movie night

[davemerrill]

Went to the movies last night and saw a bunch of trailers. The trailer for COWBOYS & ALIENS started up and for a minute there I was like, hey, it's a gritty western starring Daniel Craig! Then I saw the space-thing on his wrist and knew it was COWBOYS & ALIENS. If you ever saw the movie "Laserblast" then you know what's going on here, only there are cowboys. And Harrison Ford is in it, which, since it's 2010, is the deal-killer, as I have no desire to watch him mumble and underact, even while on a horse wearing a funny hat.

There is a YOGI BEAR movie coming out that stunned the audience into silence.

They have made a GREEN LANTERN movie and it looks remarkably faithful to the comics. I don't know, are there enough serious Green Lantern fans to make this movie a hit? Because everybody else isn't very impressed with the concept, and Ryan Reynolds, even with computer-generated abs rippling through his computer-generated costume, is not going to get people into theaters by himself. Anyway, it's Green Lantern, king of the second-tier super guys. Good luck with that one.

Speaking of green super heroes they had a trailer for the GREEN HORNET movie which looked about as good as a Green Hornet movie could be, which is to say not very. I know I've made this argument before, but nobody cares about the Green Hornet. Period, full stop. This movie looks like a comedy, a super hero comedy, which people care about even less. There was a trailer for the fake Twilight RED RIDING HOOD as well, and I'm so obviously not the target market for that.

Oh, and there was a preview of the new TRON movie, which apparently has some exciting off-road driving action. Because that's what people want to see, people inside computers driving around in giant-tired offroad vehicles? I dunno guys, the only thing the original TRON had going for it were amazing, unique visuals, and even that wasn't enough to get me, or the rest of America, into the theater for it. This movie doesn't seem to be bringing anything new to the table other than an extra fifty or sixty pounds for Jeff Bridges. I know TRON is supposed to be some kind of amazing holy grail for nerds my age, but I didn't get it in 1982 and I don't get it now.

Speaking of Jeff Bridges he's in that TRUE GRIT remake that is coming out soon and I am totally into seeing that. I love the original and the book and the Coen brothers and I've heard good things about this picture. Naturally we didn't get a trailer for it.

The movie we saw was the Harry Potter thing, the first part of the last movie, and it was very good. I'm looking forward to the final installment this summer, and I already feel bad for the legions of technicans, prop builders, designers, and other creative folk who will be out of work when this one wraps; these are films that look great, you can see every penny that goes into set design, location shooting, the night scenes are filled with that hazy dim light you get when you have that giant lit balloon above the set, everything looks terrific. I don't know that we'll ever get imaginative films with this caliber of talent ever again.

Also the last Zero Fighter strip of the year is up. I will be continuing to do a strip every week and they go in the box until January at which point I can resume posting strips with a little breathing room. Also there's some technical stuff I need to research that I would like to have some time on. We should have another couple of Stupid Comics and Found Sounds for you before Christmas, so don't worry.

Comments

[psychoshinji.livejournal.com]

The audience reactions, in my experience at the HP movie, was a LOT bigger for Green Hornet than Green Lantern. I actually sensed an overall "WTF is THAT?" vibe for both of 'em, but it could just be that my area doesn't seem to have a lot of comic book fans.

Honestly, I'm kinda excited about Green Hornet because of the cars, the costumes, and Christoph Waltz. Green Lantern? Not so much. XD

[davemerrill.livejournal.com]

I'm not a big Seth Rogen fan; I think he's kind of a deal killer for me on that one. I don't have a real objection to the IDEA of the Green Hornet, but the only interesting thing about the 60s TV show was Bruce Lee and he's been dead a long old time. Well, that big car is interesting, but I would rather have the Dinky diecast toy to play with than watch the show or the movie.

Bruce Lee

[davenelson-com.livejournal.com]

When I first heard they were making a film of Green Hornet aka "The Kato Show" I was excited that someone had found another Bruce Lee caliber kung fu actor. Jay Chou is no Bruce Lee.

[tochiro998.livejournal.com]

So they went with comedy for Green Hornet? Well, crud. That's too bad.

Mind, I agree with you Dave, nobody gives a crap except 50-something neckbeards who, in then end, REALLY want Fox and Warner to STFU and release the '60s TV series on DVD already.

(which, you'd think all parties involved would want that sweet money but nope, nobody is willing to unclench their hands in their respective pickle jars, if you take my meaning)

And I still HAVE my Corgi Black Beauty, thankyouverymuch. Missing missles and that flying propeller but otherwise in good shape. :)

I still don't understand WHY the live Yogi Bear, unless it's just more 'back door' trademark/copyright extending.

Um, given the super gayness of the early teaser posters (which I note they tried REAL HARD to not do in the trailers on TV) maybe I need to not use 'back door'...

[hipsterdad.livejournal.com]

I don't get the Tron love either. I don't know that I've ever heard anybody, anywhere rave about that movie or anything about it other than what a fun video game that was, ever. Then that little teaser came out about 18 months ago and there was this sudden nerdgasm like the whole planet has been waiting on pins and needles for it. Seriously? Tron? That point-missing Disney movie that was about as good as Black Hole, and every but as dated?

Got your message yesterday; let me find what the hell's going on with my son and I'll phone you this week.

[davemerrill.livejournal.com]

The Yogi Bear movie looks like a nice picture to take the kids to, which in the final analysis is what it ought to be, I suppose. Ackroyd nails the voice pretty good. If they would throw in a big section where all the HB characters show up to hang out, maybe take off in a giant ark, that would be kinda cool, but you know that's not going to happen.

