In this edition of the Elitist Bastards Go To The Movies podcast, MountainX.com film critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther discuss current releases Jack and Jill, J. Edgar, Immortals and The Skin I Live In. Podcast hosted and cohered by Steve Shanafelt. Theme music is “1832” by E. Lee.
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I agree with your assessment of Immortals, Justin, but I think I had a bit more fun with it that you did – probably because my expectations were low and I wasn’t expecting much else other than eye candy. The dialog and acting simply wasn’t fun enough, and the addition of Stephen Dorff’s character was a weak attempt to add some wisecracking to an otherwise dry script. Just for the sake of imaginative art direction, though, Tarsem Singh is still on my list of people to be excited about, and I can’t help hoping that he’ll find the right writers to partner with in the future that can join a bit more fun, humanity, and depth to his artistic visions.
If you don’t mind speculating on hypotheticals a bit, I’m curious what writers you think might make a good match for Singh, to give his visual flair something to stand on?
I’m of the opinion that if a director’s worth his (or her) salt, they should be able to make something enjoyable out of whatever, never mind the script.
That being said, I’m not sure who he should be working with. I suppose whoever wrote The Fall would be a good start.
You were kinder to IMMORTALS than I have been, Justin. It was bad in so many ways, I even expected them to put in a Queen song during the little pre-battle pep rally. And I won’t even get into the fact that barb wire wasn’t invented until the 1800’s, the “Gods” were too young and the “Titans” were shrimps. And they used a butt double! I did like the God’s crowns though.
I’m still trying to figure out who dropped off the 19th Century French sculpture that was at the end of the movie.
It was bad in so many ways, I even expected them to put in a Queen song during the little pre-battle pep rally.
Depends on the Queen song, though I suspect I know which one you mean.
I’m In Love With My Car?
I’m In Love With My Car?
The machine of a dream,
Such a clean machine,
With the pistons a-pumpin’
And the hubcaps all gleam.
It verily screams sword-and-sandals.
I’m of the opinion that if a director’s worth his (or her) salt, they should be able to make something enjoyable out of whatever, never mind the script.
Looking forward to the new TWILIGHT movie then, I take it, Justin?
I will say that Condon did make far and away the best looking and most interesting film of the series. Not that the bar was exactly high.