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Re: Mmm Marathon movie
Posted By: :: Beer Can ::Date: 5/17/02 3:21 p.m.

In Response To: Re: Mmm Marathon movie (Rick Blaine)

>Agreed. Talk is cheap.

I'm not speaking of the fact that people talk bullshit and never produce; I meant that it's easy to sit about and talk how a movie could/would be great, and how particular filmmakers fail at their art, with all the obvious and easy solutions seeming out of their view.

Reminds me of a song: "The Mayor of Ma's Cafe."

>Disagree. A novel paints pictures using words.
>A movie paints pictures with light.

Sorry, Mac, but you're being far too literal.

These artistic forms are individual, with their own sets of engineering.

A novel is capable of producing an experience that a film cannot possibly duplicate. Novels have powerful "internalisation" and an omniscience that movies and other and forms of visual storytelling can't attain.

Cinema, on the other hand, goes where prose cannot: Into a universal visual image, sculpting emotion with its tool of the trade.

The stage is again another place producing yet another unique experience.

Finally, video games are their own deal, using a combination of elements to produce a hybrid and viable offshoot that's become its own medium.

Each one of the above venues hold traps and tricks. They're all very different, yet similar. They produce unalike but related experiences, because of their construction and execution.

These things ALL HAVE THEIR PROPER PLACE, and some stories are better suited to one medium, and not another: Some novels translate well to the screen, other not. Some movies make dumb books, and some stage plays are a bore as films. Some video games have better filmic potential than others, and some are better staying on the PC screen, forever.

It really depends entirely upon the kind of story.

Example: The Hornblower novels. Amazing cinematic possibilities, yet a very nice internalization of Hornblower, throughout. Skillful writers can easily and beautifully convert this kind of thing, making the filmed result very close indeed to what's on the page.

INTERVIEW WITH VAMPIRE: Hugely internalized as a novel, and the final product, though well articulated, had to be massively "rearranged" to accommodate film's narrative restriction. Thus making it basically a "new" tale, one that at first riled Anne Rice to armageddon-like rage...

TAPE: A stage play made into a short film. Doesn't work so well. Stage dialogue is its own bird, and it's different from film dialogue, because the dynamic of stage and screen are worlds apart (literally). On the other hand, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS *does* work, because the differences between stage and screen were taken into account by Mamet (the authour) before he adapted the show.

>We need to consider the boredom that swallows
>a movie viewer after a long section of exposition.

Were you bored in LORD OF THE RINGS? AMADEUS? TITANIC? LAWRENCE OF ARABIA?

Length is irrelevant, unless you're pushing 3.5 hours, and boredom isn't ever a factor, lest you've got some sort of mental disorder.

If a film's good, it's good; if it's bad, it'll kill ya, whether 10 minutes long, or 4 hours.

Personally, I was almost asleep and catatonic 15 minutes into PHANTOM MENACE.

>The shooting script must not try to re-create
>every level. Hit the highpoints.

"Shooting Script"?

Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren't you?

;)

>The story does tie in. Who builds a bunch
>of robot probes to do nothing but watch events unfold?

Did you read 2001?

The novel and film are quite a bit different.

The ol' "internalisation/omniscience" thing kicking-in, again...

:)

>The builders wanted to tinker, so this makes
>them somewhat similar to us.

This was an idiotic departure from the previous storyline.

Whereas I forgave Jim Cameron for his liberties with ALIEN, the liberties Clarke took with 2010 are disturbing, and distorting, created simply to garner a paycheque.

HAL was jealous of humanity, and though it should be *he* to have the privilege of taking the next evolutionary step. He had it all figured-out...the Japetus Connection, and all the rest.

Also, the Starchild was sent to eliminate humanity (at the end of 2001). Basically, the "creators" got "a result," and there was no further need for the "lab."

A much, much larger world out there than our humano-centric view would allow, as per the 2001 subtexts...

See also "Childhood's End," which is coming soon to a theatre near you, courtesy of BOYS DON'T CRY director Kim Pierce...

