Cool News
Steven Soderbergh Unleashes THE INFORMANT!
Beaks here...
I'm not sure who decided it was a good idea to sell Steven Soderbergh's THE INFORMANT! like a formula '80s comedy, but, shockingly, it works splendidly. (I mean, has anyone used The Eurythmics' "Would I Lie to You" in a trailer since LIAR, LIAR?)
Based on Kurt Eichenwald's nonfiction bestseller, the film stars Matt Damon as Mark Whitacre, the real-life corporate whistleblower who exposed agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland's price fixing scheme. Though Whitacre did end up being crucial to the FBI's investigation into ADM's misbehavior, he also gave them headaches due to his manic-depressive behavior. In other words, if Soderbergh's succeeded (and one of readers claims he has), this could play a little like the comedic version of MICHAEL CLAYTON.
Judging from the trailer, Damon looks like he might be chasing a Best Actor Oscar later this year (about damn time). This could also be the beginning of a Scott Bakula comeback, which would be incredibly welcome.
THE INFORMANT! is due on on October 9th. I wouldn't be surprised if it debuts at either the Toronto or New York Film Festival.
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He's been a whipping boy for too long.
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Jul 01, 2009 12:22:07 AM CDT
HEY SATAN BILLY MAYS HERE,WANNA KEEP MICHAEL JACKSON OUT OF...
by supercowbell5thecowbellhasspoken
HEAVEN? THATS RIGHT FOR THE LOW LOW PRICE OF 29.99, YOU CAN KEEP MICHAEL JACKSON OUT OF HEAVEN. I CAN PLACE PICTURES OF MICHAEL JACKSONS BOOK OF ILLUSTRATIONS OF NUDE BOYS THAT POLICE SEIZED, ALL IN OR AROUND THE PEARLY GATES OF HEAVEN, ALONG WITH COURT DOCUMENTS AND ACTUAL EVIDENCE PROVING HE WAS A PEDOPHILE!! ACT NOW AND ILL SHOW GOD A PICTURE OF HIS PENIS INCLUDING THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THAT HIS ACCUSER GAVE TO THE POLICE!! THATS RIGHT, ALL FOR THE LOW PRICE OF 29.99, YOU CAN KEEP A PEDOPHILE OUT OF HEAVEN!! BUT WAIT! THERES EVEN MORE!! ACT NOW AND ILL THROW IN A CAN OF FREE JESUS JUICE!!
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I never heard of this film before reading this.
I agree that a Full-On Bakula Flashback would be awesome. -
Not bad and yes Matt Damon could get a nomination.. but anyone will if they also make it Ten Nominations for that aswell.
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dope.
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Jeez!
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That was a very under-rated TV show, particularly the later season with the Sphere Builders storyline. I like it much better than Next Gen or Voyager and in no small part becaue of Bakula who I have been a fan of since his work on Quantum Leap. It'd be nice to see him make a comeback.
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Dare I say, better than watching a Who's the Boss marathon with Gus Van Rant in his mom's basement. I wouldn't miss it.
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I'll support that.
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I knew they filmed this in Central Illinois. It's still quite a trip, for me at least, seeing my sights, my town on the big screen. like the site unbelievable,
The book is chock full of those little details about the environment, which is nothing, NOTHING, but endless fields of corn and soybeans. Hopefully they make Andreas look like a tool. You should see this on 20/20 fleseing of america and the ADM head telling Stossel you can't talk to me like that who are you, I can't find any video of that anywhere but its interesting and these are the people who make that lovely high fructose corn syrup put in all sweet foods not to mention supply the midwest assortments of talapia fed with excess corn mill. Just thinking of them and Decatur's aristocracy, which from the looks of it Damon has down, makes me glad I left. -
Always happy to see Buster.
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extremely underrated show. I always wanted to see a continuation.
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I hope it isn't. If the tone is nailed right, it should be great.
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The Scott Bakula comeback started with TV's "Chuck" at the end of its last season. But I'm definitely excited for this. Love to see Tony Hale get a big role, finally.
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He is on my short list of American directors who's projects I look forward to. Even his meh stuff is still interesting.
