| THE
HACKNEY HERB’S FILM RANT |
|
 |
INDEX
The
intention of my writing is to offer my honest opinions of films, film
culture and current practice.
As
a highly opinionated, frustrated filmmaker, my writing may piss people
off.
I may include reviews, or comment on filmmakers, actors, studio trends
etc.
COMIC
TO SCREAM!
Firstly,
let me clarify this is not an attack on comics.
I
have nothing but respect for the art and creativeness of the comic
book.
This
is a statement of dissatisfaction with the current spate of comic
book movies.
What
is wrong with comic book movies?
Well if they are made as “movies” then there should
be nothing wrong.
The
trouble is they are made as film comic books.
What
do I mean by this? |
|
 |
The
comic book is a distinct medium, with finely crafted art work, specific
narration patterns and a user defined way of accessing them.
Although
there are crossovers, the movie is another distinct medium with a very
different set of rules.
The
problem is too many of these comic book movies are trying to hard to be
the same as the comic books. This is also lazy filmmaking.
I
have often heard people say of them “you have to be into the
comic to really appreciate the film”.
This
to me is the point.
As
a movie fan, I should be able to go to a movie and appreciate it
as a self-contained piece, e.g. not have to take a number of wider
preconceptions from my knowledge of comic books.
This
is a wider issue that does not just relate to comics.
It
encompasses such things as film adaptations of games and of course
novels into film.
The
latter is perhaps the widest used source for movies.
The
interesting point here is that a “great novel” very,
very rarely translates into a “great movie”, whereas
a “bad novel” will often translate into a “great
movie”. |
|
 |
Why?
Because
it is the better the source the harder it is to improve on and the higher
the audiences expectations.
If
a novel is great it is usually because that is the best medium to tell
that story.
When
you watch a movie of a book you have read you will notice great
swathes of that book are missing.
Why?
Because
they are different mediums. The more faithful you are to the book
the harder it becomes to make a decent movie.
What
you can do is adapt it to the screen and create a new entity.
Such
as Orson Welles version of “The Trial”, he has taken
a great book and turned it into a great film.
Not
by being faithful to the book but by changing, updating and making
it into a movie.
So
it would be great to see some comics, adapted into truly original
movies. |
|
 |
Perhaps
even using some shit comics as source material.
This
is obviously a genre that is going to stay with us, so hopefully it will
grow and develop.
My
only hope is that it does not become too dominant, cause that will kill
it for everyone.
Especially
you comic purists.
Which
is why, when I see the lists of up coming movies X-Men 3, Hulk 2, Fantastic
4 etc, etc etc, I want to scream!!!
Indies
Day and the Temple of CG>
<So
to Begin
See
The Herb's MySpace>
The
Herb's PoWeb>
[Back
to Top]
©
2003 - 2008 Danny Herbert.
|
