I don't know what to think. I think that because of the mispronunciations and the gross exaggerations that this was meant to be tongue in cheek.
I'd guess they would really have fun with someone like me who is just a bird photographer. Think of hauling all the gear, the waiting, missing shots, the waiting, fumbling with frozen fingers, the waiting, sweat in the eyes, the waiting.
I got a kick out of it. But if they'd have been making fun of bird photographers I might have to think twice about it... Naah, I'd still enjoy it. Heck, we even make fun or ourselves when we're out shooting.
I think this clip is pretty misleading in the same way that a lot of the advertisements for the movie itself were misleading. Basically, The Big Year is a sorta heart-warming tale about a couple guys finding contentment, and one guy losing it. Incidentally, it involved birding, but there wasn't a lot of birding humor in the movie. It was packed to be a rock n' roll comedy with Owen Wilson, Steve Martin and Jack Black, and I think a lot of people were expecting deliberate hilarity more along the lines of that SNL special a while back where Steve Carrell goes to a birding festival. A lot of people came in expecting the movie to be lots of fun. It turned out to just be nice and pleasant, which left most of the non-birders disappointed. Here this goofy clip is trying to brand it again as an out-n-out comedy, instead of the feel-good story it really is.
I love it! However,There's nothing funny about hothead utlra competitive know it all birders who think they are the all knowing expert on birds. Seriously guys,don't take your self to seriously, its bird watching,not the NBA allstars. No need to go all Michael Jordan on everyone.
After a day of thinking about it, and after showing it to my wife, who chuckled at it...I still don't feel much different. It was indeed funny, and there are some lines in there that may be repeated perpetually (kinda like Napoleon Dynamite). The character is actually freakin' hilarious. But it still portrays birders in such a non-representative and goofy way that I am concerned about how it might influence how non-birders view birders. Anyway. Whatever.
Hmm ... can't say I'm a fan. I found a few moments a bit funny, but it does not make me want to see the movie. I bet it would be entertaining to see the facial expressions of people watching this.
I haven't seen the movie yet, but was planning to order it at some point. Im not offended by the way this portrays birders and I do find it somewhat amusing. However, I do think as a marketing piece to try to sell the movie it is rather weak and ineffective. If you want to reach birders and nonbirders for that matter- do marketing that shows the triumph of birding...the fun, the thrill of seeing great birds, connecting with nature etc. This is an absurd effort to appeal to the lowest common demoninator by using a goofball everyone can laugh at. Ok yeah I laughed, but it doesn't really make me want to see your movie or tell me anything about it. Just my thoughts.
This could be even more evidence that Fox just has no idea what to do with The Big Year. While this would maybe be funny at an ABA conference where we could all laugh at ourselves, for the general public, this just seems to a) perpetuate some pretty lame stereotypes about birding and b) not represent at all the type of feel-good movie that The Big Year really is. So not only is Fox possibly failing to understand or represent birding (unlike the actual film, which does a decent job), they seem be failing at finding a way to sell a birding movie to nonbirders.
I agree that The Big Year is deserving of better. Nevertheless, parts of it were funny and I don't take offense. So many of my "non-birding" friends are inviting themselves along more and more at the mention of a walk through the arboretum or a drive to the lock and dam on the river to see the Bald Eagles fishing on the open water in winter. It does my heart good to know what began as a hobby and grew into a passion inspires others. I'm not worried.
To me, this is everything that we worried the movie would be.
ReplyDeleteI'm down with laughing at ourselves, but this is base mockery, and lame besides. Though I admit the mis-pronunciation of the cities was sort of funny.
I agree Nate. I'm so glad the movie was not like this.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to think. I think that because of the mispronunciations and the gross exaggerations that this was meant to be tongue in cheek.
ReplyDeleteI'd guess they would really have fun with someone like me who is just a bird photographer. Think of hauling all the gear, the waiting, missing shots, the waiting, fumbling with frozen fingers, the waiting, sweat in the eyes, the waiting.
Haha, yeah, I think it was done toungue-in-cheek. No offense taken. I thought it was pretty funny. Haha, Robin droppings. Eww.
ReplyDeleteI got a kick out of it. But if they'd have been making fun of bird photographers I might have to think twice about it... Naah, I'd still enjoy it. Heck, we even make fun or ourselves when we're out shooting.
ReplyDeleteI think this clip is pretty misleading in the same way that a lot of the advertisements for the movie itself were misleading. Basically, The Big Year is a sorta heart-warming tale about a couple guys finding contentment, and one guy losing it. Incidentally, it involved birding, but there wasn't a lot of birding humor in the movie. It was packed to be a rock n' roll comedy with Owen Wilson, Steve Martin and Jack Black, and I think a lot of people were expecting deliberate hilarity more along the lines of that SNL special a while back where Steve Carrell goes to a birding festival.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people came in expecting the movie to be lots of fun. It turned out to just be nice and pleasant, which left most of the non-birders disappointed. Here this goofy clip is trying to brand it again as an out-n-out comedy, instead of the feel-good story it really is.
I love it! However,There's nothing funny about hothead utlra competitive know it all birders who think they are the all knowing expert on birds. Seriously guys,don't take your self to seriously, its bird watching,not the NBA allstars. No need to go all Michael Jordan on everyone.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha....I loved it. It's tongue-in-cheek humor. Dry and funny...
ReplyDeleteI think it's supposed to be tongue in cheek, or at least dropping in mouth (gross). But I suspect it could have been better done.
ReplyDeleteAfter a day of thinking about it, and after showing it to my wife, who chuckled at it...I still don't feel much different. It was indeed funny, and there are some lines in there that may be repeated perpetually (kinda like Napoleon Dynamite). The character is actually freakin' hilarious. But it still portrays birders in such a non-representative and goofy way that I am concerned about how it might influence how non-birders view birders. Anyway. Whatever.
ReplyDeleteHmm ... can't say I'm a fan. I found a few moments a bit funny, but it does not make me want to see the movie. I bet it would be entertaining to see the facial expressions of people watching this.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the movie yet, but was planning to order it at some point. Im not offended by the way this portrays birders and I do find it somewhat amusing. However, I do think as a marketing piece to try to sell the movie it is rather weak and ineffective. If you want to reach birders and nonbirders for that matter- do marketing that shows the triumph of birding...the fun, the thrill of seeing great birds, connecting with nature etc. This is an absurd effort to appeal to the lowest common demoninator by using a goofball everyone can laugh at. Ok yeah I laughed, but it doesn't really make me want to see your movie or tell me anything about it. Just my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThis could be even more evidence that Fox just has no idea what to do with The Big Year. While this would maybe be funny at an ABA conference where we could all laugh at ourselves, for the general public, this just seems to a) perpetuate some pretty lame stereotypes about birding and b) not represent at all the type of feel-good movie that The Big Year really is. So not only is Fox possibly failing to understand or represent birding (unlike the actual film, which does a decent job), they seem be failing at finding a way to sell a birding movie to nonbirders.
ReplyDeleteI agree that The Big Year is deserving of better. Nevertheless, parts of it were funny and I don't take offense. So many of my "non-birding" friends are inviting themselves along more and more at the mention of a walk through the arboretum or a drive to the lock and dam on the river to see the Bald Eagles fishing on the open water in winter. It does my heart good to know what began as a hobby and grew into a passion inspires others. I'm not worried.
ReplyDelete