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mam = man.
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looks shitty. same formula as oceans 11-13. same sorta shitty trailer music. just fucking garbage.
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Yeah, ok, I'm sold.
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a couple blocks from where my dad works. He is within a minute of ADM. God damn those higher-ups were some greedy bastards back then. They deserved what they got. Whitacer would have been a national hero if he hadn't had to do jail time as well. Still should've been. Seriously, the stench that ADM alone puts out crosses the 20 mile gap to my house quite quickly. Damn it. Also, Damon looked hilarious with a mustache. More so in person than on camera.
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Cause unless he is a total fucking tasteless moron of the lowest order, he has GOT TO BE FUCKING WITH US!! First, he makes the asinine comment about how Nicolas Cage has already won the Oscar for that total piece of shit Bad Lieutenant 2, and now he says Damon is going to get nominated for this embarrassing farce? Beaks, are you fucking serious? Both performances look to be examples of incredibly awful acting, and the films themselves look like cheap ass shit.
Soderbergh is the worst. The guy has no style whatsoever. His cinematography skills are awful, as is evident by the awful look of this trailer. It is well known in the industry that the films he shoots himself need to be put through so much post work so that they look good, WAY more than the usual film, cause none of his shit matches, cause he really does not know what he is doing. And the way he totally fucked Moneyball is another example of what a hack he is. Fuck him. The only good thing he ever did was the first hour of the Solaris remake, that's it, and even there I'm really just talking about Kelvin's flashbacks to meeting Rheya on Earth, which are pretty fuckin' brilliant. Don't even get me started on The Girlfriend Experience... -
That is pretty cool. I'm roughly halfway between Decatur and Champaign in a little place called Bement.
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I've loved that dude since Almost Live here in Seattle!!
this is exciting... -
For that reason alone, I will see this movie! JOEL FUCKING MCHALE!
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Really, he just doesn't interest me much anymore.
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Thank you for proving my instincts wrong, Soderbergh.
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is he trying to to compete with Woody or something?
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Great energy to it, good timing, nice dialogue and the performances look great
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I hope Soderbergh does well with this film. The Girlfriend Experience, The Good German, Bubble, Ocean's 12 & 13, and even Che... were all mediocre at best.
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I seriously doubt Damon will get nominated for this role.
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Made me wonder why Sasha Grey went into pornography. She's a very good actress.
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As WELL as a Tony Hale (a.k.a. "Buster Bluth") sighting? I guess this is Soderbergh's attempt at a 'stunt castiing... only not really' film... since he wants this film to be taken seriously. Honestly, the dude's up his ass half the time ('Full Frontal,' for example, and the "Cleopatra musical" starring Catherine Zeta-Jones fills me with nothing but dread for the future of mankind), but the cast alone makes me interested in the final product.
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yawn....zzz zzzz zzz
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That's the vibe I get from this, and that's a good thing.
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... he must win the Oscar. All other nominations are a pure waste of time.
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Huh? Beaks, what has Damon done to have already deserved a nomination?
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And with Jason Bourne blowing that whistle, I will love it doubly.
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Another Central Illinoisian on this site awesome. The stench as Andreas, put it is the smell of money, or days old overcooked, over-oiled fries or peanut butter. I honestly haven't been back there since '04. However that smell is literally near and dear to me having went to Richland. They said their motivation to be there was to get free heating from ADM.
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Talk about odds, nationwide release is on October 9 which is my birthday and Bakula's. Ain't that awesome?
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Also Bourne 1 and 3.
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for Father's Day.
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You should not speak ill of the deceased. It's not only in poor taste but it's in poor taste.
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hehe that's what I thought too!
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The only movies Damon can now carry are the Bourne films.
The dude is death for a movie. Put him on reality tv. -
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/27563712-65b2-11de-8e34-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1
The slump in DVD sales has coincided with a drying up of third-party money from private equity groups and hedge funds. Meanwhile, marketing and production costs have spiralled, with studios spending an average of $100m for each film they release.
Across Hollywood, belts are being tightened. Time Warner, which owns Warner Brothers, has trimmed the number of films it releases each year from more than 40 to about 20.
