Christopher Guest's 'For Your Consideration' (disappointing)

Giles · 11-17-06, 10:37 PM

I must admit I have enjoyed nearly all of Christopher Guest's films sans maybe 'A Mighty Wind' which I just didn't get or appreciate the humour, here though Guest has completely lost it.

Nearly all the funniest lines are in the trailer and what's left is embarrassing - so many of the jokes fall flat. The cameos are fun to note, but they all feel like walk in performances, Guest can't concentrate on one character to the next. At under 90 minutes, this seems like a failed feeble attempt.

whynotsmile · 11-17-06, 11:48 PM

that sucks to hear. was really looking forward to it.

FantasticVSDoom · 11-18-06, 06:52 PM

Ill still go to see it, but not looking as forward to it as I was...I too wasnt a big fan of A Mighty Wind, but I just watched Waiting for Guffman again, and reminded how much I love Guest and his humor, so Im still going to have to give Consideration a chance.

dcprules · 11-18-06, 07:00 PM

I hope this good. I've liked all of Guest's films (loved A Mighty Wind) and am really hoping this will be fun even though the reviews haven't been as high as his past efforts (still at a 56 on the tomatometer, though). Plus, Ricky Gervais in it.

bunkaroo · 11-28-06, 05:55 PM

Unfortunately I have to say the tomatometer is accurate. While not horrible, it is almost definitely 30% less funny than the other Guest films.

Seriously, there are some good jokes, but it was a disappointment. I think I'll watch the other 3 this weekend to remind me how great they are.

DJLinus · 11-28-06, 09:45 PM

Sadly, I must agree. What a let-down.

But Fred Willard was funny, as usual. And Jane Lynch had the voice and mannerisms of those entertainment show women nailed.

Ginwen · 11-28-06, 10:17 PM

I've liked all the other Christopher Guest movies (even The Mighty Wind) but I didn't like this one. It was mean spirited and not very funny.

FunkDaddy J · 11-28-06, 10:53 PM

Yeah...sigh...characters were off, and I missed the documentary/interview aspects. This felt more like a traditional narrative. A mediocre one.

Supermallet · 11-28-06, 11:19 PM

Am I the only one who thought this movie was hilarious? Yes, it was definitely more over the top than Guest's previous films, but Hollywood is all about being over the top. I loved it. I thought A Mighty Wind was a transitional film that strained against the mockumentary format, and this was the logical progression.

The Bus · 11-29-06, 08:30 AM

Best in Show is still my favorite. I actually liked A Mighty Wind more than Waiting for Guffman. I guess if I want to see this I have to see it soon, eh?

Lara Means · 11-29-06, 10:06 AM

I think A Mighty Wind is Christopher Guest's best sofar. I havent seen this new one, but i am looking forward to it.

Numanoid · 11-29-06, 07:01 PM

I enjoyed this much more than A Mighty Wind. Saw it in a theater with 30 or so people and we were all laughing consistently and heartily throughout. I don't know what more one would expect from a comedy.

brtcmfn · 11-29-06, 09:15 PM

It was ok- Not as good as Best in show or Mighty wind- Towards the last half hour it felt like it was rushed- some funny lines but I was dissapointed that they did not show the "new version" when the film name was changed to cater to the mass audience.

Numanoid · 11-29-06, 11:27 PM

I expect we'll see a lot of extra scenes on the DVD. These days, I regard the home video release as the "real" version of the film, and the theatrical release as a watered-down version.

mdc3000 · 11-29-06, 11:57 PM

I loved it and thought it was nice to see a narrative rather than a straight up mockumentary... although, 10 of 12 people in my theatre walked out (everyone except me and a friend... ) but we enjoyed the hell out of it.

dvdgjb · 11-30-06, 12:49 AM

Bummer. I'm still looking forward to it though.

slop101 · 11-30-06, 10:44 AM

All of Guest's movies (Spinal Tap included) are far better the 3rd or 4th time you see them than they are the first. Maybe it's just another case of that.

Buford T Pusser · 12-02-06, 10:57 PM

I want to see it but not as badly as I expected.

I really enjoyed A Mighty Wind and the music on the show. Even bought the soundtrack.

Best in Show was excellent and Waiting For Guffman was very enjoyable.

Does anyone remember the little flick Guest did w/Marcia Strassman for the Letterman Film Fest? It was a spoof of industrial films via music and dance. I have the first two fests on a VHS somewhere in the basement.

starman9000 · 12-03-06, 04:23 PM

I haven't seen this yet, but plan to ASAP.

I just read an "interview" of Guest in Paste magazine and it is just terrible.
Here it is online: http://www.pastemagazine.com/action/...rticle_id=3602

[pause]
YUCK, I can't BELIEVE i read this. IT's so SmaRT and QUIRKY. NEato.
[click]

Giles · 12-04-06, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numanoid

I enjoyed this much more than A Mighty Wind. Saw it in a theater with 30 or so people and we were all laughing consistently and heartily throughout. I don't know what more one would expect from a comedy.

more humour and less dead air...

