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Harry's Second Trip To the Secret Fox Vaults To Spy On X-MEN
Hey folks, Harry here.
I've been working on getting back into that FOX room so I could take a longer and better look at the X-MEN material again, because... Well... I want to as accurately as possible describe this stuff for ya.
CYCLOPS - If you take a look at the design that Coming Attractions put online (Click here to view) there are some inaccuracies in the depiction of the costume. First off is the color. It isn't a greyish-black-silver sort of thing. It's actually a deep rich blue. On the collar and the gloves is a lighter blue circle with an 'X' in it. The visor is also blue. In this latest shot I held, Marsden looked pretty good in the costume, the only complaint I would have is the 'perfect hair'. Personally, I would like that hair more un-moosed looking... messed up... as if he had seen action. But of course this was a publicity shot.
JEAN GREY - Her costume is a femme version of the Cyclops costume, but far darker in blue. It's still blue, but a midnight blue... Her hair isn't RED red, as much as it was a bit auburn. Frankly... Famke, as adorable as she is, at just a plain surface level... just doesn't look or feel like Jean Grey. Of course... that's just a PICTURE talking at me, and not a voice or a performance. If she acts like Jean Grey, then she'll be Jean Grey... right?
STORM - This is the first time I've seen a real picture of her. Before, I was looking at a preproduction sketch. But here in this publicity shot.. Well, first off... her hair is pure white and long... about mid-back long. The problem with this shot was the pupils of her eyes. They were there. I hope to God they digitally remove those pupils for the film. With them big ol pupils... she just looks like a white haired lady with puppydog eyes. I really really reaaaaally hope they are getting rid of them pupils. Her costume looks good... it is a black costume with a silver trim. It does not have the quilted padding look of the CYCLOPS costume, but rather a slick and streamlined look. In this image, I couldn't tell if she had a cape or not.
ROGUE - was just wearing regular clothes and did not... I repeat DID NOT have a White Streak in her hair. With every other character in these materials having their costumes on, and Rogue not... I just was massively underwhelmed by the plainness of the character. Of course, they are playing Rogue as if she has just become aware of her powers (sort of like the introduction of Kitty Pryde in the books). This isn't what Rogue fans want to see.
WOLVERINE - of the X-MEN... I'd have to say Hugh Jackman as Wolverine looks the best... BY FAR. His costume is again in the style of the Cyclops costume, a dark dark blue... with yellow trim. The circle 'X's are yellow and stand out quite nicely. His hair is in the Wolverine style, though not as exaggerated as in the comics. But it is there. Wolverine looks very good in my opinion. In the shot, Jackman had a fierce look on his face like he was getting ready to open up a can of whup ass on ya. Very cool.
PROFESSOR X - Well... this is Professor X. Just hands down. Patrick Stewart will most likely be voted sexiest bald man in a wheelchair. In the shot I saw, he's wearing a very nice suit... just as Professor X should be wearing. His wheelchair had a small little joystick-type of thing that I guess he uses to move around. No problems here.
Now onto the bad guys and gal
THE TOAD - P.U. First impressions? Well... Remember the first shot of Eddie Murphy in TRADING PLACES? Well imagine if he was getting ready to Break Dance, was bleached white and had some shit on his face... and that'd be a fairly accurate description of this terrible publicity shot of THE TOAD. Real bad shot. Now this could be just a bad publicity shot... we've all seen those in the past. But... whew...
SABRETOOTH - Well, finally I see a good shot of this guy. He's got the exagerrated canine teeth... the big eyebrows, lots of hair, an animal snarl quality to him. Those claws of his are mean and nasty looking. He looks pretty damn convincing here. Not as bad as the earlier shots I saw last trip to FOX.
MYSTIQUE - She is the coolest. This'll be the alien sex dream of fanboys the world over. Yeah... she's got some of them scales... her eyes are yellow... the hair slicked back red, skin - Mystique blue. No dress... no clothes. If her character gets alot of screen time looking the way she does here... it'll conjure memories of Matilda May. Very sharp looking. Undeniably foreign fuck fantasy.
MAGNETO - This was a medium shot (chest up) and without the helmet. Ian looked pissed off something fierce here. He's going to work wonderfully if that picture was any indication. He's older... but menacing and powerful looking. He doesn't look tired or fragile at all. You do not want to screw with the guy in that picture. The costume was grey... had a cape and a 'Tarkin' collar.
Hopefully the next time I break in, I'll find some shots from the film with effects added. Please remove Storm's pupils. And God I hope Rogue is more interesting than the publicity shot. And the Toad... whew... But the rest was pretty damn strong. The latest word I've been hearing about dailies and the footage that FOX has seen is that it is looking very good. I'm not hearing "DOoooooom!" I'm praying that this project kicks ass. We need a badass successful superhero film... if only to show it can be done. I hope this is the one. Now I must pack for Ebert trip to Chicago. Only 2 hours till I leave. Talk atcha later, Harry
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This movie will RULE! Sure wish Wolvie had a mask though.
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I have mixed feelings about the movie... and every time i tell an Xmen fan about the movie, they automatically think that it's going to bomb and that it'll ruin Xmen's good name. I tell them about it, and I've shown them some of the pics (magneto's helmet and cyclop's visor) and they say that it sucks and that they'll never see this movie. ME?... well... I'm an open minded person... I never make quick quick judgements like that... I can only comment on what I've seen... and what I'm seeing so far is a pretty good adaptation of one of americans favorite comics... the Magneto helmet, i think, looks absolutely perfect... that's what his helmet would look like in real life... and as for cyclop's visors, well... they're not GREAT, but i have to see how they work in the movie to make my judgement... AS for the whole movie itself... well... like I said... I'll tell you what I think after I see... and everyone else should be saying the same thing... How can people in these talk backs be condemning the movie based on rumors... GOD!... it's American... innocent til proven guilty, remember? I hope people agree... C.K.
