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March 22, 2008

All Alone, Not What it Seems and Inside Yourself.

imagined by: James Mathias

For this week’s NetFlix One Line Reviews I watched I Am Legend, Southland Tales and Revolver.

Interesting note, all three movies this week dealt with in some form or another a kind of mental, internal struggle for the lead character.

I Am Legend; “I was really excited for this movie, and then I started watching it. It’s not a good adaptation of the source material and the CGI was terrible, completely took me out. The part that gets me is the ”creatures“ are humanoid, so doing the effect traditionally, would have been at once; cheaper, more realistic and probably badder ass. I saw no single feat of ”animation“ that could not have been achieved traditionally. This film is a prime example of using CGI just cause you can. Rent Omega Man instead.”

Southland Tales; “I was prepared for this film to suck, and it does a little. But, I think it’s only ’cause it’s difficult to follow and a little too ambitious. I’m going to watch it again and see if I can make better sense of it. The cast is crazy. Rent Donnie Darko instead”

Revolver; “Not sure what happened here, but I am certain that Mr. Richie peaked with Snatch, which is just too bad. This is a mindfrack movie, and the worst part is, even after they explain everything, you’re still confused. I dig mindgames in films, but not if you need to roll footage of Medical professionals during the credits to explain the twist. You’ve lost 90% of the audience by then. Rent Snatch instead.”

  • All Alone, Not What it Seems and Inside Yourself.
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7 comments



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Mar. 22, 2008 (4:54pm) [#1]

greg.newman

Hmm. Now I really enjoyed AML in the theaters and coming from a CGI background didn’t mind the use of it. That’s interesting. Although, the ONLY reason I went to see it is because his dog looks and acts just like mine. Thanks for your perspective James.

Mar. 22, 2008 (11:44pm) [#2]

James Mathias

I don’t mind the use of CGI either, as long as it’s for a good reason and done exceptionally well.

The CGI in this movie looked amateurish at best, like stuff we were doing 5 years ago.

I cannot find myself being frightened of a creature that is supposed to be a ultra-violent humanoid, if it looks like a glorified muppet.

Look at 28 days later or 28 weeks later, traditional effects and 3 trillion times scarier.

Using the score to make me jump is a cop out. Make the monsters more realistic and follow the source material more closely. Matheson, is hands down one of the best Horror writers ever. And this was an insult to his work.

Don’t misunderstand me, I love Will Smith, but this film should not have been made the way it was.

Mar. 23, 2008 (7:36am) [#3]

greg.newman

I bought it yesterday and will watch it again. Now that you mention the CGI i’m going to be overly critical. I’m surprised I didn’t catch it the first time around.

Mar. 23, 2008 (11:29am) [#4]

Ana

Bummer… I really thought I am Legend was going to be good.
Ah well…
Thanks for the reviews!

Mar. 24, 2008 (1:25pm) [#5]

David Sissitka

> I saw no single feat of ”animation“ that could not have been achieved traditionally.

I can think of a few:

1) A majority of the animal scenes.
2) New York City. Pedestrians couldn’t have been removed from New York City without CGI. I think some of the vegetation might have been CGI too.
3) The movement of the infected.

I believe that I Am Legend was rushed but was still better than a lot of the crap that we get these days. Does anyone else see I Am Legend being the foundation of a sequel that ends like the novel? It’d work regardless of which ending the sequel is based on.

Mar. 24, 2008 (2:29pm) [#6]

James Mathias

Hi David,

Animal scenes were unnecessary, quite fake looking. But, they could have been done traditionally, with a more realistic outcome.

They did it in LA for Omega Man, with out CGI, they’ve been doing it on sound stages without CGI for years.

A human actor could have moved in much the same way with traditional effects.

I Am Legend was not rushed, it took a long ass time to complete the film for what it was. They began development in 1994 13 years ago. Granted actual film production didn’t begin until 2006, the overall development was ongoing. This should have been a far better movie than it was.

This movie was not true to the source material, and a sequel is a ridiculous notion. I pray they leave this alone, until someone can do the novel justice.

Mar. 26, 2008 (4:13pm) [#7]

Mike Stickel

For “I Am Legend” they originally shot it with real actors. Then, during post, they thought it wasn’t “enough” so the CGI’d them all. Bad choice in my opinion (still haven’t seen it yet though).

“Southland Tales” was, apparently, reshot and recut before the wide release. I’ve heard it’s bad from almost everyone but I’m still looking forward to seeing it.

Haven’t heard of “Revolver” though. Interesting what you say here. I might have to skip it.

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