Comments on: Watchmen Report Shows Rorschach Unmasked http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php A Website About Movies Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:06:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Nate http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-105442 Nate Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:17:03 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-105442 Just finished the book. Not sure about the ending. I don't know how non-aficionados will buy into it. Just finished the book. Not sure about the ending. I don’t know how non-aficionados will buy into it.

]]> By: Nate http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-200005 Nate Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:17:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-200005 Just finished the book. Not sure about the ending. I don't know how non-aficionados will buy into it. Just finished the book. Not sure about the ending. I don’t know how non-aficionados will buy into it.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-105441 Jeff Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:00:10 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-105441 I finished the graphic novel earlier this week. It is an excellent work of fiction. I then watched the teaser trailer and it looks spot on. I do not, however, like the woman they chose to portray Laurie Juspeczyk. I finished the graphic novel earlier this week. It is an excellent work of fiction. I then watched the teaser trailer and it looks spot on. I do not, however, like the woman they chose to portray Laurie Juspeczyk.

]]> By: Kangaroo Be Stoned http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-200004 Kangaroo Be Stoned Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-200004 I finished the graphic novel earlier this week. It is an excellent work of fiction. I then watched the teaser trailer and it looks spot on. I do not, however, like the woman they chose to portray Laurie Juspeczyk. I finished the graphic novel earlier this week. It is an excellent work of fiction. I then watched the teaser trailer and it looks spot on. I do not, however, like the woman they chose to portray Laurie Juspeczyk.

]]> By: Timmy http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-105440 Timmy Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:56:35 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-105440 Film adaptations of literary source material (comic or otherwise) must, by the difference of mediums, change some elements of the original material to suit the big screen - usually for the sake of time (Watchmen, by rights, should probably be a 12-part HBO series), but also, it's easier/cheaper to draw certain things than to film them. Consequently, a "completely faithful adaptation" of a comic series would be a lot to hope for - Rodriguez's SIN CITY was the closest, I think. But when story changes are made that have no bearing on the difference of mediums (changes that seem arbitrary, that smack of the studio demanding something more family-friendly, that can be sold with a McHappy Meal), the entire tone of the piece and point of the story are mutated, and you get a movie like "V for Vendetta." It looks like V, sounds like V, but when the ending comes around, we realize that it's not V - the filmmakers completely took the teeth out of the ending. Kinda like a Hamlet movie in which he doesn't kill anyone and lives happily ever after with Ophelia. Or low-fat sour cream. So, to answer the question, "why do we expect completely faithful adaptations?" I don't expect "completely" faithful, just accurate enough to get the original point across - which brings me to my biggest concern about Watchmen - that they'll neuter the last chapter (no spoilers for those who haven't read it - just go read it), changing the whole point of the story, which would, as per usual, and rightly so, piss off Alan Moore (and fans of the book, like me). Film adaptations of literary source material (comic or otherwise) must, by the difference of mediums, change some elements of the original material to suit the big screen – usually for the sake of time (Watchmen, by rights, should probably be a 12-part HBO series), but also, it’s easier/cheaper to draw certain things than to film them. Consequently, a “completely faithful adaptation” of a comic series would be a lot to hope for – Rodriguez’s SIN CITY was the closest, I think.

But when story changes are made that have no bearing on the difference of mediums (changes that seem arbitrary, that smack of the studio demanding something more family-friendly, that can be sold with a McHappy Meal), the entire tone of the piece and point of the story are mutated, and you get a movie like “V for Vendetta.” It looks like V, sounds like V, but when the ending comes around, we realize that it’s not V – the filmmakers completely took the teeth out of the ending. Kinda like a Hamlet movie in which he doesn’t kill anyone and lives happily ever after with Ophelia. Or low-fat sour cream.

So, to answer the question, “why do we expect completely faithful adaptations?” I don’t expect “completely” faithful, just accurate enough to get the original point across – which brings me to my biggest concern about Watchmen – that they’ll neuter the last chapter (no spoilers for those who haven’t read it – just go read it), changing the whole point of the story, which would, as per usual, and rightly so, piss off Alan Moore (and fans of the book, like me).

