tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post4006581292491531387..comments2024-03-13T06:28:44.715-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: the Directors: Ridley ScottAlex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-45786904518664162292014-12-02T14:14:46.819-05:002014-12-02T14:14:46.819-05:00Sadly, I don't think that movie looks good at ...Sadly, I don't think that movie looks good at all. Early reviews are pretty bad too.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-6091153903488979592014-12-02T07:52:02.612-05:002014-12-02T07:52:02.612-05:00What do you think about Exodus? Will be better tha...What do you think about Exodus? Will be better than Noah?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059813680559966539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-91482059221735181092014-11-30T16:43:31.198-05:002014-11-30T16:43:31.198-05:00Hmmm, an interesting thought. I'd have to thin...Hmmm, an interesting thought. I'd have to think hard about that one. The Woody Allen plot line in Crimes and Misdemeanors is so unnecessary. <br /><br />My new film WAIT, has two parallel story lines. Maybe I could include that one! Haha, just kidding.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-67943727200628342872014-11-30T09:29:40.071-05:002014-11-30T09:29:40.071-05:00A list about films with two parallel stories like ...A list about films with two parallel stories like American Gangster and Crimes and Misdemeanors.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059813680559966539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-34761733132350490162013-11-04T12:08:36.784-05:002013-11-04T12:08:36.784-05:00Thanks! I've heard him remark about his purpos...Thanks! I've heard him remark about his purposeful lack of direction for actors as well (though I forgot about it until you mentioned it). Very interesting thought there. Glad we agree on Thelma & Louise, Alien and Blade Runner. Three instances of Scott at his best.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-53018950300731698402013-11-03T17:19:36.107-05:002013-11-03T17:19:36.107-05:00Great post! Scott may be inconsistent, but when he...Great post! Scott may be inconsistent, but when he's good - he's good. Ridley Scott is an almost peerless director of visuals, but he’s made it clear he has no interest or ability when it comes to directing actors (sometimes). It’s no coincidence that Scott’s best films are those with the most capable casts, such as Alien and Blade Runner; actors capable of effectively directing themselves. Scott’s other films are visually beautiful messes, Prometheus being a recent example. <br /><br />I think my favourite films of his are Gladiator and Thelma & Louise.Lights Camera Reactionhttp://lightscamerareaction.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-91253697173966798792013-10-31T22:27:14.601-04:002013-10-31T22:27:14.601-04:00Ahh gotcha. B- for Robin Hood?! Ha, well, we like ...Ahh gotcha. B- for Robin Hood?! Ha, well, we like what we like.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-43976000511746189312013-10-31T22:17:55.112-04:002013-10-31T22:17:55.112-04:00Oh, I don't dislike Hannibal. 11-15 are probab...Oh, I don't dislike Hannibal. 11-15 are probably B-'s. ;)Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08596682195753811295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-30470033837407448222013-10-31T21:47:11.291-04:002013-10-31T21:47:11.291-04:00I really enjoy Black Hawk Down. I think war movies...I really enjoy Black Hawk Down. I think war movies of such power are few and far between post-SPR/Thin Red Line.<br /><br />Not a Hannibal fan, huh? Fair enough, that one is insane. Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-33322376866180775532013-10-31T20:46:13.128-04:002013-10-31T20:46:13.128-04:00Glad to see Alien at the top. Surprised you consid...Glad to see Alien at the top. Surprised you consider Black Hawk Down masterful, but I dig it. Admittedly, I love A Good Year. It's a perfect guilty pleasure - that cast, the cinematography, and I adore Marc Streitenfeld's score.<br /><br />I'd currently rank the ones I've seen like this:<br /><br />1. Blade Runner<br />2. Alien<br />3. American Gangster<br />4. Gladiator<br />5. Black Hawk Down<br />6. Thelma & Louise<br />7. Prometheus<br />8. A Good Year<br />9. Matchstick Men<br />10. The Counselor<br />11. Body of Lies<br />12. Kingdom of Heaven<br />13. G.I. Jane<br />14. Robin Hood<br />15. HannibalJoshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08596682195753811295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-18850748246846271272013-10-30T18:38:22.624-04:002013-10-30T18:38:22.624-04:00Your recommendation is enough of a selling point f...Your recommendation is enough of a selling point for me, so I'll track down the DC of Kingdom of Heaven as soon as I can. Your comments about Green are really interesting. I'd love to see her expanded part.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-80807612116057056612013-10-30T09:28:08.470-04:002013-10-30T09:28:08.470-04:00Robin Hood really is very bad. I saw the director&...Robin Hood really is very bad. I saw the director's cut, which usually adds a lot to Scott's films but man, that was so boring and ridiculous. That said you should give Kingdom of Heaven DC a shot - I maintain Green should sue Scott for screwing her over - she is good in theatrical cut but she has many more scenes in DC and she is just sensational there. The movie also went from 6,5 to 8 when it comes to DC. A shame that lately Scott's theatrical versions seem like a prelude to a good movie we will see sometime in the future in DC version. i really hope Prometheus gets one one day, I love this film but the deleted scenes alone added so much.s.