Gratuitous Schadenfreude

Word that Disney's The Country Bears "cost $35 million and grossed $17 million" made me happy. (Update: 04/21/2003: The story vanished, and I can't spell "Caribbean" right. Why on Earth are there two Bs and not two Rs?). This movie based on a ride looked crappy even in the trailer. Here's hoping the $140 million Pirates of the Caribbean tanks equally hard.

Posted by Chad Lundgren on Sunday, April 20, 2003 (Link)

Comments

Posted by Anthony Mills Monday, April 21, 2003 at 10:11 AM

"Caribbean" is the correct spelling.

Posted by Shannon Monday, April 21, 2003 at 01:36 PM

The name Caribbean comes from the Spanish 'Caribe'. Apparently in order to conquer the Caribbean, Columbus had to demonize the indigenous peoples so he called them 'Caribes' which basically meant 'cannibals'. Why the extra b is there, I don't know. I always remember by making myself think of a carib bean. It's silly, but I usually spell it right.

And as for the movie, I absolutely CANNOT wait. I CAN'T. I love pirates. I've been waiting years for a good pirate movie. And besides -- Orlando Bloom, Johnny Depp, and Geoffrey Rush in boots-I can't think of anything sexier.

And I've seen production photos. I can't wait! I LOVE PIRATES. I think I need a bumper sticker...

;)

Posted by BillM Tuesday, April 22, 2003 at 07:25 PM

I can't wait either. Although the pictures I saw of Depp were not very sexy. Typical pirate. Out to sea for months on end, no bath, covered in filth. Maybe there will be a bath scene. Oh wait! This is a Disney film which means they'll dump a bucket of water over him and all the dirt and grim will magically disappear. And every hair will be perfectly in place for the remainder of the movie. Why is no one every has a bad hair day in a movie? Or wakes up with morning hair?
I digress ...

Posted by Shannon Wednesday, April 23, 2003 at 10:52 AM

"Typical pirate. Out to sea for months on end, no bath, covered in filth. "

I think that's why it's so sexy -- on film and in theory. It's very romantic--the rougish dirty powerful man--until you're right there next to him.

I think that's why a lot of women are crazy for Aragorn in LOTR. He's dirty, rougish, powerful, and all that adds up to SEXY -- for some people. Not me I thought he was greasy and gross...

There's just something about Pirates, though. And Johnny Depp as a Pirate. I really can't explain it.

We could engage in a discussion about my theories regarding romance novels and fairy tales and how they shape youngsters to expect certain things in life and how that has effected our society and mating rituals, but I'm not sure Chad would appreciate that in the comments section of his weblog.

It basically all boils down to the fact that people shouldn't date people who habitually read romance novels... Unless they're into being the heroic, macho, breadwinner.

And there are always exceptions to the rule, but I've already said too much...

;)

Posted by Roslee Orndorff Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at 12:22 AM

Animation....ugh! I really think that a lot of the recent generations of Disney stuff is junk....their family films were a lot better quality without being saccharine.

It is my hope that PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN will be a fun film. Johnny Depp does tend to make ecclectic choices in film roles, but I am usually well-satisfied with his performances. And, Orlando Bloom, of LOTR fame, will be co-starring along with Jeffrey Rush. The only men missing to make my day are Keanu Reeves and Hugh Jackman. Let me re-phrase that. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN would be ever so much more of a thrill for me if only Hugh Jackman were starring in it! Oh, well.

I grew up on old Hollywood films and especially enjoyed the ones like CAPTAIN BLOOD....Give me Errol Flynn or Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. in swashbuckling adventures. I even remember watching on pirate film with Yul Brynner...with a full head of hair!