]]> By: Timmy http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-200003 Timmy Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:56:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-200003 Film adaptations of literary source material (comic or otherwise) must, by the difference of mediums, change some elements of the original material to suit the big screen - usually for the sake of time (Watchmen, by rights, should probably be a 12-part HBO series), but also, it's easier/cheaper to draw certain things than to film them. Consequently, a "completely faithful adaptation" of a comic series would be a lot to hope for - Rodriguez's SIN CITY was the closest, I think. But when story changes are made that have no bearing on the difference of mediums (changes that seem arbitrary, that smack of the studio demanding something more family-friendly, that can be sold with a McHappy Meal), the entire tone of the piece and point of the story are mutated, and you get a movie like "V for Vendetta." It looks like V, sounds like V, but when the ending comes around, we realize that it's not V - the filmmakers completely took the teeth out of the ending. Kinda like a Hamlet movie in which he doesn't kill anyone and lives happily ever after with Ophelia. Or low-fat sour cream. So, to answer the question, "why do we expect completely faithful adaptations?" I don't expect "completely" faithful, just accurate enough to get the original point across - which brings me to my biggest concern about Watchmen - that they'll neuter the last chapter (no spoilers for those who haven't read it - just go read it), changing the whole point of the story, which would, as per usual, and rightly so, piss off Alan Moore (and fans of the book, like me). Film adaptations of literary source material (comic or otherwise) must, by the difference of mediums, change some elements of the original material to suit the big screen – usually for the sake of time (Watchmen, by rights, should probably be a 12-part HBO series), but also, it’s easier/cheaper to draw certain things than to film them. Consequently, a “completely faithful adaptation” of a comic series would be a lot to hope for – Rodriguez’s SIN CITY was the closest, I think.

But when story changes are made that have no bearing on the difference of mediums (changes that seem arbitrary, that smack of the studio demanding something more family-friendly, that can be sold with a McHappy Meal), the entire tone of the piece and point of the story are mutated, and you get a movie like “V for Vendetta.” It looks like V, sounds like V, but when the ending comes around, we realize that it’s not V – the filmmakers completely took the teeth out of the ending. Kinda like a Hamlet movie in which he doesn’t kill anyone and lives happily ever after with Ophelia. Or low-fat sour cream.

So, to answer the question, “why do we expect completely faithful adaptations?” I don’t expect “completely” faithful, just accurate enough to get the original point across – which brings me to my biggest concern about Watchmen – that they’ll neuter the last chapter (no spoilers for those who haven’t read it – just go read it), changing the whole point of the story, which would, as per usual, and rightly so, piss off Alan Moore (and fans of the book, like me).

]]> By: Cole Abaius http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-105400 Cole Abaius Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:16:47 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-105400 If you're concerned about the production not taking the source material seriously, when I got to talk with the Watchmen folks at Comic-Con, Billy Crudup said that Zack Snyder, "had the graphic novel in his hand more than the script." It leads to a bigger question, though: why do we expect completely faithful adaptations? I've never understood that. I'm not sure it matters if Moore signs off on a project because he's soured to Hollywood already, and Gibbons has been right there at the side of this thing the entire time. How can we be so aware of the limitations of the medium (versus comics) and still bitch and moan when the movie isn't exactly like the comic? or a book? or short story? I guess I've just never been a stickler for that sort of thing, and I've always wondered why it matters so much to some people. If you’re concerned about the production not taking the source material seriously, when I got to talk with the Watchmen folks at Comic-Con, Billy Crudup said that Zack Snyder, “had the graphic novel in his hand more than the script.”

It leads to a bigger question, though: why do we expect completely faithful adaptations? I’ve never understood that. I’m not sure it matters if Moore signs off on a project because he’s soured to Hollywood already, and Gibbons has been right there at the side of this thing the entire time.

How can we be so aware of the limitations of the medium (versus comics) and still bitch and moan when the movie isn’t exactly like the comic? or a book? or short story? I guess I’ve just never been a stickler for that sort of thing, and I’ve always wondered why it matters so much to some people.

