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2025/05/09 19:55:59
Subject: Mini-Movie Reviews- What You Are Watching.... in Miniature
Watched Blade Runner with my father recently. Holy hell that may have been the best film I've ever seen, I completely understood the hype for it, the ending and symbology/themes were amazing, even if a tad unsubtle sometimes! I could instantly see how it influenced the best cyberpunk media. Great acting, score, cinematography, all around masterpiece of cinema! If only Scott could make something that good again these days... one can dream.
Yes-Close To The Edge is the best song of all time and I'll virus bomb/PPC anyone who says otherwise
In Ridley Scott’s defence, and indeed James Cameron and many other once Trailblazer Directors/Producers?
It’s hard to maintain that pace. Especially in an industry which will ape, copy, replicate and just sometimes improve/push further than you did. Particularly when you’ve been successful and just sort of, by inevitable osmosis, become Part Of The Machine.
You change the art form, and before too long? The art form changes you.
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Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: In Ridley Scott’s defence, and indeed James Cameron and many other once Trailblazer Directors/Producers?
It’s hard to maintain that pace. Especially in an industry which will ape, copy, replicate and just sometimes improve/push further than you did. Particularly when you’ve been successful and just sort of, by inevitable osmosis, become Part Of The Machine.
You change the art form, and before too long? The art form changes you.
Too true, sadly. I still think he has made some really odd choices for films, but I guess what you just typed is the reality of being ahead of your time, it's hard to catch up when everyone else pole-vaults over you using your own work, then vault over eachother. I suppose being known as a visionary can be a bit of a curse.
Yes-Close To The Edge is the best song of all time and I'll virus bomb/PPC anyone who says otherwise
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: But…..that’s the entire thing, isn’t it? Minus the extensive, inexplicable and inexcusable guff, isn’t it?
Not really?
The 5 minute version is just the plot highlights and meme moments. DBZ Abridged includes the character arcs and more complicated genre elements that made the show so popular, along with some jokes, while cutting out the guff. You get the context and emotional payoff of the storylines in Abridged.
The film was originally conceived as a large blockbuster with a $120 million budget, which was what sold it to Chow Yun-Fat and James Marsters. However, when they arrived on the set, they were heartbroken after discovering that the film would only cost $30 million and would be mostly shot in an abandoned jeans factory to save costs. By then, they were contractually obligated to do the film and couldn't back out.
Hint 2:
Spoiler:
James Marsters has expressed his hatred for the film, and Emmy Rossum named it the movie in her career that people shouldn't watch. She also mentioned that the movie is even worse if watched while stoned.
Hint 3:
Spoiler:
I'm pretty sure MDG liked this movie less than Star Trek: Section 31
What's your guess?
My Review:
Spoiler:
Dragonball Evolution: The Apex of Anime Adaptation and the True Evolution of Goku’s Legacy
Let’s face it: the Dragon Ball anime is just a warm-up act, a quaint little doodle on the margins of what would one day become the magnum opus of 21st-century cinema — Dragonball Evolution. This cinematic masterpiece fearlessly tosses aside decades of lore, characterization, and fan expectation in favor of pure, unfiltered genius.
Why settle for a spiky-haired, overpowered alien monkey-child when you can have a mildly confused high schooler who broods like he's auditioning for a CW show? Justin Chatwin’s Goku redefines the Saiyan warrior: no longer a socially oblivious brawler with a heart of gold, but a relatable, acne-free teenager navigating the mean halls of high school drama and destiny. Move over, Super Saiyan — Goku just became Super Popular.
And the villains! James Marsters as Piccolo isn't just green, he's mysteriously green. His motivations are as ambiguous as his skincare routine, elevating him from a mere adversary to an enigmatic force of bland malevolence. You think anime Piccolo training Gohan was cool? Please. Try watching Evolution Piccolo stare ominously at stuff — the true mark of a master.
