April fool's day, and when I wake up I see news all over the net that a DVD-quality workprint copy of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" has leaked into various bittorrent sites. 'Yeah, right' I think. Turns out it wasn't a joke!
There is indeed a very good copy out there, and from what they say the only things missing are some SFX and music (and possibly some scenes). FOX is trying to contain the leak (which is impossible) while FBI and MPAA are working together to find the source.
Online and offline press are moaning all over about how indecent it is for people to see a non-finished product and how bad it will be for the movie's box office earnings. And I wonder, 'hmmm...'
See, I was thinking that maybe we need things like these if we want movies to start getting better. I'll explain myself.
If "Wolverine" proves to be a great movie, all those guys that downloaded it and watched it are definitely going to go to the theater to see the movie in it full glory. The only way that this leak is going to harm the movie is if it is, well, crap. 'Cause no one is going to spend £7 to see a movie that he already knows is crap.
And for all those that are saying 'the movie is not finished' stuff, I say that's bullshit. The SFX are apparently missing, but if a movie cannot engage you with its story and characters, I doubt if putting on the SFX will make it a totally different and better movie.
An example on that. Although not earlier, but still the first day that "The Dark Knight" was released, a very decent CAM copy started circulating the net. Still, it made one billion dollars worldwide. Good movies have nothing to fear from piracy, and we need more good movies. So, does that mean we need piracy?
Friday, 3 April 2009
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Surveillance
Dionisis' Journal, March 8th, 2009
Saw Surveillance yesterday. Good direction. Bad twist. Could see the end in the first ten minutes. Acting was great. Film sets questions, shows reality. Apart from obvious twist, everything else is great. Recommended.
Saw Surveillance yesterday. Good direction. Bad twist. Could see the end in the first ten minutes. Acting was great. Film sets questions, shows reality. Apart from obvious twist, everything else is great. Recommended.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Watchmen... Rated R... Fuckin' A
"On Friday night, a comedian died in New York" and for the next 161 minutes we were following closely the investigation on his murder.
There was a lot of hype during these last few months. And with great hype comes great responsibility. Like the Dark Knight, there were some moments that I doubted if the movie would stand up to all these expectations. I was so glad to be proven wrong.
Plot-wise, a lot of the source material is missing, or is changed. But the important thing is that Watchmen, is there. All the meanings, comments and questions that the Graphic Novel sets are on the screen. When the movie ended, I was having the same discussions I had when I finished the graphic novel.
Having said that, the film is really faithful to the graphic novel, and all the changes done were the absolutely necessary. See, it's a different medium and it works in a different way. For example, a lot of the dialogue or narration was simplified, but in the movie you don't have the luxury of going back and reading "that bit" again, and take your time like in the graphic novel. In order to make sure you get everything that this piece of art stands for, in a medium that moves 25 pictures per second forward, the dialogue just had to be changed.
In short, this movie is not the graphic novel. However, it is the most faithful way it could ever be presented on the big screen. It is 161 minutes of character study, political and religious commentary and philosophical and ethical questions. So, in that matter, it is Watchmen. It is the Watchmen movie.
The characters were great, all of them were amazing actors. My personal choice would be, of course, Rorschach and The Comedian. I consider the Comedian's role one of the hardest for the film, cause he is a savage, brutal man, he has committed atrocities but there is a very human character underneath all that, and in the end Jeffrey Dean Morgan convinces us to sympathize with him. He deserves a fucking Oscar just for that.
Jackie Earl Haley is the ultimate star of the movie. Especially in the scenes without his mask, you can really see his commitment to what he's doing. Dan, Dr. Manhattan, Veidt and even Laurie were nothing short of brilliant, amazing, fully three dimensional characters, distorted mirror images of every living person on earth.
It is not a film to be viewed once, that's for sure. You don't walk away from it, I'm already looking forward to my next visit. There's so much in these 161 minutes, that the film feels really tight. You will want to see it again, and I believe, just like with the Graphic Novel, each viewing will be better than the previous one.
