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FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: JonFromMaplewood on July 17, 2008, 03:14:47 PM

Title: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on July 17, 2008, 03:14:47 PM
http://www.empireonline.com/video/watchmen/ (http://www.empireonline.com/video/watchmen/)

I promised myself I wouldn't care when it came out, because the film would suck no matter what.  So why am I going insane with excitement upon seeing this?!
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Bryan on July 17, 2008, 03:28:44 PM
Thanks for the link.

That looks just about as good as one could reasonably expect. I'm still going to try not to get my hopes inflated to dangerous levels - I'm saving that for Dark Knight.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Gilly on July 17, 2008, 03:38:41 PM
Everybody has been so down on this. I have high expectations and I think the movie will come close to meeting those!

Now, if only they'd start making Top Ten movies....
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: jbissell on July 17, 2008, 03:41:42 PM
Is this going to play before The Dark Knight? Because if it is, I think I'll save it for tonight.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Bryan on July 17, 2008, 03:55:49 PM
Empire online says it will be playing before The Dark Knight in U.S. cinemas. It also looks like they took the trailer down (or the page crashed?)

(So sue me - I wanted to watch it again!)
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: chris v on July 17, 2008, 04:49:21 PM
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1670081657

Here's a new link. The Dr. Manhattan and Rorschach parts look pretty great - but I'm unnerved by the use of the Smashing Pumpkins song that was a big part of the "Batman and Robin" soundtrack. eww boy.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on July 17, 2008, 04:56:43 PM
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1670081657

...but I'm unnerved by the use of the Smashing Pumpkins song that was a big part of the "Batman and Robin" soundtrack. eww boy.

Yeah. That's the part that scared me too. 

But then again, I am psyched that I do not see any actors I recognize.  Imagine Rorschach pulling off his mask to reveal....Tom Hanks.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Gilly on July 17, 2008, 05:03:47 PM
Seriously guys, how cool would a Top Ten movie series be?
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: bruce on July 17, 2008, 06:58:26 PM
http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/07/17/must-watch-zack-snyders-watchmen-trailer-absolutely-stunning/

here is a nice big version of it
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: mokin on July 17, 2008, 07:55:00 PM
My prediction is that it will be very very pretty but lacking in depth.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: cutout on July 17, 2008, 07:56:00 PM
Quote
I'm unnerved by the any use of the a Smashing Pumpkins song
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Chris L on July 17, 2008, 08:31:10 PM
My prediction is that it will be very very pretty but lacking in depth.

What gives you that idea?

(http://base58.com/pics/watchmen/w5.jpg)
(http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u57/alisonchrista/300/Leonidas2.jpg)
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Jouster on July 17, 2008, 09:02:25 PM
The difference there is that the source material for 300 was dumb, and the source material for Watchmen is not.  I'm not saying they won't screw it up, though.  They probably will.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: jbissell on July 17, 2008, 09:48:51 PM


But then again, I am psyched that I do not see any actors I recognize.  Imagine Rorschach pulling off his mask to reveal....Tom Hanks.

Nope, Jackie Earle Haley.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Gilly on July 17, 2008, 09:49:51 PM
I don't have the book in front of me but did you expect that scene to look any different? It looks exactly like a real version of the comic panel when he gets thrown out of the window. Do you want him to do a little jig before getting murdered?
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: jamesp on July 18, 2008, 12:24:54 AM
I wish they had gotten better talent to adapt this. Zack Snyder is a weak director and I see that David Hayter worked on the screenplay. Hayter's only other writing credits are X-Men, X2:X-Men United, and the Scorpion King.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: John K on July 18, 2008, 01:05:23 AM
...I see that David Hayter worked on the screenplay. Hayter's only other writing credits are X-Men, X2:X-Men United, and the Scorpion King.

Yeah, but he was really great in Guyver 2.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: noise.light on July 18, 2008, 02:39:53 AM
Whoa.

They even included the scene where John appears to hover in the cafeteria.

Uh.  I'm totally excited about this. 
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: bruce on July 18, 2008, 07:20:02 AM
My prediction is that it will be very very pretty but lacking in depth.

What gives you that idea?

(http://base58.com/pics/watchmen/w5.jpg)

Yeah its not like that image was ever in the comic Chris

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3132/2679781948_d4692a56b9_o.jpg)

Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Chris L on July 18, 2008, 08:49:32 AM
Yeah, but it looks like this guy seriously needs to ease up on the slow-mo action shots.  There's enough material in the comic for a miniseries and the trailer makes it look like he's spent half the running time establishing some dumb (excuse me, "visionary") Matrix-like visual trademark.

Some of it does look promising though, especially that Mars shot at the end. 
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Bryan on July 18, 2008, 09:57:28 AM
Yeah, but it looks like this guy seriously needs to ease up on the slow-mo action shots.  There's enough material in the comic for a miniseries and the trailer makes it look like he's spent half the running time establishing some dumb (excuse me, "visionary") Matrix-like visual trademark.

Some of it does look promising though, especially that Mars shot at the end. 