Really? Lots of EXPENSIVE shitty movies are now becoming a FEW EXPENSIVE shitty movies.
The real problem for Hollywood is file sharing now allows people to watch a movie free before wasting their ever decreasing dollars. Hollywood needs to produce better product. Product people really want to spend dwindling cash on. -
The guy is cool and deserves a good comeback. Where's Quentin Tarintino when you need him?
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Like Transformers 2 you mean? Just saying.....
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now that I would want to see.
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But i hate the f'ing song in that trailer. It's like Trailer Editing 101...how to show that your movie is going to be wacky, use that fucking "Lie to Me" song
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The dude is death for a movie. Put him on reality tv.
sucka dick. -
Love me som Harry D'amour
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Reminded me of such 80's films as "One Crazy Summer".
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name ONE role Matt Damon deserves a best actor oscar for Beaks? What is he like..past his prime and needs to get a pity one like Pacino? NO
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Good Will Hunting maybe??
Holy Shit, he did get an oscar for that....
Beaks is a off his meds though. -
Hmm, wasn't he in a little movie called the Departed? He was every bit as compelling as Di Caprio in that. Or are you saying "any movie except the Bourne movies or ones set in Boston"?
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When you added your "sucka dick" line I knew then you want to watch Damon in some gay porn.
I'm just glad your people finally are allowed to publicly express their desires. It's been twenty years since that whole gay bar riot your type is long overdue.
May your Damon dick sucking dreams come true. -
HOLY FUCKING SHIT I'VE NEVER BEEN SO APPALLED. CHE WAS AN EPIC FUCKING SNOOZE FEST FROM THIS PONCE NANCY-BOY DIRECTOR.
WHO KNEW THE REVOLUTION COULD HAVE BEEN SO FUCKING BORING. -
First if Departed were not a remake of the much superior Infernal Affairs it would have tanked.
Second neither Leo nor Matt ARE GREAT SHAKES THESE DAYS. Much like Brad Pitt.
Fact is I doubt there is a single actor worth watching on screen nor the vehicles to make them great.
I have to amend that, there are a handful of actors worth watching even if they do shit, Willem DaFoe for example. But Damon is no Dafoe. Dafoe grows better with age and Damon's best is behind him. -
Initially most revolutions are very boring.
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which is a sad, sad state of affairs.
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Jul 01, 2009 9:17:11 AM CDT
Bakula will travel back in time to right what was wronged
by soylentmean
I've seen that fucker do it before.
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gets Oscar nomination like Greg Kinnear?
Oh the motherfuckin' possibilities. -
I give it to you freely as a gesture of goodwill.
Bitches. -
Jul 01, 2009 9:40:35 AM CDT
WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK OF THE RED ONE FOOTAGE?
by charlesthomasmathews1978
There is a lot of debate over Michael Mann's use of HD on Public Enemies but I've maintained that it's the way Mann uses HD that is the problem. Looking at The Informant, I don't have any problems what so ever with the way it looks. How about anyone else?
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Remember that one?
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Do the world a favor and return your netflix account and destroy your computer.
You have shown us all that you are nothing more than an homophobic internet tough nerd that needs to lay off pipe.
I will repeat again....and both times it was for your benefit
sucka dick. -
Not everything lives up to the excitement of your father/son bukkake videos. Fuckface.
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Jul 01, 2009 11:15:04 AM CDT
DAMON'S IMPRESSION OF MATTHEW MACCONAGHEY IS OSCAR-WORTHY
by ayatollahsexyback
It's amazing. He should work it into a movie somehow. Failbag continue to STFU.
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Jul 01, 2009 11:28:49 AM CDT
Damon sure is a stocky guy. GreenZone is what I am waiting for
by stormwatcher
Greengrass and Damon, go great together.
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i never knew a snooze fest could be epic
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Damon's got the helpless-nerd down perfectly. Looks great!
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I didn't know about the RED discussion in the Public Enemies TB. Interesting stuff.
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I'd say other than Tom Hanks there isn't a leading man who consistently raises the level of a movie by an order of magnitude. I think of Catch Me If you Can or Charlie Wilson's War. It seems like he brings out the best in his costars.
Wonderful to see Hale again. "Loose Seal!" "I Don't care what my mother says!" -
Hank's credit since he was playing in a series, so he couldn't create his own interpretation of a person but had to conform to the ghastly novels.
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Jul 01, 2009 12:25:01 PM CDT
FRANK "MEGATRON" WELKER IS IN THIS!?! TICKET FUCKING SOLD!!! HAH
by charlesthomasmathews1978
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Let's be honest- is this really a movie that demands a visit to the multiplex?
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And Bob Uecker still acted circles around him.
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It rubs me the wrong way.
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don't insult the bakula!
he's the shit. e did QUANTUM LEAP and ENTERPRISE! Scott B. is criminally underused in hollywood! -
Jul 01, 2009 12:48:19 PM CDT
Will Bakula Ever Regain the Heights of Necessary Roughness?
by autodidact
I kid, Bakula is the man! The star of Quantum Leap never has to make a comeback, he'll get around to fixing the timeline eventually.
And speaking of Necessary Roughness, the early 90s was a great time for really dumb football movies... Necessary Roughness, Rudy, The Program, etc. -
Where's my Quantum Leap reboot, bitch?
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Isn't there an unfilmed Elmore Leonard book Soderbergh can film. That movie rocked. I'm just starting Road Dogs, the sorta sequel to Out Of Sight.This better be better than Burn After Reading. God, that was not good.
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I need surgery to fix the twitch in my eyes that happens as a result of trying to stay awake through the entire screening of "Che."
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having famous friends doesn't make you a good director. His films are shit sandwiches, and unfortunately for me I've eaten a few of them.
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The RED camera is good, but the LOOK of this movie is awful, and by look, I mean the way they made it look, nothing to do with whether it is HD or film. Soderbergh makes all his movies look the same with that awful cinematography, and as I stated earlier, he is an awful DP and all his shots need MAJOR post work so everything will match. He is a hack and this movie looks like shit.
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I've heard just the opposite in terms of his cinematography from…two different cinematographers.Regardless of what people think of the final movie, the cinematography of "Solaris" has always been praised.
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I see, so those DPs were on set while Soderbergh was shooting? Those DPs were there during the post work watching the guys have to fix all the levels in all his shots cause nothing matched? You mean those DPs? Interesting...
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Drumming in the trailer for the Girlfriend Experience?
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Anyone seen that movie?
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Its been eons since if seen it, but remember the striking photography.
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Jul 01, 2009 3:10:21 PM CDT
TheLastBoyScout, I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW ANYONE CAN FUCK UP HD?
by charlesthomasmathews1978
It's fucking video for christ sakes!?! A friend of mine shot some 16x9 video with his little HD camcorder and showed it to me on his 42 inch flatscreen and the picture quality was stunning and he shot indoor and outdoor with natural light. These cameras are state of the art so I don't understand how you can fuck up HD? I suspect the whole "oh it needed massive color correction" argument is bullshit because I've never heard that from any of the commentaries that I've listened to nor have I ever seen any evidence of that from the behind the scene's docs about the making of those movies.
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Is 2009 becoming the "death a day calender"?
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I'm sure there is extensive colour correction on Soderberg's movies, but ALL films go through colour correction, it's a required step on the way to a final print. Essentially, that's like saying a sound recordist is shite because their recorded tracks need ADR in post.
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Any movie with Clancy Brown has to be worth a look.
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Look dude, I know people that have worked on his films as assistant camera people. I know people who have had to sit with him in post and seen the rough footage. Color correction is just one of many things needed in post, and yes, his films need massive color correction, WAY MORE than usual movies shot by actual DPs. But hey what do I know, you've listened to commentaries and seen behind the scenes docs. As we know, directors always list all their weaknesses and shortcomings on a commentary track, and we all know how hard hitting those behind the scenes docs are. Soderbergh thinks he knows way more than he actually does. But again, what do I know? You watched a behind the scenes documentary.
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No, Schizopolis is the first movie Soderbergh DP'd himself, then Traffic and so on. Kafka was shot by the great DP Walt Lloyd, which is why it looked so good. Soderbergh's DP skills amount to "Oooh, let's use a blue filter for the Michael Douglas stuff, and an orange filter for the Mexico stuff!"
