A LoTR Inspired Fantasy Movie Renaissance - What Happened?

[Ranger REG]

Maybe it's me but I'm tired of dinosaurs.

 

[Mog Elffoe]

Maybe it's me but I'm tired of dinosaurs.

Then Peter Jackson's King Kong will be *perfect* for you because the dinosaurs all get the snot kicked out of them by a giant ape!

 

[Rackhir]

Personally, I've always wondered why some people find themselves compelled to do remakes of classic movies? Take King Kong for example, what exactly can Jackson do to improve it? Special effects are the most obvious area, but King Kong isn't considered a classic simply because it has "Great Special Effects", in fact I'm of the opinion that part of it's timeless appeal is the pecular qualities that it's "classic" effects have.

Acting? Well part of what the makes movies like King Kong a classic IS the performances. The actors in older movies like that up to about the 60's have a, damm this is difficult to put into words. I guess it's like the difference between a child and an adult. Children generally don't mask well, they haven't learned the multiple layers of deception and self protection that adults have. The difference in the performances between more modern movies and older ones like King Kong is like that, there's something less filtered, less self aware I guess.

 

[Pielorinho]

Another recommendation for The Last Unicorn. I avoided it for years because I was afraid the unicorn would be purple with a pink, glittery mane and play in fields with butterflies.

There are butterflies, but not like you think. The unicorn is a mysterious, haunting creature. Smartass characters abound. Peter S. Beagle is an inimitable writer.

I've not seen the movie, but can wholeheartedly recommend the book. Although I'd be even more excited if someone could turn The Innkeeper's Song into a movie -- my God, but that would rock.

Daniel

 

[barsoomcore]

Remakes of classic films:

Here's a notion: a film becomes a classic as much because of what it DOESN'T show as what it does. That is, a really mind-blowing, classic film that you can watch over and over again is one that leaves out enough so that you have to use your imagination to fill in the blanks. A film that shows everything and leaves nothing for your imagination to do is, well, pornography.

So the great classics get remade because a director comes up with a new "take" on it -- that is they've filled in the blanks in the original with their own ideas and are sufficiently excited about to want to make their own film.

Or else because somebody said, "You know, if we redo King Kong we don't have to hire a screenwriter and we'll rake in the big bucks. Cash money baby."

Either way.

Anyways, I know I would LOVE to make a Godzilla picture. I wouldn't have the marbles to redo King Kong, but Godzilla? Heck yeah.

So I get it.

On more dinosaurs = more entertainment -- REG, you're a weirdo. Tired of dinosaurs my Aunt Fanny. Sheesh.

But of all the problems with Devlin & Emmerich's Godzilla -- the beastie herself wasn't one of them. SHE was great -- it was everything else that sucked.

My wife and I have taken a few oaths with regards to our film-making. One is that we will never open a film with a helicopter shot looking straight down at the surface of the ocean, zooming along, slowly tilting up to reveal some sort of cityscape or island or something.

Another is that if we ever make a Godzilla picture, there will be BIG monsters. Not lots of little monsters. And people will get squished. Lots of people.

 

[Banshee16]

Something that says more about modern-day publishers then it does about Tolkien .

All joking aside, I'd count Troy in as a fantasy-type movie to look out for. Epic in natue, dealing with gods and war - it's a good time to be watching movies.

It has something to say about publishers, as well as readers. Most people are far weaker readers now than they were 30 years ago, I think. As a result, publishers need to change the requirements for the kinds of books they publish. Just take a look at what's being published nowadays. Anything. No matter how bad it is. But now good writers are held to the standards of the bad, because bad writing is apparently easier to read for the common person.

Go figure.

Banshee

 

[Banshee16]

It's not just you - there really hasn't been an effect. The reason is simple: The Academy (that is to say, Hollywood) hates fantasy films. Whether or not the fact that fantasy films are usually unprofitable compared to other types of movies is related to the previous reason or not depends on who you ask.

Fantasy movies just don't draw the respect of other kinds of films - usually contemporary and period pieces. I don't know why, but that's how the "professionals" of Hollywood view them. Personally, I think that's idiotic, but that's just my opinion.

On the second reason, fantasy just doesn't do well, not as much as other types of film. For every big fantasy success, there have been a dozen that failed miserably. Anyone remember a little movie called Dungeons & Dragons? What about Kull? Or Warriors of Virtue? If you do, then you probably wish you didn't. Imagine how the accountants at Hollywood felt.

Let's be fair here. Yes, the Academy hates fantasy films. Yes, many have sucked. But so have many more "traditional" movies. Peter Jackson had potential, a bit budget, and an excellent story.

Mr. Solomon, the fellow who directed the D&D movie. Well, he created a story from scratch, and he had what directing experience, exactly? And what budget? It was a fraction was it not? I think any movie would have a good chance to flop in a similar situation.

The Lord of the Rings movies are exceptional, but make no mistake, they are an exception, and not the beginning of a new trend.

I think the point is that it's causing Hollywood to take another look, realize that there is a huge fanbase for some of these fantasy movies, and that if done right, they can be financially successful. Make a good fantasy, get good results. Make a bad fantasy, get bad results. Make good formulaic romantic comedy, get good results. Make bad formulaic romantic comedy, get good results.

Banshee

 

[Mog Elffoe]

Anyways, I know I would LOVE to make a Godzilla picture. I wouldn't have the marbles to redo King Kong, but Godzilla? Heck yeah.

I'd love to see someone like Shusuke Kaneko do a Godzilla movie if he were given the same kind of budget that Emmerich & Devlin had for the American movie. Have any of you seen his Gamera movies, especially #3, or his single G-flick, Godzilla-Mothra-King Ghidorah-Giant Monsters All-Out Attack? What this guy and his sfx team could accomplish with Hollywood money would just be mind-blowing. After the backlash from the last American version though, I doubt if we'll see another.

 

[Von Ether]

It's not just you - there really hasn't been an effect. The reason is simple: The Academy (that is to say, Hollywood) hates fantasy films. .

I can't find the Internet article, but I read that LOTR was being pushed as an "actor's actor" movie instead of being pushed as an "epic" piece of film making specifically becuase the Academy's "antipathy for fantasy." The author implied that his defintion of fantasy included science fiction.

(personaly i always point to James Cameraon getting is Oscar for Titantic as compared to Aliens as proof enough of that theory)

Yeah, good luck on serious fantasy being a trend.

(and what is it with the "establishment?" a director on lot D or a writer in the Midwest whips up a SF/F story and its snubbed, but if they suddenly come from Britian, especially if their work is more than 100 years old, and then it becomes art.)

 

[Von Ether]

But now good writers are held to the standards of the bad, because bad writing is apparently easier to read for the common person.

I have to disagree with this. If anything a lot of writers are being held to higher standards, especially for a first novel. Publishers are taking less and less chances and sticking more with proven talent that taking a chance on untried people unless the fellow turns in a piece with flawless grammar.

If you know of a publisher who's standards have slacked, point the way, I feel lazy today.