I noticed that too. Too much slo-mo. But they may just be padding out the material for the trailer. My hope is that the film itself won't be edited that way. I was hoping for something a little grimier. But you're probably right - I'm bracing myself for a shiny music video of a film. And I'll probably still kind of like it, even if that's the case.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: jbissell on July 18, 2008, 10:35:07 AM
When I saw the trailer in the theater last night, the mostly high school aged audience had no idea what it was. I imagine that the studio will make a big push on the Snyder side of things just because I think 300 probably did really well with that group of kids.  I'm most curious to see what parts of the story get the ax, couldn't really get much of a feel for that just from the bits and pieces of the trailer.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: wwwes on July 18, 2008, 10:42:00 AM
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1670081657

...but I'm unnerved by the use of the Smashing Pumpkins song that was a big part of the "Batman and Robin" soundtrack. eww boy.

Yeah. That's the part that scared me too. 

Technically, the song that was a big part of Batman & Robin was "The End is the Beginning is the End", this one is "The Beginning is the End is the Beginning", which is a bit better. It's a bit like saying that at least they used the original version of "Walk This Way", but still. Considering how The Watchmen movie is supposed to be a bit of a commentary on the current superhero movie trend, it makes sense.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: bruce on July 18, 2008, 11:52:40 AM
When I saw the trailer in the theater last night, the mostly high school aged audience had no idea what it was. I imagine that the studio will make a big push on the Snyder side of things just because I think 300 probably did really well with that group of kids.  I'm most curious to see what parts of the story get the ax, couldn't really get much of a feel for that just from the bits and pieces of the trailer.

Snyder has said he has a 3 hour rough cut and supposedly its going to be 2 1/2 hours. All the Black Freighter stuff will be on the DVD.

Still I can't believe that Kelly from the Bad News Bears is Rorschach, yes I know he was in Breaking Away also.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: jbissell on July 18, 2008, 12:00:49 PM


Still I can't believe that Kelly from the Bad News Bears is Rorschach, yes I know he was in Breaking Away also.

He was very good in Little Children a couple years ago.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on July 18, 2008, 12:09:48 PM
Chris L is totally right.  Just because that was a visually arresting or narratively powerful panel in the comic doesn't mean it will make for a good shot in a film.  My big fear about this is that it will superficially ape the comic but lack the substance or the storytelling skill, making for a pretentious, boring superhero movie that just happens to exactingly reproduce some of Dave Gibbons' art.   

I'll still go see it.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: iAmBaronVonTito on July 18, 2008, 12:12:17 PM
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1670081657

...but I'm unnerved by the use of the Smashing Pumpkins song that was a big part of the "Batman and Robin" soundtrack. eww boy.

Yeah. That's the part that scared me too. 

Technically, the song that was a big part of Batman & Robin was "The End is the Beginning is the End", this one is "The Beginning is the End is the Beginning", which is a bit better. It's a bit like saying that at least they used the original version of "Walk This Way", but still. Considering how The Watchmen movie is supposed to be a bit of a commentary on the current superhero movie trend, it makes sense.

smashing pumpikins...you beat me to it
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: yesno on July 18, 2008, 12:17:31 PM
I'll still go see it.

Key point for me, too.

I think I said this elsewhere, but I really wish they'd turn some of these graphic novels and other books into miniseries.  A novel or a graphic novel almost always has too much to cram into a 2 hour movie.  There's nothing about the medium that makes things sucky, just the length and how they either chop everything off or, worse, try to cram everything in.  Golden Compass did the latter.

I'll have to see how the upcoming Brideshead Revisited movie compares with the miniseries, which is one of my favorite things to watch.  I suspect it will be a pile of crap.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Denim Gremlin on July 18, 2008, 12:25:14 PM
I'll still go see it.

Key point for me, too.

I think I said this elsewhere, but I really wish they'd turn some of these graphic novels and other books into miniseries.  A novel or a graphic novel almost always has too much to cram into a 2 hour movie.  There's nothing about the medium that makes things sucky, just the length and how they either chop everything off or, worse, try to cram everything in.  Golden Compass did the latter.

I'll have to see how the upcoming Brideshead Revisited movie compares with the miniseries, which is one of my favorite things to watch.  I suspect it will be a pile of crap.

people keep talking about miniseries.

the big problem with this is budget frankly. Unless you can hook HBO and convince them to give you a Rome sized budget (which we've already seen what became of that show because of how much it cost) you're gonna have something that looks like Dr. Who.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: jamesp on July 18, 2008, 02:29:08 PM
I'll still go see it.

Key point for me, too.

I think I said this elsewhere, but I really wish they'd turn some of these graphic novels and other books into miniseries.  A novel or a graphic novel almost always has too much to cram into a 2 hour movie.  There's nothing about the medium that makes things sucky, just the length and how they either chop everything off or, worse, try to cram everything in.  Golden Compass did the latter.

