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Movies => Good Movies => Topic started by: RCMerchant on July 31, 2007, 08:19:40 PM



Title: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: RCMerchant on July 31, 2007, 08:19:40 PM
 Has anyone seen the ZODIAC movie? I saw t last week,about a week before the DVD was in release in video stores,because Tara Sue's daughter works at one. I also got a cool promotional pen and button!
 Enuff of my bragging-on to the flick. If any of you have read Robert Graysmith's book ZODIAC,or his follow-up ZODIC UNMASKED,you'll enjoy the movie's close attention to the facts of the case and the minute detail that the film includes,right down to Inspector Toschi's way of wearing his gun holster(who was the model that Steve McQueen studied for his film BULLIT),right down to the sh!t encrusted dildo that lies on Arthur Leigh Allen"s trailer floor. WW would have been proud.

 What I personally found fascinating was the fact that the Zodiac Killer was a movie and pop culture freak! Check this out:
.Many of his letters make reference to the old RKO Pictures film the MOST DANGEROUS GAME(1932). In the movie ,Leslie Banks plays the evil Count Zaroff,who's idea of the ultimate sport is hunting down humans for fun on his lonley island.
.CHARLIE CHAN at TREASURE ISLAND was one of Artur Leigh Allen's favorite movie's. As a boy,his father even worked on the real Treasure Island amusment park,where the movie was set, in San Francisco. The main villian,a masked and robed killer,was named Dr. Zodiac!
.He signed one of his taunting letters as the Red Phantom,in reference to Lon Chaney in the PHANTOM of the OPERA. He also references to the EXORCIST (..'.the best satrical comedy I have ever seen"...) and a thumbs down review of the Charlie Starkweather inspired film BADLANDS,with Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek. He thought it was in "poor taste"!.
 Anyhow,I really liked the movie. Not a bang up action film;it's not supposed to be...but a good slice of true crime history .

  oh-found this old news clip on youtube...kinda gives you the feel of the times...

             [youtube=425,350] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGIU2iCDJuE
         



Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: AnubisVonMojo on July 31, 2007, 09:41:55 PM
Awesome, awesome movie. Probably one of the best movies of 2007. We've got two reviews for it up at the Tomb. Insanely well put together and you couldn't ask for a better performance from the cast. The only problem I had while watching it was knowing just enough of the facts to ruin some of the suspense. When you know which people live and die by the time it's over, it sadly lessens the impact of a few scenes. This takes nothing away from how well shot and acted they are though, so I'm with RC and recommend it to anybody looking for an excellent thriller.  :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: Shadow on July 31, 2007, 10:26:35 PM
Having grown up in the SF bay area, I remember friends and I going to the scene of one of the murders (years later of course).


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: Torgo on July 31, 2007, 10:44:02 PM
**** out of ****.

I saw Zodiac in theaters and I think that David Fincher really surpassed himself with this one. All of the performances are top notch with Robert Downey Jr. really stealing the movie at various points.

BTW, anyone thinking of picking up the bare bones theatrical DVD would be wise to wait for the early 2008 director's cut special edition.


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: AnubisVonMojo on August 01, 2007, 12:32:06 AM
I saw Zodiac in theaters and I think that David Fincher really surpassed himself with this one.

One thing you notice is that, despite being Fincher, there aren't a lot of "camera tricks" being used in the movie, which actually works to the man's benefit in this instance. I'm glad he knows when to leave the action movie tricks at home and just go with serious, suspense type film making.


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: Caronte on August 05, 2007, 05:45:11 AM
One of the best movies of the year, and with a great soundtrack!! Fincher rocks!!  :cheers:


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: dean on August 05, 2007, 06:33:14 AM
I saw Zodiac in theaters and I think that David Fincher really surpassed himself with this one.

One thing you notice is that, despite being Fincher, there aren't a lot of "camera tricks" being used in the movie, which actually works to the man's benefit in this instance. I'm glad he knows when to leave the action movie tricks at home and just go with serious, suspense type film making.

Interestingly enough there are alot of camera tricks, just subtle ones.  Mostly in the locations and digitally making them look like the time period rather than modern times.  Mainly things like scenery, cutting out new buildings, adding old ones etc.


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: Mr_Vindictive on August 06, 2007, 07:15:32 AM
Zodiac is one that I've been dying to see since I heard it was in production.  As with most films, in didn't play in my area and the film is on a long wait on Netflix.

I've always had a fascination with the Zodiac.  The guy was a genius which makes him even scarier.  I've watched numerous documentaries about the events, and it's just absolutely stunning how intricate the case is. 

I've been putting off buying it,  but if I don't get a copy from netflix soon then I will probably purchase it.


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: Ash on August 06, 2007, 07:29:39 AM
This movie had such an impact on me, I kept thinking about it and seeing scenes from it in my head days after I saw it.

