Reaction to a "Hoot" review

[trojan_sixtyone]

I woke up this morning after two hours of sleep (I was studying for a statistics final last night) and was feeling a little edgy. When I went to check the news this morning as I always do, I ran across a syndicated film review in my local paper for "Hoot". It flew all over me, and I felt compelled to write the guy an email sticking up for Jimmy.

I'm sure he couldn't care less, but the piece was borderline distasteful because it spent far more time making fun of Jimmy than it did talking about the film itself. I can understand a critic not liking the film, however it has to be view in the context it was meant to be seen--a kids movie to stay true to the book and try to teach a lesson (it is Walden Media, after all). This guy was just completely self-righteous about it, and it really rubbed me the wrong way.

If you're interested in the review itself, it's by Phil Villarreal at the Arizona Daily Star. If you're interested in my email that I sent to him sticking up for Jimmy and asking a few valid questions, send me a private message and I'll forward it to you.

[springparrot]

I woke up this morning after two hours of sleep (I was studying for a statistics final last night) and was feeling a little edgy. When I went to check the news this morning as I always do, I ran across a syndicated film review in my local paper for "Hoot". It flew all over me, and I felt compelled to write the guy an email sticking up for Jimmy.

I'm sure he couldn't care less, but the piece was borderline distasteful because it spent far more time making fun of Jimmy than it did talking about the film itself. I can understand a critic not liking the film, however it has to be view in the context it was meant to be seen--a kids movie to stay true to the book and try to teach a lesson (it is Walden Media, after all). This guy was just completely self-righteous about it, and it really rubbed me the wrong way.

If you're interested in the review itself, it's by Phil Villarreal at the Arizona Daily Star. If you're interested in my email that I sent to him sticking up for Jimmy and asking a few valid questions, send me a private message and I'll forward it to you.

I posted a link to it on another thread....it was awful.
And Phil had no idea what he was talking about.
He didn't know who was singing the songs...he thought JB was singing about the bus

[LIPH]

I read that review too. In the guy's defense, he's a critic and his job is to give his opinion. A lot of the reviews of the movie were a little harsh and I can't say I disagree with them. It's not really a very good movie, although I can see kids liking it. And most of the soundtrack is borderline unlistenable, in my opinion.

[doxadive]

i always had a theory, if the critics dont like it it is probably good since most the time the critics are attempting to make a pseudo intellectual argument based on character development and story structure. the truth of the matter is most of the newspaper critis were at one time a sports reporter, a food critic, an obituary editor or 100 other jobs that they are not specifically qualified for.

[CaptainRRK]

Most of you have taken the moral high ground and have written letters and posts in an "adult manner", me not so much.

I pretty sure that "critic" is a POOPIE HEAD! I know, I know, you might say "captain, please watch your language", but that's just the kind a guy I am, I let it fly and if I'm sensored I sensored.

[El mojito]

Try this one
http://www.insidebayarea.com/search/ci_3788330

Versatile Jimmy Buffett scores again with family movie 'Hoot'
By Jim Harrington, STAFF WRITER

IT'S not wise to bet against Buffett.
Jimmy Buffett, still best known for the song "Margaritaville," is arguably pop music's biggest overachiever and savviest businessman.

He's a top touring act, runs nightclubs and restaurants in the United States, Jamaica and Mexico, sells his own brand of tequila and is also a best-selling author.

Not bad for someone who originally failed to make it in Nashville as a country singer in the late-'60s.

Now Capt. Buffett expands his resume even further by taking on the family entertainment business with the kid-friendly flick "Hoot."

The salty seadog, who was looking for the right film project for ages, found it after reading "Hoot," the best-selling novel by Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen.

Buffett co-produced the film and captained the ship, bringing together Hiaasen, director-screenwriter Wil Shriner and veteran producer Frank Marshall for the project. He also contributed songs to the soundtrack, which add greatly to the film's charm.

And the film is quite charming, in a way that should please tweens and their mini-van driving chauffeurs. Yet it doesn't really stick with you after the lights go up; it's just a nice break from whatever else is going on in your world.

