the watchmen

[thoreau]

Dave and I had a dinner date out last night then went and saw the Watchmen. Neither of us particularly cared for it. Dave found a few too many plot inconsistencies and holes; while I felt (and this is just me) that the undercurrent of the 'heroes' almost getting (or in one case actually getting) sexual thrill out of beating the shit out of people. Some of the scenes were comic book violence - and some took it much farther. Visually - the movie was a huge treat; but I was disappointed. I knew the story and thought perhaps it would translate more evenly onto the screen. It doesn't take away from the fact that Watchmen is one of the most beautiful, intricate graphic novels ever written. Dave spent the night and he's snuggled up with Miss Kate in the dark of daylight savings time next to me. I really appreciate him coming up on a "school night" - and let me tell you "I missed you while we were apart from each other for only the second weekend in almost a year" sex - is the awesome.

Comments

[loves-gay-sex.livejournal.com]

I totally loved it...

while I felt (and this is just me) that the undercurrent of the 'heroes' almost getting (or in one case actually getting) sexual thrill out of beating the shit out of people

I don't think it was the beating the shit out of people, it was the getting back into costume. Remember when Nite Owl gets it up again, they just rescued people from the fire... No beating up.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

I'll have to disagree - its the way they smile at each other after they've beaten up people. I guess I just found it a bit uncomfy. I also disliked that they insinuate that the bad gay is gay by putting him with the village people at a bar at the beginning. I don't recall that being in the novel. It's a very beautiful creation of the novel on screen but it plays like a collection of well directed "scenes" vs. a flowing narrative.

[happyengineer.livejournal.com]

There's an undercurrent in the original work about just how messed up people would have to be to dress in costume and fight crime (or be criminals). With Nite Owl II, it's really just the outfit that does it for him. There's the story (which did make it into the movie) about the "villain" who just wanted to be punished (and eventually got tossed down an elevator shaft). Only so much subtlety could be crammed into the movie.

The Ozymandias-as-gay thing is hinted at in the original but I don't recall it being brought into the foreground. Again, subtlety is difficult when you need to trim down to a 2:40 runtime. (I didn't notice it, but apparently, in the scene where they're searching through his computer, there's a folder labeled "BOYS".)

[bukephalus.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen the movie yet, but feeling as I do about gratuitous violence, I'll probably agree with you. I just started reading the graphic novel.

Yay for great boyfriends! I'm so happy for you.

[djmattconsola.livejournal.com]

I didn't find the violence to be gratuitous at all. Especially since it was only in about 4 places in the entire movie. Now one of them was pretty bad, but it was an exact replication of the book. I usually consider it gratuitous when it wasn't in the book and doesn't add to the plot or if it just goes way over the top rediculous. I personally didn't find that. In fact just the opposite. They tones down and left out most of the Rorschach back story which is where most of the violence is. So it's far and away less violent than Sin City (which totally rips off Watchmen over and over again), 300 or Dark Knight.

[tinman11201.livejournal.com]

yeah, I tend to agree with your reviews and had no desire to see Dark Knight after your comments, because I just have no interest in seeing violence anymore.


Also, regarding Flickr, thanks for the info I didn't know about Picasa

[wrascalbc.livejournal.com]

almost getting (or in one case actually getting) sexual thrill out of beating the shit out of people.

Welcome to the world of pro wrestling.

[kroyd.livejournal.com]

I LOVED IT. But I'm no movie expert; just a naive sheep when it comes to movies. If I decide it's worth seeing I enjoy the movie. I don't read reviews. I wouldn't doubt that the novel is better. I think I'd love to read it. I think the story have a powerful message.

My loving the film may have something to do with my being with one of my favorite bears. I'm spending a few days in Columbus OH. with Mike S. (aka "woofever" on bear411).

You two guys are so lucky to have eachother. You're so very cute together and seem to be so good for eachother.

Hugz

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

Dave and I have something very special going on - that is for sure. :) Our first anniversary is Saturday. :)

I'm so glad you are getting quality time with Mike - he's adorable - and smart too. :)

[djmattconsola.livejournal.com]

i really loved The Watchmen. I can understand what you were saying about the disconnect a bit. There is too much in the book to put into a 2 or 3 hour movie. And for those who have't read teh book , they don't get any of the back story of who these people and and how they came to be in the situations they are. And two, they condensed the entire first half of the book into the movie intro credits. So I'm hoping for a Pre-quil. But that's not likely.

Shot for shot and word for word it was exact to the book with some minor minor exceptions until it got to the ending. Then it was a completely updated for the 2000's ending. While where they got to with the ending was the same, how they got there was very different. And if you read the book, and especially the Pirate comic series that runs through the Watchmen book, you know why Rorschach has to die. But they don't give you any of that in the movie. But how they got to the ending, I have to say, I preferred the movie to the book. Just personal preference. But I highly recommend reading the book to anyone who hasn't done so. There is soooo much more that goes on. And you can see, after reading the book, every book and TV show that has been influenced by or just completely stole plot lines and how movies and shows go forward and back in time, from LOST and Heros, to Memento and Sin City to name just a few.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

I thought it was beautifully rendered. and since it was a serial (I didn't know that till this morning) - it is why it plays like 45 minute episodes. (makes a lot of sense now actually)

[inbhirnis.livejournal.com]

--the level of violence I'm reading about in this movie is enough to keep me away (I'm getting more squeamish about that as I get older).

But, the prospect of the big blue ding-dong is tempting... :-)