Seeking answers in art, my microcosm is ensconced in the fiction of lyrics, literature and celluloid. Reality forcibly enters my sanctuary and proceeds to disembowel my soul.
Cinema can save my life.
The bizarre, twisted and morbid fascinate me. The strange, peculiar and unique attract me. Mysteries, truth and individuality entice me. Cinema, Music, literature and art delight me Political correctness, organized religion and corporate rule disgust me. Love, understanding and compassion enlighten me. The things that revolt, nauseate and repulse you, stimulate my cerebrum. And the things that offend, dismay and shock you, make me smile.
Director: Francis Ford Coppolla Writer: James V Hart Starring: Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins, Bill Campbell, Richard E Grant, Sadie Frost, Tom Waits, Monica Bellucci, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves
Since first appearing in Bram Stokers 1897 epistolary novel the character of Count Dracula has undoubtedly become the most iconic of all vampires. Serving as the template for blood sucker folklore there have been a plethora of films featuring the gothic character, none capturing the essence of the source told through character diary entries, letters and telegrams. Then Director Francis Ford Coppolla (Apocalypse Now, The Conversation, the Godfather) turned his creative eye to the material.
Capturing the mood and narrative tone, while not compulsively loyal this is as close to the original authors intentions as a big screen adaptation has ever come. It is a grandiose vision, smothered in the dense atmosphere of obsessive romance and morose desperation.
Introduced as a mortal, in 1462 Vlad the Impaler earns a reputation as a merciless warrior fighting in the name of god, intent on destruction he savages the Turkish Armies on the battlefield. Returning victorious he discover that misinformation of his death has caused his beloved wife to commit suicide. In an unhinged rage, Vlad vows to the all mighty that dark vengeance shall be his from beyond the grave.
Arising as the immortal Count Dracul, (Gary Oldman) now he must feed and a furious terror is unleashed that lasts for centuries to come. Then in the 1890s he discovers his beauty Elisbeta has been reincarnated as an English lass named Mina (Winona Ryder). The physical resemblance is unmistakable and soon the Count must cross the Atlantic to reclaim what was always his possession.
Not while I'm eating!
John Doe Says:
Coppollas skill as a filmmaker seems to waiver depending on inspiration (Jack), but here he is obviously so enamored with the material that an undeniable passion lets his expressive juices saturate the screen. The theatrics of shadow pantomime rise to an operatic crescendo, working in unison with bold colors, flamboyant costumes by Eiko Ishioka (Mishima: A Life in 4 Chapters)and Wojciech Kilars (The Ninth Gate) brazen score. The tragic themes merge to conclude in an experience resembling a frenzied dream, the nightmare that may or may not have been real.
Hypnotic in its ethereal execution that sucks on the marrow of the silent era classic Nosferatau, the cinematography by Scosese regular Michael Ballhaus (Goodfellas, Last Temptation of Christ, Gangs of New York) is the personification of cinema as art. Every frame deserves to be paused printed, framed and hung on a wall. The use of shadow and light is done with such precision that criticism of the film is neutered by its majesty. Even the potentially terminal miscasting of Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder can be forgiven when this staggering camera work is escalated by astonishing production design and Gary Oldmans incendiary central performance.
Tongue, blood, razor, sure I can do something with it says Oldman
As the fanged Romanian Prince Oldman (Romeo is Bleeding, State of Grace, Leon: the Professional) commands every frame with a seething intensity that oozes menace. Trampling all past incarnations (yep even Christopher Lee and Bela Legosi), with his slithering line delivery and otherworldly physicality.
As mentioned the films major flaw is that of Keanu Reeves (My Own private Idaho, Rivers Edge) trying to play a British intellect. According to Coppolla he needed a young, hot star that would connect with the girls. Reeves is stiff and forced as the hapless, doomed fiancé of Draculas betrothed and never looks comfortable in his costume nor the characters skin.
Also lacking what the gravitas of her part demands, Winona Ryder (Heathers, A Scanner Darkly)fails to convince as the eternal beauty Elisbetha/Mina. Hers is a doe eyed, innocent presence that fails to evolve beyond naïve. This counter acts the necessary chemistry to fuse with Gary Oldmans dominant force of nature.
Throughout his uneven career Anthony Hopkins (Titus, Magic, Bobby) has had a tendency to chew scenery, but the part of Van Helsing demands the trait.
Acknowledging the films shortcomings it is still an immersive work that contains spectacle and nuanced moments that fang their way into the subconscious.
John Doe was lucky enough to revisit the film on BluRay disc recently and the enhanced sound and picture made for a higher quality screening than was ever seen in cinemas. A fabulous test of the technology that encouraged him to go through all the informative extra features on the disc including, deleted scenes, commentaries and several making-of- features.
