In 1985, director Jonathan Lynn brought a movie version of the board game CLUE to the big screen. This not only was Lynn's directorial debut, but it was the first movie to be based off of a board game. Despite not performing well at the box office, this movie has gained a cult following among fans.
I like that they added humor to the movie instead of making it a straight-up murder mystery. If you're going to make a movie based on a board game, you don't want to take it too seriously. I think that if they had not put humor in the movie, it would have possibly turned people off from playing the game.
Jonathan Lynn brings a very B-movie style feel to this movie. You don't feel like you are watching a movie. You feel like you're watching a play and being part of an experience. However, this movie is serious when it needs to be, and it succeeds at doing so.
The star of this movie is clearly Tim Curry. I first saw him in The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the age of ten. He scared the bejezzus out of me. Ever since then, I have been both delighted and frightened at seeing him in a movie. I have to admit he is brilliant in the movie, especially at the end. Only an actor like Tim Curry could do what he does so well in this movie.
Clue is an example of game-turned-movie done right. This a very entertaining movie and I highly recommend it....especially on a rainy night. I mean, it's better than Battleship right?
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Sweaty Nerd Fandom: Part 1
Let me begin this blog by saying that I am huge fan of comic books. My knowledge of them runs deep, and I thoroughly enjoy when a movie based on a comic book is released. So it is only fitting that my fourth blog be about...the Fantastic Four movie.
I really enjoy the writing in this movie. The writers take the time to introduce the characters for those people who are not well versed in the comics. The characteristics of the characters are fleshed out very well, and you really get the sense that this is the first family of comic books. Reed Richards is the scientist who is married to his job. Johnny Storm is the smart-ass who gets girls. Sue Storm is the mother figure of the group, and Ben Grimm is the "bodyguard" of the group.
One of the reasons I enjoy this movie is because it is an ensemble piece. All members of the group work together to defeat the enemy. There is conflict between them every now and then, but it all gets resolved at the end of the movie.
This movie doesn't take itself too seriously, nor should it. This is clearly a "popcorn flick", a movie where you just sit back and have fun. There are some cheesy moments as well. For example, when Victor Von Doom utters, "Call me Doom." That line is worse than the line from Batman and Robin, "Hi Freeze. I'm Batman."
Personally, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis make this movie watchable for me. Chris Evans, while being the great Captain America that he is, just oozes confidence and arrogance as the Human Torch. Michael Chiklis, with the personality he has, really brings the "tough guy" persona to the movie. Of course, with a name like Victor Von Doom, a handsome man like Julian McMahon is playing the part. I mean, aren't all arch-nemeses devilishly handsome? Ioan Gruffudd brings the perfect personality to his character. Mr. Fantastic is one of the smartest superheroes in the Marvel Universe, and Mr. Gruffudd projects that with confidence.
There's a very touching moment in this movie after Ben Grimm turns into the Thing. There is an action scene on a bridge, after which the newly-crowned Fantastic Four are praised for their work. At the end of this scene, Ben Grimm's wife is shown approaching the crowd. Unable to cope with what her husband has turned into, she takes off her wedding ring, and leaves it on the ground. The most heartbreaking thing about this, however, is that because of his transformation, Ben can't even pick the ring up off the ground. Mr. Fantastic walks over, picks it up, and hands it to him.
Director Tim Story sets a good tone for the film, despite a couple continuity errors. There are a number of shots in the movie that I really enjoy. When Johnny Storm and the nurse are skiing, there are a number of great aerial shots. Also, when Johnny is being tracked by the missile, there is a tracking shot of Johnny flying through the city that lasts a few seconds that I absolutely love. There are a couple of great shots of the Thing coming in contact with the semi truck during the bridge scene. Also, towards the end of the movie, Reed Richards is falling from the top of a building. There is a shot that looks straight down the building that really shows off Mr. Fantastic's stretching capabilities.
The visual effects for this movie aren't great, but they aren't terrible either. Truthfully, they feel a little dated. However, it is clear that most of the budget for the visual effects went towards the Human Torch. He looks absolutely amazing. The Thing's makeup looks great as well, particularly in the facial features. The way he is able to articulate his expressions is very impressive.
Fantastic Four is not a great comic-book movie, but it is far from being the worst. If you're looking to stay in on a Friday night and order pizza, Fantastic Four is a great movie to watch. Director Tim Story knows how to make fun and enjoyable, and that is exactly what he does here.
I really enjoy the writing in this movie. The writers take the time to introduce the characters for those people who are not well versed in the comics. The characteristics of the characters are fleshed out very well, and you really get the sense that this is the first family of comic books. Reed Richards is the scientist who is married to his job. Johnny Storm is the smart-ass who gets girls. Sue Storm is the mother figure of the group, and Ben Grimm is the "bodyguard" of the group.
One of the reasons I enjoy this movie is because it is an ensemble piece. All members of the group work together to defeat the enemy. There is conflict between them every now and then, but it all gets resolved at the end of the movie.
This movie doesn't take itself too seriously, nor should it. This is clearly a "popcorn flick", a movie where you just sit back and have fun. There are some cheesy moments as well. For example, when Victor Von Doom utters, "Call me Doom." That line is worse than the line from Batman and Robin, "Hi Freeze. I'm Batman."
Personally, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis make this movie watchable for me. Chris Evans, while being the great Captain America that he is, just oozes confidence and arrogance as the Human Torch. Michael Chiklis, with the personality he has, really brings the "tough guy" persona to the movie. Of course, with a name like Victor Von Doom, a handsome man like Julian McMahon is playing the part. I mean, aren't all arch-nemeses devilishly handsome? Ioan Gruffudd brings the perfect personality to his character. Mr. Fantastic is one of the smartest superheroes in the Marvel Universe, and Mr. Gruffudd projects that with confidence.
There's a very touching moment in this movie after Ben Grimm turns into the Thing. There is an action scene on a bridge, after which the newly-crowned Fantastic Four are praised for their work. At the end of this scene, Ben Grimm's wife is shown approaching the crowd. Unable to cope with what her husband has turned into, she takes off her wedding ring, and leaves it on the ground. The most heartbreaking thing about this, however, is that because of his transformation, Ben can't even pick the ring up off the ground. Mr. Fantastic walks over, picks it up, and hands it to him.
Director Tim Story sets a good tone for the film, despite a couple continuity errors. There are a number of shots in the movie that I really enjoy. When Johnny Storm and the nurse are skiing, there are a number of great aerial shots. Also, when Johnny is being tracked by the missile, there is a tracking shot of Johnny flying through the city that lasts a few seconds that I absolutely love. There are a couple of great shots of the Thing coming in contact with the semi truck during the bridge scene. Also, towards the end of the movie, Reed Richards is falling from the top of a building. There is a shot that looks straight down the building that really shows off Mr. Fantastic's stretching capabilities.
The visual effects for this movie aren't great, but they aren't terrible either. Truthfully, they feel a little dated. However, it is clear that most of the budget for the visual effects went towards the Human Torch. He looks absolutely amazing. The Thing's makeup looks great as well, particularly in the facial features. The way he is able to articulate his expressions is very impressive.
Fantastic Four is not a great comic-book movie, but it is far from being the worst. If you're looking to stay in on a Friday night and order pizza, Fantastic Four is a great movie to watch. Director Tim Story knows how to make fun and enjoyable, and that is exactly what he does here.
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