Cool News
CALLER FROM LA Saw K-19!!
Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
One of our long-time chatters and reviewers, Caller From LA, is here with a non-spoiler glimpse at the new Katherine Bigelow film K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER. Harrison Ford and a Russian accent. Liam Neeson. Nuclear sub action. I'll admit it... I'm interested.
Caller... buddy... how was it?
In summary, K-19 is a film that attempts to be part-Apollo 13, part-Braveheart, part-Red October, but ends up with no compelling story or interesting complications in acts 2 and 3. I do not recommend this film, even for a matinee. I can only recommend this film for any ex-Russian submariners.
Story: This film is inspired by the true story of Russia's first nuclear ballistic submarine, which suffered a malfunction in its maiden voyage. From a studio point-of-view, here is the main mistake: I don't think the American audience will have sympathy for this Russian crew, even if it is headed by Han Solo.
Act 1 is damn good - you get a sense of the mammoth size of the submarine, the youthfulness of its crew, the 'two captains' onboard the boat, and some of the political nature of the Cold War. The rest of the film explores bits and pieces of themes.
You want to see better versions of these themes? Men realizing their existence near a hot reactor: see John Cusack in Fat Man and Little Boy. Leadership amongst men: see Apollo 13 and Glory. A submarine thriller: see Hunt for Red October. Now imagine stringing three scenes from each of these films into one, and you've got K-19. K-19 lacks complications and depth. Story by Louis Nowra, screenplay by Christopher Kyle.
Directing: The first 30 minutes are tense, and almost all of the footage is used to propel the plot. Lots of close-ups, a bit of handheld - everything you expect in a sub film. There's only a limited use of CGI due to the lack of action in the plot. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Strange Days, Point Break).
Acting: Harrison Ford is no longer an actor; he is a performer. See Harrison Ford as the president. See Harrison Ford as a nuclear submarine captain. Harrison, please return to Regarding Henry-type material. Or, if you want to stay in larger-than-life roles, well, we always look forward to Indy. The combination of a submarine, Harrison Ford, and Joss Ackland (remember Lethal Weapon's 'Diplomatic Immunity' line) combine to give an impression that this is a bad Jack Ryan film.
Liam Neeson has a good, not great performance. Not much of a role here for him to fill out. The rest of the cast is made of young submariners, and they all ended up looking and sounding the same to me...not enough characterization to make them stand out from each other.
Music and Sound: I don't normally mention that score, but the music from Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer fits the mood well, and is interesting by itself. U-571 had much better sound editing, where you felt the ship buckle under the strain amidst silence...K-19 has a quick scene where the ships buckles a bit under pressure, but it sounds like some carnival ride gone bad.
Business: Coming from Paramount and Intermedia in the U.S. on July 19 against Eight Legged Freaks, Halloween: Ressurection, and Stuart Little 2. Go see Eight Legged Freaks instead, it's a much more entertaining B-movie. HSX has this at opening at $24 million, but I think it'll be slightly less unless they advertise the hell out of this mother. In any event, it will drop off quickly after release, mainly because there's a lot of films in the pipeline at that time.
Cheers,
--Caller From L.A.
who only got off his ass to get films reviewed again because he's envious of 'Steve Austin'I have no idea what 'Steve Austin' saw that pissed Caller off and made him envious, but Steve... thanks.
"Moriarty" out.
-
+ Expand All
-
You're kidding, right? Thats like saying to Speilberg after Schindler's List "Return to Hook material!" Or to Schumacher after Tigerland "Return to Batman and Robin' material!!" I agree with you that Ford is in serious danger of becoming a caricature of himself, but for the love of GOD I won't hear anything positive said about Regarding Henry!
-
Apr 11, 2002 8:14:58 AM CDT
Isn't Harrison Ford the guy, who had turned down the Michael
by aronld scazziger
Dang, this man is taking no risks anymore. He gets boring just because he wants to earn $20m+ a movie. Hope he's doin Gemini Man someday. And no, I don't think there'll be an Indy4. Never.