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More costume descriptions, weeeeeeeeeeeeeee. I've come to the conclusion that 90% of the rumours handed down to us were BULLSHIT. Does anyone remember people fighting over Wolvie being in his orangish outfit instead of the yellow? Now we're hearing there's not even a mask...nor a costume resembling anything we've seen him in. I'm not complaining about that, I'm glad they're going in new directions with the costumes. I'm sure they tried out wolverine masks, and I guess they didn't work. Alls I'm asking for is some god damn pictures I can look at and say, "this is what they're gonna look like in the movie" Even the sure fire stuff we had seen isn't coming to be. Like the pics of marsden with the visor, now we find out it's not even gray? Or now the costumes are all dark blue? Didn't Harry just see pics last week, I don't recall that being mentioned... and if the pics changed in a week, who's to say next week won't be another new set of pics? I swear this is turning into the simpsons with their making of multiple finale's, only with the x-men they have multiple costumes to fool people. Here, I'll end on a quote, something dramatic. "Give me photo's of the x-men in their fucking costumes, or give me death"
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The only characters that I had seen PHOTOS of last time were Mystique and Sabretooth. I had also seen pictures of CEREBRO. However, all the other images I saw had been preproduction costume designs, etc. What I saw yesterday was PHOTOS of every character in costume (albeit Rogue was just dressed in normal clothes and I don't know if she ever has a 'superhero costume' as of yet) in front of a big X door. These costumes ain't changing... there might be additional costumes... but these are definitely THE costumes as they are the outfits they are doing publicity shots in. Wish I could get copies of these images, but unfortunately they were all tagged to set off alarms. Take care... time to fly to chicago. Harry
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I have heard many different things about Rouge's hair: First-She never has the white streak, and Second- She gains the streak when she discovers her powers. works for me. I saw a picture of Anna Paquin with No streak, but wearing Daisy Dukes in a real white trash kind of way, and I also saw a photo of Anna crying WITH the streak in her hair. maybe this is when she gets her powers? I saw them on some X-men movie fan website, but I can't remember the address. sorry guys, don't hate me. if you look around, you should be able to find it. To me, the hair and appearance is more important than the costumes. After all, the X-man have had MANY costumes over the years, but always the same hair styles (or at least hair colors)
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there is no Gambit in the movie? And why do they use such a young actress to play Rogue?
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Doom is not in this movie, Harry. That
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I'm still for the original as possible costuming... especially as compared to magneto's present one.....
and Anna Paquin can look old.. I think she'll be fine as Rogue... -
This is a FILM. For crying out loud! In many ways this is no different from adapting a literary source. It HAS to be re-interpreted, and you should be happy that is - you've got the comic book that you love to deliver THAT experience, let Singer and co make something NEW and exciting. I mean Christ, how many of you foul-mouthed apathetics could actually make ANY movie let alone one of this complexity and magnitude. The talent on this shoot is outstanding, and they are going to give it their best shot, so leave well alone, show a little self control and then just go and see the film. All this slagging off will only effect its performance in theatres and that could have a negative impact on the already flagging comics market. Blair Witch has clearly illustrated the power that internet chat can wield, and it stands to reason that that power could also be negative. So calm down so people can go see it and bolster the X-Men canon without your jaundiced words ringing in their ears. Sheesh.
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Your name sounds SO bad in my language... anyway, Anna is not too young. She about 18 right now - just as Rogue should be in her early X-days. And to Wham, Wolvie wears black in Age of Apocalypse, and in some outer-space episode of the shitty cartoon - only it
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Hey man, I could not agree more. If this movie is going to be a success, it has to be seen by people unfamaliar with comic book world. If filmakers tries to please one audience all the time we'd never see an opening weekend above $5 million. All you mouse-jockey fanboys need to lighten up and realize, once and for all, that spandex and onomatopoeia doesn't translate well into film. These guys are busting ass to make this film great, and getting nothing but shit from the people most excited about seeing it. We all want to believe the X-Men could exist, so the more realistic the film the better. Lighten up or suck-ass. Snoogins.
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Harry, Harry, Harry- If Rogue looked like the fanboys wanted she'd be played by a pre-reduction Pam Anderson, or at least Denise Richards. We are talking about a girl, not even really a young woman, so you just save those thoughts for the next time you watch the Professional or Return to the Blue Lagoon or something. (Besides, Ms. Stamos sounds like she's going to be more than adequate compensation.) As for Ororo's eyes, don't they only go Little Orphan Annie when she's using her powers? If she's just standing there, she's got pupils just like the rest of us. Last nit-pick: 'act like Jean Grey'? How, pray tell, would someone do that, since Jean hasn't had any personality since her Phoenix days? She's so ill-defined now they can't even think of a decent code name for her. Famke's got the easiest job of the bunch, really, since her character from the comics is basically tabula rasa in terms of fan expectation. Just so long as she looks purdy (and how could she not? Especially as a red-head- yum!) people will be happy.
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I can't tell all you skeptic-nuerotics to relax enough....REALLY! The costumes are gonna look just fine on film. In my opinion, Halle as Storm will look the best. But to my knowledge, I'm still in the dark as to whether they're gonna digitally eliminate her pupils (a very significant move, if you ask me). They'll all look good, once they're moving around in action scenes. Beleive me, no matter what you make of them, this cast is interesting enough and has the ability to make you guys forget all about the costumes once you're seeing them perform up on screen. You comic book diehards get too caught up in 'things looking cool.' Worry more about how the characters will come together with the script than you do about the costumes. THAT is gonna make or break this film.
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sill fucked up about this Q thing, but...not bad!!!!Again, paying homage to the old school (blue), while bringing it into reality...nice!!!!! They are just developing as a team in the film, so putting them all in wildly differing costumes probably would throw the whole thing off...also, leave Harry the fuck alone, the man does good work....and I don't see any of you complaining fuckers out there saying shit on any of your own sites...if you don't like what he says or how he says it, go somewhere else, you bitch ass tricks!!!
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Dec 20, 1999 10:52:29 AM CST
Harry given ALL Access in Studio Attempt to Spread Word of Mouth
by vergence
Nuff Said!
