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Moriarty Interviews Joel Silver About SPEED RACER! Plus A Scoop On Who’s Directing SGT. ROCK!

Uhhhhh, Guy Ritchie??? by poeticwarriorII	May 12th, 2008 06:07:56 AM
Is this the right guy for Sgt. Rock?
Hey Silver by Sebilrazen	May 12th, 2008 06:08:06 AM
I have some ideas for turning Ultraman into an overpriced franchise, you know where to find me.
Speed Racer: really about cultural neostructural theory / precap by Paulseta	May 12th, 2008 06:11:17 AM
"Sexual identity is fundamentally used in the service of sexism," says Marx; however, according to Buxton, it is not so much sexual identity that is fundamentally used in the service of sexism, but rather the meaninglessness, and subsequent dialectic, of sexual identity. Lyotard uses the term 'Sontagist camp' to denote the role of the poet as participant. It could be said that Marx uses the term 'dialectic precapitalist theory' to denote a mythopoetical totality. In a sense, Bataille suggests the use of cultural neostructural theory to challenge hierarchy. Foucault's critique of semiotic theory states that reality comes from communication. The main theme of Speed Racer is the defining characteristic, and subsequent absurdity, of dialectic narrativity. The example of subcapitalist narrative depicted in Speed Racer is also evident in Melrose Place. However, the subject is contextualised into a cultural neostructural theory that includes sexuality as a paradox. But if semiotic theory holds, we have to choose between dialectic precapitalist theory and cultural neostructural theory. "Society is unattainable," says Sartre. Bataille uses the term 'semiotic theory' to denote the difference between society and sexual identity. It could be said that Derrida promotes the use of dialectic precapitalist theory to deconstruct society. "Class is a legal fiction," says Baudrillard; however, according to Humphrey, it is not so much class that is a legal fiction, but rather the economy, and some would say the rubicon, of class. Thus, many discourses concerning semiotic theory may be found. In Speed Racer, the Watchowski brothers affirm cultural neostructural theory; in Melrose Place, though, Spelling analyses textual theory. Lyotard uses the term 'dialectic precapitalist theory' to denote not narrative, but postnarrative. The characteristic theme of Pickett's analysis of cultural neostructural theory is the role of the artist as participant. The main theme of Bailey's essay on semiotic theory is a cultural reality. Dialectic precapitalist theory implies that narrativity is used to reinforce the status quo. In a sense, the subject is interpolated into a Lacanist obscurity that includes consciousness as a whole. In the works of the Watchowski brothers, a predominant concept is the distinction between opening and closing. Debord promotes the use of cultural neostructural theory to challenge capitalism. Therefore, Sontag uses the term 'semiotic theory' to denote the role of the writer as poet. The characteristic theme of the works of the brothers is not, in fact, deappropriation, but predeappropriation. If one examines dialectic precapitalist theory, one is faced with a choice: either reject semiotic theory or conclude that the law is intrinsically used in the service of outdated, sexist perceptions of culture. Thus, Marx promotes the use of capitalist neocapitalist theory to attack capitalism. Sartre uses the term 'cultural neostructural theory' to denote the difference between sexual identity and language. Several situationisms concerning the collapse of conceptual society may be found. But de Selby holds that we have to choose between dialectic precapitalist theory and substructural discourse. If cultural neostructural theory holds, the works of Pynchon are empowering. "Class is meaningless," says Foucault; however, according to Werther , it is not so much class that is meaningless, but rather the fatal flaw, and eventually the failure, of class. The subject is contextualised into a semiotic theory that includes art as a paradox. Dialectic precapitalist theory implies that the significance of the reader is significant form. Alternatively, one could argue that Speed Racer is simply a giant piece of crap.
Damn You Michael Bay by MCMLXXVI	May 12th, 2008 06:19:14 AM
Damn You Michael Bay
ALTERED CARBON by sagebirt	May 12th, 2008 06:27:55 AM
Whats happening with that film? Silver bought the rights years ago of this geat book, anyone know?
Intern? by RenoNevada2000	May 12th, 2008 06:47:21 AM
You're not going all Bill Clinton on us, are you? ;)
SPEED RACER #1 at the BO by Mace Tofu	May 12th, 2008 06:57:54 AM
in Korea. Who would of thunk it? I do like what they did with the movie Joel.
Wachowski Hatred by kgerm	May 12th, 2008 07:01:54 AM
They make The Matrix and you all praise them as Gods. They finish the series by giving you what you wanted -- two films of insanely epic proportions that are dense with information and emotion...and you shit on them for being too deep or "pretentious." They make Speed Racer and then you hate them for not being deep enough. Make up your minds.
um..ahh...like...y'know...errr by lex romero	May 12th, 2008 07:02:53 AM
Seriously you too hardly got any words in between all the umming and arring, it sounded like you were two schoolkids on a first date too nervous to talk to each other.
I was with Silver till Guy Ritchie by NomoredirtyjokespleaseweareYanks	May 12th, 2008 07:04:02 AM
This man pips Richard Kelly by one film before a flop of such gargantuan proportions stopped them dead.
Danny Boyle >>>>>>>Guy Ritchie by NomoredirtyjokespleaseweareYanks	May 12th, 2008 07:05:27 AM
at least Boyles failures are interesting.
Er,no... by chuffsterUK	May 12th, 2008 07:06:36 AM
.....it's NOT a cartoon-it's a film BASED on a cartoon. If they wanted it to look so much like a cartoon,they should have made one. You don't go to see a movie based on a book and expect to see to hours of printed word on the screen!
Silver is a great producer.... by travis-dane	May 12th, 2008 07:15:37 AM
DAMN!The man produced some of the best action movies ever made!
Only Matthew Fox got the characters... by m_prevette	May 12th, 2008 07:18:21 AM
He GOT Racer X and nailed the voice, his performance is the standout in the overstuffed movie. I was waiting for someone else to do at least one breathless rush of dialogue delivery, but no one else really "got" it. I'm 46, I watched Speed each day after school,I salute what everyone tried to do here, but the movie was too long, the plot too confusing, and it was never really funny. Somehow in the last 30 minutes it all DID come together into great moviemaking, but that was at the end of a long, uneven ride.
This movie was dull! by FILMFUNK	May 12th, 2008 07:19:41 AM
and when it wasn't waffling on about fixed races and the usual exposition heavy Wakowski Bullshit it was chucking a mental with such a CG overload it seemed intent on making the audience vomit their e-numbers in the aisles. I'm fucking sick of Greenscreen FX overloaded movies! The only OK things in this were the chimp and Susan Sandon, and when it finally ended.
DerLanghaarige... by poeticwarriorII	May 12th, 2008 07:22:30 AM
Sgt. Rock is a comic book character set during WWII. He was produced by DC comics so if you're interested you could probably go on their site and find something. It's actually a pretty damn good comic.
Too bad this thing went down for the count. by rbatty024	May 12th, 2008 07:29:45 AM
Well, I guess it's not too bad. It did get awful reviews after all. I was going to see it despite the reviews but eventually they got to me and I decided to go see Standard Operating Procedure instead. Maybe on DVD Speed Racer.
I Love the Coda by Aquatarkusman	May 12th, 2008 07:33:56 AM
In the words of Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder, "That's what shills are for!"
"At what point did the Wachowskis know their career was finished by fiester	May 12th, 2008 07:35:53 AM
"Oh, I'd say about 9:30 last night."
MCMLXXVI... by BiggusDickus	May 12th, 2008 07:38:52 AM
Don't you think it's getting a little tired now, fella? Have you not got anything else to contribute? Come on, I'll make it easy for you. "Speed Racer is shit!" There. Your turn...
Even Harry has bailed on Speed Racer: by fiester	May 12th, 2008 07:38:54 AM
Notice his Speed Racer GIF vanished about the same time the weekend box office results started making the rounds. Coincidence?
Instead of Speed Racer...Wacky Races! by BiggusDickus	May 12th, 2008 07:41:08 AM
Now that would've worked!
Guy Richie: by fiester	May 12th, 2008 07:45:38 AM
I would not trust anyone who thought it was a good idea to marry Madonna with anything. Their sense of judgment is obviously fatally flawed.
Wacky Races by Mace Tofu	May 12th, 2008 07:48:35 AM
I'd go see it lol.
Cause those are the logical toys they’ve never really done for S by stvnhthr	May 12th, 2008 07:49:48 AM
"the Mach 5 had a trunk that opens that you could put Spritle and Chim Chim in...Cause those are the logical toys they’ve never really done for SPEED RACER fans before. " Sorry but that was done a decade ago at the Resaurus toy company and that is still the best Mach 5 toy ever produced.
I Totally Loved It & IMAX Is Def. the Way To Go by LaserPants	May 12th, 2008 07:56:03 AM
Its a shame that this didn't become a blockbuster, but its doing okay. I'm sure it will turn a decent profit eventually with overseas and dvd and the like. Like I said, I totally loved it, but thats because I love the show, and really LOVED it as a kid. I think if ur not all that into the concept, it won't fly. This is a cult movie all the way; a cult movie on a blockbuster budget. I really wish everyone would stop hating and give it a chance, but, oh well. When the blu-ray comes out and everybody's watching at home and orgasming about how amazing it looks, and regretting that you skipped IMAX, remember that ur chance is NOW! Go see it. If you love insane psychedelic pop art and over-the-top lunatic action, see it. SEE IT!
I Have The New 1:24 Scale Hot Wheels MACH 5 by LaserPants	May 12th, 2008 07:58:51 AM
The real nice $25 one? All die cast and pro and collectory. Its a beauty.
On the Cartoon Network This Weekend by Aquatarkusman	May 12th, 2008 08:00:47 AM
About 199,000 commercials for Speed Racer toys. Like kids are going to know who the fuck this is (it hasn't been on in national syndication for years, as far as I can tell) apart from the movie, which they apparently aren't seeing.
Speed Racer - Future classic by dastickboy	May 12th, 2008 08:01:57 AM
Saw it Friday night, with just myself and girlfriend, plus some other couple in the entire cinema. (although that was down to the cinema screwing up their listing). So it was difficult to gauge what the larger audience would think of this film, but I for one loved it. It's clearly a devisive film, moreso having seen it. Having not seen the original show I can easily relate to the "live-action anime" nature of the film, but also the Wachowskis have built on this and it's much more a film of multiple layers. I think this is where a lot of people will be turned off, as that first layer is all blazing colour and hyper-kinetic action, and at times it can be dizzying. But the plot with Royalton, which in turn establishes the Pops/Rex story definitely puts some meat on the bones, and continues to add weight to Speed's actions and to a larger degree the message of family that's continually referred to (but not pounded into) the entire story. It really is a shame that this film won't be seen by all as there are some unbelievable shots throughout the film that do confirm this film as a work of art. I defy anyone to watch the final sequence of Speed racing down the final straight, (Giacchino's music built to a climax) as the lights blaze onto Speed's crash helmet in close-up and say that it's not future piece of pop iconography.
I have to wait 'till June 6th for IMAX by Mace Tofu	May 12th, 2008 08:02:34 AM
but plan to catch it tonight at a regular theater.
This movie blew my fucking mind by Iamagoodguy	May 12th, 2008 08:02:41 AM
And people who have not seen it, don't to the reviews. Go see it and make up your own mind.
Speed Racer = awesome movie that stodgy critics don't get by Rindain	May 12th, 2008 08:04:11 AM
Judging by the reactions of my 4:20 pm Saturday audience (a mix of all ages), this movie could have great word of mouth. The critics just don't seem capable of accepting the cartoon/anime aesthetic. Too bad for them.
doomed since first trailer by darth rod	May 12th, 2008 08:05:44 AM
Push it all you want, this movie is polarizing, after the first trailer that was it, you either liked the over the top look or you hated it. The mayority plain hated the fake hyper stylized look, and thats all there is to this movie, lots of style zero substance. The problem is that if is it suposed to be a family movie, why the punishing length? where are the jokes for adults? where are the characters to care abaout? Next time if the producers are invoking pixar as a template, pay atention it ain't the visuals that sells tickets, it's a good story and solid characters, things that are sorely missing with this one.
In time people will come to enjoy Speed Racer for its aesthetics by Shub-Wankalot	May 12th, 2008 08:13:00 AM
Critics panned the Eastwood spaghetti westerns back in its day, but now make a complete reversal in their view. Time will forgive Speed Racer
To put it simply, this film is by Paulseta	May 12th, 2008 08:14:31 AM
nearly as bad as being strapped down and being force-fed neon glowing liquid gopher shit again and again... and when you pass out a giant monkey kicks you in the balls until you wake up screaming, and then more shit is sprayed into your mouth, but this time from an incontinent skunk. Shortly after that, two massive airhorns are constantly and repeated blasted into your ears while a donkey with AIDS spits in your face, multiple spotlights and focused at you blinking on and off, while rancid onions are peeled under you eyes and then shoved up your nose. At the same time, Stephen Hawking reads Harry Potter in backwards order while you are sodomized by a retarded elephant that keeps drooling on the back of your head. Then repeated for 2 hours and 20 minutes.
It was pretty damn cool. by AgentArchangel	May 12th, 2008 08:23:15 AM
The Wachowskis had the guts to make a living, breathing comic book/cartoon, and they had the guts to go all out with the visuals. It's crazy, it's hyper kinetic and super colorized, and you get to see cars do things they were not meant to do on God's green earth. Plus in IMAX, the film's just amazing. Still, liking this film is dependent on a person's inner child, so if that inner child is gone then save your money and go see something else. If you're open to a fun popcorn movie, then by all means this is the film for you.