The Extra Dimension to the Portrait of a Superhero
Watchmen DVD - Available in Australia
Director: Zack Snyder Writers: David Hayter and Alex Tse Starring: Billy Cruddup, Patrick Wilson, Malin Akerman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jackie Earle Hayley, Mathew Goode, Carla Gugino, Matt Frewer (Dawn of the Dead), Stephen Mchattie
Rorschach's Journal: October 12th, 1985. Tonight, a comedian died in New York. - Rorschach
Based on the idiosyncratic Graphic Novel by Alan Moore, The Watchmen is possibly the most esoteric of all superhero films. Deemed unfilmable by the ever imaginative Terry Gilliam back in a pre CGI 1989, passing through several hands including Darren Aronofsky and Paul Greengrass before docking in the palm of Zack Snyder. The Watchmen s history of getting to the big screen is as much a struggle as any cinema venture ever has been.
The much lauded and revolutionary Watchmen comic forms its mighty spine around caped avengers being treated as human beings in a real world of ambiguous motivations.
Subverting the genre and deconstructing the myth. What kind of a normal person dons a costume and fights crime? The answer is no normal person. These are dark vigilantes, deluded souls and all of them have serious psychological disorders. There are no distinct lines between good and evil, right and wrong, hero and villain.
Cleverly rewriting history in the process the story takes place in a parallel universe 1985. In this timeline Nixon has been in power for 5 terms, Watergate never happened and the audience knows who assassinated JFK. Tricky Dicky has banned all superheroes and is faced with the threat of nuclear Armageddon from the Russians.
The murder/mystery plot opens with the brutal, balletic death of The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) by an unknown assassin. Rorschach realizes immediately that one of his own is gone and begins an obsessive search for the truth along the way recruiting other ex heroes and forcing some to ponder their choices.
The original Minutemen
The Watchmen at the centre of this struggle are a second generation of super heroes, taking over from the Minute men of the 1950s.
There is Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson), an inheritance rich geek deluded by idol worship who fights crime using expensive technology like Archie, his mechanical flying vehicle.
Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman) is driven by serious mummy issues and is suffering an identity crisis as she uses her sexy figure as a weapon.
Rorschach (Jackie Earle Hayley) is a rage filled sociopath who only understands violence and leaves a trail of bloody carnage wherever he goes. I heard a joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life is harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world. Doctor says, "Treatment is simple. The great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go see him. That should pick you up." Man bursts into tears. Says, "But doctor... I am Pagliacci." Good joke. Everybody laugh. Roll on snare drum. Curtains. - Rorscach
The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is a bigoted, racist happiest when taking lives and not opposed to raping and enjoying his work too much.
Olympidius (Matthew Goode) is the smartest man in the world with lighting fast reflexes. Cashing in on the fame afforded a hero, billionaire genius Ozymandias comes with questionable morality impaired by brutal logic. We can do so much more. We can save this world... with the right leadership. - Ozymandias
The only one of the bunch with true Super powers is Dr Manhattan (Billy Cruddup). Arguably the most powerful being in any comic book universe he can manipulate all physical matter at a molecular level, experience his lifespan of time in non linear sequence and teleport. This omnipotent control and his scientifically wired brain have him detaching from humanity.
Rorschach finds his motivation
John Doe says:
Startling CG FX are used in a nontraditional narrative structure to make the Watchmen as much a character piece as a grandly designed commentary on our self destructive nature. Jumping back and forth in time the main story is interspersed with graphic background or origin stories that give perspective on current events.
Zack Snyder directs The Comedian
Director Zack Snyder continues his experiments in visual technology that began with a worthy Dawn of the Dead remake and led to the visceral 300. There is a level of indulgence to the films style that may grate on some but there is no denying the impact of the screen imagery. Snyders familiar soundtrack choices purposefully conflict with the established tones that are meant to accompany certain types of scenes. For instance Jimi Hendrix wailing where a Hans Zimmer score may have felt appropriate.
In truth the whole film has a streak of a mischievous 13 year old eager for audience reaction. Sex scenes are glossy and seem to come out of a Playboy shoot, but isnt that fitting for a pair of split personality sufferers dressed in latex who decide on mutual penetration within a giant owl ship above the city? The violence and carnage is equally excessive, the filmmakers seem to be having too good of a time making it appear on screen, theres a streak of Paul Verhoven (Robocop, Starship Troopers) in this boy me thinks.
The script was always going to be a tough hone and David Hayter (X Men 2) and Alex Tse do a pretty admirable job. There is substance to be found in their loyal adaptation of the cantankerous Alan Moore source. Sure the ending is changed, but it works for the medium. The Black Freight sub plot was not needed in the big picture way and the film would have been about 4 hours long with it all back in.
Those unfamiliar with the original may struggle to put the pieces of the puzzle together, but if you pay attention it is clear. The comic was presented in a similar order and never gave all the answers either making it equally thoughtful.
The acting is variable from the excellent to the abysmal. As the Edward Blake/Comedian Jeffery Dean Morgan (Taking Woodstock, Weeds) is vibrant and charismatic embracing all his characters faults (and there are many) to make a very entertaining performance.
Former child star Jackie Earle Hayley (Breaking Away, Bad news Bears, Little Children, Remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street ) is a violent, ticking-time-bomb presence that makes us feel Walter Kovacs/Rorschachs ceaseless rage.
