Remember The Daze (formerly The Beautiful Ordinary)

larry-411 · 25 May 08 :: 19:22

Excellent and very well-written review. I never did write one myself as I'm a bit biased (not that that's unusual). I wouldn't post this anywhere else but not only am I a fan and friend of Mr. Welch, as you guys know, but I actually watched this sitting on the couch with him at home (not bragging here -- just making the point). So it's hard for me to be objective. We also discussed it for hours afterwards so anything I say would be necessarily colored by the conversations we had, as opposed to my normal modus operandi which is to take notes and write my review prior to having discussed it with others. I didn't feel like I could be as fair as I wanted to be so I recused myself. So I won't comment on what I thought about the film. Basically I thought it had more potential, but I'll leave it at that. I think I liked Doug Smith's performance the most.

What I can say is that, like your story about Chris, Mike's role was almost entirely improvised. In fact, that goes for most of the actors. There wasn't much of a script -- just some story ideas. Much of the dialogue was made up on the spot and a lot of what you see was unscripted, especially in the party scenes (i.e., most of the film). Mike essentially just riffed off the other actors and whatever was kept in was what you see. And that hilarious moment where he slips and falls into the car (it's in one of the trailers) was indeed a mistake which was too good not to use. And, yes, it hurt.

TeeJay · 25 May 08 :: 19:34

Thanks, Larry. I also noticed while I was making vidcaps that Sean actually does a few hip-hop rhymes (or is that rap? I can never distinguish the two) after Chris/Felix tells his crazy story. And I'm sure that was made up on the spot too. I had realized that ryhme before, but I thought it was one of the black dudes who did it. You go, Sean!

I understand how you feel, Larry. Of course we're biased as well, as is the case for any Chris movie. It's not like I'll have to like every movie with Chris in it by default (I didn't like Freddy vs. Jason at all and I didn't like The Invisible or Just Friends all that much), but there will always be something good to find in people's (mostly Chris's) performance, no matter how bad the movie. I can understand when you say the movie had more potential. It had this very spontaneous, almost chaotic feel to it, like when you watched it you could feel that it wasn't shot with a tightly plotted script. I had the feeling sometimes they were just following these actors around with a camera without giving them detailed directions. Maybe that makes the charm of the movie.

I'll have to watch the whole movie again to appreciate more and different things than on the first viewing. As I already said, I loved Michael's performance as well. There's this one scene towards the end where he totally goofs off, screaming high-pitched crazy stuff and then he wipes his hand over his face and says something like, "I'm not crazy, I'm totally normal" in a very calm and serious demeanor. That was an excellent moment. Unfortunately, these special moments often get lost in among all the melee and the craziness. That's why I think I can enjoy watching the movie more than once.

Did Mike tell you any stories about the movie that you can and want to share?

-TeeJay

larry-411 · 25 May 08 :: 23:29

I've never really understood the difference between rap and hip-hop myself. I think they're basically the same thing. Hip-hop rhyme sounds good to me.

Lord knows I appreciate non-conformist work and certainly have seen plenty of decent films that didn't necessarily have a traditional narrative. But this one felt like it had no story at all to speak of. I would like to have seen at least one character arc. Instead there were essentially vignettes, glimpses into these peoples' lives during the course of one day. Not that its a bad thing for the viewer to have to deduce who they are -- where they come from and where they're going -- but I just didn't feel like much effort was made at all to flesh out any kind of story here. I was hoping for a protagonist, someone I could care about, someone whose actions or behavior would touch me, either positively or negatively. It just felt, as you described it, more like a documentary or reality show where a bunch of cameras are following some kids around.

Well, I said I wouldn't review the film and I'm breaking my vow already!

I will admit that I did find it charming, though. It was certainly entertaining. And I'm not saying it was a bad movie. I was just hoping for more. Maybe you have to be stoned to really appreciate it. Alas, my druggie days are behind me.

I'll have to try and remember what Mike told me. The main thing I remember is that it was all essentially improv. I don't think anything he did was scripted.

TeeJay · 29 May 08 :: 22:48

Here's a link to a Film-Revision video from Myriad Arts: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lZEN33ZUokE&feature=related

Be warned that none of the reviewers liked it, but it wasn't trashed. Just some constructive critcism. They're basically saying there were too many main characters, no story, the characters were all too clichéd and that the writing was very weak.

-TeeJay

TheCentralScrutinizer · 29 May 08 :: 23:23

LOL! What writing?

TeeJay · 30 May 08 :: 07:42

Yeah, my thought exactly.

-TeeJay

domesticelefant · 30 May 08 :: 19:24

Hahaha!

larry-411 · 30 May 08 :: 19:44

Wow, that's actually an excellent and surprisingly watchable piece. My first thought was, "Oh God, 10 minutes? I'll watch a minute and move on." But I found that they were echoing my thoughts exactly about this film. Almost freakishly, in fact. I don't normally sit through a 10 minute review on one film but I sat there smiling the whole time -- I had a conversation with several people about this film and it's as if they took a transcript of our talk and hired these people to read it.

I agree pretty much 100% with everything that was said. The only thing they didn't realize (as you correctly pointed out) was that there was no writing to speak of. It was almost all improv.

Interestingly, just before this, I watched a documentary about Larry Clark (Bully, Kids, Ken Park). Freaky.

Illinoisguy1 · 31 May 08 :: 03:40

DVD art

TheCentralScrutinizer · 31 May 08 :: 03:53

Chris on the front. Sean on the back.

BiggestChrisMarquetteFan · 31 May 08 :: 09:28

I <3 the cover of Remember The Daze! Can't wait to buy it.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 05 Jun 08 :: 15:13

And Sean's on the back.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Jun 08 :: 04:07

How 'bout some highlights from TeeJay's wonderful screencaps? Everyone feel free to join in.

Creepy, smelly, still cute...

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Jun 08 :: 04:13

Look at that face...

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Jun 08 :: 04:16

Seany!

Hee...

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Jun 08 :: 04:17

Funny avatar or banner material...

We just need a caption.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Jun 08 :: 04:25

Sessy...

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Jun 08 :: 04:26

This one just makes me laugh!

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Jun 08 :: 04:28

My favorite line of Chris's in the movie, to Sean...

With sincerest awe, "You're so special to me."

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Jun 08 :: 04:31

Felix, doin' dat weird thing he do wit his hands...

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Jun 08 :: 04:33

Get off me, freak...

Heh. If she doesn't want him, we'll take him.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Jun 08 :: 04:42

Dangerous eyes...

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Jun 08 :: 04:42

This one time, at band camp...

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Jun 08 :: 04:45

Another one for the funny caps thread...

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Jun 08 :: 04:46

"Anyone remember GI Joe with Kung Fu grip? Went something like this..."

Chris Marquette Message Board

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