Posts by Christian Taylor3

northerncrane4 said:Well, whatever, I guess I'll just keep Googling; I might even stumble upon some sketchy corner of the internet where a quote similar to that one exists, though that wouldn't actually prove Palahniuk ever said it.

I'm sure we'd find plenty of unauthorized fabrications too. I remember intentionally "provoking" our resident "someone opposed to violence as a means of settling disputes" with certain comments as conclusions on the The Social Network thread. 😬 And I got the only real answer:

Amanda Nguyen5 said:To truly grasp the cinematic relationship, you don't just need the film—it’s not merely sufficient, it's essential and the only legitimate way to understand it.

northerncrane4 said:But I wasn't just asking about Palahniuk; I've read several of his essays where he seemed quite friendly toward the film.

Friendly is an understatement: "Now that I see the movie, especially when I sat down with Jim Uhls and record a commentary track for the DVD, I was sort of embarrassed of the book, because the movie had streamlined the plot and made it so much more effective and made connections that I had never thought to make. There is a line about "fathers setting up franchises with other families," and I never thought about connecting that with the fact that Fight Club was being franchised and the movie made that connection. I was just beating myself in the head for not having made that connection myself." (also authorized via The Cult).

Still, that doesn't necessarily mean that all the changes made during the adaptation were definitely the right call. Especially regarding that Fincheresque ending: "But I knew that David had to bring up the romance at the end so I could understand why he did." To me, that sounds more like a lighthearted shrug. 😁 It's not like Palahniuk is some kind of damn Aralica who's going to admit the movie is better than the source material. Like I said, never happens, anywhere. 🙂

Over on the 2001: A Space Odyssey topic, someone brought up that Clarkian quote about how if anyone actually understands the ending, then Kubrick and he didn't really do their jobs properly, which is just... wow. Honestly, I just wanted to say that it gives me the chills whenever I read or hear someone go, "Well, even [insert famous person here] said..."

None of that really matters, though; you should probably stop listening to what the authors have to say the second their movie or book hits theaters.

northerncrane4 said:Anyway, I'm curious about something. Today, I stumbled upon two different threads where people were throwing around quotes from directors or authors of the original source material just to try and win an argument.

How much weight do you guys actually give to those press junket soundbites or interviews about a finished film, which—let's be honest—are often about as authentic as a three-dollar bill? Have you ever caught yourselves using them in a debate like some kind of trump card to flip the script in your favor?

Because if you ask me, those statements are total bullshit. Especially when it's some author from another medium whose work got adapted, suddenly feeling this overwhelming, desperate need to claim that all the changes made during the adaptation were actually the right call.

☕

They aren't total bullshit; Palahniuk never once said "the changes made in the adaptation were the right thing to do."

Palahniuk: You know, I had the back and fourth but the ending was entirely David’s. But I knew that David had to bring up the romance at the end so I could understand why he did. In the same way I can remember why Clark left the scene out. Because there is only so much that can go in a movie before it becomes overload. Source

It only takes a few seconds to check if a statement is actually authorized (via The Cult).

But really, the whole thing is a potential gold mine when it comes to those classic press releases from American filmmakers. 🤣

northernmason said:I mean, when someone actually starts a thread like this, they're just looking for something decent to read, not starting some massive flame war or a debate about a global pandemic.😕.☕.

northernmason said:Take this one, for example:

northernmason said:I just think all this discourages anyone from even bothering to start a new thread, which honestly isn't easy or simple.

Just straight-up copying and pasting from Wikipedia—without adding a single sentence of your own thoughts or perspective in the opening post—really should be treated as spam (and deleted or locked, obviously). That isn't what I'd call a high-quality thread, regardless of the topic. We used to have a user on our movie forum doing this constantly, posting several a day; they don't anymore because they've been banned from starting new threads.

feraltrucker5 said:Yeah, definitely not. It's like you need a PhD in nuclear physics just to post a single thread on a forum.

Anyone expecting nothing but praise regardless of how they contribute shouldn't bother posting here at all. They should just start a blog—though they probably shouldn't forget to turn off the comments.

