Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Wright, 2009)

[Sycophant]

So, um, I couldn't find this posted anywhere else, but Edgar Wright is directing an adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim series (the second book of which I finished and loved last night), with Michael Cera lined up for the role of Scott. It's not exactly an obvious match, so I' interesated to see how Cera performs, perhaps expanding his acting chops. Set to begin shooting this Fall.

IMDb Link (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0446029/).

[ledfloyd]

edgar wright gives me hope. but i could easily see a scott pilgrim film turning into a juno-like indie smugfest.

[Raiders]

I'm more interested in Wright getting around to his Ant-Man film. It would be really nice if they could link it to the big Avengers two-parter in 2010.

[Sycophant]

Indeed, I have the same fear, and the presence of the likeable Michael Cera doesn't exactly alleviate that concern. However, Wright actually seems the ideal candidate for this material. After his last two features, I pretty much trust him implicitly on this genre-blending, over-the-top kind of stuff.

[EvilShoe]

If it wasn't for Wright, I'd be concerned. He's a good choice.

Yet, I have to admit I do wonder how Michael Cera's going to play the character. Cera seems to play only awkward types, and Pilgrim is a character much more at ease with his own quirks.

By the way, Ramona's been cast as well:
http://www.indymotorspeedway.com/images/maryelizabethwinstead.jpg

[eternity]

Poster (http://postavant.com/2009/07/scott-pilgrim-vs-the-poster/)

[Sycophant]

Edgar Wright is posting daily photos at his blog (http://edgarwrighthere.com/) that are slightly (slightly) more insightful than that cartoon poster.

[Acapelli]

i can't wait for this, even if i'm still kind of iffy on cera as pilgrim

[Spaceman Spiff]

edgar wright gives me hope. but i could easily see a scott pilgrim film turning into a juno-like indie smugfest.

Well then, it would perfectly represent the standards of the comic.

[eternity]

Well then, it would perfectly represent the standards of the comic.

Well, I love Juno and feel Scott Pilgrim is a far better book than Juno is a movie, so by that logic, you're right, while your insinuation is well...fucking stupid.

[number8]

Well then, it would perfectly represent the standards of the comic.

I cannot agree with this.

[Amnesiac]

How good are the books?

[eternity]

How good are the books?
I like them quite a bit.

[Amnesiac]

What, specifically, is good about them?

I'm assuming they are humorous. The only thing that interests me is the video-game angle and that Super Mario Bros. 3 cover I once saw. That's also all I happen to know about the series.

[eternity]

What, specifically, is good about them?

I'm assuming they are humorous. The only thing that interests me is the video-game angle and that Super Mario Bros. 3 cover I once saw. That's also all I happen to know about the series.O'Malley's an awesome story teller. Things get so ridiculous over time that it becomes a hilarious nerd-humor fueled fest that has one awesome scene after another that you just can't put down. It's...epic.

[Sycophant]

Yeah, it's about a bunch of poor twenty-somethings in Toronto, kinda on the hipster side of things. Scott Pilgrim wants to date Ramona Flowers, but before he can, he's got to break it off with his high school girlfriend and defeat Ramona's 7 evil ex-boyfriends in over-the-top, video game-style battles. He's also in a band (a band happy to admit that it sucks) called Sex Bob-omb.

O'Malley's art is a big draw, very energetic. Like eternity said, he's a good storyteller, does a very good job of communicating with both his dialogue and his layouts/drawings. Really uses the graphic novel form well.

[Sven]

I am extremely disinterested in the milieu and the cartooning style of the graphic novels, but I would be lying big-time if I said that the writer-illustrator does not utilize the form extremely well.

[Amnesiac]

I'll have to take a look eventually. The last comic I got into was Bone.

[trotchky]

I am extremely disinterested in the milieu and the cartooning style of the graphic novels, but I would be lying big-time if I said that the writer-illustrator does not utilize the form extremely well.

This is basically my feeling.

[Acapelli]

I am extremely disinterested in the milieu and the cartooning style of the graphic novels, but I would be lying big-time if I said that the writer-illustrator does not utilize the form extremely well.
the cartooning style (manga style?) was what made me avoid it for so long

[Thirdmango]

This series is what got me into comics honestly.

[Watashi]

Poster:

http://www.slashfilm.com/wp/wp-content/images/pilgrimposter2-550x834.jpg

I think I'm going to start checking these books out.

[Spaceman Spiff]

This looks a bad as I thought it'd be.

I'm also glad I've long been on the anti-SP bandwagon, so when everybody hates this movie, I wont feel poseury in the least.

[megladon8]

This looks a bad as I thought it'd be.

I'm also glad I've long been on the anti-SP bandwagon, so when everybody hates this movie, I wont feel poseury in the least.



...

It's a poster.

A blurry, poorly shot photograph of a poster.

[number8]

I hate blurry.

http://www.scottpilgrimthemovie.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/ScottPilgrimVsTheWorldTeaserPo ster.jpg

[right_for_the_moment]

trailer hits (http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/scottpilgrimvstheworld/)

[Sycophant]

I'm gonna see this, but I'm more skeptical than I was before I saw the trailer.

[Sxottlan]

Looks fun. And the girl's pretty cute too. I'm sure the ESOTSM vibe was intentional.

[number8]

I'm gonna see this, but I'm more skeptical than I was before I saw the trailer.

:sad:

I've been staying hopeful, but that trailer kind of bums me out.

[number8]

Actually, the only part I really like is Chris Evans as Lucas Lee.

[KK2.0]

I enjoyed that trailer a lot, it reminded me of the geeky sillyness of Kung Fu Hustle.

and by Wright's previous work, it seems like a fitting material, yes, i'm sold.

[hey it's ethan]

I dunno, it looks like it got the feel of the comics down to me. I can tell it's going to be completely shunned by the mainstream, but fuck them.

[Raiders]

Eh, I loved the trailer. Not sure what the problem is. Then again, I have no knowledge of or experience with the source material.

[Watashi]

I just read the entire series. Good stuff.

Micheal Cera is horrible for Scott Pilgrim though.

[kopello]

I know nothing about the comic but I enjoyed the trailer, even if I don't like Michael Cera I do love Wright so hopefully it's enjoyable.

[Sycophant]

I think I'm mostly disappointed in how Cera looks and sounds as Pilgrim. But maybe it'll work in the film.

<3 the mainstream. <3 <3 <3 all the <3-long day.

[Sven]

I thought the trailer was totally rad. And yes: Chris Evans love.

[megladon8]

That looks like a lot of fun.

[Ivan Drago]

Holy crap, that looks AWSUM!!!1

[Spun Lepton]

Yeah, that looks like ten kinds of fun to me.

[eternity]

This is the best film of 2010. The 84 second trailer is better than any film that will come out this year.

[Ezee E]

I know nothing of the source material, and think this looks great.

[Adam]

In this year, Cera's starred in the adaptation of one my nearest and dearest early teenage favorites (Youth In Revolt) and now one of my sister's nearest and dearest early teenage favorites (this). I feel like he's taunting us, somehow

[B-side]

Can't say I share you guys' enthusiasm. Likely because I'm getting tired of Cera's shtick. Wright on board has me more optimistic than I would be otherwise, but I can take it or leave it.

[eternity]

Can't say I share you guys' enthusiasm. Likely because I'm getting tired of Cera's shtick. Wright on board has me more optimistic than I would be otherwise, but I can take it or leave it.
Kyle and I supersede your baseless cynicism, Christy.

[Grouchy]

I only like Cera in Arrested Development because he's supposed to be that pathetic.

[B-side]

Kyle and I supersede your baseless cynicism, Christy.

I'll supersede your face.

[KK2.0]

I only like Cera in Arrested Development because he's supposed to be that pathetic.

I'm a skinny geek and even I want to beat the crap out of Michael Cera. Just look at him!

...now i want to watch him playing a bad mofo character at a Tarantino or Scorcese movie, just because it sounds so wrong.

[Ezee E]

I'm a skinny geek and even I want to beat the crap out of Michael Cera. Just look at him!

...now i want to watch him playing a bad mofo character at a Tarantino or Scorcese movie, just because it sounds so wrong.
There's actually an article about the sad state of "men" characters in the recent issue of Esquire. Mostly joking about Cera and Pattinson, and mopey musicians.