]]> By: Cole Abaius http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-200002 Cole Abaius Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:16:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-200002 If you're concerned about the production not taking the source material seriously, when I got to talk with the Watchmen folks at Comic-Con, Billy Crudup said that Zack Snyder, "had the graphic novel in his hand more than the script." It leads to a bigger question, though: why do we expect completely faithful adaptations? I've never understood that. I'm not sure it matters if Moore signs off on a project because he's soured to Hollywood already, and Gibbons has been right there at the side of this thing the entire time. How can we be so aware of the limitations of the medium (versus comics) and still bitch and moan when the movie isn't exactly like the comic? or a book? or short story? I guess I've just never been a stickler for that sort of thing, and I've always wondered why it matters so much to some people. If you’re concerned about the production not taking the source material seriously, when I got to talk with the Watchmen folks at Comic-Con, Billy Crudup said that Zack Snyder, “had the graphic novel in his hand more than the script.”

It leads to a bigger question, though: why do we expect completely faithful adaptations? I’ve never understood that. I’m not sure it matters if Moore signs off on a project because he’s soured to Hollywood already, and Gibbons has been right there at the side of this thing the entire time.

How can we be so aware of the limitations of the medium (versus comics) and still bitch and moan when the movie isn’t exactly like the comic? or a book? or short story? I guess I’ve just never been a stickler for that sort of thing, and I’ve always wondered why it matters so much to some people.

]]> By: ken http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-105388 ken Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:09:29 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-105388 V for vendetta was an entertaining movie no doubt, but id have to agree that it was a terrible representation of moores work: just like E-V-E-R-Y attempted moore adaptation to date( from hell, v, league, and probably watchmen unfortunately). The problem with such films is that many fail to read the material before the film, instead buying the novel on account of the film. Hollywood's track record for adaptations is in very poor shape on account of the manipulation of the material to entertain a more broader audience, e.g. the general public. May i remind you that this isnt the first attempt at watchmen, previous efforts came to the logical conclusion that you simply cant make it into a movie: comics withhold a capability of subject matter that isnt limited like films tend to be for many reasons. Dont get me wrong i loved the novel and will defintely go see the film, but i await it with uneasy anticipation. V for vendetta was an entertaining movie no doubt, but id have to agree that it was a terrible representation of moores work: just like E-V-E-R-Y attempted moore adaptation to date( from hell, v, league, and probably watchmen unfortunately). The problem with such films is that many fail to read the material before the film, instead buying the novel on account of the film. Hollywood’s track record for adaptations is in very poor shape on account of the manipulation of the material to entertain a more broader audience, e.g. the general public. May i remind you that this isnt the first attempt at watchmen, previous efforts came to the logical conclusion that you simply cant make it into a movie: comics withhold a capability of subject matter that isnt limited like films tend to be for many reasons. Dont get me wrong i loved the novel and will defintely go see the film, but i await it with uneasy anticipation.

]]> By: ken http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-200001 ken Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:09:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-200001 V for vendetta was an entertaining movie no doubt, but id have to agree that it was a terrible representation of moores work: just like E-V-E-R-Y attempted moore adaptation to date( from hell, v, league, and probably watchmen unfortunately). The problem with such films is that many fail to read the material before the film, instead buying the novel on account of the film. Hollywood's track record for adaptations is in very poor shape on account of the manipulation of the material to entertain a more broader audience, e.g. the general public. May i remind you that this isnt the first attempt at watchmen, previous efforts came to the logical conclusion that you simply cant make it into a movie: comics withhold a capability of subject matter that isnt limited like films tend to be for many reasons. Dont get me wrong i loved the novel and will defintely go see the film, but i await it with uneasy anticipation. V for vendetta was an entertaining movie no doubt, but id have to agree that it was a terrible representation of moores work: just like E-V-E-R-Y attempted moore adaptation to date( from hell, v, league, and probably watchmen unfortunately). The problem with such films is that many fail to read the material before the film, instead buying the novel on account of the film. Hollywood’s track record for adaptations is in very poor shape on account of the manipulation of the material to entertain a more broader audience, e.g. the general public. May i remind you that this isnt the first attempt at watchmen, previous efforts came to the logical conclusion that you simply cant make it into a movie: comics withhold a capability of subject matter that isnt limited like films tend to be for many reasons. Dont get me wrong i loved the novel and will defintely go see the film, but i await it with uneasy anticipation.

