Watchmen (Zack Snyder, 2009)

[MyNameCriterionForum]

In defense of those soundtrack choices, they are all in the original series. Some of the songs actually provided titles for a couple of the issues.

Um, there is no "music" as such in the original comic. It's pretty lazy to merely slap songs on the soundtrack just because a line or two was quoted at the end of a chapter.

Also, the notion of music needing to be period-appropriate is pretty wrong-headed.

[Svevan]

The notion of "accurately" translating a comic book is wrong-headed, as sound is one element in comics that is absent and left up to the reader (especially thanks to first-person interior monologue, in Watchmen, or narrators in other comics); the silence (in my head at least) that plays over certain sequences in Watchmen (especially Chapter IV, Watchmaker) will I'm sure be trampled over by a generic score or another of these songs.

[Antoine Doinel]

The original trailer was apparently a bit edgier. It's a good thing the MPAA is looking out for us.

Zack Snyder arrives at Comic Con, babbles incoherently.

The story "deconstructs heroes. ... It kind of takes it all the way," Snyder says. "How far do you take this superhero thing? Do you take a cat out of a tree or do you create world peace? That's really the dilemma that they face. Superman has the ability to go to all the world leaders and say, 'I will kill all of you if you don't behave.' He could do that, but why doesn't he?"

[Via_Chicago]

Do you take a cat out of a tree or do you create world peace? That's really the dilemma that they face.

Whoa...dude...

[davebert]

Well, my anticipation-o-meter just went from "mildly enthused" to "this will be one of the more entertaining/depressing fuckups in the genre."

I love reading interviews with Alan Moore about anything, and especially about film adaptations, as he seems very honest about their shortcomings. Has anybody seen any text to suggest if there's a comic-to-film adaptation he likes?

Clearly the man knows some film in general, having dropped numerous references to some great films throughout his stories.

[Fletch F. Fletch]

Comic-Con Interview: Watchmen Questions With Wilson, Akerman and Gugino

Comic-Con Interview: Watchmen Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Jackie Earle Haley

Reaction to uncut footage not included in trailer.

8 New Posters from Comic Con. Anyone who was around back in the day should recognize these as recreations of promo posters that Dave Gibbons did.

Time magazine's take on the film

Variety's take on the Watchmen Comic Con panel

[Murdoch]

We had to cut out some bits that were more actiony

This makes me fairly optimistic that Snyder isn't trying to make another 300, but is actually concerned with telling a worthwhile story. After reading the Time article I am once again looking forward to this, even if I hated the trailer.

[Fletch F. Fletch]

Four new images plus the two covers for the upcoming issue of Empire magazine.

[Cde.]

We had to cut out some bits that were more actiony

This makes me fairly optimistic that Snyder isn't trying to make another 300, but is actually concerned with telling a worthwhile story. After reading the Time article I am once again looking forward to this, even if I hated the trailer.

I think Snyder neglected to mention the next bit; "so we added some new ones to make up for them."

In the graphic novel I remember Night Owl walking down the corridor of the prison. In the trailer I see SUPER AWESOME MOVES KICKING THAT DUDE IN THE FACE IN SLOW MOTION!!!1

Warners are playing everyone like a glove. "There's a contingent that didn't love the new trailer and are worried we only care about gloss...quick, play down action, mention story!!!"

Edit: "Playing everyone like a glove"? Jesus Christ, what the hell was I thinking?

[Napoleon]

In the graphic novel I remember Night Owl walking down the corridor of the prison. In the trailer I see SUPER AWESOME MOVES KICKING THAT DUDE IN THE FACE IN SLOW MOTION!!!1

Yeah that is pretty disheartening. The entire point of Night Owl is that he isn't actually any good as a super-hero.

Still, there is a reason why it was long said to be unfilmable, and they didn't mean it in the technical sense. They meant that its subject matter was going to be at odds with getting enough bums on seats to satisfy its required budget.

[MyNameCriterionForum]

There are a lot of words I wish people would just stop using, and "deconstruct" is near the top of my list.

The notion of "accurately" translating a comic book is wrong-headed, as sound is one element in comics that is absent and left up to the reader (especially thanks to first-person interior monologue, in Watchmen, or narrators in other comics); the silence (in my head at least) that plays over certain sequences in Watchmen (especially Chapter IV, Watchmaker) will I'm sure be trampled over by a generic score or another of these songs.

Yeah, Ch. 4 is definitely my favorite, and certainly the best "stand alone" chapter... will be interesting to see how this is handled in the film, if at all. According to MTV.com "My Chemical Romance To Perform Bob Dylan Cover In ‘Watchmen’ Movie"

And director Synder says this is "absolutely awesome" and "super-great" and "pretty freaking cool" and "like a secret government group" "or something like that". (read in voice of Ethan Suplee) Man, I am HELLA PUMPED for this film, bros! It's like, art and shit!

Snyder wouldn't have any problem fitting all the content into the film if he DIDN'T FUCKING SHOOT EVERYTHING IN SLOW MOTION

[Antoine Doinel]

Billy Corgan's hilarious reaction to the use of "The End Is The Beginning Is The End" in the trailer.

What has been Smashing Pumpkins fan reaction toward the use of the song in the trailer?

My fans seem to be confused when the outside world appreciates our work, so I can only imagine this terrifies them.

[Banana #3]

Comic Con posters

[Fletch F. Fletch]

Just under a minute of the trailer shown at Comic Con. Looks like it was shot by the Blair Witch kids but you can still make out some stuff.

[Svevan]

I'm betting that the music used there (Philip Glass' score to Koyaanisqatsi) won't be in the movie either.

[Banana #3]

Though it would be era-appropriate.

[Fletch F. Fletch]

Fifth Production Journal is online.

[Antoine Doinel]

A federal judge has allowed Fox's court battle regarding who actually has the rights to Watchmen to proceed. Whether or not this will affect Warner's release of the film remains to be seen.

[rs98762001]

A federal judge has allowed Fox's court battle regarding who actually has the rights to Watchmen to proceed. Whether or not this will affect Warner's release of the film remains to be seen.

Please don't get my hopes up. The best news ever would be if Hack Snyder's version of this classic somehow got shelved. Shame it won't ever happen.

[malcolm1980]

I just read the graphic novel. I thought it was a brilliant piece of work.

Which is probably why I'm not looking forward to this film with Zack Snyder at the helm.

[Antoine Doinel]

Dave Poland offers a very good assessment of the lawsuit and how it will probably play out (ie. out of court settlement).

[Fletch F. Fletch]

When fanboys attack.

[Antoine Doinel]

In case anyone cares, Kevin Smith likes it. He really likes it.

[chaddoli]

No one does (here). Kevin Smith likes everything.

[swo17]

Remember that feeling of watching Sin City on the big screen and being blown away by what a faithful translation of the source material it was, in terms of both content and visuals? Triple that, and you’ll come close to watching Watchmen.

I move that the worth of all films from here on out should be gauged in terms of multiples of Sin City.