Cool News
Chopper to play Bruce Banner in Ang Lee's HULK movie!!!
Hey folks... Enough of this tragic news... I want something cool and if the rumors over in Michael Fleming's DISH column in VARIETY are true... Coolness may very well be coming in bushels...
Ever since Ang Lee signed onto HULK, I've been giddily excited about the directions he would take. Coming off of CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON, he actually has quite a bit of clout in Hollywood... As many in the town felt it was the best film of the year, and many wished it had been theirs.
I think each of us film geeks have been pondering what it means that Ang Lee would be bringing THE HULK to our local screens. Surely it wouldn't be all sound and fury and noise... He would understand the yearning peace in the beast... The quiet and loneliness that the creature we all know as HULK would want. While at the same time will strike down upon them with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to destroy this peace. Ahem.. coughcough... Ahem...
Now, a week or so ago Smilin' Jack Ruby credited to Rick Baker's future filmography THE HULK, then after interviewing Rick, he corrected this mistake... However, it appears all the perps that ripped off this first bit, didn't bother to follow up or read the correction, but now Fleming confirms that Rick is not yet put pen to paper to create HULK make up effects. In fact, it looks like the 'how to do the HULK' hasn't quite been figured yet by Ang and ILM and Universal. No doubt they are wrestling with the budget figures of doing it all CG and want alternatives, and now that Universal FINALLY saw the light regarding the amazing power of MAKE-UP at the box office with THE GRINCH... they could very well be turning to Rick!
Hopefully, these decisions will be put off just a bit till they see what Peter Jackson has done with size issues in LORD OF THE RINGS... Possibly meld both Rick's phenomenal work to create the HULK face upon the actor that they choose... pieces of the transformation, as Baker's transformation work in AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON is still the absolute best human metamorphosis in the history of film. Treat it like 1933 King Kong.... but with the modern tools... Let BAKER handle the close-ups.... hands touching things, then marry it with superb ILM work... Of course, Ang might be wanting to control realistically the light that falls upon the HULK as well as the performance... The outcome of this aspect is fascinating to me.
Meanwhile, Ang Lee's direction on this project took a lightstep forward with Fleming telling us that the actor in the lead position for the dual role of BRUCE BANNER and THE INCREDIBLE HULK is...
ERIC BANA
Who?
The Award winning actor of CHOPPER! Eric Bana! Now for those of you that haven't seen CHOPPER, don't worry in most cases it isn't your fault... It has played mainly art house theaters, and many of you are in cities where you don't have that choice, but if you have seen ROMPER STOMPER and remember Russell Crowe's performance in that, it is my firm belief that Bana's CHOPPER is more frightening and disturbing and charismatic.
Bana was a Melbourne bartender / stand-up comedian that began hitting it on Australian Television in FULL FRONTAL, ERIC and THE ERIC BANA SHOW LIVE. I've never seen any of these, but if you Australians in the house could comment below in TALK BACK I'd really like to read your comments about his non-CHOPPER work...
After that... He hit it big with CHOPPER which quite honestly is a show-stopping role. Absolutely riveting and compelling. He's recently been working with Ridley Scott on his BLACK HAWK DOWN!
Now if Eric Bana gets cast as BRUCE BANNER, you can expect a performance that could very well bring down the house. Bana has the potential to really unhinge, and at the same time there is a natural quietness to him, that would serve Banner quite well.... a nervousness as well... This is an incredibly good sign in my book.
Going with a relatively unknown actor to most of the viewing public, that definitely has talent out the wazoo... GOOD GOOD GOOD! Now, let us pray that they nail the script. Nailing the character's, making them human and putting those characters in a story that brings the most out of them. This really could be special. Let's hope!
To see Eric Bana in motion CLICK HERE FOR THE CHOPPER TRAILER!!!
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Wow...am I first? Not that I care...but I've never seen an empty talk back before. I guess I'll wait for all you Australian people out there to give up your impressions of this guy. I like his look...could be cool!
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To pretty much sum it up, his work on 'Full Frontal' (a comedy sketch show) was actually pretty good and he's definately a funny guy....but to sum it up his performance in his own show i thought was a bit weak.....but quite frankly who cares...this is Hulk, not some campy slapstick comedy.....
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Eric Bana is an ASTOUNDINGLY interesting choice. Chopper is a film that manages to be frighteningly horrific (the stabbing scene and the removal of his own ears anyone!??!) and frighteningly funny (Chopper pops his cock out at the bar) at the same time and Bana pulls it all off with what seems to be pure ease. I'd quite happily pay to see him turn green and fuck shit up.
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Don,t drag your heels it's a bad omen we want the hulk film now.
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Chopper is great but Bana isn't mild mannered by any stretch. You might aswell CGI Keith Moon to play Banner for what it's worth. Depends on Black Hawk Down I suppose.
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I think that Eric Bana as David Banner could be a sound choice. Comedic actors seem to have a greater range. Just look at Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. The BEST Bruce Wayne, IMHO.
Eric Bana is in a drama that is shown on one of the local stations here in Australia and he isn't bad. I haven't seen Chopper, since I have seen the real deal and he gives me the creeps... -
Chopper has to be one of the best films of the past few years - easily standing side by side with such other recent classics as Memento, Sexy Beast and A Room For Romeo Brass.
And the reason this film was so good? Eric Bana that's why.
I feel this is a very good, if not odd, choice and Ang Lee should be congratulated for being brave enough to choose someone whose last performance was so 'out there'.
This is going to be a good one.
Now lets just get JLO to play She-Hulk! ;-) -
I used to watch Eric Bana on Full Frontal and other comedy shows here in Australia and he was without doubt one of my 2 favourite actors on Full Frontal. His wide range of characters were always hilarious. So after all his work in comedy I was very suprised to see him do such a great job in chopper (I think he has been in dramas but i have never seen them). Anyway i think he is a GOOD choice for banner, but I wont get too excited till he (or someone better) gets the role.
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Sep 18, 2001 4:29:42 AM CDT
Am I the only one who thinks casting unknowns isn't *always* the
by llghtst0rmer
I mean, yes, of course, sometime it does work. Hugh Jackman was a fabulous Wolverine, and all other possible Han Solo's besides Harrison Ford are simply unthinkable. Similarly, so would be another Superman besides Christopher Reeve. But the Hulk... umm... why not? Why not cast someone we actually are familiar with? Why couldn't it be Bruce Willis? (Just the first big star even close to being a suitable option that I could conjour up.) Now, comic purists may say the characters are so strong that having movie stars play them would make the persona outshine the person, but again... this is the Hulk. Not exactly Superman here, folks. I mean, I'm not a big comics fan, but that's kind of the point. There are more people who *aren't* comics afficionados than who are, which means we are unfortunately the larger audience. We're the mainstream, the majority. So why would we go see a screen adaptation one of the lesser comic characters when there's not even a recognizable person in the role? Maybe I'm crazy, or maybe I just have my head up my ass, or maybe even both. But does anybody remember The Punisher? Or even worse, Captain America? I mean, at least Lundgren was a semi-familiar actor. Still, what did it do for the flick? "Semi" just doesn't cut it. Conversely, there's a movie like Blade... big star, more obscure comic book... star power wins. That's just my take on it. Make of it what you will.
