| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Demisemicenturian |
Posted - 12/18/2006 : 19:28:21
Occasionally a review that seems good to oneself just does not fly in the F.Y.C. Treasure Hunt. A review can be too obscure (in the film it's for, its subject matter or its vocabulary), and lengthy explanations are often frowned upon there, as being either boring or meaning that the review is not voteworthy. Sometimes one fits a lot of material into a review, but because it does not hang together as well as others, it doesn't get the instantaneous vote.
In this thread, you can give explanations that are as laborious as you like, and I will consider each review extremely carefully, and vote for it if I possibly can.
Conditions:
(1) You may post up to five reviews in total; you do not have to post them all at once.
(2) You have to have previously tried the reviews in the F.Y.C.T.H.
(3) You should explain whatever aspects of the reviews people may have missed, including film plot points, specialist content (e.g. specific culture or academic subject) of the film or of the review, and difficult vocabulary. Please provide Internet links whenever this would be useful, especially in the latter case.
(4) You must look into the reviews posted by everyone else here.
(5) You must on no account include spoilers (in your reviews, explanations or links). A spoiler is not mentioning any old plot info, but giving away twists or plot developments that many people would not have guessed.
(6) You should not be annoyed if a review does not get many more votes; perhaps it was not obscure after all.  |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Demisemicenturian |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 20:28:26
quote:
Originally posted by demonic
Here's another one for consideration -
"The Insider" is about tobacco company whistle blower Jeffrey Wigand. Russell Crowe played the part brilliantly with the aid of a grey wig and, according to him, the consumption of many cheeseburgers to increase his weight.
I think I've missed out on a few votes because of the way the site displays this review, splitting the hyphenated word which would otherwise clearly be the character name, although I suppose it could be different for everyone depending on the screen resolution etc. For me it's always been displayed wig-
and burgers. Is it the same for everyone?
No, "Wig-and" is all on the second line for me. However, hyphenation is indeed often a problem here. I think it would be better if reviews didn't break after hyphens; there are only a few (I am thinking of the Mary Poppins one) where this would be a problem.
Edit: Has Benj changed the settings? I just checked the above-mentioned and it is not breaking (and thus is not all visible) now (on this computer at least). |
| Demisemicenturian |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 20:25:51
quote:
Originally posted by demonic
Casino Royale - it's not a bad review, but it doesn't seem that specific to me. As you say the film has a heavy gambling theme, but "double or quits" has nothing to do with poker. Also the way you've written it, it's hard to glean the double meaning without just assuming the first literal meaning. To make it an obvious phrase I'd be tempted to capitalise Quits, or put the whole thing in inverted commas, or add another word. It may affect your votes so far that Bond quitting isn't a particularly key or memorable moment from the film.
I agree with all these points (except for changing the formatting, which would be too clumsy) - that's the point of spelling it out here.
quote:
Broken Hearts Club - just too tenuous. I tried very hard to get all four suits into my "Music of Chance" review, stretching the possibilities a little hard, till I realised three would be fine and it could still make sense. In this instance the queens, diamond, aces are all good, it's the spades that ruins it. On a first, even second read "Queens (spades)" doesn't make sense. "Queens are diamond aces" isn't as complete, but it would probably get more votes. Oooh! What about "Queens' club; diamond aces"?
I know it's tenuous, but that's also the point of this thread. I wouldn't like to have "club" in the review, since it is already in the title. |
| demonic |
Posted - 12/27/2006 : 18:55:23
Here's another one for consideration -
"The Insider" is about tobacco company whistle blower Jeffrey Wigand. Russell Crowe played the part brilliantly with the aid of a grey wig and, according to him, the consumption of many cheeseburgers to increase his weight.
I think I've missed out on a few votes because of the way the site displays this review, splitting the hyphenated word which would otherwise clearly be the character name, although I suppose it could be different for everyone depending on the screen resolution etc. For me it's always been displayed wig-
and burgers. Is it the same for everyone? |
| demonic |
Posted - 12/27/2006 : 18:26:40
Sal - looking at your three most recent offerings.
Casino Royale - it's not a bad review, but it doesn't seem that specific to me. As you say the film has a heavy gambling theme, but "double or quits" has nothing to do with poker. Also the way you've written it, it's hard to glean the double meaning without just assuming the first literal meaning. To make it an obvious phrase I'd be tempted to capitalise Quits, or put the whole thing in inverted commas, or add another word. It may affect your votes so far that Bond quitting isn't a particularly key or memorable moment from the film.
