Underrated Movies

I was sat thinking the other day on the amount of films that are seriously underrated and deserve better attention than what they currently getting, which is a real shame as its these films I find are far superior than an overrated, over advertised film starring the same cast that are currently starring in every film showing on a multiplex.

With the constant remakes doing the rounds at cinemas. I want to watch something different and original - WATCHMEN is definitely one of those films.

Yeah okay, it didn't do well at the box-office, but there was a lot legal problems surrounding the production and the initial release of the film was put back five months in the UK.

Putting that aside, Watchmen is a film worth watching.

Set in an alternative 1985, when President Nixon has just been voted in for another term in office and nuclear war is inevitable between the Russians and the US. 

The Watchmen are a group of superheroes forced out of retirement after a colleague is murdered.

The film begins with the death of the Comedian. A gun-totting hero who worked secretly with the Government and had a political view on just about everything and didn't really care much for anyone other than himself. 

As Watchman vigilante Rorschach starts to piece together the clues, he begins to reveal a lot of dark secrets surrounding the Comedian and other members of the Watchmen, that make them realise its not just Comedian's name thats on the hit list.

What I loved about this film above other superhero films was that it wasn't a typical red, white and blue, God bless America film. It was gritty, dark, violent and proved heroes have their own problems to deal with and are just as human as everyone else.

With the brink of nuclear war hanging over everyone, you could feel the depression everyone was feeling and that threat of life being wiped out.

The original cinema release has a running time of just under three hours. 

Yeah its long and to be honest, don't expect constant action throughout as it doesn't happen. But when the action does kick-in, its brutal, no-hold barred graphic violence, which adds to the depressed tone of the film.

However, if you're going to watch it, then I suggest you get a copy of the ultimate version. There are three versions of the film and the ultimate cut has a running time of near three and a half hours. This cut is the directors cut with a short film called 'Tales of the Black Freighter' which is narrated by Gerard Butler, woven into the film which is also available on DVD/BlueRay as a separate film.

Overall, Watchmen is a gritty film-noir style superhero movie which is worth a watch especially if you're wanting something a little more original.

Why Bother?

Trying to satisfy people nowadays is like trying to get blood from a stone. Especially when you've been left to do everything yourself because everyone else has jumped ship no thanks to the people you trusted leaving you in the shit thanks to their attitude problems.

As you regular readers to this blog may know, I've been working on a feature for the past - well technically six years. Ten months ago I started filming and was excited as I was finally seeing the script begin to come alive.

But if I seriously knew what shit I was to experience over the following ten months, I wouldn't have bothered.
I've had a few people give me a hand where help's been needed, but all I've had is nothing but grief and you know what I'm frigging bouncing over it.
Since being left in the lurch thanks to my producer causing the trouble she caused. I've been left to do the editing, sound mixing, edit logs and everything else as well as juggle my personal life and a full time job and what thanks have I got from anyone? Sweet fuck all! I've had nothing but grief from those who've jumped ship and you know what? I'm very tempted to dump the frigging lot and start from scratch because seriously who the hell do you think you are?
You knew the situation from the start and yet I'm getting moaned at because things are not getting done to their schedules. Well excuse me! My schedule went out of the window when I was shit on from a great height and left to pick up the pieces.

So here's one for you. Go film a full feature with promises I had before they were broken, work with the grief I've had to deal with, shoot a film without support and a budget, then sit through over fifteen hours of footage which has to be logged, uploaded to an edit suite and then edited, sound mixed, CGI added, colour graded and then some while you work up to 12 hours a day in full time job while juggling your personal life as a single parent - then maybe I'd listen to your rants. Until then, stop giving me grief over what others have done. Let me get on with things. I am busting my balls trying to get this to work. I don't care some of you are unhappy with what you've seen so far especially when its untreated footage - seriously what do you expect?

Due to peer pressure and total disregard for the work I've put in, I've recalled the untreated footage I've had sent away to be processed (more time wasted) for everyone to view. I don't care if they approve or disapprove of the footage because I'm past caring and seriously what do you expect?

Although, I will thank those who have continued to help me in which way they could. At least you understand what I've had to deal with.