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I'm just going by what I was told by two DP's. It's the result onscreen that counts. Hell, for anyone in post isn't it their job to grade the film and fix anything that doesn't work? I'm sure places like Company 3 have had to work miracles on many different films. My argument is with the 'Soderberg is a hack' label, but if that's your opinion or that of a second AC, then by all means have it.
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I'm curious, why are you so sure of yourself? Based on what? What two DPs told you after they saw a finished film. Forget about Soderbergh being a hack, how about the fact that the films he shoots need WAY MORE post work done to them than the normal film shot by an actual DP? Does that mean nothing to you? Evidently, it does, cause when anyone trots out the argument "all movies need work done in post" you're pretty much conceding the argument. There is a difference between having to fix a few scenes here and there that don't match due to any number of reasons, and having to fix THE ENTIRE FILM CAUSE NOTHING MATCHES ANYWHERE!! Soderbergh does his post at Sony, I know people who work at Sony, and they detest having to do Soderbergh's films cause they say it is so obvious the guy has no idea what he's doing but no higher ups will ever take him to task for it. Say what you want about the man's films, but his skills as a DP are non-existent.
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you said "I've never heard that from any of the commentaries that I've listened to..." Who says that when talking about movies unless you're referring to filmmaker commentaries?
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Impressive. Typically he's all buffed or leaned out.
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True, the idea of post houses having to work extra hard to restore projects because the director is 'experimenting' and screwing with the established workflow is infuriating; but it might also lead to more efficient solutions for the future. Granted if the ENTIRE film is one giant mess then that's completely unfair down the line.I don't know if his films are completely fixed in post, but there has to be enough of a useful image for the post artists to work with, otherwise he'd get tons of flack from the Guild.It seems that the studio brass trust in their investment, and Soderberg having won at Cannes receiving an Academy Award nomination buys him a great deal of leeway?Oh, btw, the DVD commentaries comment was by CharlesThomasMathews1978—I didn't write that.
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.....OVER TO THIS TB FROM THE LAST JJ TREK TB. PLEASE GO EASY ON THEM AND DON'T PEE IN THEIR KIDDIE POOL THAT'S BEEN SET UP.
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Jul 01, 2009 4:39:20 PM CDT
TheLastBoyScout, I THINK YOU'RE FULL OF SHIT...
by charlesthomasmathews1978
You have an HD camera, you plug it into a monitor, what you see on the monitor is what the finished shot will be unless the Director decides to tweek the shot for some reason in post. This is what I have seen on every behind the scene’s doc for every movie shot on HD and, trust me, I’ve got them all on my shelf, Star Wars 2 & 3, Spy Kids 2 & 3, Superman Returns, Apocalypto, Miami Vice, Zodiac, Sin City, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, Planet Terror etc… I think you're making shit up because everything you've said describes FILM PRODUCTION and I’m pretty such that you’re projecting all of films drawbacks into your argument against HD. I think you’re just one of those fucking film obsessed nerd that I regularly get into arguments with over film vs. HD. Film will be finished in ten years time, movies already cost too much and sooner or later everyone not named Steven Spilberg will have to make the change not to mention that every high school kid who dreams of making movies is shooting on digital RIGHT FUCKING NOW. FILM IS DEAD GET THE FUCK OVER IT! You sound like one of those guys that favors vinyl over CD’s or VHS over HDDVD and it is useless to argue because RESISTANCE IS FUTILE and ALL YOUR BASE BELONG TO US!!!
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AND TURNED IT INTO ANOTHER ONE OF HIS TYPICAL FUCKING SNOOZEFESTS IN WHICH PAMPERED WHITE PEOPLE BEMOAN THEIR MISERABLE EXISTENCES. ZZZZZZ. CHRIST THIS GUY. HOW HE AND THAT DICKHEAD M. NIGHT KEEP GETTING MONEY TO MAKE FILMS I WILL NEVER KNOW.
