Posts filed under "cinematic-score"
ONG-BAK. The best MAN-FLICK I’ve seen in a very long while.It’s completely RAW and the fact that it was done without all the wires and cgi that is found in every single martial arts type movie this is a massive fresh of breath air.
One of the very few Alan Moore graphic novels I’ve not had the chance to sit down and read. I know, shocking. I’m an absolute Alan Moore nut. Even on a day of bad digestion where he’s trying to knock off a few pages to get some money (to feed his cats) and while he’s struggling to understand why we all exist Moore could write circles around EVERY SINGLE WRITER on the planet. In ANY medium. The man knows no boundaries and his visions are better formed than most people’s lives.
So what hope do I have that this movie will be better than previous Alan Moore incarnations? Well lets consider previous endevours into translating Moore’s vision to the silver screen:
- From Hell bore very little resemblence to the GN. Yeah like you could possibly condense 12 volumes that were serialised over 10 years and over 1000 pages into a 2hour movie.
- League of Extraordinary Gentlemen had no hope from the very start. What was one of the freshest ideas in comics for some years, was turned into a steaming pile of turd with okayish special effects.
- Hellblazer kinda distorted what the essence of the character actually was (although again like From Hell, while enjoyable not really there).
I hold little hope for V for Vendetta. I really would, but history repeats itself far too often. However with Moore disassociating himself completely from the movie, we’re left thinking, hmm another turd? Still though, that’s a pretty amazing poster…
I don’t play computer games. Takes too much of my very precious time. I’ve got a list the size of my arm in terms of things I want to do that playing video games just seems like a complete and utter waste. However the only PS game I own is Final Fantasy VII. I loved everything about this game. The characters, the plot, the graphics, the gameplay everything.
So I’m in WHSmiths (magazine, bookstore, dvd you get the picture store) and I’m flipping through the latest 3D World mag simply because I thought the cover image was completely unreal, go have a look, and anyway I notice a little piece about something called Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.
Seems they’re making a movie based on those characters, chronologically set 2 years after the end of the game. This won’t be a theatrical release but will go straight to DVD. My only reaction to that was AWESOME. I mean this is basically what I originally wanted to see when I watched Final Fantasy: Spirit Within. This is going to be huge, and that’s before I even got to see the trailer. Seems I’m well behind on this news as there’s several sites that have popped up to cover this massive event. It’s a massive event because FF7 is still Squaresoft’s best selling title ever. My magic eight ball tells me this movie is going to be huge.
Honestly I can’t wait to see this movie.
Related Links: http://www.adventchildren.net http://www.square-enix.co.jp/dvd/ff7ac
Last week I bought the Firefly box set. This was an actual impulse buy. My housemate at University, 3 1/2 years ago now, was heavily into Buffy at the time. I couldn’t get into it for the life of me. The reasons where very simple, I couldn’t get into the whole concept, and Buffy herself was a complete and utter bitch. Anyway at the time I was heavily into Babylon 5 (still am, long post about that some other time). So I’ve heard of Joss Whedon. Hell I’m a comic book fan so I know the man is a fan as well, and that Buffy was essentially his version of the X-men, funny since he was apparently going to direct the next X-men instalment, and he’s writing X-men for the next year as well. Anyway, back to Firefly. Firefly for those in the dark about these things is Joss Whedon’s third television series. After Buffy and Angel, he came up with this Sci-Fi Western. It aired for 11 episodes, even though 14 were made, and much like the great Clerks Animated Series it got yanked off the air before it could find it’s audience. Fox does seem to like to fuck around with what’s good, much like removing Futurama. So we have this box set which includes 4 DVDs and has all 14 episodes including the unaired ones.
There’s a lot to like about this series. For a start it’s a new Sci-Fi series, which I’m always on the lookout for. The computer technology has improved by leaps and bounds since the early days of Bablyon 5. What I didn’t realise was that this series takes the tired and tried Sci-fi genre and turns it around. See while this series is set 500 years in the future, the landscape out there is so dispersed, that it all reminds you of the Wild West. An interesting concept and one I thought really couldn’t work, but it does, really well.
The story follows a freelance shipping crew on board the Firefly-class spaceship. Having said that they’re not just shipping stuff, they sometimes smuggle stuff. And when I say stuff, the actual merchandise could be anything.
One of the main things that this type of series usually struggles with is finding actors to pull off the lines and the scenes convincingly. I’m glad to report that so far in the episodes I’ve watched the cheesy rubbish has been kept to a minimum and the hammy acting has not surfaced yet.
