Anyone else not get Napolean Dynamite?

[bif]

My daughter thinks it's one of the funniest movies ever.

[terrya]

1. I didn't either.

I didn't laugh once. A horrifically overrated movie. But, that was just my take.

[bif]

3. I don't think I even cracked a smile

[ghostsofgiants]

8. Watch it a second time.

Seriously, I didn't think it was funny at all the first time I saw it either. The second time I aw it, I couldnb't stop laughing.

[bif]

10. A second time?

My daughter watches it about ttwice a week! I just roll my eyes and leave the room.

[Cats Against Frist]

21. The first time I saw it, I didn't think it was funny, either

But the second time, I watched it with my 54-year-old father, who thinks it's one of the funniest things he's ever seen. That made it fucking hilarious. "Y'know, numb chucks skills, bow-hunting skills..."

[ghostsofgiants]

25. Computer hacking skills...

:P

[Shell Beau]

2. I didn't really care for it. Some funny parts, but what's the fuss

all about? My husband loved it too! I bought it thinking I would love it since there was such a fuss over it. Maybe I built it up too high before I watched it!

[ForrestGump]

4. Get it

Just didn't think it was especially funny or good.

To me, it was like an inside joke that, when you're in on it, is not funny.

And I love ironic humor.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. Unclever, uncomfortable, and unfunny.

Honestly, I expected a LOT more from this, given all the accolades. It was just fucking weird, and that comes from a guy that usually LIKES weird.

[patcox2]

6. I got it, and still think its not funny. That "weinerdog" movie was bette

way better, I forget the title, no, wait, it was "welcome to the dollhouse."

That was one good movie about the pain of growing up.

[jonnyblitz]

7. same for me, i got it and thought it mediocre..

"welcome to the dollhouse" WAS much better! :thumbsup:

[LostinVA]

9. Yup -- right on both counts

[alarcojon]

11. ditto

I think I "got" it in the sense that I understood what they were trying to do with it. I just didn't think it was clever or funny.

[bif]

17. I enjoyed Garden State

as far as growing up movies way better.

[ghostsofgiants]

27. I was really impressed with Garden State

I wasn't even really expecting to like it, and it ended up as my second favourite film of '04.

[WoodrowFan]

12. watched 1/2 hour, gave up.

the world's biggest :wtf: movie...

[Divameow77]

13. I thought it was funny

but I haven't gone gaga over it or anything.

I do catch myself quoting it occasionally though.

[Left Is Write]

14. So does my daughter.

I've never seen it, so I have no basis for an opinion.

[ET Awful]

15. I found parts of it mildly amusing. Nowhere near as hilarious as it

was hyped to be. I snickered a few times.

[HughBeaumont]

16. There's one theory I have about ND -

The people who grew up in small towns are more appreciative of the movie than people who grew up in large cities/urban areas . .. generally. It's because people knew at least one if not 3 characters from that movie growing up. It usually isn't like that in giant schools.

ND got too trendy too fast.

And Welcome to the Dollhouse WASN'T uncomfortable? I can't watch ANY Todd Solondz movie without having to scrape the slime of past experiences and just overall itchy feeling from the subject matter ("(sob) Would you fuck me, dad?") that I get from them.

[politicat]

18. Grew up in a small town.... a town much like ND's in fact....

And I didn't find it at all funny.

Overrated.

[CarpeDiebold]

19. i think you guys are trying too hard

what's not to get, GOSH!

FWIW i've seen the movei 10+ times and i crack up every time. i think it's just funny because. that's it. there's no rhyme or reason to it. it's either funny to you or it's not.

[Indy_Dem_Defender]

20. I think it's an average movie

nothing special, nothing bad, just a movie. With that said it falls under the category of "It's my *****, I personally discovered, It's underground, So I'm Cool, I think I own it" What I mean like bands and styles and stuff like that some people follow it strictly and try to make their's personally then get all bent out of shape and have a fit when it becomes big and mainstream. They then look down at newcomers to it like they are above them because they have to share now. Basically these are people who attach themselves to something because they don't have much of personality and just have issues in life.

[Loonman]

22. Funniest damn movie in a long time

Understated.

[jane_pippin]

23. I get it. I hate it, but I get it.

I'll elaborate if you want but since half the people on earth seem to love it, I'd rather leave it at that for now.

(Please note: If you actually do ask me to elaborate, be prepared for a swear filled rant. Fair warning).

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

26. Please elaborate.

:popcorn: :D

[jane_pippin]

29. Ha! Nice smileys there Vash. You're on the edge of your seat,

I just know it. For what? I'll pretend it's my opinion you're interested in and not the potential aftermath of it. :D

Lemme go have a smoke and collect my thoughts on our beloved Napoleon.