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13987831438787776712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-69165641222101383792013-10-29T19:47:59.506-04:002013-10-29T19:47:59.506-04:00Thanks buddy! Thelma & Louise is a must. Trust...Thanks buddy! Thelma & Louise is a must. Trust me. A great, great film!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-91464411593064609872013-10-29T18:07:40.282-04:002013-10-29T18:07:40.282-04:00Excellent work here, man. There are still so many ...Excellent work here, man. There are still so many of Scott's films I need to see, though at least I have been able to check off most of the essentials/greats you listed. Gonna have to make an effort to catch Thelma & Louise sometime soon though.Eric @ The Warning Signhttp://twscritic.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-2521131264205499112013-10-28T14:58:29.956-04:002013-10-28T14:58:29.956-04:00I LOVE hearing this praise for The Duellists. That...I LOVE hearing this praise for The Duellists. That is a film far too undervalued in my opinion. Keitel was such a beast in that flick. And that final showdown was epic.<br /><br />I did quite enjoy Prometheus. But perhaps it's important to note that outside of musicals, sci-fi is my least favorite genre. So when I see a sci-fi flick, I literally have no expectations whatsoever. Sure, it was a bit long. Sure, some things were off about it. But I enjoyed the time I spent with it. It could've had a better script, I agree.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-8143882307485618352013-10-28T14:53:45.772-04:002013-10-28T14:53:45.772-04:00I'll be curious to hear if Alien has grown on ...I'll be curious to hear if Alien has grown on you. And Thelma & Louise... man, such a classic. I love that damn flick.<br /><br />I had only seen Blade Runner twice (I think) before this post. But I did enjoy those new cuts I watched. But, like Wendell, I can completely understand your qualms with it.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-67329663359740873792013-10-28T14:52:03.909-04:002013-10-28T14:52:03.909-04:00Yeah, we're in full agreement about some film ...Yeah, we're in full agreement about some film criticism. You said it beautifully.<br /><br />Escape Plan was actually perfectly decent for the film it wanted to be. A won't be writing about it, because the 2 hours I spent watching it are all the time I choose to dedicate toward it. But you know... not so bad.<br /><br />Okay cool, I'm glad to hear I own the best cut of Blade Runner. Yes, 1492 was excruciating. I actually think I may have been too kind to it.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-65338915578868240132013-10-28T12:48:17.230-04:002013-10-28T12:48:17.230-04:00The Salon review had some entertaining put-downs, ...The Salon review had some entertaining put-downs, but beyond that I couldn't decipher any coherent arguments against the film. Every now and then, reviewers sharpen their knives for a film that doesn't really merit the vitriol. I find it hard to believe that Bad Grandpa or Escape Plan are substantially better films, but then again I never plan to find out. I could be missing some real masterpieces... :)<br /><br />As for Blade Runner, the first Director's Cut is the best of the three major versions. The constant re-releases of that film seem like blatant commercial opportunism. No one needs a suitcase dedicated to one film unless that film is 16 hours long, like Berlin Alexanderplatz (which, coincidentally, is how long 1492 felt).W.J.http://inwidescreen.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-20239662720072827932013-10-28T10:04:40.032-04:002013-10-28T10:04:40.032-04:00It's great to see all of the flicks that Ridle...It's great to see all of the flicks that Ridley has done laid out, what diversity. That said, he is the king of missteps in my book, a strong and confident visual director who rarely delivers on the story aspect of filmmaking. I've never seen Ridley to be the story hardliner that his late brother was, case in point his jaw dropping, desaturated short films for Prada in which Ridley gives you what makes him who he is, beauty centered firmly in reality. <br /><br />But oh man, I won't gripe, when he hits, he hits huge. Ridley Scott's victories; Alien, Blade Runner, Matchstick Men, Thelma & Louise among others, truly great cinema. My favorite Ridley film being The Duelists, I truly love that movie, it embodies everything New Hollywood stood for in my eyes, very self contained, very character centered. <br /><br />I'm eager to see The Counselor given my love of McCarthy, my guy crush on Fassbender and to see some Ridley in action. His use of color in what I've seen of it is truly blowing my mind, he's giving Wes a run for his money haha. I'm surprised to see how fair you are in your overview of Prometheus, a film so rooted in the gargantuan shadow of Scott and O'Bannon's sci-fi masterpiece Alien, to separate the two, to look at the filmic strengths and weaknesses of Prometheus is all you can do. It can't measure up to perfection. I found Noomi to be outstanding in that film, so sweaty, popping pills, trying not to fall over after receiving a clumsy C-section. Damon Lindeloff is the worst fucking writer on Earth though, I mean fuck, I wish Prometheus had a better script, could have been a masterpiece. Tokarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02807042060473464015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-43042077504445653902013-10-28T03:31:31.908-04:002013-10-28T03:31:31.908-04:00There is a lot I haven't seen and most of what...There is a lot I haven't seen and most of what I have is in serious need of re-watch but he has been hit-or-miss for me too and unfortunately, more miss than hit.<br /><br />I will say I like the Black Hawk Down almost as much as you did. Gladiator - it definitely drops substantially after those couple of bouts in arena but I think I can watch it. Not a great defense but I am not sure if I would want to. Similarly, A Good Year. Not a great film definitely but I can watch it.<br /><br />As for Blade Runner, I am with Wendell. I like certain aspects of it such as its look and noir references in it. But Story doesn't do much for me. I don't know which version I saw but it definitely did not impress me. Alien is one of those I seriously need to re-watch. I was unimpressed when I saw it first but I think I will see it in a different light now. I do mean to watch it again soon.<br /><br />Thelma and Louise is the one I haven't seen yet. Looks like I need to get on it. SDGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09331736603243732602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-12409656818495165182013-10-28T00:31:14.160-04:002013-10-28T00:31:14.160-04:00Hey man, thanks for such the great comment here. M...Hey man, thanks for such the great comment here. My full review of The Counselor will be up tomorrow, but I am so glad to hear your praise for it. I thought it was a refreshingly done film for its kind. I suppose I can understand <i>some</i> backlash, but not the shitstorm that has befallen it. Did you see that Salon review? Jesus man, get a grip.<br /><br />Anyway, it looks like with the exception of Prometheus (a film I'm not going to bend over backwards defending because, you know, who cares...?) we're pretty much right in line here. I figured 1492 was going to be a slow one, but my god, so boring. <br /><br />I'm curious, what's your favorite version of Blade Runner?Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-88376294389523954682013-10-28T00:27:34.996-04:002013-10-28T00:27:34.996-04:00Yeah I agree, hit or miss all the way. Really dug ...Yeah I agree, hit or miss all the way. Really dug your list. We're more or less in line.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-8118342807847828412013-10-27T20:58:30.634-04:002013-10-27T20:58:30.634-04:00I just got out of The Counselor and I loved it. Fo...I just got out of The Counselor and I loved it. For me, it's Ridley's best film in over a decade and so rich with interesting characters and punchy dialogue. The structure is also a breath of fresh air. This is a thriller that cuts through all the familiar scenes that audiences have come to expect from the genre--it's not difficult to follow at all even if all the mechanics of the plot aren't spelled out for you. A lot of that obviously has to do with McCarthy, but this makes me want to see Ridley's long-discussed Blood Meridian adaptation even more. What's most interesting is that while the Coens took McCarthy's world and melded it with their own style, it feels as though Ridley synched his direction to McCarthy's unique linguistic and narrative rhythm. Again, loved it.<br /><br />Not as high on latter day Ridley Scott. Prometheus, in particular, struck me as a hollow variation on a tired, broken-down theme. Fassbender was wonderful, turning in the best male supporting performance of last year, but the film around him had a distinct odor coming off of it. Even the visual effects were a bit uneven and, for all its high ideas, the film devolved into dumb spectacle pretty quickly.<br /><br />I really did enjoy American Gangster, particularly the music and Dee and Denzel's performances. However, the film--like a lot of Ridley's works--suffered a serious bloat problem. As demonstrated by his constantly revised "director's cuts," I think the guy doesn't know how to pare a film down to its essential parts. Not every subplot needs to be in the picture; and if it's so important, you really need to not leave it dangling by the end.<br /><br />Semi-rant over, here's how I'd rank what I've seen:<br /><br />1. Blade Runner (10/10, classic)<br />2. Alien (10/10, ditto)<br />3. Black Hawk Down (9/10)<br />4. The Counselor (8 or 9/10, need to let it marinate for a bit)<br />5. Thelma & Louise (8/10)<br />6. Matchstick Men (8/10, agreed, his last great film)<br />7. American Gangster (6/10)<br />8. Hannibal (6/10)<br />9. Gladiator (6/10, with you on this one, curse of the Ridley bloat)<br />10. Body of Lies (5/10)<br />11. Legend (4/10)<br />12. Kingdom of Heaven (4/10, the most bloated of the bloated)<br />13. Black Rain (4/10)<br />14. Prometheus (3/10)<br />15. Robin Hood (3/10)<br />16. 1492 (2/10, biased because of my feelings toward the subject, but still an awful film)W.J.http://inwidescreen.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-23485026104439998782013-10-27T20:46:25.864-04:002013-10-27T20:46:25.864-04:00He's a hit-miss director for me who can make s...He's a hit-miss director for me who can make some great films but also some bad ones though I much prefer his brother. Here's how I would rank his films in this <a href="http://letterboxd.com/thevoid99/list/ridley-scott-ranked/" rel="nofollow">list</a>.thevoid99https://www.blogger.com/profile/03055459287396592446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-22198814121590039492013-10-27T20:11:44.961-04:002013-10-27T20:11:44.961-04:00Dude I LOVE G.I. Jane, such a fun little flick.
I...Dude I LOVE G.I. Jane, such a fun little flick.<br /><br />I have a complicated relationship with Blade Runner. As I mentioned, I've never even seen the damn original version. So, if that was the only version I had ever (which, by most all accounts, is a substandard version), would I give the film a grade A? Maybe not. The Final Cut version is what sold me. When I watched it recently, I thought, "Yeah, I dig this flick." But I can completely understand why you don't. It isn't an easy sell. I definitely agree that Blade Runner is slow as shit. Most people fail to mention that.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.com