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So....I just finished watching The Running Man....

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So....I just finished watching The Running Man....

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Old 07-11-05 | 09:37 PM
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So....I just finished watching The Running Man....

....and I want the lost 101 minutes of my life back!!!!11!!!

Does anyone know if this was produced to be as tongue-in-cheek as it tried to be, or was it actually trying to be cool/bad-assed/action packed?? Returns from Box Office Mojo make it appear as if it were a flop on it's initial release, yet, a 2-disc DVD was released for it?

To it's defense, it would be kinda cool to see the Survivor castaways chased around a deserted island by Jim Brown weilding a flame thrower and Jesse Ventura, so long as he could tote that friggin chopper gattling-cannon from Predator!

I did enjoy TV's Frank dressed up in Christmas lights!
Old 07-11-05 | 10:35 PM
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I like The Running Man more than Predator.

It's a B-movie premise that's executed pretty well.
The acting demands placed on Ahnuld are few.
It has a good sense of humor about itself with Richard Dawson.
And Maria Conchito Alonso is one hot and spicy jalapeno.
Old 07-11-05 | 10:44 PM
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^agreed on all counts.

It's a popcorn flick. As are, uh, all Arny flicks. Turn offa da brain!
Old 07-11-05 | 10:49 PM
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Originally Posted by MartinBlank
Returns from Box Office Mojo make it appear as if it were a flop on it's initial release, yet, a 2-disc DVD was released for it?
38 mil in 87 bucks is a good thing.
Old 07-11-05 | 11:11 PM
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Even though it touches on some serious issues (check out the documentary on the 2-disc release) I've always thought of this as a comedy set in an action/sci-fi genre, and as a not very subtle satire.
Lots of fun, lots of laughs, some kick-ass action.
Old 07-11-05 | 11:29 PM
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I liked The Running Man. It had some crazy action, and a really over-the-top performance by Richard Dawson. Schwarzenegger delivers what his fans expect from his movies.
Old 07-11-05 | 11:35 PM
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You thought it would be better because it got the two disc treatment?? Hell, even Supergirl got a two disc treatment. A SE of any movie doesn't mean it's good.
Old 07-11-05 | 11:37 PM
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Richard Dawson Ownz!
Old 07-12-05 | 12:33 AM
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At least its not "Commando"

I still need to pick this movie up.

So silly its good.
Old 07-12-05 | 12:37 AM
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Commando 20th anniversary is this year... they should have come out with a 2 disc SE of it. I would so buy it just because its such cheese.
Old 07-12-05 | 01:55 AM
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At least it stayed consistent with most other movies made from Stephen King stories, i.e. it was better in print.
Old 07-12-05 | 02:11 AM
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I really enjoyed this movie. At the time, I don't know if it was trying to be serious, but I doubt it. There are too many laughable parts.

It'd be a cool reality show, I'd watch it.
Old 07-12-05 | 02:33 AM
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I didn't think it was as much shite as it really had very nearly nothing at all to do with Stephen King's (as Richard Bachman) original short story. Arnie's version was turn your brain off stuff that you'd forget 30 seconds after leaving the theater. King's was an extremely nihilistic story that, to my mind, contained some of his tautest writing to date. It's actually one of my favorite works of his. I'm guessing that King would rather have had them simply lift the premise for "The Running Man" TV show, which existed in a radically different form in the book, just to keep his name out of the credits. It's almost as unconnected to the original work as The Lawnmower Man was.
Old 07-12-05 | 08:55 AM
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I really like the yuppie party scenes at the end - they get to watch the fall of their society on TV, and then have a party afterwards! At least the citizens of Demolition Man had the good grace to be mildly concerned about the end of their civilization.
Old 07-12-05 | 09:58 AM
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I watched it for the first time several weeks ago. Loved Richard Dawson.
Old 07-12-05 | 10:52 AM
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Watched it again about a year ago and it was as crappy as when I first saw it. It also has a really cheap look to it.

A good idea wasted. This is one of those films where a remake would be welcomed by me.

Last edited by Jaymole; 07-12-05 at 10:55 AM.
Old 07-12-05 | 12:01 PM
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"Who loves you and who do you love?! And what's the number one game show in the whole, wide world?!"

Old 07-12-05 | 05:24 PM
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Ha - all of you are a trip. How dare you bash an 80's cheese masterpiece!!!!
Old 07-12-05 | 06:11 PM
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This was a fun movie to watch. No artsy-fartsy director, no tortured, angst-ridden girlie-men, no prostitutes with a heart of gold, no drug addicted "heros" we're supposed to feel sorry for. Lots of action, cheesy moments(intentional), and 2 Governers along with Jim Brown, Richard Dawson hamming it up as a super Type-A personality game show host, what more could one ask for?

Last edited by bhk; 07-12-05 at 06:13 PM.
Old 07-12-05 | 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by bhk
This was a fun movie to watch. No artsy-fartsy director, no tortured, angst-ridden girlie-men, no prostitutes with a heart of gold, no drug addicted "heros" we're supposed to feel sorry for. Lots of action, cheesy moments(intentional), and 2 Governers along with Jim Brown, Richard Dawson hamming it up as a super Type-A personality game show host, what more could one ask for?
And Mick Fleetwood as the leader of the resistance. Mick Fleetwood!!

This movie rocks. Absolutely love it.
Old 07-12-05 | 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by shizawn
And Mick Fleetwood as the leader of the resistance. Mick Fleetwood!!
Don't forget his trusty sidekick, Dweezil Zappa!
Old 07-12-05 | 10:35 PM
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I always thought the true to movie version would be good but that can't happen now with 911 and all.

I liked the movie. It doesn't hold up well but it was good for it day.
Old 07-13-05 | 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by MartinBlank
Returns from Box Office Mojo make it appear as if it were a flop on it's initial release, yet, a 2-disc DVD was released for it?
The 2-disc was released to capitalize on Schwarzenegger's renewed fame as a result of the California re-election.
Old 07-13-05 | 09:41 AM
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It had virtually nothing to do with the novel, except for the concept of "man in survival game show." As what it is, it's fun. As a King adaptation, its worthless. I liked it. It's certainly not real deep or anything, but it's enjoyable. Some of the dialog is incredibly cheesy, but that can add to its funfactor.

"I'll be back."
"Only in a rerun!"
Old 07-13-05 | 02:49 PM
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There is a reason why Arnold poked fun at himself in "Last Action Hero"

I'm starting to think i just need to go out and get "Running Man" instead of waiting for it to go on sale.


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