[KK2.0]

This is why "The Expendables" was made.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Yeah, Cera's getting on my tits as well.

[Watashi]

New trailer (http://www.facebook.com/ScottPilgrim#!/video/video.php?v=396498528455&ref=mf).

Looks much better. Really captures the look of the comic.

[EyesWideOpen]

New trailer (http://www.facebook.com/ScottPilgrim#!/video/video.php?v=396498528455&ref=mf).

Looks much better. Really captures the look of the comic.

I already liked the first trailer but that shit just broke my mind.

[Morris Schæffer]

Energetic stuff. It looks cool though it might be too excessive for me.

[KK2.0]

Energetic stuff. It looks cool though it might be too excessive for me.

I'm nearly done with the second volume of the comics and loving it, despite what the trailer leads to think with all the fighting and flash, most of it is about relationships, but it's like if the characters live in a video game world.

How do you call this, "fantastical realism" or "hyper realism"?

[Sxottlan]

This looks fantastic. It's rocketing up my list of my most anticipated films of the year.

[Fezzik]

I know nothing about the comics. Just watched that last trailer for the first time and i REALLY want to see this now.

First of all, its something I definitely haven't seen before. On top of that, its Edgar Wright! And it has ANNA KENDRICK. <3

This looks blissfully fun.

[Lasse]

Looks like a great time. I'm definitely sold.

[kopello]

I'm really stoked for this now, that newer trailer looks amazing. This and Inception are the only real summer movies I'm looking forward to I think.

[Sxottlan]

I can't stop watching the trailer.

Even with all the action, I find this is my favorite shot of the trailers so far:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs464.ash1/25508_380509194003_49491894003 _3609419_3034981_n.jpg

I could see that being a Criterion cover some day.

[Wryan]

Not really feelin it. No association with the comic.

[KK2.0]

tv spot showing a bit more http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_VNT71-Yqw

not watching anything else until it opens.

[eternity]

There will be absolutely nothing wrong with this movie.

[MadMan]

I haven't even bother to read the comic, but the movie looks funny and highly entertaining. Plus Cena is a rather likable actor, and Winstead is hot. The rest of the cast doesn't appear to be bad either, especially Anna Kendrick.

[Sxottlan]

New clip (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=66859).

This movie looks endlessly inventive.

[number8]

I honestly can't think of a more perfect director for this than Edgar Wright.

[Watashi]

I honestly can't think of a more perfect director for this than Edgar Wright.
Johnny To?

[number8]

Johnny To?

Come to think of it... Atom Egoyan.

[Wryan]

Nicholas Ray.

This is fun!

[Spun Lepton]

Harmony Korine.

[Qrazy]

The former King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk.

[number8]

David Brent.

[Wryan]

Alan Smithee. Meme over, bitches.

[KK2.0]

pixel artist Paul Robertson is working on the Scott Pilgrim videogame, another perfect choice.

[number8]

The video game's gonna be in 8 or 16-bit? Heh.

[KK2.0]

definitely looks retro, Anamanaguchi performed the theme song and showed a brief clip at PAX http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJRYBLnuof8

[Sven]

definitely looks retro, Anamanaguchi performed the theme song and showed a brief clip at PAX http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJRYBLnuof8

You know, for being among the most ubiquitous in the chiptune scene, I just can not get into Anamanaguchi.

[number8]

You know, for being among the most ubiquitous in the chiptune scene, I just can not get into Anamanaguchi.

They're just not retro enough!

[Sven]

They're just not retro enough!

That actually just might be my complaint...

[Ivan Drago]

definitely looks retro, Anamanaguchi performed the theme song and showed a brief clip at PAX http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJRYBLnuof8

My brain just imploded.

[eternity]

I might be...seeing...this.

[MadMan]

The former King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk.If only Obama made movies...

[eternity]

That was...not nearly as good as it should have been.

[Henry Gale]

That was...not nearly as good as it should have been.

Well that sucks. Especially if what you saw was the completely locked cut.

Do you think that someone like myself that hasn't read the books would find less to be disappointed with? (Assuming that sort of thing is where the problems stem from.) I'm a Torontonian too, so I may just enjoy seeing the city in the movie actually playing itself (unlike Kick-Ass for example) with characters going to places I do, like Sonic Boom. But if someone who's flaunted as many av's and as much anticiptation for it as you can't be impressed with it, then I'm not sure how much hope there is for everyone else to.

[eternity]

Well that sucks. Especially if what you saw was the completely locked cut.

Do you think that someone like myself that hasn't read the books would find less to be disappointed with? (Assuming that sort of thing is where the problems stem from.) I'm a Torontonian too, so I may just enjoy seeing the city in the movie actually playing itself (unlike Kick-Ass for example) with characters going to places I do, like Sonic Boom. But if someone who's flaunted as many av's and as much anticiptation for it as you can't be impressed with it, then I'm not sure how much hope there is for everyone else to.
Of all the people I've talked to, those who have read it and those who have not are all in agreeance that it's an 8.5/10 film. I'm a bit lower, but I'm typically on the lower end of most ratings.

[Milky Joe]

This movie looks endlessly dumb.

[Sycophant]

For a movie like this, I'll be honest (and no offense intended, eternity), eternity disliking this is the best cause for optimism I've yet had.

[eternity]

For a movie like this, I'll be honest (and no offense intended, eternity), eternity disliking this is the best cause for optimism I've yet had.
I didn't dislike it. It's still the best movie I've seen this year.

My concerns come largely as someone who is madly in love with the book. The book is as good as it is because of the ensemble, which is largely cut down in exchange for centering the movie entirely around the main plot; Scott fighting seven evil exes, one (with an exception) after another. When it captures the book, it's perfect. When it doesn't, it's just a good film that goes through the motions. For a film this kinetic, that's sort of...awkward.

[eternity]

That panel was cool, the Experience was fun, and they're doing another screening of it in my neck of the woods after the three Comic-Con ones. We don't deserve this.

Book 6 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the ending they made up

[Philosophe_rouge]

Seeing this tuesdays

[Morris Schæffer]

haha, there's a Q&A going on over at aintitcool with Stallone and look who asks the first question:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/45937

[Thirdmango]

I just saw this today. Now I loved book 6, and I love the whole series, and I am an Edgar Wright whore since Hot Fuzz for me is pretty much a perfect film. With all that I knew I would love it, but I still really loved it. It was really fun, some awesome action sequences, funny moments, etc... It was a really good time. A critic friend of mine had gotten a hold of the first script and said the ending was awful, but luckily when O'Malley got on the set he made sure to change that ending to the one it became and it was a good ending. As far as Wright's movies go I would put this one for me personally above Shaun of the Dead, but I don't know how others would rate it. I loved it and I'll see it opening day again. Also the music was phenomenal.

[number8]

Hee hee, Armond White's review:

http://www.nypress.com/article-21507-the-dweeb-that-would-rule-the-world.html

[Pop Trash]

Nick Schager at Slant really liked this. That took me by surprise.

[Pop Trash]

Hee hee, Armond White's review:

http://www.nypress.com/article-21507-the-dweeb-that-would-rule-the-world.html

In sum: Tarantino sucks! Edgar Wright rules!

[Spinal]

Hee hee, Armond White's review:

http://www.nypress.com/article-21507-the-dweeb-that-would-rule-the-world.html

I was able to read one sentence before becoming annoyed.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Armond, you scamp!

[BuffaloWilder]

I don't know how to feel about this

[Bosco B Thug]

I don't know how to feel about this
Boo Tarantino bashing!

Plus, when he said QT "extracts all social and political contexts," I had thought he meant "extracts" then puts it in his films, but it was "extracts and disposes" because White's a hater who should re-read his sentences.

[Dukefrukem]

Have you guys seen this (http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1897/armondwhiteisntinsane.jpg) about White?

My favorite is the 4th from the bottom in the left column.

[number8]

Yes, and I think a meaningless table like that to gauge a critic's worth is absurd. Judge a film critic by the weight of his criticism, not by what movies he did or didn't enjoy.

[Spinal]

Have you guys seen this (http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1897/armondwhiteisntinsane.jpg) about White?

My favorite is the 4th from the bottom in the left column.

You could do such a list for just about anyone, don't you think?

