Paul Tatara on Pop Culture (and so forth)
December 1, 2010 7:50 AM Subscribe
Wall Of Paul. Paul Tatara used to be one of CNN.com's film critics, until his negative review of Black Hawk Down (one of many, many pans) led to death threats and a freelance contract he declined to renew. Since 2007 he's been blogging about "music, sports, politics, religion, firecrackers, action figures, babies, fast food, heroes, hypocrites, air conditioning, parades, cream puffs, and a slew of other topics that have come to shape my consciousness."
A few representative posts:
Network
Jim Brown
Elvis movies
Arab, Alabama
John Milius
Martin Scorcese
Gene Vincent
A few representative posts:
Network
Jim Brown
Elvis movies
Arab, Alabama
John Milius
Martin Scorcese
Gene Vincent
He's review of Network is pretty spot on. I adore that movie.
posted by empath at 8:06 AM on December 1, 2010
posted by empath at 8:06 AM on December 1, 2010
I suppose the cult of militarism the West has cultured over the years defies and sort of critique.
Yeah Tatara came pretty dangerously close to bold-faced calling Black Hawk Down out on propagating 'the old lie.' I can't imagine anyone cared much about the film, but that lie is nigh sacred in these parts.
posted by shakespeherian at 8:09 AM on December 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
Yeah Tatara came pretty dangerously close to bold-faced calling Black Hawk Down out on propagating 'the old lie.' I can't imagine anyone cared much about the film, but that lie is nigh sacred in these parts.
posted by shakespeherian at 8:09 AM on December 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
It's about time someone has the courage to take on the highly volatile area of parade criticism.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 8:26 AM on December 1, 2010
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 8:26 AM on December 1, 2010
Weird. I'm from the same area in Alabama, but I'd never heard of those stories in the "Arab, Alabama" post. (My high school used to play Arab in basketball. Their team, of course, is the Arab Knights.)
posted by ocherdraco at 8:34 AM on December 1, 2010
posted by ocherdraco at 8:34 AM on December 1, 2010
Heh. I'd say that's a pretty good review. Bit harsh, but not exactly wrong.
posted by Artw at 8:35 AM on December 1, 2010
posted by Artw at 8:35 AM on December 1, 2010
clvrmnky: “Yes, I'm probably just bitter because I expected more from one of my favourite directors, and I'm sure he had bills to pay, baby shoes to buy &etc.”
You expected more from the director of shit like GI Jane, White Squall and 1492? That guy hasn't made a really good movie in decades. Jesus, his career was pretty much over in 1985 when he directed Legend. More than any other, he's living proof that even if a guy's first two movies are great he can still go on to direct schlockfest after schlockfest.
Anyway, these reviews are really wonderful. The lengthy discussion of Network is one of the best I've seen; it's a movie with lots of flaws, and I like it that he's able to discuss them cogently. Thanks, TCC.
posted by koeselitz at 8:37 AM on December 1, 2010
You expected more from the director of shit like GI Jane, White Squall and 1492? That guy hasn't made a really good movie in decades. Jesus, his career was pretty much over in 1985 when he directed Legend. More than any other, he's living proof that even if a guy's first two movies are great he can still go on to direct schlockfest after schlockfest.
Anyway, these reviews are really wonderful. The lengthy discussion of Network is one of the best I've seen; it's a movie with lots of flaws, and I like it that he's able to discuss them cogently. Thanks, TCC.
posted by koeselitz at 8:37 AM on December 1, 2010
The othe pans are a bit tame, I'd hoped to hear him ripping into some sacred cows some more.
posted by Artw at 8:39 AM on December 1, 2010
posted by Artw at 8:39 AM on December 1, 2010
I loved this (charming if not entirely typo-free) bit (from the Elvis movies link):
Elvis had surprisingly good taste in movies, actually. Some of his favorite, which were often played for him in private screenings at a local cinema, were “The Godfather,” “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Dr. Strangelove” (and anything else starring Peter Sellers), and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Can you imagine chortling over “Dr. Strangelove” and sharing popcorn with Elvis? Wow.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 9:00 AM on December 1, 2010 [4 favorites]
Elvis had surprisingly good taste in movies, actually. Some of his favorite, which were often played for him in private screenings at a local cinema, were “The Godfather,” “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Dr. Strangelove” (and anything else starring Peter Sellers), and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Can you imagine chortling over “Dr. Strangelove” and sharing popcorn with Elvis? Wow.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 9:00 AM on December 1, 2010 [4 favorites]
For a long time, I maintained a list of links to all his movie reviews (thank you, Internet Wayback Machine!)
