criterionforum.org

rs98762001 wrote:From the little I know about Nolan's ambitions, he has no interest whatsoever in going back to films on the scale of Memento. He's very much about making massive films in the studio system. And I'm all for it. While I agree The Dark Knight was a bit of a bore on repeated viewings, he's still one of the only reliable filmmakers working with big budgets and stars who consistently provides somewhat thoughtful entertainment. Memento was completely overrated anyway, for what was basically a nice little gimmick film. The Prestige was far better.

I completely agree. Chris is certainly hitting something even the greatest action directors never get entirely, and that is devoting as much to the internal tension and characterization as much as the external carnage and slick visuals. And making both sides of that dichotomy equally interesting. Even though it went over my head the first time I saw it, I'm sure if I go back to it I can appreciate how it led to the kinds of things he was able to do with the Batman movies, especially The Dark Knight.

flyonthewall2983 wrote: I completely agree. Chris is certainly hitting something even the greatest action directors never get entirely, and that is devoting as much to the internal tension and characterization as much as the external carnage and slick visuals. And making both sides of that dichotomy equally interesting. Even though it went over my head the first time I saw it, I'm sure if I go back to it I can appreciate how it led to the kinds of things he was able to do with the Batman movies, especially The Dark Knight.

I guess that as a person who sees a movie such as Herzog's "Aguirre" as a great action film I will just never understand this bountiful bevy of praise directed at such a hodge podge mix of smashed up cars, buses and the like. I better head outta this thread, quick!

The Dark Knight was one of the least action-heavy blockbusters I can remember seeing, especially if you compare it to stuff like Transformers 2. I can only remember three set-pieces, none of which lasted very long, and none of which were highlights of the movie.

Yes, but it was, like, about a millionaire who dresses up in an S&M rubber bat suit for kicks, and a criminal who never got over his "goth" phase from high school.

As for the trailer for Inception... I'm still not sure what people are seeing in its few shots and cliched imagery that suggests something special.

I didn't particularly care about the teaser either and frankly, I think, even allowing for the fact that the man made the fourth most successful film of all time, Warner are still insane to give him 200 million for this film. I wonder what convinced them that this will not only make its budget back but also turn a profit. I'm not saying that it's going to be terrible (on the contrary, if it turns out to be great, I'd be delighted) but I just question the wisdom of spending that much money on this. I agree with solightlyhere that I'd prefer Nolan to go back to his independent roots or at least work on a smaller scale than 200 million. The truck sequence in The Dark Knight was excellent but the hand to hand combat was still clumsily shot - on the evidence of that, the likes of Del Toro wipe the floor with Nolan when it comes to shooting a good action scene.

I agree with My Name. It's a trailer with no more than 20 shots from a movie that hasn't even been completed yet. It is a teaser trailer at that, which is just meant to entice the audience, and it is definitely not a fair and accurate indication of the plot and what the movie will be about. The trailer just reads as a neo-noir film inspired by the Matrix. It's ridiculous for people to judge whether the movie will be good or bad based on a 1 minute collage of images and sounds from an incomplete movie.

However, having enjoyed almost everything Nolan has put out, I do have high hopes for this film, and hope it is a film that matches the obscurity and non-mainstream feel of The Prestige, as opposed to The Dark Night and Batman Begins. Although, that is unlikely with Leo in the lead.

I don't think anyone here was trying to pass judgment on the entire film based on the shown footage. I, for one, wasn't bowled over but am still going to see it on opening day. I just felt that 200 million is a lot for a film to recoup if it doesn't appear to have mass appeal (for better or worse) like Transformers, deuxieme partie.

If the marketing campaign is anything like WB did for The Dark Knight, you can bet by next summer the film will have them lining up around the block. Who would've figured that The Dark Knight would crack $1 billion in ticket sales worldwide?

Antoine D., just a question out of sheer curiosity and nothing more, does your day-job have anything to do with accounting? I only wonder because you are this site's "go-to man" with the handy numbers! Whenever I see that picture under your name, your look is so fierce, I totally believe whatever figures you are giving out.

The internet is a wonderful place, with all kinds of information available with just a few clicks of a mouse.

Mr Finch wrote:I don't think anyone here was trying to pass judgment on the entire film based on the shown footage. I, for one, wasn't bowled over but am still going to see it on opening day. I just felt that 200 million is a lot for a film to recoup if it doesn't appear to have mass appeal (for better or worse) like Transformers, deuxieme partie.

Not to defend the horrible, terrible spending going afoot, but most major studios nowadays have a 200 million film a year. Plus considering that Dark Knight had the stupid budget of 185 million, there's no way Bale cost that much, 200 million isn't that big of a leap. At least it's better then the initial 300 million guesses.

I too am surprised by how much people are flipping out over this already. It's a successful teaser, but I can't see what about it suggests that it's going to be a fantastic film. The trailer sells a particular atmosphere well, but it tells us almost nothing of the plot, and the imagery isn't amazing or innovative enough to warrant some of the more extreme praised lavished upon it.

Cde. wrote:I too am surprised by how much people are flipping out over this already. It's a successful teaser, but I can't see what about it suggests that it's going to be a fantastic film. The trailer sells a particular atmosphere well, but it tells us almost nothing of the plot, and the imagery isn't amazing or innovative enough to warrant some of the more extreme praised lavished upon it.

A successful teaser plus a director many think is capable of making really good films, why would you be surprised some people are excited?

I can understand not sharing someone's anticipation, but cannot for a moment understand the motive behind trying to argue someone out of it. I know this is the internet and all, but you're not actually required to stifle other people's excitement.

I just don't think the trailer shows much at all. It all looks good in the context of a well made teaser, but Inception is very much an unknown quantity at this point.

Word has it Nolan is considering shooting his new film Inception in 65mm.

GaryC wrote:Word has it Nolan is considering shooting his new film Inception in 65mm.

He'd better make up his mind soon, since it's been filming for almost 3 months already.

Hopefully he will follow in the footsteps of Tommy Wiseau and shoot in both film and digital, and then threaten to write a book about it

GaryC wrote:Word has it Nolan is considering shooting his new film Inception in 65mm.

I think the actual rumor was that Nolan wants to shoot the next Batman film entirely in IMAX, but you can file it with all the Catwoman casting rumors until the third film actually goes in front of any type of camera.

New trailer.

I love the shot of the city block looming overhead.

GaryC wrote:Word has it Nolan is considering shooting his new film Inception in 65mm.

New Interview w/ Nolan:

Nolan: We shot the film with a mixture of mostly the predominant bulk of the film is anamorphic 35mm, which is the best quality sort of practical format to shoot on by far. We shot key sequences on 65mm, 5 perf not 15 perf, and we shot VistaVision on certain other sequences. So we’ve got a negative - a set of negative - that’s of the highest possible quality except IMAX.

Excellent new piece on the film.

On a completely tangential side note, I'm excited for this one just due to the fact that it will be the first theatrically released film for Tom Berenger since Training Day in '01. Don't know what he's playing but hopefully it will inspire some late career resurgence.

The most anticipated Hollywood film of the year for me (ahead of Toy Story 3) and I'm praying that it doesn't disappoint.