A question for Joel by Luscious.868	May 12th, 2008 08:26:16 AM
Joel, with the cinematic abortions that were the Matrix sequels and now speed racer, how many more box office disasters will the brothers be allowed to perpetrate upon you before you stop allowing them to make films?
Harry and Mori are clearly on the take. They rarely ever contin by Luscious.868	May 12th, 2008 08:30:03 AM
They are clearly being paid to try and get people to see this turdfest or they wouldn't continue to promote it after it's opening weekend. Do not waste your money on this film.
Wow that was interesting by godzillasushi	May 12th, 2008 08:37:28 AM
You know, I completely agree. If you reviewed the reviews for the movie you would find a lot of people are probably out of touch. It's like, until younger people become more prominent in that way, these movies will always be cast aside. CGI seems to be a negative for those older writers, no matter the context. I think when people complain about the movie they stifle the creativity we all want. Those are probably the same people that hate remakes, etc. But they are facilitating that by trashing anything that's different. We don't get many movies that take chances throughout the year. This is rare.
I'm going to disagree with those who say this is generational. by rbatty024	May 12th, 2008 08:41:23 AM
I haven't seen Speed Racer so I can't speak to the quality of the film. However, I can note that similar films that make use of CGI and green screen did well with these old stodgy critics. Sin City, Sky Captain, and 300 (even though I personally hated it) all received favorable reviews. I think critics are more open than you think. It's not the technique they're attacking, it's how it was implemented. I actually like what I've seen of Speed Racer, but the reviews have given me pause.
Wacky Races... by TroutMaskReplicant	May 12th, 2008 08:42:23 AM
I'd love to make a live action Wacky Races film and actually make it good. The Wacky race film has yet to have it's finest hour I think. Like sure there's the Cannonball Run films and Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines, but there could be so much more!
A question for Luscious.868 by BartholomewNeff	May 12th, 2008 08:44:49 AM
So we all have to like what you do or we're on the take? I was never a fan of the show and only knew the theme song and not much else before going to see this. I loved it. It's sweet. It's genuine. It's trippy. I had a blast. Several of my friends and I saw it over the weekend, none of them knew what to expect and they all loved it. I've never seen anything like it. Not everyone has your tast Luscious and I think Moriarty explained exactly why he liked it. I'm wondering if you've even seen it or perhaps you are one of those countless people that rag something without ever even seeing it. If you don't like it, fine. Others do. Joel Silver attepted to make a family film here and he's done it. It's not for everyone, it's totally different than anything we've seen before and if you don't like it don't watch it. But I have a feeling you've already done that anyway.
RE: rbatty024 by godzillasushi	May 12th, 2008 08:47:57 AM
It's a good point you make. But in the same way, those three movies you listed seem to be pretty different from Speed Racer. Hard to lump them all together. They are attacking how it's implemented. Definitely. But at least it's something different. And they don't seem to be giving very good reasons for not liking it. To say it's candy-colored-this, or cotton-candy-that doesn't do anyone any favors. They give reasons, but not very good ones IMO. Still, you bring up a great point about other GS movies. Much more adult skewing movies, but GS nonetheless.
Box Office numbers don't mean anything... by The Curious Dr Humpp	May 12th, 2008 08:52:20 AM
... until you realize what they represent: audience interest in a particular film. So in Speed Racer's case: nobody seemed to care. Not even during opening weekend. Which is kind of odd for such a heftily marketed film. Then again, my guess is Warners pretty much expected this kind of turnout for Speed Racer, as this film tracked extremely poorly these past weeks. The receipts are likely to fall 50 to 60% next weekend, after which the film will disappear into oblivion. Which, in my honest opinion, is exactly where it belongs. There are probably some countries in Asia where it'll do reasonably well, but Speed Racer being succesful in Europe would be like American Football or baseball becoming popular over here. It's just not gonna happen. So there. Think what you will about the B.O. numbers, they're just saying what most people are thinking: this film just isn't worth your time and money. It won't become a cult classic. It won't be 'rediscovered' and appreciated in the future. It'll die a silent death and that'll be the end of it. Sorry.
Nah, Its Already This Generations TRON by LaserPants	May 12th, 2008 09:06:10 AM
I think SPEED RACER already has cult status. Its not going to last in the mainstream (cept amongst kids, especially when its on dvd), but as cult pop-art explosion, it will live on. Sort of like TRON. That 'bombed' too. Now its a beloved cult classic.
yeah, but... by Shoegeezer	May 12th, 2008 09:08:45 AM
...Tron was a good movie, a family movie not something aimed squarely at kids and obese adults.
The New Tron or this weeks by Samuel Fulmer	May 12th, 2008 09:11:06 AM
Superman Returns. Most people think it's gabage, but it's supporters claim it will be seen as a classic years later, but then years later most people still think it's awful.
I hope this doesn't stop the Wachowskis by Samuel Fulmer	May 12th, 2008 09:12:49 AM
from making a Laugh-O-Lympics movie. Scooby Doobies all the way!
Keep talking dipshits, I'm going twice by g-ride9000	May 12th, 2008 09:14:25 AM
I like this movie, even the crony parts. Why, because I'm a corny little kid inside. Are you? It's also because I love my family and think about the times my dad supported me even though I was an insubordinate teen. So who cares if it bombs. They'll make a martial arts film, Ironman IV will upset most of you due to it's similarity to the first, and people will still pan this crazy, sweet, wild film.
Superman is no speed racer by g-ride9000	May 12th, 2008 09:18:15 AM
All the complaints about Superman were based on the fact that it disregarded the source and it was visually unoriginal and flat. Speed racer is being shunned for being way to close to the original material (stilted dialog, anime look) and being way to original.
Totally Agree, G-Ride9000 by LaserPants	May 12th, 2008 09:23:20 AM
I totally agree and I can totally relate to being that corny little kid on the inside. And I'm going to see it at IMAX again before it disappears. Shoegeezer, I'm not a kid, and not an obese adult. I'm in my 30s, have a job and house and a girlfriend and totally completely and utterly loved this movie. Seems to me that opinion is pretty much a 50/50 split. Either you love it or hate it.
If it's a kids movie, why is it 2 hour 15 minutes? by robogeek.com	May 12th, 2008 09:33:07 AM
Unfortunately, the movie's about half an hour too long for a family film, which really hurts it. (This alone may have cut its earning potential in half.) Plus, to work as a family film you have to connect with moms, and the marketing almost went out of its way to alienate moms with its (perceived) freakiness and male-centricity... oh, and then it's released on Mother's Day weekend? Wow. I can't help but wonder if anyone running this (sinking) ship is a parent (particularly a mom), but then again we are talking about the studio whose production chief has been accused of fostering institutionalized sexism (I refer you to Robinov's infamous alleged statement that Warners will no longer make movies with female leads). But I digress...
Speed Racer > Superman Returns by LaserPants	May 12th, 2008 09:33:51 AM
Especially if you love the characters. SPEED RACER is pretty much a dead-on translation of the show in terms of the characters, tone, and generalized insanity. I mean, yeah, the races and cars reflect a retro-modeled superfuture version of same, but one that seemed right in step with the show. It immediately captured and held my inner 5 year old in rapture for its entirety. Superman Returns, on the other hand, seemed more about Singer's raging gay-emo-martyr complex. The Supes of SR wasn't Supes, he was some whiny, wanky, too skinny Waif of Steel, or Metrosexual of Steel. AND a stalker AND a dead beat dad to boot! Superman's not about angst, he's about optimism and universal justice from a thankfully friendly space-man-god. Superman Returns was, from a fan of the character's standpoint, a disaster. In contrast, as a life long fan of the show and character, Speed Racer hit all my buttons perfectly.
RE: Shoegeezer by godzillasushi	May 12th, 2008 09:34:54 AM
What a dumb thing to say. Really. Why you would come to that conclusion, then grace us all with your thoughts is beyond me. I know the internet is this anonymous place where anyone can lay ignorant comments out but give me a break. Does the movie bother you enough to insult anyone who saw it? Geeze...I get sick of that crap man.
TroutMaskReplicant... by BiggusDickus	May 12th, 2008 09:38:38 AM
Absolutely. And if a live-action Wacky Races film is too mainstream for the sniffy, oh-so-intellectual pseuds out there, I for one would take a Bailey's Comet's movie. We could even have Christina Ricci in hotpants. Again.
So Joel by Series7	May 12th, 2008 09:40:20 AM
How many marketing people are going to lose their jobs because of this flopping? Seriously, that was my question after leaving the film. Don't get me wrong I really liked the film and think its a much bigger achievement in film then Iron Man (come on, who didn't leave Iron Man thinking, Jesus Christ 3-Spidermans/X-Men's 2-FF, a Daredevil and Ghost Rider later and they finally get it spot on). I felt that way because this movie is was going to get its money from 12-18 year old kids, and grow men who still enjoy kids movies. The problem is that anyone over 14 thinks that this movie is too childish for them, and kids under 14 can't convice their parents to drive them to it. Though really this movie should be aimed at everyone. Its better then Alvin and the Chipmunks, Transformers and Horton Hears a Who combined. But the marketing sucked, and it really was no ones fault. I think they did the best job they could. The only problem was they didn't get John Goodman out their. I never saw his ass on any of the couches last week. And he's gotta be in every late night host top ten favorite guest (he was on Conan's first show?), he loves to host SNL (SHIA????). He is one of America's most likable actors, and yet, I bet for the most part no one knew he was in the film. No one gives a shit yet about Emile, and Ricci isn't that big a draw either. I guess the big man, who man Flinstons (a very VERY similar movie) a success over 10 years ago, couldn't strike gold twice.
Tron is probably worse than Speed Racer... by TroutMaskReplicant	May 12th, 2008 09:44:21 AM
No sane person could say that the visuals in Tron aren't great and memorable, but the story telling was half assed. The first half hour of the movie is about boring corporate espionage! It's a shame that Tron could only be a cult movie and no more. Actually I think one of the special effects guys for Tron is having a lecture near me. I should go see it.
hahahaha boring corprete espionage by g-ride9000	May 12th, 2008 09:54:23 AM
so you don't like mamet either!
In time people will enjoy Speed Racer 4 its aesthetics by quantize	May 12th, 2008 09:54:46 AM
Oh yeh? like what? Like Moulin Rouge, which was similarly hyper real gaudy design and hackneyed melodrama? I dont think so....nooooooooo
Paulseta, you are batshit by g-ride9000	May 12th, 2008 09:56:08 AM
crazy, and learn to use the < P > function just take out the spaces
Guy Ritchie? URRRRRRRRRGH. by Steve Rogers	May 12th, 2008 09:56:31 AM
His movies are shit on toast.
I expected to HATE it. by Kid Idioteque	May 12th, 2008 09:58:13 AM
And I fucking loved it. I kind of hate myself for enjoying it so much. On paper, everyone involved with it would make for a film experience from hell, at least for me. But I seriously had a great time. Fuck the critics. This film has heart and thrills to spare. This was so much more fun than that derivative, over-hyped current blockbuster, also known as Iron Man. GO SEE IT. I wish I could see it in Imax.
Silver should get Bale as "Rock" or STALLONE by ABking	May 12th, 2008 10:00:34 AM
I mean, if Silver wanted to solve the problem of SGT.ROCK the movie getting flack for an all American character like Rock being hated on by foreign audience, he would have waited for Arnie to come back and use the old idea of Sgt.Rock being half American half German. But Arnie is governor and Silver wants to rush SGT.ROCK...given that...Christian "T4" Bale would do a great job. I'd say Stallone too but Silver would do better to ask Sly to direct SGT.ROCK and make it a bad ass war film in the vien of the last RAMBO film...ah well, I at least have the Rambo trilogy and Predator!
ABKING by chuffsterUK	May 12th, 2008 10:11:29 AM
RAMBO trilogy? I thought you were a fan-for one,there are four films featuring Rambo,two,if it was still a trilogy,surely it would be the First Blood trilogy?
It's a great movie by Kraken	May 12th, 2008 10:12:43 AM
But even I was REALLY skeptical going in. But the movie was a thrill ride. It really upsets me that people aren't even giving this one a shot. It's the kind of movie you really have to see in the theater to get the full experience.
Apologizing for Speed Racer I see by jimmy_009	May 12th, 2008 10:32:58 AM
Sorry, but this was a giant dud from the get go. The only people that would want to sit through that eye rape are those that have already had their brain rotted by Japanese mind rot already. No thanks, give me Iron Man anyday.
Guy Ritchie is a horrible fucking choice... by Sledge Hammer	May 12th, 2008 10:41:40 AM
...for Sgt Rock. And have you seen his last couple of films? Talk about flash in the pan. The man is on a bigger downward spiral than Michael Jackson. I think being married to (pri)Madonna has sucked any creativity right out of the man, and probably much of his will to live as well. And anyway, the last thing an icon like Sgt Rock needs is an "oh-so-hip" directorial approach. Maybe he'll surprise me, but honestly, I dread this choice. As for who should play Rock, I'd say Kiefer Sutherland. He's the right age, he's got the right kind of gravelly voice, and we know he can convince as a stoic, never-say-die 'man of action'. He'd be my choice anyway.
