This is a great movie, with arguably the first real badass in motion picture history. Paved the way for all lone wolf anti-heroes that came after. I also thought this film was the quintessential example of how a movie is done in the first person perspective. Example: the scene where Sanjuro is in the bucket being smuggled by the old men, they stop to comment of the action happening off camera, and it is only when they move the bucket so that Sanjuro can see that the audience is also able to see the action. Great film.
I loved that the line was so drowned out. It helped bring the movie back to the title; the line was “lost in translation” from the characters on screen to the real life audience. I took it to mean that a movie is just a movie, and one has to experience life to see the truths of it.
I want to know what other people think of this film. I thought it was a great example of how a super hero should be introduced in film. According to Wikipedia, Shamalan was planning on doing a trilogy with this as the first. After the movie failed to create more buzz he dropped the idea for now. I believe too many hero movies quickly establish the hero and their powers without getting deep into the characters identity first. This movie does that. Also many movies fall into cliques, such as: obvious villain, costume creation scene, easy control of new powers after a few stumbles, etc. I also loved the premise, that there are people out there with powers that are just not easily identifiable. I really hope Shamalan decides to go back to this story; I know Samuel L. Jackson would be all over it.
I’d like to know what other people think of the ambiguous death of Drew. Did Lewis really see the Hillbilly shoot him? Did Drew get thrown off the raft accidentally? Or was it a suicide from the guilt he felt for his part in the murder?
I guess they felt it was more effective then the original Japanese title which translated “Spider Web Castle”.
Interestingly enough, I think both the titles invoke different messages from the movie. “Spider Web Castle” gives you the idea that the people in the castle are spiders and individuals are the cause for tragedy. However. “Throne of Blood” makes it feel more like the throne, or the power of the king, corrupts anyone who is near it. This all leads to the major question in the film, do we control our own destiny or is it all planned out and inescapable?
Law- You should really see the film it’s great, but I am to understand that this is a film discussion site. How can anyone discuss films if we cannot talk about them in their entirety? If you do not want to have anything ruined for you please do not read forum posts about movies you haven’t seen yet.
Law- I see your point, and I have also just found out that this post was placed in the general area somehow when I thought it was going into just "Deliverance"’s area. The one of the moderators also pointed out how there is not yet a way to cover up spoiler text. In the future I will be more careful when titling my topics. As a subtopic to this post, what could I have named it as to avoid spoilers?
I watched this film in a International Cinema class. We talked at length about all the different perspectives that are on this topic. Discussions like this are why I think this site is wonderful. I hope other people catch on to other movie topics in this spirit.
In reference to the topic at hand, I also at first wanted to know who sent the tapes. By the end I didn’t care because I figured out that it didn’t matter to the messages of the film. In my class discussion it was brought up that Haneke sent the tapes, which I believe was a brilliant and true theory.
The first one that comes to my mind is “Whale Rider”. I first saw it in an International Cinema class, and though parts are very sad (dealing with themes of gender bias and family abandonment); it was ultimately very uplifting due mostly to the superb acting of the young lead, Keisha Castle-Hughes.
Good topic, and all very good posts. Gene Hackman in Young Frankenstein was hilarious. I’m having a hard time coming up with any that haven’t been mentioned already. It’s an animated tv show, but I think Patrick Stewart on American Dad is amazing.
The best Miyasaki in my humble opinion are Princess Mononoke and Naussica of the Valley of the Wind. All of them are amazing, but those two definitely define the style and beauty of the animation.
Another good Japanese film is Tokyo Godfathers by Satoshi Kon. He has a very complex style, which is expressed more in his other films; yet I thought this film had a better story.
Also, Ralph Bakshi’s The Hobbit was very good. I am interested to see if the new live action movies will borrow anything from it.
