Mainstream Matters II
So we did this once before, and it turned out well, except for the part where I wrote the following sentence. “I’ve very much liked what I’ve seen thus far of the most recent attempt at making a watchable Fantastic Four film.” Sigh. The lesson here: I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about. Anyway, a lot has happened and there’s a lot coming, so let’s get to it.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
After the latest trailer, I am surprisingly on board. I thought “Man of Steel” was a pox on humanity and I had no hope for this film. Okay, that was overboard, but my expectations were not very high. I’ve never taken a position on the Gal Gadot casting previously, but I think she looks beautiful and great for the role in the limited clips we’ve seen. I think every trailer has gotten better and it just all works for me now. I wasn’t thinking this six months ago. I’ve actually surprised myself with the turn I’ve taken. But again, this is coming from the guy that thought the Fantastic Four trailers showed promise.
Here’s a question that someone who follows these things closely may be able to answer for me. I actually have always liked the Affleck casting, but why make Batman/Bruce Wayne older? If they are going to make Justice League films, wouldn’t it have made more sense to have Batman be more in his physical prime? I don’t have a problem with an older Batman I just wasn’t sure why they made that choice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yViIi3gie2c
Captain America: Civil War
I loved everything about Phase 1 of the MCU. Phase 2 was a different story. I thought Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy were terrific. I thought Thor: The Dark World was the worst MCU movie ever. I thought Ant-Man was fun and I thought Avengers: Age of Ultron was… Well, the Honest Trailer for it echos my thoughts perfectly.
I think the demands of Marvel/Disney really did break Joss Whedon. In my opinion, Marvel needs to right the ship a little bit. I know the box office results were good, but the momentum they once had seems to have died down a bit. I love this trailer, and I think the film will deliver. No sign of Spider-Man yet, a character I do love, so I’m looking forward to that. Can we just get to freaking Thanos already?
Jessica Jones
I know we already have a lot of feedback on this, but I can’t binge watch a series so it took me longer to get through this than others. I thought it was terrific. I did think they could have done in ten episodes what took them thirteen, but that’s nit picking. I thought it was a perfect casting job all around. With all due respect to everyone else in the series, I thought Mike Colter, an actor I never heard of, playing Luke Cage, a character I knew nothing about, was brilliant. The best part of the entire series. I suddenly can’t wait to see what the standalone “Luke Cage” series has in store.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3UYWK2jeX0
Supergirl
I have some conflicting thoughts on “Supergirl“. I don’t think it’s a great show. I’m not even so sure it’s a good show. But I find the actress who plays Supergirl so incredibly likable that I have watched every episode and plan to continue doing so.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
I’m excited. HM is excited. The world seems rather excited. I’ll say this. J.J. Abrams can make a movie. I’m not saying everything he’s done has been great, but all of his movies have at least looked good. This needs to work. I need good Star Wars films movies in my life again.
Deadpool
I don’t know a damn thing about Deadpool, but it looks rather entertaining. They’re just going to keep casting Ryan Reynolds in these things until one works it seems.
Suicide Squad
I don’t know a damn thing about Suicide Squad either, but I may be looking more forward to this than anything else. I think it looks brilliant. I’ve always been a sucker for the Joker, and I think Jared Leto is going to nail it.
I’m know there are plenty of things I didn’t cover. X-Men: Apocalypse, Wonder Woman began shooting, Iron Fist, Season 2 of “Daredevil,” “Agent Carter,” “Agents of Shield” and so on. What looks good to you? What looks, you know, not so great?
@Judah
@HWNN
The ending scene was a complete shock. I have no idea what this could mean for season 2. This was not your typical cliff hanger. Were the producers not expecting the series to get renewed? Overall this was great stuff, the twists and turns and intrigue were phenomenal.While not in anyway similar, somehow this reminded me of the famous shower scene in Dallas. How long will we have to wait for season 2?
