Critic 'After.Life'
In doing these roundups, I’ve come to know the tones and personalities of several critics and Prairie Miller is consistently one of the most amusing and enigmatic reviewers to read. In two sentences, she summed up the movie “Christina haunts mortuary,” made a movie-themed joke about embalming fluid, and summed up the movie’s likely audiences: people who liked to get creeped out, people who are creepy (aka unconventional viewers), and horndogs “freaky in nude.” Pretty impressive.
Nathan Taylor
King Sheep Productions“Born again Christina Ricci haunts a mortuary, while perfecting post-mortem freaky in the nude. This may or may not be your cup of embalming fluid, in terms of either intriguing those with unconventional viewing preferences, or seriously creeping you out.” CONTINUE TO READ REVIEW HEREKing-Sheep Productions is a creative collaboration between Award-winning artist Nathan Taylor and Patrick Johnson devoted to the production of movie and entertainment themed comics, comedy, and commentary. Nate and Pat met at Washington State University in Pullman, WA and became friends after quoting the Princess Bride from beginning to end for no particular reason.
LEAVES OF GRASS......
“Meant to blow your mind when not pulling your leg, the film has some surreal surprises in store. Like homicidal potheads, a Jewish menorah wielded as a deadly weapon, and a suspicious swastika scrawled backwards at a bible belt synagogue crime scene.” ------ Prairie Miller 
King Sheep will pay you a dollar to say that last sentence three times in one breath.
READ HURT LOCKER REVIEW HEREAn Iraq Vet Writes:Dear Ms. Miller, (Sorry if the Ms. offends, these days never sure how to start?)
I read your review of the Hurt Locker, and you seem to be the only one I agree with. I did my two tours in Iraq, not as EOD but as a Blackhawk pilot. It bothers me that so many other critics seem to think this is some great depiction of the war in Iraq. That this is the greatest movie yet and will be the movie to see about Iraq. When I watch these movies I look for accuracy and this one missed the mark. If a soldier did what these characters did, especially in 2004, they would probably be court martialed. While the psychological effect of war is interesting in the movie, and somewhat accurate, the rest is glorified fiction. Generation Kill, an HBO series, was much better than this movie. It was accurate, realistic, and yet still had compelling drama.
There are also small details like they don't use Huey's for Medevac, they use Blackhawks, and he would have been medevaced out that night, not the next day. Although Camp Victory, where they are based, did have a hospital when I was there. When he returns he wouldn't be flying in on a Marine CH-46. While it is possible, it is highly unlikely they would be trained snipers doing EOD (middle scene with Barrett .50 cal shooting at the block building). etc. etc. etc.
Sometimes I think I just don't understand theater and art, but then I read a review like yours and realize maybe I just might.
Sincerely,
Sean D
Matthew Cooke writes:Great review. Thanks.
Matthew Cooke
Saturdayfilms.com
Matthew Cooke is an Oscar nominated documentary filmmaker whose works include Falcon; Deliver Us From Evil, an exposé of sex abuse in the Catholic Church; Teenage Paparazzo with Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie ODonnell, and Eva Longoria; and the upcoming The War on Drugs, a documentary about US policy toward addiction, abuse and law enforcement.
Bo Chen writes:I just wanted to comment that that was a really honest review of The Hurt Locker you wrote. I don't know how the heck The Hurt Locker got 97% approval on Rotten Tomatoes and yet movies like Somewhere In Time only received 63%.
I've never seen it but I imagine The Hurt Locker is just another mindless propaganda tool pimping capitalistic indoctrinations and such.. Seeing how 9/11, London 7/7, etc were all government sponsored "inside jobs" anyway, it does put a new perspective on the war-on-terra.. Anyone who knows the first thing about darwinistic evolution and the 2nd law of thermodynamics could have predicted our species population overshoot, and resource depletion in the form of Peak Oil and negative or diminishing marginal EROEI (energy returned on energy invested) Complex modern globalized civilizations such as ours depend on high density fuel and power sources to maintain cohesion in its 'cost structure' and 'way of life'.. once that energy runs out we have no more collateral to continue the pyramid schemes of capitalism, "infinite perpetual growth", and all of our microeconomic and social-dynamics including fiscal and monetary policy of the likes such as fractional reserve banking, debt based economies, fiat currency, (US) petrodollar hegemony, etc..
Any system that can no longer maintain cohesion at its current level of organization reverts to "cannibalism" as a last ditch effort to sustain itself.. Larger nations "cannibalize" smaller weaker ones under the guise of liberation, democracy, freedom, or what have you.. If you understand how the US economy really works you'd also know why upholding the status quo with regards to the petrodollar hegemony is so vitally important for US national interests in the 21 century.. (especially given the context of Peak Oil and the fact that US dollar is pegged to something that is worth far more than gold, and that is OPEC's petroleum)
So who are we really fooling here? Hollywood can always be counted upon to do what it does best.. which is pimp and whore out trashy movies to get that $10 per pop.. Sure on the battlefield it is an entirely different universe, it becomes all about survival, teamwork, and looking out for your 'bro'.. I understand that.. But none of these people ever stop to ask WHY or for what, or seek the underlying reasons of their actions..
