Oddly, that's the only movie of Julia Roberts where I've kind of liked her; she's evil, but in a pathetic way that make her endearing. I don't find her or most of the other typical female romantic comedy leads particularly attractive, so Best Friend's is actually one of my favorite romantic comedies (not saying much,…

Oddly, that's the only movie of Julia Roberts where I've kind of liked her; she's evil, but in a pathetic way that make her endearing. I don't find her or most of the other typical female romantic comedy leads particularly attractive, so Best Friend's is actually one of my favorite romantic comedies (not saying much,…

Both philosophies and religions are interpretations of the true nature of the world, saying, in effect, this is the way things really are, and so this is what we should do. The only real difference between the two is the claim of supernatural intervention. You're right that Objectivism is supposed to be entirely…

Both philosophies and religions are interpretations of the true nature of the world, saying, in effect, this is the way things really are, and so this is what we should do. The only real difference between the two is the claim of supernatural intervention. You're right that Objectivism is supposed to be entirely…

I think his second point is that the level of vitriol directed at objectivists here at the AV club is extreme. Look, ultimately Objectivism (or any absolutist position) is a kind of faith; if we spend a review and 4 pages of mostly juvenile comments attacking Islam, we'd rightly feel embarrassed about it: not because…

I think his second point is that the level of vitriol directed at objectivists here at the AV club is extreme. Look, ultimately Objectivism (or any absolutist position) is a kind of faith; if we spend a review and 4 pages of mostly juvenile comments attacking Islam, we'd rightly feel embarrassed about it: not because…

That seems to be true. I read "Sandalwood Death" years ago (in the original Chinese) and quite enjoyed it, apparently an English translation is coming out in 2013. The only other one of his I've read, 41 Bombs, was okay, but not great, no sign of a translation.

That seems to be true. I read "Sandalwood Death" years ago (in the original Chinese) and quite enjoyed it, apparently an English translation is coming out in 2013. The only other one of his I've read, 41 Bombs, was okay, but not great, no sign of a translation.

Whew, it took me slogging through 8 pages of tedious American Beauty haters but I finally found you, Shawshank hater.

Whew, it took me slogging through 8 pages of tedious American Beauty haters but I finally found you, Shawshank hater.

I am also a defender. The writing is crap, but that's the case for most action/epic movies (particularly those involving James Cameron) and I actually find the actors in Titanic much more watchable than average (even Zane is fun in a campy way). There are slow sections here and there, but it moves along nicely for a…

I am also a defender. The writing is crap, but that's the case for most action/epic movies (particularly those involving James Cameron) and I actually find the actors in Titanic much more watchable than average (even Zane is fun in a campy way). There are slow sections here and there, but it moves along nicely for a…

The 90s was filled to bursting with rotten Star Trek movies, and you hate on the best of the lot because the metaphor was obvious? I pity you.

The 90s was filled to bursting with rotten Star Trek movies, and you hate on the best of the lot because the metaphor was obvious? I pity you.

Let's just all agree it's our 12th favorite movie of the 90s, and leave it at that

Let's just all agree it's our 12th favorite movie of the 90s, and leave it at that

No Best Picture winners yet (hell, only one Best Picuture nominee so far). I suppose Schindler's List or Unforgiven will break that drought, but looking at this list I'm slightly disappointed that the nod to popular favorites in the outer orbits of this list has skewing markedly towards violent fanboy variety (T2,…

No Best Picture winners yet (hell, only one Best Picuture nominee so far). I suppose Schindler's List or Unforgiven will break that drought, but looking at this list I'm slightly disappointed that the nod to popular favorites in the outer orbits of this list has skewing markedly towards violent fanboy variety (T2,…

I have a fondness for To Live (which is unfortunately saddled with a bad title, IMO), but that might just be an ordering effect, almost all of 90s Zhang Yimou is very good. The Road Home is probably my least favorite: As long as Zhang Ziyi is a brat of some variety, I'm fine with her, but I find her vaguely…

I have a fondness for To Live (which is unfortunately saddled with a bad title, IMO), but that might just be an ordering effect, almost all of 90s Zhang Yimou is very good. The Road Home is probably my least favorite: As long as Zhang Ziyi is a brat of some variety, I'm fine with her, but I find her vaguely…