I enjoyed the movie overall. I have read the graphic novel and thought it was an amazing piece of literary artwork. The film stuck very close to the graphic novel, which made it good. So many directors these days take a work and try to adapt it to film, only to change it for their own artistic reputation and remove the reasons people liked the original. Zack Snyder is good at knowing what in an original work people want to see. The visuals for this film were exceptional and the plot followed the graphic novels. It was long, but you need that length in order to tell the story as it should be told. My only qualms really about the movie was that it was too short. I haven’t yet seen the director’s cut, but some elements were left out that were important to the plot. More scenes between the Silk Specter and the Comedian were needed to show her hatred for him. This would have made the epiphany she has later more profound, in addition to adding more depth to both those characters. While not necessary, more scenes dealing with Rorschach’s origin would have been nice; mostly because he is a very popular character. Finally, I come to the space squid. I admit I was disappointed in not seeing it on the big screen. It would have been an amazing visual to see the giant abomination laying dead among the destruction of New York. It would have been very unsettling and shocking; which is ultimately why the plan works in the comic. The squid is so ridiculous and unexpected that no one can even fathom that it was all a ruse. On a small side note to this, Ozymandius’ cat creature was the first genetic creation he made on his way to the squid. Since there was no squid, there is no reason for the cat. In the movie it was the one thing which seemed most unexplained and odd.
Ben: Thanks, for the correction. I knew I should have IMDBed it before posting. The animated Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were both good, yet the animated Return of the King should never be seen by human eyes.
Some trivia: This is the first American film to have a martial arts fight scene. In it Frank Sinatra accidentally breaks a real table with his hand. This gave him a serious hand injury which pained him for the rest of his life. Worth $5 just to see the Chairman of the Board kick some ass.
Also, the remake was terrible. Once again another example of why you don’t remake good films.
Any of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes are hilarious. My favorite is the episode where they watch a horrible Canadian film called The Final Sacrifice.
Daft Punk had an animated movie done to their whole album Discovery. It’s called Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5eceret 5tar 5ystem. It has no dialogue and is visually amazing.
I’d do pretty much anything to work on an adaptation of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series. J.J. Abrams has the rights to it at the moment. I’m working on a movie in Philadelphia with some set designers who worked with him on the new Star Trek movie, so I’m praying this will be the connection I need. There is also a rumor that he might try to make it into an HBO series; which I also have some connections with from working on the HBO concert for Obama’s inauguration.
Also, I’ve had a kind of rock opera running around in my head for about 7 years to Metallica’s S&M album. I’d like to turn it into an animated feature, like Daft Punk’s Interstella 5555.
I don’t think he has jumped the shark. To me for an actor to jump the shark, people have to not want to see them in films. This is not the case with Denzel. People are going to go see Book of Eli because they want to see him kick some ass. He might be doing more commercial movies, but every actor has to take them once in awhile to make money. That’s the case with all big jobs in the movie business; do a few commercial movies, then you get to do a few artsy pieces or pet projects. Being an actor is artistic, but it’s also their source of income. I know there are exceptions to the rule, but we are in a recession and people want to be economic. Hell, right now I’m working in Philadelphia on a romantic comedy that will probably suck ass, but it’s a 6-7 month gig so my own pet projects can wait.
@Jeremy R.-Yeah, I agree completely. I think the truly irreplaceable actors/actresses are the one’s who define an acting style or create them. Anyone can pick up a paintbrush and paint, but the painters we remember are the ones who have done something no one has ever seen before or could re-create.
@Mike S.-Yeah, exactly my point. Like when Knowing was being advertised it seemed the main selling point was that it had Nicolas Cage in it. So even if I was able to figure out the plot and be interested in it, the fact that Cage was being thrown at me so hard made me not want to see it. When that happens I figure that person has jumped.
Also, it is possible for an actor to rebound from jumping, it happens very rarely. Personally, I had Robert Downey Jr. pegged as a washout who jumped because of all the drugs and stuff, but then Iron Man came and changed my mind. That might be a good forum topic. “Actors who Jumped the Shark and Came Back” Hmmm.
@Josh R.- LOL. Josh, didn’t you see The Day the Earth Stood Still remake? Truly an irreplaceable and unforgettable performance. It made the very angels in heaven cry. No wait…they were laughing.
@Harry L.- Let me just say thank you for a great post. A very good analysis, with backed up points and opinions. Even though you have some problems with it you still recognize the good points and its overall status as a film. I got into a very heated argument with a friend because he didn’t like that I pointed out some of the flaws of Hellboy II. He said he liked it because “It looked cool and Hellboy was a badass”. I’m just glad to know there are other people out there who can analyze films, but still respect others opinions.
This is a topic stemming from Jaeger Inkman’s topic HAS DENZEL WASHINGTON FINALLY JUMPED THE SHARK? Is it possible for an actor to jump the shark and then make a come back? The only one I could easily think of was Robert Downey Jr. I had him pegged as a washout from the drugs and stuff, but then Iron Man came along and surprised me. Have at it.