Though, honestly, I have no idea why I'm even chiming in here. It's not like anyone is asking for my opinion on anything. Just carry on, don't let me interrupt.

I can almost see hollowtrucker77 showing up with a couple of sentences regarding the whole "starting threads and discussions with links or galleries" thing.😬

@hollowtrucker77

I haven't exactly heard any success stories about people making a comeback after pulling a Seppuk wtf. 😁

Wait, wasn't he banned by the admins on his own request? I mean, he actually said himself he wouldn't be doing that anymore. Looking back through the posts, it doesn't look like he went out looking for trouble or provoked that ban at all. 🤷

If I've got that wrong, my bad.

Let's run through this one more time (just in case you missed all the other explanations on the first page of this thread)...

hollowtrucker77 said:I’m really holding out hope that we don't end up dealing with some sort of clone infestation here

But honestly, if you ask me—from here on out, if anyone doesn't actually want to be part of this forum, they should probably just log off

I mean, I’m really not one to jump on a bandwagon, but watching everyone lose their minds over this is actually kind of hilarious in a dark sort of way. It feels like we’re all just sitting around waiting for some massive disaster to strike, and honestly, half of you seem more excited about the chaos than the actual solution. I’ve been following this thread for a while now, and if I have to read one more person pretend they’re an expert on federal policy based on a single headline, I might actually lose it. It’s fine, though—really, it is. I’ll just sit here in my corner, sipping my coffee and enjoying the spectacle of everyone acting like the sky is falling when we all know it’s just another Tuesday in America.
I honestly don't know why I even bother trying to explain this stuff sometimes, because it feels like I'm shouting into a void, but here we go again. I was reading what hollowtrucker77 had to say earlier, and while I appreciate the enthusiasm, I think they might be missing the forest for the trees on this one. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new policy or a big corporate shift, but if you actually sit down and look at the logistics, the whole thing starts to look a little shaky. It’s kind of like when people get worked up over those massive tech mergers in Silicon Valley; everyone talks about the "innovation," but nobody wants to talk about how much it’s going to mess with the average consumer's wallet. We’re all just sitting here waiting for the fallout while the people in charge act like everything is perfectly smooth. Anyway, that's just my two cents, and I'm probably being too cynical for my own good, but someone has to point out when the math isn't adding up.
I honestly don't know why I even bother trying to explain this to people who clearly aren't listening, but here we go again. It’s like talking to a brick wall, only the wall might actually have a better grasp on basic logic than some of you. I was reading what hollowtrucker77 was saying earlier, and frankly, it’s pretty much exactly what I expected—just a lot of noise without any actual substance behind it. It’s almost impressive how someone can be so confidently wrong about something so fundamental. Anyway, if you actually want to get anywhere with this discussion, maybe try engaging with the actual points being made instead of just throwing around empty opinions. But hey, that’s probably asking too much from this crowd, isn't it?

And just to get that final thumbs up from the admin:

I honestly don't know why I even bother trying to explain this stuff to people who clearly aren't listening, but here we go again. It’s like talking to a brick wall that occasionally asks for more details. Honestly, looking at some of these comments, I feel like I need to go lie down in a dark room for a few hours just to recover from the sheer lack of logic on display here. Anyway, back to the point. If you actually take a second to look at the data instead of just reacting emotionally, the whole thing becomes pretty obvious. But I guess that requires a level of nuance that most people around here seem to find absolutely exhausting. Just my two cents, though—don't mind me.

I guess we’re talking about Murmillo Hrnic again. Honestly, I don't know why people get so worked up over this guy, but here we are. kaže:


Hey there, folks.

Seppuk wtf

Are you kidding me? Not this again.



hollowtrucker77

Can we please get on the same page here? I feel like I’m talking to myself at this point. 🤷 By the way, we’re talking about one of the better contributors from the old PDF movie forums.

Nancy Fox89 said:...

Alright, Jasnica, there's no need to start screaming in ALL CAPS—we can hear you just fine.