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This is an interesting choice, considering the material. Ang Lee looks like he'sgot some fresh ideas to bring to what is an awful and hackneyed subject. In Australia Bana was known as a mid to bad comedian, very basic stuff. Then he took on Chopper, which many took to be an ill wind for that movie. As it turned out, Bana was the only good thing about the film, and he was superb. He's still a dark horse, could be capable of anything. Nice one, Ang Lee
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Eric Bana was in the Aussie comedy film "The Castle", a fantastic movie about some red necks trying to stop their home being compulsorily acquired.
He plays Con a half greek, kick-boxer and is hysterical.
We like this decision -
This is absolutely inspired casting. Chopper went down a storm in the UK/Rg2 DVD. The only thing better than this would be the real
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I like the idea of going with an unknown for a role thats known already.
But that picture with the teeth and the gun to his head disturbs the fucking hell outta me. How the hell am I going to get to sleep now? ZB -
One word for this casting choice-genius. Chopper is a film that has one of the most likeable psychos I've ever seen
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It always takes away from the character when you have an A-list actor playing them, in my opinion, and Bana, while he may be A-list in Austrailia, isn't that well known here. When people see him, they're gonna think of the Hulk, and not a hundred other movies that he's done.
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In adapting a comic book to film, the iconic figure, the character that is so defined by his physical image that a unified preconcieved notion of the character's appearance has become engrained in the public consciousness, is the most difficult to portray. This is why Superman and Wolverine are best cast with unknowns, because the moment John Travolta puts on his cape or Mel Gibson pops those claws, the audience isn't watching Superman and Wolverine, they're watching to see how good a Superman John Travolta makes (and probably trying not to snicker). However, a character like Batman BENEFITS from star power, because Batman plays himself and the actor just has to worry about playing Bruce Wayne, who is NOT iconic (at least in the way that Bats, Supes, or even Clark Kent is). The mask also helps; KeatonBat, KilmerBat, ClooneyBat didn't really LOOK that different in the suit. The Hulk is EXTREMELY Iconic - if he's not huge, green, and pissed, nobody's going to go see the movie. However, Bruce Banner is NOT iconic, and could just as easily be played by Johnny Depp, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, David Duchovny...the list goes on, and part of the fun of a Hulk movie would be to see the interpretation a talented star would bring. Johnny Depp would bring a real outsider flavour, the character would be really bookish and socially awkward. Don Cheadle would deliver a man who was fighting with demons of rage long before the gamma bomb turns him into a 1200 pound id. Guy Pearce would deliver something in between. etc. etc.*** This Bana guy...well, he doesn't seem to fit the Bruce Banner mold. Just from the trailer, he seemed pretty big. And psychotic, which Bruce Banner is not (one of the few character traits we can pin down...he is a character open to interpretation). Of course, I'm sure he's got a lot of range and could play a character who is a complete 180 from Chopper, which Bruce Banner should be. But I'm also sure there are better (and more fun) choices out there.
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Sure, it'll be easy for anyone other than australians to see Bana as The Hulk because he is 'unknown' but how can any australia watch Eric fuckin Bana as the hulk with out thinking of Poida?!? Poida was like... ok this redneck impersonation Bana used to do on Full Frontal of a typical male australian. Or his Ray Martin?! Only evil can come of this i tells ya! ONLY EVIL! well in that case, why dont we cast Lano And Woodley as Batman and Robin? Shaun Micalef as Reed Richards? Inspired!
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Sep 18, 2001 7:36:23 AM CDT
I'd bet that Bana's ideas included comments like, "THE HULK HAS
by anonymousscreams
Alright, I'm sorry. I just had to say that somewhere once. Admittedly, I am a loser, but at least I'm a happy loser...
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how about Shaun Micalef as Cats from "Zero Wing - the Motion Picture
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From the sheer orgasm Harry's having on this one, call me encouraged. I have yet to see "Chopper" (God knows I want to), but I'm looking forward to seeing Bana in Blackhawk Down (anyone care to wager how well that one's going to do?). My only gripe is Bana's a bit too much Hulk and not enough Banner, given what's been said about his performances. However, if his range is more than he's been letting on, I think we should be pleasantly surprised.
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Youre talking like he's a beefcake, but he's really not. Bana is more of the typical guy -- not too big, not puny. For Chopper he beefed up bigtime for it. You'd be surprised at what he actually looks like with ears.
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Although my obvious preference, nay fondest wish was for Johnny
Depp to take the role, Bana looks
good. Let's just hope, like Harry
says, that the script does the characters justice. Now, if they
could just cast Janeane Garofalo as Betty Ross, everything would be
just too sweet. Snootchie Bootchies. -
After seeing Chopper, this is the ideal choice. The guy is way talented and to play the green guy is an honour to him. Cannot bloody wait, at last some good news.
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I'm sorry, but Ed Norton is my pick!!
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Sep 18, 2001 9:57:35 AM CDT
Steve Buscemi is Bruce Banner! Why can't anyone else see it?
by dirtfish
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"One of the lesser comic characters"? You don't really mean that, do you Lightstormer? I'd have to put the Hulk as probably one of the four most popular and iconic characters appearing in comics. Along with Batman, Superman and Spiderman. Show almost anyone a picture of the Hulk, and even if they've never read an issue, they can tell you who he is. Also, the fact that there was a very popular live-action TV show for several years can't hurt. Who the hell in mainstream America knew who the X-Men were before the movie? Fans of the comic all saw it opening weekend, what about after that? No real big stars, but people turned out to see a decent sci-fi movie. Let's face it, the casting of Banner isn't nearly as important as how they pull off the Hulk, himself. There are plenty of talented actors out there who could play Banner, a few of them have already been mentioned, but most people are going to go just to see the Hulk go ape-shit and destroy stuff. However they do it though, it has to better than Ferrigno in green makeup, right?
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I saw "Chopper" in NY at the Battery Park mulitplex in NYC, celebrating several months of sobriety from coke and booze, now anyone who has seen "Chopper" knows how much of that movie involves drugs and alcohol. I loved the acting and the movie in general so much, and I was so glad I had stopped living like that. He is such a wonderful choice that Americans will truly be impressed and welcome him as a bold new talent. More international talent is always a bonus.
Now, it's been over six months and since I have seen it, and I am still sober, the neighborhood I saw "Chopper" in is a pile of rubble and everything is a little different.
Ang Lee should have a very interesting take on The Hulk. Bring it on and may I suggest an adaption of Kent Williams "Blood:a tale" or Howard Chaykin's "Big Black Kiss".
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But because it's so popular, everyone wants to accuse me of being immature, lacking in taste, or even racist. I think that's sickening. How can you judge someone because they didn't like a film as much as you do? Some of us just didn't like it. What's wrong with that?
