Miscellaneous Movie Musings - Page 383

innerSpaceman · 09-15-2008, 08:48 PM

I think my head would explode.

* * * * * * *

On another front, I'm really disappointed with the "director's cut" of Dark City. The much ballyhooed restored opening is a bit better for the lack of spoiler voiceover the studio insisted on ... but it's more than countermanded by the loss of the terrific hook of Everything Stops at Midnight that punches you into the title card. Bleh.

It's not even the "restored" opening anyway, since they keep the cool footage of outerspace and Keifer Sutherland intro ... which was filmed in re-shoots specifically for the voiceover and was not part of the original director's cut at all. (Proyas' cut opened with the zoom into the hotel room where Murdoch is revealed in the bathtub.)

As for the rest of the film, there are about a dozen slightly extended scenes. Most of these are good, a few are kinda awful. So once again, a director's cut that not only isn't as good as the theatrical release, but contains just enough cool differences that I'll be missing them whenever I watch the generally superior theatrical release from now on.

And now both versions have sucky openings.

Thanks Alex Proyas and your ego project.

Fail.

wendybeth · 09-16-2008, 11:16 AM

I just ran across some pics from the movie version of Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road'. It looks like it's going to be really, really good- I can pick out exactly where in the story these shots occur, so I'm guessing they're not messing with the storyline overmuch.

The Road

Alex · 09-16-2008, 11:22 AM

Trying to watch a very early Tony Jaa movie. But it is just absolutely awful in every respect.

But I'm too lazy to go take it out of the DVD player and put something else in there (I guess this is finally an argument for why I should use the other slots in my multi-disc player) so I'm slowly working through it in 10-15 minute bursts.

It is like the worst of 1960s Hong Kong martial arts movies. But it was made in 1998 so there really isn't any excuse.

Stan4dSteph · 09-16-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendybeth

I just ran across some pics from the movie version of Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road'. It looks like it's going to be really, really good- I can pick out exactly where in the story these shots occur, so I'm guessing they're not messing with the storyline overmuch.

The Road

How did you like the book? How does it compare to other post-apocalyptic fiction? I'm intrigued.

wendybeth · 09-16-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan4dSteph

How did you like the book? How does it compare to other post-apocalyptic fiction? I'm intrigued.

I loved it. At the same time, I hated it. The 'Hollywood Ending' side of me despaired at the utter hopelessness of the scenario these characters are in, but I thought it was well written and very realistic. I'm not sure it really compares with much of any other books within the genre, as they always seem to have some glimmer of hope in the storylines, but it's really a pretty fascinating read and as a parent it makes me wonder which 'road' I would take if faced with the same circumstances.

Bornieo: Fully Loaded · 09-16-2008, 04:20 PM

I saw "Burn Before Reading (eating)" last night. Wow! A bit on the choppy side, well acted and in keeping with "Old Men" its got a great twist.

Cadaverous Pallor · 09-24-2008, 07:22 PM

New W. trailer

innerSpaceman · 09-24-2008, 08:02 PM

I can't wait. Trailers are a bad judge, but it looks like Oliver Stone might be back in form.

World Trade Center was a wet noodle.

mousepod · 09-25-2008, 08:44 AM

I'm just worried that he made the movie too soon. I would have appreciated Nixon so much more had he waited until the tapes were released... a year or so after the movie.

LSPoorEeyorick · 09-25-2008, 09:47 AM

The Namesake is highly underrated. It got very little buzz, but it was a subtle, lovely film about Indian immigrants and their second-generation kids. I found it fascinating, and very moving.

09-15-2008, 08:48 PM	#3821
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	I think my head would explode. * * * * * * * On another front, I'm really disappointed with the "director's cut" of Dark City. The much ballyhooed restored opening is a bit better for the lack of spoiler voiceover the studio insisted on ... but it's more than countermanded by the loss of the terrific hook of Everything Stops at Midnight that punches you into the title card. Bleh. It's not even the "restored" opening anyway, since they keep the cool footage of outerspace and Keifer Sutherland intro ... which was filmed in re-shoots specifically for the voiceover and was not part of the original director's cut at all. (Proyas' cut opened with the zoom into the hotel room where Murdoch is revealed in the bathtub.) As for the rest of the film, there are about a dozen slightly extended scenes. Most of these are good, a few are kinda awful. So once again, a director's cut that not only isn't as good as the theatrical release, but contains just enough cool differences that I'll be missing them whenever I watch the generally superior theatrical release from now on. And now both versions have sucky openings. Thanks Alex Proyas and your ego project. Fail.
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09-16-2008, 11:16 AM	#3822
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I just ran across some pics from the movie version of Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road'. It looks like it's going to be really, really good- I can pick out exactly where in the story these shots occur, so I'm guessing they're not messing with the storyline overmuch. The Road __________________
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09-16-2008, 11:22 AM	#3823
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Trying to watch a very early Tony Jaa movie. But it is just absolutely awful in every respect. But I'm too lazy to go take it out of the DVD player and put something else in there (I guess this is finally an argument for why I should use the other slots in my multi-disc player) so I'm slowly working through it in 10-15 minute bursts. It is like the worst of 1960s Hong Kong martial arts movies. But it was made in 1998 so there really isn't any excuse.
	Submit to Quotes

09-16-2008, 04:20 PM	#3826
Bornieo: Fully Loaded Lego Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Disneyland, USA Posts: 3,704	I saw "Burn Before Reading (eating)" last night. Wow! A bit on the choppy side, well acted and in keeping with "Old Men" its got a great twist.
	Submit to Quotes

09-24-2008, 07:22 PM	#3827
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	New W. trailer __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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09-24-2008, 08:02 PM	#3828
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	I can't wait. Trailers are a bad judge, but it looks like Oliver Stone might be back in form. World Trade Center was a wet noodle.
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09-25-2008, 08:44 AM	#3829
mousepod You broke your Ramadar! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,635	I'm just worried that he made the movie too soon. I would have appreciated Nixon so much more had he waited until the tapes were released... a year or so after the movie. __________________ "Give the public everything you can give them, keep the place as clean as you can keep it, keep it friendly" - Walt Disney
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09-25-2008, 09:47 AM	#3830
LSPoorEeyorick scribblin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in the moment Posts: 3,872	The Namesake is highly underrated. It got very little buzz, but it was a subtle, lovely film about Indian immigrants and their second-generation kids. I found it fascinating, and very moving.
	Submit to Quotes