Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: My introduction to WATCHMEN

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Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 03-01-2009, 04:07 PM:

For reason I cannot understand, I have never heard or read about the WATCHMEN comic books until I began reading and seeing trailers for the new film opening next Friday. Warner Brothers Home Video is releasing a very comprehensive collection of the WATCHMEN strips in a DVD and Blu-Ray release titled WATCHMEN The Motion Comics on Tuesday, I understand it is a little over five hours long and I am planing to get the BD version. It will come with a computer code to print a $7.50 theatre coupon for the movie version. It will come in handy because I am planning to see it in IMAX. From the trailers I have seen, the movie appears to to have a very dark theme. Yes, I agree when someone said the movie was going to be big when it opens.

-Claude

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 03-01-2009, 07:58 PM:

I had never heard of THE WATCHMAN either until I saw a trailer for it a week ago or so. After seeing the trailer, I hope to never hear about it again, ever.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 03-01-2009, 08:27 PM:

I'm a little curious to see what Silk Spectre looks like naked. Yeah. There is nudity in this movie. Not NYPD Blue-Dennis Franz' ass nudity either. Tits will be on display.

Of course, I'd be pissed beyond all belief if I was just 13 and hyped up to see the movie. The show is Rated R. Off limits to kids under 17 just to make them scream and cry.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 03-02-2009, 12:23 AM:

Makes you wonder if Warner is trying to revamp "the MATRIX" with this movie .. into another cult classic type...

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 03-02-2009, 09:39 AM:

quote: Bobby Henderson
Tits will be on display.

That's cool, of course, but I think it's too bad "Watchmen" is rated R. I would probably feel the opposite if I was a fan, but from a business point of view, it will be a gigantic pain in the butt, and the rating may hurt business in smaller towns.

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 03-02-2009, 10:34 AM:

I guess adults need super cool big budget blockbuster movies too.

Posted by Mike Schindler (Member # 1309) on 03-02-2009, 12:06 PM:

Claude, I've been re-reading the comic book, and the further I get into it, one thing that becomes abundantly clear is that this story was designed to take full advantage of what the comic book medium has to offer.

One of the things which makes the comic so good is that each
chapter ends with pages of supplemental material, like excerpts from fake books, etc., which are used to create a fully-realized world that the main story takes place in.

Additionally, the individual panels have been laid out on the page in a very specific manner in order to create certain juxtapositions which are lost when turned into a movie.

These reasons, among others, are why the book's writer, Alan Moore, has disowned this project as well as the movie.

This thing might be entertaining, and I'm personally looking forward to the movie quite a bit. But this is one of those rare instances where the comic book is not simply a movie that doesn't move. And if you really want to see what all of the fuss is about, I highly highly highly recommend reading the book first.

Besides, it'll only take you a little longer to read the book than it would to watch series, and it's way cheaper than the Blu-ray set, so you can put that money towards seeing the movie.

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 03-02-2009, 01:43 PM:

Mike,

Comic book was a big deal when I was growing up and I had a fantastic collection at one time but my mother made me git rid of them when I was in high school [Frown]

Just think how much some of them would be worth today because they go back to about 1948 when I first started my collection. Some of them were early SUPERMAN, BATMAN, THE SPIRIT among many others but my favorite of them all was "Classics Illustrated. I once did a book report during my high school freshman year of Alexander Dumas THE THREE MUSKETEERS from the comic book and got away with it [Smile]

Where can one get hold of Watchmen comic books if they are still available? The video probably will be the best bet because it will come with a printable $7.50 computer movie coupon to see the film. I am pretty sure it will cost at least $10.00 to to see WATCHMEN in IMAX so seeing it on video might be the best way to get introduced to WATCHMEN. I am thinking about getting the Blu Ray but the DVD will be about $7.50 cheaper so I might settle with that format. People like you who have read the comic books and enjoyed it are very excited about the movie. I have seen the trailer many time and it does look very promising.

-Claude

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 03-02-2009, 01:51 PM:

quote: Bobby Henderson
Of course, I'd be pissed beyond all belief if I was just 13 and hyped up to see the movie.

There won't be too many 13 year olds in line to see this one. The graphic novel is over 20 years old and it is a very hard R. This movie is also a very hard R. There is both male and female full frontal nudity, from what I understand. There is also lots and lots of blood. I can't of course speak for all comic shops, but many of them do regulate what they sell to children. Compare the expected crowd to be what came for Sin City. Not many kids for that one...