@ Judah: agree with you about Blade Runner. Interestingly the movie is also based on a book by PKD, I think you mentioned this. Found the book boring. Ridley Scott and his team turned it into something completely different, a good thing! When you do find the time, check out Manhattan. The first season plays like the Man in the High Castle, they need a couple of episodes to find their footing, but it get progessively better. Season 2 is really good from the get-go and the last two episodes are fantastic. It is an interesting story about how good… Read more »
@Big Zee Sounds like you experienced life in 1962. That was all before my time. The Man in the High Castle is an alternate vision of life after WWII had the Axis Powers prevailed. Yes this is the stuff of nightmares. It is hard to imagine what life would have been like and the entire course of history changed had Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan won WWII. I am glad you think the show could be too believable. Famed Director Ridley Scott serves as an executive producer. Ridley Scott is one (if not the best) film directors making movies. From… Read more »
@ Big Zee: glad you are enjoying the show. Well, if you did enjoy the first five episodes, they are weak compared the next five episodes with the finale ranking the highest (in which they masterfully pull all the various storylines into a very strong finish with an amazing cliffhanger).
@Judah
@HWNN
Re Man in the High Castle, I have seen the first five episodes and called it quits for the night. I never seen anything like this. The scenario is quite believable, actually too believable. Life in 1962 was rather depressing. The level of intrigue was fascinating. The interesting characters are the Marshal in the Neutral Zone and the Japanese minister of Transport as well the Fuhrer of the Eastern American States. This is the stuff for nightmares. Thanks guys for the advice.
@Horse & Big Zee
Yeah I definitely recommend the man in the High Castle. It takes awhile but like Horse said around episode 6 it kicks into overdrive. The ending was awesome. It’s great news that there going to do a second season. One of the better shows of 2015. I haven’t checked out Manhattan yet but when I get a chance I will. Starting to watch Into the Badlands.
@ Big Zee: ah, the way it was done before Prime 🙂 Glad you managed. The finale is outstanding. Edge of your seat stuff.
@HWNN
Actually my son got me all ten of the episodes. I did not ask how he got them, but I can use my imagination.Now I have something to keep me busy during our snowstorm tomorrow.
@ Big Zee: still amazed that you guys do not have Amazon Prime. But glad you had a chance to check out the pilot. Hope you can catch the whole season. Judah will agree that it gets much better at around episode 5. The season finale is in my top three for this year. If you are into WW2 themes, do check out a show called “Manhattan”. Also a show that is getting stronger after a while. The last two episodes of season 2 are amazing and very creppy at the same time. Once you get over the fact that… Read more »
@Judah
@HWNN
just saw the first (pilot?) episode of ‘The Man in the High Castle’. This is high drama in a dark world. The scenes and the recreation of 1962 were awesome. Quite the surprise ending although perhaps I should not have been once I think back to what happened in the beginning of the episode. Pretty clever stuff. I don’t yet get the significance of the film with alternate (real) version of WW2. Although I live in Canada and don’t receive the Amazon streaming , where there is a will, there is a way.
Just for those keeping track: the box office people revised the numbers. The Force Awakens now not only has the biggest weekend opening in North America, it also beats Jurassic World for the biggest opening world wide. Early estimates had it lower on that one (albeit it is worth while to point out that other than with JW, SW’s international take does not include China where it opens on Jan. 9). Does not say anything about how good the movie is, I know, this is for everyone to decide on their own, but interesting how strong this mix of nostalgia… Read more »
Kylo and Rey were hands down the best part of the movie.
The family relationship in the last scene: either the obvious or something else entirely. I am hoping for the former.
Is it not funny how much marketing played up Rey’s staff? There are still people who feel it is going to be important. I think the staff – especially in the marketing – was a distraction from what her weapon would be later on.
@Raygootz: Completely agree with you Sir.
@: I really think so but maybe I miss read it.
Anyone else wondering if there’s a familial relationship between the two characters in that last scene?
Loved Star Wars but LOVED Rey. She is gonna be huge. probably my favorite new heroine in decades. Anyone else wish NGC got to her before she did this film though?
Hey Judah
Yeah, heard about the 2nd season for Man in the High Castle. Fantastic!
Glad you enjoyed Star Wars. The ending rocked! Really interesting to see where they go from there. The last scene was one big tease 🙂
Hey Horse
Good news bro. Just announced 2nd season for Man in the High Castle. Star Wars rocked. I’m seeing tonight in regular theaters. What an Ending my chin was down to my knees.
@ Judah: saw the regular version. Sure IMAX will be better.
Enjoy the movie. I am fairly certain you will 🙂
Hey Horse. Im currently in line waiting for the doors to open. Did you see it in IMAX or regular. I got tickets for the IMAX tonight and regular theater tomorrow night. Hope its good.
