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Posted by MF DU on 2007-07-27 07:51:16 +0000

Crazy Psyched for this - Batman getting rid of the bomb IMG is broken.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-07-27 08:38:00 +0000

When you take into consideration the amount of time the general public has been waiting for this movie to be made pretty much guarantees that it has no hopes of living up to the years of built-up expectations.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-07-27 08:40:36 +0000

So you're not at all interested? Historically your above comment does seem to be the case, but it's a bit of a buzzkill, don't you think?

Posted by virtue on 2007-07-27 08:42:36 +0000

damn, it previewed ok.

Posted by virtue on 2007-07-27 08:44:19 +0000

Sometimes ignoring hype is part of the suspension of disbelief process.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-07-27 09:40:46 +0000

Actually... not really looking forward to it. The comic book was fine; great even. And besides, a comic book is already a visual story-telling medium that can tell that story so much better than an abbreviated two, two-and-a-half hour movie possibly could.

Posted by tgl on 2007-07-27 09:50:29 +0000

Why do we expect Art to be better on film? "Sure, Gravity's Rainbow is a great book, but wouldn't it be better as a movie?"

Posted by MF DU on 2007-07-27 09:54:25 +0000

buzzkills

Posted by tgl on 2007-07-27 10:08:19 +0000

While I think the cult of the movie is overblown, i.e., the culture sees the movie version as the final realization of the artist's vision, I will concede that humans have relied on aural and visual storytelling for much longer than they've relied on written forms. So, the movie is in some ways the most familiar way to tell a story... which might make it the most enjoyable when done right.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2007-07-27 10:40:34 +0000

Still smarting from the "Hitchhikers" debacle ay.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-07-27 10:51:09 +0000

haven't put that much thought into it - sometimes its just fun to have a bag of popcorn sit front of a huge screen with or without friends and experience someone else's experience or imagination for 2 hours

Posted by tgl on 2007-07-27 10:58:52 +0000

Yep. That's my point.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-07-27 11:06:56 +0000

I don't think "art" has anything to do with it. It's just that virtually every movie adaptation of books suck huge donkey balls on the screen because massive chunks of the text are removed in order to make a movie. Screenwriting guidelines translate one page of text to one minute of screentime. At 416 pages, that'll make this Watchmen movie just shy of seven hours. Now tell me what chunks get tossed outta that comic book? Here's a good debate: name any movie that was a perfect and/or better adaptation of a book. I'll start with two: "Of Mice and Men" (it's a novella) and "Fight Club" (identical to the book yet better than as the movie's ending was more devious).

Posted by tgl on 2007-07-27 11:08:42 +0000

We're in violent agreement MC.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-07-27 11:16:52 +0000

The Shining Midnight Cowboy

Posted by jbcardinale on 2007-07-27 11:14:58 +0000

2001, A Space Odyssey (I saw it on the big screen when I was 10, my friends & I walked out of the theater in a daze)

Posted by tgl on 2007-07-27 12:01:29 +0000

...'cause you were on acid.

Posted by tgl on 2007-07-27 12:14:15 +0000

Which proves my point: Authors don't write novels/stories as precursors to screenplays. A book that can be turned into a good screenplay is probably a good screenplay to begin with. The Watchmen movie has _no_ _bearing_ on the Watchmen comic book, and vice versa.

Posted by tendiamonds on 2007-07-27 12:24:11 +0000

The Princess Bride

Posted by tgl on 2007-07-27 12:39:37 +0000

Paul Newman really ruined that movie for me.

Posted by tendiamonds on 2007-07-27 12:52:43 +0000

Because it's the same as Butch and Sundance?

Posted by tgl on 2007-07-27 12:58:02 +0000

Yes.

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-07-28 08:51:28 +0000

Much as I love the Watchmen, I always thought the whole pirate subplot was pretty useless. 'Watchmen' is way more cinematic in nature than Pynchon, etc. -- it's going to be amazing if it's done well.

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-07-28 08:53:43 +0000

Adaptations: Shawshank Redemption Stand By Me/the Body World According To Garp Clockwork Orange Brokeback Mountain Memento

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2007-07-28 16:25:32 +0000

Pet Cemetery. It's amazing how much Stephen King is better on screen than the actual book.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-07-29 04:08:22 +0000

I forgot: The Prestige thanks for the Memento shout out, Epoisses

Posted by tgl on 2007-07-29 06:16:26 +0000

Stephen King, second best American screenwriter. William Goldman first. Charlie Kaufman, on the rise.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2008-05-07 11:56:28 +0000

Kudos to WB/youtube for opening up a contest to allow aspiring filmmakers to make Veidt adverts to be shown in the "Watchmen" movie. Nice move, and I'd be suprised if a couple people here didn't make one or two spots. But, seriously? Zach Snyder directing this? Ugh. Understatement and nuance will probably not be features of this movie. Say "bye bye" to thinking.

Posted by dyedon8 on 2008-07-21 02:53:33 +0000

It's on.

Posted by MF DU on 2008-07-21 14:09:47 +0000

So what did you think of 'the Dark Knight' dyedon?

Posted by dyedon8 on 2008-07-21 16:54:17 +0000

Me and Virtue are going to see it at seven -- review to follow.

Posted by MF DU on 2008-07-21 19:30:02 +0000

I thought you had seen it due to the reference of a certain trailer. I will wait and attach my review to your thread. That's how I'm going to 'roll'.

Posted by MF DU on 2009-01-20 19:03:30 +0000

The New Frontiersman

Posted by dyedon8 on 2009-01-20 19:59:39 +0000

I am likely to be in Boston for 3/6/09 -- premiere ahoy!