Let’s not forget the stunning martial arts choreography, which boldly ignores physics, continuity, and common sense to blaze new trails in the realm of gravity-defying nonsense. Who needs energy blasts when you have poorly-lit wire work and inexplicable slow-mo?
And the romance! Goku and Chi-Chi have the kind of chemistry that makes Twilight look like Gone with the Wind. Their love story — forged through vague flirtation and plot necessity — is a beautiful lesson in how not to let things like character development get in the way of true, PG-13 passion.
Dragonball Evolution isn’t just a film — it’s a philosophical statement. A statement that says: “We looked at one of the most beloved anime series of all time… and did something else entirely.” That’s bravery. That’s evolution.
10/10. Toriyama should be taking notes. Preferably while watching this on loop.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/05/09 23:05:28
2025/05/09 23:08:38
Subject: Mini-Movie Reviews- What You Are Watching.... in Miniature
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: But was enough for me. And the only Dragonball movie I’ve ever seen.
Thus as, so far as I can tell, the movie you mean doesn’t involved Russell Brand, James Corden, or that arse Jared Leto, I can’t hate it!
Silly you.
Wait... I could've sworn, you mentioned this film... to the Archives, Robin!
EDIT: Deep Dive Completed. Mission Failed. This is what muddled my brain. It was a thread about the Trailer, not the film:
"Dragonball Evolution" Trailer by Mad Doc Grotsnik in Off-Topic Forum
Noooooooooooo! Bloody Dragon Ball!
Hate that series. Hate it hate it hate it.
How can anyone enjoy it when some episodes are just one of the characters 'powering up' (also known as looking cons...
Posted Dec/11/2008 07:09:55 AM | View full post | View full thread
(Since you didn't mention them specifically, is it safe to assume you now enjoy the works of British Comic extraordinare Jack Whitehall and the best Jack Reacher, ever, Tom Cruise?)
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/05/09 23:50:15
BorderCountess wrote: Just because you're doing something right doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're doing...
Lathe Biosas wrote: I've decided to watch live action adaptations of anime... here's my list:
Dragonball Evolution (2009)
Death Note (2017)
The Last Airbender (2010)
Ghost in the Shell (2017)
Bleach (2018)
Fullmetal Alchemist (2017)
Speed Racer (2008)
Fist of the North Star (1995)
Blood: The Last Vampire (2009)
Kite (2014)
Black Butler (2014)
Attack on Titan Part 1 (2015)
Space Battleship Yamato (2010)
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable - Chapter 1 (2017)
Tokyo Ghoul (2017)
Gintama Live Action the Movie (2017)
Mushi-Shi: The Movie (2006)
Gantz: Perfect Answer (2011)
Cutie Honey (2004)
Assassination Classroom (2015)
Thermae Romae (2012)
Dororo (2007)
Yatterman (2009)
Lupin the 3rd (2014)
Terra Formars (2016)
Devilman (2004)
Casshern (2004)
Ajin: Demi-Human (2017)
I've already seen G-Saviour, Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins, and the Guyver 1 & 2...
Am I missing anything?
There's a pair of City Hunter films out there, one from the 80's with Jackie Chan (Which I personally didn't think too much of) and one Netflix put out last year that isn't too bad.
I think there's also another Lupin the 3rd film from the 70's/80's.
2025/05/10 08:56:45
Subject: Mini-Movie Reviews- What You Are Watching.... in Miniature
One thing I will say though is that at least Sean Connery didn't even bother trying a Russian accent when he played Captain Ramius. Russell Crowe probably should've taken that cue
2025/05/10 18:30:54
Subject: Mini-Movie Reviews- What You Are Watching.... in Miniature
One thing I will say though is that at least Sean Connery didn't even bother trying a Russian accent when he played Captain Ramius. Russell Crowe probably should've taken that cue
What about Liam Neeson and Harrison Ford's Russian accents in K-19: The Widowmaker?
