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Watchmen

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:57 pm
by GamePlayer
Well, Zack Snyder's live action adaptation of Moore's classic graphic novel now has a trailer. Much like the costume pictures that were released, it looks brilliant visually, but that's not the part that worries me :)

http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/07/17/ ... -stunning/

I hope the script and acting is as good as all the made-to-geekgasm appetizers fed in the trailer, but I'm still a bit worried.

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:41 pm
by Phaedrus
That makes me really want to read the graphic novel. Too bad graphic novels are expensive. :|

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:52 pm
by Omphalos
While waiting for that big pig of a trailer to download, I thought I'd give Phaedrus a hand. Here is a link for the compilation volume at $13.95, cheaper than most trade pb's. I also see it can be got for $9.50 used.

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:02 pm
by Omphalos
My God that was awesome.

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:04 pm
by GamePlayer
If you're as big as fan as I am and have the financial means, I definitely recommend picking up the hardcover "Absolute Watchmen". It's a much larger volume with bigger pages/panels, the coloring has been revised by the original colorist and it includes the rare interviews from the UK collected edition. Yes, it's an arm and a leg, but we're talking Watchmen here. I love mine :)

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:38 pm
by Nekhrun
Phaedrus wrote:That makes me really want to read the graphic novel. Too bad graphic novels are expensive. :|
Libraries have graphic novels.

Looks better than I thought. Might have to set aside my respect for Alan Moore and see it.

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:25 pm
by Phaedrus
Omphalos wrote:While waiting for that big pig of a trailer to download, I thought I'd give Phaedrus a hand. Here is a link for the compilation volume at $13.95, cheaper than most trade pb's. I also see it can be got for $9.50 used.
:shock:

Amazing.

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:25 am
by GamePlayer
Not exactly Watchmen related, but a few words of wisdom from Alan Moore :)

http://www.arthurmag.com/magpie/?p=2999

Fun and Games in Hollywood

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:32 pm
by Omphalos
Here is an article about a legal battle that is just starting over the release of this film.

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:42 pm
by GamePlayer
I wonder if it's a stunt. I wouldn't put it past them. There's no better way to get all the skeptics on board than to make your film and then dangle it behind a delayed release. Course, this sounds a bit more serious than a typical film delay, but really, what's a million or two more in the budget of a hollywood blockbuster for a "faux" court battle? :)

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:41 pm
by Omphalos
If process were served, and it sounds like it has been, there would be dire consequences for faking a battle like this. Lawyers would be disbarred, and the sanctions would probably be tremendous. The court would have to power to order people to jail as well for contempt of court, and if I were the judge assigned a contrived battle between two litigants, especially two litigants who live on publicity and have billions of dollars, there is no end to the people I would order to jail. And I'm not talking some fluffy city jail with luxuries like light fixtures and flushing toilets. Off those dipshits go to the worst hole I can find.

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:32 pm
by SandChigger
Omphalos wrote:...the worst hole I can find.
Oh, I just wish everyone would stop talking about Hype and move on already. :roll:


:P

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:00 am
by inhuien
So who's to blame here? D.C. (i assume) for selling the rights to Warner, Warner for not ensuring there were no other claims to the rights or Fox for not protecting their rights to exploit. IMO fox should shut the fuck up they had years to make their version of the movie and years to (re)discover that they held the rights. The only reason I can see that they would wait till now is that they have Warner over a barrel and their trous or down.

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:13 am
by Omphalos
Its very difficult to tell. Options can be sold by whomever holds a property right. I have no idea what the ownership is, but it is entirely possible that Moore, DC, and even Dave Gibbons all had a property right in it, so they each could have sold something to the plaintiff.

Owners can also sell multiple options sometimes too, depending on how the contracts are written, and those who buy options are often free to sell them to a third party. This was the problem with Dune for a long time. There were so many different options out there that the lawyers had a hard time coralling them. Im sure that there were multiple options for movies, then there are options for tie-in books, video games, etc. Its truly Byzantine, and the first thing that must be done with many projects like this is to find out what is out there, what rights they grant, and how to go about purchasing them all so that nobody has any rights but you.

