Ridley Scott’s work always looks amazing, but “Black Hawk Down” was probably his last really decent film. I’m looking forward to his take on “Blood Meridian,” though.
Although a self-aware “bad movie,” Big Trouble in Little China tips over into the actual “bad movie” realm with Kim Catrall’s awful acting. But it’s great nonetheless . . .
I agree with Number 6. The question is indeed more interesting than the answer. I prefer the ambiguity, something that is reflected in the various interpretations by the individuals who made the movie. Obviously Philip K. Dick and Hampton Fancher conceived Deckard as a human who was dehumanized by his job of hunting down replicants, yet Ridley Scott says Deckard is a replicant and leaves the viewer with tons of clues. But these clues only point to the possibility that he is a replicant. If the Tyrell corporation is capable of implanting memories into replicants, they could conceivably do the same to humans, which may account for the unicorn dream. Insisting on an either/or interpretation of this is, I think, fruitless and unsatisfying. The fact that this question still lingers 25 years after Blade Runner’s release is a testament to the movie’s greatness.
Well, the various clues are listed above in the thread, but I think we’re on the same page here. I’m not convinced either. The point is, the clues only lead to the “possibility” that Deckard is a replicant. Besides, over-thinking this issue tends to be a lot of fun, since there really is no correct answer to the question.
@ Ivan, Gates of Heaven is definitely one of my favorites. Errol Morris truly sets the standard for letting his interview subjects unintentionally poke fun at themselves. It starts off slowly, but is truly one of the funniest films I have ever seen. Rent it.
The Velvet Underground and Nico – The Velvet Underground
Paul’s Boutique – The Beastie Boys
Physical Graffiti – Led Zeppelin
End Hits – Fugazi
Fear of Music – Talking Heads
Angel Dust – Faith No More
Greatest Hits – Blondie
Odelay – Beck
Exile on Main Street – The Rolling Stones
Funhouse – The Stooges
Although CGI gets better and better every year, I still think films like 2001 and Blade Runner look better than today’s still-cartoonish CGI. The “Hades” landscape in Blade Runner’s opening scene was created on a seven-foot square model encased in plexiglass and filled with chemical smoke to create the “smog.” That kind of TLC really makes a difference, I think.
Witkacy: I do not doubt that subtle uses of CGI can really enhance a film, and I know that it takes a whole lot of time and effort, but I can’t help being put off by something that is very obviously CGI. It’s kind of like seeing the strings holding up the pie plates in old b-grade science fiction movies. I think the technology will get there at some point, but it hasn’t yet. Not as long as I can still tell that it’s CGI.
Man, this is so much fun. Love the “hologram” and T’s incredibly creepy takes on Burroughs and Hitchcock. And I’m looking forward to Brandon’s next attempt.
Nice work, everyone! In keeping with the recycling old promo materials theme, I lifted some artwork from the Burn! soundtrack album. I’d love to see this film get the Criterion treatment . . .
Chinatown
The Conversation
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul
The Godfather Part II
Lenny
A Woman Under the Influence
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Young Frankenstein
Blazing Saddles
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Wow, lots of great new covers in the last 24 hours! I think it will be tough for anyone to top the existing art out there for A Clockwork Orange, but I might give it a try anyway . . . This is becoming a HUGE distraction for me.
Dizzy, use Photobucket or TinyPic, or something that will produce a direct link for your picture. I use Photobucket. Once my image is in an album, I mouse over the image, which produces a set of URLs in various formats. Copy the one labeled “direct link” and paste it here, then add one exclamation point at the beginning and another at the end. Hope this helps . . .
Cinesnag, I just crop the logos from the Criterion website and make sure that the image I end up producing has the same dimensions as the original, so the “C” doesn’t look too pixelated. Too lazy to customize the date.
And now this looks like a redundant post. Thanks Nil. Nice covers, by the way.
BEST SEQUENCE OR SCENE FROM ANY FILM(CAN BE AN OPENING OR ANYTHING ELSE) over 3 years ago
The “Ride of the Valkyries” scene in Apocalypse Now. Still blown away every time I see it.
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Best Criterion? over 3 years ago
“Brazil” and “Battle of Algiers.” The extras on “Battle of Algiers” are incredibly well done.
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Films you love but most people hate. over 3 years ago
“Big Trouble in Little China.” And “Fire Walk With Me” is one of the most terrifying films I have ever seen.
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Ridley Scott: Peaked early? over 3 years ago
Ridley Scott’s work always looks amazing, but “Black Hawk Down” was probably his last really decent film. I’m looking forward to his take on “Blood Meridian,” though.
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MOMENT OF TRUTH: HAVE YOU EVER GONE TO THE MOVIES AND FALLEN ASLEEP DURING THE FILM? over 3 years ago
The only time I’ve ever fallen asleep in the theater was during “The Kite Runner.” Probably going to hell for that one.
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Greatest Films You'll Never See over 3 years ago
David Foster Wallace’s “Infinite Jest” or Pynchon’s “Gravity’s Rainbow.”
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Good Bad Films over 3 years ago
Although a self-aware “bad movie,” Big Trouble in Little China tips over into the actual “bad movie” realm with Kim Catrall’s awful acting. But it’s great nonetheless . . .
