Cool News
Harry is leaving for China, to discover the truth behind KILL BILL and eat lots of Beijing Duck!
Hey folks…. Can’t really say Harry here, because that really isn’t going to mean much in the right now. You see, I’m getting ready to set off on my grandest adventure yet.
As a reader of the site, you’ve gotten to come along with me on trips to the Czech Republic, Spain, New Zealand, Holland, England, Banff… all over tarnation. Well, now I venture forth to CHINA.
That’s right – the land of Sax Rohmer’s imagination. The stomping grounds of Wong Fei-hung! The ass-whupping world of Chen Zhen! This is where the heroes are blind, one-armed babycart pushing avengers of bloody hell! Where witches have enormous attacking tongues and the skilled martial artists can fly amongst the bamboo forests.
This is the country that actually has pillars of heaven to shake!
As of 6am this morning (Thursday) I will be on a plane headed from Austin to Chicago, then in one gigantic trans-Pacific flight… I’ll land in Beijing. Once there the adventure begins. There will be mountains and pack mules involved according to popular legend that I hear. For my first stop in this trip half way round the world will be to the Temple of The White Lotus Clan and the world of Pai Mei. The cruel sadistic kung fu master that will be teaching Quentin Tarantino’s Bride (Uma Thurman). That’s right, I’m headed to China to bring all of you back as much info as I can from the set of Quentin Tarantino’s 4th Film…
KILL BILL
It was September 13th, 2001 when I first gave you your first look at the Screenplay for KILL BILL… About 3 weeks ago the internet began spreading around a digital copy of Quentin’s latest script – and as I saw it begin to spread, I remember Quentin telling me that he fully expected the script to be online by March -- The net is slower than it used to be it seems.
Now what will I be seeing?
Word has it that I’ll be on set to witness some of Uma’s training under Pai Mei – originally it was planned that Quentin would be playing this ancient Chinese master of cruel martial arts… but the enormity of the work necessary in making KILL BILL made him decide to go with… wait for it… almost there… GORDON LIU! One of the original 5 MASTERS OF DEATH! An old school Shaw Brothers’ era Wong Fei Hung! One of the men from 7 MAN ARMY! An original hardcore kung fu star from the Shaw Brothers Empirical Reign as the deities of Martial Arts cinema! I’m jazzed… You see… In addition, I’ll be there for the scene that Pai Mei has with Darryl Hannah’s character… and for those that have read KILL BILL… you know what that means! Hehehe
I’ll also get to watch David Carradine kicking Spawn’s ass! That’s right, I’ll be there for Bill’s combat stuff with LaTanya Richardson’s L.F. O’Boyle’s men. Can’t…. Wait! To actually watch David Carradine in sword swinging action! How fucking cool does life get? Well it gets cooler actually!
Then I’ll watch Uma throwing a one armed Julie Dreyfus (who happens to be a lovely French actress by the name of Julie Dreyfus, not the Seinfeld siren of an all too similar name)into a trunk as she gives Bill a deadly message! COOOOOOOOOOL!!!
I’ll also be watching… and this is the part where I just begin to drool spontaneously in anticipation for… But I’m going to get to watch Sonny Chiba and Uma Thurman work together. I’ll get to watch Hattori Hanzo make a blade… wield a blade… perhaps sew up Uma’s back… Serve sushi… Whatever… I’m gonna get to see Sonny Chiba in real life doing what Chiba is known for… BEING THE GOD THAT HE IS! I mean… fucking A folks, in the presence of THE STREET FIGHTER!
This is just the beginning though… I don’t know if I’ll be watching actual cut together footage from KILL BILL or not, but I’ll be giving you the best assessment of what is going on on the set of the most ass kicking up and down both sides of every street in town Tarantino flick around.
I can’t wait to experience all this film craziness, but also to experience CHINA. My God the history of China makes history everywhere else seem like recalling a summer vacation you once had. I mean here is a country that has been established for several thousands of years. That just boggles the mind. I’m hoping to visit the Great Wall while there, see the sets of THE LAST EMPEROR… hehehe… And I know if I get hurled into a Chinese Prison that in addition to painting Star Wars figures for George Lucas, I shouldn’t piss in the middle of the bucket, but on its side… that way I don’t disturb my fellow prisoners. I know to look for bathrooms labeled WC and that have a rating of 4 stars so that my genitals are not eaten by various snakes and rats and other creatures that live in the black blood of the earth.
While there, I’ll be finding out as much as I can about GLORIOUS BASTARDS – the rumors about Yuen Woo-Ping and Quentin fighting about fight choreography on set. I do have major questions about this film. I have faith in Quentin, like very few filmmakers out there… but I’m the first to admit… this is unlike anything he’s ever attempted before.
Quentin isn’t known for his action directing ability. Obviously if he’s going from this into a ‘MEN ON A MISSION’ style war film, he’s going to be honing his skills. With Robert Richardson as his DP (THE HORSE WHISPERER, CASINO, NATURAL BORN KILLERS, JFK, THE DOORS, BORN OF THE FOURTH OF JULY, PLATOON and SALVADOR) he has a DP that knows how to work with semi-sane folks and deliver brilliant work. I’ll hopefully get to know the folks making this movie pretty well, I’ll be on set for 8 of the final 10 days of shooting.
