Watchmen

[tommy]

Brendan Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Really? I think 2 and a half hours is too short.

>

I agree, but am sure the studios would have cut it even more (and tried to give it a 12 cert) if given half the chance

[beef]

Yeah, Sin City 2 is on the way, with Frank Millar and Robert Rodriguez at the helm again. I've just seen some screenshots of the new Kickass movie in Tripwire, looking good! The big problem I have with Watchmen is it is so 1985 and we've all moved on a lot since then. The book was very pertinent and groundbreaking at the time but 15 years later the whole concept has become a cliche, due to it being plundered extensively over the years by so many. I will watch it on dvd, along with the Black Freighter animation, just so I can snack and skin up as it trundles along. Being stcuk in Peckhem Plex for that amount of time without a smoke...bbbrrrrrr....

[tommy]

Interesting article and review in Time magazine, Lev Grossman writes

"Should the fans see Watchmen? The comic has something to say on this question. Are you an idealist like Rorschach, who insists on absolutes, black and white? Or a pragmatist like Ozymandias, who deals in shades of gray? Ozymandias would go. Rorschach wouldn't"

[beef]

Also, Wanted 2 is now in production, I'll be sitting there with Rorschach. Other great comic book movies are Stardust (the director of which is doing Kick Ass along with the screenwriter), Ghost World, American Splendor, Crumb (o.k., bending the rules a little), and Art School Confidential. See, not a superf#ck'nhero in sight. Unless you count Robert Crumb as a super hero, which you should.

I would have loved to see a Terry Gilliam or Darren Aronofsky version, they would have DONE something with the book, rather than use it as a storyboard. And adaptation should be just that, adapted, not dragged kicking and screaming wholesale to the cinemas, and Alan himself has said that his books were never meant to be films, and people should respect his wishes rather than trying to make money from the time and effort he spent in creating original, imaginative and intelligent work. Lets see 'em try to bring swamp thing post #60 to the screen.

[mockney piers]

I see where you're coming from Beef (and totally with you on Ghost World and American Splendor) but considering the horrors of From Hell, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, I'm just pleased it's (apparently) vaguely faithful to the source material.

[mockney piers]

Plus interesting comment from the journo.

When I first read it back in '85 I totally related to Rorschach, his intransigence and righteousness. I guess as teenagers we knew all the answers.

My recent rereading left me relating to the retired owl, his regrets, his failures and his growing paunch. *sigh*

Funny how life changes innit.

I pity the man who relates to Ozymandias mind!!!

[mockney piers]

Just got back from seeing it at the imax.

Basically I skipped home, and welled up several times it was so lovingly recreated.

It goes without saying it's not as good as the book, but very good it still is.

Not perfect, Silk Spectre is too pretty and couldn't act her way out of a paper bag, while nite Owl looked distractingly like the love child of Alan Partridge and Chevy Chase. Also I can't for a moment believe that anybody who hadn't read it could work out what the hell's going on, but with all that I still highly recommend it.

[Brendan]

I think I?m going to go this Saturday.

Was the whole IMAX thing worth it or will Greenwich Picturehouse do?

[mockney piers]

At ?13.50 it's not cheap, and I don't think it needs to be on such a big screen, but it is pretty awesome, and the sounds is as good as you'll get in this country full stop, so on balance, why not (if you can get hold of a ticket).

Mind you, you can take beer in with you at the Picture House and you don't need to annoy 150 people to go to the toilet (knew I shouldn't have had a couple of pints before the film).

[Brendan]

Suppose it will be my usual then, aisle seat at the picture house with a bottle of lager.

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

Saw this at the w/e. I did not read the comics and had no clue what it was all about before I laid out ?14.50 at odeon westend

Very much enjoyed the film and the experience the sound was fantastic and pretty sure the seats vibrated. The SILK lady was very much highlight for me here walking around in stockings and the hair flowing in the breeze yummy. Bet the IMAX would have been even better 8/10 for me

[mockney piers]

Thinking about it I judged her harshly, the character's basically a well meaning but spoilt girl who a slightly screwed up childhood.

I thought the actress was a similar Californian dilettante, but I've found out she's actually Swedish, so I'm thinking her acting ability was a lot better than I originally gave her credit for.

And you're not wrong, she made the screen her own when ever she wandered around in that outfit!!!

Rorshach was so well played though, really mesmerising performance. The whole cinema chuckled uncomfortably when he screams

'You don't get it yet do you, I'm not locked in here with you, you're locked up with me'

Great stuff and glad you enjoyed it.

[Brendan]

How does one pronounce, Rorshach?

[capt_birdseye]

Brendan Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> How does one pronounce, Rorshach?

With a mouth full of peanuts.

[Brendan]

Ok. How does one pronounce, Rorsach with a mouth full of peanuts?

[beef]

'Roar-shack' - and okay, despite my cynical slagging, I'll go and watch it at the Imax,as long as you all promise to lobby for a film version of Lost Girls.;-)

[HonaloochieB]

I just bought the comic yesterday, bloody hell sixteen quid, gone up a bit since I used to buy Spiderman.

Still I'll have a read of it tonight and then I'll be right back and able to contribute to this thread.

On second thoughts it's Paddy's night isn't it? So perhaps I may not be in a position to do much reading.

OK then I'll see how it goes, but don't hold me to it, alright?

[Michael Palaeologus]

I saw the film a few days ago and was knocked out by it. A great deal to ponder.

I havent read the comic-book, but will now do so.

[tommy]

M.P - ?9 in paperback

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Watchmen-Alan-Moore/dp/1852860243/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237323959&sr=8-1

[mockney piers]

Escapist review: "It's a fucking masterpiece"

[Brendan]

This morning, 10:12am, pay online for 2 tickets to the 1:15pm show at the Greenwich picture house as there is no matinee at the Ritzy.

This afternoon, 12:20pm get into the car in East Dulwich and depart for Greenwich.

This afternoon, 12:40pm, reach Deptford.

This afternoon, 1:40pm, still in traffic between Deptford and Greenwich.

This afternoon, 1:50pm, said some very rude words, turned the car around and headed back to East Dulwich.

[Brendan]

On the plus side it is good to see that this film is making people want to read the book because if there is only one comic everyone should read it is probably Watchmen.

[woodie]

yeah, it was a great headsdown read

[suniil]

For those who are planning to see watchmen in Imax, make sure you are getting middle seats towards the back. I still have head ache after watching the movie in F row side block.

BTW hallelujah song rendering is good for the picture sequence, but may be offensive to some

[mockney piers]

?!?! really, because of the Leona Lewis cover presumably?

ffs, how easily are people offended these days?

Sex scenes, a blue penis, questions about the intrinsic self-destructive nature of man and graphic brutal violence are fine, but a bit of Leonard Cohen? Wooooah there, think of the children... :-/