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Geek Report: PEARL HARBOR shooting in Texas
Father Geek here with a geek report from Shoredrive in Corpus Christi, Texas. It's true this "Spring Break" town on the Texas coast has had Zeros flying over head for days as the WWII vintage Carrier docked there has been serving the role of a member of the Japanese fleet that attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. As our reporter notes that all stopped Friday, and now the same carrier will be converted to pose as the American ship that launched the 1st bombing of Tokyo in WWII. Josh Harnett, Ben Affleck, and one of the Baldwins will be on hand for that stage of the shooting to begin Monday. My understanding is that it is a closed set, but alot of the action can be viewed from a distance... if you're interested and in the area.
Hi, long time reader first time poster.
I live in Portland, Tx which is
about a ten minute drive from Corpus Christi where they are currently
filming Pearl Harbor. The other day I was driving by the U.S.S.
Lexington and noticed alot of Japenese fighter planes on the top deck,
some of them flying around and alot of Japenese looking officers walking
around the street. I had a few minutes to kill so I stopped and started
talking to one of the extras, he said that they were filming scenes for
a Japanese ship and they were going to finish up that day, friday the
28th. He also said that Monday they were going to use the Lex as a
double for the USS Hornet, which led the Doolittle raid on Japan. He
said since he wasn't going to be used for the scenes on the Hornet he
didn't know who was going to be around for shooting.
Sorry I cant get any
pics, dont have a photo scanner or digital cam. Hopefully I'll go there
next week to get some more info.
Just call me...
Scarry Terry.
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I was an extra during the Houston shoot, which was really cool for me because I'd never done anything like that before. I was in a couple of scenes with Ben and Josh, and another where Alec is giving his pilots a pep talk. Fun to be a part of. Now I know the reason movies cost so much is because they're giving the extras Eggs Benedict for breakfast and tuna steaks for lunch.
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there is no way that b & B are going to make a serious movie. They are going to have slow motion and sweeping, sentimental music. And as always, the entire movie will be set at sundown. This seems to be a motif with these unimaginative fucks.
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Here's a link to an article with a couple of pics:
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Here's some more articles that appeared in the Corpus Christi paper about the shoot. It's not mentioned in these articles, but there has been some small controversy about using the Lexington as a Japanese ship for the movie. Supposedly there were some vets who felt it was disrespectful.
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Jul 29, 2000 8:22:51 PM CDT
Slow motion in a moving picture - It's too crazy to work
by norville barnes
No doubt. Bay and Bruckheimer can't do anything right. How dare they think of making a movie based on serious material and still want to make money. I think they should spend only half of what they are planning to, which would make it what - a 70 million dollar film? And once they've done that, they should plan on making no money because that's the only way to make a serious movie can be made.
Oh god,and slow motion. How disgusting! The thought that they might try to put poignancy on a scene. I about puked when Spielberg did that to Tom Hanks on the beach. Please. Do you think anything moved in slow motion? How dare they. Makes me sick I say. I'd rather watch a 2 hour film of a constipated dog searching for his abusive step father by some French director. Now that is a serious film.
Oh, and you know what makes this even worse? Every single one of us will see this film and spend our $9 dollars so that we can come back here and bash Mr. Bay and Mr. Bruckheimer some more. And then some of us will even see it a second time. Crazy, huh? Hear's a thought. Don't spend the money to go see it, and don't waste your time running your elitist mouths about something you know nothing about. Don't you have a Goddard video to go watch or something? I know Fellini and I have a date.