I think the world would be a better place if more of my gender decided that instead of mindlessly slaving away for a soon to be inviable capitalistic society or giving in to the multifaceted recklessness of indiscriminate testosterone (cheap sex, drinking and drugs, glorification of war, since of manhood derived from patriotism or duty to abstractions such as a nation, etc) that they would settle down and seek true happiness, become more self-aware and meta-conscious and find happiness, pleasure and contentment in the simple yet compelling aspects of life.. and that they would realize there is never anything better in life than just to live in the moment, to enjoy the roses and spend quality time with their loved ones in the context of a dyadic interpersonal relationship full of real love and joy.. soulmates and perfect love and happily ever after forever and a day and that kind of stuff..
Instead we stand in line at AMC with our $10 ready to be shelled out for the next 2 hour functional dysfunction that is becoming less and less viable.. The bottom line is that life is not about the bottom line.. though how is anyone ever supposed to become enlightened watching a movie like that?
Bo Chen
THIRTY READER COMMENTS ON AVATAR
A born again, freshly buffed wheelchair warrior turned unwitting capitalist tool in league with a digitalized free spirit princess, takes on forest foreclosure and the military industrial complex, in this breathtaking futuristic identity theft odyssey.READ REVIEW HERETROLL writes:
on Dec 21 2009 02:16 PM
Avatar is ANTI-White Male / anti capitalism/ and pro ECO-nut whack job Propaganda. Simple as that.
Steven Hernandez writes:
on Dec 21 2009 02:22 PM
JerkFace...you should just shorten your name to Jerk.
How can it be anti-white male when two of the heros are white males? Anti-capitalism? You think capitalism is synonomous with raping the earth? Communists did the same thing in their respective corners of the world.
Pro eco-nut? Oh that's right...not wanting to destroy the planet is only something a nut would believe in.
You're an idiot.
TROLL writes:
on Dec 21 2009 02:42 PM
In reply to this comment
Your a dog's *******, keep believing the propaganda soup you have been fed all your life idiot, global warming is a myth. Al Gore will make millions off of cap & trade and it will be used to become a global governing organization to control EVERYTHING and there is no denying it even by the corrupt U.N. You stupid loser traitor to America, probably voted for Obama too. These hollywood directors are nothing but Fabian socialists out to try to control the world in there socialist view.
Matthew D. writes:
on Dec 21 2009 03:02 PM
Environmentalism is not strictly about global warming, and neither is Avatar. It's about treating our natural wonders with respect, including the forests. Do you hold the mentality that we, as human beings, are entitled to destroy anything that we please without thinking of the consequences?
You made your first mistake by calling the movie anti-white/male when some of the main heroes are white.
dystopiandweller writes:
on Dec 21 2009 03:04 PM
when did global warming ever come up? huh? Avatar is merely about taking care of the planet. pollution, dwindling resources, and garbage piles aren't myths.
dystopiandweller writes:
on Dec 21 2009 03:07 PM
that was meant for jerkface, of course
dystopiandweller writes:
on Dec 21 2009 03:08 PM
ah, matthew d beat me to it
TROLL writes:
on Dec 21 2009 03:14 PM
It's ok, all of you may be too stupid and brainwashed to get it, but that can be expected since you have been conditioned since birth. I can't take the chains off of your mind that the liberal media has imposed on it only a swift kick in the *** could. Jame's Cameron hates America, hates god and killed Jesus!
Matthew D. writes:
on Dec 21 2009 03:20 PM
"Jame's Cameron hates America, hates god and killed Jesus!"
This pretty much confirms that you're a troll account, because you deliberately ignore what others say and spout out nonsense such as James Cameron being anti-American.
Funnily enough, I would think that someone who loves God and believes that he created Earth's natural beauties would want to respect them, which is at the core of environmentalism...
TROLL writes:
on Dec 21 2009 03:24 PM
What's a troll?
Steven Hernandez writes:
on Dec 21 2009 03:25 PM
In reply to this comment (#2576644)
You're a troll
James P. writes:
on Dec 21 2009 03:30 PM
He might just be stupid. Are you a dumb person, troll?
TROLL writes:
on Dec 21 2009 03:32 PM
In reply to this comment (#2576647)
I'm smarter than you, idiot.
Steven Hernandez writes:
on Dec 21 2009 03:50 PM
In reply to this comment:
Judging by the crap you write, I highly doubt that.
Derek S. writes:
on Dec 21 2009 04:03 PM
Its one of the best films of the year by far. It certainly does not feel like a 3 hour movie either, and it keeps you wanting to see more. Really good movie.
If you want to watch it you can see it at http://www.movieflix.org
dystopiandweller writes:
on Dec 21 2009 04:06 PM
You're barely worth debating with, TROLL aka Jerkface, but destroying our planet (different from global warming; I'm talking exploitation) is not "liberal bias." How can you deny that we pollute too much? Use too much oil and natural resources than we can replenish for the future? Human-caused global warming may or may not be true but the world but there are still many things everyone is worried about, like running out of water and oil. Like where are we gonna put our garbage?
