Ren

Kk and uni. We agree on many things about this movie.

Kk and uni. We agree on many things about this movie.

They drove this "message" into our faces much too hard for my liking.
And the action at the end was exhausting Jason. Too much of a good thing can be very bad. Little plot/character development and too much CGI spectacle.
Also, the film seemed kind of scattered with the way the flashbacks and action sequences were arranged. I didn't think it flowed naturally, and it ended up being a mess in terms of pacing and momentum. All the lines or iconic money shots (like the flight scene) are delivered in off beat with the natural rhythm.

it's kind of hard to have plot holes without a plot.

it won't even be nominated. it's so forgettable. I won't even call it bad because I can't even remember it except for the two note piano bit.

If there was any doubt that Zimmer is the most overrated composer of the last quarter century, this score cements it.



A superhero flick like Superman is every film composer's dream to tackle, that rare opportunity for a composer to pull out all the stops, be CREATIVE, use memorable leitmotifs, utilize the symphonic palette and all its majestic offerings to the absolute fullest.... and what do we get? A shockingly minimalistic soundtrack with nothing but ambient sounds and extremely long sustained notes (which is what you do when you really don't know how to write for the orchestra). And of course it has lots of Zimmer's trademark "lets beat these giant drums as loud as humanly f'ing possible".



What a disappointment. Even more disappointing is how many people in the world think this guy is a great composer.



How sad would it be if this wins the Academy Award 35 years after Williams' masterpiece inexplicably didn't?

Some style, no substance.
No wonder you enjoy Man Of Steel.

Don't usually do this, but I think this belongs here as much as it does on the other thread, so here's my take:
Man of Steel
What a disappointment. Seriously.
I feel like I've just been made to endure a prolonged beating. This movie is little more than noise, spectacle, and weak attempts at philosophizing over morality and cultural influences. The actors all make a game try of it, I suppose, but ultimately their performances had the feel of a high school play--an attempt to play-act at roles others have filled much more effectively in far better movies. The effects . . . are CGI effects. A lot of it comes across as convincing and impressive (though a fair amount of it, surprisingly, doesn't), but it looks like every other sci-fi action movie on the market nowadays.
That's ultimately this film's biggest problem: there is nothing here--literally not a single thing--we haven't seen a hundred or more times before, usually much better-executed than this. In a sense, the only thing this movie did for me is make me realize how exhausted I am of watching movies like this.
I am so tired of seeing the rummy-tum-tum military types watch doom unfold on tactical screens while looking as though their serious expressions alone will be able to overcome whatever threats they see there. This was cliched back in the 70s, was really starting to get old in the 80s, and is now officially way, way past its expiration date.
I am so tired of knowing exactly what's going to happen to each character, in each scene, because filmmakers can't come up with anything more interesting than what others have done before them. When a movie telegraphs who's going to live and die almost from the first moment you see each person, it leaves very little fodder for suspense. Along the same lines . . . prolonged battle scenes between invulnerable opponents just isn't interesting. We know they're going to destroy everything around them, and we know just as well they won't get hurt doing it. What's the point anymore?
I am so tired of computerized effects being used as a surrogate for good storytelling, as though we can be hypnotized by visual cacophonies thoroughly enough to forget that nothing's actually happening up there. Can I make a point here? Doing something the same, only bigger, or faster, or louder, does not make it different. It only makes it bigger, faster, and louder, thereby increasing the odds that it will also be more annoying.
I am so tired of movies that combine those last two elements ad nauseum. The first scene of this type I can remember was in The Matrix Reloaded, when Neo starts fighting the army of Agent Smiths. There's too many of them for him to overcome, and we know damn well he's not going to die. So we spend ten interminable minutes bored out of our minds by what are supposed to be eye-popping effects, but they have no substance because it's all happening in a computer--literally AND figuratively--and wondering why in the hell he doesn't just fly away, which he finally does long after we're good and pissed. Man of Steel unfortunately keeps this tradition alive through several such scenes.
I am so tired of Hans Zimmer's music. This exact same type of score worked moderately well in the Dark Knight movies. Hearing it again here, the same rhythms, the same ambiance, just made me shake my head in frustration. I'm done with the guy.
And I am so, so, SO, SO tired of angst, regret, and bitter self-reflection being played as some sort of mark of nobility and higher thinking. At some point--around the time of the aforementioned Matrix sequels, I think--"deep" supposedly became "cool." The rule (such as it is) seems to be the more seriously you take yourself, the more seriously the audience will take you. These days, screenwriters who haven't learned the meaning of good drama and solid characterization from classic literature and cinema can create what they believe is a convincing replica of it through the heavy-handed use of melancholic restlessness. The result, in this case, was a first for me: before today I'd never left a theater after watching a Superman movie in such a dreary state of depression.
This may reflect the influence of Christopher Nolan. I'm a fan of his movies, but where this kind of serious-handed contemplation works very well in stories like Inception and the Dark Knight trilogy, it's completely wrong for Superman. Angst was Bruce Wayne's burden, his mode of perception, a central part of his character. Taking Clark Kent down that road is a wasted attempt at deeper meaning the franchise just doesn't need.
One of the hallmarks of the 1978 Superman film (which, I'll freely admit, remains one of my all-time favorites) was it's clever and stylish sense of humor. They knew we knew who Superman was, what his habits were, and they used it to magnificent effect. Man of Steel is singularly lacking of humor and almost entirely devoid of joy--save the scene when Superman first tries out his powers, which may have been the best moments in the movie. There's no sense of triumph, even in his victories. Nothing in this story ever rises above the level of bittersweet . . . and what the hell fun is that?



The level of destruction in this movie is appalling, to the point where it drains even the trademark heroism from the comic world's most classic hero. I mean, I understand he's trying to save the whole world 'n' all, and it's small wonder there are some casualties along the way, but the death toll in Metropolis alone by the end of the film cannot be any less than five figures. The horror of that kind of mass annihilation just feels misplaced in a Superman movie. I remember when the franchise couldn't stand the idea of a busload of people getting hurt. Now we've got a Superman standing at a Hiroshima-scale ground zero worriting over the kinda guy he oughta be.
The overall style of the film falls short as well. It fumbles around on a disordered timeline for so long I eventually lost track of whether I was in the past or in the present. A movie that feels it necessary to prologue (at length), backflash repeatedly, display an illustrated history, reveal plot through hallucinatory vision, and still feels the need to feed us great gobs of expository dialogue straight through is trying way too hard. And yet, with all that revelation going on, both the story and the characters occupying it feel flat, empty, and underdeveloped.
So is it really that bad? I gotta say . . . yeah, it is. Aside from a handful of moments that kinda worked, it was far more disappointment and depression than it was worth.
*1/2 out of ****
- Uni

People who play with their phones during a movie should executed

Yeah Lee. Casual nights out have been swapped with schedules and planning wayyyyy in advance

Hated. Wanted to leave an hour into it.

Continued from part 1.
After the concert the rain was still awful. No cab was in sight so we decided to try the subway to get back to Ren and Dan's hotel. After some trouble actually trying to find out which station to get out of(Renovia looking on the app at her phone while a subway map way right in front of us....and her ignoring Dan and I pointing that fact out....)
After some difficulty we managed to take the correct one and ended up fairly dry at the Hotel. Me more than my companions though. Sharing umbrella's is such a bitch!
There was a club in the hotel, so we rocked up there and had a few drinks. And talked.
I walked home to my hotel just as the Cider, red wine, proscecco and Vodka were starting to have an effect. Climbed in my bed as best I could and slept...for a little while.
Woke up at 5, really needed to go and I was thirsty (I had drank a bunch of water before bed though). I was also really hung over. Since I was wide awake and suffering I took a few painkillers and watched The Search For Spock on my tablet.
Texted with Renovia about where to meet up for breakfast. (Dunkin' Donuts again). There were about 3 or 4 within a mile distance, so we met up near the closest one, where I was bought breakfast, and my only decent cup of coffee by Daniel. (it's stronger if you add something called a "turboshot" on it.... Still a bit on the weak side, but perfectly adequate.
This coffee, the bacon and egg bagel and the company cured my hangover, which had been a lot more savage then I had admitted to them.
We geeked out for a while and Daniel took what is probably the nerdiest pic I'll ever post of myself.....

Like the Star Trek TNG finale, "All Good Things..." Ren and Dan had to drive back to Maine, so I said my farewell to them (after first seeing her tattoo). and headed back to the Hostel, feeling whistful.
I had hours to kill before the next JWFan meet up, so decided to explore Boston. The rain of the day before had seem to have never happened, the temperature was pitch perfect and the sun was out. The previous day I had seen many shops and homes displaying rainboy flags, today was the day of the Boston Pride. So I headed over to Boylston and had a look.
Pretty tame compared to the ones I've seen in Amsterdam and Brussels. No angry militant lesbians going topless, or mean in tight leather trousers, waxed chest and moustaches frenching each other in public. But I'm sure the former colonies will one day reach European levels of debauchery...


Video CLICK THE PIC ABOVE

Parade Of The Ewo...eeehhh Trannies!
It was time for lunch so i found i nice, but fancy looking seafood place and had my first ever lobster. Both Ren and Joeinar had advised me to try one. Ren had proudly boasted Maine lobster to be the best kind, so I went for that, and found it the second thing from Maine that had delighted me. (not cheap though).

Meanwhile Jason and Marcy where in the area. We texted and I slowly went looking for Uno's. (i had planned to go to the Hostel first, but time was running out a bit, and I had everything I needed for the Concert anyway.)
Met up with Jason and Marcy for the second time. Jason, while already drinking did not appear drunk...yet....

We hung at the bar for a while before heading into the reserved room they had arranged for us. It was a while before anyone else rocked up. But one after another the Fellowship assembled.
I think Francis joined us first, looked like a million bucks. Sylvain (obiwan71) who had landed from Paris that day and looked tired but gratified. Josef arrived too. Joe Brausaum and company later.

I sat next to Jason and across Marcy. Who was a delight and we ended up talking a lot about American holidays versus European ones.
I gave Jason something that he had wanted badly, but was unable to get, since it...did not exist. People with long minds will remember the prank Alice and I pulled with the CD sleeve for the Lord Of The Rings Rarities disc. Alice had made a very nice custom sleeve and send me a copy. We then decided to pass if off as a real official case on the MB, and things got a bit out of hand.
Jason had like the design, so Alice, being the kinds hearted soul that she is furnished him a new nice one.
It was wrapped in gift paper with little hearts on it, and I told Jason it came from a secret admirer....
Marcy looked bemused...
Jason definitely like his gift!

He explained the gift to Marcy. Both of us assured her Alice was an unattractive 65 year old from Sweden...
Unlike Jason, Marcy has travelled around. So when Jason said "Scandinavia, I thought Alice was from Sweden" justly chided him!
Marcy herself was disappointed to find out I never wore cloggs though...


At about 7 we paid our bills and went to Symphony Hall, only 5 minutes walking. While almost there we bumped into Meghan (JWFangirl1992) and Damien (dfenton85). We parked ourselves near the side entrance and waited.




And then John Williams arrived!
To be continued....

The Story of Ten Fingered Stefancos and the Concerts of Doom
This was my first flight to another continent since I was 10, and the very first time I had to connect to another flight.
The first 7 hour one to Washington was a breeze, I had the window seat and the other was vacant, so plenty of space. I put some movies on my tablet and time flew by. I had heard horror stories about passing through US customs but it was very easy.
(i was grilled earlier in Amsterdam though). My flight from DC to Boston lasted about just shy of an hour, was feeling a bit tired, but Doctor Who was on BBC America so it was fine.
Boston had a free bus service from Logan Airport to South Station. From there is sight greeted me:

South Station Panorama
Thankfully the Hostel was new, and clean. The beds were comfy. I met Josefsuma at the entrance, checked in my stuff and we had dinner at a local seafood restaurant where I had my first of many Ciders. I was surprised to get carded here. I'm 36 and never been asked to show ID before getting a drink. After dinner we walked back. I saw that the hotel Ren booked was literally 4 minutes away from my Hostel. (I later timed the walk to 3 minutes and 47 seconds. Measured from the Doors of the hostel to the Valet parking service of the Reverre Hotel)
I was pretty tired and fell asleep quickly. But Jet lag had taken me and I woke at 4, and stayed awake. Waiting for breakfast.
I had my first US breakfast. a bagel with what i suspect was butter, a slice of (quite thick) bread with peanut butter and coffee...this was the first of my now new pet peeves about the USA. I has heard from my mom that the Coffee in the States was bad. I poured the coffee into a glass, and it was transparent....I took one zip and found it absolutely too weak. Simply not a good cup.
Week ago, before I set off I had looked at the various options of getting a US simcard, so I could have mobile Internet and use Google maps to get around, stay in touch with people like Ren and Jason and post on the MB and Facebook. The usual options of ordering one especially for tourist all went for a price per month deal and the cheapest I found was 84 bucks.
My alternative was to order a bog standard T-Mobile sim card and so when I got to Boston i could use their 3 Dollar a day Unlimited Data, Calls and Text option. T-Mobile did not accept payment from a non-US Credit Card online, so Ren had to order for me. But when I checked into the Hostel my sim card was there waiting for me!
I advice anyone coming to the US to try this. It is SUCH a convenience being able to use Google maps to find your way around a big city you have never been before. I never got lost!
So I typed "Boston Symphony Hall" into Google Maps and slowly walked there. it was beginning to rain.


Picking up my tickets. I was peckish and headed over for the nearest Dunkin' Donuts (In Holland we think the USA has a MacDonalds or Burger King on every corner, but it's really DD) Luch was fine, the coffee too weak, and far too big (i ordered small, what they gave me was not small.
I was feeling very jet lagged, so headed back to the Hostel and got a bit of a nap.
When I woke I took a shower, shaved and get myself looking decent enough for the concert. In all modesty I have to agree with Lee and say i scrubbed up rather.....well.

I am glad I brought my umbrella, by this time the rain had become torrential. And even the 4 minute walk to the Reverre Hotel would have left me soaking wet. Which is no way to Meet the Queen of the Messageboard.
I have known Renovia since 2002 when she joined. I had at some point planned to meet her and Neil in Boston for the 2004 concerts, but that fell through. They called me on my birthday from the Hotel though.
Since she rejoined the MB last year we had become closer than ever, so it was amazing to finally meet her in real life. Exactly the Ren I had known for years. Except she was expecting, which just added to her awesomeness. She had brought with her Dan, her fiancé, for his first orchestral concert. The first of many, I assume.
It's actually weird, you meet someone for the first time, yet in many ways you don't. Talking in the cab on the way to the JWFan meet up felt pretty much like talking to Ren on the MB, Facebook etc...
We were the first to arrive at The Pourhouse. We ordered a Table for 6 and ordered drinks. My second cider, Magners Irish Cider. (Ren had stated I would not be able to get any here, thankfully she was wrong.) We talked for a while and decided to order dinner.

Ren and Daniel

Ren, not noticing I am taking a picture of her....ummm.....Evenstar
Foxfan, or Francis as his proper name is was the first of the other to arrive. Having come all the way from London (though he is of course, Canadian)
After a while Jason and his girlfriend Marcy joined us. And I had met my second Moderator (having met Mr. Breathmask in 2007)

Dinner was fun, even though the music was a bit loud. Dan did not seem too bored surrounded by film score freaks. Marcy had obviously been through this before and had fun. Jason admired the JWFan Tie Pin I had commissioned for this evening.

And loved the JWFan t-Shirt Ren showed him. (Design by AliceBrallice, the use of the names JWfan.com and John Williams Fan Network used with permission of Ricard L. Befan)

About bloody time!
Dinner was short, pretty much everyone had to rush to get there. So after a while me, Ren, Dan went to Symphony hall. Francis very kindly offer to guide us there even though he only had a ticket for the Saturday show. The rain was pretty savage.
The best way through symphony hall was through the Shopping Mall near the Prudential Centre. This awoke Ren's natural instinct and desire for shopping. Thankfully we did not have the time......
At Symphony hall Francis took his leave of us and went back...umbrella less to the Pourhouse. We all grabbed out tickets and went inside.
The three of us sat together. First Balcony, left side, great view at the stage and John Williams.






The Concert was great. Much of the program was not the standard fare. I guess since JW does Boston every year, he does try to put in some music that seems fresh.

I never really liked the BPO on disc (their brass is flimsy, but live, in Symphony Hall, they sounded fine.)
My fav selection of the program was Far And Away. Really great themes performed with gusto. The Cowboys is always fun (Francis actually had a premonition they would open with that) Hook was great, so was star Wars (though I have heard star Wars in concert a lot now. I had not heard Lincoln at all, but the 3 pieaces, arranged for concert were good. And her new arrangement of Marion's theme finally gives it it's due.
Most fun was The Last Crusade. John first showed the train fight without his music, and narrated some of what would be his musical choices, then he performed the cue synced with the movie. Really great!
There were 2 encore pieces. Luke and Leai (not my fav piece, but well doen. Flying from E.T. which had me in tears. And Stars and Stripes Forever. Apparently a pops tradition. Ive been to a lot of concerts, but have never seen an audience clapping away with the music.
Fun and cheesy...but fun.



To be continued

Met him coming in!!! No time for pictures, but he signed my Empire Strikes Back vinyl! Hoping to get a pic after the concert.

Gah I wish I'd been there!

You too????
This is the second best picture os me and a woman taken this week....or ever!

I'm already there. Booze, Williams and fans? My body has been ready for years.

Oh geez, I don't even remember that picture being taken! Boy is my shirt BLUE!

Steef was indeed dressed sharply, smiling too!
He always looks like he's gonna kill someone, so its nice to see him pleased. Must have something to do with Ren being there.

Loving it today!
Our Mod, of his face from booze!

Excellent fit on the suit Steefy. Looks very sharp.
Almost made me feel a tingle of gay somewhere in my loins.

Our Mod Jason LeBlanc is drunk and said he loved me!

Wow Stefan you had some awesome seats!
This program looks fantastic! I am very excited that this concert is only featuring Williams, the past four I've been to in New York was a split program so it was your traditional, Star Wars, Jaws, Schindler's, etc (and to my delight last concert, Sabrina).
Photos from dinner look great as well, bummed I won't be there tonight for dinner but I will be the young girl in a black dress with a silver buckle in the middle at Row E table 103. If any of you see me please come up and introduce yourselves I would love to meet some of you. I've been on and off of this board for nearly 8 years and every time I do come on I see a lot of the regulars so I would definitely be delighted meeting all of you in person (my real name is Meghan btw )

Come on! One short leap from a booth to Stefan Cosman, one giant step for JWFandom's stalking spirit! They say that one touch of Williams' coat will cure the sick and inspire pure musical bliss in human beings. Think of the price such relic as a piece of cloth from JWs coat would bring on eBay!