[davemerrill.livejournal.com]

I think the Tron love is completely manufactured. Seriously, we were both in fandom in the 80s and 90s, and if people mentioned Tron at all it was, as you said, in the context of the video game, or as some kind of "nice try" computer animation attempt. I went to hundreds of fan conventions and read thousands of fanzines and pro magazines and read message boards and had late night bull sessions with thousands of the king-hell nerdiest nerds of nerddom, all of whom championed every kind of obscure failed geeky interest, from putting Rod Serling on his own postage stamp to the comic art genius of Jim Starlin, and never once did I hear anybody say, "Boy, wouldn't it be great if they made a sequel to Tron?" NEVER.

I already know what I'm going to get that crazy son of yours, but I need gift ideas for the ladies.

[rick zerrano (from livejournal.com)]

I've seen the "True Grit" movie a few times, never read the novels. There was a bit of humor in the first movie that I think is not going to be found on this remake. I suspect the Coen's don't do humor. Still, of all the movies you mentioned, the only one I am going to go watch is that one.

[davemerrill.livejournal.com]

You never saw Raising Arizona or Fargo? The Coens do humor pretty well.

The John Wayne film is a fairly accurate version of the Charles Portis novel, but there are several differences between the two. Mattie Ross doesn't get out of the ordeal unscathed in the book, let me just say. I don't think this film is going to be so much a remake of the Wayne picture, more its own take on the original source material.

My absolute total favorite version, of course, is the Mad Magazine parody "True Fat". Note perfect in every way.

[psychoshinji.livejournal.com]

...dangit. Earlier, I typed up a response only to have it get zapped when my wireless cut out. XD;;; Well, to paraphrase: Yeah, I think Seth Rogen is kinda iffy. I'm not really sure how well he'll do as a hero. I find some of his movies funny, but overall I don't seek him out! I'm curious as to how the guy who's playing Kato will do. I must admit, too, that while I know of Bruce Lee's glory, I've never actually seen any of his films all the way through. I've been largely unfamiliar with martial arts movies! I'm starting to come around, though. I really want to check out the movie you showed clips from at AWA; The name escapes me... it was about the samurai who ran through all of the crowds of people and beat everyone. :)

Anyhoo, I shall check out Green Hornet when it comes out. I'm mainly there for the Waltz factor, but hopefully it'll be fun!

[damerell.livejournal.com]

I saw Laserblast at the London Sci-Fi Film Festival's MST3K all-nighter - think I'd seen it before. Practically all movie they just blow up cars with the gun. I want one.

[davemerrill.livejournal.com]

R. Fiore says it better than I can: http://www.tcj.com/blog/that-green-hornet-movie-is-going-to-suck/

Bruce Lee is great in Enter The Dragon, Fist Of Fury, and Chinese Connection. Game Of Death was assembled in bits and pieces after he died; fair warning. Anything starring "Bruce Li" or "Bruce Le" or "Dragon Lee" or "Brandon Lee" should be avoided.

The samurai movie I ran bits of in Anime Hell is called "Zipang". I don't know if it ever got a R1 DVD release, but it should have. The movie gets even nuttier, if you can believe it.

[davemerrill.livejournal.com]

When the movie first came out I remember seeing the ads on TV and thinking that it would have to be the greatest movie ever. I got to see it years later and realized my eight year old self had been misled.

[damerell.livejournal.com]

I remember now! Besides the movie and Space Mutiny (and Teenagers from Outer Space), which I'd seen before, they had Future War, which is truly risible. When I asked "how could The Terminator with dinosaurs possibly be bad?", I meant it rhetorically, movie!

[mpceccato.livejournal.com]

If they made "Yogi's Gang" into a movie, I might see it on DVD. As long as they kept the theme song.

[jasonrmerrill.livejournal.com]

I'd not thought of "Zipang" in years, but I love all of it's over the topness... what clip did you show?

[davemerrill.livejournal.com]

The fight at the beginning, including that long trolley shot on the bridge.

I haven't actually watched the entire film in a while; for some reason I remembered it over the summer and thought hey, that over the top sword fight scene would be great for Anime Hell, and then I found the movie and my memories hadn't cheated me, for once.

[jasonrmerrill.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah...I forgot about that shot. I always loved the idea of the caddy. And the Cyrano fight is always good for a laugh.

[sobieniak.livejournal.com]

Amazing people like that show here. I often see cons elsewhere over that, but it was the 70's!

[sobieniak.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised Rod Serling isn't on a stamp by now.

Re: "Greetings, Program!"

[sobieniak.livejournal.com]

I never did see this on the Big Screen, but had the usual ancillary merch that came out like the Tomy LED video game or the one or two titles that came out for the Intellivision (Not to mention seeing it's arcade cabinet at numerous places). I probably saw the film when it landed on Disney Channel a couple years later, as well as a little treat my mom taped one night on computer animation they done for an hour I'm still hold the VHS tape to in my stash.

[sobieniak.livejournal.com]

All I can think of is Eddie "Mandark" Deezen being in that flick and eventually gets toasted soon enough!

[davemerrill.livejournal.com]

There was a fan years ago whose quixotic fan crusade was to try and get a Rod Serling commemorative stamp released by the USPS. A nice idea but as the focal point of a crusade it was a bit odd.

[sobieniak.livejournal.com]

Well, you know how fans are.

[kidfenris.livejournal.com]

You're on the right track with the video-game connection. Most of the big Tron fans I've encountered were also big game nerds. Hell, the first Tron revival was a video game (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tron_2.0).

However, Tron also falls into the same category as Wargames and The Last Starfighter: a lot of non-geeks remember seeing it and liking it when they were younger, even though it's not a rallying point for the sort of fan who'll sing its praises in public and on message boards. Tron Guy excepted.

Anyway, the '80s movie most deserving of a sequel is, of course, Krull.