Kraken by Series7	May 12th, 2008 10:43:35 AM
Yeah totally agree about, its a theater experience. People are like, well I'll wait for DVD. Seriously? Unless you got a sweet Blu-Ray set up this movie will be lacking on the small screen (just like Sunshine). But I mean these are the same people that will be first in line for the upcoming Sandler movie. Nothing agahinst Sandler movies, but they play the same at home/on my Zune/or at the theater. Speed won't.
Saw it... Enjoyed it. by Rando Calrisian	May 12th, 2008 10:49:07 AM
So far the Summer is 2 for 2. I wasn't even a big SR fan, but went for the experience. This is the kind of movie that needs to be seen in a theater. It's fun, loud cinematic candy. What's not to like? After the movie, kids were running up and down the theater halls making vroom-vroom sounds, crashing into eachother and giggling the whole time. Seems some people can't just let go and be entertained. If you went into this film expecting great cinema, or high art - you kind of missed the point. This is bold, flashy and kind of reminded me of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in parts (Gene Wilder version, thank you). A good, strong, family film, that will be enjoyed by little boys for many years to come.
Rando... by Aquatarkusman	May 12th, 2008 10:55:07 AM
"After the movie, kids were running up and down the theater halls making vroom-vroom sounds, crashing into eachother and giggling the whole time." Either that was the worst endorsement of all time, or a brilliant passive-aggressive/sarcastic insult.
The length of the movie is a problem by Series7	May 12th, 2008 10:59:54 AM
Because unlike E.T. and Harry Pots, the trailers make it come off as a zany WAKA WAKA Pokemon cartoon and parents aren't going to want to sit through 2 hours of that. They are saving their kids to the movie time for next week with Narnia, which plays out like a movie Adults could enjoy. This movie comes off looking like Torqued which scares older people away. I mean think of any one you know over 20, yeah they can be down for 300 or Iron Man, but neo-color looking happy fun time? Thats the main problem with the film, its immpossible to market. Its just one of those, you gotta see it. Just like trying to get your friends to see U23D, none of them wanted to pay $11 to see a U2 concert in a movie theater, but had they gone they would've realized how cool it was. They should have sold Speed Racer more toward adults. Adults would have seen it and realized that they could bring their kids.
I'm just saying the kids got the "point" by Rando Calrisian	May 12th, 2008 11:02:38 AM
Aparently, Aquatarkusman, you don't remember having fun watching cartoons as a kid. Or acting out, and expressing that fun you just had experiencing something you'd never seen before. The kids in the theater ate this movie up. They were cheering at the end, and continued laughing and cheering outside of the theater. When was the last time you ran around pretending to be a race car... too long, aparently.
DerLanghaarige by darth rod	May 12th, 2008 11:04:55 AM
E.T. was successful in 1982 but flash forward 20 years and the rerelease bombed at the box office. tastes change through time. The Incredibles was aimed to all targets of the family, Speed Racer is just aimed at male children and fans of the series, neglecting as it has been said: the mothers, sisters, teens, fathers. Harry Potter has a huge installed fan base, that guarantees it success.
Guy by CuervoJones	May 12th, 2008 11:06:33 AM
I don´t like MTV directors or Tarantino wannabes like him.
I'm over 20, and I enjoyed the flick by toadkillerdog	May 12th, 2008 11:08:52 AM
Marketing be damned. If I want to see a movie - regardless of the marketing or reviews, i will do so. If a movie is good, it will find an audience - sooner or later. Perhaps that audience will be the DVD market and not at the theater.
ET rerelease bombing by Samuel Fulmer	May 12th, 2008 11:08:57 AM
Would probably have to do with the fact that it doesn't have the same following as something like Star Wars, but I also think the hardcore film fans weren't happy when they found out about the Walkie/Talkies and C.G.I. ET that wasn't needed.
Go Speed Racer! by greenstyle92	May 12th, 2008 11:12:31 AM
Go Speed Racer! Go Speed Racer GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Thanks mori. I KNEW I wasn't crazy for liking this movie! Although Yackbacker brings up another possibility! Maybe I AM spiritually enlightened! Yay!
The hate makes me want to see it more by Harry Weinstein	May 12th, 2008 11:12:48 AM
Buying two tickets for this in IMAX while I still can, one for me and one for whoever I can actually convince to go see this beautiful catastrophe. The seven minutes that turned up online sold me on the film - and the largely condescending tone adopted by the people who hate the film sealed the deal. It's clearly the most batshit insane slice of utter madness to come from a major studio since FREDDY GOT FINGERED - and like FGF, a lot of the hate is apparently coming from folks who either didn't see it or didn't understand it, or both. Look at those numbers - clearly, not many people actually DID see it. The overly literal-minded needn't bother (and were clearly not invited to this party in the first place).
I enjoyed it too by MattmanReturns	May 12th, 2008 11:16:43 AM
Speed Racer was very entertaining, and that's all I expected of it. It also had some hilarious stuff in it, like the ninja fight.
Please give it a Chance by bravojo	May 12th, 2008 11:27:10 AM
I saw this yesterday with my 6 year old son. We were already big fans owning all the toys and entire series so he knew all about it. This movie is so worth your money. Having seen Iron man last week and Speed Racer this week, there was actually more substance to Speed Racer. The visuals should not be the only reason you don't go see this. there is a really good story and great acting happeing inside those crazy visuals! Matthew Fox looks like he stepped out of the cartoon as Racer X. He nailed that performance the way Christopher Reeve nailed Superman! When people say this movie has a lot of heart, you can't understand that until you see the family dinamic of the film. In this sinacle world, where family doesn't hold the place it once did, this movie dares to offer a little glimps of the togetherness and perseverance a family can achieve. If you look up to your dad or bibg brother or wish you could this movie will put a tiny lump in your throat.
The good news for those who liked this flick: by fiester	May 12th, 2008 11:33:28 AM
Is you'll be able to see it again for $1.00 next week at the cheap theater on a double bill with Drillbit Taylor.
MattmanReturns - TV characters that should be killed by toadkillerdog	May 12th, 2008 11:47:23 AM
I just chuckled through the whole thing, and Chim Chim cracked me the hell up. Sprittle was anoying, but he was annoying in the cartoon as well. There are many TV/movie characters that should be killed before they are ever allowed to cause any more trouble. When I was a child, my top three where: Sprittle Giligan Dr. Smith.
Speed Racer and the Walmart deal... by DarkCouncilus	May 12th, 2008 11:52:48 AM
Shit, It's SAD to see all those aisles and counters full of unsold SR crap at Walmart: cups, candy, toys, clothes, etc.... bet it was the idea of a Inner-children Speed Racer Yaysayer to greenlight that deal. The Speed Racer movie, a "pop masterpiece with a hint of nostalgia" (aka shameless denial) that bombed as a business in every conceivable way.
Going wednesday.... by Quake II	May 12th, 2008 11:54:24 AM
I've been on call all weekend so no movies but this wednesday I am taking my 6 year old...I will solve the mystery of Speed Racer in 3 days (the mystery is "Does it suck or rock?")
Speed Racer = an awful movie that people denied by DarkCouncilus	May 12th, 2008 12:09:06 PM
Expect a desperate for money special edition DVD in two months.
I'm starting to think there are TWO Speed Racer movies by greenstyle92	May 12th, 2008 12:14:20 PM
out there. Obviously I, Moriarty, Harry, and several other talkbackers saw the GOOD one. The one with cool action and great characters. But there must be the OTHER Speed Racer movie out there that Capone and 65% of the Rotten Tomatoes critics and several talk backers saw and MOST talk backers who haven't seen talk about that was really sucky and weak or something. That's the only way to explain it, because I have no idea how people can hate this movie!
The only problem with it Speed Racer is it's too long by ck37	May 12th, 2008 12:32:26 PM
I thought the movie was amazing to watch visually. The story was great but just went on and on. If they cut about a half hour off the film kids and parents would even love it more. Look any parent knows kids won't sit there in theater seats for two hours without being bored or anxious. The producers should know this. It will probably fair better on DVD, but it is a shame it's getting crucified in the reviews. It is a good movie.
It was a very good movie. by Toonol	May 12th, 2008 12:32:44 PM
And the Tron comparisons are totally correct. Tron bombed at the box office, but is iconic. In ten years, everybody will own Speed Racer on Blu-Ray.
Speed Racer killed Iron Man for me by Hikaru Ichijo	May 12th, 2008 12:41:37 PM
Iron Man looks cool, but doesn't need my help, so I took mom to Speed Racer. I figure as a kid I made her sit through hours and hours of it anyhow, so what's two more? We both really enjoyed it. Super hero flicks, on the other hand, are getting really old. Every new superhero flick comes out to the highest praise and gradually becomes annoying, thus necessitating the next one, and they're all pretty much the same. I like Samuel L. too, but that move makes me think the flick is actually NOT getting things the way they should. I want a proper superhero flick like we've never been offered, and I think Speed Racer is the closest thing yet. People that haven't seen Speed Racer, but are already drawing comparisons to Iron Man are actually hurting their film, since there CAN'T be any comparison. It should be taken on it's own merit, and if you haven't seen it, I promise you have no idea what you're talking about. I'm headed to an IMAX screen before it's too late, while Iron Man is sounding more and more like something that I'll learn to take for granted on a 72" flat screen.
Thanks Joel et al. by vaterite	May 12th, 2008 01:06:20 PM
Watching speed racer made me incredibly happy. That's all that needs to be said. I am sorry for you if you can't enjoy it.
Wachowskis killed Speed Racer for good. by DarkCouncilus	May 12th, 2008 01:18:44 PM
End of the road apologists, no matter how much you want to flip this movie flop (claiming it's instant cult classic, a pop iconography, masterpiece with a hint of nostalgia or whatever) you can't force people (specially through this website) into suddenly liking it. Tell how good this bomb is to those involved (that are not the Wachowski Bros.) that are more likely to have their careers and jobs run over by it's failure.
Haunted Tank? by diverdan	May 12th, 2008 01:26:52 PM
If Sgt Rock does get made it'd be nice to see the Haunted Tank and its crew in it even if it is just a drive through.
How many apologists does it take for SR to be a success? by DarkCouncilus	May 12th, 2008 01:36:31 PM
None, that shipped has sailed.
Good point Darkcouncils by ganymede3010	May 12th, 2008 01:38:42 PM
I can't believe that AICN is pushing this movie. Despite that, the numbers still sucked.
Here's the thing I've noticed Darkcouncils by greenstyle92	May 12th, 2008 01:52:43 PM
First off, I think all the fans of the movie admit that that ship has sailed. We are dealing with it fine. What I've noticed is the Bashers just love to shove the RT score and box office in our face, then get flummoxed when the vocal 1/3 minority say "fuck that, it was still great." and all continue to high-five each other and celebrate the movie and Moriarty posts interviews and such. It's YOU guys who won't let it go, just keep saying "It sucks! It sucks! Why won't you guys give it up, it sucks!" It's a little bit like the end of Grinch who stole Christmas, that way. You know, you're sure you've broken the film, but the whos down in whosville just keep celebrating it anyway. Though I'm sure "Your heart growing 3 sizes" won't happen, though we kinda hope it will. Instead, you keep trying to find ways to still convince us that it sucked. Face it dude. You lost. We won. The movie is awesome. deal with it.
UnknownUser by Series7	May 12th, 2008 01:54:05 PM
Whatever Polaski got an Oscar. And his thing is more well known the the Tranny thing. Even though I guess the girl is "over it", he never got in trouble for what he did.
WB - "Unfortunately it didn't perform to our expectations" by DarkCouncilus	May 12th, 2008 02:09:16 PM
How is that damage control? Dude should learn from the AICN's inner-children cult on how to properly turn a phrase, "This year's TRON!" now that is denial level that I'm talking about.
UnknownUser by Series7	May 12th, 2008 02:15:34 PM
Yeah i know. Viva la France. Just saying. Most celeberties do fucked up shit. I mean look at Bert.
UnknownUser, there's one big thing your... by poeticwarriorII	May 12th, 2008 02:27:47 PM
missing out on here. Short Round had far more personality and acting ability compared to TheQueef. His character was also not some contrived forced smarmy bastard son popping up out of nowhere. We all saw how that turned out for supes.
Um this um, I mean, you know, ummm by Underoos Hero	May 12th, 2008 02:29:27 PM
Like this interview, umm kinda, you know, made my head hurt, and umm it was kinda like umm, well, I really had to stop reading it after the umm second question because umm. FOR GOD'S SAKE DID YOU REALLY HAVE TO TRANSLATE THE INTERVIEW VERBATIM?!!!!!!! FUCKS SAKE MAN!!!!!!!!
Saw it. by Laserhead	May 12th, 2008 02:32:40 PM
Wooden acting, ridiculously flat characterization, a dull, dull story, and most importantly, the action was not well done-- it just looked like a giant videogame, no sense of danger or threat or even consequence to any of it. If your inner child is moved by this, then I feel pity for your inner child, because your inner child is a retarded monkey who is pleased by the mere presence of bright colors and loud noises.
I do BELIEVE there is a GREAT FUTURE in the LIVING CARTOON. by JDanielP	May 12th, 2008 03:08:24 PM
Yeah, I "was" going to take the wife and kid on this family outing, with "SPEED RACER" being kid friendly...and the visual style being especially interesting (to me). But between the majority of the reviews and my wife being resistant, having little interest (in it) herself, I gave my young son the choice between "SPEED RACER" and the local fast-food Playland. (Guess which one he chose.) And it's funny...because I've been unusually resistant to the negative reviews. Maybe it's because I'm a believer in this technology...while I also figure my young son will enjoy it. --In my mind's eye, I've long been miles ahead of this blending and morphing of both (digital) film and computer animation. I even see a day when live action will be morphed/altered into artistic style (unique styles at that) and perhaps even imitating the work of famous artists, living or dead. But based on how this movie hasn't opened well, it may only reinforce the belief that live action and computer generated imagery (CGI) should remain as separated as possible. (Movies like "TRANSFORMERS" and "IRON MAN" do a great job of bridging the gap with practical effects...though, to be fair, "SPEED RACER" looks to be something else entirely, like a living cartoon.) I can't help but wonder if computer technology will bring us closer to a more life-like cartoon before Hollywood finds true success in such blending of the real and the unreal, as "SPEED RACER" obviously tries to do. Anyway, I want to give special thanks to those whom shared their more positive experiences with "SPEED RACER", despite the negative press. I'm very tempted to take the wife and son on a surprise outing next weekend. From what I understand, if my wife can get even a little amusement out of "B.C." (which I passed over), she could most certainly make it through the "SPEED RACER" whirlwind for a couple of hours. (heh,heh) I'm not tellin' 'em! I'm just takin' 'em! (hahahahahaha)
I don't hear anyone who hated the movie claim to be a fan of the by wash	May 12th, 2008 03:16:23 PM
Which makes me that what Moriarty and others saying is right - that it really is only for fans of the show and kids, for better or for worse. I plan on checking this out on Imax this week, with expectaitions firmly in check.
*of the show by wash	May 12th, 2008 03:16:42 PM

Just Curious Mori by oogabooga	May 12th, 2008 03:20:43 PM
If you had posted a review last week saying you thought it was a piece of shit would you still have gotten to interview Joel Silver??
Sgt. Rock will fail and here's why by ArcadianDS	May 12th, 2008 03:35:47 PM
It will be in Iraq during the Kuwait Liberation War. The character of Sgt. Rock will be a weasly 'i dont like my country much, but its my duty and it beats painting houses' kind of guy. The 'bad guy' will be a Republican Senator from Tennessee (or they'll just refer to him as Senator and not even pin a state to him) who shows up near the end to reveal that the whole war was just an effort to get re-elected, and then Sgt. Rock punches his face. Also, it will suck because some schlub will spend 30% of the movie doing his best Rob Schneider impression.
There is more than enough plastic and metal from SR paraphernali by DarkCouncilus	May 12th, 2008 04:02:27 PM
To make a very neat metal case for the Speed Racer DVD special edition, which most likely will be out in 2 months or less.
SR - Domestic $18,561,337, Foreign: $12,600,000 by DarkCouncilus	May 12th, 2008 04:13:30 PM
This bomb left charred chunks of "pop masterpiece with hints of nostalgia" all over the place. SAD.
Oogabooga... by TheRealMoriarty	May 12th, 2008 04:34:35 PM
... I interviewed him before I posted a review, but it's not about "would I have been allowed?" I turn down interviews all the time for films I don't believe in. I made the choice to go to Long Beach because I had seen the movie and wanted to offer it further support. I'm offered far more things to do than time will allow, so I'm the one doing the picking and choosing.
Unknown User... by TheRealMoriarty	May 12th, 2008 04:37:17 PM
... thanks for playing, but you're a big fat liar! No set visit! No ILM trip! And if you think an interview that I had to drive two hours on the 405 to do is a "special treat," you are a goddamn moron. That Film Threat hit piece did exactly NOTHING to us because it was a personally motivated piece of printed spite. I hear the author of the piece has a lovely career now in the cocksucking-for-money business, since he's definitely not doing any work online anymore. So, to quote Speed Racer, "Keep that weak shit off my track."
Yeesh, Those Numbers Are Not Good by LaserPants	May 12th, 2008 05:17:06 PM
Wow. I really loved the movie, really wish it would catch on, but it doesn't look good. Oh well, I'm definately going to see it on IMAX one more time before it disappears. Man, I really wish this would go over big, but it just didn't. Its just too weird, experimental, extreme, super happy / naive, and obscure for mainstream audiences.
THANK YOU, Moriarty by antonphd	May 12th, 2008 05:26:51 PM
Speed Racer was just plain unlucky to open the week after Iron Man, which nobody saw coming. This film is one of the great ones and should be seen on the big screen. Speed Racer is Tron for this generation of kids and adults who still have the heart of a kid. And, I might add, artists who can appreciate the brilliant brave work done in this film. Some art just isn't going to be popular with the general audience. This will be a cult favorite when the kids who are crazy for it right now grow up.
Sgt. Rock will fail and here's why by hank henshaw	May 12th, 2008 05:31:40 PM
It shares the same initials as Speed Racer and Superman Returns. "SR", I see a pattern there.
"Apologists" by Harry Weinstein	May 12th, 2008 05:43:32 PM
I apologize for not a goddamn thing. That's just a word people who don't like something use to denigrate people who did. (Or in my case, suspect they might enjoy, as I haven't even had the chance to catch this film yet.) It's usually used against those who like something unpopular. You know, because the crowd is always right and shit. Mob mentality FTW. I apologize only for not having the technology to reach through my LCD and bitch-slap people who call people with different opinions than their own "apologists". And for that, I am TRULY sorry.
Brunomac...Great tag line for Speed Racer.... by Quake II	May 12th, 2008 05:53:57 PM
"Teenagers and Mexican families agree, Speed Racer is too long"
First Question Joel by Orionsangels	May 12th, 2008 05:57:57 PM
So the movie flopped. What's your next project?
Moriarty, a "journalist"? by La Frog	May 12th, 2008 06:03:58 PM
I see you Mister Moriarty reacts quite violently to the talkbackers who question your integrity, and of course in very vulgar term (it seems to become the norm among you people). What i don't understand is how you even dare to do so. After all, aren't you a screenwriter yourself, doing at the same time interviews with a big producer? where do you draw the line between being a sell-out and keeping your integrity as a writer and a journalist? There is a time where you must choose your side I think. Those sweet lenghty questions where you praise the movie to mister silver don't seem like "chocolate coated pussy juice to me" (congrats to mister Knowles for this new vulgarity, real class here) but read like a valet kissing his master's behind. Forgive me, but that is pathetic, no matter if you love the movie or not.
Quake II - ditto on Brunomac's on SR audience by DarkCouncilus	May 12th, 2008 06:06:42 PM
I HATE a late night movie were there are big families with children (It doesn't matter if they are Mexican or not, they always manage to be annoying) and/or teenagers (there is always a loud asshole with ADD among their groups). I'm a weekdays movie goer, If I like the movie I watch it again on the weekend with friends, but always trying to have a peaceful viewing first.
blatant subversive subtext by theresaRussell	May 12th, 2008 06:16:39 PM
Ok I really liked speed racer. But whats surprising is that I respect it. We all know that V was basically a wachowski film. They pulled the strings without being responsible for the grunt work so I count it. So they've made four films that are doing their damndest to introduce some really counter-cultural ideas to a mainstream public. Bound-SameSex love, Matrix-the world is a construct of your own psyche,V-terrorism is just a matter of what side of the fence your standing on,Speed Racer-Corporations are evil and destroy everything pure in art and humanity. The great thing about Speed Racer is that its for three year olds. The wachowskis have decided to introduce their candy coated pessimism in early gestation. I realize they barely scratch the surface of the topics they are approaching but the important thing is the sort of viral marketing of enlightenment they are attempting. Ok the matrix sequels suck, so yeah it is important to make a watchable film, I also fucking hate bound. But I dont think this is unwatchable. A little too long but still got a good pace and GREAT actors something you cant say about the matrix or bound. The message is a small portion of the equation but speed racer delivers its entertainment in its simplicity of story and the absolutely staggering visuals. Even while giving the film a decided pan the new york times admits the film broken into projections in a gallery would make a very satifying afternoon.
Speed crashes by The Killer Goat	May 12th, 2008 06:16:48 PM
Brunomac, regarding the "safety foam bubbles", I only recall seeing those used in the 'Formula Racing' tracks in the cities. I don't think those were required for the more dangerous and hazardous Crucible race (desert, mountains, etc). There were plenty of crashes where you didn't see anyone make it out alive and there was no safety-foam (damn that sounds contraceptic) to save them. Obviously they skipped past those scenes fast. So there were crashes aplenty. But no fatalaties reported for that (illegal) race. However you may recall the crash in the middle race where Speed was 'locked' by that other racer, they flipped and both cars were totalled. Speed made it out safely, the other driver did not. Which was part of the negative buzz and media circus that Royalton had 'promised' would happen.
Pops' inventions (Spoiler???) by The Killer Goat	May 12th, 2008 06:20:32 PM
Aside from designing and building all his own cars, Pops also built that 'convergenator' (more sex talk) to power the Mach 6. Unique, and apparently more powerful than the Royalton designs.
Wow. Speed Racer is this year's Superman Returns... by ckane123	May 12th, 2008 06:21:49 PM
That's the last flick that drew such opposite and INCREDIBLY emotional reax. Calm down folks. Some people loved it, some people hated it. Where did this movie fail? It failed to get enough people interested in it. Is that a marketing failure? A result of bad buzz? Or both? No idea, but I think it may be a little bit of both. Anyway, I spent $20 on the giant Mach 5 toy, which would never have been possible for me to do had this flick not been made. So it's got that going for it.
Contraceptic by The Killer Goat	May 12th, 2008 06:22:52 PM
As in, to prevent sewage. Or, to make up a lame excuse for a typo. Where's my Damn No-Prize???
Speed Racer is like the Popeye movie? by ckane123	May 12th, 2008 06:24:42 PM
WOW. That actually makes me more interested in seeing it. Seriously. Popeye is underrated.
LaFrog... by TheRealMoriarty	May 12th, 2008 06:31:33 PM
... easy to say from your position of anonymity. Who am I trying to fool? I was quite direct about my vague ties to Silver professionally at the start of the piece, so my conscience is clean. If it bothers you, though, you see my name on the byline... feel free to skip it.
What happens next (predictions) by ckane123	May 12th, 2008 06:40:03 PM
- We will get no Wonder Woman film produced by Joel Silver, due to the budget spent on SR - We MAY get a (medium-budget) Sgt. Rock - if G.I.Joe makes mucho bank. - Some marketing people will hit the streets - Emile Hirsh just fired his agency; he may never get a lead role in a big-budget film again - People will complain that Moriarty and Harry in the pocket of the studios (I won't) - Iron Man will hit 275 mill - I will buy lots of Speed Racer toys for my sons on clearance - Speed's box office will drop 70% next weekend - Extra prints are being run right now for Kung Fu Panda, to fill the screens that Speed will vacate very soon - The Wachowskis will stick with producers - Finally, know-it-all internet message board posters (like me) will make predictions. Try it! It's fun!
conscience? by La Frog	May 12th, 2008 06:48:53 PM
it is fine Mister Moriarty, after all it is only movies. But it seems to me very normal for readers to question the credibility of journalists who have ties (even "vague" ones) with the industry they are supposed to write about. Saying those ties are real doesn't change anything I believe, but if that cleans your conscience, that's great. Don't take it bad though. There is no shame in being a valet. If done properly, it can be a very elegant occupation.
The Killer Goat by Zybon	May 12th, 2008 06:50:32 PM
It was a "Bernoulli Convergenator," meaning it wasn't built by pops, he just had it on hand. A product from one of the companies that went under due to the fixed races.
UnknownUser... by TheRealMoriarty	May 12th, 2008 07:03:27 PM
... I disagree. Going to a set isn't some fabulous experience that makes us all so giddy and girly that we'll automatically just LOVE anything that we see. Maybe that would be your reaction, but to me, a set is a workplace. Period. A chance to look at how a particular crew or cast works together. Some of the most fun sets result in unwatchable films, and sets that are tense and miserable sometimes result in classics. The film is the film. The set is the set. None of this is like winning a prize in a game show. I've been doing this for 12 years. I have a body of work both critical and about the process itself. That's why I don't have any problem doing both, and the longer I do it, the less I see any connection between reviewing and covering the process. If someone else can't do both, that's their faulty wiring, and not my problem. And no, I don't mean the "average citizen" sucks cock. I mean Ron Wells, author of that hitpiece, is a syphillic cocksucker. That's what I mean.
Popeye underperformed, twas not a 'bomb' by ckane123	May 12th, 2008 07:13:23 PM
Cost 20+ million, made almost $50 mil in the US alone ($6.3 mill opening weekend). It had horrible reviews and was expected to do better but it did not bomb. If Speed made over a third of its budget back in its opening weekend, like, say $55 mill, it would probably hit $170 domestic. It did not, so your looking at maybe $50 -60 mill total - the same amount Popeye made, unadjusted for inflation, 28 years ago. THAT is a bomb. And I love that a Speed Racer message thread is referencing Robert Altman's Popeye.
Still haven't seen enough evidence to disprove that story by harper54	May 12th, 2008 07:15:26 PM
http://www.kaichang.net/2005/0 5/meet_the_author.html ...their silence on this matter is just to incriminating.
Harper54... by TheRealMoriarty	May 12th, 2008 07:37:10 PM
... their silence is just silence. That's all. That crazy woman's claims were dismissed when she failed to provide ONE SINGLE PIECE of evidence in court, and when she skipped her own court dates. Here's a simple one... let's see that ad the Wachowskis allegedly placed. That would be step one. It's amazing what gullible people will swallow whole as long as it's printed on the internet. That woman is a fraud. Period.
cult classic by theresaRussell	May 12th, 2008 07:58:26 PM
not like plan 9. As mori said like tron.
Speed Racer is worth seeing folks. by AllPowerfulWizardOfOz	May 12th, 2008 08:08:05 PM
I was on the hate train prior to and I won't even deny that. I blasted this movie left and right because I thought it would be shit with wheels. I was wrong, very very wrong. Now I did smoke a spliff before going so that did have an influence but really the movie is quite amazing. It's a visual artistic masterpiece and one of those films that you will truly regret not seeing on the big screen down the road. Go see it and ignore the negative reviews.
deliciouscowbell by AllPowerfulWizardOfOz	May 12th, 2008 08:13:13 PM
I feel the same way. Totally sucks because it means it won't be in the theater for much longer. I am going again before the end of the week and may go twice actually just to get my fix of it on the big screen. I am trying to get word of mouth around to as many friends as possible to go see it.
I still don't know. by harper54	May 12th, 2008 08:23:35 PM
If you look it up, there's a lot of folks who think otherwise and in the off chance that it were true, I could see a global media conglomerate suppressing a story and/or buying the woman out. And by the way, I most assuredly do not believe everything I read on the interwebs... http://tinyurl.com/5doz4g
Harper54... by TheRealMoriarty	May 12th, 2008 08:49:44 PM
... so a lot of people still think a lot of things that are total bullshit. The burden of proof is on her. She's the one making the accusations. The only "evidence" that exists are things she said. Other than that, not ONE SINGLE BIT of corroboration has come to light. Like I said... where's this ad the Wachowskis placed? How about some verification of that first piece of evidence that supposedly ties this all together? It's a lie. She's a liar. She had no proof and she had to skip out on her court date, and the case was dismissed. That's the truth, and just because some gullible saps didn't get the memo, it doesn't make her story true.
Speed racer was a fucking blast by greentealite	May 12th, 2008 09:08:17 PM
I just got home from this movie. It was ten times better than iron man. Apologists talking about 'need an inner child' shit, yeah, maybe. But you know what you can also have? A FUCKING IMAGINATION! AND A FUCKING HEART! This movie packs in so much of both, I loved it. Going to see it one or two more times before it goes out of theatres.
also by greentealite	May 12th, 2008 09:10:46 PM
I fucking HATE anime but this movie was fucking BETTER than anime. Because it had SUBSTANCE. SUBSTANCE. Something anime COMPLETELY LACKS.
Mori, Ron Wells has Herpes, not syphilis by Mace Tofu	May 12th, 2008 09:11:36 PM
Don't want you spreading any misinformation about him.
The amount of apologists for this terrible film by Interficium	May 12th, 2008 09:12:46 PM
For this movie is getting to the level of "Transformers" from last summer. The only difference is that Speed Racer is twice as bad as Transformers, something previously thought to be impossible.
This is awesome movie and you shouldn't be threatened by it by Proman1984	May 12th, 2008 09:30:55 PM
It rocks!
Holy Christ! by supersize	May 12th, 2008 10:02:38 PM
There's a lot of asshole's in here
Any examples Mori? by Lyghthouse	May 12th, 2008 10:09:12 PM
Of films that were fun to visit but ended up being terrible movies? If you don't want to name name's thats fine. I find it totally believable though. I have a theory that many of the worst movies were a lot of fun to make. It's why you see so many great actors in terrible films(besides money).
I've read almost all these Speed Racer talkbacks.. by Quake II	May 12th, 2008 10:13:27 PM
and the one thing I've noticed is that 98% of you that say Speed Racer is shit haven't actually SEEN IT. You're basing a movie review on OTHER CRITICS and commercials. I also notice that 75% of the people on here that actually SAW Speed Racer either like it or love it. Call me crazy but I tend to believe the people who saw the film over those who didn't (or won't). I'm going this week for sure. These talkbacks have made me more curious than ever.
Oh yeah....and Popeye by Quake II	May 12th, 2008 10:19:41 PM
was an awesome movie. A cartoon fully realized and turned into a live action film. Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl (yes, that's how you spell it) was a fucking genius casting move!
Racer X Flips His Car Over a Bad Guy's Car by Slugworth	May 12th, 2008 10:32:23 PM
And punches the dude in the face. Fucking cool.
You're Cute, Brane by TheRealMoriarty	May 12th, 2008 10:38:23 PM
I like how you start by trying to claim I'm homophobic, then finish by accusing me of liking a movie because of tranny sex. Classssssssssy.
QuakeII by TheRealMoriarty	May 12th, 2008 10:42:39 PM
Don't bring up the fact that most of the venomous remarks here are from people who haven't seen the film. That ruins their momentum. One of my best friends... the godfather of my son... my executive producer on my feature this summer... went with me to the IMAX screening last week, and he didn't care for the film much at all. "Didn't get it," he said. And that's fine. At least he saw it and gave it a chance. But it cracks me up how someone can try to connect the idea that a mediocre box-office weekend means "everyone has decided this film is terrible." It means everyone has decided not to see the film. Those who have seem to be enjoying themselves, for the most part. I can totally understand not liking something you've seen, but I'll never understand this sort of black-hearted venom for a film you haven't.
And Moriority.... by Quake II	May 12th, 2008 11:01:09 PM
Obviously very few people DID see Speed Racer this weekend as it had shockingly poor box office. But I could care less. I'm taking my son wednesday and if it's fun, I may go again before it leaves the big screen. And I am excited about Indy, Hellboy II and The Dark Knight as well. I tend to actually watch films before I shit all over them. But I'm not your typical talkbacker (I moved out of my parents house at 17 (20 years ago) and never went back).
And Moriarity.... by Quake II	May 12th, 2008 11:01:25 PM
Obviously very few people DID see Speed Racer this weekend as it had shockingly poor box office. But I could care less. I'm taking my son wednesday and if it's fun, I may go again before it leaves the big screen. And I am excited about Indy, Hellboy II and The Dark Knight as well. I tend to actually watch films before I shit all over them. But I'm not your typical talkbacker (I moved out of my parents house at 17 (20 years ago) and never went back).
I tried to correct the name spelling before it posted by Quake II	May 12th, 2008 11:02:18 PM
and got a double post. Ooops.
QuakeII... by TheRealMoriarty	May 12th, 2008 11:14:16 PM
... you should be excited about HELLBOY 2. Not that I've seen it, mind you. But if I had... I'd tell you to be very, very excited because it rocks incredibly hard. But that's if I'd seen it. Which I'm sure I haven't.
JUST SEE THE FUCKING MOVIE. by polyh3dron	May 12th, 2008 11:18:37 PM
It ranks up there with some of my greatest cinematic experiences in my LIFE seeing this movie at the Grauman's Chinese.. It really blew me the fuck away... I never saw much Speed Racer as a kid, maybe 2 or 3 episodes tops, so I was never a Speed Racer fan but this movie made me one. I have never experienced such a sensory overload from a movie.
Also, Giacchino's score deserves a fucking Oscar. by polyh3dron	May 12th, 2008 11:19:58 PM
Yes I said it.
This will be such a cult classic in the future by polyh3dron	May 12th, 2008 11:21:13 PM
and Blu-ray sales of this movie are going to go through the roof.
Oh, I Get It! by TheRealMoriarty	May 12th, 2008 11:28:44 PM
"Apologists" is the way some of you douchebags say "fans." If you like something, you are a "fan" of it. Not an "apologist." Now that I understand that, it makes so much more sense.
Box office reminds me (slightly) of Grind House by Lyghthouse	May 12th, 2008 11:28:59 PM
Lots of people loved it, including myself, but I think WB bet a little too much on this movies appeal. Its a 100+ million dollar movie based on a 40 year old cartoon my own parents used to watch as a kid. If they could have scaled back the budget to under 100 mil and released it in December instead of summer, I think it could have performed better. The movie may be fantastic, but I can entirely see why it failed at the B.O.
I'm taking my 3 year old nephew thursday. by greenstyle92	May 12th, 2008 11:45:13 PM
My sister (his mother) and I have been pimping my Nephew on Speed Racer for the past month. And it was her suggestion! I brought over my DVD of the first season and he loves, she's been buying him speed Racer clothes and a couple of the smaller cars, I've been showing him the trailers for the movie, and he's going nuts! He's got the 3 year old movie equivalent of Speed Racer blue balls and he'll never forgive me if I don't come through and actually take him! Then I think I'll get him that Hot wheels Mach 5 and Racer X 9 car set. should be fun.
The term apologist... by greenstyle92	May 12th, 2008 11:48:12 PM
actually has it's roots in Christian Theological study. It's an old discipline that tried to argue why God and the divinity of Jesus should be considered more plausible, not less plausible. Which means using it in film context of people who like movies is really fucked up.
As for the film making it's money back... by greenstyle92	May 12th, 2008 11:50:02 PM
If we count DVD sales, Pay per view sales, and premium channel and network tv deals, it's almost impossible that Speed Racer WON'T eventually make it's money back. And if I recall, it took Wizard of Oz something like 10 years before it made it's money back. Think about it.
Wizard of Oz wasn't supposed to be a franchise by Lyghthouse	May 12th, 2008 11:58:12 PM
At least I don't think it was. It's also a completely different era of movies. I don't know. When you account for marketing, theater chains cut of the box office, and other fees, the DVD sales would have to be pretty spectacular to get it's money back. Right now, breaking even looks difficult. Foreign box office isn't doing that well either.
I would have liked a sequel. by greenstyle92	May 13th, 2008 12:06:44 AM
I really would have. but the movie is at least good enough to stand on it's own two feet and be enjoyable on it's own. And while I have been very hesitant to count my chickens before they hatch, I for one think that "cult status" is plausible for this film, but it may take 5 years before we know. (And in an insanely good outcome, it's blue ray sales may be high compared to it's box office. It's possible, but I'm not saying that's what will happen.) So I think that when the kiddies who enjoy the movie today become greasy teenagers, there will be talk of this movie. I wouldn't be surprised if talks of a sequel start to rear there head in, say, a decade. At which time they'd have to decide whether to get the old cast back or go for another re-boot.
To be fair, it hasn't been release in Japan yet by Lyghthouse	May 13th, 2008 12:09:13 AM
Where I expect it will be huge.
Now watch Darkcouncils... by greenstyle92	May 13th, 2008 12:09:30 AM
snidely start proclaiming "Speed Racer 2 set for 2018! You heard it here first!" I mean, I would if I were him...
Will the release it in Japan as "Mach Go Go Go?" by greenstyle92	May 13th, 2008 12:11:54 AM
The japanese were confused as all hell last year when the leader of the autobots was named "Optimus Prime" in Transformers. In japan, he's always been known as "convoy." Though, Speed Racer is probably a much truer adaption of the source than "Godzilla" and "Transformers" were.
"Hellboy II probably rocks incredibly hard." by Quake II	May 13th, 2008 12:25:06 AM
----Moriarity. AINT IT COOL NEWS. Great DVD cover quote (lol).
Why SPEED RACER is ultimately a winner by Chishu_Ryu	May 13th, 2008 12:25:09 AM
spoilers 1. Speed Racer may not be a critical or financial success right now, but aesthetically, it succeeds with flying colors. Literally. 2. The Wachowski Nutjobs took the Speed Racer concept and mixed it with Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life","TRON", Brian DePalma/Martin Scorsese film trickery, Little Orphan Annie, Japanime, Bruce Lee movies, Tex Avery cartoons, state of the art CGI, and special sauce to create the ultra-kinetic wacky insane heartfelt goodness currently playing at a theater near you. 2. It experiments cinematically. It takes risks. It dares to boldly go where no movie has gone before. "Child-drawn" animation and b&w newsreel footage in the same movie? Crazy! And the scene transitions make the ones in Ang Lee's Hulk look like baby food. Does the experimentation work? For me, it does. I like how the film didn't let me settle into a particular gear, but kept shifting on me, keeping me off balance. I wasn't sure if I was going to get Speed Racer seriousness or Spritle/ChimChim goofiness from one moment to the next! Way to take the viewer out of his/her comfort zone! I like it! 3. Beneath the digital slickness, the flash, the dazzle, the corporate crookery, Speed Racer does indeed have heart, that is, emotional depth. You do feel the love the Racer family members have for each other, the regret of Racer X. Admittedly, I did lose a little emotional connection during the longer expositories at the film's beginning, but the ending made up for that in spades. 4. The ending. I have probably just seen the nearest cinematic equivalent to one's first orgasm ever put to screen. In fact, I wouldn't be suprised if that's how the Wachowski Nutjobs directed the digital animators and the editors to create this amazing sequence. Orgasm. Not just any orgasm, but the first one. Like a virgin. At the end of it, I was nearly as breathless as Speed. 5. Speed Racer is a trilogy rolled into one film. Actually, the film is two films. Like back to back episodes of the old cartoon comprising a larger story arc. The first one ends with the Casa Cristo race. The second one begins with the Grand Prix. I think the Wachowskis might have helped their cause if they even literally divided the film into these two episodes, just like the old cartoon. 6. "Get that weak shit off my track!" What a great line. Much better than "I drink your milkshake." 7. A great cast. The kid playing Spritle even looks like John Goodman. Emile brings the intensity. Matt Fox brings the coolness. Susan Sarandon brings the MILFness. Ms. Ricci brings the same weird hotness she's brought to everything I've seen her in since Buffalo 66. Oh, and ChimChim, too. 7. The ending credit sequence is maybe the best ending credit sequence ever. I'm not going to call "Speed Racer" cinematic genius. Maybe cinematic brilliance. And how brilliant it is...and colorful...
