The Daily Star, Oneonta, NY - otsego county news, delaware county news, oneonta news, oneonta sports

Lifestyles

Discussion

COMMENTING ON STORIES:

Welcome to our story comments feature. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including the unpopular ones. We only ask that you keep your conversations clean, civil and on the topic of the story you are commenting on.

Coinciding with our websites redesign, we launched our new story comments feature through Disqus.

Disqus gives users the ability to log into our story comments feature so that they may be able to track their conversations, receive emails when their comments get a reply or to even have your comments update onto your Facebook or Twitter accounts.

For the time being, our story comments feature will continue to have the ability to post comments anonymously. We reserve the right to require registration in the future using your name and verified email address.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified at the newspaper’s discretion for a number of different reasons. Please follow our Online Rules of Conduct at all times.

RULES OF CONDUCT:

We reserve the right to remove comments that are unacceptable, to wit:

1. False and inacurate statements.
2. Personal attacks. Explicit name-calling.
3. Harassing, harmful, vulgar, obscene and defamatory language.
4. Threatening statements or statements that suggest violence.
5. Hate speech of any kind.
6. Intolerant comments on religion, race, age, gender, sexual preference or disabilities.
7. Accusations of criminal activity.
8. Content that is harmful to children and minors in any way.
9. References to any type of sexual activity and other private matters.
10. Random and inflammatory statements that are off topic.
11. Advertising of any kind.
12. Typing in all caps.

WE ENCOURAGE REASONABLE AND COURTEOUS COMMENTS THAT:

1. Create conversation on issues of interest and concern to fellow readers and local community members.
2. Express opinions and contrarian views.
3. Stimulate debate with respectful language.
4. Stay within the boundaries of these rules.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SUSPEND OR TERMINATE ACCESS FOR:

1. Violating any of these Online Rules of Conduct.
2. Deliberately disrupting discussions with repetitive messages, meaningless messages or spam.
3. Misrepresentation of identity or impersonating another user.

WE WELCOME:

1. Flagging violations of these rules that you observe to our attention.

MONITORING:

We monitor comments regularly Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Approval of comments outside of this time (including weekends) will be sporadic.
comments powered by Disqus
July 10, 2008

Teen Talk: Weekend Reviews: ’08 ‘Hulk’ improved; split on ‘Get Smart’

Hello, good citizens of Earth. It’s me, Adam, with another review for you. Once more, I’ve skimmed the edges of my deadline to bring you the most recent movie possible.



This month, we’ll be going over “The Incredible Hulk” and “Get Smart,” two highly anticipated films.



Let’s start with “The Incredible Hulk,” Marvel’s latest. Edward Norton replaced Eric Bana as the infamous Bruce Banner, while Liv Tyler replaced Jennifer Connelly as Banner’s love interest, Betsy Ross. Additionally, we have a change in the role of General Ross, as William Hurt replaced Sam Elliot. Overall, the change in cast was, intentionally punned, incredible.



Although Liv Tyler could not portray the emotion that Jennifer Connelly could in the 2003 “Hulk,” she was balanced out by the amazing skill of Edward Norton, whose portrayal of Banner showed the true conflict of the doctor while giving a sense of realism to the character, a great contrast from Bana’s dramatic performance. Meanwhile, Hurt roughly equaled Elliot’s role of General Ross, keeping the same man conflicted by duty to his daughter, and duty to his country.



All in all, the casting was much better than the 2003 film.



As for the look of the Hulk, I can plainly and honestly say that the redesigned look of the Hulk is better than any attempt I’ve seen.



The attention to detail is impressive, using a combination of several techniques to acquire a green skin-like texture to the Hulk, as opposed to the 2003’s paint-like quality.



As for the plot of the new movie, let me say that it feels good to have an actual villain for the Hulk.



I know that the first film had its villains, but I like the feel of a villain who is almost an antithesis to the Hulk _ somebody who wants to be like the Hulk just for the sake of a fight.



I love the principle, and the fact that this character is something that brings around a turning point not found until about 10 minutes from the end of the second movie, a mental climax that had been waiting for almost two films. For an all-around good film, I give “The Incredible Hulk” an 8.5 out of 10. Sorry, Hulk, but Tony Stark of “Iron Man” kicked your butt on this one.



Anyway, let’s continue with “Get Smart,” the movie adaptation of the famous ’60s show. Luckily, Mel Brooks, comic genius (and one of the creators of the original show) worked on the film. This let me know that it was going to be good, knowing the kind of work that Brooks does.



I am torn with this movie. While Steve Carell brings a really unique flair to the character of Maxwell Smart, Don Adams was the original Smart, and one cannot compare. Although, I rather enjoyed Anne Hathaway as Agent 99. I wish I could explain why, but I can’t. No words are coming to mind.



The sense of humor in the movie is a turnaround from the ’60s show. Where as the show was a Brooksist (one must love neologism) style of comedy, the movie tended to be slightly cheesy. It used a sense of humor that we see often in movies today, sarcastic comments, simple slapstick. What I did enjoy was the use of catchphrases that were used in the original show, such as “Missed it by that much,” “Sorry about that, Chief,” and “Would you believe...?” It was almost like a way to praise the show.



Strangely enough, I’d have to say that my least favorite part about the movie was that it had too much action. For a show that seemed to be a joke on the secret agent persona, it’s interesting to see the movie make a secret agent movie with a little bit of jokes. It seemed almost an inverse to the show, and that bothered me a little.



Probably, you can see my problem. On one hand, I enjoyed the movie. On the other, I enjoyed the show. Together, I think that the movie didn’t hold true to the show. So, if you really loved the show, and don’t want to see things changed, see the movie at your own risk. However, it is a good movie for those who like a little Mel Brooks or Steve Carrell now and then. I’m giving “Get Smart” a 7 out of 10, because it didn’t respect the show enough.



So, that’s all for the column this month. Next month, I’ll take a look at some singing comedians, and let you guys in on an up-and-coming artist whose six-song album has just been released on iTunes. Until then, long days and pleasant nights to all



Adam Munio is a junior at Unadilla Valley Central School. He can be reached at pentwarrior@yahoo.com.

Text Only
Lifestyles

Around The Arts

Music Beat

Parenting Imperfect

Senior scene

Tech, GP

Teen Talk

Additional Content
Join the Debate
Helium
Additional Resources
CNHI News Service

Poll

Do you think women should serve in front-line combat situations?

Yes
No
     View Results