Comments for Waiting For Ishtar http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com A love letter to the most misunderstood movie of all time Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:41:56 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on What did you think of “Ishtar”? by Jim http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-96 Jim Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:41:56 +0000 http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-96 Allison, I think every guy here just decided they want to marry you! And bring your brother along! LOL!! Allison, I think every guy here just decided they want to marry you! And bring your brother along!

LOL!!

]]> Comment on What did you think of “Ishtar”? by Alison Crone http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-95 Alison Crone Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:31:44 +0000 http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-95 I knew it! I had a feeling that my family and I could not be the ONLY ones who treasure this movie. We have loved Ishtar since the first time we saw it. I remember combing through the used section at our local Blockbuster to make sure that we had a VHS copy for the years to come. Now, I'm anxiously waiting like every other fan for a U.S. dvd to be released. As for the terrible wrap it's gotten, I think it is totally ridiculous for people to run down a movie that they've never seen!! I will defend this movie until I die. Not only are the songs brilliantly terrible, the performances are pitch-perfect. The look Dustin Hoffman gives the waiter who runs into the piano while singing "Leaving Some Love in My Will" is priceless. The way he points his finger at the camel. Need I say more?! I could because Warren Beatty, Elaine May, & Paul Williams are all fantastic. I am in stitches every time I watch it. There are very few movies you can say that about. The family joke is that my brother and I get such a kick out of the movie that they say, "If you haven't seen Ishtar, you have to see it with them. Half the fun is watching them crack up at the movie." We just watched it last night with my 13-year old nephew, James. He is now the newest Ishtar fan in the family. I'm proud to pass the love on. That movie has given us more laughs and good times than I can say. "That ain't poverty!" I just feel extremely sorry for all those people who don't get it. Their lives are a little less richer. I can't wait to see the documentary. Sounds like it will be great. Keep us posted and good luck!! I knew it! I had a feeling that my family and I could not be the ONLY ones who treasure this movie. We have loved Ishtar since the first time we saw it. I remember combing through the used section at our local Blockbuster to make sure that we had a VHS copy for the years to come. Now, I’m anxiously waiting like every other fan for a U.S. dvd to be released.
As for the terrible wrap it’s gotten, I think it is totally ridiculous for people to run down a movie that they’ve never seen!! I will defend this movie until I die. Not only are the songs brilliantly terrible, the performances are pitch-perfect. The look Dustin Hoffman gives the waiter who runs into the piano while singing “Leaving Some Love in My Will” is priceless. The way he points his finger at the camel. Need I say more?! I could because Warren Beatty, Elaine May, & Paul Williams are all fantastic. I am in stitches every time I watch it. There are very few movies you can say that about. The family joke is that my brother and I get such a kick out of the movie that they say, “If you haven’t seen Ishtar, you have to see it with them. Half the fun is watching them crack up at the movie.” We just watched it last night with my 13-year old nephew, James. He is now the newest Ishtar fan in the family. I’m proud to pass the love on. That movie has given us more laughs and good times than I can say. “That ain’t poverty!” I just feel extremely sorry for all those people who don’t get it. Their lives are a little less richer.
I can’t wait to see the documentary. Sounds like it will be great. Keep us posted and good luck!!

]]> Comment on Waiting for “Waiting For Ishtar” by Theresa http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/2008/04/24/waiting-for-waiting-for-ishtar/#comment-88 Theresa Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:29:41 +0000 http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/2008/04/24/waiting-for-waiting-for-ishtar/#comment-88 I don't even know how I found this site but am so pleased. What a riot! Alas, how are things going? I haven't seen any recent posts about your doc. Hope plans are still moving forward. With hot fudge love, Theresa I don’t even know how I found this site but am so pleased. What a riot! Alas, how are things going? I haven’t seen any recent posts about your doc. Hope plans are still moving forward.

With hot fudge love,
Theresa

]]> Comment on Waiting For Ishtar by Catsue http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/2006/11/24/hello-world/#comment-70 Catsue Sun, 15 Mar 2009 06:05:09 +0000 #comment-70 You mean Jonathan Crombie from Anne of Green Gables? (Gilbert). March2009-sounds like this project is dead. Why was it even made? No one under 35 has even heard of the original Ishtar! Totally irrelevant You mean Jonathan Crombie from Anne of Green Gables? (Gilbert). March2009-sounds like this project is dead. Why was it even made? No one under 35 has even heard of the original Ishtar! Totally irrelevant

]]> Comment on What did you think of “Ishtar”? by Jim Donohue http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-69 Jim Donohue Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:20:48 +0000 http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-69 Oh, I do believe it is time to watch it again. I can't take it anymore. Oh, I do believe it is time to watch it again.
I can’t take it anymore.

