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Harry adds comments to: The First Ever Spy Report From The Set Of SPY KIDS
Hey folks, Harry here. Currently I'm out here in smoggy Los Angeles enjoying various spy activities while vacationing at the Moriarty Labs Spa And Resorts, when I saw that Robogeek had done an introduction to this first report, with... no insult to Robogeek, but... Quite honestly... he doesn't know what the actor was actually filming or the part he plays in this tapestry. It's funny really. You see, the actor didn't really know what he was filming. You see... The so-called 'Stay-Puft Ninjas'... they aren't marshmellow creatures, they aren't big musclemen... They are something far far cooler. And to be honest, it's next to impossible to really describe what they are. You see... these 'Stay-Puft Ninjas' as Mr Celine describes them have a couple of forms in the film. They are the hidieous creations of the evil Wonka like badguy (played by Alan Cummings) of the film. Through the first third of the movie, they appear as these.... 'shapes' dressed entirely in black with a very odd... different form. However, as the film progresses... we find out that they are really these creatures... these odd... amalgamation of protuberances that when you see them in their final unclothed form, are quite frankly instantly iconic. It's really great that this particular spy... has no idea of exactly how cool these... Harryhausen-esque creations will turn out being in the film. As for the scene he's describing with the jet packs... well, boy oh boy... you'll most likely see some clips from the following scenes in the trailer and it's the sort of stuff that will just get you fired up for the film. This isn't like James Bond jetpacking in THUNDERBALL, it's closer to the type of jetpacking from the rescue scene in the ROCKETEER, but... actually it's the sort of jetpacking that that film really needed during the finale of that film. As for anyone getting a 'bad feeling' from an extra's report about being in a hot foam rubber suit... Just remember, the people that were making Robocop thought it sucked, because none of the mechanical things actually worked. It's amazing what happens the further along a film gets. This movie is going to rule. You can bet your bottom dollar on it. You'll see
Also, I just finished reading Uncapie's talk back below... You see folks, this movie was originally set to begin filming in October of last year. It was delayed till... Mid-March of this year. Was the reason, script trouble, budget cuts, an uncertain greenlight or actor availability? No. Rodriguez, being the smart filmmaker that he is, decided to try and get an advertising partner for his KID movie, and sculpted and painted up some ideas he had for toys, and went out and pitched McDonalds. They loved everything he showed them, wanted to do it, but the only time in the future they had open to partner with him and do a SPY KIDS happymeal thing, was March 2001. Pushing his film's release date almost 8 months from it's original Summer 2001. But let's face it folks, if a Happy Meal can make a piece of shit movie like INSPECTOR GADGET a $100 million dollar plus success, imagine what that sort of partnership with a really really GOOD movie can do. So Robert pushed principal photography. However, in that 'hiatus', Robert flew to Chile and the Bahamas to do some 2nd Unit work, including the amazing shark background plates he nabbed in the Bahamas and the flying through the Andes plates as well. I love people jumping to conclusions without actually knowing what they are talking about...
Greetings, citizens! ROBOGEEK here with what I believe to be the FIRST EVER set report from the super-groovy new Robert Rodriguez project SPY KIDS, which just started shooting in Our Fair City.
This report comes from a very talented acquaintance of mine we'll call MR. CELINE, who would love nothing more than to work with a certain Jim Cameron on one of his upcoming Mars projects. I can personally attest Mr. Celine would be an exceedingly worthy addition to those endeavors -- as can surely, no doubt, Jim's good buddy Guillermo del Toro, who makes a cameo appearance in the following report.
It seems that Don Guillermo found some spare time before departing for Spain yesterday (to start pre-production on THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE) to swing by pal Robert's set to do some camera work, just for kicks. By the way, call me nuts, but I can't help but draw a distinct parallel between Guillermo's decision to do BLADE: BLOODHUNT and Cameron's decision to do ALIENS. Hmmm... But I digress!
Anyway, here is an entertaining and enlightening first-hand account of a day on the set of SPY KIDS. Take it away, Mr. Celine!
Robert Rodriguez just started shooting a new children's adventure movie called "Spy Kids" in Austin, Texas. Production began last month in a couple of aircraft hangers at Austin's former Robert Mueller Airport. This is the first feature film use of the facilities that I know of since the City of Austin approved a plan to use the hangers as film studios. I must say that it is a very efficient and appropriate use of the space.