@swampy170
At my advancing age I might be too much of a capitalist and not much of a risk taker. The opposite was true years ago. Regrettably I have a cynical nature and so I suspect that many of the art film makers are in it for the fame. Fame brings fortune.
@ Big Zee: I was around when the first Star Wars movies hit theaters. And I remember how cool it was that the second one ended in a cliffhanger.
Best of luck with the tickets, man.
*cynic, even
This is filmmaking – there’s plenty of people who make films for nothing, or at a loss. Those who make films for the art (or a synic migh propose, the fame) as opposed to the business case.
This thread relates to the mainstream, not purely fetish vids – as I say, fetish vids skew those producing films even more towards the business end.
@swampy170
They can be both , but first and foremost they have to make money. There have been many posts indicating the pricing was too high. Some of the producers alluded to fact that this was a niche market with not enough customers to make decent money as the justification for their pricing strategies. I think that other than salaries, most of the other costs are fixed. If I am correct in this assumption, then volume of films produced becomes an important consideration. Art only takes you so far before you starve have no roof over your head.
@HWNN
All of the theatres showing the IMAX version are sold out for the next couple of days. One theatre started showing all the previous episodes which started at 4:00 AM this morning. Obviously I am quite keen on strong female roles and nostalgia. I am not sure how many of you were around when the first episode was released. The reception phenomenal.
@ Maar13: if nostalgia and strong female roles are what you are looking for in the new Star Wars, you will not be disappointed. There is plenty of nostalgia (a bit much at times) and a very strong female role, with a surprisingly strong actress. In that respect, for me personally, it was less the nostalgia that was satisfying, but what happens near the end and at the end of the movie. At lot the reviews that I have read now, mostly positive as they may be, say that this movie is not very “original”, nor does it take the… Read more »
*lamentable
I should also add an addendum – in fetish films this is heavilly skewed towards business.
1 – Generally margins aren’t that large
2 – People looking to get their rocks off aren’t generally looking for art house
Having said that, some SHiP fans do have standards.
But why let the thread end?! I’ve not been this entertained in a long while!! X-) @Seer – Art vs Business – an interesting and important topic. The simple answer is the people who make the best films and are a commercial success do both. Business and Art in film are not AT ALL mutually exclusive. Of course, there does need to be balance – making films commercially is not the same as making films at filmschool. Money needs to be made. However go too far the other way and you end up with lamerntable formulaic films, films should not… Read more »
Hey, guys. You know how there’s this stereotype of angry 30-year-old virgin nerd perverts on the internet arguing over stupid shit from their mom’s basement? Thanks for perpetuating it!
Well going back to the topic, I am excited about Star Wars, call it nostalgia if you will, but I want to see how they do, especially with the new heroine Rey there and Captain Phasma, you have two strong female roles right there that can last pretty much the entire new trilogy. I like Jessica Jones, why? because although she is damaged she tries to do her best, even if sometimes it doesn’t seem like she gives a crap but she does. What I wouldn’t like of Wonder Woman is if they make the character too perfect, I mean… Read more »
@HWNN
How can we discuss Stars if we haven’t seen it yet, lol?
@Seer
Thanks, this is good news, seriously. If Logan keeps his word, this thread could actually end. You had to have the last word, no problem.
Now to move on, there should be discussion on how Supergirl could be fixed. It is lame, again this is my OPINION
@Logan post – Dec. 16, 2015 at 6:16 pm Take a deep breath. Let the alcohol wear off. Don’t go off the deep end. “How do you think certain people got in the video?” Not cause of you. Obviously. You can’t prove me wrong, so not asking. Case closed. Or keep lying. It’s amusing. “And the two links? You have a very interesting deconstruction analysis on that.” What’s to deconstruct? They just look like college film school type beginning editing class projects. No professional editor would leave that kind of meh work up on vimeo. They’d have professional looking work… Read more »
Ya, what a jerk HM is for running his forum the way he chooses. Look, if Logan is going to post his self-aggrandizing crap here, then people calling him on his b.s. is totally fair game. No one is forcing you to read the thread. Your lack of interest does not mean the topic isn’t worthwhile.
Sugarcoater is right. This crap is popping up way too often here now. Sadly HM seems to not have any interest in moderating all the attacks and seem to ignore the “No personal insults” rule they attach to every post we make.