I'll have to see how the upcoming Brideshead Revisited movie compares with the miniseries, which is one of my favorite things to watch.  I suspect it will be a pile of crap.

people keep talking about miniseries.

the big problem with this is budget frankly. Unless you can hook HBO and convince them to give you a Rome sized budget (which we've already seen what became of that show because of how much it cost) you're gonna have something that looks like Dr. Who.

The budget problem with miniseries doesn't make sense to me. People make a big deal that John Adams or Band of Brothers cost $100 million to make, but they are like eight hours long.

We're in an age now where the pilot for Lost costs over $10 million alone.

I think HBO should co-produce with BBC and other networks and start making big great miniseries that a lot of novels deserve.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Chris L on July 18, 2008, 03:07:34 PM
I think HBO should co-produce with BBC and other networks and start making big great miniseries that a lot of novels deserve.

They're planning to do just that with those Song of Fire and Ice fantasy novels, although I think they're a long way from filming on those. 

Also, I'm linking to this new Alan Moore Q&A (http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20213004,00.html) just for the part where he talks about his favorite tv show.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Gilly on July 18, 2008, 04:19:28 PM
How awful would it be to be in a relationship with Alan Moore?
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: yesno on July 18, 2008, 04:40:54 PM
In addition to you-know-what, I like that he is also a fan of Trapped in the Closet and Snuffbox.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: jamesp on July 18, 2008, 10:22:42 PM
I saw the Dark Knight this evening and the Watchmen received absolutely no applause/claps while people were cheering for the new Terminator movie? I'm not too excited for either movie but it sorta surprised me.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: jbissell on July 19, 2008, 02:07:04 AM
I saw the Dark Knight this evening and the Watchmen received absolutely no applause/claps while people were cheering for the new Terminator movie? I'm not too excited for either movie but it sorta surprised me.

That Terminator trailer was a total snooze.  I'm pretty willing to bet that movie will be a disaster.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: ughwhy on July 19, 2008, 10:31:36 AM
I'll have to see how the upcoming Brideshead Revisited movie compares with the miniseries, which is one of my favorite things to watch.  I suspect it will be a pile of crap.

I've been told it's been significantly "tarted up." So bring your smelling salts.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: jamesp on July 19, 2008, 12:08:56 PM
I saw the Dark Knight this evening and the Watchmen received absolutely no applause/claps while people were cheering for the new Terminator movie? I'm not too excited for either movie but it sorta surprised me.

That Terminator trailer was a total snooze.  I'm pretty willing to bet that movie will be a disaster.

Yeah. I love T2 but McG does not sound promising.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on July 20, 2008, 10:17:35 PM
people keep talking about miniseries.

the big problem with this is budget frankly. Unless you can hook HBO and convince them to give you a Rome sized budget (which we've already seen what became of that show because of how much it cost) you're gonna have something that looks like Dr. Who.

I remember getting all excited when they decided to make Stephen King's "The Stand" into a mini-series, because I felt like they could do the story more justice. But in the end, it was just nine hours of not good. Weak effects, weak acting, etc.

There is definitely a balance that must be struck.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Gilly on July 20, 2008, 10:27:05 PM
After seeing the trailer on the big screen today I've gotta say I'm more excited about this than before. It looks so amazing and I hope that the story is amazing as well.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: jamesp on July 20, 2008, 11:11:19 PM
http://www.ew.com/ew/static/watchmen/watchmen.html

For those interested in Watchmen, I just saw that Warner and DC are putting out 12 animated chapters of the novel for free download on iTunes. I haven't checked it out yet but figured some people might be into it.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Gilly on July 21, 2008, 12:25:27 AM
Wow, that's awesome! Can't believe they're doing that for free.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Gilly on July 21, 2008, 05:10:45 PM
I can't complain too much since it's free but you think they could have hired a woman to do the female voices...
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Chris L on July 25, 2008, 09:21:03 PM
Suckage confirmed.  (http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/38442)
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: jbissell on July 25, 2008, 10:45:24 PM
Suckage confirmed.  (http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/38442)

But you don't understand, MCR's lead singer is a huuuge Watchmen fan. That makes this ok...
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: orangewhip on July 25, 2008, 11:09:13 PM
I didn't read every post in the thread, so forgive me if i bite other peoples comments.

    From an interview I read, it seems that Snyder really wants to do the best he can faithfully adapting the comic.  He's been fighting with the studio over the length.  He wants it to be 3 hours, and he's fighting with them because they want it cut down quite a bit.  One story element he is fighting to keep in the movie is Hollis Mason.  With 300, he did a pretty good job of adapting the graphic novel to film. Watchmen is NOTHING like 300, but seems to really want to do it justice, so i'm giving him the benefit of a doubt.  If I had to put money down on it, I'd say that this is going to end up pretty mediocre, but I'm hoping it ends up being good.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Satchmo Mask on July 25, 2008, 11:28:25 PM
Suckage confirmed.  (http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/38442)

I don't know, guys. It could be "pretty freaking cool".
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on July 25, 2008, 11:45:14 PM
Suckage confirmed.  (http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/38442)

I don't know, guys. It could be "pretty freaking cool".

"My Chemical Romance are planning a "pretty freaking cool" Bob Dylan cover for a film adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic novel 'Watchmen'."

