Topic: Wes Craven

[Najemikon]

Here's the problem. You listed Delicatessen and that is one of the types of French film that put me off for life. I just hate the look of it, never mind anything else. I didn't want to watch Amelie because it's the same director (Jean-Pierre Jeunet), but I had to introduce it to a cinema audience for some volunteer work I was doing. I thought I might as well stay and watch it. Glad I did, because it's fantastic. Couldn't believe I was watching the same guy. And it was him who ruined Alien 4 (Joss Whedon doesn't like him either, which is good enough for me! ). The fact he directed Amelie is a source of great confusion to me... 

[lovemunkey187]

Here's the problem. You listed Delicatessen and that is one of the types of French film that put me off for life. I just hate the look of it, never mind anything else. I didn't want to watch Amelie because it's the same director (Jean-Pierre Jeunet), but I had to introduce it to a cinema audience for some volunteer work I was doing. I thought I might as well stay and watch it. Glad I did, because it's fantastic. Couldn't believe I was watching the same guy. And it was him who ruined Alien 4 (Joss Whedon doesn't like him either, which is good enough for me! ). The fact he directed Amelie is a source of great confusion to me... 

Fair comment and 100% understand where you're coming from.
It does however contain one of my favourite scenes in any film ever.

(click to show/hide)

It's the bit where he's testing the bed springs

I don't get why Alien: Resurrection is so hard done by? For me it's too close to call between Resurrection and Alien(Aliens gets the top slot and Alien 3 brings up the rear)
I've got Amelie on my shelf but have never been tempted to watch it  not too sure why I bought it in the first place.

Why doesn't Whedon like him?

[Najemikon]

I don't like Alien 4 at all, and I adore Alien/Aliens, with a soft spot for the albeit flawed Alien 3. I thought Resurrection was pretentious nonsense (my usual review of most French cinema ). No action to speak of, logic flying right out the nearest port hole, and finally, one of the worst endings I have ever seen. The creature at the end was an embarrassing mess and designed by someone who can't have ever heard the name "Giger".

Well. I think so anyway. 

I tried to find a link to the Whedon vs. Jeunet comments I read before. I couldn't, but I did find this quote:

how different was the final version of “Alien Resurrection” when compared to your script?

JW: Uh...you know, it wasn’t a question of doing everything differently, although they changed the ending, it was mostly a matter of doing everything wrong. They said the lines...mostly...but they said them all wrong. And they cast it wrong. And they designed it wrong. And they scored it wrong. They did everything wrong that they could possibly do. There’s actually a fascinating lesson in filmmaking, because everything that they did reflects back to the script or looks like something from the script, and people assume that, if I hated it, then they’d changed the script...but it wasn’t so much that they’d changed the script; it’s that they just executed it in such a ghastly fashion as to render it almost unwatchable. (Pauses) Good times.

I know from several interviews he is very bitter and detests the thing. He also got shafted on Waterworld, Speed and X-Men. From memory, I remember him saying that he argued with Jeunet constantly during the shoot, but the director would refuse to listen and blame the language barrier (I'm sure I've heard something similar from Sigourney Weaver actually). During editing, Whedon complained how awful the film was, and apparently Jeunet just smirked and said, "Well it's your script".

I am biased, but I hated Alien 4 long before I knew who to blame. However, Whedon has yet to write something I don't like, while Jeunet obviously got lucky with Amelie! 

Which you must watch. Credit where credits due, it is a truly beautiful film. A romatic fantasy that sounds like a chick-flick on paper, but it's wonderful all the same.

[Kathy]

I’m interested in what you thought of AVP? I thought it was great and can’t wait for the AVP 2!

[Najemikon]

Junk. But it was fun junk. Massive problems (Alien Queen was a wimp, etc), but they weren't aiming high, so it was passable. I was not offended by it and it pretty much stuck to the mythology of the characters. By which I mean you can't have an Alien v Predator scrap and it be all bad, especially if you don't change the rules (which both Alien 3 and 4 tried to do). Actually I avoided it for ages until it was on TV and it wasn't as bad as I assumed it would be.

