Ready? OK!--Bad Criticism: Someone Didn't Like the Movie

[spicedogs]

I can't beleive it. Someone actually gave a bad review. Usually, I am not shocked at that, because taste is taste.  But it is a bit uncanny, since this movie has been so widely accepted everywhere. Of course, the author seemed to have disliked most, if not all the movies in the Outfest.

I won't bore you with all the other reviews, you can click on the source link to see them. Here's what he wrote about Ready? OK!

Ready? OK! Filling the slot in Outfest’s traditional Young Gay Coming of Age Film category is director James Vasquez’s cheerful but utterly generic comedy about a young lad who dreams not of being on the school football team but of becoming a cheerleader. And why not? He is a peppy young lad who knows his batons from his pom- poms. Eventually, horrified and disgusted mom (prissy Carrie Preston, extra starch) comes to grips with her son’s choices, assisted by a kindly gay neighbor (Michael Emerson). The film’s moral lessons are essentially undermined by the stock characters and creaky sitcom atmosphere – and it doesn’t help that the neighbor is unintentionally far creepier than he needs to be. Except for Tara Karsian, as the boy’s narrow-minded school principal, this is a humdrum effort. (PB) (Fri., 7 p.m., Fairfax; also Sat., July 19, 11:30 a.m., Fairfax)

SOURCE:   LAcitybeat.com



 

  

Comments

[benobsessed.livejournal.com]

This makes me slightly angry (it may have something to do with the pain in my joints right now and it being 2.20 am but hey) First off, its not a constructive criticism at all, secondly- there's another sodding MRE creepy reference going on. WTF!

*strings the author up and cattle prods them*

[greyrider.livejournal.com]

Get 'em, sista!

Can we petition to ban the word "creepy" in reference to MRE? Please!

Sorry you are awake with pain. *pats*

[benobsessed.livejournal.com]

We can start a petition if ya like LOL

Thanks hun

[greyrider.livejournal.com]

"prissy Carrie Preston, extra starch"

What movie did this person see? Can't be the same film I saw.

"and it doesn’t help that the neighbor is unintentionally far creepier than he needs to be"

What creepy? The character was sweet and funny. Someone's been watching too much "Lost" and can't keep the Ben out of their heads for the new role. I suppose that's the price of doing something really well, but no way was MRE creepy (I hate that word now) in this role.

I'd like the person to pinpoint the scenes that bothered them. *grumbles* Man, I hope CP and MRE don't see this. As a director, James might get something out of it, but I can't see anything but bad vibes coming from it for the actors. *grumbles more*

[spicedogs.livejournal.com]

Awful.

[mr-henry-gale.livejournal.com]

What?!

I'm thinking the reviewer's probably another one of those silly people who can't get over the fact that someone who plays Ben as deliciously ambiguous (and, okay, maybe sometimes a little creepy) as Michael could ever play real, nice characters for a change...

[spicedogs.livejournal.com]

Amazing, isn't it?

[goaliepam.livejournal.com]

Awww...that is a bummer of a review. Hardly a review really. More just like "Hey...here's my opinion and I'm critic so listen to me!" Obviously saw a different movie than I saw in San Diego. I saw a really well written movie that tells a story of a family and a mom who comes to terms with the fact that her son probably isn't going to be the captain of the football team and hey, thats okay. And how the reviewer got "creepy" out Mr. Emerson's performance in this film is beyond me. Sounds like he got a summary of the film and said "Oh that guy from LOST? Must be creepy". Oh well...I've still got my tickets for Friday night's showing.

[spicedogs.livejournal.com]

I am asking anybody who saw the movie to reply to this jerk.

[shalimar77777.livejournal.com]

Just FYI - I haven't even heard of this little rag. Looks like just another LA Weekly wannabe. They'll be out of business in about two seconds, watch. LOL.

[spicedogs.livejournal.com]

I hope so.

[shalimar77777.livejournal.com]

I'll probably go to the site and give this guy a beatdown tomorrow. He deserves it.

[shalimar77777.livejournal.com]

Huh. This is so weird. The principal in the movie was in there for, like, two minutes. This person sounds like another cynical asshole, IMO. At the very least, the kid in the movie was amazing. How he can even skip past that is beyond me.

And the creepy reference...what an ass. Let's start a "Michael Emerson is not creepy" petition and agree that the next person that uses that word in reference to him gets a beatdown. It's getting old already.

[spicedogs.livejournal.com]

Amen

[goaliepam.livejournal.com]

Quick to dive on my sword for the movie, I have already posted my two cents which reads as follows:

"Ready? OK!" is sweet film, well written, and was completed on a budget that would be less than what is spent on craft services for a hour long drama. The reviewer, Mr. Birchall, apparently took the cast list of the film and immediately said "Oh, its that guy from LOST. I must use the adjective 'creepy' to describe him." There is nothing 'creepy' about the character in the film OR the actor, Michael Emerson. The review of "Ready? OK!" reads like someone who has taken the log line of the film and wrote a paragraph around it without actually viewing the film at all. "Ready? OK!" has incredible acting performances from the entire cast - Carrie Preston, John Preston, Lurie Poston, and Michael Emerson - through out the entire movie.


Its probably not the most prolific paragraph I've written but hey...I was first to leave a comment. :)

[spicedogs.livejournal.com]

I love you.

(I have not seen the movie, yet. I will in October when it comes to Baltimore. Hence, I don't feel qualified to comment. But I will comment on the fact that Michael Emerson is not always playing creepy guys.)

Thanks.

[spicedogs.livejournal.com]

Here's my comment:




I have not seen "Ready?OK!" yet. Hence, I don't feel qualified to answer your negative review. However, all the reviews that I have read so far have been glowing. They all rave about the actors, especially Lurie Poston, whom you have not even mentioned. Have you seen the movie?

Also, I am so sick and tired of seeing Mr. Michael Emerson and any character that he plays being categorized as creepy. He was creepy in "The Practice," and he is creepy in "LOST." He is not creepy in "Jumping Off Bridges," and, from what I have seen of trailers and vignettes of this movie, he is NOT creepy in "Ready? OK!" Maybe you should look up the definition of creepy.

[benobsessed.livejournal.com]

You go girl! OMG I may have to reply to this jerk even though I haven't seen this movie

[melissaq9.livejournal.com]

You know I had to reply to that nonsense. Here is what I wrote.


I'm afraid I don't agree with your some what attacking review of Ready? OK! I was fortunate enough to see it when it came to the QCinema fest in Texas and was blown away. Not only was the acting phenomonal but the story was something I hadn't seen before so I don't understand you claiming it generic. Carrie Preston did a stand out job of portraying a single mother struggling to understand her son and Michael Emerson showed just how versatile he truly is by giving a character nothing like his previous roles. But it was Lurie Poston who made the movie. His honest portrayal had everyone in our theater in awe of him.

As for the movie feeling like a sitcom, this couldn't be farther from the truth. Yes, it did have an independant feel to it, but that is what it is. There were a number of shots that I found fantastic and the lighting was beautiful.

All in all, Ready? OK! is a sweet, humorous, and touching movie and James Vasquez did a remarkable job in creating it for everyone to enjoy.