Shows a lot of Kubricesque shots of Nixon (maybe he's big in Japan?) and gives a sense of what that much-lauded credit sequence contains.
I continue to cross fingers that a) Paramount lets this get released b) It fulfills its promise. The trailers make it look like Snyder nailed it, but we'll see if he sticks the landing...
Looks visually ravishing. I won't be comparing it to the graphic novel since I've never read it so there's zero fanboy love for this project coming from me.
I am just looking forward to close to three hours of beautiful visual stimulation.
I had great hope for this project until this trailer. The Nixon stuff is laughable, as is the scene showing the Comedian on the Grassy Knoll.
I liked the original comic series, but never believed it was one of the great works of western literature. Hopefully this project will be fun and not an embarrassment, which is looking more likely.
Just not sure about this. I know that those who've seen completed scenes claim the actual film isn't as ridiculously over-stylized, but I think it's only natural for most to be skeptical given what the studio has released thus far.
I still haven't seen a damn thing that's going to appeal to the general public, though. They've got a lot of work to do.
The footage is fantastic as long as no one speaks. The irony of course is that what was groundbreaking and gritty, and deconstructionist back in 1987 comes off as campy by today's standards. The super-bright color palette and the goofy costumes had their purpose in the novel, but they don't translate well towards being taken seriously on a big screen. I'm hopeful, but we'll see.
If the film starts screening soon and the word of mouth is bad, watch for WB to possibly delay the release date and blame Fox. If the movie doesn't work, then Fox may have just done them a huge favor by being the straw man for fan-blame as opposed to the film itself.
Yes, because you can speak on the behalf of the general public, a guy who spends his time posting on Jeffrey Wells' site. Your finger's not on the pulse, buddy.
Shocked that you haven't read Watchmen before, actionman.
And lesterg, short of your producing credit on this flick, I can't imagine why the hell you would care what the general public thinks about this (let alone anything, really).
OK. I just caught a screening of "Hunger." Why is there no talk about this fucking genius flick. I really don't through words like that around when it comes to much but this film is AMAZING. Jesus, has this not come out yet, even in limited release. Find it. Get it. However you can.. Whoever Steve McQueen is, he's going to be fucking huge. The film is pefect on defintely on my list of the nest films of 08 or 09 or whatever. Damn.
Posted by MindlessObamaton at January 7, 2009 12:51 PM
Despite those of us in the alt-press giving it stellar reviews, the LA Times practically buried it in a small capsule review, and the movie failed to draw crowds in its short release.
However, LAFCA is giving Steve McQueen it's New Generation award at our banquet next week. It did quite well in the Village Voice film poll, too.
Kane -- for whatever reason I just can't get into reading comic books or graphic novels. I don't really know why. I've thumbed thru the Watchmen book but every time I tried to read it something came up and I stopped. To be honest, I'd rather just see the movie.
Rothchild, if you were referring to me as 'not having my finger on the pulse', there is no need to be snide or rude. I wasn't making any blanket statement other than my own thoughts on the subject.
"And lesterg, short of your producing credit on this flick, I can't imagine why the hell you would care what the general public thinks about this (let alone anything, really)."
First: No reason to be a dick, Kaned. I'm not sure why you're taking my opinion of WB's campaign personally unless you're the one cutting and/or approving the things. I'm far from being the first guy to question the film's financial prospects.
Second: I care because Watchmen is a major, major risk on the part of the studio and that if it tanks big: it's one we're not likely to see repeated. As movie fans, that's a bad thing for all of us. Regardless of whether I end up personally liking the flick, I respect Snyder and Co. for getting the thing made at all.
Lest - I wasn't really trying to be a dick, and I honestly don't really see how I was...sorry nonetheless, I s'pose.
Anyway, these things go in cycles...right now the comic book movies are hot, so we're seeing some top of the line talent tackle risky comics/graphic novels. In a few years (esp. if things level out economically & militarily), I reckon we'll see a retreat from this genre. And honestly, it will be about time. I love Batman and all, but even *I'm* starting to grow weary of all the superhero flicks. But who knows? That whole reality TV thing is still going...much to my chagrin.
Anyway, I think guys like Zack Snyder, David Fincher, Alfonso Cuarón (insert your fave. filmmaker ) will continue to make interesting movies across different genres and subject matter so I think you're being a little over-dramatic on the financial repercussions of Watchmen.
comment #1
DavidF
says ...
Shows a lot of Kubricesque shots of Nixon (maybe he's big in Japan?) and gives a sense of what that much-lauded credit sequence contains.
I continue to cross fingers that a) Paramount lets this get released b) It fulfills its promise. The trailers make it look like Snyder nailed it, but we'll see if he sticks the landing...
Posted by DavidF
at January 7, 2009 10:15 AM
comment #2
actionman
says ...
Looks visually ravishing. I won't be comparing it to the graphic novel since I've never read it so there's zero fanboy love for this project coming from me.
I am just looking forward to close to three hours of beautiful visual stimulation.
Posted by actionman
at January 7, 2009 10:17 AM
comment #3
Rich S.
says ...
I had great hope for this project until this trailer. The Nixon stuff is laughable, as is the scene showing the Comedian on the Grassy Knoll.
I liked the original comic series, but never believed it was one of the great works of western literature. Hopefully this project will be fun and not an embarrassment, which is looking more likely.
Posted by Rich S.
at January 7, 2009 10:31 AM
comment #4
storymark
says ...
Looks damned good to me. Can't wait.
though DavidF, it's FOX, not Paramount, looking to block it.
Posted by storymark
at January 7, 2009 10:37 AM
comment #5
lesterg
says ...