I could not bring myself to read past that opening paragraph. 

Anyone want to make this interesting and start placing bets on suckage?
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Jouster on July 25, 2008, 11:54:47 PM
Spiderman 2 had a Nickelback song in it and I liked that a lot.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: orangewhip on July 26, 2008, 12:23:08 AM
I can forgive shitty songs on big budget movie soundtracks.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: KickTheBobo on July 26, 2008, 01:00:53 AM
what was the thing with the guy on the raft who had to eat seagulls to survive? will that be part of the movie?

sorry, I haven't read the book in 20 years. I should probably revisit it.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: orangewhip on July 26, 2008, 01:43:26 AM
I highly doubt The Black Freighter will be a part of the movie.  It was a cool part of the book, but obviously the very first thing that's going to be taken out of the movie.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Gilly on July 26, 2008, 02:19:20 AM
Yeah, I'm guessing a movie that is probably going to be PG-13 isn't going to allow for a raft of human bodies.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Jouster on July 26, 2008, 02:30:29 AM
http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/8397
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: mokin on July 26, 2008, 03:16:36 AM
The MCR song will play over the end credits.

You're right, guys, that's going to totally ruin the movie.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: bruce on July 26, 2008, 09:12:41 AM
what was the thing with the guy on the raft who had to eat seagulls to survive? will that be part of the movie?

sorry, I haven't read the book in 20 years. I should probably revisit it.

I highly doubt The Black Freighter will be a part of the movie.  It was a cool part of the book, but obviously the very first thing that's going to be taken out of the movie.

The Black Freighter stuff is going to be a separate release as a DVD when the film comes out. Also it will be part of the Watchmen DVD when it comes out the film will be R Rated.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: dave from knoxville on July 28, 2008, 01:02:27 AM
Suckage confirmed.  (http://www.nme.com/news/my-chemical-romance/38442)

I guess Dylan's original version wasn't available. Already booked maybe.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: jamesp on August 23, 2008, 07:56:02 PM
Well here's a shining endorsement from Kevin Smith:

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/08/watchmen-update.html?iid=top25-20080823-Kevin+Smith+says+%27Watchmen%27+is+astounding+%28insert+%27but%27+here%29 (http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/08/watchmen-update.html?iid=top25-20080823-Kevin+Smith+says+%27Watchmen%27+is+astounding+%28insert+%27but%27+here%29)
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on November 14, 2008, 04:40:57 PM
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slj55jYuMro[/youtube]

The new one is out.

Knee-jerk responses:

1. Using Phillip Glass' Koyaanisqatsi score seems like a really bad idea...even if it is only in the preview and not the actual film.

2. Rorscharch's voice sounds horrible.

3. Rorscharch's mask looks pretty fantastic.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Matt on November 14, 2008, 05:18:24 PM
Ew boy, this thing is gonna be TERRIBLE. I'll still go see it in IMAX, though.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: iAmBaronVonTito on November 14, 2008, 05:21:36 PM
for sheer novelty (of which i am a fan), im going to see this in IMAX as well. 
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Trotskie on November 14, 2008, 05:32:53 PM
If you do see it in IMAX, when Rorschach flips the smiley into the Comedian's grave I bet you'll be able to feel that >ting< in the roots of your teeth.   
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Gilly on November 14, 2008, 07:04:51 PM
I guess they changed the ending. That really sucks.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Phantom Hugger on November 14, 2008, 09:56:59 PM
I'm getting the feeling that if all the slow motion shots were sped up to normal speed, this movie would only be 22 minutes long.

(3rded on the Imax)
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Sarah on November 15, 2008, 07:10:19 AM
I liked the line "Maybe someone's picking off costumed heroes."
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Bryan on November 15, 2008, 09:39:20 AM
A big improvement over the first trailer. I'm cautiously hopeful.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: samir on November 15, 2008, 11:30:38 AM
nice use of muse, suitably epic sounding
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: James W on November 17, 2008, 11:47:43 AM
If you do see it in IMAX, when Rorschach flips the smiley into the Comedian's grave I bet you'll be able to feel that >ting< in the roots of your teeth.   
I like the >BOOM< when the blood hits the badge. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT IMAGE! Yeah, I'm betting even my mum knows the cover to that comic, thanks.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: erechoveraker on November 17, 2008, 12:46:07 PM
I like the >BOOM< when the blood hits the badge. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT IMAGE! Yeah, I'm betting even my mum knows the cover to that comic, thanks.

Yer mum is a nerd then.


Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Bryan on November 18, 2008, 10:10:42 AM
I guess they changed the ending. That really sucks.

?