JumpCutz · 02-23-07, 07:47 PM

I picked this up earlier this week. I was braced for the worst, but came away really liking this. It holds up nicely next to Guest's previous work. Not his best, but far better than most of the comedies released as of late.

Supermallet · 02-23-07, 08:28 PM

Watching this again on DVD, it's funnier than the first time I saw it, and I loved it the first time.

slop101 · 02-23-07, 11:18 PM

I just watched this, and thought it was just fine - very similar to Guest's other works, only without the "mocumentary" angle.

I should point out that the deleted scenes (30 minutes of them) are all great, and probably funnier than anything that ended up in the movie.

Fincher Fan · 02-24-07, 01:18 AM

I really enjoyed it and found it comparable to Guest's other films. It captures the absurdity of Hollywood nicely.

spuffin · 03-01-07, 12:29 AM

I haven't seen anyone else mention this, so maybe it was just me...

I rented the movie from blockbuster and after starting to watch it, there were HORRIBLE compression artifacts near any fine details that had movement (most noticeable on faces). I was watching this on a HDTV and although I do not have a progressive scan dvd player, I have not had this problem with any other movies. Was this just me or has anyone else had issues with the video quality?

11-17-06, 10:37 PM	#1
Giles DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Washington DC Posts: 29,863	Christopher Guest's 'For Your Consideration' (disappointing) I must admit I have enjoyed nearly all of Christopher Guest's films sans maybe 'A Mighty Wind' which I just didn't get or appreciate the humour, here though Guest has completely lost it. Nearly all the funniest lines are in the trailer and what's left is embarrassing - so many of the jokes fall flat. The cameos are fun to note, but they all feel like walk in performances, Guest can't concentrate on one character to the next. At under 90 minutes, this seems like a failed feeble attempt.

11-18-06, 06:52 PM	#3
FantasticVSDoom DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Deep behind enemy lines...NYC! Posts: 11,145	Ill still go to see it, but not looking as forward to it as I was...I too wasnt a big fan of A Mighty Wind, but I just watched Waiting for Guffman again, and reminded how much I love Guest and his humor, so Im still going to have to give Consideration a chance. __________________ GO REDSOX!!! "Fighting is the best thing a man can have in his soul."-Renzo Gracie

11-28-06, 09:45 PM	#6
DJLinus DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: May 2000 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 7,897	Sadly, I must agree. What a let-down. But Fred Willard was funny, as usual. And Jane Lynch had the voice and mannerisms of those entertainment show women nailed. __________________ "Food snobs believe that anything created in Europe is inherently superior to the American-made equivalent. Allow me to explode that fallacy with these words: the 1983 Renault Alliance." - Michael J. Nelson Not that you care...

11-28-06, 10:17 PM	#7
Ginwen DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: May 2002 Location: here Posts: 6,579	I've liked all the other Christopher Guest movies (even The Mighty Wind) but I didn't like this one. It was mean spirited and not very funny. __________________ DVD Profiler \| I Check Movies \| XBox Live Tag: Skitalin \| PSN Tag = Ginwen

11-28-06, 10:53 PM	#8
FunkDaddy J DVD Talk Reviewer Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 3,061	Yeah...sigh...characters were off, and I missed the documentary/interview aspects. This felt more like a traditional narrative. A mediocre one. __________________ Jason Bovberg Author of the apocalyptic horror novel Under the Skin and the throwback pulp novel The Naked Dame

11-17-06, 11:48 PM	#2
whynotsmile Needs to contact an admin about multiple accounts Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,411	that sucks to hear. was really looking forward to it.

11-18-06, 07:00 PM	#4
dcprules DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,632	I hope this good. I've liked all of Guest's films (loved A Mighty Wind) and am really hoping this will be fun even though the reviews haven't been as high as his past efforts (still at a 56 on the tomatometer, though). Plus, Ricky Gervais in it.

11-28-06, 05:55 PM	#5
bunkaroo DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 11,867	Unfortunately I have to say the tomatometer is accurate. While not horrible, it is almost definitely 30% less funny than the other Guest films. Seriously, there are some good jokes, but it was a disappointment. I think I'll watch the other 3 this weekend to remind me how great they are.