The characters for me are brilliant. It didn’t take me long to find my favourite. Without a doubt it’s Kaylee. For a start I think she’s really cute, and secondly she’s a very sweet character and they’ve given her enough quirks for me to actually care about her. I really love that she takes it personally when someone doesn’t respect her ship. I also like River. The actress Summer Glau does a great job of playing the messed up character.
In the pilot, I really liked Captain Mal only in the beginning. However after watching a few more episodes, I’m really starting to warm up to him. I’m starting to like his attitude to certain things, because originally I didn’t like how he treated everyone around him, but he slowly grows on you, not instantly mind you but eventually.
My favourite scene so far has been an episode where the crew is interrogated, Zoe and Wash (wife and husband), basically get asked the same question, ‘Do you love each other?’ The answers that each give are brilliantly executed and real. What you think I’d ruin it for you?
Now what’s impressed me the most is the sound. Seriously, from the music to the sound effects. What I love the most is that ‘Serenity’ doesn’t have any sound in space, because well that’s how it would be; No thrusters, or burners giving off noise, no laser sounds in space, nothing. The writers have obviously done their research since the spaceship does have a rotating component to simulate the gravity inside the actual spaceship, a nice little nod to Babylon 5 there, wouldn’t have known that little fact. It’s not explained in the series, but people like me would find fault in the series if it didn’t exist.
One concept I can’t really understand is the idea of how Companions have gotten such an elevate status. Just don’t really understand the thinking behind how we got to this location. Inara is played by the really stunning Morena Baccarin, but somehow I still prefer Kaylee because of her next door demeanour.
The good news people is that if you ever get a chance to see this excellent series there’s more to come. Currently we’ve got Serenity the movie coming to a movie theatre near you, sometime towards the end of the year. See that’s really good. Since it started life as a television series but all the actors etc are coming back for more but this time on a much larger scale. Personally I can’t wait to get into this series more and then see all the extras, hopefully they’ll make many more instalments because I’m hooked, and I think if you give this series a shot you could get hooked as well.
I’m surprised all the usual comic book websites haven’t picked this up. Usuaully they’re the first to pick this sort of thing up, soo what I’ll do is I’ll talk about it here and then I’ll send them an e-mail shouting and scolding them.
Seems there’s a company called Untamed Cinema that as you guessed it, makes movies. Their latest project is called Grayson, as in Dick Grayson AKA Robin or Nightwing depending on how involved you are with the Batman universe. Now I don’t know about rights of these things, I’ve known DC Comics characters being used in other ‘personal’ projects but this is pretty cool. So at best this is a bit of fun, that will never be released, still though…it’s pretty cool nevertheless.
So what’s the story. Seems the director maxed out 4 credit cards, got some friends along and made this extended preview. I guess he was trying to get this idea he had out of his head, and good for him. He’s really made a fantastic bit of film, that looks great, for the budget. That would be $18,000, give or take a few.
Oh sure it’s not the most perfect piece of film history, he does try and put a bit too much here, and shows absolutely every character that could fit into this story.
The story follows Dick Grayson as he searches for the murder of Bruce Wayne. For me the best part of the entire ‘movie’ was the Dick Grayson scenes. He’s done well here. It actually looks like an older Grayson. The appearance of Barbara is also very nice addition to the story. One thing they’ve tried to do, although not as successfully as I’d like but is completely understandable given the budget, is the acrobatic nature of Dick. It comes out every once in a while, but it’s just not enough.
It’s a 149meg download and requires quicktime, so be prepared.
There’s also a Pieces of the Puzzle documentary for download, which to be honest I found a hell of a lot more enjoyable than the actual piece itself. Finding out what this poor guy had to go through in order to achieve his vision is really a great story in and of itself. Highly recommend you download this as well.
Their website is packed with stuff for you to download, from the poster in hi res to the wallpaper.
[link via Chris diclerico]
So I watched Kiki’s delivery service,…again. I guess Miyazaki’s movies are starting to replace my eternal crush on Amelie. Whenever I need to be inspired I always tend to gravitate towards the man’s work. The english translation leaves a lot to be desired from in certain areas, but nothing could take away from the magic of this classic. Think back to when Disney movies were actually good. Well this is better, because it’s not talking down to you in that it has to break out into a song. Don’t get me wrong nothing wrong with songs, but there was a time when Disney thought (still think I could give two monkey’s) that if it was animated it had to have a friggin singalong soundtrack to it.
Then the big ugly mouse comes out and say something as stupid as traditional cel animation is dead. Damn dawg, did anyone mention this to Miyazaki? The man creates worlds and characters that seem real even when they don’t look it. If you’re a creative soul, in any sense of the world really, you owe it to yourself to reach out and experience Miyazaki. I guarantee you’ll come back for more, whenever you need inspiration.