Posted by virtue on 2009-01-21 10:05:38 +0000

Caught the last few seconds of the trailer at the IMAX in natick this past weekend--I think we should see it there.

Posted by MF DU on 2009-01-21 12:08:32 +0000

I hope you got some Kelly's while you were there - I love that Natick place. mmmmmm

Posted by pamsterdam on 2009-01-21 13:02:20 +0000

She was with me, DU, so a roast beef joint was kind of... "off the menu". We dined pre-film in lovely downtown Allston, at Deep Ellum. I have to say, I keep wanting their seitan 'burger' to be better than it is. But... it's not. It is, as the kids are so fond of saying, what it is.

Posted by virtue on 2009-01-21 13:32:53 +0000

I feel kinda the same way about their corn beef hash. Really, their food in general, except for the fries. Not that the corn beef hash is bad, but it ain't no Deluxe Town Diner.

Posted by MF DU on 2009-01-21 15:25:46 +0000

I think in that general vicinity there is also a sushi-style cafeteria (better than I just made it sound in this generic text). anyone interested in a Sat night IMAX Watchmen and Sushi thereafter - Maybe like first 2 or 3 weekends of March? Who watches the California Rolls?

Posted by pamsterdam on 2009-01-21 15:27:55 +0000

Me! Me! Me! All your avocado rolls are belong to us. Or something.

Posted by MF DU on 2009-01-21 15:35:09 +0000

Believe it or not, I am down with the seitan in an omnivore kind of way. Must be all of my mom's Kripalu yoga food cuisine. Anyhoo, the Kelly's pastrami sandwich I had that day simply transcended the genre. Let me just repeat for the parents on the board: kids love furniture stores. Want free or cheap entertainment indoors in the winter? Go to a furnitutre store. Just my .02.

Posted by tgl on 2009-01-21 18:53:27 +0000

Deep Ellum, it is what it is. I can't say I was particularly impressed.

Posted by virtue on 2009-01-21 19:01:17 +0000

I know, but I still want it to be more better. That and I don't want to have to drive to watertown for corned beef hash. Maybe I need to find me another boy living over that way.

Posted by dyedon8 on 2009-01-21 20:49:58 +0000

I kept waiting for Deep Ellum to get awesome -- maybe five tries in three months -- and it never did.

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2009-01-22 13:07:52 +0000

Posted by dyedon8 on 2009-01-22 15:02:54 +0000

Awesome.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2009-01-22 15:53:45 +0000

Better blue than red, man.

Posted by MF DU on 2009-02-23 10:06:51 +0000

Saturday March 7th @ 8:30 Natick? Mebbe 6:00 for food before? The Sushi buffet place Minado is still my recomendation. Advance tix for Watchmen can be got here - I would guess it will be sold out day of.

Posted by dyedon8 on 2009-02-23 11:58:49 +0000

Virtue and Pamsterdam are putting together an IMAX field trip, yeah?

Posted by MF DU on 2009-02-23 12:24:26 +0000

I think so - I don't know what day the consensus is - regrettably I may have to neg out if it is not on the above date 03/07 as this is when my babysitting / clearance is for...

Posted by pamsterdam on 2009-02-23 13:36:19 +0000

OK, peeps - is Saturday March 7th ok for the Watchmen on IMAX? So far I have the following posse members interested (although, apart from MFDU, they still need to confirm that this date & time works for them): Stoops + 1 CTP DWJ MFDU dyedon8 virtue pamsterdam I can reserve our tickets online, but I'll need to have a rough idea of how many to get, and if everyone can make this date. Please let me know asap, and include your preference/availability for either the 5:30pm or 8:30pm showing. Obviously we'll also need to sort out carpooling, but that can come later.

Posted by dyedon8 on 2009-02-23 13:40:49 +0000

Confirmed.

Posted by MF DU on 2009-02-23 14:38:36 +0000

Jackie would be with me - I can certainly order my own 2 tix so as to not short out yr beloved credit card Pamsterdam, lemmeknow.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2009-02-23 14:40:30 +0000

That's sweet of you, DU, but I reckon it's easiest if I just get a bunch at the same time - it'll prevent disappointment. Thanks, though! Duly noted = MF DU + 1.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2009-02-24 12:02:59 +0000

Alright, folks. Looks like we've heard from everybody who's definitely in. And if we have any late deciders, I can always try to grab some more tickets for the same showing (Saturday March 7th at 5:30pm). I have purchased tickets for the following people: Stoops +1 CTP MF DU +1 dyedon8 TFC mr mister virtue pamsterdam + 2 extra tickets (tentative DWJ gets first shout if he can come) Carpool details will be straightened out via Facebook (sorry, virtue - but I'll let you know the haps).

Posted by MF DU on 2009-02-24 16:26:32 +0000

The Dr. Manhattan-like energy Pam has poured into this will not go unappreciated. You rule, Pammy.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2009-02-24 16:38:22 +0000

Aw, *blush*. Thanks, DU. Hearing (reading?) that means a lot to me. :o) As an update: respectless is in! Woot! Any other takers? Feels a bit silly buying just one more single ticket...

Posted by mahatma chani on 2009-02-24 22:06:32 +0000

Might be interested in this.

Posted by dyedon8 on 2009-02-25 02:24:56 +0000

Posted by pamsterdam on 2009-02-26 09:32:22 +0000

Update: the 2 "extra" tickets have gone to MC & respectless, as the tentative viewers have backed out.

Posted by dyedon8 on 2009-02-27 07:28:33 +0000

Posted by tgl on 2009-05-18 01:15:30 +0000

The Atlantic

Posted by dyedon8 on 2009-05-18 02:01:07 +0000

James Parker is a fantastic writer.