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 10:14 am
by SpacemanSpiff
Now I have a headache!

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 1:54 pm
by GamePlayer
I think it's simply a case of WB not doing their homework. Now Fox is likely to be either awarded (or settled) for a cut of the profits. Which means Watchmen better do really well or it'll be an under performer for WB :)

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 2:02 am
by Robspierre
GamePlayer wrote:I think it's simply a case of WB not doing their homework. Now Fox is likely to be either awarded (or settled) for a cut of the profits. Which means Watchmen better do really well or it'll be an under performer for WB :)
The thing is though, DC has been owned by Time Warner since the 70's and while for a time in the mid 80's options were shopped around to other studio's, I seriously doubt DC's lawyers screwed up. I recall in the late 90's talk of the option rights reverting back to DC. If I recall correctly, DC requires progress within a certain time frame, so as to not tie up a property in production limbo.

Rob

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:00 am
by GamePlayer
Possibly, but when it comes to properties like that, different rights can be contracted for different profit centers relating to the production. One company may own the film rights themselves while the distribution/merchandising/home video rights might belong to someone else under a totally different contract with a totally different time frame. Just look at the twisted ownership histories of Blade Runner or Super Dimension Fortress Macross. These things can be really complicated.

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:07 am
by Robspierre
That's true, and I'm going off of memories from comicon back in the early 2000's when i would go out drinking with staff from Dark Horse and DC. It is just that with DC and Warners Brothers being owned by Time Warner it is difficult for me at this moment to see them goofing up. Time Warner bought DC to keep everything in house when they set out to make the Superman movies, in fact DC is distributed to the book trade through Warner Books. The 20tch Century Fox stuff if I recall has to do with Terry Gillium's efforts but since all his contracts are fulfilled I really don't see much of a leg for them to stand on.

Rob

Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 10:08 pm
by GamePlayer

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:04 pm
by GamePlayer
New trailer

I really don't like the Muse track they chose. Not good at all.

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:45 pm
by The Phantom
GamePlayer wrote:New trailer

I really don't like the Muse track they chose. Not good at all.

the first half of it isn't muse.. not sure what song that is...\
as for their using "take a bow" they jumped all over in the song. the actual track builds much better than their edited version.
that song is kind of funny actually; it's talking to george bush and saying how he's gonna burn in hell for his sins, for taking the lives and souls of a country etc...

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:19 am
by GamePlayer
It's an okay track, but it doesn't work well for the trailer precisely because that particular songs does not lend itself to short form editing the way many other songs do (like, for example, the Pumpkin's "The Beginning Is the End Is the Beginning" used in the first trailer).

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:35 am
by The Phantom
GamePlayer wrote:It's an okay track, but it doesn't work well for the trailer precisely because that particular songs does not lend itself to short form editing the way many other songs do (like, for example, the Pumpkin's "The Beginning Is the End Is the Beginning" used in the first trailer).
i agree. it doesnt lend itself to shortening and they did a piss poor job for the trailer at that..
that pumpkins title just sounds like it would be good for mixing and matching different parts :P

Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:26 am
by GamePlayer
The one thing I do like about this new trailer; it's revealed many other non-action scenes, scenes which are pivotal to the broader story and themes of the graphic novel. This is starting to assuage my fears about the adaptation of the narrative from the book since it appears they are including much more.

I really hope Zack doesn't let us down with this one. But I will say that Watchmen is going to be the true test for Snyder as a filmmaker. I liked Dawn of the Dead and 300, but Watchmen is substance, drama, and subtext. Zack will have to decide whether he wants a real career as a filmmaker or if he's just another Brett Ratner in the making. I'm hoping for the best.