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Rats. You know, I became the only female comic reader in my neighborhood as a kid because of Rogue, and even though I don't read the books anymore I'd sure like to see a good Rogue on my screen.. WHERE'S HER SKUNK STRIPED HAIR?!?!?! IT'S *IMPORTANT*!!! That's, like, her whole look! Other than that she's just another red haired flying chick, and with Jean Grey you've already got one of those. Listen up FOX, I don't so much mind her being de-aged and with newly discovered powers, but she'd better get to kick some ass too. She was the most potentially powerful of the group. Give her a white streak and some bad-ass effects. Don't make me come down there.
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Bright blue eyes in fact! You just don't see them all the time. I don't know if it has to with her powers or not though. It really depends on the artist drawing her. I say keep Storm's pupils in the film. The eyes are just more expressive that way. I'd like to see certain action shots of her without them, but I think the mainstream audience would just get confused by this.... The look of this film and the actors will be fine. The only problem I have so far is with the overall cheeziness of Magneto's villanous plot. Well, that, and I resent them twisting the character of Rogue into Kitty when they could have just used Kitty in the first place. But that's my own issue. I'll deal.
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...and "The Green Mile" is looking like it's been beat out by "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "The End of the Affair"!!
Not that I'm disappointed. I thought TGM was overrated, very very long, and a little too faithful to the book to be a compelling and exciting motion picture.
The good news... THE INSIDER is doing well. If I were in charge of this popularity contest (let's face it, that's what the GGlobes usually are, even moreso than the Oscars), then "The Insider" would walk away with all of the major acting and technical awards for a dramatic motion picture. "American Beauty"... sure Spacey was great, but the role wasn't much of a stretch from his usual cynical and snide persona.
My two cents' worth, anyway.
I smile upon you!
THE GRIN -
The purist, relentlessly cynical ones, I mean. If there is any group that will ruin the X-Men movie experience, it is that group and NOT Singer and company. If you have already made up your minds on what little info you have, do everyone a favor and STOP posting here because you have nothing original or interesting left to say. There should just be a separate, ongoing "THIS IS GONNA SUCK" forum for you whiney shit-asses. As for Storm's pupils? Who gives a shit? We're gonna have enough trouble suspending our disbelief that she can do what she does; making her look bizarre by having no pupils is just going to make things worse. And too goddam expensive to digitally remove them now to justify doing so. As for Rogue's trademark white streak, forget that, too. True, they could have just done some sort of a strak across her bangs like the kind so many Gen X types wear anyhow. But then we have two white-haired women who can fly -- you just need to make them each individual. This was one of the things Bryan Singer was saying well before shooting began. And he was right. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of flying people in neon spandex. Now THAT would have sucked!
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lame.
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If Lestat2 is right, the X-Men can wear Santa suits for all I care. Blue, black, yellow, masked, unmasked --who cares? Not me. I've only been reading X-MEN since 1972. And if Halle "I'm too good for this superhero crap" Berry kindly blows Jackman onscreen I might see it twice.
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By 'core demographic' I assume you mean the comic book readers, all four generations of them? Or are you also including the kids that made the crappy cartoon such a hit? $55 million my ass. It'll hit that by its second Friday. And if big names are so important how did Blade become even a semi-hit in the first place? Stephen Dorff's legions of fans? Take your sniveling 'if I ran the studio' commentary and bugger off to hsx with it.
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Harry, I believe you are contributing to the hype on this film. It's not only you, of course, so I'm not singling you out. But I think we're going to see a really bad film here. Bryan Singer did do Usual Suspects, but even that film had some flaws, although I enjoyed it. Apt Pupil was awful. This is another case of Blair Witch syndrome: incredible pre-movie hype = lame-o product.
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As X-men fans must not forget that we are not a huge market. If so their would be more comic book movies out. Hell we couldn't even keep the cartoon on the air. That is why some changes have to be made for the general public. Storms Eye color doesn't matter. (Also stop calling her Ororo it sounds stupid) Most people don't kow the little facts that we hold dear. So this is a new subject to them. Plus to much info in one movie could suck. I say lets make this film a hit then get more people to read the books them in part 2 they should add all the little stuff. Last thing. Let's not be so negative before the movie hits. I mean who thought that blade would kick ass. Until later I'm the Bigbody.
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Rogue (who has a lot of the characteristics of Kitty or Jubes) does not get her white streak until the very end of the movie (as a result of an "ordeal" that she goes thru). Also, Storm's pupils DO go white, but only when using her powers. I don't know how the movie itself will turn out, but the script isn't too bad. My faith has been renewed.
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Don't press me to reveal how or who showed them to me, for I shan't break confidence with my close friend/business associate. Those loyalties have to be carefully cultivated. But I WILL tell you hyperbolic, over-sugared fanboys one thing: Sir Ian in the Magneto costume is very cool beyond any of your expectations. Smooth, muted, understated, almost regal with the helmet atop his head; he really does look like an intimidating nefarious bastard. Of course, understatement is a lost art these days, especially within the idiom of comic book movies (look at how over-the-top Schumacher went)-- it's incredibly important in movie making but waaaaay under-appreciated. You may not be satisfied with Singer's take on XMEN, but he knows what he's doing. It's going to be a DARK, STRAIGHTFORWARD, PSYCHOLOGICALLY DRIVEN movie spun in a different vein. No garish colors, no camp. Sorry if that's akin to a thousand camels pissing in your coffee, but that's what it will be.
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For the last while, I have been avoiding Talkbacks based on these two movies, because they are always the same: relentless complaining and moaning about how both are going to "suck." The complaining could be justified if there were actual movies to be critiqued, but there aren't. All the negativity is based on casting, descriptions of costumes, the age of the actors, publicity shots of grass, grainy photos of Liv Tyler, and the burning question: will so-and-so's pupils be digitally removed? Note: if you take away a character's eyes, you take away their character as well.
All the negativity and cynicism is really very discouraging at times. -
Who helps you log on? Blade was not a 'big hit'; in fact, by your own criteria ($100 million, a mark which is nearly obsolete for determining a hit anyway) it was a flop. And if Wesley Snipes is your idea of a marketable star then you've got problems even beyond the teeny tiny size of your brain. What was the last $100 million film he was in again? Oh that's right, he's NEVER been in one. You are silly and smell of poo. From this TalkBack begone!
