MAN ON FIRE thread...
04-21-04, 02:47 PM
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MAN ON FIRE thread...
Haven’t read much about this film around here, so let this be the thread where the reactions are posted.
I saw it this morning, and thought it was terrible on many levels. But I’ll leave it at that for now. I’m very curious to hear more reactions – especially from those who found THE PUNISHER distasteful.
I saw it this morning, and thought it was terrible on many levels. But I’ll leave it at that for now. I’m very curious to hear more reactions – especially from those who found THE PUNISHER distasteful.
04-21-04, 03:16 PM
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waited in line for 45 minutes to see a sneak peak last friday. lenard maltin was there. sadly, they stopped taking people in with only 5 people in front of us. but we did get free tickets to the mvoies. i look forward to it
04-21-04, 03:34 PM
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Re: MAN ON FIRE thread...
Originally posted by scott shelton
Haven’t read much about this film around here, so let this be the thread where the reactions are posted.
I saw it this morning, and thought it was terrible on many levels. But I’ll leave it at that for now. I’m very curious to hear more reactions ?especially from those who found THE PUNISHER distasteful.
Haven’t read much about this film around here, so let this be the thread where the reactions are posted.
I saw it this morning, and thought it was terrible on many levels. But I’ll leave it at that for now. I’m very curious to hear more reactions ?especially from those who found THE PUNISHER distasteful.
04-21-04, 03:47 PM
#6
Retired
The latest TV spot is kind of annoying.
It says like "a film unlike any other you've seen before" or something of that ilk, when it looks like a fairly standard revenge/vigilante/rescue the kidnapped person flick which has been done a gazillion times.
But of course it's wrong to judge a movie by it's previews, but still, I really don't see how this movie, even if it's very good, will be anything remotely original.
It says like "a film unlike any other you've seen before" or something of that ilk, when it looks like a fairly standard revenge/vigilante/rescue the kidnapped person flick which has been done a gazillion times.
But of course it's wrong to judge a movie by it's previews, but still, I really don't see how this movie, even if it's very good, will be anything remotely original.
04-21-04, 04:18 PM
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Originally posted by Josh Hinkle
But of course it's wrong to judge a movie by it's previews, but still, I really don't see how this movie, even if it's very good, will be anything remotely original.
But of course it's wrong to judge a movie by it's previews, but still, I really don't see how this movie, even if it's very good, will be anything remotely original.
So we can take that pesky standard of "originality" out of the mix.
04-21-04, 04:36 PM
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It does have one of the best lines of recent years, delivered, apparently with a straight face, by Walken, in describing Denzel's forthcoming killing spree: "He's an artist of death, and he's about to paint his masterpiece."
04-21-04, 05:31 PM
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In terms of originality, I saw some making-of thing (maybe an HBO first-look?) for about 5 minutes the other day and they were describing how the camerawork was done on hand-crank cameras from the early 1900's or something, so the film had a grainy quality. Not sure if they do this throughout the whole movie, but figured I'd mention it. I like Tony Scott alot, but Denzel's only recent flick worth seeing was Training Day. I'm definitely waiting till video for this.
04-21-04, 06:09 PM
#12
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http://my.aol.com/news/news_story.ps...03320002122980
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Denzel Washington plays an avenging angel in "Man on Fire," a full-throttle, good-vs.-evil thriller about an ex-CIA agent bent on eliminating, one by one, a ruthless Mexican gang of kidnappers and dirty cops.
Everything is straightforward save for director Tony Scott's fussy style of hyperimages and flash editing, which he has developed in such similar melodramas as "Spy Game" and "Enemy of the State." Washington commands the screen with calm assurance, shares it well with his tiny co-star, Dakota Fanning, during the first half of the story and pretty much carries the marathon-length movie on his broad shoulders, as he is in nearly every scene.
At nearly 2-1/2 hours, exhibitors might lose a daily showing with "Man on Fire." But it won't matter much as the film looks primed to do excellent box office, with Washington pulling in above-average numbers for a film that should appeal to men of all ages and a good many women as well.
"Man on Fire" is actually a second go at the novel of pseudonymous author A.J. Quinnell by producer Arnon Milchan, who shepherded to the screen a 1987 French/Italian production starring Scott Glenn and Joe Pesci and directed by Elie Chouraqui. This production, of course, is considerably amped by Scott and a top-flight crew, with much time spent on atmosphere, stunts, conflagrations and dramatic confrontations.
Washington plays one of those burnt-out cases so beloved by thriller writers. In this instance, he is John Creasy, a former CIA assassin who has run out of people to kill. The only remaining target is himself. Alcoholic and without purpose, he drifts into Mexico to visit old pal and fellow ex-agent Rayburn (Christopher Walken). Rayburn fixes him up with a job as bodyguard to 9-year-old Pita Ramos (Fanning), daughter of stressed-out Mexican industrialist Samuel (singing sensation Marc Anthony) and his anxious Yankee wife, Lisa (Radha Mitchell). The family's smooth attorney (Mickey Rourke) has insisted on hiring a bodyguard as abductions occur round-the-clock in Mexico.
