en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/279317 Comments by Goya http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/06/16/what-if-critics-werent-allowed-to-see-the-end-of-a-film/#IDComment24610257 I have to agree with most people that this isn't really that big of a deal. The movie is what it is, without the ending. I'm willing to bet there are plenty of critics whose reviews have been shaped quite a bit by how they felt about the final 15 minutes of a film. The movie is what it is and the story should be worth retelling with or without the ending; it goes both ways there. There is definitely some inherent frustration there simply as a viewer, but that's the job, eh? Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:01:25 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/06/16/what-if-critics-werent-allowed-to-see-the-end-of-a-film/#IDComment24610257 http:/www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/27/question-is-the-movie-concept-of-man-vs-terrifying-machines-no-longer-scary/#IDComment22421883 I agree with Prathik about the Matrix topping the Man v. Machine charts. The problem I think we are seeing a lot more is that film makers are trying to explain WHY these machines are doing what they do and in doing so are applying human logic to a machine's "thought process." I think it was on the Chef Elf site (listing the reasons to hate the Star Wars films) where it was pointed out that doing things like giving robots personality, which is expressed through verbal communication completely removes anything scary about them. Understanding a machine's motives through a human lens dumbs it down. Of course, there isn't much way around this. It simply is what it is. The Matrix kind of navigated around this by making most of the "true" inhabitants of the machine world silent killers. The sentinels don't communicate by sound, and most agents besides Smith really didn't talk very much. They just killed. Part of the reason the sequels don't compete with the original in terms of story telling is that half of the time it's like reading a book with way too much expository dialogue. Then, after all that, yes, technology is just too familiar to us now. And while that seems like it would be a great opportunity (oh no, what if your iPhone facebook app CAME TO LIFE AND ATTACKED YOU!), it really is just goofy and at times seems preachy (Pulse). Wed, 27 May 2009 13:35:45 +0000 http:/www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/27/question-is-the-movie-concept-of-man-vs-terrifying-machines-no-longer-scary/#IDComment22421883 http:/www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/25/awesome-green-lantern-fan-made-trailer/#IDComment22328545 The point he's making, which you are clarifying, is that using music existing music in a fan-made trailer for a non-existent movie is distracting enough that someone might forget what the fake movie was supposed to be about? Mind boggling. Tue, 26 May 2009 14:25:55 +0000 http:/www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/25/awesome-green-lantern-fan-made-trailer/#IDComment22328545 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/20/district-9-photos/#IDComment21905009 The CGI work on the ship has this haziness to it that you see on large, distant objects (think of a bridge on a summer day as you see it in the distance. I think it really helps make it look believable as it reflects the imperfections we see in the real world. Wed, 20 May 2009 15:17:09 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/20/district-9-photos/#IDComment21905009 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/19/what-are-your-most-hated-uses-of-cgi-in-movie-history/#IDComment21831478 I think you hit the nail on the head with the "delusion" piece. I remember when I was younger and watching "behind the scenes" specials, directors would always say 'We tried to pull off this stunt, but it didn't look right so we had to cut it.' If they couldn't pull something off, they didn't do it. Now it seems that if they can't do it they try to do it on a computer and somehow they trick themselves into thinking that it looked good. I forget which Harry Potter movie it was, but there's a scene where Harry's on top of this giant ogre in the bathroom and it looks completely like a cartoon. Similarly the "Burly Brawl" scene in Matrix Reloaded at times seems cartoon like and that's quite distracting. On the complete opposite end of the spectrum you have CGI in Children of Men that is so well done I'd never have known that certain things weren't constructed sets if I hadn't seen the DVD on TV special on FX or something like that. Tue, 19 May 2009 18:09:26 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/19/what-are-your-most-hated-uses-of-cgi-in-movie-history/#IDComment21831478 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/19/what-are-your-most-hated-uses-of-cgi-in-movie-history/#IDComment21819260 And now that people are talking about it I have to agree - the effects in Wolverine make up 85% of the reason I disliked the film. Particularly the scene in which he's "re-discovering" his newly adamantium coated claws in the old folks' bathroom. What did that cost? Six dollars? Also, the CGI beer/quarters in the Das Boot scenes in Beerfest were pretty distracting. Tue, 19 May 2009 14:33:05 