SAME GOES FOR THAT PRAT SAM MENDES. IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL MENDES AND SODERBUTT APART. "OOOOO, ANOTHER COMMENTARY ABOUT SUBURBAN AMERICAN LIFE AND HOW IT'S REALLY DIRTY UNDERNEATH THE VENEER." FUCKING YAWN. -
..ONE TIME. AND THEY'VE BEEN TRYING TO CRAWL UP HIS ARSE EVER SINCE. FUCKING PONCES.
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Saw that back in the eighties…
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TheLastBoyScout is just in a bad mood today—I'm not gonna add to that.
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I saw it a couple months ago and laughed and laughed.
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Where did I ever say I prefer film over HD? Aside from that fantasy you made up, you're dead wrong about HD. If we're to believe you, then we'd have to believe that NO movie shot on HD needs ANY post work once the shot is in the proverbial can. You're an idiot who uses fancy EPK material, aka behind the scenes docs, to back up your non-existent arguments.
blakindigo, I apologize for ascribing the wrong comments to you. -
Jul 01, 2009 6:50:25 PM CDT
TheLastBoyScout, I SAID "UNLESS A DIRECTOR DECIDES TO TWEEK IT I
by charlesthomasmathews1978
With HD, when you're on set what you see on the monitor is exactly what you get and how it will look unless you fuck with it in post. I seriously doubt that Soderbergh, who's been making movies going on 20 years, would be such a noob to shoot in such a way that he would then have to spend a great deal of time and money fixing shots when he shouldn't have to as he is seeing exactly what he will get using an HD camera and watching it on a flatscreen monitor. So, knowing that I don't see how he can be a shit DP when almost anyone with half a brain can operate a videocamera and obtain fantastic picture quality as my friend did with his home video camera. Are you really suggesting that it's soo difficult to operate an HD camera that Soderbergh wouldn't know how to properly light a set when Robert Rodriguez manages quite well? I get the feeling that there is something else behind your arguments against Soderbergh. I'm honesty not a fan as I find his movies boring and pretentious but I would like to know why you seem to have a particular dislike for him? Please don't tell me you're one of those fucking tards that is still pissed that he made a movie about Che?
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Haven't seen that credit in a while.
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Shoula have been Lex Luthor... such an under used actor!!!
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could ever get over that smell. It is like Satan ripping one in your nostrils.
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Other than an amazing Scott Bakula return, I think I spotted the guy who played BIFF in Back II the Future during that Informant trailer
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I've always thought Marvin Hamlisch looks like an older Augie Farks
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lived in Decatur until march when I had the good sense to get the fuck out and move to Denver. This story bored the shit out of me years ago and couldn't believe they come to Decatur to make a movie and it turns out to be this shit. Still, kinda cool seeing my hometown in a movie trailer. And I'vwe been to Bement a few times. got drunk in some bar there, though I don't remember the name.
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You're devaluing the art and technique required of cinematography. Perhaps if Soderbergh ONLY did the DP's job, he'd be a decent DP, maybe. But since he is also the director and has to focus on EVERY aspect of what's going on, his camera will suffer for it. There is a reason that directors like Mann and Lynch and Cronenberg don't DP their own movies, because they respect both the craft of cinematography AND directing. And no one is telling me that Cronenberg and especially Mann don't know as much as Soderbergh does when it comes to cameras.
And I'll repeat this one more time, he does his post at Sony, I have friends that work in post at Sony. They do TONS of movies, and Soderbergh is the only one they have a real disdain for. Nice guy, but one of those people that thinks they know everything, when in fact they know very little. During color correct sessions Soderbergh tries to hop behind the controls and fiddle with shit even though he's clueless about how it works. It drives them insane, cause then they have to go back and fix shit he fiddled with incorrectly. Now, if you want to apply logic to Hollywood, go ahead, but I know better. And no studio is going to tell Soderbergh to fuck off with his DP shit cause it costs them an extra couple of hundred grand in post. Soderbergh is good enough to where he doesn't completely embarrass himself, but a DP, a true DP, he is not.