Just let me know when the book finally drops. 👍

Just another thread consisting of nothing but a massive list of titles. 😬

@Nancy Fox89

How exactly are we defining "filmed in a single location"—does that include outdoor scenes? How big is this 'confined space'? What's the minimum limit of time? Does Snakes on a Plane count? Honestly, all we’re missing here is some guy like Branimir Bilic showing up with his usual endless barrage of annoying questions. 😁

A few of my favorites:

12 Angry Men (1957)
Le locataire (1976)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmhIMbdecEU

Rear Window (1954)
Rope (1948)
Dial M for Murder (1954)
Lifeboat (1944)



"Dialogue should simply be a sound among other sounds, just something that comes out of the mouths of people whose eyes tell the story in visual terms."
-Alfred Hitchcock



Obsession (1949)
My Dinner with Andre (1981)
Wait Until Dark (1967)
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
Reservoir Dogs (1992)



The Breakfast Club (1985)
Dogville (2003)
Panic Room (2002)
Tape (2001)

Others:

Buried (2010)
127 Hours (2010)
Devil (2010)
Phone Booth (2002)
Clerks (1994)
Cube (1997)
Clue (1985)
Nothing (2003)
Closet Land (1991)
The Descent (2005)
1408 (2007)
Paranormal Activity (2007)
Gerry (2002)
Bug (2006)
Sleuth (2007)
Doubt (2008)

Seriously, what are you even doing here, Nancy Fox89 (without giving away who you are, obviously)? I still remember those "investigative" threads of yours: "Which topic or novel would you love to see adapted into an American film?"... Any chance we could actually get the results from that little study? Don't take it personally, but we all end up feeling like lab rats in a The Twilight Zone episode like "Miljenko Manjkas." 🤷

@everyone

What’s your absolute favorite movie "set entirely in one location"?

And why exactly is it your top pick?

I still vividly remember the sheer, indescribable disgust I felt watching Trier's Dogville. What an idiot, a complete moron. You think you can just sketch some scenery and props on the floor and try to sell that to me as a legitimate film?! Gimme a fuckin' break, seriously, go get some help if you're actually this crazy! I almost tried to call him (lost his number somewhere, the reception at Cannes wouldn't let me through) just to yell at him face-to-face:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lN1bG8YSZU

Trier, "consider this your standing ovation." *phew!*

But honestly, how wrong was I? The movie actually blew me away. Once you stop obsessing over the damn chalk lines and wooden floors, dialogue should simply be a sound among other sounds, just something that comes out of the mouths of people whose eyes tell the story in visual terms. 🙏

A more recent example is Buried (Rodrig Cortés), which left quite a few people breathless—literally. A huge chunk of that credit goes to the screenwriter, Chris Sparling.

Script Review: http://scriptshadow.blogspot.com/2009/06/buried.html
Download script [PDF]: Buried (Early draft) http://t.co/IsleNYX via @myPDFscripts
Buried. Undated, unspecified early draft by Chris Sparling http://t.co/nRAPKnC via @myPDFscripts

Alright, your turn. 🙂

James Diaz8 said:So, anyway...

While the whole world watches the European populist right start to spiral after those horrific events in Norway, you’ve still got the usual suspects on this forum blaming those crazed leftists just because they dare to think anything differently than our almighty moderator PowerLock—it’s the exact same pathetic pattern we're seeing from the radical leftists all over Europe.

And don't even get me started on those folks from Norway; they carry themselves with a certain dignity and aren't the ones to blame for the massacre.

😵

Here’s what I’ve got for you. Literature is just a bunch of people trying to make sense of the chaos by staring at ink on paper, like we’re all somehow supposed to find profound truth in a stack of dead trees. It's basically just an endless cycle of writers shouting into the void, hoping someone else feels just as lost as they do. More recent dates.

Keep an eye out for more posts coming down the pipeline. 🙂


Oh, and one more thing.
I only left that one note on the thread about exactly how Anders used to kill kids... just a few days ago.
Yeah, I guess. Looks like the blacksmith finally lost his mind. 🙏 I honestly don't know how they find the nerve to even try. 🙏

/parachuter/

Let’s be real here, that post is basically begging for a warning card under any reasonable set of rules—crystal clear. Don't get me wrong, I've always thought of PowerLock as a solid moderator, but this isn't even a moderator thing; PowerLock is just acting like a regular user right now.

