tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post5318367259856096026..comments2024-02-10T01:22:29.316-08:00Comments on Hugo Stiglitz Makes Movies: What's more absurd than a giant blue shlong?Kevin J. Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-83195970735975581022009-03-31T12:07:00.000-07:002009-03-31T12:07:00.000-07:00Troy: It's worth a look once you get your Blu-Ray ...Troy: <BR/><BR/>It's worth a look once you get your Blu-Ray and Theater Room! :)<BR/><BR/>Alexander:<BR/><BR/>Your review reminded me of some of the reviews last year on "The Dark Knight" in the sense that someone I respected didn't like something I initially thought was amazing. I remember last summer having to think about what I really thought about "The Dark Knight" because its detractors really did make some good points about why they didn't like it. It caused me to be a better critic of film; looking closely at the material I claimed was a masterpiece. I've since cooled on my initial thoughts towards "The Dark Knight" (after four viewings of really looking at it), but I'll never re-edit my original review for it. I think it's interesting how we can come to films and slowly change the way we feel about them. I hope you give "Watchmen" another shot, because I know I will, based solely on your thoughts about the film -- it'll help me better shape why I think the film is so great or maybe I'll come to find a year later that the film doesn't hold up.<BR/><BR/>I love taking a look at well articulated arguments that disagree with my thoughts about a film, because that is one of the key elements in making sure what we think about a film is really what we think about it.<BR/><BR/>Once the euphoria of the moment is gone (or the bad taste in your case) are we able to go back and look at the film and give it another shot? Reviews like yours help do that. Which is why I still claim "Watchmen" is great, but not as great as I thought it was when I left the theater...<BR/><BR/>Does that make sense? Do you think that's normal? Haha.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-19103144057319944052009-03-31T11:54:00.000-07:002009-03-31T11:54:00.000-07:00Excellent review, Kevin. And like Andrew I thank y...Excellent review, Kevin. And like Andrew I thank you for the shout out. <BR/><BR/>We're coming from very different perspectives with regards to the source material (which I promise to finally take a look at sooner than later), as I was unsure of what to expect. As such, I was left scratching my head, wondering exactly what Snyder's film was trying to say, and just how much of a reiteration of the comic it actually was. <BR/><BR/>In any case, you've given a terrific counterpoint here, and I enjoyed reading it!Coleman's Corner in Cinema...https://www.blogger.com/profile/04761319284479513957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-66333496303068865712009-03-30T21:58:00.000-07:002009-03-30T21:58:00.000-07:00Good review, but I'm still not sure anything is go...Good review, but I'm still not sure anything is going to lead me to really, really want to watch this film.<BR/><BR/>No doubt I'll see it at some point and I really should give Snyder a chance here, but I'm still awfully skeptical.Troy Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14843741571724231174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-72062757597111617672009-03-30T13:23:00.000-07:002009-03-30T13:23:00.000-07:00My pleasure Andrew.You're right about that moment ...My pleasure Andrew.<BR/><BR/>You're right about that moment between Manhattan and Spectre and how cheesy that line it, but somehow, through all of the CGI, Cudrup's voice makes it work. It really was a tremendous piece of voice acting.<BR/><BR/>I look forward to seeing this film again.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-12845463502765619252009-03-30T09:39:00.000-07:002009-03-30T09:39:00.000-07:00Thanks for the shout-out, Kevin!I'm glad you singl...Thanks for the shout-out, Kevin!<BR/><BR/>I'm glad you singled out the film's quieter moments for praise. After seeing <I>Watchmen</I> for a second time, one scene that really stands out in my mind is, oddly enough, one of the most "stationary" and cerebral: Manhattan's explanation of his revelation to Silk Spectre that her existence is a miracle, and that is enough reason for him to save the Earth. Narratively, it's a pivotal point in the comic, but almost anti-climactic, and not particularly memorable. Yet I think the potency of the scene hits upon everything that Snyder does well in his adaptation, particularly with respect to Dr. Manhattan's portrayal and the story's more existential elements.<BR/><BR/>The scene is very static: It's just a shot-reverse shot sequence of Manhattan talking and Silk Spectre listening. However, the combination of Snyder's surprisingly deft treatment of the character and the philosophical themes he evokes, Cudrup's performance, and a very effective score make it one of the film's most dramatic and dazzling moments. Underneath all that CGI, Cudrup really sells the tearful awe of those lines: "Like turning air into gold."The Caustic Ignostichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08573539801150336099noreply@blogger.com