Evan Almighty - I'm really not surprised that these aren't flying - the film hasn't come out yet! Give it some time - I think 'Carrell service' is a very good pun.
Broken Hearts Club - just too tenuous. I tried very hard to get all four suits into my "Music of Chance" review, stretching the possibilities a little hard, till I realised three would be fine and it could still make sense. In this instance the queens, diamond, aces are all good, it's the spades that ruins it. On a first, even second read "Queens (spades)" doesn't make sense. "Queens are diamond aces" isn't as complete, but it would probably get more votes. Oooh! What about "Queens' club; diamond aces"?
|
| ChocolateLady |
Posted - 12/27/2006 : 06:04:17
quote:
Originally posted by Salopian
This review is the archetypal one I had in mind when talking about reviews with a lot in that hang together clumsily. It's for The Broken Hearts Club. I'm not disappointed with this one's few votes, but I'd still like some more.
It's about lots of (spades of) gay men (queens <cringe>), who are on a baseball team. They are presumably at least pretty good at baseball (aces); it is played on a diamond.
Well, I got it! |
| Demisemicenturian |
Posted - 12/22/2006 : 22:27:49
This review is the archetypal one I had in mind when talking about reviews with a lot in that hang together clumsily. It's for The Broken Hearts Club. I'm not disappointed with this one's few votes, but I'd still like some more.
It's about lots of (spades of) gay men (queens <cringe>), who are on a baseball team. They are presumably at least pretty good at baseball (aces); it is played on a diamond.
|
| Demisemicenturian |
Posted - 12/22/2006 : 21:48:42
O.K., my turn. I've had a few slightly disappointing ones now.
In Casino Royale, Bond notably gets 00 status. He later hands in his notice. (I don't think that can count as a spoiler.) The film is obviously centred around a gambling context. Think of a certain relevant phrase. I would not normally spell out a review to this degree, especially one that I don't think is at all obscure, but surely this deserves a couple more votes?
In Evan Almighty, God seems to be enlisting Evan (played by Steve Carrell) as a Noah-like figure, to do His menial work for Him. Noah's ark was made from gopher wood. Carols are in praise of God, so He is presumably glad when they are sung. I don't think these are obscure either, but I thought they would do better than this. |
| Conan The Westy |
Posted - 12/22/2006 : 08:13:50
quote:
Originally posted by demonic
I wondered about that, but wasn't sure if people would get the "Melody as actress" link that quickly considering how famous the Queen score is.
I'd already voted for it.  |
| demonic |
Posted - 12/20/2006 : 19:45:51
Even mine?? We're onto something here, guys.  |
| Ali |
Posted - 12/20/2006 : 13:50:58
Yeah - I like this thread y'see. It's those little, all-too-obvious hints that I loathe.
And I like Yukon's, and even Demonic's explanations.
|
| Demisemicenturian |
Posted - 12/20/2006 : 13:21:49
quote:
Originally posted by Yukon
So my review is "Rocket's boosters fired up."
Good stuff. Is it just my impression, or do French Canadians whinge constantly? |
| Demisemicenturian |
Posted - 12/20/2006 : 13:18:58
Just read Ali's moans in the current F.Y.C.T.H. Strange coincidence that I started this thread this week. |
| Yukon |
Posted - 12/19/2006 : 23:29:11
I love my review for The Rocket (2005). Rockgolf called it one of the best reviews on the site. The only problem is that it's a Canadian movie that was only shown in Canada. So nobody else in the world understands my review, just the handful of Canuck FWFRers.
The Rocket is actually legendary 1940s Montreal Canadien hockey player, Maurice (Rocket) Richard.
Many French Canadians feel he was treated badly by the National Hockey League, which was made up of mostly English Canadians.
When the Rocket punches a referee after numerous unfair calls, he is suspended by the league for the rest of the season and the playoffs.French Canadian fans were outraged and rioted in the streets. It is known in Canadian history books as the Richard Riots. (This is actually a true story.)
So my review is "Rocket's boosters fired up." |
| Demisemicenturian |
Posted - 12/19/2006 : 19:43:14
quote:
Originally posted by demonic
I wondered about that, but wasn't sure if people would get the "Melody as actress" link that quickly considering how famous the Queen score is.
They would now. Or you could have "Queen melodies. Queen Melody?" or something like that. |
| demonic |
Posted - 12/19/2006 : 19:16:32
I wondered about that, but wasn't sure if people would get the "Melody as actress" link that quickly considering how famous the Queen score is. |
|
|
