MovieChat Forums > The Spoils of Babylon (2014) Discussion > Wow. Are more people negative because it...

Wow. Are more people negative because it's easier? Fu$king hilarious.

posted 10 years ago by jlleonar-1
26 replies | jump to latest

I have a thesis: People are drawn to negative criticism as a natural response to anything, even fantastic shows such as this one because it's not only easier for their simple thought processes, but it also elicits an inflated sense of one's self immediately making their feeble existences seem somehow elevated and meaningful, if only to themselves. This board exemplifies this theory perfectly.

This show was *beep* hilarious. A-list stars wielding a highly entertaining satirical masterpiece. I had never even heard of this show before watching O Brother Where Art Thou on previously. This show knocked my fu$king sox off, the overindulged stares, Tim Robbins, the noir themed over the topness, Val Kilmer... overelongated dialogue...

Do you people actually try and take this show seriously? I just want to know, because if so I pity your existances.

[–] kjwilliamslcsw 10 years ago

Totally agree, thank you.

I think I am taking all of this rather well.

[–] revrick6969 10 years ago

Freaking hilarious. Sometimes satire and sarcasm are over the heads of the common TViewer. I love this show. The sex scene between Lady Jane and Devon was reminiscent of Team America: World Police.

[–] Judger 10 years ago

Although there are some satirical elements, this falls primarily in the classification of parody.

I like that the humor is sometimes flat out absurd, such as Lady Anne's ridgid composure and giving a serious explanation of Adam Smith's view of the role of the banking system while your sister comes on to him.

I was born in the house my father built

[–] darkzero 10 years ago

I knew it was supposed to be a parody/comedy from the first preview I saw. In fact I was looking forward to it and wanted to like it. I just don't find the jokes and humor funny or clever at all. It just seems mailed-in and too satisfied with itself to really be funny.

To see the only real monster, one must only look in the mirror.

[–] ccorraliza 10 years ago

The dry humour is lost on everyone else. It is more of a guffaw type than LOL. Reminds of the type of humor one experiences in watching Mystery Science Theater. Or as was stated in another thread one needs to be familiar with the mini-series epidemic of the 1970s to appreciate the parodies in this one.

[–] darkzero 10 years ago

Curious that you mention MST3K, because that show made me laugh out loud more than any show or movie I've ever seen.

The humor in this seems more concerned with trying to convince you it is funny than actually being funny, and, as a result, is NOT funny. Most of the jokes have been done before - better.

To see the only real monster, one must only look in the mirror.

[–] ccorraliza 10 years ago

I mentioned Mystery Science Theater because the film where they did the usual peanut gallery comments regarding This Island Earth aired earlier today and I found it humorous like Spoils of Babylon but not rip roaring laughter.

I agree Spoils of Babylon can appear as if forcing the humor. Good point.

[–] jlleonar-1 10 years ago

I also Like Mystery Science. Yeah I don't know about the mannequin either, or Toby McGuire in something funny, he's just not funny. I was making a general statement about the people commenting on the show more than anything. Please, get rid of the mannequin....

[–] BelleCBelle 10 years ago

This was such a witty satire (I think a sweet homage as well) of the awful mini-series of the 70's and 80's that we all watched, as well as the TV dramas of the day that were so bad they were campy fun. But if you weren't part of that time, didn't experience those events in the context of the day, with all the media hype, talk at work and among friends and family...there was a time in my life when TV did play a part, even though I worked full time, was married, had a social life and read a lot. Perhaps some of the people who don't like Spoils weren't around or old enough to watch the shows of the 70's and 80's. Alas for them, they never saw Soap!

Human Rights: Know Them, Demand Them, Defend Them

[–] palgraf 10 years ago

BelleCBelle
You've said EVERYTHING I was going to say. I can see the blank stares of younger folk who didn't experience all of that mini-series trash, based upon sordid novels and over-the-top tv show crap we used to eat up like candy in the 70's and 80's. Ah, Dynasty... The bitch slaps... I played that scene a thousand times - remember anxiously awaiting the next cat fight between Alexis and Krystal... Sure, there were problems, but myself and my friends LOVED this show. It was just enough eps - anymore and it would have been too much. Kristen Wiig was f'ing hilarious. Devooooooooooooooooooooooooon!

[–] masterofallgoons 10 years ago

"The dry humour is lost on everyone else. It is more of a guffaw type than LOL."

Maybe you should try to look up a word before you use it.

[–] dhnia 10 years ago

"The dry humour is lost on everyone else. It is more of a guffaw type than LOL."

Maybe you should try to look up a word before you use it.

That made me LOL!

Grr...Argh!! Bad Robot!

[–] Stoshie 10 years ago

In addition to what you said, people tend to express negative opinions more vehemently than they do positive ones. Negativity draws out more emotion in them, and they need to express themselves more than people with positive emotions do.

Just check any thread about any show or movie here, and you will find haters. If you like something, just ignore them. They rarely add anything of value to any discussion.

[–] alexkky 10 years ago

In more than amusing hommage to marx brothers type comedy, The Spoils Of Babylon wins largely because star cast. Seeing main protagonist making love to a mannequin would be enough for a Tim and Eric sketch, but you just can't keep a straight face, watching Tobey Maguire do that, or say, Tim Robbins spitting while talking, or Val Kilmer being Val Kilmer. It's an SNL sketch, 30's themed. Is what I'm saying. Is it good? ...I think? Maybe. Def worthwhile though, but only if dead-pan is your cup of tea

[–] mickeyesbbeck 10 years ago

This isn't to be taken seriously. People are stupid to not see that. It's a joke, a parody.

The only thing that ruins it for me is Jessica Alba. She is hot, but the acting is to much like everything else we see her in. The other actors are acting different then their other roles. But that's me.

[–] tseybert 10 years ago

She was funny in the slapping scene.

Janet! Donkeys!

[–] mickeyesbbeck 10 years ago

I loved that. And her walking around in the black teddy.

[–] Elkay12 10 years ago

Yes, I agree, it was hilarious.

[–] htownsteve 10 years ago

I love this show!!! I grew up with the 70's miniseries, so maybe that's why. I think it's pure genious.
(Plus, I did a lot of acid back in the day........)

Son, you can't polish a turd

[–] MycroftHolmes 10 years ago

"Time is measured in work, and also on clocks and watches, but mostly work" This show cracks me up!

What we have here is failure to communicate!

[–] cactusjac2000 10 years ago

I liked it more than I thought I would. It's a great showcase for Kristen Wiig, and she held the thing together. There are some stretches early on that seem to be straight up homage as opposed to parody, but there's enough silliness to make up for them. And sparse use of Will Ferrell is always a plus.

I saw it all at once, so that may have helped. I'm not surprised that a lot of folks didn't get it.