Re: "X2". Haven't seen it yet, and enjoyed the review(s) by Mike & Nolan. I collected (Marvel) comic books back in the '70s, and admittedly haven't since, but I am pretty familiar with the X-Men lore. I was glad they finally included my favorite X-Man, Nightcrawler, as part of the cast (he looks like Dungeons & Dragons dark elf "The Drow"). I've heard it's better than the original. The first "X-Men" had some problems, specifically the way they dulled-down Cyclops, the focus on less-than-interesting characters (Rogue, Jane Grey), and miscasting (chisel-chin as Cyclops, Ian McKellan as Magneto).
Seems like they made the same mistake with Cyclops this time around. Weird, since 'Clops was somewhat of a leader of the X-Men, at least back in the '70s. He was a cool character. Give him something to do!
Re: Brandon's "Splash Page".
Wow...filmmaker and comic book enthusiast - who'd have thunk it? Enjoyed the write up on "Hulk" #181 (which I do own, heh-heh-heh - I'm rich!).
***Just read in the paper today that Marvel's "The Punisher" is going to be filmed in Tampa! Rock on! Not only that, the film is SET in Tampa! Plus, the screenwriter, Michael French, is from St. Pete.! It stars Thomas ("Dreamcatcher") Jane (a good casting choice) as The Punisher. This promises to be much better than the pathetic 1989 version, which I refuse to see because it has Dolph Lundgren in it. I'm sure you'll be doing a story on this, Nolan.
Re: John Lewis' "Creature's Corner".
A welcome return. John obviously knows his stuff (I admire that), the way he gave Sid Haig & "Beyond Atlantis" a reverent write-up. I was surprised that someone besides myself actually knew Haig was in "Jason of Star Command"! I own "Spider Baby" on DVD (signed by Jack Hill!) and Haig is pretty amazing in it. It's good to see him still doing what he does best...playing crazy muthers in horror films after all these years. Isn't "Beyond Atlantis" available on DVD?
Re: Brandon Jones' reply to my letter.
You're right, Brandon, as a moviegoer we always have to take the good with the bad. I recall complaining about the state of filmmaking back in the early '80s, which now seems unbelievable compared to the slop that's out there now. It does seem like a lot of fresh, new filmmakers are finally making horror films inspired by the very ones they grew up with, for example Eli Roth's new Evil Dead-like "Cabin Fever", and "28 Days Later". In the latest issue of Rue Morgue magazine, it lists Roth's top 10 movies, JC's "The Thing", "Make Them Die Slowly", and "Dawn of the Dead" among them. Nice to know a young filmmaker can be influenced by someone else than Tarantino and Woody Allen.
I'm off to peruse Matt Drinnenberg's new "Masters of Horror" site...Congrats! Maybe we can trade back issues of FM, Matt?
- Andy Lalino
P.S. The Last Outpost rocks!
Greetings everyone,
I loved Ashley's rundown on the roaring 20's, as I also have strong affections for this period of cinema. (Re: this issue's "Ashley's Hollywood"---Nolan)
Not mentioned in her article were several of my favorite actors of the time, and I wouldn't do my appreciation of the efforts justice without mention a few of them.
Laurel and Hardy: Hard to believe there was a pre-Abbott and Costello, but these guys were it.
Rudolph Valentino: Kids today know who this guy is. Legendary in silent films, his untimely death in '26 is still clouded in mystery.
W.C. Fields: One of the first real smart-asses in hollywood. Wise-cracking and rude. Gee, he could be one of us!
Fay Wray: Yes, there was life before Kong.
and of course, there is the one that just can't go unmentioned....
LON CHANEY SR.: The master himself, who revolutionized the make up industry in hollywood by doing his own thing, creating all his own makeup. Most famous for his Phantom of the Opera, Chaney also brought to life Mr. Wu, the vampire in London After Midnight (which graces FM covers #20 and #69), as well as the first Quasimodo (and most impressive in my opinion) in the original Hunchback of Notre Dame.
I could go on and on. Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Marlene Deitrich.....
Ashley is right on in her assesment of this wonderful era for Hollywood, even with the scandal.
