Underknown And Underrated: Big Nothing

[Nergol]

So let me pitch my hat in the movie recommendations ring with Big Nothing, a movie that came and went basically unnoticed last year. It stars David Schwimmer (no, I haven't lost my mind - a movie starring a cast member of Friends is actually good) and Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz). Very, very dark comedy - and definitely not the sort of movie you should get if you don't have a taste for that kind of thing. But if you do, you'll like this one. Trust me.

[bettertomorrowamy]

I rented on Netflix.  It was ok.  Nothing special.

[Nergol]

See, I've heard that. I think it's one of those things where you have to really like that kind of humor to really like the movie. Like I said, you have to really enjoy dark comedy to like this movie. If you don't, you won't really care for it, and especially if you're expecting something more typically Simon Pegg-ish (or David Schwimmer-ish, for that matter).

[izatright]

Survive Style 5+ is, in my humble opinion, the best movie ever made.  But, strangely, only asian movie fans know what the heck it is.

[bettertomorrowamy]

See, I've heard that. I think it's one of those things where you have to really like that kind of humor to really like the movie. Like I said, you have to really enjoy dark comedy to like this movie. If you don't, you won't really care for it, and especially if you're expecting something more typically Simon Pegg-ish (or David Schwimmer-ish, for that matter).

I just didn't find any of the characters sympathetic.  I really didn't care what happened to them after about half way through.  Schimmer's character was especially annoying.  It was funny sometimes, just not funny enough I guess.

[Nergol]

Understood, bettertomorrow, but...

Some of my favorite stories have no likable characters in them. There isn't a single likable character in "A Confederacy of Dunces", and that's one of my favorite novels. It's hard to think of a really likable character in the whole Blackadder series. Or Black Books. Or Monkey Dust.

[Tripe]

Timmy's dad is ok in Monkey Dust, if a little suicidal.

[izatright]

It's hard to think of a really likable character in the whole Blackadder series.

You mean besides Balderick, Percy and Prince George?

[Tripe]

It's hard to think of a really likable character in the whole Blackadder series.

You mean besides Balderick, Percy and Prince George?

Idiot (aside from the first generation), Preening Idiot, Preening Supercilious Idiot

[stansimpson]

My former roommate rented it.  I walked in and watched 5mins of it.  After that, it got me depressed... AFTER ONLY 5MINS!!  The acting seemed very strong tho.

[izatright]

It's hard to think of a really likable character in the whole Blackadder series.

You mean besides Balderick, Percy and Prince George?

Idiot (aside from the first generation), Preening Idiot, Preening Supercilious Idiot

But done with gusto and believability.  And judging from their other acting gigs, it was all acting!  Those characters should go down as the best simpletons in the history of television.

[Tripe]

Oh absolutely but not exactly sympathetic.

[pyro]

I love dark comedies and am still immature enough to laugh at children being shot and old ladies getting hit by buses, but only found this movie so-so.

[bettertomorrowamy]

I love dark comedies and am still immature enough to laugh at children being shot and old ladies getting hit by buses, but only found this movie so-so.

Exactly, Schwimmer just doesn't have the screen presence (whatever that is, I guess charisma) to carry this movie.

[Nergol]

Timmy's dad is ok in Monkey Dust, if a little suicidal.

Well, I'm not quote sure feeling bad for someone is precisely the same as sympathizing with them...

Idiot (aside from the first generation), Preening Idiot, Preening Supercilious Idiot

Yeah, pretty much.

I would even go so far as to argue that there really isn't a very likable character in Red Dwarf. Kryten, well... can you really like anyone who's that much of a doormat?

After that, it got me depressed... AFTER ONLY 5MINS!!

Well, that's a dark comedy for you.

Exactly, Schwimmer just doesn't have the screen presence (whatever that is, I guess charisma) to carry this movie.

Yeah, but his character called for someone who was kind of a sad-sack schimazel, and that's what he delivered.