Hey Ari thanks for the pointlessly negative post. I’m glad instead of answering the topic question or even giving examples of other movies Downey was in that registered a comeback, you decided to mock my own opinion. I mean I have seen every movie ever made so I should know my stuff; but alas I have been wasting my time working on feature films and spending time with my friends and family, which it seems has lead me to forget all the movies of Downey before Iron Man. Please be more constructive with your feedback or don’t comment at all.
Another one I thought of was Gloria Swanson. Just like her character Norma Desmund in Sunset Blvd., Swanson was a huge silent movie actress who had a very difficult time adjusting to talkies. I think it made her performance in the movie that much deeper because it was so close to reality.
Kick-Ass. almost 3 years ago
This is a great movie, with arguably the first real badass in motion picture history. Paved the way for all lone wolf anti-heroes that came after. I also thought this film was the quintessential example of how a movie is done in the first person perspective. Example: the scene where Sanjuro is in the bucket being smuggled by the old men, they stop to comment of the action happening off camera, and it is only when they move the bucket so that Sanjuro can see that the audience is also able to see the action. Great film.
Go to Comment
ending almost 3 years ago
I loved that the line was so drowned out. It helped bring the movie back to the title; the line was “lost in translation” from the characters on screen to the real life audience. I took it to mean that a movie is just a movie, and one has to experience life to see the truths of it.
Go to Comment
Great Super Hero Introduction Movie almost 3 years ago
I want to know what other people think of this film. I thought it was a great example of how a super hero should be introduced in film. According to Wikipedia, Shamalan was planning on doing a trilogy with this as the first. After the movie failed to create more buzz he dropped the idea for now. I believe too many hero movies quickly establish the hero and their powers without getting deep into the characters identity first. This movie does that. Also many movies fall into cliques, such as: obvious villain, costume creation scene, easy control of new powers after a few stumbles, etc. I also loved the premise, that there are people out there with powers that are just not easily identifiable. I really hope Shamalan decides to go back to this story; I know Samuel L. Jackson would be all over it.
Go to Comment
Great Super Hero Introduction Movie almost 3 years ago
This is for the film “Unbreakable”. Not sure why it didn’t show up under that topic.
Go to Comment
Deliverance- Did the Hillbilly Kill Drew? almost 3 years ago
I’d like to know what other people think of the ambiguous death of Drew. Did Lewis really see the Hillbilly shoot him? Did Drew get thrown off the raft accidentally? Or was it a suicide from the guilt he felt for his part in the murder?
Go to Comment
Kumonosu-jo almost 3 years ago
I guess they felt it was more effective then the original Japanese title which translated “Spider Web Castle”.
Interestingly enough, I think both the titles invoke different messages from the movie. “Spider Web Castle” gives you the idea that the people in the castle are spiders and individuals are the cause for tragedy. However. “Throne of Blood” makes it feel more like the throne, or the power of the king, corrupts anyone who is near it. This all leads to the major question in the film, do we control our own destiny or is it all planned out and inescapable?Go to Comment
Deliverance- Did the Hillbilly Kill Drew? almost 3 years ago
Law- You should really see the film it’s great, but I am to understand that this is a film discussion site. How can anyone discuss films if we cannot talk about them in their entirety? If you do not want to have anything ruined for you please do not read forum posts about movies you haven’t seen yet.
Go to Comment
Deliverance- Did the Hillbilly Kill Drew? almost 3 years ago
Law- I see your point, and I have also just found out that this post was placed in the general area somehow when I thought it was going into just "Deliverance"’s area. The one of the moderators also pointed out how there is not yet a way to cover up spoiler text. In the future I will be more careful when titling my topics. As a subtopic to this post, what could I have named it as to avoid spoilers?
Go to Comment
What films were shot in or near your hometown? almost 3 years ago
I’m from Baltimore Maryland, and while our tax incentive sucks for movie companies there have been a few gems filmed here.
Diner
Hair Spray
Avalon
12 Monkeys
Cry Baby
Enemy of the State
Blair Witch Project
The Replacements
Red Dragon
Ladder 49
Wedding Crashers
Syriana
The one’s I’ve worked on:
Step Up
Live Free or Die Hard
Step Up 2
Rocket Science
My One and Only
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(UN)HIDDEN CAMERA: THE "REAL" SENDER OF THE TAPES almost 3 years ago
I watched this film in a International Cinema class. We talked at length about all the different perspectives that are on this topic. Discussions like this are why I think this site is wonderful. I hope other people catch on to other movie topics in this spirit.
