#1
I strongly advocated the purchase of this one. For those of you who have gotten it already (I am waiting for mine from reel.com), I'd like to hear of your thoughts on it. (Concentrate on the movie, not the case, I know that sucks! Hehee)
JoeC...I want my copy, reel!
JoeC...I want my copy, reel!
#2
Joe: I do not want to spoil the movie, but I really enjoyed it. I liked it better than BWP, the style of the movie is like a documentary. The movie is much more "polished" than BWP. The DVD itself has some nice extras (documentaries and a commentary).
And the case is not that bad
And the case is not that bad
#3
It is a more polished production than BWP, but the time sequencing at the end of it confused me. I probably just stepped out of the room at the wrong time 
I think I need to watch it again and then listen to the commentary before passing final judgement though. Overall it wasn't bad, but right now I think I actually prefer the BWP. Although the "behind-the-sceens" extras were really interesting.
If you like collecting "interesting" movies (ones that try something a little different than the standard Hollywood flic) then it is a good addition to your collection. Otherwise rent it before you buy it. This one has two things going for it in that category. The first is the whole pseudo-documentary thing, the second is the fact that it is the first all digital production. It seems this thing has never been printed on actual film. Filming, editing, and distribution have all be on digital media.
Have to disagree w/ BearFan though, the case it came in is the absolute worst case I've ever seen...
[This message has been edited by nemein (edited 12-13-1999).]
I think I need to watch it again and then listen to the commentary before passing final judgement though. Overall it wasn't bad, but right now I think I actually prefer the BWP. Although the "behind-the-sceens" extras were really interesting.If you like collecting "interesting" movies (ones that try something a little different than the standard Hollywood flic) then it is a good addition to your collection. Otherwise rent it before you buy it. This one has two things going for it in that category. The first is the whole pseudo-documentary thing, the second is the fact that it is the first all digital production. It seems this thing has never been printed on actual film. Filming, editing, and distribution have all be on digital media.
Have to disagree w/ BearFan though, the case it came in is the absolute worst case I've ever seen...
[This message has been edited by nemein (edited 12-13-1999).]
#4
Gamblor187 , 12-15-99 09:41 PM
DVD Talk Gold Edition
I rented this movie a couple weeks ago on (gasp!) VHS, so I couldn't comment on the quality of the DVD. I can just comment on the movie itself.
It's bad.
(Spoilers Ahead....Sorta)
The movie itself starts out promising. The way it is presented put me in the mind of "Dateline" or "20/20"...one of those "news" programs that are on EVERY night of the week now. (In fact, when my mom came into the room, she assumed that's what we were watching.) Despite some flaws (You think Heather was annoying in "The Blair Witch Project"? Wait until you see these guys! I was wishing that it actually was a true story just so these people would die...Also, I think they should have spent at least a minute or two explaining what the "Jersey Devil is...rather than just assuming that we all must have this information already.) Now....where was I? Oh yes! Despite the flaws, I didn't feel that I had really wasted my time watching the movie. I wouldn't have said it was a good movie, but I wouldn't have said it was awful, either.
Then I got to the last 15 minutes or so.
This movie ends bad. Very bad. "Hannibal" bad. In their quest to come up with a surprise ending, the filmmakers threw away everything that came before it in the movie...including their storytelling technique, which, to me, was the most interesting thing in the movie. I won't get into it any further, as I don't want to give anything away, but the ending ruled the whole movie. As I said, I didn't feel that I has wasted my time watching the movie...until I got to the ending. After it was over I was actually a bit pissed at myself for spending my time with "The Last Broadcast" when I could have done something better with my time....like counting the ceiling tiles.
I suggest that this movie be avoided at all costs. However, if you haven't seen it yet, and you're thinking of buying the DVD because it's at a good price, do yourself a favor and rent it first. Better to spend $3 on a rental than $10 on buying a DVD, the site of which will fill you with regret.
My final verdict? 1/2 star out of 5
jim
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http://www.dvdtracker.com/~gamblor187.asp
It's bad.
(Spoilers Ahead....Sorta)
The movie itself starts out promising. The way it is presented put me in the mind of "Dateline" or "20/20"...one of those "news" programs that are on EVERY night of the week now. (In fact, when my mom came into the room, she assumed that's what we were watching.) Despite some flaws (You think Heather was annoying in "The Blair Witch Project"? Wait until you see these guys! I was wishing that it actually was a true story just so these people would die...Also, I think they should have spent at least a minute or two explaining what the "Jersey Devil is...rather than just assuming that we all must have this information already.) Now....where was I? Oh yes! Despite the flaws, I didn't feel that I had really wasted my time watching the movie. I wouldn't have said it was a good movie, but I wouldn't have said it was awful, either.
Then I got to the last 15 minutes or so.
