MovieChat Forums > The China Syndrome (1979) Discussion > Lame

Lame

posted 19 years ago by git011
9 replies | jump to latest

This movie is a trite, loosely constructed, and stereotypical right down to the manaical money grubbing villain boss who'll do anything to keep the money rolling in. I hated it and thought the only redeeming qualities were Jack Lemmon and Wilford Brimley. Fonda is her usual self, which is to say flat, and the only thing interesting about Michael Douglas' in it is he is sporting a pretty neat looking beard. Absolutely nothing cinematically interesting, and the last shot of the film...pricelessly vapid. Someone (probably producer and costar Douglas) decided they were going to make a "real message movie" off the heels of a masterfully great film like NETWORK, but unfortunately the financing came thru before a good script existed. Truly a fart in the wind.

" How 'bout that dipper, Bob?"
ONE EYED JACKS, 1961.

[–] rhinestone_sunglasses 19 years ago

wow, you're a rough one. I haven't seen all of Network but I thought what I saw of it was pretty lame myself. I think that special effects are overrated and it's sometimes more effective just to show something not scary which in your mind can become very scary. This is one of the best movies I have ever seen--I really enjoy those scary corporate movie things. I agree with you about Fonda's performance...but I understand that her role was originally for Richard Dreyfuss and I think it gets better the more times you watch it. You're quite right about M.D.'s beard. I wonder if he can still grow one.

P.s. a lot of the lines were corny...

Don't cross-examine me in the rain. I'll be there. Wet. But I'll be there.--Glenda Jackson, A Touch of Class.

[–] git011 19 years ago

Yeah. I was pretty rough...i guess i was just supremely disappointed. But, to each their own, ya know?

" How 'bout that dipper, Bob?"
ONE EYED JACKS, 1961.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] rhinestone_sunglasses 19 years ago

it didn't matter to me, it still had a spooky impact. One of my favorite movies.

If you don't have a date, celebrate go out and sit on the lawn and do nothing-Fiona Apple

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] LisaLisa85 17 years ago

You forgot the other 0?? Should have been 10/10?? It's not so bad that it deserves a 1/10 rating. One of the best movies I've ever seen. Yes, it does look a bit dated now, and of course the nuclear industry and TV news have changed a great deal over the years, but I thought this film was excellent!

[–] TVFreak1010 8 years ago

This movie is a trite, loosely constructed, and stereotypical right down to the manaical money grubbing villain boss who'll do anything to keep the money rolling in.

So you've never heard of Kenneth Lay of Enron, who referred to himself and his pals as "the smartest guys in the room"? He was later arrested on 11 counts of fraud.

How about Martin Shkreli, who, at the helm of Turing Pharmaceuticals bought the license for Daraprim, which is an important antimalarial drug - then proceeded to raise the price from $13.50 per pill to $750 per pill. He was eventually arrest for securities fraud.

Or maybe Don Blankenship of Massey Energy whose violation of safety regulation resulted in the deaths of 29 miners in 2010.

How about BP's Tony Hayward who ignored safety issues, which led to:
- a 2005 explosion in Galveston Texas, which killed 15 and injured 170.
- a massive 2006 pipeline spill in Alaska that damaged 16 miles of lines.
- the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and subsequent spill that resulted in 11 people being missing and 4.9 million barrels worth of oil ending up in the ocean.
- He received a $1.6 million payout when he quit as CEO.

Finally, you have Shigehisa Takada, who ignored known issues with their airbags that have since resulted in 11 deaths and many injuries to to defects.

That doesn't even include all the poor evil generated from China, including lead paint or date rape drugs in toys, poor building standards that have resulted in collapses and harsh labor standards that boarder on indentured servitude.

Trust me, the movies have nothing on real life.

[–] samoanjoes (50972) 6 years ago

I disagree but you are entitled to your opinion.