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I saw the tape of the HULK-sized arm and hand prosthetic device created by Steve Johnson's XFX Studio (for the earlier HULK project that was shut down; designs by Kerry Gammill whose recent book showcases the HULK designs along with work for Burton's SUPERMAN, TV's OUTER LIMITS, STARGATE, etc. info at www.kerrygammill.com) and it was spectacular in how realistic it looked and moved. Harry is right. A combination of make-up effects married with CGI is the only way to go. I also saw some preliminary live work (as opposed to viewing a tape) done with "Hulk legs" worn by a "prosthetic actor" that looked very impressive too. Having seen Rick Baker's incredible combination of make-up/prosthetics with CGI in the remake of MIGHTY JOE YOUNG, this should be a no-brainer for Universal. But, of course, studio suits seem to live by a logic all their own.
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A good rule of thumb to gage CTHD by: film the same movie in English with Caucasian actors (give it a feudal setting), and it's going straight to video. That is not the hallmark of a good movie. Although I found it to be beautifully filmed, the story had all the emotional depth of an EC Comic. "Someone stole the sword." "We must find the sword." "We found the sword, and I can't tell you that I love you." "Someone stole the sword again". Sure that's pretty characteristic of Asian actioners, but that doesn't make it (or them) good, it means they're maintaining the same low standard. CTHD was at the high end of that standard, but it was still the same banal-plot standard. Scream is at the high end of the slasher-pic scale, but as much as I enjoyed it I didn't want to see it nominated for Best Picture either. Both were better than Gladiator, though.
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...well, for one thing, Deckard, Corpse is a rather bright guy, especially grading on the TalkBack population curve. He has a tendency for posting things that people damn near want to stand up and applaud, and I personally have found him to be quite insightful. Now, beyond lauding the guy's talents, I also wanted to say that I, too, found Crouching Tiger a subtitled snooze-fest. Yes, it was beautifully shot... wispy evergreens and grand mountain views always allow for great cinematography. The fight scenes were fun, but foolish. In a bizarre sense, The Matrix actually looked more realistic. (Which begs the question, if "they all look like that," why did an American attempt at the genre look better?) And "MTV Jump cuts" would have been no solution... the setting and the pacing of the story would have been in conflict with Michael Bay-ish cutting. The end result would've been a chocolate-covered cheeseburger... two great tastes that taste like shit together. As for plot... it was the kind of story that banked on the idea that nobody in the audience had *ever* seen a movie before. Were we really supposed to NOT know that the girl was the little mystical thief whose identity was eluding everyone? So then we find out that's who she is (ooh!) and then we're treated to her long and incredibly boring backstory, all the while hardly caring a whit if she ever finds her true love again because, frankly, she's still a little, spoiled bitch. So now am I, too, critical of CTHD because it made a lot of money and convinced a lot of people that it was good just because it was in a different language? (Even Robert Rodriguez has talked about how much more profound people think a movie is just because they see subtitles.) But I tell you what... if you found so much meaning and spirituality in the film, then please do me a favor. Tell me what it was really about. If you understood the film so well, you can tell me what Ang Lee was saying. What did the film mean? I only know Eastern culture and philosophy so well. I'm sure I had to have missed something, because I thought the movie was terribly overrated and basically lame. So here's your chance, Deckard. Convince me. What did I miss? What's the movie really about? I won't say it was a piece of shit or even that it was "bad" (since you say it simply can't be said,) but I at least need to know what the hell the movie was trying to tell me. Educate me, bro. Because personally, sitting in the theatre on my first viewing, I was overcome by the yawns on at least four or five occaisions [sic]. The audience burst into uncontained bewilderment on several occaisions [sic]. I walked out of that film with a feeling of well-restedness after the hour-long nap I sustained, and a desire to seek the return of my 8 bucks.
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Sep 18, 2001 11:33:34 AM CDT
Jon Quixote's adaptation of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
by llghtst0rmer
>>> "Someone stole the sword." "We must find the sword." "We found the sword, and I can't tell you that I love you." "Someone stole the sword again." <<< Ahem... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You are so right! That's about as succinct as any description of the movie as you may ever find. Good one, Jon.
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I do want to say that I am eagerly looking forward to Ang Lee's Hulk (someone please bring back the Incredible prefix). While I stand by my emotional depth in CTHD position, it STILL had way more emotional depth than every other Asian action movie I had ever seen. But aside from that, The Ice Storm and Ride With The Devil were both remarkable and touching movies, and Lee coaxed amazing performances from his casts in both those films. So his talent for providing thought-provoking character driven movies is perhaps the best possible choice for the fertile psychologically deep world of the (Incredible) Hulk, and if that depth can be married to the beautiful and stylish visual approach that CTHD had, then pardon me if I don't try to hide my erection. WaHOO!
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Sep 18, 2001 12:10:59 PM CDT
Jeez, zerocorpse talks about Ang Lee as if Ang Lee only makes ku
by eraser_x
I'm no Ang Lee expert, but isn't CTHD the *only* kung fu movie he has ever made? He didn't add kung fu to Sense and Sensibilities. He didn't add wire kung fu fighting to Pushing Hands. So why bitch and moan so definitively about wire kung fu in the Hulk? Deckard definitely was a dork for insulting zerocorpse's maturity and intelligence just because zerocorpse doesn't like the same movies, but zerocorpse was just as big a dork for saying only Dragonball Z fans would like CTHD. By the way, my comments so far have said *nothing* about how much I like CTHD. My opinions on CTHD are irrelevant to my comments above.
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I agree with the guy that suggested this (a long time ago, not the one in this particular talkback). Steve would be perfect. And hey, his last name starts with B too! Bruce Willis?? I dunno about that...maybe wimpy 6th Sense Willis, but not cool Die Hard Willis.
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This is the second recent Talkback in which someone had to defend Zerocorpse as being a shining beacon of intelligence. Well, I don't remember if that used to be true, but I can only go by what I see. What I see now is some implausibly bitter, hostile, and redundant slamming. Didn't Zerocorpse post the identical slamming of CTHD just a week or two ago in connection with The Musketeer? And Zerocorpse keeps bringing his personal qualifications into these discussions ("I'm a expert fencer", "I used to be VERY into eastern culture" blah, blah.) Jeez, I've met plenty of people who, like Madonna, "used to be VERY into ___ culture". I can't say many of them were impressive people. I can't say I find Zerocorpse's recent writings that I've noticed to be worthy of admiration.
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Here's why I don't like the notion of Buscemi as America's favorite Gamma-irradiated scientist. Bruce Banner is a man with a lot of inner rage. A lot of this rage comes from the young, bookish Banner having his head repeatedly stuffed into a toilet bowl during his high-school years. For Banner to be successful as a sympathetic protagonist, the audience needs to feel empathy for the man, to feel sorrow for the years of abuse he has to endure, and to cry for the curse he has to endure. While it's not too hard to imagine Steve Buscemi as an awkward youth who had his head stuffed down a toilet bowl, everytime I see him, I WANT TO BE THE ONE STUFFING HIS HEAD IN THAT TOILET. The man is the Peter Lorre of our time, and great at what he does, but what he does is play a Weasel, a Weiner or a Weasely Weiner. Not the most sympathetic of actors, and the garnering sympathy for a man who periodically turns into a kiloton of green rage and destroys entire towns indiscriminately is difficult enough as it is.
