First I'll clarify that it was just a joke, as if that would've been insignificant. But I didn't mean to put that occupation down. My point was more to say that I didn't realize he wasn't just someone working on the film where his influence might be indiscernible, but, instead, he created the fucking thing.
I'm planning on going at 10am tomorrow. I'm hoping the weather is crappy so I can walk there feeling all post-apocalyptic-y. Not shaving tonight and I'm going to to go buy a candy bar before walking and I'll protect it like its an important book that can not be eaten until in the theather
So Gary, I gotta ask. And I'm sorry if this has been asked before...
I know you were with PC Gamer and I know a bit about your past.... how does a journalist get his movie idea pitched to Universal Pictures? I mean... what kind of strings had to get pulled to even have an exec look at your piece? And congradufuckinglations on the accomplishment. My wife and I will be seeing it this weekend and we're both amped.
So Gary, I gotta ask. And I'm sorry if this has been asked before...
I know you were with PC Gamer and I know a bit about your past.... how does a journalist get his movie idea pitched to Universal Pictures? I mean... what kind of strings had to get pulled to even have an exec look at your piece? And congradufuckinglations on the accomplishment. My wife and I will be seeing it this weekend and we're both amped.
Yep, same here. And, really, it's gonna come down to how auto-defensive you are and whether you can weigh things clearly instead of looking for agendas and messages. People who constantly look into all of the dark and usually non-existent corners in films usually miss the ultimate point of the films they're watching...ruining their own chance to enjoy it for what it is. Basically, just surrender to a film (since you did just throw down your own money to see it) and see where it takes you.
Your signing stuff!?! I know their having those contest for the movie merch (that I signed up for and fully expect to not win) but is there a way to buy any of those things so that I can get you to sign something? (I wait that hoody the most!)
First I'll clarify that it was just a joke, as if that would've been insignificant. But I didn't mean to put that occupation down. My point was more to say that I didn't realize he wasn't just someone working on the film where his influence might be indiscernible, but, instead, he created the fucking thing.
First I'll clarify that it was just a joke, as if that would've been insignificant. But I didn't mean to put that occupation down. My point was more to say that I didn't realize he wasn't just someone working on the film where his influence might be indiscernible, but, instead, he created the fucking thing.
I have no problems with movies that use or are based on christian mythology as long as they're not trying to convince us with moronic arguments/allegories/lessons.
For example I had a problem with Bruce Almighty even though the movie was a comedy and shouldn't be taken seriously because its arguments were mind-numbingly stupid. So as long as it's doesn't have messages like morality = religion or something like that I'll probably have no problem with it.
Technically they aren't rating anything. It just calculates the percentage of critics that felt it was worth watching. You can't think of it like you do normal rating systems. ~50% is actually a pretty good Tomatometer score.
I missed a few of their podcasts, including this one, so thanks! Anybody interested in hearing how Whitta went from games to movies should give it a listen; it starts right at the beginning: http://podcast.the1upnetwork.com/flat/1UPYours/4G1U120409.mp3
I really want to see it but I'm broke and donated my leisure money in support of Haiti. Probably won't be able to catch it until DVD but I'd still like to congratulate Gary for making it this far. Awesome work
Ooh that reminds me, I gotta find a good "haters gonna hate" GIF, I'm sure it will come in handy over the coming days. Should I go with the fat kid or the water-skipping eagle?
Doing for Christianity what Battlefield Earth did for Scientology, The Book Of Eli is an ill-conceived, preachy leaden dud that's painfully pretentious and deserves to limp off the cinema screens in a mercifully swift time. Avoid.
I saw this posted while I was at dinner and have been waiting to get home to comment on it.
It is truly a shame that at this point one can no longer speak positively about any aspect of Christianity, no matter how objectively, without being berated and derided. Moreover, it is pitiful that a reviewer from a source that should have no dog in the fight (a non-theistic publication) was incapable of seeing the movie on its own merits, rather than using it as a glorified soapbox for his or her own agenda.
With that said, one of the things I found most impressive about the Book of Eli was the way it managed to use a religious text as such an important part of the narrative without ever becoming even remotely preachy. Clearly Gary accomplished this by presenting both the positive and negative influence that Christianity (or religion in general) can have on people. Unless I missed it, Jesus was never even mentioned and the "religion" as learned by Eli basically was only as preachy as "do more for others than you do for yourself."
In the end,
the Bible Eli carried with him through the movie wasn't even of overwhelming importance to the people he delivered it to. It was but one of many important works of our culture that they were happy to be able to preserve. It was not made out to be the salvation for our world. His mission therefore wasn't hugely important to everyone, but it was vitally important to Eli.
You have nothing to worry about in this regard. I didn't see the twist coming, but the movie doesn't rely on it. Had it not been there the message would have been the same. The movie doesn't rely on it.
Costanza said:
Oh man this movie totally lived up to my expectations. Sooo good.
That Eli could smell the hijackers, early in the movie.
That his hearing was so good that he could hear the bird, turn, and hit it.
Eli could hear Solara being attacked, which we were shown, though we as an audience couldn't hear her.
The way he read the Bible, with his hand on the page.
Eli explains that he "walks by faith, not by sight." Quite literally so, as it turns out.
No worries Gary, I'm heading to see it this weekend because unlike the mainstream, no one tells me what to like or dislike based on their interpretation of a movie.
I'm not sure at this point whether I liked it or not. I may have to see it again when it comes out on DVD or something. I think I did. What I will say is that I was definitely entertained and that although the premise can easily be deconstructed into several easily recognizable pop culture settings and concepts, it came together in a unique way. The twist was also incredibly well orchestrated, and most of the movie was very well written, although I can point out several areas where either time constraints or bad directing/producing ruined the momentum and the believability of the setting.
For anyone who's wondering, the closest possible comparison in terms of this movie's story and themes would probably be Stephen King's The Stand. If the pulp-fiction-esque aspects of that book (or mini-series, if you watched that shit) or the more spiritual/religious aspects bothered you at all, you won't really like this movie. The ending of Eli was dragged out quite a bit, and Malcolm McDowell
should never, ever agree to let someone make his hair look like that again.
Also, Mila Kunis looks really great. Just saying.
Hopefully the rest of your screenplays are as good or better as this one Whitta, because I already intended to watch the movies you've been tapped for before I knew you were the writer :lol (If they do end up coming out eventually, that is.)
I think some people are forgetting RT isn't metacritic. 50% means half the people liked it and half the people didn't, not that the average is "meh" (or in video game terms worst game ever).
this is a rental to me, sorry Gary. If it makes you feel better the only films I saw last year in theaters were District 9 and Avatar. Not much of a theater guy. Looking forward to the BluRay with Neo Gaf commentary track. :lol
Dragged my wife to see it for you, Gary. We both enjoyed it in the end. It's corny and a little crazy, but nicely put together, and... very different in tone than what I've come to expect from post-apocalyptic films.
Didn't guess it, btw. Expected it to be in the iPod, had no idea about the other surprise. Well done, not easy to trick me, and fairly played too if you allow a little divine intervention.
So yeah I just got back from seeing the matinee. A few thoughts:
-The list of awesome niche roles for Michael Gambon is growing, including his role in this film. I didn't even notice it was him at first.
-May be the only time I'll say this, but I think that the praise going towards Gary Oldman is overrated. He hams it up in this film, and it was very good... but I heard some massive praise for him and I don't see it.
-Mila Kunis was great in this film. She's doing a pretty damn good job of separating herself from That 70s Show, something nobody else from there has been able to do at all.
-Loved to see some Cheddar Bob and Titus Pullo in there, too.
-I don't get the skepticism and heavy-handedness in regards to religion that all these reviews are talking about. I think anyone trying to say that this film is a commentary on the benefits or ills of religion are out of their minds. You can definitely shoehorn the movie into being about religion, but you're totally missing the point if you do so. Going into it I was worried that this film was going to pretty much revolve around religion and it really doesn't. Religion is pretty well set on the backburner and is only used in order to develop characters. I can't imagine any atheist or theist seeing this film and thinking that Gary Whitta wrote it to speak to them... it's an action flick... kinda.
-This was an interesting play of a film on different movie styles. There was definitely some touches of film noir in there, and your standard action fare, but I think more than anything it's kind of a fresh take on the western.
-The first fight scene done all in silhouette in the tunnel was awesome. Very Tarantino-esque.
-First thought when I saw the trucks: "It only takes an apocalypse to get everyone into American vehicles again."
So yeah... just a few thoughts on the film. Good job, Gary. I can definitely see why people think this is going to end up being a 'cult classic,' because it will be a decisive film.
(Sidenote: saw one couple get up and walk out when the twist was revealed. I just laughed. They could handle everything else
(cat hunting, rape, cannibalism)
but that twist is what ruined it for them? Come on! :lol)
Going to see it in 1 and a half hours for the Whitta. But who am I kidding? I'd have seen it anyway. Still is pretty cool that you were so involved in all this Gary Looking forward to seeing it! 50% on RT is pretty damn good if any of the movies I've enjoyed are any indication.
So yeah I just got back from seeing the matinee. A few thoughts:
-The list of awesome niche roles for Michael Gambon is growing, including his role in this film. I didn't even notice it was him at first.
-May be the only time I'll say this, but I think that the praise going towards Gary Oldman is overrated. He hams it up in this film, and it was very good... but I heard some massive praise for him and I don't see it.
-Mila Kunis was great in this film. She's doing a pretty damn good job of separating herself from That 70s Show, something nobody else from there has been able to do at all.
-Loved to see some Cheddar Bob and Titus Pullo in there, too.
-I don't get the skepticism and heavy-handedness in regards to religion that all these reviews are talking about. I think anyone trying to say that this film is a commentary on the benefits or ills of religion are out of their minds. You can definitely shoehorn the movie into being about religion, but you're totally missing the point if you do so. Going into it I was worried that this film was going to pretty much revolve around religion and it really doesn't. Religion is pretty well set on the backburner and is only used in order to develop characters. I can't imagine any atheist or theist seeing this film and thinking that Gary Whitta wrote it to speak to them... it's an action flick... kinda.
-This was an interesting play of a film on different movie styles. There was definitely some touches of film noir in there, and your standard action fare, but I think more than anything it's kind of a fresh take on the western.
-The first fight scene done all in silhouette in the tunnel was awesome. Very Tarantino-esque.
-First thought when I saw the trucks: "It only takes an apocalypse to get everyone into American vehicles again."
So yeah... just a few thoughts on the film. Good job, Gary. I can definitely see why people think this is going to end up being a 'cult classic,' because it will be a decisive film.
(Sidenote: saw one couple get up and walk out when the twist was revealed. I just laughed. They could handle everything else
(cat hunting, rape, cannibalism)
but that twist is what ruined it for them? Come on! :lol)
Looking forward to seeing it! 50% on RT is pretty damn good if any of the movies I've enjoyed are any indication.