Another thing I really appreciated was the rating. It was rated R, and I liked that, not so much because of the violence/nudity (it was raw, but not something we've never seen before, Punisher was a lot more violent), but because of the audience it attracted. We watched the film in a sold-out 450 capacity screen, and we didn't hear a sound for almost three hours. No kiddies crying, no fucking drunk teenagers, just people who actually came to see the film. I want every film to be rated R. It was also the first time I've been to the cinema, that after the film ended, people were cheering, clapping. That must say something about the film.
As I watch reviews and stuff, I see that the world of critics is totally divided. Half of them praise it, the other half buries it. Let them go fuck themselves. I say we need more films like that, films that make our heads spin a little bit, make us think.
A big thank you goes to Alan Moore, who created the whole story/universe to begin with, and Zack Snyder, who managed to make the best translation when others couldn't (others like Terry Gilliam and Paul Greengrass). Well done guys, we need more of that stuff.
There was a lot of hype during these last few months. And with great hype comes great responsibility. Like the Dark Knight, there were some moments that I doubted if the movie would stand up to all these expectations. I was so glad to be proven wrong.
Plot-wise, a lot of the source material is missing, or is changed. But the important thing is that Watchmen, is there. All the meanings, comments and questions that the Graphic Novel sets are on the screen. When the movie ended, I was having the same discussions I had when I finished the graphic novel.
Having said that, the film is really faithful to the graphic novel, and all the changes done were the absolutely necessary. See, it's a different medium and it works in a different way. For example, a lot of the dialogue or narration was simplified, but in the movie you don't have the luxury of going back and reading "that bit" again, and take your time like in the graphic novel. In order to make sure you get everything that this piece of art stands for, in a medium that moves 25 pictures per second forward, the dialogue just had to be changed.
In short, this movie is not the graphic novel. However, it is the most faithful way it could ever be presented on the big screen. It is 161 minutes of character study, political and religious commentary and philosophical and ethical questions. So, in that matter, it is Watchmen. It is the Watchmen movie.
The characters were great, all of them were amazing actors. My personal choice would be, of course, Rorschach and The Comedian. I consider the Comedian's role one of the hardest for the film, cause he is a savage, brutal man, he has committed atrocities but there is a very human character underneath all that, and in the end Jeffrey Dean Morgan convinces us to sympathize with him. He deserves a fucking Oscar just for that.
Jackie Earl Haley is the ultimate star of the movie. Especially in the scenes without his mask, you can really see his commitment to what he's doing. Dan, Dr. Manhattan, Veidt and even Laurie were nothing short of brilliant, amazing, fully three dimensional characters, distorted mirror images of every living person on earth.
It is not a film to be viewed once, that's for sure. You don't walk away from it, I'm already looking forward to my next visit. There's so much in these 161 minutes, that the film feels really tight. You will want to see it again, and I believe, just like with the Graphic Novel, each viewing will be better than the previous one.
Another thing I really appreciated was the rating. It was rated R, and I liked that, not so much because of the violence/nudity (it was raw, but not something we've never seen before, Punisher was a lot more violent), but because of the audience it attracted. We watched the film in a sold-out 450 capacity screen, and we didn't hear a sound for almost three hours. No kiddies crying, no fucking drunk teenagers, just people who actually came to see the film. I want every film to be rated R. It was also the first time I've been to the cinema, that after the film ended, people were cheering, clapping. That must say something about the film.
As I watch reviews and stuff, I see that the world of critics is totally divided. Half of them praise it, the other half buries it. Let them go fuck themselves. I say we need more films like that, films that make our heads spin a little bit, make us think.
A big thank you goes to Alan Moore, who created the whole story/universe to begin with, and Zack Snyder, who managed to make the best translation when others couldn't (others like Terry Gilliam and Paul Greengrass). Well done guys, we need more of that stuff.
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Franklyn
Some days ago, I went to see Franklyn. It was one of those occasions that I walked into the cinema knowing almost nothing about the film. I'd seen a poster and the trailer, but believe me, you can't figure out much about it from these two.