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"You limey fruit"? "You smell of poo?" What a truly inspired rivalry. Let it not be said that all creative spark is absent from the TalkBack...
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Are we going to see Rogue as "post-Ms Marvel"? Obviously, she only has the powers she was born with in this film, so will she maybe obtain the powers in this film, or in the sequel, or what not? I could see Mystique using their family connnection to manipulate her, as she had in the comics, into attacking Marvel, and when she absorbes the powers from Marvel, she also ends up with a noticable white streak in her hair...
Also, if Gambit is going to be in the sequel, are they going to go ahead with the Rogue/Gambit romance, or are will they look for an older actor to portray him? I'm also wondering about how/if they will connect him with Storm in anyway, perhaps similar to the comics.
Anyway, about the costumes, they sound great to me. Nice description Harry, and its pretty reassuring after the varied responses to the pictures from Corona. It's too bad about Wolvie's mask and all, but it would be hard to translate to film, and I can see it not working. So there are decent prices to pay for having a Marvel film that actually works...
The description for Toad probably raised a bit of skepticism, but it's interesting that they decided to make him look as if he actually were part toad, and give him some of the physical abilites of a toad; I read somewhere that he will have the ability to produce an odd liquid, capable of paralysis upon a victim. Ray Park has definitely got the intimitating look down, and I think he'll be perfect, regardless of how he looks. Also, though one of my previous posts weren't so positive, after having looked at some of McKellen's other works, I think he also will be excellent, regardless of the costumes he wears in the film, which I think will be better than the examples we've been shown.
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It seems movies involving superheroes are far better when they are just alone or even two people. Mystery Men rocked for me cuz it was a farce, XMEN I hope can pull this off, cuz it seems there are too many characters involved, I loved XMen back in the day, just hope its not as overblown as most superhero movies.
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But the crux of the debate is still valid- how much must X-Men make to be considered a success, and has Fox taken the best route to achieving this result? Have you anything to contribute to this, or are you merely trolling the trolls, you roody-poo candy-ass (to coin a phrase)? I want you to shine that Oscar up nice...
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Don't worry, not a flame (I don't even think you VAGUELY smell of poo), but I do take issue with your comment about when you take away a character's eyes, you take away their character. What about Geordi LaForge? While it makes the actor's job harder, it is not impossible to convey character. It'd better not be, because we have two characters with "no eyes" in this film -- Storm and Cyclops. Also, to clarify to the other posters -- no, Rogue does NOT have Ms. Marvel's powers in this movie. She's kind of like a succubus and plays a major part in Magneto's nefarious "scheme."
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But most commonly, her eyes only go white when she is using her powers. In my favorite rendition of Storm, her eyes were slitted, almost like a cat's, and baby blue. Rogue fans, don't fret! I've seen pictures of her with the skunk hair, and like another poster said, this takes place AFTER her powers manifest. I don't mind the costumes changes, as long as they get the characters right.
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Having offered my reassurances that the Magneto I've seen in photos is quite imposing and retains considerable 'coolness', I believe I've already contributed. You'll NEVER find a hasty ent like me trolling about (I'm gobsmacked by the very thought) when we've already got Marketing Man. But as to the question of Fox's criteria for a successful XMEN? Well, maybe 8 years down the road when they have a huge franchise (i.e. "XMEN 4, The Return of Blink") they will consider it a success, but that's just jam on your egg. You know how those Hollywood suits are-- everything sacrificed on Mammon's altar. Now, you gobshite, stop digitally oscillating your langer while you type, it's most unsavory. :-)
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Dear Sir:
I have read your thoughts on the objections of fans to the costume design of the upcoming X-Men movie. Allow me first to state that I am not only an ardent admirer of your prior work (APT PUPIL and GODS AND MONSTERS, particularly), but I have also greatly enjoyed Mr. Singer's
directing as well. However, I must strongly disagree with your stance concerning what you view to be unimportant alterations -- the costumes.
I must respectfully point out that you have failed to understand that the genre of comic books consists of two elements: story and art. And
the art element in a book about superheroes consists largely of one element: bright costumes.
To alter the X-Men's costumes, out of the misguided notion that an feature film is somehow exempt from paying heed to the foundations of a character, is the same sheer hubris that has so alienated audiences
worldwide -- that Hollywood "knows" better.
Bah! What shall we do next? Get rid of Superman's 'S' insignia, because "Yellow just doesn't photograph well"? Get rid of Batman's ears, because "they just look silly on film"? How about we trade in Daffy Duck's trademark lisp because it's difficult to understand? Why don't we change the end of "Wuthering Heights" to make it "more upbeat"? Why not just change Stuart Little into a human, since a mouse
just doesn't translate well on the big screen? How about having Godot show up, since all that existential exploration is just too darn boring for Hollywood audiences? Let's just reinterpret everything, because Hollywood "knows better."
The X-Men's costumes have evolved over the years, but one thing has not changed -- they are still the brightly colored uniforms of a fighting force, designed to be visually arresting and larger than life. If you cannot capture that on film, then I assert that you need look no further than replacing the director (which I do not advocate, being a fan of Singer's noirish ensemble character pieces).
The proper lighting, camera angles and film stock can make any character bloom and even explode on screen -- even those characters
defined by their trademark attire of bright primary hued uniforms.
Emphasis on the word "trademark" -- the uniforms are the calling card, the identity, if you will, from which personality is then distilled. It is up to Singer to present those identities, to construct a world
where we no longer see actors in bright yellow, but rather the tortured souls banding together to fight injustice, identified by their odd appearance and defiant costumes.
While most actors may not be able to fill out the "cartoon" forms of comic heroes, they can certainly wear the same basic designs and colors, with some clever modifications to make a looser fit look just
as dashing. Of course, that calls for a dash of ingenuity and originality, as opposed to employing hastily altered sketches from the production design of THE MATRIX.