What makes you say they've changed the ending?
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: snogrog on November 18, 2008, 10:17:24 AM
Well I could spoil it here but the way that the villain goes about uniting the world is different. You can read about it here...http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/11/14/changing-the-end-of-watchmen-the-great-debate/ (http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/11/14/changing-the-end-of-watchmen-the-great-debate/)
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Bryan on November 18, 2008, 11:05:35 AM
Thanks for the link. I think I'll try to wait until I see the movie to find out. I thought Gilly was saying that there was something in that trailer that suggested a different ending.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: snogrog on November 18, 2008, 11:26:15 AM
Yeah apparently it's a different cause to unite, but it's the same type of event.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: wwwes on January 11, 2009, 07:02:29 PM
Holy moly. The Japanese trailer is fantastic. SOMEWHAT SPOILISH, but if you're looking at this thread, you're probably already spoiled.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WNETpX2Jd0[/youtube]
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: dave from knoxville on January 11, 2009, 07:50:51 PM
Every time I see that image of the energy-emitting guy levitating, I think, why is he in an elementary school cafeteria?
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: wwwes on January 11, 2009, 08:23:43 PM
Well, easy answer would be that the scene was set in a cafeteria in the early 60s, and that's when many elementary school cafeterias were last renovated.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Chris L on January 11, 2009, 08:41:54 PM
Every time I see that image of the energy-emitting guy levitating, I think, why is he in an elementary school cafeteria?

What better place to show up without pants?
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: iAmBaronVonTito on January 12, 2009, 10:26:00 AM
Every time I see that image of the energy-emitting guy levitating, I think, why is he in an elementary school cafeteria?

i thought i was alone.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Bryan on January 12, 2009, 03:48:28 PM
I just realized that this thing is scheduled to come out in March of this year. I guess it'll be pushed back as they sort out the legal stuff, but the release has somehow managed to sneak up on me despite the incessant online hype.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on January 13, 2009, 07:23:41 PM
I hope that's Frank Langella, and this movie is in continuity with Frost/Nixon.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Bryan on January 22, 2009, 04:01:35 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd5cInmK6LQ
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Stupornaut on January 22, 2009, 04:03:13 PM
Man, trying to make super-slick CGI special effects look like footage from the early '60s must be a thankless task.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Bryan on February 05, 2009, 04:34:25 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5WsciSNVS0

All things considered: pretty cool.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Stupornaut on February 05, 2009, 08:32:03 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5WsciSNVS0

All things considered: pretty cool.

I would camp out for this movie if it looked entirely like this.

Also as an aside, I love how for unexplained reasons one of the "related videos" that popped up on the bottom at the end is a clip for Del tha Funkee Homosapien's "The Wacky World of Rapid Transit".
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Bryan on February 06, 2009, 04:21:30 PM

I would camp out for this movie if it looked entirely like this.


Yeah, I know. But despite the enthusiasm with which I'm participating in this viral marketing, I'm still pretty skeptical about this movie.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: orator on February 07, 2009, 02:02:04 AM
i'll probably wait for the director's cut, because from what I understand it'll be 3 hours and some minutes long.

i thought 300 was terrible, but i think that may be more on Frank Miller than Snyder. though his love for slow motion is pretty annoying
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on February 12, 2009, 09:02:55 AM
Well here's a shining endorsement from Kevin Smith:

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/08/watchmen-update.html?iid=top25-20080823-Kevin+Smith+says+%27Watchmen%27+is+astounding+%28insert+%27but%27+here%29 (http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/08/watchmen-update.html?iid=top25-20080823-Kevin+Smith+says+%27Watchmen%27+is+astounding+%28insert+%27but%27+here%29)

Kevin Smith: "Remember that feeling of watching Sin City on the big screen and being blown away by what a faithful translation of the source material it was, in terms of both content and visuals?"

No.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Matt on February 19, 2009, 01:46:47 AM
A link (http://www.superherohype.com/news/watchmennews.php?id=8102) to five clips from the movie.

Allow me to edit my earlier post:

Ew boy, this thing is gonna be really fucking TERRIBLE. I'll still go see it in IMAX, though.

Fixed!
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on February 19, 2009, 11:18:05 AM
A link (http://www.superherohype.com/news/watchmennews.php?id=8102) to five clips from the movie.

Allow me to edit my earlier post:

Ew boy, this thing is gonna be really fucking TERRIBLE. I'll still go see it in IMAX, though.

Fixed!

Dammit. This looks really, really bad.  The advertisements before the clips were superior.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: franks. on February 19, 2009, 12:01:34 PM
Something in the colors of the Watchmen poster that's up in the subway reminds me of the Ninja Turtles. There's been so much hype for this thing that by now I feel like I've already seen it and am over it.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: crumbum on February 20, 2009, 08:29:27 AM
A link (http://www.superherohype.com/news/watchmennews.php?id=8102) to five clips from the movie.

Allow me to edit my earlier post:

Ew boy, this thing is gonna be really fucking TERRIBLE. I'll still go see it in IMAX, though.

Fixed!

Dammit. This looks really, really bad.  The advertisements before the clips were superior.


Hold on now people! Didn't you know that this was directed by one of our greatest film artists?

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20259843_9,00.html
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Martin on February 20, 2009, 09:21:04 AM
That list made me sick.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Stupornaut on February 20, 2009, 10:27:56 AM
I started working down the list from there. The number of clicks it took me to get to Paul Thomas Anderson was infuriating.