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I just know Ang lee from Sense and Sensibility, The Ice Storm, and CTHD, all movies that deal with characters with repressed feelings that they have to deal with. Having emotions that they do not effectively communicate to the other characters The hulk seems to be the opposite, a man who cannot repress his feelings and who faces "consequences" when he does. That's why I thought this was an interesting movie for Ang to direct... Well, I thought it was interesting... Ok, what the fuck do I know ...... ZB
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Sep 18, 2001 12:31:51 PM CDT
I read a quote the other day, "you can love a city, but the city
by eraser_x
Maybe whatever caused Zerocorpse to no longer be "VERY into eastern culture" is fueling the distasteful vehemence of his recent posts that complain about the invasion of Asian sensibilities in Hollywood.
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Eric Bana was superb in 'Chopper' and Ang Lee was too in CTHD. Assuming the script is up to the task, this movie's coolness factor is going to be up there with Raimi's upcoming 'Spiderman'.
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People, Ang Lee has made many films in many genres and CTHD is just one. His films include Ride with the Devil, The Ice Storm, Sense and Sensibility, Eat Drink Man Woman, The Wedding Banquet and The Pushing Hands. Why not go rent one and take a look at the directors vision. Sorry, most of his films aren't action-packed kung-fu extravaganzas. If that's all you watch then why don't you pigion-hole him with CTHD. You obviosly know what your talking about. Greeley, Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat and Jet Lee kick every American Action Hero's ass. Nobody is taking American jobs.
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Sep 18, 2001 1:51:23 PM CDT
I Would To See Either Depp Or Pierce As Banner, But Bana Will Be
by the founder
I can live with the choice. I haven't seen him in anything, but he is probably as good as some of you posting are saying. I think a hint of star power would help the Hulk out, but then again everyone knows the Hulk, and that's why people will be seeing the movie for him and not Bana um Banner.
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Sep 18, 2001 1:58:30 PM CDT
A toast to Ang Lee: ONE of THE best filmmakers of my generation.
by smugbug
This man has no limits. He has no genre. Unlike the Michael Bays and Simon Wests of the world who can only direct really really loud action movies - Ang Lee can do drama, period pieces, kung fu/action and quirky humor. Has anyone here REALLY watched his movies? "Eat, Drink, Man, Woman" in my opinion, is his best film. "Sense and Sensibility" and "Crouching Tiger...." were great, great, movies -but there is something about "Eat, Drink...." that touches me every time I watch it. Anyways, with Ang directing "The Hulk" you know he will be able to deliver on screen the pain that is Bruce Banner/Hulk. I remember the mid-70's Hulk comic books and they weren't always all "Hulk gonna smash things". There was a human element as well. Ang can capture that. As for previous posts that say that "Crouching Tiger..." was overrated. Oh really? I tell ya, when I was a kid and was watching kung fu flicks in my mom's Chinese Theater, I saw many a Chinese fantasy film that featured wire work. "Crouching Tiger" has some of the most elegant wire work on film. What was so amazing was that the only digital work done on the movie was on hiding the wires and those were the actors performing......amazing.
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...who just happened to be utterly terrifying and brilliant in CHOPPER. You can see him do funny in THE CASTLE where he plays a kick-boxing mad newlywed. I can't wait to see him in BLACKHAWK DOWN.
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Eric Bana's comedy work has been the central topic of discussion here, but have any of the Australian's here ever seen the series on our national broadcaster called "There's something in the air". (perhaps that's not the right show, but he's in one of them :P)
Of the few shows i have caught, Bana has shown a remarkable tangent from his comedy skills and shown some actual dramatic prowess (not to mention his stint in Chopper).
Though at first when i read the story, i thought it all might be a bit of a joke (banner = bana, hehe that's not at all funny?) but this might actually be a really good thing to happen, for him and for the film. -
Sep 18, 2001 2:06:25 PM CDT
An Aussie here with his thoughts on Eric Bana's pre-Chopper care
by fat lot of good
Being a big fan of comedy, I have followed Eric Bana's career quite closely. He first came to prominence on Full Frontal, a skit style show much in the same vein as SNL, here he created such great characters as Poider (a total westie piss head), and Simon (the token male on host a Netball Sports Show).
When Full Frontal folded, Ch 7 gave him his own show - they saw the talent in him, but due to the fact that late night tv isn't really a big thing in Australia, it didn't last long (I muself think it is because he interviewed Tom Arnold on said show), but he did manage to create another great character on the show called Groovypants Gus (one of those guys that always has the latest fashion and can be seen siting outside your local cafe siping a latte)
As for Eric's film career, there isn't that much to say. Chopper was his first starring role, before that he was in The Castle (one tof the funniest Australian films ever made, definately worth seeing), as a box kicking Greek marrying into a total westie Aussie family. V. Funny
I thikn Eric can pull of the Hulk role, especially after seeing Chopper. When it was announced that Eric would be playing Mark 'Chopper' Read in a film based on Choppers first book, I seriously thought it was a joke, why would one of Australias funniest tv guys be playing a real life hitman with no ears? But history proved me worng and a great film was made (the dvd is available in Australia in October and it has a stack of great features in cluding a commentary track with both eric bana and the real Chopper read.
So there you go. I hope eric plays the role,and I hope he gets the world wide recognition he so deserves. -
I have full faith in Ang Lee that he will make this film an interesting moviegoing experience. I loved the Ice Storm. I loved CTHD. I even liked RIde with the Devil. So if Ang wants to cast a relative unknown in the role of Banner, that's okay. But I have to say that this guy does look a little big to play puny Banner. Tell Bana to put the weights down to prepare for this role. I want Banner to be the exact opposite of Hulk, not just an inflated version. My pick for Banner: Jim Caraveizel. Caraveizel looks intelligent and haunted. He's not a big guy and his eyes look like they are holding back a sea of emotion. He might become a bigger name after Monte Cristo comes out, but I still think that he is unknown enough not to bring too much baggage to the role. As for the rest of the cast...Donald Sutherland as General Thunderbolt Ross. Cary Elwes as Leutenant Talbot. John Malkovich would be a perfect Leader. Eddie Furlong as Rick Jones and someone like Monica Potter as Betty Ross Banner. I want a CGI Hulk, no wrestler in green paint. Hulk should be eight feet tall and have muscles on top of muscles. Sure I want to see the Hulk battle tanks and fighter planes, but I also want him to tussle with some gamma irradiated monstrosities. I want to see the Hulk stomp the ground and see the ground crack. I want to see Hulk slap his hand's together and make every window in a mile radius shatter. I want to see cars being thrown and metal being shredded. Ang showed us kung fu with style in CTHD, now it is time to see some mass chaos gamma-style. I can't wait.
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Sep 18, 2001 3:22:40 PM CDT
Ride with the devil: The most underated movie in film history.
by pumpkinsboy
Ride with the devil is fucking incredible! Much superior to CTHD, which I loved, and hands down Lee's best english language movie to date. Why can I never find any postive words for it? It's elegant, action packed, playful, witty, with some heart wrenching moments and one of the best scores I've ever heard. But no-one's fucking heard of it! To my mind, it was simply TOO good for today's audiences, a film of a bygone age, with values out of step with the midsets of today's moviegoers(The 12-25 group, or whatever).
