#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 6 hours ago, JohnSolo said: Ebert always seemed somewhat like a fanboy... A fanboy, really? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John 2,032 Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 19 minutes ago, Stefancos said: A fanboy, really? I certainly would think so, yes. He gave The Phantom Menace 3.5 out of 4 stars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 Does that make him a fanboy? Perhaps you have a different understanding of the term. What was he a fanboy of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John 2,032 Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 5 minutes ago, Stefancos said: What was he a fanboy of? Star Wars, for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 He gave AOTC two stars though. Ebert occasionally had reviews that were baffling (to me). I would say that makes him a fanboy. And he certainly wasn't in the habbit of letting lesser franchise entries of easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Kockroach 2,344 Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 I miss Jonesy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumbs 14,319 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Embargo's up. Reviews trending mixed/positive; not a perfect film but clearly resolves most of the issues people had with Prometheus while raising new narrative questions. As suspected, the film is more a continuation of Prometheus than an outright retread of Alien, but the film's technical aspects all getting top marks. Fassbender brilliant playing two characters but is, if anything, underused. Quote Scott and the writers have achieved an outstanding balance in Alien: Covenant among numerous different elements: Intelligent speculation and textbook sci-fi presumptions, startlingly inventive action and audience-pleasing old standbys, philosophical considerations and inescapable genre conventions, intense visual splendor and gore at its most grisly. The drama flows gorgeously and, unlike in many other franchises in which entries keep getting longer every time out, this one is served up without an ounce of fat. It provides all the tension and action the mainstream audience could want, along with a good deal more. Stylistically, the film is a thing of cool beauty, with superb effects and a lovely score. Creatively, it’s a major re-set on a level with the series’ best. Hollywood Reporter Quote If the only question you want to be answered by this review is whether or not Alien: Covenant is better than Prometheus, then that answer is a resounding “Yes.” If you were hoping that it would totally leave the ideas introduced in Prometheus behind, you might be a little disappointed with certain parts, but as a whole, I think you’ll probably enjoy it. The story is self-contained for the most part, but it does open up some plot threads for a sequel. With that said, Covenant is the shot in the arm that the franchise’s future needed it to be. Bloody Disgusting Quote It’s won’t be your favorite Alien movie, but it’ll probably make you want to watch it again. Perhaps I am blinded by my love of the franchise and too easily seduced by the stunning beauty of Scott’s images, but even the ramshackle hybrid narrative and disappointing treatment of compelling characters can’t keep me from finding a lot to love in the frustrating film. Collider Quote As a standalone watch, it’s an intense and fun ride, but as a piece of the overall series it’s very much a piece of a puzzle. I’m sure some people will walk away disappointed, while others will be excited and buzzing about where this series goes next, given the events that transpire and where that leaves it. Love it or hate it, I think it’s a film that will be discussed at length and many folks will head straight home and pop in PROMETHEUS to connect the dots. For me, I love the doors it opens, the questions it answers, the villain it creates and the direction it’s headed, even if it misses some beats along the way. Joblo Quote While Covenant continues to pose new questions, it also provides answers, and does so within a much more immediately enjoyable and rewarding experience. In many ways – stylistically, thematically, structurally – it sits neatly between the existential ponderings of the previous film and the sumptuous horror of the 1979 original. And while it fails to match the original in terms of sheer terror and elegance, Scott nevertheless delivers some imaginative takes on familiar sequences and rich, satisfying answers to Prometheus’ lingering mysteries. Sandwiched between the fresh first act and that somewhat more predictable conclusion, Covenant smuggles in a more thoughtful and philosophical second act; it’s where the movie is at its most Prometheus-like in tone – ponderous, even a little pretentious – but unlike the divisive prequel, Covenant has some genuinely satisfying answers. Alien: Covenant strikes a more favorable balance between the unwieldy philosophical ideas of Prometheus and the classic horror and suspense of the 1979 original film. Despite continuing Prometheus’ questionable line of inquiry into the xenomorphs’ origins and occasionally adopting its histrionic tone for entire scenes, Covenant’s framework and exciting action put enough new spins on the series’ most reliable touchstones that the cast is able to carry it through to a satisfying end. IGN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,347 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Quote Perhaps I am blinded by my love of the franchise ... Fanboy alert! Bilbo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 If we are lucky Sir Ridley spent some afternoons over his coffee table art books and we get a handful of great painting approximations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,347 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 3 minutes ago, publicist said: If we are lucky Sir Ridley spent some afternoons over his coffee table art books ... I'm afraid that Scott has spent a few afternoons watching Nordic crime series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 He should do a good miniseries on AMC or FX or something. The results would be invariably better than those compromised multiplex efforts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,347 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Well, he produced The Man In A High Castle ... Didn't you like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 No Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,347 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 What about The Pillars Of The Earth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,020 Posted May 7, 2017 Author Share Posted May 7, 2017 Scott was never a very good storyteller. "World-building" and visual splendour is what he's good at. I dared to rewatch Prometheus a couple of weeks ago and even though the film is a weak soup, I way amazed how well made it is, technically. Scott knows how to stage an impressive shot and present his world in a grand fashion. But his films tend to have lame scripts. He's sort of like... James Cameron in that respect. But Cameron at least knows a thing or two about pacing. Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,347 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 I disagree. Unlike Scott's early efforts, the background in Prometheus never becomes the foreground, which used to define his worldbuilding trade. That's why the Nostromo in Alien (1979) almost felt like a character. The ship and the alien environments really came to life. They are the most important element in the Alien experience. He gave the design a lot of screen time. Prometheus, like all his later movies, is made in a conventional workmanlike manner. His focus is no longer the background but rather the (weak) story and the (ridiculous) spectacle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 I didn't found 'Prometheus' catastrophic - just trashy with some good imagery thrown into the pot. Though making 'Covenant' my fourth cinema experience this year only comes from social pressure and lack of alternatives (cinema-wise). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,020 Posted May 7, 2017 Author Share Posted May 7, 2017 I'm not disagreeing with you. It is certainly more workmanlike. But if you compare how Scott shoots s-f as compared to many modern filmmakers Prometheus will still feel better. And I really dislike this film. Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Covenant will probably be more like Hannibal than Alien. Glossy pulp with lots gore and weirdness, but no real horror. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,347 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Hannibal was burlesque horror fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,020 Posted May 7, 2017 Author Share Posted May 7, 2017 I watched it some time ago. It doesn't hold up. Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 After reading 'Hannibal' i had hoped for the pigs being much more frightening than they were but as greeting card from Florence the movie was perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,347 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 1 minute ago, crocodile said: I watched it some time ago. It doesn't hold up. Karol Not even as a comedy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 2 minutes ago, Alexcremers said: Hannibal was burlesque horror fun. Agreed! Wonderful trash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,020 Posted May 7, 2017 Author Share Posted May 7, 2017 Just now, Alexcremers said: Not even as a comedy? I know what you're getting up. But it's not fleshed out enough as any genre to be successful. But it has intriguing ingredients still. Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,347 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 I remember Hannibal made me angry because it wasn't Silence Of The Lambs but now I think I kinda enjoy it more ... It's trash but it's fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,020 Posted May 7, 2017 Author Share Posted May 7, 2017 I don't think it being different makes it inferior at all. It's not that. I liked the book but think this film was a bit too tame. Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,347 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 1 minute ago, crocodile said: I don't think it being different makes it inferior at all. It's not that. I liked the book but think this film was a bit too tame. Karol In that case, watch Hannibal the TV series! It starts rather tame but after 4 or 5 eppies it goes beyond cinema. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,020 Posted May 7, 2017 Author Share Posted May 7, 2017 I tried the first two episodes. Does it get better after that? Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,347 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Read my previous post. I wasn't finished yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,020 Posted May 7, 2017 Author Share Posted May 7, 2017 I shall add it to my list then. Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Really didn't like it. But tastes vary... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Crazy talk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 What is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 pub's dangerous musing about tastes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 You mean his common sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,554 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 2 hours ago, Alexcremers said: I remember Hannibal made me angry because it wasn't Silence Of The Lambs but now I think I kinda enjoy it more ... It's trash but it's fun. I think there's something wrong with me, because I find SOTL to be one of the funniest films I have ever seen! It's not chilling, it's not frightening, it doesn't make me feel awkward, or uncomfortable. It is a genuinely funny film. All this "Chianti" crap, just makes me laugh my head off. HANNIBAL has its faults, but it's the vastly superior film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,347 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 I don't get it. So Hannibal is more serious than Silence? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,554 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Oh, no. Its definitely not more serious. HANNIBAL is supposed to be funny, but I don't think that SOTL is. What I find funny about SOTL, is its obviously po-faced approach to the subject matter. It just makes me laugh. I'm sorry, but I can't explain it more adequately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurmm 91 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 The sombre tone, music, and look of the movie is what makes it so good though. I don't find it funny, although you could sense the proceedings were funny to Hannibal Lector. Hannibal is entertaining trash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 12 minutes ago, Richard said: Oh, no. Its definitely not more serious. HANNIBAL is supposed to be funny, but I don't think that SOTL is. What I find funny about SOTL, is its obviously po-faced approach to the subject matter. It just makes me laugh. I'm sorry, but I can't explain it more adequately. UNFRIENDING! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,347 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 To be honest. I thought the other serial killer (with that pit in his house) was way more creepy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 He was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,347 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Hopkins was the one you rooted for ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 That was the reason of the characters success. He was a killer, but you liked him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,347 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Do we root for Hopkins in Westworld? Or is it not that kind of a show? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,554 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 8 minutes ago, Stefancos said: UNFRIENDING! Whatever. MANHUNTER is better than both of them, combined. Unfriend that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 I don't know. Haven't seen it yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,554 Posted May 7, 2017 Share Posted May 7, 2017 You've never seen MANHUNTER?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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