Any alteration beyond an adjustment in fit is simply the arrogance of a designer, or perhaps incompetence, an inability to exercise cleverness
within strict design parameters, like a poet who eschews metered verse simply because they can't do it. Alternately, perhaps the costumer is
too insecure to trust that they'll be noticed, unless they completely bury the design beneath their meddling. These are harsh charges indeed, but what alternative explanation is there, given the facts: that known and beloved designs have been jettisoned for drab and unoriginal fatigues?
The bottom line is this -- these are not characters who must be coaxed from a few masterful lines of poetry, or a coy hint at their appearance in a novel or screenplay. No, these characters -literally- leap from
the page, their designs tried and true and intact, and already visually arresting -- or else, who would buy the comic?
Their look is intrinsic to WHO THEY ARE, just as much as Hamlet's brooding, Forrest Gump's naivete or Hannibal Lecter's dark playfulness, and that look is a part of the characters as we know and love them. To deprive them of their trademark togs is tantamount to altering the
powers that define them, and should be viewed with the same sort of contempt as dressing "Bat" man in a turtleneck and jeans.
I understand that it is too late to do anything about it now -- but
trust that changing such a fundamental part of characters is regarded as no less a travesty than to make Hamlet a chipper chap for a reason.
I submit you would be outraged at such tampering on a fundamental level -- changing the costumes of costumed heroes is no different. Combined with their powers and abilities and the personalities of the person, it
is very simply how we know them.
Ironically, one need look no further than the first page on your website devoted to the X-Men movie. In choosing to identify yourself with your character, you have splashed a dynamic picture of Magneto
across the page. I submit that the picture would be nigh meaningless were it a silver haired man in a tastefully tailored suit.
Respectfully,
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Don't let the Marketing Monster scare you off. This will be the only movie to see next Summer. "Patriot," and "The Perfect Storm" can have the July 4th date. "X-Men" could be released any day of the week and still dwarf "Titanic"'s numbers. Mark my words, all records will fall beginning July 21st. I've seen dailies, and you can bet your sweet ass that Singer's going to rock your world.
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Do you really believe ANYONE read that manifesto? People like you make me want to kick the shit outta people like you. If you really believe McKellan reads your posts, you're dumber than I thought. Keep the four page rant & raves to yourself, fuckstick. Nobobdy cares what you say past word 55. Respect the rules of talkback or prepare to be jizzed on. REMEMBER RULE #1: KEEP YOUR POST SHORT.
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...you quarter-witted moron. Let go of the Stephen Dorff thing- if you can't spot an obvious joke then there really is no hope for you at all. As for the $100 million target, YOU were the one who brought it up, not me. You are correct that Blade made money, and that Snipes films have made money (although many more have flopped- Money Train, Murder at 1600, etc. etc. etc.), but we weren't talking about Blade, we were talking about the X-MEN, you boob. And I still say you're out to lunch by saying the film can't do well without 'marketable' names (whatever that means). Effects-heavy films don't need A-list stars to make money. As far back as the Lucas/Speilberg films that got us into this mess, all the way up to this year's Mummy, FX films have been huge hits without stars- and in recent years they haven't even needed good scripts (your other complaint). Or did ID4 escape your attention? Now take the few shreds of intellectual dignity you have left and slink out the back, Jack. You done been chastized. P.S. Stop name-dropping DeLuca. I doubt there's a regular on this site that doesn't bug him with LOTR e-mail weekly. Your feeble attempts to sound plugged in are, quite frankly, pathetic. And Blade 2 got greenlit because of its franchise potential, not because of Snipes. If Wesley had dropped out, do you really think they would have shelved it? I say it again- you are silly and smell of poo.
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Let the truth be known througout talk back that this jackass isn't even employed by a studio. He's most likely a bitter, unsuccessful independent producer who's beginning to wonder if crossing the threshold into porn is really all that ignominious. Have no fear, Marketing Turd...... having to look at yourself in the mirror and recount a lifetime's worth of failure is punishment enough for one as pathetic as you.
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Loolar, I agree with you in the sense that a character's costume, accessories or what-not DO reflect the character's personality/development, but to rant so much upon creative changes to both the characters' costumes and the direction the film-makers are planning on taking the characters is uncalled for. These costumes are creative and original, and so show MINOR homage to films such as the Matrix. However, as the majority of us can see, these costumes show no distinctive likenesses to those in the Matrix, other than perhaps the materials used to construct them. Also, you can't judge the fact that the costumes don't reflect the character when you have NO idea how each actor will choose to portray their respective character, or how the director/writers want the characters to be played. I also think it is entirely disrespectful to direct such opinions to the film makers themselves, especially when it appears they are not thought out thoroughly. This is THEIR vision, and these people have decided to take on this adaptation because they enjoy the basis Marvel has set, and the ideals these characters represent. If you do not agree with their choices in the development of this picture, then consider the fact that this is not supposed to be exactly like the comic, but an *adaptation*. They're trying to show us a world, exactly like ours, if people gifted with these powers did exist, and what trials they would have to endure in the pursuit of acceptance. Give this some thought, and think about what I've said before you direct your opinions at someone who's ideas and creativity don't match exactly what *you* think they should.
P.S. Sorry to everyone for the length of this post, I know you complained about it above, but I felt this had to be said. -
. . . but it looks like Marketing Man is still a meathead. And I have a serious skill at amazing alliteration. I am very sleepy, can you tell. Seriously, though, clothes do not a movie make, and I still have high hopes, my faith is undisturbed. The Rogue hair thing does bug me a bit, but at least they're being faithful to Wolvie's, though he will need a mask. And Christ Harry, get a fucking camera already!! This is ridiculous. Oh well.
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Did you really "sneak in" or was it more of a "Hey, come check out these publicity shots of our characters in costume, but leave your camera at home"?
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Okay, so the good Mr. Looler was a little melodramatic and longwinded in presenting his case -- his points were still good, largely echoing my own thoughts and previous posts. Unlike so many Talkbackers, he backed up his points with sound arguments, so it comes as no surprise to me that some folks are aghast. For the record, he never said the visuals were the *only* thing that defined superheroes, he just pointed out (correctly) that brightly colored costumes are an integral part of the superhero genre. He acknowledged that the costumes have changed over time, but properly noted that they are STILL brightly colored and larger than life in the comics, and it's looking more and more like Singer's film won't capture that. Try debating his points folks, not the length of his post or to whom he addressed it. **** Devil's Advocate time: Loolar did drop the ball in one matter of semantics - he referred to comic books as a genre. Comic books, of course, are a MEDIUM. Superhero comics are a genre.
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Are those self-righteous posters who never really contribute anything, yet they get on and inform everyone else that they are idiots or morons because of what they think of the costumes and to stop posting... Well I have a surprise for you guys (pay attention Whitey). Talkbacks are for people to TALK BACK about the topic of whatever scoop it is! In this case, its COSTUMES! Let's see if you can find the flaw in this logic: 1. Harry posts something on costumes -> 2. There is a talkback available for people to post their opinions on said topic -> 3. People post their opinions on costume -> 4. Whiney self-righteous bitches tell posters is the previous step to stop posting about costumes?? Where the hell did that last step come from? Hey, if you don't think costumes are important, then why the hell did you bother even clicking on the damn link? What did you expect people to be posting about here, Man on the Moon?? It's a scoop about X-MEN COSTUMES, so PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE POSTING ABOUT X-MEN COSTUMES, DUMBASSES!
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Dec 20, 1999 6:13:07 PM CST
Costumes and hey Loolar, why didn't you just email that to him?
by niiiice
Read your post, while it did have some good points, it didn't bring up anything I and several others have said countless times before and will no doubt say again (unless they just get sick of it). If you really wanted McKellen to read that letter, you should have just emailed it to him, if you did, you should have at least altered it when you "adapted" it to talkback form when posting, cause the way it is, it just sounds preachy, even though I agree with you about costume alterations. Why some people could never condone the removal of Batman's horns or Superman's S can't make the connection to the alteration to the X-costumes is beyond me. The most convincing argument I've heard is that the X-Men simply aren't household icons like Superman and Batman are. While this is true, it doesn't address the fact that in Batman and Superman, the costumes from the comic book WORKED on screen without them having to make any major VISUAL changes. I can almost visualize talkback if it was around ten years ago...."You stupid fools! Horns on batman would look SO LAME on screen!!! Don't you know the meaning of ADAPTATION????" The point is, an adaptation USES the original material, they don't just start from scratch!
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I usually don't take up anything with you, Marketing Man, because frankly, I don't care how a movie will do. What matters to me is if *I* like it because I'm the one paying the money to see it and I love movies, so it hurts to see some truly bad ones made from great potential like X-men. (Not saying anything bad because I'm Ms.Optimism on this.) BUT...you keep saying there are no stars. What do you mean by "stars," may I ask? I see "star" potential...Stamos is pretty big thanks to her exposure (pun not intended) on calendars across the nation and her stint on "Just Shoot Me." Patrick Stewart has the Trekkies and a legion of people who respect his work, plus some exposure with television movies like this season's "A Christmas Carol" plus some other junk coming up. Ian McKellan is a respected actor and has come into the light more thanks to his Oscar nominations. Natalie Portman sold Anywhere but Here to both female and male audiences (though according to this strange new $100 mill standard, maybe she's not a success...)and her work on TPM has also thrust her "into the limelight." Portman is a role model to young women and a drool factor for young (and old) men. Maybe these people aren't the big "star" you may think needs to be there to open a movie (someone like Wil Smith, Mel Gibson, etc.), but I think their combined fame/appeal plus that of Singer's work and the X-men comic book francise could make this a big weekend opener. That is, if you were going by "star power" alone.
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Let's see... no stars, no script, lots of FX... sure sounds like ID4, one of the highest grossing movies of all time, to me. Or the Mummy, a major hit just this past year, or Twister, or... And keep in mind I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt that the script does in fact suck, since I haven't read it. But given what the rest of your opinions seem to be worth I suspect it will be a work of genius. Your logic is so hopelessly flawed, too- "X-Men got pulled from the all-important holiday weekend because Fox knows it sucks. Oh, yeah, WWW opened that same weekend and still bombed." I gave you too much credit by calling you a quarter-wit. You, sir, are an ass. YOU ARE AN ASS!!! You honestly think Fox is afraid of Perfect Storm and Patriot? Oh yes, Revolutionary War films ALWAYS clean up at the box office (that was sacrcasm, MM. I know you have trouble recognizing it so I'm spelling it out for you.) And I will admit, the trailer for Perfect Storm is relatively impressive, but that's ALL it has going for it right now- a decent trailer. Fox is woried about the damn film being FINISHED, not of having their asses handed to them, since they know it will win its weekend no matter WHAT the competiton (unless they open against MI2, of course). So let's recap: Marketing Man seems to have some sort of odd dislike of the Irish (which indicates to me that he is himself of Irish descent, because only the Irish hate themselves that much) and appears to have his ego invested in the failure of the X-Men picture, and as a result uses what I laughingly refer to as 'logic' to prove his ridiculos contention. Anton_Sirius is not Irish but thinks they produce some wonderful artists, and as an indirect result of MM's ravings is listening to some Van Morrison right now; would like the X-Men movie to succeed as it will mean good things for a director and some actors he admires, but is content to let the facts speak for themselves with regard to the history of FX-heavy films while not conceding that the X-Men is MERELY FX-heavy. (A word of advice: next time you post, MM, try not to prove my point for me. It takes all the FUN out of it.)
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I agree with using new costume schemes. If from what i saw from this site,http://members.xoom.com/thexmenmovie/xmen.htm
(just passing along info, not my site) even they are somewhat skewed, they dont look right in real life. -
They could do what they did in the catoon. Storm would have normal eyes most of the time, but they'd turn white when she starts using her powers. That would be cool.
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... you are one fucked up dwarf of a human being, raging with mindless banter because no one will give you respect for working in marketing, which means absolutely nothing. Fact is, you don't know if I LOVE FOX! is a studio plant, and I don't know it either, in which case, FOX's opinions become just another in a chorus line of 50 billion backing X-Men, fighting against another 50 billion who think it'll lick horse balls. Instead of trying to cover up your failing inadequacies by slamming a person because of their User ID, how about this suggestion: Get a life. And hurry.