P.S. Much of the above post was spoken with extreme sarcasm for those of you that are still searching for your clue. -
Man, the bucks getting spent on this movie would make Bill Gates jealous. HOLY Ben Franklin! 200 mil! Wow... I'm kinda looking forward to this movie, but kinda nervous about it at the same time, at least right now. I know that Bay & Buckheimer SAY they are "keeping it real" for the vet's but...I don't know...I just have this nagging feeling they are gonna put too much of that "Michael Bay-ness" in it, you know? Long, slow dramatic shots are cool (which do work sometimes despite what SOME people say), but I think Bay uses relies so much on that style that it comes off as hokey. I don't know...maybe I'm worrying too much. I know 'Titanic' had some major production headaches but look what happened there. Cameron probably made ol' Lucas roll over in his flannel shirt after seeing his franchise shadowed by 'Titanic' (not likely, I know). This movie is definitely going for the 'Titanic' syle movie...handsome leading guys for teenage girls to moisten those theatre seats and "Big explosions and shit! Cool! Dead bodies floating in the water!" for the men. Throw in some classic WW2 warbirds and you may have guys weeping just while watching all the action. Well, too early to say what's gonna happen. I can't say that I won't go see it regardless...I haven't seen a Pearl Harbor attack filmed so good since 'Tora, Tora, Tora' and that one was 30 years ago. With CGI and mega-bucks maybe the battle itself will be the main draw for this one. Sorry, I'm rambling but...ah hell, I'm done.
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One of my friends was an extra in that crapfest "Armageddon", and I still didn't pay money to see it (I won my tickets off of some McDonalds fries). He got to meet Mr. Affleck and got payed $100. He's also been in the crappy show "Melrose Place". Uh....what was the point of my post? Oh...um....Bay better not try to get everyone crying unless he actually earns it! What I mean by that is, he better not make some mindless action film (especially with such subject matter) and then tack on some sappy sad ending. I know veterans that were at the attack on Pearl Harbor, and I've been to the site of the attack (I got to run all around a big battle ship), and I know there will be Hell to pay if he doesn't treat this material with respect. He also better not make some idiotic, sappy, cliche-filled mess that spouts unneeded patriotic speeches that do not belong. That is all that I have to say about that.
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I hate it when Hollywood exploits something so sad as war to make a dollar. Now, it's alright to make a film about WWII if it treats its subject with respect, but I don't think Bruckheimer and Co. are up to the task. I mean, just because something happened 60 years ago does not mean it's ripe for exploiting. 40 years from now are we gonna get an action film, or black comedy set in Columbine? Pearl Harbor was a larger tragedy than that and Bay better take the film seriously.
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It's sitting docked off the old Alameda
Naval Base a few miles from me here in Northern California. I believe it still runs too. If any war ship deserves respect, it's this one...not only did it shoot down the most zeros of any carrier in WWII, it also picked up the first moon landing splash down with Apollo 11.
I have a feelng that this flick will follow the time honored tradition of Hollywood totally fucking up a historically documented moment. --Syd. -
My last post might not make sense because I was responding to a guy who just got deleted.
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I sent you this same information a fucking month ago! What the fuck is up with that?! Beeches..
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I'd also like to see some other WWII movies done. Such as the Battle of Midway or even the hunt for The Bismark. With today's CGI and a good director/screenwriter combo, I think we could see some very good movies from those two examples. Of course, I still wanna see a movie from the book 'Forever War' dammit!
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No cgi but the surface action sequences are some of the best filmed that I can think of at the moment. Anyhow, what really worries me about 'Pearl Harbor' is this sappy love triangle they're supposed to shove in between the battles as filler material. Every time I tell people that they're making a movie about Pearl I get a positive reaction UNTIL I tell them the main characters are two guys that fall in love with the same woman. Then they always get out this deep moooooooaaaaan and proceed to say something to the extent of "oh, I hate it when they do that," or "man, is Dicaprio in it or something?," or "at least the battles might be good."
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I take you guys know how Hollywood works eh? All that stuff that they're "doing this stuff for the veterans" is bullshit. This movie is being made for money (an unheard concept for some of you geeks), and money only. Who the fuck cares about a whole bunch of dumb-fuck sailors who got caught of gaurd? Do you? I think Hollywood doesn't. If this movie doesn't break even, you'll think anyone will give a rat's ass about what the fuck was Pearl Harbor?-------------------->Personally, I think those old geezers who have a bumper stickers reading "POW/MIA" are basically saying that they were stupid enough to get caught.
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...Or did i miss seeing it posted? http://www.encodethis.com/video/disney/pearlharbor/pearl_harbor_1500.mov
It's a teaser trailer for Pearl Harbor!!!--Hurry! It may not last long! -
That is my point. Bruckheimer is not aiming to make a good movie he's aiming to make money. Personally, I don't care if someone makes money, but not by dancing on the graves of people who have died. When that happens we are subjected to crap like "The Patriot". And I would not call Bruckheimer a genius. He may be smart enough to trick enough people into seeing his films, but the guy ain't no genius. (and telling by my grammar, neither am I)
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Personally, I would like to hear about the opinions of Japanese people. What do they think? I know for a fact that the "surprise" attack on Pear Harbor is pure bull shit, Roosevelt ignored the announcement made by Japan that there is going to be an attack on Hawaii in retaliation for the trade blockade to Japan that he did. And when the attack occured, he came out with the whole "we live in infamy" crap thats gone into the history books. Opinions and Critiques are welcomed.
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Much like "The Rock" or "Con Air," this movie will be what I like to call a cool movie. You'll just sit there, enjoy yourselves, and say "Damn, that was a fucking cool movie." And if you don't, then you probably don't get the whole idea that you're supposed to go to the movies and escape reality for awhile and enjoy the fucking thing.
PS- Huzzah and Kudos to Norville Barnes' post, you said it perfectly.
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Okay, Miyamoto Musashi, if you know for a FACT that Roosevelt withheld knowledge that Pearl Harbor would be bombed, state these FACTS you know so much about. Back up your slanderous claims with "FACTS," and if I have time, I'll tear your "FACTS" to shreds.
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The trade blockade had America coming for an attack. In retaliation, Japan attacked. Its simple. If you're saying that Roosevelt didn't acknowledge the risk-factors involving the blockade then that is one clueless president. As for the nuke bombing incident, killing tens and hundred thousand of innocent and defenseless people and getting away with it citing it was done for world peace is a little weird. When Japan practically didn't have standing army by then.
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To the talkbacker who asked... they thought they were being illegally blockaded and basically that the US was already in a state of war ( economic / strategic ) with them already. We stood in their way of a great Japanese Empire. The Japanese believed they were invinceable. Japan had conquered most of Asia and had beaten the Russians in a war. They thought they could wipe out the entire US Pacific fleet in one massive blow. Some also say the President goated them on to get into the war so he could fight in Europe... remember the US was very isolationist ( NOT like we are now ). Some say we needed a reason to get in the war. Although I don't think the president 100% knew the attack was coming... basic signs of impending attack were clear.
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To the talkbacker AGAIN.
Yeah but the Mouse ( Japan ) had picked fights with two big lions ( Russia and China ) and won. They controlled and raped Korea for a couple of decades ( thus major anti-Japanese sentiment among a lot of Koreans ). The WW2 Japanese Imperial Army kicked major ass in its day ( and committed major atrocities ). That is a main reason most of Asia is afraid of a Japan that spends more than 1% of its budget on its military ( which it can't under the MacArthur written Constitution ) . They are still afraid of a remilitarized and militaristic Japan. They shouldn't be... most modern day Japanese are like Americans and are into money. In fact some polls showed many would submit to foreign invasion & control than to go to war. They aren't militarists anymore, they are capitalists. -
Before too many folks get bent out of shape over this movie's accuracy or relevence, please consider the following. Jerry B. and Co. are not likely to squander their epic sized budget on some fly-overs by restored and converted WWII planes. The use of these planes and the museum-moored WWII carriers and other ships and vehicles are being used as patterns for the cgi magicians. That Essex class carrier will probably convert to a cgi Akagi and/or Hornet. The two or three 'Tora' Vals will become squadrons that fill the screen, and so on. Will cgi be used to improve the script or acting[hmmm...], well, I certainly can't answer that.Maybe we will get lucky and a really good flick will emerge. Until then, I'll savor that other, recent nod to classic WWII flicks, 'Chicken Run'.
Cheers -
I don't know why I am bothering but I can't resist left field comments....
Exactly what "announcement made by Japan that there is going to be an attack" are you speaking of? And as for the whole Americans-knew-it-was-coming mythology...read "At Dawn We Slept" which pretty much chronicles the Americans own diplomatic/intelligence bumbling. Its a straight forward book from both the Japanese and the Americans perspective with interviews from key figures on both sides (including the officer who said "Tora Tora Tora").
And as for the people who continue to bitch and moan and cry about how much this is going to suck...don't see it. I for one look forward to it. Being somewhat of a Pacific War history buff, I can't wait to see the coming to life of the Akagi, the Soryu or the other Japanese carriers. It will be something different to see them not as models in a bathtub ala Midway and Tora Tora Tora (though those were great movies). And all the Bay detractors...he's one of the best, if not the only, American action directors. But I have a feeling that he is going to put his all into the making of this movie (I wouldn't be surprised if this is his "Apocalypse Now" in terms of stress). Say what you will about it only being here to make money (as is ANY movie), but nevertheless, he will have to tread the fine line of reverence while not slipping into over-bloated sentimentality (which sometimes Saving Private Ryan would slip into). The best war movies are the ones that make you feel on a human level (the masterpiece The Thin Red Line) not a nationalistic level(Saving Private Ryan-The Patriot----though I liked them both).
And Syd Mead...the Hornet you speak of is not the Hornet that took place in the Doolittle Raid. That Hornet was sunk in the Battle of the Santa Cruz islands. The Lexington in CC looks a bit more like the WW2 carrier, being an older Essex-class.
Hope that stirs some blood...and as the Human Torch says...."FLAME ON!" -
YOu are without a doubt the biggest piece of shit I have ever encountered on these talkbacks!!!! "Personally, I think those old geezers who have a bumper stickers reading "POW/MIA" are basically saying that they were stupid enough to get caught" This is the rantings of a TRUE idiot and asshole! Obviously you have no respect for the soldiers who fought to give you the right and freedom to be an asshole. Every damn one of them was brave in my book and you don't know the circumstances under any of them may have been captured! Every one of them went thru hell and served thier country with honor! Obviously you have been sheltered your whole whiny,deadbeat,livin in your mommas basement,never had a job,never been laid life!!!! Get an education jackass instead of living thru the tube asshole! Maybe than you would know better than to speak up on things you know NOTHING about! My father and brother are vets and I'll be damned if punks like you are gonna disrespect any on my watch!!!
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Another jackass sitting in his easy chair and watching the TV disrespecting all the people that gave him the right to sit in that chair and watch that TV. Probably another lamer who shits on vets cause he thinks he's "cool." Both my grandfathers were in ww2, my dad was in Viet Nam and my cousin was in Saudia Arabia for Desert Storm. I have the out most respect for them, and what they have taught me and what they can teach me.
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disagreeing with the actions of the military (which i tend to do) is one thing, but claiming that all POWs were chumps who got seperated from the scoutmaster is just plain ignorant.
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where i live Pearl harbor is a big fucking deal. Half of the population here is japanese and we got bombed by the japanese how's that for a conudrum. But uhhh Rosevelt did have an idea, however slight that the japanese were going to make their move. Oh yes and there are no rules in love and especially war.
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I'm not trying to disrespect ANY war veteren. My own grandfather was one and he came back with a gun shot wound for his country. If I did sound as though I made fun of any war veteren, here is an apology, I am sorry. As for the talkbacker who requested some FACTS, you can start by watching TORA TORA TORA, since I figure we are all film buffs here. Granted, its only a movie but its pretty accurate. I also recommend that book "At Dawn we Slept" that Kuang back at the talkback mentioned. Finally, go find any information you can about the Tokyo Trials, especially on a Indian Juror named Pal, or Paru who specialized in International Law. He was the only juror who granted in favor of the Japanese. In his reasons why, he mentions the trade blockade and the justice in Japan's retaliation. I also definitely agree with Kuang on the subject of America's intelligence/diplomatic bungling that brought forth the attack that was not a "surprise."
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Both Bay and Bruckheimer take a lot of flack for their films. I admit that they are not great movies, but they are always fun to watch. I loved The Rock and had fun with Armegeddon. I hope they can pull off a real, serious film. The trailer looked really good, so I think there is hope for this film. It better be really good though, because since it is from Bruckheimer and Bay, the critics are not going to give it much of a chance. But my hopes are high for this one.
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The "Real" U.S.S. Hornet, CV-8, a Yorktown class carrier from the Doolittle raid is not in San Fransisco. It is about 2 miles beneath the Pacific ocean where she was sunk after the battle of Santa Cruz. (The ship was badly damaged and had to be left behind, so rather than leave the hulk for the Japanese, U.S. destroyers torpedoed her) The carrier in the bay is CV-12, an Essex class carrier named for the prior vessel.
This is one of my pet peeves. Films such as "Midway" used U.S. vessels to pose as I.J.N. ships. If you're going to make such a movie, get the EQUIPMENT right as well! They didn't seem to have a problem with "Saving Private Ryan" being accurate with period equipment. Spend the extra money.
It is worth it. -
I too am all for equipment authenticity in movies, but in the case of ships, particularly World War One and Two that is expecting a little too much. There is nothing available right now that even looks close to Akagi and the other carriers let alone Kirishima or Hyuga. That leaves four options: 1-creating an entire IJN fleet with CGI (and if it looks anything like the German destroyer in U571 I'd prefer not this option; and the cgi in Titanic wasn't that great either...water and ships are difficult to make),2-building scale ships ala Titanic (and you think 200 mil budget is big now? Wait till they have to build a fleet), 3-Use models ala Tora Tora Tora and Midway (not exceptable to todays audiences), or 4-use exsisting ships and with creative camera work and some cgi help, disguise them as ships of the past. This is obviously the less expensive and right choice. As for Saving Private Ryan having equipment authenticity....there is a difference between Higgins boats, LSI's, tanks and guns and an entire fleet of IJN ships including CVs, BBs, CLs, and DDs.
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There seems to be alot of negativity towards this movie in this chat area. In my opinion, Pearl Harbor will be one of the biggest blockbusters of all time! I believe it has a shot at taking Titanics records down! As I said 'a shot'. Odds are it won't but I do believe when all is said and done it will be one of the top 5 of all time. Bruckheimer and Bay are treating this movie much more seriously than their previous work. And it has the same successful formula that made Titanic a hit, a love story set against a historical tragedy. You can't say the early trailer doesn't allow you a glimpse of how big this movie can be! And with Disney behind it you know the marketing will be huge. I disagree with all you naysayers and think you will see come Memorial Day 2001. Good day.
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Hey Everyone,
On Saturday nght I saw Unbreakable (go see it), which featured a new trailer for Bruckheimer/Bay's Pearl Harbor. I was completely blown away. This is NO teaser! Anyone know where I can get a copy of it online?
It starts off with a speech from Winston Churchill I believe, about the dangers of complacency. It looks like Bay will actually have an actor playing Winnie. He warns the world about Hitler, as we Americans (aka: the audience) remain isolationist. His speech is played over scenes of Ben Affleck's character talking to his best girl about him joining the Army. There is a small shot of some people swing dancing, then Japanese pilots donning head bands (sorry - don't know the Japanese term) in preparation for the attack.
Then all hell breaks loose! There are some scenes duplicated from the teaser. The sound on this trailer is intense. The bass really kicks in as propellor sounds of Japanese Zeros starting from your left, then pan across the theater. We get a money shot of a bomb being released from a Zero, and a virutal camera follows it down to the deck of a US Navy ship. This is clearly CGI, almost annoyingly so. No one would EVER see this in war, and I think it's a mistake to include it in the film. It is very Bruckheimer (a-la The Rock). Then we see the shot that is the killer for me! We see a US Navy battleship capsizing on it's side (U.S.S. Arizona?) and US Navy sailers hanging on for dear life (a-la the end of Cameron's Titanic).
As the trailer wraps up, we see a quick shot of Jimmy Doolittle (Alec Baldwin). Then Army Air Corps B-25 bombers taking off from the U.S.S. Hornet. In a great homage to early Bruckheimer film Top Gun, there is even a scene of Navy carrier deck hands cheering on the launches. There is a slight glimpse of the Doolittle raid over Tokyo, and then it's over.
I'm sold! This is gonna be a blast! I hope Bruckheimer/Bay do not sacrifice historical accuracy for Hollywood summer dollars. One item I am still concerned about is the use of 21st century destoyers in the attack scenes. It seems Bay put some pyrotechnics on the decks of some Sprunace-class Destroyers, docked at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base, and used them in filming. I am hoping the final cut of the film masks these images with CGI to show 1941-era battleships, cruisers and destoryer escorts. If not, they will look as out-of-place in the scene as an F-15 fighter or Stinger SAM.
These items aside, this trailer is a reason alone to spend $8 and see Unbreakable.
Mike R.
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