Honestly, I just can’t believe I’m getting to sit back and take in Quentin direct his most ambitious film to date. I will endeavor to bring you all my experiences as soon as possible. The one question I have about this trip, is how on Earth am I going to be updating. My days on the Mountaintop… I know will be impossible. When I return to Beijing though, will I be able to plug my ol Apple G4 in and upload stuff? Will the connections be there for me to use, is there a phone number locally in Beijing to call for Internet Access?
See… it’s challenges like these that keep this job so exciting. I remember in Park City, Utah on my first Sundance, where I was in a room without any removable phone plug… I went to Radio Shack and made my own patch line into the phone… and got my updates going good! I’ve traveled all over the world and usually I’ve been able to update – Cannes was a bitch, but I did it! Now, I must conquer China.
In preparation for this trip, I’ve recently devoured all 3 of the new Tarantino DVDs… Artisan’s RESERVOIR DOGS DVD and Miramax’s two special edition discs of PULP FICTION and JACKIE BROWN. Of the 3, my favorite set has to be the JACKIE BROWN discs. If for no other reason than getting a chance to watch all of those trailers for Pam Grier and Robert Forster’s old films! Just classic stuff, and beautiful transfers of them too! Having the ability to put in a disc with 20 or so Pan Grier trailers, press the repeat group button and having that endless loop of Pam Grier goodness… That’s a luxury worth having!
Both of the Miramax discs are superior in terms of the sheer enormity of information on the discs. The amount of written information, Quentin’s article he wrote for SIGHT & SOUND about Monte Hellman’s great film RIDE IN THE WHIRLWIND. Reading this, makes me wish Quentin wrote more critical pieces about key films from the past. His is a voice that would be quite welcomed in a world of too much snobbery and pretension.
Now, I’ve heard some folks acting a bit weird about the RESERVOIR DOGS DVDs and let me just say that the discs I got were really quite nice. Finally having the full on super-widescreen Aspect ratio is just completely worth it right there alone. In addition, having the close ups of KNB’s ear cutting off scenes in the extras category… Well, if you love gore, this is a must! Now the little extra documentary things shot for this have the worst titles and lead ins off of any DVD I’ve ever seen, however… the actual documentary shorts themselves are particularly great. Specifically the tribute to Lawrence Tierney. And if Chris Penn’s story about his bar-b-que he had for Tierney doesn’t cause you do multiple spit laughs, there’s just something wrong with ya.
On the JACKIE BROWN and PULP FICTION DVDs – I really loved having the Siskel & Ebert segments about the films – and specifically watching the PULP FICTION disc’s inclusion of the S&E’s TARANTINO GENERATION special… God I miss Gene Siskel. Love Ebert to death, but for me… Roeper just doesn’t come close. Observe how precisely Siskel makes his points, the warmth and intelligence. Strangely enough, I was at Tarantino’s Film Fest when I received word of Gene’s passing… That was a bittersweet night - oddly enough we wound up watching MIGHTY PEKING MAN that night, which bizarrely enough I reviewed on my first appearance with Ebert on the show. Strange how the world works.
If you don’t hear from me over the next 9 days, realize it is due to net access problems – If I can get online, you’ll be getting daily updates like what I did with LORD OF THE RINGS. If not, I’ll be writing daily reports anyways, and soon as I return, they will be being posted daily.
In the meanwhile, famed screenwriter MORIARTY will be having a go of things here, helped by Father Geek and Hercules the Strong. I hope that you’ll enjoy what I’m going to be bringing you, and if you have questions or things you wish to know about Tarantino, Sonny Chiba, Uma Thurman, Darryl Hannah, Robert Richardson, Gordon Liu, Yuen Woo-Ping, KILL BILL, GLORIOUS BASTARDS, The Kill Bill Animated Projects, THE VEGA BROTHERS and whatnot… let em shoot in Talk Back below… If I get access over there, I’ll try to find out for y’all.
Till that day, I’ll be filing my “STAYING OUT OF TROUBLE IN LITERAL CHINA” reports as I can!
Mmmmmm Beijing Duck here I come!
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I can't wait to see this brought to life. Almost wish I hadn't read it...........
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Did you visit Groningen? :)
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Aug 21, 2002 8:06:17 PM CDT
hmm, anybody else's comment box shrunken to such a size that
by el duderino
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I'm sure this won't affect his review of this movie...
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If everything went as planned I now have a new user ID. You probably recognize it from that GREAT hulk scoop a while back :D Anyway... I don't think I would read the Kill Bill script if I had it... I wanna see this as a movie first...
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I mean, it should be a truly kick-ass little action flick but nothing more than that. It's just a series of set pieces so far, more like From Dusk Till Dawn than Pulp Fiction or Jackie Brown. On the other hand reading the script and watching the movie are two different things I suppose...
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Aug 21, 2002 8:35:56 PM CDT
It's nice to see we have another PHANTOM MENACE. Something t
by chuckrussel
'nuff said!