Anyway, haven't seen any of the stuff on his 'good' list (nor do I want to). But I see more than a few on the 'bad' list I agree with ...

The Wrestler
The Reader
I'm Not There
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Star Trek
Harry Potter

[Dukefrukem]

*walks away with tail between legs*

[eternity]

Have you guys seen this (http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1897/armondwhiteisntinsane.jpg) about White?

My favorite is the 4th from the bottom in the left column.

I hate this, considering how CJ7, The Foot Fist Way, and Chaos Theory are better than a lot of the films on the "bad" list.

[Sven]

That list is pretty much the worst thing on the internet. Or rather, its proliferation and the subsequent superficial conclusions drawn from it are.

[Sycophant]

It represents an attitude that seems to be both spreading and poisonous.

Also, I liked Norbit and Mr. 3000.

[baby doll]

The thing that's starting to bug me about White is that he gets paid to write this stuff. I mean, anybody on this site could more readable, useful reviews. I suppose it's mildly amusing that there's only one paragraph in the entire review in which he doesn't unload on Tarantino at some point, but what's up with referring to him as "QT" all the time? Does anybody refer to Lars von Trier as LT, Steven Spielberg as SS, or the Dardenne brothers as JP&LD?

[Boner M]

The thing that's starting to bug me about White is that he gets paid to write this stuff. I mean, anybody on this site could more readable, useful reviews. I suppose it's mildly amusing that there's only one paragraph in the entire review in which he doesn't unload on Tarantino at some point, but what's up with referring to him as "QT" all the time? Does anybody refer to Lars von Trier as LT, Steven Spielberg as SS, or the Dardenne brothers as JP&LD?
QT's a pretty common abbreviation, and out of all the things to take issue with in White's criticism, that one's at the bottom of the pile.

[baby doll]

QT's a pretty common abbreviation, and out of all the things to take issue with in White's criticism, that one's at the bottom of the pile.It's still stupid.

[number8]

It's still stupid.

Doesn't matter. It's commonly accepted, like PTA for Paul Thomas Anderson and NPH for Neil Patrick Harris.

[MacGuffin]

Doesn't matter. It's commonly accepted, like PTA for Paul Thomas Anderson and NPH for Neil Patrick Harris.

Don't forget WKW or JLG. (Hell, even Jean-Luc Godard referred to himself as "JLG".)

[MadMan]

Typing "QT" is a hell of a lot easier. I do it all the time. Which means I have something in common with White. I feel dirty.

[Watashi]

Everytime I see JLG, I think it's for Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

[Derek]

Everytime I see JLG, I think it's for Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Bosco was calling Gordon-Levitt "JLG" throughout the Inception thread. I was going to correct him, but realized I should take whatever non-bitchy mentions of Godard I can get around here even if they're accidental.

[Bosco B Thug]

Bosco was calling Gordon-Levitt "JLG" throughout the Inception thread. I was going to correct him, but realized I should take whatever non-bitchy mentions of Godard I can get around here even if they're accidental. Right on, JLG wishes he was JLG. There are all those JLG fangirls out there, psh, I'd (500) Days with JLG over JLG any day. I took a class on JLG, so now my fingers can't type the letters any other way, so eat that JLG! I'll admit JLG rocks a suit just a little bit harder than JLG, though. ;)

[Bosco B Thug]

As for White, I'm with baby doll, the "QT" just makes his review seem even more unprofessional and slapped out. Not that I'm discouraging his refreshing suit-and-tieless voice in essence. It's just that it's also a hackneyed attempt to condescend to Tarantino and insidiously push his Tarantino-as-populist-brand talking point.

[Boner M]

Just as Wright's previous films were energised by a certain ambivalence to the subject being lampooned, I saw this film as being a strangely affectionate excoriation of everything obnoxious and faddish about hipster-geek culture at this moment in time, as well as a swoony love-letter to it at the same time. Perhaps too much of a good thing at 2 hours, but it's hard not to reciprocate the enthusiasm that Wright has for filigreeing comic detail into every frame.

[Ezee E]

Yeah, QT even had his writing credits of Kill Bill labeled as QT. I know who it is right away, so I see no problem with it.

JLG though....

[MacGuffin]

JLG though....

JLG/JLG: A Portrait in December?

http://cinemasparagus.blogspot.com/2010/05/film-socialisme-press-book-interview.html

...and I'm fairly certain "JLG" appears in the credits of a few of his films.

[number8]

Yeah, QT even had his writing credits of Kill Bill labeled as QT. I know who it is right away, so I see no problem with it.

I've seen him and Robert Rodriguez wear this great AC/DC parody belt buckle that says QT/RR.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Are baby doll and I the only Torontonians on MC? All our local rags keep going on and on about how this movie is going be such a great thing for our city, and the reviews all seem horribly biased. It's all a bit sad.

[Henry Gale]

Are baby doll and I the only Torontonians on MC? All our local rags keep going on and on about how this movie is going be such a great thing for our city, and the reviews all seem horribly biased. It's all a bit sad.

Nope, I am too, but I also haven't seen any reviews from people here yet.

Makes sense that many would be so eager to jump all over the idea of a big movie that was shot in Toronto also very much taking place here. (Even this year we've had things like Kick-Ass where they're supposed to be cruising through Times Square and it's just Yonge & Dundas square.) But at the same time, I do think it's been a bit much in the amount of publicity it's gotten by so many outlets just for that fact, all who probably wouldn't have gone on about it otherwise (like a tabloid/entertainment news show like eTalk doing some sort of story on it every day for what seems like months, for example).

I'll know for sure if it's good for the city after I've seen it, or even after the general audience/financial response to it becomes clear, but right now, I just think it's cool how Wright has been very loving of the city and done a great job of making sure the material all stayed here throughout the production and promotion of it all. Hopefully it pans out into being something more than just a one time occurrence.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Oh, well there's certainly no question if it's a good thing to have the film pump money into the city, I'm just talking about people throwing superlatives around simply because Honest Ed's is in the movie, and how that's 'so cool'.

[Spaceman Spiff]

But who knows, I guess. Maybe the Honest Ed's scene is pretty darn cool.

[eternity]

Are baby doll and I the only Torontonians on MC? All our local rags keep going on and on about how this movie is going be such a great thing for our city, and the reviews all seem horribly biased. It's all a bit sad....not?

[number8]

Interesting write-up on the geek archetype by Salon. (http://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/feature/2010/08/12/triumph_of_the_nerds)

[Watashi]

This movie is goddamn amazing.

[Sxottlan]

This was the most fun I've had at the movies in a long time. Just endlessly inventive. For right now, it's the best thing I've seen so far this year.

And boy do I regret trading in my Nintendo and Super Nintendo now more than ever.

[Spinal]

I want to see this because of Wright, but boy, the marketing has annoyed me. I'm trying to ignore it. See the ad in your local newspaper to get what I'm talking about.

[BuffaloWilder]

It's like the perfect date movie. Thank you, Mr. Wright.

[eternity]

Opening weekend is 12 million according to Deadline. Budget? 90 million.

[Watashi]

I want to see this because of Wright, but boy, the marketing has annoyed me. I'm trying to ignore it. See the ad in your local newspaper to get what I'm talking about.
I haven't noticed the marketing besides the TV spots they play on ESPN.

Just saw it a second time. It's so perfect.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I want to see this because of Wright, but boy, the marketing has annoyed me. I'm trying to ignore it. See the ad in your local newspaper to get what I'm talking about.

Is the HQ a little too high?

[Sxottlan]

Found these in-movie posters for Lucas Lee's films over at Barardinelli's site:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/BlitzkriegBop77/lucaslee3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/BlitzkriegBop77/lucaslee2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/BlitzkriegBop77/lucaslee1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/BlitzkriegBop77/lucaslee4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/BlitzkriegBop77/lucaslee5.jpg

I think I like You Just Don't Exist the most. And the tag line from Action Doctor. :lol:

[eternity]

http://www.shockya.com/news/wp-content/uploads/scott_pilgrim_vs_the_world_pos ter10.jpg

This is the best thing ever.

