Okay. I finally made time to see the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008). I’ll share my “review” with this proviso: I am an atypical movie viewer. I like a lot of movies that the critics do not like, and I hate many well-loved movies (case in point, “Sound of Music” 
). My review is meant to enlighten only and not meant to influence you in any way to spend your hard earned dollars!
There were MANY things I loved — I mean, really loved — about this movie. I loved the premise (which differs from the original), I loved the beginning, I loved Kathy Bates. Keanu was as wooden as Pinocchio, but it worked for me. I just wanted more. They would take the story line as far as ‘B’ and I wished they had gone to ‘G’ at least — they did spend time with some of the characters and let things unfold, which I like in a movie (the Spider-Man movies are great at that). John Hamm and Kathy Bates basically had cameo parts (John for sure). Some plot changes from the original worked for me and others did not. They did leave in a signature scene, but it was better in the original (I won’t give away which one). The special effects were not overblown, as they were in “I Am Legend” (really bad “CGI” zombies!). I would see it again, and I will buy the DVD. But many of you would probably be disappointed — esp of you love the original and/or go with high expectations.
The really irksome thing about the experience had absolutely nothing to do with the film itself. First, I paid $10 for an afternoon matinee. I was shocked, as was the woman in front of me — where is the afternoon discount?? Rip off. Then, I sat in the theater with my $10 small soda and small popcorn to watch no less than 30 minutes of commercials. Not previews of upcoming movies — there were some previews, but they were few and far between. These were full-blown, unending, regular, “as-seen-on-TV” commercials that went on and on, non-stop for at least a half hour. There you are, trapped, nowhere to hide, watching this parade of drivel. 
I just sat there getting angrier and angrier! By the time the movie started, I could barely remember why I was there! Susan’s blood pressure starts to rise as she re-lives the horror!
Susan settles down…….Anyway, on a scale from 1-5, I would give it a 3.75. Most would give it maybe a 3. Worth an afternoon of knitting — for me, yes.
PS: My sincerest apologies to Becca! Please don’t hate me because I do not like the Sound of Music! I know it is an aberration and evidence of my dominant male movie gene!
PS2: In the interest of balanced reporting, I’ll share Irv’s take on the movie, “The new version is AWFUL! I hated it from beginning to end. Don’t waste your time or money. Kathy Bates must have really needed the money to do this. It is by far the worst performance she has ever given. And I’m a big fan of hers. Reeves’ performance is laughable at best. If you go, don’t say I didn’t warn ya.”
Irv, tell us how you really feel! 😉
Amen, sister!
Comment by Ursula — December 13, 2008 @ 10:02 pm
Those commercials make me CRAZY. Previews I don’t mind, and even feel ripped off if I miss them. But to have to watch a commercial for the Gardasil vaccine when I take my 10 year old daughter to a movie??? NO.
In order to be able to continue reading your blog, I’m going to pretend I didn’t see that bit about The Sound of Music. I have the SOM commemorative plates from the Bradford Exchange displayed in my kitchen, you know.
Comment by Becca — December 13, 2008 @ 10:42 pm
Where was your knitting???? Or a book? Those are always part of my “going to the movies” bag!
I’m looking forward to seeing the movie. Thanks for your review!
Comment by LizzieK8 — December 14, 2008 @ 7:40 am
I love movies, but i have almost stopped going to them because of the commercials and the price. If we have to watch those commercials, I think the movie should be free. Thanks for the review.
Comment by mary lou — December 14, 2008 @ 10:33 am
I hear ya about the prices and the ads — the only way I can think of to stop the ads is to let the theater manager know that they are keeping you away.
Comment by debra — December 14, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
Thanks for the review! The Day the Earth Stood Still original is my all time favorite old scifi movie. Luckily I got a couple movie tickets for gifts, because the $10 price shocked me the last time I went to a movie. I bring my own snacks, now.
Comment by Barb — December 14, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
I hate Sound of Music, too — maybe it’s genetic.
As for commercials, I remember the first time a commercial was shown at a movie I was attending. The entire audience booed. People didn’t protest enough and so it has gradually become acceptable (although I think they are worse this year in terms of quantity than I’ve ever seen). I really resent the ads. Previews are one thing — commercials for some product are quite another.
Comment by Surly — December 14, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
I think your review got me more interested in seeing the original than the new one. Though I do like Kathy Bates…
Comment by twinsetellen — December 15, 2008 @ 12:07 am
LOL! Thanx for the spotlight. I really was terribly disappointed with the new version. Some things are better left alone, in their original form.
Comment by IRV — December 15, 2008 @ 2:53 am
Thanks for the comments. I hadn’t realized how bad it had gotten. I certainly don’t intend to pay to see commercials. I will either buy or rent from now on. DSH also hates SOM.
Comment by Astrid — December 15, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
Hurrah! Someone else who doesn’t like The Sound of Music and freely admits it. Joanna
Comment by Joanna Ryn — December 15, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
I thought I was the only person so disappointed in the movie The Sound of Music!! Can we have a club?
I do plead special circumstances: I had read my Scholastics book (remember those books we would order in school? I got my copy of the book in 5th grade, I won’t say how many years ago!) a couple of times (The Story of the Van Trapp Family Singers) and enjoyed it so much! I was very disappointed in the movie – names had been changed – there is no Brigitta (sorry), ages changed, no Uncle Max (but there was a Father Werner ?? – I lent my 50 cent copy and it was not returned so I can’t check it to be sure), they were married for a few years before they had to leave, and the movie only covered a small portion of their lives. (Sigh.)
I was able to read Maria Van Trapp’s second book and found out she was very disappointed in all of the changes in the movie as well. So, we are not alone! 🙂
Comment by Karen in AZ — December 15, 2008 @ 7:38 pm
Commercials have no place at the movies. I go only every six months or so, if that often, and those commercials are a great reason to always wait for the DVD.
The Sound of Music IS terrible. What is with people for liking it? Acting, dialogue, plot, all rotten. Score OK.
Comment by Valerie — December 15, 2008 @ 9:18 pm
I saw it over the weekend. The original is a classic but I like this version too. It has more of an environmental theme than the cold war basis of the original. I also liked it because it is a quieter film in that it was not so action-packed or effects loaded so the story was not lost. This version could generate some interesting discussions and I was pleased to see how well it did on its opening weekend. I agree with Susan about the score.
P.S. The movie theatres in my area now offer a better discount BEFORE 12 noon on weekends. Great way to see first run films.
Comment by Anne — December 15, 2008 @ 11:00 pm
Susan- I’m with you- cannot stand it. I feel like I’ve swallowed a gallon of maple syrup and want to throw
up when I hear Julie Andrews.
Comment by Lorraine — December 17, 2008 @ 10:06 am
I found you by googling Day the Earth Stood Still and knitting? I just watched this movie on tv tonight. Again. In order to snap pics of Jennifer Connellys scarf! Love the movie and have loved that scarf from day one – any idea how to Google to find yarns? Color more than brand. If I could find something similar color I can wing it with pattern and scale. Maybe some of your knitting friends would know how to find a color without a brand name? Any help would be great!
Comment by Donna — October 2, 2017 @ 2:15 am