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Is Deckard a replicant? over 3 years ago
I agree with Number 6. The question is indeed more interesting than the answer. I prefer the ambiguity, something that is reflected in the various interpretations by the individuals who made the movie. Obviously Philip K. Dick and Hampton Fancher conceived Deckard as a human who was dehumanized by his job of hunting down replicants, yet Ridley Scott says Deckard is a replicant and leaves the viewer with tons of clues. But these clues only point to the possibility that he is a replicant. If the Tyrell corporation is capable of implanting memories into replicants, they could conceivably do the same to humans, which may account for the unicorn dream. Insisting on an either/or interpretation of this is, I think, fruitless and unsatisfying. The fact that this question still lingers 25 years after Blade Runner’s release is a testament to the movie’s greatness.
Go to Comment
Is Deckard a replicant? over 3 years ago
Well, the various clues are listed above in the thread, but I think we’re on the same page here. I’m not convinced either. The point is, the clues only lead to the “possibility” that Deckard is a replicant. Besides, over-thinking this issue tends to be a lot of fun, since there really is no correct answer to the question.
Go to Comment
Any good documentaries out there? over 3 years ago
@ Ivan, Gates of Heaven is definitely one of my favorites. Errol Morris truly sets the standard for letting his interview subjects unintentionally poke fun at themselves. It starts off slowly, but is truly one of the funniest films I have ever seen. Rent it.
Go to Comment
Greatest Albums of All-time over 3 years ago
The Velvet Underground and Nico – The Velvet Underground
Paul’s Boutique – The Beastie Boys
Physical Graffiti – Led Zeppelin
End Hits – Fugazi
Fear of Music – Talking Heads
Angel Dust – Faith No More
Greatest Hits – Blondie
Odelay – Beck
Exile on Main Street – The Rolling Stones
Funhouse – The Stooges
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Last movie you saw and rate it over 3 years ago
Waltz with Bashir 9/10
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Last movie you saw and rate it over 3 years ago
Primer 9/10 with an extra point for the $7000 budget.
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Favorite Moment In A David Lynch Movie about 3 years ago
Fire Walk With Me: When Laura comes home during the day and finds “Bob” hiding behind her dresser. Makes my skin crawl.
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The Most beautiful scores in cinema about 3 years ago
Ennio Morricone’s scores in “Battle of Algiers” and “Burn!”
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what's your favorite special effects movie about 3 years ago
Although CGI gets better and better every year, I still think films like 2001 and Blade Runner look better than today’s still-cartoonish CGI. The “Hades” landscape in Blade Runner’s opening scene was created on a seven-foot square model encased in plexiglass and filled with chemical smoke to create the “smog.” That kind of TLC really makes a difference, I think.
Go to Comment
what's your favorite special effects movie about 3 years ago
Witkacy: I do not doubt that subtle uses of CGI can really enhance a film, and I know that it takes a whole lot of time and effort, but I can’t help being put off by something that is very obviously CGI. It’s kind of like seeing the strings holding up the pie plates in old b-grade science fiction movies. I think the technology will get there at some point, but it hasn’t yet. Not as long as I can still tell that it’s CGI.
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what actors do you consider creepy? about 3 years ago
Jack Nance, who has appeared in (I think) all of David Lynch’s films.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 3 years ago
Yikes. How embarrassing. For accuracy’s sake, here is the edited version.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 3 years ago
Sadly, out of print . . .
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 3 years ago
Man, this is so much fun. Love the “hologram” and T’s incredibly creepy takes on Burroughs and Hitchcock. And I’m looking forward to Brandon’s next attempt.
Go to Comment
The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 3 years ago
Nice work, everyone! In keeping with the recycling old promo materials theme, I lifted some artwork from the Burn! soundtrack album. I’d love to see this film get the Criterion treatment . . .
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 3 years ago
Thanks, Justin. I’m glad that my take on Norbit resonated with a few of you.
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my ex roommate bleeped eddie murphy about 3 years ago
When I was ten, I used Gene Hackman’s bathroom.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 3 years ago
Inspired by JP’s takes on Lynch . . .
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 3 years ago
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TOP 10 FILMS FROM YOUR "BIRTH YEAR" about 3 years ago
Chinatown
The Conversation
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul
The Godfather Part II
Lenny
A Woman Under the Influence
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Young Frankenstein
Blazing Saddles
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 3 years ago
Wow, lots of great new covers in the last 24 hours! I think it will be tough for anyone to top the existing art out there for A Clockwork Orange, but I might give it a try anyway . . . This is becoming a HUGE distraction for me.
Go to Comment
The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 3 years ago
Norbit’s all yours, Mr. Jones. I’m glad you enjoyed it. And Nice work, Nil. Here’s my attempt.
Also heavily inspired by a book cover; the font is the same one that appeared on the paperback edition I bought when I was twelve.
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The Auteurs' Fake Criterion Covers about 3 years ago
Dizzy, use Photobucket or TinyPic, or something that will produce a direct link for your picture. I use Photobucket. Once my image is in an album, I mouse over the image, which produces a set of URLs in various formats. Copy the one labeled “direct link” and paste it here, then add one exclamation point at the beginning and another at the end. Hope this helps . . .
Cinesnag, I just crop the logos from the Criterion website and make sure that the image I end up producing has the same dimensions as the original, so the “C” doesn’t look too pixelated. Too lazy to customize the date.
And now this looks like a redundant post. Thanks Nil. Nice covers, by the way.
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