And enough with your buddy with the video camera. It means nothing when someone is just trying to get some nice sharp images as opposed to when someone has millions of dollars and lights and grips and gaffers and is trying to achieve certain looks. As for Rodriguez, I don't know anyone who has worked on his shit, so I can't say how he is as a DP.
I don't have a particular dislike for him, I just dislike him, I think he is an empty filmmaker. He has nothing to say. He has no style whatsoever. And he is one of those people that are not smart but think they're a genius. I don't like people like that. -
Bloody summer school, had to take 9 hours so the chances of seeing this film get made after some 9 years of talk and I had to be at school. Hell, I was in 5th grade when Whitaker was caught. I had a babysitter talk about how nice a guy he was then this hit and floored almost everyone. I didn't think this would get huge but in Decatur strange things happen, hell they put Jesse Jackson in jail. Back on topic, the only consolation I got was that they had to film where my mom worked and I ended up getting my Bourne Ultimatum autographed by Scott Burns, Soderbergh & Matt Damon. She did say that Soderbergh was very ... quiet. Interesting, but the cat did give me Out of Sight, commercial, sure, but it was fun. Hope this one turns out fun too.
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That was another role of Matt Damon's deserving of an Oscar nomination (can't remember whether it was or not). He's not Robert DeNiro or anything, but I'd definitely say he's a pretty good actor.
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This discussion about SS's cinematography is fascinating.
It's interesting that you bring up your friend’s 16x9 little HD camcorder vs a 24P HD cinema camera... I get your point, but video isn’t just video under all circumstances. I think that is like trying to compare a Prius to and a F1 open wheeled racing car. The two machines (be it cars or cameras) are purposed for two very different criteria. There are some big differences in terms of control and latitude with professional camera technology that you don't have with the consumer version.
For example, let’s compare a pocket point-and-shoot still camera (that is mostly automatic) and a high-end large format digital still camera used for say a fashion shoot (which are often set manually). The consumer technology is designed to be automated, so that it is simple to use, but the user gives up a lot of control for that simplicity. In contrast, the pro camera is designed to be highly controllable, but the user has an advanced understanding of the technology and its capabilities under various conditions. A pro shooter wants control over things such as lenses, shutter speed, ISO etc, stuff the average user does not care about.
The same is true with digital video: An “HD” consumer level camera is designed so anyone can pick it up and get a decent image – suitable for weddings and birthdays etc. High-end cinema cameras are designed to give the DP as much control as possible over framing by using various lenses etc. Add to this lighting and how cinematographers are skilled at sculpting and manipulating light. Again, consumer level camcorders are designed to work well in most lighting conditions. However, knowing how to light a scene to take full advantage of high-end HD cameras, like the Viper Film Stream Camera System and how it reacts to different lighting scenarios is a highly specialized skill. Someone may have a “knack” with a camcorder but they would not have the foggiest idea of how to control a professional level HD camera even if both have a lens, CCD, viewfinder etc. So the two technologies don’t really compare well as equals, it is more of a progression from low-end (consumer) to high-end (professional). Remember, on those DVD commentaries and extras that you refer to, when someone like the Director or DP says something is “easy” or “simple” or “a piece of cake” they are not talking in consumer terms they are talking from a point of view where they are using professional level gear. It is like when a fighter pilot talks about the newest high performance jet as being “easy to use.” Yes, it is easy to use because they have trained with the technology for years and can evaluate it on that level. If you were to put the average recreational pilot if the cockpit of an F22, you have a problem. In all of these scenarios the technology suits the need and is not transferable. The skill set needed is a progression from one level to the next.
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That info about SS and his post work at SONY is very interesting.
Based on the trailer, I also think SS's latest film looks "off" (whether that was on purpose or not I have no idea).
I am curious to know if you liked the look of Traffic or Ocean's 11? I believe both were shot by SS and, at least in my eyes, they had a look that fits the narrative. Traffic had a that grainy/documentary style to it and Ocean's 11 was garish and over saturated... like Vegas.
"Say what you want about the man's films, but his skills as a DP are non-existent." That's a bit harsh don't you think? My guess is that he would not continually get work if he had no skill as a DoP. A "Conrad Hall" he isn't, generally his films are good or at least interesting though no?