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:46 pm
by Seraphan
If he keeps using and abusing the slow motion camera i'm gonna get steaming pissed. But so far almost all the images it shows are very close to the graphic novel so i have my fingers crossed.
Although i think that graphic novels like The Watchmen dont need to have movie versions because, for me, graphic novel is the perfect medium, with both visual and written content being taken to it's best.

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:01 pm
by Omphalos
Except for Drieberg and whatsherface. They were both a good bit fatter in the graphic novel, which was a BIG part of his personality; being a fat oldish guy. And I dont think Ive seen her smoke in either trailer.

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:08 pm
by SimonH
Wow. I am halfway through my first read of Watchmen right now. That trailer in the OP looks very true to the feel of the book.

BUT - I really like the 80s setting of the novel. I'm guessing that it will be revamped for a 2009 setting??

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:26 pm
by Seraphan
SimonH wrote:Wow. I am halfway through my first read of Watchmen right now. That trailer in the OP looks very true to the feel of the book.

BUT - I really like the 80s setting of the novel. I'm guessing that it will be revamped for a 2009 setting??
Would Hollywood let it be done any other way?

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:19 pm
by GamePlayer
I actually think Zack Snyder's preferred visual style rather suits something like Watchmen. Watchmen is a slow moving, heightened dramatic story, one which definitely meshes well with Snyder's work. Visually, I don't see a thing to complain about with Snyders Watchmen adaptation. It's brilliant. My biggest concerns are the script, the characterization and the implementation. Sure it looks nice, but what Hollywood picture doesn't these days? What about the substance, because substance is what is most important in Watchmen.

I also think the slow-motion complaint is quite past expiry. I don't mean to come down on anyone, but I'd just like to say it's an old complaint which is pretty much out of gas. Yes, Michael Bay has abused slow motion like no other filmmaker in history, but that doesn't mean it's not a useful, appropriate technique. And I pretty much blame the audiences for continuing to see his films. Even the greats, like James Cameron, use slow motion.

The rage nowadays is documentary camera and what I like to call "impressionistic action" sequences. I welcome a bit of slow motion to help offset the chaos of the crazy cam :)

Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:42 pm
by SandChigger
Hmmm....

Well, I just ordered the book from Amazon, if that says anything. ;)

(All this time, I had no idea who or what Nekhrun's avatar was. How sad, wot?)

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:02 am
by Freakzilla
SandChigger wrote:Hmmm....

Well, I just ordered the book from Amazon, if that says anything. ;)

(All this time, I had no idea who or what Nekhrun's avatar was. How sad, wot?)
You're not alone.

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:32 am
by GamePlayer
I keep meaning to make a better scan of Rorschach and PM it to Nekrun. It should better. I got the Absolute Watchmen book as well, with the large paneling and improved coloring.

*makes mental note to do it after work today*

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:50 pm
by SandChigger
Freakzilla wrote:You're not alone.
I keep telling myself that.

Especially when I think I am. [looks back over shoulder]

:shock:

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:37 pm
by Nekhrun
SandChigger wrote:Hmmm....

Well, I just ordered the book from Amazon, if that says anything. ;)

(All this time, I had no idea who or what Nekhrun's avatar was. How sad, wot?)
That thing's from Watchmen? I thought it looked like a butterfly. :shock:

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:46 pm
by SimonH
has anyone seen this episode of the simpsons with Alan Moore:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Husbands_and_Knives ?

I'll have to see if I can download it.

I like this especially :D

Image

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 6:57 pm
by Nekhrun

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:23 pm
by GamePlayer
Here you go Nekhrun, a nice big version of Rorschach, in a new scan and color balanced (picture is 21.96 kb, so you can upload it to the boards and stay under the 24 kb limit).

Image

Enjoy :)

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:32 pm
by Freakzilla
SimonH wrote:has anyone seen this episode of the simpsons with Alan Moore:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Husbands_and_Knives ?

I'll have to see if I can download it.

I like this especially :D

Image
I think I've seen them all.

