John Carter (2012)
- Primula Baggins
- Living in hope
- Posts: 40005
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:43 am
- Location: Sailing the luminiferous aether
- Contact:
Very little more and very much the same as what we've already seen, was my impression. Nor do the effects look more polished. My enthusiasm is lagging for this now.
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
My enthusiasm evaporated when I saw the actor cast in the main role. Reedy thing, and that thin beard does not help at all. Meh. This movie needs eye candy to sell. [/i]
"What a place! What a situation! What kind of man would put a known criminal in charge of a major branch of government? Apart from, say, the average voter."
Terry Pratchett, Going Postal
Terry Pratchett, Going Postal
- Voronwë the Faithful
- At the intersection of here and now
- Posts: 47407
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:41 am
- Contact:
"Our world is at war, and Earth is next."
What the heck are they on about? This is looking less and less like an adaptation of the book and more like something with some of the characters and creatures from the book, but no real relation to the story.
What the heck are they on about? This is looking less and less like an adaptation of the book and more like something with some of the characters and creatures from the book, but no real relation to the story.
"Spirits in the shape of hawks and eagles flew ever to and from his halls; and their eyes could see to the depths of the seas, and pierce the hidden caverns beneath the world."
For the luvva pete.Voronwë the Faithful wrote:"Our world is at war, and Earth is next."
What the heck are they on about? This is looking less and less like an adaptation of the book and more like something with some of the characters and creatures from the book, but no real relation to the story.
Well, I was never very hopeful and now I'm less so.
It could have been such a fun movie! I never thought it could be "serious", but it could have been fun like the first Indiana Jones movies or The Mummy movies, that sort of thing.
It seems to me that the story was just made for a movie, just the way it was.
Dig deeper.
- Voronwë the Faithful
- At the intersection of here and now
- Posts: 47407
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:41 am
- Contact:
It might still be a fun movie, for those who haven't read the books. I really can't say. But I have far too much of a connection with this story to be able to enjoy something that strays as far as this is appearing to. My only hope is that the trailers and such are grossly mischaracterizing the way the film will actually turn out.
"Spirits in the shape of hawks and eagles flew ever to and from his halls; and their eyes could see to the depths of the seas, and pierce the hidden caverns beneath the world."
- Primula Baggins
- Living in hope
- Posts: 40005
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:43 am
- Location: Sailing the luminiferous aether
- Contact:
That's not an unreasonable hope, but we'll see. Mainstream reviewers probably won't help; they won't know the books and won't care. Fortunately there are always geeks who get sneak peeks and can warn (or possibly encourage) the rest of us.
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
Thats certainly my hope, and for the record this looks exactly like an Indiana Jones/Mummy Returns movie to me. But then I enjoyed Prince of Persia so obviously I have a very high tolerance for family action adventure cheese! And who knows, maybe it will serve as a further impetus for kids to pick up the ERB books. I know my son will be more interested in reading them if he's seen the movie.It might still be a fun movie, for those who haven't read the books.
The Vinyamars on Stage! This time at Bag End
- Primula Baggins
- Living in hope
- Posts: 40005
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:43 am
- Location: Sailing the luminiferous aether
- Contact:
AICN's Quint visits the John Carter set and posts a looooong (and spoilery) report (so long I won't be able to really read it until tonight):
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/53465
Skimming it brought up some interesting details and some changes that will probably be controversial for book fans. And some heartening stuff; there does appear to be some real knowledge of the books involved, and respect as well. The changes don't seem to be based on ignorance or not caring, but on what is technically possible and sometimes on a more modern vision of the story, for better or worse. I'll probably have more to say when I've really read the whole thing.
(Quint says he's returning to The Hobbit next.)
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/53465
Skimming it brought up some interesting details and some changes that will probably be controversial for book fans. And some heartening stuff; there does appear to be some real knowledge of the books involved, and respect as well. The changes don't seem to be based on ignorance or not caring, but on what is technically possible and sometimes on a more modern vision of the story, for better or worse. I'll probably have more to say when I've really read the whole thing.
(Quint says he's returning to The Hobbit next.)
“There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
- Voronwë the Faithful
- At the intersection of here and now
- Posts: 47407
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:41 am
- Contact:
Probably the most interesting thing about that report is that Stanton is planning to film The Gods of Mars and The Warlord of Mars as well. Interesting. A lot of stuff in there that I didn't like the sound of, but I'm not ready to completely give up on it yet.
"Spirits in the shape of hawks and eagles flew ever to and from his halls; and their eyes could see to the depths of the seas, and pierce the hidden caverns beneath the world."
- Impenitent
- Throw me a rope.
- Posts: 7272
- Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2005 12:13 am
- Location: Deep in Oz
I have to say guys, I'm really looking forward to this. I'm not a book firster (and am deliberately not reading till after I see this) but this looks like pure Flash Gordon!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... R6HUkzxjR0
and King Kong all mixed into one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rf55GTEZ_E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... R6HUkzxjR0
and King Kong all mixed into one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rf55GTEZ_E
The Vinyamars on Stage! This time at Bag End
- axordil
- Pleasantly Twisted
- Posts: 8999
- Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:35 pm
- Location: Black Creek Bottoms
- Contact:
http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/03/04/j ... e-preview/
Like the link says, a ten minute chunk of the film.
Like the link says, a ten minute chunk of the film.
- axordil
- Pleasantly Twisted
- Posts: 8999
- Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:35 pm
- Location: Black Creek Bottoms
- Contact:
Speaking as someone who only knew the stories vaguely and second hand, the movie was pretty all right. There were fast parts and slow parts, but the fast parts weren't so fast as to confuse and the slow parts didn't drag. The tone is respectful but not drearily so: the intent is not camp, but there are funny bits along the way, and they are played as funny bits.
One thing I AM convinced of now is that most movie reviewers are kinda dim. Many complained about there being too many funny sounding names to remember. There are roughly six that matter.
One thing I AM convinced of now is that most movie reviewers are kinda dim. Many complained about there being too many funny sounding names to remember. There are roughly six that matter.
Sounds like the critics are unhappy with it, but reviews on torc are pretty positive. I might go this weekend, if it keeps raining.
"What a place! What a situation! What kind of man would put a known criminal in charge of a major branch of government? Apart from, say, the average voter."
Terry Pratchett, Going Postal
Terry Pratchett, Going Postal
- axordil
- Pleasantly Twisted
- Posts: 8999
- Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:35 pm
- Location: Black Creek Bottoms
- Contact:
I repeat my previous assertion: most film critics are stupid. Maybe one in ten is bright enough to understand the fundamentals of film AND remember more than three names. That's not even accounting for the ones with tastes so narrow they can never be trusted to see movies in half the genres out there.
But more than that: anytime a big budget movie comes out, so do the knives. The parasites on the fringe of the industry like nothing better than a story of colossal hubris and failure, and they'll invent it if need be.
But more than that: anytime a big budget movie comes out, so do the knives. The parasites on the fringe of the industry like nothing better than a story of colossal hubris and failure, and they'll invent it if need be.