A Clarke work of great power and beauty, sans the silly physicality of the Overlords.

>Actually, it's called 'The Sentinel'

That's right. I stand corrected...

Bad translation.

>I can see that the 2001 script is at
>least as much Kubrick as Clarke.

It's almost *all* Kubrick.

Stanley worked in a very particular manner, and that's one reason 2001 stands the test of time, visually.

>One thing is certain, no hack could walk this tightrope.

But they probably would, were Marathon made.

Studio execs care about one thing: Making money off "slaves"...as they've been heard to call the masses.

Other words film/TV execs use for the masses: "Assholes." "Sheep." "Dumb fucks." "Pigs." "Idiots." "Morons." "Cattle." "Goons." "Blood Banks."

>They're so starved for any real ideas
>that they'll eat this up. Just make darn sure
>to walk the walk.

You're talking out of school, man.

You really don't understand the dynamics of this stuff. I say that respectfully, because unless you're in the middle of it, all is not what it seems.

See my reference above: "The Mayor of Ma's Cafe."

You're the Mayor, in this instance.

But that's okay...

>The real money is in merchandise. Action figures.
>Marathon the Breakfast Cereal. Cyborg jammies
>for the kids.

Reading this little quip has succeed in making me literally physically ill.

That passage represents everything that's wrong with the film business. Cart before the horse. Salesmen in the temple.

>Ahnold took 'The Last Action Hero'
>into the toilet.

Not Arnold's fault, man. Might wanna look at John McTiernan, who's proven many times over that he's incapable of anything but a one-hit miracle.

>Convince Gates of this & there's your studio & funding.

There are other things I could more easily convince Gates to finance. But he's not really a player these days, in things film-related.

And you do REALISE that DreamWorks is Spielberg, Katzenberg, Geffen...?

It was Paul "what's-his-name" that put up some bread, but he was only one investor...

SKG run and own the joint. And they sure as FUCK don't need the advice of market-lucky computer dweebs on how to create successful filmed entertainment. They'll take their money, but "keep outta the works, willya?"

As if a market-lucky computer dweeb coulda made AMERICAN BEAUTY...or SCHINDLER'S LIST.

Though Steven sure does like him some video games...

And gadgets...

And how.

:: Beer Can ::

P.S. The film ALIEN PRISION might offer some Marathon-esque action.

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Pre-2004 Posts

Replies:

Marathon Movie (Not!):: Beer Can :: 4/12/02 3:18 a.m.
     Re: Marathon Movie (Not!)Daši Sveinsson 4/12/02 11:20 a.m.
           Re: Marathon Movie (Not!):: Beer Can :: 4/12/02 11:24 a.m.
     Re: Marathon Movie (Not!)Ares 4/12/02 1:11 p.m.
           Re: Marathon Movie (Not!)VoodooLabRat 4/12/02 2:44 p.m.
                 Re: Marathon Movie (Not!)Tru7h 4/12/02 5:50 p.m.
                       Re: Marathon Movie (Not!)Pedrof 4/12/02 6:19 p.m.
                             Re: Marathon Movie (Not!):: Beer Can :: 4/12/02 7:56 p.m.
                             Re: Marathon Movie (Not!)REB 4/12/02 10:30 p.m.
                                   Re: Marathon Movie (Not!)Mannon 4/13/02 6:55 a.m.
                                         Good idea! (was "Re: Marathon Movie (Not!)")Brian Dubick 4/14/02 6:05 p.m.
                       Re: Marathon Movie (Not!)[Tycho?] 4/13/02 8:22 a.m.
                             Re: Marathon Movie (Not!)Steve Levinson 4/13/02 7:23 p.m.
                                   Re: Marathon Movie (Not!)VoodooLabRat 4/13/02 10:35 p.m.
                       Re: Marathon Movie (Not!)Toalmaster 5/30/02 7:30 p.m.
                             Re: Marathon Movie (Not!)Tru7h 5/31/02 2:51 p.m.
                 speaking of fallout...Vid Boi 4/12/02 6:38 p.m.
                       Re: speaking of fallout...Tru7h 4/12/02 7:18 p.m.
                             Mmm Marathon movieVoodooLabRat 4/12/02 8:04 p.m.
                                   Re: Mmm Marathon movie:: Beer Can :: 4/12/02 10:53 p.m.
                                         Re: Mmm Marathon movieRick Blaine 5/14/02 11:09 p.m.
                                               Re: Mmm Marathon movie:: Beer Can :: 5/15/02 11:11 a.m.
                                                     Re: Mmm Marathon movieMark Levin 5/15/02 11:21 a.m.
                                                           Re: Mmm Marathon movieM-Class 5/15/02 3:05 p.m.
                                                                 Re: Mmm Marathon movie:: Beer Can :: 5/17/02 2:30 p.m.
                                                                       Re: Mmm Marathon movieM-Class 5/17/02 6:31 p.m.
                                                                             Re: Mmm Marathon movieMark Levin 5/17/02 7:14 p.m.
                                                                             Re: Mmm Marathon movie:: Beer Can :: 5/17/02 11:12 p.m.
                                                                                   Re: Mmm Marathon movieRick Blaine 5/18/02 12:01 a.m.
                                                           Re: Mmm Marathon movieRick Blaine 5/15/02 4:13 p.m.
                                                     Re: Mmm Marathon movieRick Blaine 5/15/02 4:05 p.m.
                                                           Re: Mmm, bass....Yossarian 5/15/02 4:11 p.m.
                                                           Re: Mmm Marathon movieTru7h 5/15/02 4:23 p.m.
                                                           Re: Mmm Marathon movie:: Beer Can :: 5/17/02 3:21 p.m.
                                                                 Re: Mmm Marathon movieYossarian 5/17/02 4:09 p.m.
                                                                 Re: Mmm Marathon movieMark Levin 5/17/02 7:29 p.m.
                                                                       Re: Mmm Marathon movie:: Beer Can :: 5/17/02 11:21 p.m.
                                                                             Re: Mmm Marathon movieMark Levin 5/18/02 12:12 a.m.
                                                                 Re: Mmm Marathon movieRick Blaine 5/17/02 11:56 p.m.
                                                                       Re: Mmm Marathon movieMark Levin 5/18/02 12:11 a.m.
                                                                             Re: Mmm Marathon movieRick Blaine 5/18/02 12:24 p.m.
                                                                                   Re: Mmm Marathon movieMark Levin 5/18/02 2:10 p.m.
                                                                                         Re: Mmm Marathon movie:: Beer Can :: 5/18/02 2:28 p.m.
                                                                                               Re: Mmm Marathon movieRick Blaine 5/18/02 7:35 p.m.
                                                                                                     Re: Mmm Marathon movie:: Beer Can :: 5/19/02 1:58 a.m.
                                                                                         Re: Mmm Marathon movieRick Blaine 5/18/02 7:19 p.m.
                                                                                               Re: Mmm Marathon movieMark Levin 5/18/02 10:23 p.m.
                                                                                                     Re: Mmm Marathon movie:: Beer Can :: 5/19/02 2:02 a.m.
                                                                                               Re: Mmm Marathon movie:: Beer Can :: 5/19/02 1:53 a.m.
                                                                             Re: Mmm Marathon movieRick Blaine 5/18/02 9:12 p.m.
                                                                                   Re: Mmm Marathon movieMark Levin 5/18/02 10:29 p.m.
                                                                                         Re: Mmm Marathon movie:: Beer Can :: 5/19/02 2:12 a.m.
                                                                                         Re: Mmm Marathon movieRick Blaine 5/20/02 5:13 p.m.