Japan and SPEED RACER by Harry Weinstein	May 13th, 2008 12:43:24 AM
That July release date in Japan seems catastrophically far away now that this is a grade-A flop. I'm going to see it Wed - but barring a miracle or the best word of mouth of all time, neither of which will realistically happen, it's a flop. And Japanese audiences get to watch this remake of one of their own shows tank in country after country after country in the months before they get to see it themselves. The title over there, by the way, is SPEED RACER (spelled out phonetically), not MACH 5 GO GO GO. This, in my opinion, is very, very stupid. Logically, the Japanese version of SPEED RACER should have been handled the same way the American version of MACH 5 GO GO GO was; dubbed, with character names and title changed (back). I'm surprised (a little) that the Brothers didn't insist on it - they have the clout to do so, and I certainly would have insisted on it. Japan is just getting a subtitled American movie called SPEED RACER. How seemingly inappropriate...
Why SPEED RACER is ultimately a winner by Chishu_Ryu	May 13th, 2008 12:45:45 AM
spoilers 1. Speed Racer may not be a critical or financial success right now, but aesthetically, it succeeds with flying colors. Literally. 2. The Wachowski Nutjobs took the Speed Racer concept and mixed it with Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life","TRON", Brian DePalma/Martin Scorsese film trickery, Little Orphan Annie, Japanime, Bruce Lee movies, Tex Avery cartoons, state of the art CGI, and special sauce to create the ultra-kinetic wacky insane heartfelt goodness currently playing at a theater near you. 2. It experiments cinematically. It takes risks. It dares to boldly go where no movie has gone before. "Child-drawn" animation and b&w newsreel footage in the same movie? Crazy! And the scene transitions make the ones in Ang Lee's Hulk look like baby food. Does the experimentation work? For me, it does. I like how the film didn't let me settle into a particular gear, but kept shifting on me, keeping me off balance. I wasn't sure if I was going to get Speed Racer seriousness or Spritle/ChimChim goofiness from one moment to the next! Way to take the viewer out of his/her comfort zone and keep them on the edge whether they like it or not! 3. Beneath the digital slickness, the flash, the dazzle, the virtual hyperreality, Speed Racer does indeed have heart, that is, emotional depth. You do feel the love the Racer family members have for each other, the regret of Racer X. Admittedly, I did lose a little emotional connection during the longer expositories at the film's beginning, but the ending made up for that in spades. 4. The ending. I have probably just seen the nearest cinematic equivalent to one's first orgasm ever put to screen. In fact, I wouldn't be suprised if that's how the Wachowski Nutjobs directed the digital animators and the editors to create this amazing sequence. Orgasm. Not just any orgasm, but the first one. Like a virgin. At the end of it, I was nearly as breathless as Speed. 5. Speed Racer is a trilogy rolled into one film. Actually, the film is two films. Like back to back episodes of the old cartoon comprising a larger story arc. The first one ends with the Casa Cristo race. The second one begins with the Grand Prix. I think the Wachowskis might have helped their cause if they even literally divided the film into these two episodes, just like the old cartoon. 6. "Get that weak shit off my track!" What a great line. Much better than "I drink your milkshake." 7. A great cast. The kid playing Spritle even looks like John Goodman. Emile brings the intensity. Matt Fox brings the coolness. Susan Sarandon brings the MILFness. Ms. Ricci brings the same weird hotness she's brought to everything I've seen her in since Buffalo 66. Oh, and ChimChim was great, too. Can't go wrong cinematically with monkeys. 8. Nice fitting musical score that incorporates the original theme song brilliantly. 9. The ending credit sequence is maybe the best ending credit sequence ever. I'm not going to call "Speed Racer" cinematic genius. How about cinematic brilliance? And how brilliant it is...and colorful...
Photos of Megan Fox Topless (plus ass-shots) by Hellofadrug	May 13th, 2008 12:56:21 AM
http://tinyurl.com/5u6su5 aww, yeah.
Shout out to Moriarty by CaptainHendry	May 13th, 2008 01:22:01 AM
Just wanted to say you are so right about this film. I almost didn't go because of the reviews but I'm so glad I did. I had as much fun at this film as I did at Iron Man. I think people just didn't expect a pure-hearted family film from the W's but that's what this is and it's probably the best kid film in a long while, maybe since Incredibles. My 7 year old laughed hysterically at chim-chim and even my usually fidgety 4 year old watched the entire film and told me how much she loved the racing parts. Seriously, this film is a minor masterpiece which I fully intend to buy on Blu-ray. The naysayers are missing out. Anyway, Joel made a great film no matter what the dopey reviewers are saying.
Moriarty is aggressive by La Frog	May 13th, 2008 03:28:24 AM
but i do like how he defends his masters when people criticize Speed Racer or spread those silly rumors about that crazy woman pretending to have written Matrix. You are right, Monsieur Moriarty. Don't shrug it off with a smile. Be offended like a lovely dedicated valet should be. Is cinema such a blinding mistress that it makes you lose all sense of decency? Go on like this though, you'll get your candy.
Chimp-The Movie sucked even more than I expected. by Motoko Kusanagi	May 13th, 2008 04:44:18 AM
And I expected nothing. The makers should be shot for including that fat-kid-with-chimp jokes. I mean, WTF?!?!
People who say they 'hate' it are just trolling by greentealite	May 13th, 2008 06:27:03 AM
You already don't have my respect, so your opinion means jack shit. All the normal people who actually saw the movie thought it was a blast. And I'm not some douche sack who loves shit-on-a-stick like Transformers or other geek shit, I like French new wave, Bergman, Jarman, Cocteau, Jarmusch, Scorcese, etc etc. In other words, I have taste. And as someone with taste, I can definitely say this movie falls under the 'spectacular' category. And the chimp in this movie should get an award.
Anyone who knows the SR series... by JackinNYC	May 13th, 2008 07:21:30 AM
Knows that Speed Racer is only partly about racing. He and his family got into many adventures and predicaments that Speed and the Mach V got them out of. Racing almost became a side plot in many of the episodes. Mammoth Car, Supersonic Car etc…I bet if they had gone this direction and came up with a cool take on any one of the original episodes, the film would have been much more fun. And more successful. As a kid, that’s what I remember. Not the ‘racing’. I mean come on, how boring is it to just watch a car race? Albeit a colorful one. ZZZZZZZZ.
Fucking piece of shit by Series7	May 13th, 2008 07:37:41 AM
IMAX near me doesn't show movies, just all those nature docs IMAX always makes. And that is two hours away, there used to be one in town but it closed down last year. Even though I went to see Harry's Potter like in week 5 of release on some random weekday and it had a good number of people there. So how the fuck does the IMAX 2 hours away stay in buisness just showing nature docs all day?????
You know the funny thing about buzz by Series7	May 13th, 2008 08:03:11 AM
You know when a movie is going to be a hit if you work in a cube ville office. For those of you grown up enough to move out of the basement, and spend all day alt tabbing as to not get caught posting on geek websites know what I mean. People who work in offices don't often have that much creativity outside of the box (i am talking about standard offices non of this fancy learning company shit, like corporation places) and you can get the sense as to if a movie is going to be a hit or not within your office. Like before Iron Man came out, I heard people talking about it, or whenever I said anything about it, someone would say "Oh that looks bad ass". Now when Speed Racer came out, the exact opposite reaction happened. And usually 99% of the time half these people never even see the film, they just like to make small talk. Its just a funny thing you kids and high schoolers don't notice yet. You kind of see it in college, but you still have the option to be in your own little world there. In a office your forced to interact with whoever. And the most geekiest thing in my office next to my sweet Robocop 3-D poster that everyone likes, is some dudes Star Ward collage. And I don't really talk to him, and I know he is a geek like me because I he puts up the free posters they give away at the theater and local comic book shop in his cube. I try to hid my geekness. Though i wouldn't mind a sweet small Mach 5 die cast hotwheel to dick around with whilst on the phone.
Also by Series7	May 13th, 2008 08:31:30 AM
Since I seem to be the only one still posting on this TB. I slub a dubed my childhood favorite cartoon in the ole DVD the other night, after watching some Speed Racer cartoons on Myspace. I realized that I was not a huge fan of the original series (I was before my time and I had been tainted by better animation). But my favorite cartoon is Inspector Gadget, and watching the cartoon and thinking about the Cool as Ice directed movie, I am jealous of the people who's favorite cartoon is Speed Racer. Because you have a sweet bookend to your beloved series, while I got a Gadgets back story and got to see Claw's gay british face. OH and Andy dick. Plus you got probably one of the top ten animal performances, we get probably the lamest cartoon to movie animal until odie. We got a talking (convertable) gadget mobile. The only thing where Speed and Gadget are equal is the score, the gadget was very well done, and just like speed it had music with touches of the original theme song in it.
OH! by Series7	May 13th, 2008 08:43:52 AM
I fergot to mention the kicker. While the gadget movie was a shit take on the show, and Speed was an excellent transition and modernization of the show.... Gadget ended up being somewhat of a hit, it made its money back. Also most cartoon movies don't play out well over seas Also funny thing, in looking into gadget I came across a cartoon I had been trying to find for AGES! Samurai Pizza Cats, please tell me I am not the only one who remembers this? Any of you British blokes remember it being on in the mid 90's, I saw it on some sky channel there in the monring, like 7am. That would be a sweet movie. http://tinyurl.com/4pd97e
Your the only one posting, but we're reading. by godzillasushi	May 13th, 2008 08:48:53 AM
That's what they call the watercooler man. Movies and TV shows people talk about in the office, possibly at the watercooler!
Haahaha by Series7	May 13th, 2008 08:54:59 AM
Inspector Gadget was written by Zak Penn, no wonder X-men turned out the way they did, he doesn't give a shit about source material. Seriously I wonder how gets the final say on these films (well, duh production companies). But even still Marvel let him re-write the new Hulk movie? This guy is only famous because they some how gave him the right to play with already awesome franchises and take them down a notch. This guys other movies (Suspect Zero and Behind Enemy Lines were Meh at best, can't say anything about the Grand). Also how is he friends with Herzog. Another thing about speed is that fans got two hours and 15 minutes, while a little long. At least they got their moneys worth. Gadget was an hour 20. Another Samurai Pizza Cats clip. http://tinyurl.com/2btnkj
God damn! by Series7	May 13th, 2008 09:00:33 AM
Awesome. Good news for all you Samurai Pizza Cats fans. http://tinyurl.com/4u6nbu Come on pay day.
Just Saw the IMAX version by bravojo	May 13th, 2008 09:03:32 AM
Wow, go see it in IMAX beofre they pull it which I'm sure is soon. It was way better on the bigger screen! Also, I have come to realize that just because I loved the movie I am not going to be able to say anything on a talkback to change anyone else's mind who don't want to go see it. I know what they are missing and you know what they are missing and I can just be happy that I saw it and loved it and my son loved it. About the toys, they really do suck. The cars are ok, but it was a waist to not make better action figures. I was hoping for a cool Racer X figure and a full size Shooting Star to go with the Mach 5. Hell, I am customizing a Marvel Legend cyclops to the movie Racer X this weekend.
Speed Racer was OK; could have been a lot better by Mr Incredible	May 13th, 2008 09:24:58 AM
I didn't hateit, but I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. I'm sure it will make a nice cult film in the future, but man, did Warner Bros. screw up on this one with releasing it now instead of April or August, or even around Christmas.
SPEED RACER was GREAT. Loved it. This is from a fan by Mace Tofu	May 13th, 2008 09:33:37 AM
who watched the original 'toon first run. I went last night with some friends and I thought the movie was great. At one time I worked on another version of SR that never went anywhere but I can say that even with this new movie doing it in a way I would not of gone I can't say they didn't nail all the elements I wanted to see in a Speed Racer movie. I was happy and didn't have to do any of the work. What I was working on would of been more real world in style but I can't complain with the style choice made by the Wachowskis. JackinNYC, They worked in a Mammoth Truck and a GRX supersonic car into the movie, they had a gang of Ninjas (Ya gotta have Ninjas in a SR movie). Guns, Blood!?, Fights. They even had the sink from Speeds kitchen in the movie. What more did you want or didn't you see the movie yet? I read about 50 negative reviews before seeing the movie and just don't get what all the bitchin' is about. Did we see the same movie? The movie I saw was about 110% Speed Racer. Maybe I'm just too close to the source material but after waiting 40 years for this movie I give it a 5 out of 5. Great job. Really. I'm 2 for 2 with this and IRON MAN, will Indy make 3? Then HULK. Oh I saw THE CLONE WARS trailer on this. It didn't look too bad and JW SW music was nice to hear in the theater again (had my DARTH MAUL jacket on lol but hey I still go out in public wearing STAR WARS shirts 2 or 3 times a week : )
Has anyone played the video game by Series7	May 13th, 2008 09:41:49 AM
For Speed yet? I heard it was pretty good for a movie video game, unlike Iron Man, which we were told was going to be revolutionary.
Or by Series7	May 13th, 2008 09:44:50 AM
Since we are talking about live action animie movies. Does anyone know anything about the Death Note movie playing this week?
CHOCOLATE COVERED DEFLATED BALLOONS by ArcadianDS	May 13th, 2008 09:53:07 AM
Comments, Harry?
