Mother, May I Sleep with Treacher?

I think ND is very likeable. An underdog that doesn't know it. Too bad the writers of the movie didn't bother to come up with a plot that would have made the entire movie watchable.

Ebert has lost a lot lot lot of weight, but that fact does not make your brilliant evocation of Napoleon and his movie any less true.

I HATED Napoleon Dynamite. For me, this movie- and moreso its popularity- marked the final transition from humor being irony to humor being absolute non-sequitur crap. Not that the non-sequitur can't be pulled off well (the Cartoon Network's Aqua Teen Hunger Force is brilliant), but the characters in ND were boring and the pacing was so slow you'd think it was an artsy Bergman film.

If ND is funny, then so is everything- the essence of this movie is that it's funny precisely because it isn't. Which is pretty much the death of humor.

Say it ain't so, Treacher.

Good one. Movie reviews I disagree with piss me off to no end. War, anti-war, whatever - but a negative review of a film I like sends me of the deep end.

Antigone, the pacing was used as a device - it heightened the punch when things did happen. A change in facial expression by Pedro probably wouldn't make me laugh if it was in the middle of a car chase.

Um, Antigone, Jim didn't say whether the movie is funny or not.

Hubris-

I realize that. I don't think it worked. I think if you're going for the non-sequitur, faster pacing is more effective.

Brian-

You win this round, my friend. But the battle is FAR FROM OVER.

It looks like you have some trouble with the real joys of life, Mr. Treacher.

Eating oneself spheric is clearly the finest imaginable pleasure, and the definitive evidence that Mr. Ebert is a gourmet and connaisseur that woud impress even Mr. Jean Kerry.

Bye

Antigone,

I guess it's just a matter of opinion. But we can all agree Ebert likes to eat, and I think that's the point Jim was really bringing home here.

To me, it wasn't so much that it was funny because it wasn't funny... it was funny because it made me laugh. I like Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and I like Napoleon Dynamite.

Pacing? Plot? Pull out the stick, GOSH! Go watch Friends and let the rest of us enjoy what we want. [heavy sigh] IDIOT!

"Pacing? Plot? Pull out the stick, GOSH! Go watch Friends and let the rest of us enjoy what we want. [heavy sigh] IDIOT!"

Ew. I guess if you found Napoleon Dynamite funny, you probably would enjoy Friends.

Oh, wait. I think you were saying that only VERY SMART people found ND funny, so people who aren't VERY SMART should go watch Friends. Well, you've got me there, Treacher. I'm going to go make some poo poo and gay jokes.

And I do like Friends SO THERE!!!!

Hey, Antigone, your mom goes to college!

Actually, the Liger is a real animal:

http://www.sierrasafarizoo.com/animals/liger.htm

"I'm going to go make some poo poo and gay jokes."

Why don't you go eat a decroded piece of crap!

I didn't like the movie, but I like it now because of you! You broke it down for me, Jim. Sweet.

Even better, now you can get your Napolean Dynamite quote fix with ease...

Flash » Napoleon Dynamite Soundboard
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/ndsound.php

Shut up, Dad.

I was going to link to this post with a remark that you had managed to simultaneously defend the movie and write a perfect parody of an obsessive film fan's rant but I realized that that would spoil the whole thing, so I didn't.

off topic comment on another comment from a different spot: "The Badger" was the best comic! I didn't think anyone even remembered it.

That Friends slam was uncalled for, Treacher! I shake my comfort-comedy fist at you!

Antigone: Now that you have (wisely) surrendered the point and (frighteningly) promised continued enmity, I will talk about comedy pacing with you, you lucky person.

Here is one way in which the Comedy Of Non-Sequitur can be helped by slow pacing. The nonsense image appears. At first, the viewer is convinced that it must have some bearing on what went before. After a beat, it becomes clear that it does not. But wait, this is a movie - it *has* to have some bearing! Another beat. Nope. It doesn't. Hm. Non-sequitur! A beat. I will laugh now.

I'm not saying that this is the only way to deal with non-sequitur; merely one way.

Do not dispute me. I am a director. OK, it's only community theatre, but still.

I thought Napolean was searching for his special skill. He kept claiming this skill or that skill but finally found what he did really well when he danced his ass off in front of the school.

Like Odysseus he was on a quest. A quest beseiged on many fronts but completed because of his singular focus.

Or not.

Definitly with Treach on this one. Maybe because I had to live it myself to understand.

N.Bonaparte was ironically funny as well as most uncomfortable to watch as it hit in some respects close to home.

Overall, I liked it a bunch but then again, I'm a freak.

