What happened to Mike Judge's Idiocracy?
06-04-08, 02:01 PM
#126
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by mcfly
It's all about what will turn the most profit, not quality.
Even if the film tanked in theaters, it would've been huge on DVD if given a proper release. Just like a little film we call Office Space (or The Big Lebowski since it's another title that has been mentioned in this thread).
Last edited by Matthew Chmiel; 06-04-08 at 02:03 PM.
06-04-08, 02:06 PM
#127
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by baracine
The problem is that nowadays very, very stupid people pass for experts in their field, some become teachers, some get a lot of air time, call themselves "Doctor" and feel qualified to give psychological advice on afternoon television. Some even get elected to high political office.
There are far more incredibly intelligent people that are experts in their fields, become teachers and doctors, and are incredibly successful. There are also people who believe what they see on TV.
That said, Idiocracy apparently became a pretty big hit when it was released on DVD and Fox didn't have to bother advertising it, at all. It is a stupid movie, but it has a few good bits of obvious satire and the opening bit is definitely the way we are headed. The visual effects were definitely straight-to-video quality (similar to another, far worse, scifi movie that achieved cult status (Equilibrium)) and may have played a role (not wanting to add additional funds).
Or maybe Fox just didn't like being made fun of, who knows. Considering the talent behind it and the awful shit Fox does release, I agree it should have had an expanded release.
Last edited by RichC2; 06-04-08 at 02:12 PM.
06-04-08, 02:36 PM
#128
Suspended
Originally Posted by Matthew Chmiel
Really?
Would you rather have a studio release a film that in the first ten minutes:
- Horribly spoofs 300, Shrek the Third, Casino Royale, and Happy Feet.
- Cheap product placement thanks from Subway and Pedigree.
- Terrible (and tacky) bathroom humor such as a penguin putting a Spartan warrior in a "69" position and then proceeding to shit in his mouth.
- Cheap shots at the entire gay community.
- Makes everyone watching the film mildly retarded.
OR
A studio release of a film that is actually smart and funny. Or even if you don't think that, at least then it tries to be smarter than the average comedy fare by being a satire that might've failed, but still tried.
It's more about principle at the point than anything else. Mike Judge has made Fox millions with Office Space and King of the Hill and they fucked him over with how they treated Idiocracy -- a film that has been praised by most critics and audiences who have seen it. Yet, FOX, wanting to make a cheap buck will release shit like Meet the Spartans which is bottom-of-the-barrel entertainment meant for people who have an IQ under triple digits.
It's pretty sad.
Would you rather have a studio release a film that in the first ten minutes:
- Horribly spoofs 300, Shrek the Third, Casino Royale, and Happy Feet.
- Cheap product placement thanks from Subway and Pedigree.
- Terrible (and tacky) bathroom humor such as a penguin putting a Spartan warrior in a "69" position and then proceeding to shit in his mouth.
- Cheap shots at the entire gay community.
- Makes everyone watching the film mildly retarded.
OR
A studio release of a film that is actually smart and funny. Or even if you don't think that, at least then it tries to be smarter than the average comedy fare by being a satire that might've failed, but still tried.
It's more about principle at the point than anything else. Mike Judge has made Fox millions with Office Space and King of the Hill and they fucked him over with how they treated Idiocracy -- a film that has been praised by most critics and audiences who have seen it. Yet, FOX, wanting to make a cheap buck will release shit like Meet the Spartans which is bottom-of-the-barrel entertainment meant for people who have an IQ under triple digits.
It's pretty sad.
And any film that has this line can't be all bad:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5CfKV0qovUE&hl=fr"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5CfKV0qovUE&hl=fr" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
Last edited by baracine; 06-04-08 at 02:46 PM.
06-04-08, 03:33 PM
#129
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by baracine
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5CfKV0qovUE&hl=fr"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5CfKV0qovUE&hl=fr" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
06-06-08, 06:42 AM
#130
Suspended
It is possible to see almost every second of Meet the Spartans on YouTube, many times over and sometimes elaborately remixed, which is an indication of its popularity. The only segment that was removed by Fox for "copyright infringement", as a matter of fact, is the scene where George Bush gets pushed into the pit of death, titled "George W. Bush - War Is Not The Answer".
06-06-08, 06:59 AM
#132
Suspended
Originally Posted by riotinmyskull
the irony is that IDIOCRACY was a satire on a society that praised shitty lowest common denominator movies like MEET THE SPARTANS.
06-06-08, 07:10 AM
#133
Suspended
Originally Posted by Matthew Chmiel
- Cheap shots at the entire gay community.
* Which king, by the way, Xerxes, we now know, is the Biblical Ahasuerus (see: http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/vi...d=967&letter=A) who was married to Esther and is considered a figure of justice, enlightenment and tolerance by both Jewish and Persian traditions.
There is usually more than one side to every story - except in comic-book adaptations of historical events.
Last edited by baracine; 06-06-08 at 08:15 AM.
06-06-08, 01:26 PM
#134
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Originally Posted by baracine
Methinks Meet the Spartans is an acidic satire of a society that praises lowest common denominator movies like 300.
"He said 'You got served,' but he's like a caveman or something! Hilarious!"
06-06-08, 02:50 PM
#135
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by baracine
I never met a single gay person who didn't rave about Meet the Spartans, a spoof that takes sweet revenge on 300, a film that sent many of them in therapy for portraying Spartans as homophobic gym rats who refused to join the Persians because their king was "effeminate" - which is to say, to quote from Idiocracy, that "his shit was retarded and he talked like a ****".*
06-06-08, 03:31 PM
#136
Suspended
Originally Posted by Matthew Chmiel
I really don't know if you're pulling a Groucho on us or if you're serious. I'm so confused.
06-23-11, 09:49 AM
#137
DVD Talk Legend
Re: What happened to Mike Judge's Idiocracy?
Saw this last night.
I thought it was funny. Certainly current society actually isn't like that dystopian future (which really, couldn't exist).
My God baracine is annoying.
I thought it was funny. Certainly current society actually isn't like that dystopian future (which really, couldn't exist).
My God baracine is annoying.
06-23-11, 11:01 AM
#139
DVD Talk Hero
06-23-11, 11:22 AM
#141
Moderator
Re: What happened to Mike Judge's Idiocracy?
A friend of baracine's posted in another thread some time ago and confirmed, sadly, that he did in fact pass away.
06-23-11, 12:31 PM
#144
DVD Talk Limited Edition
06-23-11, 01:24 PM
#145
DVD Talk Hero
Re: What happened to Mike Judge's Idiocracy?
@ebertchicago @baracine LETS RAGE!
06-23-11, 02:00 PM
#148
DVD Talk Hero
Re: What happened to Mike Judge's Idiocracy?
It would be pretty unusual to suspend somebody posthumously.
06-23-11, 02:17 PM
#149
DVD Talk Legend
06-24-11, 06:39 PM
#150
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Re: What happened to Mike Judge's Idiocracy?
wow I wasjust thinking of baracine only a couple days ago. now I know why. his ghost is stalking this place.
he was outspoken but always had an interesting view, better than hearing the same things over and over. RIP$$
he was outspoken but always had an interesting view, better than hearing the same things over and over. RIP$$