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I can't wait to get the DVD and enjoy the Pam Grier goodness, but I am still dissapointed that film did not reinvigorate her career the way Pulp Fiction was the launching and re-launching pad for Sam Jackson and John Travolta. Come to think of it, Travolta could use another re-birth. Glorious Bastards might just be right for him, until then bring on Uma!
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What I'd like to know is will the look of the film be anything like Stone's hyper stylized pictures of the last decade (over exposed hard light etc) or are they going for a more straight-up homage to the look of exploitation and kung-fu movies from the 70's. Or neither? But it's odd, I remember Richardson had a moral problem with NBK and it's uber violence.... guess it only took him a decade or so to get over that... but I'm curious... did Quentin smooth talk him or what? I read the script btw... and when it nails it (which is most of it) it is a beautiful thing to behold. Psychedelic is a word I'd use to describe it if I had to choose just one. Too bad about them chopping Uki's revenge though. But if you follow Tarantino's "universe" law... a nurse named Bonnie should not be able to appear in a MOVIE-MOVIE universe picture... I thought only The Wolf could do that? If anybody's confused about what the hell I'm talking about see article here: http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=9830
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What is the cast going to be like for Glorious Bastards? Are the rumors about Sandler true? That would be a pretty nice collaboration... Also, why doesn't he get Charles Bronsan or James Garner, one of the original GREAT ESCAPE guys to be in it!? McQueen and Pleasance are gone, but most are still around and working! What is the deal with the VEGA BROS. rumors anyhow??
PS- Does anyone post in the imdb boardroom? They are quite polite, I find...
ALSO- Any former BOC players here? Mr. Showbiz- the good ole days? Anyone?
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...but it was extremely entertaining. I dunno if Tarantino can turn it into more than just entertainment...there's something more to Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. Something that makes you care. I hope Kill Bill finds that extra spark.
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Crouching Fat Texan, Hidden One-Armed Julia Louis Dreyfus.
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Is Tarantino going to make any attempt at connecting with pathos in the story of Kill Bill, or is he going for a complete satisfaction of appetitive desires -- the latter being the most true to the nature of exploitation flicks, but resulting in a movie with a hollow dramatic and character motivation basis? Furthermore, what kind of conscious evolution will Kill Bill be for Tarantino in terms of aesthetics? Will the editing and cinematography be more exaggerated and kinetic, or will Tarantino be approaching it with a more laid-back style to contrast with the extremities of the action that are taking place? The Robert Richardson question is a good one. What kind of results can we expect from a collaboration between two visual personalities such as Richardson and Tarantino?
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Isn't that weird?
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I just couldn't see him in an "Asian" character.. or any other character worth seeing for that matter. He's a god of a director, but his acting is oh so very "Jimmy". He was only passable in Dust Till Dawn. He definitely should have stopped acting with his appearance in the Golden Girls. Harry, you fucking rock. Please tell Q to keep his focus on new material and not going back to the Vega Brothers bullshit. I commend him for his recent ambitions.
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gee harry, i don't know. telephones in china? electricity? the internet? you've been watching too many movies. we've come quite a way since "once upon a time in china". i hope you won't be too disappointed by the lack of rickshaws. i fear your greatest challenge will probably lie in overcoming your own ignorance.
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I for one think this movie is gonna rock hard. Having read rhe script and fully believing QT can pull it off im really jazzed about this. If the rest of you guys wanna be negative about go ahead but i know you will all change your tune when you see the finished product. Let the loser boys diss QT but as far as im concerned hes the best since a certain Martin Scorcese first wowed the world. BTW Harry keep reports coming in if you can its gonna be pretty good.
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tell me about it. "the pillars of heaven shaking", man you have to be jack burton to know that comes from BTILC. welcome to asia, harry. old jack has been here for 6 years now. remember, harry, china's in the heart. wherever you go, she'll go too.
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Why no commentary on those new DVDs? Of all special features on DVDs the only thing I don't just sit through once is a good commentary. I'd trade all those other special features for a Tarantino/Jackson/Travolta commentary.
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Harry,
Most hotels, at least 4 and 5 star have internet connections for you to use, or at least a business center. Other than that look for internet cafes (yes I know a lot have been closed down, but they still exist). Unless you're in a hotel though, look for REAL SLOW connections.
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Aug 21, 2002 11:03:43 PM CDT
Quentin, please release Garbage Pail Kids: The Movie on DVD!
by declan_swartz
I remember reading of how Quentin told Harry he had a fondness for Garbage Pail The Kids: The Movie, as do I. It is one of those things I find tough to explain to people. The movie is what would would happen if Lloyd Kaufman directed family films. One of the best parts is that end song that does what all great movie songs should do. In the song the movie's title is said repeatedly and the rest of the song explains the plot; which was also done at the end of BTILC.
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Aug 21, 2002 11:20:37 PM CDT
Harry, isn't it called INglorious Bastards? Questions for Q
by david fincher
Hey Harry, This is SO cool you're going to the set of KILL BILL, man. You're gonna see the biggest film geek in the world direct!! Sweet!! Anyway, I heard from a friend that was talking with Quentin at the film fest that his war movie is called INGLRIOUS BASTARDS, not GLORIOUS. Could you confirm that with him, Harry? Here's my other questions for you to ask him: What movies that have been out recently has he really dug? He's a big fan of Kung-Fu movies but with all the ones he has seen does he think that CROUCHING TIGER HIDEN DRAGON is all that? He has (IN?)GLORIOUS BASTARDS set up to do right after KILL BILL, but does he have other screenplays written that he is going to film? .... And a question -- well more of a request -- will you please tell us all about the way Quentin directs? What's he like when he's doing it? ... If you could answer some of those it would be awsome!!!!! Have fun Harry and soak up EVERY BIT OF DETAIL that you can get into your mind!! Be cool Harry. Can't wait to see those reports! --
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I wasn't all that jealous when you went to New Zealand to watch the wrapping up of Fellowship Of The Ring. However, I've collected alot of HK films over the past two decades and adore the culture. My life long traveling dream is to visit China... and your going. PLEASE PUT UP TONS OF PICTURES!! :) I wish I could go...
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Are probably very different from any adventures with pack mules you can have south of the boarder.
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Do tell....
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So, the FATMAN is going to meet the STREETFIGHTER, eh? A few things, Harry. First, I'm not understanding the babycart pushing reference. The Lone Wolf series was in JAPAN. Unless there is some other babycart series from China (and somehow I don't doubt that). Second, demand to have four women by your side AT ALL TIMES. Third, don't piss the Chiba off man, you won't make it back alive. Enjoy your mighty communist adventure!
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yes yes yes! i've been so hyped to get the news on tarrantioe's two latest projects. keep us posted harry and i hope you have a great trip! woo hoo!
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Aug 22, 2002 12:18:29 AM CDT
Cookiepuss... get the KILL BILL script here... DO NOT GET THE FU
by david fincher
go to http://come.to/killbill and then click "script." You'll get a great formatted version. There have been other crappy versions around the suck because it makes it hard to read. It's a kick-ass script and I think you'll enjoy it... For anyone else wanting to read it get it from the above link... DO NOT GET THE FUCKED UP VERSION THAT HAS BEEN GOING ABOUT!!! IT WILL ONLY SPOIL YOUR ENJOYMENT... Check it out and enjoy...
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Ask him if (and when) he plans on squeezing in QT6?
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I wonder if anyone will recognize Harry in China. You would think not, but he does get at least some press there. Harry was hanging out with me at Eeyore's Birthday in Austin and this chick comes up to us and I swear to god she says, "Who are you? I know you are famous but I don't know who you are. I saw your picture in a magazine in China, but the text was in Chinese so I couldn't read it." Insane. If Harry had told me that story himself I wouldn't have believed it. I guess Harry has one of the most distinctive looks in the world.
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Has the greatest Chapter been cut? Yuki's Revenge? I sure as hell hope not. With all these online rumors of it being chopped, thats the one thing i most wanna know. If its cut, They should at least committ it to film for the DVD...and if Miramax wants scenes cut...they don't need to tighten their claws on budgetary issues with this film while films like Imposter and Kate and Leopold are greenlit...do the right thing...let this be epic...if its about the running time...the film is still gonna run about 3+ hours...so who gives a rats ass about it being an extra 10-15 minutes...
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What do you want? A kiss on the cheek and a pat on the ass? Just go and have fun. I hope you have a great time and all, but come on, man...it's already pretty well-established that you're going on this trip (you've mentioned it a few times now), and we all know that you hobnob with QT as much as possible, so just go. We don't need a status report before you even get off the ground.
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Harry,
I'm a US citizen who -
"Glorious Bastards" is the name of Tarantino's "Guys-On-A-Mission" WWII flick. "Inglorious Bastards" is the name of Spaghetti Western director Enzo G. Castellari's "Guys-On-A-Mission" WWII flick (starring the great Fred Williamson). While "Eastern Condors" inspired Tarantino to make a "Guys-On-A-Mission" flick in the first place, "Inglorious Batards" seems to be the most obvious inspiration when it comes to plot and setting (and title). Hope this helps.
While some say Tarantino is a rip-off artist (cough..."City on Fire"...cough) I love how he takes familiar plotlines and injects them with his own style. Quentin's a great director. -
...when the hell is he going to make a Western? It's really the best genre in the pantheon of cinema (and Tarantino has said on occasion that the Spaghetti Western is his second favorite genre - behind kung-fu films). While some of his scenes have a Spag. Western quality, it isn't enough for us rabid Western fans. We need someone to revitalize the genre and if anyone can do it Tarantino can.
Speaking of Westerns and great directors, which directors should make a Western (that haven't already)? Paul Verhoeven would be a good choice for the sub-genre of the "political Spaghetti Western". You know, a Spag. that talks about the Mexican Revolution or something and climaxes with a guy mowing down hundreds of people "Companeros"-style. His perverted mix of humor and violence would suit the genre perfectly. The Coen Bros. would make a great Spaghetti Western...I mean, what's more "Fistful of Dollars" than "Miller's Crossing"? Martin Scorsese is a given to make a Western (not a Spaghetti)...flawed protagonists, beautiful cinematography (he should film it in sepia tone), and disturbing graphic violence...do I need to say more? Who are your suggestions to revitalize the genre? -
...Capitalist Running Pig-Dog Lackies and how they like to oppress the masses. Make sure you mention how those Falun-Gong people smell of Methylated Spirits and how you've heard they like to eat live chickens while wearing women's clothing. They like that kind of stuff in China, dontchyaknow?
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we still want you around for awhile =)
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Man, I spent a good ten days just kicking it in Hong Kong about four years ago along with the US branch of the Jackie Chan fan club. That part of the world is simply amazing. I'd love to go back someday. Harry, you are one lucky duck. You know that, right?
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Kay...Harry, QT listens to ya? Suggest 1 little thing. Adam Sandler = NO. N-O. Niet, Nein, N-Fuckin-O, Noooooooooooooooo-oh!! And yeah, which 'Res' Cover did you pick then? (which Dog?) Me, I'm gonna get Pink, time comes.
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hi there. i can't post actual urls here or something, because that would get my post deleted.
anyone who wants to have a copy of the script, should contact SOMEONE at www.tarantino.info
besides, all you gotta know about Kill Bill and QT is over there. TONS of in-depth script reviews, articles and info... -
Not really that big of a fan of QT -- loved RD, was well entertained by PF but have forgotten most of JB -- However, read the script of KillBill off the internet about two weeks ago and fucking loved it. It just read so well and was non-stop goodness. I agree with someone above who said that it could just be a series of cool sequences but hey, what a cool action movie it's gonna make. I was pretty skeptical of QT having the skill to really pull off some of the stuff in the script, but with all the kung-fu fight choreographers he's assembled and now that i know bob richardsons involved as dp i have a really good feeling about this. Richardson is one of the best cinematographers working today, his work with stone is just incredible. Manic allout frenzy/comedy is the visual sense that this insane script needs. This is gonna be class. Can't wait to read all of harry's reports on this and dying to see some character pics, particularly Uma all suited up with a bit of Hanzo steel...
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I'd just like to say that Julia Louis-Dreyfus is one of the funniest actresses on this earth. Along with Jennifer Saunders, Molly Shannon, Christine Baranskie, Joanna Lumley and the cast of Smack the Pony (not to mention a few Icelandic queens of comedy - Helga Braga, Halld
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That was supposed to be Olafia, not Olavia ... :D
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Won't be a phrase that's gonna be used by the Chinese to describe Harry. How about The Four Feathers that Richardson worked on? Seems like there were a lot of problems on the set (technical and otherwise). And when is QT gonna make that Elmore Leonard Badaaasss Western he's been promising us for way back when?
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I remember the times I lost sleep because it may have come out the next day.....Was there ever any plans to do it? More importantly, did we ever find out why Roger Avary made that post on his website? (Remember as the days were counting down to it's supposed opening, his post said "today's number is 39"???)
We never really heard much more about it after the rumour was proven false. Please figure it out for me Harry!
(PS.When is the release date for once upon a time in mexico?) -
Besides cool fight sequences (on paper)...what else is there in this film? B-grade actors playing Characters you couldn't care less about. And what's the kung-fu gonna be like... In Matrix, there was an actual physics reasoning why they could do all those special moves. Now it's just a fantasy. Actually does anyone get the idea that QT wants to bang Uma Thurman real bad he's making his private fantasy video? He said he and Uma developed the story. Holy crap there's a sure fire track record for success!! For Resevoir, he had Ring Lam and jean Luc Goddard...for Pulp Fiction he had Roger Avery. Now Uma, writer of such classics like...?hmmmmm.
Go back to Universe 1 QT, this movie has already bombed no matter how many Harry's you can find to trade a Lucy Lui blow job for a good review, telling us it's the best thing since Phantom Menace..hahahaha. -
Harry, reading the Kill Bill script, one moment that sticks out is the introduction of who i believe to be Lucy Lius character, which is in "glorious japanimation" or something according to the script. Is this still part of the film and if so, who will be animating it?
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sorry, that was rude
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Tarantino lost it a long time ago.
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See subject header. Don't climb any mountains, unless of course the great Buddha demands an audience.
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YOU LUCKY SON OF A BITCH!
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A colleague of mine went to Bejing for a vacation about three years ago. The whole party of people kept together and herded around like cattle the whole time...under guard. For the love of God, don't stray anywhere. The aforementioned guards are 1) armed and 2) devoid of any concept of a sense of humor. My co-worker said that those safety catches were very, very quick to be switched off...though no actual incident occurred. Having said that though, have a great time....I'm looking forward to reading the Tarantino set reports, as well as everything else you will hopefully get to upload. (Oh...one last thing....be REAL careful where you aim your camera. They're kinda touchy about that as well from all accounts.)
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Gordon Liu was neither a member of the 7 MAN ARMY or one of the 5 MASTERS OF DEATH. He WAS the world famous monk San Te the "Master Killer" in 36th Chamber of Shaolin.
Also, the charecter of the White Lotus priest Pai Mei was most memorably played by veteran Shaw Bros. actor Lo Lieh (star of 5 Fingers of Death) in the films SHAOLIN EXECUTIONER and FISTS OF THE WHITE LOTUS. If this casting news is true it's quite interesting since Gordon Liu's charecter in FOTWL fights Pai Mei to the death. -
Okay, having seen both movies (own a copy of City on Fire), I can authoritatively say that anyone who says that Tarantino "ripped off" City on Fire is definitely nuts. Yes, it ends with a three-man face-off. Yes, it's about an undercover cop who connects with his target in an unexpected way, raising all the questions of loyalty. But they are different films: "Fire" is linear, but "Dogs" is structured around flashbacks. We see more of the undercover cop's personal life in "City on Fire". "City on Fire" has more locations. It's also kind of funny to think that Chow Yun Fat and Danny Le switch roles in The Killer (Chow becoming the crook and Le the cop in that film). But, honestly, the biggest difference is that "Dogs" is much more entertaining than "City on Fire." Ringo Lam is probably one of the weaker directors in Hong Kong (compared to Woo and Tsui Hark); Tarantino took the basic plot idea and the climax and made it into a much meaner, focused film.
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I love Master Killer Liu Chia Hui(Gordon Lui) to death, but why didn't they get Lo Leih to play White Lotus Priest Pai Mei?
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I have no idea why Roeper was picked to replace Siskel. He isn't a film critic. He isn't a student of film. He's just a big yuppie who's givign an uneducated opinion of current movies. Hearing his opinion is like asking the vapid yuppie schmuck in your office what he thinks of this weekend's movies ... Roeper is only as qualified as that. Ebert was better off with the revolving second chair approach. Roeper is damaging to the respectablity of the show. Roeper should go back to what he does best, writing editorials about whatever it is that interests him and his cronies.
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I agree with you! I spent time in Hong Kong a couple of years ago and
when I told people I had been there they looked at me like I had horns growing out of my head. My favorite question "Do they have roads?"
It's no wonder America is so hated abroad. I really think the American education system could do a better job at teaching people about the non-european countries and cultures. Harry is a big 'ol Gweilo. For those wondering, it's not dirty. -
I don't believe that Siskel and Ebert had any official film training either. In fact, I think that Siskel used to be a sports writer. While I'm not a huge fan of Roeper, I'm willing to give him a few years to come in to his own. And her was certainly better than most of the other guest hosts they had on before they chose him.
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(Reuters, Aug 22 2:18PM EDT) Harry is in China and it just so happens that Dongting Lake, a body of water the size of Luxembourg which is already more than 8 feet above its flood warning level, is threatening to flood hundreds of villages and towns. Coincidentally, Harry is also the size of Luxembourg and just may be responsible for the lake's dangerously high water level.
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Maggie,
I am so happy that it seems the federal backed public school system is on the way out; thanks to more standardized testing that deman results for tax payers. Here in Massachusetts the public schools spend twice as much per student as private schools, and home-schooled students are down to around a little over thousand a year spent on a student. Isn't it funny that parents with no training turn out students with higher test scores than those expensive public schools? I know there is a belief that half of schooling is learning to interact with different types of people, and these home-schooling parents are starting to get that. I am not saying demolish the public schools, but like most other public institutions they should be handled at a local level only. Now, don't get me started on why the post office has to go. -
Sorry about forgetting the d at the end of demand. I honestly did graduate from a public high school, barely.
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Stick to Tofoo and Trim Spa. HEHE nobody here to ban me for a week. Yes, this username is burning in...
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Do they even have running water over there? If Quentin makes a respectable leading man outta Carradine with this picture and revitalizes his career a la Travolta, I'll be amazed.
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I guess that when there is no more credibility left to lose, that you might as well suck up to celebrities. Why do you find it necessary to bend over for every entertainer who throws a few crumbs your way? I hope it's worth it. One tip: Pack the lube. You're gonna need it.
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Aug 22, 2002 4:34:00 PM CDT
Tarantino will be remembered as one of the greatest dialogue wri
by otto parts
How can people talk about him being past it when he has only yet directed 3 [full length] movies? Dogs must have come out in about 92, and I presume we'll be seeing this movie next year, 2003. That's 4 films in 11 years, and I can live with that because the guy could easily be directing for the next 30 years. I haven't even mentioned the scripts of his which have been made into movies by others [with varying degrees of success, I admit, but the saving grace in every one of those movies is the dialogue]. Basically, although I sometimes don't like to say it, QT is a genius, really one of the best writers of the modern age, and that fact will simply be underlined when Kill Bill is eventually released. Anyone know when that is?
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Harry, make sure you have a diet rich in david carradine. cockgobbler.
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Imagine having to sit next to Harry on a flight from Chicago to China.
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thank you quint for for not being in this film.you belong in the directors chair.thanks for putting a real deal martial artist you've made my wish come true.
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Good luck with Quentin in China. I bet you two are going to have a lot of fun together. Harry... promise me one thing!! Don't try on that wire-fu.... cause we want you alive...
Ask Quentin what he thinks about internet-humor... and in particular... the cult site "The Shroud of Tora Bora". Pretty funny stuff...
If you haven't seen it check it out at:
http://www.geocities.com/toraborashroud/
Also, ask Quentin if he's ashamed of some of the deleted scenes that are included on the new PF and JB DVD's. Cause some of them truly stink!
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VISIT THE FART FILES TODAY!!! YOU CAN FIND IT AT: http://agent_bible.tripod.com/ HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!! MOVIE REVEIWS, MOVIE PICTURES, AND MUCH MUCH MORE!!!
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Goddammit, that is IT! Fuck just going to Hawaii, next year I'm going to Hawaii AND Japan! One week on the islands and two in the land of the Rising Sun! And I'm filmin' everything that moves and scooping up as much anime and souviners as I can afford seeing everything there is to see all while shoehorned into 6-inch heels and a Sailor Moon Super-S costume!! MOON JISM POWEEEEER, MAAAAKE-UP!! Oh yeah, and a very happy 100th birthday to Ex-Nazi filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl! She of Triumph Of The Will! And Olympia! 100 Years! One whole century and still going strong! WHOO-HAH! So, how was Der Fuhrer in the sack? Was he hung like a donkey? Did you swallow or just take it up the ass? Or both? And did you ever 3-way with Eva? Inquiring minds wanna know, goddammit! Or not. Toppu o Nerae!
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Harry can you ask QT what happened with Rolling Thunder pictures which brought audiences movies like The Mighty Peking Man and Switchblade Sisters. Will it be started up again? Or is it gone for good?
-Jason -
Exactly when did Harry turn from commentator for the film lover to junkett whore? Perhaps I have had my eyes closed on this site, but it seems like he could just get the grunt work out of the way now and write up the "Kill Bill Kicks Major Ass" review now so all the heavy work is done. I don't blame people for selling out and being corrupted by involvement in this sexy system; just don't pose like you haven't.
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Aug 23, 2002 12:45:09 PM CDT
I think Tarantino should remake Some Like It Hot with Hulk Hogan
by chaffro
"So you've got your eyes sliced, your ears hacked off and your nose chopped. Nobody's perfect, brother."
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Is for shit.
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Aug 23, 2002 3:47:22 PM CDT
YOU CAN FOR EXAMPLE FIND THE SCRIPT AT joblo.com`s NEW SCRIPTS!!
by drjones
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Thank you. That is all.
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Does Quentin have any interest in making a sci-fi movie? Now that I's love to see.
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i don't know if someone else has put up the link, but www.movies.yahoo.com/upcoming has a link to the script - just search for 'kill bill', then scroll down to the bottom of the page. and city on fire is one of the most inventive, dreamy(in the shots and the editing) and finally beautiful films i've ever seen.
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Check it out:
http://come.to/killbill
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#1 Who the hell killed Nice Guy Eddie in Reservoir Dogs? And do NOT say the cops!
#2 After reading the Kill BIll script and seeing every trick he and everybody before him has used before (Black nurse with letter B. for first name? Bonnie from Pulp? ok forgiveable. a bit too cute but forgiveable. Samuri sword from Pulp. check. Tricked out "Pussy Wagon" owned by BUCK who likes to "Fuck" is the same as Zed and his chopper. check. I could go on and on in fact I encourage future posters to cite other recyclings) Does QT have an original idea left in his head? Did he ever? I see QT films for what they are: cherry-picked goodies from superior films recombined in the ever exhausting search for geek cool over substance and merit. Plus, QT bores us with sex=death. If you are into drugs and sex you are gonna die with a knife or gunshot to your privates in a QT film. Wasn't this tired cliche already covered by Jamie Kennedy's character in Scream? Plus he makes a big deal out of Mr. Barrel who then does nothing and never shows up again. Plus, enough already with the pop-culture referencing dialogue. I know he popularized it but it's soooo old and played out now. I mean starting the movie by incorrectly citing an old cliche as a Klingon proverb? Puh-leaze! Get over yourself! Here's a novel idea for QT. How about stop trying to make movies that are just so gosh-darn geek cool and try to make something with an ounce of depth and character and with a point of view and something to say. Oh nevermind, when does Gangs of New York come out again? -
this site is very obvious when your stoned. all the overzelous nature, the idolitry, the the zanity and hijinks. because for all its faults ladies and gents, if qualtiy was measured in squats, then AICN would be worth 300 squats in a country shithouse. its just the way i feel about this site. it makes me question the thunder, and hear the gods. if you had a sword made of thunder do you think you could kill a bear?.......well no, you couldnt, thunder is only the SOUND!!!! tricked all you humperdoos
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Aug 24, 2002 9:30:08 AM CDT
Perhaps Harry went there to have some bad-ass Chinaman whip his
by monkey_king
Old Monkey and get a real education in Chinese culture instead of through Tarantino's miniscule knowledge of the China. Yeah, RESEVOIR DOGS was Quentin's 'Western' follow-up to CITY ON FIRE, but he still could've gave the film props instead of ignoring his real influence. His ass-kissing of Carradine has got Old Monkey wanting to vomit due to the sheer insanity of it.