[eternity]

There were some some surprisingly major changes made to the final cut compared to the one I watch. They were little and mostly cosmetic, but they went a long way. Cut out one of my favorite jokes though. :/

[Henry Gale]

There were some some surprisingly major changes made to the final cut compared to the one I watch. They were little and mostly cosmetic, but they went a long way. Cut out one of my favorite jokes though. :/

Feel free to spoiler tag, as well as detail the differences to the ending that most who've seen the two versions haven't done, as far as I can tell.

This movie was an absolute blast. I was worried going in that the movie would be filled with too much hip dialogue and timely references for its own good, but the whole thing plays such things in such a smart way. The action is as vibrant and thrilling as anything from a North American film I can recall from the last few years and the everything fits their roles in the right consistency and strength throughout.

As a Torontonian, I love seeing the city I've grown up in and see every day presented as a backdrop in such a casual and loving way. The film is just the type of thing I can see myself throwing on many times, in many different scenarios (from me alone and bored at home to a great time with me and my friends) once it's on DVD/Blu-Ray/On-Demand/A very awesome television station.

***1/2 (and possibly higher over time)

[Sxottlan]

So is everyone seeing The Expendables this weekend or what? Not a lot of reaction yet. I know it's not making a lot, which is very disappointing. Probably shouldn't have opened against Stallone.


***1/2 (and possibly higher over time)

I'm definitely seeing it a second time.

I wish Chaw or even Pugh would post a review. Doesn't look like Ebert will either (because it's so video game-centric?).

But of course Lights Camera Jackson (http://lights-camera-jackson.com/index.php), the 11-year old douchebag film critic, thought the movie was "just fights." Seriously, I don't know what makes me want to put his fucking head through a wall more: his super serious and scripted behavior or that there are people out there who think so little of film criticism that they think it's okay to even put him on air. I can't even go more than a sentence before I have to shut him off.

[Sxottlan]

http://www.shockya.com/news/wp-content/uploads/scott_pilgrim_vs_the_world_pos ter10.jpg

This is the best thing ever.

There's your Criterion cover for this film.

[Rowland]

I wish Chaw or even Pugh would post a review. Doesn't look like Ebert will either (because it's so video game-centric?).Pugh posted a review on the FFC blog. Gave it */****.

[Watashi]

That would be an awful cover for Criterion to use (I have no idea why Criterion would ever release this anyway).

[Sxottlan]

I have no idea why Criterion would ever release this anyway.

Well, there's a lot of films that I think would be cool if Criterion released them. Doesn't mean it will happen.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Saw this today. Occasionally put off by its too-rapid pace and insane level of abstraction (the film is essentially the fever dream of Scott Pilgrim), and I wasn't impressed by Cera (it's funny how poorly he holds the screen against Routh and Evans), but Wright's energy...it's really hard to not get swept up in the spirit of the film, which is so confident and alive.

[baby doll]

Are baby doll and I the only Torontonians on MC?Uh, I live in Halifax.

*Runs*

Actually, the one thing that makes me want to see this film is that it was shot in Toronto, and has a story that's set in Toronto. Weird!

[eternity]

The ending was exactly the same in both versions I saw except for for the Nega-Scott conversation going for about ten more seconds. The changes they made to the ending were probably in reaction to the test screenings that happened in March.

Changes include:
-WAY more text-based gags.
-Different (lesser) opening credits. Before it was more minimalistic.
-Voiceover was new.
-Two or three Knives-centric scenes cut. Turns out my complaint that the film was too Knives-heavy WAS legitimate, as all of the people who I saw it with in June agree (and now agree that) it's not anymore.
-Julie's first party sequence was extended.
-Young Neil gets a few more lines than before.

A few more things, but that's all I can remember from the top of my head.

[eternity]

That would be an awful cover for Criterion to use (I have no idea why Criterion would ever release this anyway).They wouldn't, but it's more or less the most divisive box office bomb since Fight Club. It can also be compared to Speed Racer in being an artistic assault of awesome that people just didn't "get", except Pilgrim's fans are much more abundant and much louder (as are it's detractors, Jeffrey Wells' site is a hyperbolic cesspool at the moment).

[Raiders]

This got a standing ovation, literally, at my showing. I have never seen anything like it. These weren't all the geek-ish types I expected either. I was pretty flabbergasted, though admittedly it did deserve it.

[BuffaloWilder]

This will not be a bomb for long. I'm calling it.

[Sycophant]

For some reason, the cineplex I went to yesterday stuck this in its dinkiest theater with just four screenings for its opening weekend. I expected this would do better than it appears to be. I wonder what happened there. Opening it against The Expendables was maybe not the best idea, it seems to me.

It's sitting really well with me the day after. It's a tremendous amount of fun. The sitcom joke especially worked really well for me. Cera seemed a bit miscast as I feared, but he was also a little better than I worried he'd be. Someone I saw it with who is unfamiliar with the comics said the same things, noting that the lines and role were better than he made them. The movie, however, sold me on the video game metaphor better than the books did.

Wright is truly an incredible filmmaker. I thought the film sustained its momentum phenomenally well. It was quite visually inventive and striking. Not nearly as perfect a film as Hot Fuzz, but very, very good.

Word has it that the original ending (shot or just scripted, I'm not sure) featured Scott being with Knives, which I swear I could feel while watching it. It seems to me the movie supports that ending better.

[eternity]

Nikki Finke's explanation is that Pilgrim was a leftover from the former Universal regime and it was seen as another overpriced movie that they knew was too niche to make a profit, so they poised it as Expendables/EPL counterprogramming that could have made $5-$15 million, and that while they are "proud" of the film for being well...awesome, everyone knew it was coming.

http://www.deadline.com/2010/08/first-box-office-the-expendables-13m34m-eat-pray-love-8m23m-scott-pilgrim-5m12m/

[eternity]

For some reason, the cineplex I went to yesterday stuck this in its dinkiest theater with just four screenings for its opening weekend. I expected this would do better than it appears to be. I wonder what happened there. Opening it against The Expendables was maybe not the best idea, it seems to me.

It's sitting really well with me the day after. It's a tremendous amount of fun. The sitcom joke especially worked really well for me. Cera seemed a bit miscast as I feared, but he was also a little better than I worried he'd be. Someone I saw it with who is unfamiliar with the comics said the same things, noting that the lines and role were better than he made them. The movie, however, sold me on the video game metaphor better than the books did.

Wright is truly an incredible filmmaker. I thought the film sustained its momentum phenomenally well. It was quite visually inventive and striking. Not nearly as perfect a film as Hot Fuzz, but very, very good.

Word has it that the original ending (shot or just scripted, I'm not sure) featured Scott being with Knives, which I swear I could feel while watching it. It seems to me the movie supports that ending better.

The problem with Scott ending up with Knives is that 1. obviously, after fighting (killing!!!) 7 people to get to Ramona only to end up with Knives would be...counter-productive, and 2. Despite the fact that she's badassed-up, Knives is still a naive, young, somewhat annoying high school girl who he should have never been dating in the first place, and despite the last minute heroism, they still have nothing to connect on. As Knives put it, "she's too cool for him", as even though she is problematic, she's a well-intentioned, "nice" girl, while Scott and Ramona are, let's face it, kind of bad, selfish people who deserve each other.

[Adam]

This was fun and even genuinely sweet at times, but I'd say it peaks around the Brandon Routh fight and kind of falls apart after that. Some really inspired visual gags - maybe the funniest being that business with the door when Knives comes over and Scott dives out the window. Woulda liked it more if it wasn't so front-loaded with the epicness


This will not be a bomb for long. I'm calling it.

Is that you, Edgar Wright's delusional mother?



Actually, the one thing that makes me want to see this film is that it was shot in Toronto, and has a story that's set in Toronto. Weird!

One of my favorite lines in Scott Pilgrim: "They make movies in Toronto?"

[eternity]

This was fun and even genuinely sweet at times, but it peaks around the Brandon Routh fight and kind of falls apart after that. Some really inspired visual gags - maybe the funniest being that business with the door when Knives comes over and Scott dives out the window. Woulda liked it more if it wasn't so front-loaded with the epicness


They move up the entirety of the story to the first half of the film because in order to tell it properly, the film would have to be twice as long. Otherwise, most of the non-fighting stuff would be out of context. A necessary but unsatisfying sacrifice.

[Dukefrukem]

This will not be a bomb for long. I'm calling it.

No chance.