I have to wonder if it is less about being a hack or lack of knowledge, and more about speed. The guy sometimes releases 2 or 3 films in a single year... that's just nuts, in addition to wearing the Producer, Director, DP hats at the same time. Perhaps if he took some time to actually concentrate on the film at hand his stuff would look better?
Your thoughts? -
Some old people laughed, but that was about it... (shrug)
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With Barack in charge, we need no longer make movies about how Big Brother is coming to take our rights away. And with him in charge of the military, we need not make any more movies about how evil the military is.
So, let's go back to the old standby. Down with evil Big Business!
Seriously, I'm tired of these issue oriented after school specials. But, I guess no matter how poorly they perform at the box office or how mind numbingly predictable they are, we're going to keep getting them.
Cheers Hollywood. Can you pause just a moment from moralizing to us or planning an eternity of remakes or turning your ill gotten millions from TINO2 into blow to try and make something interesting for us? -
VERY good posts! Kudos sir. And very good analysis of the difference between the consumer or "prosumer" cameras and the truly professional ones. Really could not have said it better myself.
As for Soderbergh, I did not really like the look of Traffic. I like the grain, and Soderbergh's shot selection is very good, as it usually is, but just throwing a blue filter on some scenes, or an orange filter on others does not, in my mind, constitute good cinematography. The less said about the Ocean's movies the better. I despise the way those films look. It's just fake saturated, shiny shit. I much prefer the look of something like Bubble to the Ocean's films. Soderbergh only DPs his own films, it's not like he's ever getting hired to be a DP. As I said, studios indulge his DP wish because he doesn't embarrass himself and an extra couple of hundred grand in post means nothing to them. I don't particularly like his films, technically he is a good director, but creatively I find him bankrupt. He's nowhere near the level of a Mike Figgis, or Michael Mann, or David Cronenberg. Not even in the same ballpark. Solaris is the only film of his I liked. And yes, his speed is also a problem, but really, how the hell are you supposed to focus on lights and lenses and f-stops and all the shit a DP has to worry about while also worrying about the performances, the set design, etc. It's not like a director editing his own shit, which Soderbergh does as well, because production is over and he can focus on the editing. But being a DP is HARD, and it takes a lot of work, and based on Soderbergh's raw footage, he is incompetent as a DP. Not awful, just not very good either. -
I take it you're not a fan of Network
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(he at least made major league 3 watchable) Bring on Lord of Illusions II for fucks sake!!! I want more D'Amour!!!
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Yeah, it's always hard to explain to people the difference between consumer and pro gear and the specific skills of a DoP... I am not a DP by any means, but I have seen enough work to realize they really are indispensable and what they do is a lot more complex than plugging a video camera into a TV.
Hmmm, I agree with you somewhat about Soderbergh, but not entirely. I don't think he's creatively bankrupt. Granted, he has done way too many "Ocean's" type films in recent years, but I respect him for occasionally stepping out of the mainstream and making "little" films like Schizopolis or Bubble (and even for doing his own DP and editing work from time to time). And I gotta say, I love his version of Traffic for the most part (although I think that has as much to do with Stephen Gaghan as SS). But to each their own.
You do make some good points though and I gotta respect a guy who likes the work of Michael Mann... screw the haters. -
Where I do agree with you: Other than on his low budget stuff, I think SS should use a high end DP on his bigger projects. A guy like John Toll would teach him a lot and give him visual options that he might not come up with on his own. All of that new knowledge would seep down into those little personal projects he pulls out every so often.
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agreed. The low budget stuff works fine with Soderbergh's capabilities. His high budget stuff looks awful. He is very limited in what he can pull off.
And Mann in the man!! Can't wait to see Public Enemies! -
No, really, it is. It's posted on imdb.com.
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It sounds like its basically the same movie...but its a comedy! Judging on how poorly Michael Clayton did at the box office I wonder how this will do. I also wonder if the two stories were at least quasi based on the same source material. By the way, I think Damon once said after he lost a bunch of weight for his Denzel/ Meg Ryan Gulf war movie from about 15 years ago that he wouldn't go to weight extremes for movies anymore but I think he packed on a few pounds for this one.
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