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There are certain names that were not changed (i.e., Peking University, not Beijing University) and Peking Duck is one of them (even though you eat it in Beijing).
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...Nice Guy Eddie got shot by Mr. White. Don't believe me? Watch the Mexican Standoff in slow motion. White gets off two shots, one of which nails Nice Guy Eddie (this is also noted in the script). Uh...the samurai sword is not a bit he's copying from his own film. You see, in the annals of exploitation cinema we have the sword fighting flick. Since QT is playing tribute to exploitation films of the past, it's only fitting that the characters use samurai swords. The scene you mention in "Pulp Fiction" was also inspired by sword fighting flicks. I mean, to get so nit-picky at such trivial things is really an annoying, superfluous exercise. "Come on QT, you can't have a diner in this movie...you already had one in 'Pulp...' What the hell are you thinking QT!?!?!? AAAAHHHH!!!!"
Also, the whole "My name is Buck and I like to fuck." thing is taken from the Tobe Hooper film "Eaten Alive" which stars Robert Englund as a nutty rapist. It also features a giant red alligator.
Hope this cleared things up...and pardon me for any typos.
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First of all anybody who thinks you can get off two shots after you've been shot that close and not miss or pass out beforehand is just ludicrous. Second, while I am sure that swords are pretty much a necessity in a kung fu send up I'm merely pointing out that he repeats himself and repeats himself. It's as if QT has a set number of things he deems "cool" and that's as far as his imagination will take him. Very very shallow waters there. Sorry I just can't geek out on QT like you. I too once found his voice fresh and exciting but its been ripped off way too much to really matter anymore and now by QT himself. Face it QT is little more than the King of Pastiche (look it up) He's the McDonald's of Geek cinema. Rage on Crimson brother Darth Phallus awaits...Yes,,,I feel your anger...it grows within you...give in and take your place by my side...bwahahahah!
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Aug 24, 2002 4:46:14 PM CDT
Harry has a beer and cheats on his sticky, hairy right hand!
by john_howlett_jr
Just kidding, big fellah.
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What a great movie. Walter Hill blazing back to the top even though few care about classic filmmaking of the real school. This movie is on fire-- great performances, tough action, real drama, hard focus on individual choices in tough situations, Howard Hawks-style. The audience was rolling back and forth in their sympathies with every character. A movie without judgement that allows each man to prove his own conviction. Oh yeah it's a boxing flic, pointedly different than all the other boxing movies to date. Of course 20-something net experts who know everything about filmmaking and human beings will try to bust it down to a couple of puny stars or just ignore it with lame reviews. Let em. It's Hill's best movie since Geronimo and his most accesible since 48HRS. Stick to your guns, man.
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And all i can say right now is
FUCK YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA -
It's Dave's favorite.
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Aug 24, 2002 9:59:25 PM CDT
QT should definitely get rid of that "Tricks are for kids" line.
by jennababe
"Darth" Phallus, I've never seen more undeveloped characters than the Star Wars franchise. I really don't want to defend QT in any way, but the word geek found in Star Wars is just as shallow as any other pop culture film that's been fed to us in the last 20 years. Who cares if Star Wars has 10 million loyal fans, 20 million thinks Elvis was god. And I still think QT should get rid of that "Tricks are for kids" line...
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what going on with "40 lashes less one"? or other leonard adaptations quentin bought the rights for?
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Aug 25, 2002 12:48:47 AM CDT
Whoo hoo - Harry going to go on about KILL BILL for the next 5 y
by theginger twit
That's it, he's going to be there every day of my film's shoot.
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...in a split second it is possible to turn a gun quickly and pull a trigger. He shot Joe, Joe shot him and as he recoiled from the hit he shot Nice Guy Eddie. It all happens so quick that it is entirely plausible in the world QT has established (a world where a guy who has bled so much that you could fill a pool is still able to talk monologues and shoot people repeatedly).
I don't think "Kill Bill" is going to be a critical darling, in fact many will probably say that it's a huge step back from his subtle, mature masterpiece "Jackie Brown" (which has a lot of depth and doesn't resort to QT's penchant for "coolness"). I'm just excited to see so many kung-fu greats kicking some ass (with Woo-Ping choreography no less). After a more serious film like "Jackie Brown", I'm excited to see Quentin go nuts. -
Listen, I love QT, he's great and don't think for a second that I won't be the first one in line to see this just as a guilty pleasure but he could try an eensy bit harder. For example, you know the DiVA league of Assassins with Black Mamba et al. is just "Foxforce Five" all over again. And that aint no weak "diner" parallel neither! It's sheer recycling! Plus, I didn't even know the "Buck who likes to fuck" line was ripped from a Robert Englund movie. You make my case for me. And I agree with whoever said the "silly rabbit" line was a groaner, there's more like that in there too. BTW, about the characters being weak in star wars, you are not wrong but you must still fear Darth Phallus!!! Bwahahaha! P.S. Mr. White shooting twice and getting Nice Guy Eddie after he's shot? We'll have to agree to disagree on that one 'coz I ain't buyin it!
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