DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (2008)

The Burgomaster · December 13, 2008, 04:02:58 PM

Well, it isn't a TERRIBLE movie . . . but I can't recommend it. Keanu Reeves actually makes a decent alien (mostly because he speaks in a monotone and has very little acting range . . . so he seems like he doesn't belong on this planet). Kathy Bates is wasted in a stereotypical role as the Secretary of Defense. I did enjoy many of the scenes with Gort, but there weren't enough of them to save this movie. I think if they came up with a better climax (it's really pretty lame) it might have saved this movie. But as it stands, it's pretty ordinary. Watch the original instead.

Jape · December 13, 2008, 04:31:10 PM

I've already read two major newspaper reviews that mention its value as unintended comedy, plus hearing the combo of enviromentalism and what looks like a lot more violence than the original it seems a bit too silly (atomic weapons & space travel made sense as a threat/worry for aliens to intervene on, do Vulcans really care about Earth's global warming?)

I'm tempted to see it for the possible gaffaws but realistically the grey market should sort that out for a smidgen of the price.

Psycho Circus · December 13, 2008, 04:39:35 PM

CGI + Keanu Reeves = me staying away from this for my whole life...

Jape · December 13, 2008, 05:01:44 PM

Quote from: Circus_Circus on December 13, 2008, 04:39:35 PM
CGI + Keanu Reeves = me staying away from this for my whole life...

No offense, but the anti-CGI crowd are the Amish/Shi'ite fundamentalist Clerics of film fandom, quaint yet militantly stupid and/or narrowminded (not aimed at you or your general intelligence, just on this issue), but I digress. Still Keanu Reeves (probably the Welsh-est sounding name in the world, by the by) there were have solid, concrete, communal ground- a Kibbutz of opinon if you will

Psycho Circus · December 13, 2008, 05:06:50 PM

Quote from: Jape on December 13, 2008, 05:01:44 PM
Quote from: Circus_Circus on December 13, 2008, 04:39:35 PM
CGI + Keanu Reeves = me staying away from this for my whole life...

No offense, but the anti-CGI crowd are the Amish/Shi'ite fundamentalist Clerics of film fandom, quaint yet militantly stupid and/or narrowminded (not aimed at you or your general intelligence, just on this issue), but I digress.

None taken. I'm not narrow minded or stupid, I just know what I like and that's anything that doesn't involve bland actors talking to a green screen.

Jape · December 13, 2008, 05:21:19 PM

Sorry, don't know why I wrote that got into yet another 'debate' with a friend along the lines of "CGI? I'm boycotting this film, it will no doubt be a disgrace to humanity", he is a particular example of this view (He told me quite proudly he melted his 'reworked' additions of Star Wars after getting hold of the originals, I'm very anti retcon but still...).

So reimagine that moronic sentence with "I don't get why some people see CGI as disadvantagious (sic?) to a movie" and I'll save face

Sister Grace · December 13, 2008, 07:27:38 PM

Quote from: Jape on December 13, 2008, 05:01:44 PM
Quote from: Circus_Circus on December 13, 2008, 04:39:35 PM
CGI + Keanu Reeves = me staying away from this for my whole life...

No offense, but the anti-CGI crowd are the Amish/Shi'ite fundamentalist Clerics of film fandom, quaint yet militantly stupid and/or narrowminded (not aimed at you or your general intelligence, just on this issue), but I digress. Still Keanu Reeves (probably the Welsh-est sounding name in the world, by the by) there were have solid, concrete, communal ground- a Kibbutz of opinon if you will

I hate CGI!! and trust me, I'm far from Amish....
mostly I hate CGI because it is usually so poorly done (think of any Sci-Fi Original and you get my point).

As for Keanu Reeves....no, he isn't that great of an actor, but he is some serious eye-candy.

btw, whats wrong with being of Welsh heritage?

HappyGilmore · December 13, 2008, 08:17:42 PM

I'm of the crowd that says that any movie starring Keanu Reeves as a character not named Ted "Theodore" Logan will suck to high heavens. He had two non-Ted movies that I liked, though. Freaked and Devil's Advocate, but the latter was more a Pacino flick.

Jape · December 13, 2008, 08:31:02 PM

Quote from: Suitcase Grace on December 13, 2008, 07:27:38 PM
whats wrong with being of Welsh heritage?

Nothing but I like to imagine the quintessential Hollywood jobber is from the Va-lleeeeys. Alternatively being of Welsh heritage could be wrong due to the Keanu Connection itself.

I've got nothing against the Welsh, I live not far from the border and even have Welsh friends, some of them have jobs and eveything.

The Burgomaster · December 13, 2008, 08:55:14 PM

I think CGI has its place and can sometimes be a good thing. Unfortunately, most movies today rely on CGI . . . and they usually still stink even if the effects are good.

Jape · December 13, 2008, 09:21:03 PM

I do agree that CGI can be a crutch as much as a propeller for a film's plot and scope, I just have a history of meeting people who see CGI as the automatic death sentence of films and view pie dishes on string as the holy grail for little more reason than it goes against the grain... of something. Hence the moment I hear "CGI is crap" or something to that effect I go:

Jack · December 14, 2008, 08:43:35 AM

Judging from the commercials, I wouldn't bother watching this if somebody gave me the DVD. It looks absolutely horrible.

schmendrik · December 14, 2008, 08:57:35 AM

About CGI: I know people on this site hate Titanic, but I think that's one of the better uses of CGI I've seen, mainly because you don't even know the scenes are CGI unless somebody tells you (example: any view showing the entire ship). It's just used to add to the illusion.

The Spiderman franchise might be another reasonably successful use of CGI (all the web swinging) though the idea of digitally replacing actors or stuntmen does give me the creeps a little.

As for Day the Earth Stood Still no opinion. Probably won't see it in the theaters, or at all at least until I've seen the original. Yes, that's right, I've never seen the original. Should I confess that in the OMG, you've never seen... thread?

Sister Grace · December 14, 2008, 07:39:25 PM

my cousin asked me to tag along and see this with him today, it was aweful, we walked out after 45 minutes seeing as hanging out in the parking lot was more exciting....and that's saying something!

Saucerman · December 15, 2008, 10:05:22 AM

I'm probably going to be seeing this the day after Christmas (girlfriend and I are celebrating the season then, after we've both finished dealing with family for the season -- so the plan is dinner, movie, and gifts) as the girlfriend wants to see this...I've got the feeling it's something I'd be just as happy to wait until it's on DVD for, but hey, if it makes her happy...

Plus, if it stinks, when we walk out of the theater I can say, "Well, now we know why Michael Rennie was ill..."