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:35 am
by SandChigger
What IS this thing? (No, DON'T tell me! :D )

Image

It's seriously hot, whatever it is.

I keep wondering if I can model it in Cheetah3D.... :shock:

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:10 am
by Nekhrun
Just read the book already!

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:05 am
by GamePlayer
Hey Nekhrun, you didn't upload the new version of the avatar yet.

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:38 am
by Omphalos
SandChigger wrote:What IS this thing? (No, DON'T tell me! :D )

Image

It's seriously hot, whatever it is.

I keep wondering if I can model it in Cheetah3D.... :shock:
Its a lovely, lovely snowflake, and inside it are unicorns and fairy princesses.

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:19 pm
by Nekhrun
GamePlayer wrote:Hey Nekhrun, you didn't upload the new version of the avatar yet.
Oh yes I did. Thanks. I've been thinking about getting that new Watchmen book. It looks pretty impressive.

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:15 pm
by Omphalos
Looks good, guys.

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:04 pm
by GamePlayer
Why Nekhrun, you look absolutely smashing :)
Not sure about the new book. Does Watchmen really need a graphic novel companion? Perhaps it does, but how much material is really inside it? I've read mixed reviews and I'm not convinced I'd get all that much out of the new "Watching the Watchmen" book.

Besides, I already own the Absolute Watchmen, a large format hardcover version of the original graphic novel. In addition to the graphic novel itself (which has been given a subtle, but amazing coloring update), the Absolute Watchmen contains an additional 48 pages of interviews, storyboards and concept art. So after having all that, I'm not sure I'd get much more out of a companion book.

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 7:43 am
by Seraphan
A copy of Absolute Watchmen is going to arrive in my hands this christmas, i was hoping they would release a likewise special edition of V for Vendetta.
Do any of you know other really good graphic novels done by other authors? No use saying Hellblaser cause i'm already on that one.

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 7:45 am
by Nekhrun
Seraphan wrote:A copy of Absolute Watchmen is going to arrive in my hands this christmas, i was hoping they would release a likewise special edition of V for Vendetta.
Do any of you know other really good graphic novels done by other authors? No use saying Hellblaser cause i'm already on that one.
There are some "Absolute" releases of some of the Sandman volumes as well.

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:38 pm
by Seraphan
http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/index. ... s_id=49349
Oh Yeah Baby!

"Along with Watchmen and Dark Knight Returns V is often held to be one of the 'holy trinity' of modern, graphic novels which re-invented the medium for a mature, adult audience. Written as a response to the right wing politics of the 1980s it remains extremely powerful - Moore's story of a political anarchist, Codename V, portrayed by David Lloyd as a cloaked man in a Guy Fawkes mask attacking a totalitarian, fascist British state may be set in the 80s, but it speaks of oppression and the fight for personal and societal freedom in any era and culture.

We're still waiting on full details for this edition, but we expect it to be given the normal Absolute treatment by DC, so oversized pages which let you drink in carefully restored artwork, plenty of extras included and a slipcase to hold the huge hardback volume. I think a lot of us will want to replace our existing copies of V with this when it becomes available.

DC, hardback with slipcase, 296 pages, published August 2009"

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 4:24 pm
by SandChigger
Nekhrun wrote:Just read the book already!
Am.

Mars huh? ;)

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:17 am
by Robspierre
This week we got in the first teaser poster for Watchmen, I've laid claim to all versions we get in :D

Rob

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:29 am
by GamePlayer
The Absolute edition of Watchmen is absolutely worth it. :)
But since the concept of these Absolute editions has caught on with a market, I'd be careful. Judge each version on it's own merits; read reviews for them first. Some Absolute editions might be as good or better than the Watchmen version. Others might not be worth it at all.

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:05 pm
by Robspierre
V needs a good Absolute edition, the colors in the trade are a bit off and muddied, and the hardcover sells for three times or more its cover online. So far DC has done a smashing job on all their absolute editions.