Score by RenoNevada2000	May 13th, 2008 09:54:14 AM
Where's the score online?
Visionary--Don't Believe the Reviews...Judge For Yourself. by Lone_Wolf_McQuaalude	May 13th, 2008 10:44:40 AM
I couldn't agree with Moriarty and Harry more. 'Speed Racer' is just, indescribable. The Wachowskis are continuing, as filmakers, to create WORLDS. Look at the way the world looks...the faces, the colors. Global cinema. These guys are making movies for the 21st century.
Such a fresh story over the rehash super hero plot by lodoss900	May 13th, 2008 10:48:23 AM
One of the few films I will see twice. Such a fresh story over the rehash super hero plot that is done in disney esque forumla way. How many times can you re tell the Idenpendence day story line. ID4 + Robots The film finally gave the Racer family a heart. The scene where Speed is about to walk away from the Racer family ala Rex. Then Pops has that talk with him. Oh shit? did these characters grow through out the film in a realistic way? It was such a welcome change from the dysfunctional fmaily over dose we get from every screwed up family film were led to believe populates this world. Its a intelligent story, with several plot lines and story archs. Which has the balls to take its time and wrap them up nicely. Thank you for this film
YOU WILL READ MY BIG DAMN REVIEW OF THIS MOVIE by Johnno	May 13th, 2008 11:05:36 AM
Alright,I finally managed to go check this film out in IMAX last night. And when I came out of it I was enraged, I was fucking eraged and angry and here's why... Attention critics at Rotten Tomatoes, this is for you. YOU FUCKED UP! YOU FUCKED UP LARGE!!! And I am pissed and angry and all of you! Well, not all of you, some of you, some like Ebert and Roeper and those that did this film good, are in my good book. But by and large Rotten Tomatoes is no longer going to be taken seriously by me anymore, hell I think I might stop giving a fuck about that beta site altogether! Since it's a prerequisite for reviewing anything on this site these days so everyone knows where I'm coming form. I'm a big anime fan, but I've never watched the original Speed Racer, not as a kid, not now, not likely ever. I know it by reputation I've seen a few clips on the net and that's it. When teh first screens and trailer for this movie came out, I was one of those that got excited. I like seeing some cool new things put to screen. I like how films like Sin City and 300 try to present us with slick new visuals and style. Speed Racer is that same category. But whereas 300 and Sin City faithfully brought to life the exact visuals referenced from the comics, the Wachowskis had a much more difficult task of taking the shitty ass animation from a dated Japanese cartoon and creating a style and cinematic moments that are magnificiently wonderful and uniquely theirs while at the same time maintaining that spirited faithfulness to the original material. Since I'm not familiar with the original show I'll leave it to fans to tell you how a good a job they did in that department, but still even if I'm not one of those fans, I can still see perfectly where they're coming from and what they're doing with this movie. I will give some advice to you concerning the visuals of this film and the best way to experience them. The IMAX experience is really something, but no doubt the amount of things that happen in this movie are batshit insane and there are moments where I felt very overwhelmed due tot eh amount of stuff happening and the size of the screen I was watching it on. This could certianly disorient and piss some people off. Speed Racer suffers somewhat in the visuals department for some of the same reasons and complaints levied against Transformers, Batman Begins and the Bourne Supremacy and Cloverfield in terms of the theatrical experience. The size of the screen compared to the amount of information the viewer can retain during the action sequences can be overwhelming. However unlike Transformers, Batman Begins, Bourne and Cloverfield, Speed Racer dpesn't resort to 'shaky cams.' The Wachowskis like their past films know how to give us smooth clean paning, trucking and tracking shots. It's just that this time is is truly a lot happening! Cars are careening in the backgrounds, debris and wreckage is flying and cars run ramphant on loop de loops and all manners of death defying ridiculous raods and scenery. I watched those first 7 mins WB released on my flat screen monitor over and over a couple of times and loved it and had absolutely no problems, it's was coherent and beautiful. However those first 7 mins blown up in IMAX were pretty damn overwhelming even for me! So here's my advice. If you're already convinced that you love the way this looks and you want to have that crazy an experience, stick to your plans and check it out in IMAX. For the rest of you if you want to still catch this in theatres and you're uneasy about this film's visuals, a regular theatre will probably be best and go grab a seat in the back row. But if anything I do feel that Speed Racer will definately be for most nauseous audiences best seen in the comfort of their home on a nice big HDTV with surround sound on blu-ray! I know I'm definately grabbing this on blu-ray day 1! This film will be stunning and perhaps like the Matrix become the first title to really push sales on a new format. I'm guessing that parents these days would rather just rent or buy movies for their kids than take em to the theatre. They just visit each other's houses on playdates and sit down on bean bags and horse around and talk and comment to their heart's content while watching the film and borrow more from each other. Better than forcing them to be quiet in the theatre anyway. This is that film best enjoyed as a group! Let's get some legitimate complaints out of the way. And frankly there's only a few of them. The biggest one is that at around the 2/4 the film does drag a bit until the halfway point. The Wachowskis seem to have this tendency in all their flicks. For the first Matrix, many people might get bored with some of the time spent aboard the Nebuchadnezzar in the real world until they head back into the Matrix again to visit the oracle. If we consider Reloaded and Revolutions as one film again there's the lengthy portion spent in Zion that tends to hang because the Wachowskis use this time to set up character personalities, relationships and other insights and explanations into how the world works and its technology and history etc. They seem to want to get that stuff out of the way, and once that groundwork is done they shoot us out right back into the action and excitement. I'd agree there are better ways to do this, but if you're patient enough to get through a few minutes of that, the Wachowskis always pay it off in spades! The ass-kickery comes back and we're left astounded and teh things we see and in some crazy way everything seems to behave as if it were the msot natural thign int he world as if we're convinced that it's the way things work. Our belief has been suspended and replaced by the reality of this world and we're going along for the ride! The other complaint would be that sometimes the Squirtle and Chimp scenes aren't always funny, they're about 50/50... well at least for adults anyway, kids should get a kick out of them 100% of the time, but for me cootie jokes are cliche and I don't even think kids believe that anymore, there's probably some new equivalent for all I know... so anyway it's a minor complaint as there are some especially hilarious moments in there. Other than that, I honestly can't think of anything else that's wrong with this movie, and I'm trying very hard here. Well I suppose the expository rant about stocks and race fixing may be a little over the heads of many and could've just gotten to the point, but it lasts all but a couple of minutes and is over before you know it. One thing worth mentioning that critics have lambasted is the way the Wachowskis presented the material by occasionally 'jumping back and forth between scenes and moments in time. However this is a piss poor complaint by critics here. Yes, it is a very untraditional way of filmaking and telling a story, but I insist that the Wachowskis pulled it off to perfection here! At the start of the film it's a bit jarring (see the first 7 mins) but it eases you into it, it is consistent and sure enough you'll soon fit right in there. But the whole movie isn't always like this. There are plenty of times the movie plays out at a usual pace with traditionally shot scenes that don't involve fancy camera work or compositing effects. The Wachowskis know the right scenes to use it in adn when to restrain the style to focus on important things. What important things? Well how about the family and characters. Here's where critics seriously fucked up. The characters are all lovable. Their relationships with each other and heartwarming and delightful. Even the main villan is lovable. The acting goes for that campy style and cartoon over the topness, but even I'm surprised at some of the straightforward and touching moments. If anything the acting fits, it fits in nicely and is believable in a way that you actually feel you're watching characters and villians in a Disney cartoon. They're expressive and entirely charming. The Wachowskis want you to feel a certain way about a character and they accomplish precisely that. Even some of the children in the film like young Speed and Trixie are especially darlings that are simply too cute to brush aside. Audiences will love those moments although alas they are too short... I honestly wish I could see more cute moments from the childhoods of Speed and Trixie. I would especially pay money to see little Trixie puch all the critics that panned this film right in the balls. Now let's deal with some sceptical shit. Some of you have brought up concerns about how the driving adn racing are so unrealistic and 'anything happens' that there's no feeling that the character will be in any danger. And I'm here to tell you that this is flat out wrong and anyone who ever tells you that hasn't seen the film or is flat out lying due to some strange vendetta. There are some concrete rules in this world. And while bubble escape pods can rescue you in teh event that you car is about to explode or crash and never recover it's not something that's always able to protect you. There are thigsn that happen that would practically kill you and lop your head right off. The closed legitimate circuit roads in the city may have some form of protection and adherence to strict rules. But the cross country circuits are not holding back with any restrictions and fucking up your competition is encouraged. Also Speed's car has gadgets but he has a limited arsenal of things he can do which doesn't account for everything that can possibly happen to him. There are some other surprisingly bloody and violent moments in here that convince you that the bad buys mean it. But at the same time it's remarkably balanced with something comedic and cartoony so it's a film that always manages to bring us back whenever things tend to become too sorrowful or too serious. What the film doesn't stop you from feeling is that you wholeheartedly want to cheer for Speed and his family... not so much from overcoming the corporations and politics of the world, but to opvercome the personal tragedy that the family has been through. You want them to heal themselves and comfort each other. When they are down you want them to cheer up and come back to life! You've no doubt heard many comparisons drawn about this film. Harry's reference to 2001 is apt for this films' climatic moments. I was at the edge of my friggin seat throughout that entire segment! Of course it's not the same thing as 2001 you idiots, but I bet that if Stanley Kubric could he'd rise form the grave and personally shove a copy of 2001 up your asses for being so anal about this lighthearted lovable film. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this film for it to receive the ire that it has. At worst, it is an alright children's campy movie wth some over the top acting and effects with a servicable story. But it isn't that. I personally insist that it is a remarkable achievement the likes of which we haven't seen and will be damn lucky to ever experience again. Its plot, despite how light it is and its characters are leagues better than 300 and Sin City which you all fawned over and threw petals in their paths. When Harry compared Pops to Neo he was just being hyperbolic, it's not the same but Pops is definately a badass and steals the fight scenes! The few martial arts moments in this film are also very entertaining and funny. There appear to be plenty of throwback moments to old school kung fu, and driving films and anime. The lights on Speeds helmet, the camera flashes and lights on the cars and stuff are definately things anime enthusiasts will recognize from moments in Akira, Macross Plus and various others. This is indeed a cartoon come to life. I highly disagree with the unvisionaries amongst us who say shit like they should've just made a cartoon or some shit. No, fuck you! If this was a cartoon it wouldn't be the same, it wouldn't feel the same. Having live action actors here lends it something cartoons don't. The merger between live action and animation moments casts some extraordinary spell over the viewer. The Wachowskis use it for moments that are memorable, emotional, comedic, serious, deadly and even outright 'laugh with me and at me' cheesy! I'm an unashamed fanboy of the Matrix Trilogy. I make it known openly. But even I can find agreement with those who criticize those films for their problems. However with Speed Racer, they are flat out wrong! I'm actually astonished at the bullshit said about this movie by those rotten tomatoes fuckers. In fact I'm angry and I've never felt this way before. All I can think about right now is this movie and when I can find a chance to watch it again. If poor box office means this will come out to blu-ray sooner then I'll be pretty damn happy to get my hands on it... but I honestly believe this movie deserves a chance. For those that are still akeptical about seeing it, try and catch it at a matanee or something. Heck even if you prefer to wait for DVD, then fine... But when you do get an opportune moment try and give this film a chance. You might be insanely delighted. If for some reason you genuinely didn't dig this movie, then I'm going to have to say that I just don't understand that at all and you and I simply have remarkably different tastes that we will never compromise on. But a bad and terrible movie this is not. It's got to be the overwhelming nature of this on the large screen that might be too much for some people to tolerate. But I'd advise even those people to give it another chance on DVD or definately blu-ray. You might find yourself liking it a lot more than you remember.
^ Sorry for spelling mistakes and whatever by Johnno	May 13th, 2008 11:17:36 AM
That's what happens when you use notepad instead of Microsoft Word and the lights are dim and your fucking keyboard is black with white letters that you can hardly see!
Speed has badly flopped in Europe in it's opening weekend by Wayne6000	May 13th, 2008 11:25:07 AM
In addition to it's weak North American opening weekend where Iron Man clobbered it, Warner Bros must be hugely disappointed at how SR badly flopped in it's opening weekend in Europe. It should do better on DVD, but any hopes Warner had of a Speed franchise have gone down the toilet.
"From the Creators of The Maligned Classic SPEED RACER!" by Blue_Demon	May 13th, 2008 11:43:51 AM
Think we'll see that on a poster soon? This movie is done.
Wow...it really underperformed. Too bad. by BLEST	May 13th, 2008 11:58:00 AM
I did think I'd want to watch it (unless it was a free ticket to IMAX and I was high. That would be cool, just for the experience) based on the trailers. I watched the first 7 minutes, and I actually liked the stuff with kid Speed and his brother, and the look of the characters. I always dug Dick Tracy as a kid and I liked what they were doing with this film. It's the actual race scene that turned me off. It looks fake, with no depth or weight to it. Truly, it looks like F-Zero or Mario Kart, and not like a real race. I'd said this in many talkbacks: "It'll be the surprise bomb of the summer. 45 mil tops, then comes Narnia and Indy IV to dominate the next 2 weekends" But even I didn't think it would do this bad. Sucks for them. I wasn't too keen on it, but I respect them for trying to do a new thing. Oh well, I'll catch it on Blu-ray.