]]> By: BMN http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-105346 BMN Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:59:07 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-105346 I suspect that Simon Pegg was busy with J.J. Abrams Star Trek, but I can't see anyone else playing Rorschach. Jackie Earl Haley just doesn't work for me. Then again, I also thought that Tim Roth was John Constantine, and I haven't been able to forgive Keanu Reeves being cast in that role. I suspect that Simon Pegg was busy with J.J. Abrams Star Trek, but I can’t see anyone else playing Rorschach. Jackie Earl Haley just doesn’t work for me.

Then again, I also thought that Tim Roth was John Constantine, and I haven’t been able to forgive Keanu Reeves being cast in that role.

]]> By: BMN http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-200000 BMN Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:59:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-200000 I suspect that Simon Pegg was busy with J.J. Abrams Star Trek, but I can't see anyone else playing Rorschach. Jackie Earl Haley just doesn't work for me. Then again, I also thought that Tim Roth was John Constantine, and I haven't been able to forgive Keanu Reeves being cast in that role. I suspect that Simon Pegg was busy with J.J. Abrams Star Trek, but I can’t see anyone else playing Rorschach. Jackie Earl Haley just doesn’t work for me.

Then again, I also thought that Tim Roth was John Constantine, and I haven’t been able to forgive Keanu Reeves being cast in that role.

]]> By: ty http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-105335 ty Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:16:51 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-105335 The thing about "successfully creating a Moore comic movie" is from the fact that Moore has hated every film made out of his comics. He dismissed v for vendetta as a complete misinterpretation of his novel. So it's not about whether people have liked movies made from moore's comics before (im sure someone like league of extraordinary gentlemen), it's about whether it lives up to moore's standard of his works. The thing about “successfully creating a Moore comic movie” is from the fact that Moore has hated every film made out of his comics. He dismissed v for vendetta as a complete misinterpretation of his novel. So it’s not about whether people have liked movies made from moore’s comics before (im sure someone like league of extraordinary gentlemen), it’s about whether it lives up to moore’s standard of his works.

]]> By: ty http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-199999 ty Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:16:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-199999 The thing about "successfully creating a Moore comic movie" is from the fact that Moore has hated every film made out of his comics. He dismissed v for vendetta as a complete misinterpretation of his novel. So it's not about whether people have liked movies made from moore's comics before (im sure someone like league of extraordinary gentlemen), it's about whether it lives up to moore's standard of his works. The thing about “successfully creating a Moore comic movie” is from the fact that Moore has hated every film made out of his comics. He dismissed v for vendetta as a complete misinterpretation of his novel. So it’s not about whether people have liked movies made from moore’s comics before (im sure someone like league of extraordinary gentlemen), it’s about whether it lives up to moore’s standard of his works.

]]> By: Nate http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-105330 Nate Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:51:10 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-105330 I'd like to point out a correction. V For Vendetta was in 2006 not 2005. my mistake I’d like to point out a correction. V For Vendetta was in 2006 not 2005. my mistake

]]> By: Nate http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-199998 Nate Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:51:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-199998 I'd like to point out a correction. V For Vendetta was in 2006 not 2005. my mistake I’d like to point out a correction. V For Vendetta was in 2006 not 2005. my mistake

]]> By: Hollywood Hills http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-105326 Hollywood Hills Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:36:46 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-105326 You are correct, sir. "V for Vendetta" was an awesome adaptation for Moore's graphic novel. I also went out and bought the book after watching the trailer. Just finished it this weekend. Great ending. I'll be there opening night. You are correct, sir. “V for Vendetta” was an awesome adaptation for Moore’s graphic novel.

I also went out and bought the book after watching the trailer. Just finished it this weekend. Great ending. I’ll be there opening night.

