Comments on: BB Video: WATCHMEN movie CG tech with Zack Snyder (director), Des Jardin (VFX) http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 01:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: adonai http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416525 adonai Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416525 <i>In other news, GIANT GLOWING BLUE MAN-JUNK.</i> Sold! In other news, GIANT GLOWING BLUE MAN-JUNK.

Sold!

]]> By: bondjamesbond http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416014 bondjamesbond Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416014 I'll be at the premiere on the 2nd, I'll let you all know how it is... good times! I’ll be at the premiere on the 2nd, I’ll let you all know how it is…

good times!

]]> By: Flying_Monkey http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-417042 Flying_Monkey Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-417042 @34 Steven Stwalley - I too love Alan Moore's work. But you've got to admit, he's is a right difficult so-and-so and a hard man to please! I remember reading William Gibson's thoughts on adapting Jonny Mnemonic - he ended up giving in to the sheer silliness of Hollywood and just writing impossible things into the screenplay for a laugh... it's a different world, Hollywood, and I'm thankful we've got a Watchman film that at least has some artistic flair to it. It's more than I was expectin @34 Steven Stwalley – I too love Alan Moore’s work. But you’ve got to admit, he’s is a right difficult so-and-so and a hard man to please!

I remember reading William Gibson’s thoughts on adapting Jonny Mnemonic – he ended up giving in to the sheer silliness of Hollywood and just writing impossible things into the screenplay for a laugh… it’s a different world, Hollywood, and I’m thankful we’ve got a Watchman film that at least has some artistic flair to it. It’s more than I was expectin

]]> By: Jasonclock http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416019 Jasonclock Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416019 #1 JEFF: That's because it IS Philip Glass. #1 JEFF: That’s because it IS Philip Glass.

]]> By: pecoto http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416021 pecoto Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416021 Hmmm....like a lot of movie adaptations this one has a rough road to follow because the base material is so deep and so inherently designed for the medium of print. I've read the graphic novel more than a dozen times...and every time I read it I get something new out of it....notice something new in a frame, or have some new insight into a situation or character. It's just really hard to follow that sort of brilliance in a movie adaptation. Hopefully it will be good enough not to let down the fans, while attracting new fans to the graphic novel. Hmmm….like a lot of movie adaptations this one has a rough road to follow because the base material is so deep and so inherently designed for the medium of print. I’ve read the graphic novel more than a dozen times…and every time I read it I get something new out of it….notice something new in a frame, or have some new insight into a situation or character. It’s just really hard to follow that sort of brilliance in a movie adaptation. Hopefully it will be good enough not to let down the fans, while attracting new fans to the graphic novel.

]]> By: Steven Stwalley http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-417578 Steven Stwalley Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-417578 Eeyorex, if Zack Snyder were Alan Moore's biggest fan, he would not be making a movie of Watchmen that Moore didn't approve of. Dave Gibbons is receiving all of the profits from the movie Alan Moore would have been receiving. Moore has indeed disowned any film adaptations of his work... he plans to give the profits from any adaptations of his work he would have made to his collaborators. "Seriously, dude," what are your understandings of Moore's motivations for distancing himself from Watchmen? Please elaborate, because you have explained absolutely nothing, and clearly you have inside information. I fail to see how this is armchair activism when it is encouraging people to take an action in the real world. For some, it seems, missing the opening day of a movie is harder than climbing Mount Everest. Eeyorex, if Zack Snyder were Alan Moore’s biggest fan, he would not be making a movie of Watchmen that Moore didn’t approve of.

Dave Gibbons is receiving all of the profits from the movie Alan Moore would have been receiving. Moore has indeed disowned any film adaptations of his work… he plans to give the profits from any adaptations of his work he would have made to his collaborators.

“Seriously, dude,” what are your understandings of Moore’s motivations for distancing himself from Watchmen? Please elaborate, because you have explained absolutely nothing, and clearly you have inside information.

I fail to see how this is armchair activism when it is encouraging people to take an action in the real world. For some, it seems, missing the opening day of a movie is harder than climbing Mount Everest.

]]> By: EeyoreX http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-417324 EeyoreX Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-417324 @Steven S: As you allready ought to know, Alan Moore distances himself from <i>any and all</i> movies that are derived from his work. This is a blanket policy that he adopted after his bad experience with <i>The Leauge</i>, not something related to this movie. The <i>only</i> people that might get affected in any way from some weird-ass facebook coupe to mess with the opening numbers are Alan Moore's very good friend Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore's possibly biggest fan, Zack Snyder. Seriously, dude, you throw the word "respect" around a lot, but you haven't even aquainted yourself enough with Alan Moore to properly understand his motivations for distancing himself from <i>Watchmen</i>, before you run off to start a facebook group presuming to do his bidding. Your "protest" would have been slightly less nonsensical if you had staged it in connection with <i>V for vendetta</i>. Now it is only armchair activism at it's very worst. @Steven S:
As you allready ought to know, Alan Moore distances himself from any and all movies that are derived from his work. This is a blanket policy that he adopted after his bad experience with The Leauge, not something related to this movie.