This movie ends bad. Very bad. "Hannibal" bad. In their quest to come up with a surprise ending, the filmmakers threw away everything that came before it in the movie...including their storytelling technique, which, to me, was the most interesting thing in the movie. I won't get into it any further, as I don't want to give anything away, but the ending ruled the whole movie. As I said, I didn't feel that I has wasted my time watching the movie...until I got to the ending. After it was over I was actually a bit pissed at myself for spending my time with "The Last Broadcast" when I could have done something better with my time....like counting the ceiling tiles.
I suggest that this movie be avoided at all costs. However, if you haven't seen it yet, and you're thinking of buying the DVD because it's at a good price, do yourself a favor and rent it first. Better to spend $3 on a rental than $10 on buying a DVD, the site of which will fill you with regret.
My final verdict? 1/2 star out of 5
jim
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http://www.dvdtracker.com/~gamblor187.asp
#5
Watched The Last Broadcast last night. Enjoyed it but it's not in the same league as Blair Witch Project which I consider one of the top 5 movies of the year. The DVD itself is cool, with three featurettes on various aspects of the production, and the commentary is very entertaining and informative. In short, I wasn't disappointed.
#6
G. Noel Gross , 12-21-99 01:27 PM
CineSchlock-O-Rama
I should state my affiliation first ... I was one of those who actually enjoyed The Blair Witch Project (hated those punk kids, but goldern it if I didn't still care what happened to them).
I'd done a good deal of reading about the controversy surrounding whether or not Last Broadcast was ripped off, or not. So when the DVD was announced ... I decided to get it to see what all the chatter was about. Sure enough, the broad concepts are very similar (down to the marketing). But, neither are hardly new (beyond the technology). I also landed a copy of Cannibal Holocaust (1979) ... another story about folks trodding into the wilderness looking for something and meeting a gruesome end. All three movies are different, but their base concepts are the same.
Anyway, someone needs to step up, and it might as well be me, and say (for the record) ... The Last Broadcast just plain stinks. It's historically relevant (due to the digital aspect of its capture, production and distribution). But good lord was it terrible. I guess if you were dissatisfied with the lack of blood in Blair Witch ... you'd like LB, because there's some red stuff in there. And the "master stroke" of switching to cinema ratios at the end ... huh? The filmmakers seemed happier that they got a decent boom shot, of a car going by, than that the audience would even be interested in seeing A CAR PASS BY??!! (At least with kids wandering in the woods, there's at least an inkling something bad might happen.)
Oh well. All of my comments are suspect, because I liked Blair Witch. But I've seen all three movies in question ... and there will be more to follow in each of their footsteps.
The real issue is which is most influential ... and that's easily Blair Witch. And for my nickel, it was by far more suspenseful and entertaining.
Having said that ... am I putting up my copy of "Last Broadcast" for trade, or selling it on eBay? Nah. It'll probably stay in my library, just for the sake of comparison.
As for the DVD extras ... I thought they were reasonably good for a low grade movie. More extras than you'd get on most discs. Whether they're interesting or not depends on your appreciation of the film. I'll have to agree the box art is less than sophisticated (but so's the ... nevermind.) -N!
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MY DVDs: A study in addiction
THE FAKE NEWS: An e-zine for NORM MACDONALD fans
[This message has been edited by noelgross (edited 12-21-1999).]
I'd done a good deal of reading about the controversy surrounding whether or not Last Broadcast was ripped off, or not. So when the DVD was announced ... I decided to get it to see what all the chatter was about. Sure enough, the broad concepts are very similar (down to the marketing). But, neither are hardly new (beyond the technology). I also landed a copy of Cannibal Holocaust (1979) ... another story about folks trodding into the wilderness looking for something and meeting a gruesome end. All three movies are different, but their base concepts are the same.
Anyway, someone needs to step up, and it might as well be me, and say (for the record) ... The Last Broadcast just plain stinks. It's historically relevant (due to the digital aspect of its capture, production and distribution). But good lord was it terrible. I guess if you were dissatisfied with the lack of blood in Blair Witch ... you'd like LB, because there's some red stuff in there. And the "master stroke" of switching to cinema ratios at the end ... huh? The filmmakers seemed happier that they got a decent boom shot, of a car going by, than that the audience would even be interested in seeing A CAR PASS BY??!! (At least with kids wandering in the woods, there's at least an inkling something bad might happen.)
Oh well. All of my comments are suspect, because I liked Blair Witch. But I've seen all three movies in question ... and there will be more to follow in each of their footsteps.
The real issue is which is most influential ... and that's easily Blair Witch. And for my nickel, it was by far more suspenseful and entertaining.
Having said that ... am I putting up my copy of "Last Broadcast" for trade, or selling it on eBay? Nah. It'll probably stay in my library, just for the sake of comparison.
As for the DVD extras ... I thought they were reasonably good for a low grade movie. More extras than you'd get on most discs. Whether they're interesting or not depends on your appreciation of the film. I'll have to agree the box art is less than sophisticated (but so's the ... nevermind.) -N!