If Singer can do X-Men, and do it well, then Lee can knock `Hulk` out of the park.
Oh, and Joss Whedon should do `Ironman`, but I digress. -
Seriously though. Really. Chopper is a sweet flick, and Eric Bana is yet another one to watch from Down Under. Can't wait to see what he does in Black Hawk Down.
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Alright now. I don't know if the Leader WILL actualy be in the movie, but it makes sense. He is THE definitive HULK villain, his main nemesis, and almost all of the most recent comics characters to hit the silver screen have had their main bad guys go to do battle with them. I want the Leader to be played by JEREMY IRONS!! Just think about it. It has always been the main theme for the Hulk and the Leader, the battle against Brain and Braun. Even the fact that Mr. Irons is slight in build is a very good physical counterpoint to the larger-than-life HULK. I would like him to be rendered (makeup-wise, of course) in a hybrid of both his traditional tall cranium look and the new "bulging Brain" look givien to him by Todd McFarlane during his run in the Comic series. He is the perfect actor to portray the Leader's absolute conceit and egomania. I can just imagine a scene with the Hulk somehow imprisoned (temporarily) in some Leader-built mechanical contrivance with hime musing over how exactly to destroy the HULK, saying something like, "Hmmm, now, how shall I dispose of you, hmm, I had an idea before, oh, it was just at the top of my head..."
I'm telling you, besides being diabolical, he would have so many humorous lines in this film. I REally hop ANg Lee is considering the Leader for this film!! -
'Nuff said. But, I'm glad someone creative is directing Hulk - instead of the other 99% of Hollywood. (In a perfect world, Spike Jonze would've directed AND starred as Bruce Banner.)
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Evening all. Eric Bana is a nice guy. Eric Bana can play terrifying hitmen very well. I think that says enough about his range. His recent CV, aside from playing Mark Brandon 'Chopper' Read, includes 'Something in the Air' - a local drama series in which his work is solid enough, bearing in mind that any performance in what is basically an unpmarket soapie probably do not count for anything. Remember - both Rusty Crowe and Guy Pearce played in 'Neighbours' (the very lowbrow Aussie soap) and their performances in this series give no indication of their potential range. In the meantime, Bana is, last I heard, working on an Aussie comedy flick after Black Hawk Down.
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It has been a long while since I played this game, so here goes. The best choice for Banner, Don Cheadle, will unfortunately never get it. Johnny Depp is - far and away - the best of the rest. He's done quirky, angry, socially awkward, brilliant, noble, and tortured before...he'll do it again. Lots of good choices for Thunderbolt Ross, but my vote goes for Nick Nolte. I like the suggestion of Monica Potter as Betty, and I think I suggested Cary Elwes as Talbot long ago. As for the Leader, I wouldn't argue with either Irons or Malkovich, but I say when you have the best Criminal Mastermind actor EVER still breathing, you automatically send the first offer out to Alan Rickman.
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Sometimes, I wish I had all the powers of Superman. I would only use my powers for good, foiling bank robbers, murderers, terrorists, baby-candy stealers, and various other ne'er-do-well
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And another thing (a little bit of chest thumping) ... Sure we've given you Elle Macpherson, Kimberley Davies, Paul Hogan and Yahoo Serious, for which we sincerely apologise. But there are a number of other Australians and New Zealanders out in Hollywood too - some known, some not so known - and I just thought it was worth listing them. Even though their lack of presence here in Oz means that our own film industry struggles a bit (imagine if some of these stars came back to star in a few local movies, hmmm?). Still, it is not a bad list - if anyone can add to it, please do so ... : ACTORS: Russell Crowe, Geoffrey Rush, Toni Collette (Sixth Sense, Shaft), Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman; Eric Bana (Black Hawk Down, Hulk), David Wenham (LOTR's Faramir); Rachel Griffiths (Hilary and Jackie, Blow); Noah Taylor (Lara Croft, Vanilla Sky); Heath Ledger (Knight's Tale, Four Feathers); Anna Paquin (Almost Famous, Finding Forrester); Hugh Jackman; Mel Gibson (sort of); Guy Pearce; Simon Baker (L.A. Confidential, Affair of the Necklace); Sarah Wynter (Lost Souls, Sixth Day); Frances O'Connor (Mansfield Park, A.I.) DIRECTORS:Baz Lurhmann (Romeo and Juliet, Moulin Rouge); Scott Hicks (Shine, Hearts in Atlantis); Alex Proyas (The Crow, Dark City); P. J. Hogan (My Best Friend's Wedding, Who Shot Victor Fox); Fred Schepisi (Roxanne, Last Orders); Peter Weir (Dead Poets Society, Truman Show); Bruce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy, Boswell for the Defence); Philip Noyce (Patriot Games; The Quiet American); Lee Tamohori (Once Were Warriors, Along Came a Spider); Geoffrey Wright (Romper Stomper, Havoc); Stephan Elliott (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Eye of the Beholder); Jamie Blanks (Urban Legend; Valentine); Mark Joffe (Spotswood; The Man Who Sued God); John Duigan (Year My Voice Broke, Lawn Dogs); Peter Jackson (Frighteners, LOTR); Gregor Jordan (Two Hands, Buffalo Soldiers); George Miller (Mad Max; Babe)
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Where to begin? The 'someone stole the sword' crack? Sure, lots of movies could be reduced to a similar synopsis (though I doubt Fight Club...although I can see how anyone who thinks Fight Club was about fighting thinks CTHD - along with many other Asian actioners - are paragons of emotional depth and complexity, but I guess that's neither here nor there), but that doesn't change the fact that the CTHD storyline pretty much consisted of people running around after a sword (although, luckily we had a romance that looked as though it was written by James Cameron to break up THAT tedium). *** As far as the foreign film litmus test goes, story is pretty universal. CTHD didn't really have one. It had a lot of BACKstory, but mostly it had a plot that was a thin excuse for pretty fight scenes. There is nothing universally French about La Femme Nikita - in fact, the basic story is about as American as you can get: Young Junkie gets trained as an assassin by Government. The reason that Nikita was so much better than No Return comes down to the talent of Luc Besson and the meddling influence of the American studio system, not language or cultural differences. The basic premise of the story (and we're not talking the gravity defying elements) - character development and plot evolution - should stand. CTHD had some pretty infantile elements that took the place of a mature storyline (look no further than the villainous old woman). *** But hey, like what you want. But I must say, isn't it far more better to post a well thought out, discussion stimulating message like your most recent, as opposed to an all-out (and seeminly unwarranted) attack like your first.
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In real life Eric Bana ain't that big and bulky as he appears in Chopper. Like most actors I assume he did weights or something to bulk up for this role. Seeing that the real Chopper which the film is based on is a huge bulky mad bastard.
I also read somewhere recently that U2's Bono showed his pregnent wife the "Chopper" movie while she was in labour to help her out???err?