He found my site, we e-mailed a lot, and once when I went to New York City, we met up and had the best pizza I have EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.
He's a great guy and I'm happy to see him here on the blue.
posted by Lucinda at 9:12 AM on December 1, 2010 [5 favorites]
He found my site, we e-mailed a lot, and once when I went to New York City, we met up and had the best pizza I have EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.
He's a great guy and I'm happy to see him here on the blue.
posted by Lucinda at 9:12 AM on December 1, 2010 [5 favorites]
More than any other, he's living proof that even if a guy's first two movies are great he can still go on to direct schlockfest after schlockfest.
More than George Lucas?
posted by DU at 9:24 AM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
More than George Lucas?
posted by DU at 9:24 AM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
koeselitz: those are a string of incredible bad films, but on top of Alien, Blade Runner and Legend (good films in their own right, each with their own flaws) we have arguably decent films like Thelma and Louise, Gladiator (again, a piece of propaganda promoting militarism, but it does manage to tell a golden fable about a man who just wants to raise his kids), and Matchstick Men (flawed, but watchable.)
No doubt some of those other 31 films he has directed are also good, bad or indifferent. i have no seen most of them, I'll admit.
But, point taken that he isn't exactly batting .500, and his recent hard-on for golden-hued, mighty thewed, lantern-jawed, homoerotic heroism seems in direct contradiction with his earlier work. Maybe Bruckheimer ate his brain?
And I will admit that I am a little nervous at his revisit to the Alien saga, give his history (not to mention the history of the Alien films themselves. They don't exactly get better over time.)
Well, ok. That's pretty bad. Perhaps now my only defence of Scott will be, "well, at least he isn't George Lucas."
posted by clvrmnky at 9:26 AM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
No doubt some of those other 31 films he has directed are also good, bad or indifferent. i have no seen most of them, I'll admit.
But, point taken that he isn't exactly batting .500, and his recent hard-on for golden-hued, mighty thewed, lantern-jawed, homoerotic heroism seems in direct contradiction with his earlier work. Maybe Bruckheimer ate his brain?
And I will admit that I am a little nervous at his revisit to the Alien saga, give his history (not to mention the history of the Alien films themselves. They don't exactly get better over time.)
Well, ok. That's pretty bad. Perhaps now my only defence of Scott will be, "well, at least he isn't George Lucas."
posted by clvrmnky at 9:26 AM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
"Black Hawk Down" is the best-looking worthless film you'll ever see.
What about "Starship Troopers?" Even more violent and soulless than "Blackhawk Down", but with a gorgeous visual sheen, right out of classic Hollywood.
posted by Faze at 9:26 AM on December 1, 2010
What about "Starship Troopers?" Even more violent and soulless than "Blackhawk Down", but with a gorgeous visual sheen, right out of classic Hollywood.
posted by Faze at 9:26 AM on December 1, 2010
Seriously, it was somehow a risky public move to criticize BHD? Amazing, considering that movie was garbage. The entire time, it portrays the Somali population as filthy half-apes waving around weapons they barely know how to use, and screaming in rage until our beleaguered heroes manage to blow them to pieces. The only time that tone changes is when they wheel out a load of children at the end so they can show our soldiers being humanized as they act nice to kids, with all the depth of a trip to the petting zoo.
That being said, the score is actually really really good and I own a copy.
posted by FatherDagon at 9:32 AM on December 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
That being said, the score is actually really really good and I own a copy.
posted by FatherDagon at 9:32 AM on December 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
Black Hawk Down is a zombie movie with black people instead of zombies. I felt dirty after watching it.
What about "Starship Troopers?"
