Two-Face versus a Werewolf! Plus trailers for F-13 and WATCHMEN! Plus plus poster!

[thehefner]

And in comics this week, Harvey Dent fights a werewolf.

... huh.

And not for the first time in my years of reading superhero comics, I can't quite decide if this is ridiculous or badass.



So as I understandably missed Spike TV's awards show last night, I subsequently missed out on the WURLD PRU-MEER of not one but two teaser trailers. First, for the new FRIDAY THE 13TH remake/reboot (fast forward through the annoying pretty people at the awards show to the annoying pretty people in the actual movie):

Friday the 13th: Exclusive First Look

Gotta say, the 80's fanboy in me is excited. And while I loathe fast zombies, I think I'm digging fast Jason based on that two-second clip. The speed of Leatherface, the precision of Michael Myers, the ferocity of Jason Voorhees. Jason's a character I've always loved for some reason, way more than any of his actual movies.

While I wince at the knowledge that this film is by the same asshats who remade TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE, one of the most horrible remakes I have ever seen... I, for one, welcome our new Camp Crystal Lake overlords.



Oh, and of far more interest to most of you, the new WATCHMEN trailer:

I still love the music on a purely subversive level. The fast-slow-fast effects scream "style over substance," but all critics who attended a 25-minute screening of footage have universally raved about the film, and how the speed changes actually work beautifully to convey the shifts in speed of actual comic panels, translated to film.

I know the fandom world is aflame with reports that OMG THEY CHANGED THE ENDING WTF but I'm reserving judgment until we hear more. As I understand, those reports come from a small handful of dubious sources at a rough cut screening. And besides, some things are just gonna have to be cut to later be reinserted into the 5-hour long final DVD cut down the line. I recommend a philosophical and patient perspective for the time being.

By the way, is this tagline an actual line in the book? If so, it's awesome. If not, it's cheesy. Yes, that's my geek double-standard and I'm sticking by it.

Comments

[chickenhat.livejournal.com]

I'm 98% sure, without having the comic in front of me, that the tagline is from Rorschach's journal.

Loved the final shot of the trailer, btw, it makes me VERY happy...

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I'd certainly hope so! Just had to make sure.

Yeah, and the way the song dies (winds? like a watch?) down along with him is really powerful. I downloaded the song off itunes when the first trailer came out and I still listen to it often.

[kagome654.livejournal.com]

Eeeeeee! Screw the cynics*, I am so pumped about Watchmen!

*Well no, not really, I know they have been burned before, but still...!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

The three rave reviews I've read from my favorite curmudgeonly geek critics based on the 25-minute screened footage has seriously raised my hopes.

Consider me pumped too.

[tamburlaine.livejournal.com]

Wait a minute. How did they change the ending? The wank has not reached me yet. Not for lack of trying, though -- my computer broke.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I haven't been following totally closely, but I believe it's either they replace the squid with a spaceship type thing that accomplishes the same effect, and/or they don't have the kinda-crucial ending at the New Frontiersman office between the editor and his chubby assistant (I find it hard to believe that Snyder wouldn't include that in at least the final cut of the film).

[tamburlaine.livejournal.com]

Wtf. That vaginal metaphor is essential to the greater meaning of it all. NO SQUID???

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Ha! I never considered it for its vaginal imagery (although I recall it having a more puckered anus-like mouth)! How does that serve the greater meaning? That's what I love about WATCHMEN, there's always more stuff that I notice over the years!

But yeah, I think I heard the squid was gonna be gone months ago. Definitely one of the more controversial choices, as the rest is supposedly 99% faithful.

[tamburlaine.livejournal.com]

I've read it's more like 97-98% faithful. Some of the characterizations are weird -- and if the squid is gone, I've kind of lost hope for the characterization of Ozymandias that Snyder's going for. They cast some 20-something English man-tart to play him... what is that about, Veidt is supposed to be 45. They all are. (But Patrick Wilson casting gets a thumbs up, and Billy Crudup to a lesser extent.)

The vaginal metaphor doesn't really serve a greater meaning; I was kinda being sarcastic. But the method that Veidt chooses to carry out his plan is very specific and what the hale.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that sounds like a more reasonable estimate. ;p

Obviously, I'm wary like anybody should be, but I keep hearing nothing but hugely positive from the people who've seen more than we have. I'm not sure what Snyder's doing, but even with the differences, it might just be awesome.

Ah, yes, sarcasm sometimes doesn't travel well. Also, you should know ahead of time that I am an easy target for snark and sarcasm. You'll see what I mean in a couple days. :)

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yo, by the way, wanna go see LET THE RIGHT ONE IN? I understand it's playing in NYC, but not playing here, so I would be remiss in not seeing it, especially before it gets totally browncoated.

One way or another, we're still getting milkshakes. You know this to be true.

[droidboy010101.livejournal.com]

One person I respect who have seen more than just 25 minutes was raving hardcore about the flick.

I've been pumping that Pumpkins song hard because of these trailers... this version is so wonderful and an inspired choice to taunt us fans.

Wow, March is gonna be hardcore on the geek set (the end of Battlestar Galactica and this...)

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

They get into a screening?! Rock!!!

That music is such a risky choice, flirting with outright sacrilege (a Pumpkins song?! From BATMAN AND FUCKING ROBIN?!), and I think it plays off absolutely beautifully for the subversive take Snyder is (hopefully) going for.

[beanie-platypus.livejournal.com]

I saw that post- my vote was awesome as a one off, stupid as repeated gag.

I so badly want Watchmen not to suck. That's it. If my expectations are low enough, it can't go wrong. But hey, Moore hasn't removed himself from the project yet, has he? That's gotta be better than the "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"

Tho, I gotta say, just the analysis level that the trailer is getting makes me wonder if I'm geeky enough for this film.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I dunno, I think there's potential for HARVEY DENT: WEREWOLF STABBER, an entire series where he goes around stabbing werewolves with his coin.

All word from people who've seen 25 minutes or more of footage all universally rave about WATCHMEN so far. I have not heard a single dissenting word as of yet. Not a one. It's supposedly brilliant and there's reason to believe it's a masterpiece.

I'm still wary. But more hopeful than ever! Look man, I got over "just don't suck" with V FOR VENDETTA. That did not suck, but it wasn't enough. It was good! But for no good reason, it didn't go far enough. WATCHMEN is where it needs to go that far! Know what I mean?

Analysis level? In what sense?

[lairdofdarkness.livejournal.com]

Every time I see something new about the Watchmen film, I go a little more geeky. This will not be as good as the book - I know that but it looks soooooo good and close that it may well be like a cover version of it. A really good cover version mind.
That Pumpkins track is a specially cut version of the song. I have the original (yes I bought the single when it came out!) and if you watch the first trailer, the words sync up with what happens onscreen. Snyder put a lot of thought into that trailer. I admire that.
As for the ending, I would rather they didnt change it but if its done right, then I will judge it on its own merits. As you say the original ending will no doubt be on the "Extreme special edition" - indeed there are reports over the net that the creature is indeed being worked on and will be shown to test audiences before the final descision is made.
Of course its web rumour so treat that with caution.

[spacechild.livejournal.com]

We're all just begging to be burned, but the trailers are SO good.