-
Is he copying Connery's Russian accent? "Och, Vladimir, aye you, jusht fire torpedo wan, eh. Good on ye shun. Hey you Jimmy! Up perishcope mate. Aye, good, thatsh grand by the way". I expect better from Bigelow. I liked Point Break. I liked Strange Days. But I loved Near Dark!
-
Apr 11, 2002 8:40:53 AM CDT
God, please don't let Ford chew on a lame accent and demand
by lance rock
-
Who really should work more. I was looking forward to this but it seems as though Ford's wooden acting really brings it down. Too bad. I wish Bigelow would revive the General Custer movie she was going to make with Brad Pitt. That sounded intriguing. Anyway, it's over for Ford. He did turn down the Michael Douglas role in Traffic and Nick Nolte's role in Thin Red Line. Ford would have won an Oscar if he played that. I think he did Random Hearts instead. What a waste.
-
Caller from LA made a quick reference to Ford and Indy 4. Allow me to pontificate. Indiana Jones 4 is not a movie that needs to be made. It'll be another Phantom Menace where as it will be marketed to 13, 14 & 15 year olds and not the 25, 26 & 27 year olds who grew up loving these films. If the movie gets made, with Speilberg, Lucas & Ford it'll be because the money is simply too good to pass up, Not because they really want to do it. Harrison is simply too old to get back into this role. It kills me to say that but it's the truth. And let's be honest people, Last Crusade stunk. The best part of that movie was the flashback sequence in the beginning. Any real fan of these films would agree with me in saying leave this franchise alone.
-
Apr 11, 2002 9:38:45 AM CDT
Can you guys please let go of the fact Ford turned down the role
by bigtuna
What's the big deal? Maybe HF thought he wouldn't be very good in the role and turned it down. Anyways, I think Traffic was a very overrated film. So stop mentioning he turned down the role i'm sick of hearing of it! Oh and if Ford returns to "Regarding Henry" type material, his career will soon be direct to video.
-
Ford with a Russian accent is going to be hilarious. Still, Bigelow rocks, and I ave a weakness for sub movies (yes, I even liked U-571). Maybe Ford pokes a hole in the hull with his Finger Of Doom(tm)....
-
I think audiences can sympathize with Russians if they were able to sympathize with the Germans in Das Boot.
-
...that "Last Crusade" sucked? Moriarty said it in his FOTR review, now this talkbacker is saying it. I always liked "Last Crusade." I mean, it's my least favorite of the 3 Indy films, but not by that much (I mean, one of them would have to be my least favorite).
The action sequence on the tank is a classic, it's funny, the teaming of Ford and Connery is perfect. Okay, so the girl counterpart is no Karen Allen or Kate Capshaw, but come on! What's not to like? -
I also liked The Last Crusade. The first Indy is still the best, but I'd take Last Crusade over most blockbuster-type films made in the last five years. It's a fun film.
-
Last Crusade was a pitiful retread of Raiders right down to the religious artifact with supernatural powers. Yes, it was fun to see Connery, and the opening sequence delivered, but on the whole the movie was weak. I espeially hated the way Denholm Elliott's character was turned into a buffoon. There was a time when Harrison Ford could do no wrong (Star Wars, Raiders, Blade Runner, Witness) now...I've skipped half of his last 10 films.
-
Damn, and I wanted to see this movie. Guess not now. I really liked U-571, even if it was not historically accurate regarding the Enigma machine. Maybe I'll just wait for Indy 4 and hope for the best. Wait a minute! I decided I didn't care if they made another Indiana Jones film. Damn Hollywood. Still trowelling out crap.
-
The worst part about Last Crusade was they included the last line of dialogue of the film in the trailer. It was an extra cheesey version of Raiders, but keep in mind Raiders was dangerously close to being a cheese fest as well. In regards to K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER, the title sounds like the sequel to K-9, only the dog kills Jim Belushi. And that last bit makes me think of Mentos: THE FRESHMAKER.
-
I don't see what was so bad about it. It was a fun, entertaining film. I liked it quite a bit more then Temple of Doom.