I assume scaring the $hit out of your wife with Uncle Chop-Chop is alot easier than forceps? Go figure? -
Hulk has a pretty weak stable of villains. I agree the Leader should be in the film. Other than the Leader, the Abomination and maybe the Rhino. Hulk's first and formost enemy is himself. I really hope Lee will bone up on Peter David's long run with the character in the comic. David really fleshed out Banner. HE was more than a mere Jeckyll and Hyde. The Hulk was a manifestation of Banner's repressed rage. The film should center around one man's uncontrollably destructive acts and how he has to deal with these actions. I know Lee can do it. I am sure even if the script is not stellar, he will be able to put his own spin on it. Rickman is an okay choice for the Leader, but Malkovich has that huge bald melon already. I would also like to see Doc Sampson in a sequel. I think it would be cool to have the Hulk captured at some point. A psychologist, Dr. Leonard Sampson, would be assigned to observe and treat Bruce Banner. After repeated sessions, the good shrink would get radiation poisoning from Banner and his hair would go green. This would be a good spot for a wrestler (it's always funny when those wrestlers try to talk all intelligent like). I know there is a tendency to want the origin in the first film. Some characters like Blade can get away with a flashback origin, but I want to see Banner's gamma accident on screen. Marvel characters have some great origins. Captain America, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four. All of them have origins that I would give anything to see on screen. I am babbling now. Bug out.
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I'm sure I'll be accused of "not getting it" but I really was not all that enthralled with CTHD. The fighting scenes were cool, but there was nothing that interesting in between in my opinion. And although it was supposed to be a fantasy, the wire work completely took me out of it. However, this is a far cry from me dissing Ang Lee. I think he's one of the most interesting film makers in recent memory, and the Ice Storm is my favorite drama ever. That's the movie I'd like to talk about. Talk about a grasp of characters...I only hope he can do this with the Hulk.
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...he's got range, there's no doubt about that.
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Sep 18, 2001 7:30:53 PM CDT
Hey, Eraser X... you're not boiling bunnies on Zero's stove, are
by llghtst0rmer
We get it, we get it... you don't care for what the guy said or how he said it. Fine, fair enough. But three separate posts reiterating the same point? Did he harm you in a past life or something? Relax, okay? (And for the record, he certainly didn't "need" my defending him -- as it's stated in my subject line on that post -- I was only trying to inform Deckard that Zero has proven before to be smarter than the average bear. It was a vote of confidence, that's all.)
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He'd be UNREAL!!! But for the actual Hulk I'm hopeing the beef him up through computers or something. But after seeing planet of the apes I'm hopeing more films turn to latex. But that's about as likely as Episode 3 being shot on film and using models for FX
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I really wasn't hoping you would "deconstuct all of the wonderful aspects of CTHD," I was just looking for an interpretation of the film as a whole. As I said before, I was hoping you could clue me in on what the point of the film was. Someone's post above actually had a point where they put it in context with Lee's other films and even how it pertained to the Hulk, and that did seem to make a bit of sense, but the fact remains that I find so many people who endlessly praise Crouching Tiger for its depth and meaning, but when pressed, couldn't say exactly what that meaning is. That's why I was asking. It meant something to you... you "walked out of the theatre with a feeling of love." So why? What did it say to you? And as far as considering a defense of the film a moot point, as it won't change anyone's mind, I think I disagree. I'm a fair-minded guy. I've seen movies I love at first, but dislike after repeated viewings, and I've even seen a few that I didn't like originally, but learned to enjoy in time. In fact, I saw one that I thought was remarkably dumb and utterly pointless, but as it stayed with me a bit and I talked about it with friends, I watched it again and found it to be far more clever than I thought and a fine example of great filmmaking. The movie, by the way, was Fight Club. ;-) Another thing you said, though, about the fanboy tendency to detest movies simply to come off as an independently-thinking contrarian is something on which I really do agree with you. It bothers me to see so many 15 year old wannabe cineasts blasting, say, Spielberg just because he's made more money than God. Also, when you said, "A film like CTHD relies heavily on [China's] 5,000 year history/culture," I'd say is very true, and is probably the main reason I didn't get the flick. If you could point out why the story was so goofy to an American in 2001 but profound and spiritual to a guy in China hundreds of years ago, then I would certainly have a better understanding of the movie. And you're also probably right in saying that not buying the characters being unable to figure out the girl was the thief was a sign a guy like me wouldn't have enjoyed the movie. If I'd have known the rest of the film would come off so foolishly, while pretending to be so full of impact, I would have left in the first half hour. So enough of my rambling and this nonsense. I told myself I wouldn't get into anymore of these bickering sessions. Have a good day, Deckard. Relax. Drink a beer. Cheet on your wife. (Couldn't resist.)
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Its also worth metioning that this film Bana had a role in,and is considered a classic in Australia was the first film to be made and directed by the group who made "The Dish" which has been shown in America. "The Castle" showed in America for about two seconds as well, but the problem is that the humour is maybe a little too Australian. But still its definitely a film worth seeing by anyone wanting a fun time.
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Sep 18, 2001 9:34:17 PM CDT
Off-topic... about what happened. Please indulge me for a momen
by vance castaway
Hi there. A few of you out there know me, or at least this pseudonym you now see. I post here from time to time, other places too. I try to contribute a reasoned, most intelligent voice to the conversation, occasionally interspersing it with some silly humor if the need presents itself. I
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Are all these comics Harry's ?
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Sep 18, 2001 10:25:50 PM CDT
a few words to cookiepuss, Blade Deckard, and re: the Hulk deal.
by a goonie
first off, just wanted to say, there's a lot of posts here already. like, A LOT. not there isn't usually, but anyways... i just was surprised. and i noticed a couple things i wanted to mention. first, to "cookiepuss," yes, Traffic and Gladiator are overrated. Traffic, i disliked. i have a lot of problems with that movie. it does have a few good things, like the shot of michael douglas hugging his strung-out daughter, where he's frowning and she has this blank smile on her face. i just found that touching. the only touching part of the entire movie, though. and i really enjoyed Luis Guzman and Don Cheadle. good chemistry. good performances. but those were the only two guys in the whole movie that i enjoyed. anyhow, lots of other things to say about it, but we'll just leave it at that. then you have Gladiator, which i hated. it was no. 3 on my worst movies of 2000 list, after O Brother, Where Art Thou, and Pay It Forward. i've spent a lot of time bashing Gladiator. it's just trash. but the thing is, Crouching Tiger is not overrated. it's a great movie. that's how i feel. i just wanted to give you a thumbs-up for the negative reaction to both Traffic and Gladiator. then, to Blade Deckard, something short and sweet: I loved your "Jaws" comment. hilarious stuff. a good point at work there, too. and
then, my feelings about the Hulk movie. i think Ang's inclusion is really fucking cool. it should be interesting. Harry, you have some really cool ideas regarding the effects work. i would love to see Baker's make-up work on a Hulk character. and i guess i just would be excited about a not-entirely-CGI Hulk. but on the other hand, even though I AM VERY OVERALL ANTI-CGI, i can't help but think how cool it would be to see an all digital Hulk ripping shit up. but then again, i dunno. this is a tough decision. and CGI has created amazing creatures along the way (namely, in Jurassic Park and Starship Troopers). BUT, the one thing i wanted to throw in here is this: even though i highly doubt this will happen, wouldn't it be so cool to have The Incredible Hulk in this movie be THE GRAY HULK?!? i think that would rock. but i haven't heard this mentioned yet, and the majority of people out there know and love the classic Green Hulk, so i want keep my fingers crossed. -
hey guys, i know zerocorpse isn't really that bad, as posters go. i just get on his case because, well, he's obviously not dumb and not totally unreasoning and therefore i hold him to the high standard that you set for him. that's all. lightstormer, i did write three posts (now, four), but each one was short and each one addressed a somewhat *different* topic. i personally don't like reading super-long posts, and so i separate mine into multiple narrow-topic posts. that's just my preference. (a side benefit is that, since my damned browser locks up my PC a lot during text-entry, I never lose too much typing.) anyhow, scanning visually, it seems my posts add up to far fewer words than your posts. last thought, i probably won't challenge zerocorpse anymore because whatever curiosity i had (based on your votes of confidence) for seeing proof of his allegedly high-quality posting is gone. his last post has demonstrated that he is just another guy who debates, at least in part, by insulting someone else's (my) life accomplishments and bragging about all the things he himself has done in life. yeah, that's reeeaaally high quality posting. i've never seen *that* done before. ha ha.