Above first line should read: by BLEST	May 13th, 2008 11:59:23 AM
"I DIDN'T think I'd want to watch it."
Johnno = Plant by Motoko Kusanagi	May 13th, 2008 12:52:13 PM
What a fucking pathetic review. Well, at least that fits that pathetic "movie" you "reviewed". @ Salemslut: I am a big fan of anime, I love THE MATRIX and BOUND and I do not "hate" on CHIMP-THE MOVIE because it bombed at the BO (which it did) but because I've seen that crappy, infantile, overblown, sidefucked borefest and am pissed that the Wachowskis and Joel Silver and the great cast couldn't do better. Plus, I've wasted over two hours of my precious time. AND STOP REFERRING TO 2001, YOU DUMBASSES. Comparing SPEED RACER to 2001 is not only downright silly but a true outrage!
Motoko Kusanagi = Rival Studio Plant by Johnno	May 13th, 2008 01:17:14 PM
I don't need to hear this from a jackass like you. You've been in every talkback doing your best to hate on the flick. I bet right now you're wacking off to the nude pages of Ghost in the Shell: Man Machine Interface. Now there's a pretentious jargon filled colourful mess with action sequences that no one can follow. And I'll compare this movie to 2001 twenty-one thousand times if I have to! The chimp sequences in that movie are hilariously bad. Speed Racer's chimp flings shit all over it and you! Are you outraged yet??? C'mon Motoko you big titted mechanical bitch, tell us again what a masterpiece Transformers is! Let's do virtual battle online just like Section-9 does!
Speed Racer video game???? by Series7	May 13th, 2008 01:20:32 PM
Anyone??? I've heard good things? Anyone actually played it?
that fat-kid-with-chimp jokes by The Killer Goat	May 13th, 2008 01:22:41 PM
You mean... like in the fucking cartoon? God forbid.
Thanks for the correction, Zybon by The Killer Goat	May 13th, 2008 01:45:06 PM
I guess they stole more of Pop's thunder than I thought. Well, at least he was a mechanic and car designer.
BLEST, if it helps... by Johnno	May 13th, 2008 02:03:13 PM
Why not just think of it as an F-Zero or Mario Kart movie??? The races in Speed Racer are unrealistic and there will never be racing or cars or tracks like it... I don't think being like a game is a bad thing though most people use that comparison as a derogatory. Hell they are hot wheels tracks! You shove the car through the gate and it goes all the way through the loops and everything using the same physics in our world and then some... This movie is like that. So if you want to think of it as being based on a video game, then go right ahead!
When is by Series7	May 13th, 2008 02:11:35 PM
Pixar going to make the Mario Brothers movie?
A word to the wise Moriarty by Call me Hal	May 13th, 2008 02:30:52 PM
Never argue with an idiot, its impossible to win. This movie was incredible. It was exactly what it should neh, needed to be. Im glad it didnt do well. Now, we wont get 2 shitty sequels ala the Matrix.
The 2001 "shot" was like 5 seconds long in Speed by Mace Tofu	May 13th, 2008 02:45:16 PM
so I think it was a homage to 2001. Before I went to the movie some reviews said there was an hour of talking before the race or the "2001" ending was 30 minutes long. Another review said the movie stopped at one point to stage a big fight with the actors in Still photos. Did that happen? Again it was a shot or two in a 5 minute fight but the reviewer made it sound like the whole fight was done with stills of the actors. Reading 4 days worth of reviews before seeing SR I went in with the list of their complaints but what the movie is and what most of those reviews bitched about are two different things. The worst thing you can really say about SR is it is a rip-off Speed Racer the cartoon. Pretty much everything in the movie was stolen from the cartoon. The only thing missing was a Dragon sub and some giant monkeys and panthers running around. Johnno, I do agree with you about those 7 minutes. I watched them about 10 times on a 42 inch LCD and the action was easy to follow but in the theater I lost my geography when the M6 was riding the rails. I definitely noticed that happened and I knew what was going on screen but still enjoyed it.
SGT. Rock by Munro Kelly	May 13th, 2008 03:07:42 PM
I remember when Silver wanted to do it around 91. John McTiernan was going to direct. That would have been great. First Arnold was starring than talks of Bruce Willis. I wish Silver would work with directors like McTiernan again. I think he's getting carried away with the Bros. I think it's time they part company. I think Guy Ritchie is the wrong choice for SGT. Rock.
This SHOULD Have Been A Huge Hit by LaserPants	May 13th, 2008 03:11:31 PM
But it wasn't. I'm sad about that, but not surprised. SPEED RACER isn't really all that well known. People have vague memories of it, but, for them most part, it was always leaning more towards cult then mainstream. Making this one of the most expensive cult movies in history. Then again, maybe history will be kind to this. TRON and BLADE RUNNER were both flops in their time, and are now regarded as classics (more so for BLADE RUNNER, but I've heard many film fans going apeshit with love for TRON as well). As much as it saddens me that the movie failed, I'm glad it got made, and I'm glad that I'll be able to own it on DVD one day soon. Also, I'm glad that the toys will be going on sale for dirt cheap soon! I have the 1:24 scale one, now I wanna get all the little Hot Wheel dealies.
Mace Tofu by Series7	May 13th, 2008 03:12:54 PM
So does that mean you liked it?
Munro Kelly by Series7	May 13th, 2008 03:30:10 PM
I don't think McTiernan would make a good movie from behind bars? And if he's out of prison, his movies have sucked as of late.
Motoko Kusanagi by JackinNYC	May 13th, 2008 03:58:24 PM
You are sooooo right. What a pretentious, shilling, jackass. As for Speedie…I was very disappointed. For many reasons, stated many times on many sites. Suffice to say, when a film is all about the ‘look’ and becomes the story instead of servicing the story it is bound to fail. Watching this movie was like looking through a kaleidoscope for over 2 hours. There – nuff said. I don’t need to write a ‘war & peace’ diatribe to make my point, Mr. Plant.
But SPEED RACER Does Have A Good Story! by LaserPants	May 13th, 2008 04:28:31 PM
You've got your family versus corporate control, you've got your brother emulating brother, you've got your tragic family secrets, you got your kid and monkey like candy, you got your sweet chaste romance with a crazy hot girl in wholesome (yet crazy sexy) fetish wear, you got everything! AND YOU MISSED IT! Duh! Run, don't walk to the nearest IMAX and see it before they replace it with something that actually does suck, not one of the most visually daring and insane movies of the decade.
txfxxxxxxxxxxfaaaartyujhbnm,kkkk kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkbbbbbbhgfaaafaf by Chishu_Ryu	May 13th, 2008 04:38:31 PM
cfzzzrxtssssssssssarfssfsfqwen bvce5er6dde8e887eeeeederfsartr asestatstasaaatssssaassssew4ss sfxxxxrttyyyyyyyyyyyytttttrdfs tfsdddswe3e2eeeededrsdsxcccccc cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc ccfgffdrtsressrtyuiopzxcvbnxzc vbbnnmm,,..//
There was plenty good enough story JackinNYC by Johnno	May 13th, 2008 04:52:39 PM
And more importantly, characters too! But you're so busy looking for plants with roots shoved up your ass that you can't see the forest for the trees!
Sorry about above post by Chishu_Ryu	May 13th, 2008 05:30:26 PM
My own version of Spritle/ChimChim got a hold of the computer when I wasn't looking....
How the hell did he get two lines in the header? by Chishu_Ryu	May 13th, 2008 05:32:44 PM

IWonderIfYouCanGetTwoLinesInTheH eaderIfYouDon'tUseSpacesLikeYouD by LaserPants	May 13th, 2008 05:51:27 PM
I wonder.
Was totally ready to see this by Bass Ackwards	May 13th, 2008 07:47:34 PM
but for whatever reason its not playing in IMAX in my city. I'll watch just about any movie IMAX, was dissapointed to see this one was skipping my town.
Its a shame this film is financially a flop by TRON	May 13th, 2008 09:19:55 PM
I wouldn't call this a Waterworld by box office figures yet... I think it's a shame when a film is carefully thought out not "slapped" together, but still flops. Will the Wachowski brothers get the financial backing for their next adventure? tune in next time.......
Hey was... by JackinNYC	May 13th, 2008 11:57:38 PM
Well I am a big fan of the show, Watched it as a kid. And my review is all over here - u must not be looking hard enough (read others as well) or u are just another shill. The movie was so much worse than the cartoon I remember. For all the reasons I mentioned. Period.
I am sitting here angry. by AllPowerfulWizardOfOz	May 14th, 2008 01:11:57 AM
I just cannot believe this movie tanked. Those of you who are dissing this movie and have not seen it need to shut the fuck up. Look I am not excited about the new Indy movie. I think it looks like shit. I also thought that Speed Racer was going to be total shit and I was wrong, dead fucking wrong. Speed Racer was amazing. Indy still looks like a total turd. But I will go see it and if it's good I will say it was good and that the trailer did not do it justice. My gut tells me it's going to suck. What sold me on Speed Racer and what I thought was a smart move was that 7 mins of the film they put on the internet. Prior to I was not really that interested from the trailers but the 7 mins made me realize what they were going for and that the movie had some heart. I still think the trailers for Speed Racer are terrible. Who ever edited those IMO didn't take the parts of the movie they should have tried to sell but that's just me. It is a real shame this movie tanked. I hope it does get a HUGE cult following on Blu-ray and I can't wait to hear the whiners who cry they wish they would have seen it on the big screen when they had a chance. Boo fucking hoo. BTW the one idiot poster who made a comment that those who loved Speed Racer loved the Prequels to Star Wars is wrong. The prequels were and always will be total shit. Fuck George Lucas and his Star Wars mess and fuck you to that poster who assumes that we are all alike as movie fans.
What would have helped this movie by Series7	May 14th, 2008 10:33:57 AM
I think is if they didn't push the FROM THE DIRECTORS OF THE MATRIX so hard in the marketing. I bet there was some backlash from that, I know it can't be blamed for the entire low numbers. I still say that they should have waited till December to release this. Something to counter award season fair. And it wouldn't have wound up with all the second week of the summer backlash, where critics can't handle having two great movies in a row, they needed a failure.
mmmmmm?? by pinklunch	May 14th, 2008 06:24:51 PM
just came home from watching it at an imax theatre, and haven't quite made my mind up what i made of it. never having seen the original cartoon and not being a child obviously hindered the experience somewhat, and there times where i had to cringe in disbelief at what i was putting myself through, but overall i think it was an incredibly brave movie and also totally groundbreaking in its visual style. the main problem for me is that the majority of the inspiring visuals were so intense, complex and creatively thought out, (many obviously inspired by early experimental avant garde animation etc), it kinda conflicted with the very simple, childlike plot, cartoon acting and hyper-real fisher price style of the rest of the movie. sometimes watching it u ask yourself why bother even having real actors in it at all!?...and i'm sure if it was totally lacking in 'real people' perhaps it wouldn't be getting all the bad press its ultimately doesn't really deserve. yes its a confusing film, far from perfect, but nothing close to a disaster, and at times definitely breathtaking.
"From the directors who made the fantastic Matrix movie jump the by ckane123	May 14th, 2008 09:21:00 PM
Yeah, I'd say that's how a lot of people read that promotional tag...
shark" by ckane123	May 14th, 2008 09:22:08 PM
That's what that last message header should have said. Sorry. Loses its effectiveness, now. Ahem.
Joel Silver producer of Jumpin' Jack Flash by 1922	May 18th, 2008 05:52:54 PM

"SPEED RACER" would've benefited greatly with a shorter cut. by JDanielP	May 19th, 2008 11:53:54 AM
Even though I appreciate how "less is more" applies to art, I'm usually not in the camp for cutting motion pictures to a shorter length...unless you want to argue over editing. Peter Jackson's "KING KONG" has been mentioned (in previous AICN talkbacks) as a flick that needed trimming. But Jackson's "KING KONG" happens to be a personal favorite of mine. --Sorry, I'm getting off subject. Anyway, "SPEED RACER" was okay. If you're looking for a report card, I could only give it a grade C. (My wife already had low expectations but in the end, gave it more credit than I did. And our child enjoyed it, well enough.) But I must say that...I really feel that..."SPEED RACER" would have benefited greatly with a much leaner cut. I also feel that both the story and acting could have been elevated to something more...which is, quite frankly, a huge challenge when blending reality with the unreal. In fact, I would argue that the greatest challenge is the resistance of an audience to accept such a visual blending,...as such visual style does fight what we know is real. The story and the words and the acting need to feel REAL (or to the high standards of a Pixar animation or the original "MEN IN BLACK", for example), while the visual interpretation has the freedom to take on a different life. In a movie like this, I think it's about elevating the material for adults while catering to the family unit,...knowing where and how to self-censor,...and make such an unreal reality all a world of it's own. --I've said before that my favorite comic books are those that feel REAL, even within such a fantasy (world) and the visual artistry on every page. To me, "BATMAN BEGINS" is a success in how it feels more REAL,...in that it does not "distance us" from the fantasy material. (Judging from the what I've seen thus far, "THE DARK KNIGHT" looks to do the same.) However, I'm always looking for the uncanny ability (in a director) to retain this feeling of reality...while giving us the incredible visuals and movement (via camera and choreography) that we crave. Sure, eye-candy is just eye-candy. Without the meat of a story, you've got nothing. But when we get a full meal with a dessert to top it off,...then THAT becomes something else entirely. So, I'll end this with asking all of Hollywood, "What kind of restaurant studio are you?"

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