titanic Tagged Articles at Cinematical
How an Astrophysicist Convinced James Cameron to Re-Edit 'Titanic'
Filed under: Drama », Fandom », 20th Century Fox »
I absolutely love this story. If you're a regular TV watcher, you'll likely recognize the remarkably affable astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, be it from his repeat appearances on "The Colbert Report" or his regular hosting duties on "NOVA ScienceNow". If not, know the man has a rare gift for reducing complex science into theories any dope could understand, a gift that also makes him the worst fanboy possible. The video below is from an audience Q&A session in which the delightful scientist was asked to elaborate on what he thought was the worst "bad science" movie ever made. While you'd expect an astrophysicist to hate a work rife with lunatic science, films like Armageddon, he shares, are easily dismissed because they make zero effort towards accuracy. However, a film that falsely claims to be scientifically accurate, like Titanic, really sticks in the man's caw, "There are movies out there where the director just doesn't care, and if they don't care, why should I care? I'm okay if they don't care. It's when there's a premise of accuracy and precision that they just mess up, that pisses me off."
Shelf Life: American Beauty
Filed under: Fandom », Home Entertainment », Shelf Life »
After Cinematical's new "Movies I Will Never See" series elicited a strong variety of reactions – both positive and negative - from readers, it occurred to us that there's a huge, untapped reservoir of existing films that we have actually seen, and it would probably be at least as interesting, if not more so, to go back and see how well they held up in the years since their release. These may be acclaimed classics that audiences simply haven't revisited on a regular basis, or condemned failures that might deserve a second look; but setting a statute of limitations of five years or more old (meaning before '04), we're going back to see how good are the bad movies, and how bad are the good ones - in other words testing their shelf life.
After last week's look at Titanic, it seemed somewhat appropriate to revisit other noteworthy Oscar winners. But while there were certainly a wealth of questionably worthy titles celebrated in the Academy's history, one in particular seemed especially ripe for consideration: American Beauty, Sam Mendes' directorial debut. Perhaps it's because so many movies followed its lead in deconstructing suburbia, or perhaps it's just because it's been ten years, but Mendes' film doesn't seem as relevant, important, or even as good as it once was – which is why we recently popped it in the DVD player for another look.
Shelf Life: Titanic
Filed under: Shelf Life »
After Cinematical's new "Movies I Will Never See" series elicited a strong variety of reactions – both positive and negative - from readers, it occurred to us that there's a huge, untapped reservoir of existing films that we have actually seen, and it would probably be at least as interesting, if not more so, to go back and see how well they held up in the years since their release. These may be acclaimed classics that audiences simply haven't revisited on a regular basis, or condemned failures that might deserve a second look; but setting a statute of limitations of five years or more old (meaning before '04), we're going back to see how good are the bad movies, and how bad are the good ones - in other words testing their shelf life.
With James Cameron's Avatar looming large on the horizon, and the "event movie" filmmaker lauding his latest as no less than a worthy successor to the Highest-Grossing Movie of All Time, it seemed appropriate to see if Titanic was not only worth the hype that surrounded its original release, but to indicate whether it promised enough true and lasting greatness to entice fanboys and casual filmgoers alike to trust in the director as he debuts his next effort.
SDCC: Peter Jackson, James Cameron Fight For Cinema's Future
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Fandom », Exhibition », Comic/Superhero/Geek », ComicCon »
On Friday night at 7pm, after most fanboys had already fulfilled their quotient of nerdgasms and geek-freakouts, Peter Jackson and James Cameron appeared together at a panel hosted by Entertainment Weekly entitled "The Visionaries." Rather than just talking about their current projects, however, the two iconic filmmakers offered a sort of State of the Cinematic Union, addressing problems and challenges they face, even as they addressed a few rumors about what their respective futures hold.
The most important of their observations and revelations:
SDCC: 'Titanic' Going 3D, 'Lord of the Rings' 3D on Hold
Filed under: Action », Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Fandom », Exhibition », Comic/Superhero/Geek », Remakes and Sequels », ComicCon »
During the visionaries panel at Comic Con, Peter Jackson and James Cameron spoke about converting some of their older films to 3D -- specifically how Titanic is already going through the process, and how it's going to take about a year to fourteen months before it's completed. Thus, look for a huge re-launch of Titanic on the big screen in 3D at some point in 2011. If I were to wager a guess, I think they'll re-release it around the holidays and try to get as much bang for their buck as they can. Cameron says he's seen a couple of minutes converted and so far it "looks spectacular." Personally, I don't know how cool a film like Titanic would look in 3D. Maybe the last hour would look decent; the shot of the ship right before it breaks in half would look pretty wicked, but other than that ... eh.