Rob

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:06 pm
by Omphalos
I just recently read The Walking Dead vol 1 and From Hell. No colors, but the editions I read were nice enough. The Walking Dead was a nice hardback, and From Hell was a trade paper.

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:11 pm
by Robspierre
I have an original From Hell page signed by Eddie Campbell :P

Rob

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 1:39 am
by SandChigger
Am almost halfway through. Quite enjoying the contrast between the graphic and prose sections. ;)

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 11:38 am
by Omphalos
SandChigger wrote:Am almost halfway through. Quite enjoying the contrast between the graphic and prose sections. ;)
I liked that too. Reminiscent of Dos Passos style, with all the extra-textual stuff. Like Gateway too.

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:36 pm
by Robspierre

Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:52 pm
by SandChigger
Haven't seen that on the tube yet...

Meh. I prefer the earlier English one with the Smashing Bumpkins. ;)

Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 2:58 pm
by GamePlayer
Quite a few new scenes in that trailer that we've not seen anywhere else. It gives the impression the film is a lot more political than we were lead to believe based on the original trailers. That's good news, to my mind.

Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:12 pm
by SandChigger
Noticed that. The extra scenes, I mean.

You're looking beyond the trailer to the film. I'm just judging the trailers per se. Generally the Japanese try to achieve an "atmosphere" that usually pisses me off... ;)

Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 11:51 am
by GamePlayer
For once, it appears some informative details about the Watchmen controversy have surfaced.

http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-m ... -producers

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 11:06 am
by GamePlayer
Good news; WB and Fox have reached an agreement.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111799 ... id=13&cs=1

Now, onto the more important issue: is the film actually any good? :)

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:35 pm
by GamePlayer
Alan Moore being Alan Moore about comic book movies

http://www.totalfilm.com/features/exclu ... ook-movies

A very brief but funny read :)

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 2:06 pm
by SandChigger
:lol:
America has an inordinate fondness for the unfair fight.

That’s why I believe guns are so popular in America – because you can ambush people, you can shoot them in the back, you can behave in a very cowardly fashion. Friendly fire, or as we call it everywhere else in the world, American fire.
:lol:

That's why we call the gun "the Great Equalizer". 'Cause any fuck with a finger can kill.

But we're so afraid of our own fucking government that we're willing to pay the price.

Ahem. I don't feel so much like laughing any more.

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 5:46 pm
by SimonH
Has anyone seen Watchmen? Should I shell out for the movie?

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:14 am
by inhuien
I've not seen it as it hasn't been released as of yet, and yes I think it could be worth your buck but YMMV of course. Are these trick questions?

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:29 am
by SandChigger
Who wants to know?

And are you certain?

;)

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:46 pm
by inhuien
SandChigger wrote:And are you certain?
I was. Untill you asked :evil: :D

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:41 pm
by SimonH
inhuien wrote:I've not seen it as it hasn't been released as of yet, and yes I think it could be worth your buck but YMMV of course. Are these trick questions?
hasn't it been released in the states yet? In Australia we get movies so late that we haven't even seen half of the movies nominated in the academy awards.... We get Watchmen in less than a month. I assumed everyone else had already seen it :oops: :lol:

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 4:13 pm
by Omphalos
SimonH wrote:
inhuien wrote:I've not seen it as it hasn't been released as of yet, and yes I think it could be worth your buck but YMMV of course. Are these trick questions?
hasn't it been released in the states yet? In Australia we get movies so late that we haven't even seen half of the movies nominated in the academy awards.... We get Watchmen in less than a month. I assumed everyone else had already seen it :oops: :lol:
Its one of those biggies that gets released the world 'round on a single day.

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 1:04 pm
by Robspierre
SimonH wrote:Has anyone seen Watchmen? Should I shell out for the movie?
Doing an employee midnight showing the day before so I'll let ya'll know then.

Rob

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 8:07 pm
by Ampoliros
I've heard that they've changed the ending somewhat. they better get that right, cause that's about 90% of the point of the book. I'll be fucking pissed if Hollywood changes it to make X evil all along and the good guys save the day.

If your looking for a good graphic novel read, try Bone by Jeff Smith. Its a delightful fantasy story. It's pretty long though, over 1300 pages. Its not a serious political read though.

if they do an Absolute V then they need to do it in black and white like the original comic version. V for Vendetta is probably my favorite read.

You can't go wrong with Dark Knight Returns. Even if you don't like superhero comics that one is worth it. If you like Batman then you have to read the new Batman All-Stars. It portrays Batman as not just conflicted but actually maniac-level insane.

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 8:37 pm
by Ampoliros
well this should prove interesting. of course they changed the ending to make it have a more 'global' impact while simultaneously pulling out the keystone which makes the whole damn story fall apart.

ugh, wtf. It was bad enough when they made Evey and V fall in love but this? I wont give any spoilers away. lets just say the new ending absolutely makes no sense.

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:27 am
by Seraphan
Thanks for the suggestions Ampoliros, will check.
Can you tell me what ending is that, through PM, please. I didnt plan on watching the movie anyway, just wanna know what fuck up they came up with.

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:57 pm
by GamePlayer
Release date schedule for Watchmen

Belgium 4 March 2009
France 4 March 2009
Argentina 5 March 2009
Australia 5 March 2009
Chile 5 March 2009
Czech Republic 5 March 2009
Germany 5 March 2009
Hungary 5 March 2009
Israel 5 March 2009
Netherlands 5 March 2009
New Zealand 5 March 2009
Portugal 5 March 2009
Russia 5 March 2009
Singapore 5 March 2009
Thailand 5 March 2009
Austria 6 March 2009
Brazil 6 March 2009
Finland 6 March 2009
Indonesia 6 March 2009
Italy 6 March 2009
Latvia 6 March 2009
Mexico 6 March 2009
Norway 6 March 2009
Poland 6 March 2009
Romania 6 March 2009
South Korea 6 March 2009
Spain 6 March 2009
Turkey 6 March 2009
UK 6 March 2009
USA 6 March 2009
Egypt 11 March 2009
Greece 12 March 2009
Hong Kong 12 March 2009
Estonia 13 March 2009
Iceland 13 March 2009
Sweden 13 March 2009
Croatia 19 March 2009
Slovenia 19 March 2009
Denmark 20 March 2009
Japan 28 March 2009

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:58 pm
by SandChigger
March 28?!

WTF. :?

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:27 pm
by Omphalos
SandChigger wrote:March 28?!

WTF. :?
I'll be sure to tell you how it ends. :lol: :lol:

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 3:29 am
by inhuien
So anyone seen it yet? Was it any good? Na spoilers. :)

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 4:25 am
by Robspierre
Just got home from doing an employee showing of watchmen.

It was decent to spot on to good and then the ending was disappointing. It is worth seeing, I found myself enjoying the soundtrack.

I advise you try to look at it without a post 9-11 lens, if you possibly can do so.

Rob

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:23 am
by Ampoliros
So rob, having seen the ending, would you agree that it takes the unifying threat that **** was looking for and throws it out the window? That Synder replaces it with a WTF how does that unite us moment that would be more likely to escalate WWIII?

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:30 am
by GamePlayer
I'm two issues into re-reading Watchmen, as a refresher before I go into the film. The reviews are quite divided, but it's hard to say whether it is a "fanboys vs. everyone else" kind of divide or a "this is not an easily accessible film" kind of divide. The former worries me, the latter is encouraging me :)

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 4:31 pm
by Robspierre
Ampoliros wrote:So rob, having seen the ending, would you agree that it takes the unifying threat that **** was looking for and throws it out the window? That Synder replaces it with a WTF how does that unite us moment that would be more likely to escalate WWIII?
Yes, compared to the rest of the movie the ending is very weak.

It is watchable and overall I feel that the decisions made were for the most part on target in order to tell the story as a movie. Too bad they went off the cliff with the ending.

