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TITANIC review
Saw Titanic. So should you.
Before I get into the review, let me once again set up my state of mind when I saw the
film.
Titanic... When I woke up this morning I had no idea that a journey that I began over two
years ago, would come to an end by the end of the witching hour. Over two years ago I
spent a night with Glen (the coaxial guy). He had just found out that his marriage was at
the end of it's rope. That love in his life had died for the moment. He was a wreck. I
went over on this particular night, all those nights ago, and we found out that Cameron
was on some Russian Vessel in the North Atlantic diving and shooting a movie in the
wreckage of TITANIC. Glen forgot his problems, as he and I launched into theory after
theory of what James Cameron was doing two and a half miles beneath the surface of the
Atlantic Ocean. Concepts of monsters and ghouls fighting a treasure hunting team entered
our minds. However, the concept of Cameron making THE Titanic movie excited us.
The idea of a director who is at the top of the food chain in terms of using technology,
soul and film to make stories that take us far away from the here and now. This was his
riskiest film.
Over the two years I watched for every word I could find, every whisper reached my ears,
and I digested them all like Hershey Chocolates. And believe me I've had ALOT of
Hershey Chocolates. I read the script, a couple of drafts. I had spies that were on set, in
the board rooms, at the NRG, in theaters. At every point of this film, I had people telling
me how it was going. Every single step of the way it said... full steam ahead.
Then the media came in. $200 MILLION DOLLARS, DELAYED FROM SUMMER
SPELLS DOOM, MEGALOMANIACAL DIRECTOR INJURING STUNTMEN, LSD
SOUP POISONS CREW, etc etc etc. Nothing but negativity, everyone wanting it to fail.
In all of it the focus was shifting from the film to the making of the film (but only the
negative areas). Then there was that mysterious call alerting me to the top secret
screening of TITANIC in Minneapolis/St Paul. Then the focus was on the film. Was it or
was it not good? That was the question, and the people writing me said it was.
As the reviews came flooding in, those reviews began changing the way Hollywood
looked at me and the site. They began to see how this site can help the movies that
deserve it. How we can change the buzz for the better. That we were about more than
tearing down Batmans and Speed 2s, but were searching and wanting to help the truly
fantastic films as well. Batman and Robin might of made the site visible, Titanic is what
made it powerful. And in it all, I just wanted to see the damn movie. I can't voice
strongly enough, what it is like to suffer through over 200 ecstatic reviews for 4 months of
a film you are dying to see. It's horrible. I hate it. It's enough to make me wanna quit.
But not enough.
So it was that today began. I awoke to finish putting the TOMORROW NEVER DIES
review up. And I got my LapTop Computer today. I was introduced to Windows 95
(after two years) and the nipple mouse, and a computer that will free me from my room.
That will enable me to update on the move. A real advance for me. I had to pick up my
tickets to the Austin Film Society showing of JACKIE BROWN with Tarantino coming in
for it.
Then I had the CHRONICLE (local cool paper that I sometimes write for) CHRISTMAS
PARTY. Tons of food. I make a pig out of myself in honor of CHRIS FARLEY, my
fellow man of girth. I have my fill of delicious vegetarian enchiladas, brisket, turkey,
sausage, rice and beans, 5 different desserts, and SHINER BOCK!!! I talked with friends
and acquaintances that were eating and celebrating in mass. An Omp Pa Pa band was
playing old German Polkas from the 1940's, and I felt as if I were on the set of A BOY
AND HIS DOG.
Finally, after my belly started making sounds like the hull was cracking, I decided to leave.
So Dad, Dannie (my sister, who was asked if she was going to become a model) and I all
went home. As soon as I hit my room, I undid my belt to release the belly, kicked off my
shoes, and listened to my answering machine.
"Harry this is ________ at the _______ ____ Theater, and if you want to see TITANIC
tonight, get here by 9:15." Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!
ACK!!!! The time on my pocket watch read 9:05. My shoes instantly sprang onto my
feet, my belly sucked in, and we were in the van and out of the driveway by 9:06. My
father drove like THE WOLF and we arrived at the ________ ____ Theater at 9:09 even
though in theory the theater is 12 minutes away. Slobber was gathering. We get to the
theater and we are ushered into a completely EMPTY theater. The manager came out and
said we would be the test audience for the print. We equals Dad, Dannie and Myself.
AMAZING.
As soon as he leaves the lights dim, and the trailers began...
HARD RAIN - a nice trailer, but a terrible terrible title.
And a trailer for the rerelease of GREASE!!! My sister and I begin hitting the arms of our
chairs in excitement. COOOOOOOOOOOOOL. OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN!!!!!!!
Yeah!!!! Digital Sound, oh baby I'm there!!!