Our story begins when young Roy Eberhardt (Logan Lerman) moves from the wide-open spaces of Montana to the coastal Florida small town of Coconut Grove. He's the new kid at his school, which means there's a bully there to shove him around and make trouble for him on the bus. Roy finds a distraction from his woes when he sees a mysterious teen boy running barefoot down the street. He gives chase, but can't figure out what the Tarzan-like character is doing. Nobody else seems to know either, and most don't take Roy seriously when he goes looking for answers.

But, then again, nobody can explain the mysterious events that are happening over at the construction site where the new Mother Paula's All-American Pancake House is about to be built. Things — really weird things — keep happening to delay the groundbreaking for this latest outpost of the fast-growing breakfast chain. There's
nothing like poisonous snakes released on the grounds or small alligators put in the porta-potties to bring development to a grinding halt.

You might be on to something if you think there is a connection between the barefoot boy and the Pancake House troubles. Then again, the filmmakers aren't trying to fool anybody. They're just trying to tell an enjoyable tale that carries an environmental message, which is exactly what they accomplish.

The environmental issue comes into play once it is discovered there are burrowing owls nesting on the same property where Mother Paula's is to be built. That sets up the usual conflict between crafty environmental do-gooders looking to save an endangered species and uncaring corporate suits wanting to turn a profit. It's an old story, but it works again.

A major part of the film's success can be credited to its young, but veteran, cast. Most of the actors, including Lerman ("The Butterfly Effect"), Brie Larson ("13 Going on 30") and Cody Linley ("Cheaper by the Dozen"), are quite likable. The one actor who isn't — and isn't supposed to be — is Eric Phillips, who does a very convincing job as school bully Dana Matherson.

The other members of the cast, the ones who can legally enjoy a shot of Buffett's Margaritaville tequila, are just as good. Luke Wilson, in particular, is good as the bumbling local police officer David Delinko.

Fittingly, Buffett turns up on screen playing a charismatic teacher. It will be interesting to see what Buffett's loyal "Parrothead" fans think of the singer's acting chops. I'm guessing the reviews will be favorable.

[LIPH]

Fittingly, Buffett turns up on screen playing a charismatic teacher. It will be interesting to see what Buffett's loyal "Parrothead" fans think of the singer's acting chops. I'm guessing the reviews will be favorable.

I think he should keep his day (or night ) job.

[regalis]

Most of you have taken the moral high ground and have written letters and posts in an "adult manner", me not so much.

I pretty sure that "critic" is a POOPIE HEAD! I know, I know, you might say "captain, please watch your language", but that's just the kind a guy I am, I let it fly and if I'm sensored I sensored.

Hurrrah!!!!!!!!! You know I looked over some of the reviews, and they are just poopie. I plan on seeing it tonight, but this reminds me of when chicken little came out. People were so ready to trash it, instead of seeing it for what i was, a fun film designed for kids and those of us who never grew up.

I suspect its the same syndrome here.



Cliff

[SharkOnLand]

I'm wondering what Ebert will say about it.

[CaptainRRK]

I'm wondering what Ebert will say about it.

"Buffett?, I thought this was about a BUFFET!, I'm outta here"

[ToplessRideFL]

Now see..... this is what I am talking about.... this guy gets it. Its a simple family movie. A 2 hr break of feel good emotions....

So many of the critics just try to see it for more than it isn't!

[CaptainRRK]

Now see..... this is what I am talking about.... this guy gets it. Its a simple family movie. A 2 hr break of feel good emotions....

So many of the critics just try to see it for more than it isn't!

Exactly, they didn't set out to make an Academy Award winning movie. I heard Will Shirner interviewed yesturday on RM and he was saying that it's on the same level as The Sandlot, Goonies, and other great young movies that have stood the test of time. In 15 years people are going to flip through MI3 on HBO but they'll see Hoot and stop to watch.

[ToplessRideFL]

In 15 years people are going to flip through MI3 on HBO but they'll see Hoot and stop to watch.

