.

By: Rhapsidiomite

Rhapsidiomite — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 08:38:49 +0000

You forgot to compare it to The Truman Show.

I’ll admit, the idea of this one intrigues me more than the maniacal output (I’ve seen) of Kaufman, gifted as that man is.

By: Brian V

Brian V — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 01:08:27 +0000

Hated Punch-Drunk Love. Liked Eternal Sunshine and Talladega Nights. I guess that puts me right in the middle. I like Will Ferrell so I’ll probably give it a chance eventually but I have too much of an attitude about the movies at present to actually watch a movie in a theater right now. Sad, really.

By: gabby

gabby — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 23:12:06 +0000

I figured that wouldn’t win me any points…

By: Supergenius

Supergenius — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 20:53:26 +0000

Thanks Brian. The Brian-Supergenius war has been averted.

gabby, if you hated Punch-Drunk Love and Eternal Sunshine, I officially have no idea whether you will like this or any other movie or TV show I can think of.