Rob

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:20 pm
by Omphalos
Too bad. Sounds like they threw out the one thing that would have made the movie different from all the other crap out there.

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:05 pm
by Ampoliros
I'm worried they might have thought the original ending was too cheesy. I have to rant about this though because if the entire point of the film was to make it as true to the novel as possible, why would you change the lynch-pin of several major plot-lines. The weirdness of the ending is what makes it important and what makes it work. The ending they replaced it with does nothing to stop the progress of war, and imho would actually escalate it.

Anyhoo I'm off to see it with friends. so look for a 4am rant-review.

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:25 pm
by Omphalos
Let's hope its drunken!

Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:20 pm
by Robspierre
Drunk sleep deprived rants are the best!

It is still worth seeing, every shot is just jammed full of details from the source material, the casting extremely solid, and I enjoyed the soundtrack.

Rob

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 3:14 am
by inhuien
Thanks for that gentlemen, I hope to catch it next weekend with a few yahoos.

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 5:45 am
by inhuien
Here's a link to last nights BBC2 show The Culture Show Uncut, 2008/2009 - Episode 27, I caught the last 10 minutes or so and there was an interview/discussion with Grand Wizard Alan Moore, I'm hoping it lasts a lot longer. Please accept my apologies if you are unable to view it as the site may restrict non UK IP's but that said I'm on orange whom IIRC are on a USA IP/domain and it’s loading for me fine.

edit to add
The interview starts at the 28 minute mark, but you can just drag the slider and it’ll seek quite nicely for you.

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:34 am
by Nekhrun
blocked.

Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:35 pm
by Ampoliros
well i got home and the street work outside had severed my broadband, those sob's are lucky it happened after Battlestar....

here it is. it's not drunk, on alcohol. warning, nerd rage might be encountered! http://www.jacurutu.com/viewtopic.php?t=1241

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:17 pm
by SandChigger
GamePlayer wrote:Release date schedule for Watchmen

Japan 28 March 2009
Um ... this is turning out to be an advertising non-event. :shock:

Caught the first and only ad I've seen for the movie last night. (That's on my satellite channels, not the regular ground stations.) It was a fairly boring commercial as well. (My favorite trailer is still the one with the Smashing Pumpkins song. ;) )

It won't be showing in the shit theater in town here, so if I'm going to see it in a theater, l'm going to have to travel a bit. There's a mall with a multiplex down in "Work City", so maybe after work one night.

If it's showing there. :roll:

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:02 am
by Freakzilla
I haven't seen a commercial for it yet.

Entertainment Weekly (bathroom reading at my part-time second job) is pumped about it, though. Read their articles on it if you're a fan. From what they say, the adaptation is faithfull but for a few minor changes.

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 2:33 pm
by GamePlayer
Watchmen was okay. Like I posted on Jacurutu, it was good but not great. There are problems with it, too many to ignore. Watchmen works well because it's so different for a comic book movie, but in several ways, the poor acting and script fall into Hollywood cliche. I can't give it more than 3 out of 5.

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:21 pm
by SandChigger
I guess I'm just confused by the difference in hype level.

Ads for that Klaateanu piece of shit last year ran on the hour for a week or two before its release. I've still only seen one Watchmen ad.

(I think a lot of my satellite channels are Fox affiliates. Maybe that has something to do with it....)

Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:31 pm
by GamePlayer
Watchmen is Van Gogh in comparison to that pile of pants remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still.

Re: Watchmen

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:34 am
by Himachil
Watchmen. Tomorrow. London. IMAX :D

Re: Watchmen

Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 6:16 pm
by Himachil
8====D

Fucking massive. Film weren't bad either :D

Admittedly not perfect, it is cliche and the original is an unfilmable classic etc etc..., but I thought it was a pretty decent and faithful adaptation and a very watchable film - it flew by. The casting was cock on too. It's way better than 3/5 - that's brutal :P. Looking forward to the extended cut though.