------------------
MY DVDs: A study in addiction
THE FAKE NEWS: An e-zine for NORM MACDONALD fans
[This message has been edited by noelgross (edited 12-21-1999).]
#7
I have to agree with Gamblor187...the ending is terrible. I was really, really enjoying the film until the last 15 mintues when they (a) abandon the film's documentary technique for a "narrative" approach and (b) provide a surprise ending that is silly and really (when you think about it) makes no sense.
I would have loved a more ambigious ending that left you wondering who (what?) killed these kids. The current ending ruins the movie for me and I can't see watching it again.
Still, this is very interesting and worth a rental. I loved the supplemental featurettes where the filmmakers talked about how they made the film for virtually no money (like $900 or something like that) using only consumer-grade equipment and PC-based editing and FX.
I would have loved a more ambigious ending that left you wondering who (what?) killed these kids. The current ending ruins the movie for me and I can't see watching it again.
Still, this is very interesting and worth a rental. I loved the supplemental featurettes where the filmmakers talked about how they made the film for virtually no money (like $900 or something like that) using only consumer-grade equipment and PC-based editing and FX.
#8
If you have to choose............
Aviod both. Interesting experiments, but painfully boring after initial viewing.
Aviod both. Interesting experiments, but painfully boring after initial viewing.
#10
I'm sorry to disagree with some of you people but "The Last Broadcast" isn't even in the same league as "Blair Witch Project". NOT EVEN CLOSE! This is like a boring documentary! I wouldn't even recommend someone renting this one.
#11
Spiderbite , 05-23-00 03:00 AM
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i watched this movie tonight & jesus it was bad. this movie sucked so hard.
this movie made The Blair Witch Project look like Gone With the Wind.
the monotone narrator, the obnoxious camera/tape edits, the boring pacing, the awful story, the shitty ending (which i guessed a mile away).
stay far away from this movie. it is not scary or even creepy...it is just boring.
avoid like the plague!!!
this movie made The Blair Witch Project look like Gone With the Wind.
the monotone narrator, the obnoxious camera/tape edits, the boring pacing, the awful story, the shitty ending (which i guessed a mile away).
stay far away from this movie. it is not scary or even creepy...it is just boring.
avoid like the plague!!!
#12
Looks like I'm in the minority on this one.
My girlfriend and I rented this tape, and my initial reaction was negative. Most of the film is very good and quite creepy, but the ending is poorly executed. Nevertheless, it got under my skin and creeped me out for a few days - which is a good thing.
I purchased the DVD about a month later and re-watched it. There are some very dark and ghoulish parts in it that are quite well-done and very enjoyable (if you like this sort of thing.) As for the ending... I've come to realize that the filmmakers had a good idea for the surprise ending, but just pulled it off very poorly. The commentary track is actually pretty fun to listen to; they don't ramble endlessly about the production, but just talk and goof around like normal people.
If you can deal with the flawed ending, the disc is very enjoyable. If you liked Blair Witch, you'll probably like this one, too (above reviewers excepted
).
- David Stein
My girlfriend and I rented this tape, and my initial reaction was negative. Most of the film is very good and quite creepy, but the ending is poorly executed. Nevertheless, it got under my skin and creeped me out for a few days - which is a good thing.
I purchased the DVD about a month later and re-watched it. There are some very dark and ghoulish parts in it that are quite well-done and very enjoyable (if you like this sort of thing.) As for the ending... I've come to realize that the filmmakers had a good idea for the surprise ending, but just pulled it off very poorly. The commentary track is actually pretty fun to listen to; they don't ramble endlessly about the production, but just talk and goof around like normal people.
If you can deal with the flawed ending, the disc is very enjoyable. If you liked Blair Witch, you'll probably like this one, too (above reviewers excepted
).- David Stein
#13
I really liked this movie. If you can stomach documentaries, this movie should be entertaining.
As for the case, its very disappointing there was no insert for this title.
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The Decline
As for the case, its very disappointing there was no insert for this title.
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The Decline
Maybe if they made it into a movie (instead of documentary style), the ending would have suited the whole thing.
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-- I HATE dead people.
-- There's a reason why writers don't live very long. Yeah, people like you, 'cause you're the devil. Why don't you finally admit it? Say it! "I'm the devil!" Say it!
My Cheesy DVD List..., my webpage isn't done yet
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-- I HATE dead people.
-- There's a reason why writers don't live very long. Yeah, people like you, 'cause you're the devil. Why don't you finally admit it? Say it! "I'm the devil!" Say it!
My Cheesy DVD List..., my webpage isn't done yet
#15
I'll third and forth that motion, the ending ruined this WHOLE movie.. still worth watching, but.. BWP actually was better... gosh thats a bold statement!!!
its true thought , mainly due to the ending of LAST BROADCAST
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CURRENT DVDS: 157
its true thought , mainly due to the ending of LAST BROADCAST
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CURRENT DVDS: 157