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/05/10 18:32:38
BorderCountess wrote: Just because you're doing something right doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're doing...
One thing I will say though is that at least Sean Connery didn't even bother trying a Russian accent when he played Captain Ramius. Russell Crowe probably should've taken that cue
Between this and his stint as Zeus in the last Thor movie, I am wondering if he's starting to pick roles based purely on the opportunity to do a funny accent.
2025/05/12 14:01:54
Subject: Mini-Movie Reviews- What You Are Watching.... in Miniature
Austenland A rom-com where a woman goes to a Jane Austen themed "immersion" LARP-type thing.
Suitably silly and just fine if you like Austen themed love triangles. It also has some familiar faces in it.
Fall Guy Based on the Lee Majors TV show from my youth.
This is a glorious B-movie with a summer blockbuster budget and cast. This should really be titled: Chekov's Gun: Reload as everything they introduce comes back around again.
I enjoyed it for what it was, but what it is is a cheesy B-movie about a stuntman.
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2025/05/12 15:27:22
Subject: Mini-Movie Reviews- What You Are Watching.... in Miniature
Frank Langella! A really solid baddie! Post- Terminator 2 mid-drugs Edward Furlong (well, his physical body. Not sure he brought his brain, poor chap)
A middling budget “dangers of computer games and VR” type low key horror. It’s not without merit, and whilst I don’t particularly want to poke fun or belittle a young actor struggling with substance abuse? A change of lead might’ve made all the difference here.
It is very, very 90’s, and as someone in their early adolescence during that period, this is always gonna be pretty gnarly to me.
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It wasn't as bad as I remember. I think I understood what they were going for, but the whole film felt like a 30 minute long Trek episode unnecessary padded into a 2 hour film.
Yes. The Enterprise was a pretty model... but we didn't need to see an extended reveal with orchestral score.
BorderCountess wrote: Just because you're doing something right doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're doing...
Lathe Biosas wrote: [b]but we didn't need to see an extended reveal with orchestral score.
Yes yes we did!!!!
'It is a source of constant consternation that my opponents cannot correlate their innate inferiority with their inevitable defeat. It would seem that stupidity is as eternal as war.'
- Nemesor Zahndrekh of the Sautekh Dynasty Overlord of the Crownworld of Gidrim
2025/05/12 22:13:13
Subject: Re:Mini-Movie Reviews- What You Are Watching.... in Miniature
Lathe Biosas wrote: [b]but we didn't need to see an extended reveal with orchestral score.
Yes yes we did!!!!
The Enterprise sitting still does not make for a great piece of cinema.
You're forgetting this was insane detail at the time. Plus don't forget that a lot of the Original series you see today has likely been the remastered versions with updated visuals for the ships in space.
Also back then it was the first Startrek after about 10 years. It's like getting Serenity for Firefly or the Two mini-movie for Farscape only with a 10 year gap in the middle.
That scene was as much showing off as fanservice.
It also marked the point where Trek fully shifted from its more campy "monster of the week" to a much more serious sci-fi show. Which for the original series is mostly carried on those major films.
The last minute of this video explains what they were going for with this shot...
'It is a source of constant consternation that my opponents cannot correlate their innate inferiority with their inevitable defeat. It would seem that stupidity is as eternal as war.'
- Nemesor Zahndrekh of the Sautekh Dynasty Overlord of the Crownworld of Gidrim
2025/05/12 22:32:47
Subject: Re:Mini-Movie Reviews- What You Are Watching.... in Miniature
Uhh... I'm forced to agree with the giant robot nut. For different reasons.
The film felt like it was going for a 2001: A Space Odyssey feel.
The "fan service" could have been worked into the plot, as we could've seen detailed shots of the ship as it moved through V'ger (Which are cooler than the Enterprise if you look closely at all the details).
But to each their own, some people really like certain films, that I'll never understand, and I can watch Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country and First Contact over and over with a large smile on my face.
