"THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING..."

RCMerchant · 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

AnubisVonMojo · 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.

Shadow · 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).

Torgo · 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.

AnubisVonMojo · August 01, 2007, 12:32:06 AM

Quote from: Torgo on July 31, 2007, 10:44:02 PM
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.

Caronte · August 05, 2007, 05:45:11 AM

One of the best movies of the year, and with a great soundtrack!! Fincher rocks!!

dean · August 05, 2007, 06:33:14 AM

Quote from: AnubisVonMojo on August 01, 2007, 12:32:06 AM
Quote from: Torgo on July 31, 2007, 10:44:02 PM
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.

Mr_Vindictive · 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.

Ash · 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 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.

The film blew me away.

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

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

RCMerchant · 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!

indianasmith · 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

AnubisVonMojo · August 06, 2007, 08:10:24 PM

Quote from: 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!

Can't get a better recommendation than that!

Torgo · August 06, 2007, 08:40:03 PM

Quote from: 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

I've read that one.

HappyGilmore · August 06, 2007, 09:28:35 PM

Quote from: 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.

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.

Torgo · August 06, 2007, 10:17:17 PM

Quote from: HappyGilmore on August 06, 2007, 09:28:35 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.