I had read quite a bit about the Zodiac Killer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac_Killer) online before I saw the film.
There are quite a few good websites out there that will tell you everything you want to know about the Zodiac.
Just do a Google search and you'll hit paydirt on the first try.

I think you'll like the film more if you already know all about this serial killer, what he did and the subsequent investigation by the police and Robert Graysmith (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Graysmith).

The film blew me away.   :smile:

You owe it to yourself to check out this film.
Like Anubis said, it's one of the best of 2007.   :thumbup:

I liked it so much I'll probably buy it.




Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: RCMerchant on August 06, 2007, 07:17:33 PM
 Give the books a read...Graysmith wrote 2 of 'em...ZODIAC and ZODIAC UNMASKED! It goes into waaaaay more detail of the investigation and is one of,if not THEE best true crime book I have ever read...and I'm a big true crimebuff!


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: indianasmith on August 06, 2007, 08:10:01 PM
My favorite true crime book was .  I couldn't put it down.KILLER CLOWN: The Story of John Wayne Gacy


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: AnubisVonMojo on August 06, 2007, 08:10:24 PM
Give the books a read...Graysmith wrote 2 of 'em...ZODIAC and ZODIAC UNMASKED! It goes into waaaaay more detail of the investigation and is one of,if not THEE best true crime book I have ever read...and I'm a big true crimebuff!

Can't get a better recommendation than that!  :thumbup:


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: Torgo on August 06, 2007, 08:40:03 PM
My favorite true crime book was .  I couldn't put it down.KILLER CLOWN: The Story of John Wayne Gacy

I've read that one.   :thumbup:


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: HappyGilmore on August 06, 2007, 09:28:35 PM
**** out of ****.

I saw Zodiac in theaters and I think that David Fincher really surpassed himself with this one. All of the performances are top notch with Robert Downey Jr. really stealing the movie at various points.

BTW, anyone thinking of picking up the bare bones theatrical DVD would be wise to wait for the early 2008 director's cut special edition.

I may be in the minority on this, but I'd actually say that, in my opinion, Robert Downey Jr. is good is most of his performances.  Despite any personal problems, his work never seems to waiver.  Even like, his earlier stuff like Weird Science or Chances Are, even.

But, I want to see Zodiac.  I wasn't around during the real person's crime wave/serial killings, but the movie looks good.  I may be picking up the dvd, next time I'm out.


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: Torgo on August 06, 2007, 10:17:17 PM
I may be picking up the dvd, next time I'm out.

Just rent the current DVD and wait for the deluxe special edition director's cut DVD coming in early 2008.  They've even got an advertisement for it in the current DVD which is a gip but I blame the studio and not Fincher for that.


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: HappyGilmore on August 06, 2007, 10:20:33 PM
I'll pick up the special edition. 

That's one thing I hate about dvd's.  You buy one, then over the next year, 15 different versions come out, all with different special editons.


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: Torgo on August 06, 2007, 10:25:16 PM
I'll pick up the special edition. 

That's one thing I hate about dvd's.  You buy one, then over the next year, 15 different versions come out, all with different special editons.

I'm with you on that one. Unless they come out with a mega stocked edition right out of the DVD gate, I usually just hold out for the inevitable double dip on down the road.


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: HappyGilmore on August 06, 2007, 10:29:52 PM
I usually hold off on dvd's for a while, unless it's something I know I'll buy again if a special one comes out (but usually, I don't.)

Like Clerks.  I went to buy it, but saw a 10th Anniversary thing was coming out, so I just bought that instead.

And, there's like, 15 versions of the Wizard of Oz, which boggles my mind. 

Although, I liked Return to Oz.  Gotta find that dvd.


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: Torgo on August 06, 2007, 10:31:38 PM
I usually hold off on dvd's for a while, unless it's something I know I'll buy again if a special one comes out (but usually, I don't.)

Like Clerks.  I went to buy it, but saw a 10th Anniversary thing was coming out, so I just bought that instead.

And, there's like, 15 versions of the Wizard of Oz, which boggles my mind. 

Although, I liked Return to Oz.  Gotta find that dvd.

The 10th anniversary edition of Clerks is fantastic. The old DVD was just a port of the old Miramax laser disc.

I got the last DVD of Wizard of Oz in which they finally got the picture quality right. I'm sure that they're going to be coming out with blu-ray/HD versions now but I'm not buying into the whole HD thing until one format comes out a clear cut winner.   


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: HappyGilmore on August 06, 2007, 11:01:00 PM
I'm not diving into the Blue-Ray/HD thing for a few more months at least. 

As far as Clerks, I have the video cassette that I bought maybe 5 years ago that I haven't watched since I bought it, mainly because of the 3 disc dvd I have.  Only problem I have is that I have the original discs of Mallrats and Chasing Amy, and Mallrats just had a special edition dvd.  Only thing on that I'd be interested in is the Q&A.  Beyond that, I don't need the 10th Ann. disc.