]]> Comment on What did you think of “Ishtar”? by Ken Cornell http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-67 Ken Cornell Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:51:18 +0000 http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-67 I think future filmakers should watch this movie purely as a reference for how many ways movie can be cut. If you are able to procure a copy of the script, you will see how Elaine May was originally going to introduce the movie with the passport stamping sequence. You can sense how the producers felt the movie had to be recut, probably because of review cards after a preview. I don't think it makes much difference in the overall presentation. Its signifigant in that you can visualize a movie in different forms. I think future filmakers should watch this movie purely as a reference for how many ways movie can be cut. If you are able to procure a copy of the script, you will see how Elaine May was originally going to introduce the movie with the passport stamping sequence. You can sense how the producers felt the movie had to be recut, probably because of review cards after a preview. I don’t think it makes much difference in the overall presentation. Its signifigant in that you can visualize a movie in different forms.

]]> Comment on What did you think of “Ishtar”? by Ken Cornell http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-66 Ken Cornell Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:46:20 +0000 http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-66 I rented Ishtar purely out of morbid curiosity. As a songwriter, I thought it was hilarious. And culturally, it fascinated me to discuss this movie with people who, because of a review, considered this movie to represent the epitome of bad even though they hadn't seen it!! I can recall having a twenty minute discussion with a guy, who I thought was arrogant to begin with, about the movie. I was playing along with him as he trashed this movie and then, when the time was right, I asked him, "Well, how many times have you seen this movie?" "Oh, I haven't seen it. I just know its bad." That's his loss. There is a guy in Denver who does a conservative talk show mornings 9am to noon named Mike Rosen. I usually agree with most of his opinions about politics and movies but he used to use Ishtar as a litmus test for bad movies until I called his show one time and asked him how many times he'd seen it? He hadn't seen it and stopped using the reference. I pride myself on that little piece of cultural impact. I rented Ishtar purely out of morbid curiosity. As a songwriter, I thought it was hilarious. And culturally, it fascinated me to discuss this movie with people who, because of a review, considered this movie to represent the epitome of bad even though they hadn’t seen it!! I can recall having a twenty minute discussion with a guy, who I thought was arrogant to begin with, about the movie. I was playing along with him as he trashed this movie and then, when the time was right, I asked him, “Well, how many times have you seen this movie?” “Oh, I haven’t seen it. I just know its bad.” That’s his loss. There is a guy in Denver who does a conservative talk show mornings 9am to noon named Mike Rosen. I usually agree with most of his opinions about politics and movies but he used to use Ishtar as a litmus test for bad movies until I called his show one time and asked him how many times he’d seen it? He hadn’t seen it and stopped using the reference. I pride myself on that little piece of cultural impact.

]]> Comment on What did you think of “Ishtar”? by S Williams http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-64 S Williams Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:55:48 +0000 http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-64 I loved Ishtar. My wife loves it too. The songs are very funny, and the vulnerability of the lead actors is endearing. When I saw the movie in the theaters I was 21 years old, and was unaware of the smarmy Hollywood press and the critical crowd. I see enjoy entertainment that I like and I don't care what others say about it. I have always believed that the bad press about the cost overruns by a press eager to slam Oscar worthy heavyweights was persuasive to many who didn't have the nerve to see it anyway. My wife and I have many many many memorable lines that we constantly quote from the movie. I quote these from memory with the confidence that I recall them accurately: "We did not shoot at two Americans in the desert. We did not. Who told you that? The Secretary of State? How would he know?" "That ain't poverty." "We didn't need a pencil." "I'm leaving some love in my will." "I remember them NOT glowing." I could go on for days and days. Please release this film on DVD, with your documentary on a bonus disc. I heard a rumor that a DVD was planned with Siskel & Ebert's review attached. This film, and the reaction to it, is a perfect example of a Hollywood that is too taken with itself. I read a rumor about the business side of this film and the goings on with the people behind the film. I'm curious to see this explored. I'm looking forward to your film as a validation of everything I've believed for over twenty years: Ishtar is a funny movie with some great comedic acting, vulnerability by the lead actors, and excellent music that purely captures the awesome unawareness of truly bad singer-songwriters. What's not to love? I loved Ishtar. My wife loves it too. The songs are very funny, and the vulnerability of the lead actors is endearing. When I saw the movie in the theaters I was 21 years old, and was unaware of the smarmy Hollywood press and the critical crowd. I see enjoy entertainment that I like and I don’t care what others say about it. I have always believed that the bad press about the cost overruns by a press eager to slam Oscar worthy heavyweights was persuasive to many who didn’t have the nerve to see it anyway.