The only people that might get affected in any way from some weird-ass facebook coupe to mess with the opening numbers are Alan Moore’s very good friend Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore’s possibly biggest fan, Zack Snyder.

Seriously, dude, you throw the word “respect” around a lot, but you haven’t even aquainted yourself enough with Alan Moore to properly understand his motivations for distancing himself from Watchmen, before you run off to start a facebook group presuming to do his bidding.
Your “protest” would have been slightly less nonsensical if you had staged it in connection with V for vendetta. Now it is only armchair activism at it’s very worst.

]]> By: zawan http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416305 zawan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416305 i Can't wait to see what they do to this Comic book. I remember being overly surprised at how well SIN CITY stayed with the pacing of the original stories; this one should be awesome. i Can’t wait to see what they do to this Comic book. I remember being overly surprised at how well SIN CITY stayed with the pacing of the original stories; this one should be awesome.

]]> By: Steven Stwalley http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-418367 Steven Stwalley Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-418367 Flying Monkey, you should note that Alan Moore apparently cast a magical curse on the movie. http://www.comicbookmovie.com/watchmen/news/?a=5042 So, that would be the different level he is thinking on. Me, I'm just suggesting waiting to see it since the guy who wrote it has been treated extremely shabbily by the people making it. Flying Monkey, you should note that Alan Moore apparently cast a magical curse on the movie.

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/watchmen/news/?a=5042

So, that would be the different level he is thinking on.

Me, I’m just suggesting waiting to see it since the guy who wrote it has been treated extremely shabbily by the people making it.

]]> By: Flying_Monkey http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416834 Flying_Monkey Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416834 I almost don't care whether the film is any good - it looks so beautiful. And I can see some people are already starting to do the old 'it won't be as good as the original' thing. Films are films, books are books, and graphic novels are graphic novels. They will always be different because they use different languages - even Alan Moore unfortunately doesn't seem to get this. Everyone will still be able to read Watchmen (I still do regularly!); this is another new and sleek artifact in its own right. The only question (if I can take my eyes of the lush neon cityscapes) is whether it works as a film... I almost don’t care whether the film is any good – it looks so beautiful. And I can see some people are already starting to do the old ‘it won’t be as good as the original’ thing. Films are films, books are books, and graphic novels are graphic novels. They will always be different because they use different languages – even Alan Moore unfortunately doesn’t seem to get this. Everyone will still be able to read Watchmen (I still do regularly!); this is another new and sleek artifact in its own right. The only question (if I can take my eyes of the lush neon cityscapes) is whether it works as a film…

]]> By: 13strong http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416069 13strong Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416069 I swing wildly between optimism and pessimism with this film. Initially, I mentally threw it on the pile with all the absurd or lifeless adaptations of Moore's work created thus far: From Hell, Constantine, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, V for Vendetta... All trash. Then I got hopeful, reading about the detail and dedications going into it's productions. Then I realised it was Zack "300" Snyder, and my heart sank again. Then I saw the trailer, and thought "Hmm, maybe...". Then I changed my mind. It's been a rollercoaster, I tells ya. But now, having seen that footage, I'm hovering somewhere over the fence. It has a satisfyingly distinct visual style, and it sounds insanely faithful (whether that's a good thing or not, I dunno). But the ghosts of Moore Adaptations Past still haunt me. I guess we'll wait and see. I swing wildly between optimism and pessimism with this film.

Initially, I mentally threw it on the pile with all the absurd or lifeless adaptations of Moore’s work created thus far: From Hell, Constantine, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, V for Vendetta… All trash.

Then I got hopeful, reading about the detail and dedications going into it’s productions. Then I realised it was Zack “300″ Snyder, and my heart sank again. Then I saw the trailer, and thought “Hmm, maybe…”. Then I changed my mind.

It’s been a rollercoaster, I tells ya.

But now, having seen that footage, I’m hovering somewhere over the fence. It has a satisfyingly distinct visual style, and it sounds insanely faithful (whether that’s a good thing or not, I dunno).

But the ghosts of Moore Adaptations Past still haunt me.