Just not sure about this. I know that those who've seen completed scenes claim the actual film isn't as ridiculously over-stylized, but I think it's only natural for most to be skeptical given what the studio has released thus far.
I still haven't seen a damn thing that's going to appeal to the general public, though. They've got a lot of work to do.
Posted by lesterg
at January 7, 2009 11:04 AM
comment #6
lesterg
says ...
And I say the above as someone who's been waiting for the film for two decades.
Posted by lesterg
at January 7, 2009 11:05 AM
comment #7
Sabina E
says ...
too bad we won't see this until 2010
Posted by Sabina E
at January 7, 2009 11:06 AM
comment #8
Scott Mendelson
says ...
The footage is fantastic as long as no one speaks. The irony of course is that what was groundbreaking and gritty, and deconstructionist back in 1987 comes off as campy by today's standards. The super-bright color palette and the goofy costumes had their purpose in the novel, but they don't translate well towards being taken seriously on a big screen. I'm hopeful, but we'll see.
If the film starts screening soon and the word of mouth is bad, watch for WB to possibly delay the release date and blame Fox. If the movie doesn't work, then Fox may have just done them a huge favor by being the straw man for fan-blame as opposed to the film itself.
Posted by Scott Mendelson
at January 7, 2009 11:08 AM
comment #9
Flosh
says ...
don't mind the kennedy assassination stuff, but nixon looks ridiculous.
Posted by Flosh
at January 7, 2009 11:51 AM
comment #10
Rothchild
says ...
Yes, because you can speak on the behalf of the general public, a guy who spends his time posting on Jeffrey Wells' site. Your finger's not on the pulse, buddy.
Posted by Rothchild
at January 7, 2009 11:52 AM
comment #11
Admiral82
says ...
I'm there, hopefully sooner rather than later. I've never read the graphic novels.
I'll find em and do some flipping I suppose....
Posted by Admiral82
at January 7, 2009 11:59 AM
comment #12
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
Shocked that you haven't read Watchmen before, actionman.
And lesterg, short of your producing credit on this flick, I can't imagine why the hell you would care what the general public thinks about this (let alone anything, really).
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at January 7, 2009 12:42 PM
comment #13
MindlessObamaton
says ...
OK. I just caught a screening of "Hunger." Why is there no talk about this fucking genius flick. I really don't through words like that around when it comes to much but this film is AMAZING. Jesus, has this not come out yet, even in limited release. Find it. Get it. However you can.. Whoever Steve McQueen is, he's going to be fucking huge. The film is pefect on defintely on my list of the nest films of 08 or 09 or whatever. Damn.
Posted by MindlessObamaton
at January 7, 2009 12:51 PM
comment #14
Luke Y. Thompson
says ...
HUNGER did open in LA, at the Nuart.
Despite those of us in the alt-press giving it stellar reviews, the LA Times practically buried it in a small capsule review, and the movie failed to draw crowds in its short release.
However, LAFCA is giving Steve McQueen it's New Generation award at our banquet next week. It did quite well in the Village Voice film poll, too.
Posted by Luke Y. Thompson
at January 7, 2009 1:05 PM
comment #15
actionman
says ...
Kane -- for whatever reason I just can't get into reading comic books or graphic novels. I don't really know why. I've thumbed thru the Watchmen book but every time I tried to read it something came up and I stopped. To be honest, I'd rather just see the movie.
Posted by actionman
at January 7, 2009 1:14 PM
comment #16
Scott Mendelson
says ...
Rothchild, if you were referring to me as 'not having my finger on the pulse', there is no need to be snide or rude. I wasn't making any blanket statement other than my own thoughts on the subject.
Posted by Scott Mendelson
at January 7, 2009 1:54 PM
comment #17
lesterg
says ...
"And lesterg, short of your producing credit on this flick, I can't imagine why the hell you would care what the general public thinks about this (let alone anything, really)."
First: No reason to be a dick, Kaned. I'm not sure why you're taking my opinion of WB's campaign personally unless you're the one cutting and/or approving the things. I'm far from being the first guy to question the film's financial prospects.
Second: I care because Watchmen is a major, major risk on the part of the studio and that if it tanks big: it's one we're not likely to see repeated. As movie fans, that's a bad thing for all of us. Regardless of whether I end up personally liking the flick, I respect Snyder and Co. for getting the thing made at all.
Posted by lesterg
at January 7, 2009 2:54 PM
comment #18
CitizenKanedforChewingGum
says ...
Lest - I wasn't really trying to be a dick, and I honestly don't really see how I was...sorry nonetheless, I s'pose.
Anyway, these things go in cycles...right now the comic book movies are hot, so we're seeing some top of the line talent tackle risky comics/graphic novels. In a few years (esp. if things level out economically & militarily), I reckon we'll see a retreat from this genre. And honestly, it will be about time. I love Batman and all, but even *I'm* starting to grow weary of all the superhero flicks. But who knows? That whole reality TV thing is still going...much to my chagrin.
Anyway, I think guys like Zack Snyder, David Fincher, Alfonso Cuarón (insert your fave. filmmaker ) will continue to make interesting movies across different genres and subject matter so I think you're being a little over-dramatic on the financial repercussions of Watchmen.
Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum
at January 7, 2009 4:23 PM
comment #19
lesterg
says ...
Sorry about that, Citizen. A little angrier than usual today.
Posted by lesterg
at January 7, 2009 4:54 PM
comment #20
D.Z.
says ...
I take it from the header that Jeff's seen a certain recent Miike film?
Posted by D.Z.
at January 7, 2009 5:18 PM