Mr Ebert needs to regain his sense of humor. Oh! Wait, he never had one in the first place.

Well, and don't forget taming that wild honeymoon stallion for his brother and his new bride. And all the hardwork he put in to perfecting his tetherball skills.

Napoleon is coolness personified.

That was awful. I was sent here from a website and I think the guy who did has mental problems. Who cares what you think or have to say. Roger Ebert is ten times the man you could ever hope to be. So he didn't like a stupid movie that you did, deal with it. You probably weigh 200 pounds heavier and can't get laid. Roger has gotten tons of chicks and you are just jealous of that fact. Creep. Bastard. War Machine.

DEAN from Death Valley Driver . COM is a reject loser and shouldn't be making stupid ass links to this here place. I'll kill ya.

Dean from DeathValleyDriver.com is a big retard. Can you believe he actually thought this was funny? That Dean and his monkey bride are choad smoking Be-Atches.

Dean is a smellboy. He's a big fag with a monkey bride. He's done anal, the sickie. Dean is so gross.

His stupid Smackdown reviews are so gay. He actually thinks he's funny, but he's just a gluten head. Fucking shit for brains is what Dean is. Somebody shoot him.

Dean is so unfunny that he actually linked me to this here awful review. Hey Dean- YOU SUCK. Kill you.

Napolean Dynamite is for unfunny cow punchers.

What's with the Dean bashing? He is my hero and yours.

You're just jealous because Jim's been chatting online with babes all day.

This comment thread is funnier than the movie was.

Mind you, I only laughed twice during the movie.

For what it's worth, I like "Friends", too. I figure Joey and Chandler would be huge Napolean fans, but not Ross...everything about the movie would bring up more pain than he could handle. Rachel and Monica would laugh at Napolean, while Phoebe would laugh with him, and probably even declare he was waaaay hot.

I liked the movie better when it was called Gregory's Girl.

Funny, clever movie that showed that nerds and geeks don't have to finish last all the time. I liked it a lot and don't need anyone to explain to me why I really didn't.

I am glad I am not the only one squirming at adam sandler, ....... ewwwww........

I havent looked at this napolean thing yet ...... but sandler. I don't know what it is about him, but I SQUIRM.

maybe its because I can see the real him beneath the smile, and I feel him coming at us with a knife with an evil glint in my eye. "LIKE MY FALSE SMILE OR I WILL GET YOU" ... shadows of rage lean over us as he carefully acts the fool while eyeing our purses for film admittance dollars.

People only go to the films because they are terrified he will find out if they dont

shudders..... who knows.....

I saw this movie in a sneak preview. They did a whole bunch of them, you went to one, they gave you a T-shirt and bunch of passes for the next one, and if you showed up to three you got and a prize pack and junk. (My shirt says "Gimme your Tots!") I don't think this movie is for everyone, and I think that's why they marketed it initially they way that they did. It's definetly more of a "cult"ish film IMO. And since there is clearly not enough room in the cult for Mr Ebert, maybe he should have spent his time reviewing some other peice of high quality cinema like Van Helsing or Alexander.

I want your shirt, Shinobi.

Wow, got kind of ugly in here. Haven't seen a thread this nasty in a while. Wow.

I think that Napleon Dynamite ROCKS! I have no hell of an idea what you guys are saying that Adam Sandler makes you squirm?? please fill me n on this one! Bacause personally I think thay he is hottest man alive!! lol!! haver fun being fuckers

"Yeah, he's got a ways to go, but he's dedicated to his craft. You know, making art? Not squeezing into a movie-theater seat and whining about it?"

Excuse me? Do the Words "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" mean nothing to you?

The movie reminded me way to much of my High School experience. I hope never to need to relive those days again.

ND is cultish and I don't want to be in any cult with that friggin Roger Egert.

Jim I think there is greater divide in this country than red states vs blues states. There are those who love and get ND and those who sadle don't.

The funniest part of the movie was the wedding scene after the credits.

you all are stupid rejects. the movie is great without having to look deep to find a plot.

Loved Ghost World and Freaks and Geeks, liked Welcome to the Dollhouse and Rushmore and this came across as a pale imitation. A few brilliant scenes but it doesn't work as a whole.

Pedro for President.

It's not often that Tigerpundit ventures off topic, so I thought I'd come over and see what he was blogging about. I know nothing about your site here, but the turn your comments have taken makes me very curious. Needless to say: I think ND is a fab movie, no deep-level dissection needed. I guess some viewers just don't have that inner geek.

napoleon was a good movie and i like eggs