You're comparing BHD to an anti-war film?
posted by brundlefly at 9:37 AM on December 1, 2010 [6 favorites]
What about "Starship Troopers?"
You're comparing BHD to an anti-war film?
posted by brundlefly at 9:37 AM on December 1, 2010 [6 favorites]
> The othe pans are a bit tame, I'd hoped to hear him ripping into some sacred cows some more.
Artw, check out Lucinda's link.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:37 AM on December 1, 2010
Artw, check out Lucinda's link.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:37 AM on December 1, 2010
What about "Starship Troopers?"
Now, I will actually defend Troopers, based on my premise that it's actually a satire and meta-critique of state-sponsered milporn propaganda - i.e., BHD - while demonstrating the ridiculousness of Heinlein's fascistic war-state. Look at how a lot of the characters are presented - the main actors are all plastic-faced drones, barely emotive props used like GI Joe dolls to act out warfare against a completely inhuman enemy that has absolutely no relatability. And then Neil Patrick Harris joins the science corps, and his costume is almost a parody of Evil Nazi Scientist? As far as a faithful adaptation of the book, ST falls pretty flat. As a satire/parody of the military-worship state the book idealized, and our society is working to emulate, it's pretty telling.
posted by FatherDagon at 9:39 AM on December 1, 2010 [10 favorites]
Now, I will actually defend Troopers, based on my premise that it's actually a satire and meta-critique of state-sponsered milporn propaganda - i.e., BHD - while demonstrating the ridiculousness of Heinlein's fascistic war-state. Look at how a lot of the characters are presented - the main actors are all plastic-faced drones, barely emotive props used like GI Joe dolls to act out warfare against a completely inhuman enemy that has absolutely no relatability. And then Neil Patrick Harris joins the science corps, and his costume is almost a parody of Evil Nazi Scientist? As far as a faithful adaptation of the book, ST falls pretty flat. As a satire/parody of the military-worship state the book idealized, and our society is working to emulate, it's pretty telling.
posted by FatherDagon at 9:39 AM on December 1, 2010 [10 favorites]
No doubt some of those other 31 films he has directed are also good, bad or indifferent. i have no seen most of them, I'll admit.
American Gangster was pretty good.
posted by shakespeherian at 9:39 AM on December 1, 2010
American Gangster was pretty good.
posted by shakespeherian at 9:39 AM on December 1, 2010
What about "Starship Troopers?" Even more violent and soulless than "Blackhawk Down", but with a gorgeous visual sheen, right out of classic Hollywood.
I dunno, I've come around to the movie after reading multiple internet critiques and a director's commentary that reveals it was all intentional: Starship Troopers is pretty damn subversive in how it's a blatant war propaganda film where you can read between the lines that the heroes are the bad guys and their fascist society is bunk.
posted by Silentgoldfish at 9:42 AM on December 1, 2010 [3 favorites]
I dunno, I've come around to the movie after reading multiple internet critiques and a director's commentary that reveals it was all intentional: Starship Troopers is pretty damn subversive in how it's a blatant war propaganda film where you can read between the lines that the heroes are the bad guys and their fascist society is bunk.
posted by Silentgoldfish at 9:42 AM on December 1, 2010 [3 favorites]
Blast, FatherDagon and brundlefly beat me to it!
posted by Silentgoldfish at 9:43 AM on December 1, 2010
posted by Silentgoldfish at 9:43 AM on December 1, 2010
More than any other, he's living proof that even if a guy's first two movies are great he can still go on to direct schlockfest after schlockfest.
You're forgetting about The Duelists which came before Alien and Bladerunner. I've never gotten around to seeing it myself but it's well thought of. It's on Netflix Instant, I should check it out.
posted by octothorpe at 9:58 AM on December 1, 2010
You're forgetting about The Duelists which came before Alien and Bladerunner. I've never gotten around to seeing it myself but it's well thought of. It's on Netflix Instant, I should check it out.
posted by octothorpe at 9:58 AM on December 1, 2010
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I get that Starship Troopers is a satire. But being satirical isn't an excuse for what a shitty movie it is.
posted by shakespeherian at 10:12 AM on December 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by shakespeherian at 10:12 AM on December 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
It's not a very self-serious movie. That seems to irritate a certain kind of person (people who lack humour and are wring about what constitutes "good", if you ask me), but in itself makes it a different kettle of fish than Black Hawk Down, which is all about how being an all American hero and killing tons of vaguely defined foreigners is Serious Business.
