First, it was deemed that her car required a new air compressor (an absolute necessity in Phoenix's hellish climate). The cost of this versus the value of her car signaled to us that it was time for a new car. This was not all bad, however, as she is currently in love with her brand new roller skate (note: picture is not her actual car, just a representation of it).
But things were destined to get worse. The next setback, though, was brought on by her own poor decision making.
Yes, I'm sure by now you're aware that she dared to speak ill of Road House. This resulted in my setting up a bonus poll last time out to see what you, the dear, dear readers of Blog Cabins thought of the late-80s comedy/action classic.You didn't let me down. Despite her best efforts to recruit an anti-Dalton federation of voters, you chose to "Put that motherflippin' remote down" when Road House popped up on your TV. Let me never speak poorly of you again.
It didn't stop there, though.
A few days after the bonus poll was set up, we went to see The Hurt Locker. In case you don't recall from earlier reviews where I might have mentioned it, Mrs. Fletch gets terrible motion sickness at the movies. Or in the car. Or on a plane. Basically, just about any time she or a screen in front of her is in motion (except, strangely, on a boat, where she's fine). Remember that Star Tours simulation/ride at Disneyland? Yeah, she hates the hell out of it.
I don't envy her. If there's not a tripod, she's not a fan, and it doesn't help that we see a lot of indie films, where handheld cameras are all the rage, likely due to budgetary reasons. Well, The Hurt Locker, in case you haven't heard, is a serious offender in the realm of shaky cam-ness. Like, almost Blair Witch-level.
It might be too late to help her, but she had asked that when I posted that review that I include a warning to other potentially motion-sensitive folks out there on the dangers of the Locker. I
forgot to, but promised to make up for that transgression. I have a two-pronged strategy for this; first, I vow to include the Mrs. Fletch's Memorial Shaky Cam Rating to all reviews in the future. This public service rating will be delivered in a 0-5 Dramamine scale, with the shakiest, most vomit-inducing films (like Locker) getting a Five Dramamine rating with less guilty offenders (say, Transformers) receiving perhaps a Three Dramamine and conventional, non-handheld works (Frost/Nixon, perhaps) in the zero range.(Note: the rating will not be intended as a recommended dosage; I'm not positive, but I think taking five Dramamine will probably make you an awfully unhappy camper, if not an eternally sleepy one.)
Secondly, I present to you the Top Five Worst Shaky Cam Offenders (that we've seen). Since she doesn't know about this post, I'm making educated guesses on where Mrs. Fletch would place them. Before you mention them, we have not seen either Quarantine or [REC], but I hear they're pretty brutal, too:
5. Rachel Getting Married
4. The Bourne Ultimatum
3. The Hurt Locker
2. Cloverfield*
1. The Blair Witch Project
* Mrs. Fletch would likely pop up and say that she had no problems with Cloverfield, as she was wise and took some Dramamine beforehand, so I'm basing its rating on its shaky cam-ness relative to the others on the list.
Oh, and in the other poll, 64% (!) of respondents said that they are the type that comes here and reads but never (or rarely) comments. I guess I should be surprised, then, that said respondents weren't too shy to vote.Kidding. Comment or no, I appreciate you being here. I just appreciate the commenters a little bit more, since I know who they are and all, and am therefore able to know who I'm appreciating.
New poll is (belatedly) about John Hughes. I know, it's probably not terribly original right about now, but my curiosity must be satisfied. Having a hard time choosing and/or want to call out a top 3? Be my guest; after all, I'd love to vote for Uncle Buck, but I just can't. My Top 3 Hughes list looks like this:
3. The Breakfast Club
2. Uncle Buck (yeah, what of it?!)
1. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Okay, this concludes the longest "poll results; new poll" post ever. Good day.
17 people have chosen wisely: on "Poll results; new poll + A few words regarding Mrs. Fletch"
1. Sorry. I voted "next channel" in your Road House poll.
2. Shaky cam doesn't bother, except when I was pregnant. Saw Quarantine around 4-ish months and left sick.
3. I voted that yes I am one of the ones who reads often, but rarely comments. Except for now.
4. Sixteen Candles.
Shaky cam annoys when the movie is otherwise bad. Transformers 2, for example. Also, it can be annoying when you think a movie would be better without it. Public Enemies, mayhaps.
However, I had no problem with the camera in Hurt Locker.
I NEVER COMMENT.
I voted The Breakfast Club - a very predictable action. :P
Shaky cam doesn't bother me at all usually. The only time I've felt ill when going to the cinema is when I saw Hard Candy - but I think that was a lot to do with *that* snipping scene (ahh, was it real or not?) and that I had a stomach bug. Not a great combination.