(The portrait of the country and its citizens is about as bleak as any studio picture ever made, essentially portraying Mexico as a cesspool of crime and corruption reaching upward into the social elite. Whether accurate or not, the movie is not likely to make Vicente Fox's top 10 list.)
Brian Helgeland's script can't help but traffic in predictable plot developments. Yes, Pita breaks down Creasy's resistance to life, even getting him to smile again and act as her swimming coach. And yes, Pita gets abducted and the ransom drop goes awry -- crooks beating other crooks to the prize -- and all is lost.
But Creasy, despite being badly wounded, methodically takes on the entire gang, a bloody trail of reprisals that leads to top cop Fuentes (Jesus Ochoa) and "the Voice" (Gustavo Sanchez Parra), who ordered the kidnapping. In this, he has the aid of Mexico's only apparent honest citizens, police inspector Manzano (Italian star Giancarlo Giannini) and fearless journalist Mariana (Rachel Ticotin).
Scott heightens the tension with cinematographer Paul Cameron's nervous, pivoting camera moves, Christian Wagner's quick edits, sudden shifts in motion, color and a dramatic play of light and shadows. Harry Gregson-Williams' percussion-driven Latin jazz score greatly pushes the mood of high anxiety.
While on fire, Washington plays it cool. Whether a drunk or revenge-minded killer, he is always in control. Fanning gets snatched away, which leaves a hole in the story, but Giannini and Ticotin help fill the gap by playing a pair of good guys who nevertheless exploit each other.
The film is always watchable, and the confrontations contain undeniable edgy excitement. But even if this weren't a remake, it would be a remake. Hollywood filmmakers have fished these waters so thoroughly that it's virtually impossible to land a big catch.
Fox 2000 Pictures and Regency Enterprises present a New Regency/Scott Free production
Cast: Creasy: Denzel Washington; Pita: Dakota Fanning; Samuel: Marc Anthony; Lisa: Radha Mitchell; Rayburn: Christopher Walken; Manzano: Giancarlo Giannini; Mariana: Rachel Ticotin; Fuentes: Jesus Ochoa; Jordan: Mickey Rourke.
Director: Tony Scott; Screenwriter: Brian Helgeland; Producers: Arnon Milchan, Tony Scott, Lucas Foster; Executive producers: Lance Hool, James W. Skotchdopole; Director of photography: Paul Cameron; Production designer: Benjamin Fernandez; Music: Harry Gregson-Williams; Co-producer: Conrad Hool; Costume designer: Louise Frogley; Editor: Christian Wagner.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Reuters
Apr 21 2004 3:32AM
Everything is straightforward save for director Tony Scott's fussy style of hyperimages and flash editing, which he has developed in such similar melodramas as "Spy Game" and "Enemy of the State." Washington commands the screen with calm assurance, shares it well with his tiny co-star, Dakota Fanning, during the first half of the story and pretty much carries the marathon-length movie on his broad shoulders, as he is in nearly every scene.
At nearly 2-1/2 hours, exhibitors might lose a daily showing with "Man on Fire." But it won't matter much as the film looks primed to do excellent box office, with Washington pulling in above-average numbers for a film that should appeal to men of all ages and a good many women as well.
"Man on Fire" is actually a second go at the novel of pseudonymous author A.J. Quinnell by producer Arnon Milchan, who shepherded to the screen a 1987 French/Italian production starring Scott Glenn and Joe Pesci and directed by Elie Chouraqui. This production, of course, is considerably amped by Scott and a top-flight crew, with much time spent on atmosphere, stunts, conflagrations and dramatic confrontations.
Washington plays one of those burnt-out cases so beloved by thriller writers. In this instance, he is John Creasy, a former CIA assassin who has run out of people to kill. The only remaining target is himself. Alcoholic and without purpose, he drifts into Mexico to visit old pal and fellow ex-agent Rayburn (Christopher Walken). Rayburn fixes him up with a job as bodyguard to 9-year-old Pita Ramos (Fanning), daughter of stressed-out Mexican industrialist Samuel (singing sensation Marc Anthony) and his anxious Yankee wife, Lisa (Radha Mitchell). The family's smooth attorney (Mickey Rourke) has insisted on hiring a bodyguard as abductions occur round-the-clock in Mexico.
(The portrait of the country and its citizens is about as bleak as any studio picture ever made, essentially portraying Mexico as a cesspool of crime and corruption reaching upward into the social elite. Whether accurate or not, the movie is not likely to make Vicente Fox's top 10 list.)