]]> By: Hollywood Hills http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-199997 Hollywood Hills Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:36:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-199997 You are correct, sir. "V for Vendetta" was an awesome adaptation for Moore's graphic novel. I also went out and bought the book after watching the trailer. Just finished it this weekend. Great ending. I'll be there opening night. You are correct, sir. “V for Vendetta” was an awesome adaptation for Moore’s graphic novel.

I also went out and bought the book after watching the trailer. Just finished it this weekend. Great ending. I’ll be there opening night.

]]> By: Nevernude http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-105307 Nevernude Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:44:59 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-105307 I wil definitely be catching this when its released. I have always said and will continue to maintain that comic books should be like a scriptwriters dream. Sure, there are some tweaks needed here and there to successfully transpire the comic to the screens but you have to admit that its all there; comic book (most of them) are choke full of wonderful and thoughtprovoking themes, characters, heroes/villians/ settings...even right down to the dialogue! Zack Snyder is going the right direction with The Watchmen as he did with 300, film it as close as possible to what the original author visualized and what, no doubt, the fans can themselves see when they read the comics. I agree that adapting not all, but some aspects of a comic to screen and at the same time adding depth and intellgence to it, like with TDK is a road map with success but very few directors are capable of doing what Chris Nolan did. So kudos to Zack Snyder. I, for one, WILL be watching the The Watchmen. If the original ending in the comic is kept, i can see a whole lot of controversy! Bring it on! I wil definitely be catching this when its released. I have always said and will continue to maintain that comic books should be like a scriptwriters dream. Sure, there are some tweaks needed here and there to successfully transpire the comic to the screens but you have to admit that its all there; comic book (most of them) are choke full of wonderful and thoughtprovoking themes, characters, heroes/villians/ settings…even right down to the dialogue!
Zack Snyder is going the right direction with The Watchmen as he did with 300, film it as close as possible to what the original author visualized and what, no doubt, the fans can themselves see when they read the comics. I agree that adapting not all, but some aspects of a comic to screen and at the same time adding depth and intellgence to it, like with TDK is a road map with success but very few directors are capable of doing what Chris Nolan did.
So kudos to Zack Snyder. I, for one, WILL be watching the The Watchmen. If the original ending in the comic is kept, i can see a whole lot of controversy! Bring it on!

]]> By: Nevernude http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/first-look-jackie-earle-haley-as-rorschach-without-the-mask.php/comment-page-1#comment-199996 Nevernude Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:44:00 +0000 http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/?p=11953#comment-199996 I wil definitely be catching this when its released. I have always said and will continue to maintain that comic books should be like a scriptwriters dream. Sure, there are some tweaks needed here and there to successfully transpire the comic to the screens but you have to admit that its all there; comic book (most of them) are choke full of wonderful and thoughtprovoking themes, characters, heroes/villians/ settings...even right down to the dialogue! Zack Snyder is going the right direction with The Watchmen as he did with 300, film it as close as possible to what the original author visualized and what, no doubt, the fans can themselves see when they read the comics. I agree that adapting not all, but some aspects of a comic to screen and at the same time adding depth and intellgence to it, like with TDK is a road map with success but very few directors are capable of doing what Chris Nolan did. So kudos to Zack Snyder. I, for one, WILL be watching the The Watchmen. If the original ending in the comic is kept, i can see a whole lot of controversy! Bring it on! I wil definitely be catching this when its released. I have always said and will continue to maintain that comic books should be like a scriptwriters dream. Sure, there are some tweaks needed here and there to successfully transpire the comic to the screens but you have to admit that its all there; comic book (most of them) are choke full of wonderful and thoughtprovoking themes, characters, heroes/villians/ settings…even right down to the dialogue!
Zack Snyder is going the right direction with The Watchmen as he did with 300, film it as close as possible to what the original author visualized and what, no doubt, the fans can themselves see when they read the comics. I agree that adapting not all, but some aspects of a comic to screen and at the same time adding depth and intellgence to it, like with TDK is a road map with success but very few directors are capable of doing what Chris Nolan did.
So kudos to Zack Snyder. I, for one, WILL be watching the The Watchmen. If the original ending in the comic is kept, i can see a whole lot of controversy! Bring it on!

]]>