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Name: The Los
Country: United States
State: Virginia
Metro: Fairfax County
Birthday: 3/14/1981
Gender: Male
Interests: art, comics, soccer, hockey, sleep, tv, movies, music, coffee, ideas, stories, writing, songwriting, solutions, manga, video games, drawing, painting, and world domination
Expertise: Solutions/advice, drawing, grappling
Occupation: Artist
Message: message me
Website: visit my website
AIM:  TheLosStrikesBak
Member Since:
4/15/2005
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| My Watchmen ReviewOk... I got two things to state before I start my review.
One, I am only giving a temporary score for the fact I am only review the current Theatrical Release of Watchmen. The movie was condensed to two and a half hours, taking out "Tales of the Black Freighter", "Under The Hood" and other scenes Zack Snyder had to trim for the release. This summer, they will release the extended version and I can give a complete review.
Two, there is a difference between a graphic novel and film. The Watchmen originially was a 12 issue maxi-series and each issue had their own pace and flow. This movie flows the main story in one format. Creating an adaptation of anything, changes must be made to tell the story. Also, a person watches a movie different than reading a book or graphic novel. To those who say this movie is not a perfect translation, movies at this moment can never deliver anything close to perfect. There is a motion comic that goes panel for panel of the comic, which run time goes for five hours.
Ok, to the review.
Zack Snyder should do every comic book movie from here on out (Sorry, Jon Favreau). I do want Hollywood to look how it's done. DC comics, put Zack on JLA. Ok, enough with the praise. The film tells the story of murder, nuclear tension, and tights. It wraps around the mentality of superheroes and the reality of their own humanity. The opening montage tells the origins of the superhero community through the ages to the much changed 1985. The superhero known as The Comedian is murdered and its up to Rorschach to find out why. To fans of the comic, there are many easter eggs and the imagery from the comic makes a solid transition to the screen. The visual effects are amazing and keeps your eyes glued to the action and dramatic scenes. The cast is perfect and convey each character dead on. The music in the movie is probably some of the best use I have ever heard (highly recommending the soundtrack). There is so much more in this movie I want to tell but it must been seen to be enjoyed. There has been some news and ruckus about the change to the ending of the story. After watching this, I really have no complaints about it. It really is a small tweek and it does give small nod to the original ending.
The graphic novel is known for its heavy voilence and sexual images, and it also shows in the film. There is a lot of killing, slow motion brutality and much nakedness (both male and female). This movie is what you call a Hard "R" rated movie. I do not recommend this movie to anyone under 17, over 60 or any religious groups.
I give this movie an A and reserving the plus until I see the extended cut. You really don't feel the two plus hours, you actually want to see more while the credits roll. I recommend hitting this up in IMAX with a group. To those who never read the book, do pick it up (there are plenty of copies). After the recent Oscars, I really hope this movie doesn't get overlooked.
Though Be Warned, there is much violence, language, and nudity (plus one rape scene)! | | |
| My Oscar Picks - The Big Onesbest picture - Slumdog Millionaire
best actor - Mickey Rourke
best supporting actor - Heath Ledger
best actress - Kate Winslet
best supporting actress - Penelope Cruz
best director - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
best animated feature - Wall-E
best adapted screenplay - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
best original screenplay - In Bruges
best visual effects - Iron Man | | |
| The Spirit review: upon request by Brittiany GodbyI wanted to watch this on Christmas day but ended up snagging a Saturday showing. I am both a fan of Frank Millar (from Dark Knight Returns and Sin City movie) and The Spirit (from the recent relaunch by Darwin Cook). The Spirit comic was created by graphic novel visionary Will Eisner about a cop that gets killed and returns as the Avenging Spirit. Upon earlier trailers for this movie, many saw this as a Sin City cluster-f of Eisner's creation. Few know that Eisner has been a mentor for Frank and have been great friends for years. A discussion of theirs has even been made into a book (Miller/Eisner on shelves now). This movie is an eternal homage from Frank to his late mentor, and that’s the way it should be.
This movie is a C grade movie, and that is not a bad thing by any means. You had A+ movies like Iron Man and Dark Knight using big characters. The Spirit isn't very well known character, mostly operating by independent publishing only recently being published by DC Comics. I wouldn't think this will be a mega hit but it doesn’t make this a bad movie. The story is pretty solid with the Spirit coming to terms of who (or what) he is while facing his arch-enemy the Octopus. The style of the movie is a blend of the comics 50's noir and little hints of the modern city. The visuals break the mold of Frank Miller's Sin City, busting that complaint from the trailers. Some shots are simplified for added punctuation to the scenes but everything else looks very rich and colorful. The cast is spot on perfect for this story, I know some people thought Sam Jackson's Octopus was over the top, but thats what kind of character Miller envisioned the never seen villain to be. Gabriel Macht was perfect as the Spirit, women are going to swoon over this guy. He captures the soul of this character. Eva Mendez is just hot all over this movie, and has the best running gag ever. All the supporting characters fit like a perfectly crafted puzzle.
So why is this a C movie? Well most people will not get snagged into the story, the visual style and over the top characters. It is a fun ride but not made for everyone. I will say hit it as a matinee or wait to rent it. I know a few people will truly appreciate this film and all its layers. Frank Miller poured his soul into this movie for a man who made him the man he is today. Miller fans will notice nods to his own works. It is a message to those watching of how much influence Eisner had on him and all of his works (from The Dark Knight Returns to 300). This movie just didn’t knock me out of my seat like other comic book movies. Though after watching this movie, I wondered how Hollywood would have made this movie. They would have made more modern with maybe a couple of Oscar Award winners as the cast, limited special effects and probably made more money in the box office. But would have made it a better movie? I kind of doubt it because it may lose... pun warning... the "spirit" of the comic, which most comic book movies tend to miss out on. I recommend it if you want something different to watch, you'll get a good story, funny moments and just a fun time of escapism.
What would have made it an A movie, hard to say. I think I'll hold out on that grade until they make a sequel (which seems very up in the air, hopefully DVD sale can seal the deal). I have a formula for the future movies of this franchise. Make it like the James Bond films, with different directors and stories but keep the same actors. The comic franchise has many more adventures to dazzle us. Though if it is a one and done film, they did a fan-tastic job. | | |
| And then she bid me good day...What does it take to lose a friendship?
What is the whole point in friends?
Do we drop them when they let us down?
Kick them to the curb when it's the last straw?
I don't like pondering these things unless it comes up. Or like tonight when my services were deactivated like corporate layoffs. To be treaded like a last minute villain questioned and beaten before tossed into isolation. I pleaded my case but the executioner would have none of it. Forgiveness seemed not an option.
Alas, to say I didn't try,
She made her choice, I shall respect
May I only be the one to have such treatment.
Ok... lets move on, time cant wait on me and there more awesomeness to be found | | |
| Vote '08Got to vote right after work and only took me about 5 mins, God I Heart Virginia. My folks voted early this morning with a bunch of eager voters, and took about 20 mins. Kinda makes me chuckle at the 3 hour wait for the early/absentee voters. After casting my vote (McCain/Palin,Gilmore, Oddo, Yes), I swung by Starbucks and got my free coffee (surprisingly, my coffee tasted like freedom). I really don't know how this election is going to end but it will and we can move on. Lets enjoy the ride and grab some food later.
God Bless America!
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