TROLL writes:
on Dec 21 2009 04:58 PM
Then I challenge you to a battle of the wits. I will even let you select the playing field. Let's go moron put your money where your mouth is!
Neel B. writes:
on Dec 21 2009 10:49 PM
In reply to this comment
@TROLL....maybe u should check your definitions of "capitalism"....and that u are a darn racist is proved by the use of the term "anti-white male"....and eco-nut??
good...u are inventing new terms...and if u think u can be u'r little ugly self,wasting away earths resources as if u don't care,remeber--the ecology threat is not a sci-fi imagination...it is harsh reality...
i don't think u have even heard of economics before u used the term capitalism.....yes,the film was indicative in some ways,and that is for a true cause,and i support it...
Now go die in a fire...
Tim G. writes:
on Dec 22 2009 08:39 AM
The Problem here is that He Only shows One sided stereotypes.
1. Corporations are greedy and evil
2. The Military doesn't care if they kill innocents and civilians and they do it for greedy corporations.
3. Native people are Good and everything they do is good and "balanced" with nature.
Then the movie Makes references to fighting terror with terror and several other barbs about the recent wars.
The problem is none of the stereotypes are true. The only place they are true is the Liberal mind. The war in Iraq was not about Oil. We are not killing our own planet. You guys think this because of how things are portrayed by the media. Our planet is not "our mother". The military is not over there mindlessly taking orders to kill women and children. They are not a pure people who need nothing from us. Native American tribes have many barbaric practices they are not all peace loving eco friendly tree huggers.
We didn't start it and then get upset when they hit us back and call it "terror". These are all Leftist Ideas. What it really points out is what a sad pathetic world view this guy has. You have to deny reality completely and live in a fantasy world to believe these things.
Sadly many of you share this view because of all the leftist propaganda in the Main stream media.
The Military and Corporations created the technology and the freedom by which you watched this movie and are making these comments. Native American tribes brutally killed each other including women and children, took slaves of each other and preformed horrific physical and mental torture on each other long before a European sat foot here.
You people don't understand how programmed you are to think certain ways by the people in control of the media and much of the education system.
Steven Hernandez writes:
on Dec 22 2009 09:03 AM
Tim G.
1. Corporations are about making profits. The scientists work for the corporation...were they evil? No
2. Sully cared. The pilot chick cared. The only marine we see who was truly evil was the colonel.
3. The one native was giving jake **** the whole time and laughed when he thought he had fallen off the cliff. Hardly good. They had weapons for a reason...problem from CENTURIES of fighting each other.
Spare us your narrow minded interpretations.
Matthew D. writes:
on Dec 22 2009 09:40 AM
Tim:
"We are not killing our own planet...our planet is not our mother."
Keep saying that as you continue to pollute, cut down our natural forests, etc. We are here precisely because of our natural beauties that support animal kingdoms, our food sources, etc. We are humbled by the beauty of nature; it is not humbled by those that exploit it.
By the way, it shows that several marines are good, including the pilot. Many of the native Na'vi also want to kill Jake initially. Keep your narrow interpretations to yourself.
Matthew D. writes:
on Dec 22 2009 09:43 AM
"The Military and Corporations created the technology and the freedom by which you watched this movie and are making these comments."
This is not anti-military or anti-corporation, since they show that many admirable figures protest the current direction of the RDA. It shows how exploitation and excess represent a corruption.
"You people don't understand how programmed you are to think certain ways by the people in control of the media and much of the education system."
Oh, not that bull again.
Matthew D. writes:
on Dec 22 2009 09:45 AM
Oh, and Tim: SCIENTISTS that work for corporations enable technology to develop, so long as their research is not corrupted by the pursuit of profits. Unfortunately, many conservative-minded individuals seem to detect progress that threatens their ideals in any way. You keep polluting and keep telling us that such an action doesn't harm Earth in any way, because I'm sure that you understand the climate so well.
katharine r. writes:
on Dec 22 2009 11:19 AM
Avatar was just a glorified adaptation of the Disney Pocahontas with a statement about the Afghan and Iraq wars. The majority of movie was spent showing off the CGI technology.
Steven Hernandez writes:
on Dec 22 2009 02:52 PM
In reply to this comment
Katherine...you're an idiot. If anything the movie is about the Trail of Tears.
Afghanistan doesn't have some precios metal that is being exploited by an american company. you're not even smart enough to know what afghanistan is like.
What a moron.
TROLL writes:
on Dec 22 2009 05:30 PM
Your the idiot...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Afghanistan_Pipeline
get a clue you brainwashed fool.
TROLL writes:
on Dec 22 2009 05:31 PM
Ya I know I mispelled your, so what.
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Thelma Adams: Outspoken Critic, Passionate Advocate, Playdate Author, Oscarologist, Women's Issues, Motherhood.