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Would you like some condescending milk for those Pretention-Os? And would you make a little sense in your post. You say "The Ice Storm" is boring and trite, but that it's a good movie. I find it hard to believe you have time to study the world when you write such long posts.
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...or maybe not. What the hell... I'm out of this one now. There's too much willingless in this talkback to start shit and sling mud. I hate taking sides when just about everybody has something legit to say, so I'll bow outta here. Oh, but just one more thing, though... would everybody stop ragging on Cameron for God's sakes?? Like you guys didn't like The Abyss or Aliens or The Terminator flicks! Seriously.... Good night, folks. Try to play nice.
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CTHD SPOILER ALERT
hey, i don' know if anyone is still reading this since i live in japan and am asleep when y'all post, but i just wanted to say that i found cthd to be extremely emotionally resonant, and i would like to help lightsormer understand what it is that so many discerning film goers appreciate in this film. first of all, it is NOT the plot. basically, it is the subtext. ang lee is thematically obsessed with repression, specifically the repression of women in systems that rigidly don't allow them any sort of real, easy self-actualization (i.e. eat drink, sense and sensibility, and cthd). crouching tiger is ABOUT women. women and their desires and how their desires exist in contrast to the rules of their society. the three central female figures represent three different reactions to this repression. michelle yeoh's character, shu lien, is not able to express her lover for li mu bai because it would disrespect the memory of her dead fiancee, but she chooses to bravely accept this fate (while still secretly hoping for an escape) and continue a course of goodness and righteousness. the villain character (jade wolf?) fell in love with li mu bai's master, but he was just using her for sex and would not teach her the wudan secrets (or whatever they are), so she became bitter, murdered him, and embarked on a life of treachery. the third character, jen, is actually in my opinion the hero/villain of the film. she, too, feels trapped by her femininity, as she is about to be forced to marry some rich fat dude, although she is desperately in love with a handsome and cool-ass bandit (whom society would never permit her to marry). she is currently struggling between her desire to be good, and her desire to just explode and go buck wild villain on everyone's ass. finally, she decides that there can be no happy resolution to this tension and she offs herself. this is just one aspect of the profound and moving subtext of the film. there is also the touching element of jade fox's pain in seeing her student/surrogate daughter grow up and surpass her skill. there are many others. i agree that the plot is mostly arbitrary, but it is merely the framework for the psychological content. i did think that the fight scenes and cinematography were poetically beautiful, exhilirating, and exciting, but for me they were just icing on the cake. all the subtext stuff above was very clear to me the first time i saw the film, but if you need confirmation, just pop in the director's commentary track on the dvd, and you may be surprised at how much was intended by the filmmakers. also, james schamus, the co-writer of this and all ang lee films, has often been quoted as saying cthd is "kung fu meets sense and sensibility." i hope this has been helpful to you; let me know if it has. -
Mainly due to Bana, Shaun Micallef and Kitty Flanagan, the only funny people on the show. Bana had some great characters like Poida (the best rendition of an typical Aussie bogan since 'Michelle and Ferret' from the mighty FAST FORWARD), that senile old Russian guy who ultimately says "shit" at the end of every sketch, and that really fucked-up one where he had a long black wig hanging over his face and went through the streets with a microphone, going up to people and muttering, "Whaddaya reckon?" Shaun Micallef had Milo Kerrigan, surely one of the funniest things I've ever seen in my life, and Roger Explosion, a hysterical piss-take of bad 50's sci-fi movies. The show quickly went to shit after they left. Shaun's new show is utter genius, but Eric's live show was a total train wreck. Who could forget them stumping for about half a million dollars to get Mia Farrow as their first ever guest and watching the show just die a horrible death from there.
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First of all this guy seems like a cool choice for Hulk. - - - Some people haven't paid attention while watching CTHD, since both Chow-Yun Fat's and Michelle Yeoh's characters knew the girl's secret identity all the time. There were many scenes where this was addressed. - - - I personally thought that CTHD was a good film, if not great. - - - And yes, Ang Lee has a big range as a director. I have seen only Eat, Drink, Man, Woman along with CTHD, and I thought it was pretty mediocre. But the BMW short film by him ROCKED! And it hopefully is an indication of the style Lee is going to take with Hulk. Realistic and dynamic action with good performances (and with bigger effects and action sequences, of course).
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There is no way I would say that Chopper exceeds the darkness that of Romper Stomper, damn, taht is bad. Anyway, I was totally impressed with his portrayal of Chopper, even though it seemed to me like the elevation of a lowlife to infamy, even still that is Australian mentality, Bushrangers,Ned Kelly etc lets not go there, still, I suppose he didnt kill anyone that really didnt deserve to die. I do like the Chopper Read television ads promoting drink driving awareness, shit, that wounds scare the fuck out of me, no fucking way am I goin to prison, apologizes, only aust. would know what the hell I am rambling about, let me just say that you would be impressed the same way you were with Hugh Jackman, maybe more so. Question, Does anyone else feel uncomfortable with the idea of Hulk movie, I dont know, I just think of it as something that doesnt appeal to me at that level, it seems to epitomise 70's television ideals far to much to me to see it being made successful in the new millenium. I in fact, believe that Hulk could be more dentrimental to Bana'a career than Bana to Hulk's production.
