UP ON A SOAPBOX…

First, I begin with my feelings on a reckless trend in movie making. What I am talking about here; is the infringement on one’s “intellectual property”.

When we play PC games (like Hollywood Mogul 3), we all have a tendency to take ideas from what we like. What we do in the privacy of our own home is just that… private. But, when something is posted on a public forum (like Crazy Moon), it now becomes part of the “public domain”, and it is there for everyone to see.

Although there is the old saying that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”, that old cliché does not give one license to use those self-same concepts, ideas, and creations for personal gain. Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement is a terribly messy situation, and can easily be avoided. Just give the original creator the credit, by mentioning him/her in the credits of what you create.

If you adapt your creation from a video game, comic book, or perhaps a book, you… as the screenwriter have a responsibility to mention the original work. Just because you changed where the main character lives, or even the name… it is still a creation of the original writer. It is not your own creation it is the original authors, and all that you have done is to “adapt” it for your own personal usage.

So please, make sure that you give credit to whom it is due. I wouldn’t want to see Crazy Moon, or perhaps some other public forum, closed down because of some minor transgression or lapse in reason. All that I am asking is that we use sound judgment when submitting our ideas, and do so without getting others unknowingly into trouble (and possible legal trouble).

The final word on this subject; is that we are all here to have fun… but not to do so at others expense.

FEATURED ATTRACTION:

I am going to start off looking at the new Peter Jackson film, entitled DUNGEONS & DRAGONS.

For the probably 10,000 or so people that are out there, and have been living in a cut-off society with very little (or none, possibly) contact with modern world, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS is an RPG franchise (currently the main license is held by the Wizards of the Coast company), and is the cornerstone of the d20 gaming system. It is also probably the best known, and probably one of the oldest “pen & paper” RPGs, with its first release in 1974 by the company known as Tactical Studies Rules (or perhaps better known to hobbyists as TSR). It has evolved into an extensive franchise, with numerous licensed settings (such as Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, Planescape, etc.), published adventures (such as Steading of the Hill Giant Chief, Barrow of the Forgotten King, The Temple of Elemental Evil, etc.), and PC/Console games (such as Baldur’s Gate I & II, Neverwinter Nights I & II, Planescape: Torment, etc.).

This adventure film starts out within the confines of the city of Waterdeep, on the Sword Coast. For those who are not familiar with this setting/location, this is the primary setting that is used for the PC games Baldur’s Gate I & II, as well as for the PC game entitled Neverwinter Nights. It exists within the Forgotten Realms setting for the game, and I question the studios decision to not recognize or acknowledge this fact during its publicity campaign.

That entirely aside, this film has the potential to be a big box office hit, as many action films do, and may just snag some special effects, cinematography and editing awards as well when the powers that be recognize the best out there.

This story, like so many of the genre, is told on an epic scale. Mammoth villains, over the top heroes, and a supporting cast of characters that are all, for lack of a better description… larger than life, all of these things make DUNGEONS & DRAGONS a colossal film.

I still question the studio, and their reluctance to not mention the FORGOTTEN REALMS setting, but my initial feelings on DUNGEONS & DRAGONS are…

Originality of Screenplay




Interest of Storyline




Casting





NEW ON DVD:


This film had a “fair” showing at the box office, and personal I feel it would have made a better “slice of life” drama than it did as a comedy, but sometimes you just never know.

Sean Connery is the saving grace in this film, and it is an absolute pleasure to watch his work upon the screen. Eric Bana shows a lot of promise, and reveals to the moviegoers that he does have an incredibly good sense of comedic timing. Susan Sarandon is not only a wonderful actress, known not only for her dramatic films like DEAD MAN WALKING and LORENZO’S OIL, but for her comedic sense (and a raw sex appeal as well) in such films as BULL DURHAM, ROMANCE & CIGARETTES and THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK.

I think that this film is worth seeing, and if you missed it in the theater, you should take the opportunity to check out the performances on this one. So all in all, when this movie is released on DVD…

RENT IT!!!

It’s a good film the first time around, or even the second… but it will probably be a long time before you watch it for a third viewing.

Also on DVD…

WARLAND will have a place on my shelf, right next to THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY and BRAVEHEART.

It’s great cinematography, intriguing storyline, and robust character development ensures that you are indeed engrossed with the story, and feel for its character.

This is just such a well-crafted movie, that it is such a shame that this film did not do far better at the box office. If you missed this film, take the chance to see it… and I think that you will definitely be glad you did.

My advice, when this film is released on DVD…

BUY IT!!!

OTHER ATTRACTIONS:


I don’t quite know what to say about this picture.

Musicals are a tough thing to market, and the days of CAROUSEL and THE KING AND I, have made way for such new musicals as RENT, STOMP and MISS SAIGON.

The original film (entitled “8½”) is a fairly obscure film to US moviegoers, although the story is not at all unfamiliar.

The ups-and-downs of success of a “one hit wonder”, if you grew-up in the 1980’s, we had a vast collection of references to draw from in the music industry alone.

The storyline does peak my interest, but Jennifer Lopez is not going to get me to the box office to see her in a musical. We learned that Antonio Banadaras indeed could sing from the musical EVITA.

So, all in all… my initial feelings on NINE: THE MUSICAL…

Originality of Screenplay




Interest of Storyline




Casting




So, until next time, goodbye from Misterbaldy, and…

SEE YOU IN THE MOVIES!