When we were walking out of the cinema, I couldn't make up my mind if I liked o not what I'd seen. After some thought, I feel that Franklyn is a very good film, having of course its weaknesses.
The major minus of the film are the first 20-30 minutes. Until you can figure out what's going on, it seems a bit shallow, and it drives your mind elsewhere. I, for once, was thinking I was watching a simple between-worlds story, cheap fantasy kind of thing.
However, after that, the film gets significantly better, revealing many diferrent layers to the film's plot and philosophy. I wouldn't want to give too much away, cause I, knowing nothing about it, enjoyed all the surprises and plot twists. All I can say is that it will give you things to talk with anyone you'll watch it with.
It is also one of those films that you would really want to watch a second time, once you have the plot out of the way, to notice all the details. I know I want anyway.
When I got back home, I found some more information about the film. It is the writer/director's first feature film (Gerald McMorrow), and he has only done one short film before this one. Also, it was made on the extremely low budget of £6,000,000. Believe me, it has some of the best visuals we've seen on the big screen and also the performances are great by the cast (Especially Eva Green and, surprisingly, Ryan Phillipe).
When I found out about these facts I respected the film even more. The film might have some weaknesses on the script and lacks engagement in the beginning, but I don't think there are many low budget director's debuts that are better than this one. I strongly recommend it.
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
A Great Screening Day!
Yesterday, Monday 9/2/9, was a great day for me. I watched three films: "London", "Punisher: War Zone" and "The Visitor". Read on...
As I've noticed so far, every good day, usually has a bad beginning. Enter "London". Oh my God, how rubbish was that! I don't know what everyone seems to find in these city-porn bullshit acclaimed-my-ass films, but I've never seen anything more boring, more pretentious, more pointless piece of film making in my entire life. While watching the film, I was wondering how good would it be if there was some kind of martial law in film making, preventing films like this being released.
If you're reading this blog, and you haven't seen the film, do yourself a favour, DON'T! What's it about? Pointless static pictures of London and a boring voice-over for 84 minutes. See, I know all about the subjectivity of film making and how "to each his own" kind of things, but I believe that this film is just a big joke. I'm sure the film maker (if you can call him that) is laughing his ass off on all of us who watch this piece of shit for 84 minutes, especially to those who say it's actually good. Anyway, I'll move on to the point where my day got better.
I'm a fan of The Punisher as a character. I think along with Rorschach, they're my favourite comic book heroes. To be honest, I haven't seen the 1989 film with Dolph Lundgren, but I'm not too eager to see it. Even the skull is missing from the film.
I also liked the 2004 incarnation. It wasn't a great film, but a really good one (apart from John Travolta!). Thomas Jane really made something out of the character and it was brought close to reality. It was good as a film and made a lot of changes from the comics to make it more cinematic. When I heard that Thomas Jane and director Jonathan Hensleigh were out of the sequel, and after that it became another re-boot, I was worried.
Let me be honest. I enjoyed the film as fuck! It is a cheesy-comic-book film, VERY OTT, but it's fucking entertaining! I really can't compare it to the 2004 film, they have completely different approaches. While the 2004 Punisher was a serious-action film, this is a translation of the MAX series of the Punisher on screen.
What I loved? The violence! So neatly directed, so violent but not disgusting (like Hostel), it was raw and I was enjoying it. The cinematography is great, cause it really keeps all the colour pallets of the MAX comics, a lot of the shots are panels taken straight from the pages, just great.
What I didn't like? Well, the acting is not the strong point in this movie, especially on the dramatic moments, but there aren't many of them so it's bearable. Also the plot is rather shallow, but I wouldn't expect anything more. Is it a quality film? No fucking way. Is it entertaining? Hell yeah!
Although, in the end, I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. This film is made for two specific audiences: Fans of the MAX series of The Punisher and fans of cheesy-action flicks. If you want a film like London, don't bother (I just can't stop, can I?).
When I came back home, my girlfriend suggested to see "The Visitor", I had downloaded it a couple of weeks ago but never got the chance to watch it. It came out in 2008 and it's a dramedy about a middle-aged university teacher who realises that he hasn't been doing anything for all his life, and gets in this friendly relationship with two immigrants.
I don't want to give two much away, but it is a truly brilliant film, the lead actor is just perfect (he is also nominated for an Oscar) and it's so easy to watch. It deals with a lot of different matters, but again I wouldn't want to give too much away. I would recommend it to everyone, it is a human story that I believe anyone can relate to. Too bad it didn't get any attention.
So, how the fuck was your day?
As I've noticed so far, every good day, usually has a bad beginning. Enter "London". Oh my God, how rubbish was that! I don't know what everyone seems to find in these city-porn bullshit acclaimed-my-ass films, but I've never seen anything more boring, more pretentious, more pointless piece of film making in my entire life. While watching the film, I was wondering how good would it be if there was some kind of martial law in film making, preventing films like this being released.
If you're reading this blog, and you haven't seen the film, do yourself a favour, DON'T! What's it about? Pointless static pictures of London and a boring voice-over for 84 minutes. See, I know all about the subjectivity of film making and how "to each his own" kind of things, but I believe that this film is just a big joke. I'm sure the film maker (if you can call him that) is laughing his ass off on all of us who watch this piece of shit for 84 minutes, especially to those who say it's actually good. Anyway, I'll move on to the point where my day got better.
I'm a fan of The Punisher as a character. I think along with Rorschach, they're my favourite comic book heroes. To be honest, I haven't seen the 1989 film with Dolph Lundgren, but I'm not too eager to see it. Even the skull is missing from the film.
I also liked the 2004 incarnation. It wasn't a great film, but a really good one (apart from John Travolta!). Thomas Jane really made something out of the character and it was brought close to reality. It was good as a film and made a lot of changes from the comics to make it more cinematic. When I heard that Thomas Jane and director Jonathan Hensleigh were out of the sequel, and after that it became another re-boot, I was worried.
Let me be honest. I enjoyed the film as fuck! It is a cheesy-comic-book film, VERY OTT, but it's fucking entertaining! I really can't compare it to the 2004 film, they have completely different approaches. While the 2004 Punisher was a serious-action film, this is a translation of the MAX series of the Punisher on screen.
What I loved? The violence! So neatly directed, so violent but not disgusting (like Hostel), it was raw and I was enjoying it. The cinematography is great, cause it really keeps all the colour pallets of the MAX comics, a lot of the shots are panels taken straight from the pages, just great.
What I didn't like? Well, the acting is not the strong point in this movie, especially on the dramatic moments, but there aren't many of them so it's bearable. Also the plot is rather shallow, but I wouldn't expect anything more. Is it a quality film? No fucking way. Is it entertaining? Hell yeah!
Although, in the end, I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. This film is made for two specific audiences: Fans of the MAX series of The Punisher and fans of cheesy-action flicks. If you want a film like London, don't bother (I just can't stop, can I?).
When I came back home, my girlfriend suggested to see "The Visitor", I had downloaded it a couple of weeks ago but never got the chance to watch it. It came out in 2008 and it's a dramedy about a middle-aged university teacher who realises that he hasn't been doing anything for all his life, and gets in this friendly relationship with two immigrants.
I don't want to give two much away, but it is a truly brilliant film, the lead actor is just perfect (he is also nominated for an Oscar) and it's so easy to watch. It deals with a lot of different matters, but again I wouldn't want to give too much away. I would recommend it to everyone, it is a human story that I believe anyone can relate to. Too bad it didn't get any attention.
So, how the fuck was your day?
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Bale rants & the quick internet artists!
A couple of days ago, a sound clip found it's way online. You've probably heard it already, but if not, it's a recording of Christian Bale on set of Terminator Salvation a couple months ago. Shane Hurlbut, the film's DP, apparently walked into the FOV of Bale, and he... well, you can hear it for yourselves here.