There should be more people like me in Holllywwooood (think Bill Hicks when saying that in your head). Loads of new goodies over at the official Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Why am I a genius you ask? If I may refer you to this here post from over a year ago. See that’s why I’ve got a blog. So I can prove I had these ideas back in the day. My favourite line is this:
Still I think it would make a brilliantly funny Sci-fi movie, something like Galaxy Quest, just completely brilliant,..
That teaser trailer is brilliant and every time I see the DON’T PANIC title I crack up. Probably because it reminds of school a bit. Basketball was very big in my school, the unfortunate thing was that whenever Slieman used to get the ball, some how you could feel the PANIC in his movements and eyes. He’d tense up so as to not fuck up, ultimately Stathi the bastard copped on and kept yelling DON’T PAAANNNIIIICCC, every time he had the ball. Needless to say he’d panic even more.
Good times.
That kind of says it all doesn’t it? I think this review will appeal a bit more to those that have actually seen the movie rather than those that haven’t. There aren’t any spoilers here, but based on the rating I give it, I suggest you go and get it if you haven’t seen it already.
Ok back down to business. As I’m making this format as I go along it might evolve over time. For now I’ll make small heading when I think I have something specific to say about a particular aspect of a movie.
One of the first things I noticed as soon as the credits started rolling was the fact that the screenplay was based on a book, written by the same guy. Now this in effect is a rarity. Most Hollywood scripts seem to be written by 15 people, and they turn out like shit anyway. Wereas this was a book, which got converted into a movie, and the writer got to actually keep complete control. I really like that. Just in case you were wondering the writer in question is called David Benioff. I really thought there was some brilliant lines in there, especially
‘You fat Russian fuck’ ‘Please, fat Ukranian fuck’
I also liked the percentile theory. What’s scary is that I usually come up with shit like that, and that one COMPLETELY passed me by. I’ve got to give that theory some more serious thought to be honest.
I’ve got to say that generally speaking anything Edward Norton is in, usually is pretty fantastic. He’s got a very natural way about him. He doesn’t force his lines, and you actually believe him when he delivers lines. He draws you in completely. I loved the scene in the toilet, the whole, ‘fuck me? No fuck you, and you and you and…’ great scene about how the city life can get to people. I sometimes feel that way living in London as well.
My only beef was with actress Rosario Dawson who play Naturelle. Nice figure, rubbish actress. Eh, the rest of the cast made up for her.
What can I say. He framed it pretty well, and let it breathe when it had to. The colours were very well done, and I did enjoy his cut cameras, where he’d repeat the scene from a different angle a split second later. I guess it’s always a good movie when I don’t notice how long it’s taken. So from an editing point of view Spike did well. Obviously he had to bring the whole basketball thng forward again, which I’m all up for. Seems a staple in all Spike Lee Joints ^_^.
Oddly enough, this was the star of the movie for me. A bad soundtrack can break a good movie, whereas a good soundtrack can make a good movie great. This is one of those rare times, where the music really hammers all the right emotions at the right time. I’m definitely picking up the soundtrack when I’m in town again.
Rating: 8/10
Just saw this on the scifi channel website. For all those in the dark, this to me was the granddaddy of fantasy novels. I read this before Lord of the Rings, and it was awesome. I’m thinking of reading it again. They’ve got a decent cast there as well. Definitely one for the DVD collection when it eventually comes out.
Not really sure about this movie. I know the hype around this one has begun, and there are loads of reports about it being pretty poor where story is concerned, and that this is more a Will Smith type affair than an Alex Proyas type movie. Alex Proyas for those in the dark is the supremely talented man behind the original Crow and Dark City. Since those two movies I actually haven’t seen him do anything. I guess this is coming back with a vengance really bringing in a blockbuster of sorts, but I’ve got to say that something about getting Will in there does actually reduce the credebility for me. Call me crazy but I would have loved it more if another unknown actor was put in there instead.
I guess I’ll have to wait and pass judgement when I’ve actually seen the thing. Could be good, could be rubbish, I’m still on the fence about this one, even though I really should be clamouring to watch it.
New ‘Star Wars’ movie title revealed
CNN.com - New ‘Star Wars’ movie title revealed - Jul 25, 2004 Out of complete boredom I actually typed in cnn.com and there it was in full glory the actual name of the new Star Wars movie : Episode Three.