I guess we’ll wait and see.

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416081 Xeni Jardin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416081 @13strong, I, too, am avoiding irrational exuberance for the reasons you state. But while I have not seen the film as a whole, the parts I've seen are awfully beautiful. @13strong, I, too, am avoiding irrational exuberance for the reasons you state. But while I have not seen the film as a whole, the parts I’ve seen are awfully beautiful.

]]> By: 13strong http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416089 13strong Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416089 XENI - surely you managed to wrangle a seat at the premiere? Or you gonna join us proles in our Pepsi-sticky seats, wrist-deep in free Cheetos? :) XENI – surely you managed to wrangle a seat at the premiere?

Or you gonna join us proles in our Pepsi-sticky seats, wrist-deep in free Cheetos? :)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-437597 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-437597 Referenced your article in my latest cartoon entry. http://bearmancartoons.wordpress.com/2009/03/12/bearman-cartoon-dont-watch-man/ - Bearman Referenced your article in my latest cartoon entry.

http://bearmancartoons.wordpress.com/2009/03/12/bearman-cartoon-dont-watch-man/

- Bearman

]]> By: 13strong http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416865 13strong Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416865 @ FLYING MONKEY: Obviously they're two different mediums, but you want a film adaptation of a book to at least be as good a film as the book was a book. And given the previous Moore adaptations, it's fair enough for people to be cautious. @ FLYING MONKEY:

Obviously they’re two different mediums, but you want a film adaptation of a book to at least be as good a film as the book was a book.

And given the previous Moore adaptations, it’s fair enough for people to be cautious.

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416104 Xeni Jardin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416104 @13strong, I'm going to be in Africa when the film premieres, but I'll join you on Bittorrent from Lagos! @13strong, I’m going to be in Africa when the film premieres, but I’ll join you on Bittorrent from Lagos!

]]> By: bbonyx http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-417902 bbonyx Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-417902 @39 - Valid. I'll concede that. @39 – Valid. I’ll concede that.

]]> By: 13strong http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416624 13strong Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416624 Hey Xeni, This is actually one film I'll shell out £7.00 to go see one the big screen, though I'll head to my indie cinema rather than the UBERMEGAMULTIMULTIPLEX. Have an awesome time in Lagos - I hear it's both maddeningly chaotic, wincingly expensive, and fantastically exciting. We have research partners there, but I'm yet to go. Is this BB related, or something else? Regardless, have an amazing time. Hey Xeni,

This is actually one film I’ll shell out £7.00 to go see one the big screen, though I’ll head to my indie cinema rather than the UBERMEGAMULTIMULTIPLEX.

Have an awesome time in Lagos – I hear it’s both maddeningly chaotic, wincingly expensive, and fantastically exciting. We have research partners there, but I’m yet to go.

Is this BB related, or something else?

Regardless, have an amazing time.

]]> By: dlelash http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-417400 dlelash Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-417400 @37: re #3... The parts of 300 with the Queen of Sparta were added, and of course stuck out from the main story, but other than that I agree. @37:
re #3… The parts of 300 with the Queen of Sparta were added, and of course stuck out from the main story, but other than that I agree.

]]> By: pieterlars http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416134 pieterlars Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416134 Wil Wheaton of geekdom fame was apparently able to see an advance screener. Here's a link to the review on his blog: http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/ Wil Wheaton of geekdom fame was apparently able to see an advance screener.

Here’s a link to the review on his blog:

http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/

]]> By: zuludaddy http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416145 zuludaddy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416145 Would Ms Jardin sully her eyeballs with a dark, shaky CAM after having seen these beautifully detailed clips? I am now tempted to wait for the long version - or the dvdscr... But thank you for the very informative piece, and have fun in Africa. Would Ms Jardin sully her eyeballs with a dark, shaky CAM after having seen these beautifully detailed clips?

I am now tempted to wait for the long version – or the dvdscr…

But thank you for the very informative piece, and have fun in Africa.

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416916 Brainspore Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416916 <em>In other news, GIANT GLOWING BLUE MAN-JUNK.</em> Finally, a "Mystique" counterpart for the straight chicks and gay dudes out there. Thank you, Hollywood! In other news, GIANT GLOWING BLUE MAN-JUNK.

Finally, a “Mystique” counterpart for the straight chicks and gay dudes out there. Thank you, Hollywood!