@Bert
Thanks for keeping our dialogue going. Your ability to write my post in full is much appreciated as it reminds everyone what I wrote.I hate see what you are in real life, so the feeling is mutual. My post was a work of art. Read my posts on Ninga Bitch Killer. That is the real me. Your mean spirited posts to Logan bring out the worst in me.
Big Zee – “@Sugarcoater Fat chance, too many alpha males who are looking for a ‘knockout’ blow or a ‘gotcha’ moment. I am staying clear of this except for a certain mean spirited and all round blank blank individual. One other person must be a lawyer and or politician and you know what they say about lawyers and politicians. For whatever reason the owner of this website is reluctant to shut this thread down. You Americans have the 14th Amendment. The best that can be said is everyone is really good at twisting things around. I have no favourites, they… Read more »
@HWNN
Well, at long last some sanity in this ridiculous thread. Excluding yourself, everyone should be ashamed of themselves. Before I get attacked verbally, the attackers should review their posts. Seriously guys, come on.
We could also be discussing the new Star Wars movie. Just back from seeing it. No spoilers, but two things at the top of my head: 1. do not expect an end credit scene or anything. In a certain way it is integrated into the end of the movie, and what an end it is. 2. I stand corrected. Based on a certain scene from one of the trailers I really thought Daisy Ridley’s acting would be very poor. There is a very good reason why she acts “poorly” in that scene from the trailer. She – ok, I will… Read more »
@Sugarcoater: Yes, absolutely. I won’t comment on this thread anymore. My apologies for being a part of this nonsense.
@Sugarcoater Fat chance, too many alpha males who are looking for a ‘knockout’ blow or a ‘gotcha’ moment. I am staying clear of this except for a certain mean spirited and all round blank blank individual. One other person must be a lawyer and or politician and you know what they say about lawyers and politicians. For whatever reason the owner of this website is reluctant to shut this thread down. You Americans have the 14th Amendment. The best that can be said is everyone is really good at twisting things around. I have no favourites, they are all guilty.… Read more »
Any chance the ad hominem arguments and off-topic posts come to an end sometime soon? I’m bored coming to this site to find all recent comments about one producer and semantics issues. Just swap email addresses and have private email thread. But for anyone outside the 3 or 4 people having a personal argument, I don’t see whom this is serving.
@Seer: lmao dude wow. You think you’re so intelligent but you’re so way off-base. How do you think certain people got in the video? The only one who corresponds to my heroine project was Shannon so she was mentioned. And the two links? You have a very interesting deconstruction analysis on that. That Orange Mini Cooper — Is my personal vehicle. Oh no, I might take it down!!! They shot a fun little snippet when they were heading back to the house we stayed in to pick up a few camera pieces we left on the coffee table there —… Read more »
I like your post Seer. It’s great that someone has taken a bit of a clinical approach to deconstructing Logan’s fabrications and exaggerations. Kudos.
@Bert
Logan is pretty great in these films. Of course you would not know this as you have never purchased any of them. The best you can do is make snide and irrelevant remarks.
@Bert
Score one for you, never heard of the expression before. I thought that you had stopped communicating with me. Welcome back.
@Big Zee – I can’t believe you are so thick you failed to understand that when I said “starring his own junk” I was referring to his dick. And as for you begging (again) HM to shut down a thread, I don’t blame you. Your hero is getting pummeled in here.
@Seer
Congratulations, the trophy is yours. It will be back from the engraver shortly. If you keep this up, you will qualify for the lifetime achievement award.
Bert, excellent! Yep the man’s an industry powerhouse if he do say so himself, cause nobody else does! Now on to Logan’s team’s impact on Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood Music Video Impact = way, way, way, way, way, way low. Virtually none. So within Logan’s run-on paragraph rant, Dec. 15, 2015 at 7:12 pm, is this… One person can’t even let go of the fact that we, in some way, have our hands in a lot of music videos out there – you want one? Taylor Swift “Bad Blood” – you want details? Too bad… I bet you’ll search for… Read more »
@Bert
Complimentary as usual. Did you ever buy any of the videos in which you classified as junk. Did not think so. I used the word mean spirited to describe your comments; I would have preferred to use more graphic words. I need to respect HM’s guidelines.
@HM
At what point in this highly relevant debate does someone say; Let us agree to disagree, you have your point of view and I have mine. It seems that all of you behind these entertaining posts are hoping for the gotcha moment. I think that is an unrealistic expectation.