EDIT: And Peter Jackson over Martin Scorsese? That's it, geek culture's downfall can't happen soon enough.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Bryan on February 20, 2009, 10:32:11 AM
That list makes me question EW's status as the world's finest and most thoughtful journal of film criticism.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on February 20, 2009, 10:44:08 AM
James Cameron is "active?"
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Martin on February 20, 2009, 10:53:00 AM
Cameron is odd - he's obviously alive, and his Avatar comes out this year (or maybe 2010), but he hasn't made a movie in ages.

(What am I doing, arguing an EW list?!?)

Here's the top 25:

1. Steven Spielberg
2. Peter Jackson
3. Martin Scorsese
4. Christopher Nolan
5. Steven Soderbergh
6. Ridley Scott
7. Quentin Tarantino
8. Michael Mann
9. James Cameron
10. Joel and Ethan Coen
11. Guillermo del Toro
12. David Fincher
13. Tim Burton
14. Judd Apatow
15. Sam Raimi
16. Zack Snyder
17. Darren Aronofsky
18. Danny Boyle
19. Clint Eastwood
20. Ron Howard
21. Ang Lee
22. Paul Thomas Anderson
23. Paul Greengrass
24. Pedro Almodóvar
25. Jon Favreau

Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Chris L on February 20, 2009, 10:58:07 AM
Jon Favreau -- he's the guy that did Mulholland Drive, right?
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Stupornaut on February 20, 2009, 12:26:29 PM
Jon Favreau -- he's the guy that did Mulholland Drive, right?

Nah, that loser's all the way down at like #40-something.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on February 20, 2009, 01:20:53 PM
I am actually pretty decent friends with Chris Nashawaty at EW. I doubt he had anything to do with this abortion, but if it makes anyone feel any better, I am going to give him serious crap for this. 

Where the fuck is Wes Anderson?
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: pinky on February 20, 2009, 01:43:41 PM
No female directors?  Ok, point taken, but I would put Sofia Coppola above a few there.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Martin on February 20, 2009, 01:59:21 PM
Yeah, come on, Sofia Coppola, Claire Denis, Kelly Reichardt, Zoe Cassavetes, Lynne Ramsay and the rest of you broads! Get to work!
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Stupornaut on February 20, 2009, 02:09:07 PM
I am actually pretty decent friends with Chris Nashawaty at EW. I doubt he had anything to do with this abortion, but if it makes anyone feel any better, I am going to give him serious crap for this. 

Where the fuck is Wes Anderson?

They apparently posted #s 26-50 earlier this week, and he was on it, but damned if I could find where that slideshow is now on that garbled shitshow of a website. (Also making the "not as good as Zack Snyder" list: Roman Polanski and David Lynch. Who both ranked beneath Sam Mendes.)
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Bryan on February 20, 2009, 02:11:09 PM
(What am I doing, arguing an EW list?!?)


Can we please get back to the extremely important business of shit-talking Watchmen? Come on, people!
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on February 20, 2009, 07:10:26 PM
Who would win: Ang Lee or Dr. Manhattan?
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on February 20, 2009, 07:27:44 PM
A few more thoughts:

-I REALLY hope the Comedian starts a dance-off to "Boogie Man" with those afro guys after he jumps out of the Owlship.
-How did Ozymandias manage to make it so far without getting speech therapy?
-The only thing more cringe-worthy than an Alan Moore zinger is an Alan Moore zinger spoken out loud, by an actor.
-Smokeless fire!
-Billy Crudup is in this fucking thing?

Also, re. the EW list, any top filmmaker list without Alejandro Jodorowsky on it is utter garbage to me.  So what if he hasn't made a film in years?  He's reading peoples' tarot cards in some cafe in Paris, that counts as work as far as I'm concerned.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: crumbum on February 27, 2009, 09:27:20 PM
the first major review by a critic i admire is out:

http://nymag.com/movies/reviews/55005/

oh well.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Denim Gremlin on February 27, 2009, 10:15:26 PM
A few more thoughts:

-I REALLY hope the Comedian starts a dance-off to "Boogie Man" with those afro guys after he jumps out of the Owlship.
-How did Ozymandias manage to make it so far without getting speech therapy?
-The only thing more cringe-worthy than an Alan Moore zinger is an Alan Moore zinger spoken out loud, by an actor.
-Smokeless fire!
-Billy Crudup is in this fucking thing?

Also, re. the EW list, any top filmmaker list without Alejandro Jodorowsky on it is utter garbage to me.  So what if he hasn't made a film in years?  He's reading peoples' tarot cards in some cafe in Paris, that counts as work as far as I'm concerned.

word.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: pinky on March 02, 2009, 03:07:38 PM
Am seeing this tomorrow night.  I'll admit that I have never read this and will not post a review of it here for fear of being bullied.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Bryan on March 13, 2009, 10:20:13 AM
So? I guess everyone was underwhelmed by this? Or maybe afraid, like Pinky, of being bullied. (I hope not.)