                                                                                               Re: Mmm Marathon movieCount Zero 5/20/02 6:44 p.m.
                                                                                               Re: Mmm Marathon movie:: Beer Can :: 5/20/02 6:51 p.m.
                                                                                   Re: Mmm Marathon movie:: Beer Can :: 5/19/02 2:00 a.m.
                                                                       Re: Mmm Marathon movieTru7h 5/18/02 5:19 a.m.
                             Re: speaking of fallout...Vid Boi 4/12/02 8:23 p.m.
                                   Re: speaking of fallout...VoodooLabRat 4/12/02 8:50 p.m.
                                         Re: speaking of fallout...Daši Sveinsson 4/12/02 10:48 p.m.
                                   Re: speaking of fallout...Tru7h 4/13/02 6:35 a.m.
                                         Re: speaking of fallout...Ernie 4/13/02 8:09 a.m.
                                               Re: speaking of fallout...Tru7h 4/13/02 10:30 a.m.
     Plot lines? whaddya think?Shotgun Pete 5/14/02 12:08 a.m.
           Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Mark Levin 5/14/02 2:23 a.m.
                 Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Jonah 5/14/02 7:33 a.m.
                       Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Boomer 5/14/02 9:04 a.m.
                             Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Will 5/16/02 7:04 p.m.
                       Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Pedrof 5/14/02 9:31 a.m.
                             Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Mark Levin 5/14/02 11:10 a.m.
                                   Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Yossarian 5/14/02 1:57 p.m.
                                         Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Steve Levinson 5/15/02 11:59 a.m.
                                               Re: yeah, but...Yossarian 5/15/02 1:58 p.m.
                                                     Re: yeah, but...Boomer 5/15/02 2:15 p.m.
                                                     Re: about the intricate plot.Shotgun Pete 5/15/02 3:30 p.m.
                             Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Jonah 5/14/02 2:29 p.m.
                                   Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Shotgun Pete 5/15/02 3:34 p.m.
                             Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Rick Blaine 5/14/02 11:33 p.m.
                                   Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Mark Levin 5/15/02 1:23 a.m.
                                         Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Rick Blaine 5/15/02 11:02 a.m.
                                               Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Mark Levin 5/15/02 11:23 a.m.
                                                     Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Rick Blaine 5/15/02 5:01 p.m.
                                                           Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Mark Levin 5/16/02 2:21 a.m.
                                                                 Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Rick Blaine 5/16/02 10:48 a.m.
                                                                       Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Tru7h 5/16/02 3:03 p.m.
                                                                             Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Lunair 5/16/02 5:28 p.m.
                                                                 Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Shotgun Pete 5/21/02 2:35 p.m.
                                               Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Shotgun Pete 5/21/02 2:32 p.m.
                 Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Rick Blaine 5/14/02 10:06 p.m.
           Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Rick Blaine 5/16/02 5:11 p.m.
                 Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Shotgun Pete 5/20/02 8:37 a.m.
                 Re: Plot lines? whaddya think?Shotgun Pete 5/21/02 2:45 p.m.
           Re: movie plotJohn Denton 5/23/02 4:49 p.m.
                 Re: movie plotShotgun Pete 5/23/02 10:04 p.m.
                       Re: movie plotJohn Denton 5/23/02 11:06 p.m.
     Re: Marathon Movie (Not!)Mike 6/14/02 12:44 p.m.
           I Hope You're Aware Of What You Have Done...REB 6/14/02 4:30 p.m.
                 Re: I Hope You're Aware Of What You Have Done...Vid Boi 6/14/02 5:16 p.m.
                       Re: I Hope You're Aware Of What You Have Done...Boomer 6/14/02 7:07 p.m.
                             Doorindel. Durondohl. Dirandul. *NM*Agent Cletus 6/15/02 7:10 a.m.
                                   Re: Doorindel. Durondohl. Dirandul.Djof 6/15/02 11:11 a.m.
                             TRU7TH and Reconciliation! *NM*Andrew Nagy 6/16/02 3:45 p.m.
                             Re: I Hope You're Aware Of What You Have Done...Jonah 6/17/02 2:52 a.m.
                                   Re: I Hope You're Aware Of What You Have Done...Boomer 6/17/02 7:07 a.m.
                                         Re: I Hope You're Aware Of What You Have Done...Boomer 6/17/02 11:35 a.m.



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