[jane_pippin]

31. Ok here's why:

While I can appreciate that we're probably due for some 80's/90's nostalgia, and I can understand why nerds/outcasts/weirdos/loners from these decades can make for unique and even charming characters one would want to root for and--sigh--identify with as an underdog on the old silver screen, I think this particular movie is over hyped and about as interesting as watching dust bunny tumbleweeds float around under my bed.

I thought it was little more than a boring string of catch phrases and tame weirdness for the sake of weirdness. Oooh, trapper keepers! I had one of those! Or Wow, a nerdy kid likes to draw weird pseudo-fantasy creatures! There was a kid like that at my school too! Amazing! And Aw, the weird mean nerd-king helped his friend? Nerds are special people, aren't they?

I don't know. I guess I can see why it's popular--it's quirky and strange and turns out ok in the end, if I remember correctly, so I suppose that means it's likable enough. I just thought that the movie Welcome to the Dollhouse did the same fucking thing but about a billion times better years earlier and if we're going to collectively flip out over the pains of being an awkward pre-teen/teen in the 80's/90's, why not flip out over a movie that really punches you in the gut and makes you laugh with the story instead of with a goofy phrase or two or a nostalgic prop? I guess that would be hard to market bedsheets and flip books for though, wouldn't it?

Whatever. It's just my opinion and as far as I'm concerned people should like whatever they want to like. I just fucking can't stand this movie. Maybe in 15 years when it's forgotten I can give it another chance and might like it. But for now, the hell with it.

Enjoy your popcorn. VTS. :hi:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

34. Well said.

That wasn't too popcorn worthy though. I stand disappointed. :D

[jane_pippin]

36. Yeah, I owe you one. However, a similar "rant" on the topic made a friend

of mine just lose it. What with the often volatile nature of DU, I thought I should prepare for an onslaught, just in case.

[Loonman]

24. Indie films usually make me throw up, too

But NP is very well written.

[GalleryGod]

28. I thought it was charming

After my students told me to watch it.
It beat a lot of schlock, DOA, alleged comedies out there.

:wtf: Who green-lighted this !@#$% !?!?:wtf:

[alkaline9]

30. I'm not 100% sure I get it... but it's mildly funny...

The first time I watched it (had bought it on DVD when it came out) I was like WTF?? Then I kinda forced myself to watch it again and it was a lot better. I find myself itching to watch it from time to time which is a good sign. There are some extremely funny parts to the movie... I think Napoleon's brother is the funniest character... and him with his online activities cracks me up every time!

I would have to rate it a "B"... It's not as funny as most Adam Sandler films, but it's better than most Rob Schneider films...

[Zookeeper]

32. My kids and I like it. Mr. Zookeeper hates it.

The first time I saw it in a theater, I wasn't sure if I liked it or not. (Nothing happens and it's not about anything.) But, I couldn't shake the desire to see it again. On second (and third) viewings, I have really enjoyed it.

Now, I do have a weird and (I think) fairly sophisticated sense of humor and I do view films very critically. ND falls into the category of a film that isn't great in a film making sense, but works (for some of us) anyway

My amateur film critic BIL also hated it.

As to ND's appeal: My best guess is that it's a movie about awkwardness. The characters are awkward, the situations are awkward, the silences are awkward. I recognize that in everyday life, so ND strikes me as funny and somewhat touching, despite the fact that I usually give a film points for form over content.

(HEY, bif! You're back! PM me and tell me what's up with you. :hi: )

[ernstbass]

33. I thought it was hilarious

[Fox Mulder]

35. It's dumb.

I'm 23 and I think it's a horrible movie. The only part I really laughed at is the part where Napolean's Uncle threw a steak in Napolean's face. That was it. The quotes people always quote are dumb as hell also.

In my view, one of the worst movies ever.

[Merrick]

37. If you liked this movie, you're a fucking idiot

WORST MOVIE EVER
oh wait, for a second I thought I was on the IMDB boards... sorry

actually, I loved it. Tina the goat rules.


"Tina, you fat lard! Come get some dinner!"

[last_texas_dem]

38. I think I got it

In the sense that I don't think it was incredibly "deep" or something like that and I don't think I was missing something... I just didn't think it was very funny. :-)

[Zambero]

39. With a shoestring budget it still made a lot more $ than Godzilla will

I still didn't get the movie however.

[richmwill]

40. No, I did not "get it"

It was a dumb, unfunny movie designed to create a bunch of "oh so cool catchphrases".

[timber84]

41. Laughed my ass off