In the part of Dr. Manhattan / Jon Osterman actor/computer tracking device Billy Cruddup (Jesus Son, Waking the Dead, Almost Famous) had the thankless task of giving a god genuine emotions. Limited by the fact Dr Manhattan is a completely CGI creation, there are only two scenes where we actually see the unaltered actor.
Patrick Wilson (Hard Candy, Little Children) plays Nite Owl II with appropriately gawky competence. The Mr-Nice-Guy of the bunch still manages to interest next to the more intriguing members.
Sure Malin Akerman (Entourage) looks great in her Silk Spectre II costume but she is certainly the weak link where performance is questioned. Occasionally showing potential, but mostly she seems self conscious and fake in the more demanding scenes and other times is just wooden and disappears. Maybe it the urge to see what Carla Gugino (Sin City) would have looked like in that skin tight disguise that makes this verdict.
Incidentally Carla does bring the damaged melancholy of Silk Spectre I and sells the aging make up. Matthew Goode (The Lookout, Match Point) as Adrien Veidt /Ozymandias encompasses the quintessential superhero type ala Superman in looks while gleefully exposing the darker side of the propaganda image.
John Doe agrees Watchmen is not a perfect film, but it is a fantastic comic book experience for those sick of by the numbers big budget predictability and sentimentality. There is something very fresh feeling about competent adult subversion of the genre. Compared to The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and V for Vendetta this is the first worthwhile interpretation of Alan Moores seminal work. Remembering to have fun while captivating with cunning awareness, the kids had The Incredibles (which John Doe loves) and the big kids get Watchmen, it is that simple.
The Imperial Forces fear the Filthy Rebel Scum and there Terrorist Methods.
A screenshot from Makazie One - Courtesy of makazieone.com
As many readers know, the film that changed John Does life forever was Star Wars. If that little homage to the classic Flash Gordon style Science-Fiction-Fantasy-Adven ture had never been made it may have been a very different Doe that is blogging right now. Maybe he would have written about cooking or travel, perhaps cars or sports instead of being the cinema obsessed voyeur you know?
Enough with the shallow hypothetical. Johnny boy did take a hit of that celluloid crack pipe when he was 5 yars old and Star Wars was his first buzz. Normally fan fiction, fan films and fan made material for any movie fails to stimulate. As a genre, fan produced tributes are about as attractive as Jabba the Hut working at a Hooters, or being marooned on Dagobah with your ship stuck in a swamp and no Yoda to teach you the how to move massive objects with the force .see what I mean, geek!
3 stormtroopers walk into a bar..
Point is JD was impressed and amused by the comedy video below that comes care of Collegehumor.com. In two minds about spoiling the content any further than the headline, lets just say its funny real world laughs from the galaxy far, far away.
The second video serves as a compendium piece thats armed with impressive production values and an entertaining original story. The short film Makazie One is a gritty war film with everybodys favourite soldiers in white doing bloody battle against an army of Clone warrior Boba-Fetts.
Rather than make up a synopsis, here is how the filmmaker, with the handle Clutch sets up his minor opus:
Set in the Star Wars universe during the time period between Episodes III and IV, an elite soldier has been sent to track down and destroy a known threat to the Empire through intense ground battles and haunting imagery of death that surrounds the environment. The unsuspecting enemy to the new Imperial order has no idea what he is up against when the two finally meet for an action packed surprise ending.
A laser blasting combat film that takes the midicloriants out of you, this is certainly the type of fan fiction that succeeds. The authentic FX, immersing sound design and urgent cinematography all combine for a fun ride that this fanboy feels must be shared.
So, John Doe says in his best Jedi Master voice, You will enjoy this footage and you reply We will enjoy this footage.
This one failed to add up to the sum of its parts for me....as for Gray his first film Little Odessa is still my favourite though The Yards was also worth a look.
Don't think this in teh same league as Evil Dead which in the original went to very dark, gory places...instead this is a funhouse ride that wears it's 1950's style as a badge on honour.
As for remaking Evil Dead, the less said the better. i juts pray that the mighty Bruce comes along for the ride or all hope is lost.
I normally hate nice guy actors (they seem fake) but Long brings a geeky smarts that I can relate too...he is not a great actor but a welcome presence in most things.
I was really impressed with Lohman in this one and think Raimi went back to basics and it benefited the audience with its simplicity of design.
It did balance laughs and suspense well and even when it was farcical it seemed to work within the established frame work.
Horror is not for everyone and usually most people expect horror comedy to not scare but be ridiculously inoffensive since the annoying Buffy like craze...An American Werewolf in London is still the best genuinely scary film that incorporates laughs for me.
the film isn't an absolute must see, but for raimi fans and horror fiends it is...PG 13 horror films when done right can truly invigorate with careful atmosphere and off camera shocks. This one succeeds in both, then adds laughs with excessive gooey slime that all seems to head in Lohmans direction.
Aside from Rivers Edge and My own Private Idaho Keanu Reeves is usually varying degrees of annoying, though like most I enjoy his woh dude persona in Point break. here he is "way out of his element Donny"
The atmosphere driving the story is so dense and complete that when combined with Oldman makes it a great genre pick.
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