Comics and Superhero movies

[rousselle]

Very interested in seeing the Snyder cut.

Also, I'd mentioned I had thoughts about Joker, but haven't yet gotten around to posting them. Basically, I knew from the opening shot that we were in the hands of a director who knew what he was doing. The acting and directing was superb. The special effects were seamless. The production design was great. And, there was a lot about the script that worked really well. A lot of excellent uses of ambiguity.

However.

The movie really, really seems to want to say something, but to me, the messages are so mixed that it ultimately doesn't seem to know what it wants to say at all. Just that it wants to make an important point. There are many overt allegorical connections made between the Joker and Trumpism, but there are also a lot of overt references that make Joker (the character) appear to be criticizing Trumpism in the harshest terms. And, there were other overt references that were clearly oblivious to Trumpism at all. So, I enjoyed the movie, but... I think it might have resonated more if it actually had a theme to hang its hat on.

Just my two cents.

[CBJ]

Hmmmm.....







Jay

[BaconWise]

Hmmm...

It's like Bourne Identity, but with ladies? I am all for Florence Pugh and Rachel Weisz so I will watch, fo sho.

[theCapraAegagrus]

Looks boring to me.

[rousselle]

I was already planning to see it. The trailer does nothing to dissuade me from going, but it also doesn't make me say, "Holy crap, it looks even better than I was hoping," either.

[CBJ]

Wonder Woman trailer is out




Jay

[rousselle]

So, I've been looking forward to the Black Widow movie for years, and even though she's presumably "dead" in the current time line, I fully expect this upcoming BW movie to resolve that minor problem in a very satisfactory way. As I mentioned above, the recently dropped trailer looks okay. It doesn't taint my excitement, but it doesn't make me salivate at the prospects, either.

I'm similarly looking forward to the new Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 movie when it comes out, and given how awesome Thor Ragnorak was, I'm cautiously optimistic that the same writer/director will similarly produce a great follow-up, even though the premise strikes me a somewhat dubious. So, yeah.

That said...

While I'm looking forward to these movies, the trailer for Wonder Woman is the first trailer in a long time that made me just flat out GAGA over the prospect of seeing the movie. DAMN this looks like a smurfing joyride! Whoever assembled this trailer, give that person a raise! Holy cow, I can't wait to see this movie now!

[theCapraAegagrus]

...I'm similarly looking forward to the new Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 movie when it comes out, and given how awesome Thor Ragnorak was, I'm cautiously optimistic that the same writer/director will similarly produce a great follow-up, even though the premise strikes me a somewhat dubious. So, yeah.

That said...

While I'm looking forward to these movies, the trailer for Wonder Woman is the first trailer in a long time that made me just flat out GAGA over the prospect of seeing the movie. DAMN this looks like a smurfing joyride! Whoever assembled this trailer, give that person a raise! Holy cow, I can't wait to see this movie now!

Clarification required... Are you assuming that Taika Waititi is directing GotG Vol 3?

This WW84 trailer did nothing for me, personally, despite how perfectly charming Gal Gadot is.

[rousselle]

No, I meant to say that Taika Waititi is following up Thor Ragnorok with Thor Love & Thunder. James Gunn is following up the first two Guardians with Vol. 3, and I couldn't be happier about that.

I wonder if the WW84 trailer resonates with me so much because it is *so* very much the '80's in a way that I particularly like. YMMV. I'm under the impression you may be a little bit younger than I am, and the nostalgia factor may be less of a thing for you. Even so, I find it fascinating that you and I enjoy comic book movies so much, yet we obviously disagree extremely on which ones are good and which ones are rubbish.

Speaking of good... Watchmen on HBO. WOW, is this season a joy ride. I'm loving every minute of it so far, and I'm really looking forward to the finale next weekend.

(Don't get me wrong, I also very much enjoyed Snyder's take on the Watchmen, which I guess makes me a heretic for liking both a great deal, as well as liking the comic book original.)

[BaconWise]

I was a huge fan of GotG, then that cooled off with GotG Vol. 2. I hated it. Well maybe I just disliked it. It had its moments, but I thought it was a departure from the first volume. I am excited for Vol. 3 just to see if they can right the ship, though I am probably in the minority of folks who even think the ship needs righting. *shrug*

[theCapraAegagrus]

No, I meant to say that Taika Waititi is following up Thor Ragnorok with Thor Love & Thunder. James Gunn is following up the first two Guardians with Vol. 3, and I couldn't be happier about that.