My wife and I have many many many memorable lines that we constantly quote from the movie. I quote these from memory with the confidence that I recall them accurately:

“We did not shoot at two Americans in the desert. We did not. Who told you that? The Secretary of State? How would he know?”

“That ain’t poverty.”

“We didn’t need a pencil.”

“I’m leaving some love in my will.”

“I remember them NOT glowing.”

I could go on for days and days. Please release this film on DVD, with your documentary on a bonus disc. I heard a rumor that a DVD was planned with Siskel & Ebert’s review attached. This film, and the reaction to it, is a perfect example of a Hollywood that is too taken with itself. I read a rumor about the business side of this film and the goings on with the people behind the film. I’m curious to see this explored. I’m looking forward to your film as a validation of everything I’ve believed for over twenty years: Ishtar is a funny movie with some great comedic acting, vulnerability by the lead actors, and excellent music that purely captures the awesome unawareness of truly bad singer-songwriters.

What’s not to love?

]]> Comment on What did you think of “Ishtar”? by LeAnn P http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-61 LeAnn P Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:19:02 +0000 http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-61 I saw Ishtar in 1987... and bought the VHS tape when the movie store went out of business. I unabashedly LOVE that movie! It's one of the funniest movies I've ever seen.. Hoffman and Beaty and Grodin are absolutely brilliant. It is rich with quotable lines that make me laugh out loud just thinking about them.. And, it also reminded me of the innocent/naive time in my teenage years (even though Rogers and Clarke were grown men) when my best friend Freddie and I used to sit at the piano and write songs.. he wrote music and I wrote lyrics.. some of the most awful songs you'd ever believe.. and we thought they were really great!!! so when I saw Hoffman and Beaty writing songs together in "Ishtar", I was immediately transported to that time when two kids in the 1970s, who thought they were brilliant, had the best time of their lives writing terrible songs together. We were going to be famous! It's totally about how much more rewarding it is to be really terrible at something you love with all your heart, than to be good at something you really don't like doing. "It takes a lot of nerve to have nothing at your age." I saw Ishtar in 1987… and bought the VHS tape when the movie store went out of business. I unabashedly LOVE that movie! It’s one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen.. Hoffman and Beaty and Grodin are absolutely brilliant. It is rich with quotable lines that make me laugh out loud just thinking about them..
And, it also reminded me of the innocent/naive time in my teenage years (even though Rogers and Clarke were grown men) when my best friend Freddie and I used to sit at the piano and write songs.. he wrote music and I wrote lyrics.. some of the most awful songs you’d ever believe.. and we thought they were really great!!! so when I saw Hoffman and Beaty writing songs together in “Ishtar”, I was immediately transported to that time when two kids in the 1970s, who thought they were brilliant, had the best time of their lives writing terrible songs together. We were going to be famous!
It’s totally about how much more rewarding it is to be really terrible at something you love with all your heart, than to be good at something you really don’t like doing. “It takes a lot of nerve to have nothing at your age.”

]]> Comment on What did you think of “Ishtar”? by terry fisher http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-58 terry fisher Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:39:36 +0000 http://waitingforishtar.wordpress.com/what-did-you-think-of-ishtar/#comment-58 The blind camel. Loved the blind camel. In an interview on "ain't it cool news" Dustin Hoffman says he likes Ishtar and would like to participate in a screening. The blind camel. Loved the blind camel.
In an interview on “ain’t it cool news” Dustin Hoffman says he likes Ishtar and would like to participate in a screening.

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