-
Apr 11, 2002 3:23:06 PM CDT
Harrison Ford sucks-admit it all you Star Wars/Indy/Bladerunner
by tarl_cabot
Empire, Raiders and Bladerunner are my 3 favorite movies but other than those 3 roles, which are staggering and deserve supreme geek hall of fame status, what has H Ford done? He's the same guy no matter who he is-same mannerisms, same speech cadences and same demeanor/energy level. I think he's a bore-not even WLB changed my opinion of him. And Indy 3 sucked so fucking bad! I LOATHED that movie. It was such a cheap remake of the Lost Ark. The sets were fake looking, effects were weak and the action was so contrived-How do we get Indy on a Tank Chase? And the baby boomer carthicism was so lame and un-Indy-Alpha-malesque; Indy is a macho Grande not some father/son angst ridden mid life crisis pussy! I hated Indy 3 and The prospect of seeing Indy 4 with an old fart version of Jones makes me cringe. I wish HF would cash in his chips and retire-great career-Thanks for HS, IJ and deckard but enough is enough!
-
Why does everybody always get on the bandwagon? Ten years ago Bladerunner (a GREAT film) was all but forgotten, only to resurface the last couple of years. Now everyone recognizes Ford for that. And Last Crusade was not a bad film, it's a heck of a lot better than most of the unoriginal crap coming out now (see Scorpian King). I do agree that Ford needs to pick better roles, though.
-
Apr 11, 2002 4:10:25 PM CDT
Indy 3 was a preview of how much lucas has lost his balls and
by tarl_cabot
I read that G-Lu and Spielberg made Indy 3 to "apologize" for "Temple". I loved Temple-it's not as good as "Ark" but Ark was a masterpiece and so Temple was a very acceptable sequel and I like that it was DIFFERENT than Ark. No Nazis'or household name Biblical artifacts...etc. It was a darker film but it still had the trademark Spielberg fixation with Children (Short round- sucked). It made a lot less than Ark and so the film makers decided to pander to the critics (although Roger Ebert thinks it's better than Ark) and remake Ark so they can make more money the third time out.*** G-Lu also "apologized" for Han Solo's cold blooded murder of Greedo in the special editions by having Greedo do the firing first and Make our Hero seem more morally correct( He cut the edge off solo, something HF already did for us wincing babies in ROTJ ). If you watch the original SW you'll get the impression he really had no choice-but it was the cool detached mannner in which he walked away from the bar that made him seem like the ruthless badass we grew to love. G-Lu cannot interpret his OWM material anymore! He and Spielberg are interested in making movies now that serve as surogate parenting tools and merchandise breadwinners.I knew then that The prequels were going to be lame-1 down 2 to go!-Think about the battle droids? no blood spilled when they get wacked-Jar Jar? Jake Fucking Loyd?These are WAR sagas right? Those battle scenes in TPM have no violence in them-don't wanna upset the kiddies!***Indy 4 is the most unneccessary movie ever and I'll refuse to see it despite my affection for Indy 1 and 2.
-
I lost all confidence in this reviewer's opinion when he said that Regarding Henry was a great film . . . what a piece of overly sentimental, heavy-handed piece of crap that was!
-
Apr 11, 2002 6:49:19 PM CDT
No, buddy, Harrison Ford does not suck. He's also a great d
by lenny nero
Get back to me on that.
-
Damn, Shade, that was hardcore! You rock!
-
Shade for president.
-
Apr 12, 2002 11:34:38 AM CDT
Lennynero: I praised Harrison Ford for his 80's films-So I f
by tarl_cabot
The last 12 years of Ford's career have been staturated in mediocredy-He was THE MAN in the first half of the 80's but his tired stick in lame films has gotten stale(I never saw RH but I heard it was awful by someone whom I respect so I passed). He is incapable of doing anything else than the Ford persona and as he gets older he seems more and more constipated. He also is inept in the romantic lead department. Random Hearts? Sabrina? Six days? then there is Jack Ryan: I think Baldwin was better because he was the right age but it was a bland role anyway so 10,000 actors could have done it.I also thought the Fugitive was vastly over rated too. He was the biggest star of the 80's but now the ubercoolness he once enjoyed is a distant memory... Indy 4 is not something that will change that. He is 59! Remember "A view to a Kill"? Roger Moore was a Dinosaur in that and Now Ford wants to make the same mistake? Spare us all Please!