I wonder if the WW84 trailer resonates with me so much because it is *so* very much the '80's in a way that I particularly like. YMMV. I'm under the impression you may be a little bit younger than I am, and the nostalgia factor may be less of a thing for you. Even so, I find it fascinating that you and I enjoy comic book movies so much, yet we obviously disagree extremely on which ones are good and which ones are rubbish.

Speaking of good... Watchmen on HBO. WOW, is this season a joy ride. I'm loving every minute of it so far, and I'm really looking forward to the finale next weekend.

(Don't get me wrong, I also very much enjoyed Snyder's take on the Watchmen, which I guess makes me a heretic for liking both a great deal, as well as liking the comic book original.)

Gotcha.

I think that Love and Thunder is going to suck big time. GotG Vol. 3 will probably be good if some gravity is put into the story.

I would say that most people who like the Watchmen comics enjoy the Director's Cut of Snyder's movie. The theatrical cut is fine but the "Ultimate Cut" is bloated. I haven't seen the TV series (yet).

Just for the record; I'm 30...

[theCapraAegagrus]

I was a huge fan of GotG, then that cooled off with GotG Vol. 2. I hated it. Well maybe I just disliked it. It had its moments, but I thought it was a departure from the first volume. I am excited for Vol. 3 just to see if they can right the ship, though I am probably in the minority of folks who even think the ship needs righting. *shrug*

GotG Vol. 2 is a great comedy, but an awful comic book movie, and an even worse adaptation in the grand scheme of the Infinity Saga.

[rousselle]

Once again, an excellent opportunity for us to disagree. While I loved the first GotG, the second was also excellent in a different way, and the fact that it wasn't just a retread of the first one made it that much more enjoyable.

While the first movie was thematically about the forging of a family from a group of outcasts (and how the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts), the second was a strong examination of father/child relationships, and it succeeded on every level. Yes, it was a comedy, but the exploration of Gamora's relationship with the father who raised her versus Quill and the father who raised him (as further contrasted with the father who sired him), plus the need for belonging and acceptance (witness Nebula and Rocket's character arcs with regard to their own daddy issues and how they push away those who are close to them, plus Yandu's relationship with his own quasi-father figure, played by Sylvester Stallone), really hit me in the feels.

OF COURSE, your mileage may vary (and clearly does), but for me, the theme is explored beautifully, and I find the ending of the movie remarkably powerful.

While I have no illusions that I'll sway anyone who doesn't like GotG V2 to actually like it, here are some YouTube video essays on GotG V2 that sum up the reasons I think it's one of the best MCU movies so far:



[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eB_wjC ... x=5&t=828s[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BDuP7i191Q&t=551s[/youtube]

[Harvonsgard]

Not a comic book fan at all. I think I would like them, but having other interests and the whole different universes thing always kept me away from diving into it. Nonetheless I watched a lot of the movie adaptations and Guardians of the Galaxy was one of my favorite ones. The second one didn't relate to me that much, and I would put one still over two but I definetly agree with rouselle that the character arcs were pretty good and overall a great movie.

[theCapraAegagrus]

Once again, an excellent opportunity for us to disagree. While I loved the first GotG, the second was also excellent in a different way, and the fact that it wasn't just a retread of the first one made it that much more enjoyable.

While the first movie was thematically about the forging of a family from a group of outcasts (and how the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts), the second was a strong examination of father/child relationships, and it succeeded on every level. Yes, it was a comedy, but the exploration of Gamora's relationship with the father who raised her versus Quill and the father who raised him (as further contrasted with the father who sired him), plus the need for belonging and acceptance (witness Nebula and Rocket's character arcs with regard to their own daddy issues and how they push away those who are close to them, plus Yandu's relationship with his own quasi-father figure, played by Sylvester Stallone), really hit me in the feels.

OF COURSE, your mileage may vary (and clearly does), but for me, the theme is explored beautifully, and I find the ending of the movie remarkably powerful.

While I have no illusions that I'll sway anyone who doesn't like GotG V2 to actually like it, here are some YouTube video essays on GotG V2 that sum up the reasons I think it's one of the best MCU movies so far:

It means nothing in the grand scheme of the Infinity Saga, though. In Phase 3? Like Captain Marvel - kills its re-watch value. No gravity to the threat of a Celestial? An abomination to comic book storytelling.