[ledfloyd]

i was a bit disappointed with the trailers but man, i loved it. i had a huge grin on my face for most of the running time. i think it does a good job of capturing how college aged kids relate to the world today.

[EyesWideOpen]

I was happy to see they kept in all the Wallace "gay stuff", I was dismayed that people in my audience were yelling "ewwww" anytime one of these situations happened.

[Fezzik]

Saw this today.

Went in never having read the source material or knowing much about it beyond the high concept idea.

I walked out with a huge smile. The film has such a relentless, infectious energy that its hard not to get sucked into it.

Even Cera seems more 'alive' than usual - I've always found him flat before but he really seemed to have more personality as Scott than I've ever seen before.

Lots of laughs, lots of great geeky references that I appreciated, good performances. I was incredibly entertained, and that's all I was hoping for.

It's also supplied us with some great lines for when we want to pull out random movie quotes.

And I agree with a previous post that said the best gag was Scott jumping out the window. Even the way that scene was framed and shot was hilarious.

[number8]

Not many directors know how to make a shot funny and usually rely too much on actors' performance or lines from the script. Wright actually knows how to frame a gag for maximum funny.

[Sycophant]

That's really, really true.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Yeah, like Inception, I might have to see this in order to understand what people are talking about anywhere I go (work and parties, essentially). Might do so this week.

[Raiders]

Ramona Flowers is a character defined almost entirely by her hair color. She changes it every ten days and it is the most appealing thing about her (other than how great she looks in her underwear). There is little else there; she never looks happy, she doesn't seem to really have any sense of humor, her taste in the arts left relatively unexplored and her past is littered with seven homicidal ex-partners. Scott Pilgrim is inexplicably drawn to her. The film seems to imply it is destiny, meant-to-be or whatever you want call it since he dreams of her before even meeting her thus making her the "girl of his dreams." Still, Scott's overwhelming desire to pursue her even under assault of her Seven Evil Exes remains something the film leaves unexplained.

Perhaps though we can explain it in the same way we can explain why Mario so vehemently pursues Princess Toadstool, even though she is never given any characterization whatsoever. It's a video game rite-of-passage or even more explicitly the very reason the game exists. She's a pretty face at the end to be rescued from the final boss. She exists because she must and we simply accept that she is what we must achieve. So it is that Scott Pilgrim's initial dream acts as his intro cut-scene, starting him on his way through the various levels the film creates, all with the singular purpose of finally having a peaceful date with Ramona.

Every single one of the characters in fact, Scott Pilgrim included, is essentially a one-note stereotype with usually one defining characteristic and pitched at pretty much the same level all the way through. Wright finds no dynamicism in the character arcs, which is a weakness in a late film bonus match between Scott and Nega Scott, his doppelganger that personifies the platitude repeated a few times that Scott’s ultimate battle lies within himself, not with Ramona’s evil exes. Truth be told, I didn’t really understand any of this since Scott himself is essentially Michael Cera, the stunted early-twenty-something who seems to get a lot of girls but knows not what to do with them, which I guess is ultimately what Nega Scott represents. Maybe. Whatever.

Some films exist not as any great study in character but rather a study in form, or more pointedly a study in how film form (or here, also video game form) can create in itself a recognizable landscape for the troubles of life, here for those other aimless youths. Here, the structure cannily expresses the way most of us enter into a new relationship: by beating back all the baggage. The film’s fever-dream style brilliantly shifts in both reality and in temporality, often quickly transitioning with the rapid-pace of a fractured and youthful mind. The film is gloriously obsessed with Scott, his failures and his love life, the self-centered mind at work and filtering through the stream of information (is it any wonder the Evil Exes know who he is immediately and seek him out?).

Wright’s style is so remarkably over-the-top that it could have fallen into mere gimmickry. If all the film had was its video game and comic book inspired visual cues, even with the creativeness behind them (the coins being dropped was particularly clever), the motif would have become monotonous. But Wright smartly undercuts most everything with impeccable comedic timing and snappy quips from most everyone that always stand on the border between honesty and self-aware satire. Admittedly I did begin to tire a little of the film’s video game assault and I was particularly disappointed by the eventual retread into video game literalness with a digitized and pixilated villain. But even still, Wright has yet again managed to display himself as potentially our generation’s most ambitious and creative comedic directorial mind.

[Henry Gale]

Aw man, kinda sad to see that the Brie Larson-sung version of "Black Sheep" isn't on the soundtrack, just Metric's own version. I love Emily Haines, but something about the way Larson sang the lyrics with certain gorgeous Debbie Harry-like phrasing makes the whole thing just a little more seductive and enjoyable to me than also-amazing Metric one.

Just considering that it's the only version in the actual movie, it seems a bit strange to not release it properly.

EDIT - Nevermind, I have found. (YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGB4VDQI6XM) and mp3 (http://www.mediafire.com/?855l1g4r4f9p1wr))

[eternity]

I was happy to see they kept in all the Wallace "gay stuff", I was dismayed that people in my audience were yelling "ewwww" anytime one of these situations happened.

Both audiences I've seen it with were cracking up at everything Wallace did or was involved with. Weird, considering how I live in one of the most conservative cities in Arizona, which...says a lot.

[Watashi]

Both audiences I've seen it with were cracking up at everything Wallace did or was involved with. Weird, considering how I live in one of the most conservative cities in Arizona, which...says a lot.
Same here. Edgar Wright is making homosexuality cool again.

[Sven]

Good review, Raiders. I thought the movie was okay. I got pretty sick of all the flashy lights by the end. It really is like they made the game for video game addicts with ADD. There's not really a strong character arc; you can pretty much get a sense of what his character is at any point in the movie from any point in the movie.

I was laughing mightily, though. Evans, Routh, and Schwartzman were my favorite, and Culkin was very good as well.

A disappointment, definitely*, but a fine time nonetheless.

*though perhaps it is just that I think too highly of Hot Fuzz?

[Watashi]

Have you read any of the comics, Sven?

They seem up your alley.

[Watashi]

I kinda want D_Davis to see this film.

[Ezee E]

This will not be a bomb for long. I'm calling it.
Only if the Match Cut Box Office meant anything.

[EyesWideOpen]

Both audiences I've seen it with were cracking up at everything Wallace did or was involved with. Weird, considering how I live in one of the most conservative cities in Arizona, which...says a lot.

I live in a conservative city in Arizona also, maybe I just got the douchier crowd.

[ledfloyd]

in regards to being able to pick the film up anywhere, i'm not sure that would work. in fact, while watching the film i was thinking that it would probably play terribly on cable. the editing is so smooth, especially during the first half of the film, that i don't see many (any?) break points. i can see the argument that this is relentless and exhausting but i found it invigorating and enthralling. but back to my point, if we concede to the fact that, as most have been saying, the film's pleasures are primarily in it's formal wizardry. then no, i don't think you can pick it up wherever you want.

the film definitely features less characterization than the book. a lot of the flashbacks and a few scenes fleshing out scott and ramona's relationships have been cut. but, as raiders said, i don't really think that was ever the point. ramona is the goal to reach at the end of the game and that's why she exists and that's that. that's not to say the film or the book are completely devoid of subtext. there is the fact that the whole thing is a metaphor for coming to terms with your girlfriend's past and realizing your own past is just as big a deal and coming to terms with that. not the most original or heartfelt message but realized in an original and completely engrossing way. there is also, as i said earlier, plenty of commentary on the way we relate to the world today. from the video game to comic book to music references it comments on the way pop culture has come to define our personalities and in many cases the way we think about ourselves and the world around us.

and then there's the formal wizardy. in addition to wright being one of a kind when it comes to staging visual gags there's the fact that i've never seen the comic book/video game aesthetic so seamlessly integrated into the cinematic form.

i was slightly put off by a few of the changes they made in the end, there were some gags i thought had better timing in the book, they cut out a few of my favorite bits, but really, i'm not sure it's possible to make a better two hour scott pilgrim film.

[Pop Trash]

Good stuff. Really loved the first hour, but the style did get exhausting at a long-ish two hours.

Oddly, it reminded me a bit of a less mean-spirited Natural Born Killers. Some of the gags (like the laugh track sequence) seemed directly lifted from NBK.

[DavidSeven]

Opening weekend is 12 million according to Deadline. Budget? 90 million.