In reference to the topic at hand, I also at first wanted to know who sent the tapes. By the end I didn’t care because I figured out that it didn’t matter to the messages of the film. In my class discussion it was brought up that Haneke sent the tapes, which I believe was a brilliant and true theory.
Go to Comment
Deeply Uplifting Films almost 3 years ago
The first one that comes to my mind is “Whale Rider”. I first saw it in an International Cinema class, and though parts are very sad (dealing with themes of gender bias and family abandonment); it was ultimately very uplifting due mostly to the superb acting of the young lead, Keisha Castle-Hughes.
Go to Comment
Favorite Comedic Performance by a "Serious" Actor almost 3 years ago
Good topic, and all very good posts. Gene Hackman in Young Frankenstein was hilarious. I’m having a hard time coming up with any that haven’t been mentioned already. It’s an animated tv show, but I think Patrick Stewart on American Dad is amazing.
Go to Comment
Non-Disney Animation almost 3 years ago
Good Topic.
The best Miyasaki in my humble opinion are Princess Mononoke and Naussica of the Valley of the Wind. All of them are amazing, but those two definitely define the style and beauty of the animation.
Another good Japanese film is Tokyo Godfathers by Satoshi Kon. He has a very complex style, which is expressed more in his other films; yet I thought this film had a better story.
Also, Ralph Bakshi’s The Hobbit was very good. I am interested to see if the new live action movies will borrow anything from it.
Go to Comment
Watchmen Appreciation Thread almost 3 years ago
I enjoyed the movie overall. I have read the graphic novel and thought it was an amazing piece of literary artwork. The film stuck very close to the graphic novel, which made it good. So many directors these days take a work and try to adapt it to film, only to change it for their own artistic reputation and remove the reasons people liked the original. Zack Snyder is good at knowing what in an original work people want to see. The visuals for this film were exceptional and the plot followed the graphic novels. It was long, but you need that length in order to tell the story as it should be told. My only qualms really about the movie was that it was too short. I haven’t yet seen the director’s cut, but some elements were left out that were important to the plot. More scenes between the Silk Specter and the Comedian were needed to show her hatred for him. This would have made the epiphany she has later more profound, in addition to adding more depth to both those characters. While not necessary, more scenes dealing with Rorschach’s origin would have been nice; mostly because he is a very popular character. Finally, I come to the space squid. I admit I was disappointed in not seeing it on the big screen. It would have been an amazing visual to see the giant abomination laying dead among the destruction of New York. It would have been very unsettling and shocking; which is ultimately why the plan works in the comic. The squid is so ridiculous and unexpected that no one can even fathom that it was all a ruse. On a small side note to this, Ozymandius’ cat creature was the first genetic creation he made on his way to the squid. Since there was no squid, there is no reason for the cat. In the movie it was the one thing which seemed most unexplained and odd.
Go to Comment
Non-Disney Animation almost 3 years ago
Ben: Thanks, for the correction. I knew I should have IMDBed it before posting. The animated Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were both good, yet the animated Return of the King should never be seen by human eyes.
Go to Comment
What's to like about The Manchurian Candidate? almost 3 years ago
Some trivia: This is the first American film to have a martial arts fight scene. In it Frank Sinatra accidentally breaks a real table with his hand. This gave him a serious hand injury which pained him for the rest of his life. Worth $5 just to see the Chairman of the Board kick some ass.
Also, the remake was terrible. Once again another example of why you don’t remake good films.
Go to Comment
best film about an unattainable women? almost 3 years ago
Yeah, Casablanca and In the Mood for Love are the first ones that came to my mind as well.
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The Best Worst Films of All Time almost 3 years ago
Any of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes are hilarious. My favorite is the episode where they watch a horrible Canadian film called The Final Sacrifice.
Go to Comment
Favorite Music Videos? almost 3 years ago
Daft Punk had an animated movie done to their whole album Discovery. It’s called Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5eceret 5tar 5ystem. It has no dialogue and is visually amazing.
Go to Comment
What is your Dream Project? almost 3 years ago
I’d do pretty much anything to work on an adaptation of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series. J.J. Abrams has the rights to it at the moment. I’m working on a movie in Philadelphia with some set designers who worked with him on the new Star Trek movie, so I’m praying this will be the connection I need. There is also a rumor that he might try to make it into an HBO series; which I also have some connections with from working on the HBO concert for Obama’s inauguration.
Also, I’ve had a kind of rock opera running around in my head for about 7 years to Metallica’s S&M album. I’d like to turn it into an animated feature, like Daft Punk’s Interstella 5555.
Go to Comment
Mistaken Identity almost 3 years ago
Serious- Collateral, The Fugitive,
Funny- The Man Who Knew Too Little, Galaxy Quest
Weird- Brazil
Go to Comment
HAS DENZEL WASHINGTON FINALLY JUMPED THE SHARK ? almost 3 years ago
I don’t think he has jumped the shark. To me for an actor to jump the shark, people have to not want to see them in films. This is not the case with Denzel. People are going to go see Book of Eli because they want to see him kick some ass. He might be doing more commercial movies, but every actor has to take them once in awhile to make money. That’s the case with all big jobs in the movie business; do a few commercial movies, then you get to do a few artsy pieces or pet projects. Being an actor is artistic, but it’s also their source of income. I know there are exceptions to the rule, but we are in a recession and people want to be economic. Hell, right now I’m working in Philadelphia on a romantic comedy that will probably suck ass, but it’s a 6-7 month gig so my own pet projects can wait.
Go to Comment
Irreplaceable Actors? almost 3 years ago
@Jeremy R.-Yeah, I agree completely. I think the truly irreplaceable actors/actresses are the one’s who define an acting style or create them. Anyone can pick up a paintbrush and paint, but the painters we remember are the ones who have done something no one has ever seen before or could re-create.
Go to Comment
What's to like about The Manchurian Candidate? almost 3 years ago
So Gino, watch it yet?
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HAS DENZEL WASHINGTON FINALLY JUMPED THE SHARK ? almost 3 years ago
@Mike S.-Yeah, exactly my point. Like when Knowing was being advertised it seemed the main selling point was that it had Nicolas Cage in it. So even if I was able to figure out the plot and be interested in it, the fact that Cage was being thrown at me so hard made me not want to see it. When that happens I figure that person has jumped.
Also, it is possible for an actor to rebound from jumping, it happens very rarely. Personally, I had Robert Downey Jr. pegged as a washout who jumped because of all the drugs and stuff, but then Iron Man came and changed my mind. That might be a good forum topic. “Actors who Jumped the Shark and Came Back” Hmmm.
Go to Comment
What's to like about The Manchurian Candidate? almost 3 years ago
@Maxfrost- An interesting analysis, in what way?
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Irreplaceable Actors? almost 3 years ago
@Josh R.- LOL. Josh, didn’t you see The Day the Earth Stood Still remake? Truly an irreplaceable and unforgettable performance. It made the very angels in heaven cry. No wait…they were laughing.
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What's to like about The Manchurian Candidate? almost 3 years ago
@Harry L.- Let me just say thank you for a great post. A very good analysis, with backed up points and opinions. Even though you have some problems with it you still recognize the good points and its overall status as a film. I got into a very heated argument with a friend because he didn’t like that I pointed out some of the flaws of Hellboy II. He said he liked it because “It looked cool and Hellboy was a badass”. I’m just glad to know there are other people out there who can analyze films, but still respect others opinions.
Go to Comment
Actors/Actresses on the Rebound almost 3 years ago
This is a topic stemming from Jaeger Inkman’s topic HAS DENZEL WASHINGTON FINALLY JUMPED THE SHARK? Is it possible for an actor to jump the shark and then make a come back? The only one I could easily think of was Robert Downey Jr. I had him pegged as a washout from the drugs and stuff, but then Iron Man came along and surprised me. Have at it.
Go to Comment
Actors/Actresses on the Rebound almost 3 years ago
Hey Ari thanks for the pointlessly negative post. I’m glad instead of answering the topic question or even giving examples of other movies Downey was in that registered a comeback, you decided to mock my own opinion. I mean I have seen every movie ever made so I should know my stuff; but alas I have been wasting my time working on feature films and spending time with my friends and family, which it seems has lead me to forget all the movies of Downey before Iron Man. Please be more constructive with your feedback or don’t comment at all.
Another one I thought of was Gloria Swanson. Just like her character Norma Desmund in Sunset Blvd., Swanson was a huge silent movie actress who had a very difficult time adjusting to talkies. I think it made her performance in the movie that much deeper because it was so close to reality.
Go to Comment