Both contain extended homages to Zulu, though in the case of Black Hawk Down that homage takes up the entire movie.
posted by Artw at 10:28 AM on December 1, 2010
Both contain extended homages to Zulu, though in the case of Black Hawk Down that homage takes up the entire movie.
posted by Artw at 10:28 AM on December 1, 2010
* Gravy— real gravy. As far as I’m concerned, Thanksgiving dinner is gravy, and everything else is a condiment. Make a deep well in the mashed potatoes, elbow everybody out of the way, and fill that fucker up. Gravy.
I am pleasantly surprised. Thanks TCC.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 10:32 AM on December 1, 2010
I am pleasantly surprised. Thanks TCC.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 10:32 AM on December 1, 2010
Re: The Duellists.
Yes. How did I miss that one?
This film on its own is a worthy excuse for several bad films, and is exactly why Scott continued to get work. It is also a reminder of why Harvey Keitel is a great actor.
posted by clvrmnky at 10:36 AM on December 1, 2010
Yes. How did I miss that one?
This film on its own is a worthy excuse for several bad films, and is exactly why Scott continued to get work. It is also a reminder of why Harvey Keitel is a great actor.
posted by clvrmnky at 10:36 AM on December 1, 2010
clvrmnky, agreed.
I always wondered why Paul had dropped off my radar. I was just a young fellow when he wrote his review of BHD but I remember it was spot on. I had no idea he received so much heat over it. Also anyone who enjoyed BHD may I also recommend a few other fine films: Zulu, They Died with Their Boots On, or Birth of a Nation.
posted by nola at 12:39 PM on December 1, 2010
I always wondered why Paul had dropped off my radar. I was just a young fellow when he wrote his review of BHD but I remember it was spot on. I had no idea he received so much heat over it. Also anyone who enjoyed BHD may I also recommend a few other fine films: Zulu, They Died with Their Boots On, or Birth of a Nation.
posted by nola at 12:39 PM on December 1, 2010
So does that mean everybody in my hometown was a simpleton? Absolutely not. No. But I’ve developed a theory over the years that 60% of the people on earth, regardless of where they’ve parked their asses while they consume copious fats and “think” in a fine, proudly unwavering line, are tunnel vision-embracing numskulls, and the rest of the population tries the best it can to move forward in spite of them. Now, imagine how easy it is to stumble across the same gaggle of numskulls saying the exact same numskull things that all the other numskulls are saying, day-in and day-out, in a town that has only 7,000 residents.
God damn, I knew I liked this guy. Thanks for the great post.
posted by nola at 12:46 PM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
God damn, I knew I liked this guy. Thanks for the great post.
posted by nola at 12:46 PM on December 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Black Hawk Down is an interesting film. Like many movies that Bruckheimer is involved with, it is heavy on one-sided, simplistic "Americans as good guys" patriotism, and it lacks the detail and character development of Bowden's book.
But the production values are fantastic, Eric Bana is great in his role as the veteran Delta Force operator "Hoot" Hooten, and at the very least it connects viewers with a very important piece of history as it pertains to foreign military intervention in Africa, U.S. military history and tactics, and the history of Somalia itself.
That said, I can't really disagree with much Tatara writes, but his review was a little one-sided for my tastes.
posted by Man Bites Dog at 3:12 PM on December 1, 2010
But the production values are fantastic, Eric Bana is great in his role as the veteran Delta Force operator "Hoot" Hooten, and at the very least it connects viewers with a very important piece of history as it pertains to foreign military intervention in Africa, U.S. military history and tactics, and the history of Somalia itself.
That said, I can't really disagree with much Tatara writes, but his review was a little one-sided for my tastes.
posted by Man Bites Dog at 3:12 PM on December 1, 2010
Black Hawk Down is a zombie movie with black people instead of zombies. I felt dirty after watching it.