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This daily dose of invective is amazing. I've never read so many people so keen to slag off so many other people's comments at the drop of a hat. Somebody only has to offer an opinion and instantly he/she is shot down in flames by the next poster, anxious to show everybody how unimpressed they are by everybody else. All these so-called debates seem to consist of "you're fucked up" "you dumbass" "moron" etc. etc. Good grief, folks, surely you don't all hate each other as much as that? I'd hate to see you guys on the road together, you'd all wipe each other out within minutes.
Can I suggest before we post, we all take a deep breath and remember that each person is entitled to their opinions, right or wrong, and really, we are all totally spoilt these days - since when did anyone have a RIGHT to see pictures of costumes etc BEFORE the film actually got to the screen? Lighten up and remember we are lucky to have this film at all, and in my HUMBLE opinion, it's much better to see a film without knowing exactly how it's going to look and sound, how the characters are going to develop, and what actually happens, before the thing comes out. I don't have a big scoop to stun you all with, nor do I have a cynical nothing's-gonna-impress-me-attitude, so I am looking forward to seeing X-Men and being pleasantly surprised by it.
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... but your point is well taken. Kudos, and good luck in what I'm sure will be a random assortment of "fuck off, this is a Talk Back" posts.
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I apologize if anyone made this point earlier, I'm too damn tired to read the 4000 talkbacks right at the moment, but in the comics (as well as the cartoon pointed out by the previous poster) Storm only loses her pupils when using her powers. Otherwise, her eyes are a pale blue which would like quite cool next to the white hair. Did you get any sense of eye color Harry?
Peace through random violence. -
This movie will be a success as long as the effects are exciting and the Wolverine/Sabertooth fight is done well. Script and stars won't matter, we just need the kiddies to think it's cool. Besides, if it's 'marketed' well then where could it go wrong?
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Rogue was just like this version when she first appeared in the X-Men comics back in the mid 80's. She wasn't a raging hormonal big breasted bafoon like the one you are drooling to see, she had a point and was much stronger in character. I have obviously been a fan much longer than you so why don't you speak for yourself when talking about what "the Rogue fans want". And btw, if this movie sucks, it's because you refused to give the real X-Men fans a chance to pan the script thereby shattering your precious hopes of getting what you want. If you had let the public decide for themselves, like you what you claimed this site was for sellout, then Fox and Singer would have made more drastic changes to the script. I know for a fact that they had at least enough time for a major rewrite if you had used your resources to tell them they needed it. If this movie sucks, I don't give a shit what your excuse is, you share the blame asshole. Ain't It Cool News my ass, more like Suck Up To Hollywood Propaganda. And to all of you that think I'm making this up, let me save myself the trouble by getting it out of the way now. FUCK YOU! I've waited ten years for this film and Harry let them get away with plot points that made Fantastic Four make sense.
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Uh, good point on Rogue, I've made that one before to deaf ears myself. But, um, where do you get the idea that Harry has ANY PULL with FOX, especially as to get script changes made? The studios don't give a shit what fanboys want, they want to make a movie that will make money and possibly set up other movies that will make money. That's it. Money. Not vision, not statements, money. It's a business. Clearly you're disappointed with one or more things about this site, but blaming it, or Harry, if the movie sucks is just a bit extreme, not to mention silly IMHO.
Peace through random violence (which that last post seemed a lot like). -
As much as we all hope and pray that this project will turn into a good film, we must be honest with ourselves and realize now that IT'S GOING TO SUCK! The X-MEN has been on and off again at Fox more times than Monica at a cigar bar. You know why? Because the script is horrible. Fox bought a piece of material that they have no idea how to handle. Their letting the publicity photos leak out to the public because the only thing they have is expensive costumes and a lot of CGI, with no story and a cheesy take on this terrific material. Sorry, to bust your bubble X-MEN fans, but this one's gonna blow!!
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Thank you so much for enlightening me about the trash that is soon to be released called X-Men. For too long I sat here anticipating a film that I had not seen, waiting to reserve judgment until I saw it on the big screen next summer. But thank you, oh glorious and wonderful MeatyOcr, for pointing out to me the error of my ways. I will most definitely now pocket the $6.50 I was going to use to buy a ticket for the movie, and put it to good use, such as to start a down payment ... on the man I've hired to give you some SHOCK THERAPY. Look, you aren't Bryan Singer, you aren't any of the cast or crew, and you haven't had a look at any trailers, just like the rest of us. Just because you have a premonition based on inane logic doesn't mean you get to go around trying to ruin everything ahead of time for people eager to get a glimpse. Once the teaser trailer's released, and we actually see some footage from the movie, then I expect to see valued opinions on why X-Men will\will not suck, but until then, try shutting your yap, because you don't know anything.
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I mean marketing man, you are an idiot. Your view that a movie needs to have bankable stars to make money is incorrect. ID4, Twister, Mummy, all good examples, but I think Jurassic Park really kills your point. No stars, no script, just 'at the time, mind blowing effects'. Sure there are movies that had no stars and they also failed. Movies with stars (although disliked by a majority) that didn't make enough money to be profitable, like Batman and robin, WWW, the late Bicenntial Man & End of Days. I know these are just air tight examples, and sure there are eceptions to these rules, but your flat out refusal to accept that a movie will bomb unless it has a named star is rediculous. Snipes in not a star.. I try to avoid Snipes' movies, but Blade turned out to be just a darn good movie, with good effects and likeable tone, which is why it turned out to be profitable. Stars have very little to do with success of a movie, its just that a studio can afford to pay a star for movies they think are sure fire hits. I don't know about you, but I had reservations about seeing the sixth sense because if willis, but that was good, it could have St Augustine of Hippo playing that part with the surefire direction of Shyamalan, it would have still been great. Blair Witch Project, no stars, and very profitable. The X-men does not need a bankable star/s. I'm planning on seeing it twice in the first weekend, and dragging all the 'not in know's' with me. If it had mr escape from LA playing wolverine, I would hesitate agian, call me anti-star if you wish, but wouldn't you say that all the recent succusful movies with big stars in them were just good movies anyway?