The admins really ought to step up and show a little more backbone instead of letting posts like this slide without consequence, regardless of who wrote them. It's not the end of the world to hand out a warning or even a yellow card. You can see the fallout from this kind of hands-off approach whenever someone starts an xy thread with PowerLock mentioned in the subject. I'm not saying this one person is the root of all evil—half those complaints might not even hold water—but look at how much time the admins waste dealing with these threads, both here and in the "banned users" section. It's just a massive waste of energy; if they were a bit more decisive, the problem would be solved.

Anyway, that's just my two cents.

Frank Moore4 said:As a Catholic, this kind of movie really rubs me the wrong way, so I think I'll just skip it. It feels like nothing more than blatant anti-Christian propaganda, much like Milton's epic poem.

So, we're actually avoiding Alex Proyas movies now because of someone's Religious Beliefs & Background. 🙏

I guess I should probably read that out loud here for everyone's benefit.

First look at Alex Proyas' Paradise Lost http://t.co/zmFaEnu via @indiewire

mellowraven22 said:

[quietpuma29] says:
Man, seriously... mellowraven22, what happened to the mention system?

Nothing. It's just not on the roadmap right now.

Regarding the mention system, the devs already announced it along with the Twitter integration for the site. Everything is moving forward as planned. 😬

frozenskipper12 said:So, you've entertained this notion that the film should target a younger audience 🙂

A Familia user actually went out of their way to provide you with direct contacts, so I fail to see why you're making such a fuss.

Let me know how it turns out; I'll be rooting for you.

😬

A Familia user actually gave you some solid leads, so I don't get why you're acting so defensive.

He didn't even bother saying "thanks," just kept talking nonsense. 😢>

@Morgan Nelson3

Look, guys, if you want to tackle the main topic (you know, the mountain of books, multimedia, scripts, DIY projects, and those interactive film schools), you've gotta buckle down and really settle in—you can't show up to the party empty-handed.

Once you've done that, maybe go check in with Uncle Raimi for some wisdom:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVE296BvOj4

Then it’s time to actually get your hands dirty: write the damn script, beg your parents or grandparents for a decent camera, grab whatever software you need, and round up your friends and neighbors... Do you even have a backyard to work in?

And then go watch Abramsov Super 8 at the theater; that's basically your life story right there. 🙂>

frozenskipper12 said:Is there going to be any queer romance in this movie?

If there is, I might just throw some money at it. In fact, I could suggest a lead actor right now—he’s right here on the forum, isn't he?

I had no idea Marijana Petir was hanging out on this forum; that's a first. 😬

Morgan Nelson3 Asks:
I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction regarding where I might track down a production house like that, and maybe even dig up some sort of contact info—an email address would be ideal, if anyone happens to have it.

They showed up exactly when I expected them to, which is saying something. If you need me, get in touch immediately:

Alka Film
Washington, D.C., Dedić 21
Phone & Fax: (+1) 202-555-0198
www.alka-film.com
e-mail: alka-film1@zg.t-com.hr

If you happen to be looking for Joza, you might want to try a different approach.

Thanks, and feel free to throw your own thoughts on this into the mix too.

Please, son, give me another one—I’ve already got your second movie ready to go. *Everything is all fine with Igor Prizmic and his crew of good guys. Just tell Joza to bring back that plastering machine already.

*The President of the United States, acting under the authority granted by Article 98 of the U.S. Constitution and in accordance with the federal statutes regarding national honors and recognitions, has officially issued a decision to award the Order of the American Braid to a certain film producer. Igor Prizmić Regarding the production of that movie...Lady" Someone who uses their art to help the rest of the world actually understand the truth about everything Americans went through while fighting for our independence and freedom..
Post Number: PA2 -12/ 1- 95
Washington, D.C., April 18, 1995.

The President of the United States
I'm not quite sure what you're getting at with that one, doc. If you're looking for some profound insight or a deep dive into a topic, you might need to give me a little more to work with than just a single word. I'm sitting here ready to chat, but I can't exactly read your mind—as much as I'd probably enjoy the challenge. Franjo HarmonI honestly can't even begin to wrap my head around what just happened there, let alone try to make sense of it. It was just... well, it was a lot. I feel like I'm staring at a puzzle where half the pieces are missing and the other half belong to a completely different box. Honestly, if this is how things are going to be, I might just need to go grab a coffee and sit in silence for a while to process the sheer absurdity of it all.

Larry Martin11 said:@Christian Taylor3

It really ought to be here 🙂the second issue, which means 🙂

Muchas gracias.



Xavi!

My print arrives tomorrow, and honestly, I’m feeling about as happy as a pig in mud. 🙂 😁



It honestly looks incredible... and pretty hefty, too. I have a feeling my annual subscription is going to go down easy tomorrow.

Variety’s whole mission—taking a page right out of the playbook of the British Sight & Sound, which they even brought on as a partner (!)—is to cover cinema with some actual dignity and seriousness, without all that cheap tabloid sensationalism. It’s pretty easy to see why they feel the need to do that when you look at the current discussion topics and reviews, which seem to be dominated almost entirely by the youngest generation of film buffs.

Even with the very first issue, I was honestly pretty thrilled with how everything turned out. The coverage was just spot on—everything from deep dives into screenwriting and acting to those interesting chats with producers like Ankica Juric Tilic / Kinorama and even the technical side of post-production. It really put a smile on my face, especially that one specific section. Who on earth is actually out there filming...).

quietdriver3 said:I'm really glad you enjoyed it 👍 I mean, I’m pretty happy with how everything went down yesterday too.

Anyway, since I actually helped put together Variety Issue 3—I wrote one article and a review, I guess—if anyone happens to have questions, or maybe some suggestions, or even just critiques of the critiques or whatever, feel free to drop them here. I'll try my best to give you the inside scoop 😉

I don't even know where to start with you people—honestly, I’ve seen it all now. 😁

By the way, anyway... on the official website Here's the link. Variety / download (Issue 1&2)Anyway, I was checking out the site and couldn't find a download link for the second issue—there's only the first one up, unless I've finally gone blind. Could you please dig up that link or a PDF of the second issue somewhere for me?

brightcobra said:1. How the war started on my island - 9 438 $0.00(337,000 moviegoers)
2. The Strange Adventures of Apprentice Hlapić - 6 076 $0.00(217,000 moviegoers)
3. What is a man without a mustache? 4,266 $176(152,376 viewers)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Marshall - 2,800 $0.00A cool 100,000 people showed up to watch.
5. A total mess in the swamp - 1,756 $287(62,745 viewers)
6. The Guardhouse - 1,459 $157(52,124 viewers)
7. The cashier wants to head to the beach—apparently, she needs about $1,400 to make that happen. $0.00(50,000 people in attendance)
8. A long, dark night - 822 $73(29,365 viewers)
9. Metastases - 756 $205(27,022 viewers)
10. Lucky kid - 695 $192(24,842 viewers)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Cinema Character - 509 $303(18,211 viewers)
12. Sing me something romantic - 507 $148(18,123 viewers)
13. Let's keep this between us - 496 $81(17,723 people in seats)
14. Finding Dead Girls - 419 $175(14,983 viewers)
15. Konjanik - 354 $216(12,666 people watching)
16. Kenjac - 352 $313(12,605 viewers)
17. That wonderful night in Miami - 348 $79(12,437 viewers)
18. Libertas - 311 $223(11,331 viewers)
19. I believe in angels - 292 $60(10,435 viewers)
20. Witnesses - 280 $0.00(10,000 viewers)
God forbid anything worse should happen—271 $79(9,687 viewers)
22. Armin - 267 $264(9,564 viewers)
23. 72 days - 243 $219(8,702 viewers)
It’s not over yet - 209 $212(7,487 viewers)
25. Add watermelon - 188 $63(6,721 viewers)
My bad regarding the Kung Fu Panda 2 stuff—it was only 140. $65(5,007 viewers)
27. I really need to get some sleep, angels - 112 $84(4,009 viewers)
28. Buick Riviera - 102 $95(3,653 viewers)
29. Behind the Glass - 96 $135(3,443 viewers)
30. Let's go, Yellow - 75 $200(2,700 people showed up)
31. 100 minutes of Slave - 70 $9.25(2,501 viewers)
32. Nobody's Son - 69 $100(2,475 viewers)
33 to 56. $0.00(2,000 people in attendance)
34. Black people - 41 $147(1,480 viewers)
35. Forest Summarum - 31 $176(1,126 viewers)
...