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There is no way I would say that Chopper exceeds the darkness that of Romper Stomper, damn, taht is bad. Anyway, I was totally impressed with his portrayal of Chopper, even though it seemed to me like the elevation of a lowlife to infamy, even still that is Australian mentality, Bushrangers,Ned Kelly etc lets not go there, still, I suppose he didnt kill anyone that really didnt deserve to die. I do like the Chopper Read television ads promoting drink driving awareness, shit, that wounds scare the fuck out of me, no fucking way am I goin to prison, apologizes, only aust. would know what the hell I am rambling about, let me just say that you would be impressed the same way you were with Hugh Jackman, maybe more so. Question, Does anyone else feel uncomfortable with the idea of Hulk movie, I dont know, I just think of it as something that doesnt appeal to me at that level, it seems to epitomise 70's television ideals far to much to me to see it being made successful in the new millenium. I in fact, believe that Hulk could be more dentrimental to Bana'a career than Bana to Hulk's production. Sorry about the double post, hit stop to late and wasnt sure if it went through, later, 1860 at arms
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Dirtfish is right Steve Buscemi IS Bruce Banner, no arguement. Any one whos seen Chopper knows Eric Bana is not the the right person to play the role. Bruce Banner 5 11 120lbs weakling Eric Bana well built Aussie stand up comedian who plays an excellent Psycho,do you catch my drift. For all people who have seen Chopper Hookie the Cripple for The Hulk.
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I have to agree with TedSallis. Ed Norton is perfect for the role of Banner.
He has the "puny" look about him which will emphasize the change into the Hulk.
I also have to say that the Hulk MUST and I repeat MUST and again MUST be created using CG. How can you show how powerful he is by having some 6ft guy in a rubber suit and a bad wig. The Hulk is about 10ft tall. No actor in the world has the build to pull it off. -
And I think the only actor who could've pulled off the whole post-rage Hulk think without an arse-load of CGI or makeup is Andre the Giant, but alas, that train has sailed.
Hulk, stop that smashing, now I mean it! Anybody want a peanut? -
I thought of that old cartoon, "Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch", and especially the spoonerific Chopper sidekick. Wow. It's probably been fifteen years, at least, since I've thought of the Chopper Bunch. I'm gonna do a web search for it and see what I find.
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Nick Cage. Well, he seems to be playing every other fucking superhero right now. Anyway, Bana is brilliant in Chopper, but I see no sense in casting a big guy like him if the Hulk is going to be CGI. In his favour though, is the fact that Wolverine is supposed to be 5'3" and was played by a 6'2" actor (Cruise must have been busy). I don't think Ang Lee is a great choice, because, despite how good the choreography and action is in CTHD, it has a staid air about it that fails to convey a real atmosphere of rage and emotion that would be necessary to this film. We'll see the other side of the actor/character likeness coin next year when Tobey Muguire takes on Peter Parker. One other thing; how far up your arse is your head, Vance Castaway? "I am an intelligent, mature and somewhat wise, but whimsical human being". If only we knew the fights you had walked away from? If only you'd stayed and had your head panned in. I realise that the current global situation means that we should learn to turn the other cheek, and I am by no means a racist, bigot or anything that might be considered in the same bracket, but nor do I need to be patronised by some smug twat that uses this site as an attempt to recruit for his personal fan club. There is no need for a self-proclaimed Ghandi here. This is a debate about the Hulk, not an opportunity for you to air your views on on-screen violence, an opinion that eventually digresses into something wholly inappropriate for discussion here. I await your pitying, patronising reply that forgives me for my ignorance. Give peace a chance? Give us a break.
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Sep 19, 2001 12:37:43 PM CDT
I ALWAYS WANTED MCTIERNAN TO DO THIS AND NOW WANT HIM TO MORE TH
by no.6
Crouching tiger was lame !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Stop being pretentious!
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I just checked out this CHOPPER trailer & my God if Bana didn't look like a slimmer version of Mick Foley. ( The wrestler formally known as Cactus Jack, Mankind & Dude Love ) Maybe we can see the HULK engaged in some EXTREME fighting. OH HELL YEAH!!!!
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A phrase from your post rung in my head and called to mind, once again, a part from what I consider to be the greatest piece of literature there is. "It was just robbery and violence, aggravated murder on a great scale, and men going at it blind-- as is very proper for those who tackle a darkness." Brings some people to mind doesn't it.-----Hey estevez rex, if you're out there I want to thank you for your interpretation of CTHD. I never fully understood why she jumped off the bridge at the end, couldn't figure out what it meant. My cofusion on that always left me a bit dissatisfied at the end of an otherwise great film.
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Bana put on a lot of weight to play "uncle chop-chop" so he's not always that big. And although his part in Chopper is more like hulk than Banner, that amazed me as he is usually a small normal guy in other shows.
PS to all aussies bana was the 2nd funniest on full frontal after micallef, did anyone see the micallef proggramme funniest show ever and i'd give anything for a movie with his character who is an actor who keeps screwing up things.
HARRY IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE FUNNIEST SHOW EVER GET 'THE MICALLEF PROGRAMME -
Here in little ole Noo Zeeland we received quite a few of the Ozzie shows like Full Frontal, The Comedy Company, etc. of which Monsieur Bana was a regular visual element. He was a great comic, evincing a multitude of believably moronic (but charming and charismatic) personas. For years, this was all he was known for. When I heard about Chopper my first reaction was one of bemusement but after a little reflection I realised he was a great choice for the role for a number of reasons: Chopper was notorious as a sociopathic character who could play the limelight and media in such a way as to be an almost empathic tragic figure - in short, a CHARISMATIC madman; he was FUNNY, etc. etc. i.e. Eric Bana could be an inspired choice for the role. For those who haven't seen the film, Eric Bana more than proved his right to the role with his sterling performance. For those of us who'd been watching him for years as a light-hearted, family comic the transformation was ASTOUNDING. He was at times funny, tragic and downright SCARY where the story required it. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that if Eric Bana doesn't pull this role off with all its dimensions - from action-hero macho posturing to tragic, everyman empathy - then NOONE would have been able to do any better anyway, and the fault lies with the script or the director or some other element...
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>> "To those of you who get my sense of humor, Thank You. To those of you who don't, see a proctologist..." << Dude... what's your sense of humor doing up my ass? (j/k)
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That was the funniest thing I have read in a long, long time. Hope his sense of humor didn't hurt too much.____Bee
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Okay so Eric is an Aussie and I love nothing better than to see another Australian doing well. But he does have a very strong accent which will need to be neutralised out a lot! I also can't see him playing anything else but a larger than life character...I feel that there really should be two actors playing this part and for hulk...well....this is a sore spot for me cause I would still love to see Lou Ferringo take up his old role again.
It has been mention that Eric would not be a good Bruce, I would have to dissagree. He can act and act very well. Let's hope he gives it the good old Aussie 'gimme a go; rolls up his sleeves and gives it to the world centre stage.
GOOD LUCK ERIC! -
since you ask, let me tell you that Full Frontal is the second worst show ever in the history of Australian TV, and us Aussies had to endure it for years. It is surpassed only by Eric Bana's show Eric, which thankfully was cancelled after a few weeks. (I could go on about Something In The Air, the third worst show, but I try not to be negative.) This guy's career was all over until Chopper, which proved once again that all actors are good, given a decent script. Don't worry about him being too big physically; he put on weight for the Chopper role. I think he'll be great as Hulk, and I'm sure the promoters will get good mileage out of the fact that Eric's surname sounds the same as his character's. Go Ang!
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