-
Apr 12, 2002 12:38:17 PM CDT
Indy 4? Aren't G-Lu and Spielberg supposed to be talented? W
by tarl_cabot
Fucking Lucas! He wasted 5 years on Young Indy (the most proposterous show ever-Indy meets every single historical figure all over the world from age 8 to 21!), He fucked us all with TPM and now they wanna do Indy 4-after Episode 3??!! in 2006? Ford is ancient now; in four years he'll be Mummified! These guys are living off the past and it's pathetic! The Watchoskis and Peter Jackson are going to leave em behind... George is creative-I don't dispute that so I'd like to see him come up with some new shit for a change!! Comon!If he wants to stay in the past than he should make Episodes 7,8,and 9. At least I'll pay to see them-fuck Indy 4!
-
I just heard from an unnamed source that Harrison Ford has just signed on to be the lead in Jason XI, Ragarding Henry II, and star in a prequel of Battlefield Earth. When asked to comment, Ford replied "I didn't murder my wife".
-
Apr 13, 2002 4:30:05 PM CDT
MattmanReturns: Harrison Ford bashers are rare because of his tr
by tarl_cabot
he's now a tired, go through the motions, overpaid, sleepwalking star who is building a very forgetable post 80's career; No one bashes Ford because of his hall of fame credentials but those great parts he played back in the day are long gone and he seems to be protected by fans and critics as though "Thou Shall not bash Harrison Ford" was a comandment. He has gotten older and not neccessarrily more interesting or versitile as an actor; He always does the same constipated routine and as he ages his beak seems to grow bigger with each film. Ford bashers are rare (and bold) because of those great films he did do would make it hard to pursade anybody of the truth (that he kinda sucks) and I feely admit that Empire, Raiders and Bladerunner are my favorite films. But his career the last 12 years has been mostly a waste of time. Ford was a fucking stud from '77 to '84 but the appeal he had had a lot to do with age and his raw machismo and authority he semmed to effortlessly exude on screen. The 50+ something version of him has given us predictably dull and uninspired performances in mediocre fare such as "Random Hearts", "Sabrina", "Six days","Airforce One" and "The Devils own". If you like those movies than good for you but I can't get excited about any further HF movies although watching him try to do a Russian accent may be good for a few giggles...**** Cheers*
-
Did anyone see the look on his face when they gave him that lifetime achievement award? He looked like he was smelling the most heinous fart ever flatulated while they showed clips from all his movies. And his speech...he spoke like he was a headwound or palsy victim. Or maybe he just wanted to show everyone he still had those "Regarding Henry" chops.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Antepenultimate THRONES!! Lane Pryce Returns To MAD MEN!! Roger Waters On 60 MINUTES!! Plus GIRLS, VEEP, SIMPSONS, BURGERS, KILLING, METALOCALYPSE, SHERLOCK!! THE LAST SUNDAY OF SWEEPS!! -- 100 total posts 100 posts
- Duncan Jones To Tell The Story Of Ian Fleming! -- 62 total posts 62 posts
- SNL Says Goodbye To Kristen Wiig!! -- 53 total posts 53 posts
- Hercules Picks Next Season’s 10 Most Promising New Broadcast Series!! -- 128 total posts 50 posts
- The Behind the Scenes Pic of the Day will traumatize you. -- 37 total posts 37 posts
- There Can Be Only One... Ryan Reynolds?! -- 403 total posts 34 posts
- Dan Harmon Done As COMMUNITY Showrunner!! -- 144 total posts 26 posts
- Quint thinks John Hillcoat's prohibition-era flick LAWLESS is violently awesome! Cannes 2012! -- 69 total posts 22 posts
- BATTLESHIP Was A Definite Miss For Raven McCoy!! -- 97 total posts 18 posts
- While Jackie Chan seems to be retiring from Action Films, his son Jaycee Chan is warming up with DOUBLE TROUBLE! -- 53 total posts 18 posts