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ah, I know a compliment when I see one. . .
Anyway, everybody have a great Xmas and Y2000 (my offering upon the alter of peace and goodwill), and of course, a great Bastille Day 2000 (my husband's birthday guess what present he's getting hehe no not that. . .) -
jesus ozwitch u can't even spell - altar is spelt A-L-T-A-R you fucking idiot
oops sorry got carried away and started flaming myself -
Dec 21, 1999 12:49:02 AM CST
DOes anyone know when the trailer is going to be out???
by geekbasher 3.0
Someone said it was suppose to be on "Bi-centienial Man" Any word on when we will be able to see this trailer???
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you talkbackers bring a ;)
to my face. Being trapped
on this huge global insane
asylum is quite a lonely experience and I need all the entertainment I can get. Thanks.
Oh yeah costumes on the X-Men
hmmmmm...never saw that Blade
film. -
Coming attractions just updated saying Rogue WILL have here white streak of hair by the end of the movie, HOORAY! Regarding Storms eyes, In the first 58 pages of the X-men script it says "Then we cut to a little African girl with white hair. She plays in a sandy field with other kids who suddenly begin taunting her because she`s different. The little girl`s eyes go WHITE and suddenly it begins snowing copiously. Soon hail falls sending the other kids fleeing. Ororo (Storm) falls to her knees and we see that the hail falls around her but at a distance of 10 feet. The image of a circle of hail which pummels the ground while leaving her within a safe 10 foot radius is striking". This proves, at least to me, that there will be a Storm with white eyes in this movie.
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There are many reports on the net saying you can now see the X-men teaser poster in a theater near you. BTW who gives a flying fuck about entertainment weekly SSZERO, stay on topic.
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I love it! You freaks! Everyone is pissed off and fired up! This is true America in the 90's...guilty until proven innocent...the only point that made any sense back there was the schlep that something about movies being a business. Thats true, and thats all it is. This is why we have I N D E P E N D A N T S T U D I O S...So films can be made with art, or whatever, in mind. Major studios are all about the bucks, or at least that is what comes first, all the time. This movie will be fine, don't get your pocket protectors in a knot...sheesh...you should all go smoke a bowl and kick to a little Creedence...Snoogins!
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Maybe I'm an extremist. I don't know. All this yakking and bitching about how good or bad a movie will be is just boring. I guess what we need is a war. A big scary-ass world war. Look at the '30s and the '40s. Some incredible entertainment came out of that era. Sure, not all the entertaiment was quality, but who cared? The American people of the time were so frightened of annihilation on a global scale, they'd see anything that would help them forget their troubles for an hour and a half. Entertainment is first and foremost the epitome of escapism. The people of the '90s have nothing to escape from anymore, and so entertaiment in it's truest form means less to them. Don't get me wrong, I seriously don't think that we should start wars or anything, I'm just providing a reason for our general disapproval for modern cinema.
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Is providing a SERVICE...lets all bow down and marvel before his humbleness
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AZMODEL you ignorant swine. I have decide to stoop to your level of banal messages which never offer anything of even semi-value to the other TBers, and tell you to shut the fuck up. Those of us whose lives revolve around the movie industry do generally have some knowledge about upcoming projects that doesn't filter out to the rest of the country. I was trying to offer my sincere dissapointment in the fact that everything I've heard about this movie spells B-A-D. Just because you live in Oklahoma or South Dakota or whatever backwater area it is that still only pays $6.50 for a movie ticket and aren't privy to any advanced knowledge about, well, anything doesn't mean you need to spend your life doling out ignorant statements that spew vehemence in lieu of intelligence.
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Very funny asshole you must have a fascination with being a fag or something to be making up of shit like that you fucking bitch SSZero. Oh and by the way, just to stay on topic, THE X-MEN MOVIE WILL FUCKING ROCK TRUE BELIEVERS!!!
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Anyone agree with me that Harvey Keitel should have been cast as Wolverine? or Angela Bassetta as Storm?
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Angela Bassett: yes.
Harvey Keitel: no. -
Of all the characters in the X-Men, surely Psylocke deserves a place in the film!
They seem to have not read the original comics at all, or they wouldn't be mixing and matching characters from all over the place.
If it is about the origins of the x-men, where is Beast and Iceman and Angel?
And why all the shitty badguys (except Sabretooth and Magneto).
Where is Apocalypse and Omega Red?
If they don't appear in the first, I take it this is a great idea for a sequel.
(I coined it, have now written a script and bought a copyright! Anyone wanna buy it?) -
Come on.
Jack Nicholson in Wolf virtually was fuckin Wolverine.
Kurt Russell, Snake Plissken? Another fantastic casting choice for the Wolvster.
Whitney Houston should be rumoured to play Storm, then get shot to make way for Angela Bassett.
Anna Paquin, the little shit from the Piano? How's about Sarah Michelle Gellar?
Keep 'em coming -
As anyone who was a fan of the X-men line would know, Storm's eyes (not just her pupils) turn solid white when she activates her powers.
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I just wanted to say that Halle Berry is okay, but, I wish they had asked Tyra Banks to consider the role of Storm. Of all the choices my friends and I came up with, I think that she is the best one.
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Well spoken very proper and intellecual comments you send towards my direction. You must really think your some kind of a smart ass geek bastard to have the time to write all that shit. Let me put to you simple, don't be so defensive when someone gives a negative comment so much that just shows how weak and fragile you are. So stop making up all these gay fantasies up, everyone can see right through you prick. Oh and BTW just to stay on topic, again, I just saw the X-men, not Entertainment Weekly, teaser poster and it Rocks!
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Just cruising the net, when i found some interesing info on Rogue in the film. It IS a spoiler, and tells about the ending of the film a bit, but DOES answer a LOT of questions as to how they plan on taking the character. It's at corona.bc.ca
Later
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