Posted by Galen Murphy-Fahlgren (Member # 4535) on 03-02-2009, 02:07 PM:

I am not familiar with the "graphic novel" (I don't read comic books), and I had never heard of it at all until I got a bunch of trailers a couple months ago. I hadn't even seen the trailer until a few weeks ago, but now I am insanely psyched for this movie. I didn't see 300, so I'm not familiar with the director either, but I've seen the teaser trailer at least 30 times, and I get more pumped each time. If I don't book a print, I will be busting my butt to get out early enough on Thursday to catch the midnight at my old theater. I guess I am a sucker for superhero movies, second only to spy movies, and the trailers that I've seen suggest that this is a good 'un.

Posted by Mike Schindler (Member # 1309) on 03-02-2009, 02:24 PM:

Claude, if you go into any book store in the country right now, you will be bombarded with WATCHMEN merchandise as you walk in the door. The paperback collection of the entire series (12 issues) is listed at $20, but you can get it on Amazon for $11. So even without the $7.50 coupon, you're still coming out on top.

quote: Claude S. Ayakawa
People like you who have read the comic books and enjoyed it are very excited about the movie.

I think "excited" is overstating it a bit. I can't wait to see it, and I hope it's as good as it looks, but I'm scared that it will be terrible. "Cautiously optimistic" is the term I would use.

Posted by Julio Roberto (Member # 4976) on 03-02-2009, 02:40 PM:

But I found the motion graphic novel a work of art on itself, definetly worth having it in DVD or Blu-ray.

A new art form, even.

A comic read to you and "set in motion" at the same time. Mesmerazing.

I haven't been into comics since I was 12.

But in the late 80's a friend of mine, who is a professional book translator (literature) told me about the graphics novel. He told me it was more than a comic, a true 20th century work of art. During a trip to England to a stereoscopy convention, I saw it in a store and bought it. I still have it somewhere. I read it the next couple of days in trains and flights. Found it truly interesting and worth it.

Recently I saw the motion comic, which made me remember the comic over 20 years ago.

I don't recall so much "nudity" etc, but it is not your normal superhero comics for the kids.

Anyway. If you can only read one comic book from the 20th century, this would probably be one of the ones to consider. But not everbody's cup of tea.

From wikipedia:

quote:
Watchmen has received critical acclaim both in the comics and mainstream press, and is regarded as a seminal text of the comic book medium.

quote:
Watchmen was the only graphic novel to appear on Time's 2005 list of "the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to the present".

We have to remember, though, that a comic is a comic, not a movie or a DVD, so it may lose some in the translation [Wink]

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 03-02-2009, 03:55 PM:

I have been reading comments about the WATCHMEN in Motion Comic Book on DVD and Blu Ray and the only negative comment about is was a man reading both male and female lines in the strip. They should have had a man read the male parts and a female reader read all the women parts. Anyway, I am still planning to pick up the video disc because I have heard it was good except the way it was interpreted by only a male voice. I am undecided between the two video disc formats because I am not sure paying extra for the BD would make any great difference.

-Claude

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 03-02-2009, 10:11 PM:

There is no way that this movie could of been made as anything other then Rated R. Like I said in another thread this will be huge. I will post my comprehensive review tomorrow night after I watch it. I've read the graphic novel so I will be able to compare and give insight if its helpful to the other fans.

Posted by Mike Schindler (Member # 1309) on 03-02-2009, 10:54 PM:

Claude, if you go to iTunes, they have little 30 second long clips of the motion comic that you can preview. I suggest taking a look at those before you make your purchase. This thing is nothing more than a flash animated version of the comic. It's really goofy looking. Personally, I think you'd be way better off just reading the book.

Either way, let us know what you think about the series.

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 03-03-2009, 10:49 AM:

quote: Kurt Zupin
Like I said in another thread this will be huge.

If you are referring to attendance, I'm a bit skeptical. I think it will be huge for the fans and those excited about it, but I think the target audience is severely limited. You're realistically looking at men from the ages of 18-45. And that may be generous. Girls, with few exceptions, don't care about this one. There is no star power to bring in curious moviegoers that want to hold their own around the water cooler. The content keeps responsible parents from buying a ticket for their kids. There is little to no urban appeal. There is no name recognition from a previous TV series or other movie. The length is a turn off for many.

I've had a standee and banner up in my lobby for weeks, but casual conversation has told me almost every regular I have, male and female, over the age of about 40 don't seem to care.

In other words, I think the people that want to see it really, really want to see it, but that's where it stops. I think our current rise in business nationwide will make it very busy for one weekend, but then I think it dies fast and hard. Advanced sales for midnight shows nationwide indicate there is not enough buzz to ensure people get their tickets early.