I'll wade in here, then. The whole project wasn't a very good idea to begin with, but they did a good enough job with it that complaining seems like poor sportsmanship. I pretty much agree with the critical consensus - even though it was a faithful adaptation, it didn't turn into a great movie. I thought the casting was good, and the acting ranged from good enough (Ozzy, Laurie Jupiter) to excellent (Rorschach, Doc Manhattan).

I thought the use of music was pretty horrible, and the action scenes and the general atmosphere were too overblown and bombastic. They missed the point of the book - that there was supposed to be something ordinary about it all, even the violence. As it was, the glamorization of the extreme violence kind of clashed with the overall critique of the fascist streak in superhero stories.

And even though they aped the flashback structure, they didn't manage to grasp that what is really cool about the comic was the way it explored and took advantage of the formal structures specific to comics.

My wife, who hasn't read the original, seemed to like it more than I did. I wonder if this will generally be the case? Ebert loved it, and he hasn't read it.

As usual, I found it kind of thrilling to watch a pretty well done superhero movie. I'll probably wind up watching it again at least once.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: yesno on March 13, 2009, 10:52:01 AM
The Doctor Manhattan scenes were pretty great. Otherwise it was dull.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: iAmBaronVonTito on March 13, 2009, 11:30:26 AM
I thought the use of music was pretty horrible...

if there is one thing i cant stand is the literal depiction of a song. 

"here's an idea, let's play 'the times they are a-changin' while we show how time has changed.  you know what, i'll up the ante by playing the tears for fears classic, 'everybody wants to rule the world' while someone talks about the struggle of power and government.  or even better!!!!  i'll play ______ ____ ______ while whatever that song is about happens to be acted out on screen...how brilliant am i?!"

"what about the steamy scene between nite owl II and silk spectre?  should we play, REO speedwagon's 'i can't fight this feeling' or david bowie's 'heroes'?  what about berlin's 'take my breath away', has that been used for a sex scene before?"

"eh, throw in a terrible rendition of 'hallelujah'."
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: crumbum on March 13, 2009, 01:36:13 PM

I thought the use of music was pretty horrible, and the action scenes and the general atmosphere were too overblown and bombastic. They missed the point of the book - that there was supposed to be something ordinary about it all, even the violence. As it was, the glamorization of the extreme violence kind of clashed with the overall critique of the fascist streak in superhero stories.

And even though they aped the flashback structure, they didn't manage to grasp that what is really cool about the comic was the way it explored and took advantage of the formal structures specific to comics.

I saw it last night and agree with all of this, and I would add that, while I love the comic dearly, its resolution feels awfully juvenile in hindsight. The idea that the cold war could be ended by what amounts to global terrorism must have seemed appropriately cynical and daring in the Reagan years, but post-2001 it looks childish and naive. I guess you need to look at the story through the lens of the 1980's, but the movie was made in 2008 for god's sake.

I should also point out that based on the extremely low attendance in the theatre I went to on a Thursday night six days after opening, I'd say that box-office-wise this film is a sinking ship.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on March 13, 2009, 01:46:59 PM
I thought the use of music was pretty horrible...

if there is one thing i cant stand is the literal depiction of a song. 

"here's an idea, let's play 'the times they are a-changin' while we show how time has changed.  you know what, i'll up the ante by playing the tears for fears classic, 'everybody wants to rule the world' while someone talks about the struggle of power and government.  or even better!!!!  i'll play ______ ____ ______ while whatever that song is about happens to be acted out on screen...how brilliant am i?!"

"what about the steamy scene between nite owl II and silk spectre?  should we play, REO speedwagon's 'i can't fight this feeling' or david bowie's 'heroes'?  what about berlin's 'take my breath away', has that been used for a sex scene before?"

"eh, throw in a terrible rendition of 'hallelujah'."

Agreed. The point where it physically hurt was when "All Along The Watchtower" played as Nite Owl II and Rorschach arrived at Ozy's place in Antarctica. We hear - full volume - the lyrics "Two riders were approaching, and the wind began to howl!" Ugh.

Saw it last night.  In general, I thought the movie was fine. I was entertained. I think they did a damn good job with Dr. Manhattan (the part I am sure Alan Moore was thinking of when he said Watchmen was "unfilmable"...take THAT, Alan Moore) and a good job with Rorschach. The opening credits were definitely unique and entertaining.

BUT...

-Number one complaint: The acting of Silk Spectre II, Nite Owl II, and the original Silk Spectre were pretty horrible. Given that their portions are the slowest element in the book, they should have gone with acting powerhouses (and good directing of those powerhouses) to make us care about them.  I simply could not care. I was bored or wincing whenever they came on screen. And the sex scene? Oof. Cringe-owrthy.
-I agree with Bryan about the stylized violence (complete with annoying slo mo shots). It worked against the spirit of the original story. The violence should have been handled more like "The Wrestler." (!?)  Raw, unpleasant, and sad. That would have truly broken the mold of the superhero genre.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Bryan on March 13, 2009, 01:51:41 PM

I should also point out that based on the extremely low attendance in the theatre I went to on a Thursday night six days after opening, I'd say that box-office-wise this film is a sinking ship.

