Indie movies are soo much better!

[bklyndv]

Transformers? Hey now, let's not overreact...

You know, I see these trailers or online preview blurbs and think I'd like to see these movies, if only they'd let me make them. I remember b.miller had something up a while ago about 'Unbreakable,' where he offered alternate b-sides to 4 or 5 scenes from the film. I kept thinking "Shit, I'd love to pay to see his movie. I felt ripped off leaving the real one."

That's how I feel just about every time I watch a big-bidget trailer these days, as in "Huh. Well, that could have been cool..." Even the "best" of them (like 'Hellboy') are generally near-misses. Particular tastes and whatever aside, I think you could generally say that Hollywood's most consistent error these days is confusing more with better -- look at the second and last Matrix film, where they basically took everything from the first and multiplied the bad guys, the sensuality, the chases, by 'x' number.

The LOTR trilogy suffered the same fate -- oh look, an impossibly large number of enemies. What last-moment twist of fate will save our heroes again?

Though on a positive note, so you don't think I'm all piss, as "big budget" action movies go, I enjoyed 'The Bourne Identity,' 'Batman Begins' and 'Kung Fu Hustle' quite a bit. Still, I could have made Bourne and Batman better

[Animal Boything]

The original "Star Wars" was a hollywood production. "The Phantom Menace" was an independant production.

[bklyndv]

Originally Posted by Animal Boything

The original "Star Wars" was a hollywood production. "The Phantom Menace" was an independant production.

Exactly. Well said.

[b.miller]

go see Hustle & Flow.


it doesn't really have anything to do with this thread... just thought i'd throw it in.

[lukeyd]

Originally Posted by bklyndv

look at the second and last Matrix film, where they basically took everything from the first and multiplied the bad guys, the sensuality, the chases, by 'x' number.

i actually thought number 2 was quite good, number 3 just entirely failed to do anything with the storyline is was set up with. it was like the wakowski (sp?) brothers became so obsessed with themes and religious iconography, that they forgot they didnt know how to finish the story. i seriously think i could have done a better storyline.

The LOTR trilogy suffered the same fate -- oh look, an impossibly large number of enemies. What last-moment twist of fate will save our heroes again?

im sorry, i dont get this. is there really any other method of doing a david and goliath, against all odds type story? of course some twist of fate will save them in the end, its either that or no twist of fate and they all die. the suspense and story telling skill is what twist of fate

[bklyndv]

Hmm. Well, then maybe that's just not good suspense. I didn't find it working for me after the third or fourth time. Maybe that's the kind of thing best reserved for a book and not a movie.

What's interesting is that in your analogy, no twist of fate or deus ex machina saved David -- it was a well-honed skill coupled with bravery.

[GforGroove]

Originally Posted by b.miller

go see Hustle & Flow.


it doesn't really have anything to do with this thread... just thought i'd throw it in.

Also, Chocolate is good for stress. I just read it.

[grady]

Originally Posted by GforGroove

Also, Chocolate is good for stress. I just read it.

Mmmmm it is indeed. Some good chocolate, a nice glass of wine and a good book are wonderful.

Another quip to add to this thread that may or may not have anything to do with it and may or may not have already been written/uttered by someone.

Just because it's an independent film doesn't mean that it's good.

A notion that I subscribed to after working as a projectionist at an art house theater for a couple years and sitting through some rather crappy films, althought I was usually being paid to screen said films before they were opening.

[King of Snake]

Originally Posted by bklyndv

The LOTR trilogy suffered the same fate -- oh look, an impossibly large number of enemies. What last-moment twist of fate will save our heroes again?

of course the LOTR trilogy isn't Hollywood either, and the story (at least most of it) is taken directly from the books, so you can hardly accuse Peter Jackson of anything

Just because it's an independent film doesn't mean that it's good.

Captain Obvious to the rescue!

[grady]

Originally Posted by King of Snake

of course the LOTR trilogy isn't Hollywood either, and the story (at least most of it) is taken directly from the books, so you can hardly accuse Peter Jackson of anything


Captain Obvious to the rescue!

HEY NOW!

I had no idea.