It's not in the Top 20 MCU films for me. It sucks really hard.

[rousselle]

Regarding the Snyder-cut:

This guy is a film editor, and I find his video essays fascinating (mostly). I know you'll disagree with his assessment that Batman V Superman was a mess, but that aside, there's a lot of interesting information in his breakdown here regarding the likelihood of a release of the Snyder cut of Justice League:

[theCapraAegagrus]

Regarding the Snyder-cut:

This guy is a film editor, and I find his video essays fascinating (mostly). I know you'll disagree with his assessment that Batman V Superman was a mess, but that aside, there's a lot of interesting information in his breakdown here regarding the likelihood of a release of the Snyder cut of Justice League:

2 minutes in and he's already flat-out wrong on a couple fronts:

1. Zack Snyder was fired. Him "stepping down" was a PR stunt by WB to save face in the wake of Zack's daughter passing.
2. Joss Whedon was already on the Justice League project prior to Snyder being fired. He wasn't "brought in".

After that, all he does is expand on what we already know. The thing is... A Snyder Cut of film, score, and edit does exist. All that's missing is the finishing VFX touches. More than 90% of the film's CGI was completed. It's not as raw as this jabroni is suggesting.

He's also suggesting that he knows more than the collective do about its completion. He references comments about one individual without another (aka cherry picking). What about those who worked on the VFX that in fact say that the movie's effects were more than 90% complete?

The Snyder Cut exists. Not in its entirety. Any knowledgeable fan knows that about $10 million of VFX work is required to actually complete it. A cut exists, though, and consists of all physical shots and all soundtrack that Snyder was going to use for a 100% Snyder Justice League. That's all that really matters.

Also: The 214-minute Director's Cut is akin to the Watchmen 3-hour DC. It wasn't going to be released in theaters at that length. There's no reason to dumb-down his DC since it's only going to be released outside theaters (assuming it does get released).

This guy clearly wasn't interested in making a well-informed and concise video. I hate his face, too.

[rousselle]

I hate his face, too.

[theCapraAegagrus]

I hate his face, too.

I knew that'd incite some laughter.

[Harvonsgard]

Congrats to Joaquin Phoenix for winning the academy award. Seems like I have to watch Joker.
Great speech, too. You gotta love this dude.

[BaconWise]

Congrats to Joaquin Phoenix for winning the academy award. Seems like I have to watch Joker.
Great speech, too. You gotta love this dude.

I have always loved his work. He is a weird mo-fo, but Her and Gladiator are among my favorite movies. He also did a decent job at portraying Johnny Cash, though it wasn't the best movie. I can't wait to watch Joker - it's too difficult to get out to the theaters these days!

[kem-collector]

You like the performance. It's creepy and believable. Seeing someone laugh and cry at the same time will send chills up your spine.

[Harvonsgard]

He is a weird mo-fo, but Her and Gladiator are among my favorite movies. He also did a decent job at portraying Johnny Cash, though it wasn't the best movie. I can't wait to watch Joker - it's too difficult to get out to the theaters these days!

I heard he has kinda social anxieties that's why he speaks weird in front of the crowd some times. Her is top10 ever not just his performance, the pacing, plot and everything is stellar imo. From the performance his Commodus was definitely stellar too. And yah, going out to the theatre is really difficult for me as well. Especially with everything kinda always available my motivation to actually go is almost towards zero.

You like the performance. It's creepy and believable. Seeing someone laugh and cry at the same time will send chills up your spine.

I saw the scene with Robert de Niro on YouTube some weeks ago. That alone gave me positive chills.

[theCapraAegagrus]

I can't believe you jabronis haven't seen it already. It's been out on digital/disc for about 6 weeks.

[Harvonsgard]

It's not like the movie has a best before .

[theCapraAegagrus]

It's not like the movie has a best before .

"Best Before The Hype".

"Best before you spoil yourself by watching scenes out of context."

[Harvonsgard]

I'm not one of the spoiler alert crowd. The movie is not better or worse for me if I know what's going on before.

[theCapraAegagrus]

I'm not one of the spoiler alert crowd. The movie is not better or worse for me if I know what's going on before.

Then why bother watching at all?

[Harvonsgard]

There is more to music than just the noise. There is more to a painting than just the motif and there is more to a movie than just the story.

[theCapraAegagrus]

Except that you’re spoiling more than “just the story”...