I was avoiding it because AVP is based on a comic. And a bloody good one. The story was beyond brilliant and the movie screenplay takes all the good ideas and urinates on them. I realised that much from the synopsis, so I didn't bother and voted with my feet.

Another great comic crossover was Robocop v. Terminator. After AVP, I hope Hollywood hasn't found that one... 

So, what did you think of Alien 4 though?

[Kathy]

So, what did you think of Alien 4 though?

It's been so many years would you believe I don't even remember it! Now, after reading all the negative comments, I don't know if I want to see it again.

Robocop v. Terminator...ooo...what fun; maybe we could get Wes Craven to direct it for you!

[Tom]

Robocop v. Terminator...ooo...what fun; maybe we could get Wes Craven to direct it for you!

There is also an He-Man vs. Superman comic. Now that would be interesting 

[Najemikon]

So, what did you think of Alien 4 though?

It's been so many years would you believe I don't even remember it! Now, after reading all the negative comments, I don't know if I want to see it again.

Robocop v. Terminator...ooo...what fun; maybe we could get Wes Craven to direct it for you!

No. That will not be necessary.

[Achim]

Here's the problem. You listed Delicatessen and that is one of the types of French film that put me off for life. I just hate the look of it, never mind anything else.

I didn't mind the look off it that much, but maybe that's because I am from Germany

He made yet another film called "The City of the Lost Children". Now, that look I hated, even more fake than Delicatessen.

As for Alien 4, that was fine for me (passable) until the end. That human-like baby that came out there was just beyond ridiculous and destroyed the movie.

[Najemikon]

I just noticed you have Daywatch on your banner. What's that like? I assume you liked Nightwatch.

[Achim]

I just noticed you have Daywatch on your banner. What's that like? I assume you liked Nightwatch.

I loved Nightwatch, which is why I had been looking forward to Daywatch for a looooong time. My R3 copy of Nightwatch has about 20 minutes worth of footage form Daywatch on it, which looked amazing.

However, having watched the 2 hours plus epic that is Daywatch (make sure, as discussed at Invelos, to rewatch Nightwatch first), I am a little bit torn now. While I agree with those critics that say that a little more story and less effects stuff make for a better film, I would have enjoyed a little more kick-ass action (not that there isn't a lot already ). Not that the films really compare in any way, but I guess Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 had a similar change from action to story... But don't get fooled (by me), it's a great sequel which deepens the story and has more of the same amazing effects work as the first one. About half way through you should see the ending coming, but when it comes it still feels satisfying. ...and yes, despite a third one (Disk Watch) in pre-production or at least being planned, the (Russian) story ends; I understand the third one will take place in the US or elsewhere.

[Achim]

I'm also going to pick up Wages of Fear at some point, so for now, I have no recommendation for other Melville! I can recommend The Yakuza and Ghost Dog though... 

Wages of Fear is on my Wish List. I saw you mentioning The Yakuza several times, I should take a look. Ghost Dog...? Isn't that the movie with Forest Whitaker?

Well, as mentioend elsewhere, despite better intentions, I made another purchase today and it included Ghost Dog as well as The Yakuza. Both are entirely blind buys for me, based on the recommendations here. Looking forward to see them.

[Achim]

But whatever you think, it also has one of the coolest kill-shots I've seen in a hitman film! 

You mean the one which he prepare using a wrench!

Finally got around to watching this. I agree that it's quirky (well, it's Jarmusch), but very likable. The conversations with the french guy are very cute; while they don't have a clue what each other is saying, and say so, they still have an understanding (In French: "I guess you will have to leave to attend some business, the sun is going down soon". Response in English: "I have to go. I have some business to attend to, the sun is going down soon." )

The mafia guys are really funny too. Playing like the big guys (whacking people at every opportunity) but actually are really small time cheap shots (not paying the rent for a few months). Their conversations are absolutely great too!

[Najemikon]

I think the guy in the bathroom singing a rap song is one of the freakiest things I've seen! 

[Achim]

I think the guy in the bathroom singing a rap song is one of the freakiest things I've seen! 

Yup, that's the one...

It seems even freakier if you watch those deleted Scenes/Outtakes, where the scene is played without the music!