Yeah - we'll see, obviously, but my prediction is that everyone who wants to see this movie saw it in the first week.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: steve davidson on March 13, 2009, 01:58:47 PM
jodorowski is still working on films and has put out a bunch of comics lately on dark horse i think. the new movie has marilyn manson in it.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Denim Gremlin on March 13, 2009, 02:17:17 PM
jodorowski is still working on films and has put out a bunch of comics lately on dark horse i think. the new movie has marilyn manson in it.

well, i don't know if i'd say he's actually working on films. this marilyn manson joint has existed in various forms for like over a decade, probably more.

he is doing comics though and their all pretty nuts
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: steve davidson on March 13, 2009, 02:39:08 PM
ah my bad. he's a swell dude.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: citizenlewis on March 13, 2009, 03:44:25 PM
The opening credits were great and then it all went downhill from there.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Trembling Eagle on March 15, 2009, 12:58:27 AM


Saw it last night.  In general, I thought the movie was fine. I was entertained. I think they did a damn good job with Dr. Manhattan (the part I am sure Alan Moore was thinking of when he said Watchmen was "unfilmable"...take THAT, Alan Moore)



uhh no

He's said it's because the story was designed specifically for the comic medium and exploited  all the that way, for example the Black Freighter stuff.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: todd on March 15, 2009, 03:53:15 AM
yea, i think the "unfilmable" was referring to the "telling the main story and the backstories simultaneously" shit they do constantly in the books. i don't think alan moore gives a shit about special effects
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on March 15, 2009, 09:21:55 AM
yea, i think the "unfilmable" was referring to the "telling the main story and the backstories simultaneously" shit they do constantly in the books. i don't think alan moore gives a shit about special effects

Oh right. Oops.

Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Gilly on March 15, 2009, 05:36:23 PM
I liked it a lot.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Matt C on March 20, 2009, 03:05:10 PM
I still haven't seen it, probably wait until the DVD, but the changes are a turn-off.

(http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2009/03/5-JoeCorsi.jpg)
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: erechoveraker on March 20, 2009, 03:09:07 PM
The changes aren't really what's wrong with the movie. I was thinking I almost wanted to see it again, even though I didn't really dig it the first time, and then I read this: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40409

Yikes.



EDIT - Oh I dummy. I get joke now.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: Wes on March 29, 2009, 07:58:21 PM
Finally got around to seeing this - I was suprised how they got the Dr. Manhattan parts down so well but ended up kind of undercutting Rorschach in the way they changed and reduced his parts. I would have expected that to have worked out the other way around. I think they butchered Veidt, too. Curious choice, to recast Ozymandias as Archie from The Chocolate War.

(http://thumb.visualizeus.com/thumbs/09/03/03/boys,matthew,goode,ozymandias,watchmen-63cdc09acabf11d812cb1d4b4683e9d7_m.jpg)(http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/09/ciu/a8/52/dc54d0920ea09b605519b110.L._AA280_.jpg)

My biggest problems were the music, as others have noted (especially The Sounds of Silence), the weirdly amped up violence and the way everybody was kicking people through walls and across the rooms like they were all in The Matrix and all the added Rubberface Nixon scenes. Weird that you can make Dr. Manhattan look that good and yet Nixon looked like Dan Aykroyd in Nothing But Trouble.
Title: Re: Watchmen Trailer!
Post by: wwwes on July 22, 2009, 02:45:20 AM
Finally saw the movie on PPV. The movie was definitely not that brave and overstylized everything. But that was all fixable and arguably would have been insisted upon no matter who made it. What was not fixable was bad tone and bad casting in a lot of areas.

Overall, the movie was too often designed to be acted and viewed like it was an old 40s film noir flick, which is fair, because the book gives that impression, but when Rorschach's mother told him she should have aborted him and it sounded like it was straight out of The Hudsucker Proxy, you knew nothing in the movie could possibly be taken that seriously. They should have taken the emotional theme of this movie in equal parts from Dr. Strangelove, Oz, and the penultimate episode of every season in The Wire.

And why was it necessary to hire young men and women made up to play parts 20 years older than they are so that they could take like three photographs and ten minutes of background footage of them when they were younger? Adrian Veidt looked like a 12 year old in a well-funded children's production of Our Town. Even The Comedian, who was easily the best at looking realistic in various ages, looked like he was going to get the latex knocked off his face in the first scene.

Alternately, they should have just decided to go in completely the opposite direction and gone full-blown Southland Tales. Having the guy who played Kramer's friend in Seinfeld was a good start, but they didn't go far enough. Kenan Thompson as the prison psychiatrist. Bob Odenkirk and David Cross as the detectives. The mom from The Facts of Life as Sally Jupiter. Adrian Grenier AS VINCENT CHASE playing the sleazy investigative reporter. At least that would have been fun as an exercise in how angry and grizzled you can make Alan Moore seem.

Either that or I think I might have liked to see Werner Herzog somehow forced to make this movie against his will. I think his concept of superheroes would have been a perfect fit.