$10.5 million is the final number. Good for fifth behind The Other Guys (Week 2) and Inception (Week 5). Can't really fault opening against The Expendables if repeats do better than you. The marketing for this film was just horrendous. Even I have little interest in seeing it in theaters despite Wright and the strong WOM.

[number8]

What should've been different about the marketing? Are we making a case that it failed because it represented the film accurately, for once?

[ledfloyd]

What should've been different about the marketing? Are we making a case that it failed because it represented the film accurately, for once?
i don't know about that. i thought the trailer was pretty bad but i loved the film. maybe others were put off enough by the trailer to avoid it entirely?

[DavidSeven]

What should've been different about the marketing? Are we making a case that it failed because it represented the film accurately, for once?

Think they tried too hard to counter-program against The Expendables and focused too hard on the Cera/hipster factor. They didn't do much to highlight it as an action-er/comedy from the director of Shaun of the Dead / Hot Fuzz. Seeing countless billboards around town with Cera rocking out on a guitar probably didn't do much to help either. I mean, would anyone even know Brandon Routh was in the film from the marketing material alone?

[KK2.0]

Ramona Flowers is a character defined almost entirely by her hair color. She changes it every ten days and it is the most appealing thing about her (other than how great she looks in her underwear). There is little else there; she never looks happy, she doesn't seem to really have any sense of humor, her taste in the arts left relatively unexplored and her past is littered with seven homicidal ex-partners. Scott Pilgrim is inexplicably drawn to her. The film seems to imply it is destiny, meant-to-be or whatever you want call it since he dreams of her before even meeting her thus making her the "girl of his dreams." Still, Scott's overwhelming desire to pursue her even under assault of her Seven Evil Exes remains something the film leaves unexplained.

Perhaps though we can explain it in the same way we can explain why Mario so vehemently pursues Princess Toadstool, even though she is never given any characterization whatsoever. It's a video game rite-of-passage or even more explicitly the very reason the game exists. She's a pretty face at the end to be rescued from the final boss. She exists because she must and we simply accept that she is what we must achieve. So it is that Scott Pilgrim's initial dream acts as his intro cut-scene, starting him on his way through the various levels the film creates, all with the singular purpose of finally having a peaceful date with Ramona...

Nice review until it got a little spoilerish from that point.

I've only read books one and two of the graphic novel so far, but it striked me as a clever concept that speaks about growing up and finding love as overcoming the challenges of a videogame. And it's nothing short of brilliant in it's simplicity, and hard not to relate with the characters for anyone who grew up around those things.

i was hoping to finish the books before watching the movie, but i'm afraid they won't be published in time around here.

[Fezzik]

Think they tried too hard to counter-program against The Expendables and focused too hard on the Cera/hipster factor. They didn't do much to highlight it as an action-er/comedy from the director of Shaun of the Dead / Hot Fuzz. Seeing countless billboards around town with Cera rocking out on a guitar probably didn't do much to help either. I mean, would anyone even know Brandon Routh was in the film from the marketing material alone?

100% spot on, I think. I kept asking my friends "why didn't they ever mention that this was from the director of SotD and Hot Fuzz in their ads?"

Huge mistake. They left the comedy out of the marketing almost completely.

Plus, I found it almost anti-hipster in a way. Yeah, there were hipster elements, but the core ideal was Scott moving past that and growing up.

[Henry Gale]

Honestly, I think the biggest mistake of the trailers were to have them start out like they were some generic teen rom-com and then throw in all of the over-the-top stuff out of nowhere instead of the way the actual film has a consistent tone throughout. Every time I saw the trailers in a theatre, there just seemed to be a scattered burst of "huh?" with very little enthusiasm after Matthew Patel burst in the ceiling screaming Pilgrim's name. People did seem to point and exclaim when they saw certain locations, but that's just because they were Toronto audiences.

Even some of my closest friends, who I'm usually on the same page with most things movies, all seemed pretty angry at how dweeby and overly hip the ads were making it look, even taking a lot for some of us to convince them to see it. (Everyone loved it, of course.)

So yeah, I really think the marketing was a huge issue to those not already interested in it.

[number8]

I kept asking my friends "why didn't they ever mention that this was from the director of SotD and Hot Fuzz in their ads?"

Err, yes they did.

[Dead & Messed Up]

They didn't do much to highlight it as an action-er/comedy from the director of Shaun of the Dead / Hot Fuzz...I mean, would anyone even know Brandon Routh was in the film from the marketing material alone?

Neither Shaun nor Fuzz were hits at the box office, and Routh isn't a draw. Granted, I agree with you that they underestimate the broad appeal of Expendables.

[number8]

Neither Shaun nor Fuzz were hits at the box office, and Routh isn't a draw. Granted, I agree with you that they underestimate the broad appeal of Expendables.

This is true, but it's not just Universal. Many of the analysis/reviews I read last week predicted Scott Pilgrim as the winner, with Eat Pray Love being a second contender. It seems that a lot of people, and in turn Universal buying their own hype, were sure that there's little market for an 80's action movie filled with aging men and that a geek-heavy teen film would dominate just because of the male teen demo being the strongest BO mover.

[Sycophant]

Why they didn't understand that The Expendable shares audience demographics with Scott Pilgrim is beyond me.

[DavidSeven]

Neither Shaun nor Fuzz were hits at the box office, and Routh isn't a draw. Granted, I agree with you that they underestimate the broad appeal of Expendables.

True, but both were initially British films, and I think they eventually broke out in the U.S. video market. And I didn't mean to suggest Routh was a draw, but that the marketing was too focused on Cera. They should have tailored the promotional material to make the film seem more like a comedy-actioner in the vein of Hot Fuzz and Shaun rather than merely slap "by the director of" on a few posters/spots.

[Ezee E]

Outside of Scott pilgrim's demographics, I can't say I know anyone that was remotely interested in the movie. The Expendables gets a good amount of people that like the stars, crazy action, nostalgia, etc. I figured that it would end as such.

[Skitch]

A tad surprised to report I loved this! I figured I'd like it, as I have Wrights previous films, but this was hysterical. Creative, ingenius...I flat out loved it.

[Pop Trash]

Outside of Scott pilgrim's demographics, I can't say I know anyone that was remotely interested in the movie. The Expendables gets a good amount of people that like the stars, crazy action, nostalgia, etc. I figured that it would end as such.

I was at the bank today and this older (50-ish) guy was talking up The Expendables and describing it to his older friend as having Stallone, Arnold, and Bruce Willis in it. Me being a movie dork, I knew that Arnold and Willis basically have what amounts to cameos, but that right there is good marketing my friends.

[eternity]

I live in a conservative city in Arizona also, maybe I just got the douchier crowd.
Varies from theater to theater around here, it seems. I know any time I go to the AMC here, it's an infinitely douchier, more easily offended group.

[number8]

Animated prequel showing Scott and Kim meeting.

http://video.adultswim.com/promos/scott-pilgrim-vs-the-animation.html?cid=vplayer_pro mos_scott-pilgrim-vs-the-animation

[D_Davis]

I kinda want D_Davis to see this film.

I can't say that I'm too excited to see it.

I'm only familiar with the comics on a very surface level, but, to me, they always seemed like manufactured Americanime stuff. And while I'm a beg-time nerd, I'm not really into geek-culture.

However, the hypocrite in me recognizes that if this film was a genuine Japanese or HK-made film - perhaps directed by Miike, or Wilson Yip - I'd probably be totally into it.

It looks like it is well-made, so I don't want to write it off completely. I'll probably end up checking it out on DVD or on demand or something. But I can't help but feel that it is too concerned with its target audience, and too tightly secure in its geek-niche.

I'm also getting a little (no, a lot) tired of Michael Cera's shtick.

:shrug:

[number8]

Heh. Bryan Lee O'Malley is Korean-Canadian.

[D_Davis]

I feel so marketed to with this property.

HEY! You like manga? Anime? Kung fu movies? Indie rock? Video games? That kid from Arrested Development? Cute nerdy girls?

Then you'll love Scott Pilgrim!

****

I know - I'm being far too cynical. I should probably just watch it and enjoy it, because I probably will like it, but part of me doesn't want to give into it and let it win.

My loss, perhaps. I'm willing to admit that. It's just that lately I've felt the urge to reject geek-culture. I guess I'm a little tired of how all the things I used to be made fun of for when I was in high school are cool now.