I had the luck (or misfortune, depending on how temperature tolerant you are; read on) of landing an exceedingly minor role in the film. Primarily I am a theatre actor in Austin, but occasionally I get called for film work. This time they wanted to know if I would take a faceless, voiceless, low-paying part in a Robert Rodriguez flick. Sure! Rodriguez's films look like they are a lot of fun and after reading his book I thought it would be an interesting experience.
This was my first real brush with feature work so I had a lot of ideas about how it all happens. The end of the day proved most of my conceptions wrong.
The casting agency told me to show up bright and early at 7am. I followed the little ideograms for Sleeping Shark Productions. The hangers sit adjacent to a giant field of fragrant bluebonnets and are surrounded by a barbwire-topped chain link fence. There was a large portable A/C compressor on a trailer out front with thick cables of coolant slithering into a forced breach in the metal hanger wall.
I thought that since I was told to show up at 7am, that is when everything would be starting. Wrong idea #1. It was like a sleepy little town that just started getting up. People were slowly arriving, eating breakfast, and wandering around. I went to where I had tried on the giant foam bodysuit earlier in the week but there was no one to be found. It seems that when you are looking for someone who's in charge on set, they sense it. Everyone I came in contact with tried to look like they had as little responsibility as possible.
Finally an actor walked in. I didn't recognize him from any past work, but he was easy to pick out: chiseled visage, even tan, styled hair, well-dressed, and confident. At least he LOOKED responsible. He took me to wardrobe which was outside on the tarmac, whom I assumed would know what I was doing today. Wrong idea #2. Departments on set are very compartmentalized, even wardrobe and puppetry. They sent me back inside.
I waited. And I waited some more. Then, after waiting a little while longer, Connie, the person in charge of the Inquisitional Inhuman Torture Devices, arrived. Connie was really nice, but she didn't know what was going on. I was supposed to be a replacement for someone, but they thought that that someone was there and they couldn't understand why I had been called. They were about to send me home when they discovered that the person I was supposed to sub for was, in fact, not there. They told me to wait.
Due to the very expensive costs of shooting film I thought that movie making operated like a well-oiled machine where everyone knew what was going on where and when. Wrong idea #3. It turns out that only the director knows this. "When will I be needed?" "We don't know. Stay here in this tiny room. It happens when it happens." I bet Spacey doesn't get this crap.
So I waited. Eventually lunch time rolled around. I always thought that feature film crews were supposed to be well-fed. After all, an army marches on its stomach. Sure enough, I soon noticed that people were leaving. I followed my nose to the other hanger and found the chow line. There were many choices, but I settled on grilled mahi-mahi with pineapple relish, potatoes au gratin, and baked tomatoes. No wonder movies cost so much to make.
Finally, after I had eaten well and gained several inches around my waist, the call came to suit up. I and several other guys (all about the same height and weight; that is how I was called for the part) were soon turned into evil henchmen.
You see, Antonio Banderas' character and character's wife are spies. And they have kids. And they get captured and the kids rescue them. The villain is an ex-spy who has turned into this cartoonish representation of his former self (literally). In a sort of Roger Rabbit mix, the evil guy and his legion of henchmen, and Teri Hatcher, conspire to get the secret thingamajig and take over the world. I'm probably oversimplifying, or speaking inaccurately, or outright lying, so go see the movie.
I got to play one of the bad guys. The suit is nothing less than the Stay Puft marshmallow man in black ninja attire. First there was a full-body leotard. Then came the big foam muscle bodysuit. Then came the giant foam feet. Then the foam clubs over the hands. Then a giant foam helmet designed for a Conehead. Then over all of that goes a thick black unbreathable cloth. Somewhere in that mix they added fire, brimstone, and molten lead.
They rushed us down to the set and dropped us in front of a giant air conditioning unit. The unit sent cold air in little tubes throughout the hanger. The only reason it cooled us off was because it had a leak in the seal. Cooling us off was an accidental byproduct, not intentional innovation, thus further burying wrong idea #3. We had to wait.
I had to pee.
Frantically, I searched for anyone with a headset. The more complex your headset and the more cell phones and radios you have, the more important you are; unless you are the director in which case nothing electronic must touch your skin. Finally I found someone slightly important (Motorola Talkabout) and informed them of my predicament. He laughed. Then he stared at me as if I'd just peed on his Talkabout. "You better go. Now. Hurry." Off I went.
I arrived in the bathroom only to realize that I was trapped inside myself.
I looked around for anyone who could help me. A grip walked by and I said "Can you unzip me?" Again, there was the look, as if I'd wrapped myself in his gaff tape. "That's usually what the ladies say..." he quipped to lessen the awkward situation. I was free. I won't bother you with further details, but it is no wonder the bad guys always lose.
I waited some more. Film technology is a marvel to behold. The lighting is incredible. If the director wants sunlight, viola! And the neat thing is that the lights are a thousand times hotter than the surface of the real Sun. I'm lucky my body was already charred to a greasy carbonized husk inside the suit, else I would have been uncomfortable.
We were called in. Finally here I was, on set with a handful of unknown pretty-boys and Teri Hatcher. Teri Hatcher seems like a nice enough person, which is a fairly easy comment to make about a complete stranger. Teri, if you are reading this, contrary to what one of the wardrobe people said, I don't think you are getting too thin. You look great. Don't let the Flockhart Frenzy get you down. You go, girl.
We did the rehearsal sans helmets so that we could see better. Rodriguez was wandering around, putting us into place, wearing his trademark bandana over his head. Guillermo del Toro (!!!) was behind the camera, checking the shot.
Then Robert called action. The scene taking place is where we invade some island bungalow. We run towards the camera. Cut! Action! I scramble up off the floor and run towards the camera. Cut! Action! I fall in line and march with other shapes towards the camera. Cut! Action! A shape flies off with a rocket pack out of frame and I step in to grab a rocket pack. Cut! Action! I am the last shape to grab a rocket pack, shot in Radio City Rockettes style. Cut! We did this shot without helmets so we could see where to grab the packs with our handicapped arms. I kept getting my face in the shot. Either I eventually did it right or Robert just gave up.
In another shot they had to set one of the stuntmen's helmet on fire.
Having seen this in movies before I imagined that this was a well thought-out process that was very safe and had been done so many times as to be second nature. Wrong idea #4. Robert went up to his effects coordinator and asked "How are you going to do this?" He replied "I thought I'd tape flash paper to his head."
So they taped flash paper to this poor guy's helmet and then told us to run into the scene as we had previously. Everything was set up. We were in places. People stood about with fire extinguishers. Quiet on the set!
Action! They set his head on fire and we ran towards the camera. Cut! I was standing next to the stuntman, who was lying on the ground. "You can get up now," someone said. He stood up and smashed his head into a light and then steadied. His head was still on fire. Finally someone brushed the fire out. The air was heavy with the smell of molten duct tape.
We had to do it again.
We had run too fast into the shot, said Robert, failing to notice that we had never been given a cue or been to told at what speed to enter. But there were more important things for him to worry about, so I let it slide. Action! Once again, they set a head aflame. We ran. Cut! "Good job!" The guy with his head on fire was grumpy.
Robert Rodriguez is a good director, from what I could see. His people respect him and he is patient and very supportive. I'm not sure, but I think I was the only actor in the shapes group. Drawing from my knowledge of sci-fi flicks and knowing that kids movies should be over-the-top, I did my Robbie-the-Robot best to bring some life and charm to the evil Stay Puft ninja. Robert was generally complimentary, but I couldn't help thinking that his praise was squarely directed at me. If my work survives the edit room, look for the goofily marching black shape in the beach bungalow.
I bitch about the heat (each of us was assigned a personal assistant with a tiny ineffectual fan to stick in our face) but the experience was interesting and rewarding. It made me want to work more with feature film, in spite of the "hurry up and wait" style of work. Some of the people I worked with seemed a bit jaded on the whole thing. They didn't feel the "movie magic". Perhaps they, too, had seen their ideas and dreams of movie making killed off by practical reality. But rather than alienate or disappoint, the righting of my wrongs made me feel more comfortable.
It was just like the theatre.
-- Mr. Celine
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When film crews are disorganized like this on a set and no one cares about the final product, that's a real bad sign the movie's going to be a stinker! Also, this movie was supposed to start shooting in October of last year in Austin, Texas. Another red flag. I like Roberto Rodriguez as a person and director, but this one ain't gonna fly.
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kicks ass. Teri Hatcher has really hit the aging wall though. Here's hoping for a quality flick.
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This was an interesting report on the hurry up and wait way that films are shot. I've been on the set of one small budget film in Kansas City called "Ninth Street." It was such a small budget that the film was in black-and-white. They were shooting in my old neighborhood and me and my brother went to watch. Isaac Hayes was the star and we saw him but didn't get to talk to him. I had a conversation with a Nation of Islam type who was there as one of the guards. I asked him how these guards can chase someone in suits and dress shoes and he mistook my question for some kind of threat and implied that he'd kick my ass. Since we were outnumbered I thought it best to move along.**** Anyway, this movie, "Spy Kids," doesn't sound like anything I'd wanna go see. The story sounds silly and I haven't seen anything from Rodriguez that impressed me at all. "The Faculty" blew and so did "Desperado" and "From Dusk Til Dawn." FDTD started out alright but after the vampire crap came on it just devolved into a mess. Nice to see Selma Hayak as a stripper though.
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UNCAPIE: If you have even one iota of doubt that Robert doing an adventure film for/with kids is anything but a metaphysical home run, you obviously haven't seen his classic short film "BEDHEAD" (or his "The Misbehavers" from "Four Rooms"). This was the first week of shooting; everything's always rough around the edges. Besides, judging it without a frame of reference (i.e. other film sets) isn't entirely fair; believe me, I've been on many film sets (including "Faculty") and Robert sails smooth. As far as the start of shooting being delayed from last October, you haven't been paying attention; as Harry has previously reported, that was done to accomodate McDonald's promotional schedule, as "Spy Kids" is going to be the GREATEST HAPPY MEAL IN HISTORY!!! Mark my words. (I may go ahead and add these tidbits to my intro.) Also, SIXTYFOOT: Yes, Robert still plans to do "Madman." (Personally, I would love to see it be his next project.)
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Master of all genres. He's done action, horror (enough with the horror, already) and now kid's comedy. I think this could be the one where he starts fulfilling all that EL MARIACHI potential.
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Back around 94 I was studying Hamlet for my English lit A-level (A-levels = the exams we get to do at 18 here in the UK). So anyway, I got to see Hamlet 4 goddmamn times at the theatre, and at 4 hours a pop, that's one sore arse. Anyway, the best actor I ever saw play the part was the second one I went to, and it was Alan Cumming, on a bare white stage, no props, just him dressed like a quasi-goth, giving it full-on alienation. So, I have seen this guy rock very very hard. Have faith!
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Harry this must be the most biased report You ever did. If you are a filmmaker, this site (or You) almost garaintee a positive coverage. the lesson must be - Be good to Harry, and he will go out of his way to hype your film. The Faculty - Anyone ?
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Sorry, but I can't get excited about this at all: the whole thing sounds lame. Rodriguez is a competent filmmaker I've seen everything he's made, but that's about it; this is a very partisan report.
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HAVE FAITH PEOPLE. Have you seen the guys previous work. Its all brilliant and as a hopefull future director I feel that I have learned a lot from him. He is a genuinly good film maker weather you people like it or not. All his films are good and Full Tilt Bogie was an intresting documentry. Listen to his directors commentry then you will know how good he is. And another thing Bed Head was a great film (for kids). This film does sound like that Hulk Hogan film "The Secret Agent Club" doesnt it. As for Harry having a cameo in the Faculty. Well if RR asked me to do a cameo in one of his films I know I wouldnt say no. Harry should have stepped down from reviewing "The Faculty". Moriarty could have reviewd it instead. I dont like many kids films. But look whos directing. I promise you all I will be the first in the cinema (on the day its released unless one of you can get me into a test screening?) and the last to leave. GO RR DO YOUR STUFF OF LEDGEND.
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Apr 04, 2000 7:16:18 AM CDT
Alan Cumming was the MAN in Romy and Michelle's High School Reun
by twindaggerturkey
SPY KIDS sounds weird..if Rodriguez wasn't connected with it I would have dismissed it as lousy the first time I heard about it. Does anyone get hit with food in this movie?
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Anybody else notice how prolific Harry's ellipses are in this post? Gee... I wonder... if an actor... can ever... over-do... dramatic pauses... Bones? Spock? What do... you... think...?
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I really want to believe in Robert, but The Faculty was midly entertaining, FDTD was Okay, and Desperado had it's moments, but REALLY...what has he delivered. It seems like Robert would work best if he were back to making indie films. I'm afraid this whole "push" about Spy Kids is like a Mcdonalds hamburger commercial...the burgers look so big and nice on the commercial, but when you actually order the thing...it looks nothing like what it does in the picture.
Take that for better or worse, because remember, even though it don't look the same...those burgers can still be pretty good.
Wow- that was deep! :)
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Seeing as how "The Misbehavors" was an oasis of good ol' comedic anarchy amid the wreckage of FOUR ROOMS, my interest is definitely piqued for SPY KIDS. As for set trouble being an indicator of the final product's quality, I submit as Exhibit A, CASABLANCA, and Exhibit B, JAWS. Until I read a script, I will withhold judgment, and, even then, will give Rodriguez the benefit of the doubt, considering how well THE FACULTY turned out despite Williamson's sorry excuse for a screenplay.
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Apr 04, 2000 10:56:10 AM CDT
Robogeek: I've worked on over two dozen movies in every capacity
by uncapie
Some films were fun and successful, some were just a mundane job and a mundane film was the result. When you have a crew that just doesn't care about the project and can't answer an extra's simple question, that's a problem. This shows that the second a.d.(And this is his job to coordinate.) was asleep at the wheel. Rodriguez needs to protect himself with attentive people. Del Toro is an excellent choice. He has an excellent eye. I don't know who his PM, 1st and 2nd a.d.'s are though. I'd like to see him make a successful film in the future, but this just doesn't like it.
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and I know terrific. For civilians like me, reports like this that take us inside the film making process are rare treats.
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Ok...This movie sounds stranger every time I hear something about it. Personally, I liked "Desperado" and the first half of FDTD. I thought "The Faculty" lacked something though, except for the scene with John Stewart (though that could be because I really like John Stewart). Anyways, production problems are not a problem in my eyes because, as mrbeaks pointed out, there have been many successful films that had a hard time during the process. This isn't my most anticipated movie, but it should be interesting to see the finished product after what I'm sure will be countless reports on AICN over the next months.
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I gotta agree with MrBeaks above, that The Faculty wasn't Bob's fault. The script was pretty formulaic and what little spunk it did have, was obviously thanks to the direction. I find Desperado to be shear enjoyment, and as Robert points out in his commentary, it's perfect for those five minute quick fixes of action to show off home theaters with.
Speaking of commentary. By listening to Robert's, by reading his book, you realize this guy has his head screwed on proper. I've had the misfortune of working on many sets where the director is just plain clueless, has no vision, and therefore shoots everything a shitload of times hoping there will be something for his editor to piece together. I worked on Mod Squad, the director was also one of the writers, and he honestly had no vision for his own material! Robert's not like that. I'd love to see his style on a set, but since I'm not a Texas boy I doubt that'll ever happen.
Productions have three places they can fall apart: script, visual, editing. It only takes one of these to be bang on to make up for a lack of the other two. I wouldn't be so bold as to say Robert's a good screenwriter, but the guy's got visual flair and his editing is brilliant. The McDonald's aspect scares me, but is it any worse than Tommy Hilfigar picking up advertising costs on The Faculty, BMW and the miriad of other sponsors dealing with 007, or any other "grown-up" movie that makes these sweetheart deals? The only thing that bumms me is we won't get to see any of those delicious squib hits Robert does so well. For that fix, I guess I'll have to count on Verhoeven. -
Harry: do you know if Salma Hayek is doing her usual cameo for Rodriguez this time around?
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...I have blocked it from my memory and never want to be reminded of the pain again. EL MARIACHI showed that talent and a love of genre film could overcome a small budget. DESPERADO was his bigger-budget Hollywood remake of that previous film and I enjoyed it for what it was - a visually rich B-movie action pic. Even FROM DUSK TILL DAWN was fun but I agree with the previous comments that the first half was better. Even though I love vampires, the over-the-top second half was sort of a let down. THE FACULTY was truly terrible, I hated this idiotic film. Why would the lead alien hang around a bunch of teenagers and put itself in danger rather than have its minions do it instead? Probably because they needed a plot twist regardless of logic. I wish Rodriguez the best in SPY KIDS but remember bigger and over-the-top is not neccessarily better.
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Each and every one of his films have been standouts in their genre (but what genre does FDTD fall under?). I read his book way back when and have been in awe of his films ever since. His directing and editing are unparalelled. The McDonalds deal will only help the film, I would be so happy if this film grossed over 100 million (which it will). But I am pretty sure Guillermo Navarro is the DP on this flick. Could have sworn I heard that somewhere.
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Give me a reason why Robert Rodriguez is a filmmaking God? So you read his book. Great. So has everyone with an interest in film, but why is he making films? Because he has a cute story about how he made it into the film world and became "a major player"? Well- sure that is certainly worth some amount of respect, BUT when is the man gonna deliver. I went into the Faculty just pumped after reading and following all of Harry's posts. Yet, the whole thing was a let down. It wasn't just plot points, it wasn't just the story, or the characters, or who was sponsering what...it was the fact that it did nothing. Who cares? Should anyone in the audience care? Do we care about these characters? Rodriguez did something a little different with El Mariachi yet, where has that talent gone? Why are his movies just average? Seriously, what is he contributing to film? What is he giving us that we haven't seen, heard, or felt before? And lastly, how can you call him a filmmaking God? Back up the claim.
The problem with talk-back is that it is always filled with lazy opinion. Why can't some of you folks back up what you say? Give us an example or two and explain so as to make this more of an intelligent and thought provoking experience rather than, I'm the biggest Star Wars fan and so I know what is or isn't good. If you didn't like Four Rooms, give an example of why it was so bad...it doesn't help to say, "it sucked, man".
And Robert (if you're reading this and I know you are) its time to deliver, brother!
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I will say the guy is one of the most instinctual editors working today (his action sequences never fail to deliver a visceral kick,) and he has shown some of Carpenter's playfulness in his use of the frame. It's only a matter of time before Rodriguez does something on the level of DIE HARD or THE FRENCH CONNECTION. Like many have said above me, he just needs the right script.
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This is only the second time I have done a talkback but I have read a lot of other talk backs since I got hooked up four months ago. What is wrong with some people. Just because one movie may have stunk,or in some cases as some of you believe, they all stunk, doesn't mean each film Robert or any director, or writer for that matter does will stink. I don't know about the rest of you, but I enjoyed all of Robert's films, they are just that films. Something to take your mind off your crappy love life, or your horrible job. Just something fun to watch and say ahh! that was fun. And despite what you all say,I liked the whole idea of FDTD, the first part kicked ass, but the second part was a hoot, something that harkened back to the day of the cheesy B-movie, but with a humongous amount of blood that made it pretty cool in my mind. And I liked The Faculty, who cares if the head alien hung out with the teenagers, she very easily could have taken them all out and no one would have known, but you needed to have the good guys prevail, granted I didn't really like the beginning scene of the film where Bebe Neuwirth gets chased and stabbed. Once again it was an homage to the Breakfast Club, which I only liked not loved, and the Invasion of the Body Snatchers. So have a little faith people, if you don't want to see SpyKids, then don't go see it. Me I'll be there, besides Robert Rodriguez and I share the same birthday. And remember, it's just a movie, not a way of life. Sit back and enjoy the ride, and if you don't, tell us why. Me I think it'll be a hoot.
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Apr 04, 2000 8:39:23 PM CDT
Wait, wait...back up...When are the pancakes coming in the mail?
by darthjoe
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This picture will probably be rather good, actually. It might not be for absolutely everybody, but I'll be first in line. Yeah, sometimes sets are just whack, but that doesn't mean it's a disaster.
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The chick from Nickelodeon's soap opera, Fifteen, was the head alien. That rules. Plus you can almost see her boobs.
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For some strange reason everyone feels Robert peaked with El Mariachi. Bullshit. I loved Desperado. His sequence in Four Rooms, definately the best of the bunch, and from what I gather, the possible inspiration for this new film. FDTD and The Faculty? He didn't write em, and I think it shows. To be honest, I almost walked out on Dusk (something I never do), but I stuck with it, and why? Cause even when the script is crap, Robert pulls some great things off. The crotch gun, killing a vamp by piercing his disembodied heart with a pencil, killing off the kid, and spectacular squib usage. These are signatures of Robert's style. Most directors out there lack any kind of style that actually identifies who's work it is. Woo, Cameron, Gilliam, Verhoeven, Rodriguez, these guys are identifiable within five minutes of seeing their footage. Desperado has a tremendously raucous soundscape going for it, bodies fly from bullet impacts, you can actually identify who's firing a shot based on the distinct sound of their gun, the scene with the original Mariachi is brilliant (c'mon, the guitar case launches missiles!), and lest we all forget, the single most spectacular screen entrance ever, that of Salma. Who didn't cream their jeans when we all first layed eyes on her. Look, for those of us that loved the 80's style over the top action movies, Robert's the man. You don't watch Commando because it's good, you watch it cause it's sheer escapist entertainment that has kick ass one liners and spectacular deaths. It's a genre and a style that most wouldn't think to attempt now for fear of being callous and uncaring to the youth of today. As I posted earlier, take away Robert's stories and visual flair, you still get the single most electrifying editor out there today. It's not forced, it's not phony, it's organic. He shows what you wanna see, when you wanna see it, and still manages to surprise you with breakneck pacing. Anybody else behind the films he's worked on, and you'd have piles of shit. Give Robert the right script, and I think we'll have a $200 million grosser on our hands.
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Now that is what I'm talking about!
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Every time I see "The Faculty" I wonder where that girl was from. And now I know...and know why I found her annoying; I HATED "Fifteen." The acting was fake, the situations unbelievable if solely because of the characters' reactions and it just didn't look like it fit on Nickelodeon. Oh well. I don't like regular soap operas now, why would I have cared for "Fifteen" as a young girl?
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I thought "Fifteen" was hysterically terrible! I can't believe they had the nerve to name the "tough guy" Dillin. "Hey Dude" was a much higher quality program. Did you see Mr Ernst on Seinfeld talking about masterbation? Weird.
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And that ain't sayin' much!
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I don`t consider "El Mariachi" his peak at all. I thought it was okay, but "Desperado" and "From Dusk Till Dawn" are two of my favorite movies. RR takes cliched movie situations and messes around with them. I think he`s awesome. "The Faculty" didn`t really do it for me, but it was entertaining and a few scenes were really cool. I have a feeling the concept ("Breakfast Club" meets "Body Snatchers") probably looked better on paper.
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RR is a filmmaking god. I'd say that statement pretty well explains itself but considering Shelly's lack of brainpower I'll have to elaborate. RR is a rebel WITH a clue. He milks every script or scene for all it's worth. Absolutley nothing he touches (save The Faculty, which had great acting and pacing but the script blew chunks) is half-assed. El Mariachi, Four Rooms (one fourth of it, of course), Desperado and FDTD are all brilliant films. His portion of Four Rooms is quite possibly one of the funniest segments in film history, Antonio Banderas has to be given credit though for his deadpan execution of the final line. Absolutely classic. I stopped the film, rewound it, and watched the segment again. I was in stitches. His directing and edting were unparallelled. What the hell am I getting at? This is Spy Kids. Written, directed, edited and produced by RR. Need I say more? This is a guy who loves Goonies, the best kids film ever. This is a guy who can top that film on every level. As soon as the film comes out, grosses 100 million and knocks you on your asses I will write the biggest and meanest talkback in history making fun of the naysayers. Mark my words. BenDavid
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Rodriguez doesn't make bad films. The scripts might not be Harold Pinter but enthusiasm is what counts, and he has it in spades...Spy Kids? I'll have a bit...
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...hopefully it will say more than ...Spy kids was good. It's not that I lack the brain power nor is that I have something against Rodriguez...but obviously you've never been to college...or high school for that matter. It's called qualify your statement. The fact that you say Rodriguez is a "filmmaking God" is a bold as hell statement. SO- prove it. "His editing is good, his directing is good, his stories are good." Wow- you convinced me.
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Way back in '98,when I first heard about this project,I made a conscious effort to avoid learning about this at all costs,just because I assumed from the hideous title that it was another cut and paste kid's flick...but once I saw there was a lengthy article about it here at AICN...well,I wondered.NOW,I'm excited.Like everybody else,I LOVED "The Misbehavors",and it holds the Elite Title of Hardest I've Laughed In An Actual Movie Theater.Now,with these Marshmallow Guys,or whatever,and Rodriguez at the wheel...WHO KNOWS??Just might be the next Iron Giant...this has been a Happy Meals Are Nummy Moment with User ID Indeed!
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Allright then, I thought I'd write a lengthy rebuttal but I figured that after your mother gave you a ride home from kindergarden you'd go back to watching Pokemon instead of writing a reply. Peace.
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how can Jude Law play spiderman he is a real bore on screen spidey is suppost to be alive not a pretty boy with no skills
ps i know this isn't really the spiderman forum but my feelings are that strong
NICHOLAS HAMMOND OR WES BENTLEY IF HAMMOND'S BUSY ALL TOGETHER NOW
SONY SORT IT OUT -
I hate Ehren Kruger. THis is just one of his boring projects.