Brian Helgeland's script can't help but traffic in predictable plot developments. Yes, Pita breaks down Creasy's resistance to life, even getting him to smile again and act as her swimming coach. And yes, Pita gets abducted and the ransom drop goes awry -- crooks beating other crooks to the prize -- and all is lost.
But Creasy, despite being badly wounded, methodically takes on the entire gang, a bloody trail of reprisals that leads to top cop Fuentes (Jesus Ochoa) and "the Voice" (Gustavo Sanchez Parra), who ordered the kidnapping. In this, he has the aid of Mexico's only apparent honest citizens, police inspector Manzano (Italian star Giancarlo Giannini) and fearless journalist Mariana (Rachel Ticotin).
Scott heightens the tension with cinematographer Paul Cameron's nervous, pivoting camera moves, Christian Wagner's quick edits, sudden shifts in motion, color and a dramatic play of light and shadows. Harry Gregson-Williams' percussion-driven Latin jazz score greatly pushes the mood of high anxiety.
While on fire, Washington plays it cool. Whether a drunk or revenge-minded killer, he is always in control. Fanning gets snatched away, which leaves a hole in the story, but Giannini and Ticotin help fill the gap by playing a pair of good guys who nevertheless exploit each other.
The film is always watchable, and the confrontations contain undeniable edgy excitement. But even if this weren't a remake, it would be a remake. Hollywood filmmakers have fished these waters so thoroughly that it's virtually impossible to land a big catch.
Fox 2000 Pictures and Regency Enterprises present a New Regency/Scott Free production
Cast: Creasy: Denzel Washington; Pita: Dakota Fanning; Samuel: Marc Anthony; Lisa: Radha Mitchell; Rayburn: Christopher Walken; Manzano: Giancarlo Giannini; Mariana: Rachel Ticotin; Fuentes: Jesus Ochoa; Jordan: Mickey Rourke.
Director: Tony Scott; Screenwriter: Brian Helgeland; Producers: Arnon Milchan, Tony Scott, Lucas Foster; Executive producers: Lance Hool, James W. Skotchdopole; Director of photography: Paul Cameron; Production designer: Benjamin Fernandez; Music: Harry Gregson-Williams; Co-producer: Conrad Hool; Costume designer: Louise Frogley; Editor: Christian Wagner.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Reuters
Apr 21 2004 3:32AM
04-21-04, 07:38 PM
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Originally posted by Jason Bovberg
Looking forward to this one. Great advance buzz from Jeffrey Wells (MoviePoopShoot) and David Poland (Hot Button), who calls it "the first great film of 2004."
Looking forward to this one. Great advance buzz from Jeffrey Wells (MoviePoopShoot) and David Poland (Hot Button), who calls it "the first great film of 2004."
Jason - I noticed last week he posted something you wrote about The Ladykillers at the end of his column. That's pretty cool.
04-21-04, 08:00 PM
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DVD Talk Reviewer Emeritus
Originally posted by B.A.
Jason - I noticed last week he posted something you wrote about The Ladykillers at the end of his column. That's pretty cool.
Jason - I noticed last week he posted something you wrote about The Ladykillers at the end of his column. That's pretty cool.
04-22-04, 10:06 AM
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04-22-04, 11:58 AM
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There is no chance this movie can possibly be bad. It may not be great but after seeing the commercials for a couple weeks now, there's just no way this can be bad.
At the very least it's Denzel being pissed, running around and killing everyone. And that's enough for me.
At the very least it's Denzel being pissed, running around and killing everyone. And that's enough for me.
04-23-04, 12:31 PM
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Originally posted by tofu
Despite the subpar reviews, I still want to watch it. You can't go wrong with Walken.
Despite the subpar reviews, I still want to watch it. You can't go wrong with Walken.
GIGLI?
THE COUNTRY BEARS?
04-23-04, 12:42 PM
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i heard it was very violent and very glossy-shot action-packed; that alone will sell tickets (for better or worse)
it's also directed by tony scott (top gun, spy games), so you know it will look like a 2.5 hour long car commercial (which depending on your tastes may or may not be a good thing, but it will LOOK good for sure)
the first half i hear is slow exposition, and the 2nd half is denzel going on a badass rampage, high body count
if anyone's got spoiler tags for how he dispatches with the baddies it would be appreciated.
here's one for starters:
it's also directed by tony scott (top gun, spy games), so you know it will look like a 2.5 hour long car commercial (which depending on your tastes may or may not be a good thing, but it will LOOK good for sure)
the first half i hear is slow exposition, and the 2nd half is denzel going on a badass rampage, high body count
if anyone's got spoiler tags for how he dispatches with the baddies it would be appreciated.
here's one for starters:
Spoiler:
Last edited by UKingdom; 04-23-04 at 12:47 PM.
04-23-04, 01:21 PM
#23
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I might see this if I can get a free ticket from a friend who works at a theatre. It's got a decent cast, although I wonder why they decided to give it a title that makes it sound like a gay porn.