I would love Mike to chime in on this, to hear who his favorite's are. I would imagine most people don't know or care about cinema in the 20's, which is why it's so great someone as young as Ashley does! Nice to see there are some young people out there who have more culture than Barbie or He-Man.
Matthew [Drinnenberg]
To all,
Sorry to keep poking my nose where it doesn't belong, but how on earth can Ashley or anyone write about the '20s and not mention the only other superstar of that era, Lon Chaney (sorry Matt, but I'm not adding in that "Senior" trash. "Junior's" real name was Creighton--and that's that). Chaney and Chaplin had more press than any other silent star of the era and were in fact the first superstars of film. I love the '20s and '30s, but you need to do more research. Take it from me I collect 78s, and can recite the entire plot of London After Midnight.
And sorry to seemingly attack Lalino again but "Cabin Fever" looks like horseshit (Re: Andy Lalino's letter, above.--N). As for "28 Days Later", I wholeheartedly agree. It looks like the best horror movie since "A Nightmare On Elm Street".
As for up-and-coming filmmakers being inspired only by Woody Allen and Quentin Tarantino, that's crap! I'm only 24, and as an amateur filmmaker myself, I'm inspired by great directors like Werner Herzog, David Lynch, Alejandro Jodorowsky, and (god himself) Stanley Kubrick. As for John Carpenter being an influence, I guess it's better than Satan himself, the hack king, Spielberg. Now there's a name far too many are inspired by. He tries to be artistic and just can't because he's a Hollywood Director. So as for your claim, it should read, "up-and-coming filmmakers that are stupid are inspired by Woody Allen and the king of crap, Tarantino."
Us real filmmakers...no, artists...are more likely to be inspired by German silent films like "The Last Laugh" or "Faust" than "Jackie Brown". Far as I'm concerned the minute anyone that is into film tells me they are inspired by Spielberg, or lord forbid, Scorsese, I simply dismiss their merit. Great movies are the inaccessible ones that take a while to get into, the smart ones.
Which brings me to that walking special effect, "Matrix". Is it just me or does anyone else think it's not cool when people are dressed like Versace models and fly in the air? Lame.
As for Brandon Jones' claim that Matrix is not inspired by a comic, I answer with...um, yes it is. (Re: "Splash Page", this issue.---N) OOOPS! I mean it ripped off a comic called "The Invisibles", which pre-dates all his references, including "Bound". There are exact scenerios right out of the comic including the basic storyline of a messiah saving us from the "false" reality. Except the comic is deeper, and yes, better. The Matrix films simply make dumb sci-fi fans feel smart.
There, now that I've corrected everyone you can go research all these great facts, directors, and comics, that chances are, you didn't know about. No, please don't thank me.
To Hell with you all,
Terence Nuzum
Nolan,
I appreciate Matt Drinnenberg's compliment to me on my article. I had such a good time writing that article because the era simply fascinates me. Lon Chaney Sr is by far the greatest silent actor ever. The versatility of that man is baffaling to all who watch him. Bebe Daniels, Greta Garbo, Buster Keaton, Mary Pickford are all so timeless that its difficult to think that so many people today have no clue who they are or have no appreciation for the golden age of film. Personally, I'm not sure how I became such a big fan of this era. I love history in general, so that probably had a lot to do with it.
Thank you Matt for your kind words. I am glad that you enjoyed the article.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that.
Ashley Lauren
Nolan
I have been back in the US for two days, but am still recovering from the time difference in Australia. I spent day 1 in LA and saw THE MATRIX: RELOADED preview at the Mann Chinese Theatre. It was OK. The confusing plotline and exposition loaded dialogue was barely balanced out by the action. The chase scene and the fight scenes, however, were everything you expect from the franchise and so it is worth seeing. It will be great on DVD when you can skip all the boring bits and get to the action.
Talk to you soon. Hope all is well.
Jason L Liquori
Project Manager/Director
Hocus Focus Productions
To send an email to Letters to the Editor write to: Crazedfanboy1@aol.com. Any emails sent to this address will be assumed intended for publication unless you specifically instruct me not to. I can and do respond privately, if that is your preference. Frequently, it's both ways.---Nolan
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