Then TITANIC...
Was my effort and devotion to finding out about the film vindicated. OH YEAH.
TITANIC represents the reason why I do what I do. This film took me from the reality of
not being able to get the presents I want to give to the ones I love, it takes me from the
cynical age I live in, from the glossy world I live in, and placed me on the deck of the most
magnificent ship to ever sail.
I was overwhelmed by it. I had read the script, seen the documentaries, and saw it at the
end of a very long day with a belly full of food and liquid, and I didn't get up to go to the
bathroom. That would be akin to seeing that modern day penny in SOMEWHERE IN
TIME. I couldn't move. You see this was an out of body experience.
Roger Ebert has talked about films that he has seen that took him out of his tangible self
and transported him to the world on the screen. Where he experienced in a very real way
the story. Where he wasn't aware of his "real" surroundings. So was the case with me.
My sister and father disappeared. The lit-up EXIT signs melted away from my world of
existence as soon as Rose weaved her story. I had a profound cinema experience. I was
blown away.
"HEY IT'S JUST A STORY ABOUT A BOAT THAT SINKS"
Ummmm, no. This is possibly the most amazing thing that Cameron accomplishes with
the film... He managed to make me forget about the historic inevitability of the film. I
could care less about the boat, I cared about Jack and Rose. About who they were, what
their love would bring, what happened next. Now wait a sec, I had read the script, I
should have already known the answers to these questions, BUT I was sooo swept up into
the story that all knowledge I had about the film melted away. I swear I could smell the
ocean air, feel the wind blowing past my cheeks, the feeling of the wood planked deck
beneath my feet, the smell of cigars in the state room. I was not in a theater anymore, I
was having an experience on a boat that is two and a half miles and some 80 plus years
away from where it is today. But I can describe these sensations. An active imagination?
You betcha, but this film was my George Pal "Time Machine" to the deck.
When I got home I had a message from a film personality that wanted to go shopping with
me tomorrow, but had to postpone till Monday. I gave the person a call back when I
returned to the end of 1997 and told them I had seen Titanic. We talked a bit about the
film, when all of a sudden He/She asked me, "You think it'll win Best Picture?"
I responded with, "I don't know... If I were voting based on the films I have seen it
would. But then I haven't seen AS GOOD AS IT GETS, GOOD WILL HUNTING,
JACKIE BROWN, KUNDUN, DECONSTRUCTING HARRY, etc... But I can say this
my definition of what makes "the" Best Picture is the film that best makes use of the tools
of the medium to entertain, move and leave a lasting classic impression upon the audience
that will stand the test of time. Cameron has done that in my opinion. He used every trick
in the book to transport me, to tell me a story that could not be told as powerfully in any
other form. To me... that's a best picture, that's what filmmaking is about."
I finished the conversation and then I laid here in bed going over the emotions I was given
by TITANIC, the images, shots that will never leave my mind. I have been given an
experience, an experience, I could never have, that took 3 hours of my life, but gave me a
lifetime back.
I have to applaud Bill Mechanic and Tom Rothman for giving Cameron the go ahead for
this film. This film is everything that filmmaking represents for me. And if it takes $200
million dollars to deliver a film like this, then dammit make 3 films a year, and cut out the
Speed 2s and Batman & Robins and Kull The Conquerors. Be willing to take a chance on
the non-sure thing. Produce the good scripts, get behind the solid filmmakers, support
their vision.
After a while, I gave the only other person in town I know had seen it, ROBOGEEK. We
talked about the film at length, about the experience, about the wind on our cheeks, the
sweet salt air, and the puckered toes we had from being in the water soo long. We talked
of loving film, and reaffirming our devotion to this art form we love so much. Then he
told me of the Golden Globe Nominations. I must of been in a cave today, because I
wasn't aware of it. Amazing.
THE GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATIONS TITANIC EARNED TODAY!
Best Picture Drama - TITANIC - oh yeah, in my opinion this is a given.
Best Actress Drama - Kate Winslet - Well for creating a character whom I fell in love
with, not in that superficial "ewwww she's a babe" way, but in the sense that I want to
teach her to ride horses, fly in the Grand Canyon with her, to share that grand adventure
of life with. (NOTE: This is the character, not Kate herself, I do realize there is a
difference.)
Best Actor Drama -Leonardo DiCaprio - Here he became a fave of mine. Why? He's that
guy I wish I could be. Reckless, passionate, handsome, and able to roam the world like
Kane from Kung Fu.
Best Supporting Actress - Gloria Stuart - Well while I loved her in the film, I do have to
say that she wasn't in it enough for my taste. She did do a wonderful job though.
