A Few Words About A few words about...™ Earthquake -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[WilliamMcK]

I'm not surprised that most damn EARTHQUAKE as a bad movie... because it is. But it's a helluva lot more fun than the over-long, self-important TOWERING INFERNO. All those boring sub-plots! But to each his own. I guess we can all just agree that POSEIDON ADVENTURE is the best of the bunch... just an unapologetic dopey crowd-pleaser that knows what it's supposed to do and then does it... well.

For the record though: I found the Shout Factory EARTHQUAKE to be a *marked* improvement over the previous Universal blu-ray. So I think it's a terrific upgrade for those who, like me, have a nostalgic fondness for the movie.

BTW, as awful as THE SWARM is, it's awfulness pales in comparison to CONCORDE: AIRPORT '79 ...

 

[Colin Jacobson]

I'm not surprised that most damn EARTHQUAKE as a bad movie... because it is. But it's a helluva lot more fun than the over-long, self-important TOWERING INFERNO. All those boring sub-plots! But to each his own. I guess we can all just agree that POSEIDON ADVENTURE is the best of the bunch... just an unapologetic dopey crowd-pleaser that knows what it's supposed to do and then does it... well.

No, I think "Inferno" is clearly superior to "Poseidon", which has its own boring subplots.

As does "Earthquake". It's mostly boring subplots, with only a few minutes of shake and bake!

 

[WilliamMcK]

Compared to EQ, INFERNO is the better made movie - infinitely more impressive effects with slicker cinematography. But it asks to be taken seriously (165 min!!!!!) ... and it ain't happening. I don't know if the makers of EARTHQUAKE expected it to be taken seriously, but it isn't pretentious... and it's a lot more fun (it's deliriously loony... Ava Gardner... Marjoe Gortner). And you're wrong about the subplots... EARTHQUAKE's sub-plots are wonderful... it's the main plot (the love triangle) that's a snooze fest (but Genevieve Bujold's screen charm and Ava Gardner's high-camp performance even spice that up ... a little).

 

[Malcolm R]

Tried to watch Poseidon on TCM a couple weekends ago. It didn't hold my interest. I kept channel surfing and playing with my phone.

 

[KPmusmag]

I so well remember going to see Earthquake in 1974. It had tons of hype and clips on TV and I couldn't wait. So my Dad took my brother and me to see it, and as it started, with the scene with Heston and Gardner, my Dad muttered, "Oh my God, it's a soap opera" with disgust. I was so afraid he would make us leave, but we stayed. As much fond nostalgia, I have for the film, I do cringe at some of those scenes. FWIW I do like the new release better than the previous.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

Compared to EQ, INFERNO is the better made movie - infinitely more impressive effects with slicker cinematography. But it asks to be taken seriously (165 min!!!!!) ... and it ain't happening. I don't know if the makers of EARTHQUAKE expected it to be taken seriously, but it isn't pretentious... and it's a lot more fun (it's deliriously loony... Ava Gardner... Marjoe Gortner). And you're wrong about the subplots... EARTHQUAKE's sub-plots are wonderful... it's the main plot (the love triangle) that's a snooze fest (but Genevieve Bujold's screen charm and Ava Gardner's high-camp performance even spice that up ... a little).

We'll just have to disagree about... well, all of the above!

 

[Colin Jacobson]

Tried to watch Poseidon on TCM a couple weekends ago. It didn't hold my interest. I kept channel surfing and playing with my phone.

Meaning "Poseidon Adventure" or the 2006 remake?

 

[Colin Jacobson]

I so well remember going to see Earthquake in 1974. It had tons of hype and clips on TV and I couldn't wait. So my Dad took my brother and me to see it, and as it started, with the scene with Heston and Gardner, my Dad muttered, "Oh my God, it's a soap opera" with disgust. I was so afraid he would make us leave, but we stayed. As much fond nostalgia, I have for the film, I do cringe at some of those scenes. FWIW I do like the new release better than the previous.

Oh, I have immense nostalgia for "Earthquake". I remember where I saw it - and where my Mom and I ate afterwards! Very fond memories!

It's still a crap film, though!

 

[DeanR]

Victoria Principal got my 11 year old attention when I saw this movie with my dad back when it was released. It cracked him up how much I was talking about Victoria after the show .

 

[Malcolm R]

Meaning "Poseidon Adventure" or the 2006 remake?

The old one with Shelley Winters.

 

[darkrock17]

I knew about Earthquake years before actually watching it for the first time back in either 2000/2001. My first acknowledgment of the movie came from this souvenir video of Universal Studios Florida I got back when I first visited back in 96/97.

The VHS special was hosted by John Forsythe who takes us on a tour of the entire park to visit all the attractions. Here's the Earthquake part of the video.