retro_eidas (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
retro_eidas) wrote2004-11-17 05:13 pm
retro_eidas) wrote2004-11-17 05:13 pm
(no subject)
This is a totally random nerdy entry to balance out the other ranty one today... and I feel nerdy at the moment, so it all works out.
DARK WATER
I'm not sure how many of y'all have heard of this one, but it's another in the vein of Hollywood remaking Asian horror films a la "The Ring". Instead of Naomi Watts, we get Jennifer Connelly... which, for me, is an upgrade. Nothing against Naomi, but I've loved Jennifer since "Labyrinth". The fanboys at AICN were bitching that the "Dark Water" trailer looks too much like the original... but frankly, I can't see it. Of course, this only applies to those who've seen the original, but I swear... they seem only vaguely similar to me. Not just because the remake takes place in NYC (the original in Tokyo). It *looks* different... and I LIKE this look. Doesn't hurt the cast looks pretty strong too (besides Jennifer, John C. Reilly, Tim Roth, Camryn Manheim and Dougray Scott are also all in this).
"The Grudge"... now THAT was nearly a carbon copy of the original... and they did make a conscious effort to make the storylines different. Not that that helped at all. Nearly the entire feel of the film was exactly the same. I think this was probably 90% because the guy who directed the original also directed the remake. Which was a detriment to me. I just think if you're going to remake something... REMAKE it. Just don't do the same thing over again with white, English-speaking actors (in this case, most whom were subpar talents, at best) and a more (or overly) simplified / paltrier storyline. What's the point?
HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS
I'm still hearing a lot of mixed reviews on this one. Some folks love it, but others say the story is securely in the *meh* department. Overall, everyone seems to agree the movie *is* pretty to look at. Of course, on the totally shallow side, I was guaranteed to watch this for Takeshi... so damn pretty it hurts and if I suffered through "The Returner" for him, I can surely watch this. It's Zhang Yimou... although I still admit his last, "Hero", just doesn't do it for me (Lots of pretty, but the story left me dry). Speaking of pretty... posters like this one from Sony really do keep my interest peaked....
Pretty, no?
Although Zhang Ziyi almost looks like the late Anita Mui in that pic. Which is a little unnerving since Anita was supposed to play the part Zhang ended up playing prior her untimely death.
I'd be happy if Andy Lau or Takeshi could break out in the States. Andy is the better actor IMO. He was in "Infernal Affairs" damn it! Which got almost zilch promotion from it's American distributing company and it's just beyond wrong. Although it's a bit more wrong Leo DiCaprio is going to be in the American remake. MEH! Anyway, Takeshi may just have a better shot at it. Call it a gut feeling. He is younger than Andy and he's got a bit of youth exposure from all those "Onimusha" games his face appears. If they ever made a live-action "Onimusha"... they'd better be getting Jean Reno and Takeshi. Also a director that can do the campy subject matter (time travelling mercenaries, samurais fighting demons / possessed by demons) without coming off too campy.
For the sake of being very nerdy and random.... here's the official site for LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS. I'm an admitted Potterphile of the most pathetic order and I read these sort of by default (hence they don't have the place HP does for me, but they're cute books). However, I adore the look of it all. Even though I'm still not digging Jim Carrey as Count Olaf. However, I "get" Jim Carrey in so very little, so I'm not surprised by that. The "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" goodness is few and far between with him. He's simply not Count Olaf to me. I also want to see this just to hear Jude say "Lemony Snicket". Speaking of Jude, he's apparently the "Sexiest Man Alive". I can't say I disagree with People, he certainly is very pretty. Although he's starting to meander into the area of over-exposed. "Alfie" was also terrible. I vote he makes "Sky Captain 2"... but this time with, you know, a story. Giovanni Ribisi can stay too.
DARK WATER
I'm not sure how many of y'all have heard of this one, but it's another in the vein of Hollywood remaking Asian horror films a la "The Ring". Instead of Naomi Watts, we get Jennifer Connelly... which, for me, is an upgrade. Nothing against Naomi, but I've loved Jennifer since "Labyrinth". The fanboys at AICN were bitching that the "Dark Water" trailer looks too much like the original... but frankly, I can't see it. Of course, this only applies to those who've seen the original, but I swear... they seem only vaguely similar to me. Not just because the remake takes place in NYC (the original in Tokyo). It *looks* different... and I LIKE this look. Doesn't hurt the cast looks pretty strong too (besides Jennifer, John C. Reilly, Tim Roth, Camryn Manheim and Dougray Scott are also all in this).
"The Grudge"... now THAT was nearly a carbon copy of the original... and they did make a conscious effort to make the storylines different. Not that that helped at all. Nearly the entire feel of the film was exactly the same. I think this was probably 90% because the guy who directed the original also directed the remake. Which was a detriment to me. I just think if you're going to remake something... REMAKE it. Just don't do the same thing over again with white, English-speaking actors (in this case, most whom were subpar talents, at best) and a more (or overly) simplified / paltrier storyline. What's the point?
HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS
I'm still hearing a lot of mixed reviews on this one. Some folks love it, but others say the story is securely in the *meh* department. Overall, everyone seems to agree the movie *is* pretty to look at. Of course, on the totally shallow side, I was guaranteed to watch this for Takeshi... so damn pretty it hurts and if I suffered through "The Returner" for him, I can surely watch this. It's Zhang Yimou... although I still admit his last, "Hero", just doesn't do it for me (Lots of pretty, but the story left me dry). Speaking of pretty... posters like this one from Sony really do keep my interest peaked....
Pretty, no?
Although Zhang Ziyi almost looks like the late Anita Mui in that pic. Which is a little unnerving since Anita was supposed to play the part Zhang ended up playing prior her untimely death.
I'd be happy if Andy Lau or Takeshi could break out in the States. Andy is the better actor IMO. He was in "Infernal Affairs" damn it! Which got almost zilch promotion from it's American distributing company and it's just beyond wrong. Although it's a bit more wrong Leo DiCaprio is going to be in the American remake. MEH! Anyway, Takeshi may just have a better shot at it. Call it a gut feeling. He is younger than Andy and he's got a bit of youth exposure from all those "Onimusha" games his face appears. If they ever made a live-action "Onimusha"... they'd better be getting Jean Reno and Takeshi. Also a director that can do the campy subject matter (time travelling mercenaries, samurais fighting demons / possessed by demons) without coming off too campy.
For the sake of being very nerdy and random.... here's the official site for LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS. I'm an admitted Potterphile of the most pathetic order and I read these sort of by default (hence they don't have the place HP does for me, but they're cute books). However, I adore the look of it all. Even though I'm still not digging Jim Carrey as Count Olaf. However, I "get" Jim Carrey in so very little, so I'm not surprised by that. The "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" goodness is few and far between with him. He's simply not Count Olaf to me. I also want to see this just to hear Jude say "Lemony Snicket". Speaking of Jude, he's apparently the "Sexiest Man Alive". I can't say I disagree with People, he certainly is very pretty. Although he's starting to meander into the area of over-exposed. "Alfie" was also terrible. I vote he makes "Sky Captain 2"... but this time with, you know, a story. Giovanni Ribisi can stay too.
no subject
As for the Lemony Snicket movie, it looks oddball and gothic enough (we've read the first 5 books), but I HATE that Klaus doesn't wear glasses a la Harry Potter. Wearing glasses is part of his persona, plus his glasses play an important role in at least one of the books. I'll reserve judgement on Jim Carrey as Count Olaf till we see the movie.
no subject
I can't stop listening to it. I'm almost expecting Hot Fuss breaking into a bout of cuchillo with Franz Ferdinand for dominance in my cd player. Thus is my dilemma on which gets listened to more. It tends to be down to only those two these days. Snow Patrol is making a good effort though (However, it bugs they sound a little too much like Coldplay).
Since HP takes up nearly all my OCD energies, I can't work enough steam over Klaus sans-glasses. I just hope the kid(s) can act. I think Klaus was the same kid in "Jumanji" if I'm not mistaken? I don't remember being annoyed by him, but then I've only seen "Jumanji" once long ago. I'm afraid Jim Carrey may just gesticulate Count Olaf to death.
no subject
and way too airbrushedno subject
My memory sucks, but isn't the R1-DVD coming out pretty quick? I could have sworn it was. Maybe that was just the Japanese release or something. I know Hong Kong has had it for well over a year now.
[quote]The poster for HoFD is purdah and way too airbrushed[/quote]
I know. Step away from the smudge guys. Jesus. And is it just me, or does her hand look kind of wonky?
no subject
re: HoFD poster - anything that looks too airbrushed looks wonky to me.
no subject
Oh. I don't know if that helps me feel better about the fact that it was on near to me this week but I couldn't go so have to wait for the general release. I thought Hero was ravishing, but the form of the story was problematic - by the end I was too exhausted to really care, if that makes sense. Still the pretty cannot be resisted.
I agree with you on not "getting" Jim Carrey, mostly. I haven't read the LS books, so it depends on the reviews on the going and seeing.
no subject
It makes sense. I think you and I were discussing this the last time I brought up "Hero" on my LJ? Like two months (?) or so ago. Anyway, I agree with you. The movie is totally luscious with how it uses color... but getting closer to the end... it just kind of pilfers out. I tried to watch it again recently... with the same result. Almost like the novelty of the scenery wore off and the story lost my emotional investment somewhere after the middle. It's hard to explain. It's like it's got all the elements to make me love it... but it's just not *all* there.
no subject
the story lost my emotional investment somewhere after the middle. It's hard to explain. Yes, I think the red sequence is so drastically undercut by the bluey-green sequence in terms of what the characters go through and our perception that the emotional connection to the characters and what's happening has been too exhaustively mined afterwards. Becuase I don't watch much Chinese cinema, I have no idea if this structure of story is common there, but for me, it was harder to identify with the film as a whole than a story with one emotional thrust.