]]> By: ars_moriendi http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416918 ars_moriendi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416918 I'm sorry, I thought I heard you introduce a film called "The Watchman?" Is that also coming out in March? :) I’m sorry, I thought I heard you introduce a film called “The Watchman?” Is that also coming out in March? :)

]]> By: teufelsdroch http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416412 teufelsdroch Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416412 Just what IS bb's business model? I mean, b/c Xeni seems to be asking great (but kinda pat) questions about a BIG movie, and bb's readership is big enuh and young enuh that alot on money stands to be made. It's maybe been answered before, and maybe in better places, but if the NYtimes has to change how it gets its ad revenue I bloody well expect bb is mulling things over too. I heard like 15 minutes of news/ads for Iron Man 2 on NPR today. To me, commercials blended into content is kinda weird when it's juxtaposed with why torrents of movies are OK. Just sayin' Just what IS bb’s business model? I mean, b/c Xeni seems to be asking great (but kinda pat) questions about a BIG movie, and bb’s readership is big enuh and young enuh that alot on money stands to be made.

It’s maybe been answered before, and maybe in better places, but if the NYtimes has to change how it gets its ad revenue I bloody well expect bb is mulling things over too. I heard like 15 minutes of news/ads for Iron Man 2 on NPR today. To me, commercials blended into content is kinda weird when it’s juxtaposed with why torrents of movies are OK.

Just sayin’

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416929 Xeni Jardin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416929 @ars_moriendi, yes, mister pedantic-pants, I did insert a superfluous "the." BLAME IT ON THE BLUE MAN-JUNK. @ars_moriendi, yes, mister pedantic-pants, I did insert a superfluous “the.” BLAME IT ON THE BLUE MAN-JUNK.

]]> By: adonai http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416426 adonai Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416426 @#11 13Strong: Don't necessarily view the director as a bad thing - sure, he made 300, but if you've checked out the source material, it's pretty brainless fare to begin with. And in his favour, he did do a virtually 100% comic-screen adaption there. *cautiously optimistic about Watchmen* @#11 13Strong: Don’t necessarily view the director as a bad thing – sure, he made 300, but if you’ve checked out the source material, it’s pretty brainless fare to begin with. And in his favour, he did do a virtually 100% comic-screen adaption there.

*cautiously optimistic about Watchmen*

]]> By: chris7crows http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416944 chris7crows Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416944 Eh. It's difficult for me to listen to them talk about how much they revere Alan Moore and how faithful they've been to his work -- only, you know, except for the ending. The cognitive dissonance implied by those statements amazes me, kind of like saying that your adaptation of "Tale of Two Cities" is incredibly faithful to Dickens -- except everyone lives at the end. (And yes, I've heard the argument that the ending is somehow "unfilmable," but I don't buy that for a heartbeat, particularly when you can somehow manage to get glowing blue junk on screen.) Eh. It’s difficult for me to listen to them talk about how much they revere Alan Moore and how faithful they’ve been to his work — only, you know, except for the ending. The cognitive dissonance implied by those statements amazes me, kind of like saying that your adaptation of “Tale of Two Cities” is incredibly faithful to Dickens — except everyone lives at the end.

(And yes, I’ve heard the argument that the ending is somehow “unfilmable,” but I don’t buy that for a heartbeat, particularly when you can somehow manage to get glowing blue junk on screen.)

]]> By: Lauren O http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416181 Lauren O Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416181 The death of Hollis Mason only makes it into the "Crazy Ultimate Freaky Edition"? I was prepared for the Black Freighter's removal, but, you know...this movie is just not going to be able to satisfy me. The graphic novel is just too literary and postmodern and whatever to adapt in a way that will make me happy. The death of Hollis Mason only makes it into the “Crazy Ultimate Freaky Edition”? I was prepared for the Black Freighter’s removal, but, you know…this movie is just not going to be able to satisfy me. The graphic novel is just too literary and postmodern and whatever to adapt in a way that will make me happy.

]]> By: Greatmiddlewest http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-416959 Greatmiddlewest Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-416959 @30, I'm embarrassed to say that is why I popped into the comments on this thread, to see if anyone caught that. I guess that's a sign I don't have enough to do today. @30, I’m embarrassed to say that is why I popped into the comments on this thread, to see if anyone caught that.

I guess that’s a sign I don’t have enough to do today.

]]> By: Flying_Monkey http://boingboing.net/2009/02/19/post-3.html#comment-417985 Flying_Monkey Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-417985 @40 Steven, He's not the only one. I don't think anyone else here can see the point or purpose of your 'protest' - and I don't think Alan Moore would either. He thinks on a rather different level than this. @40 Steven, He’s not the only one. I don’t think anyone else here can see the point or purpose of your ‘protest’ – and I don’t think Alan Moore would either. He thinks on a rather different level than this.

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