Star Wars - Episode III : Revenge of the Sith
I really like it, let’s just hope that the movie is going to actually be worth anything, I’m not scared of the overall look of the movie, I’m just scared friggin George will screw the story and dialogue up once more.
http://www.brokenkode.com/san-diego-comic-convention-coverage-2004-part-4
Watched it last night. Very well put together littl documentary. Lots of food for thought. The thing is as with any media you’ll see it as biased propaganda, but the thing that it shows is how the western world has been subjected to the other side’s propaganda for so long, I think it’s healthy to have a look at the other side of the coin.
The problem is discarding the movie because that’s what you feel it is only. Micheal Moore shows all his sources, reveals where he got his information, which is bloody public knowledge. Anyone anywhere in the world can access most of that information if they really wanted to. If you’ve ever read Stupid White Men, you’ll know that Moore puts all his references in the back of the book, so if you think he’s lying, well go check it for yourself, because guess what, Moore’s done his homework.
For me none of it was particularly shocking as I’m Lebanese and therefore cynical about the motives of the American and British government and the whole fiasco that is the UN. I know it’s all about money, and a complete disregard for humanity, as long as you line your pockets. The whole war on terror, again another scheme that I could see right through, there was nothing there that was new to me.
To me I really couldn’t help but feel ready to cry when I saw the Iraqi woman talking about how her house was blown away, how he family was dispursed and how none of them were milititant but civils. I watched her and seeing as I was listening to her in arabic, even though she said a few words slightly differently, it was pretty much all understandable, she signified the way all arabs the world over feel about the current situation. The frustration in her voice was unbearable. I couldn’t help but think about how Lebanon was destroyed, and now it’s Iraq, and they tried to wrap it in a coat of lies and deceit; and nobody cared enough, all those ignorant assholes that would defend their country’s right to act, I’d like to grab them by the hair and show them these scenes of the little girl completely dismembered so that they can listen to Britney Spears and Kylie, while watching fucking shit TV, feeling all safe now that the terrorists are taken care of.
I was reminded while watching the war ‘or trying hard to avoid the propaganda but couldn’t’, just how much Iraqi lives, are obviously much cheaper than American or British lives, and that truely makes me sick.
You know however that this little movie will get people thinking and you know that it will eventually be followed by other people also willing to show what is being done in their name.
I should not be getting excited but what can I do it’s my inner geek. I know it will be crap. I know it’s going to annoy me no end, but it’s going to be amazing nonetheless, because it will be the end of the most major sci-fi fantasy series ever created, till now, in the future who know, but at this moment little can take away from the old ones, and there’s always something nice about the news one, even though they generally are crap.
Oh yeah and btw this is NOT the official poster, you can see Liam Neeson in the credits, and well a few minor photoshop blunders. However this movie will be coming to a cinema near you on the 25th of May, 2005
Right so I finally saw KILL BILL Volume 2 yesterday. Before I continue I’m going to say that this review has major SPOILERS. I’m going to be talking about everything I liked and disliked about the movie in detail, so be warry. If you’ve not had a chance to see it, go somewhere else, come back once you’ve actually seen it.
Right now that that’s out of the way let’s get down to the task at hand. Tarantino’s 5th movie. This was completely different to the first one, and yet it was a natural extension. While the first one had the emphasis on style over content, a bombastic romp into every movie tarantino loved watching, his homages to all kinds of cinema coming through, this volume actually felt like a tarantino flick. It had loads of scenes that made you uncomfortable, like in Resevoir dogs and Pulp fiction, and at the same time it had many scenes that made me laugh and smile and came off as very tender moments.
The scenes that made me feel the most uncomfortable were the ones of Uma in the coffin. Everything about how that entire scene was shot showed a man who knew how to keep the audience on the edge of their seats even though they KNEW she would come out of it ok, since he tells us right at the very beginning of the movie. That’s what made this movie good, in that everything is spilled out for you and yet you still forget about the girl even though that’s the first thing that he shows you at the beginning of the movie.
David Carradine was AMAZING. I used to watch him regularly on the TV series Kung Fu, he was the grasshopper and his master was blind. A disgraced Shaolin Monk he wondered the american wild west, it was a classic TV series, which he tarnished by appearing in the follow up with his ‘son’. Geeze what a load of rubbish. He’s lost some weight and he actually looks brilliant in his black suit.
Uma also impressed me no end. The training scenes looked brutal and she carried those off just as well as she did the scenes with her daughter, the crying with Bill, the entire package was done in such a way that I thought this was a worthwhile movie. I got my money’s worth of movie, felt saticfied and can’t wait for Quentin’s next movie, which hopefully shouldn’t take 5 years to come out.