Meanwhile, Peter Jackson was asked the same 3D question with regards to his Lord of the Rings franchise. Will that be getting the 3D conversion treatment as well? Unfortunately, it sounds like Warner Bros. isn't ready to commit to the conversion. Though Jackson wants all three films in 3D and has suggested it to the studio, they're hesitant either because there aren't enough 3D screens yet or for some other reason. There's a fun little back-and-forth between the two after that, with Cameron saying that they'll make more screens if they know The Lord of the Rings movies were in 3D.
Check out video from this particular conversation after the jump. What do you think about Titanic in 3D? Would it look cool? Or how about Lord of the Rings? Is the conversion worth it?
SDCC: 'Avatar' Wows Comic-Con
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy », Fandom », Exhibition », Comic/Superhero/Geek », ComicCon »
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Despite the fact that James Cameron took 12 years to produce a fiction follow-up to his blockbuster, award-winning Titanic, he has wasted no time letting folks know that the forthcoming Avatar is destined to be a masterpiece. And yet, given what he showed today at the San Diego Comic-Con, one can hardly blame him for a surplus of confidence. Screening some 25 minutes of material to a capacity crowd for the first time anywhere, Cameron proved that recent interviews, public appearances and hype opportunities are more than just big talk.
Among the information revealed or exposed about Avatar:
Quick List: Sex Scenes That Aren't Sexy
Filed under: Romance », Fandom », Lists »
Like plenty of you out there, I sat down to watch Brüno over the weekend and was treated to one of the more graphic sex scenes I've had the pleasure of witnessing in a long time. But unlike most sex scenes, this one wasn't about turning on the crowd, it was about getting laughs. Now in Brüno's case, the comedic effect was a deliberate one, but it did get me thinking about sex scenes in films that have had the opposite of their intended effect. So that's why today I've put together a list of sex scenes in movies that aren't the least bit sexy.
Showgirls
Let's start off with the big dog, shall we? When it comes to ridiculous on-screen sex, it doesn't get much dumber than Showgirls. If you don't believe me, do a quick search for a list of the worst sex scenes and this Eszterhas/Verhoeven turkey is usually the hands down winner -- and rightfully so. When it comes to low points, there really is too much to choose from, but the highlights include Elizabeth Berkley flailing about like an electrocuted dolphin while her partner, Kyle MacLachlan, is busy making 'barf faces' (which I suppose were meant to be ecstasy). So watch the clip in it's entirety here and see if you can make it to the end without bursting into laughter.
After the jump: more laughably bad sex scenes...
The Bright Side of Hollywood: 'Titanic' Helps Last Survivor
Filed under: Newsstand »
Accountability has been the watchword in Hollywood lately, especially after all the mess that followed Slumdog Millionaire. But just sometimes, a nice story comes out of Tinseltown, so why not celebrate it?The BBC reports that the big names behind Titanic, Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio, and James Cameron, have pulled together $30,000 to help Millvina Dean, a 97-year-old woman who just so happens to be the last living survivor of the Titanic disaster. The woman, who has been struggling with steep monthly bills at her nursing home, had begun to auction personal belongings and Titanic memorabilia to make ends meet. Now a fund has been set up for her, and the Titanic trio pitched in. Fund creator Don Mullan said: "I laid down the challenge to the Titanic actors and directors to support the Millvina Fund and I was delighted with the generosity they have shown in meeting that challenge."
Remember that whole "women and children" first thing? When the lifeboats had to be rationed? She was one of those children, saved along with her mother and sibling by her dad, who then perished when the ship sunk.
Now if only those who are accountable for people's hardships could be as generous...
Oscar Watching Party Ideas: 'Titanic' with Iceberg, 'Slumdog' Supper
Filed under: Awards », Fandom »
Millions of people will gather together with friends and/or strangers to watch the Academy Awards on Sunday night. It's a way to celebrate the movies we love, mock the movies we hate, argue good-naturedly about our differing opinions, and quiz each other on the artistic contributions of the sound editor vs. the sound mixer.