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/19/what-are-your-most-hated-uses-of-cgi-in-movie-history/#IDComment21819260 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/19/what-are-your-most-hated-uses-of-cgi-in-movie-history/#IDComment21819098 It didn't ruin the movie per se (it was already awful), but I think Spawn had some of the worst computer generated imagery. Any scene that took place in Hell made me nauseous enough that I needed to look away from the screen. Nothing can take you out of the movie more than not looking at the screen. Tue, 19 May 2009 14:28:35 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/19/what-are-your-most-hated-uses-of-cgi-in-movie-history/#IDComment21819098 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/07/terminator-salvation-in-4-minutes-mcg-explains-pg-13-rating/#IDComment21010289 Any preview for this movie gives me a nerd boner. But I'm having a hard time with Anton Yelchin. Could he try to say "Come with me if you want to live" in a less girlie voice please? Also, someone should've reminded Christian Bale during his speech to Sam Worthington that The Dark Knight wrapped a long time ago - no need to growl. Fri, 8 May 2009 00:09:40 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/07/terminator-salvation-in-4-minutes-mcg-explains-pg-13-rating/#IDComment21010289 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/06/district-9-teaser-trailer-the-uncensored-version/#IDComment20981291 To your first point, you're right. I misinterpreted what you had written. It was perfectly reasonable to assume that the blurring and lack of subtitles was an element of the film itself. I just assumed that it was part of some viral marketing strategy and later we'd see a "hacked" version of the interrogation tape that revealed the face. The fact that the video was removed from IMDB adds credence to that. That's precisely my point about V for Vendetta. The short-sighted view is to say that it's about something recent simply because recent events weigh more heavily in our minds. However, thinking about it now after you've responded, that comparison was poorly attributed. The difference being that while V for Vendetta was written closer to the Thatcher era, the film was released in the Blair era and thus people said "this is about Tony Blair!" My overall point being that the setting and situation you attributed to the film from the original trailer was based only on what's been important in the news recently (recent as in the last 6-8 months) whereas its much more likely the the plot revolves around something much more typical - the paranoia, fear, and posturing in interaction with an alien race. Which might be a tad bit disappointing. Thu, 7 May 2009 15:47:08 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/06/district-9-teaser-trailer-the-uncensored-version/#IDComment20981291 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/07/early-buzz-the-first-reader-reviews-of-the-princess-and-the-frog-and-termiantor-salvation/#IDComment20973861 Yes. That was perfectly executed. I give it a 10.0 Thu, 7 May 2009 13:17:01 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/07/early-buzz-the-first-reader-reviews-of-the-princess-and-the-frog-and-termiantor-salvation/#IDComment20973861 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/06/district-9-teaser-trailer-the-uncensored-version/#IDComment20929313 You took an element of a teaser trailer and assumed that it in some way was indicative of the plot? How many times have trailers been released that are cut in a way that includes scenes not in the final cut of the movie, or misdirects you from the plot? it's pretty frustrating to go see a movie believing it's about one thing when it's not. I'm grateful I now know a bit more about the direction of the film. Assuming the film had something to do with Guantanamo Bay is also pretty puerile. That's like assuming that V for Vendetta was about Tony Blair. It's the tendency humans have to assign more value to recent events. There are a whole host of new questions that are raised by this version. Now that we know they're being held against their will by what I can only assume is the South African government, you have to wonder how the rest of the world feels about that. While the people in South African might not like them there, other people in the country are probably alleging some kind of civil rights violations. Additionally, the interrogator is asking about weapons technology, so you've got to wonder if other countries are becoming a little paranoid about an advanced alien race with advanced weaponry being held by one nation. Thu, 7 May 2009 02:56:36 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/06/district-9-teaser-trailer-the-uncensored-version/#IDComment20929313 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/06/district-9-teaser-trailer-the-uncensored-version/#IDComment20927620 Can you elaborate on this? Thu, 7 May 2009 02:44:37 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/05/06/district-9-teaser-trailer-the-uncensored-version/#IDComment20927620 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/30/todd-mcfarlane-in-talks-to-make-a-new-spawn-movie/#IDComment20281692 There's a lot of dark subject matter in the Spawn story that would make for a good movie, but like Angrybroomstick said above, the first film was atrocious, just an absolute hot mess. The visuals were pretty good, including Spawn's armor and weapons, etc. But that was really it. Anyone else get the impression the film's entire budget went to the cape? Not that he's looking for recommendations here, but if I were McFarlane I'd stay away from an origin story. I think the only one of those I liked was Batman Begins. With superheroes it's always 90 minutes of "wow I can shoot fire out of my butt!" and then 20 minutes of them actually doing what we want to see. Tell the back story with a well drawn opening credit sequence or something and then get right into the nitty gritty. Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:51:04 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/30/todd-mcfarlane-in-talks-to-make-a-new-spawn-movie/#IDComment20281692 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/28/sequel-madness-gremlins-3-clueless-2-and-a-reunion-of-the-goonies/#IDComment20171403 Oh, and as for a Clueless sequel...there are enough stories on TV right now about functionally-retarded, over-privileged pieces of shit. I really can't see a sequel presenting anything people can't already see from the comfort of their own living rooms. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:18:26 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/28/sequel-madness-gremlins-3-clueless-2-and-a-reunion-of-the-goonies/#IDComment20171403 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/28/sequel-madness-gremlins-3-clueless-2-and-a-reunion-of-the-goonies/#IDComment20171222 I feel like a well-written Goonies sequel would not only make big money, but it would be lots of fun. I'm 24, and I know that all my friends love The Goonies and would certainly check out a movie that featured a story involving the old crew and maybe their kids as well? I think people need to stop with the "don't remake this" or "we don't need a sequel to that" attitude because it's GOING to happen. I can agree that most of the time it just doesn't pay off. But occasionally you get one that's well done and I think we should start hoping instead that people actually invest a little bit of time and energy into their creation rather than just churning out something formulaic. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:13:42 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/28/sequel-madness-gremlins-3-clueless-2-and-a-reunion-of-the-goonies/#IDComment20171222 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/19/first-look-russell-crowe-in-ridley-scotts-robin-hood/#IDComment19435071 Spot on. I saw this and just thought that everything about the shot looks like Gladiator with clothing from a different period. Maybe the dual identity isn't going to be that he is both the Sheriff and Robin Hood, but rather that Maximus jumped through time! Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:54:43 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/19/first-look-russell-crowe-in-ridley-scotts-robin-hood/#IDComment19435071 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/20/movie-review-star-trek/#IDComment19434812 Thanks for the review Brendon. It sounds, from your review, like it's a bit style over substance, perhaps say, like Cloverfield. That's not necessarily a terrible thing. There are some movies that are quite enjoyable that are much more explorations in style. I am a little worried though, that Abrams is banking on the history of the franchise and its devoted fan base to carry the knowledge of the Trek Universe with them into this film. It worries me because as someone who wants to see this, but isn't a devoted Trekkie (Trekker?), I'm afraid I'll be missing something. Still, sounds like it'll be enough entertainment for my 10 bucks. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:46:25 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/20/movie-review-star-trek/#IDComment19434812 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/17/adam-bergs-dark-knight-inspired-short-film-carousel/#IDComment19250872 That was awesome. Nice to see something "different." Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:59:31 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/17/adam-bergs-dark-knight-inspired-short-film-carousel/#IDComment19250872 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/15/movie-trailer-steven-soderberghs-the-girlfriend-experience/#IDComment18885995 The concept of the movie and casting Grey was interesting to me. But this trailer was just awful. I know nothing about the movie that makes me want to see it from that trailer (charging $2000 an hour isn't a real attention grabber). The only part of that trailer that really got any kind of reaction from me was when I felt bad for the poor dude that had to make out with her. Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:32:24 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/15/movie-trailer-steven-soderberghs-the-girlfriend-experience/#IDComment18885995 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/12/boom-the-real-michael-bay-has-joined-twitter/#IDComment18652178 Not being a director is not the same thing as "doing nothing." If we can't use the internet as a forum for the spread of anonymous hate, then what good is it? Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:27:03 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/04/12/boom-the-real-michael-bay-has-joined-twitter/#IDComment18652178