I honestly don't think this profit has anything to do with who you know; I'm pretty sure even Bresan mentioned back in the day that his... A rat on an island. Nah. It actually turned a profit in American theaters (yeah, even with that measly turnout of 337,000 viewers). In other words, not a single American film—from the early days of independence up to right now—has managed to actually break even on its investment.

By the way, how many viewers did Matanicev actually pull in? Mother Asphaltless than Forest SummarumDoes anyone actually have the exact figures on this?

hollowsailor48 said:Since Sasha hasn't bothered to reply to my DM (because let’s face it, she probably doesn't even know why she handed out the ban in the first place. Likely just one of those bad days)
Can someone with a functioning brain please explain to me how this post qualifies as trolling? 🙏
Is there any greater truth than what I laid out here? 🤷 (maybe it comes off as sarcastic or cynical or whatever buzzword people are using these days). But honestly, it was sound, realistic advice. If I were a woman I would have taken it, or at least perceived it that way. The fact that she failed to grasp it is her own problem. (maybe she should have read it twice) 🤷

It sounds like you're the one who needs a "normal and understandable" explanation of what the Ban Appeals thread is actually for.

It’s pretty obvious that Curicin is the spoiler here, so honestly, it’s kind of on you if you decided to keep reading. 😁

Frank Lee10 said:Then why on earth does anyone bother reading his reviews? I honestly don't get people like that; they complain about it, yet they clearly know there will always be spoilers when it comes to Pavicic...

Who even are you fighting with here?

Imagine your neighbor's house catches fire while they're away at the beach—you either stand on the patio and watch the whole thing burn to the ground, or you call the fire department.

I guess the whole point of this thread is just to warn people, since there's a pretty high chance that reading Pavicic's reviews will completely ruin the movie for them.

I’m sure there are plenty of people who "persistently" read him (while simultaneously cringing). It wouldn't surprise me. For instance, the entire world makes fun of Armond White, yet so many people still follow his work. 🤷 An entire subculture of haters has formed around him; some are just waiting with bated breath to see what the idiot will say next, while others actually use that poor guy's reviews as a sort of cinematic traffic light. Basically, if Armond White gives a movie a thumbs up, there's a decent chance it's actually worth watching.

Something similar is happening with Pavicic; he used to be a decent journalist and critic, but now he's basically become the Jack Sedlar of American film criticism. Setting aside the actual quality of his writing, the guy continues to spoil movies in an incredibly low and rude way—he does it on purpose, quite literally mocking his readers. It's about time the big bosses stepped in and hit him where it hurts (his wallet). Why hasn't Ninoslav Pavic done anything? What about the distributors or the Film Critics Association of America? This behavior is hurting everyone.

Mark Wood12 said:I’m with you there. I actually had no idea there was even a dedicated thread for critics. Honestly, we might as well just move this whole discussion over there.

Personally, I don't think so—James definitely 'deserves' his own space here.

There's enough biographical fluff out there to fill a library...

SPOILER!

Jurica Pavičić said:You really only need to look at that final scene where the neighbors take Rea down to the lake, where she has to amputate her father's waterlogged hand just so the court will accept he's actually dead. Just when you think the ordeal is over, Granik drops the hammer—not quite yet. She has to go through with the other hand too, because the court would assume the father mutilated himself just to dodge jail time. That’s the world of “Winter's bon”: brutally realistic, yet somehow feels almost biblical.

Comments below:

I don't get it, why on earth would they reveal the ending of the movie like that?

I happened to catch this article in the paper today, and the film actually looked pretty interesting... right up until that last paragraph where they basically laid out the entire ending for you?!?!

WTF!! Does nobody actually fact-check or edit these "reviews"? Dropping a massive spoiler like that in the middle of a piece is completely unacceptable.

Yeah, because nothing makes watching a movie more fun than knowing exactly how it ends. Great job, James.