I'm so conflicted! :)

[D_Davis]

It's not so much geek-culture, but fanboy-culture that I reject. I think there is a difference.

[ledfloyd]

It's not so much geek-culture, but fanboy-culture that I reject. I think there is a difference.
i'm not sure scott pilgrim buys into fanboy culture.

[D_Davis]

i'm not sure scott pilgrim buys into fanboy culture.

It itself may not (I don't know) but it has been fully embraced by the fanboy culture.

Anyhow, I'm going to stop talking about the movie until I eventually see it.

:)

[Watashi]

I've always hated the word "fanboy" and how people use as a negative criticizing geek culture. Isn't everyone a fanboy at something? Being a fanboy of something doesn't really hurt someone else unless they let it. I think it goes beyond mere comics and video games, etc.

[Fezzik]

I've always hated the word "fanboy" and how people use as a negative criticizing geek culture. Isn't everyone a fanboy at something? Wouldn't be a fanboy of something doesn't really hurt someone else unless they let it. I think it goes beyond mere comics and video games, etc.

To me being a "fanboy" is a negative.

Being a fan is one thing. Being a geek is yet another. Being a fanboy elevates your fandom to such a level of zealotry that you're unwilling or unable to see the flaws in your chosen "champion" (whether its movies, video games or anything else) and unwilling or unable to see the good in anything you deem a competitor to your champion.

Basically, fanboyism is geekiness raised to the level of cult. And its scary as hell.

[Watashi]

Which I don't see Scott Pilgrim embracing at all.

I just always took the word fanboy as for really really loving something. There's probably multiple levels of fanboyism like Dante's Inferno, but I don't think all fanboys are obsessively loyal.

[Fezzik]

Which I don't see Scott Pilgrim embracing at all.

I just always took the word fanboy as for really really loving something. There's probably multiple levels of fanboyism like Dante's Inferno, but I don't think all fanboys are obsessively loyal.

Scott Pilgrim doesn't embrace it, but that wasn't the question I was addressing.

Have you EVER heard anyone call someone else a fanboy without it being a negative?

I know that when I say it, I mean it in a very negative way.

It usually comes about when I try to talk about something I don't like about something and one of the "fanboys" of the very thing Im talking down comes up with some inane defense of it.

Case in point:

Last week, I was playing Magic: The Gathering (don't hate) with some people and we started talking about our phones. I mentioned that I was counting down the days til I could leave AT&T and my iPhone behind because they're so damn restrictive on what I can do with the phone I purchased (i brought up the need to buy a song as a ringtone from iTunes even if I'd already bought the full song).

One of the guys - who is a RABID Apple fan, says to me (I'm paraphrasing): "They've been doing this for a while. I'm pretty sure they know how you should want to use your phone better than you do."

That's a fanboy. And those are the people I want to hit in the face with the perspective stick.

[Winston*]

So this movie's hipster and fanboy? I thought those two were rival gangs.

[baby doll]

Norman McLaren-inspired opening credits! The old CBC logo from the '70s on Michael Cera's t-shirt! The Pizza Pizza on Bloor St. right by the Bloor St. Cinema! Second Cup! Shout outs to Eye Weekly and Now Magazine! And best of all, I didn't hear a single "eh" or hoser accent. Somebody definitely did their homework on this one. (That said, while downtown Toronto is obviously less infested with brown people than Markham, Mississauga, or Scarborough, it's still odd that the only South Asian dude in the whole movie is supposed to be American.)

It's definitely highly derivative of Stephen Chow, and consequently runs into some of the same problems with regards to characterization--which is to say that the pursuit of relentless, cranked-to-eleven energy in every single sequence results in a flattening of the characters, who are denied the slightest bit of shading or nuance (case in point: the girl with "issues"). On the other hand, like Shaolin Soccer, this is often gut-bustingly hilarious, so I guess it balances out.

[Spaceman Spiff]

:lol:

[baby doll]

I'm hoping this is just an example of completely ignorant sentence construction and wasn't meant to carry a certain connotation that comes with the word used here. Either way, check your language dude.I'm brown, dammit!

[DavidSeven]

I'm brown, dammit!

:lol:

My bad.

[baby doll]

:lol:

My bad.No biggie. I just assumed everyone would take the verb "infested" as ironic. Then again, Canada is chock full of seething racial resentment. For instance, the Tamil refugees who floated across the pacific in a shipping container (after being turned away by Australia) in order to escape genocide in Sri Lanka are, as far as the country's right wing is concerned, illegal gate crashers who are trying to jump to the head of the immigration line, if not terrorists.

[Stay Puft]

I just always took the word fanboy as for really really loving something. There's probably multiple levels of fanboyism like Dante's Inferno, but I don't think all fanboys are obsessively loyal.

I've always understood it as Fezzik describes.

The operational definition that I see is that a fanboy is uncriticial. It is not merely loving something a lot. Obsessively loyal would, in fact, describe it. A slave mentality.

That's why the term is distrinct from general fandom, or was created to be used as such. I don't know if that's actually true, but again, that is how I have understood it from the way I have seen people use the term.

[Spaceman Spiff]

(That said, while downtown Toronto is obviously less infested with brown people than Markham, Mississauga, or Scarborough, it's still odd that the only South Asian dude in the whole movie is supposed to be American.)

Also depends where exactly we're talking about downtown. The Annex, and Kensington yeah, but I can't turn around without bumping into at least 4 brown people at UofT or Parkdale (although even Parkdale is gentrifying to an absurd degree).

[Sven]

It's definitely highly derivative of Stephen Chow, and consequently runs into some of the same problems with regards to characterization--which is to say that the pursuit of relentless, cranked-to-eleven energy in every single sequence results in a flattening of the characters, who are denied the slightest bit of shading or nuance (case in point: the girl with "issues"). On the other hand, like Shaolin Soccer, this is often gut-bustingly hilarious, so I guess it balances out.

I largely agree with your assessment, though I take issue with your take on Chow's characterizations. Everyone in Kung Fu Hustle, though still defined by quirks, is given adequate room (and are terrific enough performers, unlike the ever-unable-to-demonstrate-range Cera) to develop at least a little bit of complexity. Chow's "one-note" approach to character is replete with variations, bends, harmonics, and feedback. Scott Pilgrim, I will agree, is a bit stagnant. I can barely feel any kind of movement at all with Pilgrim himself. His self-awareness at the end exists completely on paper--I wasn't stirred at all.

It could be largely that the universe in which the film takes place makes very little sense. And I don't mean Canada. Film's still hilarious, though. No use denying that.

[Rowland]

Wright finds no dynamicism in the character arcs, which is a weakness in a late film bonus match between Scott and Nega Scott, his doppelganger that personifies the platitude repeated a few times that Scott’s ultimate battle lies within himself, not with Ramona’s evil exes. Truth be told, I didn’t really understand any of this since Scott himself is essentially Michael Cera, the stunted early-twenty-something who seems to get a lot of girls but knows not what to do with them, which I guess is ultimately what Nega Scott represents. Maybe. Whatever.
I can barely feel any kind of movement at all with Pilgrim himself. His self-awareness at the end exists completely on paper--I wasn't stirred at all. Yeah, this element of the film only works in theory, and is the single flaw that has had me wavering between *** and ***½, because it really does end the film on a sour note. I'm gonna stick to a strong *** until I see the film again, open that it may click the second time around.

[number8]

I think my favorite part of this movie is Tom Jane's cameo.

[Sven]

I think my favorite part of this movie is Tom Jane's cameo.

I thought the same thing, only replace Tom Jane with Clifton Collins Jr.

[number8]

I thought the same thing, only replace Tom Jane with Clifton Collins Jr.

I like him a lot, but he should really stop appearing in so many terrible movies. Though I guess the same can be said about Jane.

[number8]

Their high five was the second hardest my crowd laughed, after the window jump.

[Watashi]

I didn't recognize Jane and Collins at first. From the rumors, I was expecting some more recognizable comedians (like Rogen and Hader). I was surprised how well my crowd of 20-something year olds laughed at their reveal.

[number8]

Hader did have a cameo, although in voice only.

[Sycophant]

Surprised Match Cut hasn't produced a detractor for this one yet.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Surprised Match Cut hasn't produced a detractor for this one yet.