11-28-06, 11:19 PM	#9
Supermallet Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Termite Terrace Posts: 38,623	Am I the only one who thought this movie was hilarious? Yes, it was definitely more over the top than Guest's previous films, but Hollywood is all about being over the top. I loved it. I thought A Mighty Wind was a transitional film that strained against the mockumentary format, and this was the logical progression. __________________ "if you truly want to discuss Sodom with me, send me a PM" - dvdjunkie32 Watch me squawk on Twitter: @Supermallet Check out my Bond commentaries

11-29-06, 08:30 AM	#10
The Bus DVD Talk Godfather Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: New York Posts: 51,620	Best in Show is still my favorite. I actually liked A Mighty Wind more than Waiting for Guffman. I guess if I want to see this I have to see it soon, eh? __________________ Movies: 2002 / 03 / 04 / 05 / 06 / 07 / 08 / 09 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 2013 "Too much disclaiming in this post." – Dr. Mabuse

11-29-06, 10:06 AM	#11
Lara Means DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,953	I think A Mighty Wind is Christopher Guest's best sofar. I havent seen this new one, but i am looking forward to it.

11-29-06, 07:01 PM	#12
Numanoid DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Down in 'The Park' Posts: 26,982	I enjoyed this much more than A Mighty Wind. Saw it in a theater with 30 or so people and we were all laughing consistently and heartily throughout. I don't know what more one would expect from a comedy.

11-29-06, 09:15 PM	#13
brtcmfn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 394	It was ok- Not as good as Best in show or Mighty wind- Towards the last half hour it felt like it was rushed- some funny lines but I was dissapointed that they did not show the "new version" when the film name was changed to cater to the mass audience.

11-29-06, 11:27 PM	#14
Numanoid DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Down in 'The Park' Posts: 26,982	I expect we'll see a lot of extra scenes on the DVD. These days, I regard the home video release as the "real" version of the film, and the theatrical release as a watered-down version.

11-29-06, 11:57 PM	#15
mdc3000 DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Guelph, Ontario Posts: 9,451	I loved it and thought it was nice to see a narrative rather than a straight up mockumentary... although, 10 of 12 people in my theatre walked out (everyone except me and a friend... ) but we enjoyed the hell out of it. __________________ Armchair Directors - Video Movie Reviews Letterboxd Rank 'Em As You See Them 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Spending Tab 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

11-30-06, 12:49 AM	#16
dvdgjb New Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6	Bummer. I'm still looking forward to it though.

11-30-06, 10:44 AM	#17
slop101 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Cali Posts: 17,070	All of Guest's movies (Spinal Tap included) are far better the 3rd or 4th time you see them than they are the first. Maybe it's just another case of that.

12-02-06, 10:57 PM	#18
Buford T Pusser DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Lighten up, Francis! (Funland) Posts: 26,766	I want to see it but not as badly as I expected. I really enjoyed A Mighty Wind and the music on the show. Even bought the soundtrack. Best in Show was excellent and Waiting For Guffman was very enjoyable. Does anyone remember the little flick Guest did w/Marcia Strassman for the Letterman Film Fest? It was a spoof of industrial films via music and dance. I have the first two fests on a VHS somewhere in the basement.

12-03-06, 04:23 PM	#19
starman9000 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: MN Posts: 22,726	I haven't seen this yet, but plan to ASAP. I just read an "interview" of Guest in Paste magazine and it is just terrible. Here it is online: http://www.pastemagazine.com/action/...rticle_id=3602 [pause] YUCK, I can't BELIEVE i read this. IT's so SmaRT and QUIRKY. NEato. [click]

02-23-07, 07:47 PM	#21
JumpCutz DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: south of heaven Posts: 11,066	I picked this up earlier this week. I was braced for the worst, but came away really liking this. It holds up nicely next to Guest's previous work. Not his best, but far better than most of the comedies released as of late.

02-23-07, 08:28 PM	#22
Supermallet Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Termite Terrace Posts: 38,623	Watching this again on DVD, it's funnier than the first time I saw it, and I loved it the first time. __________________ "if you truly want to discuss Sodom with me, send me a PM" - dvdjunkie32 Watch me squawk on Twitter: @Supermallet Check out my Bond commentaries

02-23-07, 11:18 PM	#23
slop101 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Cali Posts: 17,070	I just watched this, and thought it was just fine - very similar to Guest's other works, only without the "mocumentary" angle. I should point out that the deleted scenes (30 minutes of them) are all great, and probably funnier than anything that ended up in the movie.

02-24-07, 01:18 AM	#24
Fincher Fan DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rampaging across DVDTalk. Posts: 4,046	I really enjoyed it and found it comparable to Guest's other films. It captures the absurdity of Hollywood nicely. __________________ *"You couldn't molest the audience more than to promise Legends of the Fall* and Driving Miss Daisy then to unleash this on them. They'd just been gang-raped."** - Director David Fincher on the test screenings of Seven.

03-01-07, 12:29 AM	#25
spuffin Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: New Orleans Posts: 66	I haven't seen anyone else mention this, so maybe it was just me... I rented the movie from blockbuster and after starting to watch it, there were HORRIBLE compression artifacts near any fine details that had movement (most noticeable on faces). I was watching this on a HDTV and although I do not have a progressive scan dvd player, I have not had this problem with any other movies. Was this just me or has anyone else had issues with the video quality?