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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: nkotb on March 05, 2009, 10:38:38 am

Title: Watchmen
Post by: nkotb on March 05, 2009, 10:38:38 am
Anyone seeing this at midnight?  I'm a little too old to do the midnight showings, especially with a full day of work the next day (and a 162 minute run-time), but should be hitting it Friday night.

I'm still on the fence whether I'm excited or dreading it.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: godsshoeshine on March 05, 2009, 10:48:16 am
i'd like to say i'm going to see it this weekend, but i might have to wait until next week
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: sweetcell on March 05, 2009, 10:57:45 am
i might play it old school, and take the missus for a saturday night dinner-and-a-movie date.  closest place to see it is an imax :D
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: DeathFromAbove1979 on March 05, 2009, 02:12:20 pm
My date bailed because of the 3 hour run time, so Ill see it tomorrow afternoon at some point. I might start begging people to come with me to see it tonight.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: Darth Ed on March 05, 2009, 02:29:10 pm
I'm seeing it Friday evening! Can't wait!
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: chaz on March 05, 2009, 04:24:03 pm
My date bailed because of the 3 hour run time
Whatever it takes to keep the pain away...
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: Samantha on March 05, 2009, 05:06:34 pm
I was sooo excited to see this because the trailers looked amazing and true to the story (except the ridiculous Ozymandias...seriously, why the hell did they think it would be a good idea to make him look like a pussy??? how can that work???).

Then I heard about the disappointing different ending...now I'm itching with curiosity.

I'd see it tonight if someone would go with me, but it looks like I'm stuck going tomorrow evening.  My friends are lame!  (Or I'm lame, if you take a different view...)
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: nkotb on March 05, 2009, 05:09:33 pm
Two things:

1) I may love you based on that post.

2) He sort of always looked like a pussy, IMO:

(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll229/indywjones/030608-ozymandias-big.jpg?t=1236287313)

I was sooo excited to see this because the trailers looked amazing and true to the story (except the ridiculous Ozymandias...seriously, why the hell did they think it would be a good idea to make him look like a pussy??? how can that work???).

Then I heard about the disappointing different ending...now I'm itching with curiosity.

I'd see it tonight if someone would go with me, but it looks like I'm stuck going tomorrow evening.  My friends are lame!  (Or I'm lame, if you take a different view...)
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: walkonby on March 05, 2009, 05:24:00 pm
i see batman's uniform influences everything nowadays.  will this flop?  because we are finally sick of superhero films?  because it is R?  because most of the watchman characters are rip offs of dc counterparts?
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: sonickteam2 on March 05, 2009, 05:26:31 pm
 I was gonna start this thread earlier.  I think we are going this weekend for the IMAX in Columbia.

stupid walking distance MD Science Center NOT showing it = big mistake.

Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: nkotb on March 05, 2009, 05:27:39 pm
Have you read Watchmen?  It was originally planned as being known DC characters, but they were worried it would tarnish their reputation.  What's why there's the similarities.  Just saying...

i see batman's uniform influences everything nowadays.  will this flop?  because we are finally sick of superhero films?  because it is R?  because most of the watchman characters are rip offs of dc counterparts?
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: Samantha on March 05, 2009, 05:31:04 pm
I don't even see how you could compare the two.  If you read the descriptive article in the book on Ozymandias, he's really supposed to come across as the Uber-American-Male.  Overly masculine, physical and business-savvy, and as you see in that picture he's strong with a tinge of world-weariness and sorrow...that's entirely different from being an overall pussy.  The movie version just looks scared and weak.  LIKE A PUSSY.  Assuming he plays the same role in the movie as in the book, I don't understand how that can work.  (I've thought about this way, way too much.)

On the other hand, visually I like the movie's Laurie better.  Rawr!
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: walkonby on March 05, 2009, 05:37:07 pm
Have you read Watchmen?  It was originally planned as being known DC characters, but they were worried it would tarnish their reputation.  What's why there's the similarities.  Just saying...

i see batman's uniform influences everything nowadays.  will this flop?  because we are finally sick of superhero films?  because it is R?  because most of the watchman characters are rip offs of dc counterparts?

what is you opinion of this?:

Dr. Manhattan = Captain Atom
Nite Owl = Blue Beetle
Rorschach = The Question
Comedian = Peacemaker
Ozymandias = Thunderbolt
Silk Spectre = Black Canary or some say Nightshade
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: nkotb on March 05, 2009, 05:40:45 pm
Did you look that up?  I'd say you're batting 1000:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Manhattan#Main_characters

Have you read Watchmen?  It was originally planned as being known DC characters, but they were worried it would tarnish their reputation.  What's why there's the similarities.  Just saying...

i see batman's uniform influences everything nowadays.  will this flop?  because we are finally sick of superhero films?  because it is R?  because most of the watchman characters are rip offs of dc counterparts?

what is you opinion of this?:

Dr. Manhattan = Captain Atom
Nite Owl = Blue Beetle
Rorschach = The Question
Comedian = Peacemaker
Ozymandias = Thunderbolt
Silk Spectre = Black Canary or some say Nightshade

Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: walkonby on March 05, 2009, 05:52:33 pm
Did you look that up?  I'd say you're batting 1000:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Manhattan#Main_characters

Have you read Watchmen?  It was originally planned as being known DC characters, but they were worried it would tarnish their reputation.  What's why there's the similarities.  Just saying...

i see batman's uniform influences everything nowadays.  will this flop?  because we are finally sick of superhero films?  because it is R?  because most of the watchman characters are rip offs of dc counterparts?

what is you opinion of this?:

Dr. Manhattan = Captain Atom
Nite Owl = Blue Beetle
Rorschach = The Question
Comedian = Peacemaker
Ozymandias = Thunderbolt
Silk Spectre = Black Canary or some say Nightshade


i've read many message boards relating to comics for years, and video games as well.  god, i'm more of a nerd than i knew.  and you think people here can argue with one another.  never got into watchmen or even really paid much attention to it until i saw the first preview for the film . . . and was like, "wait a minute, i've seen characters close to these guys before . . . haven't i?"  those comparisons seem to be the universal agreement of "rip offs" or borrowed characters from charlton.  and no, i have never read the original graphic novels, but oh so remember them in my local comic book shoppee.  the owner would always try to force them on me as one of the two best graphic novels from 1986.  the other, dark knight returns is my personal fav.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: Relaxer on March 05, 2009, 07:16:22 pm
I'm not big on superhero movies, but a combination of factors (movie buddy has a serious chubby for Watchmen, it's rated R, have good weed, got permission from the wife) has conspired to have me there tomorrow night.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: sweetcell on March 06, 2009, 05:27:59 pm
got tickets to see it tomorrow night, in IMAX :D
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: Relaxer on March 06, 2009, 05:34:26 pm
Are you seeing it out at the Smithsonian out in like bumfuck Centreville? I saw Dark Night there, couldn't believe they don't sell anything to eat or drink. I had to spit into a wadded up newspaper for 2 1/2 hours.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: sweetcell on March 06, 2009, 08:03:24 pm
nope, i'm seeing it in the newly installed imax at the AMC-24 in scenic hamilton, NJ.

weeeeee.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: DeathFromAbove1979 on March 07, 2009, 03:14:07 pm
It was almost page for page for 2 hours then he goes on a tear for the last 45 minutes or so. Those last bits of the movie were so fucking bad. I hated the ending, I thought he could have cut down a few things through the movie, extend Ozymandias' speech at the end and his effing hideaway. Anyone else want to see the oasis? Ugh. So lame.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: nkotb on March 08, 2009, 12:00:54 am
I thought it was fucking killer.  Not sure why the general public at large would enjoy it (way too downer and heavy for someone looking for a comic book movie), but they kept it super faithful to the source material.  In fact, the edits made it a little more palatable as a movie, and the reworked ending still kept the original intent, which I was sure would get Hollywood-ized.

BTW, Samantha, you were right...Ozymandias did look like a pussy.  Everyone else was cast right on, but that guy didn't quite fit the bill.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: sweetcell on March 08, 2009, 01:00:11 am
what nkotb said. 

been a while since i read the watchmen graphic novel (i haven't touched it since it came out) so i don't remember it being quite so negative on human nature, but it was a damn fine adaptation of what i do remember.  definitely not made for mainstream acclaim.  gotta admire them for going with the original vision.  i really liked the movie - not an all-time best, but a damn solid way to spend 2+hours on a saturday night.  RAWKED in imax.

lots of blue glow-in-the-dark dong.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: Firebutt McGee on March 08, 2009, 11:09:58 am
I loved it, BUT, the ending irked me. No Tandoori Chicken? :)
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: HoyaSaxa03 on March 08, 2009, 11:14:01 pm
loved it... it was like watching the book in motion
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: K8teebug on March 09, 2009, 08:48:37 am
Loved the Graphic Novel.  I thought the movie was awful.  It was filmed beautifully, and they did a great job with costumes, but the acting was horrific, and the movie was boring.  Unfortunetly, I think I fall into the "never should've been made into a film" category of fans.  Didn't feel that way before I saw the film, but I feel that way now.

Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: Darth Ed on March 09, 2009, 12:32:50 pm
The graphic novel is the best ever. I was really loving the movie up until the altered ending. It made sense to have the event take place in multiple cities around the world. I had no problem with that, but the nature of the event and how that resolves the situation just didn't work for me. Still liked it a lot though. Jackie Earle Haley was fantastic.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: MattWithABeard on March 10, 2009, 11:34:29 am
I had never heard of Watchmen until I saw the trailer at TDK, and immediately went out to buy the book.  It just looked so awesome, I jumped in with it as my first "graphic novel".  I'm glad I read it though, as the movie was supremely mediocre.  Interesting that the worst thing people have to say about it is usually that it stuck too closely to the story (excluding the ending obviously), which usually isn't a bad thing.