Shaky cam doesn't bother me at all.
And I voted Breakfast Club. Love that movie. Though Ferris Bueller is a good one, too.
Odd, I don't remember shaky cam in Hard Candy at all.
Hi! Fletch,
What a very interesting post...Thanks, for sharing!
Because the film The Hurt Locker is the next film on my "hit" list.
By the way, I hope that Mrs. Fletch's "luck" turns around
real soon!
Take care!
DeeDee ;-D
Paul - Nah, there wasn't really any that much in Hard Candy. It was just *that* scene ... y'know ... balls out. :-P
I voted for Breakfast Club, but I can watch Weird Science, Ferris Bueller, Uncle Buck and Planes/Tranes. I haven't even seen 16 Candles yet (it's on my list) and I can take or leave Curly Sue.
My wife has the same issue as Mrs. Fletch. Not sure if you have been to a Regal Movie Theater before, but she can't even watch the opening without getting sick. She has to put her head down when we go to that theater.
I comment when I have something interesting to say (or maybe not).
Cloverfield was the first movie to make me dizzy, but I still enjoyed it, I just had to look away when they were running.
Weird Science all the way! Chet is the best supporting character ever (Hudson from Aliens is a close second).
Shake cam usually doesn't bother me but I was tipsy for Spider-Man 3 and got dizzy.
I voted for PT&A, I love 16 Candles & Ferris as well, but I think that's his best movie despite the smarmy ending. Breakfast Club always seemed too modeled as a teen grabber. Sort of like Footloose. But it has its moments.
I should have clarified more with that commenting poll; I was trying to get a gauge of how many folks *really* never comment, or do so maybe once a month, despite visiting often. Rachel, I woldn't put you in that category, and Paul is joking.
Weird how pregnancy can change the strangest things within you. Mrs. Fletch's mom became allergic to strawberries while pregnant with her (if I'm recalling correctly).
"Shaky cam annoys when the movie is otherwise bad."
That theory works for me. Physically speaking, it doesn't affect me in the slightest; I just get annoyed with its overuse. If it's done within reason and done right (in that you can still tell what's going on), I'm cool with it. But when Paul Greengrass had super major shaky cam going on in one of the Bourne flicks while two people were just eating in a restaurant, I knew that he was not my friend. And it renders the action all but pointless, not *more intense*, as they might think it to be.
Ceri - haha, Hard Candy. Yea, I definitely know what you mean there.
Kano - I haven't seen Sixteen Candles, either. Or She's Having a Baby. Or Curly Sue. Outside of the first, I have a feeling I'm not missing much.
Nope, no Regal Theaters here. Yay, I suppose!
Nic - get over your infatuation with Bill Paxton. It's not healthy. Game over!
It's been too long since I've seen Planes and Trains. I like it, I just can't remember a ton outside of the general premise.
Thanks for voting, y'all.
That third Bourne movie played like Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon were going on vacation and just so happened to bring a camera along to shake it at the skyline. There were so many unnecessary locations in that film that I lost count.
I personally didn't think Quarantine or [REC] was that bad in terms of shakiness, I figured it had to be somewhat steadier to emulate an actual cameraman, vs some joe blow running around like and idiot. But that's just me.
Thanks for adding the shaky-cam rating! Muy importante to us motion-challenged peeps.
i have to say that shaky cam doesn't effect me at all, but good idea to put a rating in for those it does effet. oh, and to reel whore, in rec the actor who played the camera man is actually a camera man. if i'm remembering correctly they chose him to do it because they said that shaky cam would piss people off and using him would allow them a little stability where a non-camera man would be all over the shop. there's even a small feature or part of one on the dvd. but i have a UK copy, so it may not be on the american version (asuming of course that you are from the US).
aside from that, i check this blog all the time, but rarely ever comment and breakfast club all the way. however, i think i'm one of the only people in the world who hates ferris. i feel like the guy is a self-absorbed twat and subsequently want to punch him.
Thanks, TJ. If the shaky cam rating helps one person from getting sick, I'll feel that I've performed a great community service.
Or something like that.
Yea, I've seen you comment from time to time. Whatever happened to your site?
I can see how one might feel that way toward Ferris, but I just can't. Maybe it's the way he talks to me face-to-face and makes me feel his pain. After all, he got a computer while his sister got a car!
my site kinda died when i got lazy. hehehe... however i have been toying with the idea of changing it up. after all, i can't say it's a year in germany when it's now my second and i have no plans of leaving anytime soon! so i'm sure it'll be up and running again very soon.
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