Is this Andrew Belonsky some kind of automated post creator that just pulls words from articles and transforms them into new facts? Is calling "The Final Destination" "The Final Countdown" meant to be a joke? I'm so confused. Did all of Gawker's editors decide not to return from their wonderful, long weekends?
I think you mean "The Final Destination," "The Final Countdown" was a Martin Sheen movie released in the 80's about an aircraft carrier traveling back in time for Pearl Harbor.Yes. It is as awesome as it sounds.
@bens: Or perhaps the they mean the late 80s song by Europe? I imagine it still pulls some royalties down, especially in these days of tacky 80s nostalgia.
Great piece, STV. I am actually wondering just how successful this will be on opening weekend. I mean, I am certain that opening day is going to be Geek Judgement Day. No question.
But, have that many people actually read the book? I mean EVERYBODY who Batman, Spirderman, Ironman, and the X-Men are, even if they've never touched a comic book in their lives. But does the public at large know who the Watchmen even are?
I'm totally stoked to see this, and I have no idea who these guys are, so maybe I've just proved myself wrong...
@JudgeFudge: Somewhere, maybe on io9, a teacher was saying that all of his students were really excited to see it, although he was the only person in the room that had ever read it.
I'm not sure what exactly it is that has them hooked though. What makes you stoked to see it when you haven't read it?
Wait, *this* is the first "post-adolescent" comic book adaptation? What the hell does that even mean? Hell, they go even further than that - it's not only the first execution of a post-adolescent comic book film, it's the first attempt at one.
Have these guys ever seen any other comic book adaptations in, well, ever?
They only need to go back a couple years for films like The Dark Knight, Batman Begins, Sin City and 300. And don't tell me any of those films were "adolescent" just because they feature a lot of fighting and violence that appeals to prurient interests. So does Watchmen.
I'd actually argue that the 1970's Superman movie was the first post-adolescent comic book movie, as it was more of an adult love story than anything else. And that was 30 years ago. It doesn't take a cinema buff (or movie critic) to figure this stuff out.
This was a great piece, STV, and sadly we won't be seeing this type of Hollywood analysis on this site next week. God, I'm so very bitter. That said...
This year I was only excited about the Oscars show--I was dreaming about musical medleys, hot pants, and glitter. In the end I got that and more. The movies didn't get me hot and bothered this year. I loved Milk, but I didn't think it would win as many awards as it did, which was a pleasant surprise. At the same time, Benjamin Button won a few categories that I thought the Dark Knight deserved. I don't think we should reward bloated Studio Oscar bait like Benjamin Button, and I'm perfectly fine with indies taking the awards if they're good. What I think resonates most is a good show, and this year was one of the best I can remember.
I am going to miss your intelligent and informative posts, Mr. VanAirsdale. Looks like you have managed to dumbfound the Gawker commenters!
BTW, I just found this -
"And here's something else: on Sunday, in the late afternoon, Snark died. The website defamer.com, which prided itself on miserable comments about Hollywood, went out of business. It was merged into its mothership, Gawker.com, a site that that has long presented itself as the web version of the long defunct Spy magazine.
One of my favorite writers, David Denby, of the New Yorker, recently wrote a whole book on the subject of Snark. What's interesting is that snarkiness is not going to go over in the era of Obama, or in this economy. That's why Defamer is gone. I predict that other Hollywood-bashing sites - all of which pounced incorrectly all over the Academy Awards how last night because they weren't invited-will be gone soon. The absolute worst is one run by former New York Times writer Sharon Waxman. As usual, Waxman just doesn't get it. Go ahead, bite the hand that feeds you, Sharon. Soon you'll be out of another job."
@SunnydaZe10: I don't see Defamer as ever having "bashed" Hollywood, or been on the outside looking in. They've just pointed out its foibles and ugliness in a humorous way, while always championing what they liked.
The reason Defamer was great for so long was that it had an editorial vision with Mark Lisanti. It's come back strong recently with the writing of STV, Kyle Buchanan, and Seth.
09/09/09
Please proofread.
09/09/09
09/09/09
09/09/09
Also, the movie? Awesome.
02/26/09
But, have that many people actually read the book? I mean EVERYBODY who Batman, Spirderman, Ironman, and the X-Men are, even if they've never touched a comic book in their lives. But does the public at large know who the Watchmen even are?
I'm totally stoked to see this, and I have no idea who these guys are, so maybe I've just proved myself wrong...
02/26/09
I'm not sure what exactly it is that has them hooked though. What makes you stoked to see it when you haven't read it?
02/26/09
As the link points out, though, it's not just this film he's against...
02/26/09
Have these guys ever seen any other comic book adaptations in, well, ever?
They only need to go back a couple years for films like The Dark Knight, Batman Begins, Sin City and 300. And don't tell me any of those films were "adolescent" just because they feature a lot of fighting and violence that appeals to prurient interests. So does Watchmen.
I'd actually argue that the 1970's Superman movie was the first post-adolescent comic book movie, as it was more of an adult love story than anything else. And that was 30 years ago. It doesn't take a cinema buff (or movie critic) to figure this stuff out.
02/26/09
(Which also explains why it is probably my least favorite comic book movie.)
02/26/09
It is going to be awesome. And Alan Moore hates everything but the obscure snake goddess he worships.
02/25/09
02/25/09
02/25/09
This year I was only excited about the Oscars show--I was dreaming about musical medleys, hot pants, and glitter. In the end I got that and more. The movies didn't get me hot and bothered this year. I loved Milk, but I didn't think it would win as many awards as it did, which was a pleasant surprise. At the same time, Benjamin Button won a few categories that I thought the Dark Knight deserved. I don't think we should reward bloated Studio Oscar bait like Benjamin Button, and I'm perfectly fine with indies taking the awards if they're good. What I think resonates most is a good show, and this year was one of the best I can remember.
02/24/09
BTW, I just found this -
"And here's something else: on Sunday, in the late afternoon, Snark died. The website defamer.com, which prided itself on miserable comments about Hollywood, went out of business. It was merged into its mothership, Gawker.com, a site that that has long presented itself as the web version of the long defunct Spy magazine.
One of my favorite writers, David Denby, of the New Yorker, recently wrote a whole book on the subject of Snark. What's interesting is that snarkiness is not going to go over in the era of Obama, or in this economy. That's why Defamer is gone. I predict that other Hollywood-bashing sites - all of which pounced incorrectly all over the Academy Awards how last night because they weren't invited-will be gone soon. The absolute worst is one run by former New York Times writer Sharon Waxman. As usual, Waxman just doesn't get it. Go ahead, bite the hand that feeds you, Sharon. Soon you'll be out of another job."
02/24/09
02/24/09
STV, in honor of you, I'm gonna watch Funny Games, and I'm gonna fucking hate it.
02/25/09
The reason Defamer was great for so long was that it had an editorial vision with Mark Lisanti. It's come back strong recently with the writing of STV, Kyle Buchanan, and Seth.
02/26/09
I hope you are proud of yourself.