Funny, but that's not the point. The point is that, while the clip has only been online for 2 days, someone did a remix already!!! I mean, Jesus Christ! I dunno, I was just impressed, here it is:
Funny, but that's not the point. The point is that, while the clip has only been online for 2 days, someone did a remix already!!! I mean, Jesus Christ! I dunno, I was just impressed, here it is:
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Oscars & BG
Hello there, this is my first post after christmas.
Today the oscar nominations were announced. To be honest, I haven't seen most of the films that are competing this year, and I feel that this is no coincidence. Again, this is the Academy's opinion of the best films of... the last quarter of 2008. What happened to the films that were released from January to September?
The "brother categories" of Best Picture and Best Director, have five films released in December! Coincidentally they are also the films with the most nominations. Milk (8), Frost/Nixon (5), Benjamin Button (13), The Reader (5) and Slumdog Millionare (10). Between them, there is of course The Dark Knight with 8 and Wall-E with 6, but I feel that especially these two films were largely underestimated, receiving mostly techie nominations (you know, summer films, who cares?).
So I'm wondering, where are: Cloverfield, In Bruges, Be Kind Rewind, Funny Games, My Blueberry Nights, Iron Man, The Fall, The Wackness, Pineapple Express, Appaloosa, RocknRolla, W. and, oh my God, where is Happy-Go-Lucky? Apart from a script nomination, I think Sally Hawkins was the best female lead this year.
Anyway, I think I'll stop here, maybe I'll rant more when I'll see the 5 films competing for best picture/director, as of now I've seen none of them.
---------------------------------------
During christmas, after an advice from Ally, I started watching Battlestar Galactica. After two and a half weeks I'm in the beginning of the fourth season.
As all TV-shows, it has its ups and downs, but I was glad to see that it was more ups than downs. I really like the three main actors (Adama, Roslin, Baltar) and the rest of the cast isn't bad either.
I also appreciate that the show has a special way of engaging you while you're watching. There were some points were I was really feeling angry at people and shouting at them! I think the peak was Baltar's trial, where I was really feeling like watching a real trial. It was so redempting to see Roslin humiliated for once in front of the public. Oh well.
If you're into sci-fi, check it out, maybe even if you're not. It has a lot of allegories, mainly about racism and relationships and I believe it can deliver even to someone who is not that much into sci-fi.
Today the oscar nominations were announced. To be honest, I haven't seen most of the films that are competing this year, and I feel that this is no coincidence. Again, this is the Academy's opinion of the best films of... the last quarter of 2008. What happened to the films that were released from January to September?
The "brother categories" of Best Picture and Best Director, have five films released in December! Coincidentally they are also the films with the most nominations. Milk (8), Frost/Nixon (5), Benjamin Button (13), The Reader (5) and Slumdog Millionare (10). Between them, there is of course The Dark Knight with 8 and Wall-E with 6, but I feel that especially these two films were largely underestimated, receiving mostly techie nominations (you know, summer films, who cares?).
So I'm wondering, where are: Cloverfield, In Bruges, Be Kind Rewind, Funny Games, My Blueberry Nights, Iron Man, The Fall, The Wackness, Pineapple Express, Appaloosa, RocknRolla, W. and, oh my God, where is Happy-Go-Lucky? Apart from a script nomination, I think Sally Hawkins was the best female lead this year.
Anyway, I think I'll stop here, maybe I'll rant more when I'll see the 5 films competing for best picture/director, as of now I've seen none of them.
---------------------------------------
During christmas, after an advice from Ally, I started watching Battlestar Galactica. After two and a half weeks I'm in the beginning of the fourth season.
As all TV-shows, it has its ups and downs, but I was glad to see that it was more ups than downs. I really like the three main actors (Adama, Roslin, Baltar) and the rest of the cast isn't bad either.
I also appreciate that the show has a special way of engaging you while you're watching. There were some points were I was really feeling angry at people and shouting at them! I think the peak was Baltar's trial, where I was really feeling like watching a real trial. It was so redempting to see Roslin humiliated for once in front of the public. Oh well.
If you're into sci-fi, check it out, maybe even if you're not. It has a lot of allegories, mainly about racism and relationships and I believe it can deliver even to someone who is not that much into sci-fi.
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