Best Screenplay - James Cameron - He wrote a story that moved me, that made me leave
my body and live a life and an experience I'll never have. Was that the script or the power
of the entirety of the film. I don't know, but I did fall in love with the script far before I
fell in love with the film.
Best Score - James Horner - When I listened to the score on CD, I wouldn't of said yes,
but after seeing the film, and hearing how the score worked with the images... well I love
it.
Best Song - James Horner - Ummm no. I prefer the K.D.Lang/David Arnold song from
Tomorrow Never Dies.
Best Director James Cameron - With out a doubt. Cameron fought every bit of the
pressure to deliver this film. He put three years of his life into making this film incredible.
And with a clarity of vision and a dogged sense of determination he delivered. He did not
shy away from the terror, and answered his critics' punches with style and grace. But
most of all he made the best film of the year I've seen.
The words, "And the winner is.... Titanic" should be heard 7 times on January 18th and
many more times some time in March. Well if everyone can get past the bean-counting
and focus on the wonderfully emotional and involving story he created.
P.S. Make SPIDERMAN next, JAMES!!! PLEASSSSSE!!!!!
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+ Expand All
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I think Titanic is the best movie
in the whole WORLD!So I hope I
can buy it. I think it should be
nominated as the best movie of the
year.My mom and I crid when Jack
Dawson died! My father liked it to.Well,got to go.
by
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I don,t go to theatres to see movies on the big screen so all of my views are slighted. I amalways skeptical of the most popular new movies and in fact all of my favorite ones are in black and white.
Titanic was indeed the best movie of the year but it fell short of fantastic in my opinion. I think the shooting spree during the sinking was just dumb. My strongest comment during the movie to my wife was..."Hey look Doctor Bombay is still alive". I really just don't care for that Da Vinci kid either.
I just recently read your Top 100 comments and agree with them almost 100%. -
There are very few films that live up to their hype. Titanic is one of them! DiCaprio, Winslet and the entire cast did a splendid job! The effects were
excellent. The beauty of the film lies in transporting the viewer to another place and time. The theme of class discrimination echoes throughtout the film and effectively
lends more weight weight to the romantic triangle. Kate and Leo deserve all the attention, but especially Kate. She is a spellbinding and beautiful actress.
Congratulations to
James Cameron on turning his vision into reality!
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Get this to watch as a companion to Titanic. It's a MUCH smaller movie, made in 1958 with typical British understatement, but still does a good job of capturing the sinking. And this with no megabucks special effects. No character development to speak of, but it's a relief not to have to suffer through another Jack/Rose Cheez-whiz romance.
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Harry Man, i love you and all, but what happened?? My God, maybe you were hyponitized by the massive amount of hype and the high-pitched squeel of girls screaming at Leo, the god of all mvies people. But C'MON! Titanic had some of the most mind-blowing special effects ever, but the script sucked, the acting was decent and the direction was frickin' annoying. First off, the story: All suspense was taken away when you started the story with a 90 year old Rose. What gullible sap thought Jack survived? The story was predictable and overstated in everyway. The wealthy are evil, the poor are good. Also, none of the charcters carried any depth to them, just cardboard cutouts of cliched figures. The unhappy wife to be. The insensitive fiance. The handsome, dashing painter. Yeah, best original script, my unimpressed ass. Lets go to the dialogue. Moronic....
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Although too long, this movie will stand out as a milestone to the filmmaker's art. The higbrow's have condemmed the love story element as banal, yet to the mass audience it acts to carry the story along and coupled with the state-of-the-art technical wizardry that has become Cameron's trademark makes up a producd will people wanted to see despite the hype. Sadly as spectacle is a major part of the movie's allure it does not transfer well to the small screen.
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I agree that while watching it the action really sweeps you up and you feel immerced, but once you have a chance to really think about it, your like "Rose and Jack's romance was unrealistic yet very predictable, overdramatized and underdeveloped..." the only thing that interested me was the boat sinking and the social injustices depicted. Verdict--good, but definitly not as good as Best Picture should be.
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Best movie ever!!
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Ass.
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The only thing interesting in the first half of 'Titanic' was Winslet's breasts.
Once the ship hit the iceburg, though, things did pick up.
Leonardo is too much of a boy for the Jack role - needed a more manly actor. -
Its hard to believe that 5 years after this film came out the only thing that has Camerons involvement in is a very mediocre tv series called Angel. I guess when you make a film that makes almost 2 billion world wide then why bother making any more films.
By the way Titanic is one of the most overated films ever made, how the hell it made as much money as it did will forever be one of the worlds greatest mysterious along with why in gods name talkback for this film at this site still exists 5 years after the damn thing has come out. -
Excellent commentaries and featurettes for an excellent film!
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