I remember the moment when I turned against that film, I was about 19 and some of my friends were at my place and wanted to watch it. I realised as I got it off the shelf that the Somalis in the film look rather a lot like the Ethiopians that my family employed at the time and I didn't want them to see me watching a movie where white guys wantonly butcher people that look just like them. In the end I decided that a movie that I would be ashamed to be seen enjoying wasn't something I should watch at all.
posted by atrazine at 3:19 PM on December 1, 2010 [3 favorites]
I remember the moment when I turned against that film, I was about 19 and some of my friends were at my place and wanted to watch it. I realised as I got it off the shelf that the Somalis in the film look rather a lot like the Ethiopians that my family employed at the time and I didn't want them to see me watching a movie where white guys wantonly butcher people that look just like them. In the end I decided that a movie that I would be ashamed to be seen enjoying wasn't something I should watch at all.
posted by atrazine at 3:19 PM on December 1, 2010 [3 favorites]
I've loved that guy ever since he reviewed Serendipity for CNN ages ago.
posted by vincele at 7:18 PM on December 1, 2010
posted by vincele at 7:18 PM on December 1, 2010
Don't know if I'll score any points for this, but I rather enjoyed Black Hawk Down, the movie. I approached it as the "now watch this reconstruction" bit in many documentaries, but it was like it was part of a documentary with an enormous budget. I had already read the book, which is an excellent read and a fine piece of journalism, and I hope everyone who is put off by the movie will consider picking up the book. The orginal article series Mark Bowden wrote, and later made a book out of, is still online at the Philadelphia Enquirer, BTW.
posted by Harald74 at 5:02 AM on December 2, 2010
posted by Harald74 at 5:02 AM on December 2, 2010
As a satire/parody of the military-worship state the book idealized, and our society is working to emulate, it's pretty telling.
You got some wires crossed there. I believe Verhoeven stated he never even read the book. If you want a good breakdown, then you should check out Smedlyman's comment on what Heinlein was getting at.
Just keep in mind people, Verhoeven made Showgirls. And, no, Robocop doesn't make up for it.
posted by P.o.B. at 2:00 PM on December 4, 2010
You got some wires crossed there. I believe Verhoeven stated he never even read the book. If you want a good breakdown, then you should check out Smedlyman's comment on what Heinlein was getting at.
Just keep in mind people, Verhoeven made Showgirls. And, no, Robocop doesn't make up for it.
posted by P.o.B. at 2:00 PM on December 4, 2010
Showgirls is fantastic, all the moreso for having the same plot as the Star Wars trilogy with stripping instead of exciting outer space combat. Gina Gershon is Darth Vader.
Now, if you want a proper Verhoeven dud you probably want to look at Hollow Man.
posted by Artw at 4:19 PM on December 4, 2010 [2 favorites]
Now, if you want a proper Verhoeven dud you probably want to look at Hollow Man.
posted by Artw at 4:19 PM on December 4, 2010 [2 favorites]
Don't even get me started on Hollow man. The SyFy part of the movie doesn't even make sense. How does an intravenous injection make a person (or ape) disappear from the outside in? Hair, then skin, then whatever. Ugh.
A Proper tag-line for that movie should be -
Hollow Man: We're all sociopaths on the inside!
posted by P.o.B. at 4:39 PM on December 4, 2010
A Proper tag-line for that movie should be -
Hollow Man: We're all sociopaths on the inside!
posted by P.o.B. at 4:39 PM on December 4, 2010
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Yes, I'm probably just bitter because I expected more from one of my favourite directors, and I'm sure he had bills to pay, baby shoes to buy &etc.
But the film was still walk-out-in-the-middle-and-demand-your-money-back bad. Pointing this out should not result in death threats, but I suppose the cult of militarism the West has cultured over the years defies and sort of critique.
Excuse me while I affix a meaningless magnetic ribbon to my shitty domestic truck and vote to have veterans benefits repealed.
posted by clvrmnky at 8:01 AM on December 1, 2010 [9 favorites]