Rorschach, The Comedian, and Silk Spectre were so incredible looking and seeing them come to life was one of the most fun times I've had at the movies in a while, so much so, it almost made Dr. Manhattan and Veidt tolerable.  The most outrageous and egregious mistake though was the soundtrack.  If they just kept the movie to a score it would have kept me interested, but everytime I heard Hendrix or Leonard Cohen or any of the many modern classic rock songs, it completely took me out of the story (the one exception being "Times They Are A' Changin'" for the titles.  That at least seemed appropriate.) 

Oh.  And what a ridiculous Nixon.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: Darth Ed on March 10, 2009, 11:31:38 pm
Have to agree about the soundtrack.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: K8teebug on March 11, 2009, 08:23:48 am
agreed.  Why aren't more people offended by the ridiculous casting and the horrible acting?  I feel like I'm alone in that...
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: miss pretentious on March 11, 2009, 09:16:12 am
the laurie casting was offensive - she is truly a terrible actress - but then again, what else should i expect for a woman best known for flashing her boobs in harold & kumar go to white castle.

but what she lacked, the comedian, rorschach and the doc made up for. billy crudup was totally on point, little blue assistant and all.

also i squealed like a little girl when bubastis got some screen time - because it was totally a plot point they could have left out and i'm sure people were like "wtf is this cat doing?" of they've never read the graphic novel.

the musical cues were atrocious and like one review asked (i think the one in the times) - can we please place a moratorium on the use of hallelujah in moves. the ONLY subtle musical cue in the entire film was the muzak version of "everybody wants to rule the world" during the ozymandius scene when he's touring the energy execs in the building and the "delivery guy" shows up.

in the end - i'm actually excited for the 3.5+ hour director cut on dvd and the black freighter story.
</fangirl rant>
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: Relaxer on March 11, 2009, 09:35:40 am
Who is Bubastis? Which one was that (in the movie)? I keep thinking it was the really fat guy in the prison but I just don't know.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: nkotb on March 11, 2009, 09:39:15 am
That freaky deaky cat that was with Ozymandis.  Plays a bigger part in the book (slightly...just explains the genetics part), but including him was throwing a bone to nerds everywhere.

Who is Bubastis? Which one was that (in the movie)? I keep thinking it was the really fat guy in the prison but I just don't know.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: miss pretentious on March 11, 2009, 09:41:34 am
Who is Bubastis? Which one was that (in the movie)? I keep thinking it was the really fat guy in the prison but I just don't know.

she's the genetically altered cat/lynx of ozymandius. used to lure dr manhattan into that hallway...
i can't find a good photo of her from the movie or the book. *sigh*

(http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/7912/bubastisvk9.jpg)
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: miss pretentious on March 11, 2009, 09:44:07 am
and as a followup for nerds: saturday morning watchmen

http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/485797 (http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/485797)
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: Relaxer on March 11, 2009, 09:44:22 am
Oh right! We were wondering about that. We just figurded it was the erotic plaything of the blond poofy guy.

I guess I should be a little more reverent here.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: Darth Ed on March 11, 2009, 11:23:11 am
I don't think the acting was horrible. Certainly not Jackie Earle Haley who was perfect as Rorschach. I kind of actually like Malin Ackerman as Laurie. Her scene on Mars worked for me emotionally, and her chemistry with Patrick Wilson (Dan a.k.a. Nite Owl II) was good. Plus she really looked like Laurie. Her scene at the end with her mother was flat though, but that's not the best written scene either. The main objection I have with the cast is Matthew Goode as Ozymandias. The film desperately needed someone more substantial in that role.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: K8teebug on March 11, 2009, 11:53:02 am
She looked good, but her acting was oh so bad.

Rorschach was the only thing keeping me from walking out of the film. 

I'm surprised that so many people here liked it.
Title: Re: Watchmen
Post by: Samantha on March 25, 2009, 12:48:03 am
Whoops I forgot to weigh in, cause I know you were all so anxious to hear my review.  ;)

I thought it was great, for what it was.  It was literally the comic book coming to life for me (visually).  EXCEPT FOR OZYMANDIAS.  I called it.  He nearly ruined the whole movie for me.  Nite Owl was perfect, Rorschach was perfect.  I want to be Silhouette for Halloween.  I can't even think about the Comedian without swooning...HOLY MOSES, I hated him in the comic (you know, as a "villain"...) but in the movie...RAWR!  He can impregnate and shoot me any time.  (Current desktop wallpaper is the Comedian lighting his cigar with the flamethrower.  I've stopped going to my desktop because it debilitates me each time.)  Music was awful.  Whoever's responsible for the Hallelujah sex scene should be punished.  Don't know why people have a problem with Manhattan though?  I mean, it's a "flat" character, what was he expected to be?