Agreed... I think its ageless...

[trojan_sixtyone]

After hearing the interview with Shriner, you have to like the effort and attention the put into this film even if it's not a masterpiece. I can, however, see it being this generation's "Sandlot". Not many people's favorite movie, but one that will be remembered by everyone in that generation that has seen it.

Also, after receiving a few requests, here is the text of the email I sent to Mr. Villarreal this morning:

I never expected Hoot to be a masterpiece, but at least I went into it with an open mind. Sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder in regard to Jimmy Buffett long before the movie ever came out:

An already horrid kids-save-the-environment drama, adapted from the Carl Hiaasen novel, "Hoot," is made even worse by all the Jimmy Buffett music. If you didn't hate his work already, this stuff will convince you.

What's so bad about Jimmy Buffett, anyway? Were you the kid that was raised by Parrotheads and has spent his entire life rebelling against everything Buffett has come to represent? I know a few people of whom this scenario is true, and they make statements eerily similiar to the one I just quoted from your review.

I'm pretty sure it's clear where I stand on this subject--I'm a devout Parrothead. I respect your opinion and the fact that you feel this is not a good film (I would agree with that, even though I really enjoyed the book). However, when I read your review I was a little surprised to see it was a piece designed more to trash and poke fun at Jimmy Buffett than anything to do with the film itself. Buffett has the reputation of being a money-grubbing pirate, but I can assure you money is not the reason this movie was made. This is something he believed in, based on a book by a friend he has faith in. This wasn't like a traditional New Line production designed to s*** every penny out of every single viewer they can.

There's nothing worse than a film review that is too self-righteous to take into account the context in which the film is supposed to be seen. Hoot was not supposed to win an Oscar, or set a new standard of filmmaking. It was made to be a true translation of the book (which it is, right down to the "lookee hee's" and so on) and to be a good movie for kids--even to be able to teach them something about looking out for the little guys, and for taking care of the world they live in. Watching the film with that in mind, it's much more tolerable. Taking it seriously will surely result in reviews like your own. It certainly isn't a good movie by standards of other films, but in the context it's intended it's a nice little film.

Basically, it's nothing personal, I just woke up feeling a little self-righteous myself (it's finals week here in college, after all) and thought I owed it to my hero to stick up for him. A Parrothead is nothing if not loyal.

Thanks for your time,
Z. Cato

PS: Don't give up on Buffett--a Buffett show is the most exciting show in America!



And he responded promptly with this response:

Zach, I definitely see where you were coming from. My story wasn't written in anger, just in good fun. Thanks for reading, take care and check out my blog, philmguy.com

[spucketts]

Remember, most critics only like movies about gay cowboys eatting pudding.

[trojan_sixtyone]

Remember, most critics only like movies about gay cowboys eatting pudding.

Critics may, but the Bible Belt sure as hell doesn't. Trust me--I live in the middle of it. It's like being in Hell, but with a more temperate climate.

[comemonday]

.....And he responded promptly with this response:

Zach, I definitely see where you were coming from. My story wasn't written in anger, just in good fun. Thanks for reading, take care and check out my blog, philmguy.com

I thought it was weird spelling film the ph way, til I realized his name was Phil!

[moog]

Oh for crying out loud either see it or don't. A large percent of the population has a short attention span and will not care about structure and the so called message in any movie. As soon as they hit the parking lot the audience won't recall what they just blew money on. Hence the same rehashed crap that gets released. Im not saying Hoot is like this but............

..........I can wait till it hits pay tv.

[CaptainRRK]

Remember, most critics only like movies about gay cowboys eatting pudding.

Oh my god that just made me lauph out load.

[FINSUPinIdaho]

Critics are not the same as everyday people. They totaly loved "Goodnight and Good Luck", well the title of that turd should have been "Good night and thanks for the money sucker" because it put me right to sleep. I am sure Hoot had no intentions of going for an Oscar to begin with, go have fun and dont listen to the 300lb popcorn eating critics...