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hey, my daughter was called to be an extra today on the set of Spy Kids. She was a robot inthe bad guys castle. It was very cool and the director and his staff very nice and professional.
We can't wait to see the movie. Of course, no major stars were there today but maybe next time! -
FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT I'M GLAD TO SEE THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST IN SPY KIDS. THE REASON IS SORT OF ONE OF PERSONAL GAIN. YOU SEE, I WORKED EXTENSIVELY ON THE SHOW. WORKING IN THE STUNT DEPT., I SAW EXACTLY WHAT WENT ON DAY IN AND DAY OUT. I DID A LOT OF THE STUNTS IN THE BEACH SAFE HOUSE SCENES. ONE OF MY PARTS WAS AS AN "EVIL-AGENT". DRESSED IN ALL BLACK, I SPORTED A "GOATEE AU-NATURAL" WITH SUNGLASSES, AND SPIKED HAIR. I WAS ABSOLUTELY BEAT AND BATTERED BY THE YOUNG SPIES, ALEXA, AND DARREL. I WAS HIT WITH VARIOUS SPY EQUIPMENT, A STEEL LUNCH BOX, MY HANDS WERE GRATED BY A CEILING FAN, AND HIT BY A RUN-AWAY JET-PACK. IN THESE SCENES, I WAS THE ONLY ONE GETTING ABUSED BY THESE TWO. IT SHOULD CREATE A VERY FUNNY AND ENTERTAINING PART OF THE MOVIE. MY BROTHER ALSO WORKED ON THE FILM, AND ONE OF THE PARTS HE DID WAS THE SHAPE TRYING TO TAKE OFF WITH ONE OF THE JET-PACKS. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS, AS HE RAN AND JUMPED, TRYING TO GET OFF OF THE GROUND. THE PACK CUT OUT, OFF AND ON, AND HE WOULD SLAM ONTO THE GROUND. IT WAS ALMOST PITIFUL, AND EXTREMELY FUNNY. THIS MOVIE IS FULL OF GREAT SCENES, AND IF IT IS EDITTED HALF AS GOOD AS IT WAS DIRECTED AND MADE, IT WILL SURELY BE A HUGE BLOCK BUSTER. MY EXPERENCE OF WORKING WITH ROBERT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN BETTER. HE WAS QUITE EASY TO WORK WITH. I HAVE WORKED ON OVER 20 FEATURE FILMS, AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THE WAY THE MOVIE WAS MADE. THE HURRY UP AND WAIT POLICY IS STANDARD PROCEDURE. THE ACTORS AND STUNT PEOPLE ARE CALLED TO DO THEIR JOB FOR THE CAMERA, AND WHEN IT'S DONE, THEY GO BACK TO THEIR TRAILORS. THAT'S WHEN THE GRIPS, LIGHTING TECHS, PROPS GUYS, AND ALL THE REST OF THE CREW START THEIR WORK, AGAIN. EVERY SHOT TAKES AN UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT OF SET UP, CHECKING AND DOUBLE CHECKING, BEFORE THE ACTORS EVER COME BACK ONTO THE SET. SO IT SEEMS LIKE A WHOLE LOT OF DOWN TIME, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, THERE IS WORK BEING DONE AT ALL TIMES. SOMEONE IS ALWAYS BUSY, MAYBE NOT THE ACTORS, BUT SOMEONE IS. I SURE HOPE THE MOVIE DOES WELL, BUT WITH THE BACKING THAT IT HAS, AND THE JOB THAT EVERYONE DID, IT CAN'T HELP BUT BE A GREAT MOVIE. OH YEAH, THE SCRIPT WAS REALLY ENTERTAINING,TOO. WE'LL SEE... HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY IT. ALSO, GO SEE MY NEW MOVIE COMING OUT AUGUST 4TH, CALLED "COYOTE UGLY". STARRING TYRA BANKS AND A WHOLE SLEW OF TOTAL KNOCK OUTS. I PLAY A LONG HAIRED BIKER IN SOME OF THE BAR SCENES, AND LATER AM A NAVY GUY. FIGHTING. IT TOO SHOULD BE A GOOD ONE. I WILL TALK TO YOU ALL LATER. WATCH AND ENJOY! SHANE O.
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