In a crappy economic climate, though, how should Hollywood show sensitivity? "It's a delicate balance to strike in a town not known for its restraint," notes the Los Angeles Times. "Oscar parties such as the Vanity Fair bash and Madonna's annual soiree are being scaled back considerably, but certainly not canceled. (Expect to munch on mini hamburgers instead of foie gras, and don't be surprised to see recycled decor from parties past.)" Oh, dear!
Sensitive as always to ordinary movie fans, for the first time ever the Academy "is offering a free 'Oscar Party Kit' for movie fans," according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Indeed, the official Oscar Party Kit includes recipes from Wolfgang Puck, cocktail recipes, downloadable "Oscar Bingo" cards, and an "Oscar Party Shopping List," complete with video clips.
If you're rooting for Slumdog Millionaire, why not prepare authentic Indian food? Waverly Kitchens offers the WK Movie Party Pack, including spice mix, shopping list, and instructions. The site also has a playlist of this year's nominated songs.
You can ignore the economic indicators (and good taste) and go big, like the celebration pictured above. The Guardian says that folks were invited to dress up in early 20th Century costume and watch James Cameron's multi-Oscar winner Titanic while floating in rowing boats at a swimming pool in central London, "surrounded by dry ice and fake icebergs."
What are your Oscar-watching party plans? Please share in the comments section!
Baz Luhrmann Kills Off 'Australia' Rumors
Filed under: Action », Drama », Romance », RumorMonger », Celebrities and Controversy », Scripts », 20th Century Fox », Newsstand », War », Nicole Kidman »
Well, that was cleared up quickly! Just the other day, I reported on rumors flying about the ending of Australia, and claims that Fox had pressured its director, Baz Luhrmann, to change it. Luhrmann quickly informed The Sydney Morning Herald that the film's ending was entirely in his hands, bristling at the suggestion that it wasn't. "It's really simple: on a Baz Luhrmann film, I decide."
I'll fill in the spoilery blanks for you now -- rumors were that test audiences were quite appalled that Hugh Jackman's character, The Drover, died at the end of the film. Fox was certain that Jackman's tragic end spelled doom for the box office, but Luhrmann brushes off the rumors, calling them "naive" and "profoundly misinformed." He also points out that Fox would hardly have taken issue with The Drover's death, since they happily froze Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic, and we all know how that box office turned out.
It turns out, he filmed three different endings and tested two -- one where Jackman lived, and one where he died. Audience reactions were the same for both endings, but he decided to choose the third, which remains a mystery to all but him and his cast. "There was always a struggle within me," he said. "There's the way Titanic ends and there's the way Gone With The Wind ends. It's neither of those. It's an ending specific to this moment and it's what I want the film to give out and what I need in my own life. It's what I want to feel. On that level, it's completely personal."
So, now you have it -- Luhrmann is firmly in control, we'll be delightfully surprised by the ending, and I may not have to watch The Drover die. Good news all around! (We won't talk about the fact that its reportedly still not done ...)
I'll fill in the spoilery blanks for you now -- rumors were that test audiences were quite appalled that Hugh Jackman's character, The Drover, died at the end of the film. Fox was certain that Jackman's tragic end spelled doom for the box office, but Luhrmann brushes off the rumors, calling them "naive" and "profoundly misinformed." He also points out that Fox would hardly have taken issue with The Drover's death, since they happily froze Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic, and we all know how that box office turned out.
It turns out, he filmed three different endings and tested two -- one where Jackman lived, and one where he died. Audience reactions were the same for both endings, but he decided to choose the third, which remains a mystery to all but him and his cast. "There was always a struggle within me," he said. "There's the way Titanic ends and there's the way Gone With The Wind ends. It's neither of those. It's an ending specific to this moment and it's what I want the film to give out and what I need in my own life. It's what I want to feel. On that level, it's completely personal."
So, now you have it -- Luhrmann is firmly in control, we'll be delightfully surprised by the ending, and I may not have to watch The Drover die. Good news all around! (We won't talk about the fact that its reportedly still not done ...)
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'Yogi Bear' Will Cry Me A River With Its Cast