I liked the Wizard of Oz, and was gonna get one of the dvd's, but didn't know which version to get, the 2-Disc or 3-Disc. 


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: Mr_Vindictive on August 06, 2007, 11:03:08 PM
I'm not diving into the Blue-Ray/HD thing for a few more months at least. 

As far as Clerks, I have the video cassette that I bought maybe 5 years ago that I haven't watched since I bought it, mainly because of the 3 disc dvd I have.  Only problem I have is that I have the original discs of Mallrats and Chasing Amy, and Mallrats just had a special edition dvd.  Only thing on that I'd be interested in is the Q&A.  Beyond that, I don't need the 10th Ann. disc.

I liked the Wizard of Oz, and was gonna get one of the dvd's, but didn't know which version to get, the 2-Disc or 3-Disc. 

I have the opposite problem.  I have the special edition of Mallrats and the Criterion discs of Chasing Amy and Dogma.  I also have Jersey Girl (guilty pleasure) and Clerks 2.  Sadly, I still have the original DVD release of Clerks which as Torgo mentioned is a port of the laserdisc.  I need to get around to picking up that Clerks X disc but keep forgetting to do so.


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: HappyGilmore on August 06, 2007, 11:07:27 PM
Jersey Girl gets entirely way too much flack in my opinion.  It's no Clerks, but I've seen many more movies which are certainly worse.  It's a change of pace for him, and I give him credit for trying something a little different.

But it's not my favorite of his either.


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: Torgo on August 14, 2007, 10:34:36 PM
Kevin Smith is supposed to be still planning a director's cut of Jersey Girl to be released that restores something like 20 to 25 minutes of footage.


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: HappyGilmore on August 14, 2007, 11:00:19 PM
I like Kevin Smith, but he sure pimps out dvd's like there's no tomorrow. 

Jersey Girl was decent enough, but I don't think the extra 20 minutes will help it's cause anymore.


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: CheezeFlixz on August 17, 2007, 07:18:26 PM
I watched this the other night I'd say it's a good 8.5 out of 10.


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: Mr_Vindictive on August 31, 2007, 09:28:20 AM
Possible Spoilers!

I finally got around to seeing this one the other night and I have to say that I'm highly impressed.

The only problem I had was that I kept expecting the film to take a Hollywood turn.  I kept expecting Graysmith to have a showdown with the Zodiac at some point, despite the fact that I knew that never happened.  I just knew that the film wouldn't make it out without some type of studio intervention to "punch it up".

Surprisingly, it had nothing of the sort.

I love the attention to detail that the film provides.  During the first murder, the Zodiac stops his car right behind his first victims and sits there for a moment.  I turned to my wife and said "No!  They got it wrong!  He didn't kill them initially!  He drove away and then came back to make the kill!".  I was disappointed.  I knew that they had gotten one of the facts wrong and it was going to bug me for the rest of the night.

As soon as I told my wife that, the Zodiac drove off exactly as he did in real life.  There's also little gems here and there throughout the film that lend a strong sense of reality.  You know that what you are watching actually took place, and you don't feel at any point that the director is making anything up as he goes.

I'm a huge David Fincher fan, with the exception of Alien 3, and I feel that his direction here was amazing.  That shot of the taxi from above is pure genius and the scene with Graysmith and Vaughn in the basement had me on edge despite knowing that nothing would happen. 

I do feel that the film leaned quite heavily towards Arthur Leigh Allen as the Zodiac.  That's understandable being as he has always been the main suspect, but I have some doubt as to who the killer was.  Sure, Allen fit the profile but so did numerous others.  Not only that, but the Zodiac was supposedly a military man with a crewcut and glasses.  Allen could have ditched the glasses, sure.  He was a military man, that is correct.  Allen didn't exactly have enough hair for a crewcut though.  These are just minor complaints, as most everything else about the guy fit the bill.

I loved John Carroll Lynch's portrayal of Allen in the film.  The scene with him being interviewed by the police is fantastic.  Also, his meeting with Graysmith at the end of the film is quite good as well.  You know at that point that the film is doing all but flat out telling you that Allen was the Zodiac.

After watching the film I started to wonder just why the Zodiac is so fascinating to all of us.  He wasn't especially smart, his cryptos were basic and he stole his iconic symbol and name from a watch manufacturer.  Is it because he never got caught?  Is it because of his theatrical style of calling the police, wearing a costume and writing the dates of murders on a car to prove he was the Zodiac?

Anyway, I loved the film.  I've read numerous books about the murders in the past and the film held true to every single fact that I had read.  My wife on the other hand didn't care for the film that much.  She was knitting while watching the film and I had to stop the film on occasion to explain what was going on.  It's certainly a film that commands your attention and missing one line of dialog can throw you out of the story.

10/10


Title: Re: "THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."
Post by: Ash on September 01, 2007, 03:42:40 AM
Glad you liked it Skaboi... :thumbup: