'The Postman' Kevin Costner

I_Like_Plants · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 7:37 am Post subject: 'The Postman' Kevin Costner

You know, that Dancing With Wolves guy.

Anyway, it was about $12 for the DVD and it was recommended by a friend I think a lot of, so I got it and watched it.

It's a pretty good movie, well worth getting, and has some interesting ideas in it. I have heard it was originally a book so now I want to get the book. I don't think people would have as contrived, "biker" looking clothes, and I'm dismayed that at the end, the happy ending seems to be that people can go back to a corporate lifestyle, as evidenced by the microphone, schmaltzy statue/memorial of The Postman, and everyone's Lacoste polo shirt.

I do think people like the Holnists are possible, since it's the basic marauder model as exercised by people like Alexander, Ghenghis, etc. And Holnist type ideas are sure widespread.

The regular people seem to be farmers/hunters/gatherers and the Holnists aspiring Empire builders, hence the Holnists' emphasis on race, while the regular people are not shown caring about race. When 90% of the population dies off, race is not going to matter to most people. Just as, hunter/gatherers have historically not cared about race, the Native Americans welcoming runaway slaves and whites alike who wanted to live with them - if you could hack it, why not? It was a problem even Ben Franklin griped about. Apparently it's at the nation-state, or "Empire" level that race becomes an issue, and the Holnists are as wound up about it as David Duke's followers are now. If we have a downfall like the type the movie alludes to, we'll have regular people just trying to get by, and groups like the Holnists for sure.

One thing that gets me is how well-fed the townspeople and Holnists alike are, of course it's probably impossible to find actors who aren't well-fed and plump in the US. And how'd they make mule meat come out grey? Mysteries, mysteries. The movie is worth a look though.

stu · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:21 am Post subject:

This movie is awful.

There are only a few movies I've ever walked out of and this is one of them.

It looks like one big vanity project from Kevin Costner. The bit that done it for me was the quote that you can find in the top 10 worst film quotes of all time.

http://www.filmsite.org/worstquotes.html
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uNkNowN ElEmEnt · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 9:04 am Post subject:

I liked it and in fact, bought it. I thought it was the most realistic portrayal of post-modern everyday life that Hollywood has ever done. Yes there are the usual "Hollywood-ish" elements like the story coming full circle with the statue but those are easy to ignore since they are such small parts.

stu · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 9:12 am Post subject:

I just couldn't stand it coz it came across as a vanity project from Costner.
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uNkNowN ElEmEnt · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 9:18 am Post subject:

I think after dances with wolves and robin hood which brought himbig time there was probably a big push to make movies 'for him'. I hate how they do that, it seems that is all Julia Roberts does these days too. Fame really can kill an actors career.

MicroHydro · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Apr 10, 2005 Posts: 1286

The book by David Brin was better
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EdF · Heavy Crude Joined: May 08, 2005 Posts: 189

You should definitely read the book, by David Brin. Infinitely better than the movie.

- Ed

stu · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 11:10 am Post subject:

uNkNowN ElEmEnt · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 11:44 am Post subject:

Battlefield earth was one I walked out of (it was only on video mind you but I never finished it) Watching Costner in Waterworld was another perfect example. What a bad movie. It was so full of holes it wasn't funny.

I think I'd like to read The Postman and see what it was supposed to be like before hollywood got ahold of it. Might even get more of the post-apopalyptic life style than I did from the movie.

I_Like_Plants · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 2:34 am Post subject:

I'm on the lookout for the book, the book is always better than the movie!

Budmeister · Tar Sands Joined: Mar 12, 2005 Posts: 37

The Postman by David Brin
Smile

I'm a huge fan of James Axler's, The Deathlands series, but blowing away rad-blasted mutants, kill or be killed, eat or be eaten, is probably not everybodies cup of tea.
Laughing

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pstarr · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:07 pm Post subject:

I am so sick of people automatically hating Cosner. WTF is all I have to say. Postman was a fine, simple post-apocolyptic science fiction movie. Yes the book was much better. Who cares? The Bible is better than the Passion of Christ. Who cares? Dancing With Wolves was a wonderful movie. It, along with Little Big Man, educated me and many other normal, non-movie-critic fancypants about the validity of the Native American experience. Sorry that I am not a anthropologist. Field of Dreams is a beautiful movie. It is lyrical, beautifully shot, and wonderfully acted. Who cares if you don't like Cosner. Cosner is fun to hate. Big deal.

oh I hate cosner. I must be smart. wow look at me. I hate cosner. fancy me!

pete
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felixdz · Tar Sands Joined: Aug 19, 2005 Posts: 20

Link to David Brin's own review:

http://www.davidbrin.com/postmanmoviearticle.html

I think its not as bad as the Critics say. The American Flag waving in it anoys a lot of Non-Americans. We tend to be less sentimental and more cynical. Except when it comes to national football teams.

(I don't mean that last disrespectfully. Talking generally not specifically.)

evilmonkeyspanker · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 2:50 am Post subject: Re: "The Postman" Kevin Costner

Top ten worst lines ever AY

"They make take our lives, but they will never take our freedom!"

Now that was a great quote.

Revi · Fusion Joined: Apr 25, 2005 Posts: 3111 Location: Maine

I bought it from a video store that was going out of business. I really liked it! The Postman is the perfect post-apocalypse doomer movie. So what's not to like?