I know! Sven's dropped the ball on this one.

Anyways, taking a date out to see this tonight. Hopefully some deal-sealing afterwards.

[Sven]

I know! Sven's dropped the ball on this one.

Sigh.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Sigh.

Just kidding, Svensos. Don't take it to heart.

[Sven]

Just kidding, Svensos. Don't take it to heart.

See the Black Swan thread for details.

Anyway, I'll stop being a baby now. I promise.

[Spaceman Spiff]

See the Black Swan thread for details.

Anyway, I'll stop being a baby now. I promise.

hahahaha, that thread's awesome.

[eternity]

I didn't recognize Jane and Collins at first. From the rumors, I was expecting some more recognizable comedians (like Rogen and Hader). I was surprised how well my crowd of 20-something year olds laughed at their reveal.
This was that "oh my god I can't wait to eventually talk about it" moment I kept mentioning, for clarification.

[Henry Gale]

I didn't recognize Jane and Collins at first. From the rumors, I was expecting some more recognizable comedians (like Rogen and Hader). I was surprised how well my crowd of 20-something year olds laughed at their reveal.

I mean, it's just completely out-of-nowhere and hilarious on its own to have them busting through the wall and saying they were the Vegan Police, even if audiences don't immediately know the actors playing them.

But at the same time, I wouldn't be surprised if people do now recognize Jane because of Hung airing between True Blood and Entourage (being HBO's two biggest shows). The many fans I know of both of those all seem to watch Hung this season even if they didn't see the first.

[Barty]

Even Armond White liked this. :pritch:

[Rowland]

Even Armond White liked this. :pritch:Of course he does, he loves Wright.

[number8]

I wonder if there was an Altered States style battle in White's mind over his love for Edgar Wright vs. his hatred of hipsters.

[Pop Trash]

I wonder if there was an Altered States style battle in White's mind over his love for Edgar Wright vs. his hatred of hipsters.

I'm not sure if he hates hipsters per se, mostly just hipster nihilism. I found Scott Pilgrim to be pretty warm hearted. Keep in mind both White and most hipsters love Wes Anderson.

[Sycophant]

'Scott Pilgrim' Versus The Unfortunate Tendency To Review The Audience (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129150813), by Linda Holmes


After referring to the first part of the movie as a "dork-pandering assault," The Boston Phoenix reviewer goes on to say that Michael Cera's performance is "irritating" in part because of "the non-stop Pavlovian laugh track provided by the audience at the screening I attended." (As far as I know, that's a first: "You made the audience laugh, you irritating actor in a comedy, and that's what's wrong with you.")

[origami_mustache]

I enjoyed it. Not as effective and poignant as Speed Racer, but still pretty well done and fun.

[DavidSeven]

64% drop in B.O. from last week. Word of mouth is not saving this one. You'll have to catch it within the week before it's dumped from exhibition.

[DavidSeven]

I'm not sure if he hates hipsters per se, mostly just hipster nihilism. I found Scott Pilgrim to be pretty warm hearted. Keep in mind both White and most hipsters love Wes Anderson.

This is true. I think his awkward use of the word has confused a lot of people. I don't think he has anything against "hipsters" at all. He just doesn't like people who praise things for having a bleak or nihilistic world view, and his use of the word "hipster" is just him labeling this type of film criticism as a trend that will eventually fade. Hipster nihilists like The Dark Knight, not The Royal Tenenbaums or Spike Jonze movies.

[MacGuffin]

I think the phrase "hipster nihilism" is just poor word choice. The less condescending, snide direction (rather than the one that results in attacking a possible percentage of his readership) would be to just say you don't like self-important movies like The Dark Knight.

[baby doll]

Aside from Homeless Dad, why is Thomas Jane famous?

[Sven]

I think the phrase "hipster nihilism" is just poor word choice. The less condescending, snide direction (rather than the one that results in attacking a possible percentage of his readership) would be to just say you don't like self-important movies like The Dark Knight.

"self importance" doesn't address either the nihilism or the hipness of the pieces that he seems to want to convey.

Thomas Jane is famous because he's a charismatic, versatile actor who has been in a spectrum of films, ranging from prestige-y award types to schlocky B stuff. His relatively fresh career is already quite lucrative, and his star appears to still be on the rise.

[DavidSeven]

Todd Parker, Boogie Nights. One of the greatest movie scenes of all time. That's all that really needs to be said.

[Ezee E]

Todd Parker, Boogie Nights. One of the greatest movie scenes of all time. That's all that really needs to be said.
Yes.

[number8]

.....The Punisher.

[Ezee E]

Arrested Development

[MacGuffin]

"self importance" doesn't address either the nihilism or the hipness of the pieces that he seems to want to convey.

I think the overly bleak (and in Armond-speak: nihilistic) tone of the movie contributes to the overall self-importance.

[Sven]

I think the overly bleak (and in Armond-speak: nihilistic) tone of the movie contributes to the overall self-importance.

Sure. But "self importance" does not imply "bleak". That's the sort of thing that needs to be clarified. With words like "nihilism".

[MacGuffin]

Sure. But "self importance" does not imply "bleak". That's the sort of thing that needs to be clarified. With words like "nihilism".

The bottom line is there are less snarky terms one could use aside from "hipster nihilism", using the audience (a very bad idea), to describe the film.

[megladon8]

The bottom line is there are less snarky terms one could use aside from "hipster nihilism".


Agreed.

Any time I hear someone use the term "nihilism" or its variations, my mind automatically goes here...

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/6417/nihilists.jpg


Thus, I have a hard time taking it seriously.

[Sven]

The bottom line is there are less snarky terms one could use aside from "hipster nihilism", using the audience (a very bad idea), to describe the film.

It doesn't necessarily describe the audience. It's describing the angle and attitude of the film. In the process, he describes what he feels to be a poor artistic perspective from a group of people with very strong creative influences in the artistic world. It's annoying, no doubt, but legitimate, however much it has become a catchphrase (though more by satirists than White himself).

[Sven]

"But what do I care?"

Why did they change that to be not funny?

[megladon8]

"But what do I care?"

Why did they change that to be not funny?


The answer is obvious.

Because they're nihilists.

You don't think the line in the movie is funny? What do they care? They're nihilists. They believe in nothing!

[MacGuffin]

It's annoying, no doubt, but legitimate, however much it has become a catchphrase (though more by satirists than White himself).

Fair enough. I suppose I just wish White were friendlier and less aggressive towards everyone, rather than throwing stones outside of his own "critical bubble", because I truly think he has something to offer.

[Sycophant]

In the movie, instead of saying he doesn't care because they're nihilists (which is what's in that image), the guy complains that it's not fair. Which is funny.

Svenwin.

[Spinal]

'Scott Pilgrim' Versus The Unfortunate Tendency To Review The Audience (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129150813), by Linda Holmes

Really liked this article. She's a very engaging writer.

[Sxottlan]

So I'm pretty much completely in the tank for this movie. I'm considering seeing it for a third time tomorrow, although if only because I don't have anything else to do. I picked up the soundtrack and it's pretty fantastic and varied.

I like that eventually the movie comes down to a zen search for peace within Scott, coming to terms with Nega Scott. Dealing with the baggage and putting it aside. About all the action scenes were fantastic (really dig the "summon" battle with the twins) and it's just been so long in general since we've seen any kind of martial arts fantasy action. That combined with great music, great comedy and great looking girls makes for my favorite movie of the year so far.

I suppose I can see the arguments about how the advertising sank this film, but I myself don't buy it. Then again, I never caught the trailer in theatres and while I see lots of clips and different commercials online for it, I never once saw them. What I saw of the advertising appeared to present what the film was about at face value, positioning first and foremost as a comedy, but with action elements.

[baby doll]

So is this a cult movie yet? I mean, it's already passed the first hurdle: Box office failure, despite a relatively small number of passionate admirers. Now all we need are midnight screenings full of weirdos dressed as the characters. (Ramona Flowers in particular seems destined to be a Halloween costume, despite her lack of charisma.)

[eternity]

On repeat viewings (more than I care to admit), I have realized that the usage of the score is...very annoying. All of the songs are nifty and all, but the way some of it just keeps playing through a scene gives me Disney Channel Original Movie vibes.