All that being said, I can't wait to see it. I'm stoked. I'm just not adding extra staff.

Posted by Todd McCracken (Member # 4718) on 03-03-2009, 03:49 PM:

I foresee a Blade Runner like situation. Upon initial release this may not be the hit that may be hoped for, but in time it will gain a mega cult following.
I could be very wrong, but its just a gut feeling I have.

Claude,
Ive watched chapters 1=10 (out of 12) of this and I must say very worth your time, especially if you love comic books. A very interesting and unique presentation for sure. Though its paced too slow for the younger set.

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 03-03-2009, 04:50 PM:

Todd, I just picked up WATCHMEN the Motion Comic on Blu Ray, about two hours ago from Best Buy and will watch as much as I can tonight after I watch AUSTRALIA, the other BD I picked up today. Until I saw the theatrical film trailer, I knew nothing about WATCHMEN but when I learned about Warner Brothers intention of promoting the release of the film with a motion comic on DVD and BD, I knew I had to get it because I feel it will be a good introduction to the film version. , I cannot wait until this weekend when I will have the opportunity to see the movie in digital IMAX - my first in that format at the Dole Cannery 18. This time, the BD came with a coupon I can take to the theatre instead of a paper with a computer code to print that darn thing. I honestly feel the movie will do very well. I have read comments from people who had seen the movie at advance screenings and they were all positive.

-Claude

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 03-04-2009, 09:49 PM:

I watched it last night and I will try to post my review of it tonight before I go to bed.

In response to Chad, after viewing it and taking it in I will have to change my stance to. This will be huge opening weekend and drop from there. I don't think it will be in the top 5 of the year in grosses and probably in the 7-10 range for the year. I loved it and thought it was very well done, but it will not keep the average off the street movie goers attention.

On the midnight end though, at our location we are 800+ already. One thing I will say is do not underestimate the college kids male and female on this one. People here are talking about it everytime they come in and see the banners up or the poster up in the hall.

I just don't think this will hold with the average moviegoer.

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 03-04-2009, 11:29 PM:

Kurt - I'm glad your midnight show is rockin. Your town is a little bigger than mine, but we did see an increase in sales today. It won't, unfortunately, be a Dark Knight or Twilight.

I asked a group of 35 high school seniors today if any of them planned on coming and seeing Watchmen. Not just the midnight show, but anytime. One guy half raised his hand and said he was kind of interested. This one just really does not call to the younger people.

I hope the college kids come in bunches, but they've lowered the predicted opening weekend gross to between $40 and $50 mil, depending on the source. If it does indeed drop hard and fast, the total gross may not eclipse $100 mil. I think it will, but maybe not by much.

I plan on watching it tomorrow as soon as I can get it put together. I'm excited.

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 03-05-2009, 12:17 AM:

Saw the film on Tuesday night and although I loved it I have to agree, this isn't for the masses. Some people at our rehearsal loved it and others really didn't like it, think this split opinion will be mirrored in the general public. A lot of people just aren't going to get it or won't be mature enough to get past certain aspects of the film. Can see this being a hit in IMAX and on DVD for years to come but it isn't going to do big business elsewhere.

I'm going to the IMAX tonight to see the first midnight screening. Very limited availability at the BFI for the first week, even some 4:30am shows scheduled like there were for Dark Knight.

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 03-16-2009, 10:40 AM:

Man I knew this was going to drop fast but a 65%+ drop from weekend 1 to weekend 2? Ouch... I just hope it makes $100 mil.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 03-16-2009, 01:41 PM:

..kinda of a no-brainer being "R" rated for starters and it has the same basic tired warhorse story of someone trying to knock off the bad guy who wants to do the ultimate thing.

Nothing really original about this movie.

Sorry, it tried to do a "Matrix" but fell short of the mark.

If they plan on doing a sequel since the ending was left open, they're gonna have to come up with a more original story and plot line to recover this series.

-Monte

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 03-16-2009, 05:25 PM:

Monte, you do realize this story is over 20 years old? Also came before the Matrix?

Also I wouldnt say that the baddie wasn't trying to do what everyone else trys to do, the baddie was trying to bring about world peace, not world war 3. hmmm

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 03-18-2009, 05:16 PM:

quote: Monte L Fullmer
it has the same basic tired warhorse story of someone trying to knock off the bad guy who wants to do the ultimate thing.

Perhaps you should watch